Epilogue: Surely Something Found Everywhere
The eventful summer break came to an end, and we safely welcomed the second semester.
The lingering heat and cicadas’ cries persisted, but the calendar declared it autumn.
Yes, the season of sports, arts, and perhaps appetites—a time packed with familiar events.
Naturally, our student council was feeling the effects.
“Kurusu-kun!? Somehow Eva’s coming to the cultural festival!?”
In the student council room after school.
As I leisurely worked on paperwork, Nagi burst in, flustered.
“Oh, that proposal went through, huh?”
“Went through…? You planned this too!?”
Nagi’s eyes widened at my relieved reaction.
“Yup. The summer festival ended up being all about Eva, so your role got overshadowed. I figured we’d make up for it at the cultural festival.”
After all, Eva’s triumphant live tied to her promise with Mea stole the spotlight.
Claiming it as Nagi’s achievement would be a stretch.
“A-Achievement…? Just making the festival flashy shouldn’t count as one!”
“If it was just about flashiness, sure. But think about Eva’s position now. She’s a key figure who pulled off a major community event with the neighborhood association. Building a connection between her and the school? That’s a solid achievement.”
Eva’s now adored by the association’s board and succeeded with her live, making her a superstar idol.
Befriending her would clearly strengthen ties with the community.
“So, Nagi-chan’s stock as the mastermind student council prez who uses her junior’s success to advance her plans is skyrocketing! Solid footing achieved!”
“That sounds awful! I’m not the one using her—you are! When did you even start planning this!?”
“I first thought of it when Eva said she was looking for Ally-san. If Mea’s trusted ally asked, she might accept a cultural festival live offer.”
I’d prepared for the worst-case scenario where the summer festival didn’t happen.
“From that far back…? Wait, was that why you revealed you were Ally-san back then?”
“Yup. Seeing you get jealous was a nice bonus, though.”
“I-I wasn’t jealous!”
Nagi’s frantic denial was adorable.
“Too bad. Anyway, this seals the deal for your achievements! Victory is ours!”
I crossed my arms in triumph, but Nagi just stared at me, exasperated.
“Geez… You really look like you’re having fun when you’re scheming.”
“Of course I’m thrilled when I can do something for you, Nagi-chan.”
“Thanks as always.”
I tried to play it cool, but she brushed it off like she’d expected it. Nagi’s gotten tougher since the festival.
“But… wow. Eva’s live at our school, huh?”
Nagi murmured, her tone slightly tense.
It’s her first big school event as president—she’s probably nervous.
“No worries. I’ve got the details mostly figured out. Just trust me and—”
“No. That won’t do.”
She cut off my attempt to ease her nerves, shaking her head.
“I want you to let me handle the cultural festival. I can’t keep relying on you forever.”
Her expression was uncertain but brimming with determination.
Surprised, I quickly nodded in understanding.
“…Got it. It’s a good chance to take a step forward.”
—Toward a new dream.
A step taken by a girl who’d done everything, burned out, and now moved forward again.
A big step, choosing to walk on her own without leaning on me.
Like Mea did, Nagi will walk her own path, one that diverges from mine.
My role is to watch over her until then.
“Well, if that’s the case, I’ll leave the festival to you and take it easy.”
I hid a twinge of loneliness with a casual smile.
“Yeah, leave it to me. I’ll make it happen.”
Nagi nodded confidently, clearly serious this time.
“Great. There’s negotiations with her agency, but you’re perfect for it since you know her.”
“Ugh… Y-Yeah, that’s true. Alright, I’ll handle it!”
“Nice! Oh, some alumni might show up too, so it’s a great chance to show off your results.”
“Y-Yeah, gotta be careful with that too…”
“That’s the spirit. Oh, and since Eva’s a bridge for community ties, you’ll need to talk to the neighborhood association. But you’ve got this.”
“…”
I’d planned to handle all this myself, but I can’t dampen her enthusiasm. I’ll trust her and step back.
It’s a bit lonely, but I’ll smile and watch. This is her first step toward her dream—
“…Um, Kurusu-kun?”
As I indulged in a poignant internal monologue, Nagi called my name with a strained expression.
“Hm? What’s up?”
“I, uh, hate to say this after talking big a minute ago, but… could I maybe get a little help?”
She looked incredibly awkward, gauging my reaction.
An indescribable silence fell over us.
“…Well, if that’s the case, I’ll leave the festival to you and take it easy.”
“Why’d you repeat that!? Wait! On second thought, there’s a lot I can’t handle alone yet!”
Nagi clung to me desperately.
“Please, help me! I don’t want to trip on my first step!”
“No, no, it’s tough, but for your sake, I was thinking of throwing you into the abyss of Chihiro… Oh, sorry, I mean the infinite void.”
“It’s the same thing! Don’t rephrase it with Mea’s lingo! And don’t throw me anywhere!”
Nagi looked on the verge of tears from the onslaught.
…Geez, seems it’s too early to feel lonely.
“Fine, I’ll help out this time too.”
I sighed and nodded, and Nagi let out a relieved breath.
“Ugh… Thank you.”
Her slightly pathetic, familiar self made me both exasperated and relieved.
“…Yeesh. Looks like it’ll be a while before I’m not needed.”
“There’s no way you’d ever not be needed.”
Nagi answered instantly, as if it were obvious, her expression puzzled.
—Ambush.
Her natural sincerity hit me hard.
I spun around to hide my goofy grin.
“Kurusu-kun, what’s wrong?”
Noticing my odd behavior, Nagi tried to step in front of me.
But I turned again, determined not to let her see my face.
“Stop. If you look now, I might kiss you on impulse.”
“Why!?”
She froze, shocked.
Her reaction helped me regain my composure.
“Nah, sorry. Just psyching myself up for the festival.”
“R-Really? Well, that’s good, I guess.”
She looked unconvinced by my flimsy excuse but didn’t press further.
“Alright, let’s head to the staff room and explain about Eva.”
Inspired by my so-called psych-up, Nagi shifted into festival mode.
“Got it. No time like the present.”
We left the student council room, stepping into the still-warm hallway.
“…Hey, don’t you have a dream, Kurusu-kun?”
Nagi’s sudden question caught me off guard.
“What’s that out of nowhere?”
Her apologetic look surprised me as I furrowed my brow.
“Well, you’re always helping me, so if you have one, I want to help.”
“I see. Well, I’ve got something.”
“Really? What is it?”
Despite asking, her eyes widened in surprise at my answer.
“Hmm, in a word—”
—I wanted a place to belong.
Through all the transfers, I was always an outsider.
I wanted to be special, to have something that wouldn’t work without me.
If I had that, I thought I’d find my place.
But I’m okay now.
Because I met Nagi again here.
Because I can believe that some things don’t change, even when everything else does.
My dream’s already come true.
She made it happen.
“—Secret. You’re too busy with your own stuff to worry about mine. You’re a hundred years too early.”
I teased playfully, and Nagi made a face.
“Ugh… That’s annoying, but you’re right—I can barely handle my own stuff, so helping you might be too soon…”
“I appreciate the thought, though. When you can say you’ve achieved your dream, I’ll tell you everything.”
“You said it! It’s a promise. Pinky swear!”
Nagi leaned forward, holding out her pinky.
“Alright. I’ll look forward to that day.”
With a wry smile at her childish gesture, I hooked my pinky with hers.
Our ordinary story, one you could find anywhere.
Holding tight to something irreplaceable, even if it’s not special.
The gears of our story will keep turning.]
Post a Comment