Vol. 1 Chapter 14 – If You’re in Trouble

After finishing the first day’s exams, I went home and, for once, was able to concentrate in my room. With Akari coming over almost every week, and the irregular event of Nagisa visiting last week, I hadn’t been able to focus as much. Even though I wasn’t that worried about the tests, there was no harm in being thoroughly prepared.

Apparently, Mom was out too, so for lunch, I opted for cup ramen—a time-efficient choice—and was spending the ideal exam period studying in my quiet room.

I’d concentrate for about fifty minutes, then take a ten-minute break. Following a schedule similar to a regular school day, time flew by.

It was already around five o’clock. Normally, this was about the time I’d be getting home. I broke my concentration from the textbook and, as I left my room to add more green tea to my empty mug and started boiling water in the pot, the doorbell rang.

“Coming in~!” (Akari)

The moment I opened the door, my childhood friend entered, stepping to a light rhythm.

“Excuse me.” (Hinata)

And then, Murai-san followed her in as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Come on in.” (Yuuto)

I showed the two of them into the room, increased the amount of water I was boiling, and handed them both green tea.

“Ooh! How thoughtful!” (Akari)

“Thank you very much.” (Hinata)

My childhood friend, who had become so accustomed to being here she’d forgotten it was someone else’s house, and her friend, who maintained proper etiquette. There’s a saying, “Learn from others’ conduct to correct your own.” I really wished Akari would look at Murai-san and remember her manners.

“I’m sorry, Aoi-kun. I knew it was exam period, so I tried to stop Akari-chan, but…” (Hinata)

“No, it’s fine. I got home early today, and thanks to that, I got plenty of studying done, so I’m actually happy you two came. It’s like a nice break.” (Yuuto)

“Oh, really… Well, that’s good then!” (Hinata)

She sat next to Akari, in what had pretty much become her designated spot, sank deep into the sofa’s backrest, and looked quite relaxed.

I placed my own tea on the night table and lay down on my bed, which was positioned slightly behind the two of them.

Akari’s mood today was apparently for a movie rather than games; she operated the remote, launched a subscription service, and selected the movie she wanted.

It was a romance movie I’d never seen before. I watched a fair number of movies, but I didn’t recall seeing many that didn’t star my father.

The two of them didn’t seem to be paying close attention to the movie, chatting away while glancing at the screen.

“Oh, by the way, Aoi-kun, did you know? Apparently, Hokujou-san is coming to Ichiyou!” (Hinata)

“Ah, so I’ve heard.” (Yuuto)

“You’re so nonchalant… I think it’s a pretty big deal, you know? The Entertainment Course students were really excited. For anyone aspiring to act, Hokujou Yuuya is like a legend.” (Hinata)

“Hmm… Are you a fan too, Murai-san?” (Yuuto)

“Umm… Not exactly a fan, but… Uh, if I say this, you might think I’m a cringey person, but…” (Hinata)

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she pleaded with her eyes, “Don’t laugh, okay?”

“I wouldn’t think that.” (Yuuto)

“Well then… More than a fan, I think of him as… someone I need to catch up to.” (Hinata)

Perhaps nervous about declaring it out loud, her voice was a little stiffer than usual at the end.

“I don’t think that’s embarrassing at all, though.” (Yuuto)

“Oh, really…” (Hinata)

Murai-san, her cheeks flushing once more, turned back to the screen.

“But this year’s students are so lucky, right? To have Hokujou-san watch their acting, and then get advice from him separately afterwards?” (Akari)

“Yes. I think they’re lucky. But…” (Hinata)

Murai-san’s expression, which had been agreeing with Akari, clouded over slightly.

“For Minase-san, the conditions might have become even stricter.” (Hinata)

She murmured, her gaze dropping to the mug in her hands.

“With Hokujou-san joining the judging panel, the influence the judges have on the entertainment industry will increase dramatically. In that situation, few people would want to be compared to Minase-san, and frankly, anyone who tries would just end up dragging her down.” (Hinata)

I processed Murai-san’s words carefully, organizing them in my mind. Nagisa’s eyes this morning had been full of determination. She must have found value in being evaluated by the person she admired, not as a colleague, but as a judge. But the problem remained the same as before: would there be anyone to stand on stage with her?

“It’s strange in the first place. People who form teams are supposed to report to the teachers and have their names written on a paper in front of the staff room, but Minase-san’s name still isn’t there, and yet she didn’t seem to be looking for members. Well, apparently she asked a few people today, but pretty much everyone had already decided on their partners…” (Hinata)

The way she spoke so sadly suggested she really was a good person.

The reason Nagisa hadn’t seemed to be looking for members was probably because, until recently, she hadn’t been very keen on taking the exam. But that feeling changed today. It just changed too late.

“It would have been great if I could have left my team and helped her, but when I tried talking to her today, she turned me down, saying all they needed was at least one male member…” (Hinata)

“Well, Nagisa’s probably aware of her own influence… I think she can be surprisingly considerate like that.” (Yuuto)

“Huh? Aoi-kun, you know Minase-san?” (Hinata)

Reacting to my muttered words, her tone changed completely from the serious one moments before, and she let out a bewildered cry.

“Oh, Hinata-chan, you didn’t know? Minase-san lives next door, you know?” (Akari)

“Well, she just moved in recently, so we don’t know each other well… Come to think of it, didn’t we run into each other?” (Yuuto)

“I had no idea at all!” (Hinata)

She emphasized the “no” and leaned forward, stressing her surprise.

“If I’d known, maybe I could have befriended her beforehand and done something…” (Hinata)

“…Murai-san, you’re a good person.” (Yuuto)

“Right? Hinata-chan is a good kid.” (Akari)

Akari, looking strangely proud, ruffled the hair of the Murai-san next to her, who was blushing, perhaps unused to praise. At this point, no one was watching the TV screen anymore.

“Well, you don’t need to worry about it.” (Yuuto)

“Don’t worry? That’s so irresponsible…” (Hinata)

“It’ll be fine.” (Yuuto)

I said it again, with more force this time, my words strong.

“It’ll be fine. I’ll do something about it.” (Yuuto)