After lunch, I excused myself and stepped out for a bit.
Kaori and Sumire didn't ask much, just nodded slightly and went back to their conversation.
Today was the day of Mizuki's first event.
In the game, she would receive an anonymous love letter, sweet, poetic, but strangely forced. Because of her kind nature and desire not to hurt others, Mizuki would go to the meeting spot behind the old school building, a place barely anyone visited.
I knew exactly what was going to happen.
The guy who wrote the letter would confess. Mizuki would gently but firmly turn him down. And then, with his pride wounded, he'd snap. He'd pull out a small knife that he had hidden in his pocket.
At that moment, in the game, Ren would appear like a true hero. Calm and quick, he would step in and save Mizuki just in time. That moment would become a turning point in their relationship.
I wanted to see that moment happen in real life.
And then I saw them.
"I'm sorry, but I don't want to date anyone right now."
Mizuki's voice rang out, soft but clear.
"…What?"
The guy froze.
Then, in the blink of an eye, he pulled out a small knife from his pocket. His eyes widened, his face twisted with rage.
"W-What are you doing!?"
Mizuki staggered back, her face pale as she was slowly forced against the wall of the old building. There was no way out.
…
Where's Ren?
…
This was past the point in the timeline I remembered. He should've appeared by now…
Mizuki was trembling, her back pressed against the wall, the knife inching closer. Her eyes were filled with panic.
I clenched my teeth. That's enough.
"Damn it…"
I rushed in.
No more waiting for Ren. No more standing by as a silent observer.
I grabbed the guy's wrist, the one holding the knife and yanked it back. His eyes went wide with shock as I pushed him away from Mizuki with force.
He stumbled backward, still gripping the knife, his face twisted in confusion and rage.
"Who the hell are you?!" he shouted, but didn't take another step. Maybe he didn't expect to be stopped like that.
I didn't answer. I just kept my eyes locked on his, hand outstretched, standing between him and Mizuki.
My heart was pounding, but my mind was strangely calm. I could hear my breath, feel my focus narrowed on the blade.
"Get lost," I said coldly. "Before I call a teacher."
He hesitated for a second. Then, like a predator who realized he'd lost the upper hand, he cursed under his breath, stepped back, and disappeared around the corner.
I didn't move for a while, just to make sure he was really gone. Only then did I exhale and turn back.
"Mizuki…"
She was still standing there, hands clutched over her chest, staring at me with wide eyes.
"You… Hiro…" Her voice trembled, then slowly softened. "You're just like that time…"
I blinked. "What time?"
"The time you caught that ball for Celestine…" Mizuki smiled faintly, her cheeks still flushed from the fear but her eyes sparkled.
"You've gone and played the hero again."
I scratched the back of my head, chuckling softly.
"Just happened to be nearby."
"Still… that was really cool," she said with a tilt of her head, her hair swaying gently. The smile on her face returned to its usual warmth. "Thanks, Hiro."
There was a strange flutter in my chest. A mix of embarrassment, gratitude, and something else.
After that, I accompanied Mizuki to the staff office.
Her hands still shook a little, but her voice was clear and steady as she told them everything.
I pulled out my phone and played back the audio recording I'd started secretly when I began following her.
The guy's confession, the threat, his shocked outburst when I stepped in, it was all there, perfectly captured.
The teacher frowned, said he'd report this to the school administration and contact the guy's parents immediately. I just nodded, quietly satisfied.
In the game, this event always ended vaguely. The guy never faced any real consequences.
But today... I'd changed the outcome.
As we stepped out of the office, Mizuki turned to me.
"You're surprisingly thoughtful, Hiro. Recording everything like that?"
"Just in case no one believed us," I replied with a faint smile. "You feeling better now? I was thinking of heading back to the clubroom."
I turned to leave, but—
"Wait!"
Mizuki grabbed my sleeve, her eyes lighting up like she'd just remembered something important.
"The Literature Club… Can I join it?"
I blinked.
Mizuki? The cheerful, outgoing girl who always stood out in a crowd... wanting to join a club filled with quiet bookworms?
"Really?" I asked, half in disbelief.
"Yeah," she nodded. "I've always liked reading romance novels… just never had a chance to share that with anyone."
I stared at her for a moment, then gave a small nod.
"Alright then… Welcome to the Literature Club."
Mizuki grinned, walking beside me down the empty hallway.
We didn't say much after that, but the silence felt oddly peaceful.
When we reached the clubroom door, I paused a little before opening it.
Inside, the room was as quiet as ever.
Kaori was reading, Sumire scribbling something in her notebook. They both looked up as I stepped in with Mizuki right behind me.
"Oh?"
Kaori was the first to react.
She raised an eyebrow, eyes darting from me to Mizuki and back again. Her lips pressed together in a way that almost looked like she was holding back a smirk.
"She's just visiting?" Kaori asked, her tone hard to read, curious or teasing, I couldn't tell.
"I… want to join the club," Mizuki answered before I could say a word. "If that's okay… could you let me in?"
Sumire's eyes widened, round as ever. She set down her pen, head tilted slightly.
Everyone in school knew about Mizuki's popularity, so it wasn't surprising that Sumire recognized her.
"Really…? Mizuki-san likes books too?"
"Mmhm," Mizuki nodded, a little shy. "I usually read cheesy romance novels… but I never had anyone to talk about them with."
Kaori chuckled. "Didn't expect you to be into romance novels."
"I'm not a total bookworm like you," Mizuki pouted, her cheeks puffing up slightly. "I just read for fun!"
Kaori shrugged. "Who knows, even bookworms have their secrets."
I stood to the side, watching them trade light jabs like old friends.
Sumire smiled gently, her eyes moving between them like she was watching a charming little play.
"In that case," I said, "we've got ourselves a new member."
"Yep," Sumire nodded. "Welcome, Mizuki."
"Looking forward to reading with you guys!" Mizuki beamed.
I sat back in my usual seat. The room felt a little warmer today… a little livelier.
I was still taking in the fact that Mizuki had joined when the door opened again.
Soft footsteps. A familiar voice.
"Sorry I'm late."
Ayaka stepped in first, holding her bag close.
Behind her was Ren, he looked a bit tired, but as calm as ever.
"Ren?" I blurted out. "Where were you?"
"Oh, I was out walking and ran into Ayaka-san. She asked me to help carry some paperwork from the student council room," he said in his usual flat tone, like it was no big deal.
I glanced at Ayaka. She nodded, her smile gentle as always.
"He happened to pass by, so I asked him for help. Good timing."
"Right on cue, huh." I replied, trying to sound casual though my thoughts were anything but calm.
I furrowed my brows.
The butterfly effect… it's stronger than I thought.
One small change, my decision to intervene in Mizuki's event and now everything was shifting.
New bonds were forming, storylines that were never meant to cross were slowly tangling together.
Ren sat by the window. Ayaka took the seat beside Sumire.
The clubroom felt different now.
Six people.
Six distinct personalities, all gathered in a place that used to be quiet, almost forgotten.
I looked around and couldn't help but feel something stir inside me.
Maybe… it's okay to let things change.
If it leads to something better—
I'll keep walking forward.
No matter how far this story strays from its original path.