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“I’m back.”

Muttering softly at the entrance, I stepped into our family home. It’s a cramped little house where my parents, my older sister, and I—four of us—live together, but coming back here always brings a sense of relief.

Stuffing my school-designated loafers haphazardly into the shoe cabinet, I was drawn like a magnet to the glowing light of the living room.

Shedding my uniform blazer, peeling off my socks, and tossing my bag onto the table, I plopped onto the living room sofa and called out to my sister, who was sprawled out watching TV.

“Ugh, I’m beat… Hey, Yuna-nee, is there any ice cream left in the fridge?”

“Nope. Last one’s right here.”

“…Oh, got it.”

I’m pretty sure I bought that ice cream with my own pocket money, but if I leave stuff lying around, Yuna-nee swoops in and claims it. When we were kids, this kind of thing sparked plenty of fights, but I’ve started to think maybe I’m a tiny bit at fault for not eating it sooner. So, I’ve mostly given up caring now.

If it’s gone, I’ll just buy more.

For now, I’ll settle for quenching my thirst with some cold barley tea to tide me over. I don’t have the energy or stamina to trek to the convenience store or supermarket today.

“Nina, you look extra wrecked today. Wasn’t it the sports festival? How’d it go?”

“How’d it go? Just look at my face. It was a lot, okay?”

The sports festival, held every two years, was a blast, but once the events wrapped up and cleanup began, exhaustion hit me like a tidal wave. My muscles ached, sure, but the sticky mix of sweat and playground sand clinging to my skin felt especially gross.

All I wanted was to jump in the bath and wash it all away.

…That’s how much happened today, honestly.

Some things got resolved, but others feel like they’re brewing for a whole new mess.

“Yuna-nee, I’m gonna hop in the bath now. You want in first?”

“Nah, I’ve got more studying to do, so you go ahead. Oh, Mom said there’s curry in the pot for dinner, so cook some rice and help yourself.”

“Got it. I’ll go first then.”

Watching my sister head back to her room for her entrance exam prep, I started getting ready for my bath and tackling the laundry. In our Nitta household, with both parents out early for work, Yuna-nee and I split the chores we can manage—like cleaning and laundry. It’s not like we’re pros or anything to brag about; we just do the bare minimum.

Honestly, I’ve never bragged about it to anyone.

I tossed my sand- and sweat-stained gym clothes and underwear into the washing machine, hit the start button, and headed to the bathroom. The tub wasn’t fully filled yet, but I could wash my hair and body under the shower while it filled.

Yuna-nee sometimes tells me to slow down a bit. Guess I can be kind of impatient in my own way.

“…Was my face that tired-looking?”

Rinsing off the shampoo bubbles, I touched my face, catching my reflection in the mirror.

To me, it’s the same old face—pretty cute, if I do say so myself (weird to admit). But I guess people who know me well can tell something’s off.

Not just Yuna-nee, but maybe my close friends too.

“…Phew.”

Sinking into the now-full tub, I let out a long breath, as if exhaling the day’s exhaustion.

I don’t like soaking too long ‘cause I hate getting dizzy, but I do love a good bath.

It’s a quiet space where no one barges in, where I can be alone with my thoughts.

Even I need a moment to just think sometimes.

“I knew it was hopeless, but… yeah, it really didn’t work out, huh…”

Staring at the ceiling, my mind drifted to the heartbreak I’d just experienced not long ago.

Right after the sports festival cleanup and the Blue Team’s disbandment ceremony, I’d quietly poured my honest feelings out to a certain boy.

Takizawa Souji-kun.

A first-year who’s already the student council vice president, killing it at the sports festival both behind the scenes and in events, and—hands down—the most drop-dead gorgeous guy I’ve ever seen. To me, he’s as close to perfect as it gets.

Sorry, Nitta-senpai. I’m in love with Mio-senpai.

The words I heard just an hour ago kept replaying in my head.

I knew he’d turn me down before I even confessed. His heart already belonged to Nakamura-san, someone irreplaceable to him. If anything, they were already a full-on couple.

I knew it was pointless. I thought I’d prepared myself for the rejection.

But getting shot down for real? Even someone like me can’t help but feel crushed.

…Still, I don’t regret confessing one bit.

“Yuu-chin… what’s she gonna do about it?”

After wallowing in my blues for a bit, my thoughts shifted to worrying about a friend.

She’s ridiculously cute, dazzling like the sun itself.

No matter how much I try to measure up, I could never compete with her—she’s like a heroine straight out of a storybook.

But even someone as amazing as her can’t always get what she wants, no matter how hard she tries.

Your first love is your best friend’s boyfriend, huh? Telling her not to stress about it would be asking the impossible…

She never outright admitted it, but from how she’s been acting, it wasn’t hard to figure out that her first love is Maehara. The way she looks at him, her gestures, her words—everything about her when she’s around Maehara is exactly like me when I’m with Takizawa-kun.

Personally, I don’t quite get his appeal, but I’m not surprised Maehara’s got some game. He didn’t have many friends growing up (like, almost none), and he can come off a bit socially awkward at times. But once you talk to him, he’s got this unexpected humor, and you can tell he’s genuinely trying his best, which makes him pretty likable.

So when I heard Asanagi started dating Maehara, I wasn’t shocked.

Even if Yuu-chin, Asanagi’s best friend, ended up catching feelings for him too, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

“Hey, Yuu-chin… No, Amami Yuu. Are you really okay with this?”

I repeated the quiet words I’d once mumbled to her under my breath.

Everyone’s got their own way of handling love, so whatever choice she makes is up to her. She could crash and burn like I did, confessing despite knowing it’s doomed. Or she could keep her feelings buried, graduate high school with her crush unrequited, and let it fade away.

Her love story isn’t my place to meddle in. I probably don’t even have the right to say anything.

I know that. I really do.

…But still.

Prologue | Hey, how about with me

The sports festival, which had kept us busy from summer break through the start of the second term, finally wrapped up. Come Monday, we could look forward to some calm days ahead after all that hustle.

Despite the lingering summer heat that had plagued us until now, the forecast promised a shift this week—cooler temperatures and pleasant weather were on the way.

A weather forecaster on TV declared it the official start of autumn.

“Yo, I came to pick you up as usual! Hehe, your bedhead’s as epic as ever.”

“I just woke up, so… Umi-san, could you, uh, help me fix it again today?”

“Heh, of course! Maki, you’re such a spoiled little sweetheart, aren’t you?”

The seasons may be shifting from summer to fall, but for me and Umi, our couple routine stays pretty much the same.

Mornings are spent like this, just the two of us before school. After classes, we hang out at one of our houses or sometimes swing by the supermarket or drugstore for a quick errand.

I know it’s kinda weird to say about myself, but we’ve been rocking this lovey-dovey couple thing without any major fights. Pretty smooth sailing, if you ask me.

“Hmm, your hair’s being extra stubborn today… Maki, I’m gonna use a bit of wax, okay? Oh, and I’ll style it just the way I like it while I’m at it.”

“Fine, but please keep it within school rules.”

Meeting Umi has seriously leveled up my communication skills, and lately, I’ve even started to polish my appearance… or at least, I like to think so.

The dark circles under my eyes from late-night gaming have faded bit by bit. Switching to a cleaner hairstyle has made a huge difference compared to before.

Sure, I’ve still got room to improve my lifestyle and athletic skills, but compared to the mess I was this time last year, I’d give myself a passing grade.

…And it’s all thanks to the adorable girlfriend standing right in front of me.

“? Maki, what’s up? Staring at my face like that. Too cute to look away?”

“Not exactly staring… but, like, it just hit me how lucky I am.”

“Because I’m your girlfriend?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Hehe, darn right! A girlfriend as reliable, cute, and head-over-heels for her boyfriend as me? You won’t find another like that. …Just kidding, ehehe!”

We’ve had this exchange a million times since we started dating, but Umi always beams with the same shy, joyful smile, like it’s the first time she’s heard it.

Her cheeks flush faintly, and she flashes a playful, mischievous grin to hide her embarrassment. That expression of hers? I’m absolutely obsessed with it.

Even if my day’s packed with subjects I suck at or I’m stuck in a different class from Umi, feeling lonely, that smile’s enough to power me through until after school.

That’s how much Asanagi Umi has become an irreplaceable part of my daily life.

“Just a quick touch-up with the hairdryer… there. Looks good, right? I’ll get some coffee ready, so hurry up and change into your uniform, Maki.”

“Got it. …But first—”

“? What’s up?”

I turned my phone screen toward my puzzled, head-tilting girlfriend.

(Maehara) Umi, uh…

(Maehara) Is it okay if I kiss you?

“…Well, well.”

As Umi read the message on my screen, her expression slowly morphed into something teasingly wicked.

“W-what’s that look for?”

“Oh, nothing~ If Maki’s that desperate, I’m totally fine with it… but, you know?”

“…But?”

“I wanna hear it straight from your mouth today. Not whispered in my ear like usual—face-to-face, loud and clear.”

“I mean, sure, but…”

We’ve kissed more times than I can count, but asking for it like this never stops being embarrassing.

I thought I’d grown a lot on the inside since meeting Umi, but when I catch myself acting like a kid, clinging to her like this, I wonder if I’ve actually regressed.

…Well, it puts Umi in a great mood, so unless she tells me to stop, I’m probably gonna keep at it.

“So, picking up where we left off. What do you wanna do, Maki?”

“…Uh, just on the cheek is fine, but, um, I’d like to kiss you, Umi—”

Before I could finish, Umi’s face suddenly zoomed in close.

—Chu.

Our lips brushed for the briefest moment, parting before I could even savor it.

“…Um, Umi-san?”

“Ehehe, I stole the first one today. Sorry, did I startle you?”

“…I’m fine, but—”

My heart’s still racing from her sneak attack.

Umi’s always playing me like a fiddle, and it’s totally unfair.

…Unfair, but so darn lovable.

“C’mon, we kissed, so go get changed already. …Or do you wanna flirt a little longer?”

“We’re running out of time, so I’ll go get ready. …But after school, you’re in for it.”

“Hehe, I’ll be waiting~”

With our morning dose of couple shenanigans complete, we headed to school as usual. Last month, we’d sometimes avoid holding hands because of the sweaty heat, but that won’t be an issue for a while now.

When I gripped Umi’s hand firmly, she giggled and intertwined her fingers with mine.

“Hey, Umi.”

“What’s up?”

“Wasn’t it around this time? When we first became ‘friends’?”

“Yup. …It’s been so fun, and it flew by so fast. How about you, Maki?”

“Same. A fun, whirlwind year.”

Thinking back, so much has happened between us, it feels like no amount of time could hold it all.

Before Umi, the memorable moments of my sixteen years could be counted on one hand. But this past year, triggered by meeting her, is packed with so many vivid memories—big and small—that no number of fingers could keep up.

I never really got the concept of ‘memories’ before because I spent my teenage years so alone. At home, at school, it was just me and the scenery, with no one around.

I had no people or objects to tie my memories to.

But now, I have Umi, my irreplaceable girlfriend, plus dear friends like Amami-san, Nitta-san, and Nozomu.

Umi in a stunning dress at the Christmas party, Umi in a kimono taking my hand, Umi blushing ear-to-ear with my birthday gift, Umi in a swimsuit—if she hadn’t been there, none of this would’ve happened.

“Thank you, Umi. For being my friend… no, my girlfriend.”

“Heh, you’d better keep thanking me! …Kidding. I’m the one who’s grateful, for you being my friend… no, my boyfriend.”

“Yeah. We gotta celebrate properly when Christmas Eve rolls around.”

“Our first anniversary as a couple, right? But before that, it’s the anniversary of becoming friends.”

“Yup. Gotta celebrate that one properly too.”

Should we keep it chill like always or maybe step it up with a fancy date? Either way, something small but special feels right.

We’ll figure out the details together later, but… I’m kinda looking forward to it.

From here on, I’ll keep building memories with Umi.

Bathed in the soft morning sunlight, we strolled down the school path side by side. It was a crisp, clear autumn morning, perfect for a walk.

“—Morning, senpai!”

“Huh?”

As we walked along the main road to school, someone called out from behind.

Turning around, I saw two male students—probably first-years, since they called me ‘senpai.’

“Oh, uh…”

“Sorry for the sudden greeting! We were paired up for the three-legged race…”

“! Oh, from back then… Morning! Sorry, I didn’t recognize you.”

“No, we startled you, didn’t we?”

We bowed awkwardly, creating a slightly weird vibe, but honestly, getting greeted by underclassmen felt kinda nice.

The sports festival had sparked some wild rumors because of me and Amami-san’s carelessness, but pushing through the noise paid off with moments like this.

“…That’s awesome, Maki.”

“Yeah.”

After waving off the two first-years, we took a detour away from school to meet up with Amami-san and Nitta-san, as usual.

Come to think of it, my friendships with Amami-san and Nitta-san have grown pretty long-lasting. They started through Umi, and while Amami-san’s her best friend, I never imagined I’d get this close with Nitta-san.

At first, I wasn’t even sure she registered me as a classmate, and my initial impression of her was just ‘one of Amami-san’s entourage.’ Funny how connections work.

Of course, Nitta-san’s natural kindness plays a big part.

While I was lost in thought, I spotted Nitta-san jogging toward us, her usual ponytail bouncing.

She’s normally with Amami-san, but today, she was oddly alone.

“Yo, Class Rep Couple! Thought the weather was finally nice, but it’s still summer-level heat around you two, huh?”

“Nina, seriously… But forget that—where’s Yuu? You guys didn’t come together?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I texted her, and she replied, ‘Overslept, go ahead without me—’ Check it out.”

(Amami) Sorry, Nina-chi!

(Amami) Overslept. Double-slept, actually.

(Amami) Might be cutting it close, so go on ahead.

(Amami) Oh, and say hi to Umi and the others for me…

Nitta-san’s phone screen showed a string of messages paired with a cute dog sticker apologizing profusely.

“Yuu… didn’t even text me.”

“Probably just in a rush. Anyway, let’s get going, just the three of us. If we wait for Yuu-chi, we’ll end up late.”

“True. Amami-san’s probably fine on her own. She’ll manage.”

Even as a second-year, Amami-san’s oversleeping habit persists. It’s less frequent than in first year, but she still slides into class at the last second about once a month.

…Without breaking a sweat, naturally. Amami-san’s just being Amami-san.

With Amami-san’s morning situation sorted, it was just the three of us heading to school today. Usually, it’s the four of us—me and Umi up front, Amami-san and Nitta-san behind—but today was different.

“…Nitta-san.”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“Just, uh, it’s rare to have you walking next to me like this.”

“Guess so. Without Yuu-chi here, I’ve got no one to chat with. Yo, Class Rep, you’re living the dream with a girl on each arm, huh?”

“It’s not like I planned it…”

Sure, Nitta-san could’ve walked beside Umi, but for some reason, she chose to flank me. So yeah, I’m sandwiched between two girls.

Umi’s my girlfriend, so that’s fine, but Nitta-san? It’s making me a little nervous.

“…Nina, aren’t you sticking a bit too close to Maki?”

“Am I? But if we spread out too much, we’ll block the path for others.”

We’re on a sidewalk along a main road, and it’s not exactly wide. With students rushing for morning duties, club practice, or other errands, there’s an unspoken rule to leave one person’s width open for passing—like an overtaking lane on a highway.

So, Nitta-san’s logic checks out… but still.

“Yo, Class Rep. Bike coming from behind.”

“Huh? Oh, uh, okay…”

To dodge a student cycling by, Nitta-san leaned closer to me.

In that instant, Umi, holding my other hand, puffed out her cheeks just a tad.

“Ni-na?”

“Whoa, whoa, just avoiding a bike so I don’t get hit, that’s all!”

“…Then what’s with your hands wrapped around Maki’s arm?”

As Umi pointed out, Nitta-san’s hands were firmly gripping my uniform sleeve.

The bike’s long gone, so she could let go any time now.

“Oh, my bad, my bad. Got carried away, heh.”

“Carried away… You don’t normally do this, Nitta-san. …Also, Umi-san, could you maybe stop pinching my side?”

“…Hmph.”

Umi eased up on the pinch but kept her fingers clamped on my poor stomach fat.

Nitta-san’s playing it off as a whim, but this is the first time she’s been this touchy with me.

It’s painfully obvious something’s off with her today.

“…”

“? What’s up, Class Rep? Staring at my face like that’s kinda creepy, y’know.”

“Whose fault is that…? I just noticed you’re acting weird today. Something happen?”

“Oh, well, yeah. After the sports festival, I confessed to Takizawa-kun and got rejected.”

““Huh?””

Nitta-san dropped a bombshell so casually that both Umi and I froze in sync.

No wonder she’s acting off.

“To Takizawa-kun… Nina, are you serious?”

“Dead serious. Like I’d lie about something like this.”

“…Just curious, but does Yuu know about this?”

“Nope. You two are the first I’ve told.”

“You…”

I’d seen a few couples form after the sports festival, but to think two people we know so well were among them?

Maybe Nitta-san’s been quietly nursing some loneliness because of this.

Still, that doesn’t explain why she’d get so close to me.

From what I know, she’s not the type to be that carefree about boundaries.

“Oh, right. Hey, Class Rep, you got any plans this Saturday besides hanging with Asanagi?”

“Huh? Nothing’s set yet… Nitta-san, are you trying to drag me somewhere?”

“Yup. There’s that fireworks festival in the city, right? It got canceled last year ’cause of bad weather, so I really wanna go this time.”

“Sorry, I’ve only been here less than two years… Umi, is that a thing?”

“Yeah, it is. It’s a bit far, but everyone around here knows about it. Most students in the area have probably been at least once.”

According to Umi, it’s held regularly at a big park with a pond in the city center. Local TV stations cover it, making it a pretty famous event.

It’s probably gonna be insanely crowded, and I’ve got a feeling we might not even get to enjoy the fireworks properly.

“…”

“Class Rep, don’t overthink it.”

“I mean, I’m not great with crowded places…”

Seeing massive, dazzling fireworks up close sounds cool, but honestly, I’m just as happy with something low-key like we did last summer.

“C’mon, it’ll be fun. Think of it as cheering up a heartbroken friend.”

“Even if you say that… Have you already talked to Amami-san about it?”

“Nah, not really. I’m only inviting you, Class Rep.”

““…Huh?””

Umi and I tilted our heads in unison at Nitta-san’s nonchalant reply.

I’d assumed we’d all go as a group.

Like, the usual five of us, maybe with Nakamura-san or Takizawa-kun if their schedules lined up, having a blast with the gang.

With so many people around, it makes sense to stick together as a group, and Nitta-san should know that.

“Hey, Nina.”

“Yo.”

“You’re not trying to ask my boyfriend out on a date, are you?”

“…Well, it kinda ended up that way, didn’t it?”

“Wait, Nitta-san, you’re asking me?”

“Yup. I just thought it’d be nice to talk one-on-one with you, Class Rep. A fireworks festival’s perfect for that, right?”

“…I’m not sure I follow.”

Nitta-san’s unexpected invitation left both me and Umi, standing right beside me, at a loss for how to respond.

Okay, maybe I could stretch and say taking Nitta-san out to lift her spirits is fine—she’s heartbroken, after all. She’s as important a friend to me as Amami-san or Nozomu.

“…Hey, Class Rep. I know your girlfriend’s right there, and I feel bad, but…”

“If you feel bad, I’d really prefer you back off…”

“Sorry, but I’m not budging on this one.”

Unfazed by Umi’s barely concealed scowl and silent pressure, Nitta-san turned to me and dropped a bombshell with absolute confidence.

“Class Rep. So, uh… would you go on a date with me?”

I never imagined this would be how our new year together would kick off.