- "We've arrived, let's go down."
– "Alright…"
We kept walking toward the neighborhood.
Reaching this point meant we were close to my house… and to the end of this encounter.
But I hadn't finished my plan yet.
– "Mizuki, in your opinion… why is our curriculum considered the hardest?"
I asked with a light smile, my tone deliberately playful.
– "Hmm… maybe because you study from 8 to 5, take eleven exams in a single week—each one different—have a huge load of lessons, use a complex teaching style, and have barely any time?"
She answered with a serious tone… but still sounded sweet.
A stab...
A very polite one... but still a stab.
Why, Mizuki?
Why did you have to hit every nerve in my heart all at once?
My face probably showed the perfect mix of pain and internal laughter—
Like I'd been hit with a chocolate sword.
– "Yeah… you nailed it. But there's one great loophole."
– "What is it?"
She tilted her head slightly, her expression full of curious confusion.
– "If there are too many lessons, more subjects, and less time… what should we do?"
She placed a hand under her chin and closed her eyes, thinking…
– "Cut down on the subjects? Only study what we can manage?"
– "Exactly! You get the vibe!"
I pointed my finger like I was recruiting her for my cause.
– "I'm only going to study three subjects. And I won't attend that often. I'll study at home—not in school."
I turned forward, my voice dead serious, like I was launching a revolution.
– "But how will you handle the school calendar? The prep classes? How will you even get in each time? Will your guardian come with you all the time?"
Mizuki was asking earnestly, like she was trying to figure out how people even survive in this system.
– "I don't rely on the calendar, prep classes, or my guardian. Maybe twice a year—if I really have to."
I said this while waving my hand confidently.
After all, even back then, I almost never showed up, and I still passed.
My school had loopholes—ones that let you disappear for a month and walk back in like nothing happened.
Sure, some got kicked out…
But I knew the back entrances—figuratively speaking.
If needed, I'd bring my dad.
Even that, I'd only done twice in the past.
– "I didn't fully understand… but your way sounds cool. So… I don't have to study everything just to pass?"
She said that while waving her small hands with childlike excitement.
She's… genuinely excited.
Should I… crush her hopes a little?
– "Mizuki-san… some people study everything and still fail.
And some use my method… and still fail too."
I said with a faint smile, looking at her.
– "Then… how do you guys pass?"
Her gaze, her voice… it was the sound of hope breaking.
Should I go further?
Or spare her?
– "Wanna hear the secret?"
I asked with a mischievous smile.
– "Yes! Tell me!"
She answered with full enthusiasm.
I leaned in slightly, lowered my voice, and glanced to the side:
– "It's…"
Her eyes watched closely.
– "…luck."
Her expression transformed from gleeful innocence to pure despair—
As if I'd just slapped her with reality.
She quietly turned away… completely drained.
I burst out laughing.
– "Hahahahahaha…"
– "Stop making fun of me!!"
BAP!
She smacked me lightly on the shoulder—more in protest than anger.
I quickly raised both hands in surrender:
– "Okay okay! Relax! Look, if anything gets too hard, just come talk to me. I might be able to help, alright?"
I lifted my head to look at her.
She smiled.
And kept walking…
To be honest… I'm not sure if I said that with pure intentions…
Or if it was because her defeated look was just… cute.
Suddenly, she dropped her hands. Stopped walking.
Her head tilted down, short hair covering her eyes completely.
She stood in front of me, surrounded by a heavy silence.
…What's wrong?
Did I say something that upset her? Did… I hurt her?
"W-Will you really… help me?"
She asked, slowly lifting her head.
Her cheeks were flushed.
Those eyes… they looked like someone afraid of being rejected, yet still brave enough to ask.
My heart? No—don't get flustered. Don't smile, you idiot.
…What is this feeling?
No, no, snap out of it. This is just a passing mood. Nothing more.
I replied as naturally as I could, trying to escape a quiet emotion creeping in:
– "Yeah, why not?"
She jumped a little, a bright smile spreading across her face:
– "Okay! It's a promise!"
She smiled.
…I don't know why, but this smile felt… different.
Had no one ever offered her help before?
The atmosphere was slowly softening… becoming more comfortable. But I couldn't fully let my guard down.
After all… what I did before wasn't something that could be forgiven so easily.
We started walking again, side by side, our footsteps light… unlike before.
I spoke casually, trying not to sound too serious:
– "Mizuki-san, can I ask you something?"
– "Sure, what is it?"
She looked at me with a gentle smile… one so kind it made my heart uneasy.
– "Do you remember the first time we met?"
– "Ah…"
Her expression shifted. She looked down for a moment, then answered in a soft tone, like she was holding each word carefully:
– "Yeah, I remember… I was on the balcony, hanging laundry, and saw you wandering around in that stupid heat. I honestly thought it was weird for anyone to be outside at that hour."
– "Ah…"
I tried not to show my awkwardness, but… my face betrayed me.
I looked away. Why? I don't know… maybe guilt finally caught up with me.
– "But… what I still don't get is… why did you grab me like that in my house? You really scared me, you know?"
She said that with a soft look of reproach… I mean, I didn't know anger could look this gentle, but somehow she pulled it off.
The little hair tie on the left side of her head only added to the "puppy trying to be intimidating" vibe.
– "You! Look at my face!"
She leaned closer to me, standing on her toes.
I glanced at her… awkwardly, dodging her eyes in the dumbest way possible.
– "Okay, okay! What was I supposed to do?! You saw me in a hospital outfit, didn't you?!"
– "Hospital outfit?... Are you kidding? You grabbed me like that just because you were wearing hospital clothes?"
She tilted her head, confused… her voice full of genuine puzzlement.
…Wait.
…She doesn't know?
She doesn't know I was in a psychiatric hospital?
Hold on, hold on… does that mean, from the start, I could've just entered the house normally… without scaring the hell out of her?
Am I… stupid?
I started scratching my head like a maniac, trying to literally scrape the stupidity out of my brain.
Ugh… well, it's too late now.
No way out. I have to say something… to ease my guilt first, and then close this whole topic for good.
I stood up straight, turned to her, and said with a serious tone:
– "Mizuki-san…"
– "Yes?"
She looked at me, puzzled, face calm, waiting.
– "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for grabbing you like that… and for threatening you. There's no real excuse for what I did, so… I'm asking for your forgiveness."
My words came out quietly.
And to be honest, yes—I did want to apologize.
But at the same time… I wanted to shut the door on any future interrogations.
Two birds… one stone.
— "No… no need to apologize."
She said it quickly, like she was trying to stop me from saying something before it came out.
Her hands rose slightly, then settled gently in front of her stomach, fingers interlaced.
The confusion in her gaze melted into a calmer tone, like she was trying to show she was genuinely okay.
— "I almost forgot about it, and I think… you didn't mean to hurt me, right?
And since you're admitting your mistake now, that's a first step. A good step."
She looked at me with warm eyes… a look that stirred something strange in my chest.
— "Mizuki…"
I said her name softly, as if my tongue spoke it on its own.
She really is kind, understanding, warm in how she treats people…
But—no.
I won't change.
Money and food.
That's all that fits in my heart. Nothing else.
— "Hah, we're here."
I pointed at the house we'd stopped in front of.
— "Oh… right, we're here."
She paused, then waved lightly as she said:
— "See you tomorrow!"
— "See you… and by the way, no need to wave. I'm literally your neighbor. I'm not going to vanish."
I said that while grabbing the door handle, ready to go inside.
— "Heheh…"
Mizuki giggled softly, covering her mouth with her palm.
— "I know, but I just wanted to try it…"
What a kid…
Anyway, let's head in.
— "I'm back…"
I slipped off my shoes and said it instinctively, like always.
— "Welcome back… but isn't it a bit early?"
Mom's voice came from inside the house.
…Wait a second.
Right.
I left school early and didn't hang around like usual… what time is it now?
I glanced at the clock quickly.
9:30 a.m.
…Are you kidding me, clock?
— "Mom, today was just the first day. They just handed us the schedule and told us we get a 15-day break.
You know, to buy supplies, get organized—typical beginning-of-year bureaucracy.
Besides, it's already September 17th."
Please believe me. My life's on the line here.
— "Oh, right… maybe."
…Thank God.
The plan worked.
If something had gone wrong today, I'd be dead, literally.
And now… my vacation begins.
A full month off, in the name of education… and systematic stupidity.