"Thanks for today, Hashimoto. You really saved us."
"Don't worry about it."
It was after school, one class period after the confrontation with Makabe and the others. As I thanked Hashimoto while he packed up to head home, he gave me a casual pat on the shoulder.
When I first brought the situation to him, Hashimoto had been even more fired up than those of us directly involved. He really was a loyal guy who put a high price on friendship.
"Still, those guys were idiots to try something like that. Were they just born stupid, or what?"
"Who knows. I guess it just shows how terrifying human jealousy can be."
Hashimoto smirked at my somber remark.
"Spoken like the guy currently drawing more heat from every dude in our grade than anyone else. That carries some serious weight. Honestly, you might want to watch your back for an ambush in some dark alley."
"Give me a break..."
I remembered a guy from another class glaring at me as we passed each other a few days ago. I supposed I really did need to stay alert.
The conversation drifted toward Akise-san, then to the test scores we’d received today... just mindless, idle chatter with no real point. But because Hashimoto’s attitude hadn't changed at all since we became friends, the words slipped out before I could stop them.
"Thank you."
"Huh? For what now?"
"Just... everything. For lending a hand today. And for treating me the same as always, even after you heard that story about my past."
"That story? Oh, the middle school stuff? If you ask me, you’re overthinking it."
Hashimoto made a series of quick "shush-shush" motions as if he were shadow-boxing.
"I’d have probably cracked some skulls too if my family or my girlfriend were in that spot. Takamiya-san said basically the same thing, didn't she?"
"She gave me a silent standing ovation... For someone with that ice-cold beauty look, she’s surprisingly hot-blooded."
"She’s got a sharp tongue, too."
We shared a few brief assessments that would have surely earned us a scolding if she’d heard them. We both scanned the room, but the person in question was busy talking to Akise-san and the others, seemingly out of earshot.
Relieved, I let out a breath and continued.
"The adults talked it over, and the final verdict was a one-week suspension for beating those guys to a pulp. If that’s how they handled it, then that’s all there is to it."
"I guess so."
"It is. At the very least, hearing that story made me think you’re a total badass. And I’m not talking about your fists—I’m talking about the strength of your character."
Hashimoto’s fist thudded lightly against my chest. As if the heat of his words had been physically transferred to me, a warm lump formed in the back of my throat.
Ignoring my momentary emotional state, Hashimoto pulled his lips into a mischievous grin.
"But hey, if you’re really that grateful, I guess I’ll have you do me one favor."
"...Depends on what it is."
"It’s nothing difficult. Now that midterms are over, a bunch of people from class are talking about going to karaoke this weekend."
Hearing that, I recalled the messages sent to the Group LINE last night. I’d ignored them, assuming it had nothing to do with me. But for him to bring it up now...
"You’re coming too. And you have to sing at least one song."
"I’m not a good singer."
"We’re just going to make some noise with the music as a backdrop. Nobody actually cares if you’re good or not. If you’re bad, it just livens the place up. Anyone who tries to ruin the mood will just get shunned, and I’ll be there to shut them down anyway."
As Hashimoto thumped his chest with a "leave it to me" look, I crossed my arms and sank into thought.
Karaoke... It was a staple for students on weekends or after school, but I had virtually no experience with it. It wasn't that I'd never been—Yui had dragged me along a few months ago—but I hadn't understood the appeal.
I didn't have any particular interest in music. I didn't hate singing, but I didn't like it either. I wondered if I’d even enjoy myself, or if I’d just be a wet blanket... Negative thoughts began to dominate my mind.
I felt bad for Hashimoto, but I was about to look up and decline when he leaned in with a truly wicked smile.
"By the way, I heard Akise-san is coming. Naturally, all the guys are flocking there just to get a look at her."
"............"
I suddenly felt a powerful urge to retract everything I had just said.
"Ah, Yanagida-kun!"
"...Mukai-san."
The following day after school. An energetic, bright voice called out to me while I was staying late for committee work. I turned around to find Mukai-san standing there in her gym clothes, her shoulders rising and falling slightly from exertion.
"You’re in the Go-home Club, right, Yanagida-kun? Did you have something to do?"
"Beautification Committee work. I’m doing the rounds to check the maintenance points inside the building."
"Whoa! So the Beautification Committee actually does stuff like that. Keep up the good work!"
Mukai-san gave me a playful, crisp salute. The reason her gestures never felt fake or annoying was likely due to her honest nature and genuine charm.
"Are you at practice, Mukai-san?"
"Yep! We can’t use the gymnasium today, so I was doing laps and strength training on the ground."
"I see..."
The word brought back memories of my own middle school club days. The five indoor clubs—volleyball, basketball, and badminton—would rotate gym access. On the days we were locked out, we’d spend the entire time on grueling physical conditioning. Back then, it felt like torture, but looking back, I realized I’d actually enjoyed it.
As I drifted into thought, Mukai-san spoke up with a voice that was more serious than usual.
"Hey, Yanagida-kun. Do you have a minute to talk?"
"I’ve finished my rounds, so I’m free. What about your practice?"
"I’m done too. I was just going to grab a drink from the vending machine before I head back to the classroom to change."
As we walked together toward the vending machines near the school store, Mukai-san began to speak. Her voice was quiet and composed—a far cry from her usual high-energy self.
"Yanagida-kun, did you ever hear how Haruka and I became friends?"
"No, I haven't. As far as I can tell, you two have been together since May."
"Yeah. We first met around the middle of April... Haruka was the one who helped me when I was failing my classes and didn't know what to do."
We reached the vending machine, and Mukai-san bought a milk tea. I decided to get a black canned coffee. She let out a small exclamation of surprise when she saw my choice. Apparently, she couldn't even handle coffee with a little sugar, let alone black. That seemed about right.
"I’m here on an athletic recruit, you know. The basketball club at this school is incredibly strong. Did you know that?"
"I think I saw something about it in the brochure."
"Exactly! I’d looked up to them since middle school. During the recommendation entrance exam, my older brothers stayed up with me to help me study, and I finally made it in. But with my grades, things were still really tough. And my brothers were getting busy with college and their own jobs..."
Mukai-san made a sour face as she took a sip of her milk tea.
"I didn't understand the lessons at all. I started worrying that I wouldn't even be allowed to play basketball. I tried to study, but I didn't even know how to start. I was on the verge of tears when Haruka called out to me."
Her usual bright smile returned instantly.
"She stayed with me almost every day after school to teach me. Whenever I had a question, she’d explain it so clearly! Thanks to her, my scores on the May Freshman Test were actually pretty good. Haruka is an amazing teacher. It’s like she knows exactly where I’m going to get stuck and has the perfect answer ready."
I decided not to say, "I know." It would be rude to interrupt her while she was nodding to herself, lost in her memories of Akise-san.
"I told Haruka I’d do anything to pay her back for all her hard work. I told her to just name it! And what do you think she said?"
"I’m not sure. Maybe 'don't worry about it'?"
"Nope. She said... 'I want you to be my friend'!"
Mukai-san laughed, looking genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart. There wasn't a trace of mockery in her voice; she clearly cherished Akise-san’s awkwardness.
"I already thought of us as friends, but the way she said it so shyly was just so cute and it made me so happy... So, I decided to call myself her 'best friend'!"
"'Best friend'..."
"Yep. Someone connected at a deeper level than just a normal friend. A bond for life, where we can talk about anything! ...Or so I thought, anyway."
Her nostalgic expression shifted into a playful pout. Behind her mock anger was a clear streak of jealousy.
"Yanagida-kun, you know about the 'secret' Haruka’s been agonizing over all this time, right?"
"Yeah. Though the reason she told me was mostly due to an accident."
"I see... I’m a little jealous. But, because you’re the kind of person who can keep that tucked away in your heart without telling me or Karin, Haruka trusts you. And also—"
Mukai-san bit her lip, realizing she was about to say something she shouldn't. She looked a bit awkward, as if she’d almost overstepped a boundary. She cleared her throat and regained her serious expression.
"So, that’s the deal. I care a lot about Haruka. She’s kind and she works harder than anyone. So please... take care of her."
"I swear it. I’ll never do anything to make Akise-san sad. Ever."
I looked her straight in the eye and spoke firmly. It felt a bit like a line from a cheesy movie, but I felt it was important to put my resolve into words exactly as it was.
Mukai-san blinked in surprise, her cheeks flushing a light red.
"Whoa, no hesitation... You’re like the protagonist of a rom-com. Man, must be nice! I wish I had someone who would think of me that devotedly."
"So you are interested in romance after all, Mukai-san."
"I mean, I’m all about basketball right now, sure! But I’m still a high school girl! Of course I want a sparkling youth!"
As we talked, the face of that boy from the volleyball club who kept calling me "Master" flashed through my mind... but I didn't mention him. I didn't owe him that much, and I barely knew him. I’d just have to pray for that pure-hearted guy’s success on his own.
"But honestly, I’m not really worried about you two. I heard you saved her when Makabe-san tried to threaten her. And this time, she came to us first with her secret to ask for help..."
"Saving her the first time was just luck. And this time, I was one of the targets, too. Regardless... thank you for your help, Mukai-san."
"Don't thank me! It was for my 'best friend.' It was nothing. Besides, I mostly just stood there with my phone. I didn't really do anything."
"That’s not true. That recording you made was a vital trump card."
In order to take down Makabe, I’d asked Mukai-san to keep an eye on Akise-san and record everything happening inside that room from the outside. Combined with the LINE data they’d sent me, it would be the final piece of evidence to corner them.
I thought back to the final words Akise-san had said to Makabe and the others. What they tried to do was unforgivable, but if they hadn't done it, I might never have even met Akise-san. I certainly wouldn't be friends with Hashimoto, Mukai-san, or Takamiya-san. I’d probably still be spending my school days in total isolation.
When I looked at it that way, I could almost feel a twisted sense of gratitude. I suppose, in a way, those bullies were our matchmakers. I’m sure they’d be furious to hear that... but they brought it on themselves.
...Oh, that reminds me.
"Mukai-san. What kind of songs are popular these days?"