Haibara’s Teenage New Game+ - Volume 5 - Chapter 1.2

Is this ultracute girl really my girlfriend? Everything she does throws me into a flurry! Its bad for my heart.

“Okay then, see you later,” she said.

“Y-Yeah,” I replied. “See you at school.”

Hikari waved goodbye as she left. The instant I was alone, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. Of course I would be tired; my heart had been pounding like crazy all day long. But it was a pleasant kind of fatigue—I’d undoubtedly enjoyed myself.

How long, if ever, would it take for our relationship to become like that elderly couple’s? At least with the way things were right now, reaching that point was unimaginable for me.

***

A gloomy Monday followed my fun weekend date with Hikari. This was my second round of high school life that I’d longed for, but Monday blues were always the same. Classes weren't on the list of things I wanted a do-over for... Sitting through them is a pain in the butt. Plus, there's another factor that's got me down.

“Look, it's Haibara-kun.”

“Wow, it really is. He’s earning his guitar too!”

As I made my way through the hallway that morning, I could hear girls from nearby classes whispering quietly. A week had passed since our band’s school festival concert. I was ecstatic that it’d been such a big hit, but frankly, getting ogled in the halls was uncomfortable. It was easy for me to misconstrue the quiet murmurs as backbiting.

Still, compared to the attention I’d attracted the day after the festival, things had settled down a lot. Our performance had been a bit too successful. I wished for a rainbow-colored youth, but now I’d experienced a new side of popularity: standing out excessively was tiring.

I opened my classroom door and entered. Around half of my classmates had already arrived. When I headed to my seat, the usual group was already gathered there.

Nanase was the first to spot me. “Haibara-kun, good morning,” she said, notifying Reita and Hikari of my presence.

“Hey,” Reita said, his tone the same as usual.

“Oh! Natsuki-kun! Morning!” Hikari’s expression blatantly lit up when she saw me, which was super cute.

“Morning, guys,” I said back.

Tatsuya got a yawn out before greeting me. “Yo.”

“You look sleepy,” I remarked.

“I don't get enough shut-eye when we have morning practice.”

“What time did you wake up?”

“Six. It’s uber rough man, for real. I used to make up for it during class,” Tatsuya grumbled.

“That’s right! You’ve really been paying close attention to the lessons lately,” Hikari said, impressed.

Nanase promptly followed up with a sharp quip. “Indeed. At the very least, he’s paying more attention than you are, Hikari.”

“It’d be a drag if I flunked. Y’know, supplementary lessons and whatever,” he said.

“Tatsuya, I’m starting to see you in a better light. Are you growing up?” Reita asked.

“Shut up...” he replied.

Our conversation was exceedingly normal, but there was something awkward about it. The atmosphere in our group felt strained. And most likely, everyone else sensed it too.

But no one brought it up.

We all knew the cause, but it wasn’t a problem that could be resolved instantly. However, all of us did want to mend the group’s relationship, and that’s why we’d assembled here.

“Hey, did you see the Puzzle & Tigers update?” Tatsuya asked.

“Yeah. I’m tempted to whale a bit...” Reita replied.

While the two talked about a smartphone game, Nanase tapped me on the shoulder. “Listen, Hikari keeps going on and on about the movie she watched yesterday.”

“Because it was really good!” Hikari exclaimed. “Natsuki-kun, you agree with me, right?!”

“Yeah, it was a good movie,” I said.

“If you think so, then perhaps I’ll watch it,” Nanase said.

“Wait, do you not trust my opinion?” Hikari asked.

Before I knew it, I was dragged into their banter. Our friend group of six was a mix of boys and girls, so it wasn’t unusual for the conversations to splinter off. Yet there was one thing about this that weighed on my mind.

"I thought that if you were the one to make her happy, then...”

After the school festival incident, I’d been talking to Tatsuya less and less. We conversed when we were in a group setting like just now, but we didn’t chat one-on-one anymore. It even felt like he was avoiding being alone with me.

Back then, our exchange had felt like an argument. And I was the cause of it. Because when I was through with all my hesitation, the choice I’d made was reprehensible to Tatsuya. I had braced myself for the possibility that our friendship might never go back to the way it was.

That said, I didn’t know what to do about our current situation. What kind of feelings did Tatsuya harbor towards me? He didn’t show his emotions, so I didn’t know what was the correct way to treat him. I was lost.

“Come to think of it, where’s Uta?” Reita suddenly asked.

“She’s late. Did she run into trouble?” Hikari looked at the clock, her head tilted to the side.

It was almost time for morning assembly to begin. Pretty much all of our other classmates were here. Plus, Uta had basketball practice in the morning, so she would normally be in the classroom earlier.

“Oh man, that was close! Made it!” Right as we started talking about her, Uta barreled into the room. She dropped her stuff off at her seat and then joined us. “Morning! Hey, guys!”

“Good morning, Uta-chan. You’re later than usual today,” Hikari said, discreetly raising the query that was on all of our minds.

Uta sheepishly scratched her cheek. “I wanted to practice until the very last minute, but I lost track of time... And then I ended up literally staying until the very last minute.” On a closer look, I noticed her forehead was covered in sweat.

“You’re certainly working hard,” Nanase said.

“Of course I am! I want to be a starter!”

Recently, Uta had been absorbed in basketball practice. After the third-years had retired over the summer, the basketball club was now in the process of forming a new team. They didn’t have a fixed starting lineup yet, so even a first-year like Uta stood a chance of making it. She’d been zealously practicing on her own late into the night too.

“We barely have any time after morning practice,” Tatsuya said in an exasperated tone.

“I... I know! Ill be more careful next time.” Uta pouted.

“Well, it’s fine since you made it to class on time,” Reita said, intervening.

Right then, the morning assembly bell chimed. Everyone returned to their seats, and after a short wait, our homeroom teacher came in. All of the information coming out of the teacher’s mouth went in one ear and straight out the other.

I glanced over to where Uta sat. She stared absentmindedlv at the front, her chin resting on her hand. I hadn’t spoken to her much either since that incident. We talked to each other a bit when we were with the others, but never when we were alone. Seeing that I was the cause of our estranged friendship, I had no right to say it made me lonely.

I’d followed my heart and made my choice. I believed that was the sincerest thing to do, and I didn’t regret it. And that was precisely why I could do nothing more for the one I hadn’t chosen.

***

After school, I watched those who had club activities leave before dropping by the second music room. I opened the door, revealing Serika, who was already playing her guitar. The intro of “black witch,” a song we’d performed at the school festival concert, filled the room.

She stopped strumming and cocked her head to the side. “It’s been a while, I think?”

“About a week, yeah,” I said.

Our band had split up after our concert. The last time I’d been in the second music room was our final practice session. Serika and Mei were in different classes, and Iwano-senpai was in a different year, so I didn’t have many opportunities to see them. We’d talked about eventually throwing a wrap-up party but didn’t have anything concrete planned. Then, Serika summoned us all here.

“Oh, long time no see,” said a voice from right behind me.

When did he sneak up on me? I whipped around to see Mei give me a small bow. “Dude, that almost gave me a heart attack! Can you show up normally?”

“S-Sorrv... I was trying to show up normally, though.” He laughed awkwardly. His presence was weak, as always.

Any uny, thats three of us here. “Is Iwano-senpai coming too?”

“No, he’s already in full-blown study mode,” Serika replied.

I'd expect nothing less from him There aren't a lot of people whoV start studying for college entrance exams in their second year. He's not the type of guy to be influenced by his peers, though. If anything, I bet he's the one doing the influencing.

“But he’ll come to the wrap-up party, right?” I asked.

“I’ll ask him if he’s got a free weekend. Where should we go?”

“How about Icho or something?” I named a restaurant chain that only existed in northern Kanto (a fact that had been shocking to learn). Then it hit me —the four of us would never perform together again. Though I’d known this from the outset, the realization still saddened me. Mishmash leftovers, the band the four of us had formed, was now gone for good.

“What should we do going forward?” Serika murmured. That was likely what she’d gathered us here for. Even without Iwano-senpai, the three of us could still play together. “I’d decided our time limit was the end of the school festival, so I didn’t think about what happened after.”

“Serika, you’re going to keep playing music, right?” I asked.

“Obviously. I’m not gonna stop; I’ll keep playing forever.”

Of course she would. I hadn’t needed to ask that; it was a fact of life that Serika would continue music for the rest of her days. Mei and I were the ones whose motivation was being called into question here.

Mei spoke up before me. “I want to play more. Even if it’s a new band without senpai.” His expression hid calm determination. “Being in a band was strenuous and tiring, but it was fun.”

Serika nodded at him, and then her gaze turned to me. “What about you, Natsuki?”

“Well, I...”

Now that the concert was over, we didn’t have practice anymore, and I had time to spare. I’d gone on a date with Hikari, worked out, read books, and enjoyed the weekend to my heart’s content for the first time in a while. In all honesty, I felt satisfied. The concert we’d put on at the festival was akin to a miracle, and I didn’t feel like I could reproduce it ever again. If we couldn’t play with all four of us, then perhaps it would be better to stop.

But now that I was here, I realized what I truly wanted.

“I want to continue, I think.”

Practice um grueling, but my days were fulfilling. Not gonna lie: it wore me out, it was awful how terrible I was, and sometimes it was straight painful. But during that time, I also learned how enjoyable and interesting making music could be... I think those vibrant days were part of the youth I wished for. And that’s why, if possible, I want to keep playing in a band I’m nervous that it’ll be different than before, but if Serika and Mei are with me, then it'll work out.

“If it’s you, Natsuki, you’ll do great. You’re a man that I trust, after all.” Serika grinned, showing me her pearly whites, and patted me on the back.

“Since we’re starting up again, should we recruit a new member first?” Mei asked.

If we wanted to play as a whole band, we’d need to find a drummer to replace Iwano-senpai. But it wouldn’t be that easy. We wanted someone who had both the drive to keep up with all of our practice sessions and outstanding skills besides. Not that I was one to talk.

“They need to be someone I click with. I don’t want to compromise,” Serika said bluntly. Her assertion was no surprise, since she’d purposefully chosen me and Iwano-senpai due to that same reasoning.

“Did you click with me?” Mei asked.

“Not really at first. But once we played together, we clicked.”

I sensed that she was about to say, “Well, I didn't even know you existed in the beginning," but quickly covered her mouth. Stop hurting poorMei's little heart with your mischief. I know you're not being malicious about it, but still!

“Okay, anyway, we need to find someone first,” she said.

“Before that, can I say something?” I interjected. I was hesitant, but there was something that needed to be said before we launched a search.

It was a miracle that the four of us had formed a band. Serika’s charisma was part of the reason, but it was a huge coincidence that there had just happened to be a bassist and a drummer left over in the light music club.

Plus, unlike our previous arrangement, our new7 band wouldn’t have a time limit. Not to mention the fact that we didn’t have a goal—at the very least, we had nothing specific to shoot for. Before, we had clearly defined the school festival and giving the best concert there as our time limit and objective. That’s why all four of us had been able to press on with the same level of motivation.

We wouldn’t have all that this time, so w^e were left with a mountain of questions to answer. What should we strive for? How often should we practice and for how long? How should we prioritize the band in relation to our studies and part-time jobs?

If there was a difference in our intentions, then a rift would surely form in our band. Thus, on top of searching for a new7 member, w^e needed to decide these things.

After I finished my explanation, Mei and Serika nodded in agreement.

“Fair points,” she said.

“Yes... It’s not like I’m aiming to become a professional musician,” Mei added.

Realistically speaking, we had school and our part-time jobs to think about. I could no longer prioritize our band above everything the way I had for the school festival either.

“Right, that’s how it is for you two,” Serika murmured. Her previously bright demeanor was now inscrutable.

Loneliness tinged her eyes, but I couldn’t lie to her. This was reality. My objective was to live a rainbow-colored youth. Music was a means to obtain that, not the end goal. And just like Mei had said, I wasn't trying to go pro either.

Serika was different, though. With her talent, she wasn’t one to settle down in a high school band like ours. That’s why it was in everyone’s best interest to establish any differences in intention now.

“What do I want to do? I’ll give it some thought,” Serika murmured as she stared out the window. Perhaps she understood what I was trying to convey.