In Class 1-B, second row by the window, Kanna Hiiragi couldn't focus. Tosaka Fuyuka-senpai's words in the infirmary echoed in her mind: Kazuma Sato had been in the old school building that day.
Questions swirled. Why had he rushed off at noon just to go there? Did he already know Akane Nanao was inside? Did he know she was in danger?
…Had he done it?
With her senior's testimony, both she and Akane Nanao were convinced it was Kazuma. Yet after leaving the infirmary, Kanna Hiiragi wanted to confront him directly—but he had skipped class.
Glancing at the empty seat in the back row, the tall, athletic girl sighed."Where did that guy go?"
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a figure on the playground. She tensed, then leaned forward to see clearly. Her lips parted slightly in surprise.
"Akane?"
"Why didn't she rest in the infirmary? Why is she out?"
Kanna Hiiragi watched as her friend crossed most of the playground, reached a chair, and sat with someone.
"…Is that Kazuma?"
Did Akane Nanao come to find Kazuma? They—
Already distracted, Kanna Hiiragi became even more absent-minded. Anxiety and irritation stirred in her chest. She unconsciously gripped her pencil tighter.
"Kazuma… did you do this?"
Akane Nanao's sudden question didn't frighten him. Kazuma looked puzzled.
"What are you talking about? What did I do?"
"The old school building incident," she said softly.
"Wasn't it you, Kazuma Sato, who killed that scumbag?"
Kazuma toppled from his chair in a comically dramatic fall. His eyes widened as he shouted indignantly:
"Akane Nanao! How can you slander me like that?! Coach Tougou was bitten to death by a dog—what does that have to do with me. This is defamation! Slander!"
He looked around nervously.
"One sentence like that could make an innocent student a criminal suspect! Luckily no one was around—otherwise, even jumping into Tokyo Bay wouldn't clear my name! I thought we were friends… and yet you accuse me of being the murderer? That's too much!"
Akane Nanao felt awkward. He was too good at pretending, spinning a whole story seamlessly. Without her senior's testimony, she might have believed him.
"Kazuma-kun," she said, stepping closer and helping him up, "were you also in the old school building during lunch break?"
Their bodies nearly pressed together, the soft contact unmistakable.
"I was," Kazuma admitted. Denial was pointless; Tosaka Fuyuka was there.
"I was there. But I was so scared my legs went weak, so I couldn't save the coach… Sigh. I've always felt guilty."
"You bastard, you never tell the truth..."
The girl puffed out her nose and hummed softly, but didn't press the matter further. Instead, she turned slightly to gaze at Kazuma's profile, as if speaking to him—or maybe to herself. "I know the one who really saved me wasn't some stray dog or animal. It was someone else entirely. He was in the old school building at the time."
Kazuma: "..."
"It's not about identifying the murderer. On the contrary, I'm very grateful to him. I was terrified and desperate in that old building. I even thought about giving up… but when I was rescued, I felt so happy. That person… it was like kami sama—he could hear my thoughts, listen to my prayers, and grant my wishes..."
Kazuma: "..."
Akane Nanao's eyes softened as she looked at Kazuma, revealing her true feelings. "I really want to see him. I won't tell anyone—I just want to confide in him, learn his secrets, see what kind of person he is, get to know him, become friends with him… and then say thank you."
A spark of light flickered in her eyes as she stared at Kazuma.
Kazuma's expression tightened slightly, his heart wavering. So… instead of pressuring me, she's taking a gentler approach? She knows I respond better to kindness than force, right?
"Didn't you say he could hear your thoughts? You don't need to say them out loud—he'll know anyway," Kazuma muttered awkwardly, turning his head away.
He didn't look at Akane's expression. Instead, he stared at the blue sky and drifting clouds, his mind wandering. Thoughts of his secret gadgets and the system's wish list floated through his head.
Even without a Doraemon system in this world, simple dreams and wishes weren't lacking. There were kind, gentle girls like her. Helping them might bring more than just rewards.
Many other things, too.
Kazuma's dazed look caught Akane Nanao's attention. Hearing his vague reply, she already knew the answer. She expected excitement, but felt none. Instead, she felt calm. Compared to excitement, there was only warmth and happiness in her chest.
Just being near him felt like basking in the sun.
In the quiet between them, dappled sunlight fell on the ground. Leaves rustled, butterflies flitted past, a gentle breeze blew, and strands of the girl's hair danced across Kazuma's face, carrying her faint, sweet fragrance.
Suddenly realizing how close she was—face almost touching his—Kazuma tensed, as if facing a formidable opponent. What kind of trouble is this woman causing now?
"By the way, Kazuma-kun, what exactly is your relationship with Kanna? You two aren't dating, right?" Akane Nanao asked, stepping back and hugging her knees, pressing her face against her legs. She glanced at him sideways, a few strands of hair brushing her delicate face. Her bright eyes sparkled as she smiled.
She'd changed the subject.
"No, she and I are just ordinary classmates. We've only known each other for two days."
Even though she'd already done far more embarrassing things, Kazuma covered his face.
"Hehe, I knew it. But two days isn't nearly enough. School's been going for two months, and you still don't know me, Kazuma-kun. You need to make more friends, or you'll end up isolated. But every time Kanna mentions you, she asks me in a weird way and won't tell me. Do you two have a secret you're hiding from me?"
Akane Nanao leaned closer, her breath nearly brushing his face.
"Aren't you friends? Why don't you ask her yourself?"
Kazuma couldn't say it out loud.
"So mysterious..."
"Gurgle—"
"My tummy! You've helped your owner out of another awkward situation," a voice cut through Kazuma's embarrassment.
Akane Nanao froze for a moment, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"Hey, Kazuma-kun, why do you always feel hungry whenever I see you?" she asked, grinning, swinging her long, pale legs.