...!
I involuntarily crouched down on the spot.
I wonder why. Back when I was competing with Mai over whether we'd be best friends or lovers, those should have been lines I'd heard more than trendy love songs... But now, it's like being stabbed in a vital spot...
It wasn't Mai who changed. Well, I think Mai changed too. But most of all, my consciousness changed.
Because I like Mai in a romantic sense...!
Today too, when I sometimes stumbled over words, Mai gently led me. Even kissing me in front of Ajisai-san was Mai's way of advancing our relationship and trying to create stronger bonds.
This relationship started from my outrageous selfishness. But even so, Mai's role is still large. It's surely because Mai is here that we three can continue.
I'm grateful... I need to return words of gratitude to Mai too... First I'll send 'Thank you too!' and... then.
The problem is the following sentence.
'I love you too.'
No good. This message is no good.
Too embarrassing!
I hurriedly deleted the text and typed again.
'I like you too.'
Th-this much should be...
Ugh... But I always say 'like'...
Compared to Mai who conveyed her feelings, are my feelings insufficient...?
'I really like you too!'
How about this?
The emotional amount feels balanced. It feels balanced, but the '!' looks like 'I like like really like Mai!' and seems like a passionate confession!
Once you start worrying about this stuff, it can take hours!
Argh, I'll compromise—how about this!
'I like you too!'
I just removed the 'really' from the previous sentence! How's that!? Isn't this just right!?
I'd rather have her edit it herself. She'd surely say 'Wouldn't "I love you" be better?' That's no good!
Fine! I'm sending this!
Hah, hah... I sent it, I sent it...
Getting my heart disturbed by a single message reply, only caring about what the other person thinks of me... If it were me from just half a year ago, I'd probably be holding my head saying 'That's why being best friends is obviously better!'...
But the current me feels happy even about these emotional fluctuations.
These days with Mai and Ajisai-san are truly fun.
I know it's more happiness than I deserve. I know, but.
So... sorry.
In my heart, I apologize to Lucie-chan.
I really don't want to break up with Mai and Ajisai-san after all.
'—No matter what happens, I want to keep dating you both. I'll do everything I can for that.'
Just like Mai said that.
I feel the same way, Mai.
No matter what happens... I don't want to let go of this happiness.
Because I already know. The happiness of being told I'm loved by Mai, being told I'm loved by Ajisai-san, and... um... kissing them...
The happiness of being cherished by them both.
The current me has become very selfish.
On the way home from our date. Walking the path home, I think strongly.
I felt like fluffy particles of happiness were still floating around me.
Like Tinkerbell's magic powder, Mai and Ajisai-san's feelings are always protecting me. That's how I feel.
—Or so it should have been.
As I walked, the sky suddenly became ominous.
Since I didn't bring a folding umbrella today, I hurried to get home and broke into a light jog, but I stumbled on a gutter and twisted my ankle with a sharp pain.
Ow, it hurts...!
It doesn't seem swollen, but what bad luck... Maybe I used it all up by going on a date with Mai and Ajisai-san...
Hehehe, just kidding. If luck were consumable, I would have been struck by lightning and died the moment I started dating those two.
Even the flock of crows perched on the power lines are cheering me on at full volume with their "caw caw" as they look down at me ☆
No... that's ominous...
I remember that fortune telling from before.
Life Luck: Extinction. Your life might seriously be in danger! You should buy a shelter right now!
I actually looked it up... Underground bunker-type shelters cost about 15 million yen. My allowance is just a tiny bit short~!
Anyway, my safe haven is just a little further. My bedroom futon is like my shelter. Once I get home, I can handle anything...
Hmm...?
A limousine was parked a short distance from my house.
That's not something you see very often. This is... the limousine that Mai always uses for transportation.
I wonder what this is about. Maybe she forgot something, I thought as I stopped in front of the car.
Then the rear door opened.
The person who got out was...
"Eh? Satsuki-san?"
There's no mistaking such a beauty. Why is Satsuki-san here? Does she have business with me?
But the matter with Lucie-chan should already be settled...?
The long black-haired beauty didn't respond to my words.
"Well then, I'll leave the rest to you."
She said this to someone inside the car before walking past me.
"Eh? Um, wait."
I called out, but Satsuki-san still didn't turn around.
Wh-what...? If she doesn't have business with me, then why near my house...? I don't understand at all.
As I watched that back walking briskly away while question marks danced in my head.
A voice came from inside the car.
"Amaori-sama."
The one gripping the steering wheel in the driver's seat was Mai's maid, Hanatori-san.
Hanatori-san didn't smile at all, and with the same cold gaze as always, declared to me:
"Please get in."
The car had been driving for a while.
Sitting in the rear seat, I nervously called out:
"Um... where are we headed...?"
"..."
Hanatori-san hasn't answered anything since earlier.
"Why were you waiting in front of my house with Satsuki-san...?"
"..."
Nothing!
Looking out the window, it feels like we're getting farther and farther from civilization...
Eh, what is this? Could this possibly be an incident?
Am I seriously being taken to an abandoned mansion in the mountains, left there, and about to be chased around by a clown-costumed serial killer...?
Wh-why!?
Hanatori-san, we became friends!
We even had a naked relationship, right!? Right!?
Wh-why... why...!?
I trembled in the corner of the limousine.
"H-Hanatori-san... I'm starting to need the bathroom, you know..."
"..."
Nothing!!
Is that okay!? Is it okay if I dirty the limousine!? That's what ignoring me means, right!? Or do you think I'm lying with all my heart just to escape from here when I don't actually need the bathroom at all!? You're right though!
Fear increased exponentially. Rather than Japanese-style horror where fear creeps up gradually and chills your spine, it had the flavor of Western horror where mortal danger approaches imminently.
The car drove for about another 10 minutes before suddenly stopping.
"We've arrived."
"Eek..."
I nervously looked out the window. There was a parking lot I'd seen several times before, and oh it's just Mai's apartment... except it wasn't at all, it was just regular mountains.
Hey hey hey hey. This is the real deal.
"Please get out."
"No way!"
When I threw a tantrum, Hanatori-san got out of the car by herself.
Uuu... Though terrified, I set my feet down on the gravel ground.
Where is this... A roadside where rough paths stretched front and back. Truly, not a soul passing by. The kind of mountain road where maybe one car passes every few hours.
Thick clouds covered the sky, looking like the weather would break any moment.
"Um, Hanatori-san, what is this about...? Today isn't April Fool's Day, right~?"
I laughed as ingraiatingly as possible with a "hehehe."
Then I had a flash of inspiration.
I rubbed my hands together and smiled at Hanatori-san.
"Speaking of which! You heard, right!? Mai and Satsuki-san apparently got engaged! MaiSatsu faction victory~! Congratulations Hanatori-san! Your dream came true~!"
Hanatori-san's shoulders seemed to twitch as she stood with her back to me.
I can do this!
"Well, those two really suit each other! Childhood friends getting engaged! How romantic! The envy of maidens worldwide! Hollywood movie deal confirmed! Right~!"
Still facing away from me, Hanatori-san asked:
"So you broke up with Mai-sama?"
Her usual flat tone.
Ugh...!
I averted my eyes with all my might.
What should I do? Lie for the moment to survive? Or should I stick to my guns and state the truth resolutely...?
No need to think. The answer is decided.
"Well, yes!"
I'm going to live!
"It can't be helped! It was presumptuous for a commoner like me to date Mai in the first place! I got to dream for just a moment! Thank you Mai~!"
When I threw away my pride and put on a self-deprecating smile, Hanatori-san said firmly:
"Ojou-sama is not someone who would date people with such light feelings."
Uh oh.
"Th-that's certainly true! I wonder what it is! Maybe there were some endless circumstances! Or maybe I became tiresome! I don't really know! I'm just a mass-produced girl!"
"That's enough."
Finally, Hanatori-san turned around to face me.
Her eyes reflected nothing. Empty.
—Too scary.
"Wh-what...?"
"I already know everything."
"Everything...?"
Hanatori-san nodded silently, then opened her mouth.
"When I heard that Ojou-sama was engaged to Lefebvre-sama, I objected to Renée-sama for the first time."
"...Eh?"
Flatly, like falling rain, Hanatori-san spoke.
"Ojou-sama's life belongs to Ojou-sama. No matter how much someone else treasures Ojou-sama, they have no right to force her actions. That's what I told Renée-sama. Because Ojou-sama had a schoolmate she was dating."
"That means..."
I digested those words and asked back.
"You tried to protect Mai and me...?"
That Hanatori-san...
Hanatori-san who had called me a 'poisonous insect' and treated me coldly...
Without answering, Hanatori-san continued.
"Renée-sama would not listen to my words. That was frustrating and vexing. I couldn't protect Ojou-sama. Since then, I had days where I couldn't focus on work. But—"
Hanatori-san shook her head.
"Ojou-sama told Renée-sama herself that she would 'get engaged to Koto-sama instead.' I certainly felt like ascending to heaven and experienced a moment of cardiac arrest, but... even so, I immediately noticed something was off. Ojou-sama is not someone who would date people with light feelings."
Did she just say cardiac arrest?
It seems something incredible happened without my knowledge...
"Unable to bear the growing sense of wrongness each day, if this was what Ojou-sama herself desired, I had to stop it even if it meant shedding tears of blood... With that resolve, Ojou-sama and Koto-sama spoke to me. They had conspired to stop Renée-sama's plan. To protect their lives."
My heart skipped.
Hanatori-san knows.
As she said, 'everything'...!
"Along with disappointed feelings... I felt very fulfilled. Long ago in childhood, those two broke Renée-sama's orders and joined hands. I saw true love."
There, Hanatori-san smiled as if remembering.
"And once again. Their bond was eternally tied without needing to be bound by the tangible form of marriage. So I resolved that this time, for the sake of those two who trusted me enough to confide in me, I would definitely be of help."
I see, so then...
Hanatori-san will be on Mai's side, not her mother's side.
Which means she's on my side too...
I felt all the tension drain from my body, which had been stiff until now.
Thank goodness. There was no need to fear for my life. I still don't understand at all why I was brought to such a remote mountain location, but I'm truly relieved.
"Yeah... thank you, Hanatori-san."
"Therefore—"
Then Hanatori-san threw something at me.
A bundle of papers she'd been carrying under her arm. It hit the gravel road with a sound.
Hmm...? What's this?
Just as I was about to pick it up, I saw the title.
'Picaris Investigation Report'
In the bottom right corner was Terusawa Youko's name.
...Huh? Youko-chan?
"Um, this is—"
I looked up at Hanatori-san. Her bangs hid her eyes as she looked down.
Does she want me to read it...? Nervously picking it up, I brushed off the sand and opened the file.
There was a huge photo of me pasted inside.
Eh!?
"Wh-what is this!?"
Hanatori-san's answer easily surpassed what a mere high school student like me could imagine.
"I commissioned a detective agency to investigate your background. As someone protecting Mai-sama's life, it was the natural thing to do."
"But why is Youko-chan's name...!? No, wait, eh!? Wait!?"
As I flipped through the file, I saw photos of me with Mai, Satsuki-san, Ajisai-san, Kaho-chan—all the Quintet members, and then.
Finally, an outrageous sentence jumped into view.
Investigation results—
Amaori Renako is a four-timer.
"Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!?"
At that moment, thunder rumbled in the distance.
"Ojou-sama and Koto-sama—"
Hanatori-san's voice trembled.
"The true identity of the person they desperately tried to protect was such a woman—"
I felt something like an earthquake rumbling from my feet. In response to the aura rising around Hanatori-san, even the pebbles on the ground seemed to tremble.
Sweat poured from my entire body.
This wasn't just malice. This was killing intent.
At this rate, death—
I have to say something, anything!
"That's wrong! This is a lie! It's a mistake!"
"Oh?"
Hanatori-san looked up.
Her clenched fist looked like a chainsaw to me.
It flashed through my mind. Criminal Code Article 199—
"It's not true!!"
Thrusting both hands forward, I shouted with my voice almost cracking.
"I'm not four-timing!"
"Answer honestly."
As if completely rejecting my protests, Hanatori-san trapped me in her lightless gaze.
"The moment I judge you're lying, I will... you."
"You will what!? What are you going to do!?"
"Well then, let's begin."
"The penalty is proceeding while remaining unclear!?"
Hanatori-san took one step closer to me.
"You are four-timing, aren't you?"
"I'm not! I swear by heaven and earth!"
"You are four-timing, aren't you?"
"There's no way! I swear by Mai!"
"You are four-timing, aren't you?"
"Wait!? Is this one of those RPG things that continues until you say yes!?"
My back hit the limousine. I couldn't retreat any further.
Hanatori-san approaching.
This was the greatest crisis of my life.
—At this rate, I'll really be killed.
No good.
I have no choice but to confess.
"I'm dating Mai and Ajisai-san—the three of us together!"
Hanatori-san looked dumbfounded for a moment.
"...What?"
Crying from sheer terror, I pleaded:
"We talked about this before, Hanatori-san! The two-timing rumors that came up at the cosplay event! Those are true! They're not baseless rumors! I wanted to make both Mai and Ajisai-san happy! So I took both their hands!"
For a while, that voice echoed through the mountains.
A second thunderclap roared.
Hanatori-san muttered in shock:
"...Two-timing...?"
"Y-yeah...! Well, that's what it is!"
It's also annoying to have this resolve simply called 'two-timing,' but right now it would be too foolish to get hung up on that and throw my life away. I nodded repeatedly, acknowledging it.
"So!"
I shouted desperately.
"Please believe me! What's written in that file is completely wrong! It's not four-timing! I'm not four-timing! That would make me human trash! It's different! Please believe me! My only crime is simple two-timing!!"
"It's the same thing!!"
I was left abandoned in the mountains.
Why!?!?!?
**Chapter 4: There's No Way Everything Can Work Out Perfectly, Right?**
While I said I was abandoned, there was actually a station about a 15-minute walk away, so I took the train home from there. (Thunder rumbled, but it didn't rain.)
I had barely escaped with my life.
But during the journey home, Hanatori-san's words kept spinning round and round in my head.
'This poisonous insect.'
'Why would Ojou-sama choose someone like you?'
'Koto-sama too, why on earth...'
'Honestly, I'm confused too. It's so abhorrent and beyond reason.'
'You've obtained the one-in-8-billion happiness of becoming Ojou-sama's lover, so why are you reaching for other women!? Something is wrong with you!'
'Never approach Ojou-sama again, absolutely never.'
'I was foolish to ever try to believe in you.'
'Poisonous insect.'
'The next time you approach Ojou-sama, I will eliminate you. Even if Ojou-sama resents me for it, I'll stake my life on it. No matter what criminal laws I break, I will definitely—you—'
'—poisonous insect.'
Those words torment me eternally.
Oh, God. Did I really do something so terrible...?
Why do only I have to go through this...?
Because... it was something we decided together...
God...
I was completely beaten down.
***
"...chan, ...Rena-chan..."
... My consciousness floated up from drowsiness.
I suddenly woke up.
In front of me was a kind-faced god.
"...Goddess...?"
"Eh? That's not right."
She laughed softly. Right, she's an angel.
No! It was Ajisai-san.
"It's already break time, you know?"
The surroundings were noisy and bustling. Apparently I'd fallen asleep in the middle of class.
"Ah, sorry... I was sleeping."
I barely slept last night.
Even after getting into bed, I couldn't get what Hanatori-san said out of my head...
"Yeah. Actually, it seemed like you were having a nightmare...? The teacher was troubled."
Ajisai-san furrowing her brow is cute today too.
Her fluffy hair, her gentle voice, everything about her is precious.
Having such a girl as a girlfriend would make people around the world envious. What more could I possibly want?
I understand. I know I'm being greedy.
I thought I'd understood that all along.
"Sorry."
I stood up.
"Eh?"
"I'm going to the rooftop for a bit."
Ajisai-san's eyes wavered in confusion.
Though seeming troubled, she called out to me.
"The next class is about to start..."
Sorry, Ajisai-san.
I left the classroom as if shaking off that voice.
I couldn't look at Mai and Satsuki-san's faces the whole time I was in the classroom.
"Ahh..."
The wind is blowing against me.
December wind is cold. But for the hopeless me right now, it was just the right coldness.
I want to be hurt more. I want someone to punish me. Moderately, not enough to die...
Then... maybe everyone would forgive me for two-timing Mai and two-timing Ajisai-san...
And for seeking happiness beyond my station, not wanting to hurt anyone...
"...I know that's not how it works though..."
My heart was magnificently broken.
Split clean in two, like it was cut with a chainsaw.
When I first started dating them both, I was burning with hope.
Mai and Ajisai-san both have important people in their lives. To those who wish for their happiness, my existence is vague and unstable.
Still, having chosen an "abnormal path," I was burning with determination to work hard enough to earn their support.
I thought I'd been working hard, working hard, working so hard.
But...
In reality, such a thing is impossible.
The moment I chose an "abnormal path," there's no way anyone would support me. Because it's not normal.
My enemy is the world. I can't live with only the people involved being happy. Both Mai and Ajisai-san live within circles of people.
There's no way I could convince everyone around us.
Such a... completely inadequate person like me shouldn't have dreamed such grand dreams.
"I can't do this anymore..."
I let out a weak sound and rested my forehead on the railing.
What should I do now...
Pretending nothing happened and continuing to date Mai as before would probably be impossible...
I really don't want to die yet...
...But I also don't want to tattle on Hanatori-san to Mai.
Because Hanatori-san wasn't saying anything wrong. She acted thinking only of Mai's happiness, believing it was the right thing to do.
And if angry Mai fired Hanatori-san because of that... peace might return temporarily. But what if another person like Hanatori-san who worries about Mai gets angry? Fire that person too? How long would we repeat that?
What if Mai's family gets angry? What if Ajisai-san's family gets angry and says "we absolutely won't accept this"?
Could I really think "let's keep trying anyway" at that point?
Probably impossible.
I thought I didn't want to let go of this happiness no matter what happened...
My determination was naive after all. I never had the resolve to make someone unhappy.
School during class time is quiet.
If only we were the only ones in the world... that would be nice...
But then... both Mai and Ajisai-san probably wouldn't be happy... Because they have precious families, lots of friends, and are loved by everyone...
Ah... I'm thinking only about myself again...
As I sank into such thoughts, I heard the door open behind me.
Hmm...
The door is unlocked because I'm here. But who could it be?
I turned around reluctantly.
"What are you doing~? It's class time~?"
She raised her hand in greeting.
I turned damp eyes toward her.
"...That's my line."
"You're pretty jaded, Renako-kun."
Laughing in a carefree tone was Terusawa Youko-chan.
"Well, class time is perfect for secret conversations. I saw Renako-kun in the hallway and chased after you."
She walked over and stood next to me.
"Thanks for the other day."
"...The other day?"
"Our princess finally got her mood back."
"Ah, yeah..."
When I went crazy trying to blow up Queen Rose with Lucie-chan.
Somehow... it felt like an event from long ago.
I asked hesitantly:
"Hey, Youko-chan. What's 'Picaris'?"
Hearing those words, Youko-chan answered like checking answers on a simple test.
"The name of our detective agency."
"Detective agency..."
"I'm what you'd call a 'detective.'"
Hearing it from her own mouth again was surprising.
At the same time, my feelings fell as if pulled by gravity.
"...I thought of Youko-chan as a friend. But... you approached me to investigate me?"
That's right. That's why Youko-chan knew about me and Nashiji Komachi too.
Acting like nothing happened, all along...
Sad. Lonely. But all of this is because I two-timed Mai and Ajisai-san.
Reaping what I sowed. My body is covered in rust.
"At first, yes."
Youko-chan nodded without any apparent guilt.
"Normally I'd never tell an investigation target this—it violates confidentiality—but whatever. I quit being a detective anyway."
"...You quit?"
"Yeah. This month, the Queen Rose princess and her fiancée are having their engagement ceremony. So I've completed my assignment. Payment was transferred, debt cleared. I'm finally free."
"Engagement ceremony..."
I'd heard of it. A ceremony to formalize a marriage promise.
In other words, Mai and Satsuki-san are really moving toward marriage...
Leaving me behind.
"Actually, debt...?"
"I really hate privileged people."
Youko-chan began to speak.
That voice was a little lower than Youko-chan's usual one, like when she was being Lucie-chan's maid. This is probably Youko-chan's true self.
"I was investigating Renako-kun's background for Queen Rose, but the more I investigated, the more annoyed I got. Oduka Mai, Sena Ajisai, plus Koto Satsuki and Koyanagi Kaho. A wicked woman manipulating and toying with four people. No one would like someone like that, right?"
I'm not four-timing though... I thought, but then again, two-timing isn't much different... I stayed silent and accepted Youko-chan's words.
"But you know."
Youko-chan rested her arms on the railing and spoke in a light voice.
"Getting to know you, well, maybe Renako-kun isn't such a bad person after all."
"..."
That's just consolation. Not everyone thinks that way. I don't even know how serious Youko-chan is being.
"You took on Lucie-san's situation too, even though you looked reluctant. I started thinking maybe you're just someone who can't say no?"
"What's that supposed to mean..."
"You seemed like you'd fall over if I pushed."
Memories of the shower came back and my neck grew hot.
"Th-that was! I think you went too far!"
Seeing me react so dramatically, Youko-chan laughed.
"You still think of someone who did that to you as a friend, so you're pretty big-hearted."
I glared at her.
"You knew what you were doing...!?"
"Renako-kun just likes girls, right?"
"That's wroooong!"
I don't particularly like girls or anything like that!
I've denied it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over! No one will ever believe me forever!
Youko-chan laughed with an "ahaha."
"So well, now I'm more on the 'like' side, maybe."
"...Hmm."
"Ah, you don't believe me?"
Well, I mean... I looked away.
"Because you were lying to me all along..."
"Then."
Youko-chan touched my shoulder. Eh...
She put her hand to my cheek, and her eyes smiled gently.
"Would you believe me if I kissed you?"
"Wait—"
Seeing me turn pale, Youko-chan laughed again.
"Ahahaha."
I was being teased!!
"What is this!? Youko-chan is the one who likes girls!?"
"Ah, that's funny."
"Stop it...! That would just add another person...!"
"Four-timing is criminal, but if you hit 2000, you'd be Don Giovanni."
"I'm not aiming for that!?"
After laughing for a while, Youko-chan murmured:
"Koto Satsuki."
"...Eh?"
Looking into my eyes:
"Since we're here, I'll tell you. Everything is in that person's palm."
I don't really understand what she means.
"Why would Satsuki-san...?"
"We got a report that the Queen Rose princess's romantic partner was an unfaithful woman, so Koto Satsuki and I were summoned by the queen. That's when the plan to separate the princess from Renako-kun began."
"...Huh?"
Wait, what does that mean...?
"Koto Satsuki has some terrible purpose."
"...Which is?"
Youko-chan spread both hands.
"Who knows?"
"Hey!"
"I have no idea what that person's thinking. Way less than you."
I furrowed my brow.
The queen means... Mai's mother, right?
So they thought I was four-timing from way back, and to separate me from Mai, Youko-chan and Satsuki-san were working together...?
"But then, what about Mai...?"
"Well. She's probably being deceived too, that person."
No way.
That's terrible!
"Because Satsuki-san is an irreplaceable friend! A best friend who recognizes each other! But to think she was deceiving us like that!"
"Seems like something she'd absolutely never do?"
"..............................................Yeah!"
Sorry. If asked whether she'd do it or not, she totally would.
No, Satsuki-san is the bad one! She has too many priors! It's her daily conduct!
I mean, Satsuki-san would probably go as far as blowing up Queen Rose, right!?
Wait! That's not right! I think those aspects of Satsuki-san are good too!
What's good about a personality that could blow up a childhood friend's mother's company!? That would only be praised as a virtue in battle manga!
I'm confused.
"Let me organize this!"
I pressed my temples and held out my palm to Youko-chan.
"First, Youko-chan is a detective..."
"Yes."
"You were deceiving me... That's really awful... Sad..."
"Sorry?"
"I'm hurt... To think all that kindness was fake... I'll become distrustful of people... Just when I thought we'd become friends... Now I'll spend my life suspecting that every new person I meet might be a detective approaching me to investigate... Because of Youko-chan... I want you to take responsibility for my life..."
"My part is long! That's enough!"
I got unilaterally cut off. Awful...
"S-so, I'm misunderstood by Mai's mother and them as 'four-timing'..."
"Eh? Is it a misunderstanding?"
Youko-chan looked back with a blank face.
... I hesitate. Whether to tell the truth or not.
No, but even if I explained here 'It's Youko-chan's fault I'm misunderstood! It's totally different, it's just two-timing (angry),' I'd just get yelled at again... So unreasonable...
I'll skip that and continue.
"As a result, Mai's mother, who wanted to stop her from dating such a terrible woman, gave Youko-chan and Satsuki-san the order to 'make me and Mai break up.'"
"Yes."
"Youko-chan approaching and hitting on me was part of that, and biting my neck in the unit bath wasn't just playing around but a so-called honey trap... to get evidence of cheating... I really will become distrustful of people... responsibility... Responsibility..."
"You're annoying! It was just work!"
For some reason Youko-chan's face turned red as she yelled back. It seems even she was embarrassed doing it.
I could continue complaining about Youko-chan for hours, but since that would be pointless, I returned to talking about Satsuki-san.
"So Satsuki-san is doing something else entirely to make Mai and me break up. What exactly, Youko-chan doesn't know... right?"
"Yes."
If everything Youko-chan just said is true, that's how it is.
...Though I think it's pretty questionable to take the word of someone who was secretly investigating me while hiding her identity...
See! Instant distrust of people! Responsibility! Responsibility!
But... it's true that Satsuki-san and Youko-chan often clashed as if they had some connection. Maybe it's not complete lies...
If so.
What Satsuki-san did openly was become Mai's fiancée.
And probably, send Hanatori-san after me.
Those two things.
Otherwise, there's no explaining why Satsuki-san was in that limousine. She was lying in wait for me. The four-timing investigation report was probably handed over by Satsuki-san too. (Because if Hanatori-san had read the investigation report earlier, she would have stormed into my house at that point.)
"What exactly is Satsuki-san..."
"Honestly, she didn't seem to be working just for money either."
First of all, Satsuki-san knows I'm not four-timing. Because Satsuki-san and I aren't dating! Yet she won't clear up the misunderstanding and is trying to use the situation.
Satsuki-san's purpose.
I don't understand anything about Satsuki-san, but maybe there were hints somewhere in what happened before.
I look back at her words and actions.
Satsuki-san sent me a message the day I decided to date Mai and Ajisai-san.
'Date me too, Amaori.'
Then, when I pressed her about why she did that, Satsuki-san who came to my house said:
'Why I did that—I don't want to say, but that's my answer. That's all.'
I thought her behavior was a bit strange, but Satsuki-san acting strange is pretty normal, so I didn't particularly suspect anything...
Satsuki-san borrowed romance games from Kaho-chan, and according to her mother, she's been reading lots of romance novels lately... doing things unlike herself.
From all these points, the conclusion is...
Thinking normally, very normally.
"...Does Satsuki-san want a lover?"
Youko-chan put her hand to her chin.
"Koto-san doesn't seem like such a simple person."
"Yeah..."
Actually, if she really wanted a lover, I think Satsuki-san could make one easily.
She's a bit hard to approach, but she's smart, strikingly beautiful, kind in her own way, and considerate. When we dated for two weeks, I thought Satsuki-san would 'make a good wife.'
There should be no need for her to be obsessed with someone like me.
"Then what's Satsuki-san's purpose..."
Does she really like Mai and is trying to marry her...? Or is she trying to achieve some purpose by marrying Mai...?
I wonder. Something's nagging at me.
Just a little more... I feel like I'm about to have an insight...
Just then—
The rooftop door opened with a bang.
"—Then let's ask her!"
We turned around in surprise.
A cute girl with fluffy hair was standing there with her arms crossed.
"Ah, Ajisai-san!?"
"Oh my."
"Yes! I'm Sena Ajisai!"
With uncharacteristic energy, Ajisai-san strode toward us with determination.
"Let's ask Satsuki-chan! We know everything now! she should know!"
"Sena-san, isn't your character different?"
"It's not different! Because I've been feeling frustrated with Satsuki-chan all along!"
Ajisai-san clenched her fists and emanated a huffing aura.
"Y-you were?"
"I was!"
Ajisai-san nodded about five times with excess momentum.
"Actually, it's class time right now..."
"Rena-chan is skipping too!"
She pointed at me sharply. Th-that's true...
"Right... I made you skip class, sorry..."
"Ah, no, not at all. I was worried about Rena-chan... ehehe..."
Ajisai-san smiled softly. Ah, I made such an angel worry... I'm always only thinking about myself...
But suddenly realizing, Ajisai-san shook her head about six times.
"Yeah, so! Let's catch Satsuki-chan and hear what she has to say!"
"O-okay..."
Ajisai-san was full of energy.
But actually...
Hesitating, I wonder if I should talk to Mai first.
Mai would listen to what Ajisai-san and I have to say. But if she learned that the source of information was a detective hired by her mother... I feel like Mai would believe Satsuki-san's side of the story.
We have no way of knowing how thoroughly Satsuki-san planned her strategy to convince Mai...
In that case, talking directly to the person in question would be fastest after all.
Even the Hanatori-san incident might be resolved without making a big deal of it if Satsuki-san, who handed over the materials, dismisses it with "that was all lies."
It won't be a fundamental solution, but... thinking about it, it might be a brilliant plan!
But then I have a vision of a giant Satsuki-san looming beyond the mountains.
Ugh... The biggest problem is whether that Satsuki-san will talk to us honestly.
Satsuki-san is strong. Always strong. And she's the type of strong character who doesn't get weaker even when she becomes an ally.
Even during the sports festival, when she was called out by Class B students and confronted by three people at once, she defeated them all...
If it were just me, it would definitely be impossible.
But! Ajisai-san is here!
Electric attacks against Gyarados! Archers against flying units! Luffy against Enel! That's Sena Ajisai against Koto Satsuki! Satsuki-san is soft on Ajisai-san!
I can see the light!
"Yeah! Got it, Ajisai-san!"
I nodded firmly.
"With Ajisai-san here, all problems might be solved!"
"I'll do my best!"
"Satsuki-san will cry, apologize, and turn herself in on the spot! As expected of Ajisai-san!"
"I-I'll do my best!"
And even if Satsuki-san and Youko-chan's stories don't match up and it turns out Youko-chan was actually deceiving me... we should still see some kind of progress compared to now.
Much better than staying by Mai's side and getting Criminal Code Article 199'd by Hanatori-san!
"Let's do it, Ajisai-san! Let's defeat Koto Satsuki, the root of all evil who controls all the world's darkness! Now's the time to carve your name into legend, Ajisai-san!"
"Of course, Rena-chan! Leave everything to me!"
Ajisai-san puffed out her chest, abandoning even retorts to my excessive statements. So reassuring!
Even as an angel, the current Ajisai-san is as dependable as the Archangel Gabriel!
"Um~"
From beside us getting excited, Youko-chan interjected.
"By the way, from where did you start listening, Sena-san?"
R-right...!
I feel like we talked about various things that would be bad if overheard!
Then Ajisai-san answered very honestly.
"Um... from around where Satsuki-chan is doing something different to make Mai-chan and Rena-chan break up, but Terusawa-san doesn't know what, I think."
"Ah, from there..."
She was obviously relieved.
Youko-chan also sighed with relief.
"Ah, good. So you didn't hear where I said to Renako-kun 'Should I give you a kiss?'"
"Eh!?"
"Youko-chan!?"
"Ahahaha."
Youko-chan burst out laughing.
Y-you're unforgivable... Not satisfied with just making people distrust others...!
"Just kidding. It would be too troublesome to stick my neck into this quagmire any further. From now on, I'm going to live my own life freely for my own sake."
I need to clear up this misunderstanding with the trembling Ajisai-san...!
"N-no, Ajisai-san... Actually, Youko-chan was also an assassin who approached me to make Mai and me break up...!"
I desperately appealed to Ajisai-san who was staring at me with her hand to her mouth.
"So! Getting in that cramped unit bath together, having my body washed by hand, getting my neck bitten—that was all a honey trap! Not because Youko-chan liked me or anything!"
"Rena-chan!?"
Gasp...!
I feel like I just dug an enormously huge grave that will go down in history—
"Well, that's mostly true."
Youko-chan patted the shoulder of frozen me.
"At least I thought Renako-kun's body wasn't bad. Soft and curvy with big boobs. Let's get together again sometime if we have the chance ♡"
"Sorry! Impossible!"
Next to me shouting that, Ajisai-san kept spinning with dizziness for a while...
D-did I do something again!?
After apologizing profusely to Ajisai-san, explaining the situation, getting thoroughly scolded, apologizing more, being forgiven because this isn't the time to be hung up on such things, and in exchange being made to promise earnestly that we'd definitely take a bath together again once things calmed down...
And here we are now.
Ajisai-san and I were waiting for our target in the grounds of a certain shrine.
"I wonder if Satsuki-chan will come."
"I-it'll be fine, I'm sure."
I answered while slightly trembling.
Somehow earlier Ajisai-san had strangely intimidating presence that was scary...
She must be fired up because we're going to talk to Satsuki-san... That must be it!
While feeling both reassurance and somehow guilt (why!?) from such Ajisai-san, I said:
"Actually, this shrine is a place full of memories for Satsuki-san."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Apparently it's where she first became best friends with Mai. So surely, being called out to this place means there's some special business, and she should come."
"I see~"
Ajisai-san smiled pitifully.
"You know a lot about stories of Satsuki-chan that I don't know, Rena-chan."
"Eh!?"
Is it just me, or did a dark aura just rise around Ajisai-san...
No, it must be my imagination. After all, Dark Ajisai is a delusion created by my weak heart. There's no way Ajisai-san would direct negative emotions at anyone. Impossible.
"W-well, it is cold outside this season."
"That's right~"
When I uttered those harmless words, Ajisai-san nodded along. See, it was just an illusion after all. Phew, close call. I need to get my tendency toward delusions under control ☆
All that's left is to pray that Satsuki-san comes.
Besides, even if she ignores this summons, we're in the same class. Satsuki-san should understand better than anyone that she can't keep running forever—
Then.
"Good grief..."
Stepping on the stairs, that person appeared.
A black-haired beauty who would make anyone in town turn around. But now she had an unfathomable sense of intimidation.
Her swaying hair was like a witch's. Honestly, incredibly scary.
But... I'm not alone!
"I'm not exactly free either. Being summoned like this is troublesome—"
Satsuki-san approached us while muttering arrogantly.
And her gaze stopped on Ajisai-san.
"...Sena?"
"Thank you for coming, Satsuki-chan."
Satsuki-san's eyes widened. And Ajisai-san's smile was charged with determination.
The two faced off directly.
Satsuki-san thought she was being called out by me alone.
Honestly, seeing this figure full of intimidation from head to toe, I don't think she'd confess everything just because Ajisai-san came along like 'Uu, forgive me Sena... I don't want you to hate me above all others so I'll confess everything. My purpose is actually—'!
Seeing Ajisai-san's presence when she shouldn't be here, what will Satsuki-san do—
Will she get angry, brazenly play dumb, or...!?
Satsuki-san turned around.
"I'm going home."
"Eh!?"
Why!?
"W-wait, Satsuki-san! We need to talk! There's important business!"
"I see. I don't have any. Well then, goodbye."
"Wait, Satsuki-chan!"
Ajisai-san also hurried to walk alongside Satsuki-san.
This reaction is completely unexpected!
"We know everything! What you're doing, Satsuki-san!"
I threw out strong words to catch her attention, but Satsuki-san didn't even glance this way.
Satsuki-san gradually increased her walking speed. Wait wait wait!
At this rate, she'll shake us off!?
"Why!? Hey, Satsuki-san!?"
"How noisy."
"Is it because Ajisai-san is here!? That's it, right!? Satsuki-san is always gentle only with Ajisai-san! Is it your policy not to fight battles you know you'll lose!?"
"Be quiet."
"Besides, even if you run, you'll be caught eventually!? I know where your house is anyway! So there's no point in running, is there!? You should show some—"
In the middle of my words, Satsuki-san.
Just like that—broke into a run.
No way!?
"You have no restraint!"
I never thought it would go this far.
She's way too weak against Ajisai-san! It's like meeting a magic-immune monster when your skill set only has magic spells—such a clean decision!
"W-wait!"
I called out, but Koto Satsuki isn't someone who'd stop for that. I knew that though!
Coming out from the shrine to the alley, Satsuki-san ran off clutching her bag.
"Hey!"
There's no way I could catch up to Satsuki-san seriously running away. This is bad, I'll lose sight of her.
Just when I thought that.
My hand was pulled hard.
"Ah, Ajisai-san!?"
"Let's chase her, Rena-chan!"
Her voice was full of determination.
"Why!?"
I mean, even if she runs away now, we can just meet at school! Even for Ajisai-san, that's not a rational decision!
Ajisai-san pouted and shouted loudly.
As if that fulfilled all explanatory responsibility.
"I just don't like it!"
"I see!"
Then it can't be helped!
It's not about logic! If it's not about logic, I can't stop it!
Satsuki-san running away. Me and Ajisai-san chasing after her.
What is this situation!
Three high school girls seriously playing tag on their way home from school is, how should I put it, incredibly embarrassing!
"Satsuki-chan!"
And without regard for onlookers, Ajisai-san shouted. Such courage!
It's been a while since I've seen Ajisai-san step on the gas, but this angel once tried to go on a solo runaway trip during summer vacation. When push comes to shove, she can pull off this much!
"Don't run away! Let me hear Satsuki-chan's true feelings!"
From the distance, Satsuki-san's loud voice bounced back.
"There's no such thing!"
Satsuki-san is giving herself away too! Because if there really wasn't anything, she wouldn't be running!
"What are you thinking!?"
"! It's something trivial!"
As if it were predetermined, Satsuki-san properly answered back. Satsuki-san can't ignore Ajisai-san's words! As expected of a quadruple weakness!
While being pulled along by the hand, I appealed to Ajisai-san.
"Ajisai-san! I think this is working!"
"Yeah...!"
Still running, Ajisai-san shouted.
"I didn't like it!"
Using the swaying black hair as our marker, we desperately moved our feet.
If we slowed down even a little, she'd shake us off any moment.
"When Satsuki-chan told me 'it's for your sake,' I didn't like it!"
That was when Satsuki-san was asked why she was going so far.
She had answered that Sena should just think it was for her sake. That she was just repaying a debt she owed to Sena.
Ajisai-san was denying those words.
"Even if it means lying to my family, being told it's for my sake doesn't make me happy at all!"
Through the alley, through the shopping district, rushing through the green light—
"Then!"
Satsuki-san shouted back irritably.
"That means your feelings were only to that extent! I misunderstood you, Sena!"
"That's not true! But I'm sure there's another way! A way to make people understand, definitely!"
"Anyone can just insist on things! Even Amaori can!"
"Satsuki-chan is wrong!"
"—!"
Regardless of why I was brought up... that one statement surely pierced through. Because Satsuki-san had always been completely soft on Ajisai-san.
Having her actions denied by someone who was inherently good, Satsuki-san bounced back with a shout.
"You—stupid woman!"
"What!?"
That Satsuki-san just insulted Ajisai-san!?
I was so shocked that I let go of Ajisai-san's hand.
What about Ajisai-san...!?
Maybe she's crying. Like 'Why would you say such things, Satsuki-chan is so mean...' If that happened, I'd definitely take Ajisai-san's side!? Even for Satsuki-san, there are things you can and can't say!
Ajisai-san wasn't crying.
Rather, she bit down on her lips firmly and shouted back.
"Satsuki-chan! You're being nasty!"
As if stumbling, Satsuki-san's steps slowed slightly.
"What's that...! Your repertoire of harsh words is impoverished!"
"Because you are being nasty!"
"Stupid woman! Stubborn! Hypocrite! I've always hated that about you!"
Stop it already!
Every time Ajisai-san gets insulted by Satsuki-san, my stomach hurts instead!
I don't want this! I don't want to see this! I like it when you two get along!
"That's a lie, Ajisai-san! Satsuki-san has always loved Ajisai-san!?"
My meaningless follow-up just disappeared pointlessly.
Ajisai-san retorted.
"Satsuki-chan! Do you like Mai-chan!?"
"...!"
"Or do you like Rena-chan!? Is that why you're doing this!?"
"Ehhh!?"
Satsuki-san likes me...!?
No, I don't think that's it...!
Ajisai-san, having raised her voice too much, shouted as if gasping for oxygen.
"Tell me properly, in Satsuki-chan's own words!"
Then—
Ajisai-san tangled her feet and fell spectacularly!
"Kyaa!"
"Owah!?"
Stepping on the gas too hard, Ajisai-san crashed!
A-are you okay!?
Her coat seemed to cushion the fall, so Ajisai-san appears to be fine, but...
Ajisai-san, who had fallen forward, said to me as I instinctively reached out to help:
"Rena-chan... Satsuki-chan...!"
Gasp.
Looking up, Satsuki-san had also stopped, distracted by Ajisai-san's fall.
For a moment, our eyes met.
Satsuki-san's face was...
Like a bomb carrying feelings ready to explode at any moment, yet unable to say anything.
No, but... Ajisai-san is...!
Ugh!
I—
"Satsuki-san!"
Chased after her, running again.
"...!"
Drawn in, Satsuki-san ran with her black hair flowing.
Agh!
Anyway, I understood. Indeed, Ajisai-san is right.
Having Satsuki-san escape here is definitely... somehow unpleasant! That's it!
I don't even remember where or how I ran, but I kept chasing that figure.
Before I knew it, rice fields spread out around us.
I recognized this place. The scenery from when I desperately ran away from Satsuki-san's apartment before.
I was completely out of breath. I'd taken off my coat and blazer partway through and carried them while running, so both hands were heavy. I'm not exactly the type with a lot of stamina!
But the one who reached her limit first was Satsuki-san. She'd exhausted her stamina by shouting back at Ajisai-san.
Satsuki-san finally stopped but still tried to move her feet—
This is bad. If it comes down to a battle of willpower, I definitely have no chance of winning!
I squeezed out a final sprint to my limit. I hugged Satsuki-san from behind. Actually, that was more like a tackle.
"Satsuki-san!"
"...!"
We tumbled and fell over.
Something on my body hurts!
"Hah, hah, hah... Finally, finally caught you, Satsuki-san..."
I felt like I'd run a lifetime's worth. About half of me felt relief thinking 'Now I can rest!'—when.
"Huh?"
Even though I should have been grappling Satsuki-san from behind, somehow I found myself being mounted.
"..."
Silent eyes looked down at me.
Oh no—
"S-Satsuki-san, um—"
"...How dare you..."
"Eep!"
"Amaori, how dare you bring Sena in front of me..."
It was a voice like hearing something from behind a door that should never be opened.
I froze up.
Satsuki-san's hair was swaying even without wind.
I'm going to be killed—
I have to say something, anything!
If I lose in courage! (Though I'm already losing!) My life ends here!
Desperately, I shouted.
"What exactly do you want to do, Satsuki-san!"
"I don't know that myself!"
An angry voice far surpassing mine was hurled at me.
Y-you don't know...!
After doing whatever you wanted, that's so unreasonable!
Satsuki-san is always unreasonable, but this time she's even more unreasonable!
"Isn't that irresponsible!? Even becoming Mai's fiancée!"
"So what! She's happy about it!"
"You're the one who sent Hanatori-san after me too, aren't you!?"
"I just told her the facts!"
She keeps confessing!
"Who's four-timing! You know it's fabricated!"
"Two-timing and four-timing are the same thing!"
"You said it again!"
Satsuki-san with her hair standing on end in fury raised her fist.
The shape of that hand was—a closed fist.
No way!? Violence is wrong!
I instinctively closed my eyes and thrust both hands forward.
Desperately, I shouted.
"—Do you like me, Satsuki-san!?"
After a while.
...No pain came.
Fearfully, I opened my eyes.
Satsuki-san was still straddling me, but had her face down.
The sun had completely set, and I could see the brilliant moon behind her.
"I—"
As if savoring each word, Satsuki-san groaned.
"I don't fall in love with anyone."
Words that Satsuki-san had repeated over and over.
I don't think I'm loved by Satsuki-san at all either. If Satsuki-san liked someone, it would definitely be Mai rather than someone like me.
Satsuki-san likes Mai and was trying to steal the fiancée position. That would still make sense.
But the current Satsuki-san is...
"Then..."
Looking up at Satsuki-san, I asked with a face about to cry.
"Why are you crying?"
"...What?"
Hurriedly, Satsuki-san wiped her own eyes.
There were no tear tracks there.
But I was certain I thought it. The current Satsuki-san was crying.
While my body was pressed against the cold, hard ground, I continued shouting.
"It's fine, isn't it! If Satsuki-san falls in love! There's nothing strange about it! Because Satsuki-san is such a cute girl too!"
"—"
Driven by the single-minded need to keep talking about anything, I continued.
"If it's my fault, I'll apologize! If Satsuki-san really, really, really loves Mai, then not like this! Let's start with a proper, honest confession! And, um, dating as four people might be a bit difficult this time! But I'll work hard to make things work out somehow! So for now! For now, let me hear Satsuki-san's true feelings—"
Satsuki-san placed both her hands.
On my neck.
"...Be quiet."
...Eh?
Gradually, gradually, she began applying pressure.
Wait, hold on!?
Could this possibly be targeting my n-neck!? Isn't this that thing I hear about!? That incredibly dangerous thing!?
—Isn't this strangulation!!
A-a-awawawawa...!
"Who or whom, such things are really... trivial..."
Like a curse, Satsuki-san's voice rained down.
"I don't fall in love. Such things are a waste of life. Mai, Amaori, Sena—everyone, everyone is wrong. Everyone in this world is wrong. I'll prove it. Love is trivial. Love only takes. Love should just die."
I was the first to shed tears from sheer terror...!
"S-Satsuki-san..."
To me, trembling like a small animal, Satsuki-san…
Tensed both her hands—
But didn't follow through.
"Christmas engagement ceremony."
"E-eh..."
"If you can't stop me by that day, Mai will be mine. In the end, she couldn't abandon what was precious to her. She chose that she has something more important to protect than love."
Words repeated many times.
To choose something means not choosing something else.
Satsuki-san stood up as if suddenly losing interest, and then.
Looking down at me like a completely knocked-out loser, with the moon at her back, she declared:
"Struggle all you want. Amaori Renako. If you don't want to let go of that 'love.'"
Even after Satsuki-san left, I couldn't move from that spot for a while.
I-I thought I was going to die...
That's right. It was strange from the beginning.
When she said she'd become Mai's fiancée.
An unnatural sense of wrongness.
That was—
Satsuki-san never looked happy.
She had always looked happy before, no matter what. Especially when she made Mai depressed—that was incredible.
When she thrust that photo of me kissing her at Mai. When she beat Mai in that FPS match. When she defeated Mai on a test for the first time.
Back then, back then, she looked so happy it was like a demon descending to earth to commit every evil!
But this time, even though being a 'fiancée' was an opportunity to put Mai in lifelong debt.