"Because I have the power of money," Narii said smugly, crossing her arms under her chest.
"Little potato, let big sis tell you—there's nothing in this world that money can't solve."
"And if there is, then you just haven't paid enough."
"Who're you calling little potato?! I'm just a late bloomer! I'll grow taller!"
Toji Rina hated people commenting on her height more than anything.
"I'm just stating facts. Or are you saying you're not short?" Narii knew that lies don't hurt—truth does.
That's why her style when arguing was always brutal honesty—it was her ultimate weapon.
"Ughhh! I'm so mad! I challenge you to a duel!"
Toji Rina grabbed a shinai off the floor and pointed it at Narii.
"Oooh, I'm soooo scared~" Narii ducked behind Takashi, peeking out from behind him and deliberately speaking in a cutesy voice,
"Big brother~ Look at her, she's being so mean to me~"
Takashi shuddered at the voice that sounded like someone choking on a slipper. "Damn, you're good at that. What a waste not doing online dating."
"So did you do online dating, big brother? You're my one and only." Narii played along, batting her sparkly mascara-heavy eyes at him.
"Hard pass."
Takashi didn't bother with the two arguing girls and picked up his shinai to start practicing off to the side.
The clubroom quieted down. Outside the window, the setting sun was as red as if a typhoon had just passed. From the track, the shouts of the track team could be faintly heard.
Takashi stayed in the club until 5:30.
When practice ended, he grabbed his bag and left the club with Narii.
"One, two! One, two! One, two..."
As they exited the club building, the chants of the track team became louder, and he could see soccer players running across the field.
This kind of dedication to training even under the blazing summer sun—he couldn't help but respect it.
This... this is what normal youth should look like.
Normal youth isn't like those ridiculous TV dramas filled with abortions, booze, and clubbing.
Listening to their chants, Takashi left the school.
Over the next few days, Takashi attended school and club activities like a model student.
Even though he knew, with his limited talent, that no amount of training would really improve his swordsmanship... to be honest, he enjoyed spending time with everyone.
That peaceful routine continued until Friday.
That day, Takashi asked Toji Taku to leave early.
He had a date planned—with Shijo Maki.
To be honest, Takashi didn't get it.
She was already going on a date with Tanuma Tsubasa, so why drag him along too?
What, was he supposed to be her bag boy?
But Takashi still agreed.
Not just for the points—but because Maki was a genuinely kind person.
He wanted her to find happiness too.
He had no intention of breaking up couples in love.
Sitting on the swaying train, Takashi had opted not to ride his bike this time.
What if one day he forgot to wear makeup while riding to Aoba? That would be a disaster.
Last time he forgot to hide someone in a photo, and that lesson had stuck.
Grabbing the strap with one hand, Takashi closed his eyes.
The train rattled along steadily, not disturbing his nap at all.
'He fell asleep again?'
Komi Shouko, who had just boarded from the platform, saw Takashi holding the strap, dozing off, and couldn't help but be curious.
What exactly does he do every day?
He always seems sleep-deprived.
'Should I wake him?'
Komi Shouko felt it was dangerous to sleep like that and wanted to wake him, but lacked the courage.
As the train jolted, Takashi's body tilted forward, and Komi Shouko instinctively reached out to steady him.
Just then, Takashi opened his eyes.
"Thanks, but I wasn't asleep," he said calmly.
He had only closed his eyes because staring at his phone too long had made them sore.
Did they really think he could sleep while standing?
"Wait, you're the girl whom I fell asleep on that one time, right?"
Yes!
He actually remembered me!
Komi Shouko's eyes curved into crescent moons with joy.
"Why didn't you contact me after that?"
"I..."
Komi Shouko opened her mouth, hesitated, then pulled out her phone. Her slender fingers tapped away. When she finished, she held up her screen:
[I was too scared.]
"Scared? Why?"
She typed again:
[I get nervous talking to people.]
"Social anxiety?" Takashi asked.
Komi Shouko nodded repeatedly.
After a moment, she continued typing:
[Hi, my name is Komi Shouko. Can we be friends?]
"You want to be friends with me?"
Komi Shouko nodded again, looking at him with hope in her eyes.
Takashi curled his lips into a mischievous grin. "Becoming my friend is expensive, you know."
"Friendship requires money to maintain."
Komi Shouko's eyes lit up with an idea. She typed:
[If I pay a friendship fee, can we be friends?]
"Of course."
Takashi was just teasing her.
But unexpectedly, Komi Shouko beamed at the confirmation and pulled out her wallet.
[How much?]
Takashi: "..."
Wait. Is she serious?
That was clearly a joke!
"You're really gonna pay?"
[Didn't you ask for it?]
"Just because I asked, you're gonna give it?"
Komi Shouko's face scrunched up with a hint of sadness:
[Then what do you want?]
Wasn't it you who wanted this?
Now you don't want it? What are you saying?
Are you making fun of me?
"Hahahahaha..."
Takashi laughed at her sad little face. Her silliness was just too amusing.
High-and-mighty ice queen? More like an adorable goofball.
"Alright, you owe me for now. Pay me later if I ever ask," Takashi said, shamelessly accepting the idea like a pro moocher with no shame.
"Yotsuya Station, now arriving."
"Please exit and board in an orderly fashion."
"I'm getting off now. See you next time, bestie."
As they reached their stop, Takashi waved and got off with the crowd.
Watching him walk away, Komi Shouko raised her hand and whispered in a voice only she could hear, "See you again."
Her voice was so soft, like the hum of a mosquito. With all the people bustling on the platform, it was impossible for Takashi to hear her.
It was more like she was talking to herself than to him.
But somehow, Takashi suddenly paused, turned back, and looked at her with a gentle smile.
"You've got a really nice voice, y'know!"
Komi Shouko's face turned as red as a tomato.
'H-h-he heard me?'
Embarrassed at being heard, her brain turned to mush, and her thoughts tangled into knots.
And the one responsible for all this—Takashi—stepped off the train after dropping that line.
His carefree, casual departure made him look exactly like the type of guy who sweet-talks girls into bed and ghosts them the next day.
Komi Shouko's gaze at his back grew a little resentful.
If you heard it, fine! Why'd you have to say it out loud? So annoying!
What Komi Shouko didn't know was—out of sight, Katsura Kotonoha was watching her intently.
Takashi had been riding his bike to school lately, so she hadn't run into him at all. The lemon water she'd prepared had never been delivered.
They only ran into each other today because it was her turn again to clean with the three girls who often bullied her.
As usual, she stayed behind alone to finish the job and only then bumped into him.
But it seemed like fate wasn't on their side.
Just as she was stepping up, Takashi was stepping off the train.
If Takashi hadn't spoken, Kotonoha might not have even noticed he was there.
What's her relationship with Takashi?
Last time, it was Komi Shouko staring at her silently.
This time, it was her.
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