Volume 2 - CH 1.1

The door to the rooftop swung open, letting the relentless sunlight beat me down mercilessly.

Feeling the dull ache behind my eyes, my pupils contracted reflexively. Only when I was shoved forcefully did I realize I had been standing still.

“Akashi, speedy, speedy, young man!”

“Ah, right. Sorry.”

I staggered forward and turned back to glare accusingly at her, only to be glared even harder. She was snarling a little, showing her yaeba teeth mischievously. 

From behind, Reiji gave her a look and slipped by her side. He loosened his uniform as usual, silver earrings shinier than usual under the noon sun. 

We walked to the center and sat in a triangle. We laid out the plastic bag and pulled out our lunch.

“Here, strawberry au lait and coffee. We’re even now, understood?”

“No, I don’t mind drinking on your tab, you know?” She inspected the au lait pack curiously as if she hadn’t been drinking it everyday for the last week.

“Yup, yup. Don’t say like this is the last time. I’m going to miss these free drinks.”

Brazenly, they took their drinks from my hand.

Back to the events of last week. A malicious rumor about Yuzuki Minato spread throughout the school. I, the Angel, couldn’t stand the injustice. With the help of these two, I have successfully carried out my retribution, or in simpler words, settled the manner passive-aggressively.

So here I am, repaying these two for their assistance. And that ends here, today. No, I didn’t feel any remorse in ending this at all.

“‘Don’t sully people’s past and their love with your fillllthy handsss!’”

“Acchhack!” I choked.

She shrugged slyly. You…! Give back my au lait!

“‘I will always look over your love, gentlemen~’”

“Reiji! Not you too!”

“‘When you’re troubling with your romances, please expect my helping hand’”

“Wha-!! Stop!! Don’t!! Not a single word!!” I screamed.

Ignoring my cries of despair, their cruel impersonations went on. 

No, that wasn’t me. Right, the Angel! That was the Angel of Kuze High speaking! Wait, I’m the Angel!! Ahhh!!

[TN: kinda unrelated, but a reminder that the school’s full name is Kuzeyama High School]

“Reaally, that was hella fine performance.”

“That was soo sick.”

“Shut up!! And give back your drinks!”

“Free coffee. Pwahh. Delicious.” 

“Gwahhhhh!!” 

I despairingly wolf down a cream bun, hoping to swallow it down together with the shame.

What’s more was that I meant every word I said. That was my true feelings, raw and unaltered.

However, the sheer embarrassment was terrifying. Even when they didn’t mention it, I could feel it hanging in the air.

‘Kay, forget this, my dear brain. Also, forget this with me, you bullies.

“Ah, Akashi-kun’s there!”

Our heads snapped to the entrance all at once.

There was a girl standing in the shaded entrance.

“Fujimiya?”

The intruder, Fujimiya Shiho, waved her hands in wide arcs. Her calm, laid-back atmosphere and unconcealed glamor were still there. When I jogged up to her, she put her hands on her hips and stooped proudly.

“Sir, Fujimiya Shiho reporting! I have been pardoned from house arrest, and am back in action!”

“Right, right. Thank you for your invaluable service.”

She made a peace sign and resumed her pose.

She was caught as my scapegoat and got suspended for three days…I imagined a mental calendar. With the weekend in between, yesterday was the last day…

If Fujimiya was here then… “You alone?” 

“Nope.” She pointed her thumb to her back. “Eh? Heyyy, come out already.”

One, two, three… nothing happened.

Just when I was about to give up waiting, Minato’s head poked out from the doorframe. Her cheeks were a little red…but probably so did mine, it was hot up here.

“Yo, Minato.”

“It’s been a while… Io.” Her voice gradually lowered until I could barely hear. 

Reluctantly, she stepped onto the rooftop and took her place beside Fujimiya. She also took a leave for two day, with yesterday at school, we didn’t meet though. So this was our first time meeting in a few days.

I found myself unconsciously taking the sight of her in. Even in broad daylight, her hair was as black as the night sky. Her eyes adjusted to the brightness, her long eyelashes flowed naturally as she blinked. Her thin nose, her rosy, pouty lips were all enchanting as ever. 

But contrary to her usual grace, her eyes darted around awkwardly, as if she couldn’t decide where to look. The hand dropped at her side too, fumbled the fabric of her skirt restlessly.

She’s acting strange.

Considering our last meeting at the cafe, anyone would be acting like that. I don’t think I could look at her properly in the face either.

Anyway, I went to close the door, and while I was at it, locked it too. We were lucky that it was Fujinami and Minato, I thought grimly.

“What happened? There’s a reason you’re here, right?”

I gave the other two a sideways glance. While Hiura looked at us disinterestedly, Reiji looked outright bored with his complacent smile. If you’re faking a smile, can’t you at least make it good? 

“Now that everything’s cleared, we thought we should thank you properly. You’ve helped us tons.”

Fujimiya stride past me while Minato followed somewhat submissively

“Hiura-san and Reiji-kun, right? I’m Minato’s friend, Fujimiya Shiho, as you must have already known. Thank you for your assistance on her case.”

Both of them bowed and stilled, waiting for a cue from the other two.  

By the way, I had told Fujimiya about their involvement in the Minato case. Since everything was over already, and I had deemed them trustworthy, there was no longer a reason to hide anything.

“Ahh, I don’t mind at all. I’ve lost count of the number of times Io had come crying for my help.” Aside from the infuriating content, Reiji’s reply was surprisingly amiable.

No, he was acting nice only because they’re cute girls.

“I was doing it for Häagen-Dazs.” 

Ice cream as usual… and an expensive one at that.

Hmm, come to think of it, this was the first time they met, huh.

“I saw you last year! ‘Male and Female Indiscriminate Serious Relay’! That was so cool!” jabbered Fujimiya.

In response, Hiura yawned cutely. I guessed she was used to hearing that, afterall, that was the thing she was best known for. Who wouldn’t find a girl who outperformed three men cool.

“Hiura-san, Miwa-kun.”  A clear, piercing voice cut through the chatter. Minato regarded each of us with a nod and said gracefully, “Thank you. It was you all who saved me.”

She carefully intonated each word. As expected of Minato’s unparalleled manner.

At that, I felt slightly embarrassed and sought refuge from Minato’s glance by looking at the others.

Fujimiya was all smiles, Hiura sat back, looking half-asleep while Reiji cocked an eyebrow at me.

“I really appreciate it,” said Minato.

And then the conversation shifted to other matters.