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

Final Chapter: To Know Foolishness

It was the day after the ball game competition. As part of my usual routine, I went to school like always and worked my shift at Café Mares. I currently stood on the station platform while I waited for my train home. Someone tapped my shoulder.

Who is it? I glanced behind me.

Toting her guitar case, Serika shot me a peace sign. “Morning.”

“It’s night already,” I retorted.

“But everyone at my part-time job says ‘morning’ now.”

“Well, sure, at work... Wait, did you just get off too?” I guessed as much since she was still in the area this late, despite not having club activities today.

Serika shook her head. “I took a test? Well...maybe more like a tryout? Something like that.”

“Tryout?” I repeated. “For what? Are you joining a different band?”

“Yep.” She nodded, her face as blank as always. “It’s a band that invited me a long time ago, but they’re all pretty high-level musicians, and all of them are working adults besides me. I lost my nerve back then...but I wanted to give it a shot since I had the opportunity.”

Wow, Serika can get nervous? (Yes, how rude of me.) “How’d it go?”

“I passed. Yay.” She waggled her peace sign, deadpan all the while.

With her talents, of course she’d pass. A band of adults will be worlds above us...but no bias, I bet Serika will be the only one with pro-level skills. “Nice going. Congrats.”

“Mm-hmm. They can play really difficult songs without breaking a sweat, so it’ll be super good practice. It’ll be a struggle to keep up, though,” Serika said with a faraway look.

If she thinks so, then I’m sure they’re an amazing band. I’m genuinely happy for her. I am, but does that mean our band is...?

“I’m thinking of playing in both,” she told me, reading my question. “They’re all adults, so they can only meet up on weekends, but I also want to practice on weekdays. And I really want to play with you guys. I want to perform during next year’s school festival too.”

“Are you sure? Won’t that be pretty heavy on your schedule?”

“I’d just play guitar if I was at home anyway.” She made it sound simple, but simultaneously being in two bands would be harder than I could imagine. “I want to improve as a guitarist. Plus, I want to play in both bands, and I won’t compromise. I’ll give both my all, and that’s that.”

Perhaps it was because she had just come from her tryouts, but I could feel passion behind her declaration.

“So, will you help me?” she asked.

How could I not agree? Since the day I’d first heard Serika play the guitar, I’d always been her fan. I didn’t even care if I was just a stepping stone to help her spread her wings and go out into the world.

“Yeah.” I held up my fist.

She bumped hers against mine.

“Then we’d better find a new drummer.” I was excited for our new beginning. It was the same feeling as when we’d been part of Mishle.

“About that. I found a drummer who clicks with me. I’ll introduce you guys.” Serika called over a girl who’d been waiting a short distance away.

“Oh, you were with her?”

“Yep. She’s only a third-year in middle school, but she plans on attending our high school.”

The girl walked over. She was short and had a tidy but innocent appearance. She had large, round eyes and sported a bob with the tips of her hair curling upward. There was still an air of childishness to her, and she wore a middle school uniform. It was the same uniform that Miori and I used to wear.

The girl saluted sharply before energetically greeting me. “Long time no see, Haibara-senpai! I’m Yamano Saya. It’s a pleasure!”

As she’d hinted, we knew each other already.

***

A week passed after the ball game tournament. It was lunchtime now, and I had some time to kill after finishing my meal. Our class had been rowdy after tasting victory at first, but we’d settled back into familiar tranquility.

“Huh? Miori’s absent?” I furrowed my brows after hearing the news from Hikari.

“Yeah. Apparently, she’s been out since after the ball game competition,” she said.

The six of us were gathered near the window side of the classroom. We all exchanged glances.

“Reita, have you heard anything?” I asked.

“I messaged her on RINE, but she didn’t respond. I hope she’s okay.” He gazed at his phone, his face laden with concern.

“I heard from a teacher that she has a cold,” Uta said.

“This feels much too long for only a cold,” Nanase replied.

Maybe Serika will know more since they’re in the same class. “I’ll go ask Serika,” I said. When I left the room, I felt a lot of gazes on me. What is it? This is weird. 

The kids in class one were all staring at me. I poked my head into their classroom. Serika wasn’t there. Is she in the second music room? I’ve got time, so I’ll go look for her. Still, Miori almost never gets sick. Idiots aren’t supposed to catch colds. Well, I guess flu season is starting. Maybe I’ll swing by her house on my way home and check up on her. Such thoughts were running through my head as I passed the girls’ bathroom.

“Is that rumor about Motomiya true? Is she really flirting with Shiratori-kun and Haibara-kun?”

“Apparently someone saw it all. She was hugging Haibara-kun in the park.”

“Ew, that’s seriously low! She acts like she’s all that just because she’s a little cute.”

“Remember how she always insisted Haibara-kun was just a childhood friend? It felt like she was bragging. She’s such a bitch. I feel bad for Shiratori-kun and Hoshimiya-san!”

I’d accidentally overheard a group of girls from class one gossiping.