“Is it a consultation?”

Lunchtime. The courtyard of the flower girl. A bench in the shade of a tree. There are no people around, making it comfortable. The perfect time, the perfect place. Now all I can do is hope that the person is also perfect.

“Is it strange for me to ask for advice?”

“No. I’m happy that you trust me. I’m not sure if I can be of help.”

She was as carefree as usual. However, she must be somewhat happy. It might be something only someone like me could perceive.

“You don’t need to feel pressured. I just want you to listen a little…” I thought about casual chit-chat, but considering this poker-faced individual, I reconsidered and decided it would be better to dive straight into the main topic without beating around the bush, so I said.

“Actually, you see, I have someone I like. Um… in that sense.”

Umizuru let out a voice she had never heard before. When I looked, her face was not one that belonged to this world. She must have been surprised. It’s somewhat unexpected, but there’s nothing I can do. I am also surprised.

“Who is it?” Miki’s voice was still trembling. I felt a little annoyed, thinking that there was no need to be that surprised.

“I’m not worried about who it is. I’ll ask you straight up. Do you think I’m the type to confess?”

“That’s not good.”

It was a terrifyingly swift response. I was truly taken aback.

“Huh? Why?”

“Well… Ah, since Tachiki-san has a bit of a prickly attitude, I think it might be better to refrain from confessing suddenly.”

“No, I think the other person understands that about me… or rather, I feel they do.”

“Then, isn’t the issue who the opponent is?”

She hit a sore spot. Umiri seemed to be somewhat angry.

“Is this Takamatsu?”

“H-Huh? What?”

“Could you be Mr. Kaname?”

“It’s fine with anyone, right?”

“It has just become bad.”

What was happening was different from Riki’s expectations. The Umi who was supposed to be within the assumptions had a dry and simple answer and was not someone who would get deeply involved in other people’s circumstances. That was the reason why he chose Umi instead of Shoko, yet he never imagined he would stumble here.

“Well then, another question. Just a hypothetical situation. What would Umiri think if she was suddenly confessed to?” Taki asked, posing a slightly off-target question. It was a course correction. He tried to lead the conversation to elicit the answer he wanted.

“Is it from Riki-san?”

“…No, it’s not that. For example… from Mutsumi or someone.”

After thinking for a moment, Miru answered.

“I’m surprised, but I can’t give an answer that would be to your liking.”

“Why is that?”

“Because there is someone else I like. In that sense.”

I see. I didn’t say it out loud. The lunch break is over. Riki’s life consultation ended up being a miss. Everything went completely off track.

Everything was bankrupt. All the time spent worrying returned to nothing. I can’t focus on the afternoon classes. Yet, my brain keeps working in circles, so I can’t even fall asleep. Ah, I should have just stopped. But even if I did, it wouldn’t change the fact that I eventually have to learn what I need to know.

The real reason I chose Mizuki as my confidant was that I thought it would be a quick solution if things went well. Mizuki has few friends, is unrelated to romantic affairs, but is starving for connections. As a result, there were times when she showed an innocence that was unimaginable from her usually sharp visual appearance.

There, I was drawn in. Unlike a star, I thought it was something I could grasp easily if I reached out. On the continuum of this nameless relationship, I found myself thinking we could connect on a deeper level.

In the end, this plan failed. Miu was firmly seeking love. When I think about it calmly, Riki had underestimated Miu too much and had been too pretentious as her understanding ally. Even so, it was undeniable that Riki had fallen in love with Miu. No, that choice might have been a mistake.

(…I was happy, you know…) I sighed deeply.

“Are you okay? Tateki-chan…”

Before I knew it, it was break time, and a classmate called out to Taki, who was slumped over. They must have looked really unwell. When Taki looked up, it was indeed that girl who had been talking to him a lot lately.

“Ah, yeah. I’m fine. Just lost in thought. Thank you.” When I glanced back, for some reason, Umi’s seat was empty. This is kind of reckless. Should I ask about it while I’m at it?

“Hey, Mr. Triangle,”

“Y-yes”

“Don’t be so surprised,” Tatsuki laughed. “You know, if Mitsuaka finds out that the person they like likes someone else… what would Mitsuaka do?”

It was hardly deceiving. At this rate, it was obvious what rumblings were troubling Riki. Thinking that, Riki was startled when he looked at Hatsuka’s face. She looked just like a drenched puppy. The puppy spoke in a muffled voice.

“I… would be happy if that child is happy. Just being by their side and having memories is enough for me…”

I see. I didn’t speak it out loud. I didn’t really understand, but I felt like I was being told an incredibly heavy story. I was being shown the worst version of why I hadn’t consulted Shoka. In my heart, I resented Shoko.

However, it was a good discovery that Shuka’s response seemed somewhat similar to Tachiki’s feelings for Akari. No matter who Akari dates, there was a certainty that I would be happy if I were lost. But what about Miri? No good. Just imagining her being held by someone other than me and melting her face made me incredibly irritated.

“Wow, Mister Triangle is amazing. It feels like a noble love.” It was almost my true feelings, but I said it jokingly.

“That’s not true at all. I… not at all…”

I thought, “I messed up,” but it was already too late. Hatsuka looks like she’s about to cry. I want to cry right now. I spat poison inside my heart. I should have consulted Shoko after all. If I had, then at least today, there wouldn’t have been anyone wanting to cry.

A trustworthy spirit of challenge.

I was moved to tears.

I’m looking forward to it quite a bit.

Excuse me.

The continuation is…