Chapter 5
"Ohh! It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Yoshino-chan? Haven’t you grown a bit taller?"
"No, I haven’t grown. Good to see you’re doing well as always, Tora-nii. Did you get kicked out of your girlfriend’s place again?"
"I didn’t get kicked out—I overtook her!"
"That doesn’t even make sense!"
It was around mid-May when this happened.
In the room where Ritsuka and Yoshino lived, a man with blonde bobbed hair wearing a work uniform was lounging around.
His name was Yanagi Toraji. Ritsuka’s biological older brother and a former combatant of the "Rotdo Organization." He was currently 23 years old.
He’d known Yoshino since childhood and doted on her like another little sister… but—
"Tora-nii, isn’t it about time you stopped being a freeloader and got a job? Ritsuka’s gonna cry, you know?"
Toraji was currently a splendidly unemployed man—or rather, until recently, he’d been living off a woman.
"No, no, I’m working, I tell ya! Look at me—I’m an artist!"
"Ugh, ‘artist’ is just a fancy substitute for ‘social misfit,’ isn’t it? That’s what career aptitude tests say."
"You’re brutal! You’re picking a fight with every artist in the world with that career test nonsense!!"
"Seeing you, Tora-nii, kinda makes me think artists are genuinely messed-up people…"
"Well, whatever about me. What’s up with Ritsuka? Is she at her lectures?"
"Oh, Ritsuka’s out having fun today."
Yoshino was inwardly hesitating, weighing her options. Should she give Toraji any more information?
Toraji was a hardcore siscon. His love for Ritsuka knew no bounds. Yoshino was well aware of this—and precisely because she was, she sensed the danger in continuing this conversation.
"Hmm. That’s rare—Ritsuka going out to have fun on her own and leaving Yoshino-chan behind."
"Well, not exactly alone… more like with someone else…"
"Another friend, huh? Well, she’s in university now. Makes sense she’d make other friends."
"A friend… I guess? Well, yeah, a friend, probably…"
"Got a picture of her? If she’s cute, introduce her to me! Or maybe not, haha!"
"I mean, I’ve got a photo… One I made the two of them take at a photo booth. They’re both standing stiff as boards—it’s so surreal I laughed my head off."
"Sounds great, sounds great! Any funny side of Ritsuka is more than welcome!"
(There’s no escaping it…)
It wasn’t exactly something to hide. After all, Ritsuka wasn’t hiding it. So it was bound to reach Toraji’s ears eventually—whether it came from Yoshino’s mouth or not was just a matter of timing. Resolving herself, Yoshino showed Toraji a photo saved on her phone.
In it, standing next to Ritsuka, was Saigawa Rouji—known as "Feather Hunt."
"Huh, she’s kinda boyish, this girl."
"No, he’s obviously a guy…"
"Oh… huh. For some reason, this guy’s face looks super familiar. No way it’s ‘Feather Hunt,’ right? Haha, nah, no way!"
"No, it is ‘Feather Hunt’…"
"Hoh, haaaah… So Rittsu and Feather Hunt are out together now, just the two of them! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!"
Bending his body at a right angle, Toraji proceeded to vomit everything in his stomach right then and there.
He might’ve even hurled up his insides at this rate.
"Like a dam bursting…"
The sheer force of his projectile vomiting prompted Yoshino to describe it as such. Looking closer, the liquid spewing from Toraji’s mouth had already turned bright red. Was he about to puke blood too?
Toraji’s stomach, overwhelmed by instantaneous and explosive stress beyond human endurance, had sprouted polyps and ulcers in an instant. They’d fused into some incomprehensible mess, forcing him to cough up blood—but the mechanics of it didn’t really matter. Yoshino just prayed for his survival.
Oh, a fearsome something was about to be born, unbeknownst to "Feather Hunt"…
＊
It’d been about a month and a half since that mixer, hadn’t it? I’d started meeting up with Yanagi pretty often.
Of course, sometimes it was just the two of us, sometimes with Kayama or Gori-san—various patterns—but overall, it was peaceful… almost like we were friends, passing the time calmly.
We’d done all sorts of things under the pretense of settling a score.
"Hey, Yanagi, pull! Pull it quick!"
"Uwah…"
"I didn’t mean recoil from me! Pull the rod!!"
We went to a fishing pond together and reeled in a big catch.
"Yanagi. Your batting stance is all wrong. You can’t hit like you’re holding a sword."
"But wouldn’t swinging a bat vertically, like a katana, be better than horizontally?"
"No way that kind of daikon-slicing swing would—"
"Ei!"
"How the hell did you hit a home run!!"
Yanagi worked a miracle at the batting center.
"Yanagi. Your shot form’s off. You can’t shoot pool like you’re wielding a sword."
"But this stick’s kinda like a wooden sword, right? Couldn’t I just thrust it?"
"It’s not a ‘stick,’ it’s a cue… Look, you can’t just brute-force—"
"Ei!"
"How the hell did you sink every ball with a break shot!! That’s insane!!"
Yanagi pulled off another miracle at the pool hall.
We competed in all sorts of places, but I’d stopped caring about short-term wins and losses.
We’d set out to determine a victor, only to tack on some half-baked reason and call it a draw.
—Because if a winner was decided, there might not be a next time.
Somehow, Yanagi seemed to get that too and didn’t say anything about it.
I wished this strange yet incredibly comfortable relationship could go on forever.
"‘I want to see you’…? Oi, oi, what’s that supposed to mean? Stop it, stop it—I’m getting all self-conscious."
Lying on my bed, I kept rereading the message on my phone.
Usually, I’m the one inviting her out. The messages Yanagi sends are stuff like "Saw a wild cat" or "Weird cloud today"—things so trivial I’d think, What are you, a grade-schooler? She’d never invited me anywhere before. And now, out of nowhere, she’d sent just "I want to see you."
…I could feel my cheeks loosening up. Crap, I’m probably grinning like an idiot right now.
What is this? Sure, it feels good to be acknowledged by someone, but is it supposed to hit this hard?
"What an ugly mug. Are you on some sketchy drugs or something?"
"Uwah!!"
I’d been so fixated on my phone screen that I hadn’t noticed Kayama sneaking in.
It’s my fault for not locking the door, but still—don’t just waltz in silently like that!
"…What’s up, Kayama? I’m kinda busy right now. If you want someone to hang out with, go bug Gori-san."
"Haha! Could it be… a sweet little message from Yanagi-chan?"
"Oi. Don’t guess it right."
"Missing that would be harder. Sheesh, who’d have thought Saigawa would fall this hard for a girl? What about all those days we spent together? Don’t toy with me like this."
"Don’t call women ‘girls’ like that…! I’m not toying with you. Besides, Yanagi doesn’t think anything special of me. Sad as that is."
"Who knows? Maybe she doesn’t, but maybe she does. Bridging that ‘gap’… well, I could probably do it. But Saigawa, you might be able to too, no?"
"Quit the subtle flexing."
I already know you’re a ladies’ man—minus the gynophobia, that is.
Kayama helped himself to some tea from my fridge, pouring it into a glass.
"—Do you like her? Yanagi-chan, I mean."
"…More than the average person, I guess."
"Haha! Why not just admit it outright?"
"Sh-Shut up. I can’t just say ‘Yes, absolutely’ to everything, can I?"
In the end, I couldn’t take that step forward. I knew full well that my feelings were already obvious to Kayama and Gori-san, no matter how I tried to hide them. But… if I dumped all these emotions on Yanagi, I didn’t want to think about how she’d react. If baring my heart meant ruining this cozy relationship we had now, I’d rather bury it and choke it down a thousand times over.
"…I get it, y’know. Kinda. That Yanagi isn’t looking for that."
"She doesn’t want a boyfriend?"
"Well, putting it simply, yeah."
"Did she tell you that herself?"
"No, not exactly. But I can tell. It’s a gut feeling."
It’s that ‘gap’ Kayama mentioned—something between me and Yanagi. Not compatibility or our pasts, but something I couldn’t put into words.
I hadn’t pinned down what it was—but until I did, no matter how much I approached Yanagi, it’d probably be pointless.
"I see. Sounds tough. She’s a weird one… though you’re no different, Saigawa."
"Not as weird as you. Anyway, Yanagi invited me to hang out this time. Can’t blame me for getting a little hyped, right? So help me out—let’s draft a reply!"
"Do it yourself~! Well, fine, I guess…"
And so, that weekend, I ended up going out with Yanagi—just the two of us.
And get this—she explicitly called it a ‘date.’
No surprise I couldn’t sleep that night.
＊
Now, the weekend. I arrived at the meeting spot thirty minutes early. When it’s just the two of us, whoever gets there first gains a slight mental edge.
Yanagi wasn’t here yet. I took a deep breath. Today was a ‘date,’ and somehow, I had a hunch something different—something good—was going to happen.
"S-Saigawa-kun."
"…Oh, you’re here. Twenty-five minutes early is a bit late, don’t you think?"
I turned toward the voice. As usual, Yanagi’s silver hair fluttered in the breeze—
"Hooohhh~~?? You think you can flex on a girl just ‘cause you got here first, huh, punk!?"
—and there stood a blonde bobbed-hair guy in a work uniform, glaring at me with pitch-black murderous intent.
My jaw dropped. Behind the blonde, shrinking into his shadow, was Yanagi. Okay, calm down. Stay cool, me. You remember this, right?
"T-Tsuchikure…!?"
In the past, this blonde and I had definitely crossed paths in combat.
"Don’t call me by my Shijima codename. Though it’s still better than you saying my real name."
"…What do you want?"
My hand instinctively went to my hip. Back then—no, once upon a time—there’d have been a gun there. With a weapon, I could at least think of options. But now, sadly, I was unarmed.
—"Tsuchikure." A member of the "Rotdo Organization," one of the "Tattooed Blues," who first appeared as reinforcements for "Haku-Ma."
After that, "Tsuchikure" went solo, wreaking havoc in my assigned district, giving me endless headaches.
Honestly, in terms of sheer "Blessing" annoyance, he outdid Yanagi. His ability to "manipulate clay" was incredibly versatile, tormenting us time and again.
That earned him the enemy codename "Tsuchikure"—a top-tier ace of the "Rotdo Organization," rivaling even Yanagi. So why the hell was he standing in front of me now…!?
"My business? That’s obvious, ain’t it? I’m here to kill you, ‘Feather Hunt’…!!"
(This guy’s tactics are nuts!! He comes at you full throttle right off the bat…!!)
"‘Heart Image’—"
The air grew taut. My heart pounded like a war drum. Instinct screamed at me to run.
Calling the name bestowed upon one’s "Blessing" was, for the "Tattooed Blues," a key to unleashing their full power. Naturally, it came with a heavy backlash, so they didn’t use it lightly—except for "Tsuchikure," who had the insane habit of going all-out from the start.
"Hey, Onii-chan! Stop it, don’t just jump in like that!! Didn’t I tell you to go home if you pull this crap!?"
Yanagi shouted from behind him, then kicked "Tsuchikure" in the butt.
"—Nwah! W-What the hell, Ritsuka! I’m about to kill this guy!!"
"Why would you do that to Saigawa-kun!?"
"I told you! He’s just toying with you! And anyone who messes with my precious little sister gets sunk into the sea by my own hands! This is all for your sake, Ritsuka!!"
"Don’t decide that on your own. Besides, he and I aren’t in the kind of relationship you think!"
"Yanagi. No way, but… the ‘Onii-chan’ you’re always talking about is…?"
The answer was already clear—this was just confirmation.
To my question, Yanagi lowered her brow apologetically and nodded.
"…Yeah. This guy. I figured you’d ‘know’ him, but…"
"Yanagi Toraji’s the name. Might as well introduce myself—it’s the last name you’ll remember before you die."
"Nice to meet you. I’m Saigawa Rouji. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
I bowed sharply at the waist, acting like it was our first meeting. How’s that?
"You’re ‘Feather Hunt,’ ain’t ya! Why the hell would I ‘make your acquaintance’!? Who are you!?"
"I just introduced myself…"
Pointless, huh… Well, siblings come in all flavors. Having had a sister myself, I get it.
They can be similar or total opposites, get along great or fight like cats and dogs.
But with Yanagi and "Tsuchikure," I genuinely couldn’t see where the blood connection was. They didn’t even look alike—plus, why the hell was the brother speaking Kansai dialect?
Was Yanagi actually from Kansai…? That just made it even more confusing.
At the very least, if I messed up here, "Tsuchikure" would come at me without hesitation. Even if Yanagi tried to stop him, this guy was the type to do it. His killing intent was unreal—it was warping the air.
"Oi, ‘Feather Hunt.’ I’ve heard a bit about you from Ritsuka. So I’ve got a question. Lie to me, and I’ll kill you—answer honestly. What’s your purpose and reason for getting close to Ritsuka? Depending on your answer, I’ll kill you. Actually, I just wanna kill you anyway, so forget it—don’t answer. Alright, I’m killing you!!"
"Don’t just resolve it yourself… Purpose and reason? That’s—"
I glanced at Yanagi. Internally, I went, Oh.
—I couldn’t put into words my purpose and reason for meeting Yanagi.
I wanted to settle who was better between us. That’s why we started meeting so often.
It wasn’t a lie. But it wasn’t the full truth anymore either. It’d be a dressed-up answer.
And in "Tsuchikure’s" words… that’d mean I’d get killed.
"I told you! We’re just competing to see who’s better! It’s not an era for direct fights anymore, so we’ve been facing off in all sorts of ways! There’s nothing shady about it!"
"…Ritsuka. That’s your take. I wanna hear it straight from this guy’s mouth."
"I…"
I wanted to say it. "I want to get closer to Yanagi." "We’ve been hanging out a lot."
But I was terrified of what’d happen if Yanagi knew. So I couldn’t say anything.
"Tsuchikure" glared at me. It felt like he was reading my mind—though that wasn’t his "Blessing."
"Fine, whatever. I get the gist. Ritsuka, listen up. This guy—"
"Tsuchikure" took a deep breath. I braced myself instinctively.
"—is a DICKMAN!!!"
"Huh?"
"W-Wait… Onii-chan!! Don’t yell weird stuff in public!!"
What the hell was this freak shouting in the middle of the street? And I’m a… what kind of man? Stop it.
"You get it, right!? Guys like him at this age are basically walking dicks─────!!"
"D-Dick… Stop it!! Saigawa-kun, do something about him!!"
"That’s my line… If he’s your brother, you handle him."
Yanagi’s face was beet red. Passersby were glancing at us, whispering. Honestly, a blonde in a work uniform yelling vulgarities in Kansai dialect was an incident in itself.
"Guys this age only think about dirty stuff!! Their brains are stuffed with balls, and their balls are stuffed with brains!! Source: me back in the day!! He’s a damn monster, I tell ya!!"
"I can’t take this… I wanna disown him…"
(Though it’s kinda hard to fully deny…)
A monster, huh. Well, what he’s saying isn’t entirely wrong. Not me, though, okay?
"So this guy only wants to get freaky with Ritsuka!! Ugh, fine—I’ll break it down from scratch! Alright, I’m gonna tally up how much of a Dickman this guy is with Dick Points, so listen close! Here we go—I’m diving in!"
"Hypnosis audio…?"
His little sister was plugging her ears and shaking her head, but her big brother ignored her completely, raising one finger. Two-way communication had fully collapsed.
"First, brown hair’s a +1 Dick Point. Slightly tryhard clothes, another +1 Dick Point. A pervy-looking face, +1 more Dick Point. And he’s probably got condoms in his wallet or scoped out love hotels beforehand, so +5 Dick Points. Add in my personal judgment, and that’s a grand total of 10,000 Dick Points—Dickman status confirmed, death penalty for him─────!!"
Even the fastest centipede couldn’t count that many points, so "Tsuchikure" ended up flailing both hands wildly and throwing a punch at me. For real. With killing intent.
"That’s why, for the sake of the world, humanity, and all the college girls out there, this Dickman’s gotta die. It’s not just about Ritsuka anymore—this is a global issue. You get it, right? The Earth, man!"
Apparently, I was a threat to the planet. No, I don’t get it. I’m human, dude.
Meanwhile, Yanagi had her ears and eyes shut, muttering "Ahh, ahh" through her mouth.
She’d clearly decided not to hear a word her brother said—physically.
"Ahh, ahh, ahh… Are you done yet?"
"Yeah, I’m done. This guy’s gonna off himself, apparently."
"I’m not."
"Alright, alright. Let’s go, Saigawa-kun. Uh, it’s a ‘date,’ so…"
"Y-Yeah. Let’s do that."
Ignoring "Tsuchikure," Yanagi lightly pinched the hem of my clothes with her fingertips and started walking.
She probably wanted to get away from this place—or rather, from this brother—as soon as possible. I couldn’t agree more.
"Oi, oi, oi, oi, wait, wait, wait, wait~~~!!"
Gorogorogorogoro… Rolling across the street, "Tsuchikure" sprawled out in front of us, blocking our path while lying down. No, lying in our way. The flow of pedestrians had already started detouring widely around us, but that didn’t seem to matter to him. It felt like we were stranded on an island in the middle of a river.
"Hey, ‘Tsuchikure.’ You’re in the way—move. Today’s a ‘date’ for us."
"Y-Yeah! A ‘date’! It’s a big deal, you know!"
"What’re ya sayin’, Ritsuka? I’m the one who sent all those messages to him. Don’t jump on the bandwagon."
"Huh?"
"Ohh, look at that—pigeon just got hit by a missile face. Did ya think Ritsuka said ‘I want to see you’? Did ya think Ritsuka invited ya with a ‘Let’s go on a date’? Sorry, pal, that was all me! Hahaha!"
Oi… what the hell? So, what, he used Yanagi’s phone to message me just to lure me out? This blonde, shitty, damn clay-ball bastard?
Then all that excitement I felt back then, that flutter in my chest, was…?
"Today, ya were just called out so I could take care o’ ya! Hahaha! No way a shitty, damn, tornado-dickman like you could go on a date with Ritsuka! Hahaha!"
"…I’ll kill you…"
"You can, though."
"‘Huh?’"
Fwoosh… That’s probably the best way to describe it. My vocabulary couldn’t fully capture that soft, warm sensation. At the very least, my murderous intent toward the clay-ball vanished in an instant.
—Yanagi had wrapped both her arms around mine, pulling me close.
Like a couple on a date might do. She pressed her cheek against my upper arm.
"We can go on a date. With Saigawa-kun. So go home already, Onii-chan."
"Yanagi—"
"Ah… ahh…!"
Her body trembled slightly—she was forcing herself too.
I’m not so arrogant as to misread this. Yanagi was just using me to stand up to her crazy brother. Of course, I’d have loved for her to mean it, but that’s just my wishful thinking.
"No… NOOOO~~~!! Don’t go on a date~~~!!"
Gyururururu! Still lying down, "Tsuchikure" spun furiously in place, kicking up a cloud of dust. Does the human body even move like that? Was he a tire in a past life??
"No way. We’re doing it. A date."
Yanagi still hadn’t let go of my arm. Maybe it was defiance toward her brother, but her resolve seemed firm.
"Ritsuka~~~!! Then step over me if ya can~~~!!"
"I’ll step over you."
"Don’t step over me!!"
Half-dragging me along, Yanagi strode over her spinning brother with big steps. It was like something out of an old-school pro wrestling match. Oh, and of course, I stepped over him too. Honestly, I wanted to stomp on him.
"W-Wait…! Even if I concede a hundred steps… a thousand steps… ten thousand steps… a hundred million steps… a trillion steps… a quadrillion steps… (and so on)… an asankhya steps… a nayuta steps—"
"Get off this planet already…"
That’s enough concessions to reach Jupiter. What the hell’s a "nayuta step"?
"Tsuchikure" stood up and circled around to block us again. His persistence was galactic.
Was he about to attack me again? I stopped, heightening my guard—
"‘Triple date’…!!"
"‘Huh…?’"
"If ya wanna date, it’s gotta be a ‘triple date’!! Then I’ll allow it!!"
—For a moment, Yanagi and I were speechless. We didn’t even understand what "triple date" meant.
"Triple date…? What’s that supposed to mean, Onii-chan?"
"Uh… maybe he means the three of us—me, Yanagi, and ‘Tsuchikure’—going on a ‘date’ together?"
Would that even count as a triple date? A double date is two couples going out together… right? So a triple date would need three couples—six people.
But "Tsuchikure" clicked his tongue—tch, tch, tch. So annoying…
"Think about it with some common sense. First, me and Ritsuka. Then, as much as it pisses me off, ‘Feather Hunt’ and Ritsuka. And finally… me and ‘Feather Hunt’—that’s three pairs!! Triple, ain’t it!!"
"Like a box set…?"
"What’s ‘common sense’ to you, Onii-chan?"
It seems one of the few things these siblings have in common is their stubbornness.
The "triple date" was already a done deal in "Tsuchikure’s" mind. He cracked his neck with a pop.
Then he forced his way between me and Yanagi, prying us apart.
"Oi, ‘Feather Hunt.’ What’re ya doin’?"
"What do you mean…? You’re the one who did something."
"Hurry up and hold my hand, ya idiot!! It’s a date, ain’t it!!"
"Don’t start with the aesthetics!!"
He switched gears way too fast. I thought, Screw this, but "Tsuchikure" grabbed my hand at terrifying speed, lacing his fingers with mine like a rope. Oh, my first hand-holding-with-a-lover experience is with this guy. I wanna die.
"Now, Ritsuka, ya link arms with Onii-chan and walk, okay?"
"No way."
"She’s just shy~ So cute~"
"Haa… Sorry, Saigawa-kun. Can you put up with this a little longer?"
"Until my fingers rot off, sure."
"Tsuchikure" took the center spot, flanked by me and Yanagi. Well, I was the only one holding hands with him—Yanagi was just walking beside us. Is this some kind of punishment??
We hadn’t planned out a detailed date itinerary anyway, so what came next was up in the air. But "Tsuchikure" marched forward with purpose, clearly aiming for somewhere.
"Alright, we’re here! A date’s gotta start here—the off-track betting office!!"
"Horses, huh!!"
"What’s this place…?"
Around the entrance of the big building, middle-aged men were scattered about, engrossed in newspapers or staring intently at their phones. To cut a long explanation short, this was a place where you could buy betting tickets without going to the racetrack. Even a guy like me, whose "no-girlfriend streak = age," could tell—this ain’t a date spot.
…Anyway, I gave Yanagi a quick rundown. "Ohh~"—surprisingly, she didn’t seem put off.
"So there are horses here somewhere? I wanna see them!"
"No, the races happen at the racetrack. Here, you just buy tickets and watch the races on monitors. If you wanna see horses, you’d have to go to the actual racetrack."
"Eh… Then why’d we come here…?"
"Hmm. Ya know a lot, huh? Didn’t peg ya for a horse guy."
"…Just casually, yeah."
"Wait, Onii-chan, when did you get a newspaper and a red pen?"
"Got ‘em from that old guy over there. Oi, old man! Thanks, appreciate it!"
"Tsuchikure" was equipped with a racing paper and a red pen—apparently a gift from some random guy. His social skills—or ability to blend in—were unreal…
"Anyway, you don’t come to a place like this for a date."
"Idiot. Checkin’ your partner’s luck is basic stuff. What if they’re a total jinx? You’d both just end up miserable."
"Jinx?"
"Don’t worry about it. Oh, Yanagi’s still 18. Not old enough to buy tickets."
I got that he had his own weird philosophy for bringing people here, but… more importantly, you can’t buy tickets until you’re 20. Yanagi wouldn’t be able to fully join in.
"They won’t catch ya. Who’s gonna check your age? I was buyin’ ‘em since I was 16. Bet ya started around your first year of college too, huh? Right?"
"…Well…"
The first time I came to a place like this was in my first year of college, with Kayama and Gori-san…
"If it’s illegal for me to buy them yet, I’m definitely not doing it. I’ll sit here and wait."
Maybe she’s got a strong sense of law-abidingness. Yanagi sat on a nearby chair. Come to think of it, she only drank water at the mixer too—she’s probably not the type to do "typical student mischief." Total opposite of her brother.
"Oi, ‘Feather Hunt.’ What do ya do in a spot like this?"
"Huh? What do you mean… what?"
"Hell if I know. Figure it out yourself. I’m busy tryna pick the next race."
He dragged us here and now he’s just doing his own thing—what a selfish bastard… "Tsuchikure" started staring down his creased-up racing paper, so I turned to Yanagi.
(Yanagi looks bored. No surprise there…)
Calling this place "like this" might piss someone off, but it’s definitely not somewhere a young girl would casually hang out. She’s probably feeling left out—so…
"Yanagi. This is the lineup for the next race. Wanna take a look?"
"Huh? But I can’t buy tickets…"
"Anyone can make predictions, right? I’ll buy them based on your input, so it’s fine."
I pulled up the next race’s entries on my phone and leaned in close to Yanagi to check it out together. She probably had no clue what was what, so in times like this, just going with the vibe works.
"If there’s a horse name you like or one that catches your eye, let me know. Oh, these are the jockeys—the people riding them. Tell me if any of those stand out too."
"Okay. Huh, there are all kinds of names—some pretty weird ones too. Oh, I like this ‘Mochimochi Manjuu’! And this one’s ‘Sakurazome Yoshino’—it’s got ‘Yoshino’ in it, so that’s cool too. Wow, there’s even a ‘Dododododonguri’!"
"The top favorite’s this ‘Dengeki Kaiser.’ What do you think of it?"
"Feels like a no-go."
"Got it…"
According to Yanagi’s gut, the second favorite, ‘Tsunokawa,’ was a bust too. It was purely based on name vibes and her personal taste, but predictions can be based on anything.
I wasn’t betting big money anyway—if Yanagi had a bit of fun, that’s enough.
So, I bought a trifecta box ticket with the three horses she picked.
"If this hits, the payout’s pretty high… a ten-thousand-yen ticket. Probably ‘cause they’re all long shots."
"Really? I don’t get it, but I feel like they’ll win! Just a hunch!"
"Then I’ll ride your hunch. Beats a half-baked prediction any day."
"You’re overrating me. Not that I mind…"
Yanagi blushed slightly and gave a shy smile. Naturally, the corners of my mouth crept up too.
Now, about the race results—
"Die, ya damn Dengeki bastard!! Get your act together, Dengeki, ya jerk!! You’re gettin’ passed ‘cause ya rest on your laurels!! Run like your life depends on it, ya useless lump!!"
"…We won… Whoa, ten-thousand-yen ticket get…"
"And Tsunokawa, what’s this about gettin’ disqualified for illegal drugs, ya moron!! Breakin’ the law… committin’ crimes ain’t cool!! Repent forever, ya dumbass!!"
The race was a total upset. While "Tsuchikure" raged after betting safe and losing, I stood there dumbfounded, having nailed the trifecta. Yanagi, not fully grasping it, congratulated me with an "Awesome!"
"See? Told you it’d hit! I had a feeling!"
"‘Amazing’ doesn’t even cover it… Does having a ‘Blessing’ make you good at horse racing…?"
"No way. My ‘Blessing’ isn’t that kind of power. Look, Onii-chan’s predictions flopped! When it comes to guessing, I’m no different from a normal person."
"Fair point. Still—Yanagi. Wanna hit the races with me every day from now on?"
"No thanks…"
Was it just beginner’s luck, or does she actually have a knack for it? I’m half-serious about wanting her by my side for future betting. She might be the reincarnation of a luck goddess.
"I’m flat broke now~ Ritsuka, can ya lend me some cash when we get home?"
"No way. Onii-chan, seriously stop living so recklessly."
"I was dead serious and still lost, though? Whatever. Today, ‘Feather Hunt’s’ treatin’ us all!"
"Oi. I’d treat Yanagi, but I’ve got no reason to treat you—"
"It’s a date, ain’t it!! The one with the cash treats—it’s only natural!! Show off a little, ya dope!!"
What kinda logic is that? The one I’d show off for is Yanagi, not you. Geez…
"Well, I got some unexpected cash, so fine. Yanagi, don’t hold back either."
"No, no, no, I’ll pass! You don’t have to push yourself, Saigawa-kun! Just make this guy walk home—he doesn’t deserve—"
"It’s fine. This win’s thanks to your picks anyway. I’d even split it with you, but since you won’t take it, at least let me treat you."
"But…"
"Take it, Ritsuka. Men are creatures who show off. Knowin’ how to roll with that’s part of bein’ a good woman."
I kinda feel like "Tsuchikure" roped us into his spiel, but I could agree with what he said. Also, this blonde’s got a weirdly smooth way with women—he’s probably a player.
Our triple date wasn’t over yet.
After lunch, we got hooked on crane games at the arcade.
"Saigawa-kun! More to the right! Sorry, left! …No, right! Right-left!"
"You’re throwing me off! I got it, okay!"
"These ugly-ass plushies are popular, huh? I could make way better ones… but maybe I should keep up with trends…? No, no, I can’t lose myself…"
Yanagi and I were frantically trying to snag a plushie of some trendy character. I didn’t care about it, but the act of winning it with the claw got me fired up.
Meanwhile, "Tsuchikure" was oddly calm, muttering to himself while eyeing the plushies.
"Just a bit more… Ahh! Saigawa-kun, you suck! Suckagawa!"
"Don’t call me that!! Damn it, more coins…"
I couldn’t get the hang of it and gritted my teeth in frustration. At the same time, Yanagi straight-up teased me.
By the way, Yanagi’s terrible at crane games herself. She’s got no right to mock me, but whatever.
"Hey, you two. No need to put in more coins."
"‘Huh?’"
—Gakon! For some reason, the prize suddenly dropped into the chute. Looking closer, a tiny clay figure was moving inside the crane game. No doubt it was "Tsuchikure’s" "Blessing."
"…Oi. Isn’t that cheating a bit too much? I mean, that’s straight-up illegal."
"Don’t be stupid. I paid the money, didn’t I? It’s not like I took it for free."
"That’s some twisted logic. Yanagi, you say something too."
"Tsuchikure’s" claim was that since he’d at least played the game, he had the right to claim the prize. A feat that bent reality itself—something impossible for a powerless guy like me.
Still, it’s undeniably bad manners. I looked to Yanagi for backup, but—
"Uh… yeah. That’s not good, Onii-chan. That kind of thing… um…"
"…? You’re hesitating."
"My ‘Blessing’ is a part of me. You wouldn’t get it, so don’t worry about it. Oh, I’m taking this plushie home, by the way. Gotta study it."
"What! I’m the one who played for it!"
"But my ‘Blessing’ nabbed it, didn’t it? The winner’s obvious!!"
What the hell… I was just gonna give it to Yanagi anyway.
Something about "Tsuchikure’s" words bugged me, and Yanagi’s reaction was nagging at me too, but I couldn’t press the issue right then.
"I’ll take this ugly one too. Oi, ‘Feather Hunt’! Fork over some cash, oil baron!"
"I don’t own an oil field! Fine, but if I win it, it’s mine!"
"Tsuchikure" wanted a prize from another machine, so I put in more money and played again. Honestly, I just wanted to win out of spite, but I failed again. And, just like before, "Tsuchikure" used his ability to snag it anyway. Seriously, should I report this guy…?
"On second thought, this one’s no good. Zero research value. Fine, you can have it, ‘Feather Hunt.’"
"Don’t pawn it off on me… Hey, Yanagi, want this plushie?"
"Hmm, nah."
"Got it…"
The plushie Yanagi originally wanted was the one "Tsuchikure" had. If she didn’t want this one, it was just baggage to a guy like me with no plushie hobby.
It wouldn’t fit in my body bag, and carrying it around in a separate tote felt ridiculous…
As I mulled over what to do with it, the siblings wandered off.
"Don’t leave me behind! Geez, what am I supposed to do with this… Huh?"
"Ugh, I missed again! This thing’s totally rigged by the store!"
"We could sue and win, right? Should we record it? Let’s record it."
Two high school girls were now trying the machine I’d just played. They weren’t having much luck either and were griping about it. One of them even started filming the machine with her phone.
…If they’re playing, they must want the prize, right?
"Sorry, can I interrupt for a sec?"
"? What’s up?"
"This is the prize from that machine. I don’t need it, so you can have it."
I half-forced the plushie onto the girl who’d been playing. Naturally, she was totally shocked. Fair enough.
"Wha—!? No way, you can’t just—"
"Just take it, Tōko. If it’s some scam, we’ve got video proof."
(Today’s high school girls are intense…)
The one filming had caught me perfectly on camera. I didn’t have any bad intentions, so I didn’t care what they recorded… but their self-defense instincts were sharp.
The girl I handed it to took it hesitantly and gave a small bow.
"Um, sorry. I’m really happy, but… does this cost money or…?"
"Nah, it’s fine. I don’t need it. It’d probably be happier with someone who wants it. Oh, if you think it’s sketchy, feel free to toss it. Anyway, I’m outta here."
"Ah! At least let me thank—"
My business was done, so I bolted. The video thing, plus a slight embarrassment, played a part. It felt like a good deed, but really, I was just offloading junk.
So I didn’t deserve their thanks.
I ignored the girl calling after me and chased after the siblings—
＊
"The grand finale of a date—naturally, it’s the Ferris wheel!!"
"Is it? Saigawa-kun?"
"Why’re you asking me? I dunno."
After that, we wandered the city until dusk, ending up at a big coastal shopping complex as the sea breeze blew in. More precisely, at the Ferris wheel boarding area facing the ocean.
Neither I nor Yanagi had said we wanted to ride it. This clay guy decided it all on his own.
"A Ferris wheel with a night view, huh? And inside a Ferris wheel? Total lawless zone. No, maybe a muhoho zone… Man, ‘Feather Hunt,’ you’re one shameless perv!!"
"I didn’t say anything!!"
What’s this muhoho zone nonsense, you idiot? Stop saying clever crap.
Yanagi was clearly looking at both me and "Tsuchikure" with disdain. Don’t lump me in with him. She suggested, "Why don’t you two ride together?" but no way in hell. We’d bought three tickets, and I wasn’t bailing.
"Still, it’s been years since I last rode a Ferris wheel. Maybe since that time we all went to the amusement park."
"Aye, that happened, didn’t it? I ride with girls pretty often, though."
"I’ve never ridden one. Don’t even remember going to an amusement park."
"Huh…? You go to gambling spots, fishing ponds, and arcades, but never an amusement park, Saigawa-kun…? Is there anyone that sad…?"
"I’m right in front of you. Burn it into your eyes."
Not existing, but being. People are fundamentally sad creatures.
"Can’t help it. You think me, Kayama, and Gori-san would hit up an amusement park together?"
"Oh… yeah, no way. Uh, then—"
Yanagi’s eyes darted around as she chose her words. My heart skipped a beat.
"Since it’s kinda sad, I’ll take you to an amusement—‘SHAORA!! Our turn’s comin’ up, HORA!! Get hyped, get hyped!! Delicious!!’ Sorry, never mind."
"‘Tsuchikure’… You bastard…"
If we weren’t in public, I’d have decked him. I couldn’t ask Yanagi to repeat herself either—it became a phantom conversation. Of course, "Tsuchikure" didn’t care one bit.
With the mood all weird, our gondola rolled up.
We boarded, and I accidentally let out a yelp.
"Whoa! This is kinda scary… High places are rough for acrophobes."
"Those people probably wouldn’t ride it. It sways more than you’d think, so be careful, okay?"
"It’s just held up by those flimsy supports and spinning—seriously, is this safe? What if we exceed the weight limit? What’s even fun about this…?"
"Quit yappin’, ya idiot!! I don’t give a damn about your Ferris wheel virginity review!!"
"At least say ‘debut’ instead."
You dragged me on here (with my money, no less) and now you’re mad when I react?
Yanagi and I sat on one side of the gondola, while "Tsuchikure" plopped down opposite us. Facing the sea, the night ocean stretched out beyond the window, but its pitch-black expanse reminded me of thick sludge.
It almost stoked my fear. The Ferris wheel itself was lit up and pretty, though.
"It’s not just fun—it’s thrilling, right? The closer you get to the top, the more it… y’know?"
"Sure, there’s that feeling of being peeled away from gravity. But for me, maybe—aren’t you used to heights, Yanagi? Does it still thrill you?"
"It does! That’s different from this!"
"Almost there, huh. ‘Feather Hunt’!"
"What? We’re having a good chat—don’t butt in."
"When’re ya gonna kiss me…? I’ve been waitin’ this whole time…"
"Die!!"
That’s all I could say. Does riding a Ferris wheel turn him into a lunatic?
Yanagi was visibly fed up too. Meanwhile, "Tsuchikure" puckered his lips, waiting for something. Waiting for what? The only thing hitting your face is my fist, not my lips.
"This is a date, right? Kissin’ at the end’s standard! If ya tried that with Ritsuka, I’d knock ya off and kill ya right here… but your raging lust ain’t gonna stop that easy, huh? So I’ll just have to sacrifice myself!! Stop it!!"
"Onii-chan… You’ve been way too energetic all day…"
"I’m done dealing with him… I’m exhausted…"
As he rambled, we neared the top. This damn clay idiot stole my chance to enjoy the view, but I at least wanted to make a memory of gazing at it with Yanagi.
"Hey, Ritsuka."
"What? We’re almost at the top, Onii-cha—"
"Sorry. Sleep for a bit."
"Huh?"
Gyurun. A giant snake-like clay coil wrapped around Yanagi’s body beside me. With the lower half of her face covered in clay, she lost consciousness like she’d fallen asleep.
"Wha—What the hell are you…!?"
"She’s a sweet kid. Normally, she wouldn’t go down this easy. She’s defenseless ‘cause she trusts I’d never attack her. She’ll wake up once we’re done talking."
I didn’t get it. Why’d he attack Yanagi? I’m the one he should’ve targeted.
But before I could think it through, I focused every nerve on "Tsuchikure’s" next move.
High altitude, enclosed space, point-blank range, unarmed, against a "Tattooed Blues"—the conditions to kill me were perfectly aligned.
"Now then. Let’s have a little chat, just the two of us—Saigawa Rouji."
We reached the Ferris wheel’s peak. At the same time, "Tsuchikure" snapped his fingers.
A loud jolt shook us, and the Ferris wheel stopped. The colorful lights, the mood-setting BGM—everything vanished, leaving only the roaring wind.
"Due to mechanical issues, the Ferris wheel has been emergency stopped. We ask all passengers to please wait a little longer until operations resume. Repeating—"
—He’d planned this. Something to halt the Ferris wheel’s power.
"We’ve talked plenty today, for better or worse."
"Don’t talk outta turn. I’ll kill ya."
Gagon! The gondola door, which should only open from outside, swung open on its own.
A quick glance revealed a massive clay lump clinging to the gondola, wriggling. Strong winds rushed in, making it sway even more. Yanagi, ironically, was protected by the clay wrapped around her.
"Real talk. I’m shook. You’re somethin’ else. Can’t believe it."
"…"
I wanted a weapon. But I had nothing. No tools at hand. No escape either.
"I didn’t think a young guy Ritsuka’d warm up to this much would show up so easy. I get why Yoshino-chan let her meet ya without a fuss. She wouldn’t let Ritsuka near trash. In that sense, you’re a damn terrifying guy. Even after watchin’ ya all day, annoyingly, I couldn’t find a single flaw in how ya acted. That’s exactly why I’m warnin’ ya now."
I’d had a hunch, and sure enough, "Tsuchikure" had been observing how I treated Yanagi.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stuck to us with this ridiculous "triple date" excuse.
I hadn’t slipped up. Yet, with a chilling voice and overwhelming presence, "Tsuchikure" declared:
"—You don’t match Ritsuka. You fail, ‘Feather Hunt.’"
"Why?"
Zudon. A clay tendril shot from "Tsuchikure’s" sleeve like a whip, slamming into my gut. I blocked it with one arm, but the impact sent me crashing into the gondola’s backrest.
"Don’t talk outta—"
"Tell me why."
"…Not even flinchin’—yep, you’re nuts too. It ain’t about looks, personality, or family background. It’s more fundamental. Hey, ‘Feather Hunt,’ ya know the food chain pyramid?"
"Obviously."
"Then what’s at the top?"
"Humans—"
"Nope. Us ‘Actors.’"
I couldn’t follow. What was he trying to say? If he just wanted me dead, he’d have done it already. That he hadn’t meant there was room for talk.
…‘Actors.’ That’s what they call ability users. The "Tattooed Blues" use that term.
"You’re saying you’re not human?"
"Technically, a superior species. You lower-tier folks look like us, live with us, eat the same stuff, screw in the same beds, and can have kids with us—that’s it."
"Quite the eugenics and superiority complex. Is ‘Rotdo’ big on brainwashing?"
"Who stopped this Ferris wheel? Who opened the door? Who put Ritsuka to sleep? Who can decide your life with a flick of a finger? If I wanted, I could smash this whole thing and kill everyone on it. That ain’t human, is it?"
All of it was at this man’s whim—"Tsuchikure," with his supernatural "Blessing." No—there’s one other person who could do it.
"So Yanagi’s… on that side too?"
"Yep. And I’ll say it plain—this kid’s lonely."
"Lonely…? Doesn’t seem that way."
At least she’s got Yoshino-san and this guy, her real brother. That’s not loneliness by any stretch.
But "Tsuchikure" shook his head, sighing into the night wind like he was dealing with an idiot.
"You don’t see it ‘cause you’re powerless. We’re beasts told to live cramped up in a cage full of rabbits like you. Ritsuka’s got especially strong power—even I ain’t ‘the same.’ If there’s not a single being—male or female—in this cage to stand beside her, that’s an eternal loneliness boring a hole in her heart."
"…Yanagi…"
"Ice sorcerer." A 14-year-old girl once called "Rotdo’s" strongest ability user.
Now, I finally understood the "gap" I’d felt between me and Yanagi.
It’s distinction. I’m "different" from her. Even if we’ve gotten somewhat close despite that, her instincts don’t fully accept me. She’s probably vaguely aware of it but hasn’t faced it. If she did, she’d truly be alone in this world. So she keeps it blurry.
I’d sensed she didn’t want a boyfriend—not because she’s uninterested in love.
A lioness can’t mate with a rabbit. She knows that instinctively—
"Right? You’ve felt a similar loneliness, haven’t ya? Strong enough to crush normies easy. But that’s just among you powerless types. It’s a lower-tier thing compared to us. Don’t think you’re on Ritsuka’s level. The more ya mislead her, the unhappier she’ll be."
"…You’ve got me figured out, huh. Yeah, I think I’m special."
Special—in the sense of being inferior. High combat skills mean squat in the rest of my life. But I’m lonely too. I wanted to fill that void.
"Arrogance."
My body lifted. Wielding swollen clay, "Tsuchikure" blasted me back.
Toward the gaping gondola exit… into the dark abyss.
"Gu—…!"
I barely caught the gondola floor with one hand, stopping my fall.
But my whole body dangled outside, clothes flapping wildly in the fierce wind.
"Back to the point. You don’t match Ritsuka. Swear here and now to forget her starting tomorrow and never come near her again, and I’ll spare your life. Don’t, and you fall and die."
Hanging there, "Tsuchikure" looked down at me with narrowed eyes, giving me two choices.
"Pick in three seconds."
He raised one leg high. If he stomped my fingers, it’d be over.
"Hah… Hilarious. Jealous of me, huh, Onii-chan?"
So I flashed him the most irritating grin I could muster—and threw that at him.
"Yep. Here ya go."
It didn’t faze him. Just a fact. He slammed his foot down to crush my fingers.
But I let go first.
Falling into the abyss by his stomp? I’d rather drop clean on my own terms.
"You fell on your—… You didn’t!!"
"Tsuchikure" peered down from the exit.
He couldn’t see me falling because I was still clinging—with one hand—to the wriggling clay mass he’d stuck outside the gondola.
"Idiot! If I cancel my ability, that’s just—"
"Guess what this is?"
I’d clung with one hand when I got blasted because my other was occupied.
With my free hand, I waved dramatically—the plushie "Tsuchikure" planned to take home.
"WOOAH—!! When’d ya swipe that, ya bastard!? Give it back, ya jerk!!"
"Catch it clean."
I tossed the plushie into the air. I don’t know his deal, but he’d bragged about studying it. Maybe he’s in some sewing gig.
Forgetting me, "Tsuchikure" stretched out a clay tendril.
It snagged the plushie midair—and left him wide open.
"You’ve been yammering—"
Swinging my body hard, I launched myself back into the gondola entrance.
"—SHUT UP, YOU ASSHOLE!!"
With that momentum, I kicked "Tsuchikure" back inside and made my return.
"You little—… I’ll kill ya…!!"
"I DON’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR LOGIC!!"
I closed in on the flinching "Tsuchikure." I didn’t have many options. Feeling death so close, I couldn’t hide my emotions anymore. My shout fueled my fist, raw honesty and fight mixing together.
"I like Yanagi!! No matter what anyone says!!"
"Cheesy bastard!! ‘Heart Image Earth Mother’!!"
This wasn’t about winning—it was about surviving. Against a full-power "Tsuchikure," an unarmed me stood no chance. Yet, without a thought for consequences, I swung my fist—
"You… like me? Saigawa-kun… me…?"
—I stopped. "Tsuchikure" halted his attack too.
Right then, with a goun goun, the gondola jolted back to life. The lights flared up like it was announcing its own recovery, syncing with Yanagi’s awakening.
"And… Onii-chan. To me—"
"Time’s up. Ya got lucky, ‘Feather Hunt.’ Time to resume our fun Ferris wheel date."
"…Yeah."
I clenched my teeth hard. I’d survived, true. If we’d kept fighting, I’d have been toast. Worse, Yanagi heard me. My true feelings.
No covering it up or dodging it now—not allowed, not possible.
Silently, we swayed in the gondola as it descended.
We got off and trudged toward the station, our steps uneven.
"Man, it’s been a while since my blood got pumpin’ like that. Wanna go again? Just the two of us this time."
Rubbing hand cream into his skin, "Tsuchikure" grinned at me.
His "price" is bodily dryness. The longer he fights, the more it eats at him.
But right now, I couldn’t even "drag it out."
"Onii-chan. Stop it."
"Fine, I’ll stop. Hey, Ritsuka, how much did ya hear? I can guess, but still."
"How much…? Uh, well…"
"If ya heard and still wanna play dumb, sorry, but I can’t let it slide anymore. Ritsuka, don’t ya think this is a good chance? This guy’s been meetin’ ya with that in mind."
Certainty matters. Knowing you can win drives action. That’s why "Tsuchikure" pressed Yanagi. Meanwhile, I’d never wanted to bolt from a scene more.
No matter how tough the enemy, I’d tell myself running was a tactical retreat. And usually, I could turn things in my favor later. It wasn’t just fleeing.
But not now. I genuinely wanted to escape. I had zero confidence in winning.
I still didn’t understand Yanagi. I’d only grasped the "gap" between us—no clue how to bridge or overcome it, no plan at all.
Dumping my passion out there wouldn’t conquer everything—this world isn’t that kind.
"Don’t worry about me. If ya wanna answer him, go hug or kiss him right now. If that’s your true heart, I won’t say another word. Go on."
"Tsuchikure" pushed Yanagi’s back. She stumbled forward, right in front of me.
No dramatic crash into my chest happened. I didn’t expect it either.
But Yanagi’s face—scared, or maybe sad—
"…I’m sorry. I… with Saigawa-kun…"
"……"
"B-But! It’s not like I hate you or anything! Uh, um—"
"Stop, Ritsuka. Diggin’ deeper’s inhumane."
"Tsuchikure" forcibly pulled Yanagi away from me as she started to say something. If he’d just laughed it off or mocked me, it might’ve been easier. But he didn’t. As a man, he chose to stop her.
Call it mercy. The victor’s mercy. Compassion for the loser.
"Hey, ‘Feather Hunt.’ Take the next train back. It’ll be easier on ya."
"…Got it."
"Onii-chan, you don’t have to—"
"Don’t look at him anymore. In love, the one who rejects wins. Get it."
Hugging Yanagi’s shoulders, "Tsuchikure" walked off. "See ya" was a pipe dream.
If there were no words to say or receive, there was no point in being together.
I wandered aimlessly. No destination. No voice, no tears. Emotions would probably burst once I’d sorted myself out.
Right now, I felt like the unhappiest guy in the world—but not really.
Tons of people go through this and move on, apparently.
So I’m just weak, and everyone else is stronger than I thought.
—I can’t imagine getting over heartbreak at all.
Looking up, the night sky was shockingly filthy.
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