Chapter 24: It’s Been Exposed

Sachiko’s school play was over, and next, Daikichi’s school festival day was finally approaching. Around that time, Daikichi learned that this year’s festival was likely to have more participants.

The reason was Sakurazaki.

Despite entering as an honor student for her academic excellence, Sakurazaki was cute, carried an almost innocent air that made you want to protect her, and—on top of that—had large oppai, which made her irresistible to many boys.

Because Sakurazaki was an honor student from an ordinary family, many boys normally hesitated to approach her. Yet there were still plenty who simply couldn’t give up, viewing the festival as their chance.

Boys from upper-class backgrounds, since Sakurazaki came from a normal family, didn’t usually approach her casually; however, in the relaxed atmosphere of the festival, some could secretly strike up a conversation, even hoping to keep her at a mistress-like distance.

Honor students among the boys, normally too busy with their grades and achievements to be invited for a calm conversation, considered that the festival provided a rare opportunity to let their guard down and get a little closer.

That was the general sentiment, and there was one point that concerned both groups.

It was the rumor about “Daichan-senpai.”

There was a persistent rumor among the boys that Sakurazaki might have feelings for Daikichi Sakoda—a second-year student and former noble—which they conveyed with a striking air of certainty…

Daikichi would occasionally go to observe Sakurazaki’s behavior, and recently, the reverse had occurred, with Sakurazaki coming over to check on him, creating an unmistakable atmosphere.

That, it seemed, was the cause.

However—while Daikichi was aware that many boys were interested in Sakurazaki—he had no idea what they thought of him, and having no friends meant there was no one to inform him of such details.

He merely thought vaguely, “Sakurazaki is really popular,” and nonetheless diligently completed one school festival task after another as requested by his teachers.

Occasionally there would be some commotion, but in retrospect it was like small ripples rather than events forcing decisive choices, and Daikichi’s daily life remained fundamentally calm.

That was why.

Daikichi had let his guard down.

Underestimating that even a small action could lead to a major incident, he thought of secretly watching Sakurazaki—who was diligently preparing for the festival—today.

After finishing his assignments for the school early in the afternoon, Daikichi went up to the grade level and, as he did in the beginning, secretly observed Sakurazaki from behind a concealment.

――Sakurazaki, you’ve been full of energy lately, huh?

――She said she successfully exchanged contact info with her beloved senpai and even went on a zoo date recently—no wonder she’s all giddy. Just one step away now.

――Hehe.

――I was pondering how I should speak to her in the event of any unforeseen complications, but… kuuuuu, I underestimated the strength of a lovesick maiden. She has won it splendidly!

――Well, it seems like a sure win… perhaps? Hehe.

――Hey, isn’t that senpai over there? Sakurazaki, go sneak around from that side and give them a little scare.

――Yeah!

Sakurazaki continued with the festival preparations while chatting happily with her friends. As Daikichi smiled at the sight, he was suddenly tapped on the shoulder from behind.

When Daikichi turned around, he found the homeroom teacher of Sakurazaki’s class, smiling wryly.

“Sako‑kun, what’s the matter?”

“Ah, well, I was just… checking on Sakurazaki’s state…”

“I’ve noticed for some time now that Sako‑kun has been quietly observing Hanakumori‑san’s condition… Are you really concerned? No need to ask. Given that you’re handling all sorts of school errands, it’s only natural that you’d come to check on her.”

“…Although it has become less frequent recently, I thought she seemed to be doing well.”

“Hanakumori‑san is also diligently keeping up with her studies. Her grades hardly ever drop; as an honor student, she’s exceptional. However, regarding her manners, based on what I recently learned about your way of speaking to her, there seems to be a slight issue.”

“I don’t mind whatever is said about me…”

“Allowing yourself to be spoken of so disparagingly would sadden your late parents as well. In order to facilitate Hanakumori‑san’s diligent studies—fulfilling your parents’ final wish for their outstanding child to succeed in the world—you are undertaking these school errands. That might stem from a certain sense of duty on your part, Sako‑kun, but I’m sure your parents wouldn’t want you to be overly burdened by it.”

“That might be true. In the end, only my parents themselves knew exactly what they wanted, and now that they’ve passed, I can’t ask them. That’s why I’ve been trying to cut back on how often I watch from the shadows.”

“Cherishing your memories and your past is wonderful, but you’re living in the ‘now.’ So I think it’s best to lock those old memories away in a treasure box in your heart.”

To Daikichi, it sounded more like advice from an adult than from a teacher.

No matter who you are, there eventually comes a time to come to terms with the past, and those words seemed to address the mindset one should have at such a time.

If it had been the old Daikichi, he would have responded with a “but…” and harbored a negative feeling about it. Yet strangely, now he could accept it without resistance.
Sakurazaki’s homeroom teacher, seeing the change in Daikichi’s expression, appeared to realize that his old wounds were healing and smiled kindly.

The mood had naturally brightened, but in the next instant, it darkened. Both of them froze at the sound of footsteps behind them and turned around simultaneously.

There stood Sakurazaki, her face filled with confusion.

“What… does that mean?”

Where had she been listening from?
How much had she heard?
Daikichi found himself at a loss, unable to utter a single word. All he felt was an awkward realization that everything had been exposed.

If this had been the old Daikichi—when he was focused on keeping distance—he almost certainly would have noticed Sakurazaki approaching…

However, Daikichi had recently lowered his guard.

Because he had decided to view his relationship with Sakurazaki in a more positive light, his resistance to being caught in the act had weakened.

Which is why, somewhere deep down, he had started treating the need to keep certain things hidden less seriously.

Frustrated at his own carelessness, Daikichi bit his lower lip and looked down.

“Sakurazaki…”

“Hey, what does that mean? Daichan-senpai, your father and mother passed away? You said they were overseas, right?”

Not a single plausible excuse came to Daikichi’s mind, so he remained silent.
Then Sakurazaki’s homeroom teacher, flustered, stepped in between them.

“Hanakumori-san, there is a deeper story behind all this—”

But before he could finish, the teacher’s words halted. Faced with Sakurazaki, trembling so hard her teeth were chattering ka-chi ka-chi, tears poro-poro streaming down her cheeks, he too seemed at a loss for the right response.

It was a moment that perfectly demonstrated how few people could calmly and perfectly resolve such a situation.

“They said… their final words were something like they hoped for a world where an honor student girl like me could thrive, so… Daichan-senpai was doing something to make studying easier for me? That’s what you were talking about just now… Sensei knew about it too?”

“That is, um…”

“So coming to watch over me was because of that? That as long as the girl’s talented, as long as she’s an honor student, it doesn’t matter who it is—it wasn’t because you liked me… That’s why Sensei was mad the other day—because I was just some clueless idiot, right…?”

Sakurazaki’s face was drenched in tears and sobs.
Though she usually called Daikichi a baby, at this moment, Sakurazaki herself looked more like a baby.

“Liar!!”

With that shout, Sakurazaki ran off.
Daikichi stood there, stunned for several seconds before he could even decide that he should chase her.

“I’m sorry, Sako-kun… I only brought up the topic so casually and gave Hanakumori-san the wrong impression… Are you all right? You look a bit shell-shocked.”

“Ah, n-no, I’m sorry… It was all so sudden, I guess my mind wandered. Also, it wasn’t just because of you, Sensei—she caught us both off guard, and I was at fault for staying quiet. You don’t need to apologize. I’ll go after Sakurazaki!”

Who was at fault for bringing about this turn of events?

Was it Daikichi, who let his guard down?

Was it the teacher, who happened to bring up the topic?

Or was it Sakurazaki, who snuck up from behind, intending to tease Daikichi?

No—no one was to blame.

If Daikichi had had nothing weighing on him, this would simply have been a heartwarming snippet of youth.
Sakurazaki would have shown up with a playful, “Did I surprise you?” Daikichi would have said, “You got me,” and the teacher would have sighed, “Honestly,” and that would have been the end of it.

It wasn’t about any individual; it was about timing, chance, history, circumstance—all of which were simply unfavorable.

From another perspective, Daikichi thought, this might be fate. Maybe it was a sign from God that he should leave behind his memories of Sakurazaki and revert to who he was before.

Should he just give up?

Should he accept that this was destiny, throw everything away, lock his memories in the past, and go back to before he met Sakurazaki?

Daikichi thought, No way.

Before he realized it, he was running after her.

Daikichi first searched the school grounds for any place Sakurazaki might have run off to and hidden. It was only natural to assume she would choose somewhere nearby, and Daikichi felt confident in his knowledge of the school’s layout, certain he’d find her quickly.

But Sakurazaki was nowhere to be found, and there wasn’t even a hint of her presence.

Only after Daikichi finished searching the entire school building did he realize that Sakurazaki might have gone off-campus.

“If I couldn’t find her anywhere in here… she must have gone outside.”

Feeling a mounting sense of urgency, Daikichi hurried out the entrance and expanded his search off-campus.

But at that critical moment, Tsubaki arrived in her usual fashion, bringing a couple of friends in tow, stepping right in front of Daikichi.