Chapter 19: The Genius Strategist Hamanami

♥♥♥

In the end, right or wrong was merely a localized, relative matter.

Giving Miyamae matching chopsticks as a gift.

Wearing glasses in front of Tachibana-san.

Those actions were certainly right and sincere toward the two of them, but in the context of my relationship with Touno, they were far from good.

The “doubt” within me existed in the realm of relativity.

And Touno was an incredibly wonderful girlfriend.

“Kirishima-san, do your best!”

Touno encourages me, giving me a push from behind.

It was early in the morning. We were jogging along the Philosopher’s Path.

Touno has been busy lately. Not only is she involved in university clubs, but as a designated athlete, she’s constantly selected for various training camps and matches, often going on trips.

Last night, though, she finally had some free time, so we ate together, and I stayed over at Touno’s place. We slept together happily, but when morning came, Touno wasn’t in the futon.

When I looked, Touno was wearing running gear, stretching in the room. Seeing me awake, she spoke with a spark in her eyes.

“Kirishima-san, let’s go for a run!”

“Uh, it’s cold, though.”

“…………”

I was dragged out of bed.

Apparently, Touno was worried about my health.

“Kirishima-san, your complexion hasn’t been great lately. It’s great that you’re studying hard, but you need stamina too!”

And so, Touno’s running lessons began.

“One-two, one-two, swing your arms more!”

She pokes my back repeatedly.

“Touno, you’re being too Spartan!”

“Huh? This pace is slower than an elementary school girl’s!”

“What? I thought I was sprinting full-out!”

The speed I was running at was about eight minutes per kilometer, apparently. For reference, when Touno runs alone, she casually hits around four minutes per kilometer.

In reality, Touno was completely at ease.

She’d bump into me with a “Bam!” or say, “Let’s add some resistance!” and hug me from behind.

After running like that for a while, I spotted a vending machine and stopped.

“Let’s take a break. Get me something to drink.”

“Kirishima-san, you really lack stamina, huh?”

“I think it’s partly because you keep teasing me, Touno.”

Every time she bumped into me or hugged me, my energy drained further.

I bought a sports drink from the vending machine and drank it. Touno watched me with a cheerful smile.

It’s true that she’s concerned about my health. But surely, with our limited time together, Touno must have been feeling lonely. So, I said,

“Shall we run a bit more?”

“Yes!”

We ran about five kilometers. Back at Touno’s place, we showered together before our bodies could cool down from the sweat. Since we’re close, we even washed each other’s bodies.

Touno’s body was beautiful. The shower water flowed over her pale skin. As I stared in awe, Touno twisted her body shyly. Her face turned red, but she said, “It’s okay,” and hugged me.

For a while, we touched each other’s skin under the hot shower. But—

“No, no, no!”

Touno suddenly jumped away from me.

“We have to go out after this!”

She was right. We hurriedly got out of the bathroom, changed clothes, dried our hair, and prepared to head out. At the entrance, Touno pumped herself up with a “Yosh!”

“Let’s do our best today!”

Touno said with a bright smile.

“We’re going to turn Fukuda-san into a cool guy! Cool enough to make Hayasaka-san fall for him!”

♥♥♥

Fukuda-kun is a diligent guy when it comes to studying.

He studied at an agricultural high school, and even after entering university, he attends lectures diligently and never slacks on self-study. He also has a lofty goal of developing high-yield rice.

Like anyone with a clear goal, Fukuda-kun quietly persists in his efforts, steadily advancing toward it every day.

Then, toward the end of autumn, Fukuda-kun suddenly started strength training.

“So, Fukuda-kun’s joined the ‘you need stamina to study’ camp, huh?”

I said.

It was when I brought some homegrown bean sprouts from my closet to share. When I opened the door to the room next door, Fukuda-kun was trembling with an “Ughh” while doing push-ups.

“Kirishima-kun, you’re one of those who thinks looking unhealthy gives off a lone genius vibe and helps with studying, right?”

Fukuda-kun stopped his training, stood up, and said,

“I’m not doing this for studying.”

“Then, just for health?”

“No—”

Fukuda-kun’s face turned red as he continued.

“If I said it’s for Hayasaka-san, would you laugh, Kirishima-kun?”

In other words, he started working out to impress the girl he likes.

“I’m a bit chubby, you know.”

Fukuda-kun said, looking at his own body.

“I don’t think Hayasaka-san judges people by their appearance.”

“I know. But I want to do this.”

Hayasaka-san is a very cute person, Fukuda-kun said, blushing.

“I want to walk beside her with confidence. And—”

“And?”

“I want to make an effort because I like her. Is caring about appearances shallow?”

No, I shook my head.

“I think it’s very sincere.”

Yamame-sou became fully dedicated to supporting Fukuda-kun. Night after night, meetings for the “Fukuda-kun Makeover Plan” were held in Daidouji-san’s room. The residents used their university-honed brains to come up with countless ideas.

“How about keeping a collection of Goethe’s aphorisms in the back pocket of his jeans? Hayasaka-san will surely fall for that intellectual charm.”

“No, a flask. Carry a silver flask with bourbon and sip it casually—her heart will be pierced by that hard-boiled vibe.”

“A kiseru pipe is the way to go. Normally, he’d smoke it with calm confidence, but when a villain attacks, he’d use the sturdy pipe to knock them out. With that unparalleled swagger, even Hayasaka-san would have to offer her surrender.”

Fukuda-kun nodded along, taking notes.

One night, Touno came into Daidouji-san’s room during a meeting, bringing kibi dango as a souvenir from her trip. When she saw the outline of the Fukuda-kun Makeover Plan on the table, her face turned pale.

“No sense at all……”

The residents of Yamame-sou felt ashamed at her simple, honest reaction.

“This is just a plan to turn Fukuda-san into a weirdo!”

Touno marked the residents’ plan with red X’s one after another. Then she rewrote the action plan. She listed three things to do:

First, get a haircut at a salon.

Second, groom your eyebrows. (At a salon, or I’ll do it!)

Third, walk with your back straight. (No slouching allowed!)

“So normal……”

When the Yamame-sou residents said that, Touno declared, “Normal is fine!” and scrapped their 100,000-word makeover plan.

“Daidouji-san, take this seriously!”

“Sorry, it was just kind of fun.”

Then Touno looked at me and said,

“Kirishima-san, don’t just stay quiet—say something!”

Touno pouted, half-joking, but I could see a faint trace of unease in her eyes.

“Don’t you have any ideas to help Fukuda-san’s love life? Kirishima-san, you’re the idea guy, aren’t you……?”

Touno said again, her voice growing quieter despite herself.

I recalled what Touno had said by my bedside when I was bedridden with a cold during the university festival season.

She said she’s cheering for Fukuda-san’s love, but…… it doesn’t seem like she’s being very proactive…… Not like how she was with me……

When Fukuda-kun had a crush on Touno, I supported his love so much that Touno got angry. In contrast, when Fukuda-kun’s crush shifted to Hayasaka-san, my efforts to help seemed half-hearted to her.

I didn’t mean it that way. But objectively, it probably looked like that. What I felt back then was likely the same kind of unspoken feeling Hayasaka-san keeps to herself.

But—

I looked at Touno again. And at Fukuda-kun.

Touno is 100% a wonderful girlfriend, and Fukuda-kun is a benefactor in my university life. So—

“Clothes might be important too.”

I said.

“The clothes Fukuda-kun wears are all functional. They reflect his honest personality, which is likable. But buying and wearing something stylish for a date could show his sincerity in being willing to change for someone he cares about.”

“Exactly!”

Touno agreed, regaining her energy.

“But what should we do? Choosing clothes requires taste.”

“No choice, then. As the one who suggested it, I guess I’ll have to step up.”

“I keep an eye on girls’ fashion, but I’m not confident about men’s date outfits.”

“Yosh, ha, ho!”

“Isn’t there someone with good taste around? I don’t see anyone~”

Touno laughed playfully.

Well, my rugged style requires some finesse to pull off, so it’d probably be too tough for Fukuda-kun, who’s just starting to care about fashion.

“Alright. In that case, I’ll ask a helper who can pull this off.”

That was a few days ago—

And so, after jogging early in the morning and showering, I headed out to the city with Touno to help transform Fukuda-kun.

Fukuda-kun had arrived in Kawaramachi earlier. We were told by the helper that Kawaramachi was the place to shop for clothes.

Indeed, Kawaramachi has department stores, street shops, and vintage stores.

The three of us waited by the roadside. People passed by—tourists, couples.

“Is it okay if I eat some taiyaki?”

Just as Touno, ever eager for red bean paste, headed toward a nearby taiyaki shop, the person we were waiting for appeared.

It was the helper we called to pick out clothes.

Dressed casually in denim and a blouson, the vibrant color coordination made them look incredibly stylish. The helper immediately raised their voice at me.

“W-W-Wait, don’t just use me like some convenient tool!!”

It was Hamanami.

♥♥♥

“Why me?! Why me?!”

Hamanami complained as we walked down the street. Touno and Fukuda-kun were ahead, eating taiyaki.

“Last time, you dragged me to the mountains for no reason! Stop pulling me into your messes, you idiot!”

Even so, she showed up, which means Hamanami’s junior energy is top-notch.

“Hamanami, you’re the only one I can rely on.”

I said to her sulky face. Hamanami, while nibbling on the taiyaki Touno bought, said, “This won’t buy me off!” But—

“Come on, when it comes to fashion, it’s gotta be Hamanami, right?”

Hamanami kept munching on the taiyaki.

“You’ve had great taste in hairstyles and bags since high school.”

Hamanami stayed silent.

“Even the guys in my grade used to say, ‘That junior girl is super stylish.’”

Hamanami’s nose twitched slightly.

“When it comes to coordinating someone else, it’s not just about half-baked fashion. You want someone with a fashion sense everyone acknowledges, right?”

Hamanami’s eyebrows wiggled as if tickled.

“And the only person who comes to mind for that is you, Hamanami~”

Finally, even the ahoge on her head stood up.

“W-Well, there aren’t many girls as stylish as me, and considering my innate, exceptional sense, it’s no wonder Kirishima-san would want to rely on me. I’m not exactly thrilled about it, but, well, choosing me here was a smart move for a senpai, wasn’t it? Yes, that’s right. People tend to call Tachibana-senpai or Miyamae-san stylish, but those two just have good raw material. When a beauty wears high-end brand clothes, of course they look pretty and stylish. That’s obvious, and they’re not even thinking about it. They’re just plugging high values into a pre-made formula. So, who’s truly stylish? It’s the girl who calculates colors and silhouettes with a refined aesthetic sense, who can pull off fashion in any situation, no matter how short or cheap the clothes are. That’s me!”

“You’re talking super fast.”

“Fine, I get it. I’ll lend a hand. Let Hamanami Avant-Chanel take care of it!”

Fully cheered up, the easily swayed Hamanami immediately took Fukuda-kun to a sneaker shop.

“It’s gotta be high-tops, right? They’re the coolest!”

Touno was drawn to the basketball shoe section.

“How about these? They’re super cool!”

“Bbi-bbi~!”

Hamanami mimics blowing a whistle and points at Touno.

“Eh? No good?”

“No good.”

Hamanami says.

“Touno-san’s idea of ‘cool’ is the coolness of high-tops. But think carefully. It’s not just the shoes walking on their own. Coordination means considering the date scenario, whether it suits Fukuda-san, and how it harmonizes with the overall outfit.”

“I see.”

“Alright, next up, Kirishima-senpai!”

Called out by Professor Hamanami, I point to a sneaker displayed on the wall. Hamanami sighs, “Haa.”

“No, it’s exactly what I expected. Boys always stumble here. They haven’t graduated from the elementary school boy mindset that gaudy and flashy equals good. If there were light-up heel shoes here, you’d have pointed at those without hesitation, senpai.”

“Dang it, I got it wrong~!”

“Alright, Fukuda-san.”

Fukuda-kun thinks, “Hmm,” and then points to a plain white sneaker, saying it might be good.

“Correct!”

Hamanami points at Fukuda-kun and says,

“Exactly, that’s it! Starting with basic white is perfect. It’s all about whether you can choose this or not. This is a huge step forward. Shoes are at the very bottom of the body, so keeping them basic expands the range of clothes you can pair them with!”

“Feels a bit too plain, though~,”

“Touno-san, you need to educate this guy properly. His fashion sense seems stuck in middle school because of that ridiculous kimono evolution.”

After that, Hamanami, now a full-fledged stylist, continued transforming Fukuda-kun. Pants, jacket, coat. And it wasn’t just clothes. They went to a salon for a haircut, and even to a specialized place for eyebrow grooming.

By the time the sun was setting, Fukuda-kun had become a clean-cut, handsome young man. He gave off the vibe of a serious stage actor.

“It feels like I’m not myself.”

Fukuda-kun says, shyly touching his bangs.

“Amazing! You don’t even seem like a Yamame-sou resident!”

Touno exclaims, thrilled.

“It came together so smoothly. I thought it’d be more chaotic.”

“Spending more time doesn’t always mean better results. I had this finished image in my head from the start.”

Hamanami, proud of Fukuda-kun’s successful transformation, beams with confidence.

With our task complete, we wandered around Kyoto’s streets, peeking into shops and eating manju before heading back.

That’s when we reached the Kamo River Delta.

Fukuda-kun stopped and pulled out a rectangular box wrapped in luxurious purple cloth from his bag.

“I want to give this to Kirishima-kun.”

He hands it to me. Unwrapping the cloth reveals a kiri wood box containing a transverse flute.

“What’s this……?”

“Kirishima-kun, you broke your koto, didn’t you?”

I’m not carrying my koto on my back now. In the fall, during that incident with Miyamae’s boyfriend, Morita, I lost control and smashed it.

“Everyone who inherits Yamame-sou’s kimono tradition must be a refined person who can play an instrument and is always ready to perform.”

“That’s right.”

“So, I thought about getting you a new koto, but then I figured, why not a different instrument? The koto belonged to a previous resident, and you seem to enjoy mastering new styles, Kirishima-kun.”

I run my fingers along the flute’s surface. It’s an elegant flute, full of grace.

“Let’s call this flute ‘Hafutatsu.’”

“Yeah. When you play it, Kirishima-kun, even the demons at Suzakumon will be in a good mood.”

Fukuda-kun laughs playfully.

“But why? This must’ve been expensive.”

“It’s a thank-you.”

To Kirishima Erich, Fukuda-kun says.

“You’re always helping me, Kirishima-kun. Today, too—thank you so much. I feel more confident now.”

Hamanami, standing nearby, protests, “Isn’t today’s achievement entirely mine!?”

“This flute is my way of repaying you, Kirishima-kun. It was pricey, sure, but please accept it as my gratitude.”

Fukuda-kun glances at Touno, who giggles, “Ehehe.” Apparently, Touno chipped in for the flute too.

“It’s a token of our affection.”

“Thanks. I’ll play a bit before heading back.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you master the flute, Kirishima-kun.”

Fukuda-kun says he’ll head back first to prepare grilled fish, and Touno adds, “I’ll help with dinner!” The two of them return to Yamame-sou ahead of us.

I go to the Kamo River Delta’s sandbar, sit on a stone bench, and place the kiri wood box on my lap, watching people stroll along the riverbank.

“Aren’t you going to play it?”

Hamanami, who came along, asks.

The wind blows, rustling the grass and trees.

“Do I even have the right to play this flute?”

I say, gazing at the flute. It’s refined, perfectly suited to my Kyoto style, named Hafutatsu.

“Sure, I did what I could for Fukuda-kun today, worthy of our friendship.”

“I’m the one who coordinated everything, though.”

“But my heart is still caught in doubt.”

While standing beside Fukuda-kun, I couldn’t stop thinking about Hayasaka-san.

What would Hayasaka-san think of me helping Fukuda-kun’s love life? She probably wouldn’t get mad if she found out. She’d likely make a joking, pouty face or show that troubled smile of hers.

But I know there’s an emotion beneath that expression, one too complex for short words.

Hayasaka-san surely understands the feelings I hide beneath my kimono.

“I’m smiling at Fukuda-kun while hiding my relationship with Hayasaka-san.”

Hamanami listens to me, then gazes at the Kamo River’s flow in silence before murmuring,

“They both looked so happy today, didn’t they?”

That was true.

Touno and Fukuda-kun were smiling all day. Their bright voices calling “Kirishima-san” and “Kirishima-kun” still echo in my ears.

“They really like you, don’t they?”

“Yeah. I feel their warm affection every day.”

“Can you betray them?”

I shake my head.

“I see.”

Hamanami falls silent again, as if lost in thought, then says,

“It feels like Hayasaka-senpai and Tachibana-senpai are both holding back because of Touno-san.”

“Probably.”

Both have grown since back then, and they’re careful about the relationships we’ve built in Kyoto with Touno and me. They swallow their words and hesitate while staying by my side.

In other words, doubt.

Miyamae seems happy just being with me without thinking too much, but she’d hold back if she saw Touno, her friend.

Hamanami nods, “I see.”

“Everyone, including you, Kirishima-senpai, doesn’t want to hurt Touno-san. If that’s the case, doesn’t it naturally decide what you should do?”

“Yeah. I’ve vaguely known it.”

A way to resolve this without betraying Touno and Fukuda-kun. That is—

“A soft landing.”

The moment I say it, Hamanami interrupts, “Don’t use that term!”

“Why not?”

“It’s just…… you’re right, okay? You need to accept the feelings of Hayasaka-senpai, Tachibana-senpai, and Miyamae-san without Touno-san and Fukuda-san finding out, resolve things amicably, and either return to being friends or part as fond memories to settle the situation. It’s the only way to avoid hurting anyone and wrap things up neatly, and yes, that could be called a soft landing.”

But, Hamanami continues,

“It reminds me of the failed Kirishima Soft Landing Plan from high school. I’m against reusing the name of a failed project!”

Hamanami, surprisingly, is superstitious.

“You’re getting all fired up out of nowhere~”

“My instincts are telling me this is the critical moment. I can see the clearest path to a perfect resolution. Everyone wants to avoid hurting Touno-san, so if she and Fukuda-san find out now, the relationships we’ve built in Kyoto will collapse, and everyone will get hurt and be unhappy!”

She’s right.

Touno considers Miyamae, Hayasaka-san, and Tachibana-san her friends. If the current situation came to light, she’d feel betrayed by everyone, including me, her boyfriend. Fukuda-kun would feel the same.

If that happened, the relationships centered around Yamame-sou would crumble, the fish-grilling gatherings would stop, and the promise to visit Tanegashima to see rockets in ten years would go unfulfilled.

Hayasaka-san and Tachibana-san would be deeply hurt too. They don’t want to hurt anyone either, which is why they’ve been so reserved. But with all these emotions, they can’t pull away.

But—

“What you need, Kirishima-senpai, is emo.”

Hamanami says.

“We’re all caught up in the nostalgia of love, still liking each other, but knowing some things can’t be helped, right? That kind of emotional vibe. You just need to have a sentimental goodbye with those three beautiful girls. Sounds dramatic? That’s fine!”

What’s needed is an endroll, Hamanami continues.

“If there’s a poignant finale to end the love, it can become a memory. And you know what you need to do, Kirishima-san. They’re grown up now, so it’s something you can do.”

“You’re talking fast again.”

“I know because I’ve been watching you all this time. This is the only way to turn this situation into a slightly bittersweet but happy ending.”

“You’re right…… That’s true.”

I knew it too.

This time, it’s similar to what happened in high school. But the feelings and attitudes are completely different. Somewhere along the way, we’ve grown up a bit.

And time won’t wait—we’ll keep growing older.

Years from now, after starting work, we’ll occasionally recall this season of love, feel a touch of nostalgia, and then focus back on the task at hand.

To create a positive ending that leads to such a future, as Hamanami says, I need to bring my relationships with Hayasaka-san, Tachibana-san, and Miyamae to a bittersweet but mutually satisfying close.

It might involve some pain or tough moments, but it feels like the only happy ending possible in this situation, where no one gets deeply hurt.

So, I say,

“Guess I’ve got no choice. The Kirishima Merry-Bad Plan.”

“Right. And since you can’t betray Touno-san and Fukuda-san, we start with Hayasaka-senpai. From what I’ve heard, she sees Fukuda-san as a good friend, right?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Hayasaka-san was already trying to move forward and find new love. If we hadn’t been seen messing around in front of the love hotel with Miyamae, this wouldn’t have happened. Even now, she’s been holding back.

“As long as you stay firm, Kirishima-senpai, it’ll be fine. If you prioritize your relationship with Touno-san and support Fukuda-san’s love, it’ll naturally lead to a poignant ending. Just do that.”

“……Right.”

As I say that, Hamanami leans in close.

“Your response lacks conviction. Don’t tell me, after all this, you’re still hung up on Hayasaka-senpai!?”

“……Of course not.”

That’s right. I can’t betray Touno, and with Hayasaka-san, there’s also Fukuda-kun to consider.

“I can support Fukuda-kun’s love. It’s the right thing to do, and I should do it.”

I say, looking at the flute in the kiri box, a token of friendship.

“I’ll play the flute, and Fukuda-kun will listen. We’re supposed to have a relationship like Minamoto no Hiromasa and Abe no Seimei.”

“You’re overly romanticizing two clumsy college students, but if you care that much, fine.”

“So, specifically, what do we do—”

As I start to say, Hamanami cuts me off with, “Hold on.”

“This time, don’t make any plans, Kirishima-senpai.”

“Why not?”

“Because every plan you make fails spectacularly.”

“I can’t argue with that…… But that leaves us without a strategy……”

“That’s why I’ll make the plan.”

“You, Hamanami?”

“Hamanami joins the fray!”

Hamanami, usually the one to point out flaws, is stepping up this time.

“It’s like moving a mountain.”

And she has her own reasons for it.

“After all this time, I want everyone to keep smiling. This is the final stage, and I’ll use my brain to guide everyone to an emotional, bittersweet happy ending.”

“I’ve got the best junior ever……”

“You’re slow to realize it, Kirishima-senpai.”

Hamanami says with a smug expression.

“From now on, you’ll move as my remote-controlled robot, Kirishima-senpai.”

“So, you’ve got a strategy, then?”

“I do.”

It’s called—

“‘The Hamanami Eight Trigrams Formation’!”

♥♥♥

My room has a kotatsu. I won it in a shopping district lottery. Sometimes, the residents of Yamame-sou, shivering in the cold, form a long line outside my door to warm up at it.

Gathered around that kotatsu were me, Touno, Fukuda-kun, Hamanami, and Hayasaka-san—five of us in total.

This was a few days after we coordinated Fukuda-kun’s makeover.

We decided to have a hot pot, and Touno invited Hayasaka-san. It was a weekday, but since the next day’s classes were canceled, Hayasaka-san came over.

“They say Kyoto winters are cold,”

Touno says, snuggling under the kotatsu.

“But as someone born in Hokkaido, I’d say it’s not that bad.”

“Even so, you’re pushing me out.”

Touno’s burrowing so deep into the kotatsu that my space next to her is getting cramped.

“Still, I didn’t expect Hamanami-san to show up too.”

Touno says, and Hamanami responds with, “Oh, no big deal.”

“A kotatsu is square, right? It wouldn’t feel balanced without me.”

Normally, a kotatsu seats one person per side, making four. But Hamanami’s Yamame Function Prediction had a different take.

“Touno-san and Kirishima-senpai are a lovey-dovey couple, so they’ll squeeze into one side together, right? That leaves Fukuda-san and Hayasaka-senpai, but then one side would be empty. That ruins the kotatsu’s golden ratio. So, I’m here to fill the gap. Alternatively, if there was a TV on the empty side, the golden ratio would be complete, but there’s no room with a TV in Yamame-sou.”

“Wow~ That’s impressive~”

Touno is genuinely impressed, but of course, that’s not why Hamanami came. She’s here to control me like a remote-controlled robot. When Touno reported inviting Hayasaka-san, Hamanami immediately devised a plan.

Kirishima-senpai, you need to maintain your stance as Touno-san’s boyfriend in front of Hayasaka-senpai.

I shouldn’t tell Hayasaka-san I’m still hung up on past love, and even if I am, I need to show her through my actions that I’m not letting it drag me down.

Hayasaka-senpai is naturally kind, and she’s matured as a university student. Seeing you happy with Touno-san, she probably won’t try to interfere. She’ll likely resolve to move on from her feelings. It might take time, but those feelings will eventually become a sepia-toned, beautiful memory.

That’s the Hamanami Eight Trigrams Formation, and she’s here to make sure I follow through.

When I asked what the “Eight Trigrams Formation” meant, Hamanami replied,

It’s just something I made up. The name doesn’t mean anything.

Regardless, Hamanami’s strategy was working perfectly from the hot pot prep stage.

In the evening, Hayasaka-san showed up with vegetables. When she and I started cutting them together in the kitchen, Hamanami immediately took control.

“Kirishima-senpai, you handle the stove and clay pot to make the broth.”

While Touno and I cozied up under the kotatsu, I used the stove to prepare the broth.

Hayasaka-san and Fukuda-kun prepped the ingredients together. Daidouji-san had given us some fresh cod caught at sea, and Fukuda-kun was explaining to Hayasaka-san how to remove its fishy smell.

As Touno and I were having fun under the kotatsu, Hayasaka-san glanced back at us from the kitchen for a moment.

I get it.

That’s what her look seemed to say.

Hayasaka-san doesn’t want to hurt Touno or Fukuda-kun either. That means she has to turn our relationship and past into a memory. Tonight, Hayasaka-san was noticeably restrained.

But there was a risky moment.

It happened while we were gathered around the hot pot. Maybe the alcohol played a part.

“There’s still some shiitake left. You can have it, Kirishima-kun—you like them, right?”

Hayasaka-san said with a cheerful smile.

“You’ve always eaten a lot of them, haven’t you~?”

Hayasaka-san and I supposedly met for the first time at the beach in August. Saying “always” is undeniably odd. Touno, sitting next to me, tilted her head and said, “Always?” but Hamanami quickly jumped in to cover.

“I’m the one who said I like shiitake! I told Hayasaka-senpai I’ve loved them since I was a kid! Ahh, shiitake are so good~! I want to be covered in shiitake! I’m high on shiitake~!!”

“Sorry, sorry, my mistake. It was Hamanami-san.”

Hayasaka-san said, laughing as she piled a ton of shiitake in front of Hamanami.

Hamanami stuffed her mouth with shiitake, looking like she was suffering.

I had one quiet moment with Hayasaka-san. It was when I left the kotatsu to grab cod fillets from the fridge to add to the pot. Hayasaka-san followed, saying, “I’ll help.”

“It’s fine.”

In front of the fridge, Hayasaka-san whispered,

“I know I have to move on from you, Kirishima-kun. Sorry for causing trouble.”

She wasn’t like her usual self. No playful “I’m mad~!” or that angelic smile laced with pressure.

Even when Touno and I were cuddling under the kotatsu, Hayasaka-san was chatting cheerfully with Fukuda-kun across the pot. She complimented Fukuda-kun’s makeover, and he got adorably embarrassed.

After finishing the hot pot, we drank and chatted lazily.

During that, Touno said,

“I’m going to Tokyo soon.”

She has a volleyball trip.

“And I’m planning to have Kirishima-san come with me. You’ll show me around, right?”

When asked, I nod, “Yeah.”

Touno was excited about seeing the town where I grew up.

“I want to know things like, ‘Oh, so this is the train you took in high school~.’”

“I’m curious too,”

Fukuda-kun says, his face red from the alcohol.

“It’s kind of nice to imagine high school Kirishima-kun and high school Hayasaka-san riding the same train by chance.”

They don’t know we went to the same high school.

“You should visit all of Kirishima-kun’s old haunts.”

“Yeah, I’ll barge right into his memories!”

Then Touno lets out an “Ah.”

“But…… is that okay?”

“What’s wrong all of a sudden?”

“I’m thinking about visiting Kirishima-san’s memory-filled places…… but is that okay with you, Kirishima-san, having me come along……?”

Touno, mindful that Hayasaka-san wouldn’t understand, explains in a deliberately bright tone.

“This guy apparently had a big love story in high school.”

“Oh, really……?”

“I don’t know the details, but is it okay with you, Kirishima-san, if I go around visiting those places……?”

After that high school incident, I lived ascetically, and even when I started dating Touno, I was physically unable to engage in certain romantic acts because of it.

That still lingers in Touno’s mind. Sometimes, she worries I might still have lingering feelings for my high school love.

“If you had someone you loved so much, wouldn’t you want to keep those memory-filled places special……?”

Before I could answer, Hayasaka-san spoke up.

“Just overwrite them.”

She says with a smile, bringing a chu-hi can to her lips.

“You’re the one dating him now, Touno-san. No need to hold back.”

“Right, exactly!”

Touno perks up.

“Where’s your family home, Kirishima-kun?”

Hayasaka-san asks, and I tell her the station name. She asks about my high school too, so I give the school name.

Then Hayasaka-san starts suggesting spots to Touno.

“There’s a great burger shop near the station you should check out.”

A place we used to eat at often.

“There’s a nice tea shop a bit far from the school.”

Hayasaka-san’s favorite spot where we’d meet after school.

“The station building has a lot of convenient stuff too.”

A place we often used for dates.

Touno nods along, taking notes on her phone.

“Visit them all. Even if those places hold memories with someone for Kirishima-kun, just make them new memories with you, Touno-san. You’re his girlfriend, after all. Just overwrite everything……”

After saying that, Hayasaka-san lowers her eyes sadly.

Hayasaka-san, your bad habit’s showing!

I think, but she doesn’t stop.

“You don’t have any lingering feelings, right, Kirishima-kun?”

Hayasaka-san asks, and Touno looks at me with a slightly anxious expression, waiting for my answer.

“……Yeah.”

I nod, and Touno’s face relaxes with relief.

Meanwhile, Hayasaka-san quietly looks down.

“With Touno-san here, you don’t think about the past, right?”

“……Yeah.”

“Right. When you have a great girlfriend now, past girls don’t matter, do they?”

Hayasaka-san’s expression is exaggeratedly pained. No, she’s definitely messing with me now.

She’s learned a new way to pressure me, hasn’t she?

“The girl you liked in high school doesn’t matter anymore, right? Thinking back, you wonder why you even liked her—she wasn’t that special, was she? Compared to Touno-san, she’s nothing, right? Isn’t that so?”

“Hey, Kirishima-kun,” Hayasaka-san says, clutching her chest as if struggling to breathe.

“Say you’ve forgotten the face of the girl from high school.”

“Um, Hayasaka-san, I don’t think I need to go that far……”

Touno says, but Hayasaka-san smiles at her and says, “No way.”

“If I were your girlfriend, I’d make sure to confirm it properly.”

“I see…… That’s how it works, huh?”

Don’t learn weird stuff, Touno!

“Come on, Kirishima-kun.”

Hayasaka-san urges me.

I think you should stop this!

But since Hayasaka-san won’t back down, I reluctantly say,

“I’ve forgotten the face of the girl from high school.”

“You don’t care what she’s doing or where.”

“I don’t care what she’s doing or where.”

“You don’t even want to see her anymore.”

“I don’t even want to see her anymore.”

I repeat everything Hayasaka-san says. And then—

“You never liked her to begin with.”

Okay, you definitely don’t want me to say that, I think, but Hayasaka-san pressures me with her eyes, so I reluctantly say,

“……I never liked her to begin with.”

Instantly, Hayasaka-san flashes a radiant smile—that angelic, forced grin.

A few seconds pass with nothing happening.

I lift the kotatsu blanket slightly to peek underneath. Hayasaka-san’s kick from across the table is being blocked by Hamanami’s foot from the side. Hamanami’s trembling with effort, her face shaking. This strategist is putting her body on the line too, it seems.

Hayasaka-san retracts her foot, and I casually put the blanket back down.

“Just kidding, I was only playing around.”

Hayasaka-san says something that sounds perfectly appropriate to Touno and Fukuda-kun.

Then she relaxes her smile, giving me a sidelong glance with a neutral expression.

I get it. It’s okay.

That’s what her look seems to say, though her eyes seem just a touch lonely.

Hayasaka-san’s slightly self-deprecating teasing hurt me too, but it was probably good for my relationship with Touno.

Lately, Touno’s been worrying about my high school love. It started partly because we couldn’t do certain things when we first began dating, but the recent trigger was Miyamae.

During the fall university festival season, Touno had a small conflict with Miyamae. Miyamae was too clingy with me and even admitted straight-up that she had feelings for me. It seemed to resolve when Miyamae started dating Morita, but they’ve since broken up.

The two have reconciled and are friendly on the surface, but Touno seems to want Miyamae to keep her distance from me. Once you know someone has feelings, it’s natural to feel that way.

And Touno’s not just reacting to Miyamae—she’s sensitive to any girls around me now. Even with Tachibana-san or Hayasaka-san, if they’re physically close, she gets a slightly anxious look.

That worry extends to the past. Sometimes, when we’re alone in her room, she’ll suddenly ask,

“……What was the person you had that big high school romance with like, Kirishima-san?”

But then she’ll quickly wave her hands and say,

“No, no, you don’t have to tell me. I think it’s better not to know, and I trust you, Kirishima-san!”

That’s the kind of thing she says.

So, the exchange with Hayasaka-san just now was probably a good thing.

I thought so, watching Touno next to me, smiling happily as she made a list of places to visit in Tokyo on her phone’s memo app.

“Well, then,”

Hayasaka-san stands up from the kotatsu.

“I’ll go buy some more drinks. Looks like we’re out.”

Sure enough, all the alcohol we prepared is gone. Since Miyamae isn’t here tonight, we don’t have an endless supply of Kyushu sake.

“No way. We can’t let a cute girl like Hayasaka-san walk alone this late at night.”

When Touno says this, Hamanami pauses as if thinking, then responds,

“How about Kirishima-san or Fukuda-san—let’s have the winner of a shogi match go with Hayasaka-senpai.”

“The winner? Isn’t it usually the loser who has to go buy stuff?”

I point out, but Hamanami shakes her head, “No, no.”

“Going with Hayasaka-senpai is practically a reward.”

“But shogi takes too long. It’s a time-consuming game—”

“That’s fine.”

Hayasaka-san, who had stood up, sits back down and slips into the kotatsu.

“I’m staying over at Touno-san’s place tonight anyway.”

She has time, she says.

And with that, a new context emerges.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

Fukuda-kun says, looking somewhat tense.

I understand how he feels.

Fukuda-kun plans to win this shogi match and confess to Hayasaka-san.

♥♥♥

I face Fukuda-kun across a shogi board. It’s not a fancy four-legged board, just a flat magnetic one. Playing it on the kotatsu table while staying warm makes it a true kotatsu shogi match.

“Do you know anything about shogi, Hayasaka-san?”

“Just how the pieces move, I guess.”

“Same as me~”

Touno and Hayasaka-san peek at the board from the side.

I explain for their benefit.

“Fukuda-kun is using the Anaguma strategy. I’m going with Yagura, so it’ll play out like—”

But.

“Ah, yeah, Kirishima-kun, you don’t need to explain that,” Hayasaka-san says.

“I just want to drink soon.”

“You’re sounding like a total party girl.”

In reality, Touno’s always lively with the girls in her volleyball club, so she probably has that party vibe.

The shogi game itself moves along quickly.

It’s just to decide who goes shopping, and more importantly, it’s a match I’m meant to lose.

That Hamanami, I think.

By making it so the winner goes shopping with Hayasaka-san, she’s forcing me to show through my actions whether I choose my friendship with Fukuda-kun or Hayasaka-san. It’s a tactic to prevent me from being ambiguous.

Touno, of course, assumes I’ll lose on purpose. When our eyes meet, she gives me a thumbs-up.

This is your chance to set it up, her gesture says.

A few days before the kotatsu hot pot gathering, Fukuda-kun suddenly said,

“I’m going to tell Hayasaka-san how I feel.”

It was during a game of sugoroku in Daidouji-san’s room. Daidouji-san, me, Touno, and Miyamae were there.

Fukuda-kun wasn’t shy or embarrassed. He was serious, almost resolute.

“Hiding these feelings and staying by her side as a friend feels unfair somehow.”

It was the mindset of an honest guy. Straightforward and sincere.

He continued,

“Hayasaka-san is always smiling, but I sense some melancholy, sadness, or fragility in her. I want to protect her. It might be selfish or a bit arrogant, but that’s how I feel.”

Daidouji-san and Touno were fully supportive of him confessing. They felt that without a confession, their relationship would stay stuck, and even if she rejected him, Hayasaka-san is mature and kind enough that as long as Fukuda-kun didn’t make it awkward, they could return to a normal friendship.

Miyamae looked at me with an unreadable expression.

“On the night of the hot pot, if I get the chance, I’ll tell her.”

That’s what Fukuda-kun had said.

And this shopping trip is the perfect opportunity. Two people, slightly tipsy, walking to the convenience store at night. The winter chill adds to the atmosphere, and the starry sky is beautiful.

Thanks to Hamanami’s series of schemes, Hayasaka-san has clearly received the message that I’m committed to Touno.

If I deliberately lose the shogi match and leave Hayasaka-san and Fukuda-kun alone, she might respond to his feelings. Of course, it might not go that way either.

Either way, this is a test of my stance.

Honestly, I can still feel the sensation of holding Hayasaka-san in my arms from high school. And I can sense that I still have a place in her heart.

In my conversation with Hamanami, we talked as if being with Hayasaka-san wasn’t possible.

But that’s based on the premise of not betraying Touno and Fukuda-kun. If I were to abandon everything in Kyoto, I could be with Hayasaka-san and hold that girl from my high school memories again.

I imagine it.

Living with Hayasaka-san in a seaside town, holding each other.

While thinking about this, the shogi game progresses. We capture pieces, and paths to each other’s kings start to open up.

In the end, it’s just my choice.

Touno and Fukuda-kun, or Hayasaka-san.

Memories flash back. Hayasaka-san in her school uniform, Touno at the laundromat, Fukuda-kun fishing for ayu.

And then—

I move my king right into the line of Fukuda-kun’s rook. A move anyone can see is me throwing the game.

“Kirishima-san, you’re as clumsy as ever at the critical moment~”

Touno says, giving me a peace sign as if to say, Good job.

Thank you.

Fukuda-kun’s lips move slightly.

Hayasaka-san—

“Ugh, even I wouldn’t move a piece like that~!”

She laughs. But behind that smile, I can tell the soft part of her she’s been hiding is deeply hurt. And I’m the one who hurt her.

“Alright, Fukuda-kun, shall we go?”

The two leave the room.

We eat mandarins at the kotatsu while waiting for Hayasaka-san and Fukuda-kun to return.

“I hope it goes well~”

Touno says, a bit fidgety.

After a while, Fukuda-kun returns alone. Hayasaka-san apparently said she’d stay out for a bit to think while feeling the night breeze.

The tension from earlier is gone from Fukuda-kun’s face.

And, with a shy smile, he says,

“Hayasaka-san said she’ll seriously consider my feelings.”

♥♥♥

Fukuda-kun went to the convenience store with Hayasaka-san. He was apparently nervous the whole time, nodding like a machine every time Hayasaka-san asked, “How about this one?”

On the way back, carrying bags in both hands, Fukuda-kun confessed.

He simply told her he liked her and wanted to go out with her.

“Hayasaka-san was honest with me.”

Fukuda-kun says, sitting at the kotatsu.

“She said she’s still ‘just a little’ hung up on someone she liked in the past. She knows she needs to move forward, but she can’t quite take that step.”

“Sounds like Kirishima-san a while back. Well, teenage love can be that special, I guess.”

Touno says, and Fukuda-kun nods.

“So I told her I’d wait. I asked to let me keep liking her until she’s ready to move forward. And then Hayasaka-san—”

She apologized, he says.

Sorry for being so vague.

“She didn’t need to apologize. I was just thrilled I wasn’t rejected outright. She said she thinks I’m a good person and that she’ll seriously consider dating me. That alone makes me so happy.”

Of course, she might not be able to get to that point. She told him he’s free to stop liking her anytime.

“I told her I’d wait forever.”

Fukuda-kun scratches his head.

“It’s super embarrassing, but I feel like I’m in a love song. Like, I want to help her forget her old love. Ugh…… maybe forget I said that……”

“Either way, it’s a positive outcome!”

Touno places a mandarin on the table, as if to say, Good work.

As we eat mandarins, Hayasaka-san returns after a while.

She steps into the room, looks at everyone, and with that troubled smile, says,

“That’s how it turned out.”

She slips back into the kotatsu.

“No need to feel weird about it, okay? I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”

She grabs a can of alcohol, pops it open with a pshht, and starts chugging.

“Alright~ Tonight, I’m gonna drink!”

I wonder if it’s a bad idea to let Hayasaka-san get drunk. I move to stop her hand for a moment, but Hamanami quietly restrains me and whispers,

“Let it go.”

“Why?”

“If she passes out drunk, she’ll be quieter and safer.”

So, while eating mandarins, I watch as Hayasaka-san declares, “Some nights, you just wanna get drunk!” She downs cans with “Pha~!” after “Pha~!”, and eventually collapses, snoring softly.

With that, the kotatsu hot pot gathering comes to an end.

“I’ll take Hayasaka-san back to my room~”

Touno carries Hayasaka-san on her back and leaves. Since Fukuda-kun, who kept up with Hayasaka-san’s drinking pace, is completely out too, I carry him to the futon in the next room.

I come back and take a breather.

Hamanami, with a calm expression, is sipping the leftover alcohol.

“How’s my strategy?”

“……It’s scarily effective. Ruthless, though.”

“It has to be. Otherwise, this won’t get resolved.”

Surely, this is how we’ll end some feelings, sort things out, and move toward the future.

“Let’s keep going toward a slightly bittersweet ending. It might be tough for you and them, Kirishima-san, but it’s so that when you look back on these university days, they’ll be good memories.”

“I owe you one, Hamanami.”

That’s the only gentle resolution. I know it well, and Hamanami’s executing it in place of me, who keeps messing up.

“Now you see my worth, right?”

Hamanami says, puffing out her chest proudly.

“I’ll pull this off perfectly. You don’t need to worry about a thing anymore.”