Another silence followed. Though they were close friends, both girls sat quietly, heads down, and the seconds dragged on awkwardly. Finally, Himari lifted her face and looked straight into Akane’s eyes.
“Um… Just to be sure, you’re okay with me asking Saito-kun out, right?”
“Wh-why are you asking me that?”
“Because…ever since first year, I’ve wondered if you had feelings for him,” said Himari.
Akane shot back immediately. “I don’t!”
“If you do, I won’t get in the way. I have a crush on Saito-kun, but I love you too, Akane. I just…I want to make sure this is really okay with you.” Himari’s gaze was steady, as if she was determined to read even the smallest flicker of emotion from Akane’s eyes.
“Of course it’s fine,” said Akane, her eyes darting away evasively.
Himari wanted to make sure she understood things crystal clear. “So you don’t have a crush on Saito-kun, right?”
“I already told you, I hate him!” snapped Akane, her cheeks flushed, shoulders squared in defiance. “I hate that arrogant, lazy, insensitive jerk!”
A sharp pain pierced Saito’s chest. It lasted only for a moment, but Akane’s words cut him like a knife, stabbing his heart deeply and suddenly—enough to make him grit his back teeth instinctively.
What…what was that just now? Why does my chest hurt?
Still hidden in the dim closet, Saito clutched his chest in confusion. He had heard Akane say “I hate you” hundreds—no, thousands—of times before. And he’d said it back to her just as often. The words had lost their edge, dulled to the point of numbness. So then, why did they taste so bitter to Saito now?
Relieved, Himari let out a deep breath. “I’m so glad. I would’ve hated to end up being rivals with you, Akane.”
“Th-there’s no way that would ever happen. Saito is my enemy!”
Himari laughed. “Right? I was just overthinking it! I’m such an idiot!”
“You’re not an idiot…I don’t think,” said Akane, shifting uncomfortably.
With a bright smile, Himari reached out and held Akane’s hand tightly. “I’ll ask him out on a date myself, so will you help me out? I want to know what kind of clothes he likes girls to wear for dates, or where he’d be interested in going!”
Akane nodded stiffly. “Y-yeah…sure.”
The next morning, Saito overslept.
He was rushing down the school hallway, barely on time for the start of class, when Himari came running up to him, her face glowing.
“Morning, Saito-kun! You’re late today.”
“Y-yeah. I had trouble falling asleep last night.”
“I thought you might’ve taken the day off. I’m glad you’re not sick or something.”
It was a perfectly ordinary exchange, the kind of casual conversation they had all the time. And yet, Saito found himself nervous. She was happy he wasn’t sick. He now knew those words of hers weren’t just polite concern. He realized—at long last—that the way Himari looked at him wasn’t the same way she looked at everyone else. Until now, he’d been too dense about romance to notice the warmth behind her gaze. Saito feared that Himari might realize he knew what was going on. Even if it wasn’t intentional, he didn’t want her to think he had been eavesdropping.
“You should probably get to your seat. The bell’s about to ring,” said Saito, trying to enter the classroom—only for Himari to follow him.
“Um, hey!” Himari started. “Could you come to the empty classroom over there during lunch? There’s something I want to talk to you about!”
“Sure, I don’t mind,” said Saito.
She didn’t say what she wanted to talk about specifically, but he wasn’t so oblivious that he needed to be told.
“Yay! Promise? I’ll see you there then, okay?!” With that, Himari turned on her heel, her ponytail bouncing behind her as she dashed to her seat. Saito spotted her whispering excitedly with Akane, who kept glancing toward him.
From that moment on, all through the morning, Saito couldn’t concentrate. He knew it was only proper to show up now that he’d been asked, but that didn’t make it any easier. He had no idea how he was supposed to react in this situation. He glanced over at Himari’s seat and saw her wave at him with an embarrassed little smile—which only made his nerves worse.
Fourth period ended with Saito trapped in a haze of restless thoughts. Skipping lunch, he headed to the empty classroom.
It was quiet, removed from the buzz of the rest of the school. Sunlight streamed through a gap in the curtain, causing dust motes to glitter in the air.
Moments after he entered, the door swung open again. Standing motionless in the doorway was Himari, her face pale and stiff with tension.
“Hi—Hima…” Saito started to speak, but Himari abruptly shut the door in his face from the outside.
Huh…? Didn’t she say she wanted to talk? What the heck was that?
As he stood confused by the window, the door opened again. This time, Himari entered with her trademark bright smile and wave. “S-sorry for the wait, Saito-kun! I didn’t think you’d already be here!”
“Did I get here too early? I don’t mind if you want to eat first—”
“Nope! I didn’t have much of an appetite today anyway, so I figured I’d wait for you here!” said Himari. “What about you? You okay not eating?”
“I’m not really hungry either…”
“Ha ha, guess we match today.” Himari’s voice was cheerful as always, but there was a noticeable tremble to it. Her gaze flitted around, and her fingers were shaking slightly. Her nervousness began to rub off on Saito, who swallowed hard. With one hand behind her, Himari closed the classroom door. As she stepped closer, Saito’s heartbeat picked up. The color of her lipstick—fresher and more vivid than what she had worn that morning—caught his eye, and he had to avert his gaze. Himari stood in front of Saito, trying to catch her breath, even though she hadn’t been running. Her moist and plump lips parted as if to speak, then hesitated and closed again. Saito struggled for air, feeling like his lungs were filled with honey. He was suffocating under the weight of the moment.
“U-um…”
“Uh, well…”
They both began speaking at the same time.
“Ah—s-sorry! You go first, Saito-kun!” said Himari, flustered.
“Uh, no, I didn’t really have anything to say,” replied Saito.
“You were about to say something, though, weren’t you?”
“Just your imagination. You’re the one who wanted to talk in the first place, right, Himari?” Saito deflected.
Himari’s voice quivered. “I—I, um… I just wanted to ask…” She clenched her hands tightly, as if afraid she’d collapse if she didn’t. “Wh-what do you usually do on your days off?” she asked timidly, studying his expression.
“I just read, play games, stuff like that.”
“I-I see… You don’t really go out, then?”
“If Shise wants to go somewhere, then…”
Himari finished his sentence for him. “You take care of her—family duty, right?”
“Yeah…pretty much.” The conversation was incredibly awkward. Saito became acutely aware of how dry his throat felt.
“…Do you ever go out with girls who aren’t your family?” Himari asked, barely audible.
“No. Not really.”
“Th-then…maybe…” she murmured, voice so soft it nearly disappeared. “Would you…maybe like to go on a date with me?”
It was a lighthearted-sounding question, but Himari’s knees were trembling. Her earnest eyes were locked on Saito, filled with resolve. Saito’s heart thudded loudly in his chest.
“A date? Do you like me like that?” asked Saito.
Himari flailed in a panic. “Huh?! Gosh! D-did you just ask me that straight up?”
“Oh, sorry…” Saito realized too late how tactless his question was. He wasn’t used to situations like this.
“I-it’s not like I’m saying I love you or want to start dating right away! I just thought…maybe if we went on a date, you could get to know me better. That’s all,” Himari elaborated. Her cheeks turned bright red as she cast her gaze downward. The popular, easygoing girl who could get along with anyone was completely flustered in front of Saito. Her lips pursed, her shoulders hunched in embarrassment.
Saito felt his own face heating up.
“W-well, maybe this is a bother for you… You probably don’t want to go on a date with me, right?” said Himari.
“It’s not a bother at all… I think most guys would be thrilled to be asked out by you.”
“Well, what about you, Saito-kun?”
“I’m no exception. Of course I’d love to.”
Himari let out a long, relieved breath. “Thank goodness…”
Akane couldn’t stop herself from following Saito and Himari when they left the third-year Class A classroom. She didn’t even know why she did it. She’d been told in advance about Himari’s plan to ask Saito out during lunch. Akane thought maybe she just wanted to see whether it would go well. She wanted her bestie’s love to succeed.
That must be it. There’s no other reason.
Telling herself that, Akane stayed hidden outside the empty classroom. From inside the empty classroom, she could hear their voices. The vibe between them seemed good. Then came the all-important question from Himari.
“Would you…maybe like to go on a date with me?”
To that, Saito’s answer was “Of course, I’d love to.”
Obviously he would. Himari was kind enough to be Akane’s bestie, and she’d been close to Saito since their first year.
Akane thought she should be celebrating them. She wanted to support Himari as a friend. And yet, something murky swelled stronger and stronger inside her chest. It coiled deep within her body, thickened, and wrapped tightly around her heart. Akane couldn’t bear to stay there any longer.
Just as she turned to leave, Akane found Shisei standing in her path.
“Are you okay with this?” asked Shisei.
Akane averted her gaze. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I mean. About Saito and Himari. Aren’t you going to stop them?”
“Why should I stop them?”
Shisei couldn’t believe her ears. “You still don’t get it?”
“I repeat, what are you…”
Shisei stared at her with clear, unwavering eyes. “Should I just say everything you’re feeling and thinking out loud?”
“Don’t say anything to Himari!” blurted Akane. “I want her to be happy! No matter what I feel—it doesn’t matter! I don’t want Himari to be hurt!” She clenched her teeth tightly. If Akane let this uneasy feeling growing inside her come to light, she feared her cherished friendship with Himari, her hatred for Saito, all of it might come crashing down.