Chapter IV | Turning Point. “Versus”

♣♣♣

Summer vacation ended, and we returned to our daily lives.

From then on, time flew by in a blur, and our final days of normalcy were consumed by studying for entrance exams and dealing with future plans. …Seriously, isn’t senior year of high school just too busy? I swear, all I can remember is studying and training with accessories every single day.

Almost every day, I faced Sasaki-sensei, going over mock exam results and explanations… Thanks to Hibari-san, I somehow managed to hover between a B and C ranking.

As the real exam season approached, Sasaki-sensei, looking more haggard by the day, slumped onto the sofa in the guidance office.

“…Ha. Nyan-tarou, even if you’re aiming for Tokyo, don’t you think there are more realistic universities for you?”

“S-sorry. I have a friend I really want to go to college with.”

“Well, fine. As a teacher, I’m happy to see a student working hard to aim for a top university. I won’t deny the feelings of those who want to take the easy route with our school’s recommendations, but if you don’t build the strength to push through here… that’s not a skill you can develop as an adult.”

Listening to Sasaki-sensei’s profound words… Wait, am I actually being praised here?

“Th-thank you.”

“Save that for when you pass, not now.”

Sasaki-sensei gave a weak laugh, sitting up to look out the window. The tree outside had already shed all its leaves.

──Outside, a cold, wintry wind was blowing.

Sitting across the table, Sasaki-sensei spoke.

“By the way, Nyan-tarou, what about the winter break cram sessions?”

“Oh, I’m in! Please!”

“You’ll be studying even on Christmas.”

“Well, yeah. Rion’s busy helping out at home anyway…”

Apparently, Enomoto-san decided to help out at her family’s shop after graduation.

Despite her good grades, Sasaki-sensei seemed to regret her choice, but for her, the important things clearly weren’t at university.

“Speaking of which, how about you, Sasaki-sensei?”

“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, how’s it going with Araki-sensei? Didn’t you invite her to dinner last Christmas?”

“…”

The moment I mentioned her name.

Sasaki-sensei flinched, suddenly standing up to check if anyone was in the hallway.

He was acting awfully serious… I was wondering what was up when he returned to the sofa, letting out a sigh. Leaning close, his cheeks slightly flushed, he confessed.

“I… I’m thinking of proposing…”

“What!? For real!?”

His response, skipping three steps ahead, made me lean forward in shock.

I’d expected something like, “Oh, we went out for dinner recently,” so my excitement veered off in a weird direction.

Fidgeting, I confirmed.

“Uh, is this something I should keep to myself? Should I call Himari or something?”

“Don’t call her! Those guys always twist things in the worst possible way!”

Oh, yeah.

She’d probably gleefully start simulating failure scenarios.

“Wait, were you even dating? I haven’t heard anything…”

“Well…”

What!?

The information didn’t add up, and I grew suspicious.

“Proposing… without even dating?”

“No, listen. I’ve told her I want to date countless times, but she always brushes it off and doesn’t take me seriously. I figured buying a ring and showing her I’m serious is my only option.”

“That’s heavy. Way too heavy. I get your feelings, but isn’t that rushing things a bit too much?”

“I know, but I can’t think of any other way!”

…This is bad.

I’d brought it up as casual small talk, but his dilemma was unexpectedly serious. Honestly, after racking my brain over my future plans, I wasn’t sure I had the mental capacity to handle this.

To be frank, even after years under her, I still don’t fully understand what Araki-sensei is thinking. Lately, I’ve half-seriously wondered if she’s just not thinking at all. A surprise proposal to someone like that… No, that’s a straight path to self-destruction.

I know it’s not my place to say, but it’s reckless… Still, Sasaki-sensei has helped me out a ton. Before I graduate, I genuinely want to do something to help him.

“I-I’ll try subtly probing for info next time! So please hold off on the proposal for now!”

“R-really!? You mean it!?”

“Yeah! I’ll check things out!”

Sasaki-sensei’s face lit up with a huge smile as he clapped me on the shoulder.

“Man, looking after you has really paid off, Nyan-tarou. There were times I thought about giving up on you, but as a teacher, I’ve gotta cherish my students!”

“My worth is…”

His heartfelt gesture made me let out a dry laugh.

Seriously, I’m sorry for everything…

♣♣♣

Leaving the guidance office, I checked my phone.

Himari had finished studying in the library and was about to head home. We decided to meet at the school gate and head to her house.

Tonight, I’m invited to the Inuzuka family dinner. Hibari-san mentioned ordering some delicious local seafood, so I’m super excited. …Seriously, Hibari-san isn’t trying to spoil me into dependency or something, right?

As I trembled with that worry, Himari pulled a Yoghurppe from her bag and offered it to me.

“Yuu, how’d your results go?”

Taking it, we both sipped the lactic acid goodness.

“Hmm. Sasaki-sensei said it depends on winter break…”

“Oof. You were so close to making it, too.”

“I’m planning to apply to the other university Kureha-san recommended, but I’d really prefer to go to the same one as Tenma-kun.”

Himari narrowed her eyes mischievously.

With a teasing laugh, she poked my side.

“Ohh? You want to go to the same university as this Himari-san that badly? Such a dishonest guy, poke poke~♪”

“Didn’t I just say Tenma-kun? Are your ears just for show?”

That’s right.

Himari had already secured a recommendation to our top-choice university. Thanks to that, she’s now focusing on earning credits and studying modeling.

“By the way, Himari, didn’t you get accepted to an even better university? You didn’t have to choose the same one as us, you know.”

“Well, if you fail, maybe I’ll go there instead~♪”

“Stop saying ominous things…”

When you say it, it sounds like a jinx!

Still, Himari choosing the same university was, in a way, within my expectations.

What was really surprising, though…

“I never would’ve thought Makishima would apply to the same university…”

“Right? What’s gotten into him?”

Makishima’s unexpected decision to go to Tokyo.

He secured the same recommendation as Himari and is now enjoying a carefree final high school life. Apparently, Sasaki-sensei was extremely proud that both of them got into a Tokyo university.

“I knew he got close with Tenma-kun over summer break, but I didn’t expect him to move to Tokyo.”

“Ugh, he was such a pain during our group interview!”

Himari dramatically squished her cheeks with both hands.

She seemed to be mimicking Makishima’s face, but it was so off that it ruined her proud beauty. Is her pride okay with that?

“He said, all cool-like, ‘During high school, I devoted myself to club activities and learned the importance of bonds with friends,’ trying to make me laugh! He’s so mean!”

“That’s not him sabotaging you; you were just about to self-destruct on your own, weren’t you?”

I mean, I can’t help but laugh imagining it.

I bet he followed it up with something like, “I also actively participated in volunteer activities~.” By the way, his so-called volunteer activities refer to meddling in our love lives.

“Anyway, you’re the only one left, Yuu! Let’s do this!”

“Got it.”

If I’m the only one who fails, it’ll be a total joke.

“By the way, how’s the modeling gig going?”

“Ugh!”

Instantly, a gloomy aura enveloped the radiant beauty.

“…Kureha-san hasn’t given me any work or even contacted me since then. Did she really give up on me? Was my ‘next big thing’ just a convenient fantasy? Has my peak already passed…?”

Her mushroom-growing-level gloom made me hurriedly change the subject.

“Oh, right. Before that, we need to do something about Sasaki-sensei’s situation…”

“Huh? What’s that?”

I told her about the proposal Sasaki-sensei mentioned earlier.

As expected, Himari burst into laughter, wiping tears as she spoke.

“Pfft! You sure you’re okay taking that on so lightly~?”

“I dunno. For now, we can’t let Sasaki-sensei go off the rails…”

“Well, it kinda feels like things might work out lately, don’t you think? Araki-sensei might not be totally against it~.”

“I told you, when you say stuff like that, it just sounds like a jinx…”

While we were talking.

A Line message popped up on my phone.

“Huh?”

“What’s up? Who is it?”

“Oh, Rion.”

Wonder what’s up.

She should be helping at the shop today.

…Let’s see. “Call me back ASAP.” Sounds urgent. Maybe a part-timer at the shop got sick? It’s gotten cold lately, so it’s possible.

I called Enomoto-san, and she picked up immediately.

“Yuu-kun! Can you come to our place right now?”

“Huh? Yeah, I’m on my way home, so I can swing by. Need help at the shop?”

“Ugh, I wouldn’t ask for that this time of year!”

I got scolded…

What’s going on? She sounds super frantic for something that’s not about the shop.

“What about Hii-chan?”

“Oh, Himari’s with me.”

“Then bring Hii-chan too!”

“Himari too? …Got it.”

Sounds like an emergency, but what’s up?

We hurried as fast as we could to Enomoto-san’s patisserie.

♣♣♣

Enomoto-san’s patisserie was decked out with tons of Christmas decorations. Masako-san, the owner, probably loves this kind of thing.

Opening the entrance with its Santa Claus figurine, we stepped inside…

“Ah!”

“Kureha-san!?”

Kureha-san was there.

She was elegantly having tea in the eat-in corner. Seeing us, she waved with a bright smile.

“Yo~! You two doing well~?”

“H-hi. …But why are you here?”

Kureha-san puffed out her cheeks in a cute pout, her famously destructive bust bouncing slightly—a dangerous sight for a teenage boy.

“Ugh~! This is my family’s place, so I can be here, right~? Stop saying stuff like Rion, Yuu-chan~!”

“No, of course, that’s true, but…”

I gave a wry smile, averting my gaze from Kureha-san.

My words were actually directed at the two people sitting at her table.

Murakami-kun and Kirishima Yume-san.

I never, ever expected to run into these two locally. Tilting my head at the mismatched pair, they spoke up.

“Natsume-san, ’sup.”

“Hmph. So you’ve come, Natsume Yuu. Meeting here is a hundred-year curse.”

They were casually eating Enomoto-san’s cakes, totally relaxed.

Himari sat at the table, leaning toward Kirishima-san.

“Whaaat~!? Yume-chin, what’s going on~?”

“Kureha-san had work in Fukuoka, so I came along to help.”

She smirked smugly.

“You still taking it easy?”

“Ugh! W-well, Kureha-san hasn’t given me any work since then…”

“Heh. I got another job offer. You’d better hurry, or you’ll fall behind.”

“Grr! Yume-chin, you’re so mean~!”

…They bantered back and forth.

Suddenly, Kureha-san grabbed Kirishima-san’s butt with a cheerful grin!

“Eek!? Kureha-san, what’s that!?”

“Hehe. Yume-chan, you’re still a newbie, so don’t get too cocky~☆”

Scolded by her idol, Kirishima-san blushed and fell silent. …These three never change, do they?

As we chatted noisily, Enomoto-san emerged from the kitchen in the patisserie’s uniform, a Santa hat perched on her head. Adorable.

Setting a tray of daily special cakes and coffee on the table, she sighed in exasperation.

“Yuu-kun, Hii-chan, sit there.”

“Thanks. So, about that message earlier?”

“Big sis suddenly brought guests and told me to ‘call those two.’ I keep telling her to let me know before coming back.”

“W-well, it is Kureha-san’s family shop, so…”

“I don’t accept it. Once this becomes my shop, she’s banned.”

Enomoto-san’s sulky pout was adorable.

Seems like there was some drama before we arrived…

Taking her up on the offer, I sat at the table. Cutting into the cake (today’s was a shortcake topped with candied chestnuts), I turned to Murakami-kun.

“So, what’s up with you, Murakami-kun?”

“Oh. I had a meeting for a new job nearby, and I was told to come along…”

“A job? In a place like this?”

“We’re holding an exhibition at the airport here. It’s a bit later, though.”

“Whoa! An exhibition at the airport? Like, in that big entrance area?”

“Yeah, that’s the one.”

That’s incredible…

As expected of a creator going global. Meanwhile, I’m teetering on the edge of passing my exams…

Murakami-kun continued in his usual laid-back tone.

“Well, the job’s more of a side thing for coming here.”

“Side thing? The airport exhibition is a side thing?”

“Yeah. Kureha-san ordered me to come here, so I took the job while I was at it.”

“Huh? What kind of errand turns a big job like that into a side thing…?”

Murakami-kun looked troubled… Well, not much different from usual. Eating cake, he said.

“Honestly, we don’t really know.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Kirishima-san, who’d been marveling at the cake’s deliciousness, snapped to attention.

“We haven’t been told the details either. Kureha-san said she’d explain when we talked to you guys…”

So even Murakami-kun and Kirishima-san don’t know what’s going on.

Naturally, all eyes turned to Kureha-san. She was nibbling on a low-sugar cake, giggling softly.

“Kureha-san, what’s this about?”

“Hmm~ Well, it’s not that complicated~.”

Sipping her tea, she looked at me.

“Yuu-chan, do you remember what I told you during spring break~?”

“Spring break?”

That must be when I went to negotiate with Kureha-san about Himari’s agency contract.

When I asked Kureha-san to invest in me after university.

Kureha-san gave me two conditions.

First, getting into the Tokyo university she specified.

I’m studying my butt off to attend the same university as Tenma-kun. That’s why I was groaning with Sasaki-sensei earlier.

The second—and probably the main one—was proving I’m a creator worth her investment.

The method for this second test was still under consideration. I was told I’d get details before graduation… Bringing it up now means.

“Have you decided on my test method?”

My question made the air tense. Himari and Enomoto-san widened their eyes, watching Kureha-san’s next words closely.

Kureha-san chuckled, flicking her teacup with her finger.

“Well, I thought about a lot of things, but in the end, a straightforward test of skill seemed best~♪”

“…I see.”

In a way, it was the expected answer.

A test to judge my potential as a creator.

Probably why Murakami-kun and Kirishima-san were brought along.

And the words “test of skill.”

My eyes met Murakami-kun’s.

Grasping the situation, he gave a bold grin. The usually lethargic guy smiled just a bit, almost eagerly.

A shiver ran down my spine.

Me, competing against Murakami-kun?

Facing off against someone already recognized as a creator, one of Kureha-san’s top talents?

I’d never even considered it.

To me, Murakami-kun is someone I admire.

A successful creator specializing in flowers, proof that choosing to focus on them wasn’t a mistake.

His existence alone gave me so much confidence in my own choices. There must be others worldwide who feel the same.

In a way, he’s someone to revere.

Competing against him…

But my body trembled intensely.

The chance to pit the results of my work with accessories against someone above me.

I couldn’t suppress the exhilaration at this seemingly impossible challenge.

“Himari.”

“Yeah.”

And I’m sure Himari feels the same.

After the summer break incident, a rematch with Kirishima-san, who outdid her.

How tough it must be—yet how thrilling to prove her strength. Her tense expression held a faint spark of excitement.

Kirishima-san, sensing Kureha-san’s intent, stared at Himari with a confident look.

Then Kureha-san announced our challenge.

“The challenge is ‘Photography.’ A creator and model pair up to create the ultimate photo piece. We’ll provide the filming staff, so don’t worry about technical differences~♪”

I see.

So, creating a piece that enhances the subject, showing who can make the model shine brighter.

In a physical contest, Murakami-kun’s wild style would have the edge. But in the square frame of a camera, I might have a chance. That’s the intent behind “Photography.”

This clever setup.

It’s fundamentally different from my challenge with Kureha-san during my second-year summer break. It also means Kureha-san is seriously evaluating me this time.

The moment to test our value as a fateful duo.

Kureha-san raised her index finger, smiling sweetly.

“And the competing pairs are—”

No need to ask; it’s obvious.

Himari and I nodded silently to each other.

Murakami-kun and Kirishima-san exchanged excited glances.

But then.

Kureha-san pointed sharply at me.

“Yuu-chan’s pair is Kirishima Yume-chan!”

──What?

In that moment.

The tense air between the four of us froze.

…Did I mishear?

I wondered, but the expressions on Himari, Murakami-kun, and even Enomoto-san, who was watching, confirmed it wasn’t a mistake.

So—

“And Himari-chan will pair with Murakami Jun-kun~!”

With a cheerful clap, Kureha-san declared words that completely defied our expectations, her large bust bouncing.

──Her sharp gaze fixed on both of us.

“Yuu-chan and Himari-chan, you two will compete against each other~♡”

Himari and I slowly locked eyes.

A bead of sweat trickled down our foreheads.

…A battle with my future on the line.

My opponent is the partner I swore to share my destiny with.