Translator: Soafp “Yamato  Makino-kun, are you feeling better now?” “Yeah… yes…” A gentle voice. “I think things will be difficult from now on, but please don’t forget to take care of yourself.” From now on… I… “I… don’t have any confidence… in myself…” “This may sound like the irresponsible words of an adult, but I know that you are an exceptional person.” “I’m… not exceptional at all…” I was just a loser. I had always been confident in my academics, but… in the end, I failed… “I guess… there was never… anything special about me…” “And what if there wasn’t? That’s perfectly fine. There aren’t many people who can keep fighting through adversity the way you have. That’s why I call you exceptional.” Someone who can keep trying…? What good was that…? No matter how hard you try… if there are no results… “It’s alright. You can believe in yourself.” It’s alright…? I couldn’t think that way. But even though I had barely spoken to this person before… For some reason, they felt dependable. Into my empty heart… Just a little… Tono-san’s words found their way in. “Aizawa… hey.” Lately, I found myself spacing out a lot. “Aizawa, are you listening?” At home, at school… It happened everywhere. “Huh…? Yes…” Hearing my name, I snapped back to reality. “Aizawa, translate this English passage.”...

Translator: Soafp I’m not exactly an expert myself, but I had made okonomiyaki once or twice before. So I took the spatulas from Airi and Kokoa-san and started cooking in their place. I somehow gathered the crumbled batter back together and cooked it again. ...No matter how you looked at it, it resembled monjayaki more than okonomiyaki. “You're pretty amazing, Ren-kun. It's delicious. The appearance is a bit... questionable, though.” “Seriously! Ren-sama, you're actually pretty good at cooking, aren't you? The appearance is a bit... questionable, though.” “You both always have one unnecessary comment too many.” To begin with, Airi had supposedly been learning how to cook from Nodoka. She had said she didn't even know what medium heat was, so maybe cooking was secretly Airi’s weak point. Not that I was any good at cooking myself. As we talked, the restaurant door opened. “Hey! You started eating without us!” A familiar voice rang out. When I turned around, it was exactly who I expected. Nodoka. I was about to joke back when my eyes were drawn to the girl standing behind her. “Whoa! Yuzu-san really changed her image!?” Kokoa-san was the first to react. Jumping to her feet, she grabbed Yuzuki by both shoulders and pushed her in front of me. Yuzuki flinched in surprise, then quietly asked, “H-How do I look...?”...

Translator: Soafp BOOOOOM—!! A tremendous clap of thunder roared across the stage, which lay submerged in dim darkness. The next instant, a blinding white flash illuminated the audience. When the thunder faded, a single spotlight quietly shone onto the stage. Five girls lay collapsed there. Then, without any instrumental accompaniment, a faint singing voice emerged. “I wish you’d stop thinking about breaking up with me... before I bury a landmine in front of your house... ♪” Supported by the other four girls, the red-haired girl at center stage slowly rose to her feet. The venue erupted in deafening cheers. “WOOOOOOO!!” After that, with the support of the other four members, Kokoa-san limited herself to upper-body movements and focused entirely on singing. The setlist had also been rearranged, reducing dance-heavy songs and increasing vocal-centered cover songs so she could perform naturally while seated in a chair. “Looks like we'll somehow get through this, President.” Airi whispered into my ear from beside me. “Yeah. Good work to you too, Airi.” “I didn’t do anything special.” Airi had spent the entire time on the phone alongside the manager, coordinating the sudden changes. All I had really done was cover some additional expenses and suggest a few ideas. Other than that, I had barely done anything. Even so, seeing my suggestion actually take shape on stage felt...

Translator: Soafp “W-What’s with the way you’re saying that!? Are you accusing me of intentionally breaking Kokoa-chan’s shoes!?” In response to my question, Ayano-san—the black-haired bob from Jirai-chan Syndrome—raised her voice angrily. Well, naturally she would deny it. “I never asked whether you intentionally broke them. I simply asked whether anything came to mind.” “T-That’s basically what you meant! You’re suspecting me right now, aren’t you?” “It’s entirely possible you accidentally dropped them while bringing them over, isn’t it? So why immediately jump to the conclusion that we’re talking about deliberate sabotage?” “Ugh…” Airi snorted dismissively. “Isn’t it obvious, Master? Ayano-san has a guilty conscience.” “W-What a ridiculous accusation! Do you even have any proof? Treating someone like the culprit without evidence is insane!” To be fair, Ayano-san was right. We had no proof. In the end, the strange-looking fracture was nothing more than speculation from amateurs like Airi and me. Still, if she were truly innocent, instead of snapping “Where’s your proof?” her first response should’ve been, “I only carried them over.” Though admittedly, that was just my intuition too. (Still… maybe I should apply a little more pressure.) If this incident really was intentional and we let it slide ambiguously, the harassment would almost certainly escalate. And if that happened, Kokoa-san might eventually be driven into a corner badly enough to...

Translator: Soafp “Alright then, we’re heading out!” Nodoka and Yuzuki left together for Yuzuki’s makeover. I tried to go along too, but Nodoka stopped me, saying, “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.” So in the end, only Airi and I remained in the apartment. …As usual, Anna-chan was downstairs with my mother. “Well then, Ren-kun.” Airi wrapped her arms tightly around me and deliberately pressed her chest against my face. “Before Nodoka-san and the others come back, let me give you my first—” “No, we definitely can’t do that here.” Anna-chan and my mom were downstairs, after all. “Then shall we go out too? Destination: a love hotel.” “…I don’t mind, but are you really okay with overtaking Nodoka?” “Ara, Ren-kun’s already managing his harem now. That’s a good sign.” There were countless things I could’ve responded to, yet somehow I couldn’t come up with a single proper comeback… If I simply acted on my desires, this delicate relationship would collapse instantly. That was exactly why I’d been trying to stay careful about everything. Though admittedly, it still bothered me how everything seemed to be unfolding exactly according to Airi’s plans. Even so, I was honestly satisfied with the relationship the three of us had built together. “So then, Ren-kun, what should we do now?” “Hmm… Wanna play a game or something?” “I...

Translator: Soafp After walking Nodoka home, Airi, Yuzuki, and I returned to the apartment together. Until we found a new place to live, Yuzuki would stay in the room next door, while Airi would stay in my room. Apparently, Nodoka had at least told her parents about me, but it was difficult to find time for them to actually meet me. After getting out of the bath first, Yuzuki peeked into my room and spoke. “Senpai, you’re next.” “Alright.” Airi, who had been sitting beside me, stood up and left the room. Yuzuki, dressed in her pajamas, remained standing there awkwardly. After Airi left, Yuzuki stared quietly at the empty space beside me. “You can come sit over here.” “O-Okay…” Yuzuki timidly approached and sat down beside me. Before, that had been perfectly natural. But now, an unbearably awkward silence hung between us. Then my eyes suddenly stopped on her pajamas. (Have I seen those somewhere before…?) They were the familiar pajamas Yuzuki had always liked wearing. So there was nothing strange about her wearing them. And yet now, instead of feeling like part of everyday life, they brought back another memory entirely— “Ugh…!” The moment I remembered, nausea surged up inside me. I shouldn’t have remembered that. Regret crashed over me all at once. “W-What’s wrong? D-Don’t tell me it triggered your...

Translator: Soafp First period was art class. We had to move to a different classroom. I used to go together with Ryosuke, but lately I’ve been moving around on my own. There’s been a bit of distance growing between us. Mostly because I’ve been avoiding him. Honestly… I’ve even thought about just cutting ties with him altogether. He’s probably noticed the change in me. I don’t know if he’s realized that I’ve regained my memories, but he’s definitely aware that I’m trying to distance myself. But the fact that he hasn’t said anything about it is what makes it unsettling. I can’t make any careless moves because of that. If possible, I don’t want to make him my enemy. He might seem calm now, but back in middle school, Ryosuke was seriously dangerous. The kind of guy who would force things to go his way if he didn’t like something. Once he flipped the switch, there was no stopping him. If I can just quietly create some distance like this, that would be ideal… but I’m not sure things will go that smoothly. With that concern in mind, I was walking down the hallway toward the art room when— I suddenly noticed someone peeking out from behind the corner, gesturing for me to come over. It was Maaya. Seriously… I told her not...

Translator: Soafp “Eh? Into this apartment building?” Caught off guard by Kokoa-san’s unexpected suggestion, I instinctively hesitated. To be honest, this apartment complex hadn’t even been on my list of possibilities. “Yes! This place is really spacious, right? If everyone lived together here, I don’t think there’d be any problems at all!” “Well, that’s true, but…” “And on top of that, the security is perfect. It’s full of advantages, you know?” Kokoa-san began listing the benefits of the building one by one. Services that rivaled a luxury hotel, fully equipped shared facilities. Not to mention the station was right in front of the building, making transportation incredibly convenient. As for the building itself, apparently the lighting, ventilation, and soundproofing were all flawless. “Huh, soundproofing, huh? That’s important.” …Airi responded with a strangely suggestive tone. Sometimes, the way Airi’s mind worked felt oddly like an old man’s. Nodoka tapped on her phone a few times before looking up. “Ren, doesn’t this place actually seem really good? Even if we take the train, it doesn’t look like it’ll take that long to get to school.” “You think so?” So it was well within commuting distance. And just like Kokoa-san said, both the size and quality of the apartment were filled with advantages for us. …Though unwillingly, I knew that all too well after being forced...

Translator: Soafp "Ehhhhhhh—!? Yuzuki is going to live together at Ren’s house too!?" When we went downstairs and gathered around the dinner table, I briefly explained what had happened in the room earlier. Of course, I left out the part where Yuzuki had been crying and seemed mentally unstable. As expected, Nodoka leaned forward and let out a bewildered shout. Yuzuki lowered her gaze. “Sorry, Nodoka. I won’t get in the way or anything…” When she apologized like that, Nodoka probably couldn’t bring herself to push any harder. She quietly pulled back the upper body she had leaned forward. Honestly, under normal circumstances, it wouldn’t have been strange for at least a slap to come flying my way. Maybe because the other person was Yuzuki, Nodoka couldn’t fully direct her frustration at her. “If Ren decided that, then I don’t mind… but still, it kind of feels like I’m the only one being left out, so maybe I don’t like it…” With the tip of her chopsticks pressed against her lips, Nodoka puffed out her cheeks. Even the corners of her eyes were starting to moisten. This is bad. This was genuine jealousy. I hurriedly tried to call out, “N-Nodoka!” but at that moment— Mom cut in. “Honestly, my son really doesn’t understand a woman’s heart! I wonder who he takes after. This...

Translator: Soafp Two weeks have passed since my date with Maaya. Since then, we’ve started talking occasionally—only when no one else is around. We’re not quite as close as we used to be, and there’s still a bit of distance between us, like two people who’ve only just met. But at least the wall that once stood between us is gone. That said… a new kind of awkwardness has taken its place. The whole “I ended up touching her ch*st” incident. It seems Maaya has calmed down and realized just how embarrassing what she did was. Now, even if my gaze drops just slightly, she immediately remembers that moment and turns bright red. Every time that happens, things get awkward again. It really drives home the fact that we’ve both, in more ways than one, grown up. Well… it’s not the same kind of bad tension as before, so it’s probably not something to worry too much about. On the other hand, Rin has been glaring at me nonstop. She was already wary of me, and after what happened with Maaya, things have only gotten worse. Maaya did explain the situation, so at least the misunderstanding has been cleared up. But the fact that I didn’t pull my hand away immediately—and even went so far as to give it a squeeze—has been exposed,...

Translator: Soafp I stayed silent for a while. Thinking back on it, ever since breaking up with Yuzuki, I had never seriously listened to what she wanted to say. My mind had already been made up. I figured that eventually she’d forget about me anyway. (She really has changed compared to before.) And for me, it was definitely a change for the better. At the very least, she was nothing like the Yuzuki from that “nightmare.” That much was certain. Just hearing her talk with Nodoka in the other room earlier had made me realize that. (Besides… the nausea’s gotten a lot better too.) I didn’t know whether it was because Yuzuki had changed, or because my trauma had started to fade. Of course, even now, if her face got too close, memories of the “nightmare” resurfaced and made me dizzy. Still, at least now, I could hold a conversation with her. I gave a small nod and finally spoke. “Alright. Yuzuki, are you okay right now?” “Eh? O-Of course I am…” Her eyes were still red from crying while talking with Nodoka earlier. She clearly hadn’t fully sorted out her emotions yet, and part of me wondered if I should’ve waited longer before bringing this up. Airi got off the bed and walked over beside Nodoka. “Ren-kun, we’ll go start preparing dinner...

Translator: Soafp After visiting a total of four shops, our date finally came to an end. And now, having returned to the meeting spot from this morning, we exchanged our parting words. “Thanks for going on a date with me today, Reita-kun.” “Did you have fun?” “Yeah. It was the most fun day of my life.” “That’s a bit much…” I appreciated her saying that, but honestly, I wanted to believe it was just flattery. If she really meant it, I’d be more worried about her life than anything. “It’s not an exaggeration. I really… had fun.” “I see…” But it seemed like she was being sincere. Well, I did have fun too—enough to lose track of time for once—so maybe it wasn’t a lie after all. It seems she treasured our past more than I realized… …Anyway. Before we part, there’s still one thing I have to do. I need to apologize to Maaya. I ended up putting it off all this time. If I miss this chance, I might never get another one. “Maaya.” I steeled myself and faced her. “Hm? What is it?” “About back then… I’m sorry. For saying I hated you.” “……!” At my words, Maaya’s eyes widened in surprise. But soon after, her lips curled into a small, happy smile. Instead of getting angry, she was happy…...

Translator: Soafp Inside one of the rooms in Ren’s house—mainly the room Airi used—Nodoka and Yuzuki sat facing each other. In Nodoka’s eyes, the Yuzuki sitting across from her overlapped with the girl from the first semester, the one in gym clothes who had shouted at her in anger. —How is making lunch for someone else’s boyfriend supposed to help me!? —Girls like you are called homewreckers!! —After doing something like that to me, how can you still call yourself my friend!? —At the very least, I don’t consider someone like you my friend anymore!! Nodoka had always thought Yuzuki was an energetic and kind girl, so the fierce anger directed at her that day had been so sudden that all she could do was stand there confused. But looking back now, she could understand why Yuzuki had exploded like that. Back then, when everything was still new to her, Nodoka couldn’t even imagine how badly her actions might be misunderstood. (No… maybe it wasn’t just a misunderstanding.) Nodoka had never had friends or a boyfriend before. She hadn’t even understood where friendship ended and romantic feelings began. If she had only seen Ren as a male friend, she never would have thought about making him homemade lunches. Only afterward did she realize she had already started falling for him back then. The...

Translator: Soafp Wait, why a maid outfit? I still hadn’t even caught up with the situation yet— “Maid outfit!? I-I want to see it!!” Kokoa-san’s excitement shot up higher than anyone else’s. Before anyone could stop her, she had already pulled it out of the Don Quijote bag herself. Yuzuki’s cheeks flushed faintly red as she glanced at me. “I brought it because I figured, if I’m going to be a maid, I should at least have the outfit…” Come to think of it, Yuzuki was always the type to start with appearances first. More importantly, that maid suggestion hadn’t been metaphorical at all—it was literally meant as “maid.” Airi snorted dismissively. “You’ve never worn one before?” “Well, I mean… obviously. Normal people don’t exactly get chances to wear maid outfits.” “Oh really? So you never wore one for your beloved otaku boyfriend?” “Ugh…” By “otaku boyfriend,” she meant me, right? Airi was blatantly provoking her. But Airi herself had been the one who suggested calling Yuzuki here in the first place, so what exactly was she thinking? “We’ve worn ultra miniskirts, micro bikinis, and animal-ear cosplay outfits already. Right, Nodoka-san?” “Huh? Y-Yeah… I mean, Ren does seem to like cosplay when it comes down to it.” Yuzuki’s hands trembled slightly. But unable to find a comeback, she just tightly pressed her lips...

Translator: Soafp At Airi’s words, my eyes widened in shock. A maid… there was no way… But before I could say anything, Kokoa-san raised her voice first. “Well, of course I’ve imagined it before! Wait, what? Is Secretary-san going to become my maid?” “As if. I might consider being Ren-kun’s maid, but being Miyoko-san’s maid? Absolutely not.” “When you reject me that completely, it actually hurts a little!?” I grabbed Airi’s wrist before she could pull out her phone and whispered into her ear. “What are you trying to do?” “I want to test it once. To see whether she’ll really do as we say.” “No, but…” “If it’s for saving Kokoa-san’s life, the more people helping us, the better, right?” Airi had a point. At the very least, Yuzuki already knew about my precognition and believed me. If we explained Kokoa-san’s situation, she’d probably accept it too. “Of course, if you really hate the idea, we can stop. But if you’re going to have to face Kitayama-san eventually anyway, wouldn’t it be better for her too if she could help like this?” She was right. The biggest reason I’d been trying to stop Airi was because facing Yuzuki felt awkward. If I’d already accepted part of Yuzuki’s proposal, then I needed to move forward too. “…Alright. I’ll contact her myself. Kokoa-san, would...

Translator: Soafp The next day. To work on our summer homework together, we headed to Kokoa-san’s apartment. My room was obviously too cramped, and having an idol spend long hours at a male sponsor’s house also felt questionable in a lot of ways. …Though, to be fair, a male sponsor constantly visiting an idol’s apartment was probably just as questionable. “Ren-samaaa~” The moment we stepped out of the elevator, Kokoa-san was already waving both hands wildly, like she was trying to call out to someone far away. Did this girl greet every guest this dramatically? And apparently, the “-sama” thing had completely become permanent now… “When I heard you were going to do my homework for me, Ren-sama, I was deeply moved!” “I never said I’d do it for you. I said I’d help.” “I’m joking, joking~. But I really was surprised! I never imagined Ren-sama was still a high school student.” “Please keep that a secret. In this industry, people tend to look down on you because of your age.” “Of course! There’s no woman more tight-lipped than Kokoa!” People who say things like that are usually the least trustworthy. “Come on in! You’re all the very first repeat visitors to ever come to my house twice!” Apparently her manager had visited once, been completely horrified, and never returned. Well, after seeing...

Translator: Soafp [Shizuno Pov] Rin and I were relaxing with tea at a café across from the sweets shop, watching Maaya and Reita. “Watching those two kinda makes me want to fall in love too…” Rin muttered as she lazily stirred the ice in her iced tea. Just a moment ago she looked ready to jump out of her seat when Maaya tried to feed Reita cake, yet now she sounded oddly sentimental. As always, Rin’s emotions were all over the place. “Then why don’t you? You’re cute, Rin. If you wanted to, you could date anytime.” “Well… I don’t wanna go out with someone unless I actually like them.” “You don’t have anyone you like?” “Nope. Not right now.” So that means she used to, right? Maybe Rin liked Reita too after all. We never really talked much about romance among us childhood friends, so I never truly knew what everyone felt inside. But Rin was close with him too—maybe not as much as Maaya, but still close enough that it wouldn’t be strange. “What about you, Shizu? Still not interested in romance?” “Yeah. Not interested at all.” “Man… what a waste. You’re seriously beautiful, you know.” “Even if you say that, I’m not interested, so it can’t be helped.” I said that calmly while taking a sip of my tea, but—...

Translator: Soafp “Whaaat!?” At Airi’s words, Nodoka let out a loud shout before I could. “A d-date? You’re planning to leave Ren alone with Kokoa-san!?” No, before that, I couldn’t even imagine Kokoa-san agreeing to it. She was an active idol. Because she took her work seriously, there was no way she’d casually do something that could invite misunderstandings. And lately her popularity had been skyrocketing, so she probably didn’t even have the time for that. “That’s not what I mean. We’ll all go on a date together.” “Isn’t that just hanging out together? More than a date, I mean.” Like when we all went to eat yakiniku yesterday. “No, Ren-kun. Even if you’re doing the same thing, declaring that it’s a date changes the meaning completely.” “Does it…?” “It does. It seems you’re still trapped by fixed ideas, Ren-kun. A date doesn’t necessarily mean a man and woman going out one-on-one.” “Well, I guess Senpai does have a point there.” This was weird. Was I the one with strange common sense? Whenever I talked with these two, I started wondering what normal even was anymore. “But setting that aside, I’m her sponsor right now, remember? Isn’t it pretty bad if a sponsor asks an idol out on a date?” Kokoa-san was probably only being kind to me because she was being considerate...

Translator: Soafp “Where is this…?” I instinctively looked around. A thin trail of smoke quietly rose from the incense burner. Between the white funeral flowers, I could see long wooden memorial plaques bearing the names of the senders. (Th-this can’t be…) At the very center of the altar was a framed funeral portrait. The moment I saw the face in the photograph, my hands began trembling uncontrollably. The girl in the picture wore an innocent smile. —It was her, with that vivid red hair. (Kokoa-san’s funeral…?) Why? I should have saved her from both the lightning strike and the train. The strength drained from my legs. As I staggered, someone beside me quickly caught my body. “Are you alright, Fukagawa-san…?” It was Kokoa-san’s manager. Dressed in black mourning clothes, her eyes were swollen red. My thoughts were a complete mess. Even so, I couldn’t stop myself from asking. “What in the world happened to Kokoa-san…?” The instant the words left my mouth, I realized how insensitive they sounded at a funeral. But the manager visibly panicked instead. “Th-that’s the thing… I-I don’t know either. It had nothing to do with me. It’s true, please believe me.” She didn’t scold me for being rude. If anything, she sounded like she was hiding something shameful. If this had been illness or an accident, she wouldn’t...

Translator: Soafp Airi explained the situation to me in detail. Apparently, while Nodoka and I had been at the love hotel, Yuzuki had approached Airi. “What to do is entirely up to you, Ren-kun.” “…What do you think, Airi?” “Well. Honestly, I still can’t fully trust Kitayama-san. I don’t think she’s someone worth getting back together with to that extent.” Airi calmly and logically listed her reasons. Even if it was for the sake of her dreams, she had neglected her boyfriend. Despite being her childhood friend, she barely noticed the things that truly mattered. And yet her jealousy and possessiveness were stronger than anyone’s. Above all— She possessed the kind of nature that could betray me. “That’s pretty harsh…” “But you know, from my perspective, there’s also a part of me that’s grateful to Kitayama-san.” “Grateful?” “If the two of you had stayed lovey-dovey forever, would I ever have had a chance to get close to you? Absolutely not.” That was true. If I had never seen that horrifying vision of Yuzuki, I would’ve continued dating her. No matter how cute Airi was or how much she tempted me, as long as Yuzuki was my girlfriend, there was no way I would’ve looked elsewhere. More importantly, it would’ve been wrong to do so. Nodoka quietly muttered: “In that sense… I kind of...

Translator: Soafp After taking a bite of something sweet, Maaya seemed like a completely different person, all her earlier tension melting away. “Mm~ so gooood~♪ I’m so happy~♪” Inside the dessert shop filled with the scent of sweets, Maaya happily stuffed her cheeks with shortcake. She looked cute, but the way she devoured it, and the fact that she didn’t even notice the cream on her lips, made her seem a bit sloppy. Like I’ve said before, on the inside she really hasn’t changed at all. It suits her, though. “Hey, can I have a bite of your chocolate cake too, Reita-kun?” “…Sure.” She looked at me with those wanting eyes, so I handed her my untouched cake. “Thank you~♪” And then she took a bite that was definitely more than just “one bite.” I wasn’t that hungry anyway, but her greediness—just like before—was kind of amusing. “Mmm~ this one’s good too~♪” Enjoying the chocolate cake, Maaya smiled happily again. It was the kind of expression that made you smile just watching her. …When was the last time I felt like this? It made me realize just how harsh and bleak the environment I’d been living in was. “Then, here’s my thanks.” “Hm?” “Here, say ahh.” “…Wait.” I wondered what she meant by “thanks,” and then she held a piece of cake up...

Translator: Soafp I tried to convince myself that Nodoka’s words were just some naughty joke between lovers, or maybe a form of affection. So I patted her head and deliberately brushed it off lightly. “Alright, alright. Nodo-chan is my cute little pet.” “…Aren’t you just trying to wave it away? I’m serious.” Keeping a completely serious expression, Nodoka puffed out her cheeks slightly. No, come on. Who would seriously think someone genuinely wanted to become a pet? Well… aside from Airi. “I mean, uh… I was the one who brought it up, but it was more like an extension of roleplay. I didn’t mean I actually wanted that kind of relationship.” “Then was it a lie when you said you wanted to keep me because I’m like a cat? Does that mean you don’t actually think I’m cute and don’t even want me around?” “No, that’s way too extreme…” “Then if I say I want to become your pet, shouldn’t you just accept it? There’s no problem, right?” There were nothing but problems. Nodoka’s eyes were so serious that I genuinely had no idea what to say. Honestly, could someone really end up thinking this way just because they liked someone that much? “Let me ask one thing first. Why do you want to be a pet instead of a girlfriend?” “I should...

Translator: Soafp Led by Hayami-senpai, I sat down on a bench in a small park right beside the supermarket. The senpai sitting next to me kept gently rubbing my back as I continued crying without stopping. “Have you calmed down a little?” “Y-Yes…” The note Tono-san had given me. I came to the place written on it… but Yamato wasn’t there. “The last time we talked was probably during last year’s cultural festival. It’s really been a long time.” That’s right… this was the first time I’d talked with Hayami-senpai since then. Back then, she was famous as the most brilliant girl in school. Even now, the senpai worrying about me was still beautiful, kind, and wonderful… “Senpai, are you working here…?” She was wearing an apron, probably the supermarket uniform. “Yeah. I work part-time here.” “A part-time job…” “Hard to imagine, right? Our school technically forbids part-time jobs, and I doubt many students secretly work either.” At Kaimei Academy High School, most students come from wealthy families. Of course there are middle-class students too, but since the school’s primary focus is academics, there probably aren’t many people who would bother working part-time just for spending money. “Surprised? That I’m working at a supermarket?” “Ah… um…” Honestly, I was surprised. “The pay here is minimum wage, but everyone at the company is really...

Translator: Soafp Nodoka sat down on the edge of the bed. Her face was bright red, her back perfectly straight, and her hands rested neatly on top of her knees. Even then, she kept nervously swallowing and glancing over at my face. (She really seems excited about this somehow.) The words saying she was fine without protection probably hadn’t just slipped out because of the mood. Even if I pushed her down right now and gave in to my desires— Nodoka would probably accept it. No, she might even welcome it. I climbed onto the bed too and sat beside her. “So, are we doing it like this?” “I-I mean… do whatever you want.” “Then if we kiss, it’s going to taste like yakiniku. You okay with that?” “Eh!? T-that might actually be kind of gross!” Nodoka suddenly sprang to her feet and hurried into the bathroom. Chuckling softly, I opened the bag Airi had given me. The things I’d ordered online were properly inside. When I took them out, one of the items had a sticky note attached. —Nodoka-san will probably be happier if Ren-kun puts this on her himself. …What even was this comment? Had Airi started giving me instructions now? She kept saying she wanted to be a slave heroine, but maybe she was actually the master instead. (Well, I’ll...

Translator: Soafp Yuzuki had been unable to eat and had shut herself up in her room ever since she watched the footage from the summer training camp. (Do I really have to break up with Ren like this…?) From their kindergarten days, they had laughed together, cried together, and sometimes even fought—memories of those days with him flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern. She could no longer imagine a life without him. And yet, to think that she would be the one to betray him. To only realize how important Ren was in such a way. It was only after being rejected that she truly understood the weight of it. “Ren, Ren…” She wanted to see him. She wanted to feel his warmth directly. She wanted to be wanted by him. For his sake, she felt like she could truly do anything. Yuzuki buried her face into the pillow and sobbed uncontrollably. At that moment, the door to her room quietly opened. “Yuzuki…?” Hearing her crying, her mother Ayumi approached gently and placed a hand on her back. “You still can’t give up on Ren-kun, can you…” “There’s no way I can. I can’t bear living a life without Ren from here on. I absolutely need him… and yet I’m the one who kept hurting him…!” “Calm down. The one who...

Translator: Soafp Three days passed since the promise, and finally the day of the date arrived. I took several trains and waited for her in a plaza in front of an unfamiliar station. If we came this far, there was no way we’d run into anyone we knew. I even did a light disguise, just in case. A fresh, clean outfit that didn’t feel like me at all, styled hair, and a mask. Even I barely recognized myself, so there was no way anyone else would. For the record, nothing like “getting closer” happened between me and Maaya over these three days. If anything, it got even more awkward. At school, if our eyes met, we’d both immediately look away, and we ended up coming here without exchanging a single word. With things like this… was a date really going to be okay? It felt like it might just be silence the whole time. Just as that uneasy thought crossed my mind— “Sorry to keep you waiting…” Maaya arrived. Even though I told her the location, she recognized me instantly despite the disguise. Guess that’s childhood friends for you. Looking closely, Maaya had disguised herself too. A black knee-length skirt, a pastel pink frilly blouse, a black mask, and a cute ribbon on her chest. Her hair, usually worn down, was tied to...

Translator: Soafp It seemed that Nodoka intended to head straight to a love hotel like this. Kokoa’s sudden appearance had thrown things off, and she was probably pretty irritated about it inside. “But, um… the things we prepared, I left them at home. We’ll have to go back first.” “If that’s the case, don’t worry, Ren.” With that, Airi held out the bag she was carrying to Nodoka. “I brought them with me. Everything’s in here.” “…” So she wasn’t even trying to hide anymore that she had opened the package addressed to me. Maybe Airi had already checked everything in my room. She seemed like the type who wanted to know everything about the person she liked. “What are you going to do, senpai? I-I don’t mind if you come with us…” “Oh? Is it really okay if I go too? That would mean your first deep kiss would be shared between the three of us.” “Eh? Th-that’s…” Wait, how did this turn into a three-person deep kiss? …Well, going to a love hotel with two girls was already strange enough. “At first, it can just be the two of you. But later, the three of us will do it.” “O-Okay…” They settled it between themselves far too easily. Even though I was supposed to be involved, my opinion didn’t matter at...

Translator: Soafp Kokoa’s words made my eyes widen in surprise. Unlike the lightning incident, I had thought she hadn’t noticed anything this time. Maybe she was sharper than she looked. “Well, it was probably just a coincidence though!” ““……”” Nodoka and Airi both looked like they wanted to say something. I glanced at them, silently telling them to stay quiet. After a moment, Kokoa spoke again, this time more softly. “Did you see the news about last night’s train accident?” “Yeah… I saw it on the morning news.” “That station… it’s one I use a lot. And the man in his thirties they said died… we weren’t super close or anything, but… we talked sometimes.” From what she described, whenever she hit a wall in her idol work, that man would give her thoughtful advice as an adult, helping her through tough times. Even though he must have been exhausted himself from working long hours, he still listened seriously to her complaints. “…I don’t know why, but I keep thinking… maybe that man became my substitute. Like he took my place… There’s no proof or anything, though.” I couldn’t confirm it. But I couldn’t deny it either. Most likely, her intuition was right. Even if it was just the result, I had chosen her life over his. “Ah, this got really dark, didn’t...

Translator: Soafp How on earth did Kokoa-san figure out my home address? My thoughts were a complete mess. Of course, I’d never told her—or her agency—where I live. And it’s hard to imagine Airi or Nodoka letting it slip. (Come to think of it… it was the same during the trip.) The memory of when Kokoa escaped the hospital and suddenly showed up in front of me flashed through my mind. At the time, I was too shocked to question it—but now that I think about it, it was strange. How did she even figure out which inn I was staying at? “Sponsor-sama, you’re there, right~? You’re the one at the intercom right now, aren’t you?” “…Ah, yes, sorry. This was so sudden. I’ll open the door right away.” I didn’t understand what was going on. But I couldn’t just leave her standing outside forever. Maybe sensing the situation, Nodoka and Airi stood up as well and followed me to the entrance. When I opened the door, Kokoa was standing there exactly as she appeared on the monitor. “Sorry for showing up so suddenly!” She bowed politely. …At this point, it almost feels like her usual strategy is to force her way in first, then apologize after. Still, something felt off. She looked like she was forcing her energy more than usual. (…Ah....

Translator: Soafp ““I-it’s finally over…”” The special event, which felt both long and somehow short at the same time, finally came to an end. The three of us—me, Nodoka, and Airi—sat deeply in our folding chairs, completely drained, letting our bodies sink back into the backrests. Nodoka turned to Airi. “Senpai, where would you rank this compared to all the part-time jobs you’ve done?” “…Pretty high up there. Let’s see… about as tough as moving jobs, I’d say.” “Isn’t that one of those jobs that’s famous for being brutal?” “Yeah. It’s been a while since I’ve been this tired.” I felt it again today too. …Physical labor really isn’t my thing. “Sponsor-sama, so you were here?” Kokoa, now changed out of her outfit, approached us while handing out drinks. “We should be the ones bringing you refreshments. Sorry about that.” “No, no! You helped out so much—really, thank you!” Kokoa bowed politely. In moments like this, she’s genuinely well-mannered. It was tough, but it felt worth helping. “Are you heading straight home after this?” Just as I asked that— “Ah, wait a second!” Kokoa quickly pulled out her phone and snapped a selfie. Apparently, she was going to post it on Twitter with a thank-you message. “Alright, let’s move on to the next part of the schedule!” “…Huh? Isn’t it over for today?”...

Translator: Soafp “What? Huh… trans… fer…?” Yamato transferred schools…? What… is going on…? “Wait, what does that even mean!? Why would Yamato suddenly transfer!?” “I-I don’t know! We just heard the rumor a little while ago!” Why…? What is happening!? Even when I asked my classmates for details, there was no more information than this. I rushed out of the classroom and went to Yamato’s class. There, too, everyone was talking about him. But when I asked the students in that class about Yamato, the answers were the same—they didn’t seem to know the circumstances either. “Toru! Y-Yamato transferred schools!” I spotted Toru walking down the hallway and rushed up to him. “Ah… yeah… it seems like it.” “What is going on!? I haven’t heard anything!” “I-I didn’t either… I only heard it from the homeroom teacher this morning…” “So it’s true!? He really transferred!?” “If the teacher said so… then it must be true…” “T-that’s… no way…” It was so sudden that I couldn’t process it. “W-why!? Why did he suddenly transfer!? I wasn’t told anything!?” “I told you… I don’t know either…” Toru looked down, his answers coming out weak and uncertain. “Why did this suddenly happen!? Tell me!” “I-I already said I don’t know! Why are you getting mad at me!?” “Because you made a promise! You said you’d solve...

Translator: Soafp We all ended up doing a full cleanup of Kokoa-san’s house. There were cosmetic samples, cardboard boxes, paper bags, leftover food, out-of-season clothes, single socks, all kinds of mail… That said, most of the trash had already been packed into bags. Just carrying it outside made the room look completely different. “Whoa— the room got so much bigger!” Kokoa-san’s eyes widened after just a bit of cleaning. We, on the other hand, were completely exhausted, slumped down on the living room floor. Since Kokoa had work afterward, we couldn’t push her too hard, so in the end, the three of us did most of the cleaning. Nodoka glared at Kokoa. “It didn’t get bigger— it was always this big! You just made it feel cramped by using it like that!!” “Y-yes… I’m sorry…” There was no trace left of the nervous Nodoka from earlier. Instead, she now sounded completely natural lecturing her, like she’d suddenly become her mother. I wonder if this is what she’s like when she scolds Anna. “B-but more importantly, Kokoa-san… there’s something I’ve been wondering…” The next moment, Nodoka switched back into introvert mode. Maybe inside her, gyaru mode, housewife mode, and introvert mode are all installed like separate apps. “For color care, what do you usually do? I didn’t see any color shampoo or anything like...

Translator: Soafp The day after. Even though there were no classes, there was cleanup after the cultural festival. I stayed home from school. I had a fever, my body felt heavy, and my head hurt. I wanted to see Yamato. I wanted to clear up the misunderstanding. But it couldn’t be helped. I had a fever, so I couldn’t go to school. Even though I wanted to see Yamato, I felt a small sense of relief being forced to stay home like this. I knew why. Clearing up the misunderstanding meant explaining everything that had happened up until now. That… scared me. Even though I wasn’t at fault. Would that excuse even work…? And the conversation between my father and Yamato yesterday also lingered in my mind. When did it start… when Yamato became like that? Back in middle school, when our fathers had that argument and we couldn’t see each other easily anymore… When we became high schoolers, things were normal again… The first time I felt something was off was in our first year… during the midterm exams… when he wasn’t ranked first… “Ah… Yamato, please… listen to me…” No… not now. I couldn’t think about anything. That day, I kept sleeping, tormented by my fever. “The number you have dialed is not in service.” I used the house phone for...

Translator: Soafp Event day of the special meet. We got into the jumbo hire car we had called and headed to Kokoa-san’s house. It was about an hour away from ours. (I never thought the day would come when I’d visit the home of an active idol.) I wondered if it was really okay to casually know an idol’s address, but apparently she was already quite famous around this area. Well, she walks around in that “jirai-kei” fashion all the time, so there’s no way she wouldn’t stand out. The place Kokoa lived in was an obviously high-end apartment building.As expected, the security looked tight. “Uu… I’m kind of nervous…” While we were calling Kokoa on the entrance intercom, Nodoka beside me had completely stiffened up. Come to think of it, unlike Airi, this was Nodoka’s first time meeting Kokoa in person. On top of that, she’d barely ever even gone over to a friend’s house before. Given that, her reaction was only natural. I deliberately ruffled Nodoka’s hair a bit roughly. “H-Hey, what are you doing!? You’ll mess up my hair! I-if you’re going to pat me, at least be gentle!” “Don’t be so nervous. She’s just a slightly unusual middle schooler, one year younger than us. And right now, you are my fiancée, so I’m counting on you.” “F-fiancée… hehe, hehehe…...

Translator: Soafp After contacting Kokoa’s agency through Airi, just as Nodoka had suggested, we arranged a meeting with her manager the very next day to discuss the details. “…Why is Kokoa-san here again?” Not only the manager but Kokoa herself was sitting across from me and Airi. Last time, I had needed to persuade her directly because she opposed the idea. But this time, there should have been no reason for her to attend personally. “Moo~ Sponsor-sama, don’t say something so cold when we’re already this close!” “Well, we are close enough that you snuck out of the hospital and got your finger bitten by me.” “My bite mark from Sponsor-sama is still there, you know~” “…Miyoko, remembering that still annoys me, so be quiet!” “Okaaay…” So the story about informing the agency beforehand really had been a lie after all. Somehow, Kokoa-san struck me as the kind of person who lived completely freely. Whether that personality suited the idol industry or not, though, I had no idea. “Ara, I’m sorry, Fukagawa-san. I tend to lose my composure a bit whenever Miyoko is involved…” “Ah, no, it’s fine. I understand.” Putting it nicely, she was free-spirited. More realistically, she was probably a serious troublemaker. “So then, so then! Is it true Sponsor-sama is buying me a car!?” Kokoa-san’s eyes sparkled as she leaned...

Translator: Soafp “—P-Please go on a date with me!” “…………” Lunch break. I was up on the rooftop. I had a bad feeling the moment I was suddenly called out, but this request went far beyond anything I had expected, leaving me completely at a loss. “…Is this some kind of punishment game?” “N-No, it’s not!” My first instinct was to suspect someone put her up to it. …but I quickly dismissed that idea. There’s no way she’d do something that mean-spirited. That said… why a date all of a sudden? There’s no way Maaya still likes me— We hadn’t even properly faced each other for four years. On top of that, I clearly told her I hated her. For her to still like me after that would be borderline insanity. Well… I don’t even know if what she called “liking” me back then was actually romantic love, so I can’t say for sure… Either way, this is way too sudden. I really don’t understand what Maaya is thinking. That said… Sorry, but I can’t accept that invitation. “No. What if someone sees us?” If we were seen on a date, it’d be all-out war. I’d probably get burned at the stake for corrupting the class’s “angel.” Even aside from that, I don’t want to add any more unnecessary complications right now. “It’s...

Translator: Soafp “Wait, Yamato!” I ran with everything I had toward the school gate, and finally caught up to him as he stood there, frozen. “Y-you came…” My thoughts were a complete mess. He definitely saw what happened earlier. I had to fix this somehow. “Th-this year’s festival was a huge success! A lot of parents and guests came, and it was really busy! But everyone worked so hard to make it a success!” But… I didn’t know what to say. “The student council and the committee all worked together, and it was fun… but… if you had been there…” No matter what I said, it would just sound like an excuse. I didn’t know how to explain it. “If you had been there… it would’ve been even more fun. This year’s festival is already over, but… n-next year… with me—” “That just now!!” As I tried to keep him there with unrelated rambling, Yamato suddenly cut me off. “That folk dance just now… it looked great. You and Toru… really suited each other.” So he misunderstood…!? “That was just… it just happened like that!” “The school legend… right? That if you hold hands, you’ll end up together.” So he knew about the legend. What should I do… what can I say…? “I didn’t expect you to hug, though…” “Th-that’s not it! It’s...

Translator: Soafp After buying souvenirs for our families, we rode the train for another two hours before returning home. A lot had happened along the way, but even so, it had been a satisfying trip. At least, that’s how I was about to wrap it up— “Waaah!! Don’t go, Anna-chan!!” ““……”” While we were away, Anna-chan had been staying at our place. It was about time to send her back to Nodoka’s home. But Mom clearly had no intention of letting her go, clinging to her and throwing a childish tantrum. “Onee-san, help me…! This lady keeps dressing me up like a doll over and over…!!” “Calling me ‘this lady’ is so cold, Anna-chan! Besides, when I sent your cute photos to your parents, they were absolutely delighted!” Since when did Mom even exchange contact info with the Komori couple? She really is incredibly social—or maybe she just gets along with anyone instantly. Then something I’d been wondering about came to mind. “Nodoka, didn’t you say your family is strict about overnight stays?” I remembered her saying before that her father was overprotective and wouldn’t easily allow it. Even staying at a hotel for two days to avoid that traffic accident had been difficult, if I recall correctly. “Ah, um, well…” Nodoka scratched her cheek nervously and looked away. “Isn’t it obvious, Ren-kun?”...

Translator: Soafp “So basically, Kokoa-san gets pushed by someone on the train platform and dies after being hit by a train?” On the morning of the final day at the inn, I explained the “nightmare” to Nodoka and Airi as soon as I woke up. “I didn’t actually see the accident itself. I only learn about it through the news.” It was probably because I had become acquainted with Kokoa-san. The reality of someone I knew losing their life in an accident stabbed sharply into my chest.And on top of that, she was someone I had already saved once. If I had no connection to her, I probably wouldn’t have seen that “nightmare” at all. Nodoka asked hesitantly. “Do you think someone pushed her on purpose?” “I don’t know that much. The news said the police were investigating both possibilities—intentional and accidental.” I could only hope it was just an accident. If someone was deliberately targeting Kokoa-san, that would be a completely different story. No matter how many times I prevented it, it wouldn’t end unless the culprit was caught. Airi looked at me seriously. “Ren-kun, since it’s on the news, you know when it happens, right?” “Yeah. The news said it happened last night, so…” It was a morning broadcast, so the time and date had been displayed in the corner of...

Translator: Soafp If I refused Airi’s wish here, it would basically mean Nodoka is okay, but Airi isn’t. …In Nodoka’s case, it was more like I was caught off guard. But that kind of excuse wouldn’t work with Airi. (If I handle this poorly, their relationship could reach a point of no return.) The only reason the three of us can maintain this strange yet peaceful dynamic is probably because I’ve been treating them fairly, at least to some extent. But the moment that balance breaks, Airi will surely stop at nothing to get ahead of Nodoka. Just like back then—when she didn’t even hesitate to risk herself for her family. (If that happens, Nodoka would be deeply hurt…) Nodoka is already extremely bad at social interactions. If someone she finally got close to suddenly turned hostile, it would shock her terribly. Just like that time—after her huge fight with Yuzuki—when she wandered off in a daze and almost got hit by a car. (…Did Airi think all the way to that point before making this move?) Honestly, it’s not like I don’t want that kind of relationship with Airi. She’s beautiful, devoted—there’s no way I could dislike her. If anything, both Nodoka and Airi feel like they’re too good for me. It’s just that something inside me is holding me back. (It...

Translator: Soafp The next morning. After a long internal struggle, I managed to beat my sleepiness again. But for some reason, I didn’t feel great. I didn’t know why, but a sigh escaped me without thinking. It’s only the second day since I decided to change—am I really going to be okay at this rate…? Carrying that unease, I left the house early again, just like yesterday. As I walked alone along my usual route to school— “Ah, Reita-kun!” …Lucky or unlucky. I ran into Maaya and the others on their way to school again. “Hey, today too, let’s walk togeth—” “Sorry, but I’m going alone today.” Without even turning around, I cut off Maaya as she ran up to me. “I-I see… sorry…” I heard her voice behind me, on the verge of tears. It hurt. I didn’t want to hear that kind of voice, but the words of Ueno and Yokomizo from yesterday flashed through my mind. My position is more fragile than I thought. Just being seen with me carries the risk of bad rumors spreading. Especially Maaya—she’s someone who stands out in class. She’s well-liked, but there are always people who resent those who are popular. Getting close to me would just give them the perfect excuse to talk. Right now, I’m the only one being treated as the...

Translator: Soafp The campfire flames lit up the darkening sky as the sun set. Many students gathered, enjoying the atmosphere of the after-festival and the folk dance. After talking with Toru in the student council room earlier, we decided to dance together. But… I still couldn’t shake off my hesitation. “Toru… are we really going to dance?” He wanted revenge on the person he loved… that was his wish now. “Yeah. I’m counting on you.” And my wish… was for Yamato to understand me. “In the end… Yamato didn’t come.” “…Yeah…” Maybe that was actually for the best. If Yamato were here, I wouldn’t have been able to choose to dance with Toru. People around us might start talking again after seeing us dance, but… “Still worried about the crowd watching?” Rumors were already spreading that Toru and I were in a relationship. So even if people said something after seeing us dance, I didn’t think it would hurt me much anymore. “…Yeah. But… I can’t worry about that now…” Today would be the end of my cooperation with Toru. I would accept his request and dance with him. And after that, he said he would take responsibility for everything. Just for today, I would act as his girlfriend—for his sake. In return, Toru would resolve everything. “I’ll definitely deal with the problem...

Translator: Soafp (What the—!? A kidnapper all of a sudden!?) I put every ounce of strength into resisting. If I got taken, Nodoka and Airi could end up in danger too. I couldn’t let anything happen to them because of me. (Are they after my money?) Or… could it be that Nagasawa-senpai had somehow found out about Yuzuki’s plan? But even then, something felt off. I had never seen anything like this in my “nightmares.” (Whatever it is, I have to break free no matter what…!!) I forced a small gap open with my mouth and bit down hard on the fingers covering it. The moment I realized from the feel that they belonged to a woman, not a man— “O-owowow!! S-sponsor-sama!! W-wait, stop!! That hurts!!”“…Huh?” The hand covering my mouth pulled away. I immediately turned around. Standing there was someone who had been on stage earlier—and should’ve been in the hospital by now. “Kokoa-san?” “Auu… The bite you gave me is probably going to last longer than the lightning injury…” She held out her finger. Sure enough, my bite marks were clearly visible. “Well, anyone would panic if something like that suddenly happened. I thought I was being kidnapped.” “S-sorry… I didn’t want to attract attention. You know how in movies they drag people into alleys like this…” “…” There was no...

Translator: Soafp (…Just as I thought, it’s all normal photos.) In the photography club room during summer break, Yuzuki made sure no one was around and tried handling the Leica in question. But there wasn’t a single one of the extreme photos Ren had claimed to see in his “nightmare.” (That Nagasawa-senpai probably carries around a dedicated SD card.) The old Yuzuki would have only trusted what was in front of her and dismissed Ren’s claims outright. But now, she believed Ren’s words more than the visible facts. No—she had no choice but to believe them. (I have to make the most of the chance Mom gave me, no matter what.) Recalling Ren’s notes, Yuzuki swore to herself that she would never fall for someone like Nagasawa. That “nightmare” was probably the result of underestimating him and blindly trusting the club president’s words. The problem, just as Airi had said, was that proving her resolve through actions to Ren wouldn’t be easy. In the end, Yuzuki confided her worries to her mother—Ayumi. (If I can just find proof, I’m sure I can leave the rest to Mom.) Ayumi took her daughter’s concerns—more precisely, Ren’s foresight—very seriously. At the same time, she didn’t hold back, scolding her harshly for being too careless just because they were childhood friends, despite Ren being such a catch....

Translator: Soafp After school, I finished my cleaning duty properly before leaving the classroom. Once I get home, it’s time to study. My grades were barely passing last year, so I need to catch up. By sitting down and facing my desk, not only can I improve my grades, but I can also build things I lack right now—like focus and perseverance. It’s going to be a tough road for someone like me, who’s been far removed from studying for a while. But I remember my past self thinking that making it a habit is what matters most, so I want to keep at it without giving up. Thinking about that, I head down the stairs. Then, as I reach the entrance, a familiar sight comes into view again. “—You just littered, didn’t you? Pick it up right now.” Shizuno was confronting a male student. She’s really at it every single day. “Tch… yeah, yeah, I got it…” The guy reluctantly picked up the paper drink carton he had thrown away. Lately, whenever I see scenes like this, I can’t help but feel tense, like it might turn into a fight. Given Shizuno’s personality, she’d probably confront anyone regardless of the situation. There are plenty of people in this world who don’t respond to common sense—that’s something I know from experience. People who...

Translator: Soafp The day of the cultural festival… I felt incredibly depressed. Yesterday, I got carried away and ended up making Yamato angry. He might hate me now. After he ran away from me, the vice principal comforted me. Just like he said, I need to talk to Yamato— But… I don’t know if he’ll even listen to me now… “Aoi, are you okay? You didn’t sleep well last night, did you?” Toru had listened when I told him I’d upset Yamato, so he was worried about me. I hadn’t slept at all. “Toru… um… how was Yamato… today?” “Huh? Oh… Yamato? I think he’s absent today.” “Huh…? Absent…?” “Yeah. Even the homeroom teacher said there hasn’t been any notice. At this rate, it might count as an unexcused absence.” That can’t be… Yamato… skipping school without notice… that’s never happened before… “Do you think something happened to him…?” “I don’t know… even if you ask me…” Then… I can’t apologize to him today… And with all the responsibilities for the festival, I can’t just leave either. “Aoi, the opening ceremony is coming up. Put Yamato aside for now. The festival can’t start without the student council president.” “…Yeah… I know…” My body felt heavy. Honestly, I didn’t have the motivation to run the festival at all. “President, let’s do our best today!”...

Translator: Soafp Normally, an idol live show is something you watch while enjoying yourself. But… worried that things might unfold just like in the “nightmare,” I kept my eyes fixed on the stage, unable to relax. (Just like promised, the center of the stage is left open.) No matter how I thought about it, it had been an unreasonable request. The fans seemed confused by the sudden change in formation, but since the performance didn’t feel too unnatural, they appeared to accept that there must be some kind of reason behind it. People like me, who weren’t that knowledgeable to begin with, were simply enjoying the show. “Whoa, Kokoa-chan just blew a kiss at me!” “Idiot, no way. That was definitely for me.” At the highlight of the first song, Kokoa winked, pressed a kiss to her hand, and sent it flying toward the audience. The energy around us surged even higher. …It was fan service she hadn’t shown in the dream. “Hey, don’t you think that kiss was meant for you, Ren?” “H-huh!? R-Ren, you… you’ve been flirting with another girl again!?” “Think about it logically—there’s no way. That was for all the fans.” The way Nodoka said it made me sound like some kind of playboy. All I did was pay out of pocket because I wanted to save Kokoa’s life....

Translator: Soafp “My eyes met his—!! I don’t want this—!!” Nodoka’s scream kept getting louder and louder. I knew she was scared of Nagasawa-senpai because she believed what I told her, but I didn’t expect her to panic this badly. At this rate, someone might actually call the authorities. Acting on instinct, I covered her mouth with my hand. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m here, aren’t I? You don’t have to be scared.” I gently stroked her head as I tried to calm her down. Her eyes were glistening with tears. Nagasawa-senpai scratched his head awkwardly. “Good grief, that’s some outrageous slander.” I frowned without thinking. But arguing with him here would accomplish nothing. What mattered right now wasn’t my feelings. I needed to get Nodoka out of here and calm her down as quickly as possible. “I’m sorry for the trouble. We’ll be going now.” I gave a quick bow, wrapped an arm around Nodoka’s waist as she clung to me, and started walking away quickly. But then— “W-wait!” Yuzuki called out to me. I considered ignoring her, but that wouldn’t be normal behavior for a classmate. I turned back and spoke in a low voice. “…What is it? Nodoka’s scared, so if you have something to say, keep it brief.” “T-this isn’t what it looks like! It’s not like I ignored...

Translator: Xre The day of―― We arrived at the region’s largest leisure pool. It’s a huge facility with a glass-domed heated pool, open year-round. Naturally, it’s packed with families and couples on weekends, regardless of the season. The last time I came here was back in elementary school, when my mom brought me. I never came with friends. Because I didn’t have any. And I never came with a girlfriend either. Because I wasn’t popular. And now here I am—about to go to the pool, just the two of us, with someone like President Suzuka, who’s insanely beautiful. I’m thrilled. But—to be honest, it doesn’t feel real. I guess this is how an average person feels after winning the lottery jackpot. My heart is jittery and restless. I couldn’t sleep last night, and I ended up reading the pool’s official website three times on my phone. Haa... Going to the pool with a girl, just the two of us. I’m not smooth like the “high-tier” guys at school, but I should at least try to act “normal.” The next day. My hopes were completely shattered. It wasn’t just the two of us. The pool entrance, our meeting spot, was a battlefield. I was supposed to spend the day alone with President Suzuka. No one else knew. That was the plan. But then—everyone showed...

Translator: Soafp Since I had more mahjong experience than Nodoka and Airi, and I knew the rules well, I arrogantly assumed that at the very least, I could avoid finishing last. And in fact, the two of them made mistake after mistake in the opening rounds. “Double riichi!” “Nodoka, if you declared a North extraction, double riichi doesn’t count anymore. It’s just regular riichi.” “Huh? R-Really?” “Nodoka-san, ron. That’s Suuankou.” “Ehh!? A yakuman!?” “Airi, if it’s tsumo then it’s Suuankou, but if you win by ron then it becomes Sanankou and Toitoi. Winning by ron on a pair wait counts as an open triplet.” “Ehh... That’s so complicated.” “T-Tsumo! This is Tanyao, Pinfu, Iipeikou, right?” “Pinfu doesn’t count. It’s South round right now, and your pair is South. Pinfu can’t use value tiles as the pair.” “Aaah, this is way too hard!!” Even so, we somehow finished the game, ending the first hanchan. I came in first, Airi-senpai got second, and Nodoka came last. “Well then, Nodoka-san, just like we agreed, you’ll need to remove one piece of clothing.” “Eh!? Wasn’t this just practice!?” “If you can’t take it off yourself, I’ll do it for you.” “I-I’ll do it myself!!” Nodoka started undoing the sash of her yukata. I hurriedly stopped her. “No, no, no. Doing that here is way too dangerous.” Even...

Translator: Soafp [Maaya PoV] —April ××— Today, I tried walking to school with Reita-kun part of the way. I kind of forced the invitation… I wonder if he’s mad. I’m a little scared that he might end up hating me again, like back then. But for me, this is the last time. If I go in with a “give it my all and accept the outcome” mindset, I probably won’t have any regrets. I do feel bad for him, but I want to keep going with this momentum. Also, lately, it really feels like his whole vibe has changed. Before, he gave off an intimidating aura that pushed people away, but now he seems calmer. He was considerate enough to make sure I wouldn’t get dragged into rumors, and he even went along with my selfish request. It felt like the kindness of the Reita-kun I used to know. Could it be that his memories have come back? …I thought about that, but there’s no way things would work out that conveniently. If they had, he wouldn’t bother hiding it. I already told him I’m not angry, so it’s not like guilt would stop him from saying anything. Well, either way, I’m happy. At the very least, the Reita-kun I talked to today felt like the one I fell for. With or without...

Translator: Soafp [Aoi PoV] The day before the cultural festival. After finishing the morning classes, the afternoon was set aside for festival preparations. The students had been gradually working on things after school and during breaks for weeks, and today everything would finally be completed. “Um, is Yamato Makino here?” I went to Yamato’s classroom. Until yesterday, he had been talking to me every day, but today he hadn’t, and it bothered me. “Oh, it’s Student Council President Miyano-san. If you’re looking for Makino, he already went home.” “Huh, went home? But preparations for the festival start now, right?” “Yeah, but it’s fine. At this point, even if he helped, it wouldn’t really make a difference…” Apparently, Yamato had barely participated in the festival preparations at all. When I heard that, I immediately ran after him, since he had just left. I felt irritated again. Just yesterday, I had been happy, thinking Yamato was paying attention to me. “Yamato! Wait!” I found him at the shoe lockers, changing his shoes. “A-Aoi…? What’s wrong…?” “What do you mean, what’s wrong!? What are you doing here!? Everyone is working hard to prepare for the festival!” “I know that… but…” He wasn’t helping with preparations. He was neglecting his studies. And he wasn’t even talking to me. “If even one person is missing, it puts more...

Translator: Soafp I never imagined that after Airi, even Nodoka would confess to me. On top of that, Nodoka had even kissed me. My mind went completely blank. “Um… I’m still—” “You don’t have to say it. I know. You still haven’t gotten over Yuzuki, right?” “Well… yeah.” “That’s why I’ll put myself on hold too.” From the way she said it, Nodoka apparently already knew about Airi’s confession as well. In fact, Airi still hadn’t come into the open-air bath. Whatever the reason, she had probably given Nodoka space out of consideration. “No… now that I think about it, being on hold is no good.” “Huh?” “I don’t want to get rejected. So let’s just count it as unconditional acceptance.” “That’s ridiculous…” “W-What!? After making me dress like this and stealing my first kiss, you don’t want to take responsibility?” Putting the micro bikini aside, I had absolutely no memory of asking for a kiss… If anything, wasn’t I the one who got robbed? When I couldn’t answer immediately, Nodoka puffed out her cheeks. “Do you hate the idea of making me your girlfriend that much?” “That’s not it… Like you said, there’s still the matter of Yuzuki, and Airi’s confession is still unresolved too. I can’t just agree unconditionally…” “I can compromise too! In exchange for not being rejected, I’ll give...

Translator: Soafp When we returned to the room at the inn, Nodoka Komori—who had been waiting alone—ran up to me the moment she saw my face, like a puppy jumping on its owner who had finally come home. “How did it go?” “It worked out.” I briefly explained what had just happened, making sure to thank Nodoka for coming up with the sponsor plan. “So, how was she?” “How was what?” “The idol. You saw her in person, right?” “Well… she was kind of unique.” Honestly, I wasn’t that interested in idols, so I wasn’t especially moved. Maybe it was also because she wasn’t a top-tier celebrity you’d see on TV. Still, it was definitely not an experience most people get to have. “That’s it? Nothing like ‘she was cute’ or anything?” “She was cute.” “Hm…” I answered honestly. Nodoka’s eyes immediately narrowed. The pressure was intense. “Good for you, getting to meet such a super cute idol.” “…Hey, why are you mad?” “I’m not mad.” That’s the classic line of someone who’s definitely mad. But I couldn’t figure out why. “Your Honor Komori, the defendant has additional charges.” Airi cut in at that moment. Then she fully exposed what happened earlier—how Kokoa had casually touched me—without leaving anything out. …Nodoka’s gaze sharpened even more. “Your Honor, the verdict?” “Guilty!!” “And with that,...

Translator: Soafp Speaking of things getting rough, it feels like the atmosphere in the class has been a bit tense lately too. It’s not like any major problem has happened, but with such a strong mix of personalities, the classroom ends up being noisy every day. First of all, the fact that the three “top beauties” of the year—Maaya, Rin, and Shizuno—are all in this class already makes it a center of attention. Guys from other classes constantly come over to mess around. Just the other day, someone even had the nerve to confess to Maaya right in the middle of the classroom. …Unfortunately for him, he got shot down. Maaya’s a dangerous one. She’s all soft and airheaded most of the time, but when someone tries to get close to her, she cuts them off without hesitation. And Rin and Shizuno are just as popular as Maaya. Rin, with her gyaru-like appearance, is especially popular among the outgoing crowd. She lacks friendliness, but purely in terms of looks, she might be the top. Shizuno, on the other hand, appeals to a more niche crowd. The kind of people who want to be scolded tend to approach her. Among honor students, she’s also admired as someone to look up to. While the class has these three top beauties, it also happens to have...

Translator: Soafp [Aoi Pov] Summer vacation ended. And the new term began. At the opening ceremony assembly for the entire school, Standing on the stage as the student council president, giving my speech, I spotted Yamato among the many students. My emotions swelled. I had been waiting so long for this day when I could finally see him again. And yet… Yamato didn’t seem to be listening to me at all—he was dozing off, even yawning. …It irritated me. After the ceremony ended, I called Yamato to the student council room. “Pull yourself together already!” “I told you, I get it. Just give me a break… Aoi.” “Entrance exams are next year! You really have to start trying! Your grades aren’t good, Yamato!” I care about you this much, so why are you acting like this…? “Don’t say that, Aoi. Yamato is trying in his own way.” Toru was too soft on him. Maybe that was his kind of kindness, but I couldn’t just leave Yamato alone. “Yamato… you remember our promise, right?” “Y-yeah… of course.” That promise… does it really mean something to you? “Well then… I’m heading home.” “Wait! Why do you always leave so early!?” “That’s because… I need to get home and study…” We finally got to see each other again after summer vacation… “Then wait just a bit....

Translator: Soafp When they told me to “meet in person and convince them,” I had assumed I’d be dealing with agency staff or some executive. But the person I actually had to convince turned out to be… someone completely unexpected. “So, you’re the sponsor?” Red twin-tails tied with black ribbons. A heart-shaped choker. A pale pink off-shoulder blouse full of frills, with a large black ribbon at the chest. A short black high-waisted skirt, with sheer black stockings peeking out beneath. A girl dressed in full-on “jirai-kei” fashion bluntly addressed me. [TL: Jurai-kei --> it features "dark girly" fashion—black and pink clothing with ribbons, bows, and laces—often worn to signify emotional intensity, obsessive tendencies, and association with alternative youth culture.] “Yes, not yet officially a sponsor, but my name is Ren Fukagawa.” That’s right—the person I had to face was the idol herself. And not just any idol, but the very red-haired girl from my “nightmare”—the one struck by lightning. “I mean, I’m not one to talk about age, but… aren’t you a bit too young to be a sponsor?” “Well… I’ve simply had some success with investments. I understand your concerns, but I intend to fulfill my role properly as a sponsor.” “Honestly, I don’t really get complicated stuff. I just want to shine as an idol. But…” She suddenly slammed her...

Translator: Soafp The day before we set off for the sea. Nodoka Komori and Airi Sugawara met up at a Starbucks near the station. Just like last time, Airi ordered an Americano, and Nodoka got a café latte. “So, Nodoka, what did you want to talk about?” Last time, it had been Airi who arranged the meeting—but this time was different. Nodoka was the one who had called her out. “This trip… it’s three nights and four days, right?” “That’s right. You were the one who insisted on making it longer, remember?” “Yes. There’s actually a reason for that.” Nodoka glanced away slightly as she took a sip of her coffee. She looked like she was searching for the right words. Since she had gone out of her way to call Airi here, it was obvious this was something serious—about Ren. “What do you think about setting aside some personal time on the second and third days?” “Personal time?” “Yes. Ever since we decided to team up, the time I get to be alone with Ren has dropped a lot… Well, maybe that’s just me.” Because Airi’s house had burned down, she was now staying at Ren’s place. And even after her home was rebuilt, she clearly had no intention of leaving his side. Naturally, that situation would seem unfair to Nodoka. “So...

Translator: Soafp After safely making it through the morning classes, I headed to the school store with Ryosuke to buy lunch, just like usual. As for my relationship with him, I figured that suddenly cutting ties would be too unnatural, so I decided to keep things as they are for the time being. Either way, we’ll probably part ways once we graduate, so I can just slowly create some distance. “Hey, Reita. You’re definitely acting weird. Why are you suddenly taking classes so seriously?” As expected, Ryosuke immediately called me out on the change. “…I almost got held back last year. I figured it’s better than dealing with annoying makeup exams and reports later.” “Held back? Your test scores weren’t even that bad.” “I just got too complacent.” I brushed it off with a reasonable excuse. To be fair, it wasn’t entirely a lie. Even before I got my memories back, I was barely scraping by with just one day of studying before tests, so I knew I had to do something. “But still, you going that overboard serio—” Right as Ryosuke was about to continue teasing me— “Hey, you. Follow the line properly.” “Tch, what a pain…” Near the school store, a girl was scolding a male student who had cut in line. For me—no, for most students at this school—it was...

Translator: Soafp [Aoi PoV] After becoming a second-year and joining the student council, my days became busy. “Toru, can you check these documents?” “Yeah, got it.” Toru joined the student council with me. He didn’t seem interested in it before… I wonder if he had his own reasons for joining. The student council work was demanding, but it was also very rewarding. I got to interact with people from other classes and students from different grades whom I had never been involved with before. I met so many people, gained all kinds of experiences, and could feel myself growing day by day. “Wait, me? The student council president?” “Yeah. We can trust you with it, Miyano-san.” All the student council members recommended me as the next president. I was really happy to be chosen. “So I’ll be the president, huh. Toru, you’ll be vice president—let’s do our best together.” “…Yeah… sure…” Toru’s response was curt. Usually, he was much more cheerful, but lately he looked irritated. It reminded me of the old Toru… the one who used to tease me back then. “Hey Toru, how was Yamato doing today?” “Yeah, well… about the same as usual.” Now that we were in our second year, Yamato and I were in different classes. The student council kept me busy, and I couldn’t slack off on...