Prologue | The Melancholy of the Moonflower

 

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Hello.

“I am Makishima Shinji, the one who will eventually surpass the strongest.”

Well, the long summer vacation is finally ending tomorrow. It was long. Really long. Probably not just my imagination. It felt like I experienced three summers’ worth of events in one.

Late at night on August 30th. Just about time for the date to change.

I was lying on my bed in my room, casually scrolling through my phone. My girlfriend was telling me to take her somewhere tomorrow.

(Tomorrow, huh? Well, club activities are off, and I’ve finished my homework…)

This summer, I’ve been so focused on Rin-chan and Natsu that I’ve been neglecting my girlfriend. Well, it should be fine to spend the last day with her.

“Let’s see… What time is Rin-chan’s flight back from Tokyo tomorrow…?”

I need to finish my date with my girlfriend before then. Because I have to ask Rin-chan about the results of this Tokyo trip.

(Even someone as dense as Natsu wouldn’t be able to stay calm after spending a whole week alone with Rin-chan. There should be some progress… Well, that’s how it was supposed to go, at least.)

I have a bad feeling about this.

I know Kureha-san will butt in, and trouble is inevitable. If it works in Rin-chan’s favor, that’s fine, but Kureha-san is terrible at reading the room when it comes to private matters.

(Honestly, Rin-chan is Rin-chan. If she weren’t bound by her weird ideals, she’d just take Natsu for herself already…)

Well, I don’t dislike that naive side of her.

I got up from my bed and headed to the kitchen. As I walked down the creaky hallway, I reached the entrance just as the door opened.

It was my older brother.

His messy bangs were annoying, and he looked like a harmless glasses-wearing guy. Instead of his usual priest robe, he was wearing a casual shirt and jeans.

“Shinji. You’re still awake?”

“I was just about to sleep. What about you, Onii-chan? What are you doing out so late?”

I was surprised because I didn’t expect him to be out. At this time, he’s usually in his room spending time with his wives (limited to 2D, of course).

“Did you go out to buy cigarettes? If so, I would’ve joined you…”

“Nah, I’ve quit recently. Yuki-san said she hates guys who smoke.”

“…I respect the mental strength it takes to change your preferences for your waifu.”

This guy changes his hobbies and lifestyle based on whatever anime girl he’s obsessed with at the time.

For example, he used to study magic because “you never know when you might get summoned,” and recently, he started carrying around a mysterious wooden box… From my perspective, it’s pure madness. Well, love takes many forms, so I won’t judge…

My brother was carrying a paper bag. It looked like a box of assorted sweets. Maybe he met someone for work… Hmm?

The paper bag had Haneda Airport’s logo on it.

“Oh, this? I just went to pick up Enomoto-san’s Rion-chan.”

“Rin-chan? From where?”

“The airport. She came back on the last flight from Tokyo, but apparently, she missed the last train here. Her mom asked me to pick her up. I thought about taking you too, but you were practicing in the back court, so I didn’t want to bother you.”

“…Was Rin-chan alone?”

“Yeah, just Rion-chan. I heard Kureha-chan went back to Tokyo with her.”

He handed me the paper bag, which apparently had souvenirs from Rin-chan.

My brother yawned and headed back to his room. He’s probably going to stay up all night with his waifu. He’s got work early tomorrow, but he sure knows how to prioritize his family (limited to 2D, of course).

“…Wait, Rin-chan came back alone?”

That’s weird.

The plan was for both of them to come back tomorrow. If they came back early, that’s fine, but Natsu not being there is strange.

I put the paper bag on the kitchen table and looked out the window at the cemetery behind the house.

Beyond the dark summer cemetery… I could see Rin-chan’s family’s Western-style confectionery shop. The light was on upstairs. It seems Rin-chan really is back.

I have a bad feeling about this.

Of course I do. For Rin-chan, this trip was a rare chance to have Natsu all to herself without Himari-chan around. There’s no way she’d come back a whole day early.

I went back to my room and sent a LINE message.

‘Rin-chan. Are you back?’

It was marked as read immediately, but there was no reply. So, I sent another message.

‘Wasn’t the plan for tomorrow?’

‘It’s none of your business, Shii-kun.’

…And who was it that asked me to plan the trip again?

Suppressing a slight irritation, I pinched my cheek to stay calm. It hurt. I’m still okay.

(It’s been a while since the attention-seeker in me showed up… Something definitely happened.)

I typed ‘I’m coming over’ and slipped on my sandals at the entrance before leaving the house.

I took a detour around the cemetery and approached Rin-chan’s confectionery shop from the front. That said, the shop was already closed and enveloped in silence.

I went around to the back entrance, knowing the place well, and made my way in. Her mom was probably already asleep, so I walked quietly to avoid making noise.

I went upstairs and knocked on Rin-chan’s door. No response. Light was leaking through the gap in the door, so she probably wasn’t asleep.

“Rin-chan. I’m coming in.”

After waiting a full 10 seconds, I opened the door.

By the window, Rin-chan was sitting with her legs crossed, puffing on something like a cigar.

“Oiiii!!?”

I raised my voice in a shout and snatched it away!

This guy, suddenly smoking or whatever—what was he thinking—huh? Looking at the thing I’d taken, I was utterly dumbfounded…

It was a Yoku Moku Cigare.

You know, that fancy treat with thin cookie dough rolled into a cylinder. The kind that’s a bit of a delight when you get it as a gift during Bon or year-end, though it’s pricey. Well, I’m not fond of sweets myself, so that’s just the general opinion.

…Shii-kun. You’re loud.

Rin-chan spat the words out as she pulled a second Cigar from a souvenir bag on the table, one with the Haneda Airport logo.

She tapped the tip lightly with her finger, then held it between her small lips. Covering the other end with both hands, she muttered, Shubo, mimicking the sound of lighting it.

She leisurely crossed her legs again, holding the Cigar between her fingers as if puffing on a cigar.

Shii-k… bouya. What’s wrong with you at this hour of the night?

What’s wrong is my line here!?

If she’s going to rephrase it anyway, she shouldn’t bother with the weird character act in the first place. Why do I have to deal with Rin-chan suddenly playing noir out of nowhere?

As I recoiled in shock, Rin-chan let out a mocking chuckle. She mimed blowing purple smoke out the window. …Am I the only one unreasonably irritated by this?

A woman can’t stay a child forever. You get that, right?

I get that, but I feel like there’s a fatal misunderstanding in how we’re interpreting words here.

Her eccentric behavior is par for the course, but this time, I can’t read her intentions at all.

Judging by her outing clothes, she probably hasn’t even bathed since getting back. Honestly, I’ve got to hand it to Aniki for enduring over an hour in the car with a girl in such a bizarre mood.

(…Wait a sec?)

Given the current situation… considering all the factors, I came up with a hypothesis. To test its consistency, I spread my arms wide and laughed dramatically.

Aha, I get it now. So you’ve finally been “grown up” by Natsu, huh? A guy and a girl together for a week—wouldn’t be surprising if something happened. No, that’s great. It’s like my help paid off.

…!

Rin-chan twitched in reaction to my tactless joke. Her right arm flailed around, and she ended up hurling a nearby floor lamp at me.

I caught it in a panic and let out a big sigh.

…So, what happened?

Seems there was trouble after all. Looks like another consolation party…

As I mused, At least it’s after the tournament, so I’m saved…, thinking about my own weight, Rin-chan crunched through the Cigar. She leaned her body against the window frame—no curtains drawn—and stared out at the pitch-black cemetery.

Yuu-kun said his accessories matter more than me.

…

Huh?

Honestly, I was thrown off by how anticlimactic that was.

Rin-chan, what are you saying now? Didn’t you figure that out ages ago?

Rin-chan pouted. Just as I thought she’d finally shown a human expression, she suddenly flung her school bag from the desk at me!

With my hands full from the lamp, it landed a perfect hit on my face.

I knew that! But this was supposed to be my reward trip! He’s supposed to put me first above everything! Yet he ditched me the moment Onee-chan invited him—how’s that fair!?

Rin-chan shouted so loudly that I hurriedly shut the room’s door. It’d be a hassle if her mom woke up.

No, the issue isn’t a guy being in a teenage girl’s room this late at night.

Knowing her mom, she’d definitely sense romance in the air and join in with gusto. That’d be game over. She’d raid the patisserie and bring every baked good they’ve got, stuffing us silly. …By the way, the three kilos I gained at last spring’s consolation party? That’s why.

I tossed the bag back and sat on Rin-chan’s desk chair, crossing my legs.

…I see. I’ve got the situation now. Natsu was, as usual, an accessory nut even on the trip, huh?

Shii-kun, you knew about Onee-chan’s meddling, didn’t you?

Well, yeah. But taking it out on me is barking up the wrong tree. My job was just making the plan to get you and Rin-chan to Tokyo. Dealing with trouble after you got there wasn’t part of the deal—owowowowowowow! Rin-chan, I give, I give! I’m sorry, I was wrong, so spare me the iron claw! My good looks’ll get warped—my whole life’ll get warped…!

Taking her fluid punishment, I smacked her arm repeatedly.

For a moment, I thought I saw my late grandpa across the Sanzu River, but somehow I survived. …Back in middle school, people said, “I’m jealous you’ve got a pretty childhood friend,” but I’d love to ask if they’d say that knowing her personality.

Anyway, what do you want me to do about it!? Are you saying I should’ve gone to Tokyo with you!? If I did, you’d just complain, “It’s a trip for two, so don’t butt in,” Rin-chan! And you’re the one who dragged Kureha-san into the plan! Did you really think Kureha-san would just sit there and take it quietly!?

…!

Rin-chan faltered.

The tables have turned. I seized the chance to lay out my opinion.

And frankly, it’s just that you didn’t have enough resolve, Rin-chan. You probably thought, “I’m happy just being together~” or some sappy nonsense. I’m not saying Himari-chan’s approach is right, but you should’ve known you’d need that kind of force to bend Natsu’s convictions.

~~ ~ !

Rin-chan’s face turned beet red, and she bellowed again.

I-I tried my best too, you know!

Oh? Then show me the results. No matter what you say, summer homework’s only good if you turn it in.

Ugh…

Her momentum deflated instantly. But as if refusing to lose to me, she hurriedly swiped through her phone.

Then she shoved a photo in my face.

H-Here!

Huh?

I took the phone and peeked at the picture.

It was a sleeping-together shot.

No mistaking it—a “sleeping friends” photo.

Natsu, bathrobe open at the chest, was fast asleep in dazzling morning light. A sleeping face like a defenseless little animal.

And Rin-chan, the female leopard stalking her prey, beamed with utter triumph, pressing her cheek to his for a peace-sign selfie. She was so giddy from their trip that her guard was down, her bathrobe slipping to her shoulder… If a classmate saw this, it’d be a huge scandal.

Even you’re shocked, right, Shii-kun? It’s Onee-chan’s prank’s fault, but I spent the whole time in the same room as Yuu-kun. And that “promise” too—

…

Honestly, seeing this kind of photo from my childhood friend is beyond awkward, but Rin-chan looked so proud—like it was her treasure—that I bit my lip and held it in.

For now, anyway.

…And?

Huh?

Maybe my calm response was too unexpected, because Rin-chan completely froze.

…She’s totally misunderstanding this.

No, the issue isn’t the photo—it’s whether anything actually progressed. Sure, it screams “happy dreams galore,” but if this is just sleeping together and nothing more…

I looked her straight in the eye and delivered the sad truth.

Then Rin-chan’s just a cringey girl bragging about a sneaky sleeping photo. It’s no different from some chick secretly dating a popular streamer and posting flame-bait pics on SNS to flex on other girls.

…

Crash… Rin-chan’s face froze in despair. She snatched the phone back and buried herself under the bed’s towel blanket.

Head hidden, butt out… What a round, kickable butt, I thought, then coughed and restrained myself. Kicking a girl’s butt without hesitation, even a childhood friend’s, would put me on the same level as some annoying puff-head chick.

I pulled a fan from my pocket, opened it, and spoke in an extra cheerful tone.

Well, what’s done is done, right? Let’s move on and think about what’s next. Starting second semester, we’ll attack without missing a chance!

…

Dead silence… Rin-chan didn’t even twitch. Seems my earlier words hit hard.

…Crap. Did I bully her too much?

R-Rin-chan? Look, I said that, but it’s normal, you know? Going on a trip with a guy doesn’t mean something has to happen. Honestly, I’m relieved. Unlike some puff-head floozy, Rin-chan’s got solid morals. Haha, that’s a big strength! Guys like virtuous girls, after all…

…

No reaction.

…Oh crap. I might’ve seriously stepped on a landmine. Her not coming at me with an iron claw like before is downright eerie…

No. Don’t waver, Makishima Shinji.

I’m just lending wisdom as Rin-chan’s requested love coach. My job isn’t to coddle her.

It’s to make Rin-chan’s first love succeed and plan the next move.

A-Anyway, Rin-chan, how about switching things up and attacking indirectly once second semester starts? That photo’s a strong weapon. Send it to Himari-chan, and she’ll flip out, guaranteed to spark a huge fight with Natsu. Then you swoop in—

…I don’t need it.

Huh?

This strategy—Rin-chan doesn’t seem too keen on it, huh. Well, that figures. I knew Rin-chan wasn’t into this sort of thing. It’s a shame, but this plan’s a bust…

“I’m giving up on Yuu-kun already, so I don’t need it.”

“……”

Did my ears just play a trick on me?

I feel like I heard some unexpected words…

“…Ahh, am I getting a bit of summer fatigue too? This summer break has been pretty hectic, after all. It wouldn’t be strange if I’m starting to feel worn out. Maybe tomorrow, instead of a date, I should just stay home and rest. Or how about hitting the public bath and chilling in the sauna? There’s that new massage place in Aeon too—getting a foot massage might be nice. If I refresh, better ideas might come to me…”

While fanning myself with my sensu fan, snapping it open and shut with a grin, Rin-chan sits up in bed. The towel blanket slides off her shoulders with a rustle.

“Shii-kun. You don’t need to help me anymore.”

“……”

Looks like I wasn’t so tired that I misheard after all. Guess it’s lucky I won’t have to bother canceling tomorrow’s date.

I close the sensu and point its tip at Rin-chan’s nose. Her eyes meet mine, unwavering.

“Why? Why give up now of all times?”

“No reason. I just don’t seem necessary to Yuu-kun’s dreams. If anything, I might be in the way.”

“Huh? Don’t tell me even Rin-chan’s been poisoned by Himari-chan’s flimsy friendship theory?”

“Whatever. I can’t beat accessories anyway, so I’m done.”

“That’s not true. Up until now, we’ve been working hard to make Rin-chan a bigger presence in Natsu’s life. From my perspective, it’s been going extremely well. Proof of that is Natsu going along with the Tokyo trip, right?”

Even if he says he loves Himari-chan and his heart’s dyed in her colors… he still can’t reject Rin-chan.

That’s instinct—something I’ve made sure is rooted deeper than DNA.

If you compare love to a meal, Himari-chan’s the main dish.

Among a dazzling array of full-course dishes, she’s the standout star—the leading role. Every other plate’s just there to prop her up.

But Rin-chan? She’s the dessert.

In other words, a separate stomach.

Even if you’re not hungry, you can’t help but eat it—it just slips right in. That’s Rin-chan. Even with a girlfriend like Himari-chan, Rin-chan’s the one with free rein, exempt from all rules. They occupy different spaces entirely.

That’s how I’ve adjusted things. Ever since Himari-chan’s blowup last spring, I knew Natsu’s number one was her. From there, I deliberately positioned Rin-chan as ‘the convenient second fiddle who loves Natsu no matter how she’s treated,’ building her stock through a different route.

And then this summer, with the Kureha-san incident, Natsu and Himari-chan’s relationship reached a tentative resolution.

Now that their bond’s stable, gaps are starting to show. They’re letting their guard down. Rin-chan, the sweet dessert, becomes something they can’t resist craving.

In reality, Natsu’s been so giddy over his first girlfriend that he’s full of openings.

Riding that high into the Tokyo trip… if Rin-chan had pushed, she could’ve gone beyond just a cuddly photo and made some real progress.

…Damn it. Leaving Kureha-san unchecked was my fault, but it feels like I’ve been perfectly played. Still, I didn’t think it’d hit this hard. What could’ve shaken Rin-chan’s iron heart to this degree…?

Wait, hold on. Didn’t Rin-chan say something earlier?

“Yuu-kun said accessories matters more to him than me.”

…It clicked.

In other words—

“Rin-chan. You got spooked, huh?”

“Ugh…!”

Bulls-eye. Dead-on, right on the money.

I get it now. The fact that ‘she lost to the accessories on the Tokyo trip where she was supposed to be the star’—it’s like she got sucker-punched with a pseudo-serious heartbreak.

This was an unexpected outcome.

Since my entire strategy hinges on Rin-chan’s iron heart, if that breaks, everything collapses. For Rin-chan, the Tokyo trip was her big moment to go all-in, so the backlash hit her extra hard.

“To think you’d get caught up in full-on girly negative thoughts like, ‘What if I really can’t become Yuu-kun’s number one…?’ That’s not like you, Rin-chan.”

“Shut up. You wouldn’t get it, Shii-kun.”

“No, haven’t you come just one step away from making your first love come true? If you give up here, all you’ll be left with is regret…”

Rin-chan snorted with a huff.

“Oh, right, Shii-kun’s still hung up on his first love with Onee-chan, huh? That’s why you can’t get serious with any other girl you date, right? Stop projecting your unfulfilled first love onto me.”

“Guh…”

This time, a sword of truth stabbed right into my heart.

Not good. Calm down, Makishima Shinji.

I’ll become someone who surpasses the strongest someday. To do that, I need to stay cool-headed at all times.

This isn’t Rin-chan’s true feelings. She’s just acting out from the stress of the Tokyo trip and Natsu not going her way. It’s like a kid throwing a tantrum.

Haha. Rin-chan’s always been such a spoiled little sister, hasn’t she? She thinks she’s independent, but in reality, she’s far from it—a bona fide bratty princess type.

So I need to be the calm one. Taking a deep breath, I smiled warmly and spoke to Rin-chan.

“Rin-chan, settle down. You might feel that way in the heat of the moment, but don’t you still have lingering feelings for Natsu? Let’s set conclusions aside for now and take a break from the goal of fulfilling your first love—maybe a change of pace…”

“Annoying. Chasing after Onee-chan’s butt forever is so lame, Shii-kun.”

…Snap.

Late-night vibes.

Rin-chan’s unexpected change of heart.

Tennis club practice in the afternoon, plus extra training after, leaving me genuinely sleepy…

Everything combined, and something inside me flipped. I stood up slowly, opening and closing the sensu—open, close, open, close, open, close.

Before I knew it, a “Fufufufu” laugh slipped from my mouth.

“Rin-chan. You’ll regret those words, you know?”

“I won’t. Shii-kun, you should just try having a healthy relationship for once.”

…How did it come to this?

Honestly, I’m not sure. All I know is I’m itching to make this needy brat face some consequences.

“I’ll make you admit you can’t give up on your first love with Natsu no matter what.”

“Love doesn’t matter to me anymore. Stop meddling with your off-the-mark nonsense.”

Sparks flew between me and Rin-chan.

The alliance ends here.