Chapter 2: You’ll Cheer Me On, Right?

1

“Hmmm-hm-hmm♪”

Yuuhi was lounging in the tea room built within Hokurei Hall, chatting away.

“So, like, get this!”

“Haha!”

The tea ceremony club was all girls, and their activities consisted of sipping tea, munching on snacks, and having a grand ol’ time talking. For Yuuhi, it was basically paradise.

A sudden ping came from her phone.

“Hm?”

Checking it, she saw a Line message from Yuu.

“What’s up?”

A simple message: Which one’s better? Probably agonizing over a gift for that female friend of his. She’d been giving him advice here and there since the whole thing started.

Two photos came through from Yuu.

What could he possibly be torn between? She opened the images—one was a giant teddy bear, and the other was a garish red heart-shaped pouch.

“…Yikes.”

A headache was brewing.

“Sorry, gotta step out for a sec.”

Yuuhi slipped out of the building, heading to the back, and immediately dialed. A carefree voice answered on the other end.

“Oh, Yuuhi-chan? So, about those two I just sent, which one—”

“Neither.”

“What!?”

“Nope, not ‘what.’ Listen, sure, the thought behind a gift matters most, but there’s a limit. If a grown adult gave a girl something like that for her birthday, she’d question your entire character.”

“Is it really that bad…?”

“Put yourself in her shoes. Would you be thrilled to get a gaudy black wallet with a skull on it or a keychain with a dragon wrapped around a sword?”

“Hmm, that actually sounds kinda… cool?”

“…!”

Oh no, this guy’s hopeless. His taste is stuck in middle school. He was even eyeing a heart-shaped necklace the other day…

Didn’t he say he’s never had a girlfriend? No wonder he’s clueless about giving girls gifts. Someone’s gotta teach him what’s okay and what’s a total miss.

“But those two are high-end stuff, you know—”

“Expensive doesn’t always mean good.”

“Really?”

If Yuuhi doesn’t step in, this guy’s friendship with that girl is never gonna level up.

“Ugh, fine, meet me at Kita High. Can you come now?”

“Oh, yeah, sure.”

Honestly, this guy.

“Sorry, Yuuhi, I’m heading out for the day.”

“Later!”

“See ya!”

“Bye-bye!”

Leaving the tea ceremony club behind, Yuuhi waited for Yuu in the parking lot.

As I pulled into the parking lot, Yuuhi was standing there, arms crossed, with a face that could scare a demon. She was radiating some kind of ghostly aura.

“Yo, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“…”

Without a word, Yuuhi slid into the passenger seat. The intimidation factor was off the charts.

“Head to the mall for now.”

“Y-Yes, ma’am.”

Following Yuuhi’s orders, I started driving.

“H-Hey, were those two really that bad? I thought they were pretty girly and nice.”

“Sure, they’re ‘girly’ in a way, but they’re the kind of gifts a lovestruck middle school couple picks out in a haze of sugary innocence.”

“Oh, so… not something an adult would be thrilled to get?”

“Exactly.”

“Got it.”

That’s actually pretty insightful. As expected from a high school girl. I got too hung up on Miya emphasizing the “girl” part, so I leaned hard into girly stuff. But yeah, a teddy bear doesn’t suit Mahiru’s sporty vibe, and a heart pouch doesn’t match her style either.

“A girl who’d be happy with those probably has some scary stuff going on beneath the surface.”

“Noted.”

“You don’t wanna get tangled up with a girl like that, Yuu.”

With that, we arrived at the mall. First stop: a general goods store.

“How about some aromatherapy stuff? It’s relaxing, helps with stress, and it’s practical.”

Aromatherapy, huh? I can’t picture Mahiru lighting up some scented oils, but I’ll keep it in mind.

“Ooh, what about this?”

A set of fancy chopsticks in a sleek wooden box. Good tableware elevates your meals, right? Mahiru’s a big eater; she’d probably appreciate something food-related.

“…Are you serious?”

“What? No good?”

“That’s the kind of gift you give your spouse after years of marriage. You’re not at that stage with her yet, are you? Save that for when things get serious.”

“No, like I said before, it’s not that kind of relationship—oh, crap!”

Yuuhi doesn’t know Mahiru’s a high schooler. If I dig too deep into this, she’ll probably chew me out again.

“She’s kinda tomboyish, right?”

“Yeah, tall and cool, I’d say.”

“Hmm, then maybe a hat or some small accessories would work.”

Next, we headed to an apparel shop. Is it just me, or do clothing stores always smell kinda nice?

“Well, well.”

I tried on a black hat.

“Why are you trying it on?”

“Fair point.”

Mahiru usually rocks casual, almost guy-like outfits, but every now and then, she shows up in something super girly. Maybe we should check out the women’s section too.

Clothes are probably the safest bet. It’s gonna get colder soon, so maybe a cozy belly warmer or some warm socks would be good.

“Oh, this T-shirt’s cute!”

Too small for Mahiru, though.

…Right, clothes have sizing issues. I totally forgot about that.

Especially for someone like Mahiru with, uh, a larger chest—you gotta consider that, or it’ll look bulky. But even I know asking about her chest size is a bad move.

Ugh, what do I do?

2

September 8th. Friday.

It’s been over a week since summer ended, and it’s finally starting to feel just a tiny bit cooler. Makes life a bit more bearable.

“It’s so hot today too…”

Miya, on the other hand, is the same as ever. She’s sprawled across the cafeteria table, pressing an ice pack from her bento to her neck.

“Nah, it’s pretty cool today.”

“Where!?”

Miya lifted her head, her hair sticking to her face with sweat. Is it that hot?

Sure, the temperature’s still high, but the humidity’s dropped a lot. That sticky, suffocating air is finally gone.

“Can’t winter just come already?”

“Then you’ll just complain about how cold it is.”

“Cold’s better than this.”

“But in winter, you’ll say the heat’s better and wish for summer.”

“That’s then, this is now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Well, Miya’s always been bad with both heat and cold. In summer, she lazes around in air-conditioned rooms; in winter, she lazes around in heated ones.

“You gotta exercise a bit, build up some stamina.”

“I walk to school every day, don’t I?”

“…Isn’t that just, like, basic human stuff?”

After lunch with Miya as usual, I headed to the second gym for midday practice. On the way—

“Mahiru-senpai!”

Someone called out to me.

“Hm?”

Turning toward the voice, I saw a beautiful girl with long golden hair fluttering in the breeze—Togami Yuuhi. In her hands was a neatly wrapped package.

“Yuuhi-chan, huh?”

“Tomorrow’s your birthday, right? Here, a present for you.”

“Oh, thanks. That’s sweet of you.”

“No prob! We’re fellow Ironclad Maidens, after all.”

Yuuhi struck a proud pose, hand on her hip, chest puffed out.

“Haha…”

Yuuhi seems weirdly attached to that “Ironclad Maidens” nickname, even though it’s kinda embarrassing to hear. For a blonde beauty with European blood like her, the “maiden” title fits perfectly, but…

Me? I’m way too rough around the edges for that “maiden” vibe. Who even came up with that name?

“Thanks a bunch.”

“Yup, good luck at practice!”

After parting with Yuuhi-chan, I got stopped by a ton of people on my way to the clubroom, each handing me a gift. I’d already gotten a bunch before today too.

“Whoops, careful now.”

I walked cautiously, juggling all the presents.

“Yo, Ryuushaku!”

A booming voice rang out. That loud, intense tone could only belong to him.

“What’s up, Serizawa?”

Serizawa Akisuke.

A third-year like me, captain of the boys’ basketball team, and a rare breed of hot-blooded guy in this day and age. He’s easily over 180 cm, ripped, with a short-cropped soft mohawk that makes him look tough.

He looks intimidating, but he’s a serious guy at heart. A true jock who pours his soul into basketball, yet he’s decent at studies and has the charisma to get along with anyone.

I’ve known him since his delinquent days, so the contrast with his current self is kinda hilarious.

“What’s with that ‘what’s up’? Here.”

Serizawa plopped a small bag on top of my pile of gifts.

“Birthday present.”

“Oh, thanks. What’s inside?”

“A good-luck charm for victory. Getting to Spring High? You’re seriously something else.”

“It’s not just me, you know.”

“Still, you got scouted by pros, right?”

“Yeah, well.”

The fact that I got scouted is already common knowledge around school. I wasn’t hiding it or anything, so it’s fine, but now the whole school’s in celebration mode.

“Careful, if you’re too chummy with me, your girlfriend might get mad.”

“Oh, right… Wait, Rin’s not—uh, she’s not my girlfriend yet!”

“Yet, huh?”

“S-Shut up!”

Serizawa’s face turned beet red in an instant. Such an easy guy to read.

“Anyway, good luck at Spring High.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

After parting with Serizawa, I headed to the clubroom.

I stuffed the gifts into my locker, wondering how I’d lug all this home, when my teammates started handing me even more presents.

Tomorrow’s my birthday. Getting celebrated feels nice, but I’m a high schooler now—hardly a kid who gets giddy over birthdays. Or so I thought.

This year, Yuu-nii’s here. The thought of him celebrating my birthday with me… it’s got me kinda excited. A warm sensation tingled in my left wrist.

While changing, my phone pinged with a notification. My body tensed with a jolt. It was a Line message from Asaka.

I’ll be there tonight.

Asaka’s coming for my birthday too. Though, knowing her, part of the reason’s probably to see Yuu-nii.

That night in Shonan came to mind. The night I got in the way.

My heart throbbed with a sharp pang. Asaka-san coming back to Shizuoka means she’ll probably see Yuu-nii, too…

The thought of Asaka-san hitting on Yuu-nii again made me feel awful. But even worse was the disgust I felt toward myself. I’d interfered with Yuu-nii’s friend’s confession, and now I was relieved about how it turned out.

Asaka-san doesn’t know I made that anonymous call to sabotage her.

What kind of face am I supposed to show her when we meet?

“Phew.”

Yuuhi returned to the classroom. She was glad she’d managed to give Mahiru-senpai her present without a hitch.

“Hm?”

Her phone buzzed briefly. A Line message had come through. It was from Yuu-nii.

The message read, I went with this one, followed by a photo.

Probably about the gift for his female friend. For a grown man, Yuu-nii’s sense of style was oddly childish—or maybe just plain off. Either way, it was bad news.

Checking the photo, she saw a gold pendant. An oval-shaped pendant top with a crescent moon engraved on it.

“Hmm.”

Not terrible, I guess. It’s a big step up from that heart-shaped pendant he was considering before, but giving a pendant to “just a friend” feels a bit heavy. And the moon motif? It’s like he’s tying it to his last name, Aritsuki. Kinda cheesy.

Well, if he’s set on it, that’s his call. Looks like he already bought it anyway.

Come to think of it, his friend’s birthday is in September, too? I should’ve dragged him along to pick out my gift.

She sent a reply: Eh, it’s fine, I guess. The item itself didn’t seem that bad.

A moment later, the message was marked as read.

By the way, it opens, you know.

“?”

Opens…?

What does he mean, opens?

When Yuuhi looked at the next photo, a shiver ran through her. A chill crawled up her spine, and cold sweat broke out.

“Eek!”

The oval pendant top had popped open sideways. Yuu-nii had bought a locket pendant that could open and close.

“Wait, what?! No way, that’s bad!”

“Yuuhi-chan, what’s wrong?”

She’d let out a loud yelp without meaning to. A classmate gave her a curious look.

“Uh, n-no, it’s nothing! Haha!”

That guy… I knew he was clueless, but this clueless?

Giving a girl something like this is basically saying, “Put my picture in here, okay?” If it was for a girlfriend, maybe it’d make sense, but for someone who’s just a friend? That’s way too much.

Like, if the girl doesn’t have a crush on him, she’s gonna think he’s straight-up creepy.

But… he already bought it…

“…”

When is that guy ever gonna get a girlfriend? Yuuhi let out a heavy sigh.

We will soon arrive at Shin-Fuji. The exit is on the left—

The announcement echoed through the train.

Shin-Fuji Station already? I started getting ready to disembark. Ever since we parted ways on the last day of summer break, I hadn’t seen Yuu-nii once, and it was driving me crazy.

Right after school, I’d submitted a leave form for the weekend and headed straight for Shizuoka.

Stepping onto the platform, the breeze felt a little chilly. But my heart was burning hotter than ever.

I was about to see Yuu-nii. That thought alone had kept me going these past eight days.

Yuu-nii.

“Ufufufu.”

The moon shining in the night sky was breathtakingly beautiful.

3

September 9th. Saturday, around noon.

“Yuu-nii!”

While I was getting ready in my room during a break, Asaka-san showed up. Her long, beautiful black hair shimmered, and her eyes sparkled behind her glasses. She wore a short black dress that showed off her soft-looking thighs.

“Uh, h-hey.”

“I missed you so much.”

Asaka-san threw her arms around me, pressing her soft curves against me. Her sweet scent enveloped me, making me feel like I was floating to heaven.

Her alluring figure started to stir something in me, so I quickly recalled that hellish bathhouse shift in Shonan, scrubbing the backs of three old guys, to overwrite the feeling.

“Hey, get off me.”

“Ow.”

I forced myself to stay calm and deal with Asaka-san. Apparently, she’d come back to Fujinomiya last night to join Mahiru’s birthday party.

“You eaten lunch yet?”

“No, not yet.”

“Alright, when my break’s over, I’ll whip something up downstairs.”

“Thank you! What time are we heading to Mahiru-chan’s place?”

“She’s got practice till around six, I think. So we’ll pick her up at Kita High around then.”

“Got it.”

Asaka-san sat on the bed, crossing her legs. Her bare, pale thighs were even more exposed, and I quickly looked away.

“Dude, that dress is way too short.”

“But it’s so hot out.”

“Then turn on the fan or something.”

I flipped on the fan’s switch. Big mistake. The breeze lifted the hem of Asaka-san’s dress, revealing even more of her thighs—and beyond…

“Eek!”

“Oh, crap, my bad!”

I hurriedly turned the fan off.

“…Did you do that on purpose?”

“No way!”

“Pervert.”

“I said it wasn’t like that!”

If we stayed alone like this, I’d get swept up in Asaka-san’s pace. I couldn’t afford to repeat the mistake I made in Shonan.

“Come on, if you’re hot, let’s head downstairs.”

“Okay.”

I headed downstairs with Asaka-san.

“Alright, that’s it for today.”

The coach wrapped up, ending the meeting.

“Thanks for your hard work!” The gym echoed with the team’s voices.

The club members shuffled toward the locker room to change. I discussed tomorrow’s practice schedule before heading to the shower room. The hot water washed away the sweat, soothing my tired body.

“Haa.”

The warm water felt amazing on my exhausted muscles.

After my shower, I headed to the locker room. A few first-years were still hanging around.

“Hey, hey, hurry up and head home!”

“Got it!”

“Got it!”

“Got it!”

“Alright, good work!”

“Thanks for today!”

“Thanks for today!”

“Thanks for today!”

“Later.”

I saw the team off and locked up the locker room.

Outside, it was already getting dark, with stars twinkling faintly. It was 6:30 p.m. Practice was supposed to be just in the morning, but since the boys’ volleyball team canceled their afternoon session in the second gym, we ended up practicing all day.

“Phew.”

What a tiring day.

I sat on the curb by the tree-lined path, waiting. Yuu-nii was coming to pick me up. The soccer team was still practicing on the field nearby. Soon, a familiar white car pulled up from the east gate and stopped in front of me.

“Kept you waiting, huh?”

Yuu-nii poked his head out from the driver’s seat, flashing his usual laid-back smile.

“Nah, you’re good.”

“Come on, hop in.”

“Yep.”

I slid into the passenger seat.

“Good work out there.”

“Can I toss this in the back?”

I set a paper bag on the back seat.

“What’s with the stuff?”

“The volleyball team gave me some gifts.”

“Oh, birthday presents? Popular as always, huh?”

Yuu-nii started the car, and I leaned back in the seat, feeling the tension drain from my body. I’d been running around all day. I took a shower, but I hope I don’t smell sweaty or anything.

“You must be beat.”

“Yeah. It was supposed to be half a day, but ugh, I’m wiped. And starving.”

“Everyone’s already waiting.”

Tonight, my birthday party’s happening at my house.

“Oh, here.”

While stopped at a light, Yuu-nii pulled out a slim, rectangular box.

“Here you go, Mahiru. Happy birthday from me.”

“Hehe, thanks! Can I open it?”

“Go for it.”

Inside the box was a gold pendant. An oval pendant top with a crescent moon design, glowing faintly in the dim light.

“It’s beautiful…”

“Heh heh heh, Mahiru, there’s a little trick to it.”

Yuu-nii said it with a smug tone.

“A trick?”

“Try opening it from the side.”

“The side?”

I checked the pendant’s edge and noticed a thin vertical line with a tiny, two-millimeter indent in the center. I pressed my nail into it, and the pendant popped open with a click.

“Whoa, a locket pendant!”

“You can put a photo or a charm inside.”

“That’s so cool!”

“Pretty neat, right?”

Yuu-nii puffed up his chest proudly.

I love these kinds of subtle, clever mechanisms—they’ve got a certain romantic charm. It’s a bit of a boyish taste, but knowing Yuu-nii and I share the same sense for this kind of thing doesn’t feel bad at all.

“Hehe, thanks, Yuu-nii!”

“You’re welcome.”

I put it on right away. The golden crescent moon gleamed against my chest. Yep, looks great.

We finally reached my house.

“Look who I brought—the star of the show!”

“I’m home!”

“Welcome back!”

“Welcome back!”

“Welcome back!”

Miya, Asaka-san, and Misora-chan greeted me.

“Whoa, everyone’s here!”

Asaka-san was wearing a super short dress-like mini-dress.

“You’re late, Mahiru!” Miya said.

“Sorry, sorry, club activities ran late.”

“Well, the main character always shows up fashionably late.”

Yuu-nii says.

“Oh, Mahiru-chan, that pendant…”

Asaka’s eyes drift to my chest.

“Yuu-nii gave it to me earlier.”

“It’s beautiful.”

Asaka says with a bright smile.

“Yuu-san, you’ve got pretty good taste, huh?”

Misora-chan chimes in with a compliment.

“Heh heh heh, you guys, this pendant has a little trick to it—”

“Forget that, let’s eat already! I’m starving!”

Miya whines, so we all head to the living room.

The three Papillons we keep at home—Gura, Kai, and Reku—swarm around my feet. We got them when I was in kindergarten, so they’re supposed to be old-timers by now, but they’re still full of energy.

The table is loaded with a lavish spread.

“Since Yuu-kun’s here this year, I went all out,” Mama says with a laugh.

Today’s the birthday I’ve been longing for, with Yuu-nii here.

“Alright, I’m turning off the lights.”

Mama flips the switch, and the candles on the cake flicker in the darkness, their warm glow floating in the air. When I blow them out, everyone sings Happy Birthday.

“Here, Mahiru.”

Miya’s gift is a white knit cap with a red heart on it.

“Whoa, that’s nice!”

“This one’s from me.”

Asaka hands me a pair of sleek black ankle boots.

“Ooh, super stylish!”

“Here, Mahiru-chan.”

Misora-chan gives me a cute pink mechanical pencil.

“Thanks!”

“Hehe!”

“Yuu-kun, beer okay?”

“Oh, I drove, so I’m good.”

“Just leave the car here and walk home. Drinking alone is no fun, you know!”

“Alright, just one then.”

“Here we go!”

Mama brings out two massive beer mugs.

“Uh, I said one…”

“This is one at our house.”

“What?!”

Dinner starts, but with Asaka sitting next to Yuu-nii, I can’t relax.

“Hmph.”

Asaka leans forward—more like presses herself against Yuu-nii—to reach for a dish across the table.

“H-Hey, I’ll grab it for you.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Woof woof woof!”

Miya’s playing with the dogs clinging to her feet.

“By the way, Mahiru, I heard you got scouted by a team in Hokkaido?”

Done playing for now, Miya sits back and asks.

“Huh? Oh, yeah.”

“What? Really, Mahiru-chan?”

“Oh, I haven’t told Asaka yet, have I?”

“News to me too,” Yuu-nii says, turning to me.

“Me too,” Misora-chan adds.

“Uh, what was it… not Hakodate—”

“Sapporo Melone, right?”

Mama says, holding her second mug.

“Yeah, that’s it!”

“Getting scouted by two teams? That’s amazing, Mahiru-chan.”

Asaka says with a gentle smile.

“Haha, well…”

“As your mama, I’m rooting for Kumamoto, though.”

“Oh, right, you’re from Kumamoto, aren’t you, Auntie?” Miya says.

“Kumamoto’s great! The sake’s delicious, and it’s so warm. A bite of horse sashimi with garlic, washed down with shochu—pure bliss!”

“And there’s Kumam*n too, right?”

Misora-chan adds.

“So, have you decided where you’re going?”

Miya asks.

“Huh? Uh, not yet…”

The truth is, I don’t want to go anywhere without Yuu-nii. But with everyone’s expectations so high, saying that would probably let them all down.

After dinner, Mama brings out her laptop.

(Yo, Mahiru, you doing okay?)

On the video call screen is my dad, Ryuushaku Ichirou. Neat black hair, tall and lanky. He’s been working alone in Osaka for two years, only coming back for Golden Week or Obon, if at all. This year, he was too busy to make it for either.

(Happy birthday!)

“Thanks.”

(Did my present arrive?)

“Yup.”

Dad’s gift came by delivery.

(Oh, wait, is that…?)

“Been a while.”

Yuu-nii pops into the frame.

(Yuu-kun, it’s been ages!)

“You’re looking well, Ichirou-san.”

(Man, it’s really been forever.)

The two of them, reunited after so long, start chatting over drinks.

“So cute!”

“I wanna get a dog too! Onee, beg Mama for me!”

Miya and Misora-chan start playing with the dogs again. Mama and Yuu-nii are busy with Dad on the call. Now’s my chance. I steel myself and turn to Asaka.

“Hey, Asaka, can we talk?”

“What’s up?”

We step out into the garden.

“What a beautiful sky.”

The moon glows brightly in the deep night sky.

“Hey, Asaka.”

“Yeah?”

“So, um…”

“Mm-hm.”

“Do you, like, have a thing for Yuu-nii?”

“Huh?”

Oh no, I actually asked.

If Asaka knows I’ve caught on to her feelings, maybe she’ll dial back her moves on Yuu-nii. That’s what I was hoping when I asked.

Just from today, Asaka’s been all over Yuu-nii with the body contact, and her outfit’s way more revealing than usual—nothing like the Asaka before Yuu-nii came back from Tokyo.

At this rate, it’s only a matter of time before she goes full throttle like that night in Shonan.

So, what’s it gonna be?

Will she play dumb, or fess up?

“Yeah, I actually do.”

Asaka admits it outright, her cheeks flushing as she cups her face.

“Oh…”

“You noticed even though I haven’t told those two yet? Wow, Mahiru-chan, you’re sharp. Did I surprise you?”

“Uh, kinda.”

“Yeah, I haven’t told Miya-chan or you yet, but I like Yuu-nii as, like, a guy. To you two, he’s the cool big brother, but to me… well, you know.”

Her tone and expression make it clear she’s genuinely into Yuu-nii. But, like, I’m into him too.

“So—”

Asaka turns to me, her face radiant under the moonlight, almost ethereal.

“You’ll root for me, right, Mahiru-chan?”