Chapter 36: One Day, the Four of Us.

The next morning.

Takumi was being swayed by the rhythm of the train. He was on his way to meet up with Seiji, Masaru, and Daisuke.

Even though Seiji had been promoted almost immediately, every first-year student started in the third string. The four of them had spent nearly all their time together back then, and their friendship had endured. They were the group Takumi hung out with the most.

When he arrived at the meeting point, Daisuke was already there.

“Morning, Daisuke. Early as usual, I see.”

“I’m a firm believer in the ‘five minutes early’ rule! Gahahahaha!”

“Your laugh makes you easy to find, at least. That’s a help.”

Shortly after, Masaru showed up.

“Morning, Masaru.”

“‘Sup~”

Just as the clock struck ten—the scheduled meeting time—Seiji came running in, out of breath.

“Phew… safe.”

“Actually, it just turned 10:01, so you’re out.”

“Seiji’s buying lunch today.”

“Gahahahaha! That works for me!”

“Hey, wait a minute!”

Teasing Seiji for his usual last-minute arrival, the four of them set off. The plan was to celebrate Takumi’s promotion by spending the day at Spo-cha, a massive indoor entertainment complex.

“Feels like it’s been a while since the four of us hung out like this.”

“Well, it’s rare for everyone’s schedules to align.”

“Now that Takumi’s been promoted, we’ve got someone in the first, second, and third strings. It’ll probably get even harder to meet up from here on out.”

“…Yeah, I guess so.”

Takumi agreed, though his response was a beat slow. Masaru threw an arm around his shoulder.

“Yo, Takumi.”

“What?”

“You aren’t being weirdly considerate of me and Daisuke, are you?”

“…Of course not.”

“Gahahahaha! It seems he’s hit the bullseye! Takumi only looks away like that when he’s lying.”

“…”

Takumi fell silent at Daisuke’s observation. He was conscious of the fact that he was being considerate, and he was fully aware that he had averted his eyes.

“There’s no need for that. Besides, if you start getting complacent, we’ll overtake you in no time. Right, Daisuke?”

“Umu, exactly! It doesn’t sit well with me to stay on the losing side forever.”

“…You’re right.”

(True. I don’t exactly have the luxury to be worried about them.)

Takumi shifted his mindset.

“Yeah, sorry. Fortunately, I have a best friend whose personality is completely devoid of ‘consideration,’ so I’ll try to follow his lead.”

“Yeah, you do that.”

“Gahahahaha! Indeed, Takumi could stand to learn a thing or two from him.”

“Hey, you guys. Who are you talking about?”

“““Idiot-gari.”””

“Don’t say it in unison!”

When the three of them simultaneously uttered the insulting nickname—a play on Seiji’s surname, Kagari—he fumed with indignation. Takumi and the others burst into laughter.

(Being with these three really is the best.)

He hung out with other people too, but these were the friends he could truly be himself around.

One day, I want the four of us to play on the first string together—

The thought crossed his mind. To make that happen, he’d have to work even harder.

(Well, for now, I’ll forget about the club.)

Looking up at the massive building looming ahead, Takumi felt a surge of energy. He was going to enjoy this day to the fullest.

***

“Thanks for today. And thanks for lunch.”

As the five o’clock bell chimed in the background, Takumi bowed to the other three.

“It was for your promotion. It’s the least we could do.”

“Yeah. But when we get promoted, you’re the one buying!”

“Gahahahaha! I like the sound of that!”

“Of course. I’ll survive on bean sprouts every night if I have to, just to save up for it.”

“Hey, don’t try to go cannibal on us… ow, ow! Okay, I’m sorry!”

When Takumi silently pinched Seiji’s side, he immediately waved the white flag, his eyes slightly watering.

(Did I put a bit too much strength into that?) Takumi reflected inwardly.

“Man, we see this sight way too often.”

“Umu. Seiji’s learning capacity is lower than a guinea pig’s. Gahahahaha!”

“Hey, Daisuke, you bastard.”

Seiji glared at Daisuke, though he wasn’t actually angry.

“Come on, guys. Don’t get all heated just because I’m heading out—”

“““Just leave already.”””

“I’m supposed to be the guest of honor here?!”

When Takumi feigned outrage, the three of them roared with laughter. Usually, Seiji was the one getting teased, but in this group, the target changed by the second. ‘Yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend’ was a concept that moved too slowly for them.

However, they couldn’t stand around talking forever. Feeling a hint of reluctance, Takumi spoke up.

“Thanks again! Sorry for cutting out early. See you guys later!”

“Yeah, see ya!”

“Later~”

“Don’t come back to the park anymore! Gahahahaha!”

“I know!”

(Daisuke really seems to have taken a liking to that ‘don’t come to the park’ joke.)

Supplying a smile at his friend—who had a samurai-like way of speaking but a surprisingly common sense of humor—Takumi headed toward the station.

Yesterday, Kana had sent him a LINE message: “Are you free tomorrow night?”

When he replied that he was, she had sent back: “Then I’ll come to your place at 6:30 PM! Don’t prepare dinner!” She had dodged any questions about the details.

There was still some time before the promised hour. He decided to pick up some daily necessities and got off the train three stops before his own. The station was connected to a large shopping mall.

While wandering through the kitchenware section, he caught a glimpse of deep blue hair that reminded him of the sea. It was a familiar color. Takumi found himself doing a double-take.

Sensing his gaze, the girl looked up. Her usual cool expression crumbled into one of surprise.

“Kisaragi-kun?”

“Good evening. What a coincidence… Aizawa-senpai.”

There she stood—Aizawa Reiko, the only third-year manager for the third string.