Haibara’s Teenage New Game+ - Volume 3 - Chapter SS

Bonus Short Story

By the Riverbed with Hondo Serika

One day, around the beginning of the second semester on my way home from school, I decided to get off the train at a random station and sit on the steps near a riverbed. I didn’t have any special reason, though if I had to give one, it was because that felt like something youthful to do.

Doesn’t chilling near a river just give a strong dose of vitamin youth? It’s a small downgrade from being on the roof, but the teen vibes are still there. Okay, yes, I’ve definitely been influenced by school life anime.

There were multiple groups of students loitering around just like me, though I was the only one here alone. I gazed at the river, a tepid breeze brushing past me. It was really hot, which made me want to head home on the double.

The late summer heat was too blistering for me to be playing make-believe youth games outside. Maybe I should just go home to my nice air-conditioned room.

The moment I stood up, I heard a voice from behind me. “Why’re you here?”

I turned around to see Serika tilting her head at me, impassive as always. Her uniform was slightly unkempt, and her guitar case was slung across her back, per usual.

After a beat I replied, “No particular reason.” I would never reveal that I was playacting my idea of high school youth.

“You’re out here for no reason? This isn’t your station, right?”

“Yeah... So, Serika, why’re you here?”

“I’m headin’ home. The light music club doesn’t have practice today.”

“Really? You live around here?”

“Yep. My house is fiveish minutes away.”

I had no idea what was going through her head, but she took a seat next to where I’d just been sitting. Wh-What’s happening? Does she want to chat with me? She’s always way too enigmatic to figure out.

Though I was bewildered, I sat back down and glanced at her. She stared out at the river. Her side profile was beautiful enough to almost enchant me.

“Do you...like rivers?” she asked.

“No, not especially.”

“I see. I’m pretty into them. It’s nice zoning out at them like this.”

She does seem the type to enjoy that. Recently, I’d been starting to comprehend Serika little by little.

“When I zone out, sometimes I think up some good tunes.” She looked at me. Well, to be more precise, she eyed my earphones that I’d forgotten to take out when she showed up. “What’re you listening to?”

“Hmm? I’m listening to UVERworld’s ‘Arubeki Katachi.’”

“Good choice.” Without asking, she snagged one of my earphones.

E-Excuse me?! Could you not flippantly touch someone else’s ear?! Oh, man, I feel the jitters...

Oblivious to my inner unrest, Serika popped the earphone in. I noticed her lips curl up ever so slightly as she listened to the song. “Music really is the best. It lifts my mood.”

I felt more clarity from those words than anything that typically came out of her mouth.

We sat on the steps by the riverbed, time passing us by. We listened to a playlist of my favorite songs on shuffle. Eventually, after BUMP OF CHICKEN’s “Guild” finished playing, Serika took out the earbud and handed it back to me.

“I’m pumped up now. I’m gonna head home and practice.”

“I thought you didn’t have club activities today.”

“I never miss solo practice. I’m going to change the world with my guitar!” Serika’s tone came alive when she made her declaration. She stood up and climbed the stairs.

From behind, she looks super cool. It must be nice to have a special something to dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to. I was so impressed by her passion that I was slow to realize what was entering my field of vision as she ascended.

Serika’s skirt was short enough as it was, and to top it off, I was positioned below her while she walked up. So...I could see them. Peeking out from between her pretty, slender legs was a bit of decorated triangular black cloth. Flustered, I quickly averted my eyes towards the river, but the image was already burned into my mind.

“See you later,” she said, unaware of what had just occurred.

“Yeah,” I answered, a beat too slow. “See you at school.”

Serika began walking away, but then suddenly stopped. After a moment she asked, “Hey... Did you just see?”

I focused hard on the river, pretending like I hadn’t heard her.