Chapter 5: Where does the self even exist?

"Hey, Takahiro-kun. Why were you so late?"

That’s right. The problem boils down to just that one point. He showed up way too late. At that point, it’s not even about senpai being the quiet type anymore. Right now, your role is basically "that guy we passed on top of the water tank." That’s not exactly a title you hear often.

"Well, uh… about that…"

For some reason, Takahiro turned red, then quickly averted his gaze. He stared off into the distance and boldly ignored my question.

…Oh? Pleading the fifth, are we? Even after messing up, you’ve got some nerve. Though, knowing this guy, he probably just got distracted by a butterfly or something equally dumb. Whatever. There’s nothing more annoying than someone nagging you about something that’s already done. He understands now that being late is a problem. As long as he fixes it next time, that’s enough.

There’s one more thing I want to confirm. Actually, this one’s more important. I leaned in closer toward Takahiro.

"So, what I really want to ask is this. What did you think of that senpai just now?"

"…Huh? I mean… I was just wondering why she was in a place like that…"

"She already explained that, you know!? Were you even listening!?"

"I feel like she only said something like ‘same here’…"

I paused the post-mortem with Takahiro and crossed my arms, thinking back.

…Hmm… Yeah, I guess he’s not wrong. If you join halfway through, it wouldn’t make sense. He didn’t hear the context. Though, to be fair, it’s his fault for being late. Reflect on that.

"She said she likes this place because the sky feels closer."

"That thing Shione mentioned in class earlier…? Then you already knew her?"

"Nope, I just met her for the first time."

"…What does that even mean…"

Takahiro clutched his head.

…Is it really that hard? Maybe he’s just not into the whole “sky” thing. If that’s the case, senpai might be a bit much for him. Still, accepting what the other person likes without rejecting it is important. I believe you’re the kind of guy who can do that.

"So, back to the question. What did you think of senpai? …She was really beautiful, right?"

"…Yeah… I guess…"

"And her smile was pretty too, right?"

"…Yeah…"

"Did you fall for her?"

"I told you, I already like someone—actually, I’ll just say it now!"

"Ah, we should head back soon! Sorry, I’ll go on ahead!"

I blurted that out quickly, stood up, and dashed toward the ladder, leaving Takahiro behind. Without turning back, I clattered down as fast as I could.

…That was close! What the hell was that guy thinking, trying to confess out of nowhere!? Don’t pull a suicide attack like that. Stick to the original script. Well, in the original, it happens in Shione-chan’s room… which is exactly why there’s no way I’m letting you into mine. Sorry, but that’s final.

Even though I was waiting below, Takahiro didn’t come down for quite a while. Eventually, he climbed down the ladder, looking sulky. Looking up at him, I finally understood why he hadn’t come down sooner.

…Ah, I see. From below, he would’ve gotten a full view up the skirt. Now that I think about it, when I looked down earlier, he seemed to avert his eyes.

…Well, that kind of gentlemanly behavior is definitely a good thing. As expected of the protagonist.

As I nodded to myself with a satisfied smile, Takahiro glared at me with an irritated expression. What, are you still hung up on earlier? Come on, cheer up. Let’s get going.

"…What were you nodding about, Shione?"

"I just realized another one of your good qualities. I’m impressed. Not bad."

"Huh?"

"But you know, things like that—you’ve got to actually tell the other person. Otherwise, depending on who it is, they might not notice. Wouldn’t that be sad? Words are important, you know."

"………Huh? So that means… Shione! Listen to me!"

"Alright, let’s head back to class."

"Wait, whaaaat… I seriously don’t get anything anymore…"

Scratching his head, he still followed behind me in silence. That honesty of his is worth something. I wouldn’t mind cheering you on if it means you’ll end up happy.

And then, lunchtime. In the courtyard, it’s the three of us again—Kaimori-chan, the protagonist, and me—eating together.

…But come to think of it, after you enter her route in the game, Kaimori-chan starts eating lunch with you like this. What did she do before that? Didn’t she have other friends? Is it really okay to just suddenly ignore them?

Still, asking that could accidentally trigger a landmine like “I’ve always eaten alone,” so I’ll hold back.

Listen up, Takahiro—this is what subtle consideration in relationships looks like. Even though I just said earlier that words are important, it doesn’t mean you should say everything that comes to mind. It’s tricky, right? I mess this up all the time too.

While mentally rehearsing how to lecture the protagonist, I kept chewing, stuffing my cheeks with lunch.

…Actually, I made this today. And somehow, it turned out really good. I woke up early, wandered into the kitchen, and just naturally started cooking. Probably muscle memory from before…

But then, a question suddenly surfaced.

I’ve become Shione-chan. That part’s… fine. Well, not fine at all—not even a little—but for now, let’s say it is.

Then what about Shione-chan’s original consciousness?

If I overwrote her… that’s so awful it makes me want to die. But it doesn’t feel like she’s inside me either. Though saying “inside me” sounds weird in the first place.

Still… I don’t feel her presence at all. All that remains are these mechanical habits ingrained in the body.

…What does that even mean?

"Shione-senpai, is something wrong? You froze with your omelet halfway to your mouth. You look really serious. Did you get a shell in it?"

"…Yeah. I was just thinking about where exactly my sense of self exists."

"Is that really something you think about while eating an omelet!?"

For now, I decided to tuck that question away.

Sure, I’m curious about what happened to Shione-chan. Very curious. But…

More importantly, I need to pair the protagonist with someone. This morning was clearly dangerous. Despite my efforts, it feels like the countdown has already started.

So ideally, I want him to confess to another heroine as soon as possible. The top candidate is… probably Kaimori-chan.

I mean, Takamiyagi-senpai is still too early… Honestly, I’m not even sure you can call what happened this morning an “acquaintance.”

And we haven’t even met Kitatsuji-san from the shopping district yet. The main heroine hasn’t transferred in either. Which leaves only one option.

…Alright, Kaimori-chan. You’re up! I’ll back you all the way!

"Kaimori-chan, you’re really cute, you know."

"Huh? Um… well, thank you… But if we’re talking about cute, Shione-senpai is clearly way above me…"

"I agree."

Could you just stay quiet for a second? …Though yeah, that was partly my fault. Shione-chan is basically the “cute archetype” in this game. It probably sounded like I was setting her up just to highlight that. That’s on me. Let’s correct course.

"It’s not just that—Kaimori-chan is also really hardworking."

"We only met yesterday though…"

"Hehe, you can tell that much just from one look."

"Isn’t that ‘that much’ covering way too much!? Shione-senpai, you’re being way too random!"

"I don’t think that’s the case."

"Takahiro-kun, you’re being loud. …Anyway, here! Since Kaimori-chan always works so hard, I’ll give you your favorite side dish."

"…Is that really okay…? Well then, thank you. I’ll take it."

It’s fine. I mean, there’s already someone next to me who helps himself without asking.

But for some reason, Takahiro stared resentfully at Kaimori-chan as she happily stuffed her cheeks with food.

…Hey, what’s gotten into you? That’s definitely not the kind of look you should be giving your future girlfriend.

"…Takahiro-kun? What’s wrong?"

"I thought eating Shione’s bento was my exclusive privilege…"

You—hey! Don’t sulk over something like that…! That mindset is dangerous. That’s how people grow into stalkers. Seriously, that’s not okay. That’s crossing a line.

Besides, Kaimori-chan already had some yesterday too. Ugh—correction, correction! You’ve got the important role of winning over a heroine. You need to grow as a person too.

I set down my chopsticks and turned fully toward Takahiro. Maybe because my expression had turned serious, he flinched slightly and straightened his posture. Kaimori-chan also fell silent, and soon a heavy, funeral-like atmosphere took over the courtyard.

"I like it when people enjoy eating the food I make."

"…I know."

"And if lots of people get to eat it, and everyone’s happy, I like that too."

"…I know."

"So then, Takahiro-kun, do you dislike that?"

"…I don’t… dislike it…"

"Then is it okay? I’m happy when Kaimori-chan eats it."

"…………It’s fine."

There was a bit of hesitation, but Takahiro reluctantly nodded.

For the record, that line about cooking was something Shione-chan said in the game. Still… the fact that he managed to say “it’s fine” is actually pretty admirable. Isn’t that growth? Maybe Takahiro’s the type who only gets going around the third inning, like a pitcher. If that’s the case, maybe there’s still hope.

Just as things seemed to settle down, Kaimori-chan slowly raised her hand.

"Um, Shione-senpai… I’m really grateful that you said you’re happy, but… this atmosphere is making it very hard to eat…"

"Right!? See! It’s Takahiro-kun’s fault! Totally his fault! Kaimori-chan, eat up! I permit it!"

"Wait, how is all of that my fault!?"

"Well… I think more than half of it is actually Shione-senpai’s doing… but at this point, I’ll just go for it!"

With that, Kaimori-chan reached into my lunchbox and started eating with reckless momentum.

…Wait. What did she just say? Me? More than half of this is my fault?

"Mmm—! But it really is delicious!"

Kaimori-chan kept reaching for more food one after another. Wow… hard to believe this is the same girl who said it was hard to eat just thirty seconds ago. Hey, Takahiro, are you watching? That’s your future wife being cute right there.

But as he watched Kaimori-chan happily devouring the food—and the bento steadily disappearing—Takahiro’s expression visibly changed. He looked like a kid watching a neighborhood brat steal persimmons from his yard.

No, seriously… we just talked about this. What are you, the kind of guy who forgets things after three minutes? Want another round of that lecture?

"Kaimori! You—! That’s enough! Stop right there! That’s my bento!"

"No, it’s mine."

"Also, Ryūzōji-senpai never said you could call me by my last name like that—ah! My omelet!"

"No, it’s mine… Are you even listening? Hey—hello? Could you two maybe listen when someone’s talking?"

While the three of us argued noisily and fought over the side dishes, the bento was emptied in no time. And in the end, neither of them listened to a word I said.

…Well. Still, compared to yesterday, these two are definitely getting along better, right? At this rate, a wedding in a month doesn’t even sound impossible.

And then, after school. The three of us gathered again today. Kaimori soldier—full of enthusiasm—raised her hand to speak.

At this point, it’s safe to say the hierarchy in this group has already been established.

"So, today we’re going to the shopping district, right!"

"That was the plan, but… since we met Takamiyagi-senpai, I think we should change our objective!"

Since we’re here, I want to trigger that after-school event that only happens on the day you meet Takamiyagi-senpai. It’s not mandatory, but it only happens today. Gotta collect it while we can.

Kaimori-chan tilted her head in confusion and slowly raised her hand again.

"Um… first of all, who is Takamiyagi-senpai?"

Alright, I’ll explain, so listen carefully. Makes sense—you wouldn’t know.

For some reason, Takahiro also tilted his head and raised his hand. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.

And sure enough, I was right.

"…Who is Takamiyagi-senpai?"

Wait a second. Weren’t you on the rooftop this morning? Or was that someone who just looked exactly like you?

"Takahiro-kun! Did you already forget what happened on the rooftop this morning?"

"The rooftop…? Oh, right… that person… we’re going to meet her? …Oh! Right! There’s something I really need to tell you, Shione! Can we talk alone for a bit after—"

"Anyway! That’s why we’re heading to the hill right now! No questions or objections allowed! Let’s go! Come on, Kaimori-chan! Please don’t leave my side for even a second—protect me!"