Chapter 4: Just a little more…

“Oh, nostalgic. Yeah, this gym was…”

It’s mid-April, a Saturday. I’ve gotten used to working at Moonlight Terrace and finally got a day off, so I’m visiting my old high school.

Cherry blossoms in full bloom line both sides of the tree-lined path running east to west through the campus, creating a stunning cherry blossom avenue. I stroll slowly, soaking in high school memories.

On the south side of the campus, the soccer team is practicing, while long-distance track runners circle the field.

Man, what a nostalgic scene.

Today, there’s a practice match for the girls’ volleyball team, and I came to check it out.

Not for any weird reason, I swear on my honor. It’s just that Mahiru’s the team captain, and I want to see how she’s doing—no sketchy motives here.

Thinking she’s at the same high school as me makes me a bit emotional. Guess I’m getting more sentimental with age.

I head to the second gym, the volleyball team’s base. Warm-ups seem to be done. The players are gathered by school, stretching.

As expected of the volleyball team—there are girls here bigger than me.

Now, where’s Kita High?

Mahiru, Mahiru…

There she is, in front of a banner with our school’s motto: “Spirit, Conviction, Clarity.”

She’s talking with the coach.

Going over now would probably interrupt.

I climb to the second floor and plop down in a random spot. This’ll be my cheering section.

Her talk seems done, so I call out.

“Hey, Mahiru!”

“?”

Caught off guard, Mahiru looks around, confused. I didn’t tell her I was coming today, by the way.

“Up here, up!”

Her small face tilts upward, and our eyes meet.

“Y-Yuu-nii!”

“Hey.”

Mahiru runs right below me. Up close, her face is red—probably from warm-ups.

“What, you’re here?”

“Came to cheer for Captain Mahiru.”

“Don’t tease me. How’d you even know about the match today?”

“One of our regulars at the shop is a mom of a player from the opposing school. I overheard they had a practice match with Kita High on Saturday.”

“That’s why you came?”

“Was that a bad idea? Oh, is your boyfriend here or something?”

“Nah, I don’t have a boyfriend. It’s fine to cheer, but don’t make a scene, okay?”

“Got it. I’ll just watch quietly from here.”

“…Pervert.”

“What—”

No, it’s not like that. I’m here with pure intentions.

I try to explain, but Mahiru turns on her heel and heads back to her teammates.

＊

Yuu-nii, here of all places.

For just a practice match.

Ugh.

“Mahiru-senpai, was that… your boyfriend?”

“Mahhi has a boyfriend?”

Teammates crowd around me.

“Hey, you finally got a boyfriend?”

“Oh, come on. No way. It’s not like that.”

“But you seemed pretty close, and your face is super red, senpai.”

“T-That’s just ‘cause it’s hot.”

“The windows are wide open.”

“So, one of the Ironclad Maidens has finally fallen…”

Who came up with that cringey, chuuni nickname?

“I said, he’s just like a big brother who’s looked out for me since I was little.”

“Hmm.”

“Oh, really?”

“Fine, we’ll let you off with that.”

“Ugh.”

Damn you, Yuu-nii.

Now it’s a whole thing.

I’ll give him a piece of my mind later.

“Come on, enough of that. The match is starting soon. It’s just a practice game, but don’t slack off.”

＊

The players form a circle.

Mahiru gives crisp instructions, and everyone listens closely.

“Kita High… Fight!” Mahiru shouts, and the team follows a beat later.

“Oh!”

The match begins.

I don’t know much about volleyball rules, but basically, you smash the ball into the opponent’s court, right?

The ball flies back and forth, players leaping, diving, sliding—total chaos.

Mahiru’s holding her own as captain.

When a teammate messes up, she rushes over to support them. When our team scores, she celebrates louder than anyone, firing up the others.

“She’s… grown so much.”

Memories of the tomboyish Mahiru flood back.

That Mahiru.

That tiny, cocky, oddly confident Mahiru, leading her team as captain.

Seeing her now, I feel the weight of ten years all over again.

My eyes start to burn.

“Uooooh, Mahiru!”

Before I know it, I’m on my feet, shouting.

＊

“Ugh, what’s with that old guy, crying while cheering?”

“It’s just a practice match…”

“Mahhi, that’s the guy from earlier, right?”

“Haha, yeah, but he’s not a bad guy. Focus on the game.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

“Mahiru, go for it!”

…I can’t focus.

Does that guy have no sense of shame?

Yelling that loud.

Goddamn idiot, Yuu-nii.

The cheering itself… I’m kinda glad, though.

＊

The match ends with Kita High’s victory.

On the way home.

Crows fly across the sunset sky.

Among salarymen heading home and housewives shopping, Mahiru and I walk side by side.

“Don’t go crying like that as a grown adult. It was embarrassing.”

“But, but, Mahiru, you’ve grown so much… ugh.”

Oh no, he’s crying again.

What a guy.

“There, there.”

I sidle up and pat Yuu-nii’s head.

“…Don’t treat me like a kid!”

“You’re the one crying.”

“Man, that was amazing. I didn’t know spikes could be that fast.”

“Even girls can easily hit over 100 kilometers an hour.”

“That’s wild.”

Yuu-nii suddenly stops and looks at me.

His eyes lock onto mine.

“Ten years… it’s a long time.”

He says it out of nowhere.

“Well, yeah.”

Walking home together.

Our shadows stretch forward, both about the same length.

 

2

 

—Monday lunch break.

“I’m starving!”

“Hey, Miya!”

Mahiru calls from the classroom doorway.

“Coming!”

Students unwind from morning classes, hanging out with friends in their favorite spots.

The cafeteria, a window-side table.

It’s always packed at lunch, so getting a seat is a struggle. Today, we managed to snag one inside. On bad days, we eat on the grass outside. Though, when the weather’s nice, that’s not so bad.

“You eat a ton, as always.”

In front of Mahiru is a massive katsu donburi set. Even guys struggle to finish it, but she polishes it off easily. When she’s in a mood, she’ll even get seconds—terrifying.

Guess her chest was destined to grow like that. I’m pretty big myself, but Mahiru’s on another level.

“Had gym first period today. How do you get by with so little, Miya?”

My lunch is a sandwich, salad, and pudding for dessert. Nothing special. Just a typical high school girl’s meal.

“Oh, Mahiru, didn’t you have a practice match on Saturday?”

“Yeah, against Nishi High.”

Mahiru takes a bite of katsu.

“How’d it go?”

“We won, obviously.”

Mahiru puffs out her chest proudly.

“Congrats. That’s awesome.”

Our school’s girls’ volleyball team is a local powerhouse. They’ve produced national team players in the past, and when Mahiru was a freshman, they went to nationals.

“But it was tough, you know? We had an unexpected problem.”

“Huh? Really? Unexpected?”

That’s rare.

Did someone drop out last minute? Or maybe the coach couldn’t make it?

Mahiru grins for some reason.

“Yuu-nii showed up to cheer, and it was a whole thing.”

“Oh, Yuu-nii…”

What?

“Yuu-nii’s such a hassle. Crying his eyes out, yelling ‘Mahiru!’ and ‘Go for it!’ So embarrassing. Give me a break.”

“Oh.”

Mahiru’s face flushes as she talks.

Across from her, my face is red for a different reason.

“Grown man crying in public like that—for a practice match? Is it really that moving? Totally threw off my focus.”

“Oh.”

It sounds like complaining, but her face is unmistakably lovestruck.

“And then he started crying again on the way home. Like, ten years pass, of course people grow up. Stop treating me like a kid, you know?”

“Oh.”

What?

Why Yuu-nii?

“He heard about it from some customer who’s a parent at the other school. I didn’t even tell him, but he showed up anyway. Not like I asked him to.”

Mahiru says with a smile.

“…Oh.”

Grr.

Didn’t ask him to?

Stop treating you like a kid?

Sounds like humble-bragging to me.

“Yuu-nii’s always been like that, right? Meddling, or maybe just overprotective.”

“…Yeah.”

Jealousy burns inside me. He knows I’m struggling, yet he’s all cozy with Mahiru.

My best friend since kindergarten, practically family for over ten years… and she’s pulling ahead like this.

Wait.

Those flushed cheeks, that dreamy look. Does she have a thing for Yuu-nii?

A chill runs down my spine.

If so, that’s bad.

I don’t know Yuu-nii’s type, but if it’s about chest size, I’m definitely losing.

Come to think of it, when we reunited, didn’t she subtly press her chest against him while pretending to hug?

If Yuu-nii’s into that…

“Awawawa.”

“Foam?”

That’s it—she’s trying to seduce him.

She told me in middle school how embarrassed she was when guys stared, but now she’s weaponizing it?

What a shameless creature…

“Oh, we talked about it then. Wanna all hang out together sometime?”

“Totally♪”

“Wanna get back to how things were? I wanna go back to the old days, all of us hanging out. I’ll help you out.”

Yes, yes!

Mahiru’s so kind. Same age, but she’s like a big sister, always looking out for me.

I’ve always admired that about her♪

Best friends are the best.

My bestie since kindergarten.

“Mahiru, you can have my pudding.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yup.”

“Then let’s not waste time. I’ll call Yuu-nii.”

Mahiru pulls out her phone.

“Oh, I don’t have his contact. Do you, Miya?”

“I haven’t exchanged yet either. Just call Moonlight Terrace for now.”

“Good idea.”

A spring breeze blows through the open window. A refreshing wind fills my heart too.

 

3

 

4:30 PM. The plaza in front of the station.

“Hey, Yuu-nii.”

“Hi, Yuu-san.”

“Hey.”

A dark green blazer, checkered skirt, black loafers. The two in their high school uniforms arrive together.

“Sorry, did we keep you waiting?”

“Nah, I just got here.”

“Cool.”

Sounds like a date meet-up. Never thought I’d say those lines in my life. And with girls over ten years younger—current high schoolers…

Mahiru suggested we all hang out, including the mystery beauty, at lunch today.

A great chance to figure out her name, so I agreed instantly. But now that I think about it, is it ethical for a guy in his late twenties to hang out with high school girls?

Mahiru’s one thing, but the other’s a beautiful stranger…

What if people think it’s something shady? I’ve had plenty of misunderstandings in the past—almost got in trouble with the police, though it all got cleared up. I’m a bit worried.

“Here.”

Mahiru says, looping her arm around mine. An aggressive softness assaults my arm.

“W-What are you—”

“What? We used to hold hands all the time.”

“That was ages ago.”

“It’s fine, it’s like a date.”

“It’s not a date!”

Mahiru’s almost as tall as me now—actually, a few centimeters taller. When she presses close, her face is right there.

Oh, her eyelashes are pretty long. And her cherry-pink lips are so plump—

Idiot!

It’s Mahiru!

Sure, she’s grown into a beauty, but getting flustered over someone I’ve known since she was a kid, like a little sister? No way.

“Then I’ll take this hand.”

The mystery beauty gently takes my other hand.

I feel the warmth of her small palm.

What? What did I do?

Why is God putting me in this rom-com situation?

Am I gonna die tomorrow?

Or is this a reward for ten years of suffering at a toxic company?

Literally a flower in each hand.

Passersby—especially guys—glare at me.

“No, no, this is bad. Both of you, let go.”

I forcibly shake them off.

“Muu.”

“Tch. Fine. So, where to?”

“Didn’t plan anything specific. Got somewhere you wanna go?”

“What, Yuu-nii? You’ve got two high school girls with you and no plan?”

“Don’t say it like that.”

“Um, I’d like to go to karaoke.”

The mystery beauty suggests.

“Karaoke? Sounds good. You cool with that, Yuu-nii?”

“Yeah.”

And so, we head to karaoke.

＊

Heh, Miya’s freaking out, huh?

If she doesn’t drop that pointless pride, she’ll get left behind.

Yuu-nii’s arm was all firm and warm.

I touch my chest lightly.

My heart’s pounding so hard you can tell even through my blazer.

＊

We arrive at a nearby karaoke place. The receptionist gives me a suspicious look, but I ignore it.

“Um, three for free time. Oh, can just two get the student discount? Then—”

“…!”

My eyes light up.

Here’s my chance.

Student discounts require showing ID, and IDs have names.

It might be sneaky, but if I “accidentally” see it, that’s not my fault, right? At least catching a single character shouldn’t be a big deal.

It’s impossible to guess a stranger’s full name without some shortcut like this.

Mahiru and the mystery beauty pull out their student IDs. I subtly shift my body.

Ugh, tilt your head a bit more.

Damn, Mahiru’s chest is blocking her hand, so I can’t see a thing.

Wait, there’s a mirror behind the counter. Maybe I can catch a reflection. As I think that, my eyes meet the beauty’s in the mirror.

“Ah!”

“You were trying to cheat, weren’t you? Bad boy.”

The beauty wags her index finger.

“Yuu-nii, that’s low.”

Ugh, caught.

“Do you smoke, Yuu-san?”

“Nah.”

“Then a non-smoking room, please.”

We grab drinks from the drink bar and head to the room.

“Ahh, ahh. Alright, let’s sing!”

Like a typical high school girl, Mahiru picks recent pop love songs. Back in the day, we watched shonen anime together, but she’s definitely a girl now.

Mahiru sings with flair, moving her hands.

She’s pretty good.

Her voice carries well, and her rhythm’s on point.

While I’m vibing to Mahiru’s singing, a familiar song pops up on the reservation screen.

“○utter-Fly”

Oh, nice.

I was gonna sing that later.

Studies show no guy in his twenties can leave karaoke without singing it.

“Hm? You pick that, Mahiru?”

“Nope.”

“Huh? Then…”

“Me.”

The mystery beauty grabs the mic, looking confident.

“Wow, you know this one? It’s from an anime when I was a kid, over twenty years ago.”

“Hehe, I used to hear it a lot at a friend’s house.”

It’s a male vocalist’s song, but she nails it. I can’t help but clap.

“Ehehe.”

Her song choices keep hitting my nostalgia.

“Ka○buta”

“○e”

“○atch You Catch Me”

“Thirsty ○bi”

“Me○issa”

“With the ○ind”

They bring back childhood memories.

Coming home from school, skipping homework, playing at a friend’s house, gaming…

＊

How’s that, Yuu-nii?

Nostalgic, right?

All songs from anime we watched together, either reruns or DVDs you borrowed.

Remember?

If I hit you with these old-school tunes, it’ll jog your memory, and—

“Wait, these are all ones I watched with Miya and the others… A girl this age knowing such old songs? Wait, could it be—you’re Miya?”

“You finally noticed, Yuu-nii.”

“To think you grew into such a beauty!”

“Fufu.”

I sneak a glance at Yuu-nii.

“Ugh, sniff.”

What!?

He’s crying!?

Why?

“Those days… they were so fun. No stress, just… every day was great… so many friends… sniff.”

Oh no.

I wanted him to remember ten years ago, but I sent him back to his childhood—twenty years ago.

What kind of tough times did he go through in Tokyo to cry over childhood memories?

“Hey, Yuu-nii.”

Mahiru slides over and pulls his head close.

“Ugh, Mahiru—stop patting me. It’s embarrassing.”

“Hehe.”

Tch.

I mentally click my tongue.

That chest, subtly pressing against Yuu-nii again…

Operation “Stimulate Memories with Anime Theme Songs” failed.

 

4

 

Death.

Fire.

Darkness.

Bugs.

Distinct from instinctive fears, there’s trauma—a psychological wound acquired later in life.

Its causes vary widely. Bullying, power harassment, sexual harassment, or witnessing shocking accidents or incidents.

It’s different for everyone.

The trickiest part is that what seems trivial to others can cause immense pain and stress to the person affected.

Specific objects, places, smells, sounds, situations…

They revive past trauma, chaining down those living in the present. I wish for a kinder world where people respect each other.

＊

10:30 PM. My phone rings.

Prrrrrr.

“Eek.”

It’s my boss, the sales manager.

Cold sweat runs down my sides, and my chest tightens. With a bad feeling, I have no choice but to answer.

“Hey, Aritsuki?”

“Uh, good work, sir.”

“You free?”

His tone is unusually gentle.

“Uh, yeah, I guess.”

“Just got a call from the center. Apparently, we’re one 500ml sauce short for G** store.”

“Oh.”

The worst.

“Sorry, but can you deliver it now?”

“What? Now?”

“Yeah.”

My job’s at a mid-sized food manufacturer, doing delivery sales. Our sales team handles deliveries to nearby stores too.

We deliver products directly from the factory to retailers, but some stores go through a logistics center, where transporters handle final delivery.

“Please.”

“To G** store?”

His tone shifts abruptly.

“You idiot!! Think about the time! No one’s at the store now!”

(You’re the one who needs to think about time.)

“S-Sorry.”

“Tch.”

When a shortage is found during the center’s picking, we have to deliver directly. Flexible stores might let it slide with a morning delivery and apology, but the shortage complaint stays on record.

Our sales team’s motto is same-day resolution to avoid that.

Damn, who was today’s shipping guy?

“But going to the center now would take five hours round-trip—”

“Just come straight to work after. Their trucks leave at 3 AM, right? Plenty of time. I’ll let you nap a bit.”

“B-But—”

“No buts, idiot. Wasting time whining is the problem. Just go! Moron!”

＊

I jolt awake, drenched in sweat.

“Ugh, the worst.”

A bad dream. From my old job.

And of all scenes, that one.

I got treated like crap at that company, but late-night shortage deliveries were the worst. Driving for hours with no sleep—nearly crashed so many times.

In the sales team, we called late-night calls from the manager “the devil’s ring.” Ignoring it meant getting chewed out the next day…

Looking back, why did I stay at that place for ten years?

Ten precious years of my twenties. Enough time for a kid to grow into an adult. Did I grow at all in those ten years…?

I glance at the clock.

4 AM.

Outside, the window’s shrouded in dim darkness, a cold night breeze rippling the curtains.

I slip back into bed but can’t sleep.

“Ugh, no good.”

Closing my eyes, the dream threatens to flash back. I end up working the whole day sleep-deprived, but I’m used to it.

＊

“Been a while since I came up to Yuu-nii’s room.”

That night, Mahiru stops by the shop after club and says she wants to visit my room, so I let her in. Letting a high school girl into my room would be a scandal, but it’s Mahiru, so it’s fine.

“Nothing special here.”

“Yeah, same as always.”

Mahiru flops onto my bed. Her ample chest bounces.

“Man, I’m wiped.”

“Good job, Captain.”

“Stop calling me that, it’s embarrassing.”

“Hahaha.”

I sit on the edge of the bed.

Back then, three brats could roll around on it with room to spare. Now, one takes up over half.

“You’re thinking something rude, aren’t you?”

“Idiot. As if.”

“Hmm.”

Mahiru smirks devilishly.

“Kinda nostalgic. You three used to come to my room every day to play.”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, right.”

“Hm?”

“Next time, bring Miya along.”

I haven’t seen Miya since moving back to Fujinomiya. Mahiru could bring her, but she’s always with that mystery beauty. They couldn’t have grown apart or had a falling out… right?

“Uh, well…”

Mahiru’s face stiffens briefly before she sits up suddenly.

“Right, Yuu-nii. Give me your contact info.”

She scoots next to me. A sweet scent hits me—deodorant, Mahiru’s smell, and a hint of sweat, all mixed into something intoxicating… Am I a pervert?

“We haven’t exchanged yet, right? Phone number, LINE, and email too.”

Mahiru pulls out her phone.

“Sure, fine.”

“If you disappear for another ten years, I’d be in trouble.”

“Idiot. I’m done leaving this town. Oh, but I don’t use LINE.”

“Huh? Why?”

Mahiru tilts her head obviously.

“‘Cause it shows when you’ve read a message.”

“What’s with that dark reason? Fine, just give me your number.”

I tell Mahiru my number.

“I’ll call you once so you can save it.”

“Huh? Wait, Mahiru—”

Before I can stop her, her pale finger taps the screen. A moment later, the ringtone echoes through the room—

Prrrrrr.

“—!”

The inorganic sound hits my ears, and everything goes white. A sickening feeling, like my blood’s flowing backward, hits me. My breathing gets ragged.

“Hey, Aritsuki?”

A hallucination whispers in my ear.

My eyes lose focus, nausea rising.

“Ugh, haa, haa.”

I clutch my chest, leaning forward.

“Huh? Y-Yuu-nii?”

Sticky sweat pours from my body, breathing hard. Mahiru’s face pales at my sudden change.

“You okay? S-Should I call an ambulance?”

“No, I-I’m fine, haa, haa.”

No need for that. I stop Mahiru from dialing 119.

“W-What? What’s wrong?”

She looks at me, worried. Right, I haven’t told her. I’m scared of phone ringtones.

For years, a ringing phone meant the devil’s demands.

Sometimes sent to another prefecture for someone else’s mistake, other times delivering shortages late at night.

“It’s embarrassing, but…”

Swallowing my shame, I confess to Mahiru.

The breathlessness lingers.

“That’s the deal.”

She must be disappointed.

A grown man scared of ringtones…

“It’s not embarrassing!”

“Huh?”

Mahiru grabs my arm and pulls me close.

My face buries in her full chest.

“W-Wait, Mahiru—”

“Here.”

Mahiru pulls me down, and we end up embracing on the bed. Like a mother holding her child, my face is enveloped.

“That must’ve been tough, Yuu-nii.”

She gently strokes my head.

“Nothing to be scared of. It’s just you and me here.”

Her warmth seeps into me.

“If it’s tough, tell me anything. We’re close, right? I’ll take it all on.”

“Mahiru…”

“I used to always need your help ten years ago, but it’s different now.”

Her embrace tightens.

“…Thanks.”

“Hehe.”

Before I know it, my racing heart calms.

 

5

 

Six people gathered around a large hall’s table, sitting in silence. They steal glances at each other. They know there’s a murderer among them.

Suspicious gazes probe, and the atmosphere grows increasingly tense.

As the stifling air spreads, tension and doubt dominate their thoughts. Unable to bear the pressure, one woman stands. A flashy gal with heavy makeup and revealing clothes, very modern.

“Ugh, I’m done! I can’t stand being with a murderer!”

Her long brown hair swings as she storms out. Her companions call after her.

“Hey, wait!”

“Being alone is the real danger!”

“Come back!”

“Don’t follow me!”

The men chase, but she slips into her room and locks the door just in time.

Click, the lock snaps shut.

“Hey, open the door!”

“What, are you the killer? Gonna murder me?”

“No, it’s safer if we stick together!”

“I’m not staying with the jerk who killed Taru-kun and Mii-san!”

The man bangs on the door, but there’s no response.

“Both of them were targeted when they were alone!”

“…”

“Damn it, idiot.”

Giving up, he sighs and walks away.

＊

“Cut!”

As the woman who locked herself in—me—I step out.

“How was it?”

“Good job, Miya. Solid acting.”

The mystery novel club president, Seina-chan, hands me a towel.

“Thanks, Seina-chan.”

“You really stand out on camera.”

“Ehehe.”

The mystery novel club’s main activities include publishing a magazine of member-written stories and holding critique sessions, but this year, we’re ambitiously making a film.

We’re collaborating with the film and drama clubs, aiming to screen it at the fall culture festival. And somehow, I got cast as the lead.

I’m not big on attention, so I tried to decline, but Seina-chan’s desperate persuasion won me over.

“Was it weird?”

“Nailed it.”

Seina-chan gives a thumbs-up. The film’s based on her mystery novel.

“You totally gave off ‘this girl’s about to get killed’ vibes.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Of course.”

“Alright then.”

We’re at a rental villa in the suburbs. A club member’s relative owns it, so we got it cheap.

We’re shooting over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, practically a training camp.

“I’ve barely acted before.”

I’m not used to cameras or even being in front of people.

It’s barely okay since it’s just club members, but thinking about the whole school watching this later makes my stomach hurt.

“It’s a bit stiff, but you pass. The buzz of Ironclad Maiden starring will matter more. Hehe, it’ll be a hit.”

“Stop with that nickname. This is a one-time thing, okay?”

By the way, my role isn’t victim C—it’s the true culprit. The plan is to fake my death, shifting my status from suspect to victim to make later crimes easier.

“Gal makeup’s been a while since the cosplay contest freshman year. These clothes are all frilly and skimpy—it’s embarrassing.”

“You totally pull off the ‘super dumb’ vibe. Awesome.”

“Is that a compliment?”

We shoot the scene where I’m found as a corpse. Blood paste is surprisingly sweet. I’ve got complaints, but it’s kinda fun.

“Okay, let’s take a break, then shoot all of Haruyama-san’s scenes today.”

The film club girl directing calls out.

“Okay!”

“Next is your big reveal as the murderer, so get into character.”

Seina-chan pats my shoulder. She’s got high expectations.

“Easier said than done.”

Break time.

I love mystery novels, but understanding a murderer’s grudge enough to kill? No clue.

I only took the lead because Seina-chan begged, but I’m better suited for behind-the-scenes stuff.

Sipping tea from my thermos, I sit and check my phone. There’s a LINE from Mahiru.

“What’s this?”

I open the chat.

“Fell asleep from exhaustion lol” with a photo.

Mahiru’s selfie, hugging someone’s head.

“Hm? T-This is…”

The face is buried in her chest, but it’s a guy.

“…”

Slightly thinning hair.

“…”

The shape of his ear and a mole behind it.

“…”

A familiar room.

“…”

I instantly know who it is.

“…”

Mahiru notices I’ve seen it and sends another message.

“Yuu-nii won’t wake up, ugh lol.”

“…”

＊

“Action!”

As the true culprit, I approach the final victim with a prop knife. Step by step, with a demonic expression, I close the distance and lunge.

“Uoraaaa!”

“Eeee!”

“You stole my beloved!”

“Kyaaa!”

“It’s all your fault! You filthy pig!”

“Someone, help!”

“Because of you, everyone’s dead!”

“Noooo!”

Screams I’d never normally make come easily. My hair stands on end, my sharp gaze caught on camera.

“Hya hahaha, you’re the last! This finishes my revenge! Hee hee, hya haha!”

“Wow, Haruyama-san’s unreal!”

“So different from earlier. It’s like she’s possessed.”

“Ayame-chan’s legit crying.”

“Quiet Haruyama-san going this wild… it’s kinda awakening something.”

“President, we should stop her…”

“Yeah, this might be too much. The intensity’s off. Cut, cut!”

“Haa, haa.”

“M-Miya, tone it down a bit, okay?”

“Can’t.”

“Ayame-chan, you okay?”

The mystery club junior, Ayame-chan, clings to Seina-chan, her face wet with tears and snot.

“Naka-senpai!”

“That was scary, huh? There, there.”

“Grrrr.”

“What did you base your acting on?”

“Haa, haa.”

“Your eyes are bloodshot.”

I can’t control my emotions.

If I let my guard down, my sense of self might collapse, turning me into a mindless beast.

“Miya, a bit calmer. Ayame-chan’s okay now? Alright, action again.”

“Uooooraaaa!!”

“Cut!”

I ended up getting dropped from the lead role.

 

6

 

“Yuu-nii’s got a surprisingly clingy side.”

Mahiru says with a loving smile.

“Oh?”

“Are all guys like that? I’ve never had a boyfriend, so I don’t know.”

“Dunno.”

“He was shy at first, but he calmed down, and next thing I knew, he was asleep.”

“Oh.”

“We used to be the clingy ones back then, so letting Yuu-nii lean on me now isn’t bad.”

“Oh.”

“But it was a hassle. We were stuck like that for a solid hour.”

“Huh?”

“My arm was so numb.”

“Oh.”

“When he finally woke up, his face was bright red. Like, we’re not strangers, so don’t be shy. We used to be way closer back then.”

“…Yeah.”

“And then, bad timing, my mom showed up.”

“Oh.”

“She said, ‘Reminds me of old times.’ Yuu-nii stumbling over excuses was so like back then, it was funny.”

“Haha.”

Behind the gym. We couldn’t get a cafeteria seat, so Mahiru and I are eating lunch here. Both brought bentos today.

Sitting on the flowerbed’s edge, we have a pleasant lunch. Butterflies flutter, and the spring sun feels nice.

On top of her bento, Mahiru’s eating a side of bread and snacks. Still trying to grow bigger?

After finishing my bento, I ask.

“By the way, Mahiru.”

There’s something important I haven’t asked.

“What?”

“Who hugged who first?”

A brief pause.

“Huh? Me.”

“Hmm.”

“And then—”

“Me, huh?!”

What’s with trying to brush it off, you big-chested girl?

“Huh?”

“Huh, my ass!”

“What? I don’t get it. How does it end up with you hugging Yuu-nii, pushing him down, and sleeping together on a bed? If that’s not a vixen move, what is? You lewd-chested fiend!”

“No, he was the one asleep, I was awake!”

“That’s not the point!”

“Calm down. Look, there’s a deep reason for this.”

Mahiru’s face turns serious.

“Deep reason?”

It better not be “my deep cleavage” or something.

“Yeah. He said it’s okay to tell you and Asaka, so—”

Mahiru recounts the horrible treatment Yuu-nii faced in Tokyo and his trauma with phone ringtones, chilling details.

I hear my teeth grinding.

“That’s awful…”

“Yeah, he seemed bothered by it too.”

“…”

“To us, a phone ringtone’s just a normal thing. But Yuu-nii was forced to live in fear of it in Tokyo…”

“That’s cruel.”

“Right?”

I could understand a movie murderer’s feelings now. Dark emotions boil inside me. This must be what they mean by “my blood boils.”

“I can’t forgive anyone who hurts Yuu-nii.”

“I’m with you there.”

“…”

Silence falls.

“…Mahiru, sorry. I was jealous without knowing the situation.”

“It’s fine.”

A tear rolls down my cheek.

It drips to the ground.

“H-Huh?”

“Miya?”

“S-Sorry, I don’t know why.”

Tears keep falling. I wipe them, but they won’t stop.

I feel foolish, still unable to say my name when Mahiru and Yuu-nii are already sharing such struggles. To him, I’m just a stranger now.

Obsessed with my petty pride, being stubborn… what am I doing?

“Hic, sniff.”

Mahiru closes the distance silently and hugs my head. My face buries in her soft chest.

So warm.

“What’s wrong?”

She asks gently.

“I-I… I was scared you and Yuu-nii were moving forward without me… I got jealous.”

“Oh.”

“I got mad seeing you two so close, but you’re both so important to me… ugh, uuu.”

“Sorry, Miya.”

“Huh?”

“When I said I’d help, I meant pushing you to move forward. I thought showing off how close we are would make you decide to reveal yourself… but it backfired.”

“…Decide?”

“All I want is for the four of us—you, me, Yuu-nii, and Asaka—to be together again.”

“Me too.”

Yeah, how happy would it be to be like ten years ago, the four of us together?

“Yuu-nii’s worried about you too.”

“Ugh.”

But—

“Can I be stubborn a little longer?”

I still want him to notice me first.

I want to show him how much I’ve changed.

Mahiru gently strokes my head.

“It’s fine to try hard, but know when to quit. If you keep being stubborn, you’ll break too.”

“Yeah. Sorry, I got your uniform wet.”

Her shirt’s a bit damp from my tears.

“It’s fine. Man, everyone around me’s such a crybaby.”

Mahiru laughs.

“We’re the same age, but you’re like a cute little sister. I’m rooting for you.”

“…I was born first, though.”

“Don’t compete over that.”