After finishing a good sweat, I left the gym with Ichinose and Amakura.
“Well then, I’m going to make a quick stop on the way home,” Amakura said just after we stepped outside. She then quickly created some distance between us, waved her hand, and headed down the escalator.
“She seemed to be in a hurry. Is she meeting someone?”
“No, I think she was just being considerate—so that you and I could talk alone.” Whether it was out of thoughtfulness for two allied class leaders getting some time to bond, or for another reason entirely, the truth behind her actions wasn’t hard to imagine.
“If you’d like… want to walk home together? I guess asking like that makes it hard to say no, huh?”
“No, it’s fine. I was planning to head straight home today anyway. Besides, we haven’t had a chance to talk about the exam yet.”
“Yeah? I’m glad. That makes me happy,” Ichinose looked up at me, smiled slightly, and narrowed her eyes gently as we left the Keyaki Mall together.
The time had passed 6:30 PM, but it wasn’t dark outside. Winter’s shadow had fully retreated, and the lingering light was a sign that spring was slowly beginning to stretch its stay.
“This time’s results were unfortunate.”
“Even if you take great care of your health, some things are just out of your control. It can’t be helped.”
As expected by all the classes, this exam had taken place over the course of a week. Evaluation points were based on things like adherence to school rules and general conduct.
While we weren’t told the detailed scoring, it was communicated that the four classes were nearly tied.
That was the result. It was a relief that Hoshinomiya-sensei’s reckless behavior didn’t end up having a negative effect.
There was no change in class rankings, and the point gaps from Class A to Class D remained largely the same.
“There’s no real problem. As long as we win the next special exam, we can make up for it.” “I see. That’s a confident and reassuring take. I’ll do my best to support you however I can.” “Of course, I’m counting on you. Actually, I have another matter I want to consult you about. I want to increase the number of people in the gym. Would it be okay if I invited someone?”
“I think it’s a great idea. I’d been a bit worried about the membership numbers and the gym’s revenue, even if it’s not my business,” Ichinose responded honestly, showing her support for the idea.
“But you don’t need my permission for something like that.”
“That’s not true. The person I’m thinking of inviting is from your class.”
“Is that so? Who is it?”
“I’m thinking of approaching Watanabe, Kanzaki, and Himeno.” I listed their names casually, making sure not to hint at any particular intention in the order or combination. And I deliberately didn’t mention Hamaguchi’s name. However, such tricks were ultimately meaningless. Upon hearing the three names, Ichinose smiled.
“They’re an interesting trio. Lately, Kanzaki-kun seems to be keeping some distance from me, and on the other hand, it looks like he’s gotten closer to Himeno-san—they’ve been talking just the two of them now and then. I can tell he’s been trying to do something when I was showing a bit of weakness. If we start going to the gym together, there’s a chance it could help break down any awkward walls. But if that’s the case, shouldn’t you invite Hamaguchi-kun too?”
It seemed like she had completely seen through my intentions. And impressively, she had a full grasp of the dynamics within her own class.
“As for Watanabe-kun… I guess he just wants to get closer to Amikura-chan, right?”
As expected.
“You got me. I figured you’d see through it.”
It was true that I genuinely wanted to bring more energy to the gym, but my motives for choosing those particular members had been seen through in an instant.
“I get it, really. But yeah, I’d totally welcome it. I think Watanabe-kun will be fine as long as he pretends not to notice the real reason. But do you think Kanzaki-kun and the others would actually join the gym?”
“They will. No—they have to.”
“Yeah. It doesn’t necessarily have to be through the gym, but I’ve felt for a while now that we really need to unite the class in a true sense sooner rather than later.” “Then don’t hold back. Go ahead and invite them.” “Yeah, thank you. I’m really happy you’re helping like this, Ayanokōji-kun.”
Standing on my right, Ichinose gave me a bright, carefree smile. Then, for a brief moment, the back of her left hand brushed against the back of my right hand. And as her hand slowly moved closer again, our fingertips touched—and then intertwined.
But then she seemed to realize instinctively that this was something she shouldn’t do, and quickly pulled away in a panic. Her cheeks flushed red, and she averted her gaze. But slowly, her eyes returned to meet mine.
“S-sorry… I’m sorry. I just… ended up wanting to touch you… even though we’re just friends…”
Even if we knew everything about each other, our relationship was defined as “friends.” Even knowing that it’s just a difference in terminology, there’s a massive, unremovable wall between us.
It would be easy to take her hand right then. Ichinose probably wouldn’t dislike it if I did.
Her personality, her body, her mind—I don’t hate any of them. In fact, she’s far more attractive than someone who’s only halfway genuine. That’s the truth.
As I continued to look at her, Ichinose—clearly embarrassed—still met my gaze.
Even though she knows parts of my darkness, she still has the capacity to accept me with a generous heart. Even so— If you ask whether I’m emotionally attached in a romantic sense at this very moment, I’d have to say no.
I recall that recent afternoon I spent with Hiyori in the library after school, and the image of her holding flowers. A space filled with happiness, a sensation unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. I clearly remember what I felt that day, that unfamiliar emotion— and I find myself yearning for it.
“—Who are you thinking about?”
Perhaps she had entered my thoughts through the gaze we shared, as her lips quietly moved.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because… you looked happy, I guess.”
Ichinose has always been good at reading the mood and understanding others, but since that night, her perceptiveness seems to have taken another leap.
“Sorry, you don’t have to answer. It’s not something a friend should intrude on… right?”
She showed a slightly lonely expression for a moment, but quickly returned to her usual self.
Eventually, we arrived in front of the dormitory, maintaining a slight distance between us.
“I’ll be waiting for Kanzaki and the others’ replies.”
“Yeah.”
I watched her back as she ran ahead into the dormitory, then lifted my gaze slightly toward the sky dyed by the sunset.
The joy of experiencing a new emotion. And wondering how that emotion would influence me—and others.
Will it lead to prosperity, or ruin? Or perhaps, something else entirely?
Right now, I’m living in a very fulfilling, satisfying moment. And for that, I must truly, deeply be grateful.
Bright Red
Illustration context
After finishing a good sweat, I left the gym with Ichinose and Amakura.
“Well then, I’m going to make a quick stop on the way home,”
Amakura said just after we stepped outside. She then quickly created some distance between us, waved her hand, and headed down the escalator.
“She seemed to be in a hurry. Is she meeting someone?”
“No, I think she was just being considerate—so that you and I could talk alone.”
Whether it was out of thoughtfulness for two allied class leaders getting some time to bond, or for another reason entirely, the truth behind her actions wasn’t hard to imagine.
“If you’d like… want to walk home together? I guess asking like that makes it hard to say no, huh?”
“No, it’s fine. I was planning to head straight home today anyway. Besides, we haven’t had a chance to talk about the exam yet.”
“Yeah? I’m glad. That makes me happy,”
Ichinose looked up at me, smiled slightly, and narrowed her eyes gently as we left the Keyaki Mall together.
The time had passed 6:30 PM, but it wasn’t dark outside.
Winter’s shadow had fully retreated, and the lingering light was a sign that spring was slowly beginning to stretch its stay.
“This time’s results were unfortunate.”
“Even if you take great care of your health, some things are just out of your control. It can’t be helped.”
As expected by all the classes, this exam had taken place over the course of a week.
Evaluation points were based on things like adherence to school rules and general conduct.
While we weren’t told the detailed scoring, it was communicated that the four classes were nearly tied.
That was the result. It was a relief that Hoshinomiya-sensei’s reckless behavior didn’t end up having a negative effect.
Horikita Class- 1240 Points
Ryuen Class- 1081 Points
Ayanokoji Class- 867 Points
Ichinose Class- 864 Points
There was no change in class rankings, and the point gaps from Class A to Class D remained largely the same.
“There’s no real problem. As long as we win the next special exam, we can make up for it.”
“I see. That’s a confident and reassuring take. I’ll do my best to support you however I can.”
“Of course, I’m counting on you. Actually, I have another matter I want to consult you about. I want to increase the number of people in the gym. Would it be okay if I invited someone?”
“I think it’s a great idea. I’d been a bit worried about the membership numbers and the gym’s revenue, even if it’s not my business,” Ichinose responded honestly, showing her support for the idea.
“But you don’t need my permission for something like that.”
“That’s not true. The person I’m thinking of inviting is from your class.”
“Is that so? Who is it?”
“I’m thinking of approaching Watanabe, Kanzaki, and Himeno.”
I listed their names casually, making sure not to hint at any particular intention in the order or combination.
And I deliberately didn’t mention Hamaguchi’s name.
However, such tricks were ultimately meaningless. Upon hearing the three names, Ichinose smiled.
“They’re an interesting trio. Lately, Kanzaki-kun seems to be keeping some distance from me, and on the other hand, it looks like he’s gotten closer to Himeno-san—they’ve been talking just the two of them now and then. I can tell he’s been trying to do something when I was showing a bit of weakness. If we start going to the gym together, there’s a chance it could help break down any awkward walls. But if that’s the case, shouldn’t you invite Hamaguchi-kun too?”
It seemed like she had completely seen through my intentions. And impressively, she had a full grasp of the dynamics within her own class.
“As for Watanabe-kun… I guess he just wants to get closer to Amikura-chan, right?”
As expected.
“You got me. I figured you’d see through it.”
It was true that I genuinely wanted to bring more energy to the gym, but my motives for choosing those particular members had been seen through in an instant.
“I get it, really. But yeah, I’d totally welcome it. I think Watanabe-kun will be fine as long as he pretends not to notice the real reason. But do you think Kanzaki-kun and the others would actually join the gym?”
“They will. No—they have to.”
“Yeah. It doesn’t necessarily have to be through the gym, but I’ve felt for a while now that we really need to unite the class in a true sense sooner rather than later.”
“Then don’t hold back. Go ahead and invite them.”
“Yeah, thank you. I’m really happy you’re helping like this, Ayanokōji-kun.”
Standing on my right, Ichinose gave me a bright, carefree smile.
Then, for a brief moment, the back of her left hand brushed against the back of my right hand.
And as her hand slowly moved closer again, our fingertips touched—and then intertwined.
But then she seemed to realize instinctively that this was something she shouldn’t do, and quickly pulled away in a panic.
Her cheeks flushed red, and she averted her gaze. But slowly, her eyes returned to meet mine.
“S-sorry… I’m sorry. I just… ended up wanting to touch you… even though we’re just friends…”
Even if we knew everything about each other, our relationship was defined as “friends.”
Even knowing that it’s just a difference in terminology, there’s a massive, unremovable wall between us.
It would be easy to take her hand right then.
Ichinose probably wouldn’t dislike it if I did.
Her personality, her body, her mind—I don’t hate any of them.
In fact, she’s far more attractive than someone who’s only halfway genuine. That’s the truth.
As I continued to look at her, Ichinose—clearly embarrassed—still met my gaze.
Even though she knows parts of my darkness, she still has the capacity to accept me with a generous heart.
Even so—
If you ask whether I’m emotionally attached in a romantic sense at this very moment, I’d have to say no.
I recall that recent afternoon I spent with Hiyori in the library after school, and the image of her holding flowers.
A space filled with happiness, a sensation unlike anything I’d ever experienced before.
I clearly remember what I felt that day, that unfamiliar emotion—
and I find myself yearning for it.
“—Who are you thinking about?”
Perhaps she had entered my thoughts through the gaze we shared, as her lips quietly moved.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because… you looked happy, I guess.”
Ichinose has always been good at reading the mood and understanding others,
but since that night, her perceptiveness seems to have taken another leap.
“Sorry, you don’t have to answer.
It’s not something a friend should intrude on… right?”
She showed a slightly lonely expression for a moment, but quickly returned to her usual self.
Eventually, we arrived in front of the dormitory, maintaining a slight distance between us.
“I’ll be waiting for Kanzaki and the others’ replies.”
“Yeah.”
I watched her back as she ran ahead into the dormitory,
then lifted my gaze slightly toward the sky dyed by the sunset.
The joy of experiencing a new emotion.
And wondering how that emotion would influence me—and others.
Will it lead to prosperity, or ruin?
Or perhaps, something else entirely?
Right now, I’m living in a very fulfilling, satisfying moment.
And for that, I must truly, deeply be grateful.
1 month ago | [YT] | 194