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At home, my linear algebra textbook lay open in preparation for the final exams.
But none of it was sinking in.
I’d been staring at the same page for nearly thirty minutes.
…Maybe I was a bit too harsh on her…
The thought lingered.
But leading her on with an ambiguous answer would be crueller, and I had no intention of meeting Meika-chan alone like that again.
…I guess it couldn’t be helped…
I had to convince myself.
…But the real problem starts now…
I glanced at my smartphone beside me.
There was no way she would let this go.
Bzzzt, bzzzt, bzzzt…
Not an email or a message—this was a direct call.
The caller, as expected, was Honoka.
I answered.
“Hello?”
“It’s me!”
Rage already burned in her voice.
“Yeah.”
“What the hell is wrong with you!?”
“Nothing’s ‘wrong.’ I spoke to her seriously and sincerely.”
“What are you talking about!? Meika was bawling her eyes out on the phone!”
Honoka shouted as if she were about to snap.
“If there’s a problem with my tone, I’ll apologize later. But I didn’t say anything wrong, and I won’t change the substance of the conversation.”
“Meika really likes you! She worked up all her courage to confess, and yet…!”
“How much do you think you actually understand about Meika-chan’s feelings?”
“I understand! We’re best friends!”
“Is that so? Let me give my opinion: the person Meika-chan likes isn’t the real me—it’s an imagined version she’s projected her ideals onto. Isn’t that common for a high-school girl raised only among other girls?”
“And how can you be so sure about that?”
“Talking to her today made it clear. How can she feel so strongly for someone she barely knows? It’s unnatural, isn’t it?”
Honoka fell silent.
“I’ve only met Meika-chan a few times a year. Even then we exchanged only a few words. Once or twice she’d tag along with Ishida when we’d go out, but that’s it.”
“But what about love at first sight?”
“I don’t believe in that. For one thing, can you really keep longing for someone that much based on appearance alone?”
“But you liked Sis for a long time even though you weren’t close to her, didn’t you?”
“That’s exactly why I know. I admired Toko-senpai since high school and hoped we’d date. But after this recent incident and actually spending time with her, I realized: true love requires a deep, mutual connection.”
…
“Toko-senpai and I were both forced to confront the painful reality of our partners’ infidelity; we supported each other through it. My feelings for her now are completely different.”
“Even if I show that photo to Sis?”
She really would.
But…
“Go ahead. Do whatever you want. I’ve thought about it: what would I do if our positions were reversed?”
…
“I’d be hurt, I’d be angry, but I’d listen to her properly—and in the end I’d believe in Toko-senpai.”
…
“Sis will absolutely believe me.”
“Then go ahead and test that. Don’t think I’ll be scared forever.”
“If you’re going that far, I’ll give you exactly what you want. Even if you don’t end up dating Meika, I’ll make sure you never date Sis again. It’ll be too late for regrets.”
The call cut off there.
I tossed the phone aside and flopped onto my bed.
I was tired—seriously exhausted.
I didn’t want to do anything else today.
An hour after Honoka’s call.
I hesitated over my phone.
…What should I do? Call Toko-senpai myself or wait for her to call?…
I had talked a big game earlier, but my anxiety grew with time.
Honestly, I didn’t think Honoka would actually involve the police over that photo.
Surely she wouldn’t go that far.
Besides, I have the “blackmail email” she sent when she called me to the karaoke shop.
If anyone saw that image with the “Guess who?” text, they’d realize it was just a malicious prank by Honoka.
I was careless, but she was sloppy too.
However, Toko-senpai’s family might actually believe the accusation that I seduced Honoka.
…If that happens, someone as prim and proper as Toko-senpai might…
This is bad. Really bad. I’m panicking…
Maybe I should be the one to call?
Trembling, I dialed Toko-senpai. A call felt better than a message or email.
She picked up after about three rings.
“Yuu-kun? Sorry, but can we talk later? I’m in the middle of an important conversation right now.”
“Oh, okay…”
The call ended almost as soon as I replied.
…Wait—is this a ‘code red’ situation?…
I gripped my phone, shaking.
Another two hours passed.
It was already past 8:00 PM.
…Toko-senpai, why haven’t you contacted me? Don’t tell me she’s so disgusted she won’t even speak to me…
I couldn’t wait any longer.
I had to at least get my side heard.
Otherwise, even if I get dumped, I won’t be able to accept it.
Just then, the phone I was gripping vibrated.
The display showed Toko-senpai’s name.
I answered in a hurry.
“Yes, it’s me!”
The words Toko-senpai spoke from the other end were entirely unexpected.
“Yuu-kun? I’m going to ask something strange, but… have you heard from Honoka?”
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