I wanted to go shopping with Hachijo-kun. But not because I especially wanted to go shopping. It made me happy going anywhere with him, even if it was just somewhere on the way home from school. And going to a big-box store together sounded like something a married couple would do—it was nice. I really wanna make up with him... Well, I guess it was weird to say that when we weren’t officially in a fight or anything. I wanted that comfortable feeling we had before, but since I was the one who pushed him away, it was difficult to be open with my feelings. I wasn’t sure how to bring it up in the first place.
Maybe I could text him asking for something. Something really simple, and then I could use that as an excuse to apologize. Then things could go back to how they were before. I’d just say, “I was being too stubborn and I’m sorry.” I decided I’d do that, and went ahead and texted him.
Nue: ochazuke in the library
He read the message right away. Now, would he answer me? I waited restlessly for a while, but he didn’t respond. M-Maybe he’s mad at me because I’m being demanding? All I wanted to do was apologize...
I started freaking out. Then, all of a sudden I got a response.
Yashiro: Sorry, Nue. But can you help me?
I calmed down immediately and answered right away.
Nue: What do you want me to do?
I could tell there was some emergency situation going on that didn’t have anything to do with ochazuke. He always pushed himself, and I wanted him to depend on me more. And now he was sending me an SOS. I had no reason to hesitate. A few moments later he texted me back with the details.
Yashiro: Someone’s here bullying Sato-san. Girls from her old school. They definitely bullied her there too.
Yashiro: They’re going somewhere else. I’m gonna follow them, so once I know where they’re going can you come watch over them? I’m gonna go get Hadori-kun.
Hadori-kun... He was one of the popular kids in class.
Nue: Can’t you help her by yourself?
Yashiro: If I help her now, she’s gonna get disillusioned with the popular kids. She’s been trying so hard to change. I don’t want to ruin it all.
Yashiro: Hadori-kun, Hanamizawa-san, and Ido-san have to be the ones to help her.
Honestly, I didn’t really get his reasoning, but apparently he’d thought this out pretty thoroughly. So in that case I should just follow his instructions. I texted him back.
Nue: walnut mocha from isozaki-ya
I figured if I proposed a payment, that would show that I was willing to cooperate and it would make him feel better about asking me this big favor. But secretly, I’d do just about anything he asked me at this point. He replied right away.
Yashiro: Five, ten, however many you want.
And so I sprang into action. First, I met up with Hachijo-kun at the diner by the train station the bullies took Sato-san to so I could watch over them in his place. I ordered a drink and sat down. Hachijo-kun went to go get Hadori-kun. We stayed connected the whole time through video chat so he could see what was going on. I drank a cappuccino while I filmed them.
If the girls made a move like they were going to hurt Ido-san, I would intervene and take her out of there. She looked extremely uncomfortable being surrounded by those bullies, but she just needed to hang in there a bit longer. Help is on the way. I waited for about fifteen minutes.
“I came to get you, Yuzuki.”
Then the hero—I mean, Hadori-kun—arrived, along with Hanamizawa-san and Ido-san. He must’ve come right from kendo club practice, because he was still wearing his uniform.
What happened afterwards was just amazing. The three of them supported Sato-san and rallied around her against the bullies. Then to put the nail in the coffin, they pulled her out to be with them. After having their arguments completely refuted by the popular kids, the bullies were speechless.
I admired people who could be that straightforward. Hadori-kun was as confident as a prince. I could see why he’d stolen Sato-san’s heart. It was quite the romantic situation. But...
Someone else had set up this scene. Someone who wasn’t even here to witness it. He saved Sato-san from the shadows. He didn’t do it to win her gratitude. He’d worked hard for her and she couldn’t even thank him. Someone I adored, and who adored me.
I basked in a slight sense of superiority as I drank my cappuccino, which had long gone cold. Sato-san paid her bill and Hadori-kun was just about to take her out when he suddenly stopped.
“Hm? What’s wrong?” Hanamizawa-san looked at him.
He grimaced and said, “I ran all the way here, so I have to go to the bathroom. I’ll just use the restroom here.”
“Idiot. We’ll go on ahead without you, then,” Ido-san said in an exasperated tone, before leaving the diner with the other two girls. After the three of them walked away, Hadori-kun slowly walked over to me.
“Hey. Uhh... Your name’s Torano-san, right?”
I didn’t answer.
“Don’t worry. He told me all about you.”
He who? Wait... Hachijo-kun told him?! Does that mean he knows we’re dating? He told him? I was inwardly freaking out, but all of a sudden Hadori-kun bowed his head to me.
“Thanks for helping Sato.”
Wow, this person didn’t even know me but he was bowing his head to me on behalf of his friend. He seemed like a really great guy.
“I...just did what I was asked to.”
“I know. But I still want to thank you. And him.” Hadori-kun gave me a winning smile, just like a star athlete would. “Speaking of him, I think the kendo club’s still got him. He rushed in to get me and was pretty reckless about it. Our coach is nice, but he can be a bit hotheaded, and he’s really strict when it comes to safety. I bet he’s still getting lectured.”
“Oh...” I finished my cappuccino and stood up. “Thanks for letting me know.”
I went back to school and peeked into the gym where kendo club practice was held, but I didn’t see Hachijo-kun there. At first I wondered if he had gone home, but he would’ve told me first. Since he asked me to keep an eye on things, I was sure he’d be curious about the outcome.
I checked my phone, but there were no messages from him. I was starting to get worried that something had happened, so I searched around campus. “Oh!” I spotted him sitting with his back leaned against the west side of the main school building. And he looked absolutely exhausted. I was scared that he had collapsed, so I quickly ran over to him. I leaned in very close and looked his face over, top to bottom.
“Zzz... Zzz...”
I realized he was sleeping. He must’ve been really exhausted to fall asleep out here. Honestly! There you go again, working yourself too hard! I screamed silently to myself. I didn’t say it out loud to avoid waking him up. But why do you keep pushing yourself like this? Why are you so caring? I know that’s part of the reason why I like you, but...it just worries me.
I reached out and gently touched his cheek. I wish you would take better care of yourself, and value your own time more. Because if you don’t, I...
I leaned closer to him, still cradling his face with my hand. The corner of my lips brushed against the corner of his lips...and I kissed him. I’d have to give him a real kiss when he was really awake.