October 20, Friday.

As expected, the chaos that was originally their true colors are starting to emerge. Day by day, the troubles are increasing and the teachers are starting to get more and more annoyed.

It is to be expected. Thankfully, I have the folks from the company of Anew giving us a hand. Everyday, they submit written reports of the students of Class 4A. Every break and lunchtime, they scatter to continuously observe them while still keeping themselves incognito.

Unfortunately, the observations are only going to last until 12pm because today is a school half-day. We are not allowed to observe their actions outside the school unless the situation needs immediate attention.

▪ ▪ ▪

“Did you finally move already, Akira?”

“Yeah, but to think that I finally moved out of my former place, it actually feels lonely that I can’t see my uncle and cousin everyday.”

“Your hand seemed to be healed. That’s good.”

“Though I didn’t expect it to heal very slowly, it’s not like me.”

“It’s probably affected by your current mental state. The recovery of your wound, I mean. It already happened to me a lot of times, but the wound on my torso is an exception.”

“Don’t worry, Akira. It’s not like you’ll never see them again. But the main point is that you are finally reunited with your family now.”

“Hahaha… I guess… that’s true.”

“Give your wholehearted trust to the principal. He won’t abandon you anymore, and he’s finally with your mother too.

Don’t be a worrywart, Akira. If you promise them that you won’t leave them for better or worse, they will reciprocate it towards you.”

“Shoot, I just realized. My and Rin’s cover is about to get blown.”

Now that Akira is back, I guess we could finally announce it to them without anything that will hold us back. Rin started to tug my arm more and gave me nods more than I can count.

We’re getting tired of their over-exaggerated suspicions already.

Mind you, Akira’s name already changed.

“It’s actually kind of unnatural and natural at the same time. The four of us have been friends for four years and this is the first time I’m seeing a peaceful version of Akira.”

I daresay, the cheerful side of him is fake and false. The more that side of him is displayed, the more his suffering increased. So I guess it’s better to be how he is right now.

“Also, I can’t imagine your dad being so rampant. Unless if I see him drunk, perhaps.”

“Dad kept telling me about you, Gin. The way you saw right through him is unexpected, he said. He also said that if you didn’t see it with your eyes, this would never happen.

I don’t really get it, though.”

“That man… Even though he’s a wise man, there are times he can’t move on his own, huh. How hopeless.”

“On the other note, we’ve been sitting on this stone bench underneath the oldest tree in the school, and I noticed that a lot of leaves are falling.

Is that signs of it aging?”

“I don’t think that’s quite the case, Nacchi. If you put the pieces together, it would make sense. This tree is not the only one with falling leaves.”

“Oh… you have a point, Shiro.”

I pointed my finger towards the leaves of the tree and then to the sky, afterwards.

“I guess I’m nearing to the conclusion if the world really is changing.

You may continue, Shiro.”

“Try to think of it. It’s constantly getting cold day by day to the point that we are now wearing layers when going to school or outside in general. The leaves of the trees are falling since last month. What do you think is this, then?”

Nagi’s eyes widened as he was looking at Shiro with an amazed smile.

“Fall?”

“Is this seriously going to happen? Are we really experiencing autumn now?!”

Rin is suddenly filled with excitement after she heard the word ‘fall’. She really has the ability to take me in a trance.

“Hey, Gin. Cut it out. You’re looking at her too much.”

Thanks to Nagi whispering at me, I came back to Earth.

“Wha… Oh. Nagi.”

“By the way, I have something to ask you, but I don’t think you will help me with this.

It’s about Shiro.”

With just those few words, I already knew what he’s talking about. “Do it in your own way” is what I’d like to say but I know he will get annoyed if I told him without even listening.

“Seriously, this isn’t like me. I don’t think I can stay stagnant without being honest to you guys, and especially to her.”

I’ve hit the bullseye.

“Can I ask since when?”

“I don’t know, honestly. It naturally just came to me and it feels like subconscious from the start. But the more I think about it, the more my feelings towards her grew.”

So it’s kind of my case too with Rin. I was very passive from the start but whenever I think about the possibilities, it’s already there and it won’t disappear anymore.

Although it was two years of being passive, it paid off.

“This is a side I haven’t seen from you, Nagi.

But in all seriousness, what are you going to do now?”

“Well, you know… tell her. Not like I have any options.”

“Hmm…

I will say that you don’t need to seek for my help. Do it on your own way. It will eventually come to that, I’m telling you. But we don’t know when it will happen.

Maybe next year, or the next months, or maybe even sooner. I don’t know, though. But what I know is that you are the one who will be the first to give light to it.”

“As a friend, I do hope you are right. Thanks, Gin.

But what the heck, you talk as if you already experienced it.”

“No problem.”

▪ ▪ ▪

After school, on the usual street where the three of us walk.

“Gin, when should we tell them?”

I don’t know if she just wanted to end their stressful mumbling about the two of us or she also wants to tell the group that we are a couple. Either way, I can’t even understand this girlfriend of mine anymore.

“Who knows?

Maybe next year, or the next months, or maybe even sooner.”

“I feel like you’ve already said that line…”

“So you haven’t told your club, huh. I suggest you tell them immediately, Nii. You can’t always keep them in the dark, you know.”

“Well, I think I need to wait for ‘something’ first.”

“Huh?”

I think I need to wait for Nagi first.

▪ ▪ ▪

Meanwhile, around at the same time.

Hey there, it’s me, Nagi Kajima. I’ll hold the mic with me temporarily because I have a big problem.

I can’t think of a way on how to have a talk with someone I’m deeply attached to. Yes, it’s my friend, Shiro Kirishima.

I’ve been thinking about this for the whole time since I had that conversation with Gin. Now I am very puzzled. Right now, I am about to grab a snack in a convenience store. It may help me clear up things in my head.

“Welcome, sir.”

Well, this is quite the coincidence. The other person inside the store is holding the same chocolate bar I am about to buy.

And the other person is her—Shiro.

“Nacchi.”

“H-Hey… Didn’t think you would be here.”

“Got a bit hungry on the way home, so I stopped to get a grub.”

“I see…

See you later, then.”

“Bye.”

I was the first to exit the store. That was really surprising. It would be a lot easier to talk with her if I’m with Gin or Jean. It just made me more stressed out.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

~ ~ ~

2 in the afternoon.

Since it’s a half-day, I guess I should blow off some steam in the arcade. I haven’t been there for a bit of time. I hope I still have my senses on playing in there.

…

Not again…

This is the last place I expect to see her at. I can’t seriously imagine Shiro playing in the arcade. Well, no point imagining it. She’s currently looking at me whilst in front of an old school Pacman booth.

Not to mention, but she’s not like the other women who wears really girly clothes when going outside. Actually, it’s just a hoodie and a shirt with a print saying “SHIRO”. So she dresses similarly to Ringo. That’s quite a discovery.

Though, that is not the main point!

“What are the chances of seeing you here, Shiro.”

“I didn’t expect to see you here too.

How about a game with me while we’re at it? Stre*t Fighter?”

“If you say so, but I actually think this is a bit OG now.”

…

Well, I lost.

Not just in Stre*t Fighter, but on hockey, a race, and even one game of N*A 2k17 in P*4. I totally suck.

“Hey, Nacchi. Do you think you’ll win there?”

She pointed out on the DDR. I last played it when I was a second year and I mercilessly defeated Akira that time. It’s on average difficulty, though.

And I don’t trust my skill because Shiro kept winning in every game we play and I end up just drooping on a corner. But I at least need to give it a try.

“I don’t know, but alright.”

~ ~ ~

This is unreal. I am playing DDR in insane difficulty but I am toe-to-toe with Shiro. Not making any mistakes and we are still both tied.

“What, Nacchi? Getting your legs exhausted already?”

“Say what? I could ask you the same thing. You’ll probably give in soon.”

“Heh. You’re one to talk.”

This is the final stretch, at last. It’s about to end. I don’t even care who is on the lead. Even though my legs are starting to go numb, it’s still moving on its own.

“COMPLETE!”

I won.

I finally won a game against Shiro.

“YEEEAAAAHHHH!”

I think I snapped because of the joy of winning against Shiro in a mere game. I’m kind of forgetting that I’m limiting myself whenever I’m with her.

“Hahahaha…! You finally won. Here!”

What?

I didn’t expect her to give me a high five.

No, more importantly, she looks like she’s having a lot of fun. I think I’m being absorbed by her smile.

This is bad. I think my face is turning red.

“…?

You okay there, Nacchi?”

“Oh… I’m good. I’m just a bit… overjoyed. Haha…”

“Ehh… What was that…”

“Ah! Before we leave, want a drink? My treat.”

“I can’t refuse.”

~ ~ ~

We left the arcade and we’re now around the busy crowd. I can’t get her face out of my mind up until now. She’s just too cute.

“Where are you going after this, Shiro?”

“Shopping.”

“I see. I think I’m going to rest at home for the rest of the day.”

“Okay, I’ll be on my way now. See you on Monday, Nacchi.”

“Yeah, you too.”

I waved my hand at her while she ran off to the other side of the road. She then disappeared from my sight because of the crowd.

I guess this day is finally concluding as I’m walking on my way home.

Or so I thought, I have a phone call.

“Hello, Dad?”

“Ah, Nagi. Before you go home, can you buy me a set of Letter size paper? The paper just ran out from the printer.

Oh, also. Get some ice cream mochi while you’re at it. Use the card if you need to withdraw.”

“Got it. Anything else?”

“Nothing more, just that.”

“Alright, bye.”

*beep*

“If I see her again at the mall, there’s definitely something wrong in this day.”

~ ~ ~

Am I cursed, or what?

Shoot, this is awkward. We just exchanged farewells earlier but we actually stumbled upon each other again. This is so unprecedented.

“Well, we meet again…?”

“Did we time travel to Monday?”

“Don’t say that.”

“I thought you’re about to go home.”

“I’m running an errand for my dad right now.”

A thought came in to my mind while I am standing still in the middle of this mall. Though, I think I’m going out of the line for a bit.

No, this is a chivalrous act!

“Actually, I don’t mind accompanying you at your shopping. I’m not really on a rush.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. But you accompany me too. I’ll even treat you with ice cream mochi.”

“Mochi?! Wha~”

Oh my, oh my… Her eyes just sparkled when she heard mochi. I almost forgot that she likes sweets. Just how cute can this girl be?

We finished both of our shopping in just an hour. A man should act as a gentleman when he’s with a woman. Simple acts like carrying her things, or in my case—shopping bags is a courteous act.

“Let’s take a rest for a bit, first. Nacchi.”

“I’ll put this first on the bench.”

RIIIIIIIIING!!!!

The alarms inside the mall started ringing. It must be a robbery.

The people started panicking but we stayed still because we can’t run with our belongings.

“Stop right there!”

A man on a hood carrying a bag came in our sight as he was sprinting towards the mall exit. It’s probably the thief who is running but he bumped onto Shiro and she’s about to fall down.

It made me enter a high level of panic but it feels like my body moved on its own.

Thank goodness I caught her on time.

Wait, what’s this…?

Am I embracing her? No, more importantly, is she also hugging me?! Wait, how is this even happening?!

“Hey, Shiro. Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?”

“Ah, I’m fine. I’m not hurt.”

In a split second, I saw her with a terrified expression and her arms tightly clung onto me.

“Shiro, let’s go home now. I’ll accompany you to your place.”

“No, I’m okay. You can go home without me.”

“I need to assure your safety until you get home. So at least this once…”

“…

Alright…”

~ ~ ~

I hope she feels safe walking with me and I also hope that there are no more thugs coming to us. We’re both getting tired now.

“Say, Nacchi… Are our accidental meetings really a coincidence? What do you think?”

“Huh? Well, I don’t know…

I think it’s quite unprecedented that we accidentally met for three times in one day.”

“…

If something like this happens again in the future, then I’ll be convinced that this is not a mere coincidence.”

“I… don’t really get what you’re talking about.”

“Huh, stupid! Try to get a hint, won’t you!

Oh, I’m here.”

“Oh, yeah. Have a good rest, then.”

“What the… Did I just make her mad or something?”

As I was about to walk away from the door of their house, she called me out for the last time.

“Nacchi!”

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for earlier.”

“Next time, be careful, Shiro.”

I walked away without saying goodbyes. I don’t think that would be right if I said it again.

But with all of those events done, this long day finally come to its end.

▪ ▪ ▪

The next day.

Hey, this is still me. Nagi, here.

I’m currently having a stroll at Zen Park because I woke up with a beautiful view from the window of my room earlier. The leaves are gracefully dancing as the wind took them. It’s a very beautiful sight.

Zen Park has a lot of trees and the leaves are falling from them everywhere. It’s a really a peaceful day today. The people kept watching the leaves slowly fall to the ground or fly to the sky.

I daresay, in a country with great heat, the cold breeze caressed my skin and I think autumn has finally come down to Orio for the first time.

All in all, this is a lovely day.

I’m sure that nothing bad is going to happen. If only everyday is this peaceful… I can probably say that I’m glad I live in this world.

(!)

Suddenly, Gin’s words traveled through my mind…

“It will eventually come to that, I’m telling you. But we don’t know when it will happen.”

Why am I remembering this?

“Maybe next year, or the next months, or maybe even sooner.”

…

Or today.

“Thank you, Gin.”

I reached a walkway in the park full of leaves. Both sides of it had towering trees while the leaves are falling. It’s probably the most beautiful scenery in the park.

And with an addition of a girl standing on the other side of the leaf covered path.

“Shiro…”

Let me correct myself. This scene is beyond beautiful. I’m starting to fall in love in nature… and I’m falling for her more.

As I run towards her, I can see Shiro’s eyes with tears flowing from it. And for some reason, tears also started gushing from my eyes. It feels like my body is moving on its own again.

Right here, right now. I stand before the woman I truly adore. In an instant, the colors of the world became more vibrant. It sounds as if there’s a BGM of a violin playing. If this scene is a painting, it will definitely be a masterpiece.

“This… This is not a mere coincidence. Am I right…

Nagi?”

“Yeah, you’re right.

But if you ask me what this is…”

Without any thought, I hugged her tightly.

“…not fate, not the future…

But the present we are standing on.”

“This world is unfair…

Why did the answer to my question came quickly…?”

“Because that’s just how it goes. There might be times when the things we expect last come in the next day. And it did…

I am standing before the person I love.”

“You’re too smooth, Nagi…”

“No, I’m not.”

I can feel her arms raising and holding onto me. This feeling… this warmth can definitely fight the coldest blizzards and winds.

After a little while, she released me but stared at me eye-to-eye.

“Hand.”

“Hand?”

“Whatever.”

She took my left hand without hesitation and held it tight. Without saying a word, I already knew what it was about.

“This time, I will be the one thanking you, Shiro.”

“You’re welcome.”

▪ ▪ ▪

Let’s jump back to time when it was before Nagi and Shiro met at the Zen Park. The time when he thanked Gin, specifically.

“Achoo~!”

“Getting a cold again, Gin?”

“No way, Rin. I won’t let you and Haku get sick because of me. Besides, today’s episode of Fo*d Wars is really good.

I’m really inspired of how Soma cooks.”

“It’s also the Moon Festival and Kuga is selling Mapo Tofu in his booth.”

“Oh… that will be really good since it’s very cold today. I’ll try making it for lunch.”

“Gin… I just checked your kitchen earlier. There are no shadows of anything spicy and tofu there.”

“Oh, I see…

Shopping!

But after the episode finished, of course. *wink*”

“Way to go for denying the romance genre, huh. I wonder what the damned author is writing right now.

Also, it’s really cold today.”

▪ ▪ ▪

Hey, there. It’s me again, Gin Sakato.

The mic suddenly came back to me so I can do the narration again. Wait, can this still be called a narration? I’m just talking like no one’s business here.

Anyways, don’t even think that the chapter ended there. It’s good for other characters to have more opportunities of having a plot. Also, I insist of not being called the protagonist—unless if it is necessary.

Well, let’s go to the next day, alright? 22nd of October, which was Sunday. Woah, three days in one chapter.

Don’t be confused, people. I’m still the one talking. Me, Gin Sakato. There’s no way I’ll let the author talk inside the chapters.

That’s what she said.

▪ ▪ ▪

“Good choice of choosing Giotto’s as the go-to destination today. Just be glad that I’m on break now.”

“Thankfully, the quantity of customers subsided this time of the day.”

“I have a two-hour break, or less. So what is it, Nagi?”

“Let’s cut to the chase already…”

I feel like something is different on our table. It’s quite familiar, actually. If I compare it to a perfume, it would probably smell like…

Oh no… it smells like a perfume similar to ours, mine and Rin, I mean.

“Shiro and I are in a relationship now.”

“What?!”

I thought the first one that will react is Akira, but I remembered that he’s not like the way he used to be. It’s Jean this time.

“That’s surprising. Congratulations!”

I’m still not used at how peaceful Akira is. He always wore a smug face and talked non-stop but he’s very different now. Well, it’s because he’s Akira Bentley no more. No one even knows where that surname came from.

“Congraaaats.”

“Grats. So you’re the first pair in our group to step up, huh.

Yawn~”

The four of them seemed to become quiet after seeing and hearing our reaction.

“I didn’t expect a boring reaction like that.”

“So nonchalant… you two.”

“Then stop calling us a married couple from now on, you detectives.”

“How did you know that?!”

“Sorry for my ears being so sensitive. You should lower the decibel units if you’re going to whisper. It only happens from time to time, though. Nothing to worry about it.”

“Seeing such a reaction, the two of you are not even that fussed.”

“Us…? First?”

“I’m not convinced…”

“Honestly, I’m surprised. But I think it’s only natural for a couple to react like that to another couple that announced their relationship to their friends.”

“…”

The only thing that is missing is a cicada. It’s too quiet that we need at least a bit of sound.

“HUUUUUHHHH?!?!?!”

Oh, hey. The first one to react is Nagi. His face is scary, though.

“What?! Since when?!”

“A month ago. 20th, to be exact.”

“The time when we had ramen?”

“Ringo, tell me that Gin is joking!”

Eyes wide open, straight look and an almost U-shaped smile. Her cutest smile is showing up again along with a nod.

“What the…

So that is why you said that advice to me! Smooth talker!”

“Oh, by the way, Shiro. Your ‘boyfriend’ asked me some advice last Friday but I didn’t give him any. I swear.”

“Good grief… Then what about the-“

“I will say that you don’t need to seek for my help. Do it on your own way. It will eventually come to that, I’m telling you. But we don’t know when it will happen.

Maybe next year, or the next months, or maybe even sooner. I don’t know, but I know that you are the one who will be the first who to give light to it.

Is that what you’re about to say?

Oh, wait. Should this be considered as an advice? Sorry about that.”

“Then stop making that ‘tee-hee pero~’ face if you’re sorry!”

In any case, may there be changes of status in our group, it doesn’t really matter. But I think Akira and Jean are obviously getting envious.

What didn’t change is the six of us are still friends and we’re still the current Art Club. Given that there are times that we did have misunderstandings, it was always getting resolved after a few hours in maximum. Reconciliation is what’s important. A bond lasts forever if they truly love each other. It’s one simple act but it’s very effective.

Understanding their feelings is also one way of communicating without hurting them. Sometimes, we need to be cautious on what we say—but it’s always a part of it. You scold them, you had fun with them, you hang out with them, and you understand their pain.

That’s more than enough to have a smile on a face.

“Anyways, the game is about to start.”