Back into Chaos

Just as I expected, the supplies that Chihara and I procured weren't nearly enough.

Over the next couple of days, the Festival Committee went through everything like they were trying to get rid of it as soon as possible. Every can of spray paint, every lantern strung, and every single piece of paper was turned into an origami or used for another project. Nothing went to waste.

As for us, the suppliers, we had to go back to the mall.

Not once, not twice, but three times on three separate days. It's almost as if God himself decided that just once wasn't enough.

It's fine, though. Despite myself... I'm not complaining.

We went to the same stores, grabbed the same materials, left, then came back the next day just to do it all over again. When we arrived at the mall on the first day...

"Didn't think you'd be back so soon, huh?" Chihara said with a cheeky smirk.

"No, I absolutely did not," I muttered, tired as hell.

"Hehe~ Well, get ready, because today's gonna be another busy one. At least we know where to go now, so we're not wandering around like headless chickens."

"I guess so."

"Hmph. You don't sound so enthusiastic, Kinoshita."

"Oh. Was that not obvious to begin with?"

She pouted.

"Pfft, I'm kidding, I'm kidding," I said.

Of course, none of those days would've been complete without a pit stop at the boba shop.

"Mm~! Yeah, no. The roasted oolong milk tea is definitely moving up my rankings. It might even become one of my go-to drinks."

"I'm glad you think so."

"What about you, Kinoshita? The creamy taro is pretty good, huh?"

"Yeah, it's good, but... I don't think I like it enough to make it a go-to drink for me. It's too sweet, and the texture is throwing me for a loop."

"Ah, yeah... I get that. Maybe it can be a once-in-a-while kind of drink. Just for when you find yourself craving for it."

"Hah. Maybe."

Scarily enough, we had to pass the photobooth several times. For the most part, Chihara was either distracted or oblivious. The last few times, though...

"One more, Kinoshita!"

"No."

"I swear, it'll be the last time!"

"Uh-uh."

"Please?"

"As if saying 'please' is gonna change my answer."

"Aww..."

In the end, I gave in. When she kept making those sad faces, how could I not? And so, we jumped into the booth for yet another chaotic mess of a photoshoot.

At last, the week came to an end. Unfortunately, that included my weekend, which meant that today was a school day. The first of five, no less.

By the time I was done spacing out, my first class was over. Without wasting any time, I grabbed my bag and left. While I was walking on the sidewalk outside, embracing the cold air, I couldn't help but smile.

For once, it seemed like this boring and depressing life of mine was finally starting to look a bit brighter.

"E-excuse me."

I turned to meet a face I've never seen before. It was a boy who was just a little shorter than me. The healthy look on his face told me that he hadn't been in college for too long.

"Yes?"

"Oh! I'm Jizou Kenji, a first-year student. And... You see..."

He struggled for a moment longer before blurting out, "C-Chihara Ouka!"

I tilted my head, curious.

"What about her?"

"You... What's your relationship with her?"

Something's off. Why is this random kid asking me about her? And why are his eyes so fierce? Almost as if... he's wary of me, yet scared at the same time.

"First off, who exactly are you, and why are you asking?"

"Me? I... I'm her boyfriend. O-or rather... Her ex-boyfriend now. B-but it's only temporary! That's why... I wanted to know what your intentions are with her."

In that moment, my body went stiff. I wasn't necessarily planning on getting angry today, but this guy just had to approach me.

"Her ex-boyfriend, huh? The one who cheated on her?"

"That was just a misunderstanding! I didn't mean for it to happen!"

"And yet, it still happened, so what's your point?"

He didn't answer. Of course, not. There's nothing he can say to justify what he did, and the fact that he's even trying is very telling of what kind of guy he is.

"You know, I'm not someone who gets worked up at things that are none of my business," I muttered, turning to face him fully. "But where I'm currently at, that's just not possible. You hurt Chihara, someone I care about, so the fact that you have the balls to walk up and say those things to me... I can't tell if you're dumb or dumber."

"W-what's it matter to you, anyway?! Like you said, it's none of your business!"

"Except for the fact that it very much is."

"...Huh?"

I really thought I was over Junko. Turns out, I was wrong. What's clawing up my throat right now isn't just disappointment.

No... I'm genuinely pissed off.

"Oh. I never introduced myself, did I?"

I turned to face him fully.

"Kinoshita Kazuha. Third-year student, and the ex-boyfriend of the girl you slept with that night."

His eyes widen. Good. They should. Honestly, I pitied him. I wouldn't know how to handle this either.

Then again, I wouldn't be in his position to begin with.

Why? Because I'd never cheat.

"Tough luck, huh?" I asked, offering a thin smile. "If it were anyone else, maybe they would've believed you. Maybe, by some miracle, it really was a misunderstanding. But me? I know all too well what you did to Chihara Ouka because I know what Kimura Junko did to me. You're not slick, so don't you dare act like what you did can be passed off as a simple misunderstanding."

"I... I didn't..."

How funny. It seems like he's genuinely remorseful. Whether it's because he lost the perfect girl or got caught, I have no idea.

"Oh, and one more thing," I said as I passed his shoulder. "You can beg to Chihara all you want. Whatever she decides to do with you is up to her... but if you end up hurting her again in any way... Well, let's not have it come to that."

However, what I do know and refuse to let go of is the image of Chihara, sitting by herself in the rain on the day I found her. I saw it once, and I don't wanna see it again. Especially now that I...

Later that night, at midnight on the dot, I went down to the dormitory courtyard. As always, she was there, off in her own little world, wearing a smile that I started looking forward to. The moment she saw me, it grew even wider.

"Kinoshita!"

"...Hah. Hey, Chihara."

Her smile flattened, replaced by a frown that was too cute to be menacing.

"What was that laugh for?"

"Huh? I didn't laugh."

"Yes, you did!"

"You're going crazy. What was it you called yourself before? A loosescrew? Maybe you should create a list. Add 'mentally insane' on bullet number two."

"W-wha—?! Well, if I have to make one, then you do too! In fact, make it right now and at the very top, put 'bully'! Big meanie and bully!"

"Haha!"

"See?! You laughed!"

"W-wait! That was after the fact!"

She crossed her arms with a resounding, "Hmph! Doesn't matter. You laughed. I win. Discussion over."

"Hah, sure. Think what you want, but in my head, I won."

"Huh?! That's not fair, Kinoshita!"

"Keep it down. You're gonna wake up our neighbors."

As if she'd only just now come to that realization, her hands snapped over to her mouth. At the same time, her eyes went wide.

"Do you think anyone heard me?" she whispered.

"Pfft..."

"What the?! Are you about to laugh again?!"

Yeah... I think I might...