— — — — — —
The email was short and to the point.
The editor, someone named Yamada Chris, didn't bother with pleasantries. He went straight in—he'd heard that Oikawa had been treated unfairly at Dengeki Bunko, and wanted to know if there might be a chance to work together.
"FULLDRIVE Bunko, huh?"
"It's not on the same level as Dengeki Bunko yet, but their momentum these past few years has been impressive."
After reading the message, Oikawa leaned back slightly, recalling what he knew about the publisher.
FULLDRIVE Bunko was a rising newcomer. Unlike the older, more established labels that carried themselves with a certain arrogance, this one was known for being friendly to struggling authors.
Their editors even held occasional talks for writers in community groups, which earned them a solid reputation among authors.
"Could be worth working with them. I've heard their royalties are higher than most."
"But no rush. I'll think about it after Your Lie in April's final volume is out."
After a moment's thought, Oikawa replied to the email: {"For now, I'll pass. Let's revisit this after the release of the final volume of Your Lie in April."}
Once he sent it, he leaned back on the sofa, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
The second volume of Your Lie in April was scheduled for release on October 6. Today was September 25—just ten days to go.
"Time to find someone to compose the soundtrack for the final chapter."
The reason Your Lie in April had become such a cherished classic for so many people was, more than anything, how emotionally devastating its anime had been.
Especially the finale. That last piece Kōsei played… it had reduced countless viewers to tears.
When the piano swelled to its peak, when painful memories flooded Kōsei's mind, when Kaori's spirit appeared beside him in that endless expanse of water and sky—
The sorrowful piano intertwined with the aching violin, almost like it held some kind of magic.
It made tears spill uncontrollably. It drained every ounce of strength from your body in an instant.
That feeling of grief, that helplessness…
Even long after the final episode ended, it lingered. Impossible to shake off.
Oikawa couldn't turn Your Lie in April into an anime right now.
But he could have someone produce that piece—a version where the piano and violin wove together into something that would shatter every reader's heart.
When readers reached the final chapter…
If they listened to the track he'd have recorded and uploaded beforehand, it would absolutely send chills down their spines.
By then, the emotional damage from Your Lie in April would hit at least two levels harder.
Oikawa nodded to himself. It was a flawless plan.
"This time… I've got to speed things up. Seriously, where are they going to find an author as considerate as me?!"
"Who else would pay out of their own pocket just to enhance the reader experience?!"
Oikawa felt he cared a little too much about his readers.
But putting himself in their shoes, he was sure they'd be grateful.
Definitely.
Right?
...
..
September 27—
Only one day remained before the long-awaited school festival.
By today, promotional slogans had been plastered all over Sobu High in every noticeable spot:
["Grace in conduct, brilliance in future."]
["Celebrating 60 years of learning and growth."]
["Where students grow, succeed, and shape the future."]
["Together, we build the next generation."]
Oikawa thought the slogans were kind of corny, but Shizuka Hiratsuka and the other teachers seemed oddly fond of them.
Well... Since everyone else liked them, Oikawa didn't bother objecting.
As he stepped into the school building and reached his classroom door, he could already hear the noise inside.
Classes had been canceled for the day. Everything was devoted to rehearsing for the festival.
When Oikawa walked in, the boys were busy moving desks around, setting up a stage.
The backdrop was made from thin wooden boards and cardboard boxes. The airplane prop had been built by the "three athletic idiots"—Tobe, Yamato, and Ōka.
Apparently, Ōka's father was a pilot and had given them quite a bit of guidance.
Kawasaki sat at her desk wearing headphones, helping adjust the main cast's costumes. Her talent for tailoring was just as impressive as her cooking.
Saika Totsuka and Hayato Hayama were rehearsing their lines: "Tonight… you can't come..... We've always been together—body and soul."
Oikawa only needed to hear this before he made a swift retreat, as if physically repelled.
As expected. The moment he learned that the director and scriptwriter of this musical were Ebina Hina, he should have abandoned all hope.
Especially after catching sight of her disturbingly excited grin—it only confirmed his fears.
Oikawa dropped his bag beside Kawasaki's desk, then turned and left the classroom.
On the way to the student council room, every class he passed was buzzing with energy. Oikawa slowed down here and there, sneaking glances inside, trying to spot a maid café.
Sadly, he didn't find one.
A butler café, though? That he did see.
Class 2-C. Oikawa mentally marked it down and decided that if he ever ran into them during P.E., he'd keep his distance. As far as possible.
...
The path to the student council room was one he walked countless times every day, but today it felt unusually light.
"Last day."
A small smile tugged at his lips. Once the festival ended and the autumn break started, he was going to hole up at home and do absolutely nothing for a few days.
When he stepped into the student council room, Yukino Yukinoshita was already buried in work.
The moment she saw him, she started issuing instructions.
"Oikawa, please confirm that all performance slots are within the allotted time. Make sure every club understands they cannot go over."
"And contact the sponsors. Double-check that all their requests have been met."
She wasn't the only one working. The entire room was in full swing.
Oikawa quickly got into the rhythm, handling everything from major tasks to minor details, making sure nothing would go wrong at tomorrow's festival.
When you're busy enough, you stop noticing how tired you are. You stop noticing time altogether.
By the time Oikawa finally snapped out of it, it was already afternoon. Everyone else had gone to the cafeteria, leaving only him and Yukino behind for the final checks.
"The rehearsal time for performances ran longer than expected. I'm thinking of moving the opening ceremony rehearsal to later."
"Okay." Oikawa nodded as he looked over her revised schedule.
"It's done."
"Thanks."
They both let out a long breath at the same time, then found themselves smiling at each other.
Oikawa didn't hold back his praise. "You've done an amazing job, Yukino-san. This festival won't be any worse than the one your sister led."
"Vice executive committee Oikawa, you've done well too. Really well."
They looked at each other, and then both burst into laughter, the kind that came from pure relief.
It had been exhausting.
But it was also fulfilling. And, in its own way, fun.
"I'm really looking forward to the festival starting tomorrow… aren't you?"
Yukino said it while gazing out the window. But to Oikawa, it felt like she wasn't looking at the view at all.
It was as if she was looking ahead, into something only she could see.
What kind of future she saw, though—he had no idea.
But yeah, at last. Tomorrow would be the school festival.
...
After wrapping up all the preparations, Oikawa headed to the literature club room for one final rehearsal of their performance.
After running through it one last time and confirming there were no issues, everyone called it a day.
Before leaving, Kawasaki handed Oikawa a lunchbox as usual, reminding him to return it before the end of the autumn break.
.
.
.