《 Act One: The Stage Is Set 》
It’s a Monday in early October.
Dressed in an unfamiliar blazer uniform and shiny new shoes, I’m about to head out when Mom and Dad come to see me off at the entrance.
“No forgotten items? Got your textbooks? Did you write ‘Hayakawa Haruki’ on your indoor shoes?”
“…Mom, you’re worrying too much. I’m a high schooler now, y’know.”
“I can drive you to Shiraha Station if you need.”
“Dad, I’m fine. I’ve got the route down.”
This is the town I lived in four and a half years ago, until the end of fifth grade.
Our new place is about two kilometers from our old house, but Shiraha Station is still the closest. I checked the route the other day just to be sure, so I’m confident I can get there without a hitch.
From Shiraha Station to Hazakura Station, the closest to my new school, it’s a thirty-minute train ride with no transfers. From Hazakura Station, the school’s a five-minute walk. You’d have to try pretty hard to get lost.
If there’s anything to worry about, it’s whether I’ll fit in with my new class. Dad’s job transfer was finalized late in the summer, so I’m starting school in October—an awkward time to transfer. Friend groups are probably already set, and I’m not planning to join any clubs, so blending in might take a while.
Still, I’m not exactly drowning in nerves.
In fact, I’m more excited than anything.
Why? Because—
“It’d be great if you end up in the same class as Nanami-chan, huh?”
Mom says brightly.
Nanami—Kousaka Nanami—is my best friend.
We used to live next door to each other, playing together ever since we were little. Our families were close, too; the Hayakawas and Kousakas even went on trips together.
To me, Nanami was a constant presence, like she was supposed to be there. When I found out I’d have to move away, I was so devastated I took to my bed. Even on moving day, I couldn’t accept it—I barricaded myself in Nanami’s room, declaring, “I’m staying here and becoming a Kousaka!” in a desperate bid to stay.
Nanami, who’s usually so well-behaved, grabbed a plastic bat that day and shouted, “Don’t come in, Dad!” to protect me. She’s seriously the best.
The reason I chose to transfer to Hazakura High? Nanami goes there. I was originally planning to enroll at a closer school, but Dad handed me a Hazakura High pamphlet and said, “You’re obviously gonna go to the same school as Nanami-chan, right?”
Sure, moving back to my hometown means I could see Nanami even if I went to a different school, but being at the same one sounded way more fun. So, Hazakura High it was.
“Nanami’s gonna lose it when she sees you transferred.”
“She might even cry from joy. You know how emotional she gets.”
Mom and Dad grin warmly.
I haven’t told Nanami I’m transferring. We used to write letters back and forth, but the more we wrote, the more I missed her, and it just made me feel lonelier. Eventually, I stopped sending them. Around the same time, her letters stopped coming, too—probably for the same reason.
That was that. Maybe she’s completely forgotten about me—Hayakawa Haruki—by now… but if she does remember, I bet she’ll give me one of her classic over-the-top reactions. She’s always been super expressive.
…That said, she’s a high schooler now, too. If she’s grown into some mature, composed type, she might just brush off my sudden appearance with cool indifference, no theatrics in sight.
Either way, I’m pumped for our reunion after four and a half years. I’m hoping we can hang out like we used to.
“Well, I’m heading out. If Nanami’s free, I might wanna hang out, so I could be back late.”
Back in the day, I was her only playmate, but according to one of her letters, she made some friends during the summer of sixth grade. No telling how things’ll shake out.
“It’s been forever—go have fun!”
“No need to rush back. Spend as much time with Nanami-chan as you want!”
They’re both thrilled about my reunion after four and a half years. It’s a bit over-the-top, but I guess they’re just happy their son’s reconnecting with his best friend.
“See ya.”
“Have a good one!” they call as I step out of the apartment. Under the cool October breeze, I head toward Shiraha Station.
At the station, I board the train, snag a seat, and crack open a paperback…
Thirty minutes later, I arrived at Hazakura Station. A short walk brings me to a street lined with trees, and beyond them, an old-looking school building comes into view.
Hazakura High.
I must’ve left a bit late, because there’s no one lingering around the gate. I’m not late-late, but I need to stop by the staff room today. Showing up at the last second might not make the best impression.
I hurry through the gate, head to the entrance, and swap my shoes for the indoor ones in the designated cubby. Then, it’s off to the staff room.
“Excuse me.”
Stepping inside, I scan the room and spot my homeroom teacher—Yokota-sensei, a bear of a man I met during orientation. I head his way.
“Morning.”
“Hey, good morning. Made it here okay?”
“No issues.”
“Good. Got all your textbooks?”
“Yep, everything’s there, per the list. No forgotten items either.”
“Then you’re set for classes.”
“Looking forward to it.”
“That’s the spirit. Got any clubs in mind?”
Maybe he’s trying to ease my nerves, because Yokota-sensei shifts to a new topic. He looks intimidating, but he seems like a solid teacher.
“Nah, planning to skip clubs.”
“Got it. If you decide to get a part-time job, make sure to clear it with the school.”
“Sure thing. It’s not about a job, though… I used to live here, and I’ve got a close friend at this school. If it works out, I’m hoping to hang out with them after school.”
“A friend… right, you mentioned it’s been four and a half years, yeah?”
“Exactly.”
He must’ve remembered me saying during orientation that I lived here until four and a half years ago.
Yokota-sensei’s expression turns serious.
“We’ve got a pretty laid-back vibe compared to other schools, but don’t go too wild, alright? I get it—I had a similar experience back in my student days—but keep things wholesome, high school style.”
“Got it.”
I’m hyped for the reunion, but I’m not about to lose it. I plan to keep things as chill and wholesome as we did back in elementary school.
The bell rings, and Yokota-sensei rises from his chair.
“Alright, let’s go.”
I nod, and we leave the staff room. We head to Class 1-1, located at the end of the first-floor hallway. “Wait here till I give the signal,” he says before stepping inside.
Standing alone in the corridor, a sudden wave of loneliness hits me. I wonder what class Nanami’s in. It’d be a huge relief if she’s in 1-1…
“Before we start homeroom, I’d like to introduce a transfer student.”
Yokota-sensei’s voice carries from the classroom. The room buzzes with chatter, but with everyone talking at once, I can’t make out what they’re saying.
“Quiet down, you lot! I can’t introduce the transfer student like this!”
His low, commanding voice hushes the room. Prompted to enter, I opened the door, heart pounding.
The moment I step inside, every eye in the room locks onto me. I haven’t been stared at like this since I transferred in sixth grade. Back then, I was nervous, but with the added pressure of wondering if Nanami’s here, I’m even more on edge.
I step up to the podium, scan the room, and open my mouth.
“Hey, everyone. I’m Hayakawa Haruki.”
The second I start my introduction, the entire class shifts their gaze away from me, zeroing in on a girl sitting near the back.
For some reason, she’s face-down on her desk, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Hey, hey, HEY! I’ve got a question!”
I’m wondering whether to keep going with my intro when a gal-like girl next to her shoots up her hand, practically vibrating with excitement. Her light brown hair sways as she stands, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“You’re that Hayakawa Haruki!? The one super close to Nanami!?”
“Uh… by ‘Nanami,’ you mean Kousaka Nanami?”
“Yup, that’s her!”
“Then yeah, that’s me, but—”
“““““WHOAAA!”””””
“““““KYAAA!”””””
Suddenly, the room explodes with cheers from guys and girls alike. Applause echoes through the classroom! What the heck!?
“No way, that’s insane! It’s gotta be fate!”
“The relocation gods guided him to Hazakura High!”
“I’m hyped just being here for this moment!”
“Welcome, Hayakawa! We’ve been waiting for you!”
Is this class, like, too friendly? They’re acting like we’re old buddies reuniting, even though we’ve never met. I’m glad they’re welcoming, but I’m more confused than anything.
“Hey! Hey! Hayakawa-kun’s here, Nanami! Aren’t you thrilled to see him!?”
“Why’re you hiding your face? Oh, are you blushing!? That’s so cute, Nanami! But you gotta look up! The Hayakawa-kun you’ve been dying to see is right here!”
Wait, Nanami? That girl face-down on her desk is Nanami!?
“Hayakawa-kun’s looking at you! Show him your face already!”
The gal girl’s basically reading my mind.
It’s been four and a half years since we last saw each other… I’m nervous, but I really want to see her face. As if sensing my thoughts, Nanami slowly lifts her head.
To put it simply, the childish vibe she had in elementary school is gone. She’s grown into a jaw-dropping beauty.
“…H-Hey, long time no see.”
Her transformation’s so striking I almost wondered if she was someone else with the same name, but the voice that slips from her lips is unmistakably Nanami’s.
Looks like I lucked out and landed in the same class as her. Not only that, she remembers me—and apparently, she’s been wanting to see me, too.
I’m still clueless why a bunch of strangers are being this friendly, but for now, I’ll just roll with the joy.
“Long time! I’m stoked to be in the same class as you, Nanami.”
The room erupts in applause again. Everyone’s shouting, “Congrats on the reunion!” “So happy for you guys!” “Wishing you happiness forever!”
Nanami must’ve talked about me a lot—probably stuff like, “I’ve got a best friend far away. Haven’t seen him in a while. Kinda miss him.”
Still, the level of celebration feels a bit much. Maybe it just shows how much her classmates love her.
Either way, being celebrated for our reunion doesn’t feel bad, so I’ll take it with gratitude.
“Thanks, everyone!”
As I say my thanks, Yokota-sensei clears his throat.
“Alright, time to start homeroom. Hayakawa, take the empty seat by the window—”
“Here! Over here’s perfect!”
The gal girl next to Nanami jumps up.
“Isn’t that your seat?”
“No need to hold back! You wanna be close to Nanami, right, Hayakawa-kun? Hey, Sensei, I’ll take the empty seat, so let Hayakawa-kun have this one, yeah!?”
“Hmm, fair point. Having a familiar face like Kousaka nearby will probably help you settle in. Let’s call it a temporary seat change. That's cool with you, Hayakawa?”
“Uh? Y-Yeah, totally.”
“Sweet, Hayakawa-kun! Now you can be next to Nanami all through class!”
“Well, sure, I’m happy to be near Nanami, but… why’s everyone this excited about our reunion?”
“Duh, ‘cause it’s a big deal! You and Nanami have been holding out for four and a half years as a long-distance couple!”
“…Huh?”
Long-distance couple? Me and Nanami? W-What’s she talking about…?
“Haha, look at Hayakawa-kun, frozen from emotion! Don’t worry about putting us out or anything, okay? Nanami’s my friend, so obviously I’m gonna cheer for her love story!”
You can start your close-distance romance now, she says with a grin. The class chimes in: “So jealous, man!” “Be happy with Kousaka-san!” “Getting the untouchable beauty all to yourself? Hayakawa, you’re the luckiest guy alive!” “Invite us to the wedding!” “Haha, too soon!” “But they’re totally getting married, right?” “They’ve been in love for four and a half years long-distance, after all!”
Hold up, hold up. What’s going on here…? Why does everyone think Nanami and I were in a long-distance relationship…!?
Did I somehow stumble into a parallel universe where Nanami and I are dating…!?
“Hayakawa, take your seat.”
Yokota-sensei’s calm voice snaps me out of my panic, and I slide into the seat the gal girl vacated.
When I glance over, Nanami’s looking at me, too. Her eyes dart nervously, cheeks twitching as she speaks.
“W-We’ve got a lot to catch up on, s-so how about we, uh, find somewhere private later? Y’know, to t-talk… slowly…?”
Someone whistles. “A secret rendezvous! So bold, Nanami!” the girls squeal.
“Quiet down, everyone. Homeroom’s starting.”
Homerun begins in a daze, and nothing sinks in before it’s over. As Yokota-sensei starts to leave, he pauses, remembering something.
“First period’s world history, right? Not sure if we’ll need them, but… Kousaka, grab a globe and world map from the social studies prep room next door. It’ll be heavy, so Hayakawa, give her a hand.”
He flashes a grin, and the girls clap.
“Sensei’s reading the room!”
“Lucky to have an understanding teacher!”
Understanding what? I’m not understanding anything! Someone explain why everyone thinks I’m dating Nanami!
“H-Haru-kun! L-Let’s go…!”
Nanami, acting weird as hell, grabs my arm and drags me out of the classroom.
Her voice must’ve carried to other classes, because I hear shouts like, “Yo, Hayakawa Haruki transferred in?” “The long-distance thing’s finally over?” “Kousaka-san’s gonna be so happy!” As we slip into the social studies prep room, Nanami slams the door shut and locks it with a loud click.
Why’s she locking the door?
Alone in the dimly lit room, I’m about to voice the mountain of questions piling up when—
“Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Why’re you here, Haru-kun!?! You said you’d never come back when we said goodbye!?!?”
Nanami lets out a frantic scream, her face a chaotic mix of confusion, fear, and joy.
“What’s wrong, Nanami!? You’ve been acting weird this whole time!”
“It’s over… everything’s over… I’m too embarrassed to live here anymore… I need to find a new place to move… maybe a seaside town…”
She mutters creepily, spinning a globe on the prep room shelf.
I have no idea what’s happening, but we’re not getting anywhere unless we talk. I decided to answer her question.
“…For starters, I’m here ‘cause I transferred today.”
“T-Transfer…?”
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“Dad’s job brought us back to town. So I figured, why not go to the same school as you?”
“N-Nobody told me…!?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“A s-surprise!? T-That’s… that’s just…!”
Nanami’s perfectly shaped brows droop, her large eyes glistening with tears.
I’d love to think she’s just overwhelmed with emotion from our reunion after four and a half years… but it’s obvious that’s not the whole story.
“…Hey, Nanami, I’ve got a question for you.”
“W-What’s that?”
“Why’s everyone—students, teachers, the whole lot—acting like we’ve been in a long-distance relationship this whole time and are still together? Did someone spread some weird rumor that got us into this mess?”
When I lock eyes with her and ask directly, Nanami’s gaze darts away.
“W-Well, it’s…”
“It’s…?”
“It’s not someone...”
“Not someone…?”
“…It’s all my fault…”
Her voice is so faint it’s barely audible, and I’m left dumbfounded.
“Your fault…?”
“I… I lied. I said I had a long-distance boyfriend named Hayakawa Haruki… that I missed him so much, that we tell each other what we love about each other over the phone every day, that I wanted to hug him or kiss him when we reunited, and… a ton of other lies…”
“…”
I don’t get it.
We may not be blood-related, but Nanami and I are like siblings. There’s friendship, sure, maybe even a kind of familial affection, but nothing romantic. I’ve never confessed to her, never even acted in a way that could be mistaken for that.
So why would she go around saying we were in a long-distance relationship?
“…Tell me what’s going on.”
“It’s just… I was scared of being confessed to…”
“Confessed to?”
Nanami nods slightly, her obsidian-like eyes meeting mine.
“I can talk to you face-to-face like this, Haru-kun, but with other guys, I get so nervous I can barely speak… And yet, for some reason, starting around the end of seventh grade, guys suddenly started confessing to me… So I thought, if I said I had a boyfriend, maybe they’d stop… Even in high school, I’ve been confessed to by over a hundred guys.”
For a second, I think she’s joking, but… one look at her makes it clear she’s not making this up.
In these past four and a half years, Nanami has transformed into a breathtaking beauty.
I’ve always seen her as a little sister, so I don’t feel anything romantic now, but if I’d met her for the first time today, I’m pretty sure I’d have fallen for her the moment she looked at me.
Hazakura High has over three hundred male students. If Nanami were single, a hundred confessions would probably be on the low side.
“I get why you did it, but why’d it have to be me? Couldn’t you have made up a fake boyfriend or something?”
“A fake boyfriend would’ve been tough to keep up if people started asking questions… but since you and I were actually close, I thought it’d sound more believable…”
“Huh. Makes sense…”
She’s got a point. It’s easier to answer questions about how we got together when the base story’s true. The long-distance relationship part is the only lie, so it adds a layer of authenticity.
Plus, since I moved far away, Nanami’s the only one who could contact me. No one else could verify the story, so she felt safe spinning her tale, confident it wouldn’t be exposed. And that’s how she kept up the long-distance boyfriend act until today.
But then, out of nowhere, the guy himself shows up. The “boyfriend” she’s been gushing about, supposedly dying to see, is now in her class, sparking a storm of congratulations.
If this were about someone else, I’d probably be cheering, “What a fateful reunion!” I get why the class is so hyped, and I totally understand why Nanami’s freaking out.
Anyway, I’ve got the picture now. If she’d done this just to show off, I’d be pissed, but given the circumstances, I can’t really blame her.
“…So, Nanami, what’s your plan?”
“Huh? P-Plan…?”
“Let’s break it down. Right now, everyone thinks you’ve reunited with your long-distance boyfriend you’ve been desperate to see after four and a half years, right? So naturally, they’re gonna expect us to act like a couple…”
“Ugh…”
“And if we don’t act like that, people are gonna get suspicious…”
“Ughh…”
“And if they start thinking, ‘Maybe the whole long-distance thing was a lie,’ you’re gonna get a different kind of attention…!”
“Ughhh…!”
“And to avoid that kind of disaster, we need to figure out what we’re doing, like, right now, or it’s gonna be bad…!”
“Ughhhhh…!”
Nanami’s clutching her head, groaning, but no matter how much she agonizes, there are only two options.
The long-distance relationship only worked because I wasn’t here.
My showing up broke it.
Knowing that, she can either keep up the lie or come clean. Those are her choices.
As I watch her groan, she lifts her face, her eyes pleading.
“…Haru-kun, please… help me…”
“Help you? With what…?”
“Please… act all lovey-dovey with me…”
“…Huh?”
“I mean, pretend to be my boyfriend…! I’m begging you…!”
Nanami bows her head to me.
Her desperate words echo in the sealed-off social studies prep room, and a heavy silence falls, as if time itself has stopped.
The globe Nanami was spinning earlier lets out a faint creak as it comes to a halt.
“…You’re serious about this?”
“Dead serious! Just at school, please, pretend to be my boyfriend! Otherwise, I’ll be that crazy girl who made it all up! I’d be too humiliated to keep going here…!”
Her teary eyes bore into me.
Judging by homeroom, the long-distance relationship story has spread not just to the students but to the teachers, too. She probably didn’t just mention it in passing—she must’ve been talking it up daily, spinning all sorts of romantic fantasies. If she admitted it was all a lie, students and teachers alike would be floored.
She’d definitely be labeled the “crazy girl” school-wide. That kind of awkwardness could drive her to skip school or, worse, quit entirely if it messed with her head too much.
Nanami’s my best friend.
I don’t want her to go through that. So—
“…I’ve got a suggestion.”
“A suggestion…?”
“I didn’t get to mention during my intro, but I’m not staying at this school forever.”
“Huh? Why not…?”
“It’s just temporary because of Dad’s job. When I’m a senior, I’ll have to transfer again, somewhere far away.”
“So… we’ll have to say goodbye again in a year and a half…?”
“Yeah. And when I transfer, you can just act sad and say, ‘Back to long-distance again.’ That way, no one will ever know it was a lie.”
Nanami’s eyes widened.
“W-Wait, Haru-kun! So you’re saying you’ll go along with my lie for a year and a half…?”
“It’s embarrassing as hell… Playing a couple indefinitely would be rough, but a year and a half, just at school? I can probably handle that. The question is whether we can pull it off—”
“We can! We totally can! We’re us, Haru-kun! A year and a half of playing a couple? Piece of cake!”
Seeing my willingness to help, Nanami’s face lights up with obvious relief.
Sure, it’s a hassle to get dragged into this, but I can’t just abandon her.
If pretending to be her boyfriend at school can save her, I’ve got no regrets about this choice.
“Alright, let’s do it. We’ll make it through a year and a half without anyone catching on.”
“Got it! Thank you, Haru-kun!”
Nanami beams like a flower in bloom, and my cheeks can’t help but soften, too.
If she were some random gorgeous girl, I’d be nervous, but this is Nanami—beautiful, sure, but still Nanami. We’ve held hands before. No direct kisses, but we’ve had our share of indirect ones. We’ve slept in the same room, even bathed together. All that was back in elementary school, but we’ve pretty much done the couple-y stuff already.
Doing that as high schoolers is embarrassing, but in public, it’ll probably just be stuff like holding hands on the way home. I can deal with that.
“…Alright, we should head back with the globe and map before people start wondering.”
“Yeah. But… whether we’re quick or slow, they’ll probably assume we kissed the moment we were alone. I kinda told my friends I’d kiss you a ton if we ever reunited…”
So when we get back, the class is gonna be smirking, thinking, “They were making out, huh?” That’s rough…
“Well, we don’t actually have to kiss, so if they just think we did, I can live with that.”
“Also… I might’ve said I’d want to spend weekends staying over with you or even move in together, so after the next weekend, there might be some… misunderstandings…”
Nanami’s being vague out of embarrassment, but I know exactly what kind of misunderstandings she means. “Staying over” as kids and “staying over” as high schoolers carry very different implications. Come Monday, the class might be thinking, “They’ve crossed that line.” It’s embarrassing, but…
“…We’re not actually living together or sharing a bed, so if they just think that, I can deal.”
When I meet her eyes, she looks away guiltily.
Well, she did drag me into her lie, so it makes sense she’d feel bad.
But I don’t want to see Nanami make that face.
“You don’t need to feel guilty about me. Besides, if you go back to class looking like that after reuniting with your ‘boyfriend,’ people are gonna think something’s up.”
“Y-Yeah… But still, I’m really sorry.”
“It’s fine. Where’s the world map? We’ve gotta bring it and the globe back to class, right?”
I forcibly changed the subject.
The globe’s sitting out in plain sight, but I can’t find the map. As we split up to search, Nanami lets out an “Ah!”
“Found it?”
“No, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“Need to tell me?”
She nods, a soft, sheepish smile spreading across her face.
“Welcome back, Haru-kun. I’ve missed you so much.”
“Yeah, I’m back. Missed you too.”
I never dreamed I’d end up playing her fake boyfriend, but here I am, reunited with Nanami. I’ve got no regrets about transferring to Hazakura High.
As we savor the joy of our reunion, the bell rings. We scramble to find the map and leave the social studies prep room.
Rushing back to Class 1-1, Nanami and I bump into each other, and the globe tucked under my arm spins wildly.
The future feels daunting, but pretending to be a couple shouldn’t be that hard—no, I’ve gotta believe it’s easy, or I won’t survive this.
This fake rom-com with untouchable beauty? It’s gonna be an easy mode for me.
◆
After school.
Settling into the two-seater on the train home, Nanami and I let out heavy sighs, like we’re exhaling the day’s exhaustion.
“Rough day, huh…”
“My cheeks hurt from fake smiling…”
“My throat’s shot…”
“You were talking to someone nonstop…”
We’ve confirmed there’s no one from Hazakura High in our train car, but I can’t shake the feeling someone’s gonna call out to us any second. That’s how much we got bombarded today.
Take third period, gym class, for example. It was a joint session with Class 4, and the moment we hit the gymnasium, congratulations came at us like rapid-fire—“Congrats on the reunion!” “You’re the only guy who’s ever won the untouchable beauty, so make her happy!” “Keep Kousaka-san smiling!” “Her smile’s enough for us!” Guys kept coming up one after another, while on the other side of the net curtain, Nanami was swarmed by girls. That gal-like girl told her, “Don’t mind us, go ahead and kiss!” but Nanami deftly dodged with, “I wanna kiss him calmly, so we’ll do it outside school.”
Lunch break was wild, too. Nanami showed me to the school store, and there, we got cornered by upperclassmen—“So you’re the luckiest guy alive!” “Share some of that luck, man!” “Thanks for transferring. Now I can finally give up.” “You helped me cut my lingering feelings. I can focus on entrance exams now.” Some even handed me bread as a congratulatory gift.
I’d gotten the hint from our classmates’ enthusiasm, but Nanami’s way more popular with guys than I’d realized.
Among the dudes who talked to me today were pretty boys, jocks, muscleheads, brainy types, and even the current and former student council presidents.
They’re clearly out of my league. I was half-expecting some cocky guy to underestimate me and try to “steal” Nanami, but I almost felt bad for how thoroughly they’d all surrendered.
It’s not like I didn’t catch a vibe of being borderline deified as the only guy who’s ever “won” the school’s cutest “untouchable beauty”… but anyway, the message was clear: “Don’t worry about us, just be as lovey-dovey as you want.”
There might’ve been some jealous glares, but no one threw outright hostility our way, so it wasn’t unpleasant… just exhausting from all the attention.
Still, today’s probably the peak of the hype. In a few days, the buzz should die down, and by the end of a month, the novelty will wear off. We’ll just be another ordinary couple, living a quiet school life.
“Should we let go now?”
As I’m reflecting on the day, Nanami shyly wiggles her fingers.
We’ve been holding hands in that couple-y way since leaving the school entrance. Feeling the soft, slightly sweaty warmth of her hand suddenly makes me self-conscious.
“Yeah,” I say, letting go, and ask a question that’s just now hitting me.
“By the way, don’t you usually have friends you go home with?”
I got caught up in the moment, but if she’s got friends she normally walks home with, I might’ve put some girl out.
“I’m always alone on the train. Even if I hang out after school, it’s around Hazakura Station, and I’m the only girl from my middle school who went to Hazakura High.”
“Speaking of, why’d you pick Hazakura High? There’s a school just as good near your place.”
“It’s my mom’s alma mater. I thought she’d be happy if her daughter wore the same uniform and went to the same school.”
“She was thrilled, and said it brought back memories,” Nanami adds with a delighted smile.
“Glad she liked it. How’re your folks doing?”
“Super good. Especially since September—they’ve been in great moods. Maybe something nice happened.”
“That’s funny. My mom and dad have been in high spirits since September, too.”
“Your parents, too? Maybe the cooler weather after summer kicked in?”
“This summer was brutal nationwide, huh? Anyway, back to what we were saying—if you don’t have anyone to go with, wanna walk to school together starting tomorrow?”
Going to school together, not just home, would make us look more like a couple.
Plus, chatting with Nanami on the train beats reading a paperback alone any day.
Her face lights up, but then clouds slightly with worry.
“I’d love to, but… that’d mean holding hands in the morning, too…?”
“I don’t mind. We’re already doing it on the way home.”
“Then I’m in! Going to school alone gets kinda lonely.”
Her eyes narrow nostalgically as she speaks.
“Back in elementary school, we always went to school together, didn’t we? You’d come over to wake me up since we lived next door.”
“You were so hard to wake up, we ended up late a couple times. Still bad in the mornings?”
“Nope. After you moved, I didn’t have anyone to rely on, so I worked hard to change.”
So that’s how Nanami, who used to be kinda isolated in class, made friends—through her own effort.
“No wonder you’ve got this ‘got it together’ vibe now.”
“Really? That’s sweet!”
Nanami flashes a soft grin, and her “got it together” aura dims a bit, but I’m fine with her being the same old, slightly helpless Nanami around me.
“Where should we meet? Shiraha Station cool?”
“Where’s your new place, Haru-kun?”
“Near Shiraha Shrine, in a ten-story apartment building.”
“That’s a bit of a trek—two kilometers from my house. It’d be a detour to meet there, so Shiraha Station’s probably better. Though I do wanna visit your new place sometime.”
“Come over anytime you want.”
“Thanks. I’ll take you up on that. And you’re welcome at my place anytime, too. Speaking of, wanna hang out at my house today? It’s been forever.”
“For real? That's cool?”
It’s been since elementary school that I’ve been to the Kousakas’. Back then, I was there practically every day, but now we’re high schoolers. Even as childhood friends, I figured inviting someone of the opposite sex to your room might feel weird, so I was planning to hit up a diner or something.
“No reason it wouldn’t be. My parents took the day off to go out, but they’ll be back by evening. They’ll be thrilled to see you.”
“Alright, I’m in then.”
“Yay! Let’s hang out at my place.”
Nanami’s voice bounces with excitement. The thirty-minute train ride flies by as we talk, and soon we’re at Shiraha Station.
We exit the station and walk along the sidewalk of a busy two-lane road. Turning at the convenience store, we soon reach a quiet residential area.
The scenery starts feeling familiar—across the street, there’s a small park, and opposite it stands the Kousaka house.
The Kousaka place looks exactly the same as it did four and a half years ago.
Next to it is my old home, the former Hayakawa house.
Seeing my childhood home, where I lived from birth until the end of fifth grade, stirs up some nostalgia… but the once-blueish-white exterior is now painted cream. Knowing it’s someone else’s house now brings a pang of loneliness.
“Who lives there now?”
“About four years ago, a young couple named Shibasaki moved in. They’ve got two girls, five and two, and they’re super cute.”
“Got it.”
It’s sad knowing a stranger’s family lives in a house full of my memories, but that’s just how it goes. Sounds like a picture-perfect family, not some shady types, so that’s a relief.
Lost in thought, we pass through the gate to the Kousakas’ entrance. Nanami pulls out her key and unlocks the door.
“Come on in!”
“Pardon the intrusion.”
I slip off my shoes at the entrance and follow her straight to her room on the second floor, in the corner.
It’s a ten-mat wooden-floored room.
A simple single bed, a desk with textbooks, a dresser plastered with stickers, and a large sliding manga shelf that dominates the space.
A corkboard on the wall displays photos with family and friends, and a gaming console sits out in front of the TV stand. Looks like Nanami’s still into games and manga, just like old times.
“…This room hasn’t changed much either.”
“Yeah. Well, the game and manga collection’s grown a lot.”
“Still, it’s pretty tidy. Back in the day, it was always a mess with clothes and manga everywhere, and we’d have to clean up before we could play.”
“I’ve grown up, y’know. It’s neat now, so we can dive right in… Oh, wait, sorry, Haru-kun. I need to change, so could you wait in the hall for a sec?”
Nanami says it a bit awkwardly.
Back in elementary school, she’d change into pajamas right in front of me, but it seems she’s developed some modesty. Honestly, it’d be awkward for me to react if she changed now, so I’m grateful for the heads-up.
“Got it.”
I step into the hall and wait. Soon, she calls, “All good!” I open the door to find her in a knit dress with a cardigan layered over it.
“No pants today, huh?”
“I’ve been all about skirts since middle school.”
“Really? You used to hate skirts. Got used to them because of the uniform?”
“Yup… Though I can’t go without tights, no matter the season.”
Her trauma’s still going strong, huh? Back in second grade, a big spider crawled up her leg one summer, and ever since, she’s been wary of showing bare legs.
“All seasons? Tights in summer sound brutal.”
“They were. This summer was especially steamy.”
She sighs, then perks up with a cheerful “So!”
“What do you think of this knit dress and cardigan?”
“They look great on you.”
“Right?” she grins proudly.
“Ikeda-san picked them out for me.”
“Oh, nice.”
Ikeda-san’s the gal with light brown hair who gave me her seat in the homeroom. Seems like they’re close outside of school, too—there’s a photo of them together on the corkboard.
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By the way, a photo of me and Nanami sits on her desk. It feels kinda nice to get special treatment.
“You hang out with Ikeda-san a lot?”
“Once or twice a month, maybe. She and Komori-san are busy with clubs.”
“Komori-san… the petite girl with short hair?”
I greeted all my classmates, but with so many people talking to me today, I’m fuzzy on who’s who.
“Yup. I’m kinda tall for a girl, so Komori-san’s always like, ‘Gimme some of your height!’”
“You have shot up.”
Four and a half years ago, I was 150 cm, and Nanami was barely 140. Now I’m 172 cm, and she’s gotta be at least 165.
Her features are stunning, her legs look long and sleek, and her figure’s… well, let’s just say it’s way more developed than before. She could pass for a gravure idol or a fashion model.
“I started growing like crazy in the summer of seventh grade.”
Same time she started getting all that attention from guys, huh? She used to be small and plain, blending into the background, but growing taller must’ve put her in the spotlight. That, plus her glow-up, probably sparked the “there’s an unreal beauty at school!” buzz. She doesn’t seem to flaunt her looks, so maybe she’s not even aware of how gorgeous she is.
“But since ninth grade, I’ve only grown a centimeter, so I doubt I’ll catch up to you.”
That’s a relief. Her growth’s awesome, but getting outgrown by someone I think of as a little sister would feel weird.
“…Hey, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, but… did you ever think about actually dating any of those guys who confessed to you?”
It’s obvious without saying that Nanami must be insanely popular. With so many guys confessing to her, there had to be at least one who was perfect—looks, personality, the whole package. Didn’t she ever feel her heart skip a beat for any of them?
“Nope, not once. Back in eighth grade, during the school trip, they put up photos in the hallway…”
“The ones where you pick the number of the photo you want to buy?”
“Yeah. I’ll never forget it, but photo number 77 got over two hundred orders. The vendor thought it was a mistake and contacted the school, and when the teacher told me to check the number… It was a solo shot of me.”
That’s like one person buying two copies, Nanami adds.
Talk about a wild story showcasing her unreal popularity.
“And get this—some guys were secretly buying and selling that photo. The rowdy ones, the serious ones… they all might’ve had my picture. Thinking about how they were looking at me made me even more scared of guys… So when I got confessed to, it wasn’t ‘I’m flattered,’ it was ‘I’m terrified’ first.”
“Gotcha…”
Nanami’s always been shy, especially around guys. Getting stared at with obvious ulterior motives probably made that worse.
“But you’re the exception, Haru-kun! We’ve known each other forever—you’re like family. I’ve never been scared of you, not once!”
“Good to know. I’ll keep being the same old Haruki so I don’t freak you out.”
I say it gently to reassure her, and she lets out a small giggle.
“You’re still you, even if you look different. You’re taller now, and kinda handsome, but I’m not nervous around you or anything.”
Her sudden compliment catches me off guard, and I feel my cheeks heat up. Maybe she picks up on my embarrassment, because she looks a little shy herself.
That’s when we hear a noise from downstairs, followed by multiple voices talking.
“Sounds like my parents are back! Wanna say hi?”
“Heck yeah! Think they’ll remember me?”
“Totally! They’re gonna flip when they see you.”
Nanami’s grinning like a kid planning a prank, clearly excited to see her parents’ reactions.
Let’s go, then. We leave her room and head to the living room on the first floor—
““Huh?””
We’re the ones caught off guard. In the living room, alongside Nanami’s mom and dad, are my mom and dad.
As I stand there stunned, Nanami’s parents flash me warm smiles.
“Hey, Haruki-kun! Long time no see!”
“You look so healthy—such a relief! And quite the handsome guy now!”
“T-Thanks,” I managed, bowing slightly.
Next to me, Nanami’s wearing a confused expression as my parents smile at her.
“Nanami-chan, it’s been forever!”
“You’ve grown so much!”
“Th-Thank you… Um, Mom, why are Haru-kun’s parents here?”
“We were having lunch together. We planned to be back by three, but we got caught up chatting. They gave us a ride, so I thought I’d offer them some coffee as thanks.”
I knew my parents had taken the day off. I figured they were just chilling, but apparently they’d made plans to have lunch with Nanami’s folks.
And if they made plans to meet up, that means my parents told Nanami’s parents we were moving back.
Which means…
“So, Dad, you told Nanami’s parents we were moving back?”
“Of course. They’re our friends, aren’t they? We let them know as soon as the move was confirmed.”
Makes sense when you think about it. The Hayakawas and Kousakas were next-door neighbors, practically family.
“B-But, Mom, Dad, why didn’t you tell me Haru-kun was moving back…!?”
“Well, you never talked about Haruki-kun, so we thought he was keeping the move a secret to surprise you. Right, Haruki-kun?”
“…Nailed it.”
In the end, I got hit with the ultimate reverse surprise.
Nanami’s parents laugh heartily.
“I figured as much. You’ve always loved surprises, Haruki-kun.”
“Every year, you’d pull a surprise for Nanami’s birthday, didn’t you? Acting like you forgot the gift, then—bam!—‘Ta-da!’”
“And Nanami would act shocked every time, like it was her first surprise.”
“That’s because Haruki-kun’s so good at pulling them off.”
“True. But I never expected you’d surprise us like this.”
“Surprise you…?”
I’m drawing a blank. If they’re talking about the move, it’s not a surprise—they knew about it from my parents.
“You and Nanami are dating, right?”
Nanami’s dad says it with a grin.
My heart nearly stops.
…Huh? W-Why does he know about that…? No way, did Nanami tell her parents at home, too, that we’re in a long-distance relationship…!?
…No, that’s not it.
“W-W-W-Why do you guys know about that!?”
Nanami’s jaw drops, utterly floored.
Looks like this is news to her, too.
As she panics, her dad explains with a warm smile.
“It started in the fall of your eighth-grade year, I think. At the sports festival, I overheard some students talking.”
—“That second-year Kousaka girl is crazy cute, huh?”
—“Heard she’s in a long-distance thing with some guy named Hayakawa Haruki.”
—“Yeah, I know. Long-distance means they’ll break up eventually, right? Might take a shot.”
—“No way, dude. Kousaka’s obsessed with this Haruki guy. Even Hayashi got shot down.”
—“Hayashi? She turned down the hottest guy in school? How much does she love this Haruki dude?”
Apparently, they overheard stuff like that when Nanami ran in the relay. Every time they went to a school event after that, they caught similar chatter.
My parents don’t look surprised by this.
“Did you guys know, too?”
“Yup,” Dad nods.
“We figured if we butted in, it might make things awkward between you and Nanami-chan. So we talked it over with the Kousakas and decided to just watch over you two warmly.”
That said, he continues with a grin.
“But keeping you in a long-distance relationship felt cruel, so I kept putting in transfer requests every year. It’s just for a short time, but it finally came through.”
Seriously!? That’s why you transferred!?
So, let me get this straight—Nanami, her parents, and my parents all knew about the long-distance relationship story, and I was the only one in the dark!? Why am I the last to know about something involving me!?
“Glad you two are back together.”
Dad looks genuinely happy. …Sorry, Dad, but the long-distance thing’s a lie! I only found out today!
I want to say it, but seeing his beaming face makes it too awkward to come clean. I glance at Nanami to see what she’s planning—
“A-Ah, ahh, ahhh…”
She’s a total wreck, eyes darting everywhere, legs trembling, her big eyes teary as she shoots me a desperate “What do we do?” look. All I can do is mirror her panicked expression.
“Haha, tears of joy?”
“Nanami-chan’s such a softie.”
The misunderstanding’s spiraling. Nanami lets out a shaky “Heh heh” with twitching cheeks. So that’s the face a human makes when they’re cornered.
…Okay, we can’t let this slide.
It’s one thing for school to think we’re a couple, but our parents believing it is a whole different level of bad. It’s awkward, but we’ve gotta say it.
The long-distance thing’s a lie.
It was just to keep guys away.
“Dad, the truth is—” “Today, we—”
Dad and I start talking at the same time. I’m not fully ready to spill, so I clam up, and Dad jumps in with a grin.
“We’ve got a gift for you two!”
“A gift?”
“Yup. This!”
Dad pulls a key from his pocket.
“What’s that key…?”
“It’s for an apartment.”
“An apartment…?”
Dad nods, still smiling.
“Four and a half years ago, my transfer split you two up. It forced you into a long-distance relationship. So, at least while we’re here, we want you to live together and nurture your love as much as you want—we parents talked it over and decided.”
“Live together!?”
“Nurture our love!?”
They must take our reactions as excitement, because their smiles only grow wider.
“I’ve always adored kind-hearted Haruki-kun, and so has my wife. So when we heard you two were together, we were over the moon.”
“I was all for it the moment I heard. If we can help push your love story along, we’re happy to lend a hand! By the way, the new place is near Hazakura Station. Should make your commute a breeze.”
“We rented a fully furnished apartment, too! Your moms will take you to see it next Saturday, so pack what you need—clothes, games, whatever—by Friday.”
What the hell…?
It was supposed to be just a year and a half of playing couple at school, but now… the escape routes are gone—the moat’s been completely filled in…!
Our classmates are showering us with congratulations, and the guys aren’t even thinking about stealing Nanami—they’ve all surrendered.
That alone’s bad enough, but now both our parents are not only okay with us “dating” but handing us a place to live? With the moat filled in perfectly, there’s no way out…
I lift my head, which had dropped without me realizing, and see the adults beaming at us. They’re gazing at Nanami and me, reunited after four and a half years, with pure happiness.
…No, I can’t do it! I can’t say it was all a lie about the long-distance relationship! The vibe in here isn’t even close to right for that! Just imagining breaking the news makes my heart feel like it’s gonna explode…!
It’s a seriously messed-up situation, but our parents obviously mean no harm. They made this call—renting a place—purely because they want Nanami and me to be happy.
If we were actually head over heels for each other, this would be the dream setup… but since there’s no romantic spark between us, it’s just painfully awkward, and I kinda want to cancel the lease ASAP.
But… with things this far along, there’s no backing out.
They’re so happy for us—going all out to set this up because they think it’s what’s best. If we admitted it was a lie, they’d be crushed.
If Nanami and I can just tough it out, we can keep our families from getting hurt. There’s no choice but to see this lie through to the end…!
“…Thanks, Dad, Mom. I’m really grateful. Living with Nanami… Honestly, I’ve been secretly hoping for this forever.”
“Haru-kun!?”
Nanami’s freaking out next to me, but I ignore her and keep going.
“I never thought you guys would support our relationship this much… And thank you, too, Nanami’s mom and dad. I’m… I’m so happy right now.”
My words of gratitude bring satisfied smiles to their faces. They clasp hands, sharing their joy with, “Our decision was spot-on,” and “The surprise was a total success.”
Meanwhile, Nanami, still not fully grasping the situation, whispers so only I can hear.
“H-Hey, Haru-kun, what’re you saying all of a sudden…!? If you say stuff like that, we’ll actually have to live together…!”
“Yeah.”
“‘Yeah’…!? This isn’t just playing couple at school anymore—this is living like real lovers 24/7…!”
“I know… But we’ve gotta commit.”
“C-Commit…!?”
“Yeah. Think about it. If we told the truth right now, what kind of faces would our parents make?”
“Th-That… They’d be super disappointed, I think.”
“Disappointed? That’s an understatement. You saw how happy they are, right? They wouldn’t be mad, but this kind of lie would hit them like a trauma. They’d be crushed, shoulders slumped. You wanna see them like that, Nanami…?”
“N-No… I don’t…”
“Right? But if we keep up the lie, no one gets hurt. With the moat this filled in, we’ve got no choice but to play the part to the end…!”
“Ugh…! H-How did it come to this…!”
“Because you made up this long-distance relationship thing without telling me…!”
“Ughhh…!”
“Nanami, smile… Keep smiling…! If you don’t, they’ll get suspicious.”
“G-Got it…!”
Nanami forces a smile, her cheeks twitching. At the same time, our parents, still basking in their shared joy, approach to hand us the apartment key.
“Nanami-chan, please accept this key as a small gift. Take good care of our Haruki.”
Nanami keeps her smile plastered on, but her teary eyes lock onto my parents.
“I-I’m so happy…! Haru-kun’s mom, dad… thank you, really… I’ll never forget this kindness…!”
It’s an Oscar-worthy performance. Who could tell those tears aren’t from joy but from “how did it come to this” despair?
“You’re so happy it’s almost embarrassing… But, Nanami-chan, there’s one thing we need to apologize for.”
“Huh…? Apologize for?”
“Well… a year and a half from now, my job will take us away again, and Haruki will have to go with us. That means your time living together will end then. It’s still within Japan, but it won’t be close enough to visit easily. I’m so sorry we could only give you two a year and a half.”
“N-No, please don’t worry! A year and a half is plenty! Right, Haru-kun!?”
“Y-Yeah, exactly. It might feel short to adults, but for us high schoolers, a year and a half feels like forever…”
“R-Right! I’m so thrilled we get to live together for a whole year and a half!”
“Y-Yeah! It’s such an awesome gift. I’m so happy…!”
Our gratitude brings ear-to-ear grins to their faces.
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