The end of June rolled around, and summer was in full swing. Trees grew vibrantly green under the intense sun piercing through white clouds, everyone wore their lightest clothes, and air-conditioning units worked overtime.
After morning classes at Hie High, it was time for lunch. Students were free to do whatever they wanted—eating, chatting, getting exercise, studying, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading, napping...
Ruka Moriki stood behind the gym in front of a guy named Yoshiyama. His spiky blond hair was now plain and black, and the arrogance Ruka remembered was gone too.
“I acted tough and said some bad stuff and went outta control...” he said nervously. “I was lame, pathetic, the worst... But you saved my life... S-Seriously, I’m so, so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, dude,” said Ruka.
“Huh?! A-Are you sure? Really sure?”
“What, you don’t want me to forgive you?”
“I do. It just... I mean, i-it feels too easy...” Yoshiyama looked awkward, like he was having trouble accepting what Ruka was saying.
A few weeks ago, a suspicious person had attacked Yoshiyama. Ruka and her friend had happened to be around, and they had taken care of him until the ambulance had arrived... That was the official story, anyway.
Ruka made a peace sign and waved it around because she felt like it. “I mean, you regret all that stuff, right? A good woman wouldn’t hold that against you. Grudges are no fun, plus I said some pretty awful stuff too... Anyway, I’m glad you’re okay. I was freaking out when you suddenly collapsed. My friend and I were pretty worried, and... Um, Yoshiyama-paisen?”
No response. He was shaking all over and biting his lip.
Are those aftereffects or something? Ruka wondered.
“M-Moriki... Moriki-san...” Yoshiyama muttered.
Ruka took a step back. “Wait, ‘san’? What the heck?!”
Yoshiyama started to cry.
Seriously, what’s this guy’s deal?
“I-I’m g-gonna work hard on my team. I’m already a third year, and it’s June, so I probably won’t be a regular... B-But I’m gonna work myself to the bone. S-So, Moriki-san, um, c-could you c-c-c-come see my next...” His tan face glowed red as he ran off shouting, “S-Sorry!”
This is the guy who threatened me and tried to hit me? So much for that. Did he ditch his anger in the hospital? Well, whatever. Good for him for wanting to work hard.
“Give it your best shot, I guess?” Ruka called after him.
Why do I feel like something like this happened to me before?
Once Ruka was alone, two girls came out of hiding from the shade by the gym building.
“You said he was pushy, but he was totes nervous. And he’s super into you.” That was Meiri, the girl with glossy black hair and magenta highlights.
“You gotta tell us if you get yourself a guy, ’kay, Ruka-chin?” said Hinaru, the girl whose pink hair was up in two ponytails with dark streaks.
They were Ruka’s classmates and best friends. Ruka had really regretted not bringing anyone with her the last time she’d come out here, so she’d asked the two of them to keep watch. That had ended up being pretty pointless, though.
“Yoshiyama-paisen’s into me...?” Ruka repeated.
“Does he have a chance?” asked Meiri.
“Nah. Less than zero.”
“Ruka-chin, you mean...” Hinaru trailed off.
“Yup, it’s way more fun hanging with you!”
Ruka and Hinaru cackled together. Then the three girls left the area behind the gym and cut across the grounds, passing by students and teachers enjoying their break. There weren’t any pitch-black monsters or creepy guys in long coats around, and shining silver swords and guns were nowhere to be seen.
This soft, gentle, peaceful world I’m in now... She protected all of it. Ruka thought about the girl with silver hair and eyes, and her heart started to ache.
A week had passed since that incident, but Ginka Shijunana still hadn’t returned to Hie High. She had gone to the Japan branch of the hunter alliance to deal with the aftermath, but Ruka had no idea what was going on with her because she wasn’t replying to texts.
Is this what a long-distance relationship is like? Huh. What a weird thought...
Ruka walked ahead of her friends and turned around. “Hey, seriously, thanks for before.”
“For what?”
“Y’know, when I was all bummed out. You two and Chinami helped me pick myself back up.”
Meiri and Hinaru were both nodding, but Ruka couldn’t tell what they were thinking. Maybe they didn’t remember what she was talking about—last week did feel like forever ago. I guess I should remind them...
Meiri rolled her eyes. “You should be grateful all the time. Not just for that.”
“Hey, if you’re thanking us, then buy us something tasty to eat,” Hinaru suggested. “Feed! Us!”
“I was being serious!” Ruka complained.
“So are we!” Meiri and Hinaru said together.
Ruka staggered back. Meiri and Hinaru both smiled and took a step forward.
“That’s not like you, Ruka. Just smile like a dummy like you always do,” said Meiri.
Hinaru nodded. “Yeah! When you don’t, we get all worried.”
Their trust and friendship shook Ruka to her core. She spread her arms wide and leaned forward. “Y-You guys are so great. I lo—”
Hinaru and Meiri jumped out of her way.
“Why’d you run away...?”
“Who wouldn’t?”
“Your big hugs hurt like hell, Ruka-chin!”
“Come on,” Ruka pleaded, “just lemme do it one more time! I’ll stop if it hurts, I promise!”
“Ruka-chin, you sound like a creepy old guy. You don’t actually think that’ll work on us, right?”
Meiri thought about it. “Well, if it’s just one more time...”
Hinaru groaned. “Mei-chi! Don’t trust this dummy! She’s gonna go way too hard and— Ahhh!”
Ruka tackled them in a hug.
Hina and Mei smell so good! They’re so soft too—
Steady, rhythmic footsteps behind Ruka interrupted her thoughts. No one else made a sound, like they had all stopped what they were doing just to stare at someone.
I don’t even need to turn around to know who that is.
“What are all of you up to?”
Meiri’s and Hinaru’s faces lit up as soon as they heard that elegant, dignified voice.
Ruka let go of her friends. With her heart about to burst from the surprise and a giant grin on her face, she slowly turned around.
A girl with silver hair and silver eyes stood watching the three of them. The way she held herself was so proper, she almost looked like a mannequin. Her uniform was so crisp and clean, it could’ve been brand new.