With Panasonic's help, I was able to buy clothes, and now I'm fully prepared.
The current time is 18:00.
Since the meeting time is at 19:00, it's a little early, but I decide to head to the meeting spot now.
As I stroll leisurely toward my destination, I notice many third-year students along Keyaki Mall, likely because graduation is just around the corner. With only a few days left at this school, they seem to be looking around nostalgically.
Come to think of it, doesn't Horikita's brother have any outings with his classmates? He's the leader of Class 3-A, so I doubt he wouldn't be invited to any class gatherings.
Lost in thought like that, I end up bumping shoulders with a passing student.
"Sorry about th—... Hikigaya-kun?"
"Ichinose?"
Turning around, I see that the person I bumped into was Ichinose.
Behind her are what appear to be nearly all her classmates. It seems they're on their way somewhere as a group.
"Ahaha, sorry about that. Didn't mean to bump into you."
"It's fine. I was lost in thought too."
"Th-that's right! Honami-chan didn't do anything wrong!"
Shiina, standing next to Ichinose, glares slightly as she speaks up.
As expected, my reputation in Ichinose's class isn't great. But that's understandable—our class achieved what could be called an overwhelming victory over Ichinose's class in the recent exam.
Not just Shiina, but nearly everyone behind her is giving me complicated looks, if not outright glaring.
"Hey, hey, cut it out with the glares. Yeah, we lost the last exam, but that's got nothing to do with Hikigaya, right?"
"Shibata's right. Taking out your frustration just because he's from Ryūen's class is misguided."
Shibata and Kanzaki, noticing the stares directed at me, speak up in my defense.
That's a little surprising. Shibata and I were in the same group during the mixed training camp, so we're not complete strangers, but I didn't expect him to stick up for me.
Ichinose, standing in front of me, looks apologetic about her classmates' behavior. It's probably best if I leave soon.
"I'll get going. Sorry for bumping into you."
"Ah, w-wait, can I talk to you for a sec?"
As I try to walk away quickly, Ichinose grabs my arm a little firmly.
"What is it?"
"Hikigaya-kun... do you have plans right now?"
At her words, murmurs rise from her classmates behind her. I don't know what misunderstanding they've jumped to, but the sharp glares directed at me have intensified.
Shiina isn't even trying to hide her glare anymore.
"I do have plans... Why do you ask?"
"...I was just a little curious. What kind of plans?"
"Hey, Ichinose, asking about someone's private matters like that is a bit..."
Kanzaki tries to interject, but Ichinose doesn't take her eyes off me.
Her expression lacks its usual composure, and I can see a hint of panic—maybe even sweat.
At least from my perspective, Ichinose seems unusually flustered, acting in a way she normally wouldn't.
"Sorry, but it's personal. I can't share it without the other person's permission."
I don't know what Ichinose is thinking, but it's clear she's trying to get information out of me. I have no intention of foolishly revealing anything.
"O-oh... Yeah, you're right. I must've been acting weird. Sorry for saying something strange."
She lets go of my arm and bows her head slightly in apology.
"Don't worry about it."
With that, I finally leave.
Ichinose's intentions are unclear, but there's no point dwelling on it now.
If she's probing for something, it can wait for another time.
"Sorry, everyone. I'll just make a quick phone call."
I faintly hear Ichinose's voice behind me, but I ignore it and continue toward my destination.
......
I arrived at the meeting spot a little early, only to find that Horikita Manabu was already there.
"Did I keep you waiting?"
As I jogged up to him, Manabu's expression shifted slightly.
"Not at all. You're ten minutes early."
That faint change disappeared almost immediately, his usual dignified expression returning.
Had I imagined the slight upturn of his lips?
"Even so, you got here before me. How long have you been waiting?"
I asked purely out of curiosity, but Manabu visibly averted his gaze.
"...More importantly, I made a reservation. Let's go."
"Hey."
Without answering, Manabu started walking.
Just how long had he been there…?
Following him, we soon stopped in front of a restaurant.
I'd never been here before, but I recognized it. It was one of the most popular spots in Keyaki Mall—a bit pricey, but I'd heard the food was exceptional.
"This is the place. I'm covering everything today. Order whatever you want."
"Still as stiff as ever, huh... Well, I'll gratefully accept your treat."
Was this former student council president incapable of speaking casually? Or maybe this was his idea of being relaxed.
Inside, soothing music played, and the nature-inspired decor gave off a stylish vibe.
Once again, I was glad I'd let Matsushita pick my outfit.
"Is this your first time here?"
"Yeah. I knew about it, but I've never been."
We took our seats, glancing over the menu while making small talk.
But ever since we entered, the stares from other students in the restaurant had been intense.
No surprise—the former student council president was bound to draw attention.
"The pasta here is excellent. I'm getting the Genovese. What about you?"
"Let's see... Hm? Carbon... ara...?"
As I scanned the menu, my eyes landed on the most prominently featured dish.
"...What's with that reaction? Don't tell me you've never had carbonara before."
Manabu looked at me with disbelief. Apparently, carbonara was supposed to be common knowledge among pasta dishes.
"Embarrassingly enough, you're right. I knew it existed, but I've never tried it."
At my response, Manabu's expression shifted slightly—this time, noticeably.
"Heh. You're a weird one."
"...!"
The sight of Manabu smiling for the first time caught me off guard.
Noticing my reaction, he locked eyes with me.
"What's wrong, Hikigaya? See something strange?"
"Nah, it's just my first time seeing you smile. I thought your facial muscles were frozen or something."
"I can smile, you know. Consider today an exception."
"Pretty sure that's not what 'exception' means..."
We continued chatting as we ordered pasta and some sides.
Sipping the water the waiter brought, I decided to ask something that had been on my mind.
"So, why'd you invite me out today?"
I had wanted to talk to Manabu at least once more before graduation, but his exact motives were unclear.
Manabu frowned slightly, as if surprised by the question.
"No particular reason."
"...None?"
"Right. I just wanted to talk to you once more before graduating."
So, no concrete agenda. If anything, he felt the same way I did.
"I also wanted to talk to you before graduation... Never thought you'd feel the same."
"Seems so. Now I finally understand why you—someone who hates standing out—accepted this invitation."
He wasn't wrong. On any other day, I probably would've turned him down.
Not because I didn't want to go, but purely to avoid attention.
Maybe Manabu had planned it for today precisely because he knew that.
"By the way, didn't Nagumo-senpai also invite you to dinner? Was it okay to turn him down?"
Given how long they'd known each other, Nagumo was undoubtedly closer to Manabu than I was. Yet, back at the clothing store, he'd said he refused Nagumo's offer.
"I won't ask how you know that... But when I weighed your invitation against Nagumo's, I chose yours without hesitation."
The sheer audacity of his deadpan delivery was astounding.
Poor Nagumo...
As we talked, our food arrived.
"Whoa... This looks amazing."
No wonder this place was popular—just the presentation alone was enough to make my mouth water. I didn't eat pasta often, but this was tempting.
Staring wouldn't satisfy my hunger, so I took my first bite of the mysterious carbonara.
"...!"
"...Judging by your face, you really were telling the truth about never having carbonara before."
Manabu was looking at me like I was some kind of oddity, but my mind was too busy processing the carbonara.
"I had no idea carbonara was this good. No wonder it's a classic."
"I've seen many things in my life, but this is the first time I've witnessed someone tasting carbonara for the first time."
As he ate his Genovese, I mentally retorted—I wasn't some rare animal.
Then, my eyes landed on Manabu's pasta. I'd never tried Genovese either.
Would he spare me a bite?
"Hey, mind giving me a taste of yours?"
"Hm? Sure."
Without hesitation, Manabu twirled some pasta onto his fork and held it out toward me.
"Here, open up."
...I'd meant for him to just put some on my plate.
As Manabu held out the fork with a straight face, every pair of eyes in the restaurant—including those of the waitstaff—snapped toward us.
The girls shrieked, and even the waiters froze mid-task. (Do your damn jobs.)
"..."
"What? Not eating?"
"...I'll eat it, just wait."
This felt different from when Aru, Hiyori, or Matsushita had done something similar...
Steeling myself, I endured the stares and let him feed me the forkful.
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
"No way!? This is insane!!"
"HachiGaku! HachiGaku is real!"
The moment I took the bite, the girls in the restaurant erupted into screams.
I had no idea what was happening—and what the hell was "HachiGaku"?
"Good?"
"...Yeah. It was good."
Unfazed by the attention, Manabu seemed completely indifferent.
Honestly, I barely even tasted it, though...
......
After finishing our meal, we left the restaurant. True to his word, Manabu had covered the entire bill.
Now, on our way back to the dorms, I suddenly had an idea and stopped.
"How about one last coffee? You treated me earlier, so let me get this one."
I pointed to the vending machine next to a park bench as I made the offer. Manabu frowned slightly.
"I don't mind, but I'll pay for my own. It'd be pathetic to let a junior treat me."
"Come on, at least let me cover a vending machine drink."
Realizing I wouldn't back down, Manabu let out a small sigh but nodded.
I bought two cans of coffee from the machine, and we sat on the bench.
"...Unthinkable."
After taking a sip, Manabu muttered under his breath.
"What is?"
"Just remembering the first time we met. Back then, I never would've imagined sitting side by side like this, sharing coffee."
"Yeah, fair point."
The first time we'd crossed paths was somewhere around here.
It was when Manabu had been scolding his sister—Horikita Suzune—and I, along with Ayanokōji, had intervened.
"Now that I think about it, you're probably the senior I've interacted with the most in this school."
"I feel the same. Among the underclassmen, you're the first—and likely last—I've ever shared a meal with like this."
That might've been an exaggeration, but for Manabu, it was probably true.
Sitting side by side on the bench, drinking warm coffee in the chilly season.
Maybe this was only possible because of our senior-junior relationship.
But today was the last day for that, too.
"Graduation's tomorrow. Any unfinished business?"
"...Unfinished business, huh?"
"Never mind, stupid question. It's about your sister, right?"
"..."
Even from an outsider's perspective, Horikita Suzune had grown.
As her brother, today and tomorrow were his only chances to see that growth for himself.
"I'm not planning to see you at the graduation ceremony tomorrow."
"......Why?"
His brows furrowed ever so slightly, and though I might've been imagining it, his shoulders seemed to slump in dissatisfaction.
A bit surprised by this uncharacteristic reaction, I continued.
"It's not my place to intrude on a moment between siblings, right?"
Manabu's eyes widened slightly at my words.
"...You're certain Suzune will come to see me?"
"I am classmates with your sister, you know. I can tell how much she's changed over the past year."
I was being vague, but Manabu would understand.
I took a sip of my now lukewarm coffee.
"For what it's worth, I think you're an incredible senior. No sarcasm—I mean it."
"Didn't expect to hear that from you... That's unexpected."
Despite his words, he looked faintly pleased.
Well, it was the last day anyway.
No harm in being honest for once.
"So don't worry. If she's Horikita Manabu's sister... she'll be fine."
For better or worse, I knew him well enough to say that.
Today, the former student council president smiled often. Even now, at my assessment of him and his sister, he gave a curt "I see" in response.
"...Here."
Slowly, Manabu reached into his pocket and handed me a slip of paper.
"What's this?"
"My personal contact info. Call me if anything comes up. But keep it quiet—if the school finds out, it's a violation."
"...And the former student council president is okay with breaking rules?"
"That was former. I graduate tomorrow. Rules don't apply to me anymore."
They still apply to me, though.
I swallowed the retort and took the paper.
"And, well..."
After handing it over, Manabu looked down, as if struggling to force out the words stuck in his throat.
"...Once you graduate, I'd like to do this again. Share coffee with you."
He averted his gaze, murmuring almost shyly.
A wish I'd never heard—never even imagined—from Horikita Manabu.
I nodded quietly in response.
Even if fulfilling that wish would be difficult.
"At this school... Hikigaya, I'm truly glad I met you."
He stood up, faced me, and smiled.
Then, he held out his hand.
"Meeting you... made me feel like I learned a few new things, too."
Thanks.
That's what I wanted to say as I gripped his hand in return.
Manabu and I had been through a lot. Someday, all of it would become memories.
When that time came, I'd remember today. As if fighting against the passage of time.
"Let's head back."
"Yeah."
Walking side by side, we slowly made our way home.
"By the way, you ever plan on getting a girlfriend or anything?"
"Never really thought about it. Never had one before, either."
"Really? That's surprising. What about Tachibana-senpai—?"
And so, we spent our last moments together chatting about nothing in particular, savoring the time we had left.
=================================
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