“What, so you think the reason I never dated anyone is because I’m still hung up on Taichi?”
“Not exactly. I don’t picture you as the type who has trouble moving on.”
“And you’d be right, because I have moved on. Not to sound like a total sore loser, but... when I think about whether he would’ve been the right guy for me, the answer is probably no.”
“Hmph. Relax. He may be perfect to me, but even I can see that he’s not objectively perfect.”
He’s perfect to you? Whoa. Maybe that’s just how it feels when you’re sincerely in love with someone...? Hmm... Can’t really picture it.
“Alrighty then! Now that I know you and Taichi are still crazy about each other, I think it’s safe to say I have no regrets!”
“Good. Glad to hear it.”
“But still... I’m glad we talked about it, Inaban.”
“Me, too.”
After final period, I headed off to the elementary school, just like yesterday. But since I had an errand to run beforehand, I was running a little late. Fortunately they didn’t hold me to a strict schedule since I still had classes to attend, but by the time I arrived, the kids would already be there, waiting for me.
As I was on my way to the front gates, I spotted two familiar figures in the middle of a conversation. What’s going on, folks?
“Sorry I gotta leave you behind, Maiko.”
“Oh, that’s alright, Shingo. I have my own business to take care of.”
“Are you sure you should be out here?”
“Let me say goodbye, at the very least. I am your girlfriend, after all.”
“Yeah, of course. I gotta say, I’m impressed at how hard you’re working to help people at a time like this. I could never do what you do.”
“Indeed you couldn’t. After all, this is my sworn duty!”
She even struck a cool pose. Good grief.
He walked away, looking longingly over his shoulder at her as he went. Meanwhile, she waved energetically until he had disappeared from sight.
“...So what was that about, Fujishima-san?”
“Oh, hello, Nagase-san.”
As she turned back to the school building, she spotted me and stopped short. It was Fujishima Maiko, former queen of the Student Council Outreach Committee, current queen of Yamaboshi’s class presidents. Following an impassioned confession, she was currently dating one Watase Shingo.
“Normally we walk to cram school and study together until classes start, but recently I received a new mission.”
“Since when do you receive missions?”
“Haven’t I always?”
“Touché.”
She was so persuasive, she could make anything sound like plain fact.
“Sounds like you two haven’t let your romance get in the way of your studies, then.”
Everything about them was so dramatic, I couldn’t picture them having a normal relationship, but in actuality, things seemed to be working out between them.
“Our love may be deep, but we always keep our heads above water. That’s our philosophy.”
“Are you sure you’re my age?”
“So tell me, Nagase-san. I hear you’re working hard and pursuing your dreams while the rest of us are still struggling to secure a one-way ticket to college.”
“Nothing as fancy as you make it sound. What about you? You’re aiming for law school, right?”
“That’s right. I intend to protect the systems that keep society in order while making use of those same legal loopholes to defend the weak. And from there, I’d like to look into legislation that can change the whole world.”
“That’s incredible, Fujishima-san. You have my undying support, 100 percent.”
Dang, she’s so badass!
“As for Shingo, he declared his intent to attend the same school as me, but of course he didn’t have the grades for it, so then he settled for K University, but even that was presumptuous, so now he’s trying to talk me into going to R University with him. He said he doesn’t even care what he majors in. Can you believe it? He’s the direct result of a culture that values test scores above all else.”
“You don’t pull any punches, huh?”
Spoken like a true lawyer in the making. She scrutinized everything with an objective eye, even her own boyfriend.
“So, I hear you’ve been feeling a bit gloomy lately.”
“Why does everyone keep saying that...?” I muttered, shrugging my shoulders.
“Well, I imagine it’s because you stand out more than you realize.”
That, and a lot of you are super observant.
“But in my case, I can smell it in the air.”
“Smell?! What smell?!”
She sniffed, flaring her nostrils. “I’m detecting a mixture of many things, but among them, I’d say romance is the strongest.”
What are you, a dog?!
“I had thought you regretted missing your chance to date Yaegashi-kun, but in fact, perhaps what you truly regret is missing your chance to date Inaba-san.”
“Okay, you lost me.”
Never mind — she’s delusional. Why would I regret not dating Inaban?! She’s a girl! Aagh! Okay, calm down and think about it!
“I admit, ever since Inaban and Taichi got together, I don’t get to spend much time with them one-on-one anymore.”
As the words left my lips, I found myself surprised to discover I felt this way. I was happy that they got together, but I was a little sad, too.
My high school career was fun and magical, but it was by no means perfect.
“Now that graduation is just around the corner, it makes perfect sense for us to stop and reflect on the past three years,” Fujishima nodded intently, like she could personally relate. “And in times such as these...”
Just then, the sentimental mood in the air completely evaporated.
“We should throw a party! Yes, let’s have a Christmas party — and you’ll be the host! I’ll find out who’s interested, then speak with the school and arrange to rent out one of the multipurpose classrooms. You can do the rest of the planning!”
“Wait, but I never said—!”
“Think of it as practice for when you’re a schoolteacher, arranging events for your students.”
“That’s, like, four years from now!”
“Oh, but these sorts of co-ed events will be very common during college, especially among the popular clique, which is where I imagine you’ll wind up. In fact, perhaps you could start a club like the CRC, where the whole point is just to sit around and—”
“Hey! Be nice!”