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Three Heavens Beauty

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There’s a girl at our school who’s called the “Three Heavens Beauty.”

“Three Heavens” is a term that combines “Genius, Natural, and Angel,” a word created by someone at our school.

The genius part goes without saying, indicating her genius intellect, evidenced by consistently topping national mock exams since her first year of high school.

Yet, she attends “Private Morino Hill High School,” an ordinary school with average standards, chosen seemingly solely because it’s close to home.

That, too, seems somewhat genius-like.

The natural part, of course, derives from her carefree personality.

Despite being a genius, she’s straightforward, marches to her own beat, utterly unpretentious, yet somehow naturally aloof.

I’ve seen the “ditsy but natural” type before, but a natural genius? That’s a first.

The angel part, naturally, comes from her appearance.

Partly due to being half, with fair skin, white hair, and cuticles reminiscent of an angel’s halo. She embodies the kindness attributed to angels, with her cute and beautiful appearance akin to a reincarnated angel.

She and I have been quietly together since elementary school, though we’ve been in the same class a few times, we’ve had very little interaction.

The reason is simple; I’m your typical introvert who struggles with girls.

This is the story of June 12th.

◇Wednesday, June 12, 2024

It was just an ordinary weekday.

And within that weekday, Wednesday was considered an unpopular day.

However, what was ordinary to others was somewhat important to me.

Yes, today is my birthday.

“Happy birthday!”

“Congratulations!”

“Happy birthday to you!”

Such words were exchanged.

However, they weren’t directed at me but at Marin Shinozaki, the popular girl in class.

“Thank you, everyone!” she said with a smile.

“This is from everyone in the class!”

“…Huh?”

“You know, Marin does a lot for us. Like being the class representative… Even though she’s busy with student council stuff, she willingly takes on tasks no one else wants to do… So, this is a thank-you for that!”

“Everyone…” she said, her eyes welling up with tears.

Come to think of it, I was asked for money the other day.

Well, she does always handle class matters, but I doubt anyone would have imagined they were collecting money for birthday presents from the birthday person.

“It’s your birthday too, you know. Shouldn’t you get some recognition?”

My friend, Kiyohito Oosako , said with a half-smile.

“…No need to mention it.”

“Should I do it for you then?”

“Absolutely not. Seriously.”

“Just kidding, haha.”

…

He’s been my friend since kindergarten, one of those so-called childhood friends.

Unlike me, he’s active, cheerful, always laughing, like the sun.

I owe him a lot. Without him, I probably wouldn’t be here now.

“Here, take this.” He handed me a slightly expensive chocolate you can find at convenience stores.

“Uh, thanks… Wait, isn’t this already my birthday present?”

“Nah, I didn’t give you anything, haha. What are you talking about?”

“But…”

“Are you still half asleep? Haha. Anyway, so Aoi’s officially an adult now, huh?”

“Yeah…”

“How does it feel to be an adult?! Do you feel like you’ve become a grown-up?!”

“Nothing’s really changed. It’s like I just got a title without actually achieving anything.”

“I see. Well, it’s not like you achieved it yourself, it just happened automatically, right? So it’s natural not to feel any different. So, when are you going to go there?”

“…I’m thinking of going tomorrow.”

“I see.”

“Yeah.”

Now I’m 18 too…

Being called an adult doesn’t really resonate with me. Even though I haven’t changed much on the inside, I keep looking more and more like an adult on the outside.

But regardless of how I feel on the inside, being an adult means I can finally sever ties with that household on paper.

Lost in thought, I stared out the window.

◇Same day at 10 PM

“Thank you very much!” I greeted the manager and left my part-time job.

Then, as usual, I walked alone along the dark night road.

I probably only have a few more months left passing through here.

Lost in thought, I noticed someone standing in front of my house.

“…Shiozaki-san?”

“Ah, Yamaguchi-kun, I was waiting for you!” Shiozaki greeted me cheerfully, waving her hand.

“…Waiting for me?”

“Yeah! Happy birthday!” She handed me a paper bag.

“Huh?… Oh, thank you,” I said automatically, accepting it.

The bag had the logo of a well-known brand that everyone would recognize.

“Huh? This… Wait, why are you giving me something for my birthday?”

“I remember you know, we’ve been together since elementary school! Plus, I’ve been giving you presents every year, right?” she said with a beaming smile.

Suddenly, it clicked.

“…The book vouchers?”

“Bingo!”

Every year, on my birthday, there would be book vouchers inside my desk. I always thought it was Kiyohito…

“…So that was you. Thank you… I’m sorry, I always thought those were from Kiyohito…”

“It’s okay! I figured if you realized I gave them, you’d feel obligated to give something back! Oh, by the way, I don’t need any return gifts for the ones before or this year! I’ve received plenty already!”

“Plenty? But… I mean, I already got book vouchers.. Besides, I can’t accept something this expensive,” I said, attempting to return the paper bag, but she showed no sign of taking it.

“It’s okay, really! Well then, see you tomorrow!” With a wave, she briskly walked away.

Left behind, I tilted my head slightly as I entered the house. Why would she give me a present?

As usual, the lights in the house were off, enveloping it in silence.

Stealthily, I made my way inside, trying not to make any noise.

There are four of us living in this house—my father, mother, and two sisters, plus me. Well, more accurately, it feels like a family of four and one outsider.

There’s never been a place for me in this house.

I headed straight for the attic, as usual.

A room with a ceiling so low I couldn’t stand up in it—that’s my room.

I dove onto the futon and, using my phone’s flashlight, decided to open the present she gave me.

Inside was a white box, and within it… was an incredibly expensive-looking ring.

No way… Why would she suddenly give me something like this? Once again, I tilted my head in confusion.

I’ll definitely return it tomorrow.

With that thought in mind, exhausted from work, I drifted off to sleep.