“Good morning.”
 
A force pulled me in the opposite direction from my shoulder, and I reflexively turned around.
 
Remi was glaring up at me.
 
“I have some business with you, so come with me.”
 
“I’m—”
 
“Just come!”
 
Intimidated by her voice that showed no concern for others watching, I was pulled by the hand and lost my balance.
 
She immediately let go of my hand and left the classroom first.
 
Even though it was in a low voice, it was such a stern tone that I had no choice but to follow … Read the rest

Chapter 8: Class Stagnation

Walking through the love hotel district, Yuzuha and a man in a suit.
 
Was that scene real?
 
If Yuzuha has some circumstances, I want to ask carefully.
 
Because we’re friends, there must be things Yuzuha doesn’t want to talk about.
 
While I was worrying about such things, time passed, and I began to think it might be okay to wait until Yuzuha talks to me about it.
 
A week had passed since the amusement park date, and it was about to be a month since I started dating Hanazono.
 
I thought words like “anniversary” were urban … Read the rest

Hanazono lowered the corners of her eyes.
 
She continued by getting up slightly and moving the bento boxes around.
 
Then she sat down next to me with a little plop.
 
“Here, Yosshi. Hold up the camera.”
 
“O-okay.”
 
When I held up the smartphone, Hanazono was smiling through the camera.
 
Already in a pose to be photographed.
 
Her public-facing expression touched my heartstrings and made my mouth loosen.
 
The screen was happiness.
 
“Yosshi hasn’t been in the frame for a while now.”
 
“Ah, you’re right.”
 
I had been looking only … Read the rest

Leaving all the passengers’ voices behind, the car raced along the rails at breakneck speed.
 
Even moving at over a hundred kilometers per hour, the scenery is surprisingly identifiable.
 
The Ferris wheel and merry-go-round, food court and haunted house—
 
“No way! No way! No way!”
 
Hanazono was gripping the lever tightly with both hands, hunching over.
 
Hunching over seems like it would be scarier than raising both hands, but with my mouth open, a huge amount of air flowed in and I couldn’t form words.
 
My body was thrown up, down, left, and right, and in no time we reached … Read the rest

Chapter 7: On an Amusement Park Date

 
Recently, I’ve developed a delightful habit.
 
It’s having phone time with Hanazono on Friday nights.
 
While Hanazono doesn’t talk much at school, she shows her true self during phone calls. In fact, I feel this even more than when we’re together in person.
 
Perhaps it’s because we can’t see each other’s faces that she feels more relaxed.
 
Although Hanazono’s cold side was surprising, it’s just one aspect of her. It hardly ever shows normally.
 
And even though I might have fallen for her based only on what … Read the rest

“Ah, right, that’s bad. Yoshiki has a girlfriend.”
 
Yuzuha quickly let go of my hand and easily created distance.
 
“Ehehe, sorry, sorry. I just did it out of habit—I’m no good. Hanazono-san will treat me like a homewrecker.”
 
“That habit is too much of a virgin killer… definitely don’t do that to other guys, they’ll get the wrong idea.”
 
“It’s okay, it’s okay. I only do this kind of thing to Yoshiki, and I always say that, right?”
 
“That’s…”
 
“Ahaha, you’re embarrassed!”
 
“You’re really troublesome!”
 
Yuzuha laughed heartily and lightly touched my chest with her hand.
 
“But you know. To … Read the rest

Chapter 6: My Boyfriend’s Friend

After recovering from illness, my first day back at school.
 
I entered the classroom a little earlier than usual, and after confirming that Hanazono was there, I quickly moved to Remi’s seat without her noticing.
 
“Good morning. I’ve made a full recovery.”
 
“……I see, congratulations.”
 
Remi replied curtly while widening her eyes in surprise.
 
“The porridge worked wonders. Getting completely cured in three days is seriously amazing.”
 
“It’s because you slept properly. I get it, so please move away.”
 
Though Remi spoke in a small voice, she responded … Read the rest

Intermission
 

 
“Life is just killing time until you die.”
 
When I first heard those words, I felt encouraged.
 
Because I’d always been bored.
 
My home was always empty.
 
On weekdays, I ate store-bought boxed lunches.
 
On weekends, money was just left on the table for me to buy food. That had been my life for over ten years—ever since I was old enough to understand.
 
A home without parents was just normal for me.
 
Middle school was fine because there was lunch, but if there hadn’t been, the money on the table would’ve just increased a little.
 
Of course, … Read the rest

---

 
“No. Before I’m your girlfriend, you’re a sick person.”
 
“Ugh…”
 
With Remi waiting at the entrance, it wouldn’t be good to drag this time out unnecessarily.
 
“Then let’s do it together. Sorry for making you help.”
 
“Not at all.”
 
Hanazono smiled brightly and said “heave-ho” as she lifted the futon.
 
When I hurriedly supported the weight from the opposite side, a heavy load attacked my body.
 
As I stood at the bottom of the stairs supporting the main weight, the heaviness of my body became more pronounced.
 
…Had my fever risen from the earlier exchange between the two girls?
 
While … Read the rest

“Well, I’m really going now. Don’t mention to Hanazono-san what I said. About our middle school connection too.”
 
“Why not? That much should be fine. It would be more unnatural to never know, and if you’re going to say something, sooner is better.”
 
Remi frowned slightly in irritation.
 
“The reason you didn’t know until now includes Hanazono-san too, you know? Maybe Hanazono-san didn’t want to talk about it.”
 
“That’s… well, I suppose that’s how it would be.”
 
But what kind of reason would lead to the conclusion of hiding their relationship?
 
If I were … Read the rest