The Schoolโs Top Idol Is Acting Like Sheโs My Childhood Friend for Some Reason and Just Keeps Closing the Distance on Her Ownโฆ?! ~Stop Getting All Gloomy on Me Just Because I Turned You Down!~
Twenty-six days until the cultural festival.
Even though only three days have passed, our classroom was already starting to look different from usual.
Cardboard boxes and colored construction paper were piled up at the back of the classroom, and paper records cut out by the decoration team were hanging by the windows. A schedule created by Hara was posted at the edge of the blackboard, and after every closing assembly, updates were added regarding who would stay behind and what needed to be finished.
Retro Cafรฉ.
It sounds chic just from the name, but in reality, itโs a collection of mundane, behind-the-scenes tasks.
Cutting paper, pasting it, measuring desk layouts, counting the necessary materials. Thereโs absolutely no sign of the kind of scene you often see in romantic comedies, where paint accidentally splatters onto the heroineโs cheek while sheโs painting.
Instead, what ended up on my cheek was a price tag sticker.
โSeita, donโt move.โ
โWhat are you doing?โ
โIt suits you.โ
โDonโt stick a 100-yen price tag on a person.โ
Rino, the culprit whoโd stuck the price tag on my cheek, was about to raise her smartphone with a satisfied look on her face.
I peeled the price tag off before she could take the picture.
โDelete that.โ
โI havenโt taken it yet.โ
โDonโt even try to take it.โ
โIf itโs 100 yen, Iโll buy it.โ
โThatโs way too cheap.โ
โSo, how much?โ
โItโs not about the price.โ
โBut Iโm not selling Seita, though.โ
As if it were no big deal, Rino peeled the price tag off my cheek and stuck it into her notebook.
โThrow that away.โ
โItโs the first price tag I ever put on Seita.โ
โThatโs a weird thing to keep as a memento.โ
โAnything related to Seita is pretty much a memento.โ
Across the table, Hara, who had been cutting up a paper menu, looked over at us with an exasperated expression.
โRino, youโre going to end up saving even the eraser shavings Takahara-kun used.โ
โIโd throw that away.โ
โGood. So youโre still drawing the line somewhere.โ
โIf it were a eraser Seita really treasured, Iโd think about it.โ
โYou didnโt draw the line.โ
Shinozaki muttered in a sleepy voice.
I pretended not to hear her and went back to work.
My job today was to draft the menu.
Coffee, tea, orange juice.
Due to the limitations of our kitchen facilities, food options were limited to store-bought baked goods and simple pancakes. Apparently, to set the mood, we were supposed to give the items slightly old-fashioned names.
Twilight Coffee.
Pure Love Tea.
Youth Cream Soda.
The moment I saw the last name, I silently drew a double line through it.
โOh, Takahara-kun. Why are you crossing that out?โ
boy who looked like the one who came up with the idea spoke up.
โBecause that name is dangerous.โ
โItโs just a normal name.โ
โDonโt turn youth into a drink. If you consume the wrong amount, youโll die.โ
โWhat are you talking about?โ
He didnโt get it.
Of course not.
My โyouth complexโ is just too hard for the average person to understand.
โI actually like it, thoughโYouth Cream Soda.โ
Rino peered at the menu over my shoulder.
โI figured you would, Rino.โ
โI want to share a single straw with Seita.โ
โThere are two straws for one drink, right?โ
โThe same one is fine.โ
โThink about hygiene.โ
โItโs fine if itโs Seita.โ
โIโm not okay with it.โ
โDo you hate the idea?โ
Rino lowers her eyes slightly.
The light in her eyes, which had been so bright just a moment ago, dims ever so slightly.
This isnโt the kind of pressure I should be putting on her while weโre preparing for the cultural festival.
โโฆโฆIf itโs not in front of other people, Iโll think about it.โ
I thought Iโd left myself a way out.
But Rinoโs face lights up in an instant.
โItโs a promise, okay?โ
โI just said Iโd think about it.โ
โToday is the anniversary of Seita agreeing to consider using the same straw as me.โ
โYou need to rethink your definition of an โanniversary.โโ
Lukewarm stares came flying from the classmates working nearby.
It scares me that Iโve been gradually getting used to these stares lately.
The old me would have bolted from the classroom the moment I drew attention like this. Was everyone laughing at me? Did they think I was in the way? Obsessed with such thoughts, Iโd put on a nonchalant expression and leave as quickly as possible.
But now, even though I feel embarrassed, I donโt feel the urge to run away.
Because Rino is right here beside me.
But that wasnโt the only reason.
Itโs because the classmates still in the classroom have gradually started talking to me, too.
โTakahara, can you use the tablet for the cash register calculations?โ
โI donโt think we have enough of the schoolโs loaner tablets. Itโd be faster to number the receipts and make a single ledger.โ
โSo, can you make that?โ
โIf itโs just a draft, I can have it done by the end of the day.โ
โThatโd be a huge help.โ
Theyโre counting on me.
Even though itโs just that simple, my heart feels unsettled deep down.
Iโm happy.
At the same time, Iโm scared.
If Iโm useful once, theyโll expect it again next time.
If I fail, theyโll be disappointed.
Words a teacher once said to me come back to me at times like this.
[If you canโt do it, donโt take on extra work in the first place.]
[Youโre causing trouble for everyone around you.]
I couldnโt even remember exactly what Iโd actually failed at anymore.
Still, the voice itself remains.
Every time someone relies on me, that voice whispers deep in my heart.
Can I really do this?
Wonโt I end up being a burden again?
โSeita.โ
Rinoโs voice snapped me back to reality.
Before I knew it, I was gripping the pen too tightly. The tip was pressed down on a single spot on the paper, spreading a black smudge.
โWere you spacing out again?โ
โโฆโฆJust a little.โ
โWant to take a break?โ
Rino didnโt try to force me to say I was okay like she used to.
Should I go home?
Should I take a break?
Should I keep going?
She lets me choose for myself.
Every time I feel that change, I want to give Rino something back in return.
โIโm okay. I wonโt run away this time.โ
โAre you pushing yourself too hard?โ
โA little. But I want to do this.โ
I ran a strip of correction tape over the smudged black area.
โI want to see this through to the endโthe task you asked me to do.โ
Rino stared at my face for a moment, then nodded slightly.
โThen Iโll help you, too.โ
โDonโt you have a schedule for the customer service team?โ
โIโm done.โ
โIsnโt that a little early?โ
โI worked hard because I wanted to help Seita.โ
โSo itโs all because of me, huh?โ
โYeah.โ
Her reply was without hesitation.
Rino pulled her chair up next to mine, and we peered at the draft of the accounting sheet together.
Our shoulders touched.
In the past, this proximity alone would have consumed most of my attention. Even now, my heart races a little, but Iโve gotten used to it enough to keep working.
Is it okay to get used to this?
Is it really okay for a person to get used to working on cultural festival materials while sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with a top-tier idol?
โSeita, the number here is wrong.โ
โWhere?โ
โThe baked goodsโthe planned quantity is 120.โ
โYouโre right. Thanks.โ
โYouโre welcome.โ
Rino smiled happily.
As I corrected the numbers, it suddenly occurred to me.
โRino, youโre good at this kind of thing, arenโt you?โ
โI see schedules like this all the time on set. If I donโt check them myself, plans can change suddenly.โ
โThat must be tough.โ
โBut Iโm having fun today.โ
โWeโre just filling out paperwork.โ
โBecause Iโm with Seita.โ
I hated that Iโd come to expect that answer.
No, I didnโt hate it.
If anything, I was a little happy.
I was just too embarrassed to admit it.
About an hour later, we discovered we were missing some of the necessary supplies.
Black construction paper, gold pens, double-sided tape, poster board. And card stands for displaying the menu.
โWeโll need to go shopping, huh?โ
Hara said, glancing at the inventory list.
โWe could do it tomorrow, but is anyone available today?โ
The students still in the classroom exchanged glances.
It seemed many of them had club activities, cram school, or chores to do at home.
I checked my watch.
Iโd just get home a little later than usual; I didnโt have any specific plans.
โI can go.โ
The moment I said that, Rinoโs hand shot up next to me.
โI can go, too.โ
โRino, donโt you have work today?โ
โNope. I keep my after-school time free for Seita.โ
โItโs for the cultural festival, right?โ
โFor Seita, whoโll be at the cultural festival.โ
Hara grinned and handed me the shopping list.
โOkay, then, just the two of us, please.โ
โWait. I didnโt say we were going together.โ
โBut thereโs no one else.โ
Hara scanned the classroom.
Everyone unnaturally looked away.
These guys.
Theyโre definitely finding this amusing.
โSeita, do you mind if itโs just the two of us?โ
Rino tugged on my sleeve.
I donโt mind.
In fact, Iโm not as resistant to going out with Rino alone as I used to be.
The moment I admitted that to myself, my teenage insecurities popped up with a warning: โShopping for the cultural festival is basically a date.โ
Shut up.
Right now, itโs just getting supplies.
โโฆLetโs go.โ
โOkay.โ
ใRino picked up her bag, looking happy.
Just as we were about to leave the classroom, Shinozaki said in a sleepy voice.
โYou two, make sure to do some shopping, okay?โ
โWhat else are we supposed to do?โ
โI donโt knowโโ
It was a suggestive way of putting it.
I pretended not to hear it and walked out of the classroom side-by-side with Rino.
ใโปใโปใโป
About a fifteen-minute walk from school, thereโs a large stationery store.
When we entered the store still in our school uniforms, perhaps because it was cultural festival season, there were several groups of high school students also looking for supplies.
Rino held the shopping list, and I carried the basket.
โFirst, black drawing paper.โ
โItโs at the back of the stationery section.โ
โSeita, do you know where it is?โ
โI came here before to look for a card case.โ
โAnother one of Seitaโs memories I donโt know about.โ
โI just came to a stationery store, thatโs all.โ
โWith who?โ
โBy myself.โ
โThatโs a relief.โ
โWhat are you talking about?โ
โThat you didnโt come with a girl.โ
โDo you really think I had the kind of teenage life where Iโd come to a stationery store with a girl back in middle school?โ
After I said that, the air seemed to freeze for a moment.
My self-deprecating remark.
In the past, Rino might have immediately looked sad.
But today, she just gave my sleeve a light tug.
โSo, todayโs the first time, then.โ
โFirst time what?โ
โThe first time youโve come to a stationery store with a girl.โ
โDonโt go collecting even such minor โfirsts.โโ
โI want lots of Seitaโs โfirsts.โโ
โThatโs a dangerous way to put it.โ
Rino laughed cheerfully as she began picking out black drawing paper.
I stood next to her and checked how many sheets we needed.
The shopping itself went smoothly.
Three gold pens.
Five packs of double-sided tape.
Ten sheets of poster paper.
Twelve card stands.
Even though we were just picking out supplies for the cultural festival, Rino kept asking me for my opinion on everything she picked up.
โSeita, which one do you like betterโthis one or that one?โ
โIf itโs gold, the one on the right is easier to see.โ
โThen the one on the right.โ
โWhat do you think, Rino?โ
โSame as Seita.โ
โYou donโt have to agree with me.โ
โI want to agree with you.โ
โJust pick the one that fits the cafรฉโs atmosphere.โ
โThe one that fits the atmosphere with Seita here.โ
โI donโt get the criteria.โ
Even so, the time we spent discussing and choosing things together was fun.
Weโd look at the same shelf, search for what we needed, and put it in the basket when we found it.
That was all there was to it.
And yet, strangely, it felt fulfilling.
Maybe Iโd always longed for ordinary moments like this.
Going shopping for the cultural festival with someone from my class.
Chatting about silly things on the way home.
Iโd only ever known that kind of small-scale youth through stories.
โSeita.โ
โWhat?โ
โYou seem a little happy right now.โ
โDoes it look like that?โ
โYeah.โ
โโฆActually, it is a little fun.โ
When I answered honestly, Rino stopped in her tracks.
In the store bustling with people, she stood frozen, staring at me.
โRino?โ
โSeita just said heโs having fun preparing for the cultural festival.โ
โI meant the shopping trip, though.โ
โIโm glad I came with you.โ
Rinoโs face broke into a smile so happy it looked like she was about to cry.
There were other customers around us.
Even so, I didnโt take my eyes off her.
โIโm glad I came with you too, Rino.โ
The moment the words left my mouth, I felt a warmth deep in my chest.
Rino seemed at a loss for words and gripped the sleeve of my school uniform tightly.
โSeita, you shouldnโt have said that.โ
โI regret it too, now that Iโve said it.โ
โDonโt take it back.โ
โI wonโt take it back.โ
I answered naturally.
Rinoโs eyes wavered.
My use of honorifics had all but disappeared.
If I let my guard down, they might come back.
But when I was alone with Rino, I was starting to feel that I no longer needed to keep our distance with polite language.
When we finished shopping and left the store, the sky was covered with dark clouds.
We hadnโt even walked for a few minutes before rain began to fall in scattered drops.
โItโs started raining.โ
โI donโt have an umbrella.โ
โMe neither.โ
The rain quickly grew heavier.
We dashed under the eaves of a nearby building.
Fortunately, the items weโd bought had been placed in a large plastic bag, so they werenโt wet.
But because weโd been running, fine raindrops clung to Rinoโs hair and shoulders.
โAre you okay?โ
โYeah. What about you, Seita?โ
โIโm fine, too.โ
Rino reached out, not to herself, but to my wet bangs.
Her fingertips touched my forehead.
โYouโre wet.โ
โSo are you, Rino.โ
I took a handkerchief out of my bag and held it out to Rino.
โUse this.โ
โI want Seita to wipe it off.โ
โYou can do it yourself, canโt you?โ
โI want Seita to do it.โ
Amid the sound of the rain, Rino was looking straight at me.
Sighing, I gently wiped the raindrops from her hair with the handkerchief.
Rino didnโt move.
She narrowed her eyes and pressed her cheek against my hand, looking relieved.
โYouโre like a dog.โ
โItโs fine if Seita will take care of me.โ
โLive like a human being.โ
โThen Iโll become part of Seitaโs family.โ
โYouโre jumping to conclusions.โ
Even as I said that, I kept wiping her hair.
Rinoโs face was close.
Close enough that I could touch her if I reached out.
No, I was already touching her hair.
โSeita.โ
โWhat?โ
โIโm really happy right now.โ
โWeโre just waiting out the rain.โ
โWe went shopping for the cultural festival, got caught in the rain, and now youโre drying my hair.โ
โWhen you put it all together like that, it suddenly sounds like a romantic comedy.โ
โThatโs the kind of thing you like, isnโt it, Seita?โ
โI like watching them. But actually being in one is bad for my heart.โ
โBut youโre not running away.โ
At Rinoโs words, my hand stopped moving.
Itโs trueโIโm not running away.
Not in the classroom.
Not while we were shopping.
Not even now, at this distance.
Itโs not that Iโm not scared.
But itโs different from before.
โItโs because youโre here, Rino.โ
My voice was so soft it was almost drowned out by the sound of the rain.
But it seemed Rino had heard me.
Her eyes slowly widened.
โSay it again.โ
โIf you didnโt hear it because of the rain, then thatโs fine.โ
โI heard it, but I want to hear it again.โ
โDonโt be so greedy.โ
โI want to hear every word Seita says.โ
Rino didnโt just grab my sleeveโshe took my hand.
We intertwined our fingers.
In that narrow space under the eaves, we stood facing each other, holding hands.
โAre you scared of the cultural festival?โ
โStill a little.โ
โIโm here for you.โ
โI know.โ
โDuring the preparations, on the day itself, and even after itโs over.โ
โThe cultural festival committeeโs work doesnโt last until after itโs over, does it?โ
โIt means Iโll still be here even after the cultural festival is over.โ
That felt heavy.
But I was happy.
I squeezed her hand in return.
โThen, please stay with me until the very end.โ
โOkay.โ
Rino nodded without hesitation.
โEven if you say you donโt want me to, Iโll still be here.โ
โIf you really donโt want to, just let go.โ
โIf I really donโt want to, Iโll think about it.โ
โYouโll just think about it?โ
โBut Seita, you donโt mind, do you?โ
I couldnโt deny it.
The rain didnโt look like it was going to stop anytime soon.
Holding hands under the eaves, we talked about the cultural festival menu.
Should we go with the โYouth Cream Sodaโ?
Is black okay for the aprons?
Could we schedule our breaks at the same time on the day of the festival?
Trivial discussions.
But for me, it was a time Iโd never known before.
Memories of school events Iโd left behind in middle school.
New memories with Rino were gradually filling that void.
Toward the end of our rain break, Rino rested her head on my shoulder.
โSeita.โ
โWhat?โ
โLetโs prepare for next yearโs cultural festival together, too, okay?โ
โThis yearโs isnโt even over yet.โ
โAnd the year after that, too.โ
โThere are only three more high school cultural festivals left.โ
โThen, after that, weโll do other events together.โ
โYouโre getting ahead of yourself.โ
โBecause I want to make lots of plans for the future with Seita.โ
Staring at the rain, Rino said quietly.
โIf we have plans for the future, I can feel like Seita will be right beside me tomorrow, too.โ
Hearing those words, my heart ached just a little.
Rino, too, was harboring anxiety.
That I might run away someday.
That I might suddenly disappear.
Thatโs why she craves promises about the future.
Still holding her hand, I replied briefly.
โIโll be here tomorrow.โ
โAnd the day after tomorrow?โ
โIโll be here.โ
โOn the day of the cultural festival?โ
โIโll be here.โ
โWhat about next year?โ
โโฆโฆIโll probably be right beside you then, too.โ
Rino rested her cheek against my shoulder.
โLetโs make it more than โprobably.โโ
โHow?โ
โIโll make sure you canโt run away.โ
โThatโs kind of scary.โ
โBecause I like you.โ
The same words as always.
But today, they felt closer to me than the sound of the rain.
Instead of answering, I squeezed Rinoโs hand once more.
Twenty-six days until the cultural festival.
Even though preparations had only just begun, memories I didnโt want to forget were already starting to pile up inside me.
Maigetsu