"Sorry for asking you to meet at this hour. To make up for it, I'll cover the bill." — said Edomae Akane.
"It's totally fine. And congratulations on today's interview — as always, you were incredible." — the principal replied.
"Fufu~ thank you. Not only for the praise… I also heard from my daughter that her friend managed to pass the test without any problem. Thank you for your efforts."
"Glad to hear it. Though, honestly, all we did was correct his paper fairly. No preferences, I swear."
"You mean it? Then… may I ask how much he scored?" — Akane tilted her head with curiosity.
"He was right on the line between failing and passing. He barely made it."
"So I underestimated him after all. Well… I'll still ask for your cooperation. It shouldn't be too hard, right?"
"Of course. Helping every student find their own path is our duty."
"It's reassuring to hear that. Respecting everyone's choices is important, after all."
"As you said — respecting each one's choices is essential. I completely agree." — the principal said, looking directly at Akane.
"Fufu~ glad you think like me." — Akane answered with a genuine smile.
At that moment, the waitress approached.
"Ladies, may I take your orders?"
"I'll have iced coffee and a strawberry shortcake." — requested Akane.
"Black coffee with fries for me." — said the principal.
After the waitress left, Akane leaned back slightly and started some small talk.
"It's been a while since we went out like this. It really takes me back to when we were just high school girls."
"You're right. Back then we did all sorts of crazy things." — the principal reminisced.
"I still remember when we ditched class just to go to the cinema. I was shocked you agreed to come — since you were always such a blockhead."
"Better the cinema than watching that old hag drone on about her autobiography. She spent half the time talking only about herself."
"Fufu~ exactly. By the way, I was surprised when I saw her acting as an inspector for the scholarship interviews. Shouldn't she have retired by now?"
"She just doesn't want to retire. Since she was a terrible lecturer, I reassigned her to odd jobs. But then I got word she was acting like a proper inspector. I'm honestly glad you intervened in that matter."
"She almost failed Morikawa-kun. That's no laughing matter. So… what happened to her now?"
"Don't worry. I finally did what I should've done long ago. I dismissed her."
"If she causes any trouble again, let me know. I'll back you up."
Their small talk ended when the waitress returned with their orders.
"Strawberry cake? I thought you liked chocolate flavor." — the principal commented.
"Fufu~ before I realized it, strawberry became my favorite."
Both of them began eating their plates and sipping their drinks.
"So… why did you call me here?" — the principal finally asked.
"Nothing troublesome, I promise. I just wanted to hear your thoughts."
"My thoughts? About what?"
"About my daughter and Morikawa-kun. What do you think of them?"
"They seem like good friends, as far as I can tell. But… do you really need to ask me that?"
"Well… when I could date my husband, you were so against it. You kept telling me everything I did was wrong. I just want to know if you feel the same way about my daughter's relationship with that boy." — Akane said, staring directly into the principal's eyes.
"Akane… sorry, I mean Edomae-sensei. Back then, I assumed you forced him into being with you." — the principal explained calmly.
"I was desperate to get his attention, so maybe I caused some misunderstandings. But since I never gave up, I was able to win his heart. Fufu~"
The principal reflected quietly, then gathered the courage to ask:
"But… we all knew he already had someone he liked. You met her too, right? His childhood friend—"
"Who are you talking about?"
Meaningless. That was the only word that crossed the principal's mind.
"You're right… I misunderstood you back then. Don't worry. I just hope Ayame-san and Morikawa-san continue to get along."
"You think so? I'm glad to hear it."
After that, Akane paid the bill, just as promised. They each went their separate ways home.
The principal let out a sigh.
"Seriously… did she become crazy after falling in love? Or was she always like that from the start?"
Back home, she opened her old photo album, and memories flooded back…
[Hey! Are you okay? You don't need to listen to them, it's all just jealousy.]
[Edomae-san!? It's an honor to meet you!]
[Fufu~ no need to address me like that. I've heard about you — the student who got the scholarship by acing all the tests. You're way more incredible than me.]
...
[You aced it again. At this point, all I can do is try my best to at least tie with you.]
[If I don't get a perfect score, my scholarship will be taken away after all.]
[I see... I was thinking about going to watch that sci-fi movie today, but I guess ditching class wouldn't be—]
[I'll go! Lead the way!]
...
[I think I've found my destined love.]
[Akane, don't you feel embarrassed saying stuff like that? Well… it's not like I don't understand you.]
[He's just perfect… but will he feel annoyed if I try to talk to him?]
[Sigh~ it seems you really like him. Look, if he gets annoyed, then he has no taste for good women. Just be yourself and you'll be fine.]
[You think so?]
[Of course! Just like you always helped me, you can do the same for him.]
[I see… thanks!]
...
[sob… sob…]
[Akane… what happened?]
[He already has someone he likes. I feel so stupid for believing in destiny.]
[Hey, don't say that's stupid. Falling in love is beautiful — honestly, I kind of envy you because of it.]
[But what's the point? All I feel is pain. Sob…]
[It's not the end, right? Besides… you could try being his second girlfriend.]
[...]
[Akane?]
[Fufu~ I see… you're right. I can't give up that easily.]
[That's the spirit!]
...
[I finally managed to convey my feelings to him! He accepted!]
[That's great! Well… she was always kind and open-minded. I knew she would be okay with you being his second girlfriend.]
[Oh! About that — he chose me! Isn't that romantic?]
[He did what!? As far as I know, he liked her, and she liked him too. What kind of trick did you pull?]
[I just did my best! Every day I sent him messages, showing my feelings. Every day I made sure to stay close to him. It was exhausting, but at the same time fulfilling. Fufu~ I'm so glad I never gave up.]
[Akane… you…]
[Hmm?]
[Be honest. Did he actually want to part ways with her?]
[...]
[How could you—!? Akane, what you did was completely wrong! Go and apologize to them!]
...
"Morikawa-san, I hope you truly understand the kind of mess you're getting involved in…"
The principal sighed, went to the kitchen, and poured herself a glass of cold water.
"No… maybe I'm just overthinking. Ayame-san isn't like Edomae-sensei. That's why, even knowing the truth, he still chooses to stay by her side. There's nothing for me to interfere with. Though… I can't help having mixed feelings about this situation."
[But he might just see her as a friend.] — The principal remembered what the P.E. teacher had said.
"No! I've already discussed this with my colleagues. I should just relax tonight — there's nothing I can do now. Let's just sleep!"