Chapter 8: The Whereabouts of the Left Hand

♠♠♠

It’s a clear autumn Saturday afternoon.

The four of us are walking down a bustling main street.

On either side of Yanagi-senpai are Tachibana-san and Hayasaka-san. Truly, a flower in each hand.

I’m watching the three of them from a slight distance behind.

Tachibana-san is wearing a navy hoodie and a cap, dressed super casually. She looks sporty, almost boyish, but with her obvious beauty and long legs, she could pass for a model walking the streets incognito on her day off.

Hayasaka-san, on the other hand, is in a fluffy beige sweater and a checkered skirt, with a small bag slung over her shoulder—a quintessentially cute, girly look. But there’s something fragile, almost breakable, in her expressions and gestures that makes her strangely alluring.

It’s been like that since summer—this faintly precarious air about her draws people in. Passersby, especially men, can’t help but glance at her. Maybe it’s the way her knit sweater accentuates her figure, or maybe it’s the slightly unhealthy vibe she exudes that makes them want to project their desires onto her.

“So, like, I just had to read the next part.”

Hayasaka-san has been chatting with Yanagi-senpai the whole time, her expression bright.

“That’s why I rode my bike to the bookstore and bought all the volumes!”

“That manga’s awesome, right? I’ve got it too.”

“No way, senpai, you too?”

Learning they share a favorite manga, Hayasaka-san gets visibly excited.

“I was so curious about what happens next, I read it all in one night.”

“One night? That’s intense.”

“But, like, that was bad, right? It was during exam week……”

As Hayasaka-san hangs her head in mock remorse, Yanagi-senpai quickly jumps in to reassure her.

“Still, you got good grades, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know if they were good, but I managed to score above average in every subject.”

“Hayasaka-chan, you’re pretty smart, huh?”

“N-no way! I’m, like, totally normal.”

Praised by Yanagi-senpai, Hayasaka-san turns her face away, blushing.

“I go to cram school all the time, so……”

“Studying’s important, right? Manga’s fun, but tanking your grades over it isn’t cool.”

At that, senpai scratches his head as if realizing he’s said something wrong, cautiously glancing at Tachibana-san on his other side.

No surprise there—Tachibana-san was so engrossed in manga during exam prep that she racked up a string of failing grades.

If the Mystery Research Club were active, we’d study together in the clubroom. But with the club on hiatus during exam prep, Tachibana-san took full advantage of my absence to slack off completely. Sneaky as always.

“I mean, uh, you don’t have to be good at studying!”

Senpai says this in an exaggeratedly loud voice.

“Grades aren’t everything!”

It looks like he’s continuing his conversation with Hayasaka-san, but his attention is entirely on Tachibana-san.

“Failing tests isn’t a big deal, you know!”

Senpai’s head over heels for Tachibana-san. He doesn’t want to upset her.

Tachibana-san, for her part, keeps her usual nonchalant expression. She probably doesn’t care at all. That’s just the kind of girl she is—talented at music and art, utterly uninterested in other subjects, and barely aware of her dropping grades.

Just the other day, in the Mystery Research Club room, she boldly laid out her failing test papers and said:

“I was studying, but somehow my textbook turned into a manga. Isn’t that, like, a total mystery?”

Not a mystery at all.

And the manga Tachibana-san was obsessed with during exam week? It’s the same one being discussed now. But she doesn’t join in on Hayasaka-san and Yanagi-senpai’s conversation.

The dynamic between the four of us is complicated.

Hayasaka-san and I are dating. But our “love” for each other is, well, second-best.

Hayasaka-san’s true love is Yanagi-senpai, and mine is Tachibana-san. But Yanagi-senpai and Tachibana-san are engaged, arranged by their families.

“There was that big match yesterday. Did you watch it, senpai?”

Hayasaka-san brings up a new topic. It’s about soccer, one of senpai’s strong suits.

“Of course I watched it. Wasn’t it awesome?”

Senpai and Hayasaka-san chat with a warm, friendly vibe. It’s a great atmosphere. But after a bit, senpai turns to include Tachibana-san.

“What about you, Hikari-chan?”

“Huh?”

“Did you watch the soccer match yesterday?”

“I was sleeping……”

Tachibana-san, as always, marches to her own beat. But senpai tries to keep the conversation going.

“Not really into soccer?”

“It’s not that I don’t like it.”

“It’s pretty fun once you watch it. Wanna go to a stadium together sometime?”

Senpai is kind to Hayasaka-san, but it’s painfully obvious to anyone watching that his heart belongs to his fiancée, Tachibana-san.

This puts Hayasaka-san in a tough spot.

She naturally falls back from senpai’s side, ending up next to me. But—

“I’m gonna try my best, okay?”

In a quiet voice, so the two ahead can’t hear, Hayasaka-san says:

“I’m definitely gonna make senpai notice me.”

“That’s some serious determination.”

“‘Cause the day’s just getting started! We’ve still got time before the movie.”

Three days ago, Yanagi-senpai invited us all to go see a movie together.

Since the summer training camp, the four of us have hung out like this from time to time. For Yanagi-senpai, having others around might make it easier to talk to Tachibana-san.

When the movie plan was set, Hayasaka-san told me:

“If senpai falls for me, that’d break his engagement with Tachibana-san, right? I wanna do this for you, Kirishima-kun.”

But—

“Don’t push yourself too hard.”

“It’s fine. I’ve already sorted out my feelings.”

Hayasaka-san says:

“I know for sure that the one I love most is Yanagi-senpai.”

“If you’re sure, that’s fine.”

Her words, the one I love most is Yanagi-senpai, sting my chest faintly.

But that’s something I’ve known from the start. I’m the same—my heart belongs to Tachibana-san, and I want to be her number one. Yet, if I also wanted to be Hayasaka-san’s number one, that’d be a truly messed-up thought.

So this pain in my chest should vanish quickly.

That’s what I tell myself.

“Ehehe.”

Hayasaka-san looks at my face and giggles happily.

“You were jealous just now, weren’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“I really love seeing that expression on your face, Kirishima-kun.”

“You’re pretty twisted yourself, Hayasaka-san.”

“Don’t worry. I genuinely like you, Kirishima-kun.”

“As your number two.”

“Yup, number two.”

Taking advantage of the fact that the two ahead aren’t looking, Hayasaka-san grabs my hand. The moment she does, it’s like a switch flips—she presses herself close, her chest, accentuated by the knit sweater, brushing against my arm, her warm breath grazing me.

Hayasaka-san expresses her affection, tinged with something faintly unhealthy, with her whole body. If I responded with the kind of lust I see in the glances of passing men, things could get intense. And I’m tempted to give in to that urge.

But we quickly pull apart. Tachibana-san suddenly turns around.

“President, something wrong?”

Tachibana-san tilts her head, looking puzzled.

“It’s nothing.”

“……Okay. If you say so.”

Tachibana-san turns back to her conversation with Yanagi-senpai.

“Hayasaka-san, you should probably hold back a bit.”

“Y-yeah, sorry. I kinda got carried away……”

Carried away by what? I think, but I don’t say it out loud.

“Hey, Kirishima-kun.”

Hayasaka-san calls out to me again in a soft voice.

“Back at the summer camp, we kissed in front of Tachibana-san, right?”

“Yeah, we did.”

“Has that, like, been forgotten?”

“At the very least, Tachibana-san and I have never brought it up.”

“I’ve been hanging out with Tachibana-san like normal, even going shopping together.”

“Sounds nice and wholesome.”

“But maybe she still thinks we’re doing stuff like that, right? Since we used the ‘practice boyfriend’ excuse.”

“Doesn’t matter. No matter what we say, Tachibana-san’s got senpai.”

As I talk with Hayasaka-san and we walk slowly, Tachibana-san and Yanagi-senpai pull further ahead. Thanks to senpai’s efforts, their conversation seems to be going well, with a warm, friendly vibe.

“Tachibana-san and Yanagi-senpai—they’re a gorgeous couple. Anyone would say they’re perfect together.”

“Hmm, I see, I see.”

Hayasaka-san, walking beside me, looks up at my face and says:

“So, me thinking you and Tachibana-san might have mutual feelings was just my imagination, huh?”

“Huh?”

I can’t help but ask her to repeat herself.

But Hayasaka-san shakes her head, saying, “Never mind.”

Then, with eyes that seem somehow hollow, she says:

“I’ve gotta try hard to win senpai over. Otherwise, I’m just…… worthless, aren’t I?”

♠♠♠

Senpai brought us to a newly opened movie theater in a large commercial building, with an arcade and restaurants on other floors.

“We’ve got some time before the movie. Wanna grab some coffee?”

At senpai’s suggestion, we head to a café to chat.

We sit at a square table, two across from two. I’m next to Hayasaka-san, and senpai’s next to Tachibana-san. When Tachibana-san casually sits beside senpai, he looks a little pleased.

We sip coffee and talk. Hayasaka-san, who’s not great at starting conversations, stays in listener mode.

If this keeps up, it’ll be the same as always.

So, under the table, I send Hayasaka-san a message on my phone.

Reciprocity of affection

After checking it, Hayasaka-san moves her fingers under the table, drawing a circle on my thigh as if to say she understands. The motion feels a little suggestive.

Hayasaka-san wants to make senpai notice her. And we didn’t come here today without a plan.

The day the movie outing was decided, we strategized in an empty classroom.

“There’s this thing in psychology called ‘reciprocity of affection.’”

“There it is—classic Kirishima-kun stuff.”

“I just read it in the Mystery Research Club’s notes, okay?”

The so-called “Love Notebook,” left behind by a former club member.

Rumor has it this graduate had an IQ of 180. While in school, they tried writing a romantic mystery, but their desires spiraled off in a wild direction, resulting in a tome of romantic wisdom—the Love Notebook.

It includes bizarre games like Ear Whisper Mystery and psychology-based methods for getting closer to girls.

Reciprocity of affection is one of those psychological approaches.

“People tend to want to return affection when someone shows it to them.”

“Meaning?”

“People like those who like them.”

It’s something everyone’s probably experienced.

“So, I just need to act super obvious about liking senpai?”

“Pretty much.”

“But I’m not exactly in a position to say that, and Tachibana-san will be there……”

“So, just shower him with compliments.”

Expressing affection isn’t just about saying “I like you.” Women’s magazines often suggest praising someone you’re interested in as a way to charm them. It’s simple, but there’s psychological backing for it.

“So, I just need to praise senpai like crazy?”

“Do that, and senpai’ll be head over heels for you.”

“I’ll give it a shot!”

And so, back to the café—

I sip my coffee, nod along to senpai’s stories, and steal glances at the quiet Tachibana-san while sending another message to Hayasaka-san under the table.

Senpai’s outfit looks new. Probably just bought it.

He’s bound to be happy if you compliment it.

Hayasaka-san glances at her phone, nods, and hesitantly speaks up as the conversation lulls.

“Um, so……”

Nervous, she looks down.

“I’ve been thinking since we met at the station……”

Go for it, you’ve got this.

“You look really stylish……”

Almost there.

“Tachibana-san’s outfit!”

I nearly spit out my coffee. Wrong person!

“It’s super stylish and suits you so well!”

“R-really?”

Tachibana-san tilts her head. Understandably so—her outfit today is more laid-back than usual. But Hayasaka-san doesn’t stop.

“Yeah, totally high-class taste! Tachibana-san, you’re like the fashion queen!”

“Th-thanks……”

It seems her nerves and embarrassment made her pivot to praising Tachibana-san at the last second.

You got the wrong person.

I send another message under the table.

Also, senpai got a haircut.

Hayasaka-san reads it, nods vigorously, and gives me a thumbs-up.

Oh no, she’s totally clueless. She’s not even hiding it anymore.

It’s like a scene from a comedy. I have zero faith this’ll work, but Hayasaka-san’s challenge continues.

As the conversation lulls again, Hayasaka-san speaks to senpai.

“I’ve been thinking for a while now……”

This time, she’s properly facing senpai.

“It’s really nice.”

Then her head swivels.

“Tachibana-san’s hairstyle!”

Here we go again!

“I’ve always thought so. Whether it’s tied back, a one-length cut, or today’s natural look, it’s all amazing!”

“You think so?”

Tachibana-san tilts her head again.

Sure, Tachibana-san has beautiful hair and switches up her style depending on her mood. But right now, she’s got a cowlick sticking up. She wore a cap earlier to hide her bedhead.

Today’s Tachibana-san is, frankly, low-effort. Or rather, completely half-hearted.

But Hayasaka-san doesn’t care, her eyes practically spinning as she continues praising Tachibana-san with unstoppable momentum—not just her appearance but her hobbies and personality too. Her burning feelings for senpai have veered off in a completely wrong direction. It’s like a wild pitch from an out-of-control pitcher.

“Hikari-chan’s the type who’s popular with girls too, huh?”

Senpai says with an amused smile.

“I dunno. People often say I’m hard to approach.”

“But Hayasaka-chan seems to like you.”

Tachibana-san fiddles with her hair, looking a bit shy.

“I’m kinda starting to like Hayasaka-san too.”

Wow, reciprocity of affection is working like a charm.

But not like that! As I’m thinking this, my phone vibrates. It’s a message from Hayasaka-san.

One more time! Bring up something for senpai!

Hayasaka-san’s not giving up today.

I do as she asks, tossing out one last topic.

“Senpai, how’s futsal going?”

“The court’s smaller than soccer, but kicking the ball’s still a blast.”

“There are a lot of beginners, right?”

“I help teach the newbies.”

“Hayasaka-san’s getting lessons too, isn’t she?”

I pass the baton to Hayasaka-san.

“Yeah, he’s been teaching me really kindly.”

Hayasaka-san looks down, embarrassed.

“I’m so clumsy and keep messing up, so I need a lot of help.”

Her ears are bright red.

“I’m always saved by his kindness. So, like, I’m really grateful.”

Yes, yes, to senpai!

But then Hayasaka-san suddenly turns to me.

“To Kirishima-kun!”

“Me!?”

What a curveball! That was obviously meant for senpai.

But Hayasaka-san rambles on at full speed.

“Thanks for always being there. You help me when I’m struggling, subtly back me up, encourage me—I’m so grateful for you, Kirishima-kun. Here’s to more!”

Say all that to senpai! But Hayasaka-san, with a tearful, laughing expression like I’m such an idiot, someone stop me, keeps talking to me, being her usual self.

“You and Hayasaka-chan really make a great team, Kirishima.”

Why don’t you two just date? That’s the sort of nuance my senior was trying to convey.

And with that, time’s up. The movie’s about to start, so we leave the café.

“Sorry, Kirishima-kun.”

On the escalator to the theater, Hayasaka-san murmurs.

“I’m such a mess when I get nervous.”

“You did pretty well today, all things considered.”

“I can talk fine when it’s just you and me.”

Two steps ahead on the escalator, senpai and Tachibana-san stand side by side. To passersby, they probably look like a proper couple.

We arrive at the theater, get our tickets, buy popcorn, and take our seats.

From left to right, it’s senpai, Tachibana-san, me, and Hayasaka-san in a row. We have two popcorn buckets—one shared by senpai and Tachibana-san, the other by me and Hayasaka-san. That pairing is silently, perfectly established.

The movie is a beautifully shot boy-meets-girl story about youth.

Under a blue sky, a boy pedals up a hill toward a girl standing at the top.

Watching that climactic scene, I think that love should be this refreshing and pure. That’s when it happens.

“Hey, Hayasaka-san!”

During the movie, I mouth the words without making a sound.

Hayasaka-san has grabbed my hand, which was resting on the armrest.

It’s dark, so it’s fine.

Her lips move to say that.

I glance to my left.

Tachibana-san, and senpai beyond her, are focused on the screen.

“I worked really hard today, so give me a reward.”

Hayasaka-san whispers in my ear. With Tachibana-san and senpai right beside us, I ignore her for now and focus on the screen. The movie’s almost over.

But then Hayasaka-san starts blowing on my ear, nibbling it gently. Her breaths grow moist, her breathing heavier. Oh, come on.

Reluctantly, I squeeze her hand back. Hayasaka-san’s face lights up, even in the dark theater, and she leans her head on my shoulder, clinging to me. She loves being close.

We stay like that for a while.

But as the credits start rolling—

“The summer camp.”

Hayasaka-san suddenly murmurs, her voice so soft only I can hear.

“After I left, what did you and Tachibana-san do in that room?”

Her face, lit by the screen, looks somehow hollow.

“……Nothing happened, right?”

Her emotionless voice makes me nod instinctively.

Hayasaka-san’s grip tightens, my hand aching slightly.

“……You didn’t do anything with Tachibana-san, right?”

“…………Yeah.”

When I nod again, Hayasaka-san’s expression transforms into a radiant smile. With a look that says I knew it!, she clings to my arm.

Pressing her face into my clothes so no one else hears, she says:

“Yup, it’s Kirishima-kun, the best Kirishima-kun, my Kirishima-kun. No way you’d betray me. I’m so stupid for thinking weird things. Kirishima-kun treasures me, accepts me, makes me feel good—”

Hayasaka-san keeps muttering under her breath.

Kirishima-kun, Kirishima-kun, Kirishima-kun, Kirishima-kun, Kirishima-kun…………

♠♠♠

On the way home, I’m carrying Hayasaka-san on my back.

How did it come to this?

When we parted ways in front of the theater, Hayasaka-san ran up to senpai to thank him for today. But, being her clumsy self, she tripped well before reaching him and broke the heel of her shoe. Unable to walk, senpai looked at her and said:

“Kirishima, I’m counting on you.”

Physically, senpai would be the better choice to carry her, but with Tachibana-san there, he wouldn’t. Plus, senpai’s trying to push me and Hayasaka-san together.

“See ya. I’m gonna walk Hikari-chan home.”

“You okay, Hayasaka-san?”

Tachibana-san asks, and Hayasaka-san nods.

“I’m super clumsy, so this happens a lot. I’m fine.”

“Alright then. Hey, Hayasaka-san, let’s hang out again sometime.”

“Yeah! Hanging out with just girls is so fun!”

“See ya. Bye, President.”

Tachibana-san was quieter than usual today, I think.

And so, we split up, and now I’m carrying Hayasaka-san home on my back.

“I’m such a loser!”

Hayasaka-san wails from my back.

“Stop squirming or you’ll fall.”

“Waaah!”

Hayasaka-san flails her arms and legs. Her bouncing chest rhythmically hits my back, but her sturdy bra mutes the sensation. My attention’s more on the softness of her thighs gripping me.

“I really tried, you know! I wanted to make senpai notice me, I swear, I worked so hard!”

“I know, I know.”

Hayasaka-san sniffles, sneakily wiping her nose on my back.

“I’m so pathetic……”

“You’re not.”

I sway gently to soothe her, and she gradually calms down.

The evening city feels like the end of the day. The sun sets early now. Summer’s long gone, and late autumn is approaching. Just as seasons change, our relationships and we ourselves can’t stay the same forever. That’s what I think.

“Hey, Kirishima-kun.”

“What?”

“Am I heavy?”

“Not really.”

“But I’m kind of a heavy girl, right?”

“I’m fine with it.”

“Ehehe.”

Hayasaka-san’s arms tighten around me, clinging closer. Passersby stare. They probably see a guy carrying his overly clingy, cute, slightly unhinged girlfriend. But that’s the truth, so what can I do? And honestly, being showered with that much unconditional affection from a girl feels good.

“That reciprocity of affection thing—it’s real, huh?”

Hayasaka-san says in a sweet voice.

“You’re so kind to me, Kirishima-kun, and I keep liking you more and more. What about you?”

“I’m liking you more and more too, Hayasaka-san.”

“That makes me happy.”

It’s so natural to like someone who likes you.

If they say they like you first, you can let yourself like them back fully.

But we—

“It’s okay, I get it.”

Hayasaka-san says.

“But it’s tough, huh? In the end, today was still senpai and Tachibana-san, you and me.”

“They’re engaged, after all.”

“Senpai said he’s walking Tachibana-san home, but that’s not all, right?”

“Probably not.”

They’re likely grabbing dinner together. And senpai will walk Tachibana-san home. On this poignant autumn night, it’s hard to say they won’t share a special moment.

“Tachibana-san’s a proper fiancée, huh?”

“Yeah. Always by senpai’s side.”

“She’s surprisingly old-fashioned. Like, three steps behind him.”

“I didn’t notice that.”

“You got bummed out just now, didn’t you, Kirishima-kun?”

“I’m not bummed.”

“You’ve got a thing for getting jealous, don’t you?”

Hayasaka-san laughs, amused.

“What do I do now? Senpai treats me like a little sister.”

“First, you’ve gotta get him to see you as a romantic option.”

Senpai thinks I’m into Hayasaka-san and is trying to help that along. That’s why we were invited as a pair today and why I’m carrying her home now.

“Senpai’s really nice to you, huh?”

“We’ve been close since middle school.”

Kirishima likes Hayasaka-chan.

As long as senpai believes that, he’ll never fall for Hayasaka-san. That’s just who he is. But I can’t confess that Tachibana-san is the one I love most either.

“Liking your beloved senpai’s fiancée—that’s rough, huh, Kirishima-kun?”

“Yeah.”

If I dated Tachibana-san, it’d be a massive betrayal of senpai.

“But it’s okay.”

Hayasaka-san says.

“All I have to do is make senpai fall for me. That’d break their engagement, and Tachibana-san would be free. Then you wouldn’t have to hold back, right?”

“Sure, but that feels unfair to you.”

“Why? I love senpai the most, so it’s only natural.”

And so, Hayasaka-san says:

“Until I make senpai fall for me, just wait for me, Kirishima-kun.”

I feel her arms around my neck tighten slightly.

“I’ll do it right. I’ll make it happen, just like you want.”

“Yeah.”

“So don’t betray senpai.”

“Of course.”

“Don’t become a bad person.”

“……Got it.”

From then on, Hayasaka-san is in full clingy mode.

“I messed up a bit, but I tried so hard today, so it’s fine!”

She sniffs my neck, covers my eyes from behind, and starts teasing me playfully. Such a mischievous girl.

Hayasaka-san and I are each other’s second choice, but we’re a real couple, so this kind of closeness is normal. It’s fun for me too. But—

Don’t become a bad person.

That’s what Hayasaka-san said.

But today, I was a bad person.

It happened during the movie.

Hayasaka-san, thinking everyone’s eyes were on the screen, grabbed my right hand on the armrest.

My other hand was under the armrest.

It wasn’t just randomly there.

On the other side was Tachibana-san.

At that moment—

My left hand was holding Tachibana-san’s slightly cold hand.