After such an awkward turn of events, it was impossible to continue the meeting.
Upon confirming that these two were absolutely incapable of completing the graduation ceremony, everyone decided to go home and sleep.
They'd gather again another time.
Of course, next time… Fujiwara would be replacing Mitarai!
At the same time, Shiro didn't forget about that "brotherly duo" brought together by fate.
If nothing unexpected happened, Yamamoto was probably chasing after Kohei by the beach right now.
Truly the spirit of youth~
"So, what's your problem, anyway?"
Iori, walking alongside Shiro, asked.
In the end, neither of them had said anything about their own issues.
Since it was just the two of them now, Shiro didn't feel the need to keep secrets anymore. He got straight to the point.
"Uh… I have a friend who's looking for a super discreet place to live… like somewhere they won't be seen at all."
Shiro averted his gaze, feeling guilty. All the love hotels he'd found online were just too conspicuous.
(???)
"You're not hiding a secret lover, are you?"
Iori looked at Shiro suspiciously. He'd only seen this kind of plot in dramas.
"Haha… Of course not. I'm not the type to hide lovers. I mean, have you ever seen me confirm a relationship?"
"…"
That was true. This scumbag basically never stuck around long-term with any girl he got involved with.
Both Busujima and Kamio had basically thrown themselves at him…
Damn it! I'm jealous!
Iori clicked his tongue in frustration. "Then just rent another apartment or something. It's not like you're short on cash."
!
Shiro froze. That… actually made sense!
He'd gotten stuck in a strange mindset—why had he been looking at hotels to begin with? He could just rent an apartment and…
Okay, maybe not.
He suddenly remembered a brutal truth: even if he avoided Kiyoko Kamio and Sakurako this way, the new "friend" would know the address, and when he got tired of them, he'd have to find another new place.
Still unreliable! (?????)
"Isn't there another way…"
"I thought you said it was just one friend?"
"…"
As his childhood friend, Iori could tell just by looking at him—not a single word Shiro said was the truth.
Glaring at him, he snapped, "Seriously, I thought your problem would be the same as mine."
"You, a dumbass, have problems?"
"Even a scumbag like you does!"
(;?＿?)
Shiro looked away, deciding it wasn't worth arguing with someone who was clearly burning with jealousy.
"So what's your problem?"
At that, Iori stopped walking, raising his head to look at the sky.
"It's the succession ceremony."
Shiro tensed. Back to that topic again—something he didn't want to think about, but had to face.
He too looked up at the night sky.
Beautiful—and surreal.
"Succession, huh…"
Dive Shop
Shiro rested his chin on his hand, watching Nanaka-nee's graceful curves as she worked.
"So what's the point of today's meeting?"
Iori, ever the slacker, was slumped over the table in despair.
"Same as before—the retirement ceremony."
"Ah…" Just hearing that gave Shiro a headache. "Didn't we already agree to find a beach?"
"But which one, and what exactly are we doing? If only we knew what past retirement ceremonies were like."
Iori sighed. They had nothing to go on.
"Previous successions…!!"
That line lit a spark in Shiro's mind. He turned to look at Nanaka-senpai, who was still busy.
There she was!
You had to know—Nanaka-senpai was the senpai of senpais, a woman at the top of the food chain!
She had to know how last year's graduation was handled!
With that in mind, Shiro pulled her over.
(′｀;)?
"Is something up, Shiro?"
Nanaka looked at him, puzzled. Iori, beside them, suddenly understood what Shiro meant.
He gave his childhood friend a big thumbs-up.
"Nanaka-nee, we wanted to ask how last year's retirement ceremony was done?"
No need to be shy—Shiro asked directly.
Technically, this was something second-years should be handling, but they didn't have any second-years in their club…
"Retirement ceremony? So it's that time already, huh?"
Nanaka suddenly remembered—it was nearly September. Time for the succession.
As for last year's event, a nostalgic look flashed in her eyes.
"I remember we had a training camp in Okinawa~"
At that answer, both of them deflated immediately.
"Okinawa, huh…"
"Too bad—we've already been there."
They sighed. They couldn't exactly go again—it wouldn't feel fresh at all.
So they asked, "Any other ideas?"
This time, Nanaka didn't answer right away. Instead, she stood up and tied her hair back with a smile.
"I could suggest something… but if you come up with it yourselves, they'll be even happier."
After all, every graduating senior looked forward to their underclassmen surprising them~
"Now that you mention it, that makes sense."
"Where we go isn't important—what matters is the sentiment. Just like giving a gift to someone you love."
"That's true." Nanaka nodded, then went back to her unfinished work.
"So Shiro, Iori, do your best! If you don't know something, feel free to ask me~"
Nice sentiment and all, but…
Shiro and Iori exchanged looks.
They could tell from each other's eyes—neither was good at coming up with plans. If they were, they wouldn't be in this situation.
"Time to rope in the rest of the crew."
There were still three other first-years. Surely five people could come up with something.
With that, Iori pulled out his phone and messaged the "Makeup Zombie"—even though she hadn't shown up in a while, they couldn't forget her.
"So where are Kohei and Chisa?"
Iori looked around. Those two should be in the store at this time.
"Kohei? That guy went to line up for the latest figures and games. Forget him—he couldn't come up with anything fun even if he tried."
On that point, Shiro was confident—especially when a new game launched!
"As for Chisa… shouldn't you be the one to answer that?"
Shiro looked at Iori as if he were an idiot. Iori actually asked him, an outsider, about Chisa when their bedrooms were just one floor apart?
What was he thinking?
"Did you two have another fight recently?"
It wasn't unreasonable for Shiro to ask. Sitting in front of him was Kitahara, after all. That fool Kitahara!
There was no telling what nonsense he'd pull!
"No way! Chisa and I have been getting along great lately. Just yesterday, when she went to take a shower, she forgot her underwear in the laundry basket, and I helped her take it out."
"..."
Looking at Iori's proud face, Shiro fell silent for a moment. Then he pointed behind Iori.
"I suggest you turn around and take a look…"
"..."
Even without turning, Iori could already feel the killing intent—thanks to Shiro's warning!
That's right.
It was Chisa.
Ah, life… it sure has its little twists and turns~
Iori straightened his posture and tried to act calm. "So… where were we?"
"Underwear…"
"Not that part! The line before that!"
Smack!
Too bad. It was already too late.
Chisa placed her hand on Iori's head, wearing that expression—the one reserved exclusively for Iori.
Yes, Iori now had an expression from Chisa just for him. He no longer had to share one with rats and cockroaches!
"Give me five minutes."
Knowing she was talking to him, Shiro silently made a "please go ahead" gesture.
And then came a scene unsuitable for children~
"Chisa! Chisa, I was wrong!"
"I just didn't want your underwear to get dirty! But seriously, Chisa, yours are a little childish. The one I gave you is more— Aaaahhh!"
"Not the face! If you're not happy, I'll buy you something racier next time!"
"Ahhh! Why are you still not satisfied?!"
"..."
(???)
Shiro quietly clapped his hands to himself. When it came to self-destructive behavior, no one could top Kitahara.
Five minutes later
Iori's seat was now occupied by something that looked like a pig-headed monster. Somehow, it didn't feel out of place.
"So what did you call me down for?"
After venting, Chisa was refreshed and calm as she looked at Shiro. He was the one who messaged her earlier.
At the time, Chisa had been lying in bed, immersing herself in the surround sound of ocean waves.
Who would've guessed that coming downstairs, she'd hear such terrifying news. Looks like that underwear from yesterday was done for…
"Ah, right. I wanted to ask how we're going to handle the seniors' graduation ceremony."
"Ah…"
Hearing such a serious topic all of a sudden, Chisa was briefly stunned.
Unlike Shiro and the others, this was the first time it really hit her—graduation was happening.
"Our club activities are centered around the sea, right?"
"Which ocean spot do you think is best? We already went to Okinawa before, and the seniors last time also did theirs there."
The two looked to Chisa. Among them, she was the most knowledgeable about the ocean—borderline obsessed, even.
"Hmm… which sea?"
Even though it was a sudden question, a map of Japan's various coasts already floated up in Chisa's mind.
But none of them really stood out.
Wait.
Who said it had to be in Japan?
Thinking of the exotic seascapes abroad, Chisa's eyes suddenly lit up!
"This is a rare opportunity, so let's go abroad!"
"Abroad?"
Shiro and Iori looked at each other. That actually sounded like a great idea.
But—
"Can our current diving licenses be used overseas?"
They both pulled out their diving certs. These were just basic licenses. To dive abroad, you usually needed an Open Water Diver license.
"Hmm… technically we can, but it'd be better to have the advanced one."
After all, if they were going abroad, they'd want to explore deeper waters.
"In that case, let's go take the advanced course," said Iori, deciding to challenge himself!
Chisa looked surprised and delighted by his declaration.
Her expression turned adorably soft~
Shiro noticed—when someone shows love for diving, Chisa gets very happy.
She's kind of easy to please~
"I'm in too. Let's check with Kouhei and the zombie girl."
He figured it wouldn't be an issue—those two had simple minds. Just tell them Iori's doing it, and they'll follow for sure!
And sure enough—
Shiro had barely finished messaging Kouhei when the reply came back—he was in.
"Kouhei's on board. What about the zombie girl?"
"Hmm…"
Iori's expression turned a bit awkward.
"She… hasn't read any of the messages."
Chisa and Shiro checked—the previous messages were still marked "unread."
"Did you do something to piss her off?" they both asked, staring at Iori with suspicion.
"I've never done anything like that!"
"..."
That confident tone—if they hadn't witnessed otherwise, they might've believed him.
Anyway.
Even though one person hadn't responded yet, the graduation trip plan was more or less decided!
Tentatively—
Going abroad!
Time to plan a once-in-a-lifetime graduation send-off!