A little while back, after much deliberation, I decided to contact a certain someone. Tapping the name registered on my phone, I steeled myself.
Asanagi Riku.
He'd told me to feel free to consult him anytime, but I never expected I'd be taking him up on it… and not about my studies or future, but about my love life of all things.
However, I have few friends I can have these kinds of in-depth conversations with. I figured that by contacting Riku-san, I might also get some advice from Shizuku-san through him.
Prepared to be a bother, I sent a message and, to my surprise, got a quick reply.
(Maehara) Riku-san, hello.
(Asanagi Riku) Maki? It's been a while.
(Asanagi Riku) Though, it's only been since the fireworks festival, so not that long, I guess.
(Asanagi Riku) So, what's up?
(Maehara) Actually…
(Maehara) Well… for a certain reason, Umi and I are in a fight.
(Asanagi Riku) You and that idiot?
(Asanagi Riku) Sorry, it's that idiot's fault, isn't it?
(Maehara) It's more of a fifty-fifty thing…
(Asanagi Riku) Well, let me hear the details.
(Maehara) Thank you.
(Maehara) But are you sure you're not busy with work?
(Asanagi Riku) I'm busy.
(Asanagi Riku) But I have to make time to listen to your problems, Maki.
(Maehara) …Thank you, Riku-san.
After getting his approval for what would be a long story, I told Riku-san everything.
Since he was at work, the reply came about an hour later.
(Asanagi Riku) Hey, Maki.
(Maehara) Yes.
(Asanagi Riku) I think I get the gist of it.
(Asanagi Riku) But no matter how I look at it, you're 100% in the right, aren't you?
(Maehara) You think so, Riku-san?
(Asanagi Riku) Yeah. I talked to Shizuku about it too… oh, was it okay to tell her? Sorry if it wasn't.
(Maehara) It's fine. So, Shizuku-san…
(Asanagi Riku) She's smiling wryly, saying, "Ah, youth."
(Maehara) …Well, I guess that's a normal reaction if you just hear the story.
(Maehara) But I'm quite serious… or rather, I tend to overthink things.
(Asanagi Riku) It's okay. I get how you feel.
(Asanagi Riku) Shizuku is saying "sorry" next to me.
(Maehara) …You two seem to be doing well.
(Asanagi Riku) Ehehe, we are~
(Maehara) ? Um, Riku-san?
(Asanagi Riku) Sorry.
(Asanagi Riku) My account was hijacked for a bit.
(Asanagi Riku) My phone was snatched, rather.
(Maehara) …Ah, I see.
Thanks for the update, I guess.
From what Riku-san said, Shizuku-san seemed optimistic about this, but I haven't had enough life experience to be that composed.
I was grateful he was taking time out of his busy schedule to talk to me, but… I could easily imagine them being all lovey-dovey on the other side of the phone, and a pang of jealousy hit me.
…I want to be like that with Umi.
(Asanagi Riku) W-Well, anyway, about this fight, I'm completely on your side.
(Asanagi Riku) I'll give that idiot a piece of my mind later.
(Asanagi Riku) …I'm busy with work, so I don't know when that'll be, though.
(Maehara) The thought is enough. Thank you.
(Maehara) Shizuku-san, sorry for the trouble.
(Asanagi Riku) Not at all. Don't worry about it.
(Asanagi Riku) Let me know if anything else comes up.
(Maehara) Okay. I'll make a three-person group chat next, so if anything happens, we can talk there.
(Asanagi Riku) …Understood.
(Maehara) Well then, good luck with work. Goodbye.
──So, that's how I was secretly in contact with Riku-san this morning.
He did promise to "give her a piece of my mind later," but… I never imagined it would be fulfilled today.
"…What's up, Maki? Why so surprised?"
"Ah, sorry… I just didn't expect you to come today…"
"Of course I'd come flying. You're my benefactor. It's only natural to help a benefactor in need, right?"
That may be so, but driving several hours one way in a company car is more than just being a good person. The sheer scale of it had everyone but me—Amami-san, Nitta-san—stunned with their mouths half-open… or maybe they were a little put off.
…Everyone except his sister, Umi.
"…Idiot-Big Bro, what are you doing here? What about work? Did you skip it?"
"Don't worry. I was free today, so I finished most of my afternoon work. …Besides, that's my line, Umi."
Thump. He placed his hand on his sister's head and continued.
"What are you doing? Causing trouble for Maki… no, not just Maki, for everyone."
"…Shut up. What do you know about me?"
"I don't know. Not a single thing about what you're thinking. Forcing your boyfriend to go on a date with another girl when he says he doesn't want to, and when things don't go your way, you throw a tantrum like a kid."
Was it their family dynamic, or was he just angry? Riku-san was being relentless with Umi.
"Umi, you called me 'Idiot-Big Bro' earlier, right? Well, you're an even bigger idiot. You big idiot sister."
"! Don't get cocky just because you're my brother…"
Umi immediately tried to shake off Riku-san's hand, but he seemed quite angry this time, and no matter how hard Umi struggled, his arm wouldn't budge. It's only been a few months since he returned to work, but even though he's slim, he felt much stronger than before.
"Ngh, you were a NEET until just a while ago, what's with this strength… Yuu, Nina, help me…"
"Eh? Um, but… Nina-chi, what should we do?" Amami-san asked, unsure.
"…It's a family problem, so let's just watch for now."
"Nina, you too…"
"It's fine. I'll help you if it gets dangerous. …Well, he's your brother, so I doubt that'll happen."
"Ah, right. That's true."
"Guh… Yuu, you too…"
"Sorry, Umi. But you have to listen to your brother."
Since Nitta-san took a step back, Amami-san inevitably followed suit. Seeing that, Umi seemed to give up and stopped resisting.
"…Big Bro."
"What?"
"I get it, so take your hand off my head. I'll listen and talk properly."
"Alright then."
As Riku-san let go, Umi quickly fixed her messy hair with her fingers, muttering under her breath. Suddenly, I noticed her staring at me resentfully.
"…Maki."
"Yes."
"Tattling to my brother is cowardly."
"Sorry. But I was just so anxious."
"…Idiot."
She turned away, so I couldn't see her expression, but from her tone, she sounded more exasperated than angry.
Soon after, Riku-san's interrogation began.
"I don't have much time, so I'll make this quick. …Umi, why did this happen? You didn't want this either, right? You really love Maki, after all."
"…"
"Come on, you said you'd talk. Or were you lying?"
"…Yeah, I don't want it. I hate it so much. The thought of Maki on a date with another girl makes me sick just imagining it." While mindful of us, Umi revealed her feelings to her brother.
"If you hate it so much, why did you try to make Maki and Amami-san do it? You have a reason, I assume?"
"That's…" After a brief hesitation, Umi spoke as if she'd given up.
"Because I've been cheating this whole time."
"…Cheating?"
"Yeah. It's not fair, I guess… something like that."
Cheating? And not fair? Had Umi really been doing something like that? I couldn't think of anything. For now, I decided to just listen to what she had to say.
"Since Maki became my boyfriend… no, even before that, I was doing things that surprised even me. Being extra close to Maki, being touchy, showing him my defenseless side a lot."
"So… you did it on purpose?"
"Not all of it. I had the desire to do those things with a boy. But there was definitely some calculation involved. Back then, Maki didn't have any other close friends, and he was pure in both good and bad ways. …I thought if I played my cards right, he'd become 'my Maki.'"
As Umi predicted, her plan worked. With her around, I completely forgot about being lonely, and—though it might sound bad—she fulfilled my normal (or more than normal) desires as a guy. My heart and body were completely filled with 'Asanagi Umi,' leaving no room for anyone else, and I didn't think there was anything wrong with that.
I can't live without Umi anymore.
That's what I've become in this past year.
So, no matter how close I get to Amami-san, no matter if she has feelings for me beyond friendship, my perception of her as a 'friend' will never change.
My best friend.
And my lover.
My most important places were already occupied by Umi, probably long before Amami-san even realized her own feelings.
"You know, Yuu."
"Yeah."
"I'll confess now, but I've actually suspected for a while. That you might like Maki, or that you might come to like him."
"Eh, really? You too, Asanagi? When?"
"…During the class tournament, I think. Towards the end of our class's game, when Maki was cheering loudly for you."
"So early… ah, but Yuu-chin's eyes were really sparkling then," Nitta-san chimed in.
"They were. I had a similar experience during last year's cultural festival, so I was extra sensitive to it."
Thinking back on it now is embarrassing, but what I thought was a good thing had apparently made Umi anxious.
"So, Yuu, um… I'm sorry."
"Eh? What for?"
"Remember? After the class match, when we were waiting for the train home after the karaoke contest."
"Ah, yeah. Umi went to the restroom, so I looked after the sleeping Maki-kun and our stuff… wait, eh? Umi, was that on p-p-p-p…"
"Yuu-chin, calm down. Deep breaths."
I didn't know what they were talking about, but it seemed the battle had already begun for Umi back then.
…Somehow, that's very Umi-like.
"…I'm really sorry. That was on purpose too."
"So, you saw that…?"
"From behind a corner, just a little."
"…Auu~… s-so embarrassing~…"
As Umi spoke apologetically, Amami-san's face turned beet red. But thinking about it, Umi's subsequent actions made sense. I recall the trip back home in June; since then, my and Umi's lovey-dovey moments had become even bolder. She must have felt insecure and decided to make me think only of her──that calculation was definitely there.
"I don't really get that part… but anyway, you thought you were being unfair to Amami-san, so you made that ridiculous request for them to 'go on a date just once'? Like atonement or something?" Riku-san asked.
That's what I thought too. As her best friend, she had sensed Amami-san's feelings before Amami-san herself did, but instead of pointing it out, she secretly moved to crush the possibility—the anxiety that 'I might fall for Amami-san.'
However, to Riku-san's question, Umi shook her head.
"Well, I guess that's how most people would see it. …But, sorry."
"…It's not?"
"Yeah. I said it earlier, right? Because it's 'not fair.' I meant it literally."
"? No, it wasn't fair to Amami-san, so you're trying to even the score by offering Maki to her, right?"
"That's not it. …Maki and Nina, you get it now, right?"
"…Kinda," I murmured.
"If I do say so myself… Asanagi, you're way more messed up than me," Nitta-san added.
"Yeah. …Until last year, I really didn't think I was like that at all."
If Riku-san's interpretation was wrong, then there was only one possibility left.
"Umi, can I answer for you?"
After waiting for Umi to nod, I explained what she meant to the still-confused Riku-san and Amami-san.
"Because it's not fair, Umi made that request to me──that's it, right, Umi?"
"…Yeah."
It might sound the same, but if you take Umi's words literally, there's a clear difference.
Because it's not fair.
In other words, she said it because she's an unfair person to begin with. In moments like these, Umi was a truly troublesome girl.
"I'll 'let you' go on a date with Maki just once, so you can forget about him for good──that's what I really meant, Yuu. I wasn't thinking about your feelings at all. From the very beginning, I was only thinking about myself."
"Umi…"
"See? Just as I said, I'm a sly person, right? I've always been like this. Wanting to look good, always hiding my true feelings, and in the end, dragging everyone around and causing trouble… I'm not worth dating."
"Th-That's not…!"
"Not? Hehe, thanks, Yuu. …Thanks to you, I've had a lot of fun until now."
"…Eh?"
"Bye-bye, Yuu. …And you too, Nina."
"! Ah, Umi, wait──"
Before Amami-san could stop her, Umi bolted towards the school gate. Amami-san immediately chased after her, but this time, the distance between them only grew.
"Umi! Umi, please, wait──"
Amami-san desperately reached out to her best friend's shrinking back, but Umi only glanced back once before disappearing from our sight. She was serious this time, so much so that even Amami-san couldn't catch up.
…Bye-bye.
Not in the 'see you tomorrow' sense, but a real goodbye.
We immediately rushed over to Amami-san, who had stopped and crouched on the spot. She seemed to understand the meaning of Umi's 'bye-bye,' and she looked completely flustered.
"Yuu-chin, are you okay? Here, calm down. Take a deep breath."
"Hah, hah… what do I do, everyone… Umi… Umi's not my friend anymore. It's my fault, because I fell for Maki-kun."
"I told you, it's fine. She probably just wanted to cool her head alone. She'll be back to normal tomorrow… right, Class Rep?"
"Y-Yeah. Something similar happened before, so there's no need to worry. I'll go after her right away."
We tried to act as calm as possible to not worry Amami-san, but this time, we didn't know how things would turn out. Knowing Umi, she might continue a superficial relationship. Walking to school together, eating lunch together—if Amami-san or Nitta-san invited her, the kind Umi would probably come along, with a polite smile plastered on her face, as the 'honor student mode' Asanagi Umi who never shows her true feelings. She would go from being a one-of-a-kind 'best friend' to a 'superficial friend.' For Amami-san, who loves Umi, there was nothing more painful.
"…Sorry, Maki. It's my fault for getting carried away and lecturing her," Riku-san said.
"No, it's my fault for carelessly relying on you to make up with Umi. If I had done this more properly, this wouldn't have happened."
If it was her brother talking, she might listen. She might be honest with her feelings, and our misunderstanding might be resolved. Halfway through, it felt like things were developing as I had hoped… but as a result, I made her expose the ugly feelings that everyone has but doesn't need to reveal. I misunderstood because things went so well last year, but clashing with raw emotions is a double-edged sword. Sometimes you hurt the other person, and the guilt from hurting them hurts you too. Especially for someone as kind-hearted and caring as Umi. I should have been more patient and taken my time, but my own anxiety made the situation worse.
I made a mistake from the start. Out of self-pity, I hurt the girl who was supposed to be the most precious to me.
"Everyone, I'm sorry. I have to go. It might be too late, but I have to apologize to Umi."
I wasn't certain, but I had an idea where she went. If Umi was still a sly girl, there was only one place she would have run to.
"…Class Rep, are you sure you'll be okay alone?" Nitta-san asked.
"I'll try. Nitta-san, please stay with Amami-san. Riku-san, you should get back to work soon."
"Got it. But be sure to let me know what happens. …Looks like I need to apologize to her too."
I had them leave Umi to me, and we split up for now. I had to reap what I sow, for my precious friends, and for the person I love. I had to do this alone.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Yeah. Maki-kun, please take care of Umi," Amami-san said, her voice still shaky.
"Counting on you, Class Rep."
With a light pat on the back from them, I hurried down the path Umi probably took. The residential streets were dyed orange by the setting sun. The last time I ran down this path, I was with Umi and Amami-san. I still remember it clearly: Umi's lively expression as she ran happily half a step ahead of me, and the feel of her slightly sweaty hand in mine. Just holding a girl's hand had made my heart beat strangely fast, that autumn a year ago.
I didn't want to tarnish those memories. I wanted to stay good friends with Umi forever.
For now, I wouldn't think about Amami-san or Nitta-san. Their feelings, their thoughts… thinking about those things just complicated matters. It was simpler than that. How could I stay by Umi's side? How could I support her? What could I do for that?
I rushed to my apartment, my legs and mind working frantically.
Umi is there, waiting for me.
"Hah… hah… Umi, Umi…"
Muttering her precious name over and over, I ran nonstop to my home and immediately headed to the first-floor entrance. I searched the common areas, the elevator hall, and the emergency staircase, but she was nowhere to be found.
Did I guess wrong? I thought for a moment, but then I caught the faint scent of Umi in the elevator going up and I was sure.
Umi was curled up in a small ball in front of my apartment. She has the spare key my mom gave her, so she could have gone inside, but… in these situations, her serious, proper nature always shines through.
"Umi, found you."
"…Hehe, you found me. Well, if I went home with this face, I'd just make Mom worry."
Umi's face, when she looked up, was a mess of tears and snot. I was hit with the urge to hug her immediately, but this was still a shared space. Considering the neighbors, I first guided her inside.
After closing the door and locking it securely, I turned to her.
"Umi."
"…Yeah."
"Come here."
"…Maki~"
The moment we were completely alone, we hugged each other without a word.
"…"
"…"
Neither of us said anything, just letting our body heat and scents mingle. It had only been a day, but with everything that had been building up, it felt like ages since we'd been able to cling to each other so honestly.
I don't want to let go ever again. I don't want to be apart from her.
Seeing Umi sniffling and acting spoiled in my arms like a child, I felt that thought strongly.
"I'm glad. That you're still a sly girl, Umi."
"Yeah. …Sorry for being like this."
"It's fine. I think sly Umi is really cute."
"…Idiot."
With a completely relieved tone, Umi entrusted her entire weight to me, entering full-on spoiled mode. The faint, sweet scent that tickled my nose, her smooth skin, her slender yet soft body. Her moist eyes and lips. I was tempted to forget everything and just be playful with her, but I couldn't do that just yet. First, I needed to talk to her properly.
"Hey, Umi."
"......Hm."
"What you told Riku-san earlier, was it all true? You didn't just say it to be disliked, did you?"
"…"
"It's okay. It's just me. I won't say anything, so don't worry."
"…"
Umi seemed hesitant, but when I tightened my arms around her, she seemed to relax and gave a small nod.
"I see. So, I fell right into your trap."
"…Are you mad?"
"Not really. I mean, I got to do… lewd things with you, Umi. If anything, it's a win for me."
"…You're so lewd, Maki."
"Well, I'm a healthy high school boy."
I didn't know what Amami-san and the others would think, but Umi did it because she likes me and wants me to look only at her, so personally, I had no problem with it. In fact, I welcomed it.
"Don't you think I'm a scheming girl? Weren't you disillusioned?"
"No, I thought it was very Umi-like. Lonely, jealous, lovesick, and annoying. And incredibly resourceful in the most unnecessary places."
Umi, who has such emotions, is incredibly dear to me. She might loathe that side of herself, but I see value in it, a hidden side that Amami-san doesn't have. Umi, trying to monopolize me without a care in the world──thinking of it that way makes her seem unbearably cute… well, that's probably just me. But if it can ease Umi's anxiety, then that's fine. I don't need anything else.
…So.
"Umi, what do you want to do? Do you want to make up with everyone?"
"I don't want to see them for a while. …I can't face them."
"I see, okay. …Then, I'll do the same."
"Eh?"
As Umi tilted her head, I took out my phone from my pocket and opened the messaging app. The chat history, which used to only receive notifications from official corporate accounts, was now filled with texts from various people. The one-on-one exchanges with Umi, the messages with close friends like Amami-san, Nitta-san, and Nozomu, and our five-person group chat.
I started deleting them one by one, right in front of her. Everything except for the ones related to Umi.
"!? H-Hey… Maki, what are you doing!?"
"…I'm thinking of cutting ties with everyone too."
"W-What…!?"
If Umi was going to cut contact with them, then I'd join her. That was the answer I came up with to prove that I'll always be by her side, so she won't be isolated. I knew it was outrageous.
…But has everyone forgotten that this is who 'Maehara Maki' is? I've gradually learned what communication is, how to read the room, be considerate, and sometimes help others. But that doesn't mean the rebellious part of me at my core has completely disappeared.
"N-No, you can't! You don't have to go that far for someone like me…"
"I probably don't. But this way, I can think only of Umi."
"S-So extreme~…"
Amami-san and the others would be confused when I, one of the group's creators, disappeared. They trusted me and sent me off to take care of Umi, but instead of bringing her back, I'm running off with her. Even Umi seemed a little put off by my eccentric behavior. As proof, the distance between us, which was as close as could be a moment ago, had grown slightly.
It's a little sad but… I did it for her.
"I-I get it! I get that you care about me that much! So, for now, just give me your phone. I'll manage your contacts, okay?"
"If you'll manage it, Umi… well, I guess that's fine."
Half-forcefully snatching the phone from my hand, Umi immediately opened the phonebook.
"Let's see, Amami Yuu, Nitta Nina, Seki Nozomu, Nakamura-san, Takizawa-kun… my brother's contact is gone, but that's fine."
"…It is?"
"It is! If my brother hadn't lectured me in front of everyone, I might have been able to smooth things over a little better."
"That… I'm sorry too. I went a little too far."
"Yeah. So, as punishment, you'll be at my beck and call for a while, Maki. Got it?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am."
I felt bad that my report to Riku-san would be delayed, but for now, I seemed to have achieved my first goal of 'staying by Umi's side,' so that was a relief. From today, I'm at your beck and call──those words made me very happy right now.
"So, Maki-san."
"Yes, what is it, Umi-san?"
"For starters, please spoil me a lot."
"Okay, but… any specific requests?"
"…I want to do the usual."
"The usual… ah, that."
We haven't done it for a while since it's been warm, but it should be fine since we're heading into winter. I had Umi sit on the living room sofa for a moment and took out the winter blanket from my closet. My favorite blanket for years, thoroughly imbued with my scent.
"Here you go, Umi."
"Mm, thanks."
I handed the blanket to Umi. She first wrapped herself in it, and then…
"…Maki, come here."
"Yeah."
Answering her beckoning, I entered her embrace and gently pulled her close again. Wrapping ourselves in one blanket, warming each other up──that's our autumn/winter exclusive 'usual.'
"Ehehe… it's still October, so it might be a little hot."
"Yeah. Want to stop for a bit?"
"No."
"…I see."
Well, I didn't plan on leaving either.
"Hey, Maki."
"Hm?"
"I really love this. It's full of your scent, so calming."
"Me too. Like this, I can focus only on Umi's scent. It's so calming."
I'm quite sensitive to other people's scents, but I don't mind Umi's at all. In fact, I find it comforting. Her face was right next to mine. She was completely defenseless, and it felt like she'd let me do anything right now.
"…It's okay."
"Eh?"
"I said, it's okay. Right now, you can......do it."
Whispering 'a certain word' in my ear, Umi turned beet red and rubbed her forehead against my body.
"A-Are you sure?"
"Mm… if you use that thing properly."
Seeing Umi looking up at me with a dazed expression, I felt my reason about to snap. To be honest, my body was pretty much ready, and Umi, who kept glancing down, seemed to have noticed. I thought it probably wasn't a bad time for our first time. By connecting not just emotionally but also physically, Umi would surely feel at ease.
──It has to be now.
──Go.
──Make her happy.
My instincts were screaming at me as my head gradually boiled. Since I made Umi say this much, maybe I should take responsibility as her boyfriend. And as long as I 'use it' properly, I'll at least be keeping my promise to my mom and Sora-san. It could still be considered a high school relationship, barely.
…But.
"Sorry, Umi."
"Maki…"
I only gave her a light kiss on the cheek and quickly pulled away.
"Maki, don't you want to do it with me? Are you sure?"
"To be honest, I do. In fact, I'm holding back a lot right now. …Or rather, Umi-san, um, if you could refrain from touching my lower stomach, that would be great."
"…Hmph."
Umi obediently retracted her hand, but a few more seconds and it might have been dangerous. That's how much our love for each other had intensified.
"Something like this happened a while ago too. …So, you don't feel like it's the right time yet, Maki?"
"No, it's not about the timing anymore. It's honestly tough to wait until after graduation in this state… as you can probably tell."
"Well… yeah, that's true. I won't say what, but."
As Umi confirmed by looking closely at that part of me, my mind was still a fierce battle between instinct and reason, even as I spoke calmly.
"Then, can I ask you this time? You have your reasons, right, Maki?"
"…Yeah. Otherwise, we'd be on my bed, not on the sofa." I was strongly tempted by the glimpse of light blue underwear through the gap in her unbuttoned blouse, but I somehow managed to resist and continue. "It's kind of a counter-question, but… Umi, why do you want to have sex with me?"
"That's… of course, the main reason is because I love you, Maki… but, well… I guess there's a little part of me that wants to make you completely mine and feel secure. But it's only like ten percent. Really."
"It's okay, I believe you."
It might be an overly pure way of thinking, but when it comes to love, the presence of sexual intercourse is a major factor that separates 'special' from 'not special.' A special act permitted only between people who have truly opened their hearts to each other. Even if you believe you're connected by heart, the heart isn't visible, so sometimes you feel anxious. You want to confirm the bond with a visible act and feel at ease. That's not wrong, and I can understand that feeling.
"A little while ago… on the way back from our trip, I think I told you, but I still want to have my 'first time' in a more proper situation, not out of 'impulse' like now. Not having sex because I'm anxious and want to confirm an invisible bond, but when there are no lingering issues between us, when we're 100% happy, and when we want to feel and share even more happiness together."
"So… you don't want to make love to stabilize your heart, but you want to do it when your heart is stable and you feel even happier, is that it?"
"Yeah, that's right. Sorry for rambling."
"Hehe, it's fine. I understand. …But that means we can't escape from her, can we?"
"Yeah. …I have to face Amami-san properly."
For Umi and me to become a more special couple, we had to decide what to do about Amami-san, with her included. If only I could hold both their hands, how much easier it would be. To be honest, that thought has crossed my mind. But I've already taken Umi's hand. I'm convinced she's my soulmate, and I've filled the empty space in my heart with her. So, Amami-san will have to cry. Both my hands are for holding Umi dear; there's no room for Amami-san.
However, Umi won't accept that. Even if she says goodbye, Umi loves Amami-san, and the strength of her feelings for her is probably incomparable to mine or Nitta-san's.
Amami-san will have to cry. There's no other way. Both Umi and I know that.
…Still, I want her to be happy and smile afterward. I want her to get back on her feet and shine on us with her sun-like brightness and sunflower-like smile. I want them to stay best friends, unchanged.
That's why we have to think. We have to talk. Clash our feelings, adjust our opinions, so that in the future, all three of us can smile from the bottom of our hearts.
"Umi, let's go. Right now. To Amami-san's place."
"…Okay. As long as you hold my hand, Maki."
Saying that, Umi took my hand with both of hers and smiled brightly. First, we had to apologize properly for today. For getting them involved in our fight, for making them worry. To Amami-san, Nitta-san, Nozomu, and Riku-san. They'd probably be super mad. As proof, I'd had several calls from numbers that seemed to be Amami-san's and Nitta-san's, and a mountain of messages.
First, we bow our heads to everyone who helped connect us. And ask for their forgiveness. The talk comes after that.
I immediately called Amami-san back, and she answered before the first ring.
"Amami-san."
'…Maehara Maki-kun.'
"Ah, yes."
'I'm pretty mad right now. So is Nina-chi next to me.'
"…I'm sorry. I guess my hand slipped out of excitement."
'You're going to talk to me properly, right?'
"Yeah. …Umi is coming with me too."
'I see. Then, I'll be waiting downstairs.'
"Eh? Downstairs… Amami-san, what do you mean──"
She hung up.
Downstairs. From the context, it seemed Amami-san and Nitta-san hadn't gone home and had followed me instead. I felt so sorry for making them worry from start to finish.
"? Maki, what's wrong? Did Yuu say something?"
"No, it looks like they're already downstairs… the room's a mess, so I was wondering what to do."
"I see. It's not right to make them wait, so maybe we can all clean up later? Well, it'll probably get messy again, so it might be a waste of time."
"That's true."
"Right?"
""...Hehe.""
We both burst out laughing. We caused a lot of trouble today, but this time, we'd be fine. From now on, we'd let everyone be exasperated and call us 'this lovey-dovey couple.' For now, we erased only the traces of our almost-sexual intimacy and headed to the entrance where Amami-san and the others were waiting.
Getting off the elevator and walking out hand-in-hand, Amami-san was the first one to run up to us. Her beautiful golden hair flying, she hugged Umi with the force of a tackle.
"──Umi!"
"! Oof… Yuu, that hurts, you're hugging me too tight."
"Shut up, you idiot Umi. You dragged me around and made me worry so much. …I was so scared, wondering what I'd do if we weren't friends anymore."
"…I'm sorry, Yuu. I'm so sorry for being so selfish."
"It's okay, right? We're still best friends, right?"
"Of course. …It's not like I can just stop being friends with you."
"I'm so glad… Umi~…!"
"Y-Yuu… o-okay, I get it, so just a little less tight…"
"No! I'm staying like this with Umi forever!"
"Ugh… N-Nina…"
"No. You made Yuu-chin feel that lonely, so you should put up with it."
"…Okay, fine."
Umi sighed softly but continued to gently stroke Amami-san's head, who was sobbing with her face buried in Umi's chest, until she calmed down. Tears were welling up in Umi's eyes too.
"Class Rep, looks like things went well. That's great," Nitta-san said.
"Well… it was a pretty forceful method, though."
Still, we've cleared the first hurdle, so I was happy about that. Putting myself aside, I still wanted Umi to be surrounded by many people and smiling; she looks much happier that way.
"You know, Yuu."
"What?"
"I have a favor to ask. Can you hear me out?"
"…Umi, you've been asking for favors all day. But you're my precious best friend, so I'll listen to anything."
"Thanks, Yuu. And sorry for always relying on you. I'm so useless."
"It's fine, you're not useless at all. I've been relying on you all this time, so I have to return the favor. …So, what's the favor?"
"Yeah. …Um, you see."
I gave a firm nod to Umi, who looked at me anxiously, urging her to continue. This time, it wasn't one-on-one; Umi had me, and Amami-san had Nitta-san. We had a 'lover' and 'friend' by our sides.
"Yuu, I want you to talk with me one more time. About me, you, and Maki."
"Is that… with everyone here?"
"Yeah. And call Seki too. The five of us."
What started with just Amami-san and me had ended up involving all five of us, and to varying degrees, we were all hurt. Now that what was hidden has been revealed, our relationship as a group of five will never be the same. The fact that Amami-san liked me will remain, and the memory that Umi is surprisingly jealous and sometimes has a scheming side will be etched in everyone's minds. And that Nitta-san is surprisingly passionate. Our relationship was bound to change.
That's why we had to talk, the five of us. To take a new step forward. So that in the future, even after graduating and entering the workforce, all five of us could meet again with a smile.
"…Yeah. Let's talk, Umi. All of us, as much as we need to, until we're all satisfied."
If Amami-san said so, neither I nor Nitta-san had any objections. We also had a place where no one would disturb us, where we wouldn't be overheard, and where it was okay to be a little noisy.
…It was a little messy, so we'd need everyone's help to clean it up.
About thirty minutes later, we were back in the Maehara family's living room. After waiting for Nozomu to arrive from his club activities, we finally reached the climax of the day. It was late enough to be called night, but our day was just getting started.
"…Hey, Maki. Everyone said I needed to come, so I did, but…"
"…Yeah."
"What's this situation?"
"Well, this is… just how things turned out."
I had told him about the discussion beforehand, so until he came up to my apartment, Nozomu probably imagined a serious, tense atmosphere. I mean, considering what happened, that would be the natural assumption. To put it simply, it was all because of a romantic entanglement within the group.
"Alright, I got a good item, now I can close the gap… ah! Hey, who dropped lightning on my head… ah, ahh~ I lost my item and got sniped on top of that…"
"Ehehe, sorry Umi. That was me~"
"Yuu, you again!? Why do you get all the good items? The RNG is too biased, you're cheating, remote, remote!"
"It's just your bad luck, Asanagi. …There, first place two times in a row. You two don't seem to have much talent for racing games."
What Nozomu witnessed was three girls engrossed in a racing game on my big-screen TV. Furthermore, we'd laid out the pizza and side dishes we ordered on the kotatsu, as well as snacks and drinks we had stocked up on. It was a scene that suggested an all-night party was about to begin. We had decided to talk after all five of us were present, so we decided to kill time with a game… but we got unexpectedly into it.
"Ah, Nozomu-kun, welcome. This is the final race, so just wait five more minutes. Umi, this is the last one for now, okay?"
"H-Hmph… I'll let you off the hook for today."
"Shouldn't it be 'you're letting me off the hook' considering your rank? Well, whatever."
Seeing the three of them return to the game, Nozomu looked at me.
"Maki, am I really needed here?"
"…You are, absolutely."
From any angle, it looked like a group of close friends just having fun, but they were just trying to warm up the atmosphere so it wouldn't get awkward. You couldn't tell from the surface, but if you watched them closely, you could tell that they hadn't made up yet.
"…Everyone, shall we begin?"
"Yeah."
"Yes!"
"Aight."
At my words, the expressions of the three who had been chatting lively until then tightened. Let's clear things up today so we don't have to face tomorrow with these lingering feelings. We all had that look on our faces.
"That being said… it's a pretty difficult topic, isn't it? A solution that truly satisfies Yuu-chin, Asanagi, and, well, Class Rep too," Nitta-san said.
First, let's confirm everyone's what everyone wanted.
(Umi) Amami-san and I go on a date, and after that one time, Amami-san forgets about me (in return, we can let bygones be bygones).
(Me) I don't want Umi to feel bad, so I won't go on a date with Amami-san alone. Let's find another way.
There was a clear conflict here. Then, it came down to what Amami-san thought.
"Yuu-chin, what do you think now? Are you still going to respect Asanagi's opinion?"
"…Yeah. I was at first, but."
"But… so you've changed your mind now?"
"Yeah. Just a little."
Amami-san, who was initially on Umi's side, seemed to have had a change of heart. While frequently glancing at me and Umi, she continued.
"…I've been thinking all this time. Why do I like being with the five of us so much? I have other close friends like Nagisa-chan and Yama-chan, and outside of school, there's Sanae-chan and Manaka-chan, so why is this the most comfortable place for me? Why am I so insistent on being together? Umi is my best friend, but I've only known Nina-chi since high school, and there are two guys. And one of them even confessed to me, which made things weird at first."
Nozomu was quietly taking damage again, but I'd deal with that later. Indeed, listening to Amami-san, I realized we were connected by a strange fate. I became friends with Umi, then Amami-san joined, and through her, Nitta-san, and finally, Nozomu. Apart from the best friends Amami-san and Umi, the other three had no particular connection before. Nitta-san barely remembered my name and face before the cultural festival. And Nozomu, despite barely talking to her, suddenly confessed to Amami-san and confused her.
Normally, it wouldn't be a very comfortable group. Nozomu has club activities and can't always be with us, but starting from last Christmas, he's been with us for major events. We even went to cheer for him at his tournament. There must be something that makes Amami-san want to be with us.
"I kept thinking about it… and I think I finally understand now. When you two fought because of me, and I saw your pained faces."
Saying that, Amami-san took both my and Umi's hands. Her most important best friend, and the person she fell in love with for the first time.
"Maki-kun."
"? Y-Yes."
"And, Umi."
"…Yeah."
"When I was smiling, you two were always by my side. I was often a third wheel because you two were so lovey-dovey, but I didn't care. Just seeing my beloved best friend and my precious friend happy made me happy too… ah, but is it just me? What about you, Nina-chi and Nozomu-kun?"
"Well… I guess there's that aspect too," Nitta-san admitted.
"I think it's fine," Nozomu added.
As they nodded, did that mean the five of us have been together because the two of us were being a lively, idiotic couple? When we're with these five, Umi and I usually get teased. We're just trying to be a 'normal' couple, but apparently, there's a huge gap between our normal and the world's. Before we know it, we're getting lukewarm stares from the other three, which makes us get defensive and argue back, which just makes it funnier. And then, laughter erupts from someone, and it spreads to all five of us.
"I never want to see your smiles fade, Umi and Maki-kun. I don't care about myself. It's all my fault, I'm the bad guy. So, no more fighting, ever. You two have to be happy forever. Or I won't forgive you. The end."
"That ended abruptly… well, but that's how Yuu-chin feels. You lovey-dovey couple, you get it?"
"…Well."
"Kinda."
(Amami-san) No more fighting. Don't worry about me, just find a solution that satisfies both of you.
Umi and I had conflicting opinions, and Amami-san said 'no fighting.' And so, a perfect triangle of honest feelings was formed. Fighting wasn't allowed, and no one was allowed to cry, so neither I nor Umi giving in was allowed.
Was there really a brilliant idea that could solve all of this?
"""""..."""""
The five of us racked our brains, but only silent time passed.
"Everyone, let's take a short break. I'm hungry," I suggested.
"Yeah, you're right. Yuu, Nina, help me reheat the food."
"Okay~"
"Mmm~"
"Then, Nozomu and I will get the drinks. We have pretty much everything, what do you want?"
"Coke. I don't usually drink it, but I feel like it now."
We took a break, and as a change of pace, we had a late dinner while watching TV. The pizza and chicken were delicious, and the coke provided a pleasant stimulation, but none of us could switch gears that easily, and we all ate sluggishly while lost in thought.
"…Hey, Class Rep."
"? Nitta-san, what's wrong?"
"No, it's nothing much. It's just that the thing under the TV stand caught my eye. Is that the shark movie you like?"
Nitta-san suddenly pointed to a package nestled in the corner of the rack where the console, games, and magazines from my mom's company were kept.
"Ah, yeah. I sometimes buy old ones that aren't streamed online, or ones I really like… are you interested?"
"Nah, not at all. But the TV right now is boring, so I thought maybe this would be nice for a change."
Umi and I have often talked excitedly about shark movies, so I thought maybe my missionary work had succeeded without me knowing… but it seemed that wasn't the case. Still, that's how everyone starts.
"For starters, I'd recommend these for a beginner. They're a bit old, but look, this one's by a famous director."
"Ah, I know that person… hmm, there are all sorts of movies… some look genuinely scary. Well, that's for another time. …I'm interested in the one you're casually hiding behind you, Class Rep."
"Ugh."
I didn't introduce it because I thought it was too soon for Nitta-san, but it seemed she wanted that one instead. The titles were all niche, and Umi and I could talk about them late into the night, but for someone who doesn't know, I guaranteed they'd have a head full of '?'s within five minutes.
"…If you want to watch it that badly, want to give it a try?"
"Yeah. That 'Kung Fu Shark' one, the keychain Asanagi has on her bag. Let's watch that."
"Alright. By the way, the one I have is 'Kung Fu Shark 2,' where an orca with a personal grudge against the protagonist shark from the first movie seeks revenge──"
"Ah~ I don't need that explanation."
Brushing off my explanation, Nitta-san inserted the disc into the player and pressed play. As soon as the movie started, a mysterious melody and the sound of a gong accompanied a realistic CG shark, who proceeded to take down local fishermen and hunters with his trained fins and kung fu.
"......Hmm, I see."
At first, Nitta-san watched with interest, but after about fifteen minutes, she stopped the video.
"…You're done? This is where it gets crazy and interesting. The CG quality has needlessly improved since the first movie, so the spectacle alone is something to behold."
"Yeah. Actually, it was already tough after about a minute. I just tried my best because you were looking at me with such expectant eyes, Class Rep."
For someone not interested in the genre, this was probably the typical reaction. The same went for Amami-san and Nozomu, who were watching blankly behind her. And yet, Nitta-san had a calm expression.
"Well, it wasn't for me, but I think I got something out of it. It was like that from the opening, the feeling that 'this is what I like' just radiated from the screen. I can't explain it well."
"! Yes, that's it, Nitta-san! Honestly, the script is almost non-existent, and there are some cheap parts, but everyone is doing it so seriously and having fun. There's an audio commentary where the director talks endlessly about behind-the-scenes stories and his love for the work, and so──"
"Maki, stay, stay. It's rare for Nina to be interested in our hobbies, so I get that you want to jump on it. …Look, Nina's a little put off," Umi cut in.
"Eh? Ah…"
Umi's words brought me back to my senses. Perhaps because I had leaned in more than I expected, Nitta-san was looking at me slightly taken aback.
"Ah, ahaha… I-I didn't know you could be so pushy, Class Rep…"
"I-I'm sorry…"
I got carried away, but Nitta-san was just being considerate and commenting for my and Umi's sake. And yet, I spoke to her as if she were Umi… even though she's a friend, this was embarrassing.
"S-Sorry. But it was a nice change of pace, so let's get back to the main topic…"
"──Ah, w-wait, Maki-kun!"
As I turned off the TV, a hand reached out. I didn't think anyone other than Umi and I would pick this up, but it seemed to be quite popular today.
"Amami-san… um, what's wrong?"
"Maki-kun, that special feature you mentioned… the commentary? Can we just listen to that part?"
"? Yeah, sure, but…"
Amami-san wasn't usually interested in these kinds of things either… but maybe something in my exchange with Nitta-san caught her attention. The others didn't seem to mind, so as she requested, I started playing the special features.
'(Director) Isn't this scene great? So cool, right? The protagonist facing a huge school of orcas all by himself. Filming this was a hell of a lot of work and money.'
'(Actor 1) You can say that again. I mean, this could have all been CG, so why did you have to go out on a boat in the freezing cold just to film a school of orcas? Do you have to be so particular?'
'(Director) Who cares? I thought it was necessary.'
'(Actor 2) Director, you do a solid job with other things, but you lose all sense of proportion when it comes to sharks.'
'(Director) Of course. Because I love them. I might compromise on other things, but I will never compromise on this. Because I'm selfish. I paid for most of it myself anyway. Ah~ I have to go make some shallow movie to earn money for the next one.'
'(Actor 1) You, I swear…'
The full version was long, so this was a digest, but it was basically the same thing. He passionately talks about one thing only──how much love he put into this work. When viewed alongside the main movie, the passion is so intense it's almost sickening.
"…Thank you, Maki-kun. I'm good now."
Just like Nitta-san, Amami-san finished watching after about fifteen minutes and slowly sat down. She kept muttering some phrase under her breath.
Because I love it. Because I'm selfish. And, I won't compromise… that's what it sounded like.
"Hey, Umi. …I think I might have figured it out."
"Figured it out? What?"
"A way for everyone to smile."
"! Eh…"
It wasn't just Umi who was surprised. Me, Nitta-san, and Nozomu too. From her expression, it seemed the commentary gave her some kind of inspiration… but to think a shark movie would be the key to a solution. I hadn't heard the details yet, so there was a chance it might be a letdown. But Amami-san's flashes of insight at times like these were very reliable.
Because for us, 'Amami Yuu' is the main character.
…When she gets going, no one can stop her.