Wednesday was an ordinary day for almost everyone in Minami, just another point on the calendar, another repetitive morning, another subway ride between yawns and notifications.
But, for those who followed "Momentary Blossoms," Wednesday had a fixed meaning: release day.
And that week, the new chapter of "Ao Haru Ride" came with a different weight.
The plot of this edition entered the main storyline. Although Kou told Futaba that his elementary school days were over, and the Kou who once liked Futaba in elementary school had disappeared over time.
But the narrative itself revealed the contradiction. Even saying that, Kou still can't ignore her at school. He cares about her, his gaze is fixed on her, and he comforts her when she's sad. And when Futaba broke down inside, or when she tried to laugh and failed, when her face betrayed a sadness she didn't want to show, Kou was still the first to notice.
It wasn't an exaggerated romance, nor a forced "dramatic" scene. It was the kind of silent care that hurts because it's real.
And then came the moment readers had been waiting for without knowing they were waiting: the apology, three years late.
Kou finally spoke about that night. He regrets not having kept his promise to Shuangye that night, three years ago, and for the first time, he asks if Shuangye was waiting for him that night.
"You… were waiting for me that night?"
The question hit Futaba like a blow. She was momentarily speechless, as if her body was trying to decide if it could go back to that day without breaking. And when she tried to answer, control slipped. Her voice faltered, her eyes glistened, and the old hurt, kept for so long, came rushing back.
"I waited, I waited the whole time," Futaba heard Kou say, and the accumulated resentment of the past three years overflowed within her, causing her to burst into tears.
Kou lowered his gaze. His guilt didn't seem theatrical. It seemed human. And when he spoke, the apology came with the kind of sincerity that doesn't try to over-justify:
"I'm sorry, I thought you hated boys that day, so I couldn't go. I'm really sorry."
Futaba raised her teary eyes, only to see Kou's gentle smile and his gaze fixed on her. It was the smile of someone who had finally stopped running from their own responsibility.
The knot in their hearts, held together for three years, was finally untied.
And, as if the story wanted to make it clear that nothing there was just a "pretty moment," came the detail that amplified the impact: this was Futaba and Kou's last meeting before summer vacation. The chapter ended like an "act finale," setting the stage for the next stage.
After summer vacation, the second-year classes were reorganized, and Kou, Futaba, and Futaba's friend Yuri were placed in the same class. On the surface, it seemed like a coincidence. But those who read attentively immediately sensed that it wasn't.
The text itself left clues: Kou, having fallen from the elite class to a regular class, became the target of gossip among his classmates, but readers of the book perceived this very clearly.
He did it on purpose. He deliberately got similar grades to Futaba on the final exams, aiming to be in the same class as her.
The chapter ended with a perfect hook: not exaggerated, but spot-on, giving that feeling of "now it's really begun." And the effect was immediate outside of fiction.
From early on, on the data panel of the official Red Violet Literature website, the growth of "Ao Haru Ride" was much stronger than in previous weeks. It wasn't just a slow climb: it was a continuous leap, as if the work had found the exact point where the audience latches on and won't let go.
Meanwhile, on the official website's forum, the discussion seemed like a torrent. Comments appeared all the time, mixing emotion with enthusiasm and a kind of urgency that only a passionate fan possesses.
"The author really understands! I simply love the character Kou."
"Even I, a guy, am captivated by him. Before, I didn't understand what it meant for a guy to touch a girl's heart with every word and action, but now I understand. Kou truly touches the most sensitive part of my heart with every word and action."
"The author's structure is brilliant! The protagonist escapes the gloomy environment of his first-year high school class, and after transferring to a second-year class, all the main characters are placed in the same class. That's incredibly exciting!"
"Hey, does anyone know the real identity of 'Mizuki Ito'? Or does she have any social media accounts?"
"If so, I'd like to follow him!"
"I don't follow him, but I joined a fan group once, and someone there said that she and Mizuki are longtime friends in real life. She said that Mizuki Ito is a very pretty girl in real life."
"Really? She's definitely a girl, but very pretty? That's what makes me curious."
"I don't know."
"You should focus more on the content of the novel itself, not the author! Even if the author 'Mizuki Ito' wasn't a pretty girl, but a boy, would you still read the novel? Don't get distracted."
"That's true. But don't post that assumption next time."
"Is Mizuki very masculine? Are you implying that I could be moved to tears by a novel written by a man?"
"That's an interesting topic."
"Interesting my foot! You weirdos, stop polluting the forum. Do you really think 'Mizuki Ito' doesn't access forums? A girl like her would be devastated by what you're saying."
"Okay, okay, stop wasting time. Have you voted yet? If not, go vote now. I got the voting results from an inside source at last week's 'Momentary Blossoms' magazine, and 'Ao Haru Ride' is only in third place. Can you accept that?"
"First and second place are..."
"Summer Fireworks and Farewell Day."
"I can't accept that."
"Yeah, those two! Guys, let's put in some effort! Go to various forums, 'Momentary Blossoms' magazine, or other romance fan groups to promote 'Ao Haru Ride' and increase its fanbase." "Let's all root for each other!"
The most ironic thing was that, while a part of the Japanese otaku community was putting real energy into pushing "Ao Haru Ride" to the top, the author… was living an ordinary student day, completely unaware of the machine that was forming.
While Ren, the creator, was completely perplexed and clueless, they had already spontaneously organized themselves to plan how to help "Ao Haru Ride" improve its position in "Momentary Blossoms" magazine.
That afternoon, when classes ended, Ren didn't go straight home. The sun shone brightly that day, and the sunset tinged the sky reddish-orange. He took the subway in silence, with his backpack on his back and the address Miyuki had given him the previous week in his head.
Inside his backpack, he carried the manuscripts of chapters seven and eight.
The feeling was strange: he was going to talk about a story that the world was beginning to take seriously, but he still felt like someone who wasn't. He should be there, as if at any moment someone might say, "It was a mistake, you don't belong."
On the way, his mind raced.
"Is it easy to talk to that 'Daiki Watanabe'? I only met her briefly in the elevator at the publishing house. Well, sort of a meeting, since she was wearing a mask, I don't know what she's really like," Ren thought as he entered a residential building.
And there was another, much more personal concern:
"Besides, I hope Miyuki doesn't give me any bad advice." "I don't want to alter the main plot of the novel." He was afraid of messing with it too much and breaking what had worked so far.
The condominium was located in a quiet neighborhood, with the air of a place where noise is forbidden by unwritten rule. Ren found his target, entered the building, and pressed the elevator button for the ninth floor.
He had arranged to meet Miyuki at 7:30 PM. With ten minutes to spare, he settled into the elevator, smoothing his school uniform to disguise the wrinkles from walking.
After all, dressing appropriately and carefully was a sign of respect for others.
When the door opened, he walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the door to apartment 903.
The door opened quickly. Before it stood Miyuki, in a red dress, with an upright posture and loose hair. Dressed casually, she didn't display the seriousness and focus she exhibited at the company, appearing instead like a kind and loving older sister. Ren was a little surprised.
And Miyuki, upon seeing him, made a An almost comical expression of disappointment.
"I thought it was takeout! You got here so fast too? Come in, you probably haven't eaten yet! Hold on tight, let's wait for the food together."
The word "also" echoed in his head even without her saying it directly. He immediately realized that the mysterious shoujo romance author, "Daiki Watanabe," must have arrived as well.
Upon entering the house, a three-bedroom apartment, the decor was elegant and refined, but the entrance walls were covered in anime, game, and novel posters, clashing somewhat with the style of the rest of the house.
Entering the living room, Ren's jaw dropped.
The three large glass cabinets near the balcony were overflowing with merchandise and figures from popular Chinese games, anime, and novels, as well as rare consoles and cartridges.
Ren approached, his eyes lighting up.
Each cabinet was two meters tall, incredibly spacious, and filled with a vast array of anime and manga items.
"Wow... the Collector's Edition Transformation Device from Knights of the Blazing Sun? You have one of those?"
"And this, a collector's figure of Magical Girl Lulu! This thing originally cost 13,000, but at the time the scalpers were selling it for 30,000!"
"And this, the miniature of the protagonist of Knights of the Blazing Sun, 'Xia Lei', against 'Cobra Poop', which supposedly only had 10,000 units produced worldwide! My God!"
This room full of things is incredible. Miyuki is definitely not a simple novel editor, she's a rich editor!
Miyuki observed, clearly pleased. When she finally stopped, she crossed her arms and smiled proudly.
"Hmph, you know your stuff. Unlike that other one... who was completely indifferent to my collection." Miyuki nodded with a smug smile, seeing Ren's expression.
That other one? Ren was surprised.
Then, his gaze shifted from the ornate display case of figures to the quiet, beautiful girl sitting on the living room sofa, her expression distant.
She was strikingly beautiful, with delicate features and an overly calm gaze. Ren felt a strange familiarity at first glance, like a name on the tip of his tongue.
At second, his brain clicked.
Ren immediately remembered who she was.
Class Seven...Shiori Haruki?
"Huh? What the hell?"
Ren stood still, his mind blank as if the world had just changed its rules without warning.
The question didn't even make it out of his mouth, because he was too busy trying to understand why a classmate was sitting in his editor's house on a night that should have been solely about manuscripts.
And, in that few seconds of silence, Ren had the uncomfortable certainty that this meeting hadn't been arranged purely out of convenience.
There was something there he didn't yet know.
And that, for some reason, made my stomach churn with a shiver.
End of Chapter 23