On her way to class at Sobu High, anyone who knew Kotomi Izumi spotted the guitar case on her back and immediately came over to ask about it. Those who didn't know better might have thought she was transferring from Class 1-F to the music department. Thankfully, that rumor hadn't reached Yachiyo Kuhama's ears.
If Yachiyo heard that Kotomi—whom she had invited countless times to join Class A without success—was suddenly transferring to the music department, she might just shut herself in on the spot.
Word traveled fast. By the time Kotomi changed into her indoor shoes, the rumor had already spread to several music department classes.
First-year music students, boys and girls alike, were in an uproar over the idea. Meanwhile, boys from other classes, upon hearing she might be transferring—but not to their class—were heartbroken. They wanted to storm the music department and issue a warning: "If I see any of you music kids at Sobu High, your violins are getting smashed and your sheet music shredded!"
Faced with her classmates' curiosity, Kotomi had to explain again and again that she wasn't transferring—she was just participating in rehearsal for the cultural festival stage performance.
When she finally reached her classroom, the clarification had already made its way back to the music department. The music students, who had been ready to celebrate with champagne, were left dumbfounded. Other classes, however, were relieved—so long as she didn't transfer to the music department, it was a win.
"Did you hear? Kotomi from 1-F isn't transferring. The guitar case she brought to school is for her cultural festival performance!"
A boy from Class 1-B slid dramatically into his classroom to spread the news.
"Where've you been? Everyone already knows."
"The first time I passed the music department this morning, they were cheering. The second time, it was dead silent."
"Come on, let's crack open some soda and celebrate."
"Wait—are you saying Kotomi's going to perform on stage?"
"Yeah! Why else would she be carrying a guitar case? Just to look cool?"
"This is huge! My new phone has an unbeatable camera. I'm definitely recording her performance!"
"No way—Kotomi plays guitar?!"
"Oh no—the discipline head!!"
"Ah—my phone!"
Class 1-B was as lively as ever.
In Class 1-F—
"Good morning, Yukino, Yui, Mashiro~" Kotomi greeted with a wave as she walked in.
"Morning."
"Kotomi, I made a new flavor of fruit tart. Try it later and tell me how it is!"
Mashiro didn't bother with a greeting. She went straight in for a hug.
Yui looked ready to follow, but noticed Kotomi's guitar case blocking her spot. Kotomi shifted slightly, wrapping Mashiro in her right arm, and beckoned Yui with her left.
Yui understood and slipped in for a tight hug from the left.
Usually, they would bear-hug her from front and back. Today, with the guitar case in the way, Kotomi opted for one on the left, one on the right.
Yukino Yukinoshita, seeing Kotomi wrapped in hugs from both Yui Yuigahama and Mashiro Shiina, quietly stepped back and turned her eyes to the book in her hands—though she didn't read a single word.
"Eh? Sakurajima-senpai isn't at school today?"
When the lunch bell rang after the last morning class, Kotomi, having brought her own lunch, didn't rush to buy food. Instead, carrying Mai Sakurajima's winter photobook, she headed straight for Class 2-B to ask Mai for an autograph.
She happened to run into Hibiki Naegi, who was heading downstairs to buy lunch. After greeting her, Kotomi casually asked, only to learn that Mai was preparing for a new film. Starting today until Friday, she'd be taking leave to stay home and select scripts—choosing the story and role she most wanted to play.
"Ever since playing Sadako in Ringu, Mai's been really fond of acting in horror films. She hasn't decided on a script yet, but I think she'll choose another horror project. Utaha's even encouraging her to stick with the genre."
Kotomi suddenly remembered Utaha Kasumigaoka inviting her recently: "Mai's about to start a new movie. When it comes out, let's go watch it together."
In that instant, Kotomi felt she understood something. She gave a wry tug at the corner of her mouth.
Utaha-senpai… such a schemer.
"If Sakurajima-senpai's on leave, then there's no helping it. I'll just have to wait until next week to get her autograph," Kotomi sighed, ready to leave.
"Didn't Kisara mention you and Mai exchanged contact info? If you want that autograph sooner, you could call or message her."
Kotomi considered it, then shook her head. "No, she's busy choosing a new script. It wouldn't feel right to bother her over just an autograph."
Just as Kotomi turned to go, Hibiki suddenly asked, "Um… Kotomi, has Professor Kanagawa contacted you lately?"
"Professor Kanagawa?" Kotomi frowned slightly in thought. "Not much since coming back from Kyoto. I've never been the one to reach out to her, and as a Kyoto University art professor, she must be very busy. I imagine she only initiates contact with people who are truly important to her."
"I'll get going now, Hibiki-senpai."
"Ah… right. Take care. I heard you're rehearsing for the cultural festival performance. If you can't make it to the art club, just let me know in advance."
"Oh! I almost forgot about that. Yeah, I'll be skipping art club for a while."
"That's fine. Focus on rehearsals—I'm looking forward to seeing you on stage!"
After Kotomi left, Hibiki took out her phone and opened her LINE chat history with Eiren Kanagawa.
Kotomi had said that as a Kyoto University art professor, Eiren would rarely initiate contact. But…
Scrolling through the messages, Hibiki saw that nearly every conversation had started with Eiren.
At first, Hibiki had been more annoyed than anything—Eiren's persistence felt strangely clingy. But over time, she had grown used to Eiren's regular messages.
In fact, every time they talked, Hibiki learned something she would normally only pick up after getting into a prestigious university art program.
Lately, she'd even started noticing small but steady improvements in her own painting—all thanks to Eiren's guidance and teaching.
Only people truly important to her… Hibiki couldn't help savoring those words.
Thinking of Eiren soon coming to Chiba to see her…
Hibiki's hands tightened on her skirt, a swirl of complicated emotions in her chest.
...
Kyoto.
Art Department Office.
After finishing her work, Eiren Kanagawa took her coat from the back of her chair, ready to leave.
"Professor Kanagawa, want to grab a drink later?"
"No thanks, I'm heading to the station. I was just here today for a final work report. Now I'm going to enjoy a few days of vacation~"
"Eh—where are you vacationing? Okinawa? Abroad?"
"No, no. It'd be far too irresponsible to take an overseas holiday mid-semester. I'm going to Chiba City."
In the Art Department office, the other faculty members reacted with surprise when Eiren Kanagawa mentioned she was heading to Chiba City.
"Chiba? That doesn't sound like the kind of place Professor Kanagawa would choose for a vacation."
"I thought maybe you'd finally found a boyfriend and were going overseas for a sweet holiday."
"The last time I went to Chiba on business, I just took the train to Tokyo Station and transferred to a local line."
Eiren laughed. "That's exactly why I said it's not a vacation—and no, I don't have a boyfriend. I'm going to Chiba to attend a friend's private art exhibition." She pulled a gold-embossed invitation from her pocket.
"Ah, this name looks familiar… let me think…" An older professor adjusted his reading glasses, studying the name on the invitation.
"Souta Tota—she graduated from Kyoto University's art department six years ago."
"Oh, I remember now. She failed quite a few classes back then—almost didn't graduate. Can't believe it's been six years and now she's holding her own exhibition. If I recall, you were her class advisor, weren't you?"
"Yes. Back then, she even said when she got married, she wanted me to officiate the ceremony," Eiren nodded.
"That's what's great about Professor Kanagawa—when she's an advisor, she manages to become friends with almost every student," a male professor remarked with a smile over his coffee.
"We're not middle school teachers. Being overly strict backfires. It's better to keep things relaxed so first-year students can adapt to university life and understand that in college, the teacher opens the door, but walking the path is up to them."
"So, has Souta Tota gotten married yet?"
Eiren shook her head. "When she called to invite me, we talked a bit. Since graduating, she's devoted herself entirely to painting. Her family runs a business, so she's never had to worry about money. She's thrown herself into her art for six straight years. No marriage, not even a boyfriend."
"Then as her former advisor, you should give her a little push—she's not getting any younger."
"What? Is matchmaking part of the advisor's job description now?"
"Hey, don't laugh. When I was an advisor, I was basically a real-life Cupid. I lost count of how many couples I helped form. They'd arrive as singles in first year, but by graduation, they all left in pairs."
The older professor looked quite proud—none of his students had graduated single.
"Then introduce someone to me already. I'm almost thirty and still single."
"If you had two wishes—one to be a billionaire and the other to get a girlfriend—I'd help you become a billionaire without hesitation," the older professor quipped.
After the friendly banter, Eiren glanced at the time. "Two hours until my train departs. I'll head to the station now."
"Safe travels."
"Bring back some Chiba specialties."
"What counts as a Chiba specialty?"
"Peanuts, soy sauce, golden eye snapper, Kosui pears?"
"I'll see what I can find," Eiren replied, walking out of the office.
She unlocked her car, then sent a message to Hibiki Naegi.
[I'm heading to the station now. I should arrive in Tokyo tonight. I have some errands to run in Tokyo first, but on Friday, I'll be in Chiba. Let's meet in front of Sobu High.]
After sending the message, Eiren Kanagawa pressed her foot on the accelerator, driving to the station faster than usual. Even though she wouldn't see Hibiki Naegi until Friday, she wanted to be on that train to Tokyo as soon as possible.
—I thought Professor Kanagawa had finally found a boyfriend and was taking a sweet overseas trip this holiday.
Her colleague's words echoed in her ears. Eiren pictured Hibiki's face in her mind and chuckled softly. "What boyfriend? If all goes well, she'll be my girlfriend."
...
Kotomi returned to class holding the photobook, looking a little disappointed.
"Sakurajima-senpai wouldn't give you an autograph?" Megumi Kato asked when she saw her.
Kotomi shook her head and tucked the photobook into her bag. "It's not that she wouldn't—she's on leave and not at school. Looks like I'll have to wait until next week."
"Then you'll just have to be patient. Still, when I first found out that Mai Sakurajima—the big TV star—was also a student here at Sobu High, I was shocked. I always thought stars like her belonged to a completely different world."
As Yui Yuigahama spoke, she held out the new flavor of fruit tart she'd made yesterday to Kotomi.
Kotomi took a bite, and her disappointed look instantly vanished. "Delicious!"
"I've heard you're pretty close with Sakurajima-senpai?"
"It's alright. She's just an easygoing person," Kotomi shrugged. She hadn't met Mai many times, but she always felt no pressure talking to her—it was like chatting with any other classmate.
Whether on TV or in real life, Mai Sakurajima was stunning beyond words. Whenever Kotomi spoke to her, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm slightly. In terms of looks, Kotomi was confident she could hold her own against Mai.
But there was something about Mai's presence—an indescribable aura. It was like an invisible hand drawing Kotomi in, a swamp disguised as paradise, luring her deeper with beauty.
As Kotomi chatted with Yukino and the others, one hand was hidden inside her desk, holding her phone. Every so often, she'd glance down and type out a reply without looking. She was chatting with Iroha Isshiki on LINE.
Yesterday, after Kotomi got in the car, she had replied to Iroha's earlier message. She hadn't checked her phone again until her first class began, when she saw Iroha's reply. From there, the two had been messaging back and forth from first period all the way to the end of third period.
Today was no different. During lunch break, Kotomi looked for all the world like she was eating lunch and chatting with her friends, but her hidden hand never stopped tapping away at the nine-key keyboard, carrying on her conversation with Iroha.
Just a few days ago, Kotomi had only ever used a full keyboard on her phone. Now, her skill with the nine-key layout had improved at an astonishing pace.
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