Chapter 21: Since I Was Impressed, I Decided to Call Out to Him

Friday after school.

Youta had already gone home early. Something about "training"... or whatever.

Meanwhile, I’d been saddled with some menial tasks by our homeroom teacher and had just finished dealing with them.

Not that I minded—considering my poor grades and attitude in class, this was probably the teacher’s way of cutting me some slack.

"Hey, Hagino."

He turned around with a look of surprise. It was rare for me to initiate a conversation with Hagino. Our dynamic usually consisted of him talking at me one-sidedly.

As for why Hagino was still here, he’d volunteered to help with the chores.

"Of course I’d help out my best friend!"

Or so he’d declared, flashing a toothy grin. But seriously, did this guy have any friends besides me?

Well, not that I could talk—I only had Youta and him.

"Hey, do you know what Hidaka would like?"

"Huh? What’s this all of a sudden?"

I’d settled on getting him a gift, but I still had no idea what to give. No matter how much I thought about it, nothing came to mind that would actually make him happy.

Even if his memories had been altered, Hagino was still Youta’s childhood friend.

Maybe he’d have some hints. Worth a shot, at least.

"I’m thinking of giving her a present."

"Wha—? Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"W-wow, so even this clueless bastard’s finally making a move, huh?"

For some reason, Hagino got all worked up. Same reaction Hoshiko had the other day.

...Right.

Gifts usually needed a reason, didn’t they?

An anniversary, a thank-you, something like that. Unfortunately, Youta’s birthday had already passed.

So—

"Just… a thanks for everything, I guess. She’s been making lunch for me lately."

"Damn, so you really got her doing that for you, huh? …Not that I’m surprised!"

Despite his tone, Hagino didn’t seem resentful—if anything, he looked weirdly happy.

I’ve never been good at reading emotions, but with this guy, it’s downright impossible.

"Man, I’ve been rooting for you two to get together already. And lately, Luna’s been a little softer, right? That’s ‘cause you’ve been dragging her out, isn’t it?"

"...How do you know that?"

"Hoshiko-chan. Me and her? We’re tight."

Hagino puffed up his chest needlessly.

An unexpected source, but then again, if he was Youta’s childhood friend, it made sense he’d have ties to Hoshiko too.

"So. What kinda gift you thinking of?"

"...If possible, something memorable."

—This would likely be my last gift to Youta.

If I succeeded in restoring Youta to his original form, I’d have to return to my own world immediately.

Would it be arrogant to hope that, at the very least, I could leave some kind of mark on his memories?

"Something memorable, huh… That’s a tall order."

Maybe sensing my mood, Hagino’s usual boisterousness faded. He pressed a hand to his forehead, seriously mulling it over.

"...Didn’t take you for such a romantic, though."

"Really?"

"Most people wouldn’t say stuff like that unless it was, like, a final goodbye or something."

"...Yeah."

Hagino didn’t know the full story.

Of course he wouldn’t. Hell, Youta himself probably had no idea.

I couldn’t tell them the truth.

Kurosaki Haruto would simply vanish without a trace.

Riona and Kongou would probably smooth things over somehow.

"So, any ideas?"

"...Clothes. I tried fishing for hints, but that didn’t work out."

The department store incident the other day had been a bust.

I was still groping in the dark, but I couldn’t just give her some half-baked gift.

"Clothes? Nah, bad idea. Listen, girls are super picky about trends. Half the stuff they wear one season, they’ll never touch again."

"That so?"

Now that he mentioned it, Hidaka had tried on a ridiculous amount of outfits the other day.

...Might just get lost in the flood.

"Yeah, that’s how it is. If you want something memorable, accessories are the way to go!"

—And then it hit me.

My whole premise was flawed.

Youta was going to turn back into a guy.

What good would giving him women’s clothes do?

A rookie mistake. Uncharacteristic of me.

Which was why accessories suddenly seemed like a stroke of genius.

"Accessories are easier to match with outfits. Clothes have sizes and all that—if you just spring something on her, coordinating’s a pain."

"Fair point."

Hagino, unusually articulate for once, spoke so logically that I found myself nodding along.

Why couldn’t he apply this level of coherence in daily life?

Then again, people have their strengths and weaknesses.

"Still, no rings. No way you know her finger size, right? Necklaces or pendants are your best bet."

Completely ignoring my impressed look, he kept going, weirdly passionate.

"Plus, having someone wear your gift? That’s the best. Feels like your feelings are right there with ‘em."

...True.

The fact that I could even imagine that meant I’d changed more than I realized.

Still, had Hagino’s words ever hit me this hard before?

No. Not once.

"Hagino. This is the first time you’ve ever seemed reliable."

"Damn, way to be casually rude. …Though, I feel like I gave someone else a similar lecture once."

He gazed off, nostalgic.

Probably thinking of Youta.

Last Christmas, I remembered him getting all excited about exchanging gifts with Akashi.

Too bad that never happened…

Just as I was thinking that, Akashi walked into the classroom.

Must’ve come back for her bag.

Suddenly, Hagino lowered his voice.

No idea why. It’s not like it mattered if Akashi heard.

"Haruto, no way you actually know what girls like, right?"

He asked quietly, making sure Akashi wouldn’t overhear.

"Nope."

"Then I’ll tag along tomorrow. It’s not like I got plans anyway."

—Hmm. That's a generous offer.

If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better to have Akashi help out too?

It’s obvious that three people would be more efficient than two.

Besides, Youta would probably be happier with a gift from Akashi.

Thinking that, I called out to her.

"Akashi. Would you mind coming shopping with us tomorrow?"

Beside me, Hagino hissed in a whisper—

"Dude, what the hell are you thinking?!"

—but it was too late. I’d already spoken.

---

"Eh...?"

"If you’re not up for it, no pressure. Sorry, I just thought you might be willing to help."

"N-no, I don’t mind!"

I—I was shocked.

To think Kurosaki-kun would actually talk to me...

Most boys don’t really approach me much, so this was especially surprising.

Come to think of it, back in first year, there was this one slightly shorter guy I got along with.

Who was it again...?

...I can’t remember.

"Sorry. Are you... free tomorrow? On Saturday?"

"...Mmm, probably?"

It took me a second to answer—not because I didn’t want to, but because I was lost in thought.

But I don’t have any lessons that day.

I have girl friends, but none I’m close enough with to make plans all the time.

I used to hang out with Luna-chan a lot, but half a year ago, she suddenly started avoiding me.

Now, even if I try to talk to her, she either answers grumpily or just ignores me.

She won’t even meet my eyes.

—We were supposed to be best friends.

What even caused us to drift apart?

I don’t have a clue. So I can’t even apologize.

"Then, should we meet at the station?"

"Y-yeah!"

Oh no.

I got lost in my thoughts again.

Kurosaki-kun gives me a puzzled look.

Those mysterious, green-tinged eyes of his...

...Is this a date?

Ugh.

I’m so nervous.

Ever since he transferred here, Kurosaki-kun’s had this completely different vibe from the other boys.

He tries to act approachable, but there’s always this coldness around him.

Maybe that’s why...

I’ve found myself watching him without realizing it.

...Back at Christmas, when I went out with Luna-chan, it was Kurosaki-kun who helped us.

I was so nervous that time—it was my first time going out with a boy, just the two of us.

...Wait.

Luna-chan’s a girl, and if Kurosaki-kun was there, wouldn’t that make it three of us?

Something’s not right.

My head throbs with pain.

My chest tightens, and I reach into my pocket for my good luck charm...

...Okay. I’m calm now.

"You don’t look well. Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah! I’m fine. So, Saturday, right?"

Kurosaki-kun peers at me, concerned.

Not wanting to worry him, I quickly say my piece and leave the classroom.