A stir ran through our classmates at Shinonome's words.
Even as someone blurted out "public confession," she held her ground without flinching.
Frowning, Masanori muttered, "I'm pretty sure I already gave you my answer, though."
"Back then, I hadn't properly confessed yet, so you just turned me down unilaterally. Besides, it wouldn't be very fair of me to instigate a public confession and then do nothing myself, would it?"
With that, Shinonome looked over at me again.
"I want to tell you how I truly feel. Otherwise, I'll never be able to move forward."
Seeing her clear, resolved expression, Masanori gave a wry smile and stood up. "Fair enough."
Perhaps out of nervousness, Shinonome pinched the hem of her skirt.
"...You've always been so kind to me, Masanori-kun, and I couldn't get you out of my head. It was the first time I've ever fallen in love for real. So, please let me say it: I was in love with you!"
"My answer hasn't changed. I don't have romantic feelings for you, Shinonome, and I'm too busy with basketball to date anyone right now."
Masanori smiled sheepishly, then added, "Still..."
"The way you are right now, Shii-chan, makes you look a lot more charming than before."
"...Yeah."
"Are we good, then?"
"Thank you."
It was an exchange that felt oddly incomplete, as if they had glossed over the most crucial parts.
Even so, Shinonome wiped a tear from the corner of her eye with her index finger and smiled.
Whatever passed between them, it seemed to have brought them closure.
The homeroom chime rang.
Our teacher walked in, bringing the whole scene to a close.
◇
During the lunch break, I stood on the rooftop, drinking a can of coffee while gazing up at the blue sky.
I had just wanted some fresh air.
Earlier, during homeroom, our teacher had given an explanation regarding Katsurama.
He had been placed on a provisional suspension until an official disciplinary decision was reached.
Of course, the exact details of what happened were kept under wraps.
Everyone was simply told the outcome of the punishment.
Anyone sharp enough might connect it to Shinonome's actions this morning in some way.
However, I had no intention of saying anything, and I had a feeling she wouldn't either.
How Katsurama chose to reflect on his actions from here on was entirely up to him.
I had no desire to get in the way of that.
"So this is where you were."
The rooftop door swung open, and Shinonome stepped outside.
She walked over to my side and leaned her back against the chain-link fence.
"Did you need something?"
"I made up with Nakina, so I wanted to thank you. I realized that with all the apologizing I've been doing, I never actually thanked you, Hatsukade. So... thank you."
"You made up with her because of what you chose to do. I had nothing to do with it."
"There you go again."
Shinonome playfully nudged my foot with the tip of her toe.
"Hehe, you looked so caught off guard by that public confession. I finally managed to shatter that poker face of yours, Hatsukade. Dork~"
"Did you... pull that stunt just for that?"
"Not just for that, but I definitely thought, Serves you right!"
"You really have a terrible personality."
"Just because I've reflected on things doesn't mean who I am inside has changed. Besides, it's not like your personality is any better."
Grinning mischievously, Shinonome let out a quiet murmur.
"I'm going to tell the teachers what I did to Nakina after this."
"...A stern warning probably won't cut it, you know."
"Do you think I'll get suspended?"
"Probably. You made peace with Amanatsu, and you were a victim of Katsurama's, so you've already paid a heavy price. I'd say that's more than enough."
"I'm doing it because I want to. I need to settle everything properly so I can have a clear conscience."
"I see. Well, do as you like."
It was about time to eat lunch.
I turned my back on Shinonome and began walking away, but then stopped in my tracks and looked back over my shoulder.
"Shinonome."
"W-What?"
There was no connection between her and my past.
Even so, part of me couldn't help but see the shadow of my childhood friend in her—the one who had transferred away as if running from everything.
By facing things head-on, Shinonome had shown me a hypothetical scene that I had never been able to witness back then.
That was why I wanted to say at least something to her.
"You didn't run away. You did good."
"Gah?!"
Shinonome's cheeks flushed bright red in embarrassment.
Fidgeting with her fingers, she looked up at me from beneath her lashes.
"...Even if I get suspended, you can still come over to eat tantanmen, you know?"
"I'll pass. I already exceeded my recommended sodium intake last week."
"Why do you never come when I invite you? Then again, that's just the kind of guy you are, Hatsukade... Hey, Hatsukade."
Brushing past me, she positioned herself in front of the door to block the way and bashfully stroked her bangs.
"Once my suspension is over, there's something I want to tell you. So make sure you give me some of your time."
"......Sure."
When I gave that half-hearted reply, Shinonome broke into a radiant smile and flashed a thumbs-up.
"Alright, I'm off then!"
With that, she pulled the door open.
Standing on the other side was a girl with pinkish-brown hair.
"..."
There stood Amanatsu, pale-faced, lingering in front of the doorway in utter silence like a ghost.
Startled, Shinonome jumped, her shoulders twitching violently.
"Whoa! Nakina, how long have you been standing there?!"
"...F-From the very beginning."
"Wait, did you hear all of that?"
Amanatsu gave a slow nod. Seemingly oblivious to the lifeless look in her eyes, Shinonome clutched her head in mortification.
"How embarrassing! You heard the whole thing?! Um, listen, Nakina, about just now... could you please keep it between us...? H-Huh? Nakina?"
Finally sensing that something was terribly off, Shinonome tilted her head.
"Wait, why are you up here in the first place...?"
"A-Ahaha... Well, I sometimes eat lunch up here with Hatsukade-kun, so I was looking for him and just happened to..."
"N-No way... Could it be... Nakina, are you..."
Shinonome looked at me, looked at Amanatsu, and then stared back at me, her jaw dropping open in utter disbelief.
...Just what on earth am I being subjected to right now?
I really just want to eat my lunch.