As usual, Horikita arrived at the store, picked out a few simple ready-to-eat bento boxes, then grabbed the milk and bread she'd need for breakfast the next day.
That way, she could sleep in just a little longer.
Not having to worry about everyday chores made Horikita feel considerably lighter. When she reached her dorm room, she took out her keys and unlocked the door.
"Welcome home～"
A cute, sporty-looking girl wearing a cat-ear hairclip greeted her with the sweetest smile.
"How did you get in?"
Horikita's response to the girl's welcome was ice-cold.
"I had a spare key made last time. So, Suzu-chan, would you like tea first, or some candied apple, or… me?"
"Just some tea, please, Miyako. And you can call me Horikita."
Seeing that Horikita still seemed upset, Amane hung her head and trudged to the kitchen. She pulled out a tea bag and deftly prepared a cup, then came back and sat obediently beside Horikita.
"You must be tired today, Suzu-chan. Want a shoulder rub?"
As she spoke, Amane placed her hands on Horikita's shoulders.
But then—
Amane felt her hands being grabbed.
In one swift motion, Horikita stood and threw her over a shoulder, slamming her onto the floor.
"Ow, ow, ow! Suzu-chan, what was that for?"
Amane whined, rubbing her chest.
Thankfully, what nature had provided cushioned the impact—otherwise, she might not have gotten up for a while.
"My apologies, Miyako. I forgot to mention—I don't like people touching my shoulders."
"Liar! You let me massage them before!"
"You said it yourself—that was before, wasn't it?"
Amane wanted to argue back, but in the end, no words came out.
"Suzu-chan, are you still mad? I already said I didn't mean for things to turn out like that…"
Amane stole a pitiful glance at Horikita, whose expression remained unreadable.
"Oh? To play along with your little game, I did something in front of others that could've socially ruined me at this school. And then you brushed it off like it was nothing and made me lose face. By now, probably the whole class knows, don't you think?"
The displeasure in Horikita's voice was unmistakable.
"I'm sorry, I should've talked it over with you first. Please forgive me, just this once?"
Amane moved to hug Horikita and cling to her, but Horikita gently pushed her away.
"It's getting late. I'm going to rest now. If there's nothing else, Miyako, you should head back. We have to get up early for class tomorrow."
The cold dismissal clearly dampened Amane's spirits.
"Alright, I'll go then. But if you need anything, even in the middle of the night, just call me, okay? I'm really great to hug—"
"Mm."
"Thanks for the tea."
Seeing no change, Amane quietly opened the door and left.
This time, it seemed she'd really gone too far.
Otherwise, Horikita wouldn't have stayed angry for so long.
Amane unlocked her own dorm room.
The sky-blue curtains looked dull and heavy in the night, blocking out any light from outside.
She didn't bother turning on the lights—just threw herself onto the bed.
Then she took out her phone, hoping for a message from Horikita.
"Maybe it's just my wishful thinking that Suzu-chan will forgive me."
Amane smiled faintly.
She hadn't had any coffee today, so why did her mouth taste so bitterly dry?
She walked into the bathroom, turned on the hot water, and took a long shower.
She hadn't done much exercise, and there was no particular odor on her, yet she felt compelled to wash up.
Maybe keeping herself busy was the only way to calm down.
After her shower, wrapped in a towel, she stood in front of the mirror.
The reflection staring back snapped her out of her daze.
It was a face devoid of expression, a smile completely absent.
Her eyes held no light.
From the moment she was born, she had been walking a path laid out by others—a journey with a clear starting point and predetermined steps.
The only choice left to her was the final one: where she would be buried.
Amane pressed the corners of her mouth with her fingers and pulled them upward.
But no matter how hard she tried, the girl in the mirror wouldn't smile.
She only stared back, cold and detached.
"Only the weak huddle together for warmth. The strong walk alone."
Amane murmured the words that man had taught her.
But…
She didn't like being alone.
Choosing loneliness for the sake of strength—that seemed strange to her now.
Of course, she hadn't understood this until she met Horikita Suzune.
The moment she saw Horikita, she'd felt a connection—because her expression then was so much like the one in the mirror now.
Amane wanted to see her smile.
So she became her friend.
For a while, things had been getting better.
Horikita had started smiling more, becoming more open, more… lovely.
But then Amane had pushed too hard, and now Horikita had frozen over again.
"Seriously, I only wanted to make her happy. Why did it…"
Thud!!!
Amane's fist struck the wall.
The pristine white surface splintered under the blow. Just as she drew back her arm for another strike, her phone rang.
She walked slowly to the bedside and picked it up.
An unknown number flashed on the screen.
"Hello?"
"Is this Miyako Amane? This is Horikita Manabu."
"What is it this late?"
"You sound upset."
"…"
Amane didn't reply.
Sensing her resistance, Horikita Manabu cut straight to the point.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you—about Horikita Suzune. If it's convenient, would you be willing to meet?"
About Horikita Suzune?
Amane frowned.
"What happens if I refuse?"
"Nothing at all. But you might lose Suzune as a friend."
"Are you threatening me?"
Amane's tone turned sharp.
On the other end, Horikita Manabu immediately sensed a fierce hostility—one that felt eerily similar to what he'd experienced during the club orientation.
Could it have been Miyako who…?
"I wouldn't call it a threat. I'm only stating a fact. If you know Suzune at all, I believe you've sensed it too. I'm not speaking recklessly."
It was true.
Horikita was deliberately keeping her distance. Amane didn't understand why, and told herself it was just lingering anger.
But maybe the truth was, she still didn't know Horikita well enough.
If so, perhaps Horikita Manabu had something she needed to hear.
"Time and place."
"Eight p.m. Behind the dormitory."
"I'll be there."
Amane checked the time.
She had forty minutes.
Enough to settle her emotions a little.
Horikita Manabu hung up as soon as he received her reply.
Amane began choosing what to wear.
She opened her closet.
Aside from her school uniform and the casual clothes she'd just changed out of, there was only one other outfit—the one Horikita had picked out for her.
"This one it is, then."
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.