"Do you… have someone you like?"
The gray-haired girl sitting beside him lifted her timid gaze, her voice trembling with hesitation. Her entire body was tense as she gathered her strength just to hold onto the boy next to her with trembling fingers.
As if she feared that asking such a question would make the black-haired boy at her side run away.
"…?"
Kazami Haru slowly turned his gaze from the starry sky toward her.
He had been musing about why today's planetarium show featured Cancer and he certainly hadn't expected the Little Penguin beside him to say something like that. Just from the way she nervously forced herself to look him in the eye, Haru could tell...
That word like meant far more than it seemed.
She had gathered all her courage just to ask. There was no way Haru could brush her off.
Besides, Kazami Haru was no longer the kind of person who ran from his feelings. Since he had already decided to face things honestly, then now was simply a matter of acknowledging what was in his heart.
"Of course I do."
"…Ah."
Takamatsu Tomori trembled at Haru's calm, straightforward reply. Her amber eyes, delicate enough to be called works of art, locked onto the side of his face, as if trying to peer deep into the truth buried within him.
He already liked someone?
Just hearing that made her head spin, unraveling the resolve she had barely managed to piece together.
If Haru already had someone he truly loved and wanted to be with, then her so-called ridiculous idea would lose all meaning. The very moment she had found the courage to act, she had already lost.
She had still failed to catch that fleeting shooting star.
The Little Penguin curled into a tiny ball, eyes brimming with sorrow and confusion. Her emotions felt on the verge of solidifying into something tangible, ready to spill out. If this kept up, the fragments of her breaking heart would become pieces of a black hole, pulling everything around her into the void.
Seeing her like that, Haru couldn't take it anymore. He gave a small shrug and gently reached out to pinch her soft cheek.
Just that little touch was enough to pull Tomori out of the pit she had sunk into. As her eyes blinked in confusion, Haru finally spoke again.
"Why didn't you ask who it is I like?"
"…Huh?"
That teasing lilt in his voice added a layer of bewilderment to her gaze. Haru leaned back into the bench, then said in a calm and open tone—
"I like you, Tomori."
"…"
Tomori's head tilted slightly as if her brain had short-circuited. Her brows furrowed as if processing something serious, while a faint blush bloomed across her flustered face.
Completely at a loss for what to do, the Little Penguin could only reach out and lightly pinch the corner of his shirt.
"But… there's something even more important right now."
Kazami Haru turned and looked straight at her. Even if someone as whimsical and spacey as Tomori couldn't fully understand his feelings, he knew he had to say this—seriously, and with everything he had.
"The one I like… isn't just you, Tomori."
The gray-haired girl blinked slowly. She could hardly believe what she'd just heard.
"…Does that mean… Anon-chan too?"
"…She's not the only one."
Kazami Haru's voice was calm and firm as he responded.
At the same time, he closely watched the expression on the Little Penguin's face, waiting to see if she would show distress or even rejection.
If the sweetest, kindest Little Penguin were to say, "I hate you." My heart feels like it will break.
But even with that fear in mind, he had to be honest and transparent. No matter how she reacted, he had already resolved to do his best until she could accept him.
"…I see."
To his surprise, Tomori just blankly nodded.
There was no visible change in her expression. Her gaze remained as dazed and gentle as ever, which Haru figured must mean she was stunned, his words were probably still echoing in her head.
Haru could feel his heartbeat accelerating. He tried to steady himself before continuing. "What I meant is that I like several people at the same time and I'm prepared to be the worst kind of scumbag who tries to juggle multiple relationships."
"Mmhmm…"
Even after his serious explanation, Tomori simply nodded again, her expression just as earnest.
"I think… that's fine."
Kazami Haru: …What?
Wait, does the Little Penguin really understand what he's saying?
Haru, who had braced himself for rejection, now felt like he'd punched into a pillow. He'd even dropped the word "scumbag", but Tomori still didn't show the slightest trace of pain or conflict.
It made him start to wonder, was her definition of love even the same as his?
Unlike Haru, who was now spiraling into confusion, Tomori seemed to relax. Her once-tense nerves were beginning to unwind, and a faint, joyful smile appeared on her lips.
The planetarium event at Evening Primrose soon came to an end. The sweet and adorable Little Penguin gently tugged on Haru's sleeve and followed closely behind him. Before they knew it, the two of them had reached the plaza lit with soft orange and golden hues.
Light flickered through the fountain spray, casting shimmering rings around them. To Haru's ears, only the crisp sound of water flowing and the faint, whispering breath of the girl beside him could be heard.
"…Haru."
The Little Penguin suddenly spoke, her right hand curling into a fist against her chest. She had been thinking deeply and clearly. Now, as she looked up at him, all her earlier fear and nervousness had vanished. Her eyes were filled only with certainty.
"Hearing that you like me… made me really happy."
"Wait, hold on!"
Kazami Haru, hypersensitive to these kinds of emotional developments, cut her off in a mild panic. The sudden turn of her words gave him an odd sense of dread, memories of being rejected in a simulated confession came flashing back.
He took a deep breath to calm himself, then gave her a small nod to continue.
He was ready now. No matter what she said, he would stay composed.
"I like you, Haru."
Standing before him, Takamatsu Tomori looked up and met his eyes without a trace of fear. She had finally laid all her feelings bare, free of doubt, hesitation, or regret. She took a quiet step forward and gently wrapped her arms around him.
No longer running from past pain.
No longer hiding her feelings.
No longer fearing an uncertain future.
No longer holding back out of fear or hesitation.
Takamatsu Tomori was moving forward, completely.
"…!"
Her soft, delicate body pressed against him, carrying the sweet scent that lingered between them. She felt so fragile, as if even a light touch might break her. Her silky cheek gently rubbed against his chest.
Kazami Haru was completely unprepared.
The arsenal of carefully prepared lines in his mind dissolved on the spot, turning into a puddle of brain sludge. Her hug had overwhelmed all of his defenses.
"It's okay if I'm not the only one you love… I just want to stay by your side, always…"
What? That was my ultimate line and it shattered instantly?
What kind of power is this? I almost ended up thinking I should just go all in on the Tomori route.
"…Tomori, are you sure you're really okay with this?"
Even Haru, now thoroughly enchanted by the Little Penguin's charm, found a hint of seriousness surfacing in his expression.
He tried his best to keep his thoughts in order, taking deep breaths, but even he could tell he was getting a little love-dazed.
"I think… it's okay."
"I just don't want Haru to leave me. Can you… hold me a little longer?"
Hearing that, Haru gently bowed his head and wrapped his arms around her a bit tighter. He couldn't resist running his hand over her soft, fine gray hair. He could feel the tips of her ears turning red and hot.
Tomori was genuinely happy.
Like biting into a golden star-shaped candy, its sweetness flooded her heart. That happiness was so intoxicating, it made her even more certain of what she wanted.
Haru shared the same wish. Maybe this way, everyone really could stay together forever.
If only she could be a little greedier… because having this happiness to herself would be too selfish.
"Haru, can you lower yourself a little more…?"
Sensing what she meant, Haru bent down slowly, trying to contain the nervous tension building inside him.
Tomori's eyes sparkled with a clear, misty shine. As she rose slightly on her toes, her gentle face drew closer to his. He could feel her unsteady breaths, and then—
Her soft, cherry-colored lips pressed lightly against his.
The night was as deep as ink, thick and impenetrable.
Her warmth, her fragrance, her presence—it was all too much at once. Their embrace tightened, as if they wanted to melt into each other completely.
It took them quite a while to slowly part.
Not used to this kind of thing at all, Tomori's face was flushed red, her lips slightly glistening.
"…Tomori?"
It took a moment before Haru's brain came back online. His voice came out a little unsure.
He hadn't expected the usually innocent Little Penguin to be so bold and it wasn't just a kiss. She had actually used her tongue. That nearly shut his brain down entirely.
Tomori seemed to realize her own boldness too. Her adorable face was overcome with nervousness. Anxiously, she mumbled—
"Ryo-senpai… told me to do it. Did I… mess it up?"
"It's not like that. I was just… surprised."
Kazami Haru let out a long breath and gently pulled the girl into his arms to comfort her.
At this point, he had no energy left to complain about Ryo-senpai giving out questionable advice. He was simply too caught up in Tomori's charm to escape.
"Next time… I'll do better."
Tomori's face was burning red as she clenched her small fists. That sincere and adorable expression of hers had an almost dangerous level of cuteness. In just this short time they'd been together, Haru had already been overwhelmed nearly to the point of suffocation.
Please, no more effort. He might die from how cute she is.
The sky was growing darker, and knowing it was getting late and her family might worry, Haru decided to walk the Little Penguin home. Before they parted ways, she hugged him tightly and reluctantly let go.
It wasn't until she had closed the door behind her, waving goodbye, that Haru finally exhaled deeply on her doorstep.
"…I really do like Tomori the most, don't I?"
That bold, unexpected initiative from the Little Penguin had hit him hard. Honestly, if she'd looked up at him with teary eyes and said "Only love me", he might have nodded on the spot like a man already captured.
"…Still, I didn't expect Tomori to accept it without hesitation…"
At this rate, he really was heading toward a "dating everyone" kind of route.
...
The next day at RiNG—
Maybe it was because the MyGO band name had finally been decided, but Shiina Taki had sent a message in the band Line group early in the morning, calling for a proper meeting before summer break ended.
Knowing how seriously Taki took these things, Haru didn't slack off. After a quick breakfast, he made his way to the second floor of RiNG, only to find that Takamatsu Tomori and Chihaya Anon were already there.
"Haruuuu~ Come sit already!"
"Alright, alright, I'll log in after a quick shower."
Grumbling casually, Haru sat down beside Tomori. The Little Penguin, who had just kissed him yesterday, clearly wasn't used to this new closeness. Her face flushed bright red as she mumbled nervously, "…Good afternoon, Haru."
Please, Tomori, dial it down. I can't handle much more of this.
"Hm?"
Sitting on Haru's other side, Anon looked between the two of them, her expression subtly suspicious. Something about the way they were looking at each other felt… off.
"Haru, is Taki not here yet?"
Before she could dig too deep, Haru redirected her attention.
"Rikki was actually the first one here~ But she said she needed to grab something real quick, so she stepped out~"
Anon still wore her usual carefree smile, but her thoughts were already spiraling. Last night she'd had that dream again, the familiar one that never went her way.
And this time… it was Bocchi that married Haru?!
Chihaya Anon hadn't seen that coming. She'd spent so much energy watching out for the red sneaky cat and the brown vixen, yet the dream ended with something completely incomprehensible.
She'd once thought Nagasaki Soyo was the safest, stabbed in the back.
Then she assumed Gotoh Hitori was no threat, stabbed in the back again.
Two consecutive dreams had left her feeling like everyone was a potential rival!
Don't tell me next time it'll be Tomori?!
"…Anon-chan?"
Tomori blinked, suddenly aware of Anon's sharp stare. She immediately grew nervous, assuming she'd done something wrong. The memory of her intimacy with Haru yesterday made her drop her head guiltily.
While Anon was still deep in her whirlwind of thoughts, the glass doors of RiNG opened again.
Nagasaki Soyo walked in with a calm smile, dressed in an elegant ivory dress with ribbon trim. The moment she spotted Anon, her brows subtly lifted.
Having woken up to a bad dream that morning, just seeing that pink hair made her feel irritated.
"Soyo-rin~ You're late!"
"I'm not late, am I?"
Soyo responded flatly without warmth. Her cold attitude made Anon's eyes sharpen. The sparks that flew between their gazes were almost visible.
Still, the two were used to bickering. Soyo quickly took a seat across from Haru, her expression unreadable as she watched her supposed "husband."
He said he'd always be by my side… and now he's turned into such a flirt.
That's not something I can forgive so easily.
"…Soyo?"
Haru flinched at her crescent-moon smile. Despite the beauty of her expression, there was something about it that felt ominous, even scary.
"What's wrong~ Haru?"
That high, sweet tone in her voice sent a chill down his spine. The nickname sounded more threatening than affectionate, and Haru nervously pursed his lips, unsure what had upset her.
"The wallet you gave me has been super useful. I carry it with me every day."
Let's start with some praise, the best way to pacify Soyo!
"Really~? I'm glad."
"Oh, and I recently bought some new aroma oils. They're great for sleep. You've been tired lately, haven't you? I'll drop them off at your home sometime."
Home?
Chihaya Anon's eyes widened.
Base infiltration?! That's against the rules!
What happened to fair competition?!
But Soyo's gaze remained calm. After that so-called prophetic dream, she had decided she couldn't just sit back anymore.
As for fairness?
After the summer festival where the Kessoku band had a live, the so-called "fair competition" between Soyo and Anon had become little more than a polite front. Truthfully, neither of them had ever intended to play fair.
"Soyo… are you planning to sleep with Haru too?"
A flat voice suddenly came from behind them. Kaname Raana, casually pushing a cart, asked this with zero hesitation.