“Well, I just noticed a lot of people were looking at her. That’s all.”
 
Not sure why she was upset, Saito explained his intention, and Lily fell silent for a moment before speaking.
 
“……How do you feel about her?”
 
She was asking about Koyuki.
 
What he asked was a common question: What did he think of her?
 
“A beautiful senpai who treats me to juice if I help her.”
 
“Typical Saito answer.”
 
It wasn’t a difficult question, so Saito answered honestly. Lily looked both exasperated and somewhat relieved.
 
Then, she hesitated slightly before looking into Saito’s face and said:
 
“By … Read the rest

Chapter 3: A Sense of Discomfort

Chapter 3: A Sense of Discomfort

It was after school, less than two weeks before the sports festival.
 
Saito Minazuki and Lily Machigane, both members of the relay team, were summoned to the school grounds.
 
By this time, the scenery on the grounds had started to change, with tents popping up here and there.
 
One of these tents was marked as
 
the “Sports Festival Headquarters,” which Saito and Lily entered.
 
“Hey there, I’m Saito Minazuki from Class 1-3. Nice to meet you today.”
 
“Hello, I’m Lily Machigane from the same class. Pleased to meet … Read the rest

Surprisingly, Saito and Minaka matched very well.
 
Cool and passionate.
 
Despite having completely opposite personalities, they synced perfectly, almost like magic.
 
In fact, it was precisely because they weren’t in sync that they fit together so well.
 
When Saito moved his right foot, Minaka moved her left.
 
Without even thinking about it, they were naturally able to do this, making it surprisingly easy.
 
“This is fun because it’s so easy. Let’s pick up the pace and do a lap around the field.”
 
Winning first place didn’t seem like a dream anymore.
 
But … Read the rest

“No problem. It was nothing. Please, raise your head,”
 
“Minazuki-kun, you’re so kind,”
 
” …… That’s not true.
 
Saito felt uncomfortable with her praise.
 
He knew she saw through his intentions long ago.
 
Outwardly, it seemed he helped because she was in trouble, but in reality, he felt guilty.
 
Unable to look Koyuki in the eye, Saito averted his gaze.
 
“Fufu… (Minazuki-kun is really easy to read. It’s like he’s a child. That’s probably why, even knowing his ulterior motives, I don’t feel bad. He’s a strange kid.) Is something wrong?” Koyuki asked.… Read the rest

Chapter 2: Mine

It’s been about a month since I started high school.
 
By now, I had gotten used to high school life, and my friendships had begun to solidify.
 
During today’s homeroom, we were deciding the events for the upcoming sports festival at the end of the month.
 
“First, we need to decide one boy and one girl for the representative relay. Any volunteers?”
 
“Me, me! Chairman, I want to do it!”
 
Saito, who had been looking forward to this day more than anyone else, immediately raised his hand as soon as the discussion began.
 
“Minazuki, huh? Don’t worry, … Read the rest

“You’re pushy, you know that?”
 
“People say that a lot,”
 
Saito replied with a cheerful smile. ho is sarcastically saying to him with his tired arm wobbling around
 
With that, Saito headed to the garden with Takumi.
 
“So, why are you doing this?”
 
Saito asked as he watered the plants in the designated area.
 
“It’s a hobby,”
 
“If it’s a hobby, why not do it at home? You don’t have to do it at school. Or is it like a secret base thing? You want a private space?”
 
“That’s not it. …But … Read the rest

Chapter 1: The Student Council President and the Vice President

 
It was the beginning of May, with the warmth of the season lingering in the air.
 
Today’s weather was perfect, with clear skies and gentle, warm sunshine that was so pleasant it made you feel sleepy—ideal for a lunch break.
 
Naturally, there was no way the high school students were going to stay quiet during their lunch break.
 
As soon as class ended, they rushed out of the classrooms to their favorite spots, engaging in meals and conversations.
 
Just like them, a boy named Saito Minazuki, who had just started … Read the rest

Prologue: Wilted Flower

 
Just as flowers need water, people need love.
 
There are many ways to give this love, from obvious forms like money, gifts, or physical warmth, to harsher words and actions that are harder to recognize as love.
 
People express their love in their own ways.
 
However, this does not always lead to growth.
 
Just as different flowers need different care, so do different people need different kinds of love.
 
There are those who can receive love in any form
 
and those who only accept the most obvious signs of affection.
 
When these types align perfectly, love can … Read the rest

Digital Book Bonus: Newly Written Short Story
 
[Announcement of Results]
 
In March, when the winter chill hasn’t completely faded,
 
Saito and Lily appeared from a certain car, both wearing uniforms.
 
“It’s cold.”
 
As soon as they got out of the car, Saito shivered in the cold outside.
 
Then, the window of the driver’s seat opened, and a golden-haired beauty appeared.
 
“Shall I bring a scarf for you, Saito-kun?”
 
Speaking a bit brokenly, this beauty was Lucy, Lily’s mother.
 
Having a long-standing relationship, she took care of Saito like her own child.… Read the rest

Epilogue
 

 
The day after the incident.
 
“Hello, Saito.”
 
“Hi, Lily.”
 
Even though it was a school day, Lily and Saito didn’t come across each other until after lunch,
 
as Lily had been re-questioned about yesterday’s events at the police station.
 
“I’m glad Haruki is okay!”
 
“We were really worried! Seriously.”
 
“Whoa!? Hey, you two, that’s too tight! My bones are creaking!”
 
Lily, placing her bag down, looked at Haruki, who had come to school with them. He was being tightly embraced by his childhood friend Mizuki and senior Koyuki, screaming … Read the rest