This is good. I’ve made the right choice.
I can’t join a resistance. I heard nothing. I saw nothing.
The head teacher said it himself. Nanaougi’s important. I have to treat her with kid gloves.
My choice resolved this whole matter. It was perfect.
Right at the last second, I somehow got my mouth moving. I made a bunch of excuses and wrapped things up nice and tidy.
I have to focus on the exams, on my future, on profits.
All of this is for the students.
That’s what proper grown-ups do, right?
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ah-ha-ha… My bad. I totally blew it at the last second.”
We’d just let Ookuma slip away.
Kurumi and I took our masks off as Nanaougi gave a sheepish laugh.
“I thought I had her on the ropes. Guess I misread her. I have pretty good grades in modern literature, but understanding real people is way harder.”
“…Them’s the breaks.”
I felt like she’d done pretty well. Teachers and students just lived in different worlds. Recruiting Ookuma had always been a tall order. Adults were bound to think we were just goofing around, that it would be stupid to take us seriously.
“What’ll happen to me now? I confessed to all those crimes! Think I’ll get suspended?”
“From what Ookuma said, I doubt it. Besides, you’re a good student.”
“I wonder. Well, not that it matters.” She hung her head for a second, then leaned back and stretched. After that, she turned to us, cocked her head, and flashed us a grin. “Shame I don’t get to join you, but I hope you two will keep fighting.”
“…You’re sure? Anything we do will get blamed on you.”
“Whatever. If you get your revenge, then I’ll be satisfied.”
I wasn’t sure what she was thinking. I’d never been able to figure her out.
…No, I was just telling myself that. The truth was, I didn’t want to admit it.
To be honest, I’d noticed some time ago that Nanaougi wasn’t just in this for shits and giggles. My main evidence was our graveyard chat. I’d asked if she was just gonna take it, and she’d spat, “Hell no. I’m not gonna take it.” I remembered the look in her eyes. I had a feeling that was the real Nanaougi.
…But that didn’t matter anymore. She wasn’t joining us.
I glanced out the window and saw a clear, blue sky. Green leaves were rustling in the wind. The sun was setting in the west, casting shadows across the veranda. In the distance, I could hear the cries of cicadas. Summer was coming to a close.
We’d failed to recruit Ookuma. Our issues remained unresolved, and it looked like this story would end without a clear resolution.
“…I’m pissed.” Kurumi’s hiss broke the silence, like a drop of water on a still pond.
“At me? …Sorry,” Nanaougi said.
Kurumi shook her head. “Nope. At this Kanae Ookuma lady.” She was glaring at the open door, speaking loud and clear. “What was that about? Wasn’t she supposed to be hurting? She wrote all that stuff in her planner and even cried, and she’s still looking for an easy out? I’m absolutely furious.”
“…Kurumi?”
“‘Deal with it’? Screw that. I was a fool to ever have sympathy for that piece of shit.” Kurumi swung around to face us. “Is that how adults act? Is that where we’re headed? …No way. I refuse.”
Her eyes gleamed red, like they had back on that sunset roof. They glowed with the light of vengeance.
“I’ve got an idea for an attack. Natsume, Nanaougi, I need your help.”