"She's waiting by the school gate. Let's go."
I glance at the message and call out to Kaba.
"Yeah~."
The walls of the school are stained a deep red as dusk settles. The sound of our footsteps echoes too loudly in the hallway. With each step, the dark corners close in around us. It seems night falls swiftly in this town.
*
At the school gate, everyone except Kaba and me has gathered. The sun has completely dipped below the horizon, and without streetlights, it's hard to tell who's who until you're almost upon them.
"Oh, big brother. You're late!"
"...Who do you think is to blame?"
I drop the bags belonging to everyone on the ground. During our game of tag, we had left our bags in the classroom. I reluctantly brought them out when Summer asked me to.
"..."
"..."
As I lift my gaze, I catch Sunny's eye. Instead of looking away, she holds my gaze, unblinking. A chill, more piercing than before, sweeps through the air, leaving only a faint reminder of the sky overhead.
"...Did you have fun?"
Before I realized it, the words slipped out. They left my lips without my intention, causing a shift in Sunny's expression. For a moment, surprise flickered across her face, but what lingered was a look I had never seen before.
"You're strange, Shuhei. You drag people into your messes and the first thing you say is that?"
"Didn't you have fun?"
"No, not at all! But—"
That unfamiliar expression on Sunny's face was—
"It wasn't bad," she said.
Her smile was bright as a sunflower, playful as a cat—truly a charming and quintessentially Sunny smile.
To be continued.
A week had already passed since I moved to Nijigaoka Town.
At first, there were various misunderstandings and incidents, but now I had seamlessly blended into the class, as if I had been there all along. The disdainful glares I had received initially had faded, making my days much more comfortable, and even classmates beyond Jasper and the others began to strike up conversations with me.
That said, I mostly hung out with just Jasper, Kaba, and Aoyuki. Oh, and even though they were in a different grade, Summer and Sunny were often around during lunch and after school. Our group remained constant simply because Jasper preferred it that way; there wasn't any particular reason beyond that.
There was no particular reason, but doubts lingered.
Sure, spending time with this group was undeniably enjoyable. Jasper probably thought this was the best company, too. But something felt off. It seemed like he was clinging to it a bit too much.
In the classroom, the only sounds were the math teacher copying an applied problem onto the board and the rhythmic scratching of my mechanical pencil as I took notes. Outside, an unseasonable rain fell, and the droplets on the window cast a reflection of my face that looked like it was crying. Disturbed by that image, I turned my gaze back to the board, where the problem was already written. I solved it in my head, skipping the intermediate steps to jot down only the answer.
"What are you thinking about?" Jasper whispered softly.
I glanced at him and fell back into my thoughts. Jasper remained silent, waiting for my words with an unchanged expression.
Clinging to something isn't inherently bad. After all, I, too, am devoted to the enjoyable routine we share. Yet, I couldn't shake the feeling that my attachment and Jasper's were rooted in fundamentally different places.
We were looking at the same things, but while I only skimmed the surface, Jasper delved deeper, probing into the unseen aspects of people. That's why he could choose whom to trust.
But still... Really, it's not some divine wisdom at play. It's just a sharper intuition, a greater discernment. Overthinking this is probably where I go wrong.
"Ethan, want me to guess what you're thinking?"
Under the flickering blue-white fluorescent lights, Jasper's eyes glimmer with an eerie glow. I feel as though he can see straight through me, so I instinctively look away.
"…You seem a bit scary today, Jasper."
"Really? I think I'm just the same as always."
"It's always the ones who say that who are anything but."
"How about we grab lunch at Anywhere today?"
"Don't change the subject so obviously."
"Did you solve that problem?"
He leans closer, pointing to the blackboard while peering over my notes. Clearly, he wants to steer the conversation away from what I just said.
With a sigh, I show him my notes.
"Just the answer? No working shown?"
"I wrote the steps in my head."
"Uh, I don't think that counts as writing."
"For problems like this, there's no need to write it all down."
"Like this? I don't understand it at all."
"Really?"
"Yeah, seriously. I'd appreciate it if you could explain."
"Sure."
Since we're in class, we can't stand up, so we push our desks together and place the notebook in between us.
Jasper's scent fills the air, a familiar and gentle fragrance that tickles my nose, reminiscent of times at Anywhere. I don't have a particular interest in girls' scents, but being reminded of that place catches me off guard.
"Ethan?"
"Oh, sorry. Um, about this problem..."
I wouldn't say it was a misunderstanding, but I decided not to pry too much.
"First, do you know which formula to use?"
"Uh... is it this one? I used something similar earlier."
"No, that's not right. This is a trick question, so you'll need to use this formula instead. Just watch."
As I wrote the working steps using the formula I taught, Jasper's expression shifted to one of understanding.
Good. Unlike Summer, he has a solid grasp of the basics. Teaching her has been a real challenge since she doesn't understand the fundamentals...
"Hey, Ethan, are you actually smart?"
With a satisfied look from solving the problem, Jasper asked.
"Just average. But I can handle these kinds of problems, so feel free to ask if you get stuck."
"Really? Then can I count on you for the midterms?"
"Are you struggling with math?"
"When it comes to applications or tricky questions, my mind just goes blank and I can't think straight."
"I can relate to that. Well, if you study a little at home regularly, it usually turns out okay."
"I really don't want to study outside of school... Besides, I have something I need to focus on right now."
"Something you have to do? Is it more important than your regular studies?"
"Yeah. It's something so important that I can brush off studying. It's something only I can do. I have to be the one to change it."
Jasper's eyes were filled with seriousness. I knew this Iris well; it was the gaze of someone who had made up their mind. It revealed a depth in Jasper that was unlike his usual cheerfulness, stirring my heart like the sea before a storm, accompanied by an overwhelming sense of unease.
"What do you mean by 'change'?" I couldn't help but ask.
But Jasper merely laughed quietly, evading my question, and didn't say any more.
No rain falls forever. A faint light began to break through the thick clouds. Yet the fog that shrouded my heart remained unlifted.
---
"—So, that's what happened," I recounted the events of the day to Summer, who was sprawled on the couch, unchanged from the moment I got home after school.
The sound of the coffee maker filled the living room. After a moment of contemplation, Summer sat up and looked me in the eye.
"I think it's best not to pry too deeply into other people's secrets. Besides, if it's a personal issue, what can you really do about it? Nothing, right?"
"I'm not an idiot. I get that much," I replied.
Summer made a valid point. It might sound harsh, but even friends are, after all, still essentially strangers. Most people prioritize their own interests. Those who claim to care more about others than themselves are generally seen as naïve, and such people are few and far between.
"You're like that, you know," Summer said.
"That's pretty vague... I get what you mean, though."
"But I like it! I love that about you, big brother. You're so kind."
Her words caught me off guard, sending a jolt through me. What on earth am I thinking about when it comes to my sister?
"I'm not kind to just anyone. I choose who to be nice to."
"But you're really kind to me. So please stay my kind big brother forever, okay? I love you, big brother! I really do!"
"...What are you thinking?"
"Huh? I'm not trying to flatter you into cooking dinner or anything like that!"
"You're definitely thinking that! I didn't raise you to be so cunning!"
With a tone like a mother scolding a mischievous child, I watched as Summer let out an exasperated sigh and stood up. She headed to the kitchen, pulling out two mugs from the cupboard.
"You drink coffee, right?"
"Yeah."
Before I knew it, the rich scent of coffee filled the living room. It seemed to have brewed while we were chatting. Summer efficiently poured the fresh coffee into the mugs and stirred in some milk from the fridge.
She set the mugs on the table and opened a bag of chips, glancing my way with a knowing look.
"So, what are we doing for dinner tonight?"
"How about that place again?"
"I have no objections."
A few days ago, while strolling casually with Summer, I discovered a cozy diner tucked away in an alley beyond the shopping district. The prices are friendly to the wallet, and the menu mainly features Japanese dishes, ensuring a well-rounded meal. Every item comes with white rice and miso soup, making it a guaranteed hit for anyone craving traditional food.
"Let's finish our coffee and then head over."
"Sounds good. I'm really hungry, so I'm going for a big meal today."
"The food there is delicious, so it's easy to eat a lot. Plus, the free extra rice is a big draw."
"Free refills would be even better, right?"
"I'd definitely praise that! I'm not cooking at all while I'm in this town."
"With how affordable it is, I could eat out every day."
"But deep down, this sister still craves her brother's cooking occasionally."
"What do you feel like having?"
"Stouffer's style baked rice! It's the best!"
"Dawn, right?"
"Yes! I love you, big brother!"
Once Summer finished her coffee and placed her mug in the sink, she said, "I'll get ready," and headed back to her room. I started preparing for dinner as well, thinking about what to make for Dawn.
*
Nights in the countryside are dark and quiet. There are no neon lights from busy streets, no hum of chatter to fill the air. Even though it was still before 7 PM, and night had just begun, there were no people around. Instead, stray cats prowled in the shadows, glaring at Summer and me as we walked by.
I arrived at the shopping district without crossing paths with anyone. It seemed that the shops were closing for the night, as there wasn't a single light on in sight. The lively bustle of the daytime felt like a distant memory under the night sky, creating an illusion that day and night belonged to two different worlds.
I had never ventured to Jasper Hill at this hour. Despite wanting to go, my feet hesitated, held back by the trees that stood like sentinels guarding the hill, seemingly prohibiting my entry. The moonlight was blocked by the thick foliage, leaving the ground perpetually muddy and treacherous even without rain, making a casual stroll feel risky.
"What are you thinking about?" Summer asked, noticing my sudden silence as we entered the shopping district, her tone bright and cheerful.
"I was just curious about what Jasper Hill looks like at night."