Chapter 2:
Bestie
A WOODEN FAN SLOWLY SPUN ITS BLADES around above the customers and staff of a stylish café. The menus on the tables were handwritten and full of charm, and the trinkets displayed on the shelves along the walls delighted the eyes. Except for the occasional chime of the doorbell when a customer entered, the place was completely removed from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.
In that serene café, Akane was enjoying tea with Himari.
Their schoolbags rested at their feet, and they nibbled on scones topped with clotted cream and strawberry jam, sipping strawberry-flavored tea—blissful moments spent between beloved besties. But that peace was suddenly shattered by an unexpected question.
“Akane, do you have a crush on Saito-kun?”
Akane spat out her tea in shock. She started coughing, and Himari gently rubbed her back. It must have gone down the wrong pipe, given the tears that welled up in her eyes.
“You okay?” asked Himari.
“I’m okay, but…why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“I’m just curious. What do you think about Saito-kun?” inquired Himari again.
“I-I don’t think anything of him! There’s absolutely no way I could ever have a crush on him! If it weren’t for him, I’d be at the top of the class.”
“I see…”
“Why are you asking?” Akane tilted her head to the side.
Himari held her teacup in both hands and looked down. A whisper slipped from her lips.
“I…um…I have a crush on him.”
“What…?” Akane froze for a moment, being completely caught off guard by her unexpected words. She thought for a moment that it might be a joke, but Himari’s face ruled that possibility out. The usually cheerful and lively Himari now seemed like a different person—her ears were bright red, and she was biting her lip nervously. Akane had never seen her like this before.
“What do you even see in that guy?” asked Akane, confused.
“…I like everything about him,” Himari answered, blushing in embarrassment.
“There’s nothing good about him—literally nothing,” insisted Akane.
“There’s plenty!”
“Really…?” Akane wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure you’re not being fooled?”
“No way!”
Akane began to worry—she had to save Himari from Saito’s clutches. Ever since their first year of high school, Saito had been nothing but a source of frustration for Akane. She couldn’t believe there was actually someone who liked him—and of all people, it was her bestie.
“But Saito-kun is, like, really cool,” said Himari, pouting slightly, as if getting a bit defensive.
“Cool? Are your eyes broken or something?” blurted Akane, wondering if she should make Himari an appointment at the eye doctor.
“They’re not broken. I’m not even talking about his looks—well, I do think he’s good-looking—but what’s attractive to me is what’s on the inside.”
“Inside?” Akane imagined someone—or something—climbing out of a Saito-shaped costume.
“Back when we were preparing for the sports festival, one of my friends collapsed from heatstroke,” said Himari, adding sugar to her tea and stirring it gently with a teaspoon. “The school nurse was nowhere to be found, and everyone started panicking—but Saito-kun stayed totally calm. He moved my friend into the shade right away, gave everyone instructions on how to help, looked up the emergency contact, and got their parents to come pick them up. He’s usually quiet, but in that moment, he was like a king—so cool,” said Himari, her eyes shining a little.
“Sounds more like a know-it-all to me,” muttered Akane.
“That’s what makes him great. He’s dependable—so different from the other guys.”
“Well…” murmured Akane. I guess I kind of get it.
When Akane had come down with a high fever, Saito hadn’t panicked at all. He calmly took care of her and even carried her to the hospital in a princess carry… And as she was cradled in his arms, swaying slightly, Akane couldn’t deny he was…reliable.
“I don’t have any confidence in myself,” said Himari softly. “So, I can’t help but admire Saito-kun, a man so perfectly sure of himself.”
“Admire him…” echoed Akane.
She understood that, too. Saito, the person who stood at the top of their academic year like a thorn in her side, was also a blindingly bright wall looming ahead of her. The words she’d muttered in her fever back then hadn’t just been nonsense. Ever since entering high school, her goal had been to catch up to that wall—and break through it.
Himari leaned over the table, continuing to speak passionately.
“And…you know, Saito-kun is actually really kind! He usually acts aloof and everything, but when I was feeling down, he noticed and asked if I was okay! One time he even gave me candy! I have no idea why he was carrying it around, but it was sweet of him…” Himari closed her eyes in a blissful expression, lost in the pleasant memory.
Akane shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she watched her. Akane got where she was coming from—it was true that Saito was a considerate person. He had remembered the contents of a class essay anthology that even Akane herself had forgotten, and another time, Saito brought Akane her favorite snack as a souvenir. He could be sloppy, yes, but he wasn’t the kind of guy who trampled on people’s feelings.
“Himari, you really pay attention to Saito’s good qualities, don’t you?”
“Yeah!” Himari nodded cheerfully. The aspects of Saito that Akane had only come to know after marrying him—Himari had known them all along. Akane found herself feeling a little frustrated by that fact and lowered her gaze. She didn’t understand that feeling: A slight discomfort, like a tiny thorn lodged deep in her heart. Akane washed it away along with her tea.
Himari covered her mouth with her hand and lowered her voice. “Also…all the other guys besides Saito-kun keep sneaking glances at my chest.”
“Seriously?” Akane was mortified.
“They totally do. Not just glances either. Like, full-on staring. You’re supposed to look someone in the eye when you talk to them—it’s just rude,” said Himari.
“That’s not just rude—it’s sexual harassment. We need to wipe out this entire class of sex offenders,” declared Akane.
“If you do that, you’re the one who’ll end up with the heavier sentence.”
“You’ll come visit me in prison, won’t you?”
“I mean, they’re guys. Of course they’re curious about girls’ chests. But if it comes to that, I’ll visit…” said Himari with a shrug.