Shiraishi Asuka SS

The Secret She Carries

Holding onto unsettled feelings, Shiraishi arrived at school earlier than anyone else.

In the quiet classroom, she sat at her own seat, and then shifted her gaze to the seat on her left, still without it's occupant. Since yesterday, that seat has been assigned to a certain student.

From Class 1-D to Class 3-A. And then from Class 3-A to Class 3-C. She didn't understand that person's true intentions.

Did he decide to transfer to become a savior, or was there more to it than what meets the eye?

Either way, for Shiraishi, it was completely unexpected.

“This is troubling, isn't it.”

Only after saying it aloud did she realize that she herself was troubled.

“I—”

What did she herself want to do?

She had learned of Ayanokoji’s transfer, and now that it’s actually been carried out, she needs to face it.

A feeling she cannot express.

No, that was wrong. She understood, but pretended not to.

”.........Problems are piling up, aren't they.”

Starting up her tablet and taking the pen in hand, she began drawing a picture of one person there.

The one she drew was precisely that person at the center of it all.

What kind of face did he have, what gestures did he often make? She still didn't know well.

From now on, throughout the year, she would probably become much better at drawing him.

She would hear his voice, and probably get to know him.

“No, therefore that's…”

Once again, she catches herself thinking.

She had to try not to think about it.

This secret...... These feelings could not be known by others.

Shiraishi kept that firmly in mind.

Feelings she had discarded many years ago.

Why, now of all times, were things turning out like this?

“......I'm... foolish, aren't I?”

Just as she finished her thoughts, the opening of the door made her turn in surprise at the unexpected person standing there.

“Morning.”

That person noticed Shiraishi and greeted her.

“Good morning.”

After returning the greeting, Shiraishi calmed herself down.

With a natural movement, she deleted the picture she had started drawing on the tablet and pretended she had been studying.

“Didn't expect someone to be here before me. You're early.”

“—Right, I ended up getting up earlier than usual. But you're pretty early yourself, Ayanokoji-kun.”

“For me, it’s basically like transferring to a new school. Rather than being welcomed by others, I prefer to come in first and welcome them.”

"It’s quite a funny coincidence, don’t you think, Ayanokoji-kun? Two neighbors, alone in this quiet classroom, both came early."

"Yeah, Maybe so."

It was a voice with little fluctuation. But, that doesn’t mean that it was completely devoid of emotion.

Shiraishi listened intently, letting Ayanokoji's voice become familiar to her body.

Silence fell.

Wanting to hear more of his voice, Shiraishi spoke up.

“Why did you decide to transfer here anyway, Ayanokoji-kun?”

“You worked so hard to rise to Class A, so it’s hard to believe you’d go to a lower-ranked Class C.”

“Ordinarily, it does seem that way.”

His voice remains calm, as always.

Or perhaps it’s to keep his emotions from being read.

In his elusive, cloud-like voice, Shiraishi almost felt like she might show her joy.

“Then… if it’s not ‘ordinary,’ why did you transfer?”

And so, she continues.

Even though she knows she shouldn’t probe further, she does so anyway.

A faint recollection of her bitter past crosses her mind.

While deeply reflecting that she will never repeat her mistakes again.

Morishita Ai SS

Gatling Gun

For this life or death fight I was fully prepared.

For the sake of ending this war, I must pull the trigger.

FIRE!........

As soon as I told myself that in my heart, I flicked a large bullet (a piece of eraser dust) with the index finger of my right hand. It flew straight ahead, and its target was right in front of me.

The target was the back of the head of the evil giant sitting in front of me, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

Impact!

The first shot struck near the top.

As expected, it seems that a single shot isn't enough to cause any damage.

As the commander, I placed several bullets (eraser shavings) that I had prepared in advance on the palm of my hand.

I shall show you the strongest weapon of my army. Gatling Gun— Unleash!

This time, I consecutively shot out several eraser shavings (bullets).

There's no doubt I must be inflicting damage on the target...

Just as I was about to check the extent of the damage, the giant target moved and turned around.

“Is there a problem?”

My practical experience, its richness, is not something to be taken lightly. Of course, I anticipated that the opponent would notice my attack.

“No, Nothing…”

“Please don't turn around during class. Even for self-study, that's what bad students do. Just do your work properly.”

After making him face forward, he seemed slightly troubled, but it looks like he quickly returned to studying.

Well then, shall I resume the attack?

Pesh pesh!

When I fired the Gatling gun again, the enemy, having raised their alert level, swiftly turned around with more speed than I had anticipated.

Tch... I made sure to hide the eraser properly, but I hope he didn't see it...

“Staring at my face from up close? You're a total pervert.”

I said that to divert attention, making sure the focus wouldn't be on my left hand, which was gripping the eraser.

“That's not what I was trying to do at all. By the way— are you doing something to the back of my head?”

“No. I'm just doing my assignment like I should.”

I managed to get through it somehow. While somehow keeping the damage under control, I have to defeat him.

However, at that time, I had no way of knowing. That it wasn't just Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, but there was also an enemy next to him as well.

Ibuki Mio SS

Worried?

Ibuki held a certain dissatisfaction. It wasn’t about losing the special exam, or that Ryuen’s strategy was seen through by Ayanokoji and used against them.

Well, that was dissatisfying too, but more than that... there was something that caused her even greater dissatisfaction.

And that was Horikita Suzune.

When she heard about Ayanokoji's transfer and learned Horikita had become depressed, she held her stomach and laughed.

However, that joy didn’t last long. Gradually, it began to stress her out because Ibuki, who was short on money, had relied on Horikita’s cooking to keep her stomach satisfied— and Horikita had now abandoned that “duty” by refusing to cook.

No matter how many times Ibuki tried visiting her room or calling, she couldn't get a proper response.

And today, Class A lost the special exam.

While that itself was good news for Ibuki's class, personally, she couldn't simply celebrate.

With this Horikita would sink even further into depression. And if that happened, who knew when she would cook again?

“...Why do I have to worry so much?”

After school, Ibuki paced back and forth near the entrance, growing irritated at Horikita for not coming out. She decided that when Horikita did appear, she would put a stop to it all— and force her to cook.

Those were her one-sided thoughts.

Yet no matter how long she waited, there was no sign of Horikita coming out.

Then Ibuki went to check the shoe lockers and saw that Horikita’s shoes were still there, so she hadn’t gone home.

“Hurry up and come out already. Do you have any idea how worried… No, I’m not worried!”

A strange feeling emerged in her, so she pushed it out of her head.

Because she hadn't eaten anything delicious lately, her thinking was getting weird.

She concluded that was it.

After that, for perhaps another 30 minutes or so, she paced back and forth in the same area.

“Ah… there she is.”

At last, Horikita emerged from the school building.

There was no energy in her, as expected, not even a shred of spirit could be felt.

You shouldn't kick anyone, but if you absolutely must kick someone, you have no choice but to find someone who would enjoy being kicked or someone for whom being kicked would lead to a positive outcome. If such a strange person exists, that is.

Recalling those words from Katsuragi as she watched Horikita’s depressing figure, Ibuki felt a sudden impulse and broke into a run.

The only thing she could do now was deliver a merciless kick to Horikita’s back. That was all that was left in her power.

Haruka Hasebe SS

A Source of Support

Late Thursday night, as the clock neared 1:00 AM.

I, Hasebe Haruka, sat in front of my computer, quietly waiting for that time.

What’s running through my mind is— well… Ayanokoji-kun’s transfer.

At the celebration we had at the end of spring break, he looked the same as ever.

But I can’t say how he felt on the inside.

Even days after the opening ceremony, the class was in chaos, and many still couldn't grasp the situation.

Even Horikita-san hadn’t known anything about his transfer.

Could it be—

“...My fault?”

I can’t help thinking that way.

Because after Airi was expelled, I held a grudge against Ayanokoji-kun.

I thought he had trampled on her feelings— and on our group’s feelings, too.

I still don’t know how he really feels.

But… in order to survive at this school, sometimes you have to sacrifice something.

At least, I’ve learned that much.

So I’m honestly not very surprised that he chose to transfer.

“As if… That’s just being arrogant, isn’t it?”

I had antagonized Ayanokoji-kun, yet I also wanted our group to start over again.

It’s not like he transferred because he became fed up with my selfish words.

I’m sure it’s something beyond my understanding.

He has his own way of thinking— a perspective unique to him alone.

As the clock hit 1:00 AM, the screen automatically switched.

A cheaply made title screen appeared, and along with audience applause, two male hosts were shown. A comedy duo that's been getting a bit popular lately. Even though I have school in the morning, I’ve stayed up late just for this.

Every Thursday night at this time, there’s a show called “Aspiring Idols” broadcasted online.

Ten aspiring idols are invited into a studio to tackle various challenges proposed by the show, while viewers vote for them online. And once every two months, whoever comes in first place “graduates” from the show and receives a new job offer.

Conversely, whoever places last is eliminated and replaced by a new aspiring idol.

Apparently, it’s a fairly long-running program that’s already past its third anniversary.

However, I only started watching it a few months ago. Specifically, after someone I know joined as an aspiring idol.

They assign numbers, with lower numbers being the more senior participants.

The person I’m interested in is wearing No. 9.

“Well then, without further ado, here’s our first challenge! Tada! The ‘Piping-Hot Oden Reaction Battle’!”

One of the hosts flips over a roughly scrawled card with the challenge written on it.

The girl— who first appeared on the show last week, was still practically unknown. But in the first popularity poll, she achieved 6th place marking a solid debut.

Her talking skills are far from good, but her honesty and dedication to tackling any challenge has earned her some devoted fans.

I watch the screen intently, waiting for her turn. She looks nervous as she watches the other contestants’ reactions.

“Mind if I talk to you for a second?”

I speak softly to the screen.

“Yeah, that’s right. He ended up transferring.”

I was talking to myself. Knowing it wouldn't reach her.

It’s been a while since we last saw each other face-to-face. But the feelings of the girl on the other side of the screen haven't changed.

I remembered last week's challenge.

“Tell us about your first love.”

To that, she had spoken her honest feelings with an embarrassed face.

It was someone she met in her first year of high school, and she still has a crush on him to this day.

Viewed objectively, it’s a painful memory. It could’ve been something she would never want to recall.

But rather than letting it get her down, she’s facing forward and moving on.

I used to think I was the one walking a step ahead, taking her by the hand. But, before I knew it, she was the one walking ahead.

She’s the one supporting me now— far away, waving with a smile as if to tell me, “Come on, get moving!”

In that case, I have to keep going, too.

As a friend she wouldn't be ashamed of…

Still, the things she blurts out are risky and make those around her panic.

As an idol, saying you have someone you like is still immature.

But that's okay.

Because she’s just an “aspiring” idol right now.

And maybe a one-sided crush is still within the safe zone, right?

“I wonder… should I have shown Ayanokoji-kun this side of her sooner…?”

Her hardworking appearance, her positivity, her bright smile…

If he had seen all that, could it have changed the way he felt about our class?

“…No.”

Probably not.

Surely, in Ayanokoji-kun’s heart, her existence has vanished.

If it were to sprout again, it wouldn't be for the girl she once was, but for the person she’s grown into.

Not the old her who could do nothing back at Advanced Nurturing High School—

But the idol on the other side of this screen, fighting with all her might.

And if that day ever comes, I hope she’ll say something like this:

“Thanks to that time, I became stronger. But I’m not interested in you anymore.”

I bet even Ayanokoji-kun would be caught off-guard by that.

“No… she’d never say something like that.”

She would probably express sincere gratitude. Not as an idol with a hidden side. But as an awkward idol fighting only with her true self.

“Do your best.”

I cheer for her through the screen.

Right now, I can’t see her any other way, can’t hear her voice anywhere else.

And my voice doesn’t reach her.

But I won't stop.

“Do your best.”

Over and over, as many times as it takes.

“I’ll do my best this coming year, too… so that when we meet again outside, I won’t make a fool of myself.”

She’s already left me behind long ago.

So no matter what happens, I can’t just stand still.

I have to run to catch up.

I don’t have time to be discouraged by Ayanokoji-kun’s transfer. Let’s work hard— together. And one year from now, I’ll definitely come to see you.

“Do your best, Airi.”

I called out her name and smiled at her through the screen.

Shiraishi Asuka SS

A Different Pair of Ears

Pressing my phone to my right ear, I closed my eyes and calmed my heart.

“You must have heard of ‘Asuka the Hundred-Man Slayer.’ You’ve at least come across that nickname, right?”

Ryoko-san’s voice, high and clear, always sounds pleasant no matter when I hear it.

“…Is that rumor…true…?”

“Absolutely. A lie wouldn’t spread this far.”

Yoshida-kun's voice, I don't dislike it, but it's flat and uninteresting.

“So it’s not about a hundred friends?”

The next moment, reacting to Ayanokoji-kun's voice reaching my ears, I slowly opened my eyes.

“Ah…yes, that voice…”

As if my body was trembling with excitement, A shiver rushed from my ears to my brain, and then throughout my whole body.

An inorganic, colorless, emotionless voice.

A voice most unsuitable for observation, impossible to analyze.

And yet, why does it set my heart racing like this?

Is it because its essence is unorthodox?

Violence and domination, strategy and deceit, that voice could carry out anything and everything.

“I told you I’m not interested!”

To the point that Yoshida-kun's voice, which I shouldn't dislike, suddenly feels like noise.

I've become completely absorbed with his voice.

“What happens if the total goes to two hundred? Does she become the Two-Hundred-Man Slayer?”

I want to know what impression he has of me— how he feels.

Whether it’s admiration or disgust, I don’t mind either way.

Just let me hear it in that wonderful voice.

“I guess I feel respect for her, if anything. She’s our age, yet managed to do that with a hundred people. It’s honestly kind of amazing.”

“Eh? You really think that? …You do seem genuine about it.”

“I believe any specialist in any field deserves respect, don’t they? It might be inappropriate to use examples from my previous class, but it's like in my old class, someone excelling in basketball like Sudo, or swimming like Onodera, or sewing like Inogashira.”

“As I thought, you definitely have some unusual ways of thinking, Ayanokoji-kun.”

Reluctantly, I pulled the phone away from my ear.

I can’t hold back any longer.

From here on, I want to hear your voice directly, not through a phone.

“Sakayanagi-san. Please leave the rest to me.”

I stood up from the sofa and headed outside, where he was waiting for me.