Just as mentioned before, due to her mission, Inori said goodbye to the two of them after school in the evening and left on her own to rendezvous with Funeral Parlor. As for the other two, by sheer coincidence, they were assigned to after-school cleaning duty. Of course, it wasn't just the two of them—Kanon was also included, making three in total.
By the time the three of them finished their work, there were barely any people left in the school. In the classroom, only the three girls remained. Outside the window, the golden hues of dusk still lingered, the warm light streaming in and wrapping the room, coating the floors, desks, chairs, and even their bodies in a soft layer of golden glow.
"...It's so quiet."
Standing at the podium with one hand propping up her chin, Hare gazed at the golden light outside and murmured absentmindedly.
"Well, yeah. There's basically no one left. We're a bit later than usual today."
Sitting in the middle seat of the front row—her own seat—Kanon replied while scrolling through her terminal.
It was already summer. Most students had shed their uniform jackets, leaving only the white shirts underneath adorned with blue patterns. Hare, however, wore a beige knitted vest over her shirt, paired with the usual dark blue pleated skirt. The Shogun was dressed similarly, though her white pantyhose had been replaced with thigh-high white stockings, revealing a perfect stretch of bare skin in between.
At this moment, she was also standing at the podium with her back turned, wiping the blackboard. Due to her posture, her chest was slightly pushed forward, and combined with the fitted nature of the uniform, her delicate figure appeared even more captivating under the golden light.
"Hey, Hare."
"...Kanon?"
Hare snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her friend.
"Are you really okay?"
Kanon asked with concern.
"Eh? What do you mean by 'okay'...?"
Hare looked confused.
"You know... the GHQ thing. You were taken away before, right? I heard what you said this morning, but... was that really true? You weren't involved in anything, right?"
"...Mm, really. Nothing happened, just like I said before."
Hare felt a pang in her chest but still chose not to tell the truth. After all, she had to consider her friend's safety. The less she knew about these things, the better. She didn't want Kanon to get dragged into it as well, so—
I'm sorry, Kanon.
"Oh... I see. As long as you're okay with it. I'm not your mom or anything—I won't nag you~"
Kanon teased with a smile.
"Ugh... honestly..."
Hare puffed her cheeks slightly in dissatisfaction, then rested her chin on her hand again and looked elsewhere. However, her gaze deliberately drifted toward the purple-haired woman beside her, who was still wiping the board. Watching her graceful figure, her beautiful long purple hair, and her stunning profile, Hare once again fell into a daze.
She felt that Mio's figure was truly beautiful—graceful and elegant. Yet, unlike Arisa's imposing, mature charm, Mio's allure leaned toward delicacy. Though her body also possessed gentle curves, they were harmoniously proportioned—not exaggerated nor overly thin, but subtly refined. Overall, she gave off a very comfortable impression, with a kind of gentle, classical elegance reminiscent of women from ancient times.
And once her thoughts began, they became uncontrollable. Her gaze slowly drifted downward, lingering on the legs extending from beneath the uniform skirt, then even further—onto those small, white-stockinged feet wrapped in black leather shoes. In her eyes, Mio's ankles moved occasionally as she wiped the board. Sometimes she would take a small step back, or lightly press onto her toes. Though unconscious, these subtle movements carried an inexplicable allure.
"...///"
For some reason, just watching those delicate motions made Hare's face flush slightly. She knew it was the effect of the hormones coursing through her body.
"Whoa—!"
Suddenly, Kanon exclaimed loudly from her seat, seemingly seeing something on her terminal.
"Ah///~!"
Thinking her improper thoughts had been exposed, Hare let out a startled cry and instantly turned around.
"...?" ×2
Both Kanon and the purple-haired beauty being secretly admired looked at her in confusion.
"What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"
Kanon complained speechlessly.
"Eh? N-No... it's just... um... ugh///"
Hare had no excuse and could only lower her already flushed face in embarrassment.
"Are you alright?"
Noticing her abnormal behavior, the Shogun asked gently.
"Mm... yeah! I-I'm fine."
Hare forced a smile at her, not daring to meet her eyes, a sense of guilt rising in her heart.
"Hare, you've been acting a bit strange lately... ah, whatever. Hey, look at this~!"
Kanon was puzzled for a moment but didn't press further. Instead, she showed them the webpage she had been looking at.
"...? What is it?"
Hare regained her composure and opened it. It turned out to be an advertisement for a vacation on a southern island. Coincidentally, she had already bookmarked it before.
"...What is this?"
The Shogun glanced at the now spotless blackboard, satisfied, then put down the cloth. After washing her hands, she leaned against the podium beside Hare and looked at the terminal together.
"///"
Feeling the person beside her draw closer, Hare blushed again. The faint fragrance from the other girl felt like a sweet poison, seeping into her heart. Yet she didn't move away—she maintained the distance, because she wanted to indulge in it.
"Hehe~ read it."
Kanon winked at them.
"...A holiday plan on a southern island. A whole summer of romantic adventures for men and women. Do you want to get closer to that special someone? Do you want to shorten the distance between you? Do you want to... grasp that red thread? Here, there are mountains and seas, everything you could wish for. A perfect vacation paradise—and also the beginning of love. Don't miss it..."
The Shogun narrowed her eyes slightly as she read the text aloud in her gentle, melodious voice. Then she noticed the bookmarked icon at the bottom of the page.
"...You bookmarked it?"
She looked curiously at the already mortified girl beside her.
"Waaah—! Don't say it out loud—///~!"
So embarrassing!
Hare felt like she could dig a hole and hide in it.
"Well, Hare really is a girl full of romantic dreams~"
Kanon spoke with a proud, almost parental tone.
"Pfft... I can see that."
The Shogun chuckled softly, her smile breathtaking. It made Hare's heart tremble once again.
"Stop teasing me///. Mio, you too—don't learn bad habits from Kanon."
Hare rarely showed a bit of assertiveness, though she still looked like a timid kitten.
"Sorry..."
The Shogun obediently apologized.
"Hm..."
Hare puffed her cheeks at her.
"Haa... but it's true. How many coincidences like this do you get in life? If you encounter one, you have to seize it. After all, most things in life don't go as you wish."
Kanon seemed to be speaking with hidden meaning. Her expression dimmed slightly, even carrying a hint of sadness.
"...By the way, Kanon, have you seen Yahiro-kun these past few days?"
Hare glanced toward an empty seat in the distance. She knew Kanon liked Yahiro, but...
Recalling the moment he pushed her before, along with what Segai had said about his family and circumstances, Hare pressed her lips together softly.
"I asked around at the facility. No one's seen him. Haa... he used to be there all the time, but now he's just gone."
Kanon shook her head. Though her tone sounded casual, Hare could hear the sadness within it.
"..."
Hare didn't respond. She silently tapped on the fortune-telling app on her terminal. The result displayed was 'tiger-striped water bottle.'
"What's that?"
The Shogun was still watching from the side, curious like a child.
"Today's love lucky item... a tiger-striped water bottle."
Hare answered softly. This time, she wasn't shy anymore—perhaps she had gotten used to it, or perhaps her thoughts were elsewhere.
"Pfft, where are you even supposed to find something like that?"
Kanon laughed.
"And what happens if you do? Will your love come true?"
Like some kind of divine charm?
The Shogun asked, puzzled.
"Uh... it's not that effective. It's just for peace of mind, since it's fortune-telling. But even so, a lot of people are willing to believe in it, you know~"
Kanon winked at her.
Ah—so it's one of those things: believe it and it exists, don't believe it and it doesn't.
She understood.
Clatter...
At that moment, the sound of something hitting the ground drew their attention. Looking over, they saw that lying on the floor was Hare's so-called lucky item—a tiger-striped water bottle—which had apparently rolled in from outside the classroom door.
"This is—! Could it be..."
Kanon walked over and stared at the object in shock.
"Tiger-striped... water bottle?"
The Shogun also stepped forward, lifted her skirt slightly as she crouched down, and poked the surface of the bottle as she spoke.
"Mm... it really is."
Hare answered as well, her eyes fixed on the suddenly appearing love lucky item, still somewhat dazed.
What's going on?
Tap tap!
"Sorry! That's mine... huh? You guys haven't left yet?"
The person who arrived was Shu Ouma. As soon as he stepped into the classroom, he saw the three girls in front of him and asked awkwardly.
"Shu...?"
Hare froze for a moment upon seeing him. Strangely, however, her heart no longer raced like it used to whenever she saw him. In fact, she hadn't even thought about him these past few days—she had practically forgotten.
"Ah... Hare, are you okay? About what happened before..."
Now that she had returned, Shu finally managed to ask about her.
"Mm... I'm fine."
Hare gave him a gentle smile, her tone carrying a firmness that hadn't been there before.
"I see... I'm sorry, back then I—"
"It's okay... it wasn't your fault. After all... there was nothing anyone could do. I understand."
Hare shook her head.
"You're on duty too?"
The Shogun interjected.
"Eh? Ah, no... I—I just came to get something."
It was Shu's first time speaking to her, so he seemed a little nervous—perhaps also because of her beauty.
"Getting something? Is this yours, Ouma-kun?"
Kanon pointed at the water bottle on the ground.
"Yeah. It's a prop Souta is using for filming in the club. I think it's called... a lover's keepsake."
After saying that, Shu picked it up and held it in his arms again.
Beep—beep—
At that moment, the school dismissal bell rang again. The second bell signaled the remaining students to leave.
"Ah... time to go. Home~!"
Kanon grabbed her already packed school bag, ready to leave.
"Mio... we're out of groceries at home. Should we stop by and buy some on the way back?"
Hare returned to her seat, packing her bag as she made the suggestion to the Shogun who had followed her over.
"Mm... I'll follow your lead."
The Shogun nodded obediently, placing her barely-used books into her bag. Holding it with both hands in front of her, she walked over to stand beside Hare, waiting for her to finish.
"Eh? You two live that close?"
Kanon asked in surprise.
"Mm... right next door."
Hare replied.
"What?! That's way too coincidental... ah, whatever. I'm used to this by now."
She held her forehead, clearly no longer surprised.
After finishing packing, the three of them left the classroom together...
"Shu, see you tomorrow..."
Hare didn't forget to turn back and say goodbye to the boy she once liked.
"Ah... yeah."
Shu responded passively, then looked at the now empty classroom and let out a sigh.
...
After parting ways with Kanon, only the two of them remained. The train was much less crowded now that it was past rush hour, leaving it relatively spacious.
"...///"
Hare stood beside the Shogun, her face slightly flushed, saying nothing.
"..."
The Shogun looked around and noticed some empty seats, then glanced at the person beside her.
"Do you want to sit?"
She asked.
"Eh? N-No, it's fine..."
Hare trembled slightly and shook her head without looking at her.
"..."
Seeing that, the Shogun didn't ask further and remained standing as well, waiting for their destination.
"Mio... you're not sitting either?"
Hare asked softly after noticing she hadn't moved.
"If you don't want to sit, then if I sit, wouldn't that leave you standing alone?"
The Shogun raised a hand to smooth the stray strands of hair by her ear, tucking them behind it. Then, as if remembering something, she took out a small mirror from her bag and adjusted her bangs.
"...Pfft."
Hare couldn't help but laugh upon hearing that and seeing her actions. Then she gently wrapped her arms around Mio's right arm and leaned her body against her, like a girlfriend in love.
"...? Hare, you..."
The Shogun looked at her with a complicated expression.
"S-Sorry... do you hate it?"
Hare asked instinctively.
"Haa... fine. If it makes you comfortable, then hold on."
She relented. She was already somewhat used to this kind of behavior between girls... though she wasn't sure if she truly had some kind of charm that attracted women.
"Mm..."
Hare continued holding her arm, resting her head on her shoulder and enjoying the brief moment.
"Hare..."
"Mm?"
Hare opened her eyes and looked at the taller beauty beside her.
"The Yahiro you mentioned earlier... who is he?"
She closed the small mirror and put it back into her bag, asking with quiet curiosity.
"Ah... Yahiro-kun... he's the one who reported me to GHQ back then."
Hare tightened her grip on her arm slightly and answered softly.
"Why?"
The Shogun's gaze turned cold.
"..."
Hare fell silent.
"Hare, tell me."
The Shogun spoke again, a hint of firmness entering her voice, though it remained gentle.
"...It's not entirely Yahiro-kun's fault. He had his reasons, Mio."
Hare looked at her again.
"What reason could justify ruining your life?"
"...Mio—"
"I don't want you defending him. I only want to know the reason. I will judge for myself."
She rarely showed such irritation toward the girl beside her.
"...Yahiro-kun, he—"
Screech—!
At that moment, the train came to a stop at a station. As the doors opened, a man in a hooded coat came sprinting from the distance. Without a word, he slid forward and rolled in, barely squeezing through the doors just before they closed, looking extremely disheveled.
Thud!
"Ugh!"
His back slammed into a metal pole, causing him to grunt.
Clatter! ×N
A box resembling a medicine container fell to the ground, scattering blue pill-like granules everywhere. Some of them rolled to the feet of the two girls.
"—!"
Startled, Hare instinctively pressed herself against the Shogun, clutching her arm tightly.
The Shogun glanced at the several thuggish-looking men who failed to get on. They glared viciously at the person inside the train, weapons in hand.
"Eh? Yahiro...-kun?"
The figure looked familiar to Hare, and she called out his name instinctively.
"...!"
Yahiro Samukawa froze for a moment upon hearing her voice, then immediately stood up and looked at her, his expression darkening.
The Shogun moved as if to step forward—but Hare stopped her.
"Mio..."
Hare shook her head at her.
"He almost ruined your life."
The Shogun retorted, dissatisfied, not caring whether he heard or not.
"That's right, Hare... I harmed you back then. This is what I deserve."
Yahiro gave a bitter smile.
"Is that so...? Then what about Jun?"
Although Hare didn't let the Shogun step forward, she didn't give the boy a kind expression either. However, due to her naturally gentle voice, even her questioning carried a trace of concern.
"—!"
Yahiro's expression shifted in alarm before he frowned.
"How do you know about that?"
He asked.
"That officer told me... you've been selling drugs to earn money because of Jun's illness. And you pushed me out because they promised to cover his medical expenses and provide better treatment, right?"
Hare stepped forward, placing herself in front of the Shogun, holding the woman's hand behind her as she confronted him directly.
After hearing Hare's explanation, the Shogun gradually understood.
So that's how it is...
Although she understood the importance of family, she still found it unacceptable—especially sacrificing a kind person as the price. She despised resolving problems in such a way.
She knew he might have had no other choice, but even so, anger still rose within her.
Why should good people be the ones at gunpoint?