"She's my roommate, her name is Just a Way," Kousei said, trying to introduce her roommate to Teio and McQueen. The moment Just a Way saw McQueen, her eyes lit up like a cat spotting a mouse, and she seized McQueen's hand.
"McQueen! I'm Just a Way! It's a pleasure to meet you!"
"Uh... hello, Just a Way. It's a pleasure to meet you too," McQueen replied, glancing at their clasped hands. "Are you squeezing a bit too hard?"
"Yo! Just a Way! I'm the strongest and most invincible Teio!" Teio greeted Just a Way enthusiastically.
"Hello, Classmate Teio," Just a Way replied with a slight nod, her demeanor toward Teio much more composed compared to her effusive greeting toward McQueen.
"Eh? Is it just my imagination? Why do I feel like you're being much colder to me than to McQueen?"
"Of course it's your imagination. I would never be so rude."
McQueen leaned in close to Kousei and whispered, "Don't you think Just a Way seems a little... odd?"
The more McQueen studied Just a Way's perpetually enigmatic smile, the stranger she found her.
"Yeah, she's pretty weird. Last night, she said she was feeling anxious about transferring and insisted on sleeping with me."
"Ha?! You two slept together?!"
"Hmm? What's wrong with that?" Kousei asked, puzzled.
"Um... I can't say there is, but I can't say there isn't either. It's just... you know," McQueen stammered, avoiding the topic and wearing a complicated expression.
"So, what's bothering you, McQueen?"
"Why do I feel so familiar with Just a Way?"
Kousei paused, slightly surprised. "You feel that too, McQueen?"
"You too? So you feel it too?"
It's definitely strange, McQueen thought. Just a Way's attitude toward us is noticeably warmer than toward others.
"Nani?! What are you two whispering about over there?" Teio glared at them suspiciously.
"Nothing, just chatting," McQueen quickly changed the subject.
"Speaking of which, Kousei, didn't you create a UG account earlier?" Teio didn't press the matter further.
"Yeah, why?"
Teio pulled out her phone. "I made my own UG account yesterday and immediately saw your post."
The group crowded around to look.
"Eeeh! You already have 100,000 followers? Let me see... and you've only posted once!" McQueen exclaimed in astonishment.
"Come to think of it, I haven't checked my account since the Tenno Sho. I didn't realize I'd already gained so many followers."
Hearing this, McQueen's eyes softened with pity. "It must have been so tough for you back then, with all the negativity online."
"It was pretty rough. I was really heartbroken at the time. If I hadn't happened to see him, I don't know how long it would have taken me to finally make up my mind."
"Who?" Everyone was curious.
"A radio show host. But he doesn't work there anymore, and I have no idea where he is now," Kousei said, her thoughts drifting back to those days.
"So that's how Kousei's evolution began," Just a Way murmured, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Remembering a private message she had been too afraid to open back then, Kousei realized she could probably handle its contents now.
She pulled out her phone and tapped on the long-avoided message.
Instead of the venomous words she had expected, she found gentle words—a very short message:
"I heard you're about to compete at the racetrack. It's a pity I can't be there to cheer you on. Everyone seems to disapprove of your participation, but I draw strength from you. Please don't give up and keep running. The sight of your running back will inspire me and give me hope. Please forgive me for being so selfish."
At the end of the letter was a photo of a patient in a hospital gown. Though she looked frail, the smile on her lips was gentle and full of life.
If only I'd had the courage to open this sooner, Kousei thought.
The race was already over. She wondered if news of her victory had reached her.
"What's wrong? What are you staring at so intently?" McQueen asked, looking puzzled.
Looking at the three before her, Kousei suddenly had an idea.
"Everyone, huddle closer! Let me take a photo."
"Eh? That's so sudden!"
"Great! If we're taking photos, Invincible Teio is in top form!"
"Hehe~ Kousei and McQueen, snuggling up~" Just a Way inexplicably started grinning like a fool.
The group arranged themselves into a lineup: Kousei, Just a Way, McQueen, and Teio.
With a click, Kousei took the photo, then stared at it with satisfaction as she quietly typed a message.
Seeing Kousei's satisfied smile, the trio couldn't help but ask, "Who are you sending it to?"
Kousei pondered for a moment, then replied with a mischievous grin, "It's a secret~"
"Eh! You're keeping secrets from us?"
"I smell something fishy! Just a Way, grab her!"
"Got it!"
"No! Stop messing around!"
Watching their playful banter, one couldn't help but sigh, Youth truly is wonderful.
Meanwhile, in a hospital room, someone suddenly felt a tremor after swallowing their last pill. Puzzled, they picked up their phone, opened UG's inbox, and found a reply lying quietly there.
Clicking it open, a smile spread across their face involuntarily.
"What a terrible photo! Just like a parfait."