A Case in Which My House Is a Gathering Place for Girls

My childhood friend was standing on the platform in a dignified manner with the eyes of all the people gathered in this spacious gymnasium which made my eyes well up at the sight of how much she had grown.

“Today, when we can feel the breath of spring, we, the new students, are enrolling in Amahashiritsu Academy. I would like to sincerely thank you for holding such a grand ceremony for us. I will now express our gratitude as the representative of the new students.”

Her voice echoed throughout the hall. Though it had a certain elegance to it, there was no mistaking that this was the voice of the Hanazono Kanna I knew.

“I am deeply moved and honored to be standing here today after having overcome the challenging days of high school entrance exams.

Until now, I have relied on the support of many, including my parents. Though I am still young and inexperienced, I wish to grow into a person with broad aspirations, learning from the senpais around me.”

“…Huh?”

All of the sudden, she started using unfamiliar four-character idioms. I understand what she’s trying to say, and it doesn’t seem particularly out of place. However, her choice of words is somewhat difficult. As a result, the entire audience is starting to look confused.

“And from here on, as a student of Amahashiritsu Academy, I will strive to be knowledgeable and sincere, always maintaining a sense of purpose and constantly moving forward, never retreating. Over the next three years, I vow to be unwavering and resolute in my efforts every single day.

I ask for the warm guidance and encouragement of the principal, the senseis, and my senpais.

With that in mind, I conclude my greeting as the representative of the new students. Hanazono Kanna.”

“…Pffft!?”

I couldn’t stand it and burst out laughing. It’s like she’s hopping, stepping, and jumping through her speech. She looks like she’s accomplished her task and is stepping down from the stage with a proud expression, but does she realize the entire venue feels like a wake? Everyone was bewildered as they were trying to figure out what she was saying.

But on the other hand, I am certain now. This use of words is undoubtedly the Hanazono Kanna I know. She’s always been smart, and for some reason, she would throw difficult idioms into conversation which make the other kids feel uneasy and not understand her. That’s probably why I was her only friend back then.

“Well… I guess the only thing that’s changed is her appearance. On the inside, she’s exactly the same as before.”

After all these years, a sigh of relief escapes me as I realize my childhood friend has not changed in the slightest. But at the same time, I can’t help but worry about how she’s been living since she moved away.

Has she made any friends here? Was she able to communicate without me? Did she cry because she was bullied or left out? I know I’m being overprotective, like a big brother, but I can’t help but worry. That’s just how important Hanazono Kanna is to me.

“I want to speak to her soon. Depending on Kanna’s reaction, this might feel like a wake as soon as I enter the school.”　

I’m nervous, but more than anything, I just want to talk to her as soon as possible. I want to know what kind of days she’s been having since we parted, and I want to catch up. I want to close this gap that has unintentionally formed between us. That’s all I want right now.

“Ah… I hope the entrance ceremony will be over soon.”

After Kanna exited, we stood up and sang the school song in unison. Honestly, I don’t remember the lyrics, so I lip-sync with all my might. After that, the emcee will announce the closing remarks, and we, the new students, will leave the gym to a grand round of applause from the guests, our parents, and the current students.

Next, we head to the classroom where we’ll spend the next year. We’re told to sit wherever we like, so we all take our seats. What awaits us now is the self-introduction time with the homeroom teacher and our thirty classmates. I don’t want to trip up here, but it’s finally some free time. Just as I’m about to stand up and check where Kanna is sitting,

“Are you going to talk to Hanazono Kanna?”

A boy sitting in front of me suddenly spoke to me with an expression of amazement. It felt like he was looking at someone about to take on the final boss with only beginner gear. I want to think that it’s just my imagination that makes me feel that way.

“…Can’t I go and talk to her?”

“I won’t say anything bad. Hanazono Kanna is out of your league.”

Before I could ask why, the boy quickly took his smartphone out of his pockets and searched for something. He showed me the screen.

“The world is paying attention! Hanazono Kanna-san, the president of the high school students?”

“Uh… Is Kanna the president? Well, she has always been smart, so it’s not too surprising… Wait a minute. Is the president in the brochure of the school guide…?”

“Hey, didn’t you know that? I thought everyone of the students in this school knew about Hanazono Kanna-san. Now you must be an outsider, aren’t you?”

“That’s right… I’m surprised she has become famous before I know it.”

The term outsider refers to a person who has entered a high school after taking the examination from outside. While those who have attended the elementary and middle schools here are called insiders.

“Well, it’s no wonder you don’t know, but since she’s so famous that she’s even in the article on the Internet, so your information sensitivity must be pretty low.”

“Yeah, I’m from the countryside. I don’t know anything about trends.”

“I see. So you came to Tokyo for high school and are living on your own now. You can always ask me if you ever need help. I’ll be happy to lend a hand. Oh, I’m Wada Akira. Nice to meet you.”

As he spoke, Wada offered his hand. I replied, “I’m Itsuki Jinpei. Nice to meet you.” while holding his hand.

“By the way, there are a few other famous people in this class besides Hanazono Kanna… Do you want to hear about them?”

“No, rather than that, can you tell me why I should avoid talking to Hanazono Kanna…”

“Haa. I’ll tell you if you’re going to go that far.”

I glare at him with my eyes in the hope that he will listen, but he doesn’t seem to care at all and starts talking on his own.

“First of all, Asakura Nao. She’s a rising star in Japan women’s track and field.”

Wada said this and turned his eyes to the seat by the window. Beyond that is a wolf-cut girl looking at the field while resting her chin on her hand, a beautiful girl who is more appropriate to describe as cool than cute.

“The second one is Sasazuki Mika. She’s a genius child actress who debuted at the age of three. I don’t know where she is right now.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“She has this sort of lack of presence. It’s like she’s barely there. Well, you’ll feel lucky to be able to find her.”

I looked around the whole classroom and looked for a person with a faint presence. I immediately found her. A girl sitting in the front seat although I can’t see her face because she’s lying on her desk. Is that Sasazuki Mika?

“Well… there are so many kinds of people here.”

“…I don’t know if I should say you’re composed, or if I should call you dense. Most people would be shocked to the core by all this, but your reaction is so indifferent that it’s actually kind of surprising.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration. Rather than that, could you tell me in detail why I should stay away from Hanazono Kanna?”

“Haa… You really want to know Hanazono Kanna. I’m curious about your reasoning, but fine, then I’ll tell you.”

Wada shakes his head with amazement and wry laughter before opening his mouth.

“First of all, she looks as good as that celebrity. She has the kind of style that would make models and gravure idols run away. On top of that, she’s incredibly intelligent and always at the top of her class. And she started her own business in middle school, and now she’s a president with annual revenues in the billions. She is a perfect beautiful woman. That’s Hanazono Kanna.”

“That’s a very fast explanation.”

“Her flaw is that she uses four-character idioms and how quickly she thinks makes her conversations difficult to follow, but there are plenty of people who find it charming. However, there are many guys who tried confessing to her, only to be shot down and left heartbroken… So! You shouldn’t think of getting close to her just because she’s cute!”

“…I see. I understand most of it.”

Wada clenches his fist as he finishes speaking. I can tell that he’s very well informed and that Kanna is quite popular among guys. However, that still doesn’t explain why I shouldn’t talk to my childhood friend.

“Thank you for your advice, Wada. But I’m still going to talk to her. She’s my—”

“Wada-kun, I’m sorry to interrupt you. If you’re going to talk behind someone’s back, I think you’d better lower your voice a little?”

A kind-hearted person speaks up and makes a sound like a frog getting squashed. It’s almost funny to see her face go pale in real time, but right now, I don’t have the luxury to enjoy that. I never expected Kanna to come over here.

“Long time no see, Kanna. Do you remember me?”

I stood up from my seat as I tried to speak calmly but my heart was beating so loudly, and my mouth was drying up from nervousness. What will her reaction be?

“It’s my first time meeting you. You really are quite the Kua Fu chasing the sun type, aren’t you?”

The first words she speaks to me after all these years are a reminder of my place. I want to cry.