Second year of middle school, autumn.
Renako Amaori's life was dull and lifeless. The girl walked to school with hunched shoulders and took her seat. As if stalling for time before the first class began, she sluggishly prepared for the lesson.
The only thing she liked in this classroom was the music flowing from her earphones. Everything else didn't matter to her at all.
Every day was the same routine.
I don't join any clubs, I don't study seriously, and I'm not enthusiastic about making friends. I only sit at my desk at school because I'm forced to.
Even while chatting about trivial things with my so-called friends—people in class who talk to me—my mind is replaying the game I played last night.
A gray youth. Everything felt half-hearted and lacking motivation—so much so that I wanted to call it that.
Empty days.
I think It was a slow and steady drift toward dropping out.
『Doing my best to enjoy the thrilling moments of now!』 At some point, I started looking at kids like that with a detached gaze. Maybe it was because, from the start, I had already given up on ever being like them. Back then, I didn't even try to realize that.
Trying too hard felt uncool. If it's going to exhaust me, it's better not to bother. After all, the outcome of anything is obvious even before I start.
That was my stance. Pushing myself wouldn't lead to anything good. And yet, I was happy.
Even if, from the outside, my life seemed like nothing special, those days still brought me contentment.
Time will one day turn a girl into an adult. It will teach me how to face reality. I'm still in the middle of that process.
An equal moratorium that comes to everyone. And yet, it shattered.
Nashiji Komachi. That was the name of the invader. She destroyed Amaori Renako's sense of normalcy.
She realized that no one had ever truly protected her. The peaceful days she thought she had were a lie. Those who did nothing could achieve nothing. School life crumbled easily under the whims of the strong.
After that, a year and a half was lost. The loss, amounting to one-tenth of the fifteen years the girl had lived, was nearly equivalent to the proportion of the arms in a human body.
After spending such a long, long time wandering in the depths of the sea, the girl finally started swimming again.
With her sister's devoted support and her own determination, she decided she wanted to change—she needed to change.
It was only because of that resolve that she was able to start walking her own path.
She began to like herself, even if just a little.
From here, the story should have been heading straight toward a happy ending.
It should have.
Even if no one understands her, the girl still continues to be afraid.
She fears that the very thing that destroyed her world will destroy everything once again. She repeated that one single phrase in her mind millions, maybe billions of times.
The fear that lived within her heart—that was the true form of the monster.
* * *
I ran away. Right after meeting Minato-san in the park.
I don't remember exactly how or where I ran, but somehow, I had returned home.
The black mold that had grown in my heart was slowly trying to spread over my entire body. It was suffocating. I couldn't breathe properly.
Nashiji Komachi. There was no mistake about it. She was my classmate from middle school.
She was flashy, strong-willed, and the leader of the girls' group. Back then, she was the boss of the class.
Her facial features were beautiful, I'd say. But whenever I remembered her face, it was always blacked out in my mind.
What came to my mind was only the mouth that criticized people, the eyes filled with anger and hatred, and her words that cut like a knife.
The scars throb.
Raised in a sterile, purely controlled environment, I had never been exposed to "malice" directed at me personally.
The first time I encountered malice, it was so terrifying. That's why I shut myself away in my shell.
I thought that after debuting in high school and overcoming many things, I had grown... But I was still just like a baby. I hadn't experienced the things that ordinary people naturally go through. I was like a baby crying out of fear for its first injection.
And I still couldn't help being afraid of injections, no matter how long it had been.
It's really pathetic…
In my dark room with the curtains drawn, as I sank deeper into the swamp of self-loathing, another question appeared in my mind.
The reason for Haruna's fight.
If Minato-san were the younger sister of Nashiji Komachi, then perhaps... Once I had thought of it, I couldn't help but take action.
This is certainly not courage.
I just wanted to release the overwhelming impulse, the feeling that I couldn't bear inside my heart anymore.
I left my room as if being scolded by something and knocked on Haruna's door. My vision was narrow, and my mind wasn't working properly. I knew I wasn't calm.
"Hm?"
Haruna, my younger sister who had continued to skip school, opened the door and showed her face.
Even though I should be able to see what kind of expression my sister has, it wasn't registering in my head.
"Hey, Haruna."
I spoke with a rusty voice.
"Eh? What? Big Sis, your face is all pale." "What does that mean?"
"What?"
I couldn't understand the other person's words, so the conversation didn't go anywhere. I just quickly said what I needed to say.
"Did you know? About Nashiji Komachi." "...Huh?"
"Minato-san is her little sister"
I could see my sister furrowing her brows at my vague statement. "What are you talking about?"
I pressed closer to Haruna.
"If that's not the case, then it's weird. Haruna would never hit someone." "Hey..."
"It's my fault, right? It's because of me."
"Calm down!"
"I can't, because–'
"Ugh, forget it"
Haruna raised her hand. Then, she brought it down in a knife-hand strike. On top of my head.
Thud— "Ugh!"
The impact was so strong that it shook my skull, and stars seemed to fly out from my eyes.
"Calm down."
I instinctively pressed my head and stepped back. I was shaking. The pain wasn't that bad, but...
What... What the heck...
"H-Haruna... hit someone...!" "Listen to me!"
"I-I knew it... it's because of me...!" "That's right! That's your fault, Sis!"
Tears slowly welled up in the corner of my eyes. "Why... why would you do this for someone like me...?" "Hey..."
In our mismatched conversation, Haruna groaned like the frustrated sound of a computer fan.
"Since earlier, what are you even saying?!"
Haruna, with her hands on her hips, leaned in closer.
Her steady gaze had an odd sense of intimidation, like a stray cat asserting ownership of its territory.
E-eh...
Suddenly, sweat began to pour out of me. I don't understand. I don't understand my own actions... I opened my mouth awkwardly.
"U-um... Earlier, I had a conversation with Minato-san..." In that instant, Haruna's eyes widened.
"Huh!? What are you doing, making decisions on your own!?" Whoa, scary.
Is this the second time in my life I'm facing "malice"...!?
Covering my head with both hands like a helmet, I asked cautiously. "B-but... Haruna, you haven't told me anything..."
"I don't need to tell you. How many times do I have to say it? I really wish you'd stop."
"B-but!"
To stand up to Haruna, I raised my voice too. A loud sound is power. When a civet threatens, it lets out a much louder cry than usual.
"Haruna, you haven't told me anything! Of course I'm going to be worried!"
"That's unnecessary concern. Besides, I already said I'll go back to school in two months."
"Two months is a long time! Humboldt penguins are already fully grown and leave the nest after two months!"
"Hey..."
Here comes the "Hey..." again!
I'm scared of my little sister's "Hey..."! It should be banned by treaty! "Anyway, my being absent from school has nothing to do with you, right?" "That's what I'm saying! It might have something to do with me!"
"It doesn't. It's impossible."
I look back at Haruna who's crossing her arms, with an upward glance. "But…"
"Are you stupid? Why would I hit someone for you? Why would I do something like that?"
"That is…"
No matter how much I said, Haruna didn't change her usual pace, and my sense of responsibility gradually faded. I was treated like a small child frightened by the destruction of a world I saw in a dream.
So when asked, "Why did you hit her?", to say the next words... it required a lot of courage.
"Because... Haruna... likes me..."
The reasoning I revealed, once spoken aloud, sounded like a ridiculous, absurd story. But still, no matter how I thought about it, I couldn't find any other explanation. I had no evidence... but there was no way this was just a coincidence.
I hung my head and waited.
...There was no reaction from Haruna.
I looked up and glanced at her.
Haruna, with her arms crossed, was looking down at me with lifeless eyes.
"You're an idiot."
Her voice was as cold as the vacuum of space, devoid of even the slightest warmth.
"Nguh…!"
Gasping for air, I struggled to breathe. "Haa, haa… N-no, but…"
"You're an idiot."
"The chances of the person you hit just happening to be Nashiji Komachi's little sister, that's just… impossible, or…"
"You're an idiot." "Uuuuuuu…"
This is bad. At this rate, Haruna might insult me to death. My life points are already at zero. I'm barely standing, clinging only to my dignity as a big sister.
"Who's this Nashiji Komachi person, anyway?" "Th-that's…"
My mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. "She's Minato-san's… older sister…"
"And?"
And… a-and!?
When she pressed me for more, I froze.
What came after that… was the story of my traumatic middle school experience.
I did something small that angered Nashiji Komachi, and the entire class ended up ignoring me. It was the event that led Amaori Renako to stop going to school.
I've never told anyone about it—not the teachers, not my parents. And of course, not my sister.
Is Haruna just pretending not to know? Or does she truly have no idea?
When I knocked on her door earlier, I wasn't thinking straight—I was completely consumed by the need to confront her. But now… my confidence is starting to waver.
Ugh, I don't get it anymore! Why do I have to feel like this?!
''Just be honest already, Haruna! I don't understand! Why won't you talk to me?! I'm your big sister!''
I stomped my feet in frustration as I shouted.
''If you're going through something difficult or painful, can't you let me share some of the burden? We're family, aren't we?!''
I glared intensely at Haruna.
But the moment she met my gaze, Haruna was no longer there. Click. The door shut behind her.
A voice came from the other side of the door. "You're an idiot."
I threw myself onto the living room sofa, wearing a blank expression. Lying face down, I buried my face into the sofa cushion with my arms and legs stretched out.
My heart felt completely empty. It hurts...
Even after everything I said, Haruna still wouldn't tell me anything. That fact alone left me in shock. The circumstantial evidence was slowly piling up. It should have been enough.
Yet, when I try to grab her, Haruna wraps herself in needles. The palm of my hand, clutching the porcupine, was covered in blood.
To begin with... Little sister?, big sister?... so what? Why does it even matter...? Maybe I was the fool for meddling with someone who never asked for help...
If I had kept reaching out without giving up, did I think my sister would eventually say, "Sorry, big sis~... everything I did was for you~... "Irritating emoji" ? Hahaha...
How foolish. Ridiculously foolish. Being called "idiot" four times was only to be expected.
To save Haruna from skipping school (though even saying "save" in that context is so condescending, I realize now that I was wrong... hahaha...).
I was offered a helping hand by everyone in the quintet. Ajisai-san, Satsuki-san, Kaho-chan, Mai, everyone worked together, so I thought I could do something too. We even took a bath together, and I thought our hearts had gotten a little closer, but in the end, this is what happened.
With the turn of the blade, my heart was torn to shreds. Such a pitiful Amaori Renako. For short, 'Awa-Renako.'
Anyway, once I enter university, I'll be living on my own. Then I'll just get a job (whether I can or not, I won't think about that now). I'll live a life where I hardly ever see my little sister again…
Even though we're family, even though we share blood, it's just that level of connection… I had been seeing myself in Haruna, who's skipping school, but Haruna is a different person from me…
Fine, fine. I don't care anymore. She can do whatever she wants. Being truant is fun. She can play games from morning until night every day, that's the best, right? Even if she ends up graduating middle school like this, I'm sure Haruna will manage somehow… Haruna is different from me…
Right now, I'm just a disillusioned Amaori Renako. Or, in short, a "disillusioned-Renako ."
My sister probably doesn't know anything. She doesn't know about Nashiji Komachi, or that Minato-san is her little sister.
It was all just a series of coincidences. I've decided to settle on that.
There must have been another reason for the punch.… Maybe it was because she fought over a boyfriend, or because someone wrote bad things about her on social media… There must be reasons that have nothing to do with my life, things that never intersected with mine…
I didn't even feel like looking at my phone, so I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
The news, completely unrelated to my life, flowed on. My thoughts started to melt away.
Ahh... maybe I should just become a truant too~...
I mean, I have tests right after the break, and that's super annoying...
Human relationships are just full of troublesome things, and honestly, I can't be bothered~...
Ugh... I'm so tired... so tired, tired, tired...
"...Queen Rose's exclusive model..."
...Huh?
At that moment, a familiar face appeared on the TV. Someone who had at least some, no, a lot of connection to my life.
Oozuka Mai.
With long blonde hair, fair skin. Always wearing a gentle smile, the epitome of a perfect beauty. The young lady of the famous brand Queen Rose, who had everything she could ever want as a first-year high school student, and... my... well, she's my... girlfriend...
No, no! What do you mean, girlfriend?! That has nothing to do with me! "Am I so bad at even being miserable!? This is..."
No, wait. That's not it. There's a personality in my heart like a jackknife, waiting to break out. Yes, that's it! Right!? My middle school self!
Just for now, I can vent as much poison as I want at Mai. Go ahead! Have more if you want!
My middle school self rises before me like a phantom. That's right, now! Go for it! Stand beside me! My Stand! "A past that will never disappear"! School–Refuser!
My Stand looks down at me, opening its mouth. "What is this person saying? What an idiot."
.....
She always uses so many words to insult people…
But only at times like this, she stabs me right in the heart with the shortest line…
That's right, the one she hates the most isn't anyone else, but the foolish me. I hate you too…
I've even been betrayed by the voice inside me, and now I don't feel like doing anything. I lie down on the sofa, sprawled out on my back.
What the hell, seriously. I can't deal with this anymore.
I wonder if five trillion yen will fall from the sky right now! Or maybe, if Haruna suddenly changes her mind and says, "I'm so sorry, big sister! Actually, everything I did was for you!~ Bieeeen!~" and comes running to me crying...
Then, all my complaints would disappear, and I could go on a lovey- dovey date with Mai and Ajisai...
...What a pointless fantasy... Right after.
Someone rushed into the living room with heavy footsteps. It was Haruna, her face pale with urgency.
"Oh, B-Big sister!" Huh, wait…?
I instinctively sat up.
Could it be, Haruna...!?
The girl who had just called me "idiot" four times earlier was now kneeling in front of me, flustered and blushing, holding her phone in one hand.
"W-What is it?" "T-that, that that!"
Oh no. My heart's starting to race. "Y-Yeah?"
Is she going to say it? Could it be...?
Has she had a change of heart...? Did my feelings reach her...!?
Haruna shoved her phone at me. "Did you see it!? This!"
On the screen was a large photo of Mai.
That's totally different! I knew it, but still! I got my hopes up and then got disappointed... What kind of fool am I? Maybe I should try taking the Clown Certification Level 5 or something.
"I haven't seen it..."
Now that I think about it, I think I saw Mai on the news earlier. Haruna, with her eyes wide open, shoved the phone towards me.
"Read! The article! Hurry!" "Y-yeah."
Under pressure, I skimmed through it. It said the following: "Oozuka Mai, sudden engagement announcement--"
Oozuka Mai, the representative model for Queen Rose Co., Ltd., has announced her engagement. Oozuka said, "To all the fans who have always warmly supported me, to all the people who have been supportive and taken care of me, I would like to make an important announcement. I apologize for the sudden news and for making it personal, but I am pleased to inform you that I have gotten engaged to a woman I have been in a relationship with for some time."
"Eh!?"
No way... Huh...!? W-Wait, Mai!?
This can't be true, right!?
What are you doing, acting on your own!? If this happens... I won't be able to attend school properly starting tomorrow...!
A scene appears in my mind.
Surrounded by a group of reporters. Microphones shoved in my face. Strobes flashing incessantly, with people demanding comments, and I'm being showered with envious gazes from all around. And then, I find myself jumping into the world of celebrities...
"Big sis! Look, here! Look!" "Huh?"
My sister, shaking my shoulders, points further down the article. "'The partner is a famous model of French nationality.'"
I look back at her and shout.
"I was a famous model with French nationality!?" In response, my sister...
"...You were having quite the dream, weren't you, Big Sis?" "Huh!?"
She looked at me with a gaze of pity, as if consoling a friend who had just been dumped.
...…Whaaat!?!?
***
The next day, at school.
When I arrived, there was already a crowd gathered at the school gate.
It wasn't just Ashigaya High School students. There were also plenty of adults with cameras... probably members of the press? Everyone must be waiting for Oozuka Mai to arrive.
Of course, I am not a famous model with French citizenship. Although I tried to search my memory thinking, "Maybe, just maybe, there's a chance...?" it didn't seem like I could fully deceive myself.
I sent a message to Mai to ask about the situation, but she didn't reply. So, I thought I'd just ask her directly... but this seemed like it was going to be a huge hassle.
As I waited a little ways off, before I knew it, a tall woman was standing beside me.
"Oozuka Mai sure draws attention again, doesn't she..."
The girl with a stern face was Takada Himiko, a student from Class 1B who leads some kind of group. She was the one I had a bit of a conflict with during the recent sports event, but now we only exchange greetings when we see each other. We've settled into that kind of relationship... or at least, I think we have.
"Ah... um, good morning, Takada-san." "Good morning."
See? She even returned the greeting! Our relationship is in a good place! That said, Takada-san still looked quite displeased.
"Seriously... there's nothing but protests in this situation..." "Haha..."
I give a somewhat awkward smile, unable to say much.
Takada-san had worked as a model when she was younger, but her popularity was snatched away by Mai, and she apparently retired after that. Since then, she's seen Mai as a rival. She's like a version of Satsuki-san with a different color.
"Anyway, look at this crowd."
"Really. Just because that Mai Oozuka announced her engagement, all these idle people are chirping away, it's ridiculous."
Such a harsh way to put it...
"Indeed, Mai Oozuka is number one in terms of attention among active models. She even placed first in this year's 'Model's Most Admired Model Ranking.' She's an influencer with a wide following, from teens to older generations. But even so, to this extent..."
...Huh?
"She's appeared on many major TV programs, with both influence and recognition at a high level. She's the driving force that elevated Queen Rose's brand to a global scale. And despite interacting with various male celebrities, she's never been involved in any scandals, which makes this announcement a sensational topic. But... those shallow people can be so disgusting, don't you think?"
"Uh..."
"You're very knowledgeable, Takada-san."
I was met with a glare so intense it almost felt like it could make a sound. Eek.
"...Of course, that's obvious. Oozuka Mai is the person I'll crush one day. Haven't you heard the saying, 'Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will never be in danger in a hundred battles'? How ridiculous... No, It's making my whole stomach hurt!"
"S-Sure..."
I decided not to delve further into that topic.
If anyone finds out that I'm dating Mai, it would be a huge problem... It's going to get really complicated.
"Ah, here it comes. The limousine." "Oozuka Mai...!!"
As soon as the limousine arrived at the school gate, Takada-san bit down on the white handkerchief she pulled out from somewhere. Wow.
There are actually people who do things like this in real life... The world might be filled with far more interesting people than I thought.
A woman got out of the driver's seat (it wasn't Hanatori-san) and opened the door.
The moment Mai stepped out, the crowd closed in with a loud whoosh! In an instant, she disappeared into the swarm of people.
"Wow, she's super popular…"
I already knew, but seeing it again like this was overwhelming. She looked like a princess adored by everyone in the entire country.
"What... someone else just got out of the limousine...! Is that the fiancée...!?"
Takada-san, who is more than 15 centimeters taller than me, seems to be able to see what's happening in the crowd. I try jumping up and down, but I can't even see the tops of their heads.
"To think she'd bring her fiancée all the way to school... Could it be, she's doing this just to show off to me...!?"
"Yeah, I don't think that's the case!"
I tone down my response to her paranoid assumption before voicing it. Right after, a high-pitched "Kyaa!" echoed around.
"Huh? What? What happened?"
At this point, asking Takada-san would be faster than jumping up to see. With a face like a chess player deliberating their next move, she informed me.
"…It's nothing significant. Oozuka Mai kissed her fiancé's hand. It's just a demonstration for the mass communication media."
"I see."
I've never heard anyone say "mass communication media" without shortening it before...
After that, the limousine, presumably with the fiancé on board, drove off. Mai was still surrounded by students and the media, unable to move. I turned to Takada-san, who was biting down harder on her handkerchief, and asked her.
"U-um... was the other person a woman?"
"It looked like it. Same-sex marriage is legal in France, so it's probably not uncommon there. ...Ah, I see. This whole fuss might be because there are people here just for the spectacle."
Takada-san was talking to herself, coming to her own conclusions. I just mumbled, "Hmm."
Well, I guess it's fine, though.
Mai must have her own reasons for what she's doing. "As I thought..."
Takada-san suddenly turned to me, as if realizing something, and nodded understandingly.
"It seems that even though you're in the same group, you have some feelings about Oozuka Mai."
"Huh?"
"You looked like you were thinking something along the lines of 'This isn't amusing.' "
"Uh, well..."
Takada-san smiled at me with a soft, knowing smile.
"If you want to stab Oozuka Mai in the back, I'll help you. You can always transfer to Class B."
"I won't do that!"
And so, even after Oozuka Mai came to the classroom, she was surrounded by people for a while, and we couldn't find a good moment to talk alone.
During lunch break, I finally had the chance to talk with Mai on the rooftop.
"Well..."
Mai, leaning against the rooftop railing, was clearly showing signs of exhaustion. She groaned while deliberately avoiding eye contact with me.
"I'm really a bit worn out…"
"Thank you for your hard work," I said, gently patting her on the shoulder.
When talking one-on-one like this, it's clear, as expected, that Mai is still Mai. There's no sign of any change. Even though she's tired, she's still beautiful, with no cloud over her dazzling shine.
The rooftop in November was a bit chilly. Still, it was better than trying to talk in the hallway. In the end, this place felt the most comfortable.
"Sorry. I couldn't get in touch yesterday."
"Uh-huh," Mai said.
When I first heard the news about her engagement, I really wanted to shout, "What the heck!?" but after a night, I had calmed down. In that sense, maybe it was actually better that we're talking today, not yesterday. Yesterday, I was already overwhelmed with things related to my sister.
But the thing is, there's no way Mai, who always says how much she likes me, could have been secretly cheating. I can feel how much she cares about me, so there must be some sort of reason behind this.
Today, I was extremely calm. To be able to act this composed after hearing that my girlfriend has an engagement—it's impressive, really. As expected of me. A woman who has absolutely no interest in romance.
Maybe it would have been more interesting if I had bitten my handkerchief and said, "What do you mean by an engagement?!" and gone off on her, but I didn't, because that would just make Mai uncomfortable...
"Anyway, can I explain?" she asked. "Go ahead," I replied.
"This whole thing was something my mother did on her own," Mai explained.
As expected.
"My mother had always planned for me to settle down once I became an adult. It's an outdated idea, but she had been searching for a suitable partner for me all this time. Do you remember when I held that matchmaking party a while ago?"
"Yes, I remember."
"After that, my mother became even more determined that I couldn't be trusted to handle it myself. So, the fiancé was chosen then. I thought it was just a passing concern and half ignored it, but…"
"I see."
"Apparently, the whole thing moved forward without me saying anything. And then, with this recent situation, they went ahead and made an announcement without consulting me. It's quite troublesome. I'm planning to strongly protest and have the statement retracted."
"I see, so that's what happened." "Yeah..."
I nod calmly. I 100% understand her reasoning.
The fact that Mai held the matchmaking party could, in a way, be partially my responsibility, but even so, it's completely unreasonable to just assign and announce a fiancé for her without her consent.
In this case, Mai is completely not at fault. She's just a victim. I was able to calmly assess every situation.
"By the way..." "Yes?"
Mai had a strained smile on her face. She must have been really tired. Poor Mai...
"Why have you been using polite language this whole time?"
"Huh!?!"
Crap. I let out a really loud voice.
I stared at Mai in shock. Now that I think about it, that's true. I was completely unconscious of it.
Polite language...? Why am I...?
"I feel like there's a bit of distance between us..." "Huh, no! No, that's not it at all!"
Again. The words that came out of my mouth automatically turned into polite speech.
Why!?
"Could it be, are you mad at me?" "Me... mad?"
I had no idea what Mai was talking about. No, I'm ultra-hyper calm, so I completely understand every word Mai explained, and I get that the one to blame is Mai's mother... but...
"Why would I have any reason to be angry?" "Well..."
For some reason, Mai was sweating on her cheeks. It's already November.
"If you hear that your partner has an engagement... I think anyone would get angry..."
"Anyone...? Even me...!?"
I asked back, still confused. "Why...?"
"Huh? Well... um... You might feel like you're being taken lightly, and then start doubting the other person's feelings, or maybe get jealous..."
There it is again! Jealousy!
"But I don't know Mai's fiancé, so... what kind of person are they? Are you acquainted with them?"
"The other person... is my childhood friend."
A certain girl with black hair appeared in my mind. "But it's not Satsuki, though."
The black-haired girl I had imagined clicked her tongue and withdrew.
"I've lived a life going back and forth between Japan and France since I was young. She's my childhood friend from France. We're both models, friends... It's like family. She's honest, cute, beautiful. A very wonderful woman."
"Wow..."
Mai made a face that seemed to say "Oops."
"No, that's not it. I've never had romantic feelings for her. Not even a little bit."
"I see..."
"Why are you looking away?! Is the emotional distance between us getting even greater?!"
"No, I'm just average in class... I was born and raised in Japan, never been abroad, and I met Mai when we entered high school... I can't be honest at all, and I try my best to look decent, but I'm just your typical, mass-produced girl... Hehe..."
"But I love you just the way you are!" Mai grabs my shoulder.
"The one I love is you, and only you—"
Her intense gaze makes my heart skip a beat.
I know that putting myself down too much will only trouble Mai. Self- deprecation from someone who's fortunate is the thing I hate the most...
Let me say it again: I can clearly feel that Mai likes me. So, I tried to smile and say, "Of course, I trust you, Mai."
However, it didn't quite work out. "Re... Renako...?"
My vision was slightly blurry. Could it be...? Am I getting teary-eyed...!?
"I'm sorry... I made you anxious..." "Eh, no, this is..."
For a moment, an image flashed in my mind.
Mai walking arm in arm with someone I don't know. Smiling at someone I don't know, placing a hand on the cheek of someone I don't know, kissing someone I don't know...
No, that's... To get teary-eyed over such a trivial thought... I'm acting like I'm 'menhera,' aren't I?
Yesterday, just hearing Nashiji Komachi's name shattered my heart! It's all a mess now!
"Umm..."
"Y-yeah, Renako..."
A faint voice slips out.
"Am I… going to be abandoned?"
"No, that's not happening! Absolutely not! I won't abandon you!" Mai says, unusually quickly and forcefully.
"The only person I will marry is Amaori Renako! And there is no one else! It's okay, trust me!"
"…"
This might be the first time I've seen Mai this flustered. Yet I couldn't shake off the bad thoughts from my mind. It was probably because Mai had become an incredibly important person to me.
It's not that I don't trust Mai, but I'm afraid of losing her. That's why I feel so anxious.
"But, I never heard about this childhood friend of yours in France..."
"It's not that I was hiding anything shameful. I just didn't think it was necessary to mention. I figured you wouldn't be very interested."
"She's honest, cute, and a very wonderful woman..."
"I'm sorry. It was wrong of me to compliment another woman in front of you... It was an inappropriate thing to do... I'm reflecting on it. I'm sorry."
I looked up at Mai with teary eyes. "R-Renako...?"
"Am I going to be abandoned...? Was I just a convenient playmate until you got married...?"
"N-No, that's not what I meant at all! I would never do something so unfaithful! The only person I love is you!"
Uu... Only Mai's words that serve as a bandage, healing the cracks in my shattered heart
"Then, who do you like more, me or her...?" "Of course, it's you!"
"Really...? Then, how much do you like me?" "I like you more than anything in the world."
At Mai's sincere words, my heart skipped a beat.
I want more. I want to hear more of Mai's sincere words...! "Really? Really, really?"
"Of course. Stay by my side forever, Renako. You are my everything." "Really, really, really...? If you're lying, Renako won't forgive you."
"I swear, I will love you forever—"
Right after that, something slammed into the back of my head. Ouch!
I held my head and turned around.
"How long are you going to keep flirting? I'll kill you!" It was Satsuki-san.
"Seriously... if you had kept going for just a little longer, I would've thrown both of you off the roof. That was a close one."
"Isn't the real danger Saa-chan's self-control?" "Ahaha..."
To my surprise, there were people hiding behind the rooftop door, secretly watching our dramatic exchange. And not just one—three of them.
Koto Satsuki. Koyanagi Kaho. Sena Ajisai.
These three were members of my strongly connected group of five friends in Class 1-A, called the 'Quintet.' They also happened to be the ones who knew about my relationship with Mai.
"Why are you here?" Mai asks the question.
Koto Satsuki—an extraordinary beauty with jet-black hair and Mai's childhood friend from Japan. She is a significant figure to us, always demonstrating that good looks and a good personality don't necessarily go hand in hand.
Satsuki-san brushes her hair back and answers,
"I thought it might be entertaining if things got complicated, so I decided to take a peek."
She said it as if exercising an obvious right.
Amazing. When someone is that shameless, there's nothing you can fault them for. As expected of Satsuki-san. Truly admirable.
"Saa-chan was worried about Rena-chin and MaiMai, you know. That's why I came along, too!"
With a cheerful smile, Koyanagi Kaho adds her comment. A cute, small animal-like girl, Kaho-chan's charming fang teeth, which occasionally peeked out, made her even more adorable. She's an important person who can confidently make playful remarks to both Mai and Satsuki-san without hesitation.
"That's not it. Don't say things like that, Kaho," Satsuki-san says firmly.
"Okay, okay, sorry~,"
Kaho-chan smoothly deflects Satsuki's pressure with a smile. After all, the fact that these two call each other by their first names shows how close they are.
"Ugh, but spying is still not okay… Sorry, though,"
Ajisai-san apologizes, bowing her head as if representing the three of them.
The angel of Ashigaya, known as Sena Ajisai, is an important person who has shown the world that beauty and personality can sometimes be perfectly in sync. Well, that could also be said about Mai and Kaho-chan.
But honestly, it feels like the one who has the most right to listen to our conversation is probably someone like Ajisai-san...
"I owe you an apology too, Ajisai..."
Mai, looking a little down, lowers her head.
Then, Ajisai-san waves her hand, saying, "Ah, no, it's okay. I was a little surprised, but I figured there must be something going on."
"That said, if I'd stopped things a little sooner, you wouldn't have had to feel uneasy."
"Well... that might be true," Sena Ajisai smiled gently.
"Nobody's perfect, so it's okay. There's nothing we can do to prevent unexpected things from happening, right? My little brothers do things every day that make me think, 'Why would they do that?'"
She laughed a bit embarrassed.
"So, I think what's more important is how we talk things through and come to an understanding when things like that happen."
"...Ah, thank you." "Hehe, you're welcome."
The two exchanged smiles, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere.
...Hmm? It's almost as if there are beautiful flowers blooming and sparkling around Mai and Ajisai.
Wait, isn't this a little different from when it's me?
"Sena really is amazing. Sena really is," Satsuki said, she murmured in a way that seemed like a sharp remark aimed at my pity.
That's strange. I wanted to be in that kind of pleasant situation too...
But then again, when it comes to self-esteem and self-affirmation, there's no comparison between me and Ajisai-san... My mental state is like a straw house, while Ajisai-san is made of reinforced concrete. She wouldn't budge even in the face of a strong storm.
Well, it's fine... No one is perfect after all... Ajisai-san's words always give me hope.
The three of us—me, Mai, and Ajisai-san—share a special bond.
Mai and I are lovers, and Mai and Ajisai-san are lovers, and Ajisai-san and I are lovers. In other words, we're all dating each other.
It might sound strange, but the only reason this human relationship can stay balanced is thanks to Ajisai-san, who is probably the greatest balancer in the universe. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that.
We've been together for a little over a month now. Without any major conflicts, we've been steadily spending our days together. In that sense, this whole fiancée commotion might be the first real trouble to come our way.
Satsuki crossed her arms.
"Even so, aunty really went for quite the forceful approach." "Yeah… By the way, Satsuki, have you met her yet?"
By "her," he was referring to Mai's fiancée. "…No."
Satsuki slowly shook her head.
"Huh? You're acquainted with Mai's fiancée, Satsuki-san?"
"Ah, that's right. When we were kids, Satsuki did some modeling too."
I know that. One of the hardcore "MaiSatsu" fans (Hanatori-san) even showed me some footage.
"Because of that connection, when we went to France together, the three of us would always hang out."
Satsuki spoke up, sounding a bit annoyed.
"Correction. I wasn't really 'modeling.' I just tagged along to the studio a few times and had some photos taken. As for going to France, that was only because Mai kept pestering me, so I went along."
"That's right. She went along with me. Satsuki's kind like that." Mai smiled, and Satsuki clicked her tongue.
She might be cursed to click her tongue whenever she gets complimented. Poor thing. Since my mental state is a bit fragile right now, I get how Satsuki feels about not being able to be honest...