The next morning.
Unlike the day before, I woke up feeling completely refreshed.
My mind was clear from the moment I opened my eyes, and the exhaustion from the previous day—which really should have left me emotionally spent—had vanished entirely. My body felt surprisingly light.
I finished my morning preparations in a bit of a daze and checked the clock. It was still early for school, but for some reason, a sense of restless urgency kept me from settling down.
I tried scrolling through the news on my phone, but I couldn't focus, so I decided to just head out.
Perhaps reflecting my flighty mood, I walked at a brisk pace until I reached the convenience store where I usually bought my lunch. Then, I suddenly remembered.
"...Right. I have a lunch today."
The promise we had made during lunch break yesterday.
As a thank-you for helping her out by chance a few days ago, Akise-san was going to make me a bento. Specifically, one featuring her meaty kinpira gobo.
As the reality of it sank in again, I felt like I could break into a dance.
"...I'm getting way too carried away over a single lunch."
I had to remind myself that Akise-san was only doing this as a "thank-you." I couldn't let myself get the wrong idea.
But as I tried to caution myself, her words from yesterday echoed in my mind.
"Besides, I didn't hate the idea."
"How about you, Yanagida-kun? Did you hate it... being told that we were dating?"
"I see. ...I'm glad."
What did that actually mean, in the end?
After I'd gone home, I had pondered it from every possible angle while trying to study for my tests. However, there was no way my shallow wisdom—lacking as I was in any real interpersonal experience—could produce a definitive answer.
...While one possibility did come to mind, my reason immediately shot it down, dismissing it as "ridiculous" or "impossible."
But if, by some miracle, that thought was on the mark... what on earth should I do? What would I even want to do?
I caught myself thinking that this might actually be a bigger challenge for me than the upcoming midterms.
"...Let's just go."
I cut off my train of thought and started walking again.
It was a problem without a clear answer—I didn't even know if an answer existed—but I found that the time spent worrying about it wasn't actually that bad.
§
I had arrived much too early. The morning classroom was sparsely populated, making yesterday’s uproar feel like a fever dream. Then again, maybe yesterday was the only time things weren't normal.
Only a few classmates had beaten me there. They cast surprised glances my way as I entered the room but quickly returned to their desks without saying a word.
Since I had the time, I decided to follow their lead.
I took my seat—the third from the front in the first row by the window—and spread my textbook, notebook, and pencil case across the desk.
I decided to start with History Grand, a subject heavy on memorization, and looked down at the page.
"............"
I couldn't concentrate at all.
The word "bento" flickered across every single term, preventing them from sinking in. At this rate, I was going to end up remembering historical events as the "Great Bento War" or "Napoleon’s Bento."
I had been able to focus reasonably well last night... Perhaps now that it was finally the day of, the reality was becoming too much to handle.
Staying like this was a waste of time. I was in the middle of a long stretch to clear my head when a voice called out.
"Morning, Yanagida!"
"...Morning, Hashimoto."
The person greeting me so refreshingly was Hiroto Hashimoto, the guy who sat in front of me.
He was a handsome, athletic guy with spiky hair in a clean two-block cut. He was a member of the soccer club and was reportedly a lock for the regular starting lineup even as a first-year, yet he never acted conceited about it.
With his easygoing nature and friendly personality, he had plenty of friends and was naturally popular with the girls. He was the quintessential social butterfly.
"...Did you need something?"
Since our seats were adjacent, we spoke occasionally, but we weren't particularly close.
Being a guy who knew how to read the room, he usually didn't interfere with me. Even during yesterday’s commotion, he had stayed back and watched from a distance.
I wondered what had prompted him to talk to me now.
"It's nothing major. You looked pretty wiped out from being interrogated yesterday, so I was relieved to see you're looking better today."
"...Were you worried about me?"
"Well, we are classmates."
He gave me a bright smile, and I felt that aura again—the realization of what made someone truly popular.
It was an atmosphere that smoothly dissolved my wariness, one somewhat similar to Akise-san’s. He wasn't just handsome on the outside; he was a good guy on the inside, too.
...However,
"If that’s the case, I wish you would’ve stepped in to stop them back then..."
"Haha, sorry about that. But I was curious, too. About those rumors."
"...I figured."
Hashimoto’s expression shifted into a playful smirk. Unlike the other boys, there was no jealousy or malice in his gaze; it was just pure curiosity.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm not gunning for Akise-san like the other guys are."
"It's not that I'm worried... but really?"
"I've already got a girlfriend."
"...Seriously?"
"Dead serious. We've been dating since middle school, and we're still totally in love."
Apparently, she was a childhood friend from elementary school. He had resolved to confess if he could perform well in his final middle school tournament. After successfully placing in the top four in the prefecture, he confessed that very day, she said yes, and they had been together ever since.
I had always thought his looks and name seemed like something out of a manga, and it turned out his life story was just as dramatic.
"So, what's the deal? Are you really dating the Akise-san?"
"I said it a dozen times yesterday, but we aren't dating. The day before yesterday was actually the first time I’d even spoken to her."
"Then you didn't do what was in that photo? Was it a fake?"
"...I don't think it was fake. But it's... it's true, but it's not like that..."
There was too much I couldn't say and too much I didn't understand myself to explain it well.
Seeing me hesitate, Hashimoto nodded as if he understood.
"I see. Well, I won't pry. There’s a lot of stuff between guys and girls that we just don't get, right?"
"You're actually okay with that answer?"
"You probably don't really get it yourself, do you, Yanagida? I mean, when I first confessed, she told me, 'I like you, but not right now.' I had no idea what that was supposed to mean..."
Hashimoto stared off into the distance. It seemed that even his seemingly perfect life had its share of struggles.
I felt like I’d like to hear that story eventually, but for now, I asked the question that was really on my mind.
"Hashimoto, can I ask you something? Do you know where the rumor and that photo actually came from?"
Hashimoto crossed his arms and hummed thoughtfully.
"Hmm... I had morning practice yesterday, so I only heard the rumors right before you guys walked in. By then, it had already spread to the whole class... Sorry, I'm not much help."
"No, don't worry about it. It's not like knowing would change any—"
"It started with Makabe-san and her group."
The voice that cut into our conversation made us look up. Two girls were standing over us.
I recognized them. They were the ones who usually hung out with Akise-san.
"I'm sorry for eavesdropping. But you were talking about something very interesting to us as well..."
The speaker was Karin Takamiya, who gave a slight bow.
She was a sharp, striking beauty with long, glossy black hair and silver half-rim glasses. She was the top student in our year, scoring in the high nineties on every freshman test, but she was a tall, slender type who was notoriously unathletic.
She had a strict, "class representative" personality and could be blunt. I’d actually seen Akise-san step in to mediate when Karin’s sharp tongue almost started a fight. Even now, she was narrowing her eyes through her glasses with a look of displeasure.
"Morning, Yanagida-kun! Morning, Hashimoto-kun! Sorry about yesterday! When I heard it was a crisis involving my best friend's love life, I just got carried away..."
The girl beside her, looking apologetic, was Miki Mukai. She was the one who had led the interrogation yesterday morning.
She was small and moved with the energy of a small animal, her signature twin-tails bouncing as she bowed her head. I found myself following the movement with my eyes. Unlike Karin, she was the type who struggled with school but excelled at sports, always hopping around energetically.
I returned their greetings and prompted them to continue.
"So, you said Makabe... and the others were the source?"
"The rumor and the photo originally appeared in the girls-only Class LINE group for Class A."
Apparently, there was a group chat that excluded the boys.
"It’s a secret from the other guys, okay!" Miki warned us cheerfully, a comment that made both Hashimoto and me visibly recoil.
"It’s not as scary as you think," Karin added. "Though some of the content might be a bit too much for boys... Anyway, two nights ago, Makabe-san suddenly asked the group, 'I heard Akise-san has a boyfriend, anyone know about this?'"
"Since we’re her best friends and we’d never heard a thing, we were skeptical... but then Morita-chan posted that photo! We were so shocked!"
Makabe and Morita. I frowned at the names.
Those were the girls who had tried to blackmail Akise-san over her past. This was likely their way of getting back at her since I had interfered with their plan. The fact that the photo was real made the whole thing much messier.
"Those girls have always tried to pick on Haruka, so I assumed this was more of the same... but listening to you now, it seems that photo is genuine."
"...Yeah, probably. I know when it was taken."
"I knew it! Haruka looked so cute in that photo, she was smiling so much! We've never even seen her look like that... I'm getting a little jealous~"
"Holding hands on the very first day you meet? That's some serious speed," Hashimoto noted, sounding impressed.
I stayed silent, unsure of how to respond. Karin let out a small sigh.
"She’s our friend—'Best friend!' ...Right, best friend. Regardless, we don't intend to meddle in Haruka’s private life more than necessary. However, be very careful around Makabe-san and her group. We’ll keep an eye on things from our side, but they seemed a bit off yesterday. They’re probably still plotting something..."
"Yeah! Making Haruka’s life difficult is totally against the rules for us!"
"...Thank you. Takamiya-san, Mukai-san."
I could feel their genuine kindness and the trust they had in Akise-san. It made me happy—as if it were my own success—to know she had people who cared for her like this.
...People like them probably wouldn't turn their backs on her even if they knew her past. Or perhaps it was because they were so close that Akise-san felt she "absolutely couldn't tell them."
"Girls' drama is terrifying... Well, if you run into any trouble, you can count on me too. I'll help out," Hashimoto offered.
"...You're a good guy, Hashimoto."
"I'm a real catch, aren't I?"
"Who says that about themselves? But... thanks. It helps."
Hashimoto laughed. I could tell he was trying to lighten the heavy mood, and I finally understood why people were naturally drawn to him.
Miki suddenly slapped the desk, pulling me away from the comfortable atmosphere between us guys.
"Now that we've confirmed the photo is real... you’re going to tell us the truth! How did you meet Haruka, and how did you get that close to her!?"
Miki leaned in with sparkling eyes. I looked at Karin for help, but she didn't offer any.
"I don't mean to pry too much, but I am curious. She acts friendly toward everyone, but she's actually very guarded."
"Yeah, she definitely draws a line. She doesn't push people away, but she doesn't let them in, either. ...So, what’s the story, Master Yanagida?"
"Don't call me that... And I'm sorry, but I can't tell you."
I felt bad for letting them down, but this was a point I couldn't concede. This was an issue that could affect Akise-san’s entire future. Even if they were her best friends, it wasn't my place to tell them without her permission.
My firm refusal made Miki go quiet.
"...Does it involve something serious? Should we avoid asking Haruka directly, too?"
"It's a bit late for that, Miki, since you've been pestering her since yesterday. ...Thank you, Yanagida-kun."
"I don't think I've done anything worth a thank-you..."
Karin gave me a gentle smile that was a far cry from her usual sharp impression.
"I'm just glad that she, who always seems so tense, found someone she can be herself with. And I'm glad that person is someone as sincere as you. So, thank you."
"I'm a little bummed it wasn't us, though! But seeing Haruka so happy makes me happy! Let's be friends from now on!"
...It seemed Akise-san really did have wonderful friends. They sensed she was carrying a burden, yet they respected her boundaries while staying right by her side. I felt a strong resolve not to betray the trust these girls had placed in me.
Just then...
"Morning, Haruka!"
"Akise-san, g-good morning."
"Good morning, everyone!"
The classroom had filled up while the four of us were talking, and it suddenly grew much louder. Speak of the devil—every eye in the room was fixed on Akise-san as she walked in.
She exchanged greetings with her usual grace until she spotted us and headed straight our way.
"Good morning!"
"Morning, Haruka!" "Good morning, Haruka."
"Morning, Akise-san." "...Morning."
I squinted slightly at her dazzling, sun-like smile. She tilted her head as she looked at our group.
"This is an unusual group. What were you all talking about?"
"About you, obviously! Right, Karin-chan?"
"Yes. Just some idle gossip, so don't let it worry you."
"I'm just a spectator," Hashimoto joked. "I thought I'd try to catch some good luck from the person who's currently the hottest topic in our grade."
"What are you talking about, luck...?" I asked.
"Maybe it'll boost my luck in love?"
"What do you need that for? You have a girlfriend."
"That's exactly why! We were put in different classes right at the start of the year. I'm praying that we'll be able to enjoy our high school life together!"
"Stop it, don't pray to me! Put in the effort yourself!"
As I retorted to Hashimoto, who had actually started praying with his hands joined, I remembered hearing that couples are sometimes separated into different classes to manage the fallout if they break up. I kept that thought to myself.
Watching our banter, Akise-san let out a small giggle.
"You two get along well, don't you?"
"This is actually the first time we've really talked..."
"Time doesn't matter," Hashimoto declared. "Once you realize you click with a guy, the friendship is complete."
His confident tone was almost enough to make me believe it. Well... it didn't feel bad, at least.
"Boys make friends so quickly. I'm almost jealous."
"Isn't it just because they're simple?"
"Karin-chan, that was a low blow! But we're friends too, right!?"
The girls continued their commentary as they watched us.
It was a strange feeling. Just a few days ago, I was a ghost, a loner who stayed in the corner of the classroom. Now, I was in the middle of a group of the most popular kids in class, chatting comfortably.
The catalyst for everything was my meeting with this one girl...
"Hmm? Is something wrong, Yanagida-kun?"
"No... I just felt like saying thank you."
Akise-san looked at me blankly, caught off guard by the sudden gratitude. She clearly found it strange, and I didn't have the words to explain it.
But then, as if realizing something, she gave me a brilliant smile. It was different from the one she usually wore for the class... It was the same smile she had shown me yesterday.
"I made your lunch! We're eating at that spot again, okay?"
In an instant, the classroom erupted into a mix of cheers and groans. Gazes filled with everything from jealousy to excitement centered on me, and I felt my cheek twitch.
"I see... you've already progressed to the point of homemade lunches after only a few days," Karin noted.
"And she said 'that spot.' Seriously, Yanagida, let me pray to you."
"Whaaat!? That's not fair! I want Haruka's cooking, too!"
I was pelted with teasing from the others—though one person was just genuinely hungry.
Normally, I would have been overwhelmed by the attention, but with the reward of Akise-san’s cooking on the horizon, I felt almost invincible. My head was so full of lunch plans that everything else felt trivial.
I ignored the reactions of the class and answered honestly.
"Yeah. I'm really looking forward to it."
"...! Ehehe, I worked really hard on it... I hope you like it."
Her bashful, happy expression was so adorable it was almost physically painful to look at.
Cheers and moans filled the room. Miki and Karin blinked in surprise. And I, taking the full force of that high-octane smile, was completely knocked out.
She really needed to stop using those unblockable, instant-death counters on me.