80: Utaha’s Hesitation

"…"

After Kazusa finished her performance, she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and looked over.

As she wished, Chisato's expression was a mix of shock, amazement, and confusion, frozen in place.

This made Kazusa feel proud. In her mind, a cartoonish version of herself jumped with joy, hands on hips, chest puffed out, and nose held high.

It was as if she had won a playful argument between friends, leaving the other side speechless and admiring her, making her feel happy and proud.

"Who would've thought that the person sleeping next to me all day, sometimes drooling, could be this amazing?"

Chisato muttered quietly to himself, just before his calf was hit by something unknown.

"You can leave now."

Kazusa, successful in her surprise attack, quickly retreated and walked over to the window, turning her back to him.

The bell had rung just as her performance was ending. If she started walking back to the classroom now, she would make it in time for the next class.

"Yeah, you're right," Chisato said, standing up. 

"But what about you, Kazusa?"

"I don't feel like going back yet."

"If you're going to sleep, wouldn't it be more comfortable to do so on your desk than on the piano?"

"…Are you an idiot? Who said I'd be sleeping the whole time? I'm going to practice."

"Alright then, see you later."

Kazusa kept her back to the room, and when she heard the door close, she let out a deep sigh and sat down at the piano again.

When was the last time she played with such emotions? She couldn't really remember, but she knew for sure that she liked this feeling.

Practice… practice, huh? That's what she said, but for some reason, she didn't feel like it anymore.

"Oh, right!"

Chisato suddenly burst back into the room.

Kazusa immediately stood up, catching his movement with her eyes.

"Huh? You said you were going to practice, so why are you lying down again?"

"None of your business! Don't you know it's basic manners to knock before coming in?!"

If she could've managed it, the blushing Kazusa would've been tempted to pick up the piano in front of her and throw it at him.

"Don't worry about the small stuff. By the way, Kazusa, can I borrow your phone?"

"…"

Kazusa took a deep breath to calm herself down.

Without asking why, she handed her phone to him without a word.

"Thanks."

Chisato turned on the screen, and the lock screen appeared.

"Um, what's the passcode?"

"0528."

"Got it."

After a bit of fiddling, a buzzing sound came from Chisato's pocket.

"If you get locked in again and don't want to bother the teachers, just call me directly. Alright, see you."

He handed the phone back, waved, and left the music room again.

"…"

Kazusa looked at the newly added call log on her phone and quietly saved it to her contacts.

…

During the break after the third period, Chisato took a sick leave and left the school. Just as he stepped outside the school gate, he received a message from Hitori, filled with apologies.

Her words were overflowing with self-doubt, as if reflecting the deep insecurities of someone with social anxiety. She didn't just apologize for fainting earlier; she also sent several red envelopes, begging for forgiveness.

Even though Chisato was currently low on cash, he couldn't bring himself to accept the red envelopes from this poor girl. It felt like it would make him less human if he did.

After chatting for about ten minutes, he finally managed to convince Hitori that he wasn't upset about what happened at lunchtime and had no intention of cutting ties with her.

As he walked into the train station, he received another unexpected message, this time from Kazusa.

"If you want to sleep, you can come here anytime, as long as I'm around."

She had taken over an hour to reply to his last message. Chisato wasn't sure what to make of that girl.

"Thanks, I'll take you up on that."

"Don't mention it."

Her reply came quickly.

People who play the piano sure have quick fingers, huh?

As he thought this, a notification from the Pure Love System popped up.

"Love begins with communication—Kazusa has invited you to her secret base at school, a place no one else can enter. Mission accomplished."

"Mission rewards: 1 attribute point for free allocation, 1 random rare item gift box. Both have been stored in your temporary backpack."

Since he had something important to do at the moment, Chisato decided to hold off on his curiosity and check his rewards later at home.

…

Private Toyonozaki Academy.

After the school bell rang, Utaha calmly packed her bag.

She waited in the first-floor courtyard until Eriri, who had come down from upstairs, joined her. Together, they headed to the visual novel club.

It was a rare sight to see the two top beauties of Toyonozaki walking side by side, drawing curious looks from the other students as they passed by.

"Are we really going through with this today? Isn't it a bit sudden?"

Eriri, the golden-haired princess of the school, asked with hesitation.

Utaha glanced at her, then calmly looked ahead.

"Feeling reluctant? If that's the case, Eri-sensei, you can stay behind and take on my share of the work."

Eriri's online alias for her doujin work was Kashiwagi Eri.

"Who said I was staying behind?"

"That's what you implied just now."

"I meant that we haven't confirmed a lot of things yet. Isn't it too heartless and sudden to submit our resignation like this?"

"Yes, yes, I understand. Childhood friends often feel soft-hearted about these things."

"Stop putting words in my mouth! I'm just saying that from a basic human perspective, what we're doing isn't right. We agreed to help with the game, and backing out now would be wrong."

"You don't need to worry about that. I've already thought it through." 

"If the club president needs help, I'll hire a professional script writer to handle the game's story, and I'll cover the costs." 

"I've never intended to irresponsibly leave without paying back the help he's given me."

"You've thought it through that much, huh."

"Even though many things are still uncertain, there are some decisions I want to make as soon as possible."

"…I never realized until now that you're surprisingly cold-hearted."

"Well, since you're so kind, Eri-sensei, just stand by and watch me submit my resignation."

"As if I'd let you have your way."

Eriri sighed as she lowered her head.

Though she felt a bit guilty toward Tomoya , who she'd known since childhood, the truth was that her experiences in two lifetimes had changed her thoughts and perspectives too much. 

Not only had she gained skills like cooking that a typical young girl wouldn't have, but her entire way of thinking had changed significantly.

She had originally planned to continue helping Tomoya for a while longer as a friend. 

But since Utaha mentioned leaving the visual novel club today, Eriri felt it would be better to speak up now as well.

As Utaha said, it's something that needs to be done sooner or later, so it's better to resolve it quickly and cleanly.

"…Huh?"

Lost in thought, Eriri didn't notice and bumped into Utaha's back.

Rubbing her forehead, she looked at Utaha with annoyance.

"What's wrong?"

"…"

Utaha stood still without saying a word.

Eriri followed her gaze toward the school gate.

A man with golden hair and a woman in a familiar kimono were standing there, smiling and waving.

"Why are my parents suddenly here? And they came by car."

Eriri looked puzzled.

"…"

After a brief moment of silence, Utaha turned to face Eriri.

For the first time, Eriri saw a hint of guilt on Utaha's face.

"Eriri…"

"What is it? You're saying my name with that expression—it's creeping me out."

"…Anyway, I'm sorry."

"Huh? What are you apologizing for all of a sudden?"

Before Utaha could answer, Eriri's phone rang.

She picked it up and saw that it was her mom calling.

She looked over at the school gate and responded with a few "uh-huhs" before hanging up.

"So, what was that apology about?"

"It's nothing… What did your mom say?"

"She told me to hurry home. She and Dad have something important to talk to me about."

"…Then you should go."

"You're acting really strange. What about quitting the club?"

"I'll mention it today, and we can discuss the details tomorrow."

"Alright then."

"Wait…"

Eriri had just taken two steps toward the school gate when Utaha called out to her again.

"What now?"

"You… never mind, it's nothing."

"Huh?!"

Eriri looked suspicious and a bit annoyed.

"You're being really weird. Are you hiding something from me?"

Utaha thought for a moment about what Eriri's reaction might be if she confessed what she had discussed with Eriri's mother last night.

"It's nothing."

Utaha decided to keep it to herself, trusting that Eriri could handle this minor issue on her own.

"I'm going to bed early tonight, so don't call me unless it's important. See you at school tomorrow."

"Hmph, you're acting so weird…"

Eriri muttered as she slowly walked toward the school gate.

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