Chapter Four: Chance, Fate, Special, and Her
Several days had passed since I began cramming study sessions into Nagi’s schedule at a breakneck pace.
To make up for the academic gap left by her idol days, we had to start from scratch with middle school material. But thanks to that effort, Nagi’s academic performance was starting to stabilize.
As a result, I was currently having Miyahara adjust the schedule for our study group.
In the meantime, I had come to see the other key figure in this story.
“Excuse me! Is Mutsu-senpai here?”
As I boldly entered the upperclassmen’s classroom, the suspicious gazes of the students inside pierced me.
Even during the bustling lunch break, when people come and go freely, most would feel out of place under such scrutiny. But for someone like me, who’s used to standing out alongside Mea, this level of pressure was nothing more than a gentle breeze.
“Oh, Kurusu-kun?”
I turned toward the voice and saw Mutsu-senpai, who had spotted me, jogging over with a smile.
“Hey, senpai. Your adorable kouhai who admires you has come to invite you to a lunch date,” I said, putting on a sharp, confident expression.
Senpai blinked in surprise for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle.
“Well, I can’t say no to such a straightforward invitation, can I? Alright, I’ll let you escort me.”
The moment she agreed, the boys in the class, who had apparently been eavesdropping, stirred with murmurs.
It seemed Mutsu-senpai was quite popular among the guys in her class. I could understand why.
“It’s a bit too lively here. Shall we eat in the student council room?” Senpai suggested, noticing the attention around us. She grabbed her bag and left the classroom.
We walked side by side through the noisy lunch-break corridor.
As I scanned our surroundings, wary of running into someone I knew and getting dragged into a hassle, Senpai noticed my gaze and leaned in teasingly to peer at my face.
“By the way, is it okay for you to be flirting like this? Won’t your wife get jealous?”
“No problem. Nagi-chan’s probably buried in the assignments I gave her right now. It’s like the saying goes, ‘When the cat’s away, the mice will play.’”
Senpai laughed, clearly amused by my nonchalant response.
“What a naughty husband. Well, if that’s the case, I’ll have to make sure to pamper you properly as your local wife.”
By the time we finished talking, we had reached the student council room. Senpai unlocked the door and invited me in.
“Have a seat. I’ll make some tea.”
“Thanks.”
I plopped down on a nearby folding chair, and Senpai brewed two cups of green tea from the kettle before sitting across from me.
“So, why did you go out of your way to come see me today?” she asked after a quiet “Itadakimasu,” cutting straight to the point.
“Of course, the main reason is to get closer to you, Senpai. But besides that, I came to report that the study group’s schedule has been set.”
I answered while munching on a bread roll I’d bought from the school store.
“Oh, thanks for letting me know. So, when is it?”
“It’s set for after school next Monday. For now, that’s the first session, but we’re planning to hold a few more for students who can’t make it.”
Senpai nodded, seemingly unsurprised, as if the schedule was about what she’d expected.
“That sounds reasonable. I’ll definitely attend the first session. For the rest, we can discuss based on how many students want to join, right?”
“Yeah, exactly. It’ll also depend on how well Nagi’s preparation goes.”
I summarized while picturing Nagi, probably agonizing over her assignments right now. Senpai’s expression softened with amusement.
“Heh, you’re pretty tough on Nanasya-chan, aren’t you?”
“Well, yeah. She’s the kind of person who can handle this much.”
I’m not a monster. I wouldn’t push impossible tasks on someone who couldn’t handle them. It’s precisely because I believe Nagi can do it that I’m piling on the assignments.
“That’s a good relationship you’ve got there. I’m a little jealous,” Senpai said. “Have you two known each other for a long time?”
“Yeah, we’ve been friends since middle school. Though she moved away, so we only reconnected after starting at this school.”
“I see. That explains why such a reliable strategist like you wasn’t helping her from the start,” Senpai said, nodding as if something clicked. Then, her brow furrowed slightly. “So, if I’d invited you to my side before you reconnected with Nanasya-chan, would you have joined me?”
“Probably, yeah. You’re beautiful, Senpai, and I don’t think I could’ve refused if you’d asked.”
I answered honestly, and Senpai let out a deep sigh.
“What a missed opportunity. You’re so dependable, Kurusu-kun. If I’d gotten you on my side first, it might’ve even turned into a romance.”
“It’s not too late, you know,” I replied playfully, matching her joking tone.
“Oh? Should I use you as a spy, then?”
“Be my guest. If it catches your interest, I’ll spill all the info you want.”
Though we were bantering lightly, I could feel a subtle tension building in the air.
The moment just before a negotiation begins.
“Alright, I’ll take you up on that,” Senpai said. “Why is Nanasya-chan going out of her way to hold a study group for first-years? She’s already got them on her side, hasn’t she? Does she really have the leeway to feed the fish she’s already caught?”
As expected, she’d zeroed in on that point. From Senpai’s perspective, unaware of the old school building group’s defection, it was a natural question.
“Well, it’d be pretty foolish to let the fish you’ve caught slip away, right? Unfortunately, we’ve only spent a little over three months with the first-years. They could switch to your side at any moment. Securing their loyalty with a favor like this is essential.”
I dodged her probing gaze with a smile, delivering the answer I’d prepared in advance.
“Hmm… Then why involve me in this plan when you’re trying to solidify your base? I could take half the votes, you know.”
Another question I’d anticipated. I put on a grimace and shrugged with mock frustration.
“That was just a desperate measure. Back when I knew her, Nagi was actually pretty smart. I made the plan assuming that, but… when we reconnected, she’d turned into a complete mess. So, I needed to find a backup teacher just in case.”
“I see. Better to hold the study group, even if it means giving a little ground to your rival, than to disappoint everyone and earn their resentment.”
“Exactly.”
Of course, everything I’d just said was a complete lie.
Our voter base isn’t the first-years, and inviting Senpai was just a ploy to divert attention from the old school building group’s defection.
“Still, did you really have to pick me? There must’ve been plenty of less risky options.”
Her final question, asked with genuine curiosity, caught me off guard. I answered with a distant look in my eyes.
“…Well, that’s because I don’t have many friends. Nagi and I both live in pretty narrow social circles.”
Ironically, that part was 100% true.
Nagi’s painfully shy, and thanks to my lazy high school life, Miyahara’s about the only close friend I have. What a pathetic reality.
Exposing the softest part of my heart to someone I’m in the middle of a strategic battle with? Ouch.
“Oh… I’m sorry for asking something like that,” Senpai said, looking genuinely apologetic as she averted her gaze. The raw truth must’ve carried an overwhelming sense of conviction, because it hit hard.
“Ahem. Alright, I understand. I’ll make sure to help out properly,” she said, clearing her throat to change the mood.
Somehow, my accidental vulnerability had convinced her. The problem was that the wound it left was near-fatal.
We finished our lunch while talking, and with my business done and my heart in need of some healing, I figured it was time to leave.
“By the way,” Senpai said just as I stood to go, as if she’d been waiting for the perfect moment. “In exchange for helping with your study group, I’d like you to help me with something.”
“Sure, no problem.”
Even if it’s mutually beneficial, technically, we owe Senpai a favor. Helping with a request or two is a small price to pay.
“The thing is, the student council room’s cleanup isn’t finished. We’re supposed to have everything ready to hand over to the next group by now, but I’ve been so busy. It’d be a big help if you could lend a hand.”
Senpai gave an embarrassed smile, as if trying to gloss over her oversight.
That smile was kind of cute, so I stood up with enthusiasm.
“Leave it to me. I’ll have it cleaned up in no time.”
“Wow, so reliable! Let’s do this together.”
This senpai really knows how to boost someone’s motivation.
Thanks to that, I dove into the grunt work with a surprisingly good mood.
We organized documents, compiled policy results and reflections into manuals, and threw out unnecessary supplies.
What became clear during the process was that the cleanup being unfinished wasn’t due to Senpai’s negligence.
The previous student council’s achievements were simply too massive.
Beyond opening the old school building, they resolved conflicts between students, negotiated directly with teachers, and reformed over twenty outdated school rules. Just looking at the documents showed how much easier they’d made life for students at this school.
“…Did they really accomplish all this in just one year? The previous student council was unreal.”
Their competence was so staggering it went beyond admiration and bordered on awe.
“Hehe, right? My big brother was amazing,” Senpai said, a hint of pride in her expression, clearly pleased to hear her brother’s work praised.
“This school’s got a lot of history and tradition, doesn’t it? When I enrolled, there were so many outdated rules and customs. The previous student council swept them all away in a single year.”
“Looks like it. I’d heard the student council presidents here often go on to succeed in politics or business, but if they’re all this exceptional, it makes sense.”
It wasn’t just about flashy policies.
After opening the old school building to weaker clubs, they banned dual club memberships to prevent ghost members from inflating numbers. They also added an accounting audit position to the student council to prevent budget misuse. Every potential issue was addressed with meticulous care, leaving no gaps.
Inheriting the role of president after someone like that must come with immense pressure.
I was genuinely impressed, but Senpai’s expression suddenly clouded.
“…Well, even my brother had things that didn’t go well.”
Her words slipped out in a faint murmur.
“Things that didn’t go well?” I asked.
She quickly reverted to her usual smile, holding up the documents in her hand.
“Yeah. Like the massive failure of not cleaning up the student council room.”
“Haha, true. They left behind quite the negative legacy.”
We looked at each other and laughed at the critical fumble.
With a mix of respect and a touch of resentment for the predecessors who left such great achievements and failures, we continued our work.
By the time we’d made significant progress, lunch break was nearly over.
“Phew… I think we’ve cleaned up enough that the rest should be manageable. Thanks, Kurusu-kun,” Senpai said, wiping the sweat from her brow as she looked around the room with a sense of accomplishment.
At this school, the student council president usually moves on to college via recommendation, so the cleanup is typically handled by the president and the officers staying on, during the optional attendance period in February. But last year, the president was busy with exams, and Mutsu-senpai was the only officer left, which is why the cleanup had been delayed this long.
“No problem. I’m glad I could help. Besides, if we didn’t clean this up, it’d be Nagi, the next student council president, who’d suffer.”
“Oh, bold words! Too bad that future won’t come, so you’re just working for free, huh?” Senpai teased with a light jab.
After finishing the task together, our exchange felt oddly friendly, like something you’d share with a close friend.
Maybe that’s why she said what she did next.
“Hey, can I ask for your honest opinion?” Senpai’s expression turned slightly serious.
“What’s that?” I straightened up, ready to hear her out.
“From your perspective, who do you think is more suited to be student council president, me or Nanasya-san?”
I paused to think.
Mutsu-senpai has the qualities of an excellent student council president. She’d praised her brother endlessly, but the documents showed her contributions too, and they were undeniably valuable.
On the other hand, does Nagi have the qualities of a president? Not really.
Her reason for running is personal, and she dragged me into it for the same reason.
It’s obvious who’d make the better president.
“Nagi,” I answered without hesitation.
“Why?” Senpai asked, her expression slightly tense.
I flashed her my best smile.
“Because I’ll make sure she’s ready for it.”
Nagi’s trying to shake up the entire school for her own reasons and defeat this exceptional senpai. If that’s the case, I won’t let her half-ass it. As the victor, she has an obligation to become an even better president than Senpai.
“…I see. You really are a brilliant strategist,” Senpai said with a wry smile, her words sounding like genuine praise.
Maybe that’s why I felt a twinge of guilt.
“…Not really. Honestly, I have another big goal besides the election. I’m not just working to make Nagi win—I’m also moving toward that goal. So, I’m not exactly the noble strategist you think.”
Before I realized it, I was spilling something I hadn’t even told Nagi.
“Hey, Kurusu-kun, why did you agree to help with my campaign?”
When Nagi asked me that, I’d answered honestly, without a single lie.
But—I hadn’t told her everything.
There’s definitely a feeling, a purpose, I’ve kept to myself.
“Oh? And what’s that purpose?” Senpai asked.
“It’s a secret. Something no one else would understand, just my own obsession.”
I drew a line there, and Senpai didn’t press further. She gave a single nod, her calm smile unreadable.
“That’s a shame. Well, I’ll just wish for you to achieve that purpose, then.”
“Thanks. I’ll take my leave for today.”
With a light bow, I left the student council room.
The corridor was nearly empty as lunch break was ending.
I let out a sigh and closed my eyes.
Behind my eyelids, I saw the sunset from the day I first met Mea.
For Nagi, those days are probably over, something she wants to forget, a dark chapter she’d rather seal away as black history.
But not for me.
“…It can’t end like this.”
The story of me and Mea that began that day isn’t finished yet.
No matter how much Nagi wants to bury it as black history, I won’t accept that.
“I have to make Nagi acknowledge it too.”
Muttering to myself, I started walking.
Carrying a single purpose I can’t share with Nagi.
And just like that, the following Monday arrived.
“Ugh… There’s like fifty people here, isn’t there? That’s more than a whole class,” Nagi whimpered, looking at the stack of assignment sheets we’d prepared for the study group in the audiovisual room.
We’d arrived early to set up, but the sight of the papers made her falter.
“With a grade of about three hundred students, that’s roughly a sixth of them. If we can turn this many into supporters, that’s a big win,” I said encouragingly.
But Nagi’s anxious expression didn’t budge.
“But half of them will probably go to Senpai, right? No, maybe more… Considering the charisma gap, she might take seventy percent.”
It seemed her anxiety stemmed from the fact that this study group was, in a way, a direct showdown with Mutsu-senpai.
If that was the case, the solution was simple. Time for her trusty strategist to step in.
“Don’t worry. Even if it’s one-on-one, we’ve got the advantage of two against one. Worst case, I’ll charm all the girls, so relax!”
I flashed my most confident smile, but Nagi just stared at me blankly before lowering her gaze.
“…Maybe she’ll take ninety percent.”
“Hey, how’d the scales tip by another twenty percent?!”
That was an utterly unacceptable verdict.
But before I could protest, Nagi rubbed her stomach.
“Ugh… My stomach hurts. C-Can we just cancel today?”
“You know better than anyone that’s not an option.”
I shot her an exasperated look as she resorted to last-minute escapism.
“I know, but… ugh.”
Her tofu-like mentality was as fragile as ever, but as the saying goes, “Easier done than said.” Once the students arrived, things would work out—or so I thought, when the door opened right on cue.
“Hey there! Nagi-chan, Reo-kun! I brought everyone!” Miyahara, who’d helped gather participants, burst in, leading a group of students like a mother duck with her ducklings.
“Oh, Tsumugi. Thanks for going out of your way,” Nagi said, her expression softening slightly at the sight of a familiar face.
“No biggie. I can’t join from here, so this is the least I could do,” Miyahara replied, her brow furrowing with a hint of apology.
“Is the contest costume giving you trouble?” I asked, a bit concerned.
She shook her head with an excited grin.
“Nope, the opposite! I’ve learned so many new techniques and tips, I’m overflowing with inspiration! It’s just hard to put it all into shape. The senpais are super motivated too!”
Miyahara was practically radiating joy, and it didn’t seem like she was lying.
“So, I’m gonna dive into the final push! Let’s both do our best!” she said, giving a sharp salute before leaving the audiovisual room with the same energy she’d brought in.
“Tsumugi seems in high spirits,” Nagi said, looking somewhat relieved, likely because the instructor she’d recommended was proving effective.
“Yeah. Let’s hope we both get results,” I replied, glancing at the gathered students.
Nagi, perhaps reminded of her role as a teacher, stiffened again.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Am I late?” Mutsu-senpai appeared just then.
“Not at all. Perfect timing,” I said.
Her slightly apologetic expression was charming despite her being older, and I couldn’t help but feel warmed by it.
Surely Nagi felt the same and relaxed a bit.
“…You get way too excited when you see Senpai, don’t you? Your voice gets all lively,” Nagi muttered.
Contrary to my expectations, Nagi shot me a cold, deeply displeased glare, full of unwarranted suspicion.
“No way that’s true. Even if Senpai is ridiculously charming, easy to talk to, and totally my type, there’s no way my mood would lift like that.”
“That’s not convincing at all!” I retorted.
Watching our exchange, Senpai let out a soft chuckle.
“Hehe, you two are as close as ever.”
Realizing she was being watched with warm amusement, Nagi’s cheeks flushed red, and she looked down.
Perhaps wanting to change the atmosphere, she quickly lifted her head, cleared her throat, and addressed the students.
“Well then, let’s get started with the study session. We’ve prepared worksheets for everyone, so please try solving them first. We’ll guide you based on the results.”
Following Nagi’s instructions, the students each took a worksheet and settled into their seats.
Seeing this, I breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Being the center of attention in a confined room with so many students would be overwhelming even for someone who isn’t shy. I’d worried she might freeze up again, haunted by past trauma, but it seemed she’d managed to push through.
This study session should go smoothly.
Since Nagi didn’t need my support, my attention turned to Senpai.
If Senpai taught alone, all the credit would go to her side. But if I stuck close to her, we could share the credit between our camps. To minimize the growth of her supporters, it made sense to stay by her side.
“Based on the test results, we’ll divide you into groups. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us,” Nagi announced, having already finished the tests and moved on to grouping while I was lost in strategic thoughts.
In the meantime, I sidled up to Senpai.
“Senpai, it must be tough teaching unfamiliar kouhai out of the blue. Want me to tag along and help?”
I flashed a bright, seemingly kind kouhai smile, certain it would win her over.
“Haha, that’s the kind of shady salesman smile that doesn’t reach your eyes,” Senpai said, giving my grin a brutally unflattering review.
For a moment, I thought I’d failed spectacularly, but then, for some reason, she agreed to my dubious salesman pitch.
“Well, since you’re offering, I’ll take you up on it.”
“Great! I’ll be your devoted assistant,” I replied, caught off guard by her acceptance. I braced myself, wondering if she had some ulterior motive, but since I’d made the offer, I couldn’t back out now.
As I moved to join Senpai, I felt a tug on the hem of my clothes.
Turning around, I found Nagi, her cheeks puffed out in a sulky frown.
“…So you’re going to Senpai’s side. I’m shy, you know? I might freeze up again if I’m alone.”
“Well, you were doing fine just now, so I thought you’d be okay,” I said, feeling oddly guilty under her petulant tone.
Apparently, my excuse didn’t sit well with her, as she fixed me with a damp, reproachful stare.
“…So if I’m fine, you’ll go to Senpai. Hmm, figures. You like Senpai better than me, don’t you? Of course, if there’s no issue with work, you’d rather run off to her.”
“N-No, it’s not like that!” I stammered.
Why did I feel guiltier with every attempt to explain?
No choice—I’d have to change plans and stick with Nagi.
“Alright, I’ll support you today, Nagi.”
I tried to compromise, but Nagi’s dissatisfaction didn’t waver. She turned away with a huff.
“…Whatever. You don’t have to force yourself to stick with me.”
“I’m not forcing myself. I love Nagi-chan and want to spend as much time with her as possible.”
My straightforward declaration made Nagi’s ears turn bright red, even as she kept her face turned away.
“Ugh… How do you say stuff like that so casually?” she mumbled.
Oh? That seemed to have some effect. Maybe I should push this angle.
“Oh, I can say it anytime, anywhere. I could even shout a love confession like back then. Want me to prove it right here?”
My near-threatening declaration made Nagi’s eyes widen in panic.
“Wait, if you do that here, no one’s going to focus on studying!”
“Alright, then you’ll let me stick with you, right?”
“F-Fine! Just don’t say anything weird, okay?”
“Got it.”
Relieved that Nagi had finally relented, I turned to Senpai.
“Sorry, Senpai! Looks like Nagi’s burning with super-sized jealousy, so I’m sticking with her!”
“You’re not getting it at all! You idiot, Kurusu-kun!”
Nagi, now red up to her neck, noticed the attention from the crowd and hid behind me with small, adorable, animal-like movements.
Well, I’d managed to show off a new side of Nagi’s charm to the crowd, so I’d call that a win.
Despite the hiccup before the session, once the studying began, everyone tackled it with impressive focus.
Their high motivation was a given, but having an upperclassman like Senpai present seemed to create just the right amount of tension.
The first study session continued until ten minutes before the final dismissal time and ended successfully.
“Phew, that went off without a hitch. Good work, you two,” Senpai said, stretching as we left the now-empty audiovisual room.
“Yeah, good work,” Nagi replied, her voice tinged with fatigue but also a sense of accomplishment.
“Thanks for helping out today, Senpai,” I added.
Senpai flashed a bright smile. “No problem. It’s a request from my cute kouhai, after all.”
The five-minute warning chime for final dismissal rang.
Hearing it, Nagi let out a small “Ah.”
“I need to return the audiovisual room key to the staff room. I’ll be right back,” she said.
“Alright, I’ll wait at the main gate,” I called after her as she jogged off.
Left alone with Senpai, we walked down the corridor, discussing the study session.
“We should probably do the diagnostic tests every time. It’ll help track their progress,” I suggested.
“Yeah. The focus was great today, but as they get used to it, the tension might wear off, so we’ll need countermeasures,” Senpai added.
“And we could have students who’ve improved take on teaching roles—”
We continued our debrief, planning for the next session.
As we reached the shoe lockers, Senpai let out a small smile.
“Senpai? Something funny?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She shook her head gently. “No, it’s just… this feels nostalgic. Before the student council disbanded, we used to have discussions like this every day.”
Her smile was tinged with fond reminiscence.
“Probably because you’re just as capable as those guys, Kurusu-kun.”
“You’re giving me too much credit. I’m a guy who’s full of mistakes.”
Even today, I’d misjudged Nagi’s needs and made her sulk, and back with the sewing club, I nearly got outmaneuvered at the last second. Every day’s a lesson in reflection.
“…Even the previous student council wasn’t free of mistakes. In fact, they made a really big one,” Senpai said, her tone heavy.
“That’s surprising. Mind sharing what it was? For reference?” I asked, thinking Nagi might face the same obstacle if she becomes president.
Senpai nodded, her voice still subdued. “Sure. Last year, there was some pretty bad bullying at this school. The victim had their belongings thrown out, so they were attending classes without textbooks or notebooks.”
Her voice was tense as she spoke of the school’s dark underbelly.
“Naturally, the student council stepped in. We compensated for the lost items with the council’s budget and even brought the victim into the council to protect them. But…”
“It didn’t work out?” I prompted, picking up where she hesitated.
She nodded. “This is a prestigious school, right? So, sometimes kids from so-called ‘elite’ families enroll here. The bully was one of those kids. They accused the student council of misusing funds for personal gain.”
“…What a scumbag,” I spat, feeling sick just hearing it.
Senpai gave a bitter smile. “Right? Of course, Brother… I mean, the president, fought back. But the school didn’t want a bullying scandal to blow up, and some conservative teachers already resented last year’s council. So, they pushed to settle it as the council’s misuse of funds.”
“Didn’t you fight back against that?”
“We did. Everyone fought with everything they had. But… the victim said they didn’t want to cause more trouble and transferred out.”
Senpai’s voice was laced with loneliness.
“Brother and the others… they didn’t stop the victim from leaving… because of me.”
“Because of you, Senpai?”
“Yeah. Back then, all the council members except me were third-years. If the issue dragged on, I’d be left alone to face the teachers without support after they graduated. So, they compromised for my sake.”
Her tone was calm, but her fists were clenched so tightly they might’ve drawn blood.
For someone who always seemed so airy and guarded, this was an overwhelming display of raw emotion.
“…But, well, despite their worries, I fought back anyway. In the end, everyone helped, and we forced the school and the bully to acknowledge the issue.”
She recounted the outcome in a bright, almost boastful tone, as if it were a heroic tale.
But I could tell it wasn’t a triumph—it was just a failure.
“…It was too late, though. The victim didn’t come back, and the fact that Brother and the others let a student suffer for my sake doesn’t change. That’s what a hollow victory feels like.”
The only, and greatest, scar on a student council she surely took pride in.
Knowing that scar was caused to protect her must’ve been unbearable.
“…Is that why you’re running in this election?”
“Yeah. I want to make the student council Brother envisioned a reality this time. Otherwise, it’ll always feel hollow.”
Most people would’ve distanced themselves from the student council, unable to bear that wound.
But she chose to face it head-on, accepting the pain and compromises, determined to reach her ideal.
“That’s an admirable mindset,” I said.
She’s truly a senpai worthy of respect.
I was glad to hear her true feelings today.
—Even if it was all part of her strategy.
“Hey, Kurusu-kun. Want to make a deal?” Senpai’s voice, filled with resolve, cut through the brief silence between us.
“A deal?” I asked, half-knowing what she meant.
“You said before, didn’t you? That besides making Nanasya-chan win, you have a purpose of your own.”
“…I did say something like that.”
“I’ll help you with that purpose. In exchange, I want you to side with me in this election.”
She’d probably joined the study session to recruit me.
Just as we invited her to hide our voter base, she was pretending to go after the first-years’ votes to mask her goal of pulling me to her side.
Honestly, it’s not a bad deal.
Nagi’s goal is to reconnect the alumni with the agency. If Mutsu-senpai could do that instead, it wouldn’t matter if Nagi lost. In fact, for someone like Nagi who hates standing out, that might even be preferable.
If I accepted now, everything would probably work out perfectly.
With that thought, I closed my eyes for a moment, looking back on the past.
It was the summer vacation of my first year in middle school.
Having moved repeatedly due to my father’s job transfers, I was visiting an old town during the long break.
I was excited to revisit nostalgic places and see old friends.
That evening, lost in those thoughts, I found myself sitting alone on a park swing, my mood heavy.
The slowly darkening sunset felt eerily unsettling, as if I might be swallowed by the night’s darkness. That’s what I remember.
That’s when it happened.
“You there, what are you doing?”
A girl with an odd, archaic way of speaking approached me.
Her eye-catching gothic lolita outfit, unnatural silver hair, and heterochromatic eyes gave her an almost artificial air. But that very artificiality made the sparkle in her eyes and the aura radiating from her feel vividly real.
“…Nothing, really. I went to see an old friend, but it didn’t go well,” I mumbled, overwhelmed by her presence, spilling my complaints without fully understanding why.
“Hm? Did you have a fight?” she asked, tilting her head with surprising empathy despite her eccentric appearance.
Feeling a strange amusement, I gave a small, self-deprecating smile.
“No, it didn’t even get that far.”
Too tired to pretend anymore, I let my heart spill out.
“He was my closest friend, but… he barely remembered me. Treated me like a stranger.”
I hadn’t thought it through in my excitement, but it was obvious in hindsight.
With all my transfers, I’d only been in that town for a year or so. The bond I’d built was shallow compared to his other friends.
“To me, he was my best friend. But to him, I was just one of many. That’s the sad truth.”
“Hm. A misunderstanding where no one’s at fault. Don’t worry about others’ opinions. If those memories are precious to you, that’s all that matters. I, too, am often judged by others, but I care not a whit! Hahaha!” she laughed proudly, without a hint of shame.
“That’s convincing, but I’m not so free-spirited that I can live in my own world like that. Those memories were precious because I thought he cherished them too.”
I looked up at the sky and continued.
“With all my transfers, I realized it’s probably been like this everywhere. I worked hard to fit in, made close friends… but to them, I’m probably nothing. That realization… it scared me.”
If I died here today, their lives would go on unchanged tomorrow.
In a month, even the friends I have now would return to their routines.
That terrified me. It felt like my existence was worthless.
It was a truth that had always been there, but this incident forced me to face it for the first time.
It was probably just typical adolescent anxiety, a kind of chuunibyou, something everyone comes to terms with as they grow up.
But to me back then, it felt like a bottomless pit had opened in the world.
“Then why not aim to be someone unforgettable?” the girl said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“No way. I don’t think I have some grand talent, and I don’t care about standing out anyway.”
As we talked, I began to vaguely see the shape of my own hopes.
“…It’s not about fame or proving I’m better. I just want something that wouldn’t exist without me.”
Something that would collapse if I were gone.
Something that makes me irreplaceable.
Something that makes me special.
“Well, then, I have just the thing! A perfect opportunity!” she said with a sly grin, pulling a digital camera out of nowhere.
“We’re looking for a cameraman right now. Want to try photographing me?”
Her sudden offer made me grimace.
“…Is that why you talked to me?”
“Indeed! Photographing me is an honor! It’s enough to call yourself special!” she declared, puffing out her chest with unshakable confidence.
For a moment, I almost fell for her words, but I snapped back to reality.
“Special, huh? You just picked me because I was nearby.”
She nodded, not denying it. “True. Honestly, anyone would’ve done.”
“Then—”
“But out of all the ‘anyones,’ you were the one chosen. That makes it fate!”
“…That’s some twisted logic,” I said, frowning, but my heart stirred inexplicably.
Anxiety, confusion, yet a spark of anticipation pulsed through me.
“If you dismiss it as chance, it stays chance. But if you act thinking it’s fate, it might become fate. Which will you choose?”
She extended her hand to me.
Every ounce of common sense screamed to avoid this suspicious girl—maybe a scam or a setup.
But my racing heartbeat drowned out those warnings, and almost unconsciously, I took her hand.
“…Fine. I owe you for listening to my whining. I’ll play along for a bit.”
Even as I made that excuse, I was filled with exhilaration.
The feeling of choosing my own fate.
Everything that would happen—good or bad—was born from this choice I made.
“Very well! From now on, you are my ally!” she declared, illuminated by the golden sunset.
Her smile was so striking, I wanted to capture it in a photo immediately—the first special thing I gained on the path I chose.
That was the beginning of me and the girl who called herself “The Nightmare of Calamity.”
The ‘special’ I found that day still lives in my chest.
So—
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“I’ll have to decline,” I said, the words slipping out unconsciously as I snapped out of my reverie.
Silence.
Senpai paused, as if swallowing her breath, before speaking.
“…Can I ask why?”
“Whether she wins or loses, I want Nagi to fight with everything she’s got until the end.”
Having laid bare her inner thoughts and told me she needed me, I decided to show Mutsu-senpai at least a shred of sincerity by sharing my own truth.
“Nagi is way more amazing than you think, Senpai. If she got serious, she could probably beat you even without me. But she’s sealed that incredible part of herself away.”
It’s frustrating beyond words.
Mea always saw herself as the center of the world, dragging everyone around her into her orbit with reckless abandon.
But in those moments, she somehow made everyone around her have fun, made them shine.
That’s what drew me to her, what made me admire her.
Watching her from the front-row seat was my ‘special.’
A seat that’s gone now.
“I’m glad you’re our enemy, Senpai. Facing a formidable opponent like you means Nagi and I can fight with everything we’ve got.”
If we can throw ourselves into the fight like Mea used to, without holding back, and defeat a strong opponent like you…
Maybe Nagi will acknowledge Mea’s way of doing things again.
That’s my purpose—mine alone.
And for that, Senpai, you have to stay our enemy.
“…I see. I got rejected, huh,” Mutsu-senpai murmured, her voice tinged with loneliness before she gave a quiet smile.
“Geez. I thought Nanasya-chan was the one clinging to you, but it turns out you’re the one stuck on her. My plan’s completely foiled—there’s no opening to exploit here,” she said, her teasing tone making me grimace.
“…Well, work and personal life are separate. If you’re approaching me romantically, I’ll just say I’m open to it anytime.”
“Haha, sorry, but I can’t compartmentalize like that. We’re enemies, after all.”
“Ugh… rejected,” I said, feeling a subtle sting.
Senpai placed a hand on my shoulder with a light pat.
“Hey, now we’re both the rejected ones. Want to lick each other’s wounds?”
“We’re also the ones doing the rejecting, so it’s a weird mix of feelings.”
I gave a wry smile, and Senpai responded with the same casual friendliness as if our earlier conversation never happened.
By the time Nagi returned, the air between us had settled into the relaxed camaraderie of friends, with no trace of tension.
—Hardly the atmosphere you’d expect from two people who’d just steeled themselves for all-out war.
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