Yamada Ryo lifted her eyes and stared blankly ahead. That slender, azure figure had already begun to fade into the distance.
There was no way she could actually do what Togawa Sakiko suggested, walking up and slapping her across the face.
Even though Ryo and Haru had already come to understand their feelings and laid them bare between each other, they had never truly confessed or made things official. In other words, she could not yet call herself his girlfriend.
But even if she and Haru had already confirmed their relationship, so what?
Ryo indeed disliked Sakiko, but not to the point of taking it that far.
"J-just now, Ryo-senpai… you were kind of scary…"
"I almost thought you were really going to hit her!"
Standing beside her, Ikuyo Kita was still shaken. She patted her flat chest lightly, as if that small action could calm her flustered heart, but instead she only found herself struggling to catch her breath for a while.
She had only managed to speak up a moment ago by summoning every bit of courage she had. The truth was, Ikuyo Kita had been scared half to death!
After all, in that "dream," Ryo-senpai had slapped her, hard and real!
"Seriously, I was the one who almost got scared to death just now…"
The smallest in stature, Ijichi Nijika, stood with her hands on her hips in exasperation. She looked like a guardian watching over three troublesome children. If Ryo had actually raised her hand against Sakiko, she would have had no idea how to stop her.
Fortunately, things hadn't escalated to that point. Otherwise, she truly wouldn't have known how to explain it to Haru.
"Ugh… actually it's just because I haven't eaten today. I don't have any strength left at all."
"All I did earlier was snatch a few apple slices from Haru. My stomach's still completely empty…"
She casually pulled out some eyedrops and let two drops fall into her golden eyes. Tears welled up immediately, and Ryo turned a pitiful gaze first toward Nijika , and when her childhood friend failed to react, shifted it toward Ikuyo Kita.
"Eh? B-but if I treat Ryo-senpai to a meal, you won't go looking for trouble with Sakiko again, right?"
"If the portions Ikuyo treats me to are big enough, I'll probably be too busy with food to go anywhere else."
Not far away, the mood among the brightly-haired girls turned lively in an instant. The tense atmosphere from just moments ago vanished as if it had never existed. Watching from nearby, Yuutenji Nyamu was dumbfounded, staring in disbelief at the scene that felt like a complete wrap-up to some drama.
Seriously?
Was this really the same person as a moment ago?
Having observed the whole situation, Nyamu hadn't expected events to unfold this way. She was even more shocked to learn that "Sakiko" was the very person responsible for Haru's injuries and hospitalization. No wonder that girl had rushed to ask her about Haru's condition just now!
And who on earth were these other girls?
Why did they all know both Sakiko and Haru? Judging by appearances, that blue-haired girl seemed to share a special connection with him as well. Could it be that Haru wasn't just after the girls of Ave Mujica, but even those from other bands too?!
Her mind swirled with questions and astonishment. Arms crossed tightly, Nyamu stood frozen, her thoughts in chaos.
Perhaps sensing she was still standing awkwardly in place, one of the girls suddenly broke away and ran up to her. A cute blonde with delicate features and an apologetic expression hurried over in white sneakers. She bowed politely and said,
"…I'm really sorry!"
"One of my band members seems to have caused you trouble, but I hope you don't take it to heart. She just tends to be a bit blunt, and her mind works a little differently from most. Honestly, she doesn't mean any harm."
Nyamu nodded reflexively. She wasn't the type to get angry over something like this anyway.
Even if she did feel a little annoyed deep down, as a "public figure," Nyamu could hardly risk getting into an argument on the street. And since the other party was a friend of Haru's, she had no intention of straining her ties with her own source of attention and popularity.
"Thank you very much. You're a really understanding person."
A gentle smile returned to Nijika 's face, her little white teeth flashing like a warm ray of sunlight across Nyamu's neck. The teacher, who so often forced herself into a cutesy persona, widened her eyes in shock. For the first time, one word suddenly floated into her mind.
Angel...
This girl's smile… it didn't look fake at all.
Someone skilled at pretending had run straight into genuine, unfeigned cuteness, and Nyamu was at a loss for words. But while she stood there stunned, the angel before her gave another polite bow, then quickly turned and ran back to her group.
"Ah! That reminds me, Anon-chan mentioned before that everyone from MyGO once invited Haru to join them for a two-day band training camp to prepare for a Live!"
"Ikuyo, I have to praise you this time."
"Eh? Why is Ryo-senpai praising me…"
"Perfect! Then when we're done here, our band should hold a training camp too, to prepare for our next performance. We can celebrate Haru's discharge at the same time, like his revival!"
That angelic girl seemed to be the leader of the group. She waved her small hand like a tour guide's flag, leading even the cold and distant blue-haired girl past Nyamu, occasionally turning to chat happily with the two other girls following behind.
That band-like atmosphere among them gave Nyamu an indescribable feeling.
The pink-haired girl walking at the very back slowly came to a halt and glanced in her direction.
"Hm?"
Nyamu looked at her curiously, only to see the girl suddenly bow deeply. But her movement was so abrupt that the guitar case on her back slammed hard against her head, making her stumble and nearly fall forward.
Thankfully, she managed to steady herself quickly, then, without waiting for Nyamu's reaction, bolted away as if fleeing.
What in the world was that?
Completely unable to make sense of it, Nyamu's lips twitched slightly. Only after everyone had left did she remember why she had come to the hospital. But since Sakiko had already left earlier, visiting now felt somewhat inappropriate.
After all, Sakiko was the one who caused Haru's accident. Could it be that she had been driving without a license and hit him herself?
What did that make this?
An attempted lovey-dovey Isekai-kun special✮~?
"This relationship is far too messy, isn't it?"
…
Her anxious heartbeat echoed endlessly in her ears. She was so restless that she no longer had the patience to wait for the elevator. Instead, she climbed the stairs toward the floor number written on the paper, and the closer she got, the more her body trembled.
Sakiko slowly stretched out her hand. The white slip of paper she clutched tightly was already wrinkled, damp with sweat that blurred the most important detail, the room number.
"Soon, I'll be able to see him…"
Her heart was overflowing with words she wanted to say. The love and affection she had once intended to confess to him, her gratitude for all the times he had helped her, and the apologies that weighed the heaviest, for hurting him again and again.
There were so many things Sakiko needed to say.
Her steps quickened. Though she knew she should not be running in a hospital, she fought to suppress her anxiety, clutching the paper tightly as she turned corner after corner until finally, the room at the far end of the corridor came into view.
Just as joy flickered in her eyes, the door to that room suddenly opened from within.
"…"
A girl in a pure white dress stepped out, her expression calm as still water. With her movements, her translucent light-green hair swayed gently, like a waterfall of silk, a piece of art in motion.
The girl stood at a distance and instinctively turned her head toward Sakiko.
"…Mutsumi."
Sakiko spoke her name almost unconsciously. Wakaba Mutsumi's delicate hand lightly grasped her other wrist, and the silver ring on her left ring finger glimmered faintly in the light.
The two girls stared at each other across several meters, but neither spoke first.
Sakiko lowered her eyes, guilt clouding her gaze. Of all people, the one she could not bear to face was Mutsumi. Mutsumi had been like a sister to her since childhood, her other half in soul. Even in that moment, Mutsumi had still thought of her feelings.
Mutsumi had given her heartfelt advice. She had made space for her beside Haru.
And how had Sakiko responded?
At that time, she had been unable to consider Mutsumi's feelings at all. Deaf to every word, she had shaken off her hand, discarding her genuine kindness, even demanding that she reveal Haru's whereabouts.
"Sakiko."
Mutsumi lifted her small face. Her elegant golden eyes gazed at her quietly.
Her voice was still as soft and gentle as ever, like a simple invitation to change classrooms, ordinary and unadorned. Yet to Sakiko, it felt like a thorn caught in her throat. The calmer Mutsumi's tone was, the heavier her heart grew. It carried more weight than any harsh scolding.
But she had come this far.
No matter what, she had to see Haru, had to tell him everything in her heart.
Forcing down her hesitation and conflict, Sakiko took a deep breath and stepped forward. With trembling resolve, she approached Mutsumi. Once closer than anyone else, the two now stood face to face.
"Mutsumi, about before… I have to apologize."
"You were always thinking of me, yet I repaid you in such a way."
Hearing her apology, Mutsumi's lips parted slightly, surprise flashing across her delicate features. But as the "doll" she was, she soon regained composure, though this time her fine brows knit faintly.
She pinched the corner of her dress, a shadow flickering in her golden eyes.
"Sakiko, you don't need to apologize to me."
"Because I kept things about Haru hidden from you. Trying to convince you to accept everyone together wasn't right either. I didn't consider your feelings enough. If anything, I should be the one apologizing."
"That's not true!"
Sakiko answered in haste, her hand gently clutching Mutsumi's slender, pale wrist.
"After that… I really reflected on myself. If it had been me in your place, I would have chosen to keep it quiet for a while too. You really were thinking of me, Mutsumi!"
Perhaps Mutsumi had never expected her to say such a thing. She looked dazedly at Sakiko's flustered face. In that moment, perhaps they were truly sisters in spirit.
"I was never angry at you, Sakiko."
But Mutsumi lowered her head slowly, her dimming expression making Sakiko's heart lurch.
"However, this time is different."
"Sakiko, the one who was hurt this time was Haru."
Sakiko felt her entire body go rigid. When the small girl before her raised her head again, the golden brilliance in her eyes no longer held their usual fear or hesitation. Instead, they shone with unwavering determination.
"I will never forgive anyone who hurts Haru, even if that person is you, Sakiko."
"I really hate this side of you."
It was the first time Mutsumi had ever shown hostility toward her, and the first time Sakiko found herself at a complete loss for words.
That small "doll" had always followed behind her obediently, never offering an opinion no matter what she did. Over time, Sakiko had grown used to leading, to ignoring the feelings that Mutsumi should have had.
Sakiko had always lived at the center of her own world.
"…"
Mutsumi's words might not have been as sharp and fierce as Shiina Taki's, nor as chilling as Ryo's, but for Sakiko, they cut far deeper than either.
Sakiko's eyes gradually filled with tears. She lowered her head, unable to find any words.
Terrible. She was such a terrible person.
Even Mutsumi, who had never once shown anger or directed hostility toward anyone, had now said the word "hate" to her face. It made her already exhausted heart ache even more.
"Mutsumi, I…"
"But, Sakiko, you shouldn't stay here any longer."
Mutsumi only shook her small head gently, then stepped aside of her own accord, creating just enough space for her to pass. Her golden eyes still fixed on Sakiko, but this time, their meaning was completely different.
Sakiko's eyes widened in shock. Her lips trembled, words refusing to form.
"Mutsumi, you… you mean…?"
"…I cannot, and I am not qualified to forgive you. Right now, only Haru has that right."
She stepped aside...
The doll-like girl who had just told her "I hate you" now opened the path toward him with her own hand. It meant she had decided not to stand in the way any longer, but instead wanted her to go directly to Haru and apologize.
The blue-haired girl pressed her thin lips tightly together. Grasping Mutsumi's wrist, she could no longer hold back. Hot tears surged again, falling like beads onto the floor.
"…Mutsumi, thank you."
The words of gratitude were forced out from her throat. The usually elegant young lady now used her sleeve to wipe at her swollen eyes in a pitiful state, and only when her sleeve was damp with tears did she barely manage to compose herself again.
She could not cry. She still had to face Haru.
Her tear-stained face would look far too ugly. She did not want him to see her that way.
Her soul's other half simply took two steps back. With her doll-like expression blank, Mutsumi stood quietly at the side, watching Sakiko's steps, and finally, the way she softly closed the hospital room door.
The bright, spacious ward carried a faint scent of flowers. On the bedside table sat bouquet after bouquet of fresh blooms, each with cards inscribed in the neat handwriting of young girls. The costly, delicate wrappings lay carelessly open, and inside were tucked a few plain cucumbers.
A boy sat on the bed.
The low ponytail he usually wore was gone, his glossy black hair now loose over his shoulders. He wore a blue-and-white striped hospital gown, with white bandages wrapped tightly all over his body.
"What brings you here to see me?"
Before Sakiko could speak, the black-haired boy was already smiling, teasing her.
"…"
Even sitting in a hospital bed, he smiled as easily as ever. That casual, relaxed air made her clutch her skirt hem without realizing, her grief welling up until she hung her head, unable to reply.
Before entering, she had so many things she wanted to tell him. Yet the moment she saw Haru with her own eyes, all those words vanished. She was nothing more than a flustered, ordinary girl.
"Sakiko, what happened to your eyes?"
Haru frowned slightly. His concerned question left her at a loss.
"S-sorry… my face must look awful right now, right?"
She had cried so much, her eyes were surely swollen.
"Hm? I guess a little." Haru raised his brows with a grin, then added, "Your usual proud look suits you better. But when Sakiko smiles, you look even prettier than usual."
"…"
Sakiko's eyes brimmed with apology. She stepped closer to the bed, gazing at the bandages with aching sorrow, and asked in a trembling voice, "Do your wounds… hurt a lot?"
"…Ah, personally, I think it's not too bad?"
"How could it not hurt?!"
Seeing the girl's face covered with guilt and self-reproach, tear stains still visible on her tired cheeks, Haru sighed softly in his heart. Then he smiled again.
"Sakiko, actually, I was planning to apologize to you."
"Eh?"
She froze where she stood.
"I sent you a Line message yesterday, didn't I? But you probably didn't see it… Well, since you're here in person now, it's better to say it face to face."
Haru paused, then lifted his gaze with seriousness.
"After thinking it over… what I said at the time really was lacking. I didn't consider your feelings enough. In that sense, you were right....
I was only thinking of myself."
"But it's not entirely my fault either."
He spoke like a general claiming victory, a smug smile on his face.
"If only you'd listen carefully when I talk. But you always get stubborn at times like that, shutting out everyone's advice. Stiff and overly serious. A crybaby who insists on acting tough."
"Your personality isn't cute, and when we first met, you gave me the cold shoulder for a long time…"
His slow, deliberate scolding left her flustered. She wanted to argue, but in the end she couldn't form the words. All she could do was lower her head pitifully.
"But, stubborn beyond anyone, stronger than anyone, that 'Sakiko'—"
"The one I like… is exactly that, you."
"So, will you give me a chance?"