CH 7

It was the first morning of August and I was on the express train to Hakone. I was on my way to the summer camp organized by Maki.

Those who will be on site to participate in the short film are Tachibana-san, Hayasaka-san, Sakai-san, Yanagi-senpai, Yamanaka-kun, Maki, and as an advisor, Miki-chan. 

– Are you okay, Senpai?

I asked Yanagi-senpai, who was sitting next to me.

-I had to study for my exams.

-It doesn’t hurt to take a few days off to rest, besides, you could have brought your study materials. 

-Yes, although it’s also a good thing, since now I’ll have time to make some good memories with Hikari.

Yanagi-senapi calls Tachibana-san by his first name.

Speaking of which, the person in question was sitting next to Hayasaka-san two seats in front of us, chatting with her about the script they were going to use for the recording. 

-Tachibana-san, the script you wrote is very good. 

– Really?

-Yes. Although Kirishima-kun is the first to die, his corpse will appear in the first scene, whose idea was that? Maki-kun’s?

-No, in fact, I wanted to.

– Aren’t you ashamed to admit it?

-No, he’s of more use to us as a corpse.

It’s good that Hayasaka-san and Tachibana-san get along so well.

-Kirishima, thank you very much.

-But I didn’t do anything, it was Maki who organized all this.

-Even so.

The real reason Yanagi-senpai moved to the new school was because of Tachibana-san. Since he is her fiancé, he only sees her once a month, and they hardly spend any time together.

So, before getting married, they have to get along better as a couple. 

-At first I only met her because my parents told me so. I had the impression that she was a very unsociable girl. 

Senpai started talking about how he met Tachibana-san. I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous that someone else might overhear us.

But Tachibana-san seems to be enjoying the sweets she bought at the station. She and Hayasaka-san are having a great time. 

-After meeting with her a few times, my impression had changed completely. She was willing to accept a marriage proposal for the sake of her mother. She didn’t want her to suffer for raising her on her own. Don’t you think that’s surprisingly old-fashioned? 

It’s quite unusual for Yanagi-senpai to express himself that way. And I can already imagine what he’s going to say next. Honestly, I don’t want to listen to him. I wish someone would come now and interrupt us so I don’t have to listen to him. 

But Sakai-san and Yamanaka-kun’s seats are far away from us. Even Miki-chan and Maki aren’t even in their seats…. Speaking of which, where are they?

-And then I realized… That I had fallen in love with her.

I immediately looked at Hayasaka-san in front of me. I didn’t want her to hear those words.

Fortunately, Hayasaka-san had stopped at the candy cart, and was concentrating on picking out lots of goodies. I wonder if she’ll be able to eat all that by herself. 

Yanagi-senpai likes Tachibana-san, regardless of whether he is married to her or not. It’s much more real when you hear it in person.

A love triangle has materialized.

-Senpai, do you want to join the mystery and research club?

-Don’t worry. It’s bad enough that I transferred so suddenly to your school. 

-But after school, it’s just the two of us.

-I trust you, Kirishima. I know you’re not the kind of guy who does weird things with girls.

-I-I see.

He doesn’t know that Tachibana-san and I have a promise since childhood, and until recently, we had performed the spiciest games to ever exist in the club room.

My senpai trusts me unconditionally, but I am hiding things from him. 

-I am in love with her, and I want to be by her side as close as possible.

I tried to say something about it, but I preferred to keep quiet, and started looking through the train window.

I noticed that Tachibana-san and Hayasaka-san were quiet. It seems like they were eating the candy they bought just now.

I put on my headphones and put on some music.

After a while, Hayasaka-san and Tachibana-san left their seats and walked over here.

– What’s going on?

When I take off my headphones, Hayasaka-san answers.

-I thought I’d go to the candy cart, I’m in the mood for ice cream.

– Really? Don’t you think you’ve eaten enough? If you keep it up, you’ll get fat. 

-Kirishima-kun, what did you say?

Oh, I think I messed up.

Tachibana-san said nothing about it, and went to the candy cart.

-I know she doesn’t like me.

After the girls went to the next car, the Senpai took the floor.

-But, I also know I have to be patient.

-To get her to fall in love with you?

-Yes. She’s one of those girls who doesn’t want any man to touch her. I’ll have to wait a lifetime for her to let me do it, or for her to want to do it with me. I’m going to stay with her and try not to be a bother. I know it’s crazy, but I really like her a lot.

The senpai and I are polar opposites. 

He tries to be uncompromising in his love for the girl he loves the most. There is no fear of giving up, nor of what might happen if his feelings for her end in vain.

I, on the other hand, rejected the fantasy of pure love and committed myself to the reality of being second best. I’m still of the same mindset, but I can understand why people like the idea of pure love so much. It’s a bit of a dazzler. 

-Everything will be fine.

I meant those words. When I found out that Tachibana-san’s fiancé was Yanagi-senpai, I gave up.

It is true that I felt some affection for Tachibana-san. But there were too many factors, such as the responsibility she has to her mother and the relationship between Yanagi-senpai and me.

So before camp, Tachibana-san and I talked about our relationship. And now, we don’t talk much anymore.

-I’m sure things will go well between you and Tachibana-san. 

-Thank you, Kirishima, you’re a great guy. If you ever get into trouble, let me know. I’ll do anything for you, after all, we’ve saved each other’s lives.

Senpai smiles amicably after those words.

I had always known that I wouldn’t be able to be with the person I love the most, and that’s the way it’s going to be. I don’t have to get depressed because things didn’t work out the way I expected. After all, that was always a possibility.

I don’t mind it at all. In fact, I’m thankful that I left the complications of falling in love with a girl who is engaged to be married.

-By the way, Kirishima, you haven’t eaten your Pocky for a while now. 

-Oh, yes, I had already forgotten.

The silver pouch lies in my lap. I had bought it at the convenience store at the station.

-For some reason, I feel like it doesn’t taste very good. 

The senpai takes a Pocky stick and eats it.

-How strange, it tastes normal to me.

– Really, you don’t feel like something is missing? You don’t think it’s wrong that the cookie isn’t moist? I wish they were, it’s not the same….

– Kirishima?

Seeing my reaction, senpai started looking at me suspiciously. I decided to eat a little more to avoid any misunderstandings. 

-You gave up too quickly, just because her fiancé is your senpai.

Maki said.

-Although, come to think of it, I was also indebted to Yanagi-senpai when I was in high school, so I understand Kirishima’s feelings. But, Tachibana is your first love, right?

-That’s right.

It was evening, and Maki and I were taking an open air bath.

The first day, we didn’t do any filming. We just went to a museum, ate hot rolls, and had a lot of fun sightseeing around the place. Then we went back to the lodge, had dinner, and are now taking a dip in the hot springs.

-I see. Wouldn’t it be better if you asked Tachibana to break off her engagement? Have you already tried?

-No, I can’t do something like that.

– Why?

-It would be very selfish of me to do that.

Since there’s a promise between Tachibana-san and I, it would be very foolish of me not to take advantage of it. I could use it as an excuse to influence her feelings and make her stay with me. But…

-If this causes the agreement between Yanagi-senpai and Tachibana-san to fall apart, the economic stability in Tachibana-san’s household will no longer be the same. Then her future will be affected.

And when she comes to her senses about the choice she made, she might regret it.

-So, this is no longer about a simple high school romance. This is about the future.

-Exactly, it is no longer a matter of simple feelings.

I don’t want to make Tachibana-san unhappy. 

-Besides, I can’t betray senpai.

-Well, Kirishima, if that’s what you’ve decided, nothing else can be done. Besides, Tachibana and her boyfriend make a nice couple.  

When we were sightseeing in Hakone, Tachibana-san walked beside him all the time. And when we had dinner at the inn, she was sitting next to him all the time. It was quite an unusual action coming from her.

– What did you do to cause her to distance herself from you so much?

-Nothing, we both decided to do so.

– Really…? How is that possible?

-Well…

It happened a week ago.

During summer vacation, club activities are suspended. But on that day, Tachibana-san and I met in the club room. The goal was to come up with a scenario for the movie we’d be shooting at the camp.

-I want us to use anagrams.

-That’s not a good idea, Tachibana-san. It’s not something that has much impact on movies. Let’s use narrative tricks instead.

It is about the mystery method used for filming. Tachibana-san and I share the same hobbies. We like night radio and mysteries.

But with a few contrasts. Regarding radio, she listens to the Japan Broadcasting System. I listen to Japan Cultural Broadcasting.

And regarding mystery books, she loves anagrams, and I love narrative tricks.

-No, I want the anagrams.

Anagrams are tricks with letters.

It is a technique in which a string of unintelligible letters appears, and when the letters are rearranged, an important fact of the story is revealed.

-But Tachibana-san, how can you possibly want to use anagrams in a short film?

-It has a certain charm, and it will make the end of the film extraordinary.

Tachibana-san, you are more clumsy than I thought.

-No, Tachibana-san. Anagrams are not interesting in a movie.

-Since you put it in that perspective, even your narrative tricks are only viable in novels.

-Like a girl who calls herself me, or an old man who calls himself young. However, some of them have been worked into movies and have been a success.

The essence of the narrative trick is to exploit the incomprehension of the reader or viewer. And when the truth comes out, that’s when the viewer realizes how wrong they were.

-And for that reason, in the first scene, we’ll have a corpse.

-Hmm. Well, for a short film, it’s probably a good idea.

Tachibana-san took notes to outline the story.

-Very well. We’ll use a narrative trick. In exchange, you let me name the characters.

-Sounds good to me.

And so the direction of the script had been decided. But the problems came later.

-President, while we’re here, let’s do this.

Tachibana-san had taken out the love guide again.

-I would like to try more things.

-We can’t.

-President, I see you are in a bad mood. 

-Just because I refuse doesn’t mean I’m necessarily in a bad mood.

-It’s all right. I won’t ask again.

Tachibana-san, as she usually does in these situations, prepares to go home and leaves the club room.

In the past, this was the part where I would stop her and agree to play, but I can’t do it anymore. 

When she opened the door, Tachibana-san turned and stared at me.

-President, are you sure you don’t want to do it?

-No

– Why?

-I don’t have to tell you.

– Is it because I am engaged? Who decided that?

-I’m not going to play your game again.

Tachibana-san is no longer just a deluded girl. She now knows many things.

– Is it because I’m marrying your friend?

-Exactly.

We stared at each other for a while.

We have always pretended to be insensitive to things, and have enjoyed a delicate relationship together.

But I can no longer ignore that fact. The sun has set… It’s time for me to go home. We can’t go on with these games, and Tachibana-san can’t risk ruining her and her mother’s future.

And I cannot betray Yanagi-senpai.

-I feel bad for Yanagi-kun too. I wish I could fall in love with him. I wish I could love him, just as I would have also felt the desire to touch him, and for him to touch me…. But it’s something that won’t happen. Because I can only do those things with you. I tried many times not to, but I failed…. I only like you. 

-I’m sorry.

-It’s okay, it doesn’t matter… But, I’d like to know, were you really in love with me when we were kids?

-First love is never forgotten.

-Yes. Yet you won’t choose me at the expense of everything around me, do you…? Well, I don’t really like you either. I was just curious what love was like. 

Tachibana-san turns around again, and before leaving says one more thing.

-I will pretend that the promise we made to each other when we were children, and the memories we created together never happened…. Goodbye, Kirishima-kun.

-Maybe things will be better this way. But what about Hayasaka-san?

-I think she hasn’t given up on conquering Yanagi-senpai yet…. But it will be difficult for her to do so.

Hayasaka-san is not the kind of woman who can seduce a man who is engaged.

-You’re right about that.

Things were back to square one. It was only natural that Hayasaka-san and I ended up together. 

-Things were very predictable.

-Yes, after all, that was what we had planned from the beginning.

Even if we end up being second, we have to be able to say that we have done our best to be the first among us. And that we have no regrets about what we have done.

-This camp is a rite of passage for it.

When this trip is over, the bond between Hayasaka-san and Yanagi-senpai should be complete.

Maki has a totally different idea, though.

-People’s emotions are not a puzzle. They don’t always fit together.

-Let’s get to it!

I express my encouragement before we begin shooting our short film. 

We had finally started recording the project. We were supposed to be done yesterday, but we deviated a lot from our main plans.

-I’m pretty sure he’s 100 percent dead.

Said Tachibana-san, who had rubber gloves on and put her hand on my neck.

I was playing the role of a corpse in a large bathroom. 

– But is he really dead? Hey, hey.

Tachibana-san plays a dangerous character. She seems to be having fun, but, above all, I felt that the force of the punch he threw at me contained personal feelings. 

And if the blow wasn’t enough, she also threw warm water on me, a method she did to alter the estimated time of death. I know it’s a movie, but is all this really necessary? 

-Maybe it’s too hot? Well, I don’t think it matters, after all, he’s dead. Fufufu. 

And to wrap things up, they put me in a sack of rice, and dropped me down a slope behind the inn.

-And… Cut!!!

The first scene ends with Maki’s voice.

– Are you ok?

It was time for rest, and Hayasaka-san approached me, agitated. 

I was sitting in the backyard of the lodge, checking the spot where the shooting of the first scene ended. I actually fell from that spot, and it hurt a little, but not enough to bruise me where I landed. 

– Is that scene supposed to be a part of the narrative?

-Yes. We will start by showing this scene at the beginning. This way, we’ll make the viewer think that Tachibana-san killed me. 

But the reality is that there is another real killer. Tachibana-san is just getting rid of my body. 

From here on, Tachibana-san will commit more murders to protect Yanagi-san, the real criminal.

-It’s amazing the script Tachibana-san wrote. However, her naming sense is a bit mysterious.

-I think the reason my character is named Kirinji Kiriyama is because I like the Kirinji band.

-Then, why is the character of Yanagi-senpai Ishikura Morishi?

-It’s probably the nickname of his favorite football player. He’s retired now, but there was a player on the Japanese national team named Morishita.

Sakai’s character Wakui Shea, and Yamanaka’s is Tezukayama Beret.

– And why am I Muneko? I don’t even know what it means.

-Well, that refers to your big breasts. (NT: Mune is japanese for breast, tons ya know :v)

– Is that what it means? I don’t know if I like this name very much.

Hayasaka-san gets angry for a moment, but it was in a playful tone, so she ends up calming down instantly. 

In front of my eyes, I saw Yanagi-senpai. A little farther away was Tachibana-san, who was beside him. She seemed to be having trouble opening the lid of a jar, so senpai helped her with it.

It was the classic scene of a man helping his partner.

– Do you like Yanagi-senpai?

Hayasaka-san nodded her head when I asked hee about it.

-Tachibana-san is lucky. She is desired by Kirishima-kun and senpai. She is the most perfect girl I have ever met.

-Don’t say that, Hayasaka-san. There are many people who are very much attracted to you.

-Maybe so, but when I’m by her side, everything is completely different. Tachibana-san is special. Do you know when her birthday is?

-Yes, on January 1.

-Exactly. Tachibana-san was born on the first day of the year. No one can beat her, and no one can match her. But, even so, I will give my best.

Hayasaka-san expressed while clenching her fist.

-I will find a way to take senpai away from her.

Until recently, her love for him was confused and she couldn’t help but panic. And when she found out that Yanagi-senpai was Tachibana-san’s fiancé, she went into complete shock. Although, she has been recovering slowly.

-You don’t have to try so hard…. Remember that you’re not that kind of person.

-Yes, I know I can’t beat her under normal circumstances. But this time, it’s different.

– What are you trying to say?

-I hate Tachibana-san.

Those were really strong words coming from Hayasaka-san.

-Despite not wanting to break off her engagement to Yanagi-senpai, she was hitting on Kirishima-kun.

So, Hayasaka-san did not like the fact that she was playing with mine and senpai’s feelings.

-This time I’m not going to hold back. It’s going to be a tough rivalry, hahaha. I feel like a bad girl. Besides, it’s beneficial for Kirishima-kun if senpai broke up with her, right?

Hayasaka-san’s feelings seem to be focused on me and Yanagi-senpai.

I wonder if she’s lost sight of her true feelings. I’m a little worried about that.

I looked back in the direction where those two were. I saw Tachibana-san wiping the sweat from senpai’s forehead with a hand towel.

Hayasaka-san watched him for a while and then looked at me.

-Hey, Kirishima-kun, let’s kiss.

– What?

-I want to kiss you here and now, before anyone sees us.

I think it’s a bad idea, but Hayasaka-san’s expression was blank. I have a feeling that there’s no way for me to escape this.

-If the two of them can be that affectionate, we should be able to kiss, too.

Hayasaka-san’s eyes are fixed on me.

So I hurried to kiss her without anyone seeing us.

-It’s fun to do bad things. 

Hayasaka-san’s expression is very sexy. And she is behaving worse and worse. But she quickly regained her girlish expression and cheerfully said:

-I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I will still be by your side as your second girlfriend. And I will be until the end.

By the time shooting was over, the sun was beginning to set. 

We had finished editing the short film in the evening, and decided to screen it on location. Honestly, I am amazed at Maki’s speed in editing. 

We were inside a large room, with a big screen on the wall where the movie would be projected. 

During the entire recording time, Hayasaka-san had been moving her chips to get closer to Yanagi-senapi.

But she was still too clumsy and shy to be able to do anything about it.

Hayasaka-san was sitting next to me on the tatami mat, and in front of us was Senpai and Tachibana-san.

-Well, let’s get started.

The room then gradually darkens. 

Yamanaka-kun took control of the computer and played the movie. 

The title of the movie was «The Hot Springs Mystery», immediately after the title, it shows some big words that say; «Directed by Shota Maki». It was something that brought laughter to all of us in the room. 

In my case, my eyes had managed to rest not on the screen but on Tachibana-san. Her hair was up and I could see her thin, fragile neck. 

-I guess it didn’t look too bad as a commercial, after all, it’s set in the same inn. 

-Yes

Yanagi-senpai and Tachibana-san were having a conversation in whispers. 

The short film is 15 minutes long, so it reached its climax quickly. It was the last scene, and everyone was impressed by Tachibana-san’s acting skills during the filming.

Tachibana-san was defending Yanagi-senpai, who was the real culprit, and had been discovered by Detective Maki, and before turning herself in to the police, she tells Yanagi-senapi that she loves him. 

Her performance was so realistic that everyone present thought he was actually confessing her feelings to Yanagi-senpai.

Even senpai had a smile on his face. I don’t know if I want to see that scene again on the screen. And then the climax of the movie begins.

Hayasaka-san took my hand in hers as if to say, «You have me.»

Good thing the room is in total darkness and no one can see us. Thanks to that, I decided to hold her hand tighter.

On the screen appears Tachibana-san, who has a sad face, and her thin lips move.

-I like you, Morishi Ishikura. No matter what happens, I will always love you.

Her facial expressions and lines were beyond acting. It seems that Tachibana-san had seriously confessed in that scene.

At the end of the screening, I was left with the feeling that I had seen a romantic movie. 

People have different tastes when it comes to fireworks. Hayasaka-san likes colorful things and Tachibana-san likes simple things.

In the evening, we set off fireworks in the courtyard of the inn. It was a way to have good memories of this trip, and Miki-chan had prepared everything.

Each person has their own hand-held sparkler and watches the sparks fly. The combination was natural.

-I’m glad it’s over.

Hayasaka-san says.

-It was a good short film we all made today.

-Yes, and the title of the film was good too.

-And the scene where Tachibana-san tells Yanagi-senpai that she loves him was very good.

Tachibana-san was with Yanagi-senpai a little farther away from us, they were lighting other fireworks. They looked like a couple.

-We seem to have missed our chance.

Hayasaka-san says.

-At first I thought Tachibana-san was trying to make Kirishima-kun jealous. But she hasn’t turned around to see you even once.

-I know.

-I don’t think she’s still interested in you.

-I know.

That’s when it happened. I could hear the conversation between Tachibana-san and Yanagi-senpai.

-Here’s the garbage bag.

Tachibana-san was tugging at the hem of senpai’s shirt. For someone like her, that was a very advanced act of physical contact between a man and a woman.

Even the expression on senpai’s face showed how shocked he was at such a situation.

-Hikari-chan, why don’t we go for a little walk? I think there is a boardwalk.

-Good.

Both are getting closer and closer. I could no longer watch such a situation, so I simply focused on watching my own fireworks.

-I wonder why Tachibana-san doesn’t choose Kirishima-kun instead of senpai. Why do such a cruel thing in front of us? 

Tears were falling from Hayasaka-san’s eyes. I couldn’t help but feel a little sad after seeing that scene.

-It’s sad that the only person who can make Kirishima-kun happy is Tachibana-san. Even though she’s standing next to senpai, Kirishima-kun doesn’t stop watching her. That… That’s too sad.

After wiping away her tears, Hayasaka-san looked exhausted. Her eyes are empty, and she is unable to improve her expression.

-Even so, I will give my best effort. I don’t plan to give up. I just want to be a good girlfriend for Kirishima-kun. The second best girlfriend. That’s why I want to be good for Kirishima-kun, I want to be useful for Kirishima-kun.

-Hey, Hayasaka-san. You’re all out of fireworks. 

-…Ah, you’re right.

The light returns to Hayasaka-san’s eyes.

I lit some new fireworks and handed them to her. In the darkness of the night, sparks of many colors sparkled. The light was intense, but in a way, it was also sad. It seemed to be our emotions materialized in the sparks. 

I like Tachibana-san. I like Hayasaka-san. And I like Yanagi-senpai very much.

The emotions that arise are all genuine, though terribly contradictory. You can’t have it all. And yet, I can’t explain how I feel about it.

But in a way, I think that’s what love is like.

A lot of emotions that buzz, that change color, that change shape and that explode on the spot. 

That is why the actions and thoughts of those in love become incoherent. And yet, conversely speaking, they become incomprehensible.

There is no logical love in the world. We get carried away by the true emotions of the day, we lose ourselves, we worry, and sometimes we even forget how we really feel.

Sometimes we forget what we really feel in the moment, or we don’t realize that our feelings have been changing since the past and we have been left behind. 

That’s what’s going on with Hayasaka-san, so she’s still confused.

-Hayasaka-san, I owe you an apology. 

– Why?

-Because you’re not the only girl I love.

She deserved that I only loved her, and no one else. That would be a pure love. Instead, I have taken her to such an extreme in making her unstable.

-No, that is not the case.

Hayasaka-san shakes his head.

-Me, I’m not a good girl. That’s why I was so happy when you asked me to be your second girlfriend. 

-Even so, you are very confused about your feelings just now. I don’t think you even know what you’re doing. 

– What do you think I should do?

-You need to put your feelings in order.

– And do you have your feelings in order, Kirishima-kun?

-…I have already given up on Tachibana-san.

At the moment I said this, Hayasaka-san looked puzzled, but then her face lit up and she became happy.

-Hmm, do you think it’s okay if I’m happy about it? I feel like I shouldn’t, but I really feel very happy.

Her eyes became empty again.

-I’m sorry, I think I said the wrong thing. I’ll go to my room.

After those words, she entered the inn. I guess I’ll be left alone with the fireworks. 

After everyone had finished, I wanted to collect all the garbage.

-Kirishima, I will help you.

The person who had spoken to me was Yanagi-senpai.

– Did anything interesting happen?

When asked, he purses his nose in an embarrassed manner.

-I think Hikari and I have taken an important step in getting to know each other.

-I’m happy for you.

– And how did it go with Hayasaka-chan? It seems like you two got along pretty well.

My phone started ringing after the senpai asked me that question. So I reached into my pocket and picked it up to take a look.

«Come to my room.»

It was a message from Hayasaka-san.

-Things are going well with Hayasaka-san. Let’s talk later tonight.

I replied in voice to see what expression Tachibana-san would make, but she was still far away, and concentrating on cleaning. She didn’t seem to hear.

Even though I said I have given up on her, I expected her to have some kind of reaction to hearing that. I still have mixed feelings about it. 

Well, I guess it’s best to leave things as they are.

Since it was the season in which there were almost no guests, the inn gave us rooms for two people.

And we were divided as follows; Maki with Yamanaka-kun, Hayasaka-san with Tachibana-san, Saki with Miki-chan, Yanagi-senpai and myself. 

Taking advantage of the situation where Tachibana-san had gone out with Yanagi-senpai, Hayasaka-san invited me to her room. 

-Hayasaka-san.

-…Come in.

Hayasaka-san was dressed in a yukata, and sitting on a chair.

-I will prepare some tea.

Hayasaka-san poured hot water from a kettle and made us two cups of green tea. I sat down in front of her and drank my tea in silence.

-I feel calmer now. And I wanted to talk to you about something…

-It’s okay. It’s true what I said, I have given up on Tachibana-san.

It’s time for us to be official sweethearts. This is how things should be. Tachibana-san with senpai, and me with Hayasaka-san.

However, just before I proposed it. Hayasaka-san interrupted me.

-No.

Her tone is soft, but her will is strong.

-I don’t want that kindness.

-It’s not kindness. I’m serious, I like you, Hayasaka-san.

-I know, but that’s not how I want it.

So, this was what she had been thinking when she came here.

-If Kirishima-kun was my first love, I wouldn’t give up so easily. It’s true that Tachibana-san and senpai are engaged. But it’s an agreement that hasn’t been finalized, so anything can happen.

Hayasaka-san is right. It was not yet time to give up. Sexually speaking. If I gave up now, it would be a dramatic but narcissistic love story. 

I think it is much more sincere to be patient and wait for the next opportunity to conquer this situation. It would be absurd to give up over every obstacle I find in my path.

Happiness must come from such patience and calmness.

-It’s my fault, isn’t it? Since you saw me weak and confused, you’re giving up on Tachibana-san.

Yes. I can’t bear to see you break down like that, Hayasaka-san.

-But, it is also Kirishima-kun’s fault.

– My fault?

-It’s your fault that my heart is ruined. But I’m not saying that because you’re my second.

-Then why is that the case?

-If your relationship with Tachibana-san doesn’t come true, it means that you and I will be together, right?

-Yes.

-That’s what you say now. But what if it’s not? 

That made me uncomfortable.

-Even though we are official sweethearts, I believe that your love for Tachibana-san will still linger somewhere in your heart.

-I see, is that how you feel about it?

-Yes

Honestly, I don’t know how I would feel if things with her didn’t work out. What do you do with your unrequited love? That’s the real question.

-I feel like I’m getting lonely. Kirishima-kun and Yanagi-senpai are only attracted to Tachibana-san.

-I like you, Hayasaka-san.

-Then make me believe it.

Hayasaka-san stands up. He then sits down on the futon on the tatami floor.

-Convince me that if my relationship with Yanagi-senpai fails, you will come back to me. I want you to assure me that Kirishima-kun will be my insurance policy if my love doesn’t come true. Then I will be able to do my best. I will be able to pursue the person I love the most.

She opens her arms after those words, as if telling me to come to her.

I walked over to the futon and hugged her. I thought that would calm my emotions, because hugging Hayasaka-san feels too good.

But… Hayasaka-san fell backwards, and I was still clinging to her. If anyone saw us, they would think I lunged at her.

-Hayasaka-san?

-Hey Kirishima-kun, we’re sweethearts, right?

-Yes.

-We’re real sweethearts, aren’t we?

-Of course we are.

-So, let’s do things that sweethearts do.

She probably wants more than a kiss.

-…I want to be a real girlfriend to you.

The portion of her chest where the yukata should be is exposed. And Hayasaka-san doesn’t even bother for a moment to adjust it. 

-I don’t want you to leave. I want you to really show me that you like me.

I couldn’t help but swallow after hearing those words. We were supposed to have set a rule, yet she’s not even making an effort to try to follow it. 

But in retrospect, I’m the one who’s pushed Hayasaka-san to do this kind of thing to make her feel safe. This is what it means to be serious with a girl, and I think I’ve been running away from it.

-Are you sure?

-Yes.

-If we do this, things could change drastically.

-I know, I’m an idiot. This might make Kirishima-kun the only person I want to love.

It is true that, if this line is crossed, the order of liking may change. And she could also take Tachibana-san’s position. And unconsciously, she was trying not to think about that kind of thing. 

-If that happens, can I take advantage of your kindness?

-Yes.

-And if I become your favorite, can I be as heavy as I want?

-Yes.

-….Kirishima-kun.

She closed her eyes and lifted her chin.

I’ll let myself go in that situation, so I go over to kiss Hayasaka-san. I’ve been holding back my feelings until now, so I’ll put all my desire into her.

I can feel the warmth of her body, the sound of your heart and the softness of her breasts.

It all happened in a single moment. Suddenly, the door to the room opened.

The situation had completely turned around. I tried to make an excuse, but Tachibana-san was the first to speak.

-What are you doing?

She had a worried expression on her face.

Hayasaka-san and I are sitting comfortably on the futon. A little farther away, Tachibana-san was sitting cross-legged.

It was a really awkward situation. Tachibana-san had returned at an inopportune time.

– Didn’t you say you were going for a walk with senpai?

-Yes, but there was a change of plans at the last minute.

said Tachibana with a bewildered look.

-More importantly, are you two in a relationship?

-N-No.

It was Hayasaka-san who responded instantly.

-Hmm

-…I like someone else.

-So why were you two trying to kiss each other?

After that question, Hayasaka-san falls silent. After a short pause, she answered:

-I wanted to practice with Kirishima-kun. 

-It didn’t look like a practice.

-Yes, it was practice. Kirishima-kun is just my «practice boyfriend».

This time, it was Tachibana-san who was silent. But her silence did not last for long.

– What do you mean?

Now, in this room, there is an acute and unique set of emotions, very different from the relationship between the three of us so far.

Hayasaka-san’s excuse of me being a training boyfriend is not bad. It seems to me that she was trying to reduce the damage after being found out. But it was clear that she had a prickly attitude towards Tachibana-san.

-Well, I don’t care who you kiss.

-Exactly. After all, you have Yanagi-senpai.

With the exchange of glances after those words, they could share a lot of feelings between them.

-However, Hayasaka-san, do you really kiss as practice?

-I do.

-I would not be able to do such a thing.

-I understand that. After all, you are a bit childish.

Hayasaka-san is more belligerent than ever. 

From her point of view, Yanagi-senpai and I are brainwashed by Tachibana-san’s charms, which causes her emotions towards her to be aggressive.

But Tachibana-san is not one to sit back and let others do the talking.

-I want you to kiss him

Tachibana-san expressed while looking at her.

-What?

-I want to see you kiss the President. Can you do it?

That seemed to annoy Hayasaka-san, just as I expected. I’m confused because I don’t feel like letting anyone kiss me either. 

-Tachibana-san, is it okay if I kiss him in front of you?

-I don’t care, as you said before, I have Yanagi. Besides… I only like one guy. I’m not like someone who has more than one affair. So I don’t feel any excitement when I see other people kissing. I don’t fall in love easily from a single fling.

Slightly ironic words. 

On the other hand, Hayasaka-san did not change her expression, but seemed to have lost his temper.

-Kirishima-kun, let’s do it.

Then she kneels down and brings her face close to mine.

-Wait a moment, Hayasaka-san.

-Tachibana-san wants to see us kiss. So let’s show her.

-I refuse to do so.

I looked at Tachibana-san, her face still expressionless as usual.

-President, do it. 

Why do you want to see that? I don’t have to get involved in the emotional conflicts of two women.

Before I could say anything else, Hayasaka-san grabbed me by the neck with both hands. I have no escape now.

-Tachibana-san, take a good look at this.

Hayasaka-san presses his lips to mine. At first, the kiss was discreet and I was aware that someone was watching me.

But Hayasaka-san was looking sideways at Tachibana-san, and seeing that her expression hadn’t changed at all. He started kissing me more aggressively and changing her angle. 

I am not fascinated by this idea of someone seeing me kissing Hayasaka-san. 

But I know the intentions of this kiss. She is trying very hard to make Tachibana-san be surprised in some way.

So I decided to play along. I hugged her and stuck my tongue inside her mouth. Hayasaka-san was starting to feel ecstatic, so she also stuck her tongue inside my mouth soon after. 

-Kirishima-kun, I like your spit.

I think Hayasaka-san is surpassing the normal level of ecstasy. She is going into a complete trance. She’s going out of her way to make Tachibana-san jealous.

But the effort was in vain, as Tachibana-san still had his expressionless face. But…

«Show me more.»

That’s what her eyes were telling me. You want to feel jealous, just like I was when I saw her pictures with her fake boyfriend on social media. 

My kiss with Hayasaka-san made the three of us in the room excited. I want Tachibana-san to feel the same as me.

I want her to be jealous of me, as I have always been jealous of her. 

Hayasaka-san was no longer acting as number two, but as my girlfriend in front of Tachibana-san. So I was just releasing all the emotions I had repressed until now.

This was Hayasaka-san’s revenge for her having Yanagi-senpai, the person she loves the most, as her fiancé. And this was nothing more than Tachibana-san putting my feelings to the test, so she forced me to kiss Hayasaka-san.

At the moment she was just staring blankly, while twirling her hair with her finger. This is one of the few habits Tachibana-san has when she doesn’t like something.

After all the ecstasy dissipated. Hayasaka-san had been the first to regain her reason. 

-…I’m an idiot.

Did she feel embarrassed for kissing me in front of someone? Or did she feel disgusted with herself for listening to Tachibana-san?

Hayasaka-san’s face turns red as she fixes her yukata.

-I’m going to freshen up a bit.

Before leaving the room, she turned to Tachibana-san.

-I just want to make it clear, I did it because I wanted to, not because you asked me to. Kirishima-kun only does what I tell him to do. It’s all my fault. He doesn’t do anything wrong.

Tachibana-san remains silent. After that, she walks out of the room, leaving us alone. She then proceeds to make tea, as if nothing had happened.

– Would you like some tea?

-Yes…

Everything feels strange. Why doesn’t she say anything? Why does she act like everything is fine…?

Without another word, I drink my tea, and decide to go back to my room.

-Well, I’m off, see you tomorrow.

Just for tonight, let’s pretend this never happened. But as soon as I got up, Tachibana-san pounced on me.

She collapsed on top of me, knocking me off balance as I fell backwards. Tachibana-san fell on top of me and then grabbed me by the chest with both hands.

-You are so disgusting.

She expressed with a serious face. She is being unusually emotional, it seems she is very angry.

After those words, she came up to me and kissed me.

The impulse was so strong, our teeth clashed together, and the inside of my mouth hurt a little. So I turned my face away from her.

I begin to feel blood in my mouth.

-I’m sorry. It’s my first time, I’ve never kissed anyone. 

While saying that, Tachibana-san pressed her lips against mine once more. Then she did it again and again.

Her kisses were painful. She continued kissing me roughly for a while and then sat down.

-I feel like a bad girl.

She had a look of satisfaction.

-Tachibana-san, it’s not right for you to do this to Yanagi-senpai….

-Don’t say it. I don’t want you to keep saying those things. If you really care about Yanagi-kun, if you really want to stay away, then you shouldn’t have listened to the short film.

– What do you mean?

-It is useless to play dumb. You can’t possibly be so oblivious. 

The atmosphere was eerie and I remained silent. Tachibana-san looked me in the eyes and said nothing more.

I can hear the hands of the clock ticking. 

-… You used an anagram trick.

Tachibana-san giggled like a naughty child and said.

-I see you got the message.

Yes, the film actually has a hidden message. Hayasaka-san’s confession in the short film was directed at me.

The names of the characters in the script written by Tachibana-san are all slightly different.

Kiriyama Kirinji, Wakui Shea, Tezukayama Berebo. And there is only one name that was really intended.

石倉モリシ (Ishikura Morishi)   

It was just a matter of rearranging them in the alphabet.

桐島司郎 (Kirishima Shiro) 

In the play, Tachibana-san confesses her feelings to Morishi Ishikura, played by Yanagi-senpai.

«I like you, Ishikura Morishi. No matter what happens, I will always love you.»

Because he said it so seriously, everyone thought that Tachibana-san felt a real feeling towards Yanagi-senpai. But in my case, I now see it from another perspective.

«I like you, Kirishima Ishiro. No matter what happens, I will always love you.»

It was a full-fledged confession coming from her. After all, Tachibana-san can be a genius when it comes to love.

Tachibana-san is still on top of me, and judging by the expression on her face, she is enjoying it.

-You really like me, don’t you, Shiro?

My feelings for her were all over my face.

-I love you very much, Shiro-kun. You know that, don’t you? You always cared about me. No matter how cold I’ve been to you, or how close I’ve been to Yanagi-kun. You always cared about my happiness. 

Tachibana-san began to caress my body with both hands.

-Stop, I told you you can’t do that.

-If you really care about Yanagi-kun, if you refuse to accept my feelings, then we shouldn’t have filmed that short film. And you should have simply changed everyone’s roles, or at least changed the names of the characters. Now that I’ve confessed my feelings from the bottom of my heart to you, Shiro-kun, I can’t stop myself. I want you to like me very much… Hey, tell me, did you like that scene? Did you love seeing me open up my feelings for you?

It was the best feeling of all.

Tachibana-san is a problem. She laid bare all my deceptions and made me reveal the injustice that I hide deep inside me. In spite of that, she accepts me as I am. 

At that moment, I was overcome with such a special sense of pleasure that I couldn’t care about anyone but myself, as she had done me an incredible favor.

-I’m sorry I was so hard on you before.

Tachibana-san traces my lips with her finger.

-You did it on purpose because you were angry.

-Yes

– Can I kiss you again?

Before I could respond, Tachibana-san’s lips came close to mine. And this time, the kiss was very soft.

After our mouths met, Tachibana-san’s tongue slipped inside. And the next thing she does is to carefully lick the wound she had given me with her teeth.

-You taste of blood

-Yes, it’s not pleasant.

-How many times have you kissed Hayasaka-san?

-I’ve already lost count.

-Mmmm

After that, she kissed me again and again. I could barely catch my breath. When I looked away, Tachibana’s expression was one of satisfaction.

-Hey Shiro, do you like Hayasaka-san?

For some reason, Tachibana-san is facing the door leading to the hallway. And her gaze seems to go even further.

-It’s okay if you don’t answer, Shiro-kun, I’ll do as you wish. I’ll remain Yanagi-kun’s fiancée.

It seems that she does not want to betray her senpai, nor does she want to be responsible for the destruction of her family. 

-And also… You can continue to have your relationship with Hayasaka-san.

It’s pretty scary. Otherwise, she will completely fall apart, and I will be responsible for ruining her life and hurting her a lot.

-So, you can continue to be friends with your senpai, and be affectionate with the other girl you like. Not to mention, you’ll be able to possess me and do whatever you want with me. It’s a good idea, isn’t it? You don’t have to hide it. It’s what you want.

I couldn’t say anything, it was as if she had read my mind.

-I’ll make it all come true. I promise to keep my mouth shut, Shiro-kun. Let’s hide from everyone and do a lot of bad things together.

After those words, Tachibana-san held up two fingers and said:

-I don’t mind being your second girlfriend.