After school ended as usual, the bell rang, signaling the end of a long day.
I packed up my things and turned to look at Ayaka.
She had just closed her bag and gave me a gentle smile.
"Let's go," I said.
"Yeah," she nodded, getting ready to leave the classroom with me when—
"Ayaka!" A girl's voice called out from the classroom door.
We both turned around.
A girl from the neighboring class poked her head in, her eyes locking onto Ayaka.
"The student council president is calling for you."
Ayaka froze for a moment, then turned to me, her face as calm as ever.
"Wait for me a bit, Hiro."
I nodded slightly.
"Sure, I'll wait in the hallway."
She turned and quickly walked toward the student council room.
I stood there, watching her figure disappear down the hallway.
In my mind, a familiar name surfaced.
Kiyama Kanzo.
The third-year student council president.
A man trusted by teachers and respected by students but I knew the truth behind that polished image.
In the game, Kiyama was someone obsessed with Ayaka.
From the moment he first met her, he had fallen for her at first sight, and from then on, he started a troublesome pursuit.
Even though Ayaka always kept her distance, Kiyama constantly found excuses to approach her, inviting her to the student council, proposing collaboration for school events, and so on.
I knew he wouldn't give up.
And I also knew… this might be the beginning of a familiar event.
So I decided to head toward the student council room.
Just standing nearby… would be enough for me to hear everything.
I hid behind the door, close enough to see the student council room's door left slightly ajar.
Inside, I heard Kiyama's calm voice clearly:
"Ayaka, you're refusing the student council invitation again?"
"Yes." Ayaka's voice remained gentle but firm.
"I have no intention of joining any other club besides the Literature Club."
"But with your talents… it would really be a waste," Kiyama said, his tone lowering slightly, laced with regret.
"You have great influence at school and strong organizational skills.
If you were by my side, I mean, working alongside me to manage the academy's activities, we could make wonderful changes."
I frowned.
The familiar pattern was unfolding.
In the game, Kiyama often used these kinds of indirect words to create the illusion that he and Ayaka were a perfect match, in terms of both ability and reputation.
But the reality was… it was just a delusion born from his one-sided obsession.
"I'm sorry, but I must decline," Ayaka answered, her tone unwavering.
"I've already made my choice."
A long silence followed.
I heard the soft sound of a chair scraping, then Kiyama's voice, much quieter, almost a whisper:
"You're close to Hiro, aren't you?"
I held my breath.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Ayaka asked back, her voice still calm.
"...It's just a shame," Kiyama said with a faint laugh, but there was no joy in it.
I didn't hear Ayaka respond.
Only the sound of her footsteps leaving the room, and the door opening slightly.
I quickly stepped back, pretending to be heading in the opposite direction when—
"Hiro?" Ayaka's surprised voice called out.
I turned around and scratched my head.
"Ah… I thought you were taking a while, so I came to check..."
Ayaka tilted her head slightly, looking like she didn't quite believe me.
But then she gave a soft smile.
"Let's go home together?"
I nodded.
The two of us walked side by side down the hallway bathed in the long rays of the setting sun.
A soft breeze blew through the windows, making Ayaka's hair sway lightly.
"That Kiyama guy is really persistent, huh," I said casually, as if testing the waters.
Ayaka stayed silent for a moment, then replied:
"He's not a bad person. It's just that… he doesn't understand me."
I glanced at her profile, bathed in the golden light, feeling something indescribable stir within me.
She was always gentle, always hiding her feelings deep inside… but I knew well, someone like Kiyama could be a real threat if left unchecked.
After saying goodbye to Ayaka at a familiar corner, I walked a little farther and stopped by a small convenience store near the residential area.
And just like a new habit I'd recently picked up, I happened to run into Shun there again.
Today, he looked noticeably livelier than usual, no doubt thanks to Ayaka.
I approached him and raised a hand in greeting.
"Hey, Shun."
He turned around, a little surprised, and nodded back.
"Hey."
I gave a small smirk and glanced at him.
"You look a lot more alive today."
Shun immediately blushed and turned away slightly.
"You're imagining things."
I just shrugged, not pushing it.
But just then, Shun suddenly turned back, a hint of caution in his eyes.
"You're… close to Ayaka, right? I saw you two going home together."
I froze slightly at the unexpected question, but quickly regained my calm.
"To some extent."
Shun stared at me intently, as if trying to gauge something.
I sighed inwardly.
"So... why are you asking?
Don't tell me..."
Shun looked flustered as soon as I turned the question back on him.
I smirked and gave him a teasing look.
"Don't tell me… you like Ayaka?"
Shun flinched, his ears turning bright red.
He stammered, avoiding my gaze.
"I… I just care about her… because she's a good person..."
I shrugged, acting indifferent.
"Well, who wouldn't like someone like Ayaka?"
Shun clenched his fists, clearly conflicted, trying to hide his feelings yet unable to fully deny them.
I stood there for a moment, then exhaled quietly.
"Anyway, I'll be going now. See you around."
I turned and walked away, leaving Shun standing frozen in front of the store, a mixture of embarrassment and newly ignited determination on his face.
There was something I used to do when I played Ayaka's route in the game.
In that game, players could choose not to pursue any romantic route, ending the story as a single person.
And when controlling Ayaka, I had chosen that path.
I didn't even really know why.
Maybe because, in my eyes, none of the male characters truly felt "worthy" of her.
Ayaka was gentle, sweet, kind, capable, and mature.
Meanwhile, the male characters who liked her like Shun and Kiyama each had traits that made them feel... incompatible.
Shun is too lazy even though he changed for Ayaka but not completely serious.
Kiyama was extreme, obsessive, and sometimes stifling.
I had once thought, perhaps Ayaka deserved a peaceful life, without forcing herself into any relationship.
If no one was truly worthy to walk alongside her, then maybe it was better for her to simply stay as she was.
After finishing dinner, taking a bath, and going through my usual nightly routine, I sank onto the sofa and turned on the TV out of habit.
The soft light from the screen filled the quiet room.
I pulled out my phone to check my messages.
The Literature Club group chat now had two new members: Sumire and Mizuki.
Kaori must have added them after school.
I smiled.
Seeing the member list grow a little fuller made my heart feel lighter.
There was something I truly appreciated about living in this world:
When I checked my bank account, I found I had a decent amount of money saved up.
I had always been a frugal person, spending wisely, so even without a part-time job, I could live comfortably for quite a while.
Not having to worry about money... was such a relief.
Ting!
A small notification sound chimed.
[ You have received a friend request from Mizuki Tachibana. ]
I blinked at the message, then tapped "Accept."
Right after that, a new message popped up:
[ Mizuki: Thank you so much for helping me today. ]
I stared at her message for a few seconds before typing a reply.
[ Hiro: It's nothing. I just did what I thought I should. ]
Only a few seconds later, Mizuki replied:
[ Mizuki: But thanks to you, I felt so much safer… Otherwise, I might have gotten hurt. ]
I chuckled softly.
She's pretty cute.
[ Hiro: I'm glad to hear that. You're fitting in really quickly, and I think everyone likes you a lot. But still, be careful around shady guys. ]
A little while later, Mizuki replied with a shy smiling emoji:
[ Mizuki: Thanks for worrying about me. I'll be more careful! <(￣︶￣)> ]
I smiled and typed back:
[ Hiro: Of course. See you tomorrow. ]
On the other side, Mizuki sent a cute sticker of a little bunny waving, along with a cheerful goodbye:
[ Mizuki: See you tomorrow! Good night, Hiro. ]
[ Hiro: Good night, Mizuki. ]
I put my phone down, ready to sleep when—
Ting, ting.
Someone was at my front door.