July 8th.
Saturday.
Today… was a rather special day.
Because—
It marked the 100th day since Asakusa Toru started writing his diary.
A milestone worth commemorating.
With less than a month left until final exams and the deserted island special test—
And with Kushida Kikyo already having deduced the nature of the exam—
Toru originally planned to drop all the major revelations today.
But—
That plan was interrupted.
Because yesterday.
Friday, after school.
When he opened his shoe locker—
What he found inside was…
A love letter.
Neatly written.
Cute handwriting.
A heart-shaped sticker sealing it.
And at the end—
An invitation.
"Tomorrow, 4 PM. Behind the gym."
Which meant—
Today.
And the sender?
No need to guess.
Shiranami Chihiro.
"…."
Toru still couldn't understand it.
He hadn't done anything special.
Everything important—
Leading the class, bringing people together—
That was all Ichinose Honami.
He was just… there.
Helping sometimes. Talking sometimes.
Nothing more.
So why—
Did it turn into a confession?
…No answer.
But reality didn't wait for logic.
The letter was real.
And so—
He came to Palette Café.
Sitting across from Ichinose.
Seeking advice—
Under the classic excuse:
"I have a friend…"
"…Thanks anyway."
Toru stood up after paying.
Ichinose quickly waved her hands.
"No, no! I didn't really help at all…"
Sunlight filtered through the café windows—
Falling softly across her hair.
Gentle. Warm. Radiant.
Beautiful.
But—
Toru had already decided.
He wouldn't accept the confession.
Too many complications.
Kushida.
Sakura.
The diary.
One wrong move—
And everything spirals.
Better to end it before it begins.
"Tell your friend… good luck."
Ichinose smiled.
And watched him leave.
…
Then—
Her smile vanished instantly.
Without hesitation—
She moved.
She was going to follow him.
"I have a friend" might fool others—
But not her.
Because this was him.
And she…
Wasn't as selfless as people thought.
She had things she cared about.
People she cared about.
And when it came to that—
She would choose.
Without hesitation.
Just like now.
But—
Right as she stepped forward—
Someone blocked her path.
A small girl.
Silver hair.
Cane in hand.
Like something out of a fairytale.
"Are you Ichinose Honami?"
It was—
Sakayanagi Arisu.
"…!"
Ichinose froze for only a split second.
Then—
Made her decision.
"Sorry, I'm busy. Let's talk later!"
She brushed past.
No hesitation.
Because Toru was about to disappear around the corner.
If she lost him now—
She wouldn't find him again.
But—
Sakayanagi reacted instantly.
Her hand shot out—
Grabbing Ichinose's sleeve.
"Wait—!"
But—
The difference in physical ability was absolute.
The moment Ichinose moved—
The fabric slipped free.
And Sakayanagi—
Lost her balance.
"—?!"
"Thud."
She fell.
Hard.
Ichinose heard it.
Felt it.
"…gh."
She stopped.
Front—Toru.
Back—Sakayanagi.
There was no real choice.
She turned back.
Reached out her hand.
"I'm sorry. But I really can't stay. Can you get up? We can talk later."
Her voice was gentle.
Sincere.
She helped Sakayanagi up.
No response.
But no resistance either.
So Ichinose assumed—
That was acceptance.
She was about to leave again.
But then—
Snap.
A hand grabbed her arm.
Sakayanagi looked up.
Slightly dusty.
Slightly disheveled.
But her eyes—
Sharp.
"Take me with you."
A pause.
Then—
A perfectly calm threat:
"Or I'll shout—"
"That Ichinose Honami knocked someone over and tried to run."
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