Chapter 11: The One You Like
 

 
Just before the end of the lunch break.
 
Saito and Lily were happily munching on hamburgers.
 
“I’m glad the president and Shirayuri-senpai made up,” Saito said, swallowing the last bite.
 
“Yeah, me too,” Lily agreed.
 
Reflecting on the events, Saito murmured how he was genuinely relieved that the childhood friends had reconciled despite everything that happened.
 
“I’m sorry, Takumi-san. I got your gym clothes all wet with my tears.”
 
“This is nothing. Remember when someone dumped champagne on my head? This is far better than that.”
 
“I’m sorry for that time too… Wait, … Read the rest

 
“What else can I do!? If I don’t do this, Haruki will never look at me! He’ll never love only me! …Haruki was the only one who loved me. My parents, my childhood friends, everyone around me, none of them loved me!? They all treated me as just a gear to keep the Shirayuri Group going, as the Shirayuri Group’s daughter. No, that’s not what I wanted. I just wanted them to see me as the woman Koyuki Shirayuri, to praise me, to love me. But no one other than Haruki did that simple thing for me! So I have … Read the rest

 
Judging by Haruki reaction, there seemed to be something he didn’t want to be asked about.
 
(He’s such an easy person to read)
 
Even though he was trying to hide it, his thoughts were clearly visible on his face.
 
Even such an aspect of him was endearing in just the right way.
 
Koyuki’s smile grew wider.
 
“Thank you. Then, first of all, who is this ‘person you’re interested in’?”
 
“Lily… Machigane Lily-san.”
 
“…I see. Then, what about Machigane Lily-san interests you?”
 
“…I can’t say that.”
 
“…I understand.”
 
What followed was an interrogation disguised as questions, a necessary ritual for the … Read the rest

Chapter 10: Secret Canvas

As if struck by the heat of the sports festival, today’s sun blazed, pushing the temperature past 30 degrees Celsius by noon.
 
With the first half of the sports festival program over, it was time for the lunch break.
 
While other students moved to have their lunch, Saito showed no signs of getting up. He lay there with a towel over his face, groaning “Ah~”.
 
Seeing Saito like this, his classmates couldn’t help but smile wryly, thinking his condition was quite serious.
 
The reason for Saito’s state was the tug-of-war event just … Read the rest

 
“Cheer up.”
 
“I’m over it. I wasn’t really bothered anyway.”
 
Still, like Saito, Shuri wasn’t the type to dwell on things for long.
 
She bounced back quickly with a grin.
 
“Speaking of reconciliations though, I was surprised you and Minachi made up. She’s usually the type to really dislike someone once she dislikes them. What trick did you use? Hypnosis?”
 
“…Why do you two always jump to those conclusions?”
 
The topic shifted to Saito and Minaka’s recently improved relationship.
 
Apparently, it was unexpected for the two, who had been at odds right … Read the rest

Chapter 9: Sports Festival and an Ominous Shadow
 

 
On a Saturday near the end of May.
 
“Alright, you guys! We’re definitely winning today!”
 
“Yeahhhhh!!!!”
 
The excitement of the students, who had been eagerly awaiting the sports festival, was at its peak.
 
Saito’s class was no exception. They formed a circle before leaving the classroom, pumping themselves up with enthusiasm.
 
The boys, in particular, were fired up, determined to impress Lily and Mizuki. Their fighting spirit was so intense that victory seemed assured.
 
Saito, who had prepared for the sports festival more than … Read the rest

Interlude: Obsession

Lunchtime was almost over.
 
“Vice President, do you have a moment?”
 
“Sorry, I’m in a bit of a rush. Can we talk later?”
 
“Oh, she’s gone. If she keeps running around like that, her bread will…”
 
Koyuki was running through the school.
 
On the way, she was spoken to by other students several times, but she brushed them off with made-up errands and kept running.
 
She was aiming for a quiet place where no one was around.
 
The library, the student council room, the equipment storage — everywhere she thought might be empty had people inside, so she … Read the rest

Chapter 8: Unfair
 

 
In the noisy school hallways during lunch break, Lily wandered alone.
 
“I thought we’d eat together as usual today, but he suddenly ran off. Shuri and Minaka are at the cafeteria. What should I do?”
 
Normally, she would already be on the rooftop with Saito.
 
But today, her childhood friend had ditched her last minute, leaving her without plans.
 
Unable to join her friends, Lily was unsure where to have her lunch.
 
“If you had something to do, you should have told me in the morning.”
 
She muttered complaints about her childhood friend as she bought … Read the rest

Chapter 7: Don’t Decide for Me

 
This is the dream of a certain boy.
 
It’s the love story of a clumsy boy.
 
When the boy was six years old, he met a girl at a social gathering.
 
“Hi, n-nice to meet you. I’m Shirayuri Koyuki, five years old.”
 
“Uh—! Nice to meet you. I’m Takumi Houjou, six years old.”
 
The moment they exchanged greetings for the first time, Takumi fell in love.
 
Her greeting was awkward, unlike the polished Koyuki of today.
 
For a five-year-old, it was quite good, but for someone … Read the rest