279 So-Called Memories

Her sister hadn't stepped in to help her yet, but Hayama Hayato—the child of the company's legal advisor and someone she'd grown up with due to their parents' connections—had confidently volunteered to help.

At the time, it actually seemed like the best option.

Hayama, popular with both boys and girls and in the same class as her, was like a watered-down version of Hojou.

Still, if he had even a fraction of Kyousuke's mental fortitude, perhaps things could have been resolved more smoothly.

Wanting to be fair in exchange, and also to share how her ideals had been shaped, Yukinoshita didn't hesitate to open up to Yamauchi Sakura about her past wounds.

There was no intention of making the listener feel bad—only honesty.

"Back then, my friend talked to the girls in class. He basically asked them to stop bullying me."

"That sounds like it only made things worse," Sakura said, alarmed.

"Exactly. Their behavior got even uglier. Thinking back now, just remembering their faces makes me feel sick."

Yukinoshita gave a faint smile.

At that moment, the spring breeze drifted in through the window, carrying with it the distant shouting from the sports field.

Whether it was the soccer club or the baseball team, it was impossible to tell.

The early evening wind in spring wasn't warm or cold—just perfectly tempered, like it carried the fragrance of flowers.

It was full of life, much like the students running around campus, drenched in sweat and youth.

Inside the Volunteer Club's classroom, however, it was like another world.

The chaos and noise were shut out entirely.

Even if the world were ending, the girl quietly reading in her chair would continue undisturbed.

In this domain shaped by her will, she spoke of the past softly, bearing witness to her youth through her own eyes.

"So what happened next?" Sakura asked.

"I asked him to stop what he was doing. He was just as shaken by how things escalated and agreed immediately."

"After all, he was just a kid, emotionally immature. I understood that he didn't know how to handle it. But whether it was out of male pride or admiration for my sister, he didn't do what I did—he didn't hand things over to her."

"That made it even worse!" Sakura exclaimed again.

Helping halfway and then pulling back only gave the bullies the impression that Yukinoshita had been abandoned by her last ally.

It was like pouring fuel on the fire—things only got worse from there.

"Well, it wasn't that bad in the end, because I left the country not long after," Yukinoshita added, nodding slightly.

Before Sakura could offer any thoughts, she continued:

"That's when I realized something. In the end, the only person you can truly rely on is yourself. Even if it had been my sister who offered help, once that support is withdrawn, all the problems you tried to cover up come flooding back."

"Everyone wants to rely on someone stronger. But ultimately, the only strength you can truly count on is your own."

"If I'm going to face things alone anyway, then I might as well be brave from the start."

"Those girls never changed. I didn't change either. So the problems never changed. That was just a cowardly way to run away."

"Yukino, you're really hard on yourself. But isn't avoidance one kind of solution too? Like, you leaving the country, wasn't that running away?" Sakura asked.

"It was. But it was a kind of escape meant to bring change. I even considered using Hojou's methods."

The book she held had a cover split between green and blue.

A massive black cat stood at the boundary between the two colors, exuding loneliness.

Yukinoshita stared down at the cover and, after a pause, gently laid her hands over it.

Then she turned to Sakura and said:

"Violence. I once thought I could find a way out through violence."

"If in their twisted world, I was just someone weak they could bully at will, then I would force them to change with overwhelming strength. That's why I started learning Aikido."

"As you know, I'm a genius. I can pick up just about anything quickly, so it didn't take me long to become strong enough to enforce justice."

Sakura's eyes widened in anticipation, ready for a fiery revenge story.

"But…"

"Ah, I knew it…" Sakura groaned.

Yukinoshita shot her an annoyed glare, then continued:

"I gave up. I realized violence couldn't truly solve anything. It was just another version of what my friend and sister tried—using popularity or influence to force a solution. People still wouldn't understand each other. It would only lead to more tragedy."

"Winning with violence is still losing. "

"Cruel pleasures only end in cruelty. Problems won't be resolved, and no one will find salvation. Not even me."

"So, I decided—I'd change the world by changing people's hearts."

"You're such a stubborn person, Yukino," Sakura said, slumping onto the desk, heart heavy from the story.

"Kyousuke never hesitates to use violence when needed. And he's doing just fine."

"That's because he hasn't met anyone stronger than him yet," Yukinoshita replied instantly.

"Yeah, and that's because, unlike you, he never stopped training. Even now, he works hard every single day."

"Violence isn't just about brute force. Authority, money—those are just other masks violence wears. If he ever meets someone stronger in those areas, can he still solve his problems through violence?" Yukinoshita countered.

"I don't know all the details, but Kyousuke is improving in those areas too. Even with so much on his plate, he still invests time in building connections and friendships."

"If he ever faces something he can't handle alone, I know there'll be people who'll step up to help him."

Sakura often felt sorry for Kyousuke.

While other high schoolers were busy with trivial school dramas, he had already stepped into the adult world, striving for a future alongside real grown-ups.

"Pinning your hopes on others is dangerous. I've learned that firsthand." Yukinoshita was unshakable.

Just like how she'd call out provocations even when she saw right through them—she was that kind of person.

"Ugh, I give up. Talking to you is hopeless," Sakura groaned, covering her face—only to suddenly brighten with excitement.

"Hey, Yukino! When Kyousuke joins the club, why not submit a request to him? I bet he'd save you."

"No need. I don't need saving from anyone anymore."

Yes.

Even if she hadn't mastered the art of understanding others, Yukinoshita was deeply satisfied with the person she had become.

"Yukino, do you know why Shou-chan was so angry earlier?" Sakura scooted her chair closer.

"Because she likes Hojou and can't accept others evaluating him objectively," Yukinoshita replied, shifting and placing her knee between them to stop Sakura from getting any closer.

"Tch. You never back down, do you? Listen. It was that violence you look down on that saved Shou-chan from being bullied."

"No way" Yukinoshita was certain—violence couldn't save anyone.

"Of course, there was a lot of love involved too. That's not something I can easily explain to someone like you."

"…"

Yukinoshita shot Yamauchi Sakura a glare so cold it could freeze a volcano, silently urging her to explain.

"But... isn't this kind of thing Nishimiya-san's personal business? Is it really okay to talk about it so openly?"

True to her principles, Yukinoshita Yukino—who held "absolute justice" as her creed—couldn't help but raise the question, even though she was clearly curious.

She immediately restrained herself with a sense of moral duty.

"Well, technically it was bullying... but it wasn't as tragic as it sounds. In fact, just thinking about it makes Shouko smile with pure happiness."

At Sakura's words, Yukino furrowed her brows.

In her eyes, there was hardly anything more vile than bullying.

But she didn't interrupt—she waited, like Shizuka-sensei might, for Sakura to elaborate.

"Just so we're clear, I'm not trying to justify my actions. Even Shouko herself talks about it with a smile in any setting, she genuinely doesn't mind people knowing."

In fact, during one of their conversations, Shouko had even expressed a wish to ask Kyousuke to turn her story into a manga.

————————————————————————

"There's only one Kyousuke-kun in the world, but I hope my story can reach others who feel hopeless... so they'll know not to give up. As long as you don't give up, the sun will rise again."

She had said this with a bashful, gentle smile.

Later, Shouko had also said that once she achieved her dream of becoming a voice actress.

She wanted to teach at a special-needs school, helping kids who were going through the same things she did—just like when Kyousuke had helped her.

"Then maybe Kyousuke should just start a school for you. You'd be the best principal ever!"

"No, no, I couldn't possibly do that~"

Naturally, Shouko didn't believe she had that kind of strength.

But Sakura's words had planted a tiny, shining star in her heart.

"That's a wonderful dream. I want to work at that school too—share the meals Kyousuke made for me with all the kids."

————————————————————————

Yukinoshita stared at Sakura for five full seconds.

This girl was weaving magic into her words again.

Hojou had somehow turned the painful experience of being bullied into a warm, nostalgic tale, a heroic story that even a childhood friend could laugh about.

He even made his friend's trauma feel like something beautiful.

Was such a person really real, or just Sakura's imagination?

"What exactly happened?"

"It's simple. Back in elementary school, someone tried to pull a prank on Shouko. Kyousuke beat the crap out of them. And from that day on, Shouko became our friend—and we've stayed friends ever since."

"I have a question," Yukino interjected, "Nishimiya-san doesn't seem like someone who needs others to fight her battles."

She wasn't trying to be rude.

It was simply that—when facing her—most people, boys or girls, could barely stand to meet her eyes, let alone speak up on someone else's behalf.

The fact that Shouko had acted the way she had earlier already placed her above 99% of people.

"Hahaha, and that's exactly why I'm asking, why do you think Shouko feels so happy when she remembers that moment?"

"Because she met Hojou Kyousuke?"

"Exactly. Just like you said—violence alone can't truly change anything. If nothing changes, then no one can be saved."

"So, thanks to Hojou, Shouko changed. She became the strong, kind, beloved girl she is now."

"I'm not going to comment on how much credit Hojou Kyousuke deserves, but the end result wasn't achieved through violence."

Yukinoshita made a mental note of all this, though she still felt the need to rebut.

Too bad Hiratsuka or Kyousuke weren't here.

Either of them could've told her: violence might not create change—but it can make someone willing to change.

"Fair enough. Let's just say you win this one, Yukino~" Sakura replied cheerfully.

"This isn't a competition"

Even though she technically "won," Yukinoshita felt like she'd swallowed something bitter.

There was no satisfaction, none of the righteous thrill she usually felt when proving someone wrong.

Worst of all was the cheerful smile on Sakura's face.

It made her feel like Sakura was the real winner—the one who had gotten exactly what she wanted.

"In any case, that's the story. So don't be mad at Shouko, okay? To her, Kyousuke is someone that important."

"And besides—your original question's been answered, hasn't it? How could someone like her ever leave the world she shares with me and Kyousuke?"

Sakura tossed the question to the "wise one," Yukinoshita Yukino.

Could this cold, composed champion of logic and justice give her a real answer?

"...I don't know," Yukinoshita admitted after a long pause, rubbing her aching temple. "But if things stay like this, the problems are just being hidden, they'll have to be faced eventually."

Sakura's words may have been fuzzy, but they were enough to show Yukinoshita just how unbreakable the bond was between Shouko and Kyousuke.

Seeing how much Shouko's life had changed because of that bond, Yukinoshita couldn't bring herself to say something like, "It's dangerous to rely on someone else."

Because, so far, Shouko's changes had only been positive.

Even if Yukinoshita still didn't think Hojou was someone you could depend on forever.

"The winds of tomorrow will blow tomorrow. I'll let my future self worry about it~" Sakura chirped brightly.

Sure, she could see the occasional skirmish between Eriri and Kasumigaoka-senpai at home, but it wasn't nearly enough.

Just imagining the chaos that might break out in the future made her giddy.

Maybe at her wedding, girls from all directions would show up in wedding dresses, tearing Kyousuke's suit to shreds.

Or maybe they'd settle it with a brawl—and whoever won would get the right to marry him.

If that happened, Yukino would probably win, right? Didn't she say she trained in aikido?

"Sakura-san... I don't even know what to say to you," Yukinoshita sighed.

"Just smile! I've been wanting to say this—you look so pretty when you smile, Yukino. But you're always so serious!"

"Don't be ridiculous. Smiling all the time is something only fools do."

"That's not true!"

"..."

'Knock knock—'

A knock on the door broke the moment.

"Come in," Yukinoshita said coolly, subtly pulling back from the closeness she'd developed with Sakura.

The sliding door opened.

Kyousuke entered first, quietly returning to his seat.

Shouko followed behind, walking up to Yukinoshita.

"Yukinoshita-san, this is for you." Shouko handed her a strawberry yogurt, her face slightly flushed but showing no signs of hesitation or shyness.

"...Huh!?" Caught completely off guard, Yukinoshita let out a small gasp.

She hadn't expected it at all.

After how upset Nishimiya Shouko had been earlier, the idea of her offering a drink seemed almost surreal.

Yukino couldn't recall more than a few times in her life when something like this had happened.

"Thank you... how much is it?" she asked as she took the drink, already reaching for her wallet.

"No, it's fine. Let me treat you this time," Shouko said, shaking her head.

"But you don't have any reason to treat me," Yukinoshita replied. "And I have no reason to accept it."

The few times she ever accepted drinks in the past were only after helping someone and reluctantly agreeing to take them as a token of gratitude.

"Yukino, when girls have a small falling out, they often use snacks like this to show goodwill," Sakura whispered.

"R-Really?" Yukinoshita asked back in a hushed voice.

"Yep, and also…"

Sakura scooted her chair over, openly leaned in, and began whispering more into Yukinoshita's ear.

Yukinoshita nodded along, responding with soft "mm"s and "I see"s, her expression radiating realization and enlightenment like she'd just discovered a secret about human nature.

Shouko glanced over at Kyousuke, looking a bit overwhelmed.

But he seemed equally stunned.

As expected of Yukinoshita.

Not only did she have no friends, but she was even inexperienced in how friendships worked.

If loneliness had rankings, Yukinoshita Yukino would undoubtedly reign supreme.

"Ahem… thank you for the drink, Nishimiya-san. I'll return the favor next time," Yukinoshita said, standing up and giving a serious nod.

"Mm~" Shouko didn't reject the gesture.

She just smiled softly and returned to her seat to resume her role as interviewer.

"Hojou Kyousuke, I still have a lot of questions about you. But since there are other matters to take care of, I'll approve your club application for now."

She handed over the club admission form.

'Clap clap clap—'

Sakura and Shouko both applauded.

"Thank you, Club President Yukinoshita. But… what are these 'other matters' you mentioned?"

Kyousuke felt a creeping sense of dread.

What could be more important to the Service Club than a new member joining?

Wait—was there really anything urgent going on at all?

Yukinoshita shot him a look that practically screamed, Are you an idiot?—not that he noticed.

He wasn't used to that kind of gaze, so there was no way he could interpret it properly.

"We have the Red Team's leader, sub-leader, and…" Yukinoshita hesitated before reluctantly acknowledging the odd title: "…and vice-leader. Of course, we're here to discuss the Sports Festival."

"No slacking off, Kyousuke! I'm leading the Red Team to victory!" Sakura said, proudly flashing a peace sign and swinging it side to side.

Kyousuke looked at Shouko, only to find her quietly turning her head toward the window.

Wait—he had imagined the three of them sitting together in a meeting room, giving orders and planning things, but wasn't this a bit too soon?

And why was Yukinoshita suddenly part of the mix too?

Given her serious attitude, this wouldn't be a fun group at all.

His dreamy vision of a chill, laid-back life surrounded by beautiful girls was rapidly warping into a nightmare of endless overtime.

No wonder her "youth romantic comedy" was such a mess—was she trying to turn love into a debate tournament?!

Whether he liked it or not, Kyousuke found himself discussing the Sports Festival with the three of them for the next hour or so.

Whiteboard for presentations, notebooks for minutes, three laptops with stickers from the Student Affairs Office, and some records from previous years—everything necessary for a meeting was perfectly prepared by Yukinoshita.

Say what you will, but having someone this thorough on your team really was a blessing.

The room had even been slightly rearranged.

The whiteboard was placed near the window at the front right side of the room.

The four of them sat in pairs across from each other, all facing the whiteboard.

Kyousuke sat next to Sakura, directly across from Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita stood up and wrote the word "Team Leader" in bold black marker at the top of the whiteboard.

Below it, she added "Performance Leader," "Gate Leader," and other roles in neat rows.

"First, we'll discuss the performance team. It requires the most time and preparation, so we need to decide on it first."

She had actually explained this clearly back in the kendo club room.

Anyone could just copy what was done in the past.

But there was one crucial part she still hadn't figured out.

"...The 'Night Dance'—it's light and upbeat in style, very easy to learn. The costumes are simple too, so even someone who knows nothing about sewing can put one together."

"Both the performance and costume teams will have very little pressure."

It was clear Yukinoshita had done additional prep after being invited to be Sub-Leader.

The notebooks in front of each of them had videos of the Night Dance and design sketches for the yukata costumes—resources borrowed from other festivals, which they could easily adapt for their own use.

Even though it was supposed to be a meeting, Yukinoshita was acting like it was a solo campaign speech, as if she intended to handle everything by herself.

'So this is what you meant by relying only on yourself…?'

Sakura watched Yukinoshita fill the whiteboard with text, sighed silently, and raised her hand.

"Yukino, hold up. You've got something wrong here."

"I do?" Yukinoshita frowned and lowered her head to check her notes.

"Not that. You do realize we're supposed to be discussing this, right?"

"Yes, I'm aware of that," she replied, still clearly puzzled.

"We're a team. You don't have to do everything by yourself," Sakura said with a sigh.

"But this is the most efficient way. And didn't you ask me to be Sub-Leader because my plans are excellent?"

"..."

At that, not just Kyousuke, but even Shouko looked down awkwardly.

Yukinoshita quickly picked up on the change in atmosphere.

She stopped talking, raised her right hand under her nose as if deep in thought.

"Vice-Leader, do you have any suggestions?" Sakura asked, smoothly shifting the topic.

"First, we need to clarify something: what does the Sports Festival mean to the students? Why do we even hold it?"