His Vow, Her Determination

Almost three days after New Year's, Amane got a message from Itsuki.

Amane had spent New Year's Eve slowly with Mahiru. They had already gone for their first shrine visit of the year, enjoying a quiet, laid-back holiday. During that time, Amane hadn't heard a peep from Itsuki, which was somewhat of a concern. When Itsuki's name suddenly popped up in his notifications, Amane realized how much it worried him.

After carefully reading through the message—Can we meet right now?—Amane wasted no time in replying with a quick and eager confirmation.

Upon letting Mahiru, who had been studying with him in the living room, know that he was heading out, Amane sent another quick message and made his way to the park where they had agreed to meet. The cold winter air bit at his cheeks, but he paid it no mind as he walked down the quiet street. Itsuki had mentioned he was somewhere nearby, so it wouldn't take long for him to arrive. Amane purposely watched his pace, and as it turned out, they reached the park at the same time.

Today, Itsuki was prepared for the cold. Bundled up in a thick coat, scarf, and even earmuffs, his outfit would satisfy even the most sensitive individuals. Amane was relieved that he hadn't caught a cold from the incident on New Year's Eve. Itsuki met Amane with his trademark carefree smile.

"Happy New Year," Amane greeted.

"Happy New Year. Let's make it another good one. Oh, here—your coat and scarf. Thanks for letting me use them. Without these, I would've caught a cold."

At first glance, Itsuki seemed like his usual self. Inside the paper bag he handed over, the coat and scarf were neatly folded, and sitting on top was a box of what looked like some rather expensive sweets—probably as a way of saying thanks. Amane couldn't help but smile at Itsuki's thoughtfulness.

"You didn't have to worry about that, you know. I chose to lend them to you."

"My dad always says, 'If you borrow something, give back with interest,' so here we are. Who does he think is the reason I had to borrow your stuff?

…Anyway, there's no point wasting breath complaining."

Though Itsuki spoke dismissively, there was no real bitterness in his voice. He was much more composed since the last time they had met, which was reassuring for Amane as he hadn't heard from him in a while.

"Oh, and do share those sweets with Shiina-san. Thanks for helping me out on New Year's Eve."

"I didn't really do much myself."

"You're always saying that… Ideally, I'd like to give Shuuto-san some, too, since he helped me out a bunch, but I don't know his address. And asking you to just send it out of the blue feels plain rude, y'know?"

"Dad would just say something like, 'I didn't do anything special, so don't worry about it.'"

"Ha ha, I bet. Like father, like son."

"I mean, I actually didn't do anything that time."

After all, the one who had listened to Itsuki's concerns and eased his mind had been Shuuto.

Since there was no reason for Amane to be thanked, he made a point to deny it. In response, Itsuki hit him with a very familiar, "See, exactly what I mean," a retort he'd been hearing a lot lately. When Amane frowned at that, Itsuki merely laughed.

Itsuki's casual chuckle, free from teasing, disarmed Amane, who found himself staring at his friend. Itsuki looked like a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders and wore a carefree smile. Seeing this, Amane was reassured. Whatever he had been worried about seemed unfounded, and the concern he had quietly kept buried deep in his heart began to melt away.

Amane strolled beside Itsuki, whose calm mood was evident even to him, and the two of them sat down on an empty bench. Given the cold of winter, no one else had thought to come to the park. Usually, there would have been many children playing, but today, it was eerily quiet—only the distant hum of an airplane and the soft rustle of wind through the trees broke the still air.

"Any trouble happen?"

Amane hesitated. He was unsure if it was the right question, but he felt that Itsuki had been waiting for him to bring it up. So, after about ten minutes of silence between them, Amane broke it by asking that exact question, trying to keep his tone casual.

Itsuki shrugged casually and smiled, "Well, I guess you could say the trouble started the moment I stormed out of the house."

"Yeah, that makes sense… So, did anything change?"

"Well…yes and no. My brother and dad are still in a cold war, and I'm kind of left to my own devices. Mom's as hands-off as ever, pretty much taking the 'argue to your heart's content' stance. So, yeah. My family's really individualistic, to say the least."

Though a faint, bitter tone returned to his voice as he reflected on his family, it lacked the cold despair that had gripped him on New Year's Eve.

"You know, so…" "Hm?"

"It's been on my mind ever since then. Shuuto-san said that if I want my dad to listen, I've got to make an effort to get him to sit down and hear me out, right?"

"Yeah, he did."

"I mean, of course no one's going to sit down for a serious talk if you don't set the stage for it. I was sulking then, but…the one who first refused to have a proper conversation was me."

Itsuki leaned back against the bench. His voice wavered with nostalgia and regret as he murmured those words. Tilting his head toward the sky, he closed his eyes.

"You know how I've always rebelled against my old man?" "Yeah."

"I fell out with my dad because he couldn't accept how I'd changed.

Then, with Chi in the picture, my dad stopped trusting me altogether, which made me rebel even harder. Ever since, it's just been a vicious cycle… Honestly, it's no wonder he got so involved. Until I met Chi, I was quiet, serious, and obedient—a model student. I was never a cheeky kid with a cheeky grin making careless decisions. From my dad's perspective, I got a girlfriend and suddenly turned into this shallow, irresponsible, and frivolous dude."

"You're really calling yourself frivolous?" Amane latched onto his wording.

"Shaddup, we both know it's true."

Amane teased him on purpose, to which Itsuki responded just like he always did. The familiarity in their exchange eased Amane's worries.

"When your quiet, serious kid does a complete one hundred and eighty in personality, gets in trouble over a girl, ends up with a decent injury, and then the school calls you in…yeah, as a parent, of course you'd feel ashamed. It should be no surprise that my dad has his qualms about who his son is seeing. I can see why he thinks I got caught up with the wrong girl. He doesn't know that I was the one who suggested Chi and I change together."

Itsuki dropped his raised hand, covering his eyes with his arm. To block his gaze or concentrate on his thoughts.

"My dad's in the wrong for being so stubborn in his perception of me, but if you really trace things back, it's all my fault. With everything that had happened with my brother, my timing couldn't have been worse. If I had at least kept up my reputation at school, I think he would've at least been more willing to hear me out."

As Itsuki spoke in bits and pieces, Amane felt fragments of regret in his voice. It was apparent he understood there was no undoing what had already happened. His voice, however, carried a certain strength. He was determined to look ahead rather than dwell on the past.

"I knew it. I knew it all along, but I was the one looking away. I was the one who took the easier way out… I was the cause of this mess."

Slowly, Itsuki lowered the arm that had been covering his face. From within his now-uncovered eyes, a clear light shone bright. Filled with a strength so powerful it left Amane astonished, his gaze radiated unwavering resolve. Having reflected on his past regrets, Itsuki's eyes, calm and unshakable, locked onto Amane's. He had found clarity and conviction in his next steps. There was no need for Amane to worry anymore.

"That's why, to make sure he acknowledges me properly, I'm going to work on steadily expanding my hand from now on," Itsuki declared earnestly, smiling.

In response, Amane nodded silently.

"I don't plan to become the perfect son my dad wants, but I get it now. He isn't going to listen if I just insist on doing this or demand that without handling my other responsibilities. So now, I will work on getting everything back—starting with trust… I know it's late, but better late than never."

"I see. I can't do much more than cheer you on, but I'll be watching."

Now, witnessing Itsuki's resolve, Amane knew that the most he could do was understand his friend's efforts and lend a hand when needed. Itsuki, more than anyone, understood that he had to accomplish this with his own power. That's why Amane decided not to interfere unnecessarily, choosing instead to watch over Itsuki as he faced his challenges head-on.

"Every now and then, dial up the pressure a bit. Just go, 'Hey! Get it together!' or something. I get lazy, you know," Itsuki admitted.

"If things aren't going well, I'll kick your butt back in line." "Hey, what? No gentle nudge?"

"Oh? So that's what you'd prefer?" Amane grinned.

Itsuki averted his gaze with a somewhat awkward look. Knowing him well, Amane could quickly tell he was just embarrassed.

"…Do what you want."

"I will. And you should do whatever feels right for you." "Yeah. I'll give it my best shot."

Itsuki must have found Amane's support embarrassing, for his cheeks twitched stiffly. He nodded, still feeling a bit awkward. Amane was secretly glad that Itsuki had calmed down and settled on a plan for the future.

Glancing down at his phone, he noticed that a single sticker had been sent in the chat he had open.

"What will you tell Chitose?"

Amane discreetly checked his message history in a way Itsuki couldn't see and then turned off the screen as he asked another question. Itsuki's face immediately tensed up, and his discomfort was plain to see.

"…I'm the one who started this, so I shouldn't get Chi involved. I know that, but…I want to stay with her in the future, so I'd like to face this with her if she's willing to. But if she says it's too much for her, I'll handle it alone."

Just hearing that he had no intention of leaving her, no matter what, was enough.

"Chitose will definitely stand by your side. She won't give up on you." "How can you be so certain?"

"—Isn't that right, Chitose?"

Should be about time. As Amane called out without turning around, footsteps approached from behind. A shadow fell over Itsuki, and then a pair of pale hands appeared a little to the side from Amane, which then gripped Itsuki's shoulders firmly.

"Ikkun, you idiot!" "Whoa!?"

The one fiercely shaking Itsuki by the shoulders was none other than Chitose, the person most involved yet kept in the dark.

The moment Itsuki reached out to him, Amane sent Chitose a message, leaking their meeting spot to her. Truthfully, it had been a gamble. Amane wasn't sure if letting Chitose see Itsuki's vulnerabilities and guilt would ultimately be good for him.

Part of him hesitated, wondering if it was right to share what Itsuki had confided with Chitose. It could backfire, possibly even causing Chitose and Itsuki to fall out themselves. But despite the risk, Amane believed they needed an honest conversation. He didn't want Itsuki to put on a front and shoulder everything on his own again, nor did he want Chitose to be left in the dark, protected but clouded by worry. Whatever they needed to face, they had to face together—not with one of them braving ahead alone.

While Itsuki stood frozen in shock at her unexpected arrival, Chitose—her face flushed from running or anger—glared at him fiercely, all the while shaking him by the shoulders.

"And I'm an idiot, too! I'm to blame too, but I just stood there and complained about everything while you faced it all on your own! That's on me, but still! Idiot! You idiot! You biiig idiot!"

"What? Wai— Chi, no, I—"

"The problem started because Daiki-san wouldn't approve of me, yet you're facing all the repercussions!"

"N-No, Chi, that's not your fault at all!"

"Yes, it is! Just admit that I'm to blame, too! I started all this!"

Birds of a feather, eh, Amane thought. They both insist that they're the one at fault. Then, he stood up, ready to give up his seat to the person who truly belonged by Itsuki's side.

"Anyways, I'll leave you two lovebirds to talk things out amongst yourselves," Amane said. "I'm not one to talk, but you're trying to do too much alone. You've gotten so good at pretending everything is under control that you thought no one would notice. Tough luck—now the cat's out of the bag."

"You're the one who let it out!"

"And you're the one trying to decide everything by yourself when it's not just your problem. Try putting yourself in my shoes, watching Chitose get more and more worried."

Itsuki's secretive nature wasn't doing him any favors. With Chitose already anxious about Daiki, hiding things from her would only make matters worse, and Itsuki wasn't foolish enough not to realize that.

If Itsuki was genuinely determined to work things out, he'd have an easier time if he kept his partner in the loop. That's what Amane believed.

It might not be any of Amane's business, but this time, he had also acted at Mahiru's request. She had mentioned that Chitose was uneasy due to Itsuki's lack of replies, so Amane decided it was best to clear up any misunderstandings soon and put her at ease. At the very least, Chitose was glad to be here.

Noticing the faint tears welling up in her eyes, Amane quickly looked away, doing his best not to see her crying face. He headed for the nearby vending machine and inserted some coins.

"Drink these. Make sure to talk things out properly, and be careful not to catch a cold. Don't do anything silly that results in you having to skip the first day back of school."

Knowing this would be a long conversation—no doubt about it—Amane tossed two warm cans of cocoa into their hands and began to walk away, leaving them to sort things out.

"…Thanks."

Without turning back, Amane waved a hand to the voice that reached him. He heard Itsuki grumble, "Trying to act cool, huh? Idiot," though his tone was noticeably lighter this time. Laughing audibly, Amane quickened his pace and left the park.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧ 

"I see those two have changed."

It was now the first day back in school, and although classes were already in full swing, neither Itsuki nor Chitose complained as they usually would. They eagerly engaged with the lessons, which had left Yuuta—who wasn't aware of the circumstances that transpired—thoroughly confused.

Even during lunch break, the two dove straight into their textbooks after quickly finishing their meals, their heads buried in study. Even Mahiru, who was aware of the circumstances, was both puzzled and impressed by the sudden change in their behavior.

"I agree… In a good way, though. It's better than bottling everything up." At the very least, Amane could confidently say that they were in a much better place now than when they had been holding everything in.

"Exactly," Mahiru agreed. "It's beneficial for their future, too. As the one teaching, I can say that having a positive mindset makes learning easier."

"Sounds like you're having fun."

"Not exactly, but I'm happy that Chitose-san has found a goal… You can't truly learn something when you study half-heartedly. And as their friend, I couldn't be happier if I can help them grow closer."

Mahiru would likely be relied on the most when it came to studying, but it looked like no trouble for her. Her soft smile suggested she was genuinely happy to help.

Amane couldn't help but smile himself. They're lucky to have such a good friend in Mahiru, he thought.

They watched as Itsuki and Chitose sat at their desks as cheerful as ever, focusing intensely on their studies. Now and then, Chitose would glare at her textbook with a frustrated expression as if she couldn't quite grasp something. It wasn't polite to laugh, but Amane couldn't help finding it a little amusing.

"Looks like we'll have to go spartan-style on them if they're serious about keeping up," commented Amane.

"Don't worry, I won't go easy on them," Mahiru affirmed.

"…Yeah, I wasn't too worried about that. What I'm worried about is whether Chitose can handle it all."

When Mahiru said she wouldn't go easy, she truly meant it. Once she set her mind on teaching, she would guide them through the steps with a confident smile. While she would adjust the pace depending on their mental state or physical condition, Mahiru had a way of using her smile like a carrot and a stick, applying just the right amount of pressure until they reached their goal. She knew it was for their benefit, and for that reason, she didn't hold back.

Given Chitose's current foundational knowledge, Amane was still worried whether she'd be able to brave through Mahiru's rigorous teaching. After all, he knew what her grades were like. Mahiru, on the other hand, didn't seem the least bit concerned. She looked at Chitose with eyes full of confidence.

"I believe she'll be just fine. Chitose-san actually has a good head on her shoulders. The issue was that she couldn't properly channel her motivation before, but now, I don't think we need to worry about that."

"Does that mean we won't have any more 'Mahiruuun! Help mee!' moments, then?"

"No, I wouldn't say that…" "Mahiruuun! Help mee!"

As soon as Mahiru hesitated to finish her sentence, a cry for help—more like a wail—came from Chitose's seat. With a soft, awkward smile, Mahiru stood up and said, "…That's a different story altogether," clearly happy to be relied on.

"Well, it's not like she's gonna get it all right away." "Exactly, it's all about consistency."

Imagine if you could master things with just a little effort. Life would be so much easier, Amane thought. Still, he admired their determination, and since he had no intention of shying away from helping them, he made his way over to join them.