The next morning, as I headed to school as usual, I ran into Miyajima by chance at the entrance, a place that’s typically almost deserted at this hour.
“Oh, good morning, Aoi-san.”
“Morning. That’s rare, Miyajima-san. You’re usually here much earlier, aren’t you?”
“The station isn’t too crowded on Fridays, so I can take my time and still be fine.”
“Got it.”
I didn’t intend to match her pace, but Miyajima walked alongside me at an oddly close distance, our shoulders nearly brushing.
“Is this about the time you usually get here, Aoi-san?”
“Hm. I haven’t been paying much attention lately. It varies, I guess.”
“Hehe, I see. You don’t seem too hung up on schedules, do you?”
“Well, I used to be pretty strict about it…”
Ever since I stopped training under my martial arts master, I might’ve gotten a bit sloppier in that regard.
When it comes to getting to school, I’ve actually been more punctual since starting high school than before, but explaining that to Miyajima probably wouldn’t make much sense to her.
As we entered the classroom side by side, I spotted Kaori and Kiritsuki chatting near the entrance.
“Kaori, you okay from yesterday?”
“Yeah, my fever went down surprisingly fast, so I’m fine. More importantly—”
A faint smile played on Kaori’s lips.
Though the height difference between them was only a few centimeters, for a split second, Kaori seemed to loom larger.
“Is it true you’re dating Ao-kun?”
Looks like Kaori had caught wind of that rumor from somewhere too.
Or rather, it seems she hadn’t known about it until now.
“You heard it from someone too, Kaori?”
“Nope, I just saw it pop up in a group chat. So, is it true?”
“No way! I only started talking to him this year, so there’s no way that’s happening.”
Kiritsuki answered with a carefree tone.
I didn’t miss the subtle sighs of relief from the boys scattered around the classroom as they overheard her.
But Kaori wasn’t done pressing.
“But someone saw you two walking home together.”
“That’s because he helped me pick out a birthday present for you.”
“Oh, really? But it happened more than once, right?”
“We walked home together yesterday too. Oh, and then we ran into a bit of trouble at the station.”
“You both live in this town, but you went to the station after school?”
“Wait, hold on…”
For some reason, her questioning was relentless.
As I stood nearby, watching this rare side of Kaori, my eyes met Kiritsuki’s, who looked flustered and was darting her gaze around under the same unfamiliar pressure.
“Ah, Himura-kun, help me…! Kaori’s coming at me with way too much intensity!”
Could you not shout stuff like that in the middle of the classroom?
“Morning, Ao-kun. So, um—”
“It’s fine, I heard everything.”
“Oh? Then explain—”
Why does she even want to know so badly?
Kiritsuki already flat-out denied it, so normally, that’d be enough for Kaori to drop it.
Does it really bother her that much that Kiritsuki and I are hanging out?
“There’s nothing to explain. We’ve never walked home just the two of us. Yesterday, Miyajima was there too, and when we went shopping for your birthday present, Tomiya was with us.”
“…Oh? R-right, of course…!”
I don’t think I’m lying.
That’s how it happened, after all. It’s not like I skipped details just to avoid the hassle.
Kaori nodded as if convinced, but for some reason, she turned her face away and started muttering under her breath.
“Right, of course. With Toki-chan already in the picture, there’s no way Kaname-chan would be involved too…”
“?”
“!”
While Kiritsuki and I tilted our heads in confusion, Miyajima, standing next to us, looked startled and muttered something like, “It’s not just Kiritsuki-san, right…?”
“Hey, Himura-kun, who’s this ‘Toki’?”
Feeling a bit reassured that Kiritsuki was reacting the same way I was, I realized she’d also caught their muttering and was now asking about the name she’d overheard.
“Hm? Hino Hana Toki, a girl. She’s, well, kinda like another childhood friend of mine. Kaori shouldn’t know her that well, though…”
Kaori briefly lifted her face, which she’d been hiding.
“Oh? What’s she like?”
What’s she like, huh? That’s a tough question.
I can’t exactly introduce her as some crazy, unhinged weirdo, can I?
“Uh, she’s super laid-back, and I don’t have to worry about watching my words around her, so it’s easy to be with her. Not that I’d admit it, but she’s probably the person I can be the most open with.”
As I casually let that honest thought slip, Kaori and Miyajima widened their eyes and stared at me.
I was about to ask what was up when someone tapped my shoulder from behind, making me turn around reflexively.
“That’s rare, Aoi. You don’t usually speak so clearly about someone like that.”
“You startled me. Tomiya, huh?”
“Oh, morning, Tomiya-kun.”
“Morning. Let’s not crowd around the doorway, okay?”
Now that he mentioned it, he was right.
As Kiritsuki and I moved to our seats, the three of them inexplicably followed us.
“You really trust her, don’t you?”
Kiritsuki’s words made me tilt my head slightly.
“Hm… Well, I’m not great at dealing with her head-on, but…”
That aside, I genuinely respect her.
Always being pushed around, walking on rails laid out by others, harboring unspoken frustrations day after day—everything about her is the opposite of me.
“She’s amazing, that girl.”
For the sole reason of “love,” she defied her disapproving parents to pursue music, showcasing her talent across various instruments and becoming a renowned performer in Japan.
Kaori’s definitely a prodigy, but Hino Hana is a genius in a completely different league.
“Do you like her? That girl?”
“Huh?”
Kiritsuki’s sudden question caught me off guard, and for a moment, I thought, What’s she talking about?
But thinking about it… there’s no reason to deny it.
Even while attending high school, she performs as a musician at concerts and recitals, probably still living that hectic life.
Yet, without fail, she returns to our hometown every summer and New Year’s to support me as a kagura dance performer.
Ever since we were kids, Hino Hana has always been there for my training sessions, listening to my occasional complaints about life without a hint of annoyance.
When we talk face-to-face, I can’t help but think her facial muscles are practically dead, but regardless of what’s going on inside her head, I was truly grateful for her back then.
“Well, if I had to sum it up… she’s someone I admire, I guess.”
Yeah, that feels right.
I’d never tell her that to her face, though.
Unfazed by others’ opinions, pursuing what she loves with unwavering conviction—undeniable, unshaken by anyone. It’s like she’s universally acknowledged.
How many times have I wished I could be like her? In a way, she’s almost like a benefactor.
“Ohh, so that’s how it is.”
“Ugh, so it’s true…”
“…Hino Hana-san, is it?”
While the three girls reacted in their own ways, Tomiya leaned in with a cheerful grin.
“I’ve heard that name before…”
“Yeah, she’s pretty famous.”
“She’s that ‘Red Fairy of Gagaku,’ right?”
“Sorry, never heard of that. Who’s that?”
Sure, her hair’s kinda reddish, and she’s petite with a certain charm, so calling her a fairy isn’t exactly wrong.
But still.
I’m pretty sure it’s the same person, but that’s a side of her I don’t know.
The Hino Hana I know is such an eccentric that sometimes it feels like she’s speaking from her spinal cord instead of her brain.
“Oh? Was I wrong?”
“No, sorry, you’re probably right… It’s just, I’ve never heard that nickname before.”
She’s incredible, and I know her passion for music, but I can’t imagine her being the type to earn such a cute nickname like “fairy.”
“I think she performs at the summer festival every year, right? Last year, a local TV station came to interview her.”
“Oh… yeah, now that you mention it, something like that happened.”
“That’s when I saw it, that title.”
So that’s how it was. I almost got interviewed too, but the adults shielded me with everything they had. I didn’t watch the broadcast, so I had no idea.
That aside, how long are these guys gonna hang around my desk…? Just as I thought that, the bell rang.
Kaori and Miyajima returned to their seats with oddly serious expressions, while Tomiya seemed frustrated at being interrupted.
Kiritsuki, looking rather pleased—maybe even smirking a bit—sat down at the desk next to mine.
“What’s with that face…?”
“Oh, nothing~ Just thinking it’s interesting that even someone as oblivious as you has a person like that.”
What kind of person?
And why am I the oblivious one?
“I don’t think I’m that unfriendly.”
“Oh, please. You’re totally cold.”
“Cold people don’t go shopping for birthday presents with others…”
Growing up surrounded by adults, I’ve always understood the importance of relationships.
If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have made friends in high school after years of being bullied.
I don’t go out of my way to connect, but I don’t let the few chances I get slip by.
That’s why last year, I managed to live a pretty fulfilling life as an ordinary high school student.
“…Tch. Anyway, did we clear up that rumor misunderstanding or what?”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, it got kinda sidetracked with Kaori grilling me, but… it seems fine now. Your guess was spot-on, so you really helped me out.”
“Oh, yeah? Good then.”
“Good morning, everyone.”
As our homeroom teacher, the formidable Jushinin-sensei, entered the classroom, the room fell silent, and another day began.
☆Afterword──────────────────
We’ve hit 3,000 followers, and finally, here it is—number one in the weekly rom-com rankings! Honestly, I never expected this (lol).
I was genuinely shocked to wake up and see the rankings shoot up like that. It’s all thanks to you, the readers.
By the way, we’re also number one in the daily rom-com rankings, and currently seventh in the monthly.
Since it’s late in the month, boosting the monthly rankings would seriously fire up my motivation!
