"Well... it left a bit of a bitter taste in everyone's mouth, but I suppose it’s finally over?"
Natsumi-senpai spoke up with a forced cheerfulness, clearly trying to brighten the heavy silence that had settled over the venue.
"I guess so. The situation with Sasagawa-san was unfortunate, but at least we cut her loose from Yamasaki... The rest is up to her now," Hayato replied, matching her tone to keep the mood from sinking again.
"So, what's actually going to happen to Yamasaki?"
Tachikawa-san’s question was likely on everyone’s mind.
What would be the fallout? Not just for the individuals involved, but for their company and their future? Even if our revenge was technically complete, the practical aftermath was a genuine concern.
"I know a little bit about that," Nishikawa-san offered. She seemed to have the inside track and began answering Tachikawa-san’s inquiry.
"First, for the things I don't know: will those two be punished as criminals? If so, what kind of sentence will they get? That’s still up in the air. That’s a matter for the police and the Public Prosecutors Office to decide, so it’s out of our hands as ordinary citizens. They might even uncover more crimes during the investigation."
Ordinary citizens... I felt there was plenty to nitpick regarding whether Nishikawa-san actually fit that category, but I held my tongue.
"As for what my father told me, the company is going to be acquired by a firm in a certain small country that the Nishikawa group has ties with. I wasn't told the exact details regarding those two, but my father said he would make sure they never set foot in Japan again. Since the father is already divorced and estranged from his relatives, it shouldn't be a problem."
Never return to Japan... Did that mean they were being sent to the country where the new parent company was based? It sounded like a complicated mess. Since I didn't fully grasp the logistics, I figured it was best to leave it to Nishikawa-san’s father.
"Then it sounds like we'll never have to see Yamasaki’s face again. Good. Honestly, I wish the guy would just get locked up, though."
"Good riddance," Tachikawa-san added. "Now that the investigation into someone I never want to see again is over, I can finally return to a normal High School Life."
I certainly agreed with her.
Ah, that reminded me. I felt like Hanako-san had said something about telling me her name once the Yamasaki matter was settled.
"Hanako-san, the Yamasaki matter is wrapped up, so I think I’d like to hear your name now."
I’d gotten used to calling her "Hanako-san," so I felt like that was fine too... but I was curious, so I decided to ask.
"......Could it be that you’re interested in me?" Hanako-san asked back with a smirk.
What was this? I definitely asked because I was curious, but when she gave such a suggestive reply, it felt like the nuance was being intentionally twisted.
"......Are you... interested?"
Shiver.
Satsukawa-senpai, who was standing right behind me, should have just been speaking normally... and yet, for some reason, I felt a sudden, icy chill. I hurriedly looked back to see Sara-san wearing her usual smile. But why did it feel like there was this strange, overwhelming pressure?
"I see... I’m sorry for not noticing. To think I’d charmed Takanashi-kun without even realizing it."
"Kazunari-san......?"
When a girl with Hanako-san’s petite appearance said lines like that, it felt like she was trying to act grown-up and was almost heartwarming, but I really needed her to give it a rest right now. Sara-san was questioning me again, and I had to explain quickly—!
As I frantically moved closer to Sara-san, whose eyes definitely weren't smiling, she gave a little cry.
"Ei!"
With a cute shout, Sara-san lunged from the side and hugged me as if to capture me. She wrapped her arms all the way around my side, securing me firmly in her grasp.
"Eh?! Sara-san!?"
"...Is something the matter?"
I couldn't quite see her expression from this angle, but had her mood improved a little?
"No... well, were you angry?"
"......I am not angry, you know?"
Looking closely, her cheeks were puffed out. It didn't exactly carry much conviction when she said it like that. For the time being, I decided to let Sara-san have her way and continued the conversation.
"So, what is your real name...?"
"No need to rush. When our destinies cross again, that is when I shall tell Takanashi-kun my True Name."
...So basically, she’d tell me the next time we met? She was being quite dramatic about it. However, perhaps because the goal of crushing Yamasaki had been achieved, Hanako-san seemed to be in a better mood than usual.
"Then will you tell me too? Kazunari isn't the only one who’s curious," Hayato chimed in.
"Yeah. I’m getting pretty curious myself," Yuji added.
The two of them jumped on the bandwagon. Was I overthinking it to think they were helping me out by backing me up with Sara-san? Still... if I could ask in such a casual way, I wouldn't have to deal with unnecessary suspicion. As expected of Hayato... or so I thought, until Hanako-san made a slightly disgusted face.
"I can't tell you two because you haven't triggered a Flag. Especially the Handsome Guy."
" "........." "
I’d noticed Hanako-san wasn't great with Hayato, but she really shut him down.
"Oh? Is Tachibana-kun interested in Hanako-san too?"
I hadn't expected Natsumi-senpai to join the conversation here. Moreover... I didn't expect her to poke fun at Yuji instead of Hayato. It was a comment with a vague atmosphere, making it hard to tell if she was teasing or not, but those two might actually be closer than I thought.
Based on our previous conversation, I figured Sara-san would be looking at them the same way, so I casually turned my gaze to check...
For some reason, with her cheeks still puffed out, she was now staring intently at my face as if glaring. Wait... why?
"What exactly happened between you and Hanako-san? It seems Kazunari-san is the only one getting special treatment, and you two seem quite close..."
"No, I have no idea why—"
"Tachibana-kun, come to think of it, you’ve had a connection with Hanako-san for a while, and you were in contact with her, right? Could it be that you two are close?"
"N-No, that was only regarding the Yamasaki matter, nothing more than that...!"
"Phew... I’m such a sinful woman."
I could tell Hanako-san was just enjoying herself, but seeing those two pairs of girls have the exact same reaction was certainly amusing... Sorry, Takanashi-kun.
I could understand Kazunari-kun and Satsukawa-senpai since they were a couple, but could it be Tachibana-kun and Natsumi-senpai too? I didn't know Tachibana-kun very well yet, and they went to different schools, so what was their relationship?
I was a little curious—wait, I wonder what's up with Yokokawa-kun? He looked a bit... lonely. Was he okay?
"Yokokawa-kun, is something wrong?"
I took the plunge and spoke to him. Since we had no contact at school, the idea of speaking to him would have been unthinkable before, but we were allies now, right?
"Eh? No, it’s nothing."
He seemed surprised that I’d spoken to him, but he immediately flashed a smile and replied.
Hmm... I certainly think he’s a Handsome Guy. Seeing him up close like this, it’s only natural that he’s popular with the girls... though I’m not really one of them. But based on his interactions with Takanashi-kun, his personality seems serious and he cares about his friends, which is different from the flashy image I had of him.
Is he losing out because of that? Or is he gaining? Well, anyway, he didn't look like he was 'fine.'
Hmm... maybe... Ah, I know!
"Here, Yokokawa-kun, have this."
I remembered I had some candy I was going to give to Mio-chan, so I handed one to Yokokawa-kun instead.
"Ah, thanks."
Yokokawa-kun looked at the candy curiously, then tore open the wrapper and popped it into his mouth. Did his expression soften a little?
"Eating something sweet makes you feel relieved, doesn't it?"
When Mio-chan is fussing or in a bad mood, she always smiles when I give her candy... I hoped it would help Yokokawa-kun change his mood a bit too.
"........."
Wait... what was wrong? Was he just spacing out?
"Yokokawa-kun, did something happen?"
"N-No, it’s nothing. Yeah, thanks. I'm actually really happy."
This time, he gave me a proper, genuine smile. Good, good.
The conclusion was that Sara-san's mood improved shortly after. She suddenly got a startled look on her face and apologized to me.
"I am so sorry... I know you are just close as friends... but this is a bad habit of mine..."
"Sara-san... I’ve told you before, it makes me happy when you get jealous, so please don't apologize."
I meant that from the bottom of my heart. Of course, I would never intentionally do anything to make her jealous, but the sentiment made me happy, and I thought Sara-san was cute like that too. Thinking she was adorable even while she was feeling down, I patted her head to reassure her.
"Fufu... thank you. I feel at peace when you do this... I’m so happy."
After I patted her for a while, she gave me a joyful smile, her good mood fully restored. Everything was fine up to that point, but then...
"Yeah, I always have Sara-san doing this for me, so I understand that feeling of happiness very well. You're so cute, Sara-san."
"......In that case, next it is Kazunari-san's turn to feel happy."
"Heh?"
No sooner had she spoken than she easily took hold of my head as usual and pulled me into a tight hug, pressing my face against her chest.
"Fufu... as I thought, this is what brings me the most peace. How is it, Kazunari-san?"
I always wondered... was Sara-san just indifferent to the sensation, or did she simply not realize the effect she had? I was a man, after all, and having my face pressed into the chest of the person I loved while being held tight like this was... intense.
Well, I was happy, of course.
"I’m happy..."
"Yes, I am happy too... You’re so cute, Kazunari-san."
I felt like I could stay like this forever... I just wanted to surrender myself to this comfort.
"Should I kick him yet?"
"...By the way, which one?"
"Kazunari-kun, obviously."
"If you do that, don't you think that powerful slap will come flying your way?"
"......Yeah, that would definitely kill me."
"Tachibana-kun, you really worked hard this time. You’re quite the strategist... I might have to raise your score a bit."
"Eh?! No, I just did it for Kazunari... If we’re giving out points, I think Yuzuki-san, who handled that many idiots all by herself, is incredible too. You have my respect."
"Huh?"
" "............" "
Um... everyone? I’d really like to talk about what we’re doing next...