Episode 10: Because It’s Special

The western sky shimmers faintly, like a heat haze, gradually dyeing red.

Heated air from the daytime sun forms summer-like cumulonimbus clouds, casting shadows over the sunset.

Hayato and the others silently gaze at the transition from evening to night through the train window.

After the cinema, they went to Karaoke Celery at Himeko’s request for sweets, the same place Hayato and Haruki visited before. Himeko, flustered by the new setting, sulked at Hayato’s ease on his second visit, but they enjoyed food and karaoke, especially the honey toast, which the dieting duo indulged in as a rare treat.

Their faces show fatigue but also satisfaction and comfort.

The train reaches Hayato, Haruki, and Himeko’s station.

“Well, this is us. Sorry, Haruki, Himeko, you guys went all out,” Hayato says.

“Nah, I paid half, and it was fun seeing everyone’s different sides,” Kazuki replies.

“Um, Kaido-san, thanks for the treat!” Himeko says.

“…Kaido, thanks,” Haruki adds.

Hayato waves casually as they exit, and Kazuki raises his hand in response.

“Let’s hang out again. Your flat, monotone singing’s kinda addictive, Hayato-kun,” Kazuki teases.

“Oi, shut up!” Hayato snaps.

“Knowing Onii’s bad at singing was kinda reassuring. Haru-chan was amazing, though!” Himeko chirps.

“I’ve honed my skills in the bathroom!” Haruki boasts.

“Haruki…” Hayato sighs.

“Haru-chan…” Himeko echoes.

“Hey, don’t look at me like that, Hayato, Hime-chan!?” Haruki protests.

Kazuki laughs, shoulders shaking, as the train doors close, whisking him away.

“…Let’s go,” Hayato says, scratching his head and urging Haruki and Himeko out.

His steps are heavy, reluctant to end the day. Near the gate, Haruki stops.

“I’m good on dinner. Ate too much. Heading home,” she says.

“Me too. Maybe just ice cream,” Himeko adds.

“That’s not dinner, Himeko. Haruki, I’ll walk you home,” Hayato offers.

“Nah, looks like rain… See?” Haruki points.

The sky shows red-black thunderclouds rumbling ominously, though rain seems distant.

“See ya!” Haruki darts off.

“Hey… Damn it,” Hayato mutters.

“Bye, Haru-chan,” Himeko calls.

Hayato’s outstretched hand catches air, and he sighs.

“She’ll be fine, right?” he asks.

“She’s not a kid. You’re too overprotective, Onii. Let’s hit the supermarket,” Himeko says.

“Yeah…” Hayato agrees.

In the twilight residential area, Haruki runs as if shaking off her long shadow.

“Ugh, seriously!” she huffs.

Today was fun, like their childhood days.

Playgrounds shifted from mountains and shrines to cinemas, family restaurants, and karaoke, revealing new sides of each other.

Hayato, teased for his flat singing, grimaces.

Himeko, serious about catching rhythms for future classmate outings.

Haruki, singing with gestures, earns Hayato’s reluctant applause and Himeko’s excited questions about her moves—while Kazuki, somehow blending in, sparks laughter by teasing Hayato.

Everyone smiled, yet Haruki feels a murky swirl in her chest, a burning pain. It’s akin to impatience or jealousy but closer to childish possessiveness.

“I’m kinda jealous of Hime-chan…” she mutters, stopping.

She’s home. She frowns, unsure why she said that, feeling trapped.

“Ngh, alright!” She slaps her cheeks, forcing her usual tone, and opens the door with her ritual greeting.

“I’m ho—”

“Stay put like a good girl!” a sharp voice cuts in.

A dry slap echoes. Stunned, Haruki’s cheek stings, confusion overtaking pain. She looks up to see Mao Takura, an elegant woman barely hiding irritation, glaring as if Haruki’s a nuisance.

Haruki’s eyes widen, realizing it’s her mother. Emotions drain from her face, and she murmurs, “…Mom.”

Rain pours outside, pounding the asphalt, splashing mist. It cools Haruki’s red cheek.

She’s soaked. Her styled hair clings messily, her carefully chosen outfit heavy with water, makeup washed away, leaving dark shadows on her face.

“…Ah.”

Unconsciously walking, she’s at Hayato’s familiar apartment building.

It’s massive, easily housing 100 families, tempting her to believe it could take her in.

“…What am I doing?” she laughs wryly.

Her feet led her here instinctively. She knows why.

Her heart screams. Hayato would take her in without question, quietly comforting her, letting her lean on him.

That’s the kind of friend he is. She wants to run to him, but she can’t.

“But that’s not because it’s me…” she whispers.

She recalls today, seeing Kazuki “saved” by Hayato, like when Hayato pulled her from isolation in Tsukinose, changing her world.

It’s so like him, yet her heart aches.

Clutching her phone, she sees Hayato’s contact. His awkward face when she learned his mom was hospitalized flashes in her mind. Her fingers freeze.

Hayato, her friend, is special.

That’s why she can’t rely on him. She’s aware she’s been leaning on him too much. Since childhood, they stood side by side. She wants to stand proudly beside this dear friend.

Leaning on him now would tip her heart’s scales irreversibly. She doesn’t want that. She decided to strive.

She returns her phone to the home screen and runs, deliberately away from Hayato’s and her house.

It’s her stubborn pride.

She knows it’s pointless but can’t stop running.

“…What am I doing?” she mutters.

She’s at a park near the supermarket. The evening shower has stopped, stars twinkling mockingly. Sitting on a bench, she talks to herself.

Her head’s clear. Recalling her earlier self, she laughs wryly.

“Woof! Woof, wuff!” a dog barks.

“Hey, Rento! Where’re you going? Time to go home!” a familiar voice calls.

“!?”

She turns to see Minamo Mitsutake, dragged by a large collie, holding a leash. She wears a loose black top and skinny jeans, casual, with an eco-bag showing soy sauce and mirin—very housewifely for a high schooler.

She’s likely on her way back from shopping while walking the dog.

“Um, Rento’s owner is elderly, and big dogs need lots of walks, so I sometimes…” Minamo explains.

“Haha, got it,” Haruki says.

“Y-Yeah!” Minamo nods.

Minamo’s face clouds, seeing Haruki soaked and alone in the park—clearly not normal. Anyone would be concerned.

(This park…) Haruki recalls the dog incident. It’s Minamo’s neighborhood.

“Uh…” Haruki searches for an excuse.

Minamo stares, then clenches her fists, psyching herself up.

“My house is nearby! You’ll catch a cold!” she insists.

“No, I don’t want to trouble—” Haruki starts.

Minamo drops her bag, grabs Haruki’s hand, and pulls. She’s not strong, and Haruki stands, but she doesn’t want to burden Minamo. It’s her own mess, and accepting help feels wrong.

“I can’t leave a friend like this!” Minamo declares.

“…Huh?” Haruki blinks.

Minamo looks surprised at her own words, blushing and stammering.

“Um, gardening! Gardening friends! So, uh…” she fumbles.

Haruki doesn’t understand why Minamo cares so much. But her earnest effort makes Haruki chuckle, lightening her heart.

“Thanks, Mitsutake-san. My house isn’t far. I’m fine,” Haruki says, slipping her hand free and waving.

A light thud hits her back.

“No way!” Minamo hugs her, heedless of getting wet.

Haruki’s confused. They’re not close, just gardening acquaintances. “Why?” she asks.

“You have the same eyes as Kirishima-san right now. I don’t know what it means, but it’s… not okay!” Minamo says.

“…What?” Haruki freezes, stunned by the comparison.

“What am I doing…” Haruki laughs again.

Overwhelmed by Minamo’s insistence, she’s at Minamo’s house, soaking in a bathtub, blowing bubbles. The dryer hums in the laundry room.

Frowning, she thinks, (Big house, but this vibe…)

Minamo’s home, near the park, is a large, slightly old Japanese-style house, likely wealthy. The corridors are well-kept, warm yet tinged with sadness.

She can’t dismiss it as someone else’s issue, sinking deeper into the tub, wrinkling her brow. She ponders Minamo’s words.

(Me and Hayato, same eyes…)

Something nags at her, but she can’t place it. Minamo’s pushy kindness feels more like Hayato’s.

Feeling dizzy, she emerges and leaves the bath.

“Thanks for the clothes,” Haruki says, wearing Minamo’s gym uniform—shirt and shorts. It’s tight but fine, though loose around the chest, making her somber.

“Um, I don’t have cute casual clothes…” Minamo says.

“Haha, I’m usually like this at home too,” Haruki replies.

“R-Really?” Minamo stammers.

Minamo sits stiffly on the living room sofa, oddly formal. Haruki, unsure how to react, twitches a smile, sitting beside her and muttering, “Thanks for having me.”

Minamo flinches, trembling. Haruki chuckles at the role reversal.

Silence falls.

Glancing at Minamo, she’s tense, groaning and avoiding eye contact.

(Drying clothes’ll take a bit…) Haruki sighs, looking around.

The worn cabinet, scratched low table, and dated TV rack are old but cherished, reflecting the owner’s care. Yet Minamo’s solitary presence feels out of place.

(Wait…) Haruki notices no other residents or signs of them. The eco-bag with soy sauce and mirin heightens the oddity. Something’s clearly off.

Her thoughts show on her face. Minamo, meeting her gaze, clenches her fists and, after hesitation, shares her secret.

“I’m alone here,” she says.

“…Oh,” Haruki gasps.

Déjà vu hits, pieces falling into place.

“My grandpa, who I lived with forever, is hospitalized. It’s lonely… I brought you here for myself. Sorry…” Minamo confesses.

“No need to apologize! So that’s it…” Haruki says.

Minamo’s childlike apology, confessing loneliness, is amusingly honest. Her sincerity shines, proving she’s truly kind.

Seeing her bravely waiting despite loneliness, Haruki moves instinctively.

“Being alone sucks, right?” she says.

“Nikaidou-san!?” Minamo gasps.

“I’m alone too, at home. It’s lonely…” Haruki admits.

“Nikaidou-san…” Minamo murmurs.

Following an impulse, Haruki gently hugs her, ignoring Minamo’s surprise.

(Ah, I get it…) She understands.

Loneliness eats at you. Wanting to escape it—Hayato must feel the same. That’s why her childhood friend is so overprotective and meddlesome.

A resolve fills her heart’s void.

“Hey, can I come back sometime? During the day,” Haruki asks.

“Yes, gladly!” Minamo beams.

“And… friends.”

“Huh?”

“Not just gardening friends. Real friends. I want to change. Is that… okay?”

“No way that’s a problem! Um, please, I mean…!” Minamo stammers.

“Haha,” Haruki laughs.

They giggle awkwardly, their laughter dispelling the gloom. It was always simple, just clouded by stubbornness.

Haruki vows to keep striving, honoring past promises.

Her phone rings—Hayato.

Why a call? They rarely talk, usually texting. Puzzled, she hesitates.

Minamo nods encouragingly. Haruki smiles wryly and answers.

“You okay?” Hayato asks.

“…Huh?” Haruki blinks.

“Uh, at the cinema… If nothing happened, cool,” he says, voice tinged with worry.

His concern catches her off guard, but it’s so him. Hearing his voice, she regains her usual spark, her heart lifting.

But a new feeling stirs. Glancing at Minamo, she teases, “What, feeling lonely and needed my voice?”

“No way! Shut up! But… if you’re fine, good,” Hayato grumbles.

“I was lonely,” Haruki says.

“…Haruki?” Hayato’s tone shifts.

“When I got home, Mom was there. First thing, she slapped me. Funny, right? First time in six months, and she says I was a mistake to have. I ran out,” Haruki explains calmly.

“…”

“It’s my issue, not something to share lightly. Awkward, huh? But I wanted you two to know,” she continues.

“I’m Mao Takura’s illegitimate kid,” she reveals.

“!?” Hayato gasps.

“Eek!?” Minamo squeaks.

“I don’t know my dad. I’m inconvenient, unwanted. It’s… really lonely,” Haruki admits.

“Then! We promised! I’m coming, where are you!?” Hayato shouts.

“No way,” Haruki says.

“Haruki!”

“I went to your place, you know. You’d take me in, no questions. But I thought, maybe it’s not me you’d do that for,” she explains.

“Haruki… What’re you saying?” Hayato asks, confused.

Her calm contrasts his agitation. Minamo watches anxiously, making Haruki chuckle.

“‘Cause you’re lonely too, Hayato,” she says.

“!?” Hayato’s stunned.

“I said you’re special. I don’t want to just lean on you. That’s dependency. I want to support you too. This is my problem,” Haruki says.

Time has changed things.

Their height difference, his deeper voice, their family issues.

“We can’t stay like we were,” she says.

“No way…” Hayato protests.

The past is gone, reality shifted.

But change preserves what matters.

Their childhood parting was unavoidable, but now it can be different.

She wants to strengthen their fragile bond with new memories, declaring her wish boldly.

“I want to change, become truly special to you,” Haruki says.

It’s bold, her heart racing yet warm.

“Just kidding! See ya tomorrow at school!” she rushes, hanging up to hide her embarrassment.

Minamo stares, flustered. Haruki blushes, realizing the weight of her words.

Regret creeps in, but Minamo grabs her hands.

“I won’t tell anyone!” Minamo vows.

“Whoa! Mitsutake-san!?” Haruki yelps.

“It’s hard to share. My grandpa… I’m your friend too!” Minamo insists.

“…Oh,” Haruki softens.

Minamo’s earnestness, despite her own struggles, is what drew Haruki to her.

Gripping her hands, Haruki admits, “I’m actually a messy, hopeless person.”

“Nikaidou-san…?” Minamo tilts her head.

“So, help me get stronger, okay?” Haruki asks.

“If I can!” Minamo agrees.

Haruki smiles awkwardly, and Minamo beams, savoring her name.

“Listen to my complaints? About my special, annoying childhood friend… Minamo-chan,” Haruki says.

“Yes, Haruki-san!” Minamo replies.

Outside, the city night sky holds fewer stars, the moon hidden.

Yet something shines brightly.