"I hate to be the one to break the mood, Sara, but why did you just casually kiss him?"
"Y-Yeah, exactly! How can you be so natural about it? Aren't you embarrassed to do that in front of everyone?!"
Natsumi-senpai and Nishikawa-san both cried out in protest.
Personally, it had happened so naturally that I felt nothing but happiness, but they had a point—everyone was staring.
Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san were whispering something to Todo-san, while Hayato was watching us with his usual wry smile.
"? Why would I feel any embarrassment as long as it makes Kazunari-san happy?"
Her expression said it all: Why are you asking something so obvious? Seeing her so composed, the two who had spoken up were the ones who ended up at a loss for words.
"I see... the Sara I knew is truly gone. You’ve left me so far behind. Why is it that I'm the only one..."
Nishikawa-san’s mutterings were strangely audible, even through the phone’s speaker.
Well, considering the man currently pursuing her was Yamasaki, I could understand why she’d feel so bitter.
"Anyway, we’re done with the talk for now, right? Then there’s only one thing left to do!"
Natsumi-senpai declared with high spirits as she pulled out the control tablet.
She clearly intended to start the karaoke.
Admittedly, it would be a bit strange to come to a karaoke parlor and leave without singing a single song, but...
More importantly, I felt I needed to talk a little more with Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san.
Hanako-san, in particular, was an absolute mystery.
"Hanako-san, Tachikawa-san, could we talk for a bit? I know it’s a past we’d both rather not revisit, but still."
When I spoke up, the two looked at each other before giving a small nod.
"Sure. I knew about Takanashi-kun from the rumors, but you seem like a completely different person."
"I have some questions of my own, so the timing is perfect."
"Oh, let me join in too," Todo-san added.
And so, the four of us decided to have a chat.
When I told the others I was stepping out for a moment, Sara-san tried to follow, but Natsumi-senpai lunged forward and caught her by the arm.
"You’re staying here. You’re always glued to Takanashi-kun, so stay and socialize with us for once."
Sara-san’s face fell into a troubled pout.
Personally, I wanted Sara-san to have a chance to relax and have fun. In that sense, this was a good opportunity.
"Sara-san, I’m just going to talk. Please stay and keep Natsumi-senpai company for a bit. I’m sure she’s just lonely."
"Gaaah! Just go already!"
I teased her, and Natsumi-senpai promptly kicked me out of the room.
"Hayato, sorry, but keep an eye on things so Natsumi-senpai doesn’t go too far with Sara-san."
"Got it. Just make sure to fill me in later. Also... tell me about the person Natsumi-senpai called earlier."
Ah, Hayato didn't know about Yuji yet.
Hayato’s tone was unusually serious. I wondered if he had misunderstood something.
"I will. I'll explain everything later."
For now, as long as I left Hayato with Natsumi-senpai, things should be fine.
With that, we left the room and moved to the free space, where our conversation turned into something of a contest for comparing misfortunes.
Tachikawa-san’s story was much the same as what I’d heard from Todo-san, but she concluded with a venomous remark about how she could never forget the nasty, mocking look on Yuzuha’s face when Yamasaki publicly dumped her.
I could easily imagine exactly what kind of expression that was.
And then there was Hanako-san...
Yeah, it wasn't what I expected at all.
Apparently, it started when she saw Yamasaki buying a novel she liked and impulsively struck up a conversation.
Mistakenly thinking she’d found a kindred spirit, she’d talked to him with genuine excitement. Then one day, he suddenly lashed out at her, snarling, "Don't get the wrong idea, you're just a toy," and proceeded to mock her hobbies. Her classmates witnessed the whole thing, and she was made into a laughingstock the moment she returned to the classroom.
After that, the ridicule continued until she eventually stopped attending school.
He might have unilaterally decided she was coming onto him, but...
It was likely the timing coincided with when Yuzuha was denouncing Yamasaki in class, just like with Tachikawa-san. If so, the "sudden" nature of his outburst made sense.
By the way, she used a pseudonym because she had "sealed away her past self," or because she would be "liberated once she achieved revenge on Yamasaki"... or something to that effect. It was a reason I both understood and didn't quite understand at the same time.
And finally, it was my turn.
Since my story was long, I tried to keep it brief... but...
Along the way, Hanako-san kept prodding me with questions like, "And then what happened?" I ended up having to talk about my days of isolation and how I left home the very day I graduated middle school.
The atmosphere became incredibly heavy. Even Todo-san looked like she was on the verge of tears.
And for some reason, Hanako-san started patting my head.
"There, there. Takanashi-kun did his best. Even though you had it much worse than me, you didn't run away. I'll give you credit for that."
Being patted on the head by Hanako-san—who looked like a middle school student at best—was not exactly a good look for anyone watching.
"Until a moment ago, I thought you were just a little boy who relied on that person for everything, but I see now that you’re the one leading the charge. You have the backbone not to run away, even when it's painful. I've decided I like you."
Apparently, I had earned Hanako-san's favor.
However, since she spoke in her usual detached, monotone voice, I couldn't really tell if she was being sincere.
"I’ll cooperate fully, so take down Yamasaki. Once you do, big sister will give you a reward."
Big sister... it was almost endearing coming from her.
Though, since I already had someone as precious as Sara-san, I didn't really need any rewards.
"U-Um, Hanako-san. It's actually quite dangerous to get too close to Takanashi-kun..."
Todo-san timidly cautioned her, her voice laced with genuine dread.
"? Why? Am I so charming that Takanashi-kun will turn into a wolf and attack me?"
"N-No, that's not it. I mean, we should stop before you’re found..."
Todo-san kept glancing nervously toward the hallway as she spoke.
Look, there was absolutely no way I was going to pounce on her.
She was obviously talking about Sara-san...
And she was right. If Sara-san saw me in this position, there was no telling what would happen.
"Kazunari-san..."
When I returned to the room, Sara-san rushed over as if she’d been waiting for that exact moment and hugged me.
I was surprised by her rare, slightly spoiled tone of voice. Had something happened?
"Natsumi was being cruel. I’ve never been to karaoke before and I hardly know any songs, yet she chose several without asking and forced the microphone into my hands..."
It seemed that because I’d asked her to keep Natsumi-senpai company, the ever-diligent Sara-san had stayed and endured the senpai’s whims. And Natsumi-senpai had taken full advantage of that to be as pushy as possible.
"Natsumi-senpai?"
"Ugh..."
When I glared at her, Natsumi-senpai winced and took a step back.
Come to think of it, I’d assigned Hayato to the room for exactly this reason.
"Hayato."
"Sorry, Kazunari. Natsumi-senpai begged me, and, well..."
I wasn't sure what she’d done, but it seemed Hayato had been completely neutralized. Well, I understood the feeling of not being able to say no to the person you liked all too well.
Now, what to do? Since we were here, I did have a desire to hear Sara-san sing.
But I wasn't much of a singer myself, so I didn't know any of the recent hits. I was better off with old anime songs, but that seemed like it would be a total turn-off.
"By the way, are there any songs you think you could sing, Sara-san?"
I decided it would be faster to check what she actually knew.
"Um... well, will you promise not to laugh?"
Sara-san looked a bit embarrassed. I waited nervously to see what kind of song she’d pick, but it turned out to be an anime song after all.
It was from a world-famous anime popular with every generation, and the song itself was a classic. It was a cute, wholesome choice that felt very much like her.
"Ah, you're laughing... Kazunari-san, you're mean."
It seemed her "Older Sister Mode" had been switched off for the first time in a while. This side of her was adorable, too.
"Sara-san, I'm no good at karaoke either, but I know that song. So, shall we sing it together?"
When I suggested it, she nodded with a radiant, joyful smile.
"Yes! If it's with you, Kazunari-san, I'll do my best to sing it."
In the end, once we started, everyone joined in. The sight of Sara-san happily gripping the microphone beside me left a deep impression.
She wasn't exceptionally skilled, but her voice was incredibly sweet. It fit the image of the song perfectly, and I honestly wanted to keep listening to her forever.
I guess everyone really does know Totoro.
Sara-san seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed herself, and we ended up staying and having a blast with the karaoke until the very last second of our free time.