Chapter 4 | “A New Spark and the Time to Resolve”

The following Monday, the air around me felt strangely different.

It was because—

“Hey, those two…”
“No mistake about it…”

Passersby were staring at us more than usual. Charlotte-san’s striking appearance always drew eyes, but since we took this route to school every day, the locals had grown accustomed to her and rarely gawked lately. Yet today, students from other schools and even adults were casting odd glances our way.

Worse still, Charlotte-san wore a troubled expression the entire time.

“Charlotte-san, do you know what’s going on?” I asked softly.

“No… It just feels like they know something about me or Akihito-kun…”

Her hearing, sharp as ever, picked up the murmurs of those around us. No distinct words stood out, but their focus on me and Charlotte-san was unmistakable. If this was about the sports festival, it would only involve our school. There was no reason for it to spread to others.

Could the Himeragi conglomerate be involved? They’d promised to leave her alone during high school and overlook her presence here for now, but their word was hardly trustworthy. We had to stay vigilant.

“Charlotte-san, stick close to me, okay?”

“Yes…”

She tightened her grip on my arm, clinging to me. The uncertainty and countless eyes must have frightened her. Emma-chan, meanwhile, pressed her face into my chest, acting spoiled, so at least her face wasn’t visible.

After dropping Emma-chan off at preschool, we continued to school.

“—Charlotte-san, Aoyagi-kun, are you okay!?”

Shimizu-san came running toward us, her face pale with worry. As I suspected, something was definitely wrong.

“We were stared at by a lot of people on the way, but nothing actually happened,” I said calmly.

“What’s going on? That level of concern isn’t normal, right?” Charlotte-san added, her voice tinged with unease.

“Sorry, I only just found out, but—”

Shimizu-san quickly explained. Apparently, a student had secretly filmed the sports festival, capturing my match with Akira and Charlotte-san hugging me, then uploaded it to a popular video-sharing site. The uploader, an influencer with tens of thousands of subscribers, usually posted daily life videos, not soccer content, so the video initially spread due to Charlotte-san’s charm. Later, soccer fans noticed it, and since Akira was my opponent, I was identified. Malicious rumors and comments followed, drawing in people eager to pile on, causing the video to explode far beyond its original reach. The original had been deleted, but reposts made containment impossible.

“In an era where anyone can upload videos, this is a problem unique to our time…” I muttered.

“This isn’t the time to be calm!” Shimizu-san exclaimed. “It’s been spreading like crazy since the weekend!”

She wasn’t wrong. The speed of its spread was unnatural. If this was why passersby were staring, the video must have reached a massive audience. It was surprising Shimizu-san had only just learned of it, but since Riku was at her house until yesterday, she likely hadn’t checked the internet.

“I’m not too worried about myself, but I’m concerned for Charlotte-san…”

Charlotte-san’s undeniable beauty—unbiased by my feelings—could easily make her a top idol if she chose. That meant creepy individuals drawn to her looks from the video might approach her.

“I’m actually more worried about you, Aoyagi-kun,” Shimizu-san countered. “There are comments saying they can’t forgive a ‘bad guy’ like you having such a cute girlfriend, and even more dangerous stuff…”

“I’d like to say no one’s got the guts for that, but I can’t just brush it off…”

This was different from when rumors of my relationship with Charlotte-san spread within school. Among those posting threats, some might genuinely intend harm.

“Akihito-kun, what should we do…?” Charlotte-san’s voice trembled.

“Well—”

“—At times like this, don’t try to handle it alone as kids,” a voice interrupted from behind.

I turned, startled. “M-Miyu-sensei…”

“This isn’t something students should deal with on their own. Aoyagi, Charlotte, come with me.”

We followed Miyu-sensei, her expression grave, into the hallway. In a secluded corner, a female student stood with teary eyes and a dark look. She seemed familiar—a first-year who’d once asked if I was dating Karin.

“Who’s she?” I asked.

“She’s the one who uploaded the video,” Miyu-sensei replied. “She realized how bad things had gotten and came to me for advice earlier.”

It was surprisingly quick to identify her, but her confession explained it. Choosing Miyu-sensei over her homeroom teacher showed how much she trusted her.

“I-I didn’t mean any harm…!” the girl stammered. “I just thought it was a great video and wanted everyone to see it, so I uploaded it…!”

“That’s not the point. You need to apologize first,” Miyu-sensei said sternly, her gaze sharp.

She was furious.

“I-I’m sorry…”

“What’s your name?” I asked gently, smiling to ease her fear.

For some reason, Charlotte-san pressed a hand to her forehead as if pained, but I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong.

“Um… Nikaidou Himeka…”

“Nikaidou-san, right? I’m sure you know, but I’m Aoyagi Akihito, a second-year.”

I introduced myself briefly. We’d spoken before, but never properly.

“Do you often upload videos like this?”

“Huh…? Y-Yes…”

She nodded hesitantly, clearly thrown by the question. She hadn’t expected me to steer the conversation this way.

“Then, from now on, get permission before posting videos with people’s faces. There are things like portrait rights, you know.”

“From now on… That’s it…?”

“There’s no point dwelling on what’s happened. It took courage to come forward and tell the teacher—that’s amazing. As long as you reflect on posting without permission and don’t do it again, that’s enough for me. The fact that it blew up is kind of my fault anyway.”

I hadn’t seen the video, but she likely uploaded it without malice, as she claimed. In this day and age, some kids post harmful videos thoughtlessly, so her actions weren’t entirely shocking. Since she was reflecting, I saw no need to blame her further.

“As soft as ever, Aoyagi…” Miyu-sensei sighed.

“Blaming her won’t fix this mess,” I replied. “No matter how much we scold her, it won’t change anything. Right, Charlotte-san?”

“Yes, what’s done is done,” Charlotte-san said with a gentle smile. “Please be more careful in the future so this doesn’t happen again. That will protect you as well.”

As she noted, avoiding such mistakes was for her own safety. Carelessly posting videos that infringe on others’ rights could lead to lawsuits. Rules exist to protect everyone.

“A-Aoyagi-senpai, Bennett-senpai… Thank you…!”

Tears streamed down Nikaidou-san’s face as she bowed deeply. I wanted to believe her remorse was genuine.

“That’s how it is, Nikaidou,” Miyu-sensei said. “You got off lightly because it was Aoyagi and Charlotte, but normally, you could’ve been sued. Keep that in mind and be careful with your activities.”

“Yes… I’m so sorry for the trouble…”

“I’m not threatening you, but this has become a big deal. We might need your help later, so please lend a hand if asked.”

“Y-Yes, of course…!”

She nodded vigorously before Miyu-sensei led her back to her classroom. An influencer with tens of thousands of followers could indeed be useful, though I wasn’t sure how far Miyu-sensei was planning.

“What’ll happen to her punishment?” I asked, watching Nikaidou-san’s retreating figure.

“Normally, she’d face suspension,” Miyu-sensei replied, “but since she came forward and you forgave her, I’ll push for a strict warning instead.”

“Please do. She didn’t mean any harm.”

“Not meaning harm doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want…” Miyu-sensei rubbed her temples, giving me a look. “Honestly, we’ll need time to plan what’s next, but I’ve decided one thing. For your and Charlotte’s safety, I’ll drive you to and from school.”

“Is that really necessary…?”

“If there’s even a slight chance of harm coming to you students, I have to prevent it. We don’t know how many of those threatening comments are serious, but I’ve contacted the police just in case.”

As a teacher, she had to prepare for the worst. I doubted the police would act immediately, but any measures were welcome.

“Then… sorry for the trouble, but please do.”

I could handle myself, but Charlotte-san’s safety was non-negotiable. Relying on Miyu-sensei was the priority. Still, another concern lingered.

“With things like this, will it affect my special recommendation…?”

The uproar had dragged the school into it. While Miyu-sensei was kind and prioritized us, some teachers might see this as a hassle, lowering my evaluation.

“You haven’t done anything wrong, Aoyagi,” she assured me. “I won’t let other teachers use this incident to interfere with your recommendation.”

Her support was a relief. She was truly a reliable teacher.

“Thank you so much,” I said, exhaling.

Charlotte-san fidgeted, looking like she wanted to speak.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um… Akihito-kun, are you aiming for the special recommendation…? I’ve heard this school has one, but…”

“Aoyagi, you… still haven’t told her?” Miyu-sensei shot me a half-exasperated, half-accusing look.

I understood her reaction, but…

“The timing just wasn’t right…”

“Liar. You just didn’t want to talk about it.”

She was right. I’d avoided it to spare Charlotte-san worry. But now that she was concerned, I couldn’t keep it from her.

“It’s a condition to become a member of the Himeragi conglomerate. I need to secure a special recommendation from a certain university.”

I spoke plainly, without pretense.

“That’s why you’re still using the Aoyagi name…” Charlotte-san murmured, piecing it together.

She must have wondered why I hadn’t taken my foster family’s surname, as is typical in adoptions. The reason was simple.

“I haven’t been fully recognized as a member of the Himeragi conglomerate yet.”

At that, Charlotte-san’s eyes dropped sadly, and she gripped my sleeve tightly. Her kind heart was likely sympathizing with me.

“Speaking of which, have you told the Himeragi family about Charlotte?” Miyu-sensei asked.

“Uh, well…”

It was less that I told them and more that they already knew…

“Someone as serious as you probably struggles with tough choices. Come to me if you need to talk.”

Miyu-sensei gave a kind smile, perhaps misinterpreting my vague response. Among the adults I knew, she was the one I trusted most.

“Muu… I’m here too, you know…?”

Charlotte-san tugged at my clothes, her cheeks puffed out in a pout. She seemed jealous.

“Of course, I’ll talk to you about anything I need to, Charlotte-san,” I said, dodging the issue while staying honest.

I turned back to Miyu-sensei. “Thank you for everything. It’s almost time for homeroom, so we’ll head to class.”

But as I turned away—

“Hey, Aoyagi. Talk properly with Kanon. She’s not mad at you and is still on your side.”

Miyu-sensei’s words caught me off guard.

“…Huh?”

I spun back, unable to process what she’d said. Did she just mention Kanon?

“Why… do you know about Kanon-san…?”

“I’ll tell you when the time comes. That’s all I can say for now.”

Since when did they know each other? Miyu-sensei had never hinted at this. Had they recently connected? If so, why hide it? I knew she wasn’t toying with me, but without answers, my mind raced.

“What I’m saying is what I just told you. The rest is up to you.”

With that, she walked off.

“Akihito-kun, who’s Kanon-san…?” Charlotte-san asked, her voice hesitant.

“She’s… the young lady of the Himeragi conglomerate. My adoptive sister, I guess…?”

“Eh!? That means…”

Charlotte-san stared at Miyu-sensei’s retreating figure, likely grappling with the same questions I was. How Miyu-sensei knew Kanon-san was a mystery, but her message was clear: I needed to talk to Kanon-san. She’d said it knowing I’d be suspicious, so it had to be important. I had to trust her.

“It’s okay. Let’s trust Miyu-sensei.”

I patted Charlotte-san’s head to reassure her, then headed to class with her.

◆◆◆

During class, my mind wandered to what lay ahead. The Himeragi conglomerate was already a problem, and now this video and its backlash couldn’t be ignored. In a way, the video and its fallout were tied to the conglomerate’s issues.

I wasn’t entirely out of options. There was a way to turn things around, but it would mean making an enemy of the Himeragi conglomerate—betraying those who’d supported me. It wasn’t a choice I could make lightly.

Still—

“…Ah.”

My eyes met Charlotte-san’s, perfectly timed. She looked delighted, giving me a small wave with a radiant smile.

That smile—I had to protect it, no matter what. Even if it meant opposing the Himeragi conglomerate.

After class, I slipped away alone and made a phone call to a certain place.

◆◆◆

“—Ah, Akihito-senpai…!”

During lunch break, as we reached the first-year hallway, Kousaka-san spotted us and hurried over.

“No running in the halls,” I said lightly.

“This isn’t the time to be so laid-back…!”

Her response felt oddly familiar.

“Panicking won’t help. Let’s head to the cafeteria.”

We’d stopped by the first-year hallway because Kousaka-san would be eating with us starting today, her bento box in hand. I’d brought one too.

“Why is this guy so carefree when it comes to himself…?” Kousaka-san muttered, exasperated.

“He’s always been like that,” Akira said, tilting his head. “Why act surprised now?”

That seemed to irk her. Kousaka-san’s eyes sharpened briefly before she spoke with a playful smirk.

“Oh, Saionji-senpai, you’re here too?”

“I’ve been here the whole time…!” Akira retorted. “Just so you know, I was eating with Akihito first…!”

Despite clearing up their misunderstanding, Kousaka-san and Akira still clashed. Her seriousness and his goofiness made it inevitable.

“Alright, alright, no fighting,” I said, stepping between them, reminded of middle school days when I often mediated.

“Aoyagi-kun always seems older than us…” Karin whispered.

“K-Karin-chan, that’s a landmine for Akihito-kun…!” Charlotte-san replied softly.

Their growing bond, strengthened by the weekend outing, warmed my heart.

“Oh, by the way…”

Kousaka-san stepped in front of Charlotte-san and Karin. Karin flinched, quickly hiding behind me.

Kousaka-san’s expression fell, dejected before she could even speak. They were both a bit pitiful.

“Kaede-chan, Karin-chan isn’t used to talking much,” Charlotte-san said gently. “Approach her slowly to avoid startling her.”

Was Karin a small animal now? I wanted to tease Charlotte-san but couldn’t, since she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Also, Karin, hiding behind me at school could cause misunderstandings…

“Shinonome-san, how about hiding behind Charlotte-san instead?” I suggested softly.

“Akihito, that’s not the solution…” Akira said with a wry smile.

“Is it?”

“That way, Shinonome-san will never learn to talk to others. You’re too overprotective, Akihito.”

“Well, yeah…”

I couldn’t deny it. When Karin relied on me like this, I couldn’t help wanting to protect her.

“She can get used to it slowly, right?” Charlotte-san said. “That’s why we invited Akira and Kousaka-san.”

Since Charlotte-san was kind, Karin was eager to connect with her. After cooking together yesterday, Karin had grown comfortable with her, so we hoped Akira and Kousaka-san could help her practice.

“No way, I was already here!” Akira protested, pointing at Kousaka-san. “If anything, she’s the extra one!”

“Keep your voice down,” I said. “Kousaka-san’s a good kid, you know? I’ve always said that.”

“Only to you…!”

Akira really didn’t like her. Despite his kindness, their chemistry was just off.

“Um, Shinonome-senpai…”

Kousaka-san cautiously approached Karin, careful not to startle her.

“W-What…?”

Karin peeked out from behind me.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kousaka Kaede. I look forward to getting to know you.”

She was introducing herself properly, unaware Karin was my sister, reflecting her polite nature.

“Uh, um… Shinonome Karin… Nice to meet you…”

Good job, Karin. If I said that aloud, I’d be called overprotective again.

“Alright, let’s head to the cafeteria,” I said.

“Yes, if we’re too late, there might not be seats,” Kousaka-san added, glancing at Akira. “Also… only one person actually needs to go to the cafeteria.”

Since I’d brought a bento, Akira was the only one ordering food. I understood her implication, but…

“Hey, don’t try to exclude him like that.”

“Just kidding. I’m not that petty.”

She tilted her head cutely, brushing it off. She wasn’t the bullying type, so it was likely a joke. Still, her people skills remained awkward.

Inviting Kousaka-san wasn’t just for Karin. Charlotte-san worried she might be isolated among the first-years, a concern I couldn’t dismiss, knowing her cold demeanor until she warmed up. Apparently, Kousaka-san was thrilled to join us, suggesting she might indeed be isolated. We planned to keep her in our group until she made friends.

“By the way, that person isn’t here, huh?” Kousaka-san asked, looking around as we walked.

“That person?”

“You know, the gal senpai always hanging around Charlotte-senpai.”

“Oh, Shimizu-san eats lunch separately. She… has a lot of friends.”

If Shimizu-san joined us, Kiriyama-san, Arasawa-san, and others would tag along, all eager to eat with Charlotte-san. Shimizu-san kept them at bay, so she couldn’t join. She’d teased me about being left out when she heard Kousaka-san was eating with us, but only when we were alone, so Charlotte-san didn’t know. Her personality was something else.

“Lots of friends, huh? Typical gal, I guess.”

Kousaka-san’s eyes dimmed, and she laughed hollowly, staring into space. That reaction was unsettling.

“Does she really not have any friends?” Akira whispered.

“Probably not. Otherwise, she wouldn’t react like that to someone having lots of friends.”

“She seems like she’d be popular, though. Personality aside, she’s short and cute.”

I glanced at Kousaka-san. She was undeniably pretty and had been popular among the soccer team in middle school. But her bluntness and standoffish vibe made connecting difficult.

“She’s like a small animal—hisses until she warms up, then she’s adorable. That’s why her walls are so high.”

I regretted it instantly. That could spark a misunderstanding with Charlotte-san. Despite keeping my voice low, her sharp ears likely caught it.

Sure enough, she trotted over. “Don’t worry. I already know you think Kaede-chan is super cute.”

She smiled, but it felt like she was holding a grudge. Was I imagining it? Maybe the video or Miyu-sensei’s comment had her on edge.

“Not as a girl, but as a junior, so don’t get the wrong idea, okay…?” I whispered in her ear.

She squirmed, ticklish, and blushed, her body jolting. Kousaka-san, misunderstanding, blushed too, glaring at me half-lidded.

“So that’s the kind of person you are, Akihito-senpai…”

“It’s a complete misunderstanding.”

This cycle was exhausting. No one meant harm, but still…

“You’ve got it rough, huh…” Akira said, patting my back.

Guy friends were a lifesaver.

◆◆◆

“—As I suspected, a love-filled bento, huh?”

At the cafeteria, Kousaka-san eyed our bentos with a grin, glancing between me and Charlotte-san.

“Wow, a love-filled bento. Nice, you lovey-dovey couple,” Akira added, slightly sulky.

Kousaka-san loved teasing, while Akira was just jealous. Neither felt malicious, so it was fine.

“I-It’s not that big a deal…” Charlotte-san said, clearly delighted.

Her honesty was endearing.

“You’re totally smitten,” Kousaka-san said with a gentle smile. “You really love Akihito-senpai, huh?”

“Akihito-kun is a wonderful person.”

“Uh, Charlotte-san… I’m flattered, but could you not say stuff like that…?”

“That’s some serious flirting.”

“Total flirting.”

I shot Akira a look as he grinned. He was using this to vent his jealousy, wasn’t he?

“Being close is a good thing, right…?” Karin said, finally joining in.

“I know, no one’s embarrassed about it,” I replied.

“Mm!”

Karin nodded, satisfied, and resumed eating quietly. She was so laid-back.

Charlotte-san had been watching me nervously, so I gave her a reassuring smile. “Sorry. You can do whatever you want.”

Like Karin said, being close was good. If we got teased, we’d own it.

“Is that okay…?”

“Of course.”

I nodded, then turned to Akira and Kousaka-san. “You two, keep it in moderation, okay?”

I grinned, and they nodded vigorously, getting the hint.

We chatted casually until Kousaka-san brought up the morning’s incident. “By the way, Akihito-senpai, you let the video uploader off pretty easily, huh?”

“…Where’d you hear that?”

“I’m in Nikaidou-san’s class. I overheard her talking to some girls.”

That girl… Why did she keep blabbing? Didn’t she realize she was digging her own grave?

“Don’t make that face,” Kousaka-san said. “Thanks to her, you and Charlotte-senpai’s stock among the first-year girls has skyrocketed. You were already super popular, though.”

“What do you mean…?”

“She was really moved by how you forgave her. She said you didn’t get mad, even worried about her and gently scolded her. You told her not to worry about the online hate because it’s your fault and praised her courage for telling the teacher. So, among the first-year girls who heard, your stock’s through the roof. And since Charlotte-senpai was just as kind, it’s the same for her.”

Nikaidou-san had spread the story in a way that boosted our reputation. It was slightly exaggerated but not false. I hadn’t been kind expecting this, but if it raised our standing, that was good. I needed to be worthy of standing beside Charlotte-san.

“I figured Nikaidou-san might do that, but even the other girls…”

Charlotte-san looked shocked, and I felt guilty for causing it. Why did my actions keep backfiring?

“It’s okay, Charlotte-senpai,” Kousaka-san said with a wry smile. “Among the first-years, you and Akihito-senpai are the ultimate ‘shipped’ couple.”

“Shipped couple…?”

“It means a couple everyone supports. After the sports festival, they decided to root for you two. With this incident, they’re even more invested. No one’s going to try to steal either of you—they’d make enemies of everyone.”

The sports festival’s impact was bigger than I’d thought. I hoped the guys felt the same…

“You sure know a lot about the first-years,” Akira said. “You’ve got friends, don’t you?”

“Oh, Akira, don’t…”

He meant no harm, but he’d stepped on a landmine.

“Haha… Even without friends, I can hear what others say. Actually, because I don’t have anyone to talk to, I hear every conversation around me.”

Kousaka-san laughed, her eyes teary and vacant. She really had no friends. Her smile made me ache for her.

Charlotte-san, wiping her eyes, must have felt the same. Akira, realizing his mistake, looked away awkwardly.

But Karin—

“Comrade…!”

She looked at Kousaka-san with delight, which, as her brother, broke my heart.