Chapter 7: Observer
A full week had passed since the exam was announced. And now Thursday, the day of the results, had finally arrived.
The only lingering concerns would be my encounter with Ike and the others at the cafe, and the unexpected contact from Hoshinomiya-sensei. Aside from that, there had been no reports of trouble from any of my classmates.
The incident with Hoshinomiya-sensei, however, was rather unfortunate; any interference from her could only be detrimental to the alliance. Still, it also reflected just how desperately she wanted to win.
Nevertheless, this time, the playing field remained completely level. In fact, it was unclear whether any real gap had formed at all. Even Ryuen’s class had conducted themselves with uncharacteristic calm, avoiding any aggressive moves against the other classes. It seemed likely that victory would come down to the smallest of margins.
As I was waiting in the morning classroom for my classmates to arrive, Hashimoto came briskly through the door, looking troubled.
“We’ve got a problem, Ayanokoji, at the very last moment, Rokkaku and Yano are out. Absent for sure.”
“Ryuen?”
“That’s what I thought too, but… nope. No contact to speak of. They just got sick and came down with a fever.”
According to Hashimoto’s explanation, the two suspected a possible cause for their fevers: a few days earlier, when Rokkaku and the others were shopping, a visibly ill store clerk at the mall had sneezed directly on them, an incident they believed to be the trigger.
From the sound of it, it seemed to be an unavoidable and unforeseen event. Rokkaku and Yano had identified the cause of their illness and, importantly, hadn’t done anything reckless like forcing themselves to attend school. There was no fault to be found in their decision.
“If today’s tardies and absences don’t affect the results, that’d be nice… but it’s not gonna be that easy, is it?”
“Probably not,”
Most likely, the scope of the exam extended right up to this morning's attendance, covering this entire week. If that's the case, then this absence may have dealt a fatal blow to our neck-and-neck competition.
“At this point, all we can do is pray that your prediction is ninety percent wrong, and that this exam turns out to be something completely unrelated.” Hashimoto muttered with a wry smile.
It was a faint hope, but one he clung to nonetheless, the unknown rules and hidden content of the test still left room for possibilities.
“I don’t think it will be a problem for this class, but make sure to thoroughly tell everyone, not to slander the two who are absent. Even if we end up losing because of it, it won’t have any lasting effect on the class as a whole.”
“I figured you’d say that, I’ve already spread the word.” He lifted his phone, showing me the screen where a message had just been sent out to the group.
As time passed, more classmates filtered into the room. Upon hearing the circumstances, faint traces of disappointment and unease flickered across their faces. But the expressions didn’t linger long. One by one, they adjusted, sat at their desks, and accepted the reality before them. They knew well that no amount of panic could recover the evaluation points they had already lost.
Still, not all hope was abandoned. A few of them, sharing in Hashimoto’s wish that the exam might yet prove unrelated, bent over their desks and pressed on with their studies.
Part 1
After school, Ichinose had invited me to meet so we could talk a little about the results of the exam. That was how, for the first time in a week, I found myself heading back to the second floor of Keyaki Mall, to the gym’s entrance.
Just outside, I noticed a familiar figure. Watanabe was standing, gazing up at the gym sign. He lingered, walked a few steps past the door, then circled back again. Over and over, he repeated the same routine— approach, hesitate, retreat. No matter how close he got, he never crossed the threshold.
“What are you doing?”
Hearing my voice he jumped in surprise, whipping around. “Wh-whoa, Ayanokoji!? H-hey, long time no see. W-what a coincidence... haha.”
His words tumbled out awkwardly, fragments of broken speech betraying his nerves. He even raised a hand, as if to disguise his unease with a casual gesture.
“I was kinda thinking 'bout joining the gym, ya know? You could say I've awakened this desire to work out and get a lean, muscular build? And like, if I could go to the gym with Amikura, maybe we could spend more time together. So… yeah, a bit of both reasons, I guess?”
Neither of those reasons were bad. But from the way he said it, it was clear which motive was stronger.
“If that's your plan, you should just go for it. I'd be happy if you joined too, Watanabe, since it'd give me someone else to talk to.”
“R-really!?” His eyes lit up as if I’d just handed him a lifeline. “Then, could you, uh, let me say that you were the one who invited me here!?”
Rather than taking the final step himself, it seemed like he wanted someone to give him a final push.
“Sure, I'm totally fine with that.”
When I readily agreed, Watanabe seemed genuinely happy, his eyes sparkling with delight.
“I'm meeting Ichinose after this, but do you want to join right now, maybe as a trial session? I'm guessing Amikura will probably come too.”
“W-wait— straight into a real debut!?” His voice cracked, but then he drew in a sharp breath and gave a determined nod.
For a second, I thought he’d back down, but it seems he has made up his mind.
Yet, the second we faced the gym’s entrance, his bold steps came to an abrupt halt.
“…Isn’t this a little too obvious?” he muttered.
“Well, I can't deny that. Girls, in particular, seem to be sensitive when it comes to romance. If you, Watanabe, who has never had any connection to the gym before, suddenly join the circle, it's conceivable that Ichinose, or in some cases, Amikura herself, might get suspicious.”
I let him chew on that, layering my words with enough analysis for him to grasp the implication.
“That’s no good! At this stage, if Amikura figures it out, I’m done for!” He threw his hands up, already picturing how suspicious he’d look.
“Still, sometimes letting someone know how you feel can be a strategy in itself.”
“M-maybe so, but I’m not some seasoned veteran like you, Ayanokoji… I’m more like, y’know, a rookie hero in an RPG who hasn’t even left the starting village yet. At level one, there’s no way I can handle that…”
I didn't quite understand his analogy, but it seemed he wanted to avoid having Amikura know his feelings for now.
“Then maybe you should hold off on joining?” I suggested.
“Mm… I do want more chances to talk with her, even if it’s just a little more… but…” His words trailed off, conflict written plainly on his face.
“In that case, there’s another way. It’s a bit roundabout, but you could camouflage your true purpose.”
“Camouflage?”
“Hide a tree in the forest,” I suggested, though perhaps the phrase was a bit dramatic. “If two or three people besides you joined the gym at the same time, it’d be much harder to stand out. You’d just be one among the group invited, and no one would suspect a thing.”
“Oh, that’s a solid plan. You think you can get someone from your class to join?”
“Not from Class C. If you want to naturally slip into Ichinose and Amikura’s circle, the best choice would be someone from Class D.”
Besides, involving Class C could cause problems once the alliance framework eventually comes off.
“Yeah… that makes sense. If it’s a classmate, I can get closer without it feeling forced. But… who would actually agree to join?”
This was the first real interaction I’d had with Watanabe since my transfer. Despite moving from Class A to Class C, he hadn’t said a word about it. It didn’t look like he was avoiding the subject intentionally, more like he simply didn’t care.
“I'm not that familiar with Class D, but what about Shibata? Since he's in the soccer club, he probably doesn't mind physical activity, and he could further build up his body at the gym—”
“That's absolutely impossible.”
Before I could finish, Watanabe’s eyes shot wide, and he grabbed my shoulders.
“Impossible, huh?”
“That’s cruel, Ayanokoji. You don’t even know the reason, and that just makes it worse. If Shibata ever saw you and Ichinose together, the guy would probably cry his eyes out…”
“…Huh?”
He added something under his breath after “impossible,” but it was too faint for me to make out.
Recovering quickly, Watanabe crossed his arms. “Look, he could become a rival for Amikura, right? Shibata's surprisingly popular with the girls.”
“I see. I hadn't considered that perspective.”
It was true, I had almost no information about the web of feelings and undercurrents in Class D.
Watanabe sighed. “But on the other hand, I can’t think of anyone who’d actually join. It costs money to sign up, after all.”
Asking someone to spend that much just out of obligation without having any interest in joining themselves wasn’t exactly a light request.
“In that case, I have an idea. Provided, of course, that they won't be a potential rival for you, Watanabe.”
“Who exactly are you thinking of?”
“Kanzaki, Himeno, and Hamaguchi. Wouldn’t those three be safe choices?”
“That’s… kind of a weird trio, isn’t it? Himeno's a girl, and Kanzaki and Hamaguchi aren't the types to become love rivals, but... I can't picture them going to a gym at all.”
“Not necessarily, if Kanzaki’s motivated, there’s a fair chance we could work something out.”
“…Really?” Watanabe tilted his head, not following my logic.
“If you’re okay with it, I’ll try reaching out to them myself.”
“Well, I mean… yeah, sure.”
In truth, I’d originally intended to use Kanzaki and the others as catalysts to help spark change within Ichinose.
She had shown signs of progress, even beyond my expectations, a progress that should have pleased Kanzaki. But whether he truly believed her change to be genuine, or merely temporary… that was another matter entirely.
The fact that, even after hearing about the alliance, he hadn’t approached me was proof enough that his doubts still lingered.
Up until now, our interactions had been fleeting at best. In the coming months, it would be crucial to bridge that gap, to carve out more time for meaningful dialogue.
No matter how much Ichinose had cast aside her doubts, no individual could win alone. Raising the level of students like Kanzaki, Himeno, Watanabe, and Amikura was an indispensable part of the process.
The idea of turning the gym into a meeting ground with Class D had been a spur-of-the-moment thought, but if it worked, it might prove surprisingly useful.
“For now,” I told him, “hold off on joining today. Give me some time. I’ll try to pull Kanzaki and the others in, and create an opportunity for you to naturally get closer to Amikura.”
Watanabe’s face brightened, though he quickly tried to rein it in. “O-Oh. Thanks, Ayanokoji. You really are a good guy, you know?”
With that, he turned away and headed down the stairs. He tried to hide his excitement, but his steps betrayed him, carrying him down in light bounces and skips.
There's still a little time before Ichinose arrives, but I guess I'll get changed and start training.
As I was at the reception desk, presenting my membership card to check in, a student came in behind me.
“...Hello…”
It was Utomiya from Class 2-C.
I'd never seen him at the gym before, but could he be a member?
Perhaps thinking I might be suspicious, he spoke with an uneasy look.
“I was just a little curious, so I came to take a look.” he muttered stiffly. ”Um… senpai, do you come here often?”
It seems he might be considering joining. An unusual development, given how few members this gym had. Maybe it was about to gain a new face.
“Yeah. A friend invited me a little while ago, so I started coming.”
“I see. ...I get it.”
His response was curt. It was obvious, he had no interest in my habits here, nor in what impression I had of the gym.
“They offer free trial sessions,” I added anyway, perhaps a touch meddlesome. “If you’re interested, you could try one.”
“…I’ll think about it.”
The answer came cold, exactly as I’d expected. His tone made it abundantly clear, he had no intention of considering it.
As if displeased to have been caught weighing the idea of joining, he turned on his heel and left, retreating from the gym almost as soon as he had stepped in.
“That was Utomiya-kun, wasn’t it?” A light voice called out. I turned to see Akiyama-san passing by, “Are you two not on good terms? You looked a little tense with each other.”
“Not really, but I wouldn’t say we’re close, either.”
In truth, whenever I spoke with Utomiya, Tsubaki usually accompanied him. It was rare for us to interact one-on-one, and when we did, the conversations were shallow.
“But I'm surprised you knew Utomiya's name.”
“He’s been dropping by these past two days,” She explained. “I’ve run into him at the reception or entrance a few times, so we’ve had brief exchanges.”
“So, does that mean he's considering joining?”
Akiyama-san tilted her head thoughtfully, lips curving into a faint smile. “Hmm… maybe. That could be part of it. But honestly, I think he’s more interested in his kouhai-chan.”
“Kouhai?”
She nodded. “Yeah. A first-year girl he brought along just the other day. She joined two days ago, and from the looks of it, they seemed close. Maybe he dropped by today because he was curious about her.”
So, not someone he happened to meet recently, but perhaps an acquaintance from before, who had just enrolled?
“Looks like she’s not here yet, huh~”
“I see…”
Still, if they were truly acquainted, he wouldn’t need to show up here just to check on her. A simple message or call would have sufficed. Which might mean… perhaps they hadn’t known each other long enough to exchange contact information yet.
“By the way, that girl is incredibly athletic. On her first day, a crowd gathered where she was on the treadmill, so I took a look too, and she was maintaining 20 kilometers per hour for several minutes. Even after that, she just carried on training like nothing. Even Mashima-sensei was amazed.”
Twenty kilometers per hour. In a normal gym, that was practically unheard of. One misstep at that speed meant crashing hard against the belt, even the emergency stop wouldn’t slow the machine down fast enough to be safe. At most, it was something only seasoned track and field athletes, soccer players, or martial artists would attempt, that too, only in short bursts during specialized training.
For a first-year high school student, 15 or 16 years old, and a girl at that, to be able to do that means she's exceptionally skilled.
It was raw ability, something even some of the White Room students hadn’t been able to achieve before dropping out.
In any case, a remarkable prodigy had walked into this gym. But, why exactly was Utomiya so fixated on her?
As I let my thoughts drift in speculation Akiyama-san giggled softly.
“Maybe, there’s a little storm of love brewing.”
I see. Perhaps this, too, was one of those entanglements. The earnest feelings of Watanabe, the subtle maneuvering of boys surrounding Shiraishi. Romance, in forms I would never have recognized had I not once walked beside Karuizawa.
Suddenly, the image of Hiyori came to mind.
With each experience, I found myself growing more sensitive, more aware of the delicate patterns of affection woven around me and those close to me.
“Ah, right… there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask, is that okay?”
“What is it?”
“Well… about Mashima-sensei. How should I say this… Is he really just as he appears to me? There’s no chance he’s actually a playboy or anything… right?”
“I can’t absolutely deny the possibility that he might have such a side,” I answered carefully, “but I do think he’s a reliable teacher. I doubt he’s much different from the impression you already have of him.”
“R-Really? Thanks,” she murmured.
It wasn’t as though any major progress had happened between the two. Rather, it was Akiyama-san’s demeanor that hinted at the possibility of something yet to come.
The gym around us was unusually still. Neither Koenji nor the much-talked-about first-year were anywhere in sight, leaving the space oddly empty.
Part 2
After working up a good sweat, I left the gym with Ichinose and Amikura.
“Well then, I’ll take a little detour on the way home,” Amikura suddenly announced the moment we stepped outside. She quickly put some distance between us, waved her hand, and descended the escalator.
“She was in quite a hurry. Is she meeting someone?” I asked.
“Mm, I think she was just being considerate. So that you and I could talk alone, Ayanokoji-kun.”
Whether it was out of consideration for the bond between allied class leaders, or some other reason entirely. Either way, it wasn’t difficult to imagine her real intent.
“Would you like to walk home together? …Though after saying it like that, it’s kind of hard for you to refuse, isn’t it?”
“No, it’s fine. I was planning to head straight home anyway. Besides, we haven’t even had the chance to talk about the exam.”
“Really? I’m glad… that makes me happy,” she replied, looking up at me with a warm smile and slightly narrowed eyes.
Together, we stepped out of Keyaki Mall.
It was past six-thirty in the evening, but the sky hadn’t darkened yet. A sign that winter’s grip had finally loosened, letting the light linger a little longer each day.
“This time's result was unfortunate, wasn't it?” Ichinose said quietly.
“Even with strict health management, some things are unavoidable. It couldn’t be helped,” I replied.
As expected, the exam period was the entire past week. The evaluation focused on lifestyle and strict adherence to school regulations.
While the precise scoring breakdown remained undisclosed, it was reported that the four classes had performed almost evenly.
In the end, Ichinose’s class took first place, gaining +50 points. Horikita’s and Ryuen’s classes tied for second, splitting +10 points each. My class, crippled by two absentees, ended at the bottom with a -25.
At the very least, it was fortunate that Hoshinomiya-sensei’s reckless actions hadn’t been counted against us.
Horikita's Class: 1240 Points
Ryuen's Class: 1081 Points
Ayanokoji's Class: 867 Points
Ichinose's Class: 864 Points
There was no change in the class rankings, and the gap between Class A and Class D remained almost the same.
“There’s no major problem, as long as we win in the next special exam, it’ll balance out.”
“I see, that's very reassuring. I'll do my best to help as much as I can, too.”
“Of course. I’m counting on you,” I replied. Then, after a brief pause, I added, “Actually, there’s something else I wanted to consult with you about. I was thinking of increasing the number of gym members. Would it be alright if I invited a few people?”
“I think that’s a great idea. Honestly, I’ve been worrying a bit myself… the membership is kind of low, and I couldn’t help but think about the gym’s finances.”
Her agreement came without hesitation.
“But really, you don’t need my permission for something like that,” she added with a faint laugh.
“That’s not true. The ones I’m considering inviting are from your class.”
“Oh? Who?”
“I was thinking… Watanabe, Kanzaki, and Himeno.”
I spoke their names in a natural, offhand manner, careful not to betray any intention through the order or grouping. Hamaguchi’s name, however, I deliberately left unsaid.
But such subtle maneuvers were useless against her. Ichinose chuckled, her eyes gleamed knowingly.
“An interesting trio,” she mused. “Kanzaki-kun’s been feeling a little distant from me lately. On the other hand, I think I’ve grown closer to Himeno-san, we’ve even been talking together sometimes. Back when I was showing a weaker side, I could tell she was trying her best to support me. If we went to the gym together, it might help bridge the gap further. But… wouldn’t it make sense to invite Hamaguchi-kun too?”
She had read me perfectly. Not only my intentions, but also the fine details of her class’s interpersonal dynamics.
“And then there’s Watanabe-kun,” she added with a smile. “He just wants to get closer to Mako-chan, doesn’t he?”
I exhaled lightly, conceding. “Well done. So you figured it out, huh.”
My desire to support the gym was genuine, but she had effortlessly seen through the real reasons behind my selection.
“I can read you at least that much,” she said warmly. “But really, I welcome it. Watanabe-kun will be fine as long as I pretend not to know his true intentions. The only question is… will Kanzaki-kun and the others actually agree to join?”
“They’ll join. No… they must join, at the very least.”
Ichinose nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. It doesn’t always have to be through the gym, but sooner rather than later… I’ve felt we need to truly unite as a class.”
“Then I’ll invite them without hesitation.”
“Okay, thank you. That kind of support from you, Ayanokoji-kun, makes me really happy.”
Ichinose, standing to my right, gave me an innocent smile. For a moment, the back of her left hand slightly brushed against mine.
Slowly, her fingers drifted closer again, until our fingertips touched, briefly intertwining.
But then, as if realizing she had crossed some invisible line, Ichinose jerked her hand away in a panic. Her cheeks turned crimson as she averted her gaze, only to gradually lift her eyes back toward me again.
“S-sorry... I'm sorry. I just... felt like I wanted to touch you... even though we're just friends.”
Even if we knew everything about each other, the bond we shared remained within the confines of friendship.
Perhaps the difference was only in the words we used, yet between us stood a large immovable wall.
It would be easy to take that wavering hand in mine.
I'm sure Ichinose herself wouldn't dislike the action.
Her personality, her thoughts, her body— I didn’t dislike any of them.
On the contrary, she was more captivating than most people who lived their lives half-heartedly.
When I looked at her, she met my gaze with a flustered smile.
She also possessed a large capacity to accept me, even while knowing a part of my darkness.
Even so—
If asked whether I was swayed by the aspect of love at this very moment, the answer was no.
My thoughts drifted elsewhere. Back to that afternoon in the library, spent with Hiyori. Back to the sight of her standing quietly with the flower in her hands.
It was an atmosphere enveloped in a sense of happiness, a feeling I had never experienced before.
I clearly desired what I felt on that day, in that moment— an unfamiliar emotion I had never known before.
“…Who are you thinking about?”
As if slipping into my thoughts through our locked gazes, her lips moved to ask me.
“Why do you think that?” I asked calmly.
“Because you looked happy, I guess.”
Ichinose had always possessed an instinct for reading people, for catching subtle shifts in atmosphere. But ever since that night, that intuition had sharpened, grown keener than ever.
“Sorry,” she quickly backtracked, her voice faint, apologetic. “You don’t have to answer. It’s not something a friend should pry into… right?”
For just a moment, a lonely shadow crossed her expression, but it vanished almost as soon as it appeared, replaced by the gentle smile that defined her.
We walked the rest of the way in silence, maintaining a slight distance between us, until the dormitory came into view.
“I’ll be waiting for Kanazaki-kun and the others’ replies,”
“Yeah—” I answered, watching her dash lightly ahead into the dormitory, her figure disappearing through the doors.
Left behind, I lifted my gaze to the sky, stained with the deep orange hues of the setting sun.
The joy of discovering a new emotion.
The question of how that emotion would shape me, and how its influence would ripple outward onto others.
Would it eventually lead to prosperity, or ruin?
Or perhaps to something neither could define?
Right now, I was living in this moment— fulfilled, satisfied in a way I had never been before.
For that, I can only be deeply grateful.
Part 3
It was Thursday, just past 4:30 in the afternoon. At the same time that Ayanokoji was meeting with Ichinose and the others, Shiraishi quietly made her way to the restaurant, having been summoned there by a discreet message.
Unlike the bustling cafe, which drew most students at this hour, the restaurant, with its heavier focus on meals, was sparsely populated, its empty seats standing out in the stillness.
Slipping into a table at the far end, Shiraishi ordered a cup of tea through the tablet.
The taste was nothing worth praising, just the flavor of cheap tea brewed from a low-quality pack.
She couldn’t help but think, if the restaurant had matched the cafe’s quality, it would be thriving even at this hour. Instead, the silence was broken only by the occasional clink of cutlery and the distant hum of the kitchen.
Even so, it wasn’t completely deserted, there were a few scattered customers.
Just as her tea was being delivered, the door opened with a soft chime. Another student entered the restaurant and slid into the table directly behind her own.
From behind her, she could hear the electronic sound of the tablet being operated as they ordered something.
“Did I keep you waiting?” a voice asked gently from behind.
It was a surprisingly charming voice, unrefined, but firm, carrying strength beneath its tone.
“Please don't worry about it. I have only just arrived myself.”
“Are you sure this was a good place to meet?”
“Yes. Sitting back-to-back with a sofa between us, our voices still carry easily, isn't it convenient?”
“It’s true that with so few customers, it’s easy to talk. But on the other hand, that also means we stand out. Anyone who walks in can spot us instantly, it’s hard not to leave an impression.”
There was no nervousness in the tone, but beneath its composure lingered a sharp edge of vigilance.
The situation, where only the other person's voice reached her, worked to Shiraishi's advantage.
No one else, save the two of them, could possibly know the unusual stage upon which this meeting now quietly unfolded.
“Visually speaking, perhaps you’re right,” Shiraishi murmured calmly. “But from this back-to-back seating, no one could possibly infer our relationship. If someone’s eyes fall upon us, ours will fall upon them as well. As long as we don’t panic, there will be no problem.”
To the casual observer, it was nothing more than coincidence: Two students of different classes, different grades even, happened to dine at the same nearly empty restaurant.
The number of people who could suspect they had intentionally arranged to meet and were even conversing together would be exceedingly small.
“Ordinary students wouldn’t think twice,” Nanase said softly. “To them, it would look as though we were each waiting for someone else. But the number of people I need to watch out for is very small. If one of them, Ayanokoji-senpai, were to see us like this…”
“Even if he couldn’t make sense of it immediately, he would remember the image. Later, when necessary, he’d retrieve it from memory.” Shiraishi answered in her usual composed manner.
'On that day, at that time, Shiraishi and Nanase were sitting back-to-back in the restaurant. Perhaps they were pretending to be unrelated, discussing something they didn’t want overheard.'
He would begin a line of reasoning that an ordinary person wouldn’t arrive at.
“Knowing that, may I ask why you chose to leave such a risk?”
“The risk you fear Nanase-san, has already been eliminated,” Shiraishi replied smoothly. “Ayanokoji-kun entered the gym with Ichinose-san not long ago. At the very least, he won’t be out for an hour.”
Nanase pressed further, “You didn’t ask him directly, did you? Or send someone else to find out? Even that would be enough to raise doubts.”
The tone of her voice didn't change, but Shiraishi did not miss the faint trace of anxiety it contained.
“Don't worry. I've only exchanged morning greetings with him today.”
“Then, how did you ascertain Ayanokoji-senpai's location?”
“How I obtained the information is a trade secret.”
It was a phrase borrowed deliberately, one Ayanokoji himself had once used in a previous exchange with her.
“This is very rude of me, but if you used your friend, Nishikawa-senpai, I believe she is unsuitable. If she were to follow him carelessly, there is no way Ayanokoji-senpai wouldn't notice. It's quite possible he would suspect that you, her close friend Shiraishi-senpai, were behind it. Or does she possess some hidden ability?”
A subtle change occurred in Nanase's speech that an ordinary person wouldn't notice.
Only when she spoke Nishikawa's name was there a very slight emphasis.
“You know as well as I do, that she could never manage such a task. Nishikawa is nothing more than a friend. Your overthinking holds no meaning.”
“…I see.”
“It's all well and good to meticulously check for any blunders on my part, but you've been quite careless yourself, Nanase-san. To have your second phone's existence discovered by uninvolved students, and then to be overheard talking to someone who was supposed to have left the school.”
“You're right. I was careless in that regard.”
“I’ve made sure to keep Hashimoto-kun and Morishita-san, who happened to witness it, reasonably quiet. There’s a chance Ayanokoji-kun might hear about it eventually, but for now it should be fine.”
“You covered for me, then. Thank you,” Nanase said, her voice soft but edged with unease.
Shiraishi lifted the saucer with a steady left hand and slipped her right fingers through the cup’s handle. Her every movement was deliberate and controlled.
“Shall we move to the real matter? Contacting me at all is a clear violation of the rules.”
Nanase inhaled, steadying herself. “I understand that you’ve lived your school life until now as nothing more than an ordinary student. But, I also have work that only I can do, so it couldn’t be helped. Please… lend me your strength.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“I want Ayanokoji-senpai expelled, as soon as possible, and at an entirely unpredictable timing.”
Shiraishi closed her eyes, letting the weight of those words sink into her mind.
There was urgency in Nanase’s tone, but no falsehood.
She tested its credibility within herself.
“…I understand your feelings, But I must refuse.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I am only an observer,” Shiraishi replied firmly. “From the very beginning, I was never given any role beyond that. For these two years, I have involved myself in nothing. And it is precisely because of that that Ayanokoji-kun has seen me only as some nameless girl from another class, Student A—”
“Then why have you started to close the distance now? Even if he doesn't know who you are, Shiraishi-senpai, he might recognize that you are not an ordinary student.”
“That may be so. But what choice do I have? By a twist of fate, he and I ended up in the same class. By coincidence, we were seated side by side. By chance, an opportunity to speak arose one morning in the classroom… Tell me, Nanase-san, under such circumstances, how could anyone suppress their impulses?”
The memory of that morning, just the two of them in the quiet classroom, stirred in Shiraishi’s mind, and a faint smile touched her lips.
“I will continue to live alongside Ayanokoji-kun as his classmate. For now, I simply want to enjoy that environment as it is. Nothing more, nothing less. I am, after all, only an observer. Sakayanagi-san, the troublesome one, has already withdrawn voluntarily. That, too, has made things simpler.”
“…I see. I understand. In that case, it seems relying on you will be difficult, Shiraishi-senpai.”
She reached for the iced milk the waiter had just placed before her, sipping it slowly through the straw. The cold sweetness gave her a moment to think.
“Does Shiraishi-senpai’s schoolmate(s) also have been assigned a similar role as well? Are they, too, nothing more than an observer?”
Translator's Note: In some places, the Japanese uses number-neutral phrasing (slightly leaning toward plural but still ambiguous). To preserve this, such cases will be marked with (s) in the translation.
“Who knows. The possibility of being assigned the same role as me is not zero, but I wouldn’t know. What was imposed upon us was simply this: to live three years as ordinary students. Nothing beyond that.”
“I will take action while Ayanokoji-senpai is still within reach. If I cannot receive your cooperation, Shiraishi-senpai, I may have to find someone who will cooperate.”
“Even if you threaten me, cooperation is out of the question.”
“But I’m on your side.”
“Your words seem a little short, don't they? You meant 'for the time being,' isn’t it?”
“...My apologies. It's true my position indeed may be half-hearted, but doesn’t that ambiguity mean I’m not bound by the rules the same way you are?”
“Perhaps, but the only reason I agreed to meet you today was to ease your worries regarding Hashimoto-kun and Morishita-san. Beyond that, I have no intention of cooperating.”
“At least some information, then… Just the name(s) of your companion(s). I can handle the rest myself—”
“If you want to know, you should ask the higher-ups directly. Tsukishiro-san, was it? You already have someone reliable on your side. I don’t like him, but that’s your concern.”
Shiraishi gently placed the empty cup on its saucer and stood up from the sofa.
“I understand that you will not cooperate for now. But there is just one thing I want you to remember. May I say it?” Nanase asked quietly.
“What is it?”
Shiraishi looked down at her, her eyes unreadable. “If I were to be expelled before Ayanokoji-senpai’s fate is decided… things may flow in a direction that Shirogane-sensei never intended. Please, keep that in mind.”
“I understand. I'll keep it in mind.”
Without so much as a nod, Shiraishi gave her answer and departed the restaurant, leaving Nanase behind with her half-finished iced milk.
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