Love Story in College

Chapter 3

Tada Banri was talking on the phone.

It was Saturday morning. The overly bright platform of the station had few people, and no one else except Banri was sitting on a four-seat bench. Squinting like an old man who looked dirty under the bright sunlight, he went to the last chair to sit down. She put her little nylon bag under her knees. I stood next to Banri, trying to stick my ear to the other side of his phone, near the light.

He turned his mother fast, but in the middle of the first ring coming out of the phone speaker was his father. When Banri heard that voice, he slightly gasped. With a little harshness, he said, "I can't hear you very well, hello hello, it's me, Banri." "Ah, oh", she could hear her father answering in the same rude voice. "Mother?", asked Banri, and his father replied, "In the kitchen. Wait while I go pick her up." Speaking quickly to his father, Banri said, "No, it's okay. I'll stay one day at the club's training camp. That's all."

In front of the bench where Banri was sitting, despite Saturday, three suitable forms of servants approached. Banri panicked and lifted the bag that illegally occupied one of the seats, putting it on his lap.

"Well, until next time I call!"

"Oh," replied his father, and quickly hung up, as if racing to hang up the phone. From such a short conversation, Banri was suddenly exhausted. It was just his father, but even so tense. He didn't understand why he should feel that way. Still, Banri wonders what his father should think after such a call.

Or will his feelings be hurt, regardless of the distance?

Acting indifferently like he was combing his bangs, asik Banri!, he glanced at the armpits of his t-shirt. Finding nothing had changed, he smiled. Safe. He sighed. One night, his father suddenly asked him over the phone, "What's wrong? What the hell are you doing? Nothing has changed?", asked him all sorts of things. The next three minutes were worrying. Clumsyly hanging the phone after that, sweat ran down his arm all the way to his elbow. The mystery of the human body .. While muttering such things to himself, kneeling on the floor, he placed layers of facial tissue on his wet and cold armpits, three at a time. It was a sad scene.

In the end, neither of the three companions sat on the bench, but rather amusedly stood around and spoke not far from Banri. Banri decided to put the bag he was holding on the next chair. But one of the clerks jolted .. seemed to squirm, or perhaps jump when he picked up the bag again. But he didn't sit. He wasn't going to sit down, but it seemed like he was simply diverting his briefcase from his right hand to his left.

Banri finally put the bag back on his lap, and once again opened his phone. The train still hasn't arrived, and he hasn't received a message from anyone. I took a seat next to Banri, and together with Banri looked at the small screen on the phone. Fiddling with the buttons little by little, he wrote a message.

My form is invisible, not by Banri, not by anyone. Not dad, nobody here knows what I'm doing.

Wham, at that moment, the bench suddenly shook violently. Banri's face jerked. It was thought by the three men to sit down at once.

No one in the world has noticed my existence.

* * *

"Dragon-worn"

It had just changed during the day when they arrived at the main gate of the campus.

When she saw Banri's hand waving, her beautiful face lit up, pale white like the moon in broad daylight. There were no lectures on Saturdays, and no students in sight, so it was much quieter than on weekdays.

"Good afternoon, Tada-kun"

"Did the older girl show up?"

"Yet, apparently. Though the expected time will soon come."

Kouko gracefully raised her slender wrist and looked at her delicate watch. Eyelids were hidden by her long, flickering transparent eyelashes with a pearl-like luster, Banri was completely captivated in ten seconds. Really shocked. Again today, Kouko is very beautiful.

Orange one-piece silk dress wrapped in a large cardigan. High heels sandals with lots of beads. Beautiful toenails lined up and painted cream with care. Small tote bag. In her pierced earrings were sparkling diamond earrings. Banri does not know what to do with his hairstyle. His hair was braided and loosely wrapped around his head, lifting his bangs like a headband. One lock of hair came off gently, curled around her neck, and even it looked like a carefully prepared accessory.

Perfect beauty, Kaga Kouko. And Banri likes beautiful people. He can say that with pride.

Of course it was the right thing to come. Smiling bashfully, he shifted his gaze about five million light-years away from Kouko's face.

After being invited by the upperclassmen of ***Girl's College during yesterday's meeting, Banri and Kouko will participate in the 'All-Around Intercollegiate Club' to participate in the new students' welcome outing.

From one day to the next, it was really sudden. You could probably say, in fact, that for Banri it was a confusing development.

Yesterday the upperclassmen had taken them to a cafe, of course a small crowded place, but a nice place, and then they served the cafe-au-lait in a bowl. While drinking, he thought, 'This is a bowl of cafe-au-lait?', But it must be cool! Agreeing to that, even Banri continued the conversation.

Of course after that, what started was a normal conversation about life as a student. Like getting all the language credits in the first year, you really have to get a part-time job, people who can get a boyfriend or girlfriend should be able to on the summer holidays of the first year, it is difficult for every student to find a job this year, and so on.

Regardless of whether they were interested in this matter, his lecture was too long. Finally feeling tired, Banri politely nodded yes to everything. Kouko also looked tired. Before Banri finds out, along with Kouko who has been silenced, they arrive at the place they just answered on demand, "Yessir", "Yes", "Is that so?" or laugh.

"I told him! Telling her, I mean, on the way here I sent her a text saying 'Kaga-san and I are leaving now, going together to the new member training camp.'"

"… And Mitsuo?"

Pulling out her phone, it seemed like no problem to show Kouko the contents of the text message. "You're kidding me !? Where !?", is the whole answer.

Kouko looked at him, then slowly looked at Banri's face. Looking at her as if they were conspiring together, she smiled happily, her lips painted beautifully rose-colored lines.

"Don't worry about that. It's my problem."

"Yes, it is."

Rather than wanting to give advice, but just wanting more communication, Banri looks back into Kouko's eyes.

"I, seeing this saying come to mind. Look, that's the famous one. He's the one chasing two rabbits …"

"Not going to catch, of course."

Now, what mood is that? With a glint in his serious and questioning gaze,

"… Sorry, I made a mistake."

Confused, silently blinking over and over, his brain was not fast enough to catch what was spinning around him.

Banri playfully pulled the sleeves of the Pak Two Dimensions, who was still muttering, unable to see Kouko's face.

"What's wrong with you? Didn't you go back to three dimensions, it's a little late, a little late."

"You're wrong! Even in two dimensions, I was wondering recently, it's something I've been thinking about! Even in two dimensions, I thought I wanted to find an ideal depiction, but of course, what I meant, it was difficult! But in the end, the creations of others were not 100% satisfying, it seemed! Why not just stop? "

"It's okay, it's okay, keep going."

"Is that so? In that case, especially lately, I found myself deeply involved with the female characters of my own creations. Making arrangements, drawing pictures, coloring them, deciding on the words he uses and how he says them, what his favorite food is, from the way we date, becomes increasingly familiar from one episode to another, being my perfect dream, .. hey, is it really okay to say this? Can't I stop? "

Kouko, who had muttered approvingly of the voices and nodded her head while ignoring what was said, slowly stopped shaking her head. After a while, it seemed like the correct answer flashed through his mind, and with a 60W smile, it was,

"A little more, and you will become a One Dimensional Master!"

"What are you saying, Kaga Kouko ..", thought Banri.

A shocked snort came out from a girl from group three standing not far from Banri's group. A little sports bag filled with rough-looking clothes, denims and sneakers, they might go to the same new student training camp as friends,

"Soorryy, this guy, even if he looks like him, can sometimes be very stupid."

Banri tries to point at Kouko as their smiling faces turn towards her. They looked like a group of friends, the three of them smiling as one while nervously rising. Kouko herself said, "Eh, stupid? Who?", looking back at Banri's face, wondered.

"Hello, I'm Tada Banri, and with me Kaga-san and Mr. Two Dimensions. Did you all go to the new student training camp from here?"

Hearing Banri's voice, they saw for the first time the faces of two more men, who joined them with slightly nervous expressions. Of Mr. Kouko One-Dimensional exclaim, the girls looked around at everyone who was smiling, and started their introductions at once.

The car horn rang, three simple beeps. Everyone turned to the street.

"Yes yes! Sorry it's too late, the cars are here so everything's up!"

The upperclassmen got out to them from the first car parked on the side of the road.

Which reminds Banri that he actually failed to get his name — which thing, of course, is already a bit late to talk about now.

The club's upperclassman, together with several other freshmen, got into several rented station carriages.

An upperclassman handed a blank form to Banri, who was confused as to which car to get into.

"Can you all write down their names, addresses, and phone numbers here? And if they live away from home, then address their parents as well. This will be part of our insurance policy. It's our responsibility in case something happens to the training camp. Do it neatly, leaving nothing behind. Everyone finished writing their information. Yeah, because you're Tada-kun, okay? This column, okay? I mean, even though this parking lot is a little noisy, and it's bad to rush? Sorry about that, yeah, hurry up, but read it carefully, just in case something happens, okay? "

Insurances. Parking places. Not fully understanding but unwilling to resist social pressure, the foolish Banri writes down their personal information in a hurry, but honestly. Passing the pen and the register to Kouko, she gracefully wrote down her name and address as well, and passed it on to Mr. Two Dimension.

And then, all the freshmen who had signed the list, the upperclassmen took their own bags and, uh, the,

"Yes, thank you! You and you get to the first car, okay? You're right there. You go there. You and you got in that car at the end of the line. And now, you and you,"

Banri elbows Kouko and grins.

"You're with me in that car, let's hurry up and get in!"

He opened the station wagon doors and they were greeted with a clear voice, saying, "Hi, over there!". While Banri and Kouko returned the greetings, they sat side by side in the middle.

"Okay, all the new students will be by the window!"

The upperclassmen were reorganized, and everyone could sit down. An upperclassman got into the car right next to Banri.

"Today's weather turned out to be good, right?"

With a smile, he sat down as if the place was his. In the front seat, the cool-looking man next to Kouko said, "It's nice to meet you, I'm third year of ****college."

All the new students who have been gathered from all the colleges are seated separately by the window. All of them, with nervous faces did not speak. Banri and Kouko are on the same ship. For some reason the other chairs were occupied by the clear-sounding, smiling, laughing upperclassmen. Somehow it was strangely uncomfortable, definitely uncomfortable, but they could not argue about it. Seating is arranged.

"Drinks and such are prepared if you want!"

"Ah yes…"

this, moved his mouth closer to his ear to cope with the music. The scent of her hair rose to her nose, strangely unnatural and powerful.

"What, what !? Uh, I can't hear you! I can't hear you at all! I mean, stop it, it's embarrassing! Stop that!"

Smiling, he firmly pushed Banri back, putting his weight into it. And then suddenly, he said, "What's wrong with me? Am I getting a little sleepy?", and putting his head on Banri's shoulder. His eyes were raised from close range, lips fused a little frown.

When he could not react, he casually placed his hands on his knees. His palm, slowly but steadily heating up, inched as if to caress him. While drawing a circle, it crept towards his thigh. While doing that, he stared gently into Banri's eyes. He said, "Are you happy? Did I make your heart beat? Did I make you wish?", while he gave her a confident look.

But, it's obviously scary. Her soft chest pushed her elbow, Banri pulled from it as gently as possible. A boy with a girl nearby, whatever the situation, will be happy. That he even thought the way was scary, but more importantly, what if what he did to date was not a trick? That in itself is scary.

But Banri's innermost thoughts become irrelevant as the car line slows down, leaving behind trees and veering off a beautiful paved private road and then entering what looks like an entrance. To the left and right, high concrete walls were built, forming a C-curve in front, attached to the roof all the way to the driveway.

The place they came from was not very large, but when viewed from the walls, it was definitely a pretty good facility, two buildings side by side.

Encouraged by the upperclassmen, they got out of the car. The older girl tries to join hands with Banri, reaching out for him, but Banri pretends not to notice, calling out "Kaga-saan!" and ran, chasing after Kouko, who had walked in front, to escape from him. As soon as Kouko saw Banri's face, she stopped walking and they stood side by side, and whispered,

"Ah, I can talk to someone I barely know. The upperclassman next to me, he kept talking to me the whole time .. It wasn't boring, but I became a bit tired ... How was that for you?"

"Anyone …"

He touched someone in public. No, instead, he was touched in public. But he can't talk about that, not with Kouko.

"… Same here. I'm a little tired too."

Banri also replied calmly. Before he knew it, a crowd of freshmen had formed. Class brothers surrounded them, pushing freshmen towards the crack, following them as they walked into the facility. They had no choice but to walk together in a line.

Marble is used all over the place, even the entrance is polished to a beautiful sheen, here and there decorated with large moth orchids, it really looks more like a hotel, or an art museum. Pulling his bag while going inside, to Kouko, it felt strange to have so much space.

"By the way, are we sure this place is really a campus seminar house? Will they have something this good when their school building falls apart?"

"… I don't think so …"

"Eh?"

After all the freshmen entered, a strange high voice appeared and the entrance closed. Before long, in that dark lobby, the lights were turned on.

In the center was a large piece of artwork, shaped like a snowflake.

On top of the pedestal a gold plate was affixed, inscribed with 'God Form in Our Age'. That god will incarnate a million years from now! — In other words, for the next five hours until they lock their rooms, Banri knows they will be subjected to college.

Already, he wouldn't do such things.

If he was patient enough when they talked about such things, perhaps they wouldn't have gotten this far. From the very beginning, the goal of isolating the training camp, making the participants tired, making them give up, stopping their thought process, seemed like a trap.

And then ... no, no way, they can't just brainwash me when I don't understand what they're teaching, he thought. Still, Banri looked towards the upperclassman next to him. He started drinking delicious beers, eating their dishes and talking to the other upperclassmen.

In fact, surrounded by guys and girls who look amazingly handsome and healthy, the danger has not really sunk.

If he didn't want to be like them, if he even wanted to live in ordinary reality, he would have to escape from here. Is correct. Banri spewed the beer he held in his mouth onto the wet towel provided on his desk.

But, he was worried about the list he signed, where they hurriedly wrote down his personal information. Kouko, herself and the others as well, they might be too stupid to be honest when they write down their address and contact information. Isn't that what all persistent scolding means?

He really, really couldn't give Mom and Dad home anything to worry about.

The list had been placed in the wool of his own upperclassmen. And then along with the student's luggage, now, it was locked in a room.

What am I supposed to do?

"… This is no fun! We can't do something like this!"

Suddenly, crash! Hearing a sudden, high, resounding voice, Banri raised his face. Mr. Two Dimensions had thrown his glass to the floor.

"What is this about 10,000 years in the future! Thank you to the crystal master! How messed up are you, believing in such a three-dimensional thing !? You've been deceiving us from the beginning, calling this all around the club '! I mean, isn't this a prison !? Isn't that a crime !? Do you even think there are people who can be quiet about people doing such a thing !? "

Strictly stated by Bpk. Two Dimensions, the other freshmen also stood up.

"Let's go to the car now! I don't want to live in this place anymore!"

"I will sue them!"

Not yet knowing what he should do, Banri remained standing. At that moment, in the shattered pieces of glass on the floor, just for a moment, how many reflections of her had broken out there to look at?

Not yet knowing what he should do, Banri remained standing. At that moment, in the shattered pieces of glass on the floor, just for a moment, how many reflections of her had broken out there to look at?

Aspects of him can be seen in everything.

Obsolete face. Fear face. Angry face. A face trying hard. Face ready to cry. So many variations of his face. Then suddenly a gaze that seemed to ask, "What are you going to do, Tada Banri?" At a time like this, Tada Banri, what should men do?

Tada Banri —'s

"Everyone, such an explosion is not necessary. Calm down for now."

— realized he had to do something.

The upperclassmen, sitting in succession, showed no surprise. They all saw Mr.'s smile. Two Dimensions, Banri's rising voice and the state of the other freshmen. Everything is set, even in this situation. 'This 'Mountains facility' was their seat of power, and what about the talk of their plans to make offerings, Banri was rather afraid. But he cannot do more than that, because nothing is decided. He had no other choice for now.

On his own, he would do something unexpected.

"Whoever wants to go home, it's okay if they do."

While he was talking, his body trembled. Hiding him, he continued, "But I don't want to go back."

"What are you saying, Tada Banri !?"

The Two-Dimensioner looked at Banri's face as if in shock. Kouko did too. Eyes wide open, standing up. At the same time the table shook, flipping the glass. Waving their gaze, Banri suddenly raised his voice.

"I mean, frankly, that where until everything was so tense, now you're talking about it boring! Just what can't you get out? You're talking about crime, but, even though you're a minor recently, you're drinking! Drinking underage at the Tea Ceremony is a crime, but you are not talking about it! It looks the same as me. If you can let things like that slide, then maybe you can have fun here! It's easy to ignore that, say it's not a crime, but isn't it really selfish? You're a troublesome man, even entering here you're really irritated! "

The Two-Dimensioner tried to interrupt, but he was prevented by a loud noise.

"By the way, I want to have fun here! Talking about boring things is exhausting, annoying! Gentlemen, these people are obviously troublesome! Since they wanted to go home, couldn't they just leave? Get rid of this annoying one, and then let's go to the drinking party! I came here to have fun! "

He took revenge for the public attack on him.

Grabbing the hand of the older girl, she shook back and forth like a child. But, his opponent who mastered the same technique, he looked back at Banri, his eyes alert.

"… Do you really want to stay here? Even if everyone comes back? Is that, eh? But, why are you?"

"I was quite impressed with the lecture I heard."

The last words quivered, but it might make him seem more honest.

"In perfect seriousness, I want to hear what the upperclassman is saying here. What I mean, really,"

He ordered his knees to stop trembling.

"Actually, I was seriously injured in high school, and all my memories were destroyed. I have amnesia, so to speak. I have suffered a lot from it. When I woke up, I suddenly knew there was no one else in the world. … Not a parent, or friend, or acquaintance or other person. It was really lonely. But now ... With this talk about this new world coming up, it finally seems like I can be saved. a lie, this, is not something you make up. If here and now, there's a police investigation, or hospitalization, I won't receive an explanation or there will be a meeting. Actually why "

Through her hair, the older girl could see the ugly scar still on her scalp. Signs of the surgery spread to the neck of his T-shirt, flowing into his shoulder. He wondered if he should lower his blue jeans to show a long scar dangling down his thigh to his knee.

"… That's enough. Forgive us for being suspicious, new boys. … It hurts, not …!"

It's very persuasive. What the hell is going on here?

Seeing the point of tears, the older girl looked at Banri sympathetically. He believed what he said.

"But you're fine now! You're amused, aren't you? Ever since you were happy, the time of your salvation has come, now! Right, people! From here it's obvious, don't 't think you! The new children had to be awakened, and the Crystal Lord would give them a test, to see if they could not be awakened! Going far beyond that, isn't that a beautiful thing? This time, those who were only half-hearted children would be able to go home. Only real children should have any time close to me, as far as I know! "

They exchanged glances, the upperclassman was — or you might say, people believe, that seems like the right word.

They spoke quickly, now it was decided. Baggage that had been stored was immediately taken out, and all the new students and some believers left the dining room. Banri sees that the luggage room key is in the hands of one person.

Opened with a key, the freshmen entered to pick up their luggage. A man stuck to Banri's side, with his mouth closed, trying to look very scary, watching him.

But Mr. Two Dimensions are different.

"Let's go back! Banri Tada! Back with all of us! A place like this is always problematic! You can spend some time listening to their lectures later, but for now let's go back!"

Thanking him, Banri outwardly ignored him. He called the guy with the key.

"Mrs, isn't drunk driving dangerous? If there was an accident, it would definitely be a problem. It seems to me that it's better if the person driving doesn't drink."

"That's true too. Does anyone have a SIM?"

The freshmen leave and Banri and Kouko leave, a strange party atmosphere returning to the dining room. Almost an hour has passed.

Everyone believes it's good and drunk, the chance to talk to Kouko finally arrives.

He pointed to Kouko's luggage, which was still in the corner of the dining room. Since it needed to be put in the luggage room, it should be easy to get the man to hand over the keys.

"Kaga-san, let's bring your luggage."

Grabbing the handle of all the items, winking her back as she called out to him, Kouko immediately stood up. Banri had a hunch that if the older girl looked towards them, it would be very striking. Unwittingly, she leaves the dining room with Kouko.

While walking briskly down the corridor, Kouko began to call out to him, but Banri raised a finger in front of his mouth as a sign to keep him quiet. Still silent, she holds Kouko's arm, looks around to make sure no one is nearby, and takes her to the men's bathroom. Kouko now depends on her intentions, whatever they are. They quietly inserted themselves into the stall and locked it. To date, he has acted like a confirmed persecutor, but,

"… Aaa …!"

The first thing that escapes is a groan that neither breathes nor sighs. In the narrow space, Banri's body was twisted like a music conductor, his right hand raised upwards and scratching his forehead violently. "What are you doing, what are you doing, why, why, why, what is it with youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!"

"Kaga-san, what are you doing !? Why don't you go back with the others !?"

Really, realize! She wanted to slap her cheek, grab her neck in her pretty one-piece dress and shake it back and forth. Failing that, he could punch a wall, or perhaps hit his forehead. Since he could not do both, Banri's upper body was twisted like a grilled squid.

"Do you really want to join them !?"

He pointed his finger at Kouko's pretty face.

"That's my word."

A gentle punch, and the fingertips were shot down.

Carefully lifting the tip of her skirt so as not to touch the end of the toilet, so close together in that narrow stall, their knees overlapping, Kouko stared intently at Banri. His black pupils looked like a crescent moon.

"Tada-kun, all the things you said about the rescue and such, is that true?"

"I don't have an idea…!"

He did not say anything more, at the end of his intelligence, writing in pain while he smiled at her. Despite his success of sending everyone back, how, why, and more importantly for what reason, did he come back?

"Oh .. Whatever, that's good .. Tada-kun, I wonder if you really are a believer."

"But I think it's time for you to come back!"

"But that sounds sincere."

"That's for you .. something, a very real feeling .. I mean, Kaga-san, why are you really back? All that effort is for everyone to go home!"

"I don't think they'll let people back just because they said they wanted to come back! I pretended to believe, thinking that if everyone made enough voices begging to come back, they would let them go! In addition, there are all sorts of things written in that list .. address, contact information and so on. I think maybe left behind, somehow I might or other things that clean up. I can't imagine how much trouble we would have had if the information was obtained outside."

Staring at Banri's face, somewhat startled, Kouko at that moment placed her fingertips under her rose-colored lips.

"… certainly. I've written down my parents' address in full."

"I saw the upperclassman girl put it in her bag. There's no time to make copies, now if we can get it out of there."

With a jingle, the luggage room key could be seen in Kouko's hand.

"Thank you to Kaga-san who has returned so miraculously, we go to Plan B. Looks like we can move it."

Kouko's eyes glistened like stars. In reality, it was just light reflected from the restroom.

"Tada-kun .., ... good work."

His eyes shone, Kouko praised Banri with just his fingertips.

"How about we do this together?"

"Of course."

"Let's go back in peace."

"Of course!"

While nodding at each other, they took him all in and left the restroom.

They walked down the corridor and opened the door to the luggage room with a key. They both went in. Turning on the lights, they searched through the senior bags, which had been lined up along the wall. Is it cream, .. no, is it chocolate? So, he was looking for something like the bag of a girl on the hill in front of them, when suddenly on the flustered side of Banri, he was looking for something,

"The Head is Coach. The Signature, last year's model, the keychain has marguerite …"

How should he say it? To his enemies, he is not the type you want to retaliate against.

Kouko immediately opened all of her luggage, took out her purse, cell phone, and key bag, and stuffed it all into her cardigan pocket.

"Tada-kun, any valuables?"

"Ne, don't ever take it!"

The pounding on the door continued. An ominous creaking sound came from around the door knob. They could hear the sound of a large number of people running in the corridor. Banri's valuables are his cell phone, wallet, and house keys. The one she put in her jean pocket, tied with a leather strap that Yana-ssan chose for her in Kouenji.

"Can we leave the rest of the baggage?"

"Yes!"

They nodded at each other. From the other side of the door, key — main key, perhaps, the sound inserted can be heard at the same time. Door opens. Angry voices echoed.

He hurriedly grabbed Kouko's hand and rushed towards the window. This room is on the first floor, but,

"…"

He quickly ran to the window to inspect it, not too tall, but every cell in his body trembled in fear. His body did not remember the terror he had once felt. But if they stay here, things will get even scarier. Not just for himself, but for Kouko as well. Suppressing their fears with reason, closing their eyes, they leave themselves with the pull of gravity. Still holding onto Kouko's hand, they clumsily fell together. As soon as they got back up, they realized how bad the sandals they were wearing were, but they could do nothing about it.

While hearing a loud shout, "They fled through the window!" from the crowd behind them, Banri and Kouko ran out into the darkness of the forest night.

* * *

Perhaps they were a bit too careless at the time of their escape.

"Why ... I can't get a signal …?"

"I can't get it either …"

After two hours have passed, both Banri and Kouko become aware that they have a new problem.

Their reward for escaping a suspicious new religion, quite simply, will be stranded — the path they are currently on, it may actually be a road, or it may be just a game trail, or it may be a game trail, even that far they don't know. Without maps, flashlights or even shoes, just having determination, they relied on what little light came between the trees to continue.

Naturally, it was dark, at night with all kinds of trees growing bushy over the mountain path, and beneath it the tree was extremely wet. Sliding in the slippery mud, many times protruding rocks blocked them. Fearing pursuit, they moved away from the brightly lit road, Banri chose to follow the path without a trace in the forest.

Behind the trees shining a line of lights, it must be a street lamp. The lights were a simple guide to going down the slope, but at the moment he was not sure if that was the thing to do or not. Since they were pointing up into the mountains, he thought it would be better to go down, and do so. The line of street lights seemed far away, and the climb was difficult.

Before long, they arrived at a slope that they could not pass by in their dreadful sandals, so for now they started walking along the flat edge of the cliff, which was a flattened one, but in the end, they reached the end of their endurance. .

Sit wherever they can on a fallen tree,

"I thought we were going down in a good way …"

"definitely. Why haven't we reached the bottom …"

Phew ..., hah .., together they let out a long sigh.

Seeing that as usual the screen showed no signs of signal, Banri put his phone in his pocket.

It's past 10 p.m. It was too late for the local hunters to pass, and still too early to rest.

He thought about what he would do if only a cell phone could be used. He thinks that if he can contact Mr. Two Dimensions, or his house, or maybe the police, he could tell them what was going on. But, they are out of range. 'Build a bigger antenna!', but in a place like this he could do nothing but curse the phone company.

All their strength vanished, as silent as if they had fallen to the ground. The next fall and fall, our anxiety, fear, despair. Banri raised his face.

Still, it's 10. It is too early to give up and fall into depression. Featuring an unreasonable cheerful face, she took off the open-necked UNIQLO shirt and placed it on the shoulder of Kouko, who was only wearing a cardigan over a thin dress. Although it was covered in mud,

"Wear this?"

He took off his socks and handed them over. It would be better if he paid attention a little faster. His feet are completely naked. However, without putting it on, or returning it, he looked at her, in the same pose as when he received it.

Her disheveled hair stuck to her cheeks, she did not bother to cover everything with a smile, she said,

"Tada-kun"

Somewhat absentmindedly, Kouko turned her empty face towards Banri.

"What a thing, it's okay! We'll arrange it soon. Take a break and then try again!"

"I'm sorry."

"'I'm sorry'…"

He has apologized.

And when the time, Kouko's bangs, which rose, suddenly with a falling sound, covered half of her face.

"… Moonlight teacher …"

The laughter has returned.

Kouko was silent for a moment, joltingly combing her drooping bangs. Accustomed to doing it with her mirrorless hands, from her shabby hair she quickly took out a pin and clamped it in her mouth, then using both hands as a comb, she skillfully fixed her hair, she skillfully fixed it, and finished it with the pin he made. The disheveled hair was repaired for a while, and she returned to being like Kaga Kouko again, slightly. Later,

"It's my fault that everything has become this way."

Turning his face away from himself again, he looked straight at Banri once more. Fixed neatly, indeed with a serious wrinkle, "Sorry," he repeated once again. Even at this moment, his large eyes were flashing darkly.

"… That's not true. 'That's not Kaga-san's fault, saying such things."

No matter how Banri squirms,

"That's my fault! First of all, I have a flyer from that weird club, and they call me too. You thought I was a very poor person, going alone, so it was just to keep me company."

"… But I don't think it's your fault."

"That's wrong!"

"I think it would be better if Kaga-san could get some friends in that club. Therefore, despite the strange feeling they gave me, I stopped worrying about her, and I instigated Kaga-san with, 'it's okay', 'Let's go'. Therefore, this is my responsibility, of course. "

"That's not right, it's wrong .. You're just wrong!"

Shaking his head, frantically looking elsewhere, Kouko held tightly onto Banri's socks, with an unknown hygiene condition.

"Really, it's not your fault. … I approached you and approached you, thinking of tricking you into giving me information about Mitsuo. From the beginning, which club doesn't matter. Saying 'I haven't been invited to anything "that's true. All the students have ignored me, really. I'm even aware of the gossip. But I didn't notice. Yesterday, saying 'no one called me', forcing myself to look sad, saying so. "

"Is that so? Of course, it's all about Yana-ssan."

"Yes, about Yanao. Mitsuo

Gasping for breath, Kouko directed her eyes down uncomfortably and looked at her own feet. Mud covered the feet and sandals barefoot.

"It was all for Mitsuo's sake."

The voice that followed was like a monologue, echoing in silence,

doubts like, 'Am I a stalker?' …! That, but wait! As far as I know, of course my fate is to marry this girl! 'Kuoukuoooo ———!' "

"Yeah! Muitsuuo ———!"

The two were playing around, laughing out loud in the darkness, extending their hands towards each other. Banri's right hand, Kouko's left. Building on the sudden and strange excitement, they make a lot of noise, their outstretched hands cannot reach each other, no matter what happens …! That's how they play together.

"You're messing with my entrance! Ugyaa! The kaagaasaan! Helloo!"

"Aahaha! Taadaa-kuuun!"

The fingertips of his left hand were trembling in fear, it was approaching Kouko's fingertips, approaching through the dark night air. But of course, because it's all just a joke,

"Actions like that, Baan!"

Bringing the charade to its end, with Banri as "Mituo", Kouko clapped and let it fall. Kyaaa, Kouko's hand draws a large bow as they descend. Flutter flutter flutter, plop, with the sad sound of a rotten tree on its side falling. Kouko laughed for a while, then, then,

"… Uh, isn't that horrible now?"

Suddenly he looked at Banri seriously. It wasn't that bad, because it was all just a joke, he shook it from side to side.

"I'm referring to socks. You should wear it."

He pushed her with a jolt of his chin.

It seems Kouko finally remembered about Banri's socks, which were still sitting on her lap. Bending, she wears it. They could serve to protect his bare, shoe-clad feet from getting dirty, at least. Seeing that, Banri nodded in agreement.

Although Kouko seems outwardly lonely, it is, after all, ninety percent pretense for "Get Yana!" Even hearing this from him, he was not upset. Is it because he expects it from her? Was it because of "no problem", and he suddenly rebelled? Is it because, following the formula "no child is sick", the circuit "good man" - it is turned on? Was it just because with the circumstances that existed at that moment, his emotions were paralyzed? Or maybe this is just another proof of Yanagisawa's theory that "For beautiful people, life is fun" — is she guided by the nose by the beautiful Kouko, and her heart is under her control?

Trying to think, Banri concluded moments later that he did not know.

Although Kouko seems outwardly lonely, it is, after all, ninety percent pretense for "Get Yana!" Even hearing this from him, he was not upset. Is it because he expects it from her? Was it because of "no problem", and he suddenly rebelled? Is it because, following the formula "no child is sick", the circuit "good man" - it is turned on? Was it just because with the circumstances that existed at that moment, his emotions were paralyzed? Or maybe this is just another proof of Yanagisawa's theory that "For beautiful people, life is fun" — is she guided by the nose by the beautiful Kouko, and her heart is under her control?

But Yanagisawa, if she saw the same thing, she would probably think "Now-Kouko" is different.

"Then, I think he's wrong."

He was silent for a moment, as if thinking, then, then,

"By the time I was with Mitsuo, I was already complete. You might be right."

Laughing a little, he looked at Banri, then turned his eyes. Raising her slender legs straight up, she saw Banri's socks covering her toes. Seeing that side appearance made her appear as an unfamiliar girl.

"Without Mitsuo, I am incomplete. Whether getting up in the morning, going to bed at night, eating my food or going to school, dressing well, crying or laughing, it was all for Mitsuo. He's the goal behind everything Yes, otherwise I wouldn't even try. Without him, life would be meaningless. It's always been like that for me. If he doesn't follow behind me, there's nothing I can do. If Mitsuo wasn't there, I don't know what to do. Even now, I want to return safely, because Mitsuo is there. Do I think like a fool? It's okay, because I'm really stupid. "

But the love he once had for himself, which continued, Kouko looked once again into Banri's eyes, straightened his back, and showed his perfect and beautiful smile. This once again, was the face of a girl he did not know.

For a person like this, well, whatever he said he wouldn't want to listen, so, covering up his feelings, Banri gave him an honest answer, he said,

"… If that's the case, everything will be fine even if you make Yana-ssan angry. But what's with the rose, as far as her life is concerned, the finished person is very messed up. Far from being nice to her, wasn't that an attack? Why are you willing to do something to make yourself unwelcome? "

He said that for now. As for his internal ten percent — goal is for him to know that he exists.

It seemed like he heard it perfectly, judging from the stiff expression on his dark lips.

"He .. was no good to Mitsuo."

"How come? In my opinion, the perfect Kaga-san is not so good, usually."

"But! But, you're wrong! I have a reason! I exploded after four months of frustration! It's not like I planned for something like that to happen! It was my intention to take a taxi with roses, congratulate him with a smile and hand over the roses! Just leave the smell of roses ... surprise Mitsuo ... and then around the campus, we'll say 'the rose marks the place we gather together ..', it's an even more perfect scenario! "

"Is that what you thought you were going to meet him?"

"He would say, 'That was a KO blow: You dare to chase me to the same university!' "

"… Seriously?"

"Seriously! Really, that's how it should be! But ... Yeah, the result is like this. … Mitsuo, always tell me about 'doing the escalator'. I know it's all just a lie around the end of the year. Since then I always pretended to be deceived, so it seemed to him that I was also working on the escalator, pretending until taking the same entrance exam. "

"Miland …"

"Wigs and glasses. Suspecting the second entrance exam, I called the examiner. So, that day he kept lying, and I could see him all the time. Maybe today he'll tell me the truth. Tomorrow maybe. "Of course the day after tomorrow ..", I persevered, but until it was done, Mitsuo would not tell the truth. I ignored the lies. Then, on the day of the entrance ceremony, the moron walks in with Tada-kun, looking like he is having fun ... 'What the fuck is this !?' I can't take it anymore. "

How many seconds of silence have passed? Then,

"Now, I regret it."

Kouko looked up at the night sky.

Starlight shone through the gaps in the trees that fell on Kouko from above. He sighed deeply, along with a thin-spoken "ah. The head was hung down, the hair was hung straight down.

"… It seems that way ... From where I sit, it seems like you are disliked, right? Even at the entrance ceremony, it would be best if you just hugged her and gave her a kiss. What you achieve is different .. Even so, ignored is so complete and perfect. "

That's how it actually is, really — Banri looks back to a sad face that is white-minded, thinking calmly.

Really, I think it is, Kaga-san. Better than hurting her like that with roses, almost to the point of making blood, just showing that face — that Kaga Kouko, even once, would be much better, he thought.

A million times, or ten million times, or even a trillion times better, he thought.

Banri had not known until now how one could be impatient with human awkwardness, even like this. Because of how that day had changed, he knew that feeling for the first time.

"The only one who should do such foolish things, in this world, forever, is me."

Perhaps too tired to walk again, Kouko stiffly moved her legs while only slightly smiling.

"But I don't think you're like that. You're not the kind of person who can do that right."

"Yep, it's really just me. … I'm the most to blame in this, I did something stupid. What about you, Tada-kun? How're you? Is there someone you like? Do you have a boyfriend?"

He planted mines under the night sky.

It was a meaningless break more than that, so it was easier than ever that Banri could open his mouth and chat with him.

"Maybe, and probably not. I don't know for myself. It's just that 'My intentions are all shattered, ' because it speaks the truth."

"Because of that, I have to study again for the entrance exam, as if I have to start living from scratch again."

"…Make wrong…"

"I'm sorry, I'm talking nonsense."

"… Yeah. No problem .. It's just,"

Kouko carried her hand to her chest. When he took a deep breath, he saw that his hand was moving along with his chest.

"… How can you say it's fine, I don't know."

"But that. I'm sorry, really, but I'm not worried about that. Really now, because you are healthy. What's your blood type? What omen? Do you like soy sauce or pasta? Memory loss? Miss riloss? It's about what I heard. If you have any questions, let me know. "

From Kouko's murmur, it seemed like she didn't hear anything she said, and didn't know what to say.

"… Err, well ... didn't you just say you wanted to go back …?"

"Yes, I must have."

Since this is his long-awaited opportunity to talk to her, he wants to be able to answer honestly and honestly, Banri thought.

"There's nothing that doesn't make sense to me. I'd say that first. As for myself, I have no choice but to speak from my own feelings. But, for others, I can understand they are saying that they might want the real Tada Banri back. In fact, it's time he tried to come back, I think. But in that case, it gave me the feeling that adding a memory to my current self was OK, even though it replaced a part of my personality, that is, allowing my former self-lost to be forgiven. From the beginning it seemed impossible, and I have even said all along that there was nothing I could do, or even wanted to do. "

"…Is that so?"

His face was serious as he listened to Banri's story, Kouko lowered her head slightly as if thinking.

"… It's really a strange story, isn't it? What kind of guy is he, the side of Tada Banri-kun that disappeared? Maybe he's watching Tada-kun right now wherever he is. "

And, Kouko, who seemed to notice something, suddenly turned around.

"What's? What the hell's going on? Is there a ghost behind Kaga-san?"

"… Something, just now, I saw a small flash of light .. ah, ah, look!"

Kouko pointed towards the dense grove of trees. He stared at the small light, certainly not a street light, swinging back and forth.

"You're right! There's someone there! Come on, let's ask for help! Can you stand up !?"

"Yes!"

Banri holds Kouko's hand, the two of them staggered while they frantically walked out on the muddy road. "Excuse me! Can you help you! We've met!", They raised their panicked voices.

On the other side of the tree, a shadowy figure was holding a flashlight that was about to die. Their voices were still not paying attention, after all in a daze they continued forward, having no choice. Slide while supporting Kouko's hand, pushing through the grass, clearing the branches, rushing but not falling.

A row of people, ..e., all people with their bodies bent slightly, moving their hands and feet uncertainly. They're all. In the middle of the night on the mountain path, while they shone on each other. It was a strange atmosphere, he thought. It's time.

"Ju, juju, one second. Tada-kun, they really are weirdos."

Kouko stopped walking. He looked at Banri.

"What do I mean .. aren't they believers from earlier …!?"

If that's the case, then jumping is a big mistake. A big and fatal mistake. Trying to retreat, confused, they broke branches, making noises. Thus, no matter how much they avoided to raise their voices,

"Is there someone there?"

A long beam of light straight back turned towards them. With a voice that sounded surprised,

"… Banri !?"

They heard someone's startled scream. The light shook the voice.

Tired, Kouko's strength runs out. Supporting him, pulling him so they could escape, Banri eventually fell to his knees as well. Standing up and running to escape in a haste on foot, they vainly resisted the damp, slimy ground. They are already at the limit of their strength. Even if everyone believed, there was nothing else they could do. However,

"It's me! Do you not understand !? Hey, it's me! Remember!"

Shouting as the man directed light at him, he suddenly raised both of his hands high, covering the entire place, shouting, "Hey!" and posing. The pose reminded him of something —

"… Uh !? Maybe, maybe, you …"

Even the disaster of the school admission ceremony had caused landmines for him!

"Barbara !?"

"It's Linda!"