Chapter 15: The Promise of a Date

“…I’m off now.”

“See ya later!”

Another day heading off to school. But today, the usual sense of joy was cut in half—no, more like stripped of all flavor and scent.

“Haaah…”

“You know, sis, it’s really time you forgot about that guy. I’m sure there’s someone better for you right under your nose.”

“No! I’m sure Yuuki has his reasons, y’know? Yeah, definitely!”

“…Sigh. Guess it’s up to me to make sure you don’t fall for some scumbag one day…”

Hey now, I don’t swing that way. Not into being ‘ridden’ by men, thanks.

“Morning, Towa!”

“Eh!? Y-Yuukiiiiii!!”

“Whoa—!”

It had been so long since he talked to me that I couldn’t help but give him a fiery hug.

Well, hugs from elementary school days don’t count. That’s my excuse, anyway, as I cling to him like my life depends on it.

“Yeah, I get it. But can you let go for now?”

“…Mmh.”

“Tch. Damn womanizer.”

Hey, Madoka—where’d you even learn a word like that? Your big sis is not okay with this.

“Morning, Madoka-chan!”

“Good morning, Yuuki-kun. So, what’s it gonna be—chest or gut?”

“Gut! Bring it on!”

“Here I gooo!”

“Guhf! H-Hehehe, nice punch.”

“What the heck are you two doing!?”

I rushed over to check on them. Thankfully, no broken bones or bruises on either side.

“You twouuuu!”

“Sorry, Towa.”

“Sorry, sis.”

“…I’ll let it slide this time. But next time, no mercy.”

““Okaaay~””

“…Geez.”

“…Hey, is your sister always this easy?”

“…She is. And if you try to take advantage of that, I’ll end you.”

“Scary…”

“You two! What are you whispering about over there!?”

““Nothing!””

“You guys sure get along well…”

Don’t make me jealous, seriously.

“Oh! You’re finally hanging out again! I was starting to worry I’d have to do something if Towa-chan got ignored any longer. Glad it didn’t come to that!”

“Yeah, seriously. I was feeling really guilty about the idea of going through with it, so it’s a huge relief in more ways than one.”

“Wait, what were you planning to do!? Tell me!!”

“Also, that aside—I just personally appreciate Yuuki-kun, so I’ll treat you to a drink next time.”

“I’ll get you a convenience store dessert!”

“? Did I do something?”

““You brought the angel back!!!””

“That sounds awesome, but I have no idea what you're talking about!”

“You guys…”

I’m so done I can’t even comment.

“Say what you want, but when your ‘someone special’ shows up, you’ll act the same way.”

“I have more self-restraint than you lot.”

“…Oh no. She’s really planning to stay on the innocent side forever.”

“Towa-san’s got this weird ‘pure boy’ mentality sometimes.”

“Shut up.”

“??? What’s a ‘pure boy’?”

“Hmm… Oh! Is it like… the riverbank?”

“““Please… stay just the way you are…”””

““???””

“Oh! You’re all early today!”

“For real!”

The sixth graders leading the group walk to school had arrived.

“And everyone here is so good-looking… Wait, too good-looking?”

“You’re just noticing that now?”

“Yeah… Anyway, let’s get going!”

“Let’s roll~!”

The usual route to school. It felt almost unreal that just ten days ago, this walk was like a stroll through hell. Now the skies had completely cleared.

“…Nya haha.”

A laugh slipped out before I knew it. Can you blame me?

Hey, you nameless being out there—I’m still allowed to be here, right?

---

“Mm, good morning.”

“““““Good morning!”””””

After responding to the teacher's greeting at the school gate, the students scattered like baby spiders, dashing toward the entrance.

“……”

I glanced up at the rooftop… then looked over at Yuuki.

—It’s okay.

Little by little, I feel like I’m moving forward.

Through the school entrance, I stepped inside. Slipped off my shoes and changed into my indoor slippers.

From there, I headed straight for the classroom. This is where I part ways with Madoka.

She gave me a lingering look as we separated, so I waved to her while making my way up the stairs toward the second floor.

The fifth graders’ classrooms are on the third floor. Back in first grade, I used to admire that “castle in the sky” just a little ways off the ground—reserved only for the upperclassmen.

We're in Class 3. Conveniently, all four of us ended up in the same one.

Can’t deny it reeks of “interference,” but it’s not like it causes us any problems. Even if we complained, nothing would come of it, so we’ve given up trying.

“Towa-chan, good morning!”

“Ah! So you guys made up!”

“Thank goodness!”

“Nya haha, I didn’t even think we were fighting to begin with!”

“So that’s how it looked to everyone else… Man, I really messed up.”

After that, I headed to my seat, dropped off my stuff, and then pulled up a chair in front of Yuuki’s desk and sat down.

Oh! Talking about making up just reminded me!

“Sooo—? You looked like you were having such a good time with another girl while ignoring meee, huh?”

“Ugh! Th-there’s a good reason for that…”

Yuuki flailed his arms awkwardly, scrambling to explain himself.

So cute—no, not cute! Ahem.

“Hmmm~? Then let’s hear it, shall we? This ‘good reason’ of yours?”

Poor guy. Even the little angel version of me in my head was trying to talk me down, like, "C’mon, he probably had his reasons!"

But the devil version of me in my head was like, "As if that excuses ditching his childhood friend to hang out with someone else!"

—Angel: He must’ve had a reason! You should give him a chance to explain!

—Devil: What kind of guy doesn’t prioritize his childhood friend? Seriously?

—Angel: You can’t expect to always be together just because you’ve known each other forever!

“Guh—!?”

Oof. That one hit straight from my inner angel. Didn’t see it coming.

—Devil: Guh!? Fair point… but still, I want to be the one he prioritizes!

—Angel: Now you’re just being clingy. You’re sounding like a needy drama queen!

“Stabbed!!”

Quit it already! These thoughts are stabbing right through me here!

Angel, whose side are you even on!?

—Devil: Waaa… waaah…

—Angel: Crying won’t fix anything!

Alright, fine. Angel—you’re the real devil here!

“Aah~ okay, I’m sorry. So, uh… as an apology, how about…”

Yuuki looked a little hesitant, then spoke.

“Want to hang out this Saturday? Just the two of us?”

—Angel: Wait… what?

—Devil: Did he just say…?

“A… a date?”

“Hm? What did you just say?”

“N-no!? Nothing at all…”

Wait—what!? I did not see this coming.

Why me? Why not Yui?

Why, why, why???

“Uh, if you don’t want to, it’s totally fi—”

“I’ll go.”

“…Really?”

“I’ll go. What time? Where? What are we doing?”

“Uh, my mom said she could get us movie tickets, so… probably a movie?”

“Are we even allowed to go see one just the two of us? I mean, we’re only in fifth grade.”

“My mom said, ‘If it’s Towa-chan, I can trust you.’”

“Ehh…”

…Well, I’ll chalk that up to narrative convenience. Kids, make sure you go with an adult and take a safe route, okay? That’s your big sister’s promise to you.

“WE HEARD EVERYTHING!!!”

“Yui!? Manami!?”

“Hey! Have you already booked the tickets!?”

“No, my mom said to wait until I talked it over with Towa, so… probably not yet.”

“Then! Then! Are you both free on Sunday instead!?”

“Uh… yeah, I think I’m free…”

“Me too…”

“Then can you PLEASE move your plans to Sunday instead!?!?”

What is with this intensity!? Did we step on some kind of landmine!?

After confirming we were both okay with it, they lit up with enthusiasm and declared:

“Operation: Eternal-chan Makeover — begins now!!!”

And just like that, our Saturday plan was hijacked.

…I do not approve.