The moment I stepped out of the hotel, a sleek car pulled up and stopped directly in front of me, as if the timing had been perfectly choreographed. The driver stepped out and held the door open, waiting for us.
It was a staggering sight. I wondered if this was just a normal part of life for Nishikawa-san. She truly inhabited a world far removed from that of an ordinary person.
"And then, because Sara started wiping Takanashi-kun’s shirt right there in the classroom, a huge rumor started about whose shirt it was."
As the group grew more animated inside the car, the conversation eventually drifted toward our respective schools. Natsumi-senpai was currently recounting that rainy day when I had gotten soaked while shielding Sara-san. To think that such a scene had unfolded after she took my wet shirt to change...
"The moment the boys in class started badmouthing Takanashi-kun, Sara just snapped. And I mean the very instant they opened their mouths."
"I have no reason to let people whose names I do not even know speak ill of my business with Kazunari-san," Sara replied coolly.
"I mean, they are your classmates..." I muttered.
I already understood the situation, of course. Since Sara-san was essentially the school idol, I was nothing but an object of pure jealousy to other guys. I didn't exactly enjoy the thought of other men approaching her either, so I was considering taking measures to address that in the future. I would undoubtedly make enemies of the majority of the male student body, but I was used to that by now.
"Takanashi-kun, do you have any comments?"
"He has the look of a man who won't forgive anyone for laying a hand on his woman," Hanako-san suddenly blurted out.
"Wait, what!?"
That was a bit of an exaggeration. I wasn't thinking quite that aggressively... though I did want to ensure no one else could claim her.
"I don't particularly care for the expression 'my woman,'" Nishikawa-san remarked in her characteristically detached way. "Sara used to loathe men, so wouldn't a phrasing like that grate on her nerves?"
I wondered how Sara-san felt about it.
"...Um, I don't mind it at all. In fact, if Kazunari-san calls me his woman, it actually makes me quite happy..."
Responding to Nishikawa-san’s point, Sara-san pressed her hands to her glowing cheeks and looked up at me with a sidelong glance, her head tilted slightly downward. When our eyes met, she gave me a look filled with intense, shimmering expectation.
She was—without a doubt—requesting that I say it.
"Ah... well, Sara-san is my woman, so I don't want to let other men anywhere near her."
I tried to say it with some restraint, but Sara-san broke into a radiant smile. She intertwined her arm with mine and pressed herself firmly against me.
"Yes... I am your Sara. Please, monopolize me."
Seeing her blissful expression as she leaned her full weight against me made me feel a deep sense of happiness as well.
"Don't feed the stupid couple," Hanako-san groaned.
"My apologies," Nishikawa-san replied.
It was an amusing dynamic: Nishikawa-san, who looked the most mature, being scolded by Hanako-san, who appeared to be the youngest of the group.
"To be honest, I don't hate my current school life, but it isn't exactly interesting either. I don't have any particularly close friends," Hanako-san admitted.
Although Hanako-san and Tachikawa-san attended the same school, they weren't in the same class. Apparently, they never would have met or hung out if they hadn't been united by a common enemy. They were more like comrades bound by shared resentment than typical friends.
"But through this incident, I'm sure Hanako-san and Yoko have formed a real bond. Maybe school will be a bit more fun for you both now," Todo-san suggested.
Tachikawa-san nodded in agreement, but Hanako-san remained silent.
"Yeah. I'm going to put Yamasaki behind me and enjoy being a student. I look forward to seeing you at school, Hanako-san."
"Yeah..."
Tachikawa-san seemed determined to make a fresh start, but I couldn't help but notice the lingering gloom on Hanako-san's face.
When we reached the station, everyone got out for a moment. The sight of a limousine suddenly stopping to let out a large group of teenagers drew quite a bit of attention, which was a little embarrassing. Here, we were to part ways with Yuji, Hanako-san, and Tachikawa-san.
"Yuji, you were a massive help. Thanks for everything."
"Yamasaki and Yuzuha won't be around to bother you anymore," Yuji replied. "This time, enjoy your school life enough to make up for everything that happened in middle school. Yokokawa! Take care of Kazunari at your place, alright?"
Yuji called out to Hayato, who raised a hand in acknowledgment.
"Yeah. Though, with Satsukawa-senpai around, it doesn't seem like he'll have much trouble anyway."
Was I really that helpless? The conversation was moving forward on the absolute assumption that I needed a constant caretaker...
"Satsukawa-senpai! You were truly incredible! A woman who can become that strong for the person she loves... I truly admire you!" Tachikawa-san gushed.
"Eh? Oh, thank you. It wasn't really that big a deal..."
Sara-san seemed a bit overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of Tachikawa-san’s praise. It was a rare sight.
I felt a tug on my sleeve. I knew that movement by now—it was Hanako-san. When I turned toward her, she was looking up at me with her usual inscrutable expression. She beckoned me closer, indicating she wanted to whisper something.
"...I've changed my mind, so I'll tell you my name. I'm Riko Hanasaki. You can call me Hanako or Riko, whichever you prefer."
I was stunned. Hanako-san had finally revealed her identity. But what was I supposed to call her? If she said Riko was fine, that meant I could use her first name...
Riko glanced toward Sara-san, who was still being bombarded by Tachikawa-san’s enthusiasm.
"......A reward for taking down Yamasaki."
Just as I was processing her words, she shifted her position slightly and pressed her lips to my cheek.
"H-Hanako-san!?"
Because I was so used to it, the name that reflexively jumped out of my mouth was still "Hanako-san." But more importantly, she had just—!?
"Don't worry, there's no deep meaning. Just a reward... and a bit of affection."
Having said that, Riko showed me a smile that felt genuinely heartfelt. I glanced around nervously, but it seemed no one had noticed, or perhaps they were kind enough to pretend they hadn't.
"See you, Takanashi-kun."
"Takanashi-kun, see you again!"
"Later, Kazunari."
After seeing the three of them off, we got back into the car and resumed our journey.
"Well then, everyone, until we meet again."
We watched Nishikawa-san's car until it disappeared from view before disbanding.
"Right, I'll head off now. See you tomorrow," Hayato said.
"I'm heading home too. See you tomorrow!" Todo-san added.
Hayato and Todo-san went their separate ways, leaving only me, Sara-san, and Natsumi-senpai.
"Well then, Sara, shall we head home?" I asked.
"Please wait a moment."
Sara-san stepped close to me and stared into my eyes as if searching for something.
"......As I thought. There's no way you're completely fine."
She whispered the words sadly to herself. She leaned her body against mine for a brief hug and murmured, "I will visit you later."
Pulling away, she gave a polite, formal greeting. "Until then..." She then moved to stand beside Natsumi-senpai.
"Honestly... flirting even for a split second like that," Natsumi-senpai teased. "Well, Takanashi-kun, see you tomorrow."
"Yes, see you tomorrow."
I watched as Natsumi-senpai walked away with Sara-senpai. Finally, the long day was truly over.
Knock, knock... Click.
Sara-san arrived just as she had promised. As the door opened, I heard the sound of a car driving away outside; Mayumi-san must have dropped her off.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Since not much time had passed, she must have headed back almost immediately after reaching her own home. Looking closely, I noticed the travel suitcase I’d seen once before. Why did she have that with her?
Sara-san set her luggage aside. I thought we were going to talk, but as she approached, she reached her hands around my head and pulled me into her chest before I could utter a word.
"Sara-san...?"
"...I could tell just by looking at you that you're still troubled by the Sasagawa matter. So... please, don't try to force yourself to be okay."
As I should have known, I couldn't keep anything from her.
In the end, I had simply put Yuzuha through a painful experience without reaching a conclusion that felt meaningful. My own softness and the fact that Yuzuha was more broken than I had imagined were the primary reasons, but the result remained the same: I had made her cry and then cast her out to a distant place.
It wasn't that I was in shock, but there was a heavy lingering sense of regret.
"You must be exhausted, so let's get you in the bath and to bed early."
While still holding my head against her, Sara-san gently stroked my hair. It was clear she intended to stay the night for my sake, so I decided not to ask any pointless questions.
Without further conversation, I went to take a shower first. When I came out, I saw that Sara-san's futon had already been laid out. I didn't comment on the fact that two pillows were lined up side-by-side as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
While Sara-san was in the bath, I didn't have the courage to get into the futon and wait for her. I was aimlessly browsing the internet on my bed when a wave of drowsiness hit me. I wondered if it would be rude to her if I fell asleep like this...
I thought I was staying awake to ponder that, but the next thing I knew, Sara-san was peering down at me.
"Hehe... we can talk more tomorrow. Let's go to sleep now."
I got up from the bed and turned off the light. Guided by her hand, I was led to the futon and lay down. Once there, she slowly pulled my head back into her arms.
"Kazunari-san... I believe a time will surely come when Sasagawa-san understands. It wasn't a happy ending, but today will surely be the catalyst for her change... So I'm certain it wasn't in vain."
"...Yes."
She had seen right through my melancholy. Sara-san was doing her best to support me, so I decided to honestly lean on her kindness.
"Let's believe that a day will come when you can meet and smile again. But for today... thank you for all your hard work, Kazunari-san. Good night."
She clearly intended to stay like this until I was asleep. When I pressed my face against her, seeking comfort, she hugged me tightly and tenderly. Enveloped in her warmth and allowing myself to be pampered, I drifted off into a deep, peaceful sleep before I knew it.