Kurusu-san Who Does Not Speak, is Full of Love in Her Heart Volume 2 Chapter 5

Chapter 5: A Story from the Past – "To the One Who Gave Me Myself"

[Kirisaki Perspective]

The Top-Ranked Rumor Who Doesn’t Come to Cram School


Middle School, Third Year – Summer Vacation.

When you hear the words "summer vacation," most people might feel excited.

Playing with friends, spending time on hobbies, making memories... That’s what normally comes to mind.

But that only applies when there’s nothing else going on. Once you’re in your third year of middle school, the word "entrance exams" starts lingering in your mind no matter what.

It seems my parents were conscious of that too because, before I knew it, my life had become completely filled with cram school. There were no memorable moments—just days spent as a student preparing for exams.

And so, today as well, I walk toward cram school early in the morning.

Carrying the unnecessarily heavy textbooks and study materials for self-study, I mutter:

"Ugh, it’s so hot... and heavy too."

The sun beats down mercilessly as I keep walking, sweat forming on my skin. My long hair makes it feel even hotter, so I tie it back behind me. But every time I walk, my hair sways and brushes against my neck, which gets a little annoying.

"Another morning full of lessons today... and then self-study afterward, huh? Summer vacation is so boring."

A complaint slips from my lips.

Well, it’s only natural. When every day is just studying, anyone would want to say at least one thing about it.

But then, I let out a sigh and tell myself the usual phrase, "Well, I’m a student preparing for exams, so it can’t be helped," and immediately switch gears.

"Suzune, good morning! You’re so diligent, coming in early again today!"

As soon as I arrive at cram school, my teacher greets me in an overly theatrical way.

"Good morning, Sensei," I reply politely before stepping into the classroom.

—There was no particular reason I chose this cram school.

It was just a well-known local cram school my parents picked. That’s all.

My own will had nothing to do with it.

After all, middle schoolers who step off the path their parents lay out only end up at a disadvantage. If I really wanted to rebel and go against them, the only option would be to leave home.

But I don’t have the courage to leave with nothing but myself, nor do I have anything I particularly want to do.

If I had some outstanding talent that could let me survive on my own, that would be a different story—but unfortunately, I don’t.

I can do most things decently, but I’ll never be exceptional.

My appearance is on the better side, but not to the point of being fawned over.

If anything, I’m the kind of person who gets comments like "She’s cute too, I guess"—someone who’s only praised as a second choice.

Even in academics, I might do well in cram school or at my regular school, but when it comes to nationwide exams, I’m just "one of the better ones."

In the end, I’m just a frog in a small pond. You could say I’m a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

But I don’t have any complaints about that.

Facts are facts. What I was born with is just something I have to accept as it is.

Maybe that’s a cold way to think, but I believe everything should be taken in moderation. That’s enough for me.

Because—no matter how much I reach out, some things are just impossible.

Innate talent. Just like how a cat can never defeat a lion, a person’s future is, to some extent, determined by the abilities they are born with.

Effort is merely a means of resistance, and in a way, continuing to put in effort might itself be a kind of talent.

But in the end, that effort is nothing more than a way to prolong the inevitable. That’s all I’m capable of.

I don’t have the strength to win anything for myself.

I knew that.

That’s why, today as well, I go through my given environment without expecting too much, simply following along as I’m told.

—When class ends, the classroom instantly becomes noisy.

Some people happily chat with each other, while others stay behind to ask the teacher questions... and so on.

But I never join those groups.

If anything, I find unnecessary interactions annoying and exhausting, so as a rule, I put on my headphones and head straight to the self-study room.

Headphones are, in a way, an item of rejection.

A magical tool that silently conveys "Don’t talk to me."

And it works surprisingly well—if I ignore someone, they just assume "Oh, she can’t hear me because she’s listening to music. It can’t be helped."

As long as I have these on while studying, no one will try to talk to me.

Cram school is a place for studying. There’s no need to think about anything else. If my focus is scattered, even this fragile extension of my future will slip right through my fingers.

And if that happens, my parents will probably start nagging me.

"Study more."
"Try harder."
"It’s necessary for your future, so do it."
"Studying is important."

A predictable, templated list of phrases.

Future? Necessary?

Being told that means nothing when I don’t even have anything I want to do. But arguing back would only get me the usual "You’re just a middle schooler."

There’s no benefit in rebelling. I know that. That’s why I just smile and say,

"Yes, I understand. I’ll do my best."

—There’s no point in doing meaningless things.

If something is futile, it’s better not to think about it or hope for anything.

I just walk the path my parents recommended.

Even my choice of school was simply the one they suggested.

Getting first place in tests was just an unintended side effect of studying to avoid complaints.

But even side effects, when they become routine, start to feel familiar.

I may be nothing special, but at least within this school building, I had started to take pride in being first place.

Only within this school. Not nationwide.

But still, first place is first place.

—However, that small sense of pride came to an abrupt end.



—School Ranking: 1st Place (Ritsu Kaburagi), 2nd Place (Suzune Kirisaki)

"Hey, hey, that’s him, right? The guy who got first place this time?"

A few days after losing my top spot, I overheard those voices from my seat at the edge of the classroom.

The cram school was buzzing, mostly with the high-pitched chatter of the girls.

Apparently, the rumored top-ranked student—who had only ever participated online—was here in person for the first time.

Some were even saying, "Isn’t he kind of good-looking?"

"…What kind of guy is he?"

To be honest, I was curious too.

But it wasn’t because of his looks.

I just wanted to catch a glimpse of the guy who so effortlessly snatched away the small shred of pride I had been clinging to—the title of top student in the school.

When he arrived, I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.

"…Huh. Kinda shady."

That was my first impression of him.

I had assumed that since he had always taken classes online, he would be the introverted type.

But instead, he had this unnecessarily charming smile, was considerate without being overbearing, and didn’t give off any bad vibes.

Despite it being his first time here, he didn’t seem out of place at all.

Unlike me, he was sociable—if anything, he fit in effortlessly.

His looks and personality were flawless... That was the kind of impression he gave me.

And yet—

"Weird sense of familiarity…? I don’t know why, but…"

Why??

Watching him gave me an odd sense of unease.

For some reason, he felt oddly similar to me.

His responses were too perfect. Too ideal.

"Do middle school boys like this even exist?"—That’s how unnatural he seemed.

…Maybe I was just overthinking it.

Maybe it was just jealousy towards his perfection…

But still, that’s how it felt to me.

"Well, whatever. Doesn’t matter."

It’s not like I’d ever get involved with him anyway.

I have no intention of talking to him. As usual, I’ll just shut everything out.

Thinking that, I put on my headphones.

And just like always, class ended, and I headed toward my favorite seat in the self-study room.

The spot by the window, in the farthest corner of the room—where no one would bother me.

That was my claimed territory, and anyone who knew me avoided it.

Because scary, scary me was sitting there, no one dared to take it.

Or at least, that’s how it was supposed to be—

But today, someone was already there.

…Damn. I let my guard down.

My favorite spot… was taken.

And by none other than Kaburagi-kun.

…Well, whatever. Can’t be helped.

Just as I was about to give up on using the self-study room and leave—

He suddenly spoke to me.

"Sorry. Was this your spot?"

That was the first exchange of words between me and him.

"It’s not like I have a designated spot. Use it however you want."

Saying that, I turned to leave.

If I couldn’t study here, then the library?

But it closes at 5 PM, so I’d have to think of another option.

As I mulled over my alternatives, he suddenly gathered his things and stood up.

"My bad, my bad. I’ll move. Looks like this is your special seat."

"It’s not like that or anything."

"Oh yeah? But, you know, sometimes you just feel more comfortable in a familiar spot, right? So, I’ll find another place. Sorry, I didn’t know."

"…Mm. Thanks."

Feeling a bit guilty about taking the seat despite arriving later, I decided to accept his considerate apology without protest.

I didn’t want to argue, nor did I want to get involved with him any more than necessary.

Still, I couldn’t shake off a small sense of guilt. But it wasn’t something I could do anything about.

As I hesitated, he suddenly asked with a carefree smile,

"Do you know any other good places to study?"

"A good place? Studying is the same no matter where you do it."

"Nah, I mean places where people don’t walk by too often, you know? I’m looking for somewhere quiet with fewer people."

"Somewhere with fewer people? What exactly are you looking for?"

"Let’s see… A place where I don’t need earplugs, where there’s not much foot traffic, and where no one will bother me… Got anything like that?"

"Hmm. Then maybe over there?"

I pointed to the only place that fit his request.

"Wait… isn’t that outside?"

"If you go straight past the back, there’s a bamboo grove. Probably pretty quiet, don’t you think? I go there sometimes."

"Yeah, but I don’t wanna go outside in the middle of summer."

"There’s a sawtooth oak tree near the bamboo grove, too."

"I’m not a beetle."

"It’s been raining a lot recently, so isn’t that perfect?"

"Oh, right, the tree sap must be— Wait, hey!"

His unexpected reaction made me chuckle, and I let out a small "pfft" before I could stop myself.

Realizing he had seen that slip of emotion, I quickly cleared my throat.

…What was I even doing? I had no intention of chatting.

"Anyway… this is a study room, so there are always people here. Most just stay in the classrooms, but you won’t find a place that’s completely empty."

"I see… That’s a shame."

"Why not just study at home? You always do online classes, right? That should be more comfortable."

"I’d love to, but… I just can’t seem to focus at home lately."

Kaburagi-kun furrowed his brows, looking genuinely troubled.

…That didn’t seem like an act.

Maybe I was overthinking it, but there was something about him that didn’t add up.

And for some reason, that sparked a bit of curiosity in me.

That small impulse stirred something inside me, making me want to understand him better.

Who exactly was Ritsu Kaburagi, the one who had snatched first place from me?

Was the rumor true—that he had only ranked first because he cheated on the online tests?

"Why don't you sit next to me? I won’t be a bother."

When I suggested that, he widened his eyes and asked, "Are you sure?"

"It’s not like anyone's permission is needed. Do what you want. Just don’t get in my way."

"Thanks! I actually have pretty good grades, so if there's anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask. I’ll help as much as I can."

"…I’m actually ranked second, though?"

"Huh…? Oh, really? That means… Kirisaki-san??"

"Yep."

He seemed to recognize my name, but beyond that, he really had no clue.

"Well, I haven’t been going to this cram school for long, so I didn’t know…"

"Hmm. So, you don’t even notice people ranked below you?"

"Ahaha… I didn’t mean it like that. Uh, Kirisaki-san, sorry for not realizing."

…A forced, polite smile.

It was obvious he was just trying to smooth things over and get by.

And before I knew it,

"Kaburagi-kun, was it? Could you stop that when you're around me? That kind of forced consideration, like you're trying to figure out ‘what’s the right thing to do,’ is just annoying and unpleasant."

I had already said it out loud.

Kaburagi-kun went silent. "…Uh."

Then, once again, he put on that unnaturally perfect smile.

…Why did I think that?

Was it because I always kept a distance and stayed detached?

Or was it because I was irritated about losing first place and just wanted to take it out on someone?

I didn’t know the reason, but as always, I just said exactly what I felt.

My thoughts came straight out of my mouth. It was a bad habit of mine.

—Well, nothing I can do about it.

As I was slightly regretting that habit, he looked at me and, for some reason, smiled—genuinely this time.

"I always thought smiling was just a survival tactic… Was I wrong?"

"Agreed. Though I don’t bother with it."

"Isn’t that a hassle?"

"Faking emotions is the real hassle. Good luck with the exhaustion."

Even if people saw me as a cold person, I didn’t care.

The truth is the truth. That won’t change.

Even after seeing how harsh I was… he was still smiling.

"For now, mind if I study next to you today?"

"Do as you please."

"Can I sit here tomorrow too?"

"Saying no is a hassle, so suit yourself."

"Ahaha, you’re really detached."

"Thanks for the compliment."

After that, we didn’t really talk.

We just studied until cram school ended, exchanged a brief farewell, and went our separate ways.

And yet, from that day on, I found myself looking forward to studying at cram school—just a little.


Things I Realized After We Started Talking

A few days had passed since summer classes began, and we were now in the first week of August.

"You're really here every day."

"Same goes for you, right?"

"That’s true."

Exchanging light greetings like this before settling down to study—it had become a daily routine with Kaburagi-kun.

After seeing each other so often, we had dropped any sense of formality. Lately, even Kaburagi-kun had started speaking in a more relaxed manner, like just now.

"You don’t talk the same way with other people? That fake gentleman act of yours was hilariously shady."

"Nah. Wasting energy on pointless stuff is stupid. I’m just conserving it."

"Even though I could tell someone?"

"You’re a loner, so no worries there."

"I’m alone because I see no need to interact with people."

"Yeah, that’s what society calls being a loner. Besides, you’re not the type to spread gossip."

"True. There’s no benefit in it for me."

"You’re as detached as ever."

"Thanks for noticing."

I answered curtly and turned my eyes back to my textbook.

This was our routine—exchanging a few words before quietly getting to work.

In the silence of the self-study room, the only sounds were our pens moving and the occasional thud when an eraser shook the desk and hit the wall. Ever since Kaburagi-kun and I started studying here, hardly anyone else came in anymore.

The reason wasn’t clear, but it seemed that my usual unapproachable aura, combined with the fact that the top-ranked students were studying together, made it an intimidating environment for others.

As a result, some people seemed to think I was monopolizing Kaburagi-kun, and lately, I’d been getting cold stares from some of the girls.

Well… not that I cared enough to back off and give up this space.

I went back to solving problems.

About an hour later, loud laughter echoed from outside the self-study room.

Even through my headphones, the noise was obvious. Annoying. But I ignored it and kept writing.

Then, from beside me, I heard a deep sigh.

"…If it bothers you, why not use earplugs?" 

"I am, but the sound still carries… Better than hearing it in stereo, though."

"Stereo?"

"Ah… You know how once you start noticing a noise, it gets harder to ignore?"

"Hmm."

Kaburagi-kun scratched his cheek and let out an awkward "Ahaha…" with a vague smile.

"Even though it’s exam season, the classroom sure is lively."

"Yeah. It’s a waste… especially when it’s their parents’ money. Cram school is for studying—nothing more, nothing less." 

"You think so? I’d say some people come here for more than just studying."

"More than studying?"

"Just my personal opinion, but having friends can help keep you motivated. When you support each other, even tough studying becomes bearable. Basically, having people with the same goal gives you some mental stability."

"You sure know a lot about this… Don’t tell me you’re lying about your age?"

"I’m not. It’s just general knowledge."

"Hmm. Well, I don’t get the whole ‘friend’ thing."

Studying is something you do alone.

There’s no need for friends or pointless socializing—it’s just a waste of time.

That’s what I believe. But Kaburagi-kun seemed different, glancing over at the noisy group every so often.

"Hey, do you actually want to be part of a group like that?" 

"…Ehh."

"Wow, you look genuinely disgusted. Then why do you care? Just ignore them. If they’re not in your line of sight, it’s like they don’t exist."

"Hahaha… you’re so detached."

"Thank you for the compliment. That’s why I don’t get why you bother talking to people and wasting energy on them."

When I said that, he made a bitter face, as if I’d hit a nerve, then gave a vague smile.

"Isn’t it annoying when trouble spreads? I’m just making sure I don’t get dragged into anything."

"To me, it looks like you’re just throwing yourself into the fire."

"Yeah, I can see why you’d think that. But for me, this is the best approach."

"I don’t get it. You talk to me like you don’t care about people, but you still go out of your way to deal with them—even though you know it’s a hassle. It’s contradictory."

From what I’ve seen, Kaburagi-kun doesn’t seem to enjoy socializing.

If something is unpleasant, then just avoid it. If you’re bad at something, then don’t force yourself.

That’s how I live, so I don’t understand why he willingly deals with things he dislikes.

…It just seems stupid to burden yourself with unnecessary trouble.

Maybe that thought got across, because he leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh.

"…If someone has to do it, then I might as well."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"If everyone refuses, the environment falls apart, right? If necessary, I’ll step in. Rather than rejecting everything, I prefer maintaining balance. If it works out, everyone’s happy."

He said it in a slightly playful tone, shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, dealing with people is full of stress and hassle, but there’s no need to decide it’s meaningless, right?"

"…I get that, but."

"If you want a comfortable environment, you have to put up with some things. That’s why I think you should try meeting others halfway, even just a little. You can’t go through life without interacting with people."

"…………"

"You never know what life will throw at you. This experience might be useful someday. Like the saying ‘once-in-a-lifetime encounter’—cherishing each phase of life is important. Even if I tend to be detached, showing that too much doesn’t really benefit me, does it?"

He speaks as I listen in silence.

For a middle schooler, he’s oddly articulate, and there’s something persuasive in his words—like he’s speaking from experience, from emotions he’s actually felt.

Because of that, I understand what he’s trying to say.

I think I finally get his seemingly irrational actions.

That’s why people trust him.

Kind, good-looking, smart—it makes sense that he’s popular.

But… is he really benefiting from it?

Is he getting a fair return for all the effort he’s putting in?

If he just wanted to flirt with girls, that’d be one thing, but he doesn’t seem interested in that either.

Before I knew it, I was speaking my thoughts out loud.

"I get what you’re saying, but isn’t constantly reading the room kind of messed up?"

"You think so?"

"You’re the only one suffering for it."

"I don’t mind."

"But—"

"No need to feel sorry for me. This is just self-satisfaction—just a bit of self-righteousness."

A needless refreshing smile. A face needlessly charming.

…But something felt off.

Maybe because I’m a little twisted myself, I couldn’t help but feel something was wrong with that expression.

"You know… Kaburagi-kun, you might actually have a pretty bad personality. Or should I say, you’re kinda warped?"

(T/N: Warped person - Having ideas that most people think are strange or unpleasant)

"Don’t flatter me—I’ll get embarrassed."

"Yeah, yeah. Super high praise."

"…At least follow up on my joke. Saying it and getting ignored is embarrassing, you know."

"Sigh. What do you want from me? I was just giving you a genuine compliment."

"You’re just as warped, Kirisaki."

"Thanks for the compliment."

We exchanged words, then met eyes—

And suddenly, we both burst into laughter.

…So, you can make that kind of face too.

His unguarded, genuine smile was surprisingly fitting for his age.

*

──Another day in the study room.

As I was studying, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Yo, Kirisaki. Studying every day—you're really dedicated."

"Thanks."

I returned his greeting with a smile, as usual.

I felt a bit lighter, wondering what we should talk about during break time today.

But when I saw the test results he was holding, my gaze turned cold.

"I never manage to beat you on tests, but... bringing your answers here—could it be some kind of taunt?"

"It's not!"

"Well, tests aren't about comparing yourself to others. In the end, what really matters is whether you've improved from your past self. I don't care about it. Not in the slightest."

"Hmm."

"...What’s with that look? You don’t believe me?"

"Nah, not really."

His smirking face irritated me.

But really, I just can't beat Kaburagi-kun.

No matter how much I try, he always stays a step ahead. Every time we take a test, my self-esteem takes a hit.

...Some things are just impossible.

Lately, more than frustration, I've started feeling a sort of emptiness—like our abilities are just fundamentally different.

"By the way, we’ll have our career counseling at cram school soon, right? Have you decided where you're going?"

He pointed at the school choice evaluation written on the test and asked.

I caught a glimpse of his desired school, a name unfamiliar to me.

"I’ve decided. What about you?"

"Me? More or less. I was just curious about yours for reference."

"I doubt it's interesting."

"That’s fine. I’m not looking for entertainment."

He gave me a bright, carefree smile.

...Well, I'm curious about his school choice too.

Thinking I’d demand an answer in exchange later, I decided to speak first.

"I'm planning to get a national qualification and become a pharmacist. Aiming for a national girls' high school—mainly because of the costs and as a stepping stone."

"Heh. Thinking that far ahead at this stage—pretty impressive."

Seeing him look genuinely impressed, I sighed.

"Impressive? Not really. It’s just what my parents suggested. I can go to school thanks to them, so there’s no reason to go against it, right? Arguing and making things complicated would be more annoying."

"That’s... practical. You could even say you're wise beyond your years."

"I hear that a lot—wise, mature, but not very cute."

"Haha. Yeah, I’d agree with the 'not cute' part."

"...Have you ever heard of the word 'rude'?"

"Not in my dictionary—ow!?!?"

I pinched his cheek with a displeased snort, and he immediately apologized, saying, "My bad, my bad!"

He probably knows I’m not actually mad...

Really, he’s annoyingly perceptive.

"But, Kirisaki, are you really okay with that?"

"Okay or not, if something’s impossible, it’s impossible. I just have to face reality. I don’t want to be the kind of person who chases hopeless dreams."

"I see... that makes sense."

"Exactly."

Kaburagi-kun furrowed his brows, looking deep in thought.

People always say I’m "mature" or that I have a "realistic outlook."

If you only hear those words, they might sound like compliments.

──But that’s not the truth.

The reason I seem that way is simple: I’ve already given up.

The reason people call me mature is because I’ve abandoned everything and learned to face reality head-on.

If something is impossible, it’s impossible. That’s just how it is.

I know that better than anyone.

...Because of my parents.

When you grow up watching a father who's a brilliant doctor, working tirelessly at the hospital, you're forced to accept reality whether you like it or not.

A parent who's lived far longer than me, who's walked a path of success—what they say must be right.

When I was little, I used to say, "I want to be a doctor like my dad."

But my parents always told me, "Don’t do it."

If you hear that from childhood, the thought eventually fades away.

And as you grow older, you start to understand—becoming a doctor is a wall far too high to climb.

Especially for someone like me, who gets overtaken so easily, even at cram school.

Just thinking about it makes me feel pathetic and exhausted.

...My father’s back only seems bigger and farther away.

Pretending like it didn’t bother me, I shifted the conversation to Kaburagi-kun’s school plans.

"So, have you decided where you’re going?"

"More or less."

"Ugh, you don’t sound like you want to tell me. I told you mine, so you should tell me yours. The world runs on equivalent exchange—give and take, right?"

"...Well, if you put it that way, I guess I have no choice."

Looking reluctant, he finally showed me a picture of the school.

Ah... I’ve heard of this one.

I know the name, at least. It’s an elite school outside the prefecture—one I’d only ever seen in passing mentions.

You could commute there from here, but it’s pretty far, so hardly anyone chooses it.

Most people move closer to the city. No one deliberately picks the opposite direction.

And yet, he specifically chose this school… Could it be?

"Kaburagi-kun."

"Hmm?"

"…Did you do something?"

"I didn’t do anything! I just prefer the countryside."

"Huh…"

I see.

We’ll be going separate ways once we leave this cram school…

Even though I finally met someone I could get along with.

The thought made my chest tighten.

"Besides, Kirisaki, you’re the weird one. A girls’ high school? That doesn’t suit you at all."

"It’s the most reasonable choice for me. Well, there’s no guarantee with entrance exams, so in the end, I’ll just go wherever I get accepted."

"No, come on, put a little more thought into it."

He let out a wry laugh as he pointed it out.

"It’s just a stepping stone. No matter where I go, everything is my own responsibility. Studying or not studying is up to me, so it doesn’t really matter where I end up… Kaburagi-kun, what do you think about that kind of mindset?"

"I think it’s fine. If it’s a conclusion you reached on your own, I won’t deny it. That’s one way of looking at the truth."

I widened my eyes at his immediate approval.

I expected him to argue against it.

Seeing my reaction, he gave a faint smile before looking up at the sky.

"As kids, we just do things because we’re told. But as we grow, we start wondering why things are necessary, and that makes us stall. That’s what leads to rebellion too. People act on emotion because they don’t know better, even though giving up is sometimes the best option. Honestly, middle schoolers have such a complicated mental state."

"…You’re a middle schooler too."

"Yeah, I know. But you’ve thought about it before, haven’t you? Like, why do I have to do what they say?"

"Yeah… maybe."

I murmured in response.

…Why do I study? Why do I have to follow the path that’s laid out for me? What’s the point of all this? Is what my parents say really the right answer?

Even though I say I’ve given up, thoughts like that always linger in my mind.

"From my perspective, the fact that you actually think about whether something is truly necessary or not is pretty amazing, Kirisaki. It shows that you're really trying to consider the future."

"……"

"Oh? What’s wrong? Your face is kinda red."

"Shut up. Just focus on studying. This is a waste of time…"

Having my thoughts acknowledged so straightforwardly made me embarrassed all of a sudden.

I gripped my pen and immediately got back to studying.

"You’re always so cold, Kirisaki."

"You're the last person I want to hear that from."

"Ahaha, fair enough."

When I brushed him off coldly, he just laughed with that carefree smile of his.

Even though he seemed puzzled sometimes, he always listened seriously.

Like he was really trying to hear me.

That sincerity… made me understand, just a little, why some of the other girls had feelings for him.


Run Through the Present.

"Your father is quite the thinker."

"Not really."

With summer classes nearing their end, today was the day of my three-way meeting with my cram school teacher and father.

As the teacher spoke in an overly flattering tone, I listened with mild exasperation, occasionally nodding along.

Normally, the hallway would be noisy during breaks, but today was quiet.

It made sense—it was the day of the local fireworks festival.

The train station would be too crowded for the teachers to commute, so classes were canceled.

Most of the people here, like me, were only around for their meetings.

…I wish this would end already.

If we're just confirming what's already decided, do we even need to talk?

But adults love to stretch things out.

They go off-topic, then return, only to veer off again…

Over and over.

"By the way, looking toward the future, do you plan to follow in your father’s footsteps, Suzune?"

Noticing my boredom, the teacher suddenly directed a question at me.

"I—" I started to answer, but my father cut in before I could finish.

"No, my daughter will not be pursuing that path."

"You don’t need to decide so clearly at this stage. It’s a difficult road, but Suzune has the ability. Personally, I’d like to see her take on the challenge."

"No. I want her to study to become a pharmacist. Being a doctor is too demanding—there’s no need to take on risks and failures. Living a stable life is what’s most important."

I can’t do it…

I know that, Dad.

You don’t have to spell it out. I’ll follow what you say.

I wasn’t planning to argue anyway… There’s no point.

Even though I already understood, being told so indirectly that it was impossible still weighed on me.

But I kept my polite smile intact.

The discussion between my father and the teacher continued, dragging on and on, until—finally—the meeting ended.

"Her grades are fine, so please continue guiding her. Thank you for your time today."

"Thank you very much."

I bowed my head and followed my father out of the classroom.

We walked in silence.

But that was normal, so I didn’t think much of it.

I just stared out the window as we walked.

Then, as we reached the study room, my father finally spoke.

"Isn't he a good teacher?"

"Yeah. I think so."

Not many words are exchanged.

"Well then, I have work to do, so I'm heading home. I'll take a quick look around first, though."

"…There's nothing particularly interesting to see, you know?"

"That's not true. Alright, I'll be going ahead. Study hard."

With that, my father wandered off somewhere.

I have a vague idea of where he's going. Most likely, he's going to check the rankings posted from the test results.

…Honestly, I'd rather he didn't.

"There's no point in looking, though."

I muttered with a sigh and headed to the study room.

When I took my usual seat, Kaburagi-kun wasn't there—only his study materials were left behind.

His handwriting is unnecessarily neat… But where did he go?

Just as I was thinking that, he came back about ten minutes later.

"Yo, Kirisaki. Good work on your meeting."

"I'm not really tired or anything. It was just a review. Where did you go, Kaburagi-kun?"

"Me? …To pick some flowers."

"Ah, I see… Need some stomach medicine?"

"Nah, I'm good."

With that meaningless exchange, I went back to studying as usual.

But today, I just couldn't focus, making one careless mistake after another.

…Ugh. What am I even doing?

Getting worked up over something as simple as a review. How ridiculous.

Frustration over my own incompetence kept building.

Things just weren’t going my way, and as I was about to give up and start packing up to leave, Kaburagi-kun suddenly tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey, Kirisaki. Got a minute?"

"…What?"

"I just thought you might be heading home."

"I am, but… it's way too early to leave."

"Then, how about a little break?"

"Huh? Where to…?"

"When you think of summer, what comes to mind?"

With that, he pulled me—reluctant as I was—out of the study room.

*

At this time, I would usually still be at cram school.

Being at a fireworks festival instead made me feel strangely unsettled.

A mix of guilt from keeping it a secret from my parents and curiosity about something I'd never experienced before clashed within me, leaving me feeling light-headed and oddly nervous.

"…There are so many people."

Kaburagi-kun leaned against the wall and let out a breath.

It was too dark to see clearly, but he looked like he was struggling a bit.

"Are you okay? If you're feeling unwell, you can sit down."

"Haha… Sorry. I just got a little dizzy from the crowd."

I handed him a bottle of water, and he took it with a quiet "Thanks" before opening the cap.

Watching him drink in silence felt awkward for some reason, so I turned my gaze to the night sky.

…Beautiful. I never realized how beautiful the sky was.

The sun, which had been shining so brightly earlier, had already set, and the sky was now a deep navy blue.

A slightly chilly breeze blew past. Even though it was a summer night, it was cool enough to make me wish for a jacket.

That indescribable wind almost felt like it was announcing the end of summer, stirring something deep within me.

"Alright! I'm back!"

"Back? You still don’t look like you're at full strength."

"No, no, I'm totally fine."

"You don't have to act tough, you know."

At my words, he gave me a slightly apologetic look and muttered, "I appreciate it."

We had planned to walk around the festival stalls while enjoying the atmosphere, but since Kaburagi-kun wasn’t feeling well, we ended up resting somewhere away from the crowd.

Still, since I'm not good with large crowds either, this might have been the better choice for me.

Rather than actively playing and having fun, I prefer watching the festival from a distance, appreciating it as a single, picturesque scene.

As I stared absentmindedly at the view, Kaburagi-kun, now looking better, suddenly said, "Let's go watch the fireworks," and started walking—in the opposite direction of the fireworks venue.

As we got farther away, the crowd thinned out, and before I knew it, we had arrived at an old, pitch-dark park.

…It's really dark.

Are we seriously okay here?

As if mirroring my uneasy feelings, the sky stretching before me was dyed in complete darkness.

But then, as if slicing through the dark sky, a streak of light burst open right above us.

A moment later, a loud bang followed.

"…Phew. We made it just in time," he murmured in relief, looking in the direction of the fireworks.

We were quite a distance away from the main venue, but we could still see some of the fireworks being launched.

They weren’t the grand, dramatic bursts that filled the entire sky.

Instead, they were small flowers blooming against the night.

I couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle at the sight.

Hearing that, he scratched his cheek, looking embarrassed.

"…Don’t laugh."

"Normally, if you're taking a girl to a fireworks festival, wouldn’t you pick a spot with a better view?"

"…It’s fine, isn’t it? We can still see them from here."

"Well, yeah, technically. But this place is so hidden that no one else is around. You kept walking further away from the crowd, so I started wondering what was going on. And honestly, it’s so dark I got a little worried."

"Sorry for picking such a dark place. Are you scared of ghosts or something?"

"Not at all. I just thought, maybe you had other intentions, bringing me somewhere this dark."

"What?! No! This was just the only decent spot I knew!"

"Haha! You’re panicking way too much. Now it totally sounds like I hit the mark."

"…It’s your fault for saying weird stuff."

"Well, still… I think I like this better than being in a huge crowd. No need to worry about anyone around us."

Watching from afar wasn’t so bad.

With no one standing behind me, I could stretch on my toes or move around freely without anyone complaining.

"Fireworks leave behind this fleeting brilliance that gets etched into your heart, don’t they?"

"Yeah, I get that. They shine, then disappear—and that afterglow is what makes them so memorable. If fireworks never faded and just kept glowing, they probably wouldn’t leave as strong an impression."

"Are you glad you came?"

"Yeah. Thanks for bringing me."

"…Yeah."

With just that short reply, he gave a small, embarrassed smile and looked away, gazing up at the sky where the fireworks bloomed.

I followed his gaze and watched in silence.

…Watching quietly like this isn’t so bad.

The simple act of just looking felt comfortable, and after a few minutes, Kaburagi-kun finally spoke.

"Hey, Kirisaki."

"Skipping studying even though we’re exam students… This is the first time I’ve been a bad kid."

"Haha. Same here."

"Being serious was my only redeeming quality, and now you’ve dragged me into this. Are you going to take responsibility?"

"When you say ‘take responsibility,’ it sounds like you’re about to make some crazy demand."

"…What exactly do you think I am?"

"Sorry, sorry. But isn’t it nice? Having a day like this once in a while."

As usual, he shrugged nonchalantly and said it so easily.

I pouted slightly but admitted, "Well… it’s not so bad."

Seeing that, he smiled—an innocent, boyish smile.

"…Kirisaki. You can just listen while watching the fireworks, but—"

"What?"

"Are you really not going to tell your dad? Your true feelings."

"…………"

The sudden question left me speechless.

Ignoring my silence, he kept talking.

"I mean, I get it. Adults always shut you down before you even finish talking. They say, ‘That’s wrong,’ ‘You don’t need that,’ ‘It’s impossible.’ If you hear it enough times, you start to believe it. And then, you don’t even feel like saying anything anymore. That’s why you always say, ‘It’s pointless. A waste of time,’ isn’t it?"

His words, as if voicing my own thoughts, struck painfully deep.

It felt like he was peeling away the layers of things I had buried and avoided thinking about.

I could only stay silent.

"You do have hopes, but you're too afraid of being denied to say them out loud… So you just don’t. But Kirisaki, have you ever actually tried? Even once?"

"…Tried?"

"Have you ever truly faced your own thoughts and feelings—and talked to your dad about them?"

I hadn't.

Everything my parents said was always the right thing.

My own thoughts felt shallow and foolish in comparison, not even worth saying out loud.

As long as I followed the path they laid out for me, there wouldn’t be any mistakes.

I could think about what I really wanted after I became independent.

Right now, my parents were the ones paying for everything… so I kept telling myself that being selfish was wrong.

"You talk about 'rails,' but rails split into different paths along the way, and sometimes they merge again, right? Even if you're on the same track, you can go fast or slow. Even if the goal is set, who decided there’s only one way to get there? I’m not saying the tracks themselves are bad. But if all you ever do is follow them, wouldn’t that be boring?"

"…Maybe. But then, what should I do? I don’t know. I don’t even know what I truly want."

If I just followed what I was told, I wouldn’t have to think. In a way, that was easier.

But that didn’t mean I knew what I should do for myself.

If I was going to talk to my parents, I’d need a solid reason to convince them… Otherwise, there’s no way they’d accept it.

Seeing my hesitation, Kaburagi-kun placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You don’t have to force yourself to decide your future yet. We’re still just middle schoolers. It’s okay to have as many hopes as we want."

…That doesn’t help me tell my dad anything.

I couldn’t help but be exasperated, my face twitching slightly.

Even so, he didn’t seem bothered at all by my reaction.

"Eh… That sounds way too careless."

"So what? Can’t we enjoy the scenery along the way? Maybe you’ll realize you liked the previous path better, or maybe something new will catch your interest. There’s no need to lock yourself into one thing. Feelings change."

"And if I talk to him… and it doesn’t go well?"

"You’d just give up because it didn’t work once? Important things are worth saying more than once, worth trying more than once."

"But what if I keep failing?"

"There’s not a single person in this world who hasn’t failed. Just like the saying ‘Regret won’t come first,’ you’ll regret it more if you never try at all and end up with something you can’t take back."

As he said that, there was a certain loneliness in his eyes—like he was speaking from experience.

"The one thing I can say for sure is that if you don’t do anything, nothing will change. You can’t create possibilities from zero. If you don’t act, your chances are zero percent—but if you do, even if it’s just a little, a new path might open up."

"If I move forward… do you think things will change?"

"They will. Besides, now is the only time you can voice your opinions to your parents. We’re the ones who’ll live longer, but eventually, we won’t be able to say anything at all."

"Yeah… Maybe you’re right, Kaburagi-kun."

"That’s why we should run through this ‘now’—this moment we can never return to—with everything we’ve got."

He was acting unnecessarily cheerful, like he was trying to blow away my dark thoughts.

Unnecessarily cool, unnecessarily smiling… unnecessarily kind.

Feeling his sincerity, I suddenly felt embarrassed about how much I had been moping.

…Being serious. I’d never really thought about that before.

It was like something heavy had finally lifted from my chest.

"Maybe I’ll try being a little honest with myself. Just a little."

"I’ll be rooting for you. Give it your all, and if it still doesn’t work out, lean on me. I mean, all I can really do is lend you a shoulder to cry on, though."

"I won’t cry… Idiot. But… thanks."

He made a gesture, as if offering space near his chest.

When I deliberately ignored it, he blushed in embarrassment.

…If it embarrasses you, then why even do it?

Seriously, what an idiot.

"Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are you doing all this for me?"

The question just came to me—why was he thinking so much about me?

But instead of looking troubled, Kaburagi-kun answered immediately.

"If taking action could fix things, then it’s better to act, right? The first step is the hardest, but it’d be a waste to give up when things aren’t even over yet. That’s all. And… maybe I’m just being nosy."

"But saying 'things will work out'—you don’t actually have any proof of that, do you?"

"I’ve got great intuition. If I were a fortune teller, I’d be rolling in cash."

"Yet you don’t seem to understand me at all."

"Hey now, that’s not true. I can read you like a book."

"…That sounds kinda creepy. Ughhh…"

"If you seriously recoil like that, it kinda hurts, you know…"

He slumped his shoulders with a big sigh… but his face was still smiling.

He always paid such careful attention to others, and right now, I honestly appreciated it.

…He really understands me this much.

Realizing that made my chest feel warm, and before I knew it, I called his name.

"Hey, Ritsu."

"…Huh? Why’d you suddenly call me by my first name?"

"Uh, um… 'Kaburagi' is kinda hard to say."

"That’s not my problem."

"I feel like I’d trip over it."

"Wait… so that’s why you switched to my first name?"

I stared at him in silence.

Inside, I was screaming, That’s not it, you idiot.

Maybe he really was perceptive because he let out a wry smile and sighed.

"…I feel like I just got totally mocked."

"Correct! You really are sharp."

"You little—"

"Well, whatever. I’m calling you by your name from now on. Two syllables are easier."

"Do whatever you want."

"One last thing… Can you share a little bit of your energy with me? So I can do my best."

I looked straight into Ritsu’s eyes.

As if he understood exactly what I meant, he placed a hand on my head.

With a gentle pat, pat, he smiled warmly.

"You got this, Kirisaki."

—That night.

"Dad, do you have a moment?"

As soon as I got home, I spoke to my father.



The Place I Want to Go

"…I have something to talk about."

"A talk?"

"Yeah," I replied shortly, nodding.

My father folded his newspaper, furrowing his brows as he looked straight into my eyes.

His expression seemed emotionless, as if silently telling me that no matter what I said, it would be pointless.

—I'm scared to talk.

I lowered my gaze to the floor, biting my lip.

What I feared most was being denied.

Opening up about something I had thought through and struggled with, only to be told you're wrong—that was terrifying.

But at that moment—

"Just talk to him. If things go south, I’ve got your back. Tell him tomorrow, okay?"

The voice that flashed through my mind belonged to him—the person I had been with just a little while ago.

His words had been kind, clear, and reassuring.

…If anything happens, I’m counting on you.

I whispered those words in my heart and clenched my fists tightly.

Then, I lifted my head and met my father's gaze.

"Dad, I’ve found a school I want to go to."

"A school you want to go to? Is it necessary for your future?"

"…I don’t want to lie, so I’ll be honest with you."

"Go ahead."

His sharp gaze made me hold my breath.

His commanding presence made me want to run away even now.

"You got this, Kirisaki."

That lingering voice in my heart gave me the courage I needed. I took a deep breath—

"I want to become a doctor, just like you."

For the first time, I voiced my true feelings.

My father widened his eyes in surprise and adjusted his glasses with a slight push.

"I thought I told you not to."

"That's impossible. I’ve always watched your back—I can't help but admire you."

"……"

I answered immediately, and my father folded his arms, falling silent.

"It won’t be easy even after you become one."

"I know. But I still want to work toward that goal."

"I see… Then do your best. No matter what path you end up taking, what you learn along the way will never go to waste."

"…O-okay."

This wasn’t the reaction I had expected, and I found myself at a loss for words.

Rather than being opposed to the idea, he almost looked… pleased. The corners of his lips even seemed to lift slightly.

He always had an intimidating air about him, but right now, I didn’t feel that at all.

As I pondered this, my father crossed his legs and motioned for me to continue.

"That’s not the only reason, is it? You said you found a school you want to go to."

“…Yeah.”

I nodded and took a deep breath.

Studying and aiming for a goal—this was something I decided for myself.

But there was one more thing.

What I was about to say was just my selfish wish… merely a request.

That’s why I felt even more nervous than before.

Gripping the hem of my clothes, I recalled his face, the one I had just been with.

…I have to say this properly, seriously.

Resolving myself, I opened my mouth.

“About the school I want to go to… It’s far from here.”

“Far? Why do you want to go there?”

“It’s not just because I want to study hard or because of my dreams. Until now, I thought the right thing to do was to follow what you said, to choose a school that was nearby and of a high level, to keep my options open. But… I started to think that’s not all there is to it.”

“…I see. Why is that?”

“Because I met someone I want to talk to more.”

Father gazed at me with a serious expression.

He didn’t deny my words—rather, it felt like he was silently urging me to continue.

“For the first time in my life, I found someone I genuinely want to know more about. Someone I truly enjoy being with. You might think it’s foolish to make an important decision based on a person. But… if I let this connection end here, I might never have another encounter like this again…!”

“……”

“That’s why I want to decide for myself. The path I should take, my future dreams—I know I’ll keep hesitating and worrying about them. But still… I want to be the one to choose my own life. Because I don’t want to regret it…!”

The emotions I had been holding back spilled out, and tears welled up in my eyes.

They quickly overflowed, tracing a single line down my cheek.

I didn’t wipe them away. Instead, I kept looking straight at my silent father.

“…Are you prepared for it? The path you choose may bring hardships.”

“Regretting not choosing it would be even harder.”

“There’s no guarantee you’ll pass the entrance exam. You might chase after this and end up with nothing.”

"That would be the same no matter which school I choose. That’s why I’ll struggle and push myself to get as close to one hundred percent as possible."

"…Are you serious? This is a once-in-a-lifetime decision."

"I’m serious. I absolutely want to go."

We stared at each other in silence, neither of us looking away.

No matter what he said, I wasn’t going to back down.

I would keep asking until the very last moment—until right before the entrance exams.

With that determination, I held my father’s gaze.

Then, his expression softened, and he murmured, "You’re just as stubborn as I am."

"Suzune. Make sure you have no regrets."

"Thank you, Father."

The heavy atmosphere from before felt like a lie, and now, he almost looked pleased.

"Oh, and one more thing. Continue to cherish your friends. I truly believe you’ve been blessed with good friends."

"Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?"

"You don’t need to know. I just… feel relieved. I thought you were always pushing people away."

…Those words told me everything.

He might have tried to be vague, but I only had one person I could truly call a friend.

He must have talked to him about something without me knowing.

"…So, he thought he had to make sure? Seriously… idiot."

My face felt hot.

The warmth wouldn’t fade, so I fanned myself with my hands.

Seeing my reaction, Father let out a small chuckle.

"Don’t get so caught up in romance that you lose sight of what’s important."

"It’s not like that! I’m going to study!!"

I rushed out of the living room and into my room, throwing myself onto my bed.

A strange, floating feeling washed over me—but it wasn’t bad.

If anything, I felt so refreshed I could start running right this second.


Next to you

"Thanks for yesterday. I was able to talk properly."

The next day, as usual, I went to the study room at cram school and thanked him.

He smirked confidently and chuckled.

"Glad to hear that. See? Talking things out helps, doesn’t it?"

"Yeah… it’s not so bad once in a while."

"Right? Right?"

"Well, I guess I’ll work hard toward my goal. Since I’ve already decided."

"I’m not gonna lose to you on the test, though."

"That’s fine. I’m just going to do my best. Second place is good enough for me."

When I said that, he laughed and said, "Don’t give up so easily."

But for me, just standing side by side like this felt comfortable.

In a place where I used to be alone, now there was someone beside me. And knowing that person was similar to me… just that thought made me happy.

But maybe… if we keep standing side by side like this, could our relationship change someday?

If it did… I think I’d be a little happy.

Lately, I had started to have such vague thoughts.

My father had told me, "Don’t get too caught up in things." But this uncontrollable feeling kept stirring inside me.

Just when I was getting used to it—

"I heard Kaburagi-kun has a girlfriend. Apparently, someone confessed to him, but he turned them down because of it."

I overheard some girls talking.

…Well, of course.

It made sense, but when I heard it, my chest tightened painfully.

—But it’s fine.

I already knew something like this would happen.

The space beside someone attractive always gets filled quickly.

I made a good friend.

That alone should be enough for me—I tried to convince myself.

But still… you could’ve told me, you know?

If I had known before my feelings started leaning this way, I wouldn’t have thought anything of it.

Well… I do know that Ritsu has some kind of wall around him.

Maybe that’s why I never found the right moment to ask for his contact info.

And now that he has a girlfriend, it feels even harder to ask…

"…Well, I guess I’ll ask him sometime. There’s plenty of time."

Even after the summer classes ended, I believed that things would stay the same if I just went to cram school—just like always.

But after summer break, "as always" was nowhere to be found.


—Ritsu never came to cram school again.


The world moves along fixed rails, following predetermined tracks.

There are no coincidences. Everything is set from the beginning—destiny has always been decided.

That’s why the things we desire don’t come easily. Even if we work hard, sometimes effort goes unrewarded.

No matter how much I try to cover it up, some things will always be out of my reach.

If that’s the case, I should just live in a way that suits me.

Since I can’t be the best at everything, I’ll simply protect what fits me.

That’s why—I will stay by your side.

The shape of something special between two people who understand each other… it doesn’t have to be just one thing.

This is surely the inescapable fate that has been chosen for me.

I have no regrets about the path I’ve taken.

If I hadn’t chosen it, I never would have known this feeling.

If I hadn’t chosen it, I never would have been able to continue this enjoyable relationship.

So, I won’t think about it anymore.

"Friend." That’s all I’ll ever wish for.

The desire to touch him—it’s just a fleeting illusion.

Wanting to stay close is nothing more than an animalistic instinct, a longing for warmth.

All of it—just my own inexperience reacting to something unknown.

Biological instincts, desire, possessiveness… selfish emotions.

…That’s all.

The daily routine I took for granted—I only realized how precious it was once I lost it.

"…I hope we meet again someday. The first one who understands me."

I put on my headphones and let the music play.

Today, I was in the mood for something loud—some rock.


Reunion on a Day of Cherry Blossoms

—The high school entrance ceremony.

I was genuinely worried about whether he would actually come.

"Why didn’t I ask for his contact info back then…? I’m such an idiot."

Regretting it now was too late.

With a self-deprecating chuckle, I let out a sigh.

He disappeared after the summer classes ended. A twisted person—someone who gets involved with others yet still tries to distance himself.

I wanted to complain to him about that.

But more than that, I just wanted to see him and talk.

There was no guarantee that he was here.

But I had believed in what he had once said, back when we weren’t even close yet—his goal for this school wasn’t a lie.

That’s why I enrolled here.

But—

"…I must be expecting too much. This is embarrassing."

Feeling ashamed of myself, I walked from the station to the school.

When I arrived, it was still too early—the gates were closed.

"Clubs wouldn’t be meeting at this hour… and today is the entrance ceremony, after all."

I had taken the first train, arriving at this absurdly early hour. There was no way anyone else would be here yet.

I knew that. But I couldn’t suppress my restless anticipation.

…If he was here, I wanted to talk to him again.

Each time I thought about it, embarrassment and self-consciousness crept in, making me feel ridiculous. But more than that, an irreplaceable sense of nervous excitement stirred inside me.

"The cherry blossoms are beautiful… Maybe I’ll pass the time here."

I wandered toward the wooded path behind the school.

It was spring, and the rows of cherry blossom trees swayed in the wind, creating an almost otherworldly scene.

As the petals danced through the air, their beauty made me smile without realizing it.

And then—

I thought I saw a familiar figure in the distance.

"Wait… No way. R-Ritsu…?"

Yes.

In this deserted place, he was there.

My heart pounded so loudly that I thought I could hear it in my ears, and I couldn’t suppress the excitement welling up in my chest.

I took a deep breath and slowly walked toward him.

—I wouldn’t think about my lingering feelings.

I had already let them go.

If I could just act like a mature, detached adult, that would be enough.

Because looking mature is just proof of having given up.

And that was fine.

Right now, I’m just happy that we could meet again.

To him—the one who helped me move forward.

I have to be grateful for being given this opportunity.

So… yeah. First, I need to get to know him.

I have to gather my courage and talk to him again.

Trying to sound as natural as possible, I called out to him.

“Huh? Ritsu?”

When he noticed me, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Eh, Kirisaki…? Why are you at this school?”

“Obviously because I enrolled here. You can study anywhere, you know.”

“Well, that’s true, but… If you want to be a doctor, wouldn’t it be better to— Ah, well, not like it’s my place to say.”

“Exactly. This is what I chose.”

When I said that, he somehow looked happy.

Then, his gaze shifted to my hair.

“You really cut it short, huh?”

“Yeah. Just a little image change. High school debut, I guess.”

“Ah, I see. Well, it suits you.”

“Haha! Thanks!”

A conversation that felt just like before—so natural, without any awkwardness.

His familiar, unreserved attitude made me laugh without thinking.

“By the way, isn’t it kinda early for you to be here in the morning?”

“Same to you. More importantly—give me your contact info. We finally met again, after all.”

“‘More importantly,’ huh…? Well, whatever.”

“Hurry, hurry!”

His icon appeared on my phone screen.

Feeling happy about reconnecting with him, I secretly clenched my fist in excitement.

(T/N: This is really wholesome)


Chapter 5 END