The shrill, rhythmic buzz of cicadas, beginning their summer chorus a bit later than usual this year, showered down from above on this bustling early summer morning.
Wiping a bead of sweat from my brow with a handkerchief, I—Haruka Akase—looked up at the stately residence towering before me and murmured under my breath.
"It really is huge..."
Located about ten minutes by car from my house, it was a mansion so grand it begged to be called a palatial estate. Yet, it wasn't gaudy; it possessed a refined, elegant atmosphere.
While its magnificent presence might make a first-time visitor hesitate, I had been invited here several times before. Without any particular nervousness, I pressed the intercom beside the nameplate that read "Takamiya."
"Yes. Who is it?"
"It's Haruka. We had an appointment. Is Karin there?"
"I can tell by your voice... Just wait a moment, I'm coming down."
"Fufu, okay."
The sound of a voice tinged with a smile receded from the intercom. A few seconds later, the large front door slowly swung open.
Behind the door stood Karin, dressed in modest, clean-cut civilian clothes. A small smile played on her lips.
"Welcome, Haruka. It's dreadfully hot out, isn't it? Please, come in."
"Thanks for having me!"
I hurried into the entryway as if fleeing the oppressive sunlight. The moment the cool air of the house enveloped me, I let out a sigh of relief.
After Karin locked the door, she led me toward her private room on the second floor. As we walked, I admired the dignified decorations and ornaments lining the hallway.
"Thanks for today, Karin. I know it was short notice, but thank you for inviting me over."
I gave a small bow. Karin turned back and shook her head.
"Don't worry about it. This is about that important conversation, right?"
"Yeah... To me, it's something very important."
"Then it's important to me, too—to both of us. We are best friends, after all."
Karin offered a reserved smile and patted my shoulder encouragingly. It was a rare bit of physical contact for her. Perhaps realizing that herself, her cheeks flushed a soft red and she looked away.
I almost giggled at her endearing thoughtfulness, but I held it back just in time to keep her from sulking.
"Ahem... Miki arrived earlier. I'm making her finish her homework right now. Haruka, you should help her out, too."
"Of course! By the way, how's she doing?"
Karin simply shook her head in silence. It seemed progress was non-existent.
Well, I couldn't entirely blame her. While the amount of homework wasn't overwhelming, our preparatory school's curriculum was notoriously difficult. For Miki, who struggled with academics to begin with, this was bound to be a battle. I felt a pang of guilt that she was being forced to study when she had come here at my request.
As if reading my mind, Karin let out a small sigh.
"Don't feel bad, Haruka. If I didn't force her to do it now, she’d just let it pile up until the end of summer and come crying to us on the final day."
"Ahaha..."
I gave a wry smile. It was a scene I could easily envision. She was probably slumped over her desk in tears at this very moment.
While we chatted, we arrived at Karin's door.
"We're coming in," Karin said, casually swinging the door open. I followed her inside.
No matter how many times I visited, Karin's room always felt incredibly spacious. Everything was perfectly organized, with her furniture and shelves coordinated in pristine white tones. Her fastidious personality was reflected in every corner. It was a plain, understated space for a high school girl—except for the musical instruments, like her keyboard and guitar, which occupied about a fifth of the room.
In the middle of the room, a lone figure was slumped over a low table, motionless.
Sensing our entry, the twin-tails spread across the table twitched. A moment later, Miki lunged toward me with desperate momentum.
"Harukaaa! Save me!"
"There, there. You've been working hard, haven't you?"
"Don't spoil her. She's been here for an hour and hasn't made any progress at all."
"But it's too hard!"
One moment Miki was begging for my help with teary eyes, and the next she was loudly protesting Karin's assessment.
I gently stroked her head while peeking at the worksheets on the table. They were almost entirely white—or so I thought. Upon closer inspection, I saw traces of her having attempted every single problem. She had clearly tried to solve them, hit a wall, moved to the next one, and repeated the cycle until she was completely defeated without finishing a single question.
"It's really impressive that you tried to tackle all of them! Look, if you just keep at it, I think you can solve this one. Why don't we try a little more? I'll help you!"
"Thank you, Harukaaa! See, Karin? This is the kind of support I need!"
"I don't know why she’s acting so proud when she’s the one who needs a tutor..."
Just as Karin pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed, there was a modest knock on the door.
"Come in," Karin called out.
A middle-aged woman in an apron entered. It was Ms. Yukishiro, the housekeeper employed by the Takamiya family.
"I've brought tea and sweets."
"Thank you, Ms. Yukishiro. You can put the sweets on the table. Please give the tea to Haruka."
"Of course. Here you go, Haruka-san."
"Yay, snacks! Hey, Karin, let's take a break!"
"It hasn't even been an hour... Well, I suppose it's no use pushing you too hard. Fine."
"Yes!"
Miki let out a cheer at Karin's exasperated approval and reached for the financiers on the tray.
Ms. Yukishiro smiled fondly at Miki before handing me a glass chilled with large ice cubes. I took it and gave her a small bow.
"Thank you so much! It's been a while, Ms. Yukishiro. Those black tea cookies you taught me to make were delicious!"
"Oh my, I’m so glad you liked them. I baked today's treats as well; please let me know what you think."
"I can't wait! Could you teach me the recipe for these later, too?"
"Certainly. I'll write it down for you to take home."
Karin watched with an impressed expression as Ms. Yukishiro left the room with a happy smile.
"I’m surprised. You've only met her a few times, yet you're already so close. Was the last time you were here during our study session for final exams?"
"Yep. The cookies she gave us then were so good that I wanted to try making them with Tatsumi-kun, so I asked for the recipe."
"Ehh, sounds like fun! I want to eat some, too!" Miki chirped.
"Shouldn't you want to make some? I'll teach you, so let's try it together. You want to join us, Karin?"
"I suppose so. I might be interested. But still..." Karin’s expression turned skeptical. "Yanagida-kun baking sweets? I hate to say it, but it doesn't really seem like his style."
"He seems like he'd be so clumsy with it. He'd probably just crush the dough into a mess!"
"Hey! Are you badmouthing my boyfriend right in front of me? For your information, Tatsumi-kun’s cooking is amazing now. Look at this!"
I pulled out my phone and showed them a photo. It was a beautifully plated Hamburg steak drizzled in demi-glace sauce.
"Tatsumi-kun made this by himself at home the other day! He even made the demi-glace from scratch! Well? Isn't it incredible?"
I puffed out my chest. Since I was the one who taught him, I felt I had every right to be smug on his behalf.
Karin peered at the photo and looked genuinely impressed, while Miki looked like she’d been struck by lightning.
"That's quite something," Karin admitted. "I had a bit of pride in my own cooking, but I might be losing my confidence."
"N-No way...! I've been beaten by Yanagida-kun in 'girl power'...!?"
"Miki, the only time you've ever cooked was in home economics class."
"Uguu...! B-By the way, what is Yanagida-kun even doing today!?"
In her desperation to escape Karin’s judgmental gaze, Miki pivoted the conversation abruptly. I gave a wry smile and followed her lead.
"He said he was going to cheer for the soccer club's match today with Hamasaki-kun and the others."
"Oh, right, the soccer tournament starts today."
"Basketball starts the day after tomorrow, right?"
"Yeah! Tomorrow we head to the hotel near the venue, stay the night, and then it's game time!"
"I’m sorry, Miki. I feel bad for calling you here right before such an important match."
Knowing how much passion Miki poured into basketball, I felt guilty for making her spend her time on my personal issues. But Miki just smiled brightly.
"Don't worry about it! The only reason I can even keep playing basketball is because of you, Haruka. If my best friend says she has something important to tell us, of course I’m going to come running!"
She said it so simply, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Karin nodded in agreement.
"I feel the same way. I've known for a while that you were hiding something. I didn't want to pry, but if you've found the courage to speak to us... then as your friend, I want to make sure I’m here to listen."
"Thank you. Miki, Karin."
Last night, when I sent that sudden message on LINE, they hadn't asked a single question before agreeing to meet. Karin offered her home as a sanctuary, and Miki made time despite her busy schedule.
I was so lucky to have them. Meeting these two at the start of my high school life—when I was terrified and alone—was a miracle on par with meeting Tatsumi-kun.
I faced them both and took a deep breath. Despite my resolve, a cold fear still bubbled in the depths of my chest. But it was okay. I wasn't that same girl anymore.
Tatsumi-kun, lend me a little bit of your courage.
Just like he had on that day when he shared his own past with me, I wanted the strength to look forward even while I was afraid. I thought of the person I loved most and finally spoke the words I had practiced over and over.
"You see... back in my third year of middle school... I was bullied."
The moment the word "bullying" hung in the air, it felt as if the temperature in the room plummeted. I saw them go wide-eyed and saw their brows knit together, but I didn't stop. I let the story pour out.
I told them how it started when I tried to help another girl who was being picked on. How the target shifted to me. How they harassed me away from the eyes of adults—stealing my things, hiding my shoes, and direct physical violence. How no one helped me because they were afraid they’d be next.
How the person I had tried to save abandoned me. And how, finally, I just broke.
"H-Haruka...!"
"Whoa."
Miki couldn't take it anymore and lunged forward, hugging me tightly. I paused my story and looked down at her face. I couldn't help but let out a small, sad laugh.
"Miki, why are you the one crying?"
"Because...! Just hearing it is so painful! But thinking about how much more it must have hurt you back then... hic... Haruka... I... I... Waaaaah!"
"Miki..."
I gently rubbed her back as she sobbed. She was such a kind girl, someone who felt the pain of others as if it were her own. I felt guilty for making her cry, but at the same time, her tears warmed my heart. They were proof of how much she cared.
Karin, who had been listening with a grim expression, let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Haaah... I have never regretted going to a different middle school more than I do right now. If I had been there, I would have punched every single one of those people into next week."
"Fufu... Karin, your language."
"Forgive me. Just take it as a measure of my fury."
Her voice trembled with rage, and she closed her eyes as if to keep her emotions from boiling over. Despite her cool, detached exterior, Karin was incredibly passionate and loyal. Seeing their reactions—anger and sadness, both rooted in love for me—made me smile.
"I’ll tell you the rest."
I told them how I became a shut-in because I was too terrified to go to school. How I eventually recovered thanks to my family and teachers. How I chose a high school far away to hide my past and try to be a "normal" honor student.
And finally, I told them how Makabe and her friends had found out and tried to blackmail me.
At the mention of Makabe’s name, Karin’s face darkened even further.
"I see... so that's what was happening. I knew they had some kind of leverage, but to target a victim like that... I really should have hit them."
"That's dangerous. Like I told you before, I don't feel anything toward them anymore. The blackmail was terrifying, but... if they hadn't called me out that day, I never would have met Tatsumi-kun."
I gave a shy smile. While the fear and anger still lingered, the school had already handed down their punishment. They were given a ten-day suspension and were required to submit letters of reflection and offer a formal apology to me and my family in the presence of the Principal and the Vice-principal.
When they apologized to my parents and me, they seemed to genuinely regret what they had done. Since returning to class, they’ve kept to themselves in the corner of the room. Our classmates think they were out sick, but they've noticed the shift in their behavior and have been keeping their distance.
In the end, thanks to the plan Tatsumi-kun and I came up with—and the help of Karin, Miki, and Hashimoto-kun—I got my life back.
"I’m sorry I kept it from you for so long. You helped me so much, and I just..."
As I bowed my head, Miki (still clinging to me) and Karin both shook their heads.
"You don't need to apologize, Haruka," Karin said. "Being best friends doesn't mean you're obligated to share every painful memory. We would never blame you for that."
"Exactly! Sniff... If a friend is in trouble, you help them! That’s just how it works! Besides, I’m just so happy you trust us enough to tell us now!"
Their words washed over me, melting the last of the tension in my heart.
"Karin, Miki... thank you! I’m so glad I met you."
"That's our line. Thank you for telling us, Haruka."
Karin stood up and wrapped her arms around both Miki and me in a soft hug. The warmth of her embrace brought me to the verge of tears again.
"Oof! You're squishing me!" Miki squeaked.
"It’s fine. Just for a moment."
"Wait, is this really Karin!? Since when is she the hugging type!?"
"It’s fine, once in a while."
Miki was complaining, but her face was a mix of tears and smiles. Karin didn't let go; if anything, she squeezed a little harder. The heavy atmosphere evaporated, replaced by something light and warm. I couldn't help it—I started laughing. We stayed like that for a long time, three girls tangled together, laughing and crying all at once.
Eventually, Miki’s groans of "I can't breathe" became serious enough that we finally let go. As Miki reluctantly turned back to her homework, Karin looked at me.
"So, what made you decide to tell us now?"
"Hmm... I’d been thinking about it for a while. But I think the real turning point was... well, you know."
"You know what?" Karin tilted her head, holding her glass of half-melted ice.
I took a sip of my tea. "Last week, Tatsumi-kun came over to my house. He met my parents, we had lunch, and we just talked."
"A formal meeting with the parents? You two have only been dating a month."
"It wasn't that formal! I was the one who invited him. Anyway, we were looking at my childhood albums and talking about old stories."
My mom hadn't included any photos from my middle school years. I realize now that was her way of protecting me.
"Not long ago, even thinking about those days was enough to make me spiral. But as we were talking, I realized... I didn't feel that pain anymore. I realized I was finally okay."
"I see. And I assume Yanagida-kun had something to do with that?"
I gave Karin a beaming smile. "Yeah. Because Tatsumi-kun is with me, I feel like I don't have to be afraid of anything anymore."
"...I really shouldn't have asked."
"Hey! No flirting while I’m trying to study!" Miki protested.
"Sorry, sorry... Oh, that math problem is wrong."
"Auuugh!"
Miki collapsed onto the desk in despair as I pointed out her mistake. She kicked her legs and pouted.
"Haaah... seeing Haruka so happy makes me want a boyfriend, too."
"Oh? So you are interested in romance? I thought your head was 100% basketball."
"I’m still a high school girl! If anything, Karin is the one who seems totally uninterested!"
"True," I agreed. "She always looks at us flirting like she’s watching a boring documentary."
Karin shook her head, her expression as calm as ever. "How rude. Even I have a boy I like."
"What!?" we both shouted in unison.
Miki practically jumped out of her skin, leaning in close to Karin, who winced at the volume.
"You have a crush!? The Great Karin Takamiya has a crush!? No way! Who!? Tell us who it is!"
"Keep your voice down... I’d like to say it’s a secret, but since Haruka shared hers, I suppose it’s only fair. Haruka, come here. Miki, you stay there."
"Wait, really!? I’m actually nervous now...!"
"W-H-Y!? Tell me tooooo!"
It was the same lively, chaotic energy as always. To me, someone who had once been so terrified of everything changing, this normalcy was the greatest gift of all.