"Man... I'm beat."
It was the morning after that earth-shattering Wednesday.
I’d spent so much time spiraling through my own thoughts that I barely got any sleep, leaving me far more exhausted than usual. I smothered another yawn as I trudged down the path to school.
"Thank you so much for yesterday! If you hadn't come for me and talked me through it, Yanagida-kun... I might not have pulled through this time. I'll do anything I can to pay you back, so please, think about it!"
"...What the hell am I supposed to do with that?"
As I walked, I ruminated on the words Akise-san had said right before we parted.
I felt a pang of guilt at the thought of demanding anything from her after seeing her so broken, yet ignoring her goodwill felt equally wrong. I’d spent the entire night agonizing over it, but I couldn't come up with a request that wasn't a burden. Instead, I’d ended up preoccupied with the fact that a girl—one I was starting to become acutely aware of—had told me she’d do "anything."
I felt like a hormone-crazed teenager. Well... I was a teenager. Still, the self-loathing was enough to make me want to curl up and die before the first bell.
Somehow, I made it to the school entrance. Since I was running later than usual, the area was nearly deserted. I still had time before morning homeroom, but I wanted to hurry. If I could just secure a few minutes for a nap before class started...
I was switching into my indoor shoes with a sense of urgency when the voice of the person I least wanted to encounter right now reached my ears.
"Ah, Yanagida-kun! Good morning!"
"G-good... morning, Akise-san."
I managed to return the greeting with a slight stutter and turned around.
There stood Akise-san, beaming at me with a radiant smile. I actually shuddered at the brilliant, sunny aura she projected. It was terrifying how energetic she was first thing in the morning.
At the same time, I felt a wave of relief and respect. She was acting so bright and cheerful despite the trauma of yesterday.
"You're full of energy this morning... Are you doing okay?"
"I have to get pumped up early, or I'll never find my rhythm! Honestly, I’m running on fumes because I couldn't sleep from overthinking, but your words really helped. I feel a lot better now. Truly, thank you."
Now that she mentioned it, I could see the faint shadows of dark circles under her eyes.
A matching set, then. The thought crossed my mind, but I kept it to myself, realizing how creepy it would sound out loud.
"You're welcome. To be honest, I was worried I’d said too much and offended you..."
I felt a bit bashful at her genuine gratitude, but Akise-san just tilted her head and gave me a soft smile.
"Not at all. If anything, it made me happy to know you were being sincere."
"...I see."
It was an embarrassing feeling, to say the least. Still, if my clumsy words had been a support to her, that was enough.
I gave a small nod and started walking, but Akise-san hurriedly finished changing her shoes and fell into step beside me.
"Hey! Don't just leave me behind!"
"Oh—sorry?"
I hadn't intended to, but I reflexively apologized as she pouted with a level of cuteness that felt like a personal attack. Since she was already there, I had no choice but to walk toward the classroom side-by-side with her.
I could feel eyes on us. They were on Akise-san, who was radiating charm, and on me for the crime of walking next to her. Because of my height, I usually drew a few stares, but these were different—more numerous and distinctly ominous.
Unlike me, who felt like a fish out of water, Akise-san was perfectly composed. As expected of her social standing.
"You look a bit sleepy too, Yanagida-kun. Were you up late studying? I should really follow your example. I didn't get a thing done yesterday."
"I just... got a bit too absorbed in a game. I didn't study much either."
I couldn't exactly admit I’d been tossing and turning because I was agonizing over her "reward," so I brushed it off with a lie. Akise-san narrowed her eyes at me with a flat, judgmental stare. Even that was unfairly cute.
"I’m not one to talk, but you have to study, okay? Like the teacher said, this is our first periodic exam. We have to take it seriously!"
"You're absolutely right..."
Hearing that from Akise-san, who worked so hard to maintain her perfect image, actually stung a bit. This was a high-level prep school; if I stumbled now, catching up later would be a nightmare.
Wait. Maybe I could make that her "reward"?
Just as the idea took shape, I realized Akise-san was no longer beside me. I looked back and found her standing still several paces behind.
"...Akise-san?"
"Ahaha, sorry. I was fine when I left the house, but... going into the classroom is a little scary."
She laughed awkwardly, but I could see her legs trembling.
Right. Even if our conversation had helped her mental state, the problem itself hadn't vanished. The secret might have been leaked by Makabe and her group yesterday. I didn't think it would spread through the whole school in one night, but within our own class? It was a real possibility.
Perhaps the rumor had already reached everyone, and the way they looked at her had changed forever. She probably hadn't slept because she’d been imagining exactly that.
"It's pathetic to lose my nerve after coming all this way... You go on ahead, Yanagida-kun. I'll follow in a—"
"Don't worry about me."
"...But you'll be late. And people will see you with me..."
"Compared to the struggle you went through just to make it to school today, that's nothing."
She’d clearly noticed I was bothered by the attention. But my desire to avoid the spotlight was trivial compared to her internal conflict. Besides, staying by her side was ultimately for my own sake—a bit of self-satisfaction I couldn't let go of.
"I can't say I understand exactly how you feel, but I think you should believe in yourself more, Akise-san."
"Believe in... myself?"
"Even if you created a 'persona' for high school... the work you've put in, the trust you've built, and the friendships you've made are real. They aren't fake."
"…!"
In the end, Akise-san was a victim. There was no reason for her to be blamed for her past. However, I knew that if the secret came out, the sensationalist label of "bullying victim" would change how people perceived her.
That was likely what she feared. She was afraid the mask of the perfect class rep would shatter, and her classmates would feel "tricked" or "betrayed."
Personally, I suspected that even if the truth came out, things wouldn't be as bad as she thought. Most people wouldn't care, and at most, a few heartless idiots might make a scene. Akise-san hadn't hurt anyone. She was always kind and bright. Even if it was an act, that kindness came from her true nature.
...Then again, these were just the ramblings of a loner who knew nothing about social dynamics or group psychology. I could be completely wrong. Akise-san might be worrying about something else entirely, and the exposure of her secret really could ruin everything.
Ideally, it would never come out at all. I felt a sense of helplessness, knowing I could only offer shallow words.
Akise-san stared at me with that flat, judging look again. I started to panic, thinking I’d finally crossed a line, when she spoke.
"You... are you actually a huge lady-killer?"
"Huh? N-no, definitely not. I'm a loner, remember? I'm terrible at talking to girls..."
"I wonder. You always seem to know exactly what to say when someone is feeling down. Maybe you should be a counselor."
I didn't quite get it, but I was relieved she seemed cheered up. The anxiety and tension had vanished from her face, replaced by a teasing grin.
Akise-san slapped her cheeks, took a deep breath, and stepped forward.
"I've come this far, so there's no point in moping! A woman needs courage!"
And a man needs charm... though she had me beat there, too. I followed her light footsteps up the stairs and down the hallway of the first-year wing. A few students were milling about before the bell, and their eyes immediately darted toward her.
"Morning, Haruka-chan!"
"Morning!"
She responded to a girl from another class with her usual vigor. She really was a strong person.
Compared to her, I was a weakling. A pathetic, spineless slug who hung back a few paces to avoid the glare of the spotlight. Luckily, it worked; almost no one was looking at me. I had no desire to stand out.
As we reached the classroom door, Akise-san stopped and looked back at me.
"...Sorry, Yanagida-kun. Could you go in first? I'm still a little nervous."
"...Got it."
"Thanks. If... if the secret really is out... will you protect me?"
"I'm at least tall enough to act as a human shield to block the stares."
It was the most realistic promise I could make. Akise-san gave me a small smile in return.
I passed her and stood before the door. My own heart started racing. It was fine; I had no reason to be afraid. I had to be her shield, so hesitation wasn't an option.
Feeling like a soldier heading into a war zone, I gripped the doorknob. One of us—maybe both of us—held our breath.
I exhaled and threw the door open. The heavy rattle of the sliding door echoed through the room.
The entire class reacted to the sound, their attention snapping toward the entrance. In the next heartbeat, every single eye in the room was locked on me.
I froze.
I scanned the room timidly. A large group of classmates had gathered in the center of the room, huddled over something. They were all staring at me now, whispering. I couldn't hear them clearly, but I was certain I heard my name.
Why me? If it were Akise-san, I’d understand, but there was no reason for them to focus on me. Their expressions were a strange mix of confusion and curiosity, as if they were dying to ask me something but didn't know how.
I couldn't stand in the doorway forever. Setting my jaw, I took a step inside. Immediately, a girl detached herself from the group and marched toward me.
It was Miki Mukai. She was a small, twin-tailed girl with the energy of a small animal. She was at the top of the class hierarchy and a close friend of Akise-san. Her round eyes were wide with suspicion and intense curiosity.
"Morning, Yanagida-kun. I have a question for you!"
"...Morning, Mukai-san. If it's something I can answer."
"I'll be blunt... is that rumor true!?"
My heart nearly leaped out of my chest. I fought the urge to look back at Akise-san.
A rumor? Was it really out? But the atmosphere didn't feel negative. The classmates watching were curious, not hostile—except for the boys, whose glares were sharp enough to draw blood.
"...What rumor?"
My voice was trembling. I told myself to stay calm. If it were the secret, they wouldn't be asking me. So what was the whole class so interested in?
"The rumor that you and Haruka are dating!!"
"..................What?"
The sheer absurdity of the statement wiped my mind blank.
Dating? Me and Akise-san? It was preposterous. A groundless, malicious delusion. Where could such a thing even start?
"Look at this photo! Someone said they saw the two of you holding hands and running together after school yesterday!"
She thrust her phone in my face.
The photo had been taken through a hallway window from inside a classroom. It vividly captured Akise-san pulling my hand with a radiant smile, while I looked confused but... weirdly content.
Wait, was I really making that face? I was actually a bit shocked.
Who could have taken this? The classroom had been empty when we went back for our bags. It must have been someone from another class. But the source didn't matter right now; I had to figure out how to handle this tiny threat with the sparkling eyes.
"This is definitely Haruka and definitely you, right? Is this photo the real deal!?"
"Uh—er... well... yes, I do recall that happening."
What was with my formal tone? I criticized myself internally.
Immediately, the hostility from the boys in the back surged. I finally understood why they were glaring at me. But knowing that didn't help. Mukai-san was only getting more fired up.
"Come on, spill it! Everything from the beginning! What were you two doing alone in the school? What's going on between you!?"
She pressed forward, her twin-tails bouncing. Despite the massive height difference—her head barely reached my chest—her gaze was intense. She wasn't going to let me go.
I couldn't tell the truth about why we were there without exposing her secret. I didn't have the social skills to talk my way out of this. I was cornered.
"...Hehe, ahaha!"
A small laugh drifted from behind me. Mukai-san’s eyes widened as she spotted the person waiting at the door.
"Ah! Haruka! I was wondering why you were late, but did you guys actually come to school together!? Since when did you get this close!?"
The misunderstanding was only deepening. I was out of my depth. I’d have to leave this to Akise-san's superior communication skills. "Hehe, ahahaha!" ...Akise-san?
I looked back. For some reason, Akise-san was doubled over, clutching her stomach in fits of laughter. While I, Mukai-san, and the rest of the class watched in stunned silence, she just kept laughing.
"Ahahahaha! Oh man, my stomach hurts...!"
"H-Haruka? I've never seen you laugh like that. What's gotten into you?"
"S-sorry, sorry. I just... I suddenly felt so relieved. So, what was the question? What’s the relationship between me and Yanagida-kun?"
She finally stopped laughing and wiped a tear from her eye, appearing to think for a moment. As we all watched with bated breath, she gently placed a finger to her lips. Then, with a charming smile and a wink that would have brought any man to his knees, she spoke.
"...It's a secret♪"
The classroom erupted.
The girls shrieked with delight, while the boys let out a collective groan of despair. The girls' looks of suspicion turned into intense curiosity, while the boys' glares escalated from hostility to pure, unadulterated malice.
I was the one who wanted to scream the most.
"Whaaaat!? Haruka, that’s not an answer! Is it true or not!?"
"I told you, it's a secret~"
"Then what about this photo!? You're holding hands and smiling so cutely!"
"Thanks for the compliment♪ Hmm, I wonder... maybe I forgot?"
"You have a perfect memory! You didn't forget! Just tell us if you're dating!!"
Mukai-san was practically in tears, clinging to her. Akise-san just patted her head and gave another one of those devastating winks.
"Nfufu, that’s also... a secret♪"
"Harukaaaa!!"
The screams echoing through the room were loud enough to be heard in the next building.
"Are they really a thing!? Since when!?" "Haruka seems... different, doesn't she?" "Yeah, but she's so cute like that." "Hey, Yanagida! Explain yourself, Yanagida!" "You act like you don't care about girls, but then you pull this!?" "Will you let me call you Master?"
The room was a storm of conflicting emotions. The noise pounded against my sleep-deprived brain, and I looked up at the ceiling, trying to ignore the throbbing in my temples.
My mind was a mess. I was confused by the situation and baffled by Akise-san’s behavior. I knew we had to keep the secret, but why be so suggestive about it?
"Well, it's not like I'm lying, right?"
Akise-san suddenly turned her gaze toward me. The class fell into a hushed silence, their eyes darting back and forth between us.
"Right, Yanagida-kun♪"
"..................Yes."
The room exploded again.
Screams, cheers, and roars of anger collided in a deafening wave. The chaos didn't end until Mr. Azuma walked in and shouted for everyone to sit down.