Collected Fragments
“Hey.”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Towa-kun.”
They had arrived at their usual meeting spot.
Today, it seemed I was the one who was late, as Ayana and Shuu were already there waiting. With the three of us together, we walked to school as usual, chatting amicably along the way.
Until yesterday, the true nature of the feelings I had felt might have been unclear, but now I understand. Occasionally, the sensation I felt towards Shuu when Ayana was involved, it was probably a sense of superiority stemming from taking Ayana away from Shuu without him knowing. Of course, it wasn’t something I truly felt, but it was something Towa unconsciously experienced.
And Ayana—.
“？ What’s wrong?”
If she had turned this way feeling my gaze, I could have prevented our gazes from meeting, but if she was already facing this way, there was no stopping the intertwining of our gazes. She’s skilled, walking without stumbling even while looking at me, but it’s too late once something happens.
“Make sure to look ahead. I won’t know if you trip, right?”
“hahahaha. I’m fine. I’m being cautious so it won’t happen, and if it does, Towa-kun will catch me, right?”
…Well, that’s true.
Seeing Ayana say that with a smile, I strangely thought she was in a good mood. But come to think of it, I had a phone call with her before going to bed last night. I wanted to hear Ayana’s voice, so I called for that reason and was surprised how quickly we connected. We talked, and when it seemed like it was about to end, Ayana said she still wanted to talk… Ahem, let’s stop. This body seems to be unable to stop loving Ayana too much.
“By the way, Ayana, have you finished your homework?”
“Yes, I have. Don’t tell me, Toshi-kun, you haven’t done it again?”
“…Can you show me?”
“…You have to do some things on your own, you know?”
“I know, but…”
I took a step back and observed their conversation.
Though Shuu seemed oblivious, it was clear that Ayana’s mood had soured. It might not be evident in her expression, but… I don’t know, you could tell by looking into her eyes. It’s different from when she’s talking to me. I mentioned her eyes being expressionless before, and it seems like I wasn’t entirely wrong.
“I hate being childhood friends with someone like that. I’ve always, always, hated him.”
…Once again, those piercing words rang out, making me feel an immense sense of disgust, but I’ll remember these words so I won’t forget them.
As we chatted trivially, the three of us approached the school gates, where the student council was conducting a greeting campaign. Standing at the center of the serious-looking students was a woman—student council president Iori Honjo, who smiled upon seeing Shuu.
“Good morning, Shuu-kun. And… Ayumu-san and… Setsuyo-kun, right? Good morning.”
Each of us responded to her greeting, and as I thought to continue walking, Shuu, predictably, got caught up. It seemed troublesome to wait for their conversation to end, so I started walking, and Ayana fell in step beside me.
“That seems like it’s going to be a long conversation.”
“Yes, indeed. It’s nice to see them getting along well.”
“I wonder, Honjo-san, are you weak against alcohol? hehehe, I’ve found Honjo-san’s weakness♪”
…Again, why is it all in Ayana’s voice?
Despite the cheerful voice, there was an underlying chill, a slightly cold atmosphere that sent shivers down my spine… Even as I stared at Ayana, her demeanor remained unchanged. When our eyes met, she would happily return a smile.
“Shall we go?”
“Yeah.”
As we left the shoe lockers and started up the stairs, a girl’s voice calling out to Ayana echoed.
“Oh, Ayana-san!”
Turning to the voice, a girl was hurrying towards us. As usual, knowing Ayana meant she was an acquaintance of Shuu as well. And what that implied was that she, too, was one of the heroines.
“Marichan, what’s up?”
“I saw Ayana-san, so I came to say hello!”
Marina Uchida, a boyish girl full of energy. I don’t know the details of how it happened, but she, like Iori, harbored feelings for Shuu.
…But thinking about it again, the protagonist’s privilege in the game is amazing.
Adored by his mother, willing to engage in a forbidden relationship with his sister, and receiving genuine affection from Iori and Marina. The relationship with his mother and sister only works in the game… Well, it might be impossible in reality, but if Shuu were to reciprocate Iori or Marina’s feelings, maybe it wouldn’t end up like that.
I can say that because I know Ayana’s feelings are not directed towards Shuu.
Marina, who had been chatting happily with Ayana, turned her gaze towards me and spoke.
“Is this the first time we’ve spoken like this, Senpai?”
“…Ah, now that you mention it, it might be. You’re getting along well with Shuu, right?”
“Yes. I talk to Shuu-senpai a lot. It’s all thanks to Ayana-san.”
“Is that so?”
Asking that, Ayana nodded and informed me.
“It must have been because Shu-kun and Mari-chan got along well, but the trigger for their meeting was me, right?”
I didn’t know that.
From Noble mtl dot com
Certainly, it was mentioned in Shu’s monologue that his meeting with Iori was related to Ayana’s company, but nothing about Mari’s past was revealed, so I didn’t know.
In that case, it means that Iori and Mari met Shu with Ayana’s guidance. In that case, I think it’s a matter of fate.
Undoubtedly, Iori and Mari’s presence has played a significant role in brightening Shu’s personality a bit. Unlike those who had been denying Shu until now, they genuinely admire him and see him for who he is.
“Senior Shu mentioned. Yukiyo-senpai is like a hero. He said he was often helped by him.”
“I see. It’s not like I wanted to become a hero or anything.”
“Oh. Yukiyo-senpai, could it be that even your personality is handsome?”
“I don’t know myself. At the very least, I’m a person who, like Shu, can worry and feel insecure.”
“No, your answers and gestures are like those of a handsome guy.”
Rejoice, Toa, your junior just called you handsome. …Ahem, but well, she’s a friendly and straightforward nice girl. She’s a child who doesn’t show even a trace of the ugliness that everyone carries within. If you have such a child by your side, it’s natural to feel like you can correct your personality to some extent.
“Yes. Toa-kun, and Mari-chan, it’s time to go to the classroom.”
“Oh, right! Well then, Ayana-san, excuse us, Yukiyo-senpai!”
Politely bowing, Mari ran off. Ah, she’s being scolded for running in the hallway by the teacher.
“She’s a lively one.”
“Yes. But I’m curious about why you called Toa-kun a hero.”
“Stop it. You don’t need to question me about it.”
“I understand. Let’s go then.”
This time, they headed to the classroom with Ayana.
Arriving at their seats after parting ways with Ayana, they idly looked at their textbooks to pass the time. Then the teacher arrived, morning assembly began, and soon the class started.
Even though it was only the first period, there were already those who were slumped over their desks, others playing with their phones, or whispering with friends trying not to get caught… It was the usual scene, for better or for worse. Amidst that, I was gazing at Ayana sitting in the front row. The act with Ayana this morning, and the words she spoke to Toa.
“Now I belong to Toa-kun, right? …hahahaha, I don’t know what to say, but I’m very happy. If I belong to Toa-kun… should I call you ‘master’?”
Ayana had been troubled for a long time about what she was living for. Then she met Toa, fell in love with him, and had feelings strong enough to sacrifice even her body for him. At that time, even though Toa thought it was wrong, he might have been swept away by youth.
Probably, at the moment they came together, the two of them were undoubtedly happy. They had obtained the love they both longed for. But… for Ayana, this was probably the turning point. Recognizing herself as Toa’s possession, she harbored a twisted feeling of being willing to do anything for him.
“No… I don’t want Toa-kun to say that… No… I don’t want it, master.”
Even though it was just words, she clung to Toa out of excessive fear, even if the words could be interpreted as pushing him away. Perhaps the reason Ayana called me ‘master’ at that time was for this kind of reason.
If this relationship is something that can be called happiness for Toa and Ayana, that’s fine, but from my perspective, it still seems twisted. If you truly like Ayana, I think you should face her in a more proper way and express your feelings… What do you think about that, Yukiyo Toa?
There shouldn’t be any words coming back in response to that question.
“…?”
Unconsciously, I wasn’t thinking about anything at all. When I suddenly focused on my notebook, I noticed that I had written two letters.
“…FD?”
The abrupt letters ‘F’ and ‘D’ were written, and honestly, I had no idea what they meant at all.
“Is it a floppy disk?”
Even though I said it out loud, I didn’t quite get it, so it’s off…? No, what’s the issue here? I couldn’t understand it, and the questions kept coming, but for some reason, I decided to remember these letters. Somehow, it felt like it would be better to do so.
“I’m sorry. You’re not involved, just caught up. But you know, so what? It’s fine, right? Because you’re already smiling so happily now? Come on, keep using that body a little longer. If you do that, then the boy you ‘liked’ will come.”
“…!?”
A severe headache suddenly struck me.
I almost kicked the desk in pain, but managed to hold back.
“Hey, are you okay?”
The person sitting next to me noticed something was wrong and spoke up, but I quickly reassured them that I was fine. The headache subsided after a while, but the unpleasant feeling lingered.
Nausea didn’t come, but a strange sensation of floating in the air, I arrived at one answer while feeling that discomfort. Indeed, it seems there is something I must remember.