It still felt a little unreal.
Seeing Forsaken on stage.
No, seeing Shiba-kun on stage.
At some point during the performance, I happened to glance at Suzuki-san.
She was staring at him too. And for just a moment, our eyes met.
That was enough.
She knew.
Mika-san probably knew as well.
I lowered my gaze slightly.
Suzuki-san...
There had always been something different about her. Something difficult to explain.
She carried herself too carefully. Smiled too professionally. Worked too hard.
Sometimes, it felt as though she was carrying around a secret she couldn't tell anyone.
Just like Shiba-kun.
Although... Shiba-kun seemed to be carrying something much heavier.
Something dangerous. Something that, at times, felt as though it could put his own safety at risk.
I couldn't blame him for it.
After all, I remembered what middle school was like. I remembered how people spoke about him. How easily they excluded him.
How quickly adults assumed the worst of him.
And although I never knew everything that happened to him, I think... some wounds do not simply disappear because time passes.
So rather than judging him...
I simply hoped he would be careful.
And that, wherever his path takes him, he returns safely.
Suzuki-san, on the other hand, felt different.
Her secret didn't seem frightening.
It felt... lighter somehow.
Like someone quietly living a second life alongside the one everyone else knew.
...
No.
That was probably an odd thing to think.
Shiba-kun simply adjusted his microphone and offered a small shrug beneath his mask.
"I was feeling emotional today, on the real. Coming here? That shit brought memories. A lot of painful memories. A lot of good ones too."
He paused.
"I guess... that's what life's about."
His voice cracked ever so slightly at the end.
For a moment, he looked down, taking a slow breath as if trying to steady himself.
Then he looked back toward the crowd.
"Thank you all for putting up with me. Hope to see y'all in the future. MTB's gonna go on tour soon..."
A small laugh escaped him.
"Anyway. That was me. Happy school festival, Matsumoto High."
And then...
He left.
Just like that.
Without looking back.
Not at the students cheering his stage name.
Not at the teachers whispering among themselves.
Not at the classmates staring in disbelief.
Not at the voices asking,
"Forsaken was from our school?"
He simply walked away.
As though leaving before people could truly reach him had already become a habit.
And somehow...
That felt a little sad.
I remembered the promise I made during our study sessions.
That someday, I would attend one of his performances.
But I suppose...
He ended up bringing a performance to me before I ever had the chance.
Whether that was intentional or not...
No.
It probably was.
Shiba-kun cares more than he lets people see.
Especially when it comes to the people he considers his friends.
And... I think he may have held it against me a little.
It wasn't that I didn't want to go.
I really did.
I simply couldn't find the time.
Between student council work, exams, cram school, and helping at home, the days seemed to disappear before I even realized it.
But...
I will attend one someday.
After all...
If something as simple as seeing a familiar face in the audience can make Shiba-kun happy...
Then I think I'd like to be there.
Not because I promised.
But because I genuinely want to support him.
A few bands performed after Forsaken's set, and our class ended up staying for another two performances before finally making our way back to the classroom.
By the time we returned, the sun had already begun to set.
And the classroom was...
Clean.
Completely clean.
The tables had been folded away, the decorations taken down, and the trash bags were neatly lined up near the door.
And sitting by the window, looking half asleep, was Shiba-kun.
Suzuki-san stopped in the doorway.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Then—
"Where did you disappear to, idio—"
However, she paused mid-sentence.
Her eyes swept across the classroom, then back to him.
"...Wait. Did you seriously do all of this by yourself?"
Shiba-kun glanced up from his phone.
"Hm?"
He looked around lazily.
"Oh. That."
He yawned.
"Well, somebody had to do it."
Suzuki-san blinked.
"But—"
"You guys stayed for the concert, right?" he interrupted, standing up and stretching. "Thought it'd be kinda shitty if everyone came back just to clean."
He shoved his hands into his pockets.
Then a faint grin danced at the corner of his mouth.
"So... not bad for the lazy, annoying classmate, huh?"
Suzuki-san opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"...You..."
For once, she seemed completely unable to find words.
I took a small step forward.
"Thank you, Shiba-kun," I said quietly, folding my hands together. "It truly means a lot. You didn't have to do all of this for us."
He looked away awkwardly.
"...Well, somebody had to," he mumbled, his voice barely audible as his gaze flickered toward me.
Then, with his hands already tucked into his pockets, he simply walked past us.
But just before leaving, he glanced back over his shoulder.
"You all worked hard, right? So go home already. Get some sleep."
And then he left... just like that.
Kenta-kun stared after him.
"...Dude's actually unreal."
Mori-kun adjusted his glasses.
"...Agreed."
Suzuki-san remained standing there for several seconds. Looking at the spotless classroom, then at the empty hallway.
As though her brain was still trying to catch up.
And somehow...
I understood exactly how she felt.
After the cultural festival, life slowly returned to normal.
Or at least, as normal as life at Matsumoto High could be.
The decorations disappeared from the hallways within a few days. The maid uniforms were put away. The excitement surrounding Forsaken's surprise appearance gradually faded, eventually becoming another story students whispered about between classes.
Final exams came and went.
The air grew colder.
By early December, I had already traded my lighter cardigan for my winter coat, my breath turning white during the morning commute.
Classes continued.
Student council work continued.
Study sessions continued.
And Shiba-kun...
Shiba-kun continued being Shiba-kun.
Sometimes he would come to school exhausted, resting his head against the window during breaks. Sometimes he disappeared for days because of work, only to return carrying snacks from convenience stores as if nothing unusual had happened.
Occasionally, I would see headlines mentioning Forsaken's name.
The world seemed to be moving very quickly around him.
And yet, when we happened to eat lunch together on the rooftop, he still complained about homework, bad weather, and how society expected teenagers to wake up before sunrise.
It was oddly comforting.
Before I realized it, the final school day of the year arrived.
Desks were cleaned, lockers were emptied, teachers reminded us not to neglect our studies over winter vacation.
And just like that...
The second year of high school quietly came to an end.
Winter vacation began.
At first, the days passed rather peacefully.
I spent most of my time studying for entrance examinations, helping Mother prepare meals, and occasionally accompanying Father when he went shopping. It wasn't particularly exciting, but...
I didn't mind.
Christmas arrived quietly as well.
Judging by social media, many of my classmates seemed to spend it with friends, partners, or family gatherings.
Mine was much simpler.
Mom cooked a nice dinner, Dad opened a bottle of wine, and we exchanged a few small presents before spending the evening together.
Soon afterward, the city slowly began preparing for the New Year.
Stores changed their decorations, television programs shifted to holiday specials, and people started talking about travel plans.
I simply looked forward to welcoming another year peacefully.
And although I didn't know it yet...
The beginning of that new year would bring an unexpected coincidence.
One that would make my heart beat much faster than I was prepared for.
We were already on our way to Nagoya Airport, where we'd catch our flight to Naha.
Father was driving our Prius, one hand resting lazily on the steering wheel as snow drifted past the windows. The roads, rooftops, and fields had all been covered in white overnight, making everything outside seem softer somehow.
Mother sat beside him, adjusting her scarf from time to time, while I remained in the back seat, resting my cheek against the cold window and quietly watching the scenery pass by.
"...Work like a slave for an entire year just to get a few days off," he grumbled, letting out a long sigh. "What kind of messed up system even is that?"
Mother smiled helplessly, though there was a trace of exasperation in her expression. She had probably heard this exact complaint every year.
"Dear," she said gently, adjusting her scarf, "we're supposed to relax during occasions like this. At least try to enjoy yourself."
Father clicked his tongue.
"I'll relax when society stops expecting salarymen to sacrifice their souls for quarterly reports."
Mother covered her mouth, unable to suppress a small laugh.
"See? This is exactly why you needed a vacation."
Father only grunted in response, crossing his arms for a moment before returning one hand to the steering wheel.
I couldn't help smiling a little.
It was always like this whenever our family traveled somewhere.
Father complained.
Mother tried to keep everyone in a good mood.
And somehow, despite all the grumbling, we still ended up enjoying ourselves in the end.
I looked back outside at the falling snow.
Soon, we would leave winter behind for a few days and welcome the New Year beneath Okinawa's warm skies.
I was pulled away from my thoughts by the soft vibration of my phone.
I lowered my gaze.
And when I saw the name on the screen, my heart nearly stopped.
Shiba-kun:
Yo, Prez. Happy holidays. 🙃
Thought I'd check up on you and see if you're surviving winter break. Try relaxing a little too, okay? You work harder than half the teachers. 💀
I had been staring at my phone for nearly ten minutes already.
It was a little embarrassing.
I had rewritten the message more than once before finally gathering the courage to send it.
Me:
H-Hello, Shiba-kun... and happy holidays. 🌸
I hope you're doing well.
I was wondering... do you happen to have any plans for the New Year?
If you're free... perhaps we could talk a little later...
I set my phone down afterward, wondering if I had been too forward.
Then, a notification appeared.
Shiba-kun:
I'm heading to Naha with my family for New Year's. 🙃 What about you?
I blinked.
That's... impossible.
It took every ounce of willpower I had not to hide my face in my hands and quietly scream.
Shiba-kun was going to Naha.
The same city... At the same time as me...
What were the chances of that?!?
I lowered my phone slightly, trying to compose myself before Mother or Father noticed anything strange, and typed a reply back.
Me:
O-Oh... my. Really? That's quite a coincidence. 😅
My family and I are travelling to Naha as well for the New Year... I didn't expect we might end up in the same city, Shiba-kun. 🌸
His reply came quickly.
Shiba-kun:
Yeah? Guess we're both travelling then. Okinawa's gonna be crowded as hell though. 🙃
I hesitated for a few seconds before typing again.
Me:
Y-Yes... it probably will be. 😭
But... if you have time... perhaps we could meet...?
Only if it isn't a bother, of course.
Several seconds passed.
Then—
Shiba-kun:
Sure. Just tell me when you're free. 😉
I stared at the message for a moment.
And before I realized it, I was smiling.
Perhaps...
The New Year would begin more pleasantly than I expected.
I typed my reply, a little careful.
Me:
Okay. I'll… I'll let you know.
Thank you, Shiba-kun. 🌸🙏
Mother twisted slightly in her seat, glancing back at me over her shoulder. A mischievous smile danced across her lips.
"Ara? Who are you texting, Rika? You're smiling from ear to ear~," she teased.
I could feel my face growing warm.
"M-Mom... it's just... a classmate," I replied, lowering my phone a little, though my voice came out much weaker than I intended.
Father briefly looked at me through the rearview mirror, suddenly seeming a little less exhausted than before.
"Ahem. And this classmate of yours..." he said, adjusting his grip on the steering wheel. "Wouldn't happen to be a boy, would he?"
Mother laughed softly and nudged his shoulder.
"Dear, she's seventeen," she said, shaking her head fondly. "Sometimes Rika studies so much that I worry she's forgetting to enjoy being a girl her age."
"M-Mom..." I murmured weakly, feeling my embarrassment deepen.
Taking a quiet breath, I tried to regain some semblance of composure.
"Dad... I'm the class president," I said, trying to sound as dignified as possible. "Every student in my class, regardless of whether they're a boy or a girl, is my responsibility."
Father remained unconvinced.
"Hmph. Fine," he grumbled. "But if some boy gives you trouble, he'll have to deal with me first."
Mother snorted softly.
"Dear, you barely have the energy to survive Monday mornings half the time."
"Parental instinct transcends corporate exhaustion," Father declared with mock dignity, his eyes remaining fixed on the snowy road ahead.
I couldn't help letting out a small laugh.
Honestly...
Watching them bicker like this never failed to make me smile.
Two hours later, we were waiting in the departure lounge.
Father had already declared that driving all the way to Nagoya had exhausted his allotted energy for the day and was slumped back in his chair, quietly complaining about modern society under his breath.
Mother occasionally responded, though I suspected she had long since learned how to tune out half of his grievances.
Meanwhile...
I was still staring at my phone.
Reading over the same messages.
Then reading them again.
And again.
I lifted my head for a moment.
And froze.
Shiba-kun.
He was here.
Standing only a short distance away.
And he wasn't alone.
Beside him stood a gentle-looking woman with long dark hair, speaking softly to him and a younger girl around middle school age.
The girl looked energetic, constantly moving around and talking, while Shiba-kun seemed to respond with the same tired expression he always wore at school.
Could that be...
Kaede-chan?
Shiba-kun had mentioned his younger sister before, so it seemed likely.
And the woman beside them was probably his mother.
Before I had the chance to properly think things through, I had already stood up.
And before I could convince myself to sit back down...
My feet had started carrying me toward him.
"H-Hello, Shiba-kun..." I managed, my voice softer than I intended. "What a coincidence..."
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Yeah. Uh... crazy, innit?"
Before I could say anything else, a girl with chestnut hair leaned forward from beside him, studying me curiously.
"Who're you, Onii-chan?" she asked him loudly.
Shiba-kun sighed.
"Well... that's her."
"The girl you wanted to meet earlier."
"We're apparently on the same flight."
"I've officially given up on life."
Her eyes widened.
"Ohhh!"
"So you're the girl Onii-chan was texting!"
My cheeks immediately felt warm.
Before I could recover, she was already smiling brightly at me.
"Hii! I'm Shiba Kaede! The little sister of this hopeless blockhead!"
She tilted her head.
"And you're?"
I straightened slightly, folding my hands together.
"Y-Yamashita Rika."
"I'm Shiba-kun's classmate..."
I hesitated.
"...And his friend."
Kaede-chan grinned mischievously.
"'Friend,' huh? That's a very elegant way of saying secret admirer."
"Kaede," Shiba-kun groaned.
I could feel my face growing warmer.
"I-I'm the class president," I explained quietly. "So... in a sense, Shiba-kun is partly my responsibility at school."
I lowered my gaze for a moment.
"But... aside from that... I believe we have managed to become good friends. And I value that very much."
Kaede-chan gasped dramatically.
"The class president?! Onii-chan actually has supervision?! That sounds like a full-time job."
Beside her, Shiba-kun's mother laughed softly.
"That explains quite a lot."
"It's nice to finally meet someone capable of keeping my son under control."
She bowed politely.
"Thank you for looking after him, Yamashita-san."
I glanced toward Shiba-kun.
He looked mildly offended.
And somehow...
I didn't find that entirely fair.
Shiba-kun certainly wasn't easy to understand.
He could be reckless.
Stubborn.
And frustrating.
But he worked harder than most people realized.
Even when he was exhausted.
Even when life seemed to push against him.
So I simply shook my head.
"Shiba-kun is doing his best," I said gently.
"I don't think doubting him is particularly helpful. He misses school from time to time, but he hasn't caused problems for the class."
"And..."
I allowed myself a small smile.
"His grades are actually quite good."
Kaede-chan blinked.
"Onii-chan? Responsible? Since when?!"
"Since I've been living alone," Shiba-kun muttered.
Before anyone could continue, I heard an all-too-familiar voice.
"Rika, you disappeared so suddenly—"
Mother stopped.
Her eyes landed on Shiba-kun.
And immediately brightened.
"Oh my."
"So this is Shiba-kun?"
"The Shiba-kun I've heard so much about?"
"M-Mom!"
I could feel myself dying.
"T-That's not— I mean— I only mentioned him because he's a classmate and— and—"
Mother simply smiled.
Kaede-chan leaned toward Shiba-kun.
"Onii-chan... you're famous in her house too."
At that point, I genuinely wished the boarding announcement would save me.
Father glanced toward Shiba-kun for a moment.
It wasn't exactly an intimidating look.
More like the tired expression of a parent quietly evaluating the boy his daughter seemed strangely happy to talk about.
After a few seconds, he simply sighed and adjusted his glasses.
"...He seems polite enough," he muttered.
Then, after a brief pause, he added,
"But I'll still be watching."
"D-Dad..." I whispered weakly.
Mother only smiled.
"I think that's his way of saying he likes him more than he expected."
"I heard that."
Before the conversation could continue any further, boarding announcements echoed throughout the terminal.
Soon enough, we found ourselves making our way onto the plane.
Unfortunately—
Or perhaps fortunately—
Our seats ended up being quite far away from Shiba-kun and his family.
I settled into my seat beside the window, fastening my seatbelt quietly.
Outside, the runway lights shimmered against the winter evening.
And despite telling myself I should simply relax and enjoy our family trip...
I couldn't help wondering.
Would I get another chance to see Shiba-kun in Okinawa?
Or...
Had our little coincidence already come to an end?
For some reason—
I found myself hoping it hadn't.