"Kenmei, let me tell you."
"While you weren't coming to school, Futaba wouldn't even let me in here. I'm only here this time thanks to you."
"Ouch! What was that for, Futaba?!"
After getting kicked, Sakuta's exasperated voice and Futaba's icy retort echoed in the hallway.
"Shut up. No one will think you're mute if you don't talk."
"Kenmei, say something to her!"
Sakuta Azusagawa and Rio Futaba. Both were Kenmei Isayama's "best friends"—two of the very few close friends he had.
"Sakuta, just save your breath," Kenmei said helplessly.
These two had terrible compatibility; they'd start bickering within three sentences.
"Wow, I misjudged you."
Noisily, the three of them walked into a classroom. It was the science lab in the general equipment building.
This small classroom belonged exclusively to Rio Futaba. It was a privilege granted by the school because she was a "genius girl" on par with Asagi-nee. During middle school, she had published thirty articles as the primary author in academic journals. Last year, three articles she co-authored with a research institute were even published in Nature.
Apart from class time, Rio Futaba spent all her time in this science lab. It was a secret base belonging only to her and her friends.
"Sakuta, fan me."
"I'm dying."
Summer was always sweltering. It was worse for Kenmei, who had just finished an intense basketball game. Even sitting by the window, sweat was dripping straight off his face.
Kenmei sat on the floor, abandoning all image. In the corner, Sakuta Azusagawa, holding a fan and fanning himself, heard Kenmei's weak voice.
"Futaba, Kenmei says he wants some wind."
He thought for a second, ignored her stunned expression, and tossed the fan directly to Rio Futaba, who was sitting next to Kenmei.
"Hah? Kenmei wasn't asking you?"
Rio Futaba, being a science girl with underdeveloped motor nerves, almost dropped the fan. She glared at Sakuta.
"Just do it. Take it."
Hearing this, Kenmei played along and called out cooperatively:
"Futaba, I need wind."
"I know, I know. Honestly..."
Rio Futaba looked at Kenmei with a "you win" expression. Her hand holding the fan trembled slightly, betraying her inner turmoil.
"Should I go faster?"
Blushing, Rio Futaba's fair arm moved up and down in small motions with the fan. With her other hand, she took out a tissue and carefully wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"No, this is perfect."
"See? You can do it."
Sakuta watched their interaction from the side, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. He gave Futaba a "good luck" gesture, then quietly slid the door open and slipped out.
After being pampered by Futaba, Kenmei felt much more comfortable.
"Thanks, Futaba."
"After everything these past few days, being here with you is still the most relaxing."
Spending just a little while in his homeroom had nearly given Kenmei high blood pressure thanks to his classmate. It was better here with Futaba—no disturbances, quiet, and someone to take care of him.
Kenmei opened his eyes and realized Sakuta was gone. That was weird.
"Hm? Where did Sakuta go?"
Rio Futaba, who was currently contemplating applying to the school for an air conditioner, heard Kenmei's question. She replied in a tone reserved for maggots:
"That guy? Who knows."
Just thinking about it made her angry. That guy's meaningful expression before he left, plus that "good luck" gesture... it made Futaba feel both shy and annoyed. Who asked you to meddle in my business?
"Hahaha, poor Sakuta. Being talked about like that by Futaba, one of his only two friends."
"What's wrong..."
Rio Futaba's voice sounded flustered, her ears turning red. Kenmei had just placed his hand on her hair, seemingly petting her.
Realizing his action might have been too intimate, Kenmei immediately apologized:
"Sorry, I saw some dust on your hair. It's gone now."
Sometimes, Kenmei really found Cursed Spirits annoying. Just now, a Curse had floated in through the window. Since Futaba was there, Kenmei didn't want to kill anything.
But the Curse saw Futaba's rule-breaking figure and let out a lecherous laugh, moving closer and closer to her. Kenmei had no choice but to "send it on its way."
The incident was just a small interlude. Rio Futaba took a deep breath and returned to her cool demeanor. She put down the fan, leaned back in her chair, and tried to calm her heart.
"Kenmei, why didn't you come to school these past few days?"
"I heard rumors that the school was going to expel you. That's not like you."
"And you actually gave up the basketball you loved so much."
Rio Futaba's expression was complicated. She had a longing for Kenmei that a friend probably shouldn't have.
Unlike her, a "gloomy girl" always holed up in this tiny lab, Kenmei Isayama seemed to sparkle.
He had a great personality, was considerate, handsome, smart, and super athletic. Every time Kenmei represented Aoyama Academy, the basketball team won. Magazines even rated them as one of the ten strongest high school teams in Japan.
On the desk in Futaba's bedroom, there was a photo of her, Kenmei, and "a certain bug." In the middle, the boy held a huge trophy, smiling brilliantly.
But after Kenmei's sister died, everything changed. He stopped caring about studying, started skipping the basketball practice he loved, and eventually, Futaba couldn't even find him at school.
Even when she went to his house and waited until late at night, the lights never turned on.
Now that he finally came back to school, he seemed a little strange to Futaba.
His boyish face had become resolute, and his body was stronger. Yes, Kenmei might look more reliable than before.
But one thing made Futaba very sad.
The light in his eyes was gone. Replaced by a weariness that a boy his age shouldn't have.
Experience is the best way to change a person. The death of the sister he depended on, the two simulations in the [Warhammer Simulator]... Kenmei probably didn't even realize it himself, but he was drifting further and further away from the innocent boy he used to be.
Futaba had watched the entire basketball game. When he scored, he took it for granted. There was no joy. He was like a ruthless scoring machine—breaking ankles, dunking, posterizing over and over again.
Unlike the younger girls who were attracted to Kenmei's new "mature" aura, Futaba only felt heartache. She even had the urge to hug him.
"Futaba..."
Kenmei watched as the girl slowly leaned in closer. He could smell the sweet, clean scent on her.
"Sad things, bad things... you can say them out loud. It'll make you feel better."
Her hand gently caressed his face. Futaba was so careful, afraid she might hurt him.
"When you have trouble, you should rely on us friends sometimes. Don't carry it alone."
"That's what friends are for—to rely on each other when things get tough."
But just then—
"Kenmei! Futaba! Praise me!"
With a look of triumph, Sakuta Azusagawa threw open the lab door with a BAM! and walked in without looking, shouting at the two inside.
"I'm back with popsicles from the store!"
But instead of the usual scene of his friends doing their own thing, Sakuta saw something that stopped his brain cold. The plastic bag dropped from his hand.
Oh God, what did I just see?
Futaba... she was practically leaning into his best friend's arms.
Startled by the sudden intruder, Rio Futaba, whose eyes were red from emotion just a second ago, now had her entire fair face covered in a deep crimson blush.
Steam practically poured out of her overloaded CPU. She stood up with lightning speed, grabbed her lab coat from the chair, covered her face, and ran out of the room making embarrassed "Woo-woo" noises without saying a word.
Before leaving, she didn't forget to shoot Sakuta a glare. The killing intent in her eyes instantly plunged the guy, who felt guilty for ruining the mood, into an ice cellar.
"Kenmei... did you see Futaba's eyes just now?"
Sakuta's voice was strained as he pointed a trembling finger in the direction she fled.
"She really wanted to kill me."
"Good luck. You're on your own."
Kenmei, looking equally complicated, got up from the floor without saying much. As he passed Sakuta, he patted him on the shoulder.
"By the way, don't forget to lock the door."
"Futaba just messaged me. She went home for the day."
With that, Kenmei walked out, ignoring Sakuta behind him.
"Wait, Kenmei!"
It wasn't until Kenmei had walked quite a distance that a desolate voice reached him from far behind.
"At least... at least take a popsicle! If I eat three in a row, I'll definitely end up in the hospital!!!"
"That idiot."
Kenmei shook his head helplessly. Looking outside at the approaching dusk and the crimson sunset, he let out a long sigh.
Bzzzt... Bzzzt...
A sharp ringtone broke Kenmei's train of thought. He checked his phone and saw the contact "Mr. Akutagawa." He answered immediately.
"Kenmei, there's an operation tonight."
A steady voice came through the phone quickly. Kenmei replied:
"Understood, Mr. Akutagawa."
With a simple "Mhm," the call ended. The conversation was over in three sentences—no unnecessary pleasantries.
"Back to work, huh? Just in time."
Kenmei put the phone back in his pocket and whispered to himself:
"I hope this 'part-time job' gives me a decent amount of Points."
Kenmei knew clearly.
Only by becoming stronger could he have any future at all.
The current Kenmei couldn't promise anyone anything, nor could he shoulder anyone else's future.
"Futaba..."
Touching the spot on his face where the girl had touched him, Kenmei disappeared down the hallway.
As he walked, low-level Cursed Spirits with terrifying appearances spontaneously combusted around him, burned mercilessly to nothing by the fire of his psychic power.
His heart was in turmoil.
---