Chapter 4 | Behind the End of Summer

The way summer vacation passes in the blink of an eye is the same every year, but this year, it feels especially fleeting.

Just last week, I was basking in the lingering thrill of our beach trip at the villa, soaking up every moment of fun. Now, after a few days of zoning out in the cool comfort of home, I’ve somehow stumbled into the first day back at school.

I’ve been staying up late recently, so waking up early for the first time in a while is honestly brutal.

“—Morning, Maki. Come on, let me fix your hair. Sit over here.”

“Yeah, okay. Where’s Mom?”

“Auntie Masaki already left for work. She said she’ll be late, so no need to prep dinner.”

“Got it.”

Following Umi’s lead, I let her tame my explosively messy bedhead. Our Maehara household usually gets a bit chaotic during summer break—mostly because I tend to slack off—but Umi’s been swinging by early to clean up lately, keeping the place almost sparkling clean.

…Both Mom and I can’t help but lean into Umi’s kindness a little too much.

“Hmm… there! All neat and tidy. Hehe, school starts today, so we’ve gotta make you look sharp, right?”

“School… yeah, that’s the thing, huh… Hey, Umi, any chance we could stretch it out just one more day?”

“Not happening, I think? Look, I’ll get some coffee ready for you, so hurry up and change into your uniform.”

“Fiiine.”

Starting today, we’re kicking off practice and prep for the sports festival, which means regular students like us will have to show up for training more often. From here on out, it’s pretty much a weekday schedule, just like after the Obon holiday.

It’s still technically “summer vacation,” so no regular classes is a blessing, but thinking about moving around on a scorching field under the blazing sun… the overall hassle doesn’t feel much different, to be honest.

Since today’s the first day of practice, the real training probably won’t start until tomorrow… but just thinking about what’s ahead makes me a little gloomy.

…Of course, it’s not like it’s all bad, though.

“Hey, Maki.”

“Yeah?”

“You’re seventeen today, huh? Happy birthday. …That’s from Auntie Masaki, by the way.”

“Oh, from Mom, huh. …And from you?”

“From me? Well… nothing special, I guess.”

“Nothing, huh?”

“Ehehe, kidding, kidding! But let’s save that for later… sound good?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Oh my? What’s that, Maki? Your face is all red! What naughty little thoughts popped into your head when I said ‘later,’ hmm? Come on, no need to be shy—spill it to your big sis!”

“…N-nothing, really.”

“Hmmm? So, I don’t need to do anything then?”

“…I didn’t say that.”

I’d told everyone around me, but today, August 6th, is my—Maehara Maki’s—birthday.

I haven’t looked forward to August 6th this much in forever. Sure, I had a birthday last year too, but I spent it alone, grinding online battles until I realized it was already August 7th…

…Recalling too much of that is way too depressing, so I’ll stop there. Unlike last year, this year I’ve got a ton of people ready to celebrate my birthday with me.

Family, friends, and my girlfriend—sure, it’s a bit lonely that Dad’s no longer part of the family picture, but the sheer number of people supporting me more than makes up for that emptiness.

Yuu mentioned last week that we’d have a birthday hangout with the usual five during the day, and then in the evening, it’d just be me and Umi—

Just thinking about that is enough to blow away my gloomy mood and give me the energy to tackle practice.

So yeah, I’m super excited for the events lined up this afternoon, but first, let’s talk about the sports festival coming up early next month.

The class assignments were announced the other day, and today we’re deciding on events and holding a general meeting for each team. Practice schedules are mostly up to each team, so you can tell how seriously everyone’s taking the festival based on these decisions.

“—Hey, Nagisa-chan, which one are you doing? The two-legged race? Centipede race? Oh, or maybe the relay since you’re so fast?”

“…Anything you’re not in.”

“Muu, why’d you have to say it like that? Come on, it’ll be fun! If you and I team up, we’ll be unstoppable, you know?”

“Unstoppable? My biggest enemy’s standing right next to me.”

“Huh? Next to you? Wait, are you talking about Yama-chan? Oh, come on, Nagisa-chan, you can’t talk about friends like that!”

“…You totally said that on purpose.”

“Ehehe~”

Watching their familiar banter out of the corner of my eye, I head over to the sign-up sheet for the two-legged race and jot down my name. I’ll probably have to join a few other events due to numbers, but as long as I can do the two-legged race with Umi, I’m fine with anything—cavalry battle, tug-of-war, whatever.

“Oh, Maki-kun’s doing the two-legged race too. Planning to team up with Umi for the mixed pairs, huh?”

“Yeah, pretty much. You’re not joining Nagisa-san for it, Yuu-san?”

“Ehehe… I tried inviting her, but Nagisa-chan got all shy on me. Oh, can you write my name down for the relay?”

“Yuu, when did I ever get shy? Oi, Maehara, while you’re at it, put me and Yamashita’s names down for the centipede race.”

“Got it, got it. …So you’re cool with teaming up with Yamashita-san, huh?”

“You say something?”

“Nope, nothing…”

Given Yuu-san and Nagisa-san’s athletic skills, I’d love for them to join more events, but since Yuu-san’s handling the scoreboard and Nagisa-san’s taken on class rep duties, I can’t push them too hard. Plus, there’s cheer squad practice to consider.

“…Hey, Maki-kun.”

“? What’s up, Yuu-san? If there’s another event you want in on, I can add you now.”

“Thanks, yeah. Um, well…”

For a split second, I thought Yuu-san’s finger pointed at the two-legged race, but she seemed to change her mind at the last moment, settling on the centipede race column where Nagisa-san and the others were listed.

“…Centipede race is fine?”

“Y-yeah. I think I wanna team up with Nagisa-chan and Yama-chan after all.”

I glanced at Nagisa-san behind Yuu-san, wondering if she’d object, but she didn’t tsk or pull a sour face, so it seemed fine.

I erased the half-written “Amami Yuu” from the two-legged race column and added her name to the centipede race instead.

“Thanks, Maki-kun. I’ll head back now.”

“? Sure, I’ll…”

For a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of unease on Yuu-san’s face. As I returned to my seat, I kept an eye on her.

“…Tch, stuck on the same team as you again, huh?”

“Oh, come on, Nagisa-san. The class match vibe was kinda rough, but we’re good now, right? We can totally pull this off. Right, Yuu-san?”

“Exactly! Nagisa-chan, we’ll be together for all the practices now, so you won’t get lonely, okay?”

“…Annoying.”

“Hehe, Nagisa-chan’s just being shy~”

“…”

Yuu-san’s usual teasing of Nagisa-san didn’t seem out of the ordinary, but that nagging sense of unease from earlier… was it just my imagination?

Lately—especially since the beach trip—I’ve noticed Yuu-san keeping a subtle distance from me.

Take just now, for example. Normally, she’d jump in with, “I’ll join Maki-kun’s team!” But instead, it’s like she caught herself, backed off with a, “Nah, never mind…” and switched gears abruptly.

It’s not hard to guess she’s trying to be considerate, not wanting to get in the way of me and Umi. But her awkward attempts at distance sometimes create this weird tension.

“…Hey, Yuu.”

“? What’s up, Nagisa-chan?”

“You, uh… nah, forget it.”

“?? Come on, don’t just stop like that! Now I’m super curious!”

“Tch, it’s not a big deal. Just drop it.”

“Muu, Nagisa-chan, you’re so mean~”

Even Nagisa-san—who probably watches Yuu-san the closest (not that she’d admit it)—seems to sense something off about her lately.

And the fact that she notices but doesn’t call it out? That’s so Nagisa-san.

On the surface, Yuu-san acts like nothing’s changed, playing her usual bubbly self with everyone else, but with me, she’s noticeably pulling back.

…This reminds me of something that happened last fall, now that I think about it.

Thanks to Nagisa-san’s pep talk (or rather, her scolding?) during last month’s homeroom, we wrapped up assigning events for the whole class without a hitch. Next up is the general meeting for each team.

Today’s mostly about introductions across grade levels, but to hype everyone up for the practices starting tomorrow, the team leaders—upperclassmen—are clearly fired up.

Some go full sports-club mode, barking orders in loud, strict tones to set a tense vibe. Others, like in different teams, have their leader and deputy doing a comedy routine to lighten the mood and make things fun. It’s fascinating how everyone’s aiming for the same goal—team unity—but their approaches are so distinct.

“—So, due to the team assignments, most of the athletic kids ended up in other groups… but even so, let’s aim to win. I’ll do my part, so I’m counting on all of you. Let’s do this!”

The third-year guy leading the blue team bows nervously. His clear, earnest voice and sincere speech leave a good impression on me, though the first-years don’t seem as sold.

—Yo, that blonde upperclassman in the back is crazy cute, right?

—Second-year Amami-senpai, yeah? She’s something else.

—Hold up, some of the other senpais are kinda cute too… Our team’s got the looks advantage, huh?

As the team leader’s speech wraps up and the deputy takes over, all eyes are on Yuu-san. I don’t know the full scoop lately, but she’s apparently super popular across grades, practically an idol at school.

But this time, our blue team isn’t just about Yuu-san.

—Oh, that’s the rumored vice president… Yeah, he’s unreal.

—That face is too perfect. I haven’t eaten anything, but I’m getting a sugar overload.

—Takizawa-kun… I’m stanning him.

The not-so-subtle girl talk from the first-year line makes Takizawa-kun, standing nearby, give a wry smile.

Thanks to some love advice I gave him last week, we’ve been texting occasionally and gotten a bit closer.

I haven’t heard straight from him about how things are going with Nakamura-san since the haunted house, but I’m rooting for them to work out.

The meeting wraps up with a slightly chaotic vibe, and regular students like me are dismissed for now. Those with roles, like Nagisa-san and Yuu-san, stay behind to handle behind-the-scenes work, steadily prepping for the big day.

“Maki-kun, I’ve got a scoreboard meeting now, so go ahead with Umi and the others. I’ll probably be, like, thirty minutes late at most.”

“Got it. Once we pick a place, I’ll send the map to the group chat.”

“Cool. …Oh, by the way, do you know where Ooyama-kun went? I’ve been looking for him, but I can’t find him.”

“Ooyama-kun? Uh, he was near me earlier…”

I scan the area at Yuu-san’s prompting, but sure enough, I don’t spot the guy with his trademark glasses.

Did he maybe misunderstand something and head home already? I’m starting to panic a bit when—

“…I’m right here, though.”

“Huh?”

A tap on my shoulder makes me turn around, and for a second, I think it’s some random guy… but the voice is familiar.

…No glasses, but yeah, it’s definitely our classmate, Ooyama-kun.

“…Sorry, my glasses frame broke, so I was in the bathroom fixing them… Uh, what’s up with you two?”

“O-oh, that’s what happened. Sorry, Ooyama-kun. You just vanished, so I got worried… Right, Maki-kun?”

“Y-yeah. …Sorry, I didn’t recognize you without the glasses.”

“Haha… Well, take away my glasses, and I’m basically a nobody, so I get it.”

Ooyama-kun’s half-joking self-deprecation leaves me and Yuu-san with nothing but awkward smiles.

I know looks aren’t everything, but I totally relied on his glasses as the easiest way to spot “Ooyama-kun.” Even if we haven’t talked much, he’s still a classmate I share a room with, so I need to do better.

“Anyway, Ooyama-kun, are you okay without your glasses? If you can’t see, I can tell the teacher so you can head home early.”

“Nah, I can see a bit without them. …We’re running late, so let’s get going.”

“Oh, Ooyama-kun, wait up… Sorry, Maki-kun, I’m heading out too.”

“Yeah. …Uh, take care, I guess.”

With a slightly troubled smile, Yuu-san chases after Ooyama-kun toward the scoreboard crew.

It’s not exactly a stellar start, but both Yuu-san and Ooyama-kun are diligent, so I’m sure they’ll handle the work just fine.

After seeing them off, I head to pick up Umi.

Time to dive into my role as today’s star and soak up my seventeenth birthday celebration with everyone.

Umi, Nitta-san, and I head to the nearby shopping district first, picking the least crowded of the three chain karaoke places near the station and paying for a five-person room.

Yuu-san’s running late, and Nozomu’s delayed too—apparently, he’s part of the red team’s cheer squad, which is holding him up by about an hour.

It’s a bit lonely without everyone, but we booked the room for a while, so we can kill time singing until they show up.

…Though singing in front of anyone other than Umi still makes me a little nervous.

“Here, Mr. Class Rep.”

As our three drinks arrive, Nitta-san hands me the mic.

“…Wait, I’m going first?”

“Well, you’re the star of the show today, right? …Hey, Asanagi, is our class rep any good at singing?”

“Yeah. He struggles a bit with high notes, but otherwise, he’s solid… Well, at least when he’s singing for me.”

“Huh. …Guess I’ll record it then.”

“Getting filmed makes me even more nervous… Nitta-san, promise you won’t show this to anyone outside our group, okay?”

“I got you. Come on, time’s wasting—pick a song already.”

“You don’t have to rush me… Alright, let’s go with this one.”

I pick a new track from a group that’s been blowing up on social media lately. When it’s just me and Umi, I’d probably go for anime or game songs right off the bat, but this choice? Chalk it up to the confidence I’ve built from our dates.

“~♪, ~~ , ♪”

I follow the lyrics on the screen, occasionally glancing at the two listening to me.

Umi’s watching me with her usual warm smile, clapping along, while Nitta-san’s playfully tossing in comments between verses, recording me without ever mocking my singing.

It’s a small thing, but their different personalities shine through in moments like this. They’re both so genuinely kind in their own ways, and it’s fun to see.

Seeing them enjoy themselves makes me happy, and I can feel my mood lifting higher and higher. Am I hyped? Pumped? I don’t know, but I’m definitely feeling it.

“Not bad, Class Rep. Your voice is actually pretty decent. Alright, sending this to Yuu-chin.”

“Phew, Maki did great, so now it’s my turn as his girlfriend. What do you want, Maki? Pick a song you like, and I’ll sing anything for you.”

“Uh… how about this one?”

The last time we all went karaoke was for the class match afterparty, but gathering like this to sing is such a nice change of pace. Sure, Umi and I go just the two of us sometimes, but those sessions tend to shift from “singing” to “flirting” pretty quick, so for pure singing fun, this group vibe might be better.

…Though, of course, cozying up with my favorite girl in a dim, private room has its own irreplaceable charm.

After each of us—me, Umi, then Nitta-san—sings a song, we’re debating the next pick when Yuu-san walks in.

“—Ehehe, sorry for the wait, guys! I took a little detour and got held up. …Maki-kun, here you go.”

“Oh… is this a cake?”

“Yup! Ehehe, I told them it’s my friend’s birthday, and they threw in a message for free. Look, check it out!”

The three of us peer into the white box, and there it is:

Happy Birthday, Maki-kun!

Written in white chocolate on a chocolate plaque. It feels a bit childish for a high schooler, and yeah, it’s kinda embarrassing, but this is my first time being celebrated like this by anyone outside my family, so the joy and gratitude easily outweigh the awkwardness.

A little later, Nozomu joins us after wrapping up cheer squad practice, and the five of us dive into our usual “thing.”

In the soundproof safety of the karaoke room, the other four belt out an obnoxiously loud Happy Birthday.

“Maki, come on, blow ’em out in one go. Pfft, like this.”

“Happy birthday, Maki-kun!”

“Congrats, Class Rep. Keep being you, yeah?”

“Happy birthday, Maki. You’ve got my back next, right?”

Each of them gives me a playful pat on the back, and I blow out the candles on the cake with one big pfft.

A grin spreads across my face without me even realizing it.

I want to tell last year’s me—the lonely, sulky kid who thought he could get by just fine without friends or a girlfriend, holed up all alone:

Look at you now, man. Your friends and girlfriend are celebrating your birthday with you.

“Hehe, the cake was great, but the fun’s not over yet. …Nina-chin, you didn’t forget to bring it, right?”

“Duh, of course not. …Here, Class Rep. A little thank-you for always having our backs.”

“! Wait, is this…?”

“It’s your birthday, right? So, you know, it’s that kinda thing.”

“Exactly! Maki-kun, from me too—here’s your birthday present!”

One after another, they hand me neatly wrapped gift bags.

I’m pretty sure these are from shops in the station’s department store.

The cake alone was more than enough, but getting presents too? I’ve gotta make sure to return the favor properly for Nitta-san and Nozomu’s birthdays.

Inside, I find T-shirts from Yuu-san and Nitta-san, and a sports cap from Nozomu. I can practically hear the message loud and clear: Get a little more stylish, dude. I’m gonna use this as a chance to study up on age-appropriate fashion, moving beyond my function-only wardrobe.

“Huh? Umi, you’re not giving Maki-kun a present? It’s in your bag, right?”

“Yeah, it is, but… there’s a reason I can’t give it yet. It’s still in progress, kinda.”

“?? A present that needs prep?”

“Yup. It’s, like, ninety percent done, though.”

“““…?”””

Umi’s vague dodge makes the other three tilt their heads in confusion.

What Umi’s planning to give me… I’ve got a rough idea, since Mom, who’s in on it, filled me in a bit.

For now, all I can do is keep this birthday party full of smiles.

That’s gotta be the best way to make Umi happy when she finally hands over her gift.

Three hours of singing and goofing off with the usual five fly by in no time, wrapping up the first half of my birthday celebration.

Talking, singing—when was the last time I used my throat this much? As the star of the day, I went all out to match everyone’s festive vibe, so by the time we leave the place, I’m pretty wiped.

I got carried away, not thinking about tomorrow, matching everyone’s energy, but I don’t regret a thing.

It was that fun of a day for me.

…But the real main event starts when I get home.

“See ya, Umi, Maki-kun. Catch you at school tomorrow!”

“Don’t go too wild, you lovebirds~ We’ve got practice tomorrow morning, so don’t burn yourselves out completely~”

“Wishing you two all the happiness.”

Teased relentlessly until the very end, Umi and I part ways with Yuu-san and the others and head to my part-time job spot, Pizza Rocket.

We’d originally planned to cook something fancy together, but the karaoke session got way more hyped than expected, so we decided to rely on the usual spot instead.

“Hello!”

“Welcome—oh, hey, Maki! How was karaoke with your friends?”

“Had a blast, thanks. …Sorry, Emi-senpai, for making you cover my shift on such short notice.”

“It’s my cute kouhai’s birthday, so this is nothing. …So, what’s your order? Free food might make the manager cry, but I can swing a half-off discount.”

“Thanks a ton.”

Umi and I take our time at the table, discussing what we’re craving and ordering as much as we want. On a normal weekend night, we’d stick to a sensible budget, but today’s special.

Tons of chicken, a pizza loaded with cheese and garlic, and even dessert to top it off… We’re refueling all the calories we burned at karaoke and then some, gearing up for tomorrow.

…I might’ve gone a bit overboard with the garlic, considering tomorrow, but I’ll just keep a polite distance during conversations to be safe.

With Umi, though, I’m sticking close as always.

“Here’s your order! That should be everything, but let me know if you need anything else. Oh, and Umi-chan, got a sec?”

“Huh? Me?”

“Yup. Just a little advice from your senpai… Mind lending me your ear?”

Emi-senpai leans over the counter, whispering something to Umi, and in an instant, Umi’s cheeks flush bright red.

“—And that’s the advice from your big sis. Umi-chan, give it your all tonight. I’m rooting for you.”

“Ugh, Nakada-san, come on… Maki, let’s head home quick.”

“Uh, yeah…”

We say goodbye to Emi-senpai, who’s grinning and waving, and start the walk home.

She probably slipped Umi some unnecessary advice again… Emi-senpai’s usually a dependable, cool older sister, but when it comes to romance, her (way too detailed) knowledge can be a handful.

She’s such a great talker and listener that I end up spilling personal stuff without meaning to. I’ll have to be more careful from now on.

“Maki, I’m gonna do some laundry before dinner, so go change first. I’ll change after you’re done.”

“Cool, I’ll go first… Wait, hold up.”

“What? Want me to change first? Or, oh, no spare clothes today? The laundry’s piling up a bit.”

“No, it’s not about the order, and there’s plenty of Mom’s clothes, so we’re fine… Umi, you’re really planning to make yourself at home, huh?”

“Yup. I’m staying over at your place tonight, after all. Oh, and I got proper permission from your mom! She said, ‘It’s Maki’s birthday, so just for today, it’s fine.’ And of course, I checked with Auntie Masaki too. Ahem.”

“Your planning skills are terrifying as always…”

I’ll admit, I was secretly hoping we’d get to spend the whole night together, but I didn’t expect things to fall into place this smoothly.

Throughout our relationship, we’ve had a few (rationally speaking) close calls, but we’ve managed to keep things pure and avoid crossing any lines.

…And yeah, I know I’ll have to hold back a lot tonight too.

Before changing, I text Umi’s mom, Sora-san, to thank her and promise to safely walk Umi home early tomorrow morning, plus join them for breakfast. Then I slip into the T-shirt I got as a gift, while Umi changes into one of my oversized sleep shirts and a pair of shorts.

“! Maki, that T-shirt… Is that the one from Yuu?”

“Yeah. Nitta-san’s is so stylish, it feels like a waste to use it as loungewear. …This one’s more of a cozy, home vibe.”

I noticed it right away—the character on the left chest is almost identical to the bear plushie I gave Yuu last month.

Stylish? Maybe not, but the fit and comfort are perfect, and I can already tell it’s gonna be a favorite.

It’s like a thank-you for last month, picked with real thought for how I’d use it. I almost feel bad for how much care went into it.

Same goes for the gifts from Nitta-san and Nozomu, of course.

“…Hey, Maki, you might spill food on it during dinner. Maybe just try it on for now? It’d suck to stain it the day you got it—Yuu would be bummed.”

“You think? Yeah, maybe… Alright, I’ll match you with one of my old ones. Those can get as dirty as they want.”

“The one with all those Tabasco stains, huh?”

“Yeah. I tried hard, but some of those stains just wouldn’t bleach out…”

To me, a T-shirt’s meant to be worn, but Umi’s reaction seemed off, so I decided not to argue and just change.

…Maybe she thought it didn’t look good on me? But normally, Umi would just roll her eyes and tease me about looking “lame” without pushing me to change.

Whatever. If Umi’s even slightly against it, I’ll respect her feelings and go along with it.

…Sorry to Yuu-san, who gave it to me, though.

Shaking it off, I settle into my usual clothes and join Umi for a late dinner.

It’s been about thirty minutes since we brought the food home, but since it was made fresh, the pizza’s still plenty warm.

We reheat the chicken and fries in the toaster oven, grab some ice-cold glasses from the freezer, and pour in heaps of ice and cola.

“Maki, happy birthday. Cheers.”

“Thanks, Umi. …Cheers.”

The soft clink of our glasses echoes in the quiet room.

The karaoke with friends earlier was awesome, but in the end, this familiar routine is what calms me most.

Greasy, flavor-packed food and fizzy soda to wash it all down.

And right in front of me, my amazing girlfriend, smiling at me so gently.

When you think about it, this is where we started.

“Maki, how’s the pizza from your work? Tasty~?”

“Yeah. …Umi, how long are you gonna keep filming me with your phone? The cheese is gonna harden.”

“Oh, right. …Okay, open wide~”

“Oh, I’m feeding you? Alright, here—open wide~”

“Mmph… Hehe, thanks, Maki. My turn—here you go~”

At the beach last week, we held back because of all the eyes on us, but now it’s just the two of us, and with Mom not coming home tonight (weird for a non-weekend, but whatever), there’s no need to hold back.

I’ll probably cringe so hard remembering this later, but ever since we started dating, we can’t resist these playful moments every now and then.

“Alright, now that we’ve eaten a bit, it’s time for the main event: present time!”

“Finally, huh? Umi, you all set with the prep?”

“Yup. I’ll add the video I took earlier later on.”

With that, Umi pulls out a familiar, worn photo album from her school bag—and no wonder it’s familiar; it’s the real deal, the Maehara family album filled with pictures from my childhood.

It stopped being updated sometime after I was a kid, and last Christmas, we added a family photo with everyone, marking its end… or so I thought.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks. …Can I look inside?”

“Of course. That’s what albums are for.”

“…True.”

Just like last year, I start flipping through from the first page, taking my time.

A newborn me, sleeping soundly in Mom’s arms.

Three-year-old me, straddling a toy car, laughing happily with Dad (noted in marker outside the frame).

I don’t remember much of it, but every single one is a precious memory.

I can’t help but get a little sentimental thinking back, but this is just the warm-up.

Umi’s real gift starts now.

The first surprise is on a page that should’ve been blank, right after we stopped taking photos.

“? Wait, this… This is me in middle school, right?”

“Yup. Auntie Masaki had some data left on her old phone, so I got them printed. Oh, and there’s one from your elementary graduation too. Look, here.”

“Mom said she didn’t have any left…”

Filling in the blank years, there I am in front of my old school’s gate, dressed up for the occasion.

Back then, I was super self-conscious about my plain looks and avoided photos unless I absolutely had to, like for group shots. This one, I think, was taken reluctantly after Mom begged me, with the condition it’d only stay on her phone. Proof? I’m looking slightly away from the camera, embarrassed, while Mom’s got her arm around my shoulder.

There are others too—Mom secretly snapping shots of me.

Me, passed out on the couch in my uniform after enrollment day, or diligently doing chores in the morning for Mom when she was swamped with work… Some are pretty recent, even.

“So, Maki, what do you think?”

“…I’m gonna try looking at the camera more from now on.”

“Hehe, yeah. I bet Auntie Masaki would love that. My mom’s the same—parents just love seeing their kids grow up, you know?”

I’ve seen the Asanagi family albums, and they’ve got volumes upon volumes, way more than ours.

If I’d been a bit more open, would Mom have gone all out like Sora-san, eagerly documenting my growth?

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I turn to the next page.

Now it’s from last Christmas to today—this is Umi’s gift.

I hadn’t realized, but since we started dating, we’ve taken a ton of photos together.

Our first Christmas as a couple, the four of us at the shrine for New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, White Day, Umi’s birthday, the class match, and even Umi’s trip back home—most are of me and Umi together, but there’s one with just me and Nozomu, or me at work with Emi-senpai, Riku-san, and Shizuku-san. It’s clear Umi gathered these from a bunch of people.

She’s been planning this for a long time.

“Wow, looking at all these, I almost seem like a normie.”

“Hehe, normie or not, your life’s pretty full right now, isn’t it? I mean, look—you’ve got this super cute girlfriend right here.”

“True. If I said my life wasn’t full with you, I’d probably get struck by lightning.”

The photos are arranged in chronological order, and as I flip through, I can see myself getting more comfortable in front of the camera.

Early on, I still had my old habits—frowning slightly or looking stiff—but those fade, and in the recent ones, I’m smiling naturally, cheek-to-cheek with my girlfriend in a candid moment.

…This guy looks genuinely happy, huh.

Seeing myself in these photos almost feels like looking at a different person.

“Mom’s been snapping pics of me, but you’ve been taking a lot too, huh, Umi?”

“Well, yeah. Taking them together is great, but there’s a side of you I only see when you’re sleeping or totally focused on something. …Every part of you is wonderful, Maki.”

“…Thanks.”

Umi’s photos make me realize I can make expressions like that.

I used to think I was different from everyone else. Moving around because of my parents’ jobs, never quite fitting into new classes… I thought I’d live this slightly off-kilter life forever.

But that’s not how it turned out.

—Because I made friends.

In that moment, the feelings I’d been holding back burst free.

“…Maki, here, a handkerchief. Want me to help you wipe your face?”

“It’s not that bad… But thanks.”

Taking the blue shark-patterned handkerchief from Umi, I catch a faint whiff of her scent as I wipe my tears.

I really love Umi’s scent. Just having her near calms my nerves and soothes my overwhelming emotions.

“Happy birthday again, Maehara Maki-kun. …From now on, let me stay by your side, watching over you always.”

“Yeah. If you’re okay with a guy like me, I’d love that.”

As my tears settle, a warm feeling spreads through my chest.

Before I know it, we’re pressed close, bodies snug against each other.

“Hey, Umi.”

“It’s okay. …Come here.”

“Yeah. …You’re not gonna tease me today, huh?”

“Well, it’s your birthday. I’ll let you be as clingy as you want.”

“How clingy is ‘as you want’?”

“Hehe, who knows~?”

“Oh, there’s the teasing.”

“Haha, sorry, sorry. You’re just too cute, I couldn’t help it.”

Like a baby clinging to their mom, I bury my face in Umi’s chest, and she wraps me in a gentle hug, stroking my head softly.

It’s a side of us we’d never show friends or family. Our little secret.

Umi’s always soft on me, but in this moment, she’s indulging my hopeless side even more.

“…I wanna stay like this forever. I wanna skip practice tomorrow.”

“If that’s what you really want, I’m down. We can ditch practice and just laze around at your place all day.”

“That sounds amazing… Umi, as long as I have you, I don’t need anything else. I just want you.”

“Ooh, someone’s extra greedy today. But if you’re saying you’d be mine and mine alone, I’m totally okay with that.”

We’ve got enough sense not to actually skip school or run off together, but here, in our private world, we can say whatever we want.

We vent our weaknesses, lean on each other, and in doing so, find the strength to face the next day.

That’s how we roll as a couple.

“…Phew.”

“Maki, you good?”

“I’d love to cling a bit longer, but… we’ve still got dessert to eat.”

“Dessert… naughty.”

“Why does your mind always go there…? I mean, I’m not not thinking about it, since it’s my birthday and all.”

“Hehe, true. It’s your once-a-year birthday. …So, what do you want to start with?”

“…Uh.”

Being asked point-blank makes my face heat up like it’s on fire.

I bet today, of all days, she’d probably do almost anything I ask… but there’s still a line, you know?

“Come on, don’t get shy now. I’m putting in effort here too.”

“Y-yeah, sorry. …Okay, uh, how about we take a bath together…?”

“Ugh… O-okay. We couldn’t do it at the hot springs last time, but today, I’ll even wash your back. …And, uh, if you want, I could do the front too…”

“Th-that’s… I’ll pass, thanks…”

“You totally hesitated! …Well, we’ll play it by ear, then.”

“Y-yeah, sounds good…”

Umi’s heartfelt “present” already has me over the moon, but it seems my birthday celebration’s got a little more in store.

…Gotta pace myself so I don’t crash and burn for tomorrow.

The next day, after surviving (barely?) my birthday, I’m greeted by the scorching summer sun beating down mercilessly.

I thought I was prepared, but stepping onto the field makes my resolve wilt, and I’m already craving the shady school building.

“Ugh, this sucks~… It’s stupid hot, and everyone’s just swarming around… Yuu-chin, let me hide behind you.”

“I don’t think that’ll help much… Right, Umi?”

“Yeah, same. But, uh, Yuu, can you maybe not cling to me? It’s already hot enough.”

“Whaaat?”

“No ‘whaaat.’”

“…Says the girl who’s glued to Maki-kun.”

“…Maki’s special, so it’s fine.”

We’re in different classes, but for the sports festival, we’re on the same team, so outside of event-specific practice, the four of us will be hanging out together for a while.

Rocking our blue headbands for the sports festival, we gear up for practice and next month’s big day.

My eyes drift to Umi’s profile beside me.

With her vibrant blue headband and serious expression in her gym clothes… yeah, Umi looks good in anything.

Like during the class match, her hair’s tied back, but it seems a tad longer now.

“? What’s up, Maki?”

“Oh, uh, just noticed your hair’s gotten a bit longer…”

“You can tell? Ehehe, I thought I’d let it grow out a bit for a change. Not super long, though. …You prefer it short?”

“I don’t have a strong preference, but if I had to pick… maybe longer?”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“Well, your hair’s so pretty, and it’s got no weird kinks or anything.”

As I say it, I naturally reach out, gently brushing her bangs with a soft touch.

Lately, when we’re alone and messing around, we’ve been playing with each other’s hair a lot. I love touching Umi’s—it’s always so smooth and glossy, even if it gets overshadowed with Yuu-san around.

Sure, maybe I only think that because she’s my favorite girl, but from head to toe, there’s not a single thing about Umi that needs fixing. To me, she’s the most beautiful, the cutest, right now.

Body and soul.

“M-Maki, uh…”

“Huh?”

“Could you, like, let go of my hair soon…?”

“…Oh.”

I got carried away, touching her like I do when we’re alone, forgetting we’re in public.

The same gentle, adoring touch I used last night when we were in bed together. Right in front of two people who don’t know the details.

“…Wait, did you two seriously stay up all night even with practice today—?”

“No way! Okay, yeah, we slept in the same bed at Maki’s place, and sure, there was some stuff, but it was special ’cause it was his birthday—!”

“Umi, chill. You’re about to spill everything.”

“Oh…”

“Heh, you two are so naughty…”

“Yuu… It’s not like that, okay? So please don’t keep your distance all weird.”

Still, they’ve figured out Umi and I haven’t been apart since last night, so I’m bracing for a morning full of their questions.

…I haven’t even moved yet, but I’m already sweating buckets.

Since it’s the first day of practice, each team’s focusing on cheer routines. The upperclassmen have already set the plan, and we’re handed lyric sheets for the cheer song (a parody of a popular track) we’ll sing during the cheer battle.

“We’ve made panels for the cheer battle, so come grab yours~ Oh, and check the number on the back’s top right—take the one matching your attendance number.”

“…Heavy.”

Yamashita-san, who’s on props, and Nagisa-san, who’s apparently helping, lug in a big cardboard box. The panels are made of thick paper, but for a whole class, it’s no light load.

Apparently, we’ll use the panels to create pictures or words during the cheer song.

“Each number has a different color panel, so don’t just copy the person next to you—it won’t work. We’re going hard even in practice, so be ready.”

Looks like Nagisa-san’s taking charge of the blue team’s practice, glaring with her usual intimidating face. I knew she takes this stuff seriously, but her no-nonsense attitude, even toward upperclassmen, is so her.

—Yo, Nagisa-senpai’s legit cool, right?

—Totally! That lone-wolf vibe is so aspirational~

“…Oi, you first-years. Save the chatter for breaks.”

““Yes, sorry, senpai!””

Surprisingly, Nagisa-san’s got a secret fanbase among the first-year girls.

To me, she’s still a bit unapproachable, but to the younger kids, her “scary” vibe might come off as “reliable” instead.

I don’t know who decided it, but she’s perfect for wrangling a mixed group of upper and lowerclassmen.

I think I caught Nakamura-san winking at me, but… probably my imagination.

Anyway, with Nagisa-san going all out, I’ve gotta step up too and keep the complaints to a minimum.

“Maki, let’s give it our all today.”

“Yeah. …Uh, please go easy on me this afternoon.”

“Hehe, we’ll see~ I’ll make sure we avoid injuries, at least.”

“The way you said that makes me worry about everything else…”

Thanks to the seating arrangement—or maybe just luck—Umi’s right behind me, so I should be able to stay focused through the morning cheer practice.

This afternoon, we’ve got two-legged race practice together, so I need to save some energy for that.

Nagisa-san totally caught our little exchange but let it slide with just a tsk, thankfully.

…We’ll have to be more discreet when we flirt in the future.

“—Alright, that’s it for today’s cheer practice. There’s still time until the real thing, but memorize it before the next session.”

With taskmaster Nagisa-san’s slightly unreasonable orders, we wrap up the morning and break for lunch.

As Umi and I discussed, the afternoon shifts from group practice to individual event training.

I’ve been lazing around at home since the beach trip, so I need to whip my rusty body back into shape. But first, food.

“Phew, it’s hot and I’m starving… Yuu-chin, let’s hit the cafeteria or the shop quick. What about the lovebirds? Eating a cute homemade lunch together? Bet you made it this morning, huh?”

“Nina, come on… No, with this heat, a bento might spoil, so Mom gave me lunch money today. Right?”

“Yeah. …And somehow mine too.”

As promised, I walked Umi home early this morning and had breakfast at the Asanagi house, where the lunch money topic came up. For some reason, Sora-san gave me some too.

I tried to refuse, but she said it was “thanks for always looking after my daughter on weekends,” so I accepted just one 500-yen coin.

According to Umi, “Since Aniki left, Mom’s been lonely without someone to spoil.” I’m starting to feel like I’m becoming part of the Asanagi family.

…Not that I mind. I love everyone in the Asanagi family, Umi included, and part of me wouldn’t mind officially joining them.

The day I call Sora-san and Daichi-san “Mom” and “Dad” might not be far off.

“You two are just too perfect together… Alright, cafeteria it is, all four of us.”

“Oh, sorry, Nina-chin, but I’ve gotta…”

“Huh? What’s up, Yuu-chin? …Oh, scoreboard stuff?”

“Ehehe… Yeah. We actually started working on it a couple days ago. I’m in charge of the blue team’s design this year.”

“Design? So, like, you’re the head honcho?”

“Yup. Well, the upperclassmen are helping too, of course, but I’m definitely leading the charge.”

Yuu-san’s art skills were undeniable at the cultural festival, and it seems the upperclassmen agree.

According to Umi, Yuu-san’s been sketching in her free time since the festival, honing her craft even more.

“That’s awesome, but… Yuu, you’re not being forced into this, right? It’s not just ’cause you’re good at art that you’re stuck doing it unwillingly, is it?”

“Hehe, you’re such a worrier, Umi. It’s fine—I asked to do it because I wanted to go all out for once. Nagisa-chan and Yama-chan are working hard, so I can’t slack off either. I’m pumped this year!”

Yuu-san flashes a bright smile, flexing her arm like she’s showing off her strength.

If this is what Yuu-san wants, we don’t need to butt in. All we can do is cheer her on and support her efforts.

“So, Amami Yuu is off to work! …See you this afternoon, Umi.”

“Yup. Good luck, Yuu.”

“Ehehe, thanks. Pet me lots when I’m done, okay?”

With that, Yuu-san heads off alone to the gym’s backstage area for scoreboard work.

Until the sports festival’s over next month, moments like this—where one or two of us split off—will probably happen more often. It’s a little lonely for me, but we just have to tough it out until then.

…Well, I’ve got Umi, so it’s not that big a deal.

Shaking it off, Umi, Nitta-san, and I head to the cafeteria.

As expected, everyone’s got the same idea, and the place is packed to the brim. We could grab bread or onigiri from the shop, but during lunch, I’d rather stay in the air-conditioned cafeteria.

The classrooms are empty, so the AC’s off there.

“Looks like it’s gonna stay full until lunch break’s over. Class Rep, know any good spots? Like the rooftop or a secret teacher’s lounge? Somewhere cool but not too humid.”

“…Sadly, no. If humid’s okay, I’ve got plenty of spots.”

“You’ve got spots, huh? …But sneaking around like that feels kinda off.”

Like the cultural festival, the campus is buzzing with event prep, so our options are limited.

While we’re scouting for a seat before ordering, I catch a figure waving at us from the corner of my eye.

“—Senpai, Maehara-senpai!”

“Oh? Takizawa-kun?”

“Looking for a seat? Come on over—we’ve got some saved.”

Flashing a bright smile our way is Takizawa-kun. Even in the noisy, crowded cafeteria, his voice cuts through, and his presence is impossible to miss.

“Takizawa-kun’s offering, so what do you think?”

“Looks like every other spot’s taken, so why not? …Nina, why’re you suddenly hiding behind me?”

“Just… got caught off guard, that’s all. No objections here, obviously.”

“Really? Alright, Maki, we’re good with it.”

“Cool. Let’s take him up on it then.”

Nitta-san’s acting a bit weird, but with no other seats available, we head to the four-person table at the edge of the cafeteria.

“Been a while. Last time we hung out was the beach trip, right? Thanks for everything back then.”

“No, thank you… But seriously, is it okay for us to sit here? Aren’t you waiting for other student council folks?”

“That was the plan, but the rest of the team’s swamped… So don’t worry about it, really.”

There’s a small “Student Council Priority” sticker on the table, which probably explains why other students avoided it.

Being buddies with the student council has its perks, like snagging little advantages like this.

“Thanks for the hard work. Uh, is Amami-senpai not with you…?”

“Yuu’s got scoreboard duties, so she’s off on her own. …Speaking of, you’re not with Nakamura-san?”

“Haha… I did invite her this morning, but she just said, ‘I’ll come if I can.’”

“…Oof.”

Nakamura-san’s on our team, so we were together for morning practice, and she seemed totally normal—no complaints to Umi about sports festival stuff or anything.

She’s her usual breezy self with us, but when it comes to Takizawa-kun, it’s like she flips a switch.

“Takizawa-kun, about what happened after…”

“…Let’s order first. It’s a priority seat, but we shouldn’t hog it too long.”

Umi and Nitta-san hold the table while Takizawa-kun and I go buy food tickets for the four of us. The place is packed, but most people are caught up in their own conversations, so if we keep our voices low, no one’s likely to overhear.

“Uh, Maehara-senpai.”

“…Yeah?”

“I confessed to Mio-senpai.”

“…Whoa. When?”

“After we got back from the villa, when we split up at Nitori-senpai’s place. We were chatting about the fireworks, the haunted house, all the stuff from those two days… and I just went for it, kinda out of nowhere.”

Looks like Takizawa-kun followed through on our advice and took the plunge.

…Which is great, but.

“So, uh, how’d it go…?”

“Well, I confessed, but she bolted right after.”

“Like… without answering?”

“Yup. …Her face went bright red, and then she sprinted off. And that’s where we’re at. She talks to me normally during work or when other student council folks are around, though.”

“Hmm, doesn’t sound like a bad reaction, at least…”

Whatever the case, Takizawa-kun took a bold step forward. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for Nakamura-san to respond.

Blushing at a straightforward confession from a younger guy and running off in embarrassment… Nakamura-san’s usually so elusive and hard to pin down, but like she showed at the haunted house, she’s got a cute side too.

“Alright, I get the situation. Umi and the others will probably poke around subtly, so for now, focus on your student council stuff, Takizawa-kun.”

“…Sorry for dragging you into all this, senpai.”

“Hey, I’m already in deep, so I might as well see it through and meddle to the end.”

Takizawa-kun’s super polite and respectful, which probably makes it look like I’m lording my senpai status over him from the outside.

Height, athleticism, looks, communication skills, popularity—you name it, he’s got me beat in almost every way except age. Seeing him bow to me like this must be a shocking sight for some people.

Naturally, I catch whispers from other classes and grades, but that’s just background noise to me.

I don’t care about the chatter—I just need to listen to the voices of the people who care about me.

“Takizawa-kun, daily lunch—option A or B?”

“Hmm, afternoon’s mostly event practice, so it’ll be tough. Let’s go with the heartier one… Huh?”

Just as it’s almost our turn, Takizawa-kun suddenly turns to look behind him.

His usual cheerful expression shifts to a sharp, searching one, scanning the area like he’s looking for something.

“…Takizawa-kun, something wrong?”

“! Oh, no, I thought someone called me… If you didn’t hear it, senpai, maybe I imagined it. Did you hear anything?”

“? Nah, nothing…”

I glance around, but the cafeteria’s just its usual chaotic self, voices blending into a hum.

If Takizawa-kun’s on edge, it might be tied to Nakamura-san, but for now, we grab our tickets and head back to the table.

I strain my ears again, but nothing seems out of the ordinary.

Surrounded by popular kids like Amami-san and Takizawa-kun, there’s this unremarkable, plain guy—that’s the gist of the chatter I pick up.

“…Right. Guess it was just my imagination, senpai. Forget I said anything. …So, about the daily lunch—think I’ll go with B. The Napolitan and omuhayashi set.”

“Nice choice. I’ll get the same, then.”

Brushing it off, we grab everyone’s orders and weave through the bustling cafeteria, heading back to where Umi and the others are waiting.

“…Yeah, nothing seems off, I guess.”

Just to be safe, I tune into the surrounding voices, but the topic’s already shifted—nobody’s talking about me or Takizawa-kun anymore.

I have no clue what Takizawa-kun thought he heard, but I’d really prefer if nothing else crops up.

After lunch, we head back to the field, and as planned, practice splits into groups for each event.

I’d love to say I’ll be practicing with Umi the whole time… but first, we need to officially sign up as a mixed-gender pair for the two-legged race and get approved.

Honestly, we’re probably the only duo eager enough to jump up and declare, “We want to compete as a mixed pair!” so it should go smoothly… or so I thought.

“…Oh, Takizawa-kun’s doing the two-legged race too, huh.”

“Yeah. I was originally only supposed to run in the relay because of student council duties, but… we were short on numbers, so I had to double up.”

Apparently, Takizawa-kun’s class has fewer guys compared to others, so he had no choice but to join.

Having Takizawa-kun on the team is reassuring, but the real surprise was the other member.

“…Hmph.”

“Nakamura-san, what’re you doing all by yourself? Come on, join us over here.”

“Asanagi-chan… nah, I’m good…”

In the two-legged race, where each class needs at least two participants, it’s Umi, me, and—surprise—Nakamura-san from Class 11.

Keeping a slight distance from me, Umi, and Takizawa-kun, Nakamura-san’s staring at us intently.

If she wants to talk, she could just come over like usual, no need to hold back… Is she that curious about the underclassman standing next to us?

“So frustrating… Nakamura-san, come on, hurry up.”

“H-hey, Asanagi-chan, hold on—!”

Umi grabs the hand of a fidgeting Nakamura-san—unusually shy for her—and practically drags her into our circle.

In that moment, I notice the student council duo’s eyes meet.

“H-hey, Mio-senpai.”

“Souji… uh, yeah, hey.”

…What an awkward vibe they’re giving off.

With the recent confession, it’s no wonder things feel a bit strained, but this level of awkwardness? Even Umi and I weren’t this bad back in the day.

Watching them up close, I can’t help but want to meddle. I totally get how Umi felt now.

“Anyway, Souji, slacking off like this—don’t you have work to do? Mochi was crying, ‘It’s so busy!’ earlier.”

“I’ll apologize to Mochizuki-san later… But you’re one to talk, Mio-senpai, dodging like that.”

“Ugh…”

Nakamura-san lets out a groan at Takizawa-kun’s quiet jab.

That one hit hard, apparently.

“W-well, that’s because you just blurted out something like that out of nowhere…”

“Something like that? What’s that supposed to mean? Did I say something to you, senpai?”

“Urgh… Y-you, talking back to me, the student council president? What a cheeky guy…”

While the third-year in charge explains the upcoming practice, the president and vice president—supposed to be role models—are bickering under their breath, completely ignoring the briefing.

It could look like a fight, but to Umi and me, who know their dynamic, it’s just playful teasing.

Not a fight—more like a gentle nip.

…How are they still hesitating to date in this state?

“—Alright, we’ll now assign pairs. If you’ve already decided…”

“Yes, mixed-gender pair!”

While those two are caught up in their banter, Umi and I shoot our hands up first. Declaring a mixed-gender pair feels a bit like announcing we’re a couple, which is slightly embarrassing, but it’s the only way to ensure we race together.

Our enthusiasm draws chuckles from the other members.

It wasn’t intentional, but the atmosphere instantly lightens up.

“Got it. If there are no other volunteers, the mixed-gender two-legged race will go to the Maehara-Asanagi pair—”

“…Hold on a second.”

Just as it seems settled, one hand goes up.

Standing with perfect posture, arm raised high, is Takizawa-kun.

“Huh? Souji, what are you…?”

“Well, since this is the first public event since the new student council was formed, I thought we council members should take the lead in hyping things up… So, senpai, let’s race together.”

“W-what!?”

Caught completely off guard, Nakamura-san’s cheeks flush faintly.

The sudden “hold up” after it seemed Umi and I had it in the bag draws everyone’s eyes to us.

—Wait, what’s going on here?

—Dunno. Doesn’t feel like a love triangle or anything…

—I thought they were just close, but are the president and vice president actually dating?

Takizawa-kun, standing firm against Umi and me, and Nakamura-san, blushing and fidgeting behind him, are prime gossip fodder.

“—Umi, Maki-kun.”

“! Yuu.”

“Amami-san, what’s up? Aren’t you at relay practice?”

“Ehehe, it sounded lively over here, so I got curious… So, is this about some drama with the pair assignments?”

“Yeah. Umi and I volunteered for the mixed-gender pair, but… Takizawa-kun wants to race with Nakamura-san.”

“Oh… right, only one mixed-gender pair can compete, huh.”

Ideally, everyone could race with their preferred partner, but with the rules set, we’ll have to sort this out somehow.

…In a way that’s fair and satisfies everyone.

“Umi, what do we do?”

“Knowing their situation, I’d love to let them have it, but… I already asked Mom to take pictures of us racing together, and she’s super excited, saying yes without hesitation.”

“That’s some fast planning… Well, I feel the same as you.”

Even for our kouhai, there are things we can’t give up.

We might not match them in athletic ability, but when it comes to passion and compatibility, Umi and I won’t lose to anyone.

“Takizawa-kun.”

“Yes?”

“Just to be clear, you’re not backing down, right?”

“I’m sorry for cutting in like this, but… yeah. I’ve got next year, but this is my only chance to run with Mio-senpai in the sports festival.”

Since it’s held every other year, this is the only sports festival for both me and Takizawa-kun, a first-year, to race with the person we like.

Umi and I are stubborn, and this time, Takizawa-kun seems just as determined.

Normally, we’d settle this through discussion, but if that’s not working…

“…How about rock-paper-scissors?”

“…Yeah.”

Figures it’d come to this.

“Rock-paper-scissors…? Maki-kun, you’re okay leaving it to luck like that? I thought it’d be more like, ‘Let’s see whose love is stronger!’ or something…”

“Love… you mean a test of skill? Sure, like you said, Yuu, that’d give a clearer result with less bad blood. Umi and I could handle it, but this time, someone might throw the match on purpose. Right, Nakamura-san?”

“Wha… W-what’re you talking about… phew, fwee…”

“Mio-senpai, were you always that bad at whistling…?”

A fair competition would be ideal, but judging by Nakamura-san’s painfully obvious panic, it’d be too unfair to Takizawa-kun.

Sure, rock-paper-scissors has its own mind games, but fundamentally, it’s fair for everyone.

“Mio-senpai, if I win, you’ll race with me, right?”

“…Ugh, fine, I get it. If you’re that obsessed with my flat chest, I’ll let you have it all you want.”

“Is the two-legged race that kind of event…?”

With the matter settled, we check with the upperclassman in charge, then the four of us step away from the group to a corner of the field. Yuu-san, technically an outsider but here for the drama, tags along.

“Geez, bringing personal feelings into a serious sports festival… I’ve thought this since the haunted house, but are you that desperate to hook me up with Souji? Even pulling that cheesy act to make me jealous.”

“Oh, you totally saw through it, huh.”

“Obviously! …Well, I was a bit too flustered to think straight back then, and my head was all steamed up for days.”

We didn’t meddle for kicks, but Nakamura-san had her own reasons, trying to avoid a confession or at least delay her response as long as possible.

“Maybe not the place for this, but… Nakamura-san.”

“…Yeah?”

“Let me ask again—how do you feel about Takizawa-kun?”

“Feel… in what way?”

“As a guy. Do you actually see him that way?”

“Wow, straight to the point… Fine, fine, I get it.”

With a resigned shrug, Nakamura-san mumbles under her breath.

“…I like him. As a guy, for real. There, happy now, Souji?”

“Senpai… Yes, thank you. Really.”

For the first time, Nakamura-san voices her honest feelings in front of Takizawa-kun.

Looks like she’s finally decided to be upfront.

“W-what’s with those looks, huh? It’s not a big deal! We share hobbies, and he’s bold enough to come at someone as contrary as me head-on. …I just got a bit thrown off ’cause he turned into such a hottie while we were apart.”

“Knew it… But Nakamura-san, if you like Takizawa-kun that much, why didn’t you confess? You won’t see him much after middle school graduation.”

“W-well, what if I confessed and it didn’t work out? That’d be scary…”

“““…”””

What a hassle… Is it rude to think that about Nakamura-san?

“H-hey, that’s just how I felt back then, okay…?”

I’m honestly impressed Takizawa-kun chased her this far, given how skittish she is about love.

“Alright! Not sure what’s going on, but case closed, right? Let’s get to it—rock, paper, scissors! Maki-kun and Takizawa-kun as reps, cool?”

“Yuu, you’re way too into this… Fine, I’ll leave it to Maki. Do your best, Maki.”

“Same here. Souji, if you want to pair with me, you better win.”

Cheered on by the girls we adore, Takizawa-kun and I face off.

It’s just rock-paper-scissors, but it’s rock-paper-scissors. Sounds dramatic, but the vibe matters—or so I think.

“Here we go, Takizawa-kun.”

“Yes, whenever you’re ready, Maehara-senpai.”

““—Rock, paper, scissors!””

With an oddly intense shout, the match ends in a flash.

I throw paper.

Takizawa-kun throws rock.

My win.

A small, instinctive fist pump slips out.

“Yes! Maki, you’re amazing!”

“Thanks, Umi. I kept my promise and won.”

“Hehe, I knew you’d pull it off. You’ve got it in moments like these, more than anyone.”

“You think? Well, either way, I’m glad.”

Umi hugs me from behind, her soft warmth pressing against my back—honestly, this feels like a win in itself.

“Tch… Mio-senpai, I’m sorry. I lost.”

“Haha, you blew it. You’ve always had kinda bad luck, huh? …But that’s the Souji I know, so it’s oddly reassuring.”

The student council duo doesn’t seem too upset about losing.

They didn’t get to race together, but their feelings are out in the open. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter to them anymore.

Securing the right to flirt with Umi during practice—er, I mean, to race as a mixed-gender pair—and helping Takizawa-kun and Nakamura-san sort things out.

It’s the perfect resolution, and we all breathe a sigh of relief.

“…So jealous, you guys. I… I want…”

“? Yuu, what’s wrong?”

“! Oh, n-nothing… Ehehe, I’ll get in trouble if I slack off too long, so I’m heading back to relay practice. Umi, Maki-kun, keep at it!”

“Yeah, thanks. Be careful not to get hurt, Amami-san.”

“Thanks, Maki-kun. Catch you later~!”

Waving with her usual bright smile, Yuu-san heads back to relay practice after playing witness.

That fleeting, wistful look on her face bugs me a bit… but for now, practice comes first.

“Maki, we fought hard for this, so let’s make it count.”

“Yeah. It’s the least we can do for those two… So, how do we practice? I know repetition’s key, but.”

Speed and time matter, but the core of the two-legged race is teamwork. How well we avoid mistakes and navigate the course… With my athletic skills dragging us down, that’s the key to passing the baton to the next runner.

“Hmm, we’ll work on speed with some ‘special training’ later…”

“Work on it, huh… Anything else?”

“The most important thing is syncing up. So… maybe we spend all our time tied together, even outside practice? Like, tie our ankles during commutes or at home to force us to understand each other’s movements—”

“Vetoed.”

“Aww~”

“No ‘aww.’ What’s with that manga-level idea?”

“It’d be fun! …Fine, then we’re definitely bathing together, right?”

“…”

“…You’re actually considering it. Pervert, Maki.”

“I-I’m not considering it!”

But I get what Umi’s saying—we need to know each other better.

Her running form, her rhythm, her breathing habits.

And of course, she needs to learn my quirks too, not just in daily life but during exercise.

“Well, it’s the first day, so let’s just run laps around the field for now… We’ve got a bit over an hour until we regroup, so that should help us spot some issues.”

“…Umi, you’re not saying we’re running for a full hour, are you?”

“Huh? We are, but… oh, it’s just jogging pace for the first day, so don’t worry.”

“That’s not reassuring at all…”

I sometimes join Umi for morning runs to build stamina, but her “jogging” is already 70-80% of my max effort to keep up.

In moments like this, Umi transforms into a smiling drill sergeant with a brutal regimen.

…Of course, the sweet reward after pushing through is insanely good, so I’m giving it my all.

Two weeks into sports festival practice, after a three-day Obon break, late August rolls around, and preparations for the main event are in full swing. Stands for each team’s cheering sections are being set up on the field, while nearby, student committee members work on entrance gates, and tents for parents and guests are brought in.

“—Alright, Maki, let’s do this.”

“Yeah… Amami-san, time us, please.”

“Got it! Whenever you’re ready, you two.”

Meanwhile, Umi and I are still grinding away at two-legged race practice. We can’t exactly tie our ankles outside school, so we make time with early morning sessions or after-school practice.

““One, two!””

With a synchronized shout, we launch into our first step with momentum. Thanks to our practice, our rhythm is nearly flawless—now it’s about maintaining that at full speed.

One, two, one, two—on the nearly empty morning track, Umi and I race forward.

“Keep it up, you two! Almost there!”

“Maki, you’re slowing down. Just a bit more effort!”

“Yeah, I know… but.”

The track we’ll use in the actual race is about 130 meters per lap, but for someone like me who doesn’t do sports, sprinting that distance is brutal.

Still, with Umi pulling me along, I somehow make it past Amami-san, who’s waiting at the finish line with a stopwatch.

“Haa, haa… Yuu, how’s the time?”

“Let’s see… Oh, it’s a tiny bit faster! By 0.1 seconds.”

That’d be impressive for a solo run, but this is a two-legged race, so it’s not quite enough.

Like earlier, I burned out toward the end of the lap, holding Umi back from going all out.

Boosting my speed further is tough, so it’s down to stamina and grit to cover the gap.

Umi’s already caught her breath, while I’m panting like crazy beside her.

I knew my stamina was lacking, but this gap makes me feel awful for her.

“Hey, Maki, don’t make that face. We’ve still got time, so a bit more effort, and we’ll be fine. Okay?”

“…Yeah. Thanks, Umi.”

Regretting it now won’t help, so I’ll just push as hard as I can until the real thing.

Luckily, being with Umi keeps my motivation sky-high. I can’t let myself look pathetic in front of my favorite girl.

“You two, HR’s about to start, so let’s head back to class. I’ll help out as much as I can, so let me know if you need anything.”

“Sorry, Yuu. You’ve got cheer squad practice and scoreboard work too.”

As a teammate, Amami-san’s been super supportive, jumping in to help with practice, but she’s got her own pile of responsibilities, so we can’t lean on her too much.

…I need to step up so we don’t burden others.

—Morning, Yuu-senpai!

—Yo, Yuu-senpai, what’s good?

“Morning! It’s gonna be hot today, so stay hydrated, okay?”

On the way back to class from the field, I notice first-years greeting Amami-san as they head to school. They call her “Yuu-senpai,” huh.

Even among the 200-plus students per team, Amami-san stands out. Whether it’s designing the scoreboard, cheer practice, or event training, she’s surrounded by upperclassmen, underclassmen, guys, and girls alike.

Last year’s cultural festival wasn’t as intense, but with the sports festival bringing more cross-grade interaction, her influence is impossible to hide.

She tries to downplay it, but all eyes are drawn to her like she’s the sun.

It’s probably second nature to her, and I don’t need to worry, but still.

“? What’s up, Maki-kun? Something on my face?”

“Oh, uh, you’ve got some white paint on your cheek…”

“What, really? I thought I was careful… Umi, help me out~”

“Here… there you go.”

“Ehehe, thanks! Love you, Umi!”

“I know, so stop hugging me every time.”

“Muu, Umi, you’re so mean~”

It looks tough, but she seems to be enjoying it, so I guess I don’t need to step in.

As long as Umi and Amami-san are laughing together, I’m good.

…I just need to stop caring about what others say.

—Hey, that guy’s always with Yuu-senpai. Are they close or what?

—Dunno. But rumor has it he’s got a girlfriend. You know, Asanagi-senpai, the one always with Yuu-senpai. See, she’s right there.

—Ugh, two girls at once? With that face?

—Shh, don’t say that, he might hear!

—Haha!

They think they’re being sneaky, but they’re underestimating me.

The razor-sharp ears of a former loner, honed from eavesdropping on classmates out of boredom, are still in top form.

And it’s not just me—Umi and Amami-san hear it too.

Once you notice, you can’t unhear it, even if you try.

“They’re loud, huh…”

“Two first-years from our blue team. …Got their faces memorized.”

“Haha… They probably don’t mean any harm.”

“That’s the problem. It’d be worse if they did mean it, but still.”

To them, it’s just casual gossip, but it doesn’t feel great to be the topic.

“…But why do people always rag on Maki-kun? He’s serious, hardworking, cares about his girlfriend, and he’s good at studies. Right, Umi?”

“Seriously. You’d think they’d notice something with me and Yuu next to him.”

“Haha… Well, most people judge based on looks or status, so it’s kinda inevitable.”

I don’t care what the crowd thinks, but for Umi and Amami-san, who see me for me, it’s probably a bit frustrating.

That’s why I want to flip that perception at this sports festival.

Even if I’m plain or not conventionally cool, I’m sure there’s something I can do.

As we quietly vent, we reach our classrooms without realizing it.

It’s not exactly noble, but these kinds of talks make time slip away.

“—Alright, I’m heading to my class. Maki, we’re going hard this afternoon.”

“Ugh… I’ll do my best.”

“You two are so fired up. Guess I’ve gotta step up to keep up.”

“Yuu, you’re already doing too much. Just don’t overdo it and get hurt before the main event.”

“Aww, I can still do more~”

Amami-san says that, but she’s already clocking guy-level times in the team relay and shining as an ace in other events.

She’s the blue team’s idol, a key athlete, and a backstage star… It’s no surprise given her potential, but I’m with Umi—don’t burn out.

Her stamina’s great, but wasting it is a shame. Save the big explosion for the real thing.

Umi splits off, and Amami-san and I head to our class. We ended morning practice early, so the classroom’s mostly empty. Yamashita-san’s working on props, and Arae-san’s here too (rare for her to be early), probably because festival prep’s in its final stretch.

“Uh, um—”

“! Whoa…”

As I head to my seat, I notice Amami-san grabbing the hem of my gym clothes.

“? What’s up, Amami-san?”

“! Oh, sorry, I just… forgot to mention something, um, earlier.”

Turning around, I see Amami-san let go in a fluster, her face slightly red as she mumbles, looking down.

…This is rare for Amami-san.

“Maki-kun, um, thanks for earlier.”

“Huh?”

“You know, noticing the white paint on my cheek.”

“? Oh… You don’t have to thank me for something like that.”

If anything, that’s more her style, right?

It’d be a disaster on me, but on Amami-san, it’s cute.

“No, Mom always says to thank people properly for stuff like that. …So, thanks, Maki-kun, for noticing.”

“Oh, uh, if that’s the case… you’re welcome, I guess?”

“Yup!”

With a shy smile, Amami-san flashes her usual dazzling grin.

Combined with the morning sunlight streaming through the window, her radiant smile feels almost too bright for me.

“W-well, I’m over there. Sorry for stopping you like that, Maki-kun.”

“No, it’s fine… Like Umi said, don’t push yourself too hard.”

“Geez, I’m fine. …Hehe, it’s like having another Umi around.”

Giggling, Amami-san joins Yamashita-san and Arae-san’s group.

“Yama-chan, Nagisa-chan, morning~!”

“Morning, Amami-san. Heh, look, your VIP order’s ready.”

“Huh, you mean that…?”

“Ta-da!”

“! Whoa! Is this for the cheer battle…?”

“Yup. Custom school uniforms for you and Arae-san. I lengthened the hem a bit, added frills to the sleeves, and maybe a patch on the left shoulder?”

“Show me, show me~! …Oh, a cute puppy on mine~”

“That’s yours. Arae-san’s got a tiger. Got both from the cheer captain yesterday, but they weren’t cute enough, so I did a little… extreme makeover.”

“Nobody calls an extreme makeover ‘a little’… And why’d you mess with mine too?”

I’m curious about their chat, but eavesdropping on the girls feels kinda creepy, so I’ll leave it at that.

As long as Amami-san’s her usual self, I’m good.

With practice nearing its climax, morning cheer sessions are heating up, everyone listening intently to the cheer captain with serious faces.

—First-years, a bit more volume! We can’t hear you!

—Your panel timing’s off. One mistake ruins the whole look, so memorize the cues like your life depends on it!

Amid the cheer squad’s full-on intensity, Arae-san stands out, her long blonde hair swinging as she dances with focus.

“She’s keeping up with the others… No, her moves are sharper than anyone’s.”

“That girl acts all apathetic normally, but she’s dead serious at times like this. …Not that I’m impressed or anything.”

Umi and I know Arae-san’s athletic prowess, but mastering complex choreography that even upperclassmen fumble is genuinely impressive.

She’s on par with Amami-san in the cheer squad, but her taller frame makes her moves look more dynamic.

—Kyaa! Nagisa-senpai, you’re so cool~!

—Senpai, please look over here~!

“…Hey, first-years, pipe down.”

—““Yes, sorry, senpai!””

Arae-san’s guy-level performance draws squeals from the underclassmen girls.

She doesn’t seem thrilled about it, but given her middle school days, having a secret fanbase isn’t surprising.

If even Arae-san’s sweating it out this hard, I’ve gotta take a page from her book.

After the team cheer practice, which simulates the real event, the afternoon shifts to event-specific rehearsals.

It’s time to show everyone the results of Umi and my practice.

“Maki, let’s win.”

“Yeah. Whatever the result, I’ll give it everything.”

Glancing at the other teams’ pairs, most are sports club members—Umi and I, both non-athletes, are flying under the radar.

Personally, I prefer it that way.

—On your marks, get set…

The starting gun echoes, and the first-year guy pair kicks off. Our school’s two-legged race is a relay: first-years, second-years, mixed-gender (two-legged or three-legged), third-years, then the anchor.

We’re in the middle, a key spot for holding or closing the gap.

Despite some wobbles, the first-year pair finishes strong, passing the blue sash to the second-years. We’re in third, but the gap’s not huge.

We can still turn this around.

“Umi, ready?”

“Let’s do this, Maki!”

We grip each other’s hands tightly and stand. From the blue team’s stands—near where Amami-san’s sitting—a loud cheer erupts.

“Maki-kun, Umi, you got this—!”

“Hey, lovebirds, don’t go tripping spectacularly, or you’re done for~!”

Amid the mix of cheers, Amami-san and Nitta-san’s voices ring clear in our ears.

As for Nozomu on the red team… he’s not cheering, but he’s watching us closely, probably worried deep down.

“Maehara-senpai, Asanagi-senpai, go for it. Even if you lose ground, I’ll make up for it.”

“And don’t forget me, the student council president. As you know, I’m pretty confident in my getaway speed.”

“That’s… weirdly convincing.”

Takizawa-kun, our anchor despite being a first-year, and Nakamura-san, running the three-legged race after us, have our backs. Reliable folks.

The first and second-place teams get their sashes almost simultaneously, with the blue team a bit behind.

“—Sorry, I’m a little late!”

“It’s fine… Umi, the sash.”

“Got it. Alright, time to chase!”

Feeling a small, shared inhale, we launch at the exact same moment.

Our practice has us so in sync, we don’t even need to call out.

When it comes to teamwork, no couple beats us.

““Hah—hah—””

Halfway around the field, the gap to the front is visibly shrinking.

One step, two, three—as our footsteps echo, the mixed-gender pair in second glances back for a split second.

“! Maki, the ones ahead…”

“Yeah, we’re good.”

Nodding at Umi’s words, I deliberately take a wider turn at the curve.

Distracted by us, the second-place pair’s steps falter, throwing them off balance.

They don’t fall, but that’s enough for us.

“! Umi, Maki-kun!”

“Nice, you passed ’em! Not bad!”

At top speed, we zip past them into second. Catching first is tough with the distance left, but we’ll leave that to our teammates.

“Maehara-shi, Asanagi-chan!”

“Yup, here ya go, Madam President!”

“Nakamura-san, you’re up.”

“Got it!”

Umi hands the sash to Nakamura-san, who’s waving us down, and with that, our job’s done.

Just like practice, I kept up with Umi’s speed with almost no mistakes. We didn’t time it, but that was probably our fastest run yet.

“Second, huh. Not bad for a practice run.”

“You’re always so tough on this stuff, Umi… I thought that was my best ever.”

“Hehe, you’re right. That was your best, Maki. …You were pretty cool.”

Umi’s whisper, meant just for me, makes my heart soar more than anything.

Our training paid off, and getting praised by my favorite girl… For a moment, I forget about the ranking, my chest swelling with satisfaction and joy.

Thanks to Nakamura-san and Takizawa-kun’s efforts, our blue team holds second to the finish. It’s second place, but with Takizawa-kun’s anchor run and a third-year guy pair’s epic sprint, we were just shy of first—so with the right flow, we could aim for the top.

Returning to the stands after the practice race, we’re greeted with big applause, especially from the upperclassmen.

Expectations were low, so most are shocked by the result.

“Umi, welcome back! That was so cool!”

“Oof… Geez, Yuu, you never hold back.”

“Welcome back, Amami-san.”

“You too, Maki-kun! Your practice paid off, huh? Awesome job.”

“Good work, Class Rep. Honestly, I’m kinda impressed.”

“Thanks. Gotta step up once in a while, right?”

As Amami-san and the others celebrate, I tune into the crowd’s chatter.

—Didn’t expect much from the two-legged race lineup, but they pulled it off.

—Right? Started rough, but the mixed-gender part turned it around.

—Yeah, the second-years… don’t know their names, but they were running like it was solo.

My name’s not out there yet, but I think they’re starting to recognize my face.

None of that bad vibe from the other day, either.

That’s the biggest win for me today.

“Phew, I’m extra wiped today…”

With the day’s practice done, I let out a huge sigh.

Back in middle school, I barely joined events or cheered, just hanging out on the sidelines, saving my energy. So even practice leaves me with a heavy exhaustion.

“Good job, Maki. You really pushed it today.”

“Yeah, I went all out… So, um, about a reward or something…”

“A reward, huh? You think you’re getting one?”

“That’s such a mean way to ask… It’s not about if there is one—I want one.”

There’s still a few days until the main event, but to keep my drive up, I wanna soak up Umi’s affection now and stay motivated… Okay, I just wanna flirt with her.

“Geez, my boyfriend’s as hopeless as ever… We’ve got early practice tomorrow, but I can manage a massage for your tired spots.”

“…Really?”

“Yup. …But only if you massage me back properly.”

“Oh, I’ll do it with all my heart.”

“Hehe, you’re so smooth, Maki.”

I was feeling drained just moments ago, but the thought of going home and getting cozy with Umi instantly recharges me.

“Alright, let’s skip extra practice just for today and hang out at your place for a bit. I’ll text Mom later—should be fine until around ten.”

Eager to adjust our plans, we’re interrupted.

“—Asanagi-chaaan… My one-and-only friend and our class’s absolute idol…”

A voice calls out to Umi from behind.

“? Nakamura-san, what’s up? I’ve got some unavoidable plans coming up.”

“Plans? Probably just going to Maehara-shi’s place to make out… Not that I don’t get the importance of couple time—I’m a girlfriend now too, kinda.”

She was a total coward about love until recently, but now that she’s over it, she’s flipped completely.

Nakamura-san puffs out her chest proudly, while Takizawa-kun, behind her, gives us an awkward smile and apologetic bows.

Glad they’re doing well, but.

“Sorry about our president. …Anyway, we actually need Asanagi-senpai’s help.”

“Even you, Takizawa-kun? Did something happen with the student council?”

“No, we’re all fine, but the workload’s getting insane.”

“…Got it.”

According to Takizawa-kun, it’s still hush-hush, but alongside the sports festival, there’s an event planned for fall or winter from another school, requiring student council members to attend planning meetings.

They’re sending Takizawa-kun, the vice president, and Mochizuki-san, a first-year accountant, but their absence means the remaining members can’t handle everything.

“We thought about asking the former president, but third-years have entrance exams, right? They’d probably help if we asked, but we don’t wanna push them.”

“Yeah, makes sense. Sports festival practice, exam prep, and council work? I’d probably say no.”

So, Umi, who knows a bit about the council’s inner workings, got the call.

Selfishly, we’ve got our own plans and would rather prioritize those, but…

“Maki, what do you think?”

“It’s your call, Umi, since they’re asking you… But, Nakamura-san, would it be okay if I helped out with Umi?”

“Of course, Maehara-shi’s welcome too. We need all the hands we can get—free labor, no costs.”

“Hmm…”

Less time alone with Umi, but we’d still be together, so it’s not much different.

“Umi, sounds like that’s the deal. What do you wanna do?”

“Hmm… What do you want, Maki?”

“I… can’t just ignore it, I guess.”

“Gotcha. Hehe, same here.”

We’re a shamelessly lovey-dovey couple, but we don’t think it’s all about us.

We’re this close because of our efforts and the support and kindness of those around us, so now’s the time to pay back that debt.

If Umi and I are on the same page, there’s only one answer.

“…Alright. I’ll help out as a temporary member until the council work calms down. I can only do clerical stuff or odd jobs, but is that okay?”

“Absolutely. Thanks, you two. You’re welcome aboard.”

“Maehara-senpai, Asanagi-senpai, thank you so much.”

And just like that, Umi and I are roped into the student council until the sports festival’s over.

On top of practice, staying late for council work—I’m already exhausted from training, so I’m not sure I can handle it, but with everyone else working hard, I can’t complain.

If it’s too much, I’ll bow out honestly before I drag anyone down.

…That’s what I resolve in my head, but then.

“Oh, wait. Can I help out alone instead?”

“…Umi?”

An unexpected voice throws a wrench in things.

“…Asanagi-chan, you sure? We figured you alone could cover us, so that’s totally fine if you’re okay with it.”

“Yeah? Then I really can’t let Maki join.”

I thought we’d be doing this together, but Umi’s got her own plan.

“Uh, Umi-san? I’m fine with it…”

“Nope. Even if today’s a break, you’ve got work tomorrow, right? I heard from Nakada-san that you took a bunch of days off earlier this month, so your shifts are packed toward the end.”

“…Now that you mention it, yeah.”

Between weekend fun and school events, I’ve been busy, but I’ve also been working to fund my dates with Umi.

Spending days in the blazing heat, then working evenings at the pizza shop—Umi’s probably worried about that. Adding council work would leave me no time to rest.

“Maki, I can handle this alone. You focus on work and earn plenty for our dates, okay?”

“Dates? We usually split the bill—”

“Don’t sweat the small stuff!”

“Yes, sorry!”

Umi can be stubborn, and once she’s like this, changing her mind is tough.

She’s genuinely worried about me, so I should probably just go along with it.

“Heh, a girlfriend who knows her boyfriend’s work schedule inside out… Maehara-shi, you’re one lucky guy. Souji, should we take notes?”

“Whatever you want, Mio-senpai… But, Maehara-senpai, I’m against you helping out. I appreciate it, but don’t overdo it.”

I feel like I could manage for a few days until the festival, but… “manage” might lead to me screwing up and causing trouble.

“…Got it. If that’s the case, I’ll sit this one out. Sorry for dumping it all on you, Umi, but good luck with the council work.”

“Leave it to me. Oh, I’ll be a bit late, but I’m still coming over to ‘hang out,’ so be ready.”

“Got it. I’ll have dinner ready.”

“Yay!”

After some back-and-forth, our plans are set.

It’s a bummer I’ll see Umi less, but we’ll make up for it with quality time.

Just gotta tough it out until the festival’s over.

“Alright, I’m heading to the council room with Nakamura-san and the others. I know you’ll be lonely, Maki, but go straight home alone, okay?”

“I’m not a kid, I can handle that much.”

Seeing Umi blend into Nakamura-san’s group, I head back to my class to change out of my gym clothes and into my uniform.

Now, how to kill time?

I wipe the sweat and field dirt off with a clean towel, change into my uniform, and plop into my seat for a breather.

Since Nakamura-san held us up, most classmates are gone, leaving me alone… so sprawling out a bit won’t get me in trouble.

“Come to think of it, it’s been a while since I had an afternoon alone…”

Back in first year, it happened often enough, but since dating Umi—especially after becoming second-years—there’s always been someone by my side, no time to feel lonely.

Umi’s next to me, Amami-san and Nitta-san are close by, and even though Nozomu’s in a different class, he checks in sometimes.

Lately, Nakamura-san and Takizawa-kun, too.

And it’s not just school. At my job, there’s the manager and the dependable (kinda?) college student, Emi-senpai.

My social circle’s growing slowly, and my classmate relationships haven’t changed much, but things around me are shifting.

Even in this quiet, empty classroom, I don’t feel the loneliness or isolation I used to.

I’m mentally pretty stable now.

“My throat’s dry… I finished my water bottle, so maybe I’ll grab a juice.”

I could go straight home like Umi said, but I’m in the mood to wander the school a bit, so I grab my bag and leave the classroom.

Heading to the vending machine by the cafeteria, I watch students busy with extra practice or prop prep. It looks tough, but those working in groups seem to be having fun, chatting here and there despite the serious effort.

It’s hard but fun. It took me a while to get that, but I’m glad I didn’t graduate high school clueless.

“—Yo, Maki!”

“Oh, Nozomu. First time seeing you today, huh… Cheer squad practice now?”

“Yup. Our team’s got some intense upperclassmen, so it’s dragging on… If you’re grabbing juice, I’ll tag along.”

“Sure, let’s go.”

At the hallway to the cafeteria, Nozomu, still in practice, calls out. He’s clearly working hard—his bright red headband’s soaked with sweat, turning a shade darker.

Looks rough, but his refreshed expression says he’s thriving.

…As a hardcore indoor guy, I can’t quite pull that off.

“So, Maki, how’s… you know, your side?”

“Your team? Pretty united, I’d say. We’re tackling practice seriously.”

“Nah, not that… You know, Amami-san.”

“Oh, that.”

Being the only one of our five on a different team, he’s naturally curious about his crush.

Like in the practice race, Amami-san’s shining, her looks and potential making her a known name across teams.

But that’s not what Nozomu’s worried about.

“…Well, she’s popular, but no guys are being pushy… that I’ve seen, at least.”

“R-really? …Good.”

With more chances to mingle across grades, I haven’t noticed anyone hitting on Amami-san or acting shady. She’s usually with Umi or Nitta-san during practice, and when she’s alone, Yamashita-san or Arae-san’s intimidating aura keeps upperclassmen at bay.

“Our team’s buzzing about Amami-san too. Some cheer squad guys were like, ‘Introduce me’ or ‘Is she single?’ all pushy… I shut ’em down politely, though.”

“Sounds like a hassle… Well, Amami-san’s only really close with guys like you and me.”

She might hang out casually with others, but only Nozomu and I can directly contact her. And for phone numbers, I’m the only one.

“Still, what’s Amami-san’s type, anyway? I was sweating when Takizawa showed up, but Nitta-san was the only one freaking out—Amami-san was chill as ever.”

“True… Takizawa-kun’s case is kinda unique, though.”

She’s met all sorts of guys since starting high school, but nobody’s caught her heart.

Flashy guys are out, but someone like Nozomu, dedicated to baseball, or Takizawa-kun, killing it in student council, should be in the running.

“For now, just keep an eye on things without overthinking, yeah? Amami-san seems more into hanging with us and her new friends than dating.”

“No rush, take it slow, huh. Figures.”

“Probably.”

I didn’t have a real “romance” until high school… until I met Umi, so I was a bit late to the game. And Umi fell for me at the same time.

So, Amami-san, Umi’s best friend, will probably hit that moment soon enough.

I know from experience—one spark can change everything fast.

Just let it happen naturally.

“So, that’s the update for both of us, I guess.”

“Yup. …Got a bit antsy with all the noise, but talking to you helped, Maki. Thanks.”

“Anytime. …What juice you want? You’re working hard, so I’ll treat today. Just got my paycheck, too.”

“For real? Well, I’ll take you up on it then—”

I pop 200 yen into the machine, grabbing a milk drink carton for me and a big sports drink for Nozomu.

The sweet, cold liquid soothes my parched throat and overheated body.

“Revived” might be a stretch, but in this sticky late-summer heat, the taste of juice is pure bliss for students like us.

“Mmm—phew. All fueled up. Sorry, Maki, made you treat me.”

“Nah, you’ve always got my back… or maybe not, but a juice is the least I can do sometimes. Alright, keep at that extra practice.”

“Yeah.”

After chilling on the bench by the vending machine for about five minutes, Nozomu heads back to the red team’s practice area first.

We’ll be rivals on the big day, but as friends, it’s fine to give a little personal props in moments like this.

“…Alright, I did what I wanted. Time to head home without any more detours.”

Finishing off the juice carton, I stand up slowly. Wandering the school alone after hours like this feels like a big step up from my loner days, but even now, this is about my limit.

Guess I’ll just go home and wait eagerly for Umi to come over.

“What’s for dinner tonight… There’s still some chicken in the freezer, I think. That, plus some prepped side dishes, miso soup, and rice… Hm?”

As I’m vaguely mulling over the menu and about to leave the cafeteria area, I catch a glimpse of a girl with striking blonde hair from the corner of my eye.

It’s Amami-san.

“…Still working on the scoreboard this late, huh?”

Squinting from a distance, it looks like she’s washing paintbrushes and rollers at the sink, probably cleaning up from the day’s work.

The scoreboard, set to go up behind the stands on the big day, must be in its final stages too.

She’s working hard—I meant to just watch from afar, not wanting to disturb her focused expression… but maybe I stared too hard with my worried gaze, because Amami-san looks up and spots me.

Can’t exactly ignore her now.

“H-hey… Sorry for interrupting your work.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine! I was just about to wrap up for the day anyway… It’s rare to see you at school this late without a reason, Maki-kun. Isn’t Umi helping with student council stuff?”

“Yeah. I was gonna head straight home, but I figured I’d grab a juice first… You’re working on the scoreboard, right? How’s it going?”

“Hmm… Pretty well, I guess. It should be done by the day before the festival… It’s not finished, but wanna take a peek?”

“Really? Won’t I be in the way of the others?”

“The rest of the team left a bit ago, so it’s all good~ Plus, I was actually hoping to get feedback from you or Umi.”

I’ve got plans later, but there’s still time, so a quick look shouldn’t hurt.

Plus, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about what kind of art Amami-san’s made.

“If that’s the case, just a quick peek.”

“Hehe, that’s the spirit. …Alright, step right up, one guest coming through!”

Following Amami-san’s lead, I head to the blue team’s workspace behind the gym.

There, I’m greeted by a massive, vibrant ‘blue’—a series of large wooden boards pieced together with stunning impact.

“Whoa… Amami-san, this is a dragon, right?”

“Yup. Since we’re the blue team, I went with a blue dragon. Fun fact: we only used white and blue paint for it.”

“So, it’s all about playing with shades and tones.”

Amami-san says it’s not done yet, but to me, it’s already powerful enough to be displayed on the stands as is.

The image of a blue-scaled dragon bursting through crashing waves (or maybe the ocean depths?) and soaring into the sky leaves me speechless, utterly awestruck.

With Amami-san handling the design, it’s no surprise—it’s phenomenal.

“So, what do you think?”

“Honestly, it’s incredible, even being conservative. …Can I snap a pic and send it to Umi?”

“Hehe, it’s not finished, but if that’s okay with you.”

Amami-san gives a gentle smile as I excitedly capture the blue dragon on my phone.

Having started this project early in summer break, she’s probably relieved to get a good reaction.

Even if you’re confident in your work, showing it to someone always brings a bit of nerves or anxiety.

Even if it’s a close friend.

“But it’s not done yet, huh? What’s left?”

“Let’s see… The whiskers, the texture of the scales, and some finer details on the water splashes… The team said, ‘It’s already good enough’ and ‘You don’t have to push so hard,’ but I just can’t settle.”

“…So, that’s why you’re staying late alone?”

“…Ehehe.”

Her sheepish smile confirms I hit the nail on the head.

If this were a canvas painting, it might be fine, but this is a giant scoreboard made of multiple wooden boards. Adding shadows to each scale for texture or making the water splashes hyper-realistic sounds like a massive time sink, even to an amateur like me.

Amami-san makes it sound like ‘just a bit more,’ but aiming for her level of perfection feels like the real work starts now.

That’s probably why the others said it’s ‘enough.’

And I agree with them.

At this level, hardly anyone would think it’s ‘compromised.’ Pushing further is just chasing obsession or self-satisfaction.

That’s why Amami-san’s working alone.

“You’re as stubborn as Umi sometimes, Amami-san.”

“Maybe. Being around her so much, I guess I’ve picked up a bit of her vibe.”

With that, Amami-san picks up her brush again, facing the massive dragon solo.

Nobody would complain if she called this finished. Everyone would say she’s done more than enough.

But Amami-san won’t settle for that.

If she’s doing it, she’s going all in—not for others’ approval, but to push her own limits to the absolute edge.

Umi and Amami-san are both clumsy in that way, living so fiercely.

And me, influenced to the core by both of them, I’m the same.

“Amami-san, can I help? I’m a total outsider, but…”

“! W-what… No way, that’s too much. This is just me being stubborn—I can’t drag you into it, Maki-kun…”

“So, you’re just gonna keep at it alone? The festival’s soon, and work time’s limited.”

“Ugh… B-but, it’d be unfair to Umi.”

“…Fair point.”

Still, I can’t just leave her like this.

Not when it’s Umi and me.

I whip out my phone.

(Maehara) Umi-san

(Asanagi) Yesss?

(Maehara) Sorry to bug you while you’re busy, but…

(Asanagi) Nah, just hit a break.

(Asanagi) What’s up?

(Maehara) This is the scoreboard for the stands on the big day.

(Maehara) [Image of the dragon from earlier]

(Maehara) Amami-san says it still needs finishing touches.

(Asanagi) …Yup, classic Yuu.

(Asanagi) She pulled an all-nighter for the cultural festival last year because of this…

(Maehara) Wait, really?

(Asanagi) Yup.

(Asanagi) Yuu’s super picky about her art.

(Maehara) I had no idea…

(Asanagi) But where’s the rest of the team? Don’t tell me…

(Maehara) Exactly what you’re thinking.

(Asanagi) Ugh, our princess is as reckless as ever.

(Asanagi) Got it. So, you’re helping with the finishing touches until I’m done, right?

(Maehara) …That’s why I’m checking with you.

(Asanagi) You cheater.

(Maehara) How’d it turn into that?

(Asanagi) Hehe, kidding.

(Asanagi) But this is a one-time thing, so don’t forget that.

(Asanagi) Even if it’s Yuu, you’re still alone with another girl.

(Maehara) …Yeah. Nitta-san said something similar a while back.

(Asanagi) Did she? Well, Nina’s pretty sharp about stuff like that. Good kid.

(Maehara) You’re praising Nitta-san…?

(Asanagi) Hehe, I don’t always just put her in a headlock.

(Asanagi) I’ll head over when I’m done, and we’ll go home together.

(Maehara) Thanks, Umi.

(Asanagi) Heh, no biggie.

After a slightly long chat, I grab an unused paintbrush.

I’ve got zero artistic talent, but I can follow Amami-san’s instructions.

“…You’re such an idiot, Maki-kun.”

“Maybe. I’m turning into you and Umi.”

“Hmph… Alright, can you handle the bottom right? Just splatter white paint with the brush, kinda randomly. The boards are big, so go wild, it’s fine.”

“Got it.”

And so, our two-person work session begins.

Normally, Amami-san’s a chatterbox, but this time, she’s laser-focused, only speaking to give me precise instructions about the artwork.

Time flies by in a blink.

“—Alright, that’s probably good for today. Maki-kun, thanks so much for helping. We got a ton done because of you. …What do you think? Looks way better than the pic you took earlier, right?”

“…Yeah, definitely.”

There’s still work left, but comparing the finished sections to the untouched ones, the difference in impact is night and day.

At first, I wondered if all this effort was even necessary, but seeing the results, I can’t help but think, …Maybe it was worth it.

I’ve felt this countless times, but… Amami-san’s something else.

I snuck a peek at the other teams’ work, and even to my untrained eye, the blue team’s scoreboard is head and shoulders above the rest.

“Guess we should clean up and head out. What’s Umi up to, Maki-kun?”

“Uh… She said she’s done for the day and will swing by in about five minutes.”

“Cool. Oh, don’t worry, I’ll head home alone so I don’t crash your vibe.”

“No need to be that considerate… But I’ll leave it to you.”

“Ehehe, roger that, Captain.”

“C-Captain? Another weird nickname… Today, I’m more like an assistant than a captain, aren’t I?”

“You think? Nina always calls you ‘Class Rep,’ so I wanted to try something similar.”

“…Vetoed.”

“Aww~”

“No ‘aww’ about it.”

Talking one-on-one with Amami-san isn’t something I do often, but surprisingly, the conversation flows smoothly without any awkward pauses.

Our friendship started around the same time as my bond with Umi, as ‘a friend of a friend,’ but bit by bit, Amami-san’s becoming someone I can relax around.

…As a friend, of course.

We keep up the light chatter while cleaning up the tools, wrapping up today’s finishing work for now.

I was stressing about how to kill time without Umi after school, but… when you look around, there’s always something to find.

“Good work today, Maki-kun. I’ll ask the team to pitch in starting tomorrow, so I won’t be solo.”

“Got it. …Looking forward to seeing the final version.”

“Yup, keep your expectations high. …Oh, Maki-kun, can you tilt your head this way a sec?”

“Huh? Like this?”

“Yeah, perfect. Looks like some white paint from earlier got in your hair… Yup, there it is. Ehehe, I’ll get it.”

“Oh, wai—!”

As Amami-san reaches for my hair, her face gets way too close, and I instinctively step back.

I’ve gotten better at talking with her, but her habit of closing the distance like that still throws me off.

“Oh… S-sorry! Umi and Nina keep telling me, and I still do stuff that could be misunderstood—”

“No, I was clumsy too… Uh, thanks for trying to get the paint out, I guess.”

“Yeah, well, you’re welcome…”

We were chatting like normal friends just moments ago, but my obvious dodge turns the vibe painfully awkward.

I could’ve brushed it off more smoothly or declined gently, but… guess I still need more practice with this communication thing.

“Uh… well… I’m gonna head home alone like I said. See you tomorrow, Maki-kun.”

“Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. See you tomorrow…”

Our stilted exchange feels like a throwback to last year, and Amami-san practically flees the scene.

My reaction made things weird, but at the same time, I don’t think I had any other choice.

Amami-san and I are friends and get along great, but she’s a girl—and now practically a school celebrity.

If this were a private setting with just close friends like Umi or Nitta-san, it’d be fine, but this is school, where anyone could see.

“I hope nobody saw that… Please, no weird rumors…”

As the chime signaling closing time echoes through the school, I keep praying in my head for peace and quiet.

***

 

“—Geez, finally found it. Don’t just leave it lying around like this.”

I pick up the lonely bag left on the desk in the far corner of the library, muttering under my breath.

Lending out the latest volume of a new manga is fine, but taking my whole bag just because you can’t wait for me to finish my errands? Come on.

And then, after reading it in the library, you ditch it like it’s trash and leave me behind to go home alone.

(Sorry, got caught up thinking and forgot about your bag.)

The message sounds like an apology, but I can picture the smug, nasty grin on my ‘friend’s’ face behind the screen.

It’s obvious he’s using me as a punching bag to vent. I haven’t heard the full story, but apparently, a first-year girl he got close to (his words) during sports festival prep rejected him flat-out, and he’s been in a foul mood ever since.

We’ve been friends since middle school, but nothing’s changed. He’s the big shot in our group just because he’s bigger than the rest, deluded into thinking he’s charming, hitting on girls way out of his league, and getting creeped out and blatantly avoided in return.

And at the bottom of this pathetic crew is me.

“…Tch.”

Changing into my uniform in the dim, silent library, with the lights off, I feel so pathetic that my eyes sting faintly.

Why am I stuck with these kinds of people? I’ve never been late or absent since elementary school, and my grades are always near the top.

I’ve worked hard, been serious, and I’m decent at communicating—or so I thought.

…I’ve never once thought school was fun. Always subtly mocked, teased just shy of bullying, crying inside while forcing a fake smile.

I know I should cut these toxic ties. I get it in my head.

But… I still can’t break free from this position.

I’ve lost the energy to even try.

Because, no matter how lame they are, I wasn’t ‘alone.’

“…Excuse me.”

I bow politely to the empty library and head to the shoe lockers to leave. With the sports festival looming, the school’s still lively with cheer practice shouts and chatter even near closing time.

“Throat’s dry… Maybe I’ll grab a juice on the way home.”

My throat’s parched from running around looking for my bag, so I head to the vending machine by the cafeteria. There are machines on the way home or at the station, but school’s are the cheapest. Since I don’t have a job, these small savings add up.

Plus, at this hour, I shouldn’t stand out walking alone.

“…Hm?”

The moment I spot the white vending machine, I hear a guy and girl talking from a distance.

—Maki-kun, good work today. …, ….

—Got it. …looking forward.

“That’s… Amami-san and Maehara-kun… right?”

From the conversation, it’s probably those two classmates.

Amami-san said she’d stay late for work, so that makes sense, but why’s he here this late with no obligations?

“Well, it’s none of my business anymore… He’s in a whole different world now.”

I used to feel jealous, act cold, or say snarky things to him, but it just made me feel worse, so I stopped thinking about him and kept my distance from his circle.

Why’s it always him?

“…No, stop. I can’t go there.”

Even as I tell myself to walk away, my feet and eyes stay locked on them.

“…Man, I wish I could chat with a cute girl like that—”

The words slip out, and in that instant—

—Oh, Maki-kun…

I whip out my phone and snap a photo of the moment.

Amami-san’s leaning in way close to Maehara-kun, doing… something. I’m too far to see clearly, but it’s definitely not a ‘just friends’ kind of distance.

From this angle, it almost looks like—

A wild thought crosses my mind, and I duck behind the vending machine, holding my breath so they don’t spot me.

I took the picture without thinking.

Amami-san, the school’s undisputed beauty, and Maehara-kun, the plain, barely noticeable classmate.

It’s a sneaky photo. I know it’s wrong by any normal standard.

…But.

“He’s got a girlfriend, Asanagi-san, and now he’s sneaking around with Amami-san? That’s not cool.”

In the end, I just couldn’t bring myself to delete the photo I’d just taken.