Haibara’s Teenage New Game+ - Volume 4 - Chapter Ep

Final Chapter: Withered Leaves Dance on an Autumn Night

The school festival ended in a mere two days. Ultimately, I was so exhausted from the concert that I barely contributed to my class’s cleanup. Hino sent a cheerful, “Let’s throw a wrap-up party!” to the class RINE chat. Apparently we already had a reservation at a restaurant.

He works fast, though I bet he just wanted to throw a party from the get-go. After I helped the light music club clean up, I parted ways with my bandmates. The four of us promised to have our own wrap-up party on a different day.

I won’t have practice with these guys anymore. I’ll miss them, but it’s not like I’ll never see them again.

I first returned home to shower before heading to the store Hino had sent us over RINE. Come to think of it, Namika’s been really fidgety ever since the festival. What happened to her?

I cocked my head with puzzlement over my little sister’s fishy behavior as I reached the monjayaki restaurant. I slipped past the storefront curtains, and a server led me through the large room. My classmates were split into tables of six, chattering cheerfully on top of the tatami mats. On each table were hot plates with tasty-looking monjayaki sizzling away.

“Hey! The star’s finally here!” Okajima-kun, a member of the soccer team, grinned widely and snaked his arm around my shoulders.

“Sorry, sorry. I got held up,” I said.

The whole class’s focus was on me. Apparently everyone else had come here directly from school. I’d balked at the idea of going as a sweaty mess, so I’d washed up and arrived late.

“Natsuki, sit over here.” Reita patted the floor cushion next to him. Hoshimiya, Nanase, Hino, and Fujiwara sat at his table.

“Good job,” Nanase told me.

Hino poked me in the shoulder. “The concert was awesome! Who woulda thought it’d be that hype!” He continued speaking as he picked at the monja with his mini spatula. “Get this: Kanata was so moved that she cried.”

“I... I did not! Don’t make things up!” Fujiwara slapped my back.

“Um... Could you hit Hino’s shoulder if you’re trying to hide your embarrassment?” I asked.

“Well, it’s an issue of our seating arrangement,” she replied sheepishly.

“Riiight, now that’s a flimsy excuse if I’ve heard one.”

Reita watched Fujiwara with a faint smile as he poured and spread a new bowl of monja batter onto the hot plate. “This year’s school festival was legendary. How many people do you think were there?”

“The majority of the student body was present. I believe there were at least a hundred visitors,” Nanase replied.

“Of course there would be! That’s just how amazing it was!” For some reason, Fujiwara’s eyes sparkled as she spoke. Realizing how enthusiastic she was behaving, she looked away in embarrassment.

She’s probably a Mishle fan. Thanks for rooting for us. I could sense our other classmates paying special attention to our table’s conversation. It wasn’t a bad feeling if I attributed it to our stellar concert, but their stares made it hard to chat. More importantly... Why hasn’t Hoshimiya said anything yet?

I glanced across the table to where she sat, and our eyes met. She immediately turned her head away. An awkward mood settled between us. Meanwhile, our whole class watched us with weirdly warm gazes.

Welp... I didn’t explicitly name anyone onstage, but I’m sure everyone in my class has figured out who it is. I acted all cool, saying it was for the girl I loved, and the name of the song outed who it was, what with “hoshi” meaning star and all.

“Um,” Hoshimiya began, “good job.”

“Y-Yeah, thanks.” What’s with us? Why is talking so hard?

She appeared nervous from every angle, and her gaze darted around the room.

“Hikari, calm down.” Exasperated, Nanase patted Hoshimiya’s head.

After seeing us bumble around, Reita changed the conversation topic. “Natsuki, what’re you going to do going forward? Continue playing in the band?”

“Nah, I think I mentioned this before, but we always planned to disband after the festival.”

“Whaaat?!” everyone around us exclaimed.

Hey, eavesdropping is rude, you know? Can’t you guys converse among your own tables?

“I thought you’d stay firm about that. Shame, given how great the concert went,” Reita responded.

“Well, Iwano-senpai’s giving the entrance exams his undivided attention, so not much we can do about it,” I said. It’s finally hitting me that it’s over. People enjoyed our performance enough to talk about it this much—Serika’s influence is huge. She’s fundamentally different from the rest of us. Because I watched how amazing she was from up close, I can walk on in reality without my head in the clouds. Mei and Iwano-senpai probably feel the same.

“Will you stay in the light music club?” asked Nanase.

“I plan on it for the time being. The guitar’s fun to play, after all,” I answered.

“Really? I hope to hear you sing again,” Reita said.

Suddenly, I asked him something that’d been tickling my curiosity. “Come to think of it, Reita, you watched us with Miori, right?”

“We were all the way in the back; I’m impressed you noticed us,” he said.

Finding Miori has been my forte since way back. I’ve never lost to Miori in a game of hide-and-seek.

“Miori and I explored the festival together,” Reita continued without hesitation as he deftly divided up the monjayaki with a spatula. “We’re dating now.”

For a second, my mind went blank. But considering how the two of them had been getting along, that was the sensible outcome. Miori did say over summer break that she’d confess to Reita. I feel like they got together unexpectedly late, but at the same time, it also feels too abrupt. Well, I’m sure they’ve been getting closer while I wasn’t watching.

“I owe you for helping me out. Thanks, Natsuki.”

“Did I do something?” I asked. “I told you I’d back you up, but I didn’t do a thing.”

“Of course you helped. It was reassuring to hear you say that.” Reita smiled gently. Somehow, I could tell he really meant it.

I chuckled. “Anyway, congrats.” I raised my drink for a toast, and everyone else at our table joined in.

“Shiratori-kun, this was quite a slow development on your part,” Nanase commented.

“Nanase-san, don’t you think your image of me is a bit off?” Reita questioned.

“Well, if we’re talking about your image,” I chimed in, “I think she’s got a point.”

“Natsuki, don’t agree with her. I’m not a flirt. Right, Hoshimiya-san?”

Hoshimiya hummed. “I guess you’re better than Hino-kun?”

“Huh? Don’t drag me into this!” Hino said indignantly. “Despite my looks, I’m devoted to Kanata. Got it?”

“Toshiya! You didn’t need to add that last part!” Fujiwara exclaimed.

Class 1-2’s wrap up party was going amicably. No one mentioned how our usual hype men—Uta and Tatsuya—were missing. It felt somewhat suffocating, so I stepped outside. The night was chilly. The cool evening wind blew against me as I leaned on the restaurant’s wall.

I did it—I did the best that I could. And I don’t regret what I did. But still... I can’t help feeling conflicted. Because those two aren’t here. I peered up at the sky.

“Don’t make that face.” Hoshimiya walked up to me. She’d slipped away from the party just like I had. “I’m really happy. So please don’t look like that.” Her expression was tinged with a hint of sadness. She must’ve also been thinking about our two friends. “You know, Natsuki-kun, you looked super cool during the concert today.”

“If you think so, then that makes all the work I put in worth it.”

She stood next to me, our shoulders touching slightly. She gazed up, and I followed suit. The night sky was perfectly clear. The full moon shone brightly in the midst of the twinkling stars. I hadn’t planned this, but there was no better time than tonight.

“Hey, Natsuki-kun.” Hoshimiya was about to say something, but I didn’t let her.

It was my turn today.

“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” I said, picking up from where we’d left off.

Those were the words that Hoshimiya had been unable to say on that summer day. “Someday, on the night of a full moon,” she’d said. If I missed my chance now, then the perfect timing would never come again. The line was pompous and embarrassing, but the words left my lips naturally and smoothly.

“It’s because I’m watching it together with you.” Hoshimiya pressed her shoulder against mine with a shy expression. We were nestled up close together; I watched her gaze at the moon from the side. “Can I say something selfish?”

“I’ll listen to anything you want right now,” I replied.

“Really? Then say it properly. I’ll feel insecure if you use vague expressions. I want something more definitive.”

A wry smile inadvertently spread across my face. “You’re the one who started it, though.”

“Sh-Shush! Teenagers want to show off, and I’m no different!” She rubbed her head aggressively into my shoulder.

My hands were tied now that she’d requested it, so I honestly professed the feelings inside my heart. “Hoshimiya, I love you—the most in the world. So please go out with me?”

Her hands flew around my back. I caressed her hair and pulled her into my chest.

“Okay. I love you too,” she murmured. Though I’d gone with the flow and hugged her back, my heart was hammering away. Feeling my pulse against her, Hoshimiya looked up at me and giggled. “Natsuki-kun, is your heart racing?”

“As a matter of fact, it is. How could it not be?”

“Oh? Doubling down?”

“You’re just as nervous as me,” I countered.

She giggled again. “Unfortunately for you, I have thick chest armor, so you’ll never find out.”

Describing herself that way is very her. And she’s right—she’s snug in my arms, but all I can feel is a soft sensation.

“So, Natsuki-kun. There’s one more selfish thought I’ve had for a long time now. Can I request one more thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“Call me by my given name,” she said after a small pause. “I’m already calling you Natsuki-kun.”

Good point. I was so fixated on Hoshimiya being Hoshimiya that the idea of calling her anything else never occurred to me... Or maybe it has. I gave up on any attempts because I was too embarrassed. But she’s my girlfriend now. I can’t avoid it just because I’m embarrassed.

“Okay, um...” I rose to the challenge and said her name. “Hikari.”

A lovely smile bloomed across Hoshimiya, no, Hikari’s face. The sight was more beautiful than the moon.

“That’s right. I’m Hikari. I’m Hikari, your girlfriend.”

“Honestly, I’m not used to calling you that... And it’s a little embarrassing.”

“You can put up with that much. Besides, I’ll punish you every time you call me Hoshimiya.”

“You’re being unreasonable.”

As we stood there in each other’s tight embrace, we heard voices through the window.

“Now that you mention it, where’re Haibara and Hoshimiya?”

“Yeah, when’d they disappear? They’re probably... Y’know?”

“Ugh, are they for real? Curse them for using our wrap-up party for their youth!”

The voices gradually grew distant—they were probably walking down a corridor that led to the bathroom.

Hikari and I exchanged looks at point-blank range. We calmly processed our current situation and then quietly let go of each other.

“Sh-Shall we head back?” I stammered.

“Y-Yeah!” she stuttered.

Her face was flushed bright red, and I could feel my cheeks heating up too. I guess we got too excited there. It’s a good thing no one happened to be around. I’d die if anyone saw all that.

To dispel our classmates’ suspicions, Hikari and I decided to return separately with some delay. Once she’d left and I was alone, I exhaled deeply. I pinched my cheeks—it stung. This isn’t a dream...which means Hoshimiya Hikari is my first ever girlfriend.

All sorts of feelings intermingled together into something that I couldn’t put into words. I’m uncertain about the future... But just for now, I want to bask in this happiness.

The full moon shone in the clear night sky. The wind blew, and withered leaves danced in the air. It happened one such autumn night.

***

The first person I would tell was, of course, a given.

After I returned home and showered, I picked up my phone and made a voice call. It’s late already. Maybe she’s sleeping. Though I knew that, I couldn’t suppress my desire to tell her this instant. I listened to the phone ring as I waited for her to answer. As soon as it stopped, I could hear her breathing.

“Miori?” I questioned.

“What’s up, Natsuki?” Her tone was oddly tranquil. It was completely different from her usual, slightly aloof tone.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

“Hmm? Nope, nothing wrong at all. Anyway, do you need something?”

My unease grew even more—Miori was pretending to be calm. Why? Obviously so I don’t notice over the phone. So maybe I shouldn’t ask anything more.

As I hesitated over whether to press the subject or not, Miori sighed. “You’re too sensitive about dumb things. You’ve always been like this.”

Of course she thinks I’m sensitive, but when it comes to her, I can tell something’s up just from her voice.

“Reita-kun and I are dating now.”

Miori’s meek tone made my doubts surge. Why isn’t she ecstatic? Did something else happen? Am I misunderstanding something? “I...should congratulate you, right?”

“Yep. Thanks. I’m happy. I’ve achieved my goal now.”

“Then why are you crying?”

Miori went quiet. I didn’t have any particular reason to think she would be crying, but her silence was all the confirmation I needed.

Eventually, she said, “It’s because of something else. Don’t worry about it.”

“Miori.”

“Hey, Natsuki,” she said, as though she were burying my voice. “That was a great concert, really.”

“Well, thanks. It’s not every day I hear you praise me.”

“That’s because normally there’s nothing to praise.”

“Hey! Lose that habit of hurting people with the truth!”

“It’s not the truth. You’re such a moron.”

“Really?”

“Should I guess what your call is about?”

“Hmm, not sure you can guess. You’re gonna be surprised when I tell you!”

“You started dating Hikari-chan, right?” She was right on the money.

And here I thought it would blow her away. “How’d you know?”

“How could I not know? You’re the only one who didn’t know!”

Miori’s always quick to exaggerate. Just because I’m sensitive. The concert was basically a confession, but she couldn’t have known Hikari and I would date just from that. “Oh, forget it. Yeah, you got it right. I called you because I wanted to tell you.”

A beat passed. “Why?”

I hesitated. “This all happened because you helped me, so I wanted to thank you.” As I answered, questions came to mind: Do I need a reason to tell Miori? Aren’t we partners in my Rainbow-Colored Youth Plan?

“Well, thanks... And congrats.”

“Yeah,” I replied awkwardly. Why’s her energy so low? This isn’t how I thought she’d react. I imagined we’d be more excited and tell each other, “That’s awesome!” I mean, both of us accomplished our goals. Isn’t this what we worked hard for?

“Though, I didn’t really do much midway through. You did it on your own.”

She was right. I’d gradually come to depend on Miori less and less. One reason was because I’d felt bad for Reita if I got too close to her. Another reason was because I’d gained other friends to rely on, like Serika and Nanase. And finally, I’d had a feeling that Miori was avoiding me.

“I couldn’t help your plan either,” I said.

“I succeeded too, so forget it—it’s fine. The results are all that matters.”

True. We got the results we wanted. So there shouldn’t be any problems now.

“Besides,” she continued, “we may be partners, but it’s not good if we get overly dependent on each other.”

That was likely why Miori had been avoiding me. Her reasoning was logical. And yet, there was something incomprehensible here. I sensed that something was definitely wrong.

“You’re Hikari-chan’s boyfriend, and I’m Reita-kun’s girlfriend. We’ve both hit our marks.”

Strictly speaking, she was slightly wrong there. Miori had fulfilled her goal, but mine was to live a rainbow-colored youth, though dating Hikari was part of that plan. It’d probably be rude to point that out now.

“Right,” I said in agreement.

“Then our alliance is over,” Miori said indifferently. “Our partnership is now dissolved.”

I hadn’t expected her to say that. “Miori? Why?”

“Huh? I mean, we’ve both reached our goals, so there’s no reason to keep it up, right?”

Her argument was sound. I’d been wrong to assume our bond would somehow hold strong going forward. Even if I were to tell her that I still hadn’t accomplished my true objective, now that she’d finished hers, she had no reason to help me anymore. Our agreement to help each other was now over.

“You don’t need to stress about this. We’ll still be friends,” she said.

“Yeah... You’re right.”

“Don’t feel down. You’ll be fine even if I’m not around.”

“That’s not true. I still make tons of mistakes, you know?”

“Even if you make more...” Miori paused. Her voice trembled ever so slightly. “From now on, Hikari-chan will be there to help you.”

Next thing I knew, she’d hung up. I put down my phone and threw myself onto my bed.

We’ve accomplished our goals, and our deal is over. That’s extremely reasonable. There’s nothing weird about that. And yet, the feeling that there’s a gaping hole in my chest won’t disappear.

Thus, Motomiya Miori was no longer a conspirator in The Gray Boy’s Rainbow-Colored Youth Plan. And that was all there was to it.