“Kanzaki-san……”
“Miura-san——”
It was almost the end of the lunch break work shift when Xiao Chun Miura finally couldn’t hold back and tried to speak to Kanzaki Sou.
By coincidence, Kanzaki Sou also spoke at the exact same moment.
Miura Xiao Chun, who had been looking down, raised her head to look at Kanzaki Sou’s face, which was slightly taller than hers, and found a hint of surprise in his eyes as well.
“……You first, Kanzaki-san……”
Miura Xiao Chun hurriedly said.
“……Ah, sorry, Miura-san.”
That gentle voice was as soft as always, yet this time it carried a faint trace of apology and helplessness.
But, there was also an unmistakable seriousness in it.
Miura Xiao Chun’s heart gave a little jolt.
A bad premonition filled her mind, and she didn’t dare raise her head.
She felt that if she met Kanzaki Sou’s gaze now, she would be unbearably embarrassed.
——The awkwardness of causing him trouble, yet having no intention to do so, which made her feel guilty.
***
“About what happened this morning……”
Looking at the girl in front of him who was avoiding his gaze, Kanzaki Sou hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke.
“Haruka……I’m sorry. She did something terrible to you, didn’t she?”
Miura Xiao Chun flinched.
“I didn’t expect her to go that far.”
“This was something between you and me, and there was no reason for her to be angry…… I didn’t want this to happen, either.”
“No…… It’s not Kanzaki-san’s fault……”
Miura Xiao Chun replied reflexively.
“Please don’t take what Haruka said to heart, Miura-san.”
Kanzaki Sou continued, his tone softening a little.
“I’ll talk to her and ask her not to act that way again.”
“We’re just friends. I don’t want my friendships to be interfered with too deeply.”
Kanzaki Sou’s sincerity was evident, and his apology on behalf of his childhood friend was even more earnest than it had been on the walk home last Friday.
But this only made Miura Xiao Chun feel more uneasy.
“Really, it’s fine! I’m okay!”
The girl with smooth, long hair waved her hands hastily, her glasses wobbling on her nose.
“Kondo-san…… wasn’t wrong either. I really was a bit careless and acted thoughtlessly, causing a misunderstanding……”
“——How could this be Miura-san’s fault?”
Kanzaki Sou couldn’t help but interrupt.
Even so, his attitude wasn’t forceful.
But the gentler and more forgiving Kanzaki Sou was, the more Miura Xiao Chun felt like a liar taking advantage of his kindness.
“We’re just working together because of our part-time jobs, and talking because of study problems. That’s all there is to it.”
“If it was just because of that accidental fall in the classroom the first time, I don’t think it’s a responsibility you need to bear if it made Haruka so sensitive.”
Kanzaki Sou’s words all sounded logical.
——And so, a deep sense of helplessness seized Miura Xiao Chun.
“……Kanzaki-san, I need to go back and prepare for the afternoon classes.”
“Miura-san——”
Almost as if escaping, Miura Xiao Chun grabbed her bag and dashed out of Kanzaki Sou’s sight.
She pressed her lips together as chaotic, indistinct emotions crashed around in her heart.
——A pain that shook her so deeply she couldn’t calm down.
***
A more serious development arrived mercilessly during the break after the first class in the afternoon.
She was heading to the restroom, but happened to overhear two girls chatting at the corner of the hallway.
“Kondo-san seems to have had a fight with Kanzaki-kun?”
“Really? Weren’t they always close?”
“I don’t know, but this morning I saw Kondo-san walk away from Kanzaki-kun with a pout, and even when he called her, she ignored him.”
“At lunch, they didn’t even look at each other when they left the classroom. That’s never happened before.”
“Eh——Is it because of that librarian? The one from Class (5), Miura……”
“Maybe…… Kondo-san seems pretty bothered by that girl lately……”
The voices faded into the distance, but Miura Xiao Chun, who remained where she was, felt as if she’d been struck by lightning.
Kondo Haruka and Kanzaki Sou…… had a fight?
Because…… of her?
Her heart plummeted.
This was never the result she wanted.
She only wanted to quietly take up some time, not to intensify conflicts.
Kondo Haruka’s hostility had been obvious from the start. If this led to a direct confrontation with Kanzaki Sou, given Kondo Haruka’s personality, she’d only become more wary and targeted toward her, and might even act more aggressively.
And Kanzaki Sou…… What would he think? Would he blame her for being the cause of their argument?
A chill ran up her spine.
She’d thought she was carefully manipulating things from the shadows, but hadn’t realized every move had already stirred up waves.
The way things were going seemed to be sliding toward a dangerous direction she couldn’t control.
After school, Miura Xiao Chun walked toward the Library with a heart even more anxious than at noon.
She didn’t know how to face Kanzaki Sou—should she pretend she didn’t know anything……
Or do something else?
She pushed open the Library door and immediately saw Kanzaki Sou at the counter organizing returned books.
He looked no different from usual, his expression calm and focused.
“Good afternoon, Miura-san.”
It wasn’t until Miura Xiao Chun drew near that Kanzaki Sou responded to her footsteps; he looked up, and his greeting was as gentle as ever.
“G-Good afternoon……”
Miura Xiao Chun cautiously studied his expression, searching for any sign of displeasure or irritation, but found none.
Work proceeded methodically as usual.
Several times, Miura Xiao Chun wanted to speak—perhaps to ask about Kondo Haruka, or at least to probe his feelings—but the words stuck in her throat each time.
From what position could she ask?
She was the one who had caused the argument, the one who had intruded between Kondo Haruka and Kanzaki Sou—for her own purposes, she’d created a rift in their relationship. Did she even have the right to worry about their private matters anymore?
Silence formed an invisible film between them.
Though their work was still coordinated and efficient, Miura Xiao Chun could feel that subtle sense of distance had returned, even more pronounced than before.
As they were about to finish their work, Kanzaki Sou suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
“Miura-san.”
“Yes!”
Miura Xiao Chun replied almost reflexively.
Kanzaki Sou paused his actions and turned to face her.
Miura Xiao Chun couldn’t help but look into his eyes as well.
However, unlike his usual gentle and accepting gaze…… this time, Kanzaki Sou’s eyes actually avoided Miura Xiao Chun’s.
Miura Xiao Chun froze in surprise.
Then her heart started pounding.
“About the Midterm Review.”
Kanzaki Sou began, still avoiding her gaze.
“If you feel it’s inefficient to study alone, or if there are other questions you want to discuss……”
Miura Xiao Chun’s heart tightened.
She had a feeling that what he was about to say wouldn’t be something she wanted to hear—but based on what she knew of Kanzaki Sou, he wasn’t the type to say, ‘I’m afraid I can’t answer your questions as we agreed.’
So Miura Xiao Chun had no idea what Kanzaki Sou would say—and therefore, she couldn’t stop him.
She could only wait for Kanzaki Sou to continue.
“……The Student Council is organizing a Study Group tomorrow night in the Self-Study Classroom on the third floor, with several top students from different grades taking turns to answer questions.”
“The atmosphere should be good, and without teachers present, communication will probably be freer, too.”
“——Would you like to consider attending?”
……Miura Xiao Chun realized what he was trying to say halfway through Kanzaki Sou’s explanation.
This was completely outside her plan.
In fact, if she actually joined the Study Group and let Kanzaki Sou and Kondo Haruka spend the midterm together—
Let alone the sports festival after that, or whether she’d have a chance to stop Kanzaki Sou from entering Kondo Haruka’s personal route……
Based on the way things were going now, it was entirely possible that before the sports festival, Kanzaki Sou would enter Kondo Haruka’s route early because ‘Kondo Haruka’s affection had already exceeded the required limit.’
If that happened, she’d be finished.
“Ah…… I……”
Miura Xiao Chun opened her mouth, unsure how to respond.
——Refuse?
With what reason?
Accept? What about her life?
Seeing her obvious hesitation and confusion, Kanzaki Sou continued, his voice even gentler.
“I think the environment there might be more suited for systematic review. It’d definitely be more helpful than just me alone. Besides……”
He paused, his voice softening.
“You could meet more classmates who are also working hard.”
This last line was like a tiny needle, pricking Miura Xiao Chun’s heart.
Meet more classmates……?
——‘Don’t just cling to me.’
Was that what Kanzaki Sou was trying to say?
Was it for her own sake, or was he using this as a gentle way to put distance between them?
It was hard to say what she felt, and even harder to explain why.
——But a huge sense of unease and grievance surged up in Miura Xiao Chun’s heart all at once.
She’d tried so hard, only to end up pushing him even further away—though thinking about it, that outcome was almost inevitable.
To avoid dying in this virtual world, she’d been forced to try and become part of Kanzaki Sou’s life in a short period of time, to prevent him from becoming someone else’s boyfriend……
Ah, it was impossible from the start.
Warm moisture filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
“I…… I’ll think about it……”
Miura Xiao Chun lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s, struggling to hide the trembling in it.
“Thank you for telling me, Kanzaki-san……”