I’ve never really personally drawn the line for when the end of winter arrives, and when it comes down to it, that’s proof that I’ve only ever vaguely grasped the change in temperature day-to-day. But still, mysteriously, I’m aware of the turning points—most likely because at every juncture, when the occasion arises, something is there.
So this day was probably the end of winter for me.
I’d spent the whole day before cooped up in my room, keeping in contact with Zaimokuza and constantly refreshing social media, meticulously making sure there was nothing wrong with the website. I’d had absolutely no mental rest all weekend.
Monday, after the weekend. The widely loathed Monday. Monday, when what had happened over the weekend would be reported.
When I went to school, the classroom was filled with that end-of-year feeling. The world was getting busy with graduation season, so everyone was chatting about their futures, their plans for spring break, or the end-of-term test. Alone at my seat, outside that kind of conversation, I quietly inclined my ears.
I was waiting for the after-school bell.
Through Haruno Yukinoshita, I had sprinkled the bait. The segment of parents who’d opposed the prom would be unable to overlook the information—the plan they thought they’d put the damper on was getting even wilder. On top of that, since they’d already established a point of contact to act as their intermediary, they would act quicker this time. Something would happen today, or the next.
And my prediction wasn’t far off.
The afternoon classes came to an end, and around the time everyone was beginning to relax, Miss Hiratsuka rushed over. She peeked through the door at the front of the classroom, and when her eyes met mine, she smiled tiredly. “Hikigaya. Do you have a minute? …You’re wanted in the teachers’ office,” she said in a lighthearted manner, bringing a little stir of murmurs from those still nearby. Everything was in my bag already, so I grabbed it and headed right out. Just as I was leaving the classroom, Miss Hiratsuka smiled wryly. “As for the reason…you seem like you know.”
“I can think of several, so I couldn’t say. I’ve been getting called to the teachers’ office over a bunch of little things, after all.”
“Indeed.” Miss Hiratsuka shrugged, a hint of loneliness in her crooked smile, and I feigned a similar expression as I turned away.
And then ahead of my gaze were my classmates, curious about the sight of Miss Hiratsuka and me together. Some of them seemed weirded out, while the usual suspects at the back of the class were reacting in their own ways.
Miura seemed utterly disinterested, spinning her hair around her finger with boredom, and Ebina was watching and nodding like, That tracks, while Tobe and the guys were muttering stuff like, “Dude, what did Hikitani do?” laughing and whispering together. Damn you, Tobe…
Hayama, however, in the center of the crowd, smiled as cold as a statue as he watched me. There was no way I could know what was in his heart, and I didn’t care to know, but I could detect some compassion there.
Then, when Yuigahama saw Miss Hiratsuka, she seemed to immediately figure out what was going on. She abandoned her things at her desk, just grabbing her nearby coat as she pattered quickly in my direction.
When we came out into the hallway, Yuigahama caught up to us. She probably meant to accompany me. But this was the one thing I couldn’t rely on her for. I’d been leaning on her for everything, up until this very moment. For the finishing touches, I wanted to take the denouncement on my own, at least.
“So is it just me who’s been personally requested?” I asked Miss Hiratsuka.
“That’s right… Well, I don’t know if it’s a personal request. I was told to call the one responsible.”
“Yeah. That’s my professional alias for dubious activity,” I replied carelessly, and Miss Hiratsuka sighed as if I were taking years off her life.
“That’s a great name for the number one most in-demand boy in the establishment.”
Yuigahama watched the exchange glumly, then hedged, “…I think I should go, too, though.”
“It’s okay—I’ll handle it,” I replied, and Yuigahama opened her mouth like she was going to say something. But right before she did, her breath caught quietly, and she swallowed her words, pulled her lips tight, and gave a little nod.
That strange gesture and pause bothered me, but when I gave her a questioning look, Miss Hiratsuka smacked my shoulder. “You don’t have to worry. I’ll be with you. Nothing funny will happen,” she reassured me. Yuigahama nodded, returning a faint smile.
“Then I’ll head over for a bit,” I said.
“Yeah… Let me know if there’s any news,” Yuigahama replied.
I raised a hand in lieu of a reply, and I walked off with Miss Hiratsuka.
Following a step behind my teacher, I watched her stride along in her white coat with her hands thrust in her pockets, as if I wanted to burn the sight into my eyes.
“Is this just like you planned it?” In the window-lined hallway, she moved her head slightly to ask my reflection in the glass.
“…More or less,” I answered. Frankly, it wasn’t like absolutely everything was going according to plan, but I’d managed to accomplish the bare minimum. For me, that was a fine success.
I could tell even with her back facing me that Miss Hiratsuka was smiling wryly. “Well, I can’t say I’m surprised. Do you think you have a chance?”
“I don’t need a chance. This is the only way.”
The continuous window glass was replaced by wall, and I couldn’t see Miss Hiratsuka’s expression. I could only hear a sound like a lamenting sigh. “…That’s not a bad answer. I like that sort of thing,” she said, and then she suddenly vanished. Even though I knew she’d just turned a corner to go down the stairs, I found myself hurrying and made a face at myself.
Eventually, like some kind of song, would I wind up searching for the sight of her over every little thing? Imagining it made my steps get heavier. As I slowly descended one step after another, the distance between Miss Hiratsuka and me widened. That was how my parting with her would go, too, in all likelihood.
Both of us remained silent. The only sound was our footsteps.
When we approached the landing, Miss Hiratsuka turned around halfway, white coat fluttering. “Do you have time soon, Hikigaya? It doesn’t have to be today—tomorrow or after that.”
I considered my plans a bit. My time today and tomorrow would probably be taken up by dealing with the aftermath, but I didn’t really have anything to do after that.
We probably wouldn’t be having any club activities, either. No matter how the prom turned out.
Those thoughts delayed my answer. Our footsteps filled the silence in the interim.
“…Well, I’m generally free,” I replied.
“I see. Then…,” Miss Hiratsuka said as she also slowly pondered things like me, pausing a moment. “…Then let’s go for ramen!” She turned to look at me, her long hair swaying as she cracked a powerful grin.
With a half smile of my own, I nodded back at her.