Seishun Buta Yarou Series - Volume 3 - Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – Friendship Travels at 25 mph

1 

The next day was August 4, a Sunday. A sunny Sunday. 

Sakuta went out on the veranda to hang up the laundry and saw a big white cloud drifting across the sky from west to east. There was a gentle breeze, but the sun was beating down. It was gonna be a scorcher. 

The clock showed ten AM. The intercom always rang then, but not today. Instead, the phone rang. 

“Coming,” he said. 

He recognized the number on the monochrome display. An eleven-digit number starting in 090, calling here? That had to be Shouko’s cell phone. 

“Azusagawa speaking.” 

“Good morning. This is Makinohara.” 

“Morning.” 

“Um…sorry,” she said, without context. 

“Mm?” 

“I’m not going to make it this morning.” 

Had something come up? She sounded downcast, which was concerning. They hadn’t talked long, but she definitely wasn’t herself. 

“Okay, I’ll make sure to feed Hayate for you.” 

“Okay, thank you. And, um…” 

“Mm.” 

“It won’t just be today. It’ll be a week…maybe longer.” 

“You going abroad?” 

Not that she sounded like she was taking a trip. She seemed unclear on the time frame, like the plans weren’t set in stone. 

“No, not a vacation. But I am going to be out of the house for a while.” 

What would you leave home for if not a vacation? 

“……” 

He considered this. Only one answer came to mind. Sakuta had gone through it once himself. But he decided if that was true, he shouldn’t ask Shouko about it. 

She was clearly choosing her words carefully. She must not want him to know. And that was a good reason not to press her any further. 

“Got it. Lemme know when you can come again. I’ll look after Hayate until then.” 

“Okay, thanks.” 

He heard a woman’s voice call Shouko’s name. Her mom, maybe? “Coming!” Shouko called. Then she said, “I’ll be in touch.” 

She hung up, still sounding glum. Sakuta put the receiver down. 

“Kaede!” 

“What?” Kaede said, looking up from her homework. 

“Makinohara won’t be coming for a while, so Hayate’s all yours.” 

“Leave it to me!” Kaede said, beaming with pride. 

Sakuta ate lunch a bit early, changed into his uniform, and got ready to head out to school. 

“You really are going,” Rio said in the hall. Nasuno was rubbing against her feet. Looked like they were friends already. 

“You wanna join me?” 

“I think it’s better I don’t.” 

“Why?” 

“You know the doppelgänger legend. If two people with the same face meet, one of them dies.” 

“Yeah.” 

“And according to quantum teleportation, it shouldn’t technically be possible to verify both of us at the same time, so…” 

“According to that hypothesis, if I did meet you both at once, what would happen?” 

“To correct the contradiction, once of us would vanish. Or the paradox would collapse, and both of us would cease to exist.” 

That wasn’t funny. 

“Rumor has it an author died that way—one so famous a prize was named after them. Stories about doppelgängers may have come from people encountering the same phenomenon I am.” 

The author in question had written a story about encountering a doppelgänger. And back in grade school, when it was all the rage to share urban legends, these stories were considered particularly believable. 

“That’s why it’s probably better I don’t go.” 

“Mkay, look after the place for me.” 

He moved to the door and put his shoes on. 

“I’ll have dinner waiting.” 

“It’s like we’re married.” 

He’d meant that as a joke, but Rio looked deeply disgusted. 

“That’s the second time you’ve said that today.” 

The first had been that morning. Rio had helped with the laundry, saying it was the least she could do for letting her stay. She’d ironed the wrinkles out with surprising ease. He could tell she handled her own laundry all the time. And when she was hanging up Sakuta’s underwear, he’d cracked the same joke. She’d ended up throwing the underwear at his face. 

“All that’s left is to greet me wearing an apron.” 

“That’s only newlyweds.” 

“Right.” 

“And you should reserve those fetishes for Sakurajima.” 

“Good idea.” 

Sakuta left, picturing Mai in an apron. 

The summer air was muggy and damp. The sun was beating down. Watching the road mirage retreat ahead of him, Sakuta walked his usual route to school. 

Ten sweat-drenched minutes to Fujisawa Station. Up the stairs, across the connective passage, straight to the Enoden line. 

As Sakuta passed through the gate onto the platform, a green-and-cream-colored train pulled in. The front of the car looked like a friendly face and gave off a retro vibe. Like it was dutifully carrying people from Fujisawa to Kamakura despite the sweltering heat. 

He stepped into the air-conditioned car, and as he cooled off in an empty seat, he saw a familiar face board the train. 

Minegahara’s summer uniform—a navy skirt, a white blouse, and a beige vest. A red tie, properly bound. The exact look the school recommended for its female students. Very few people actually wore it unaltered. 

“……” 

When her eyes met Sakuta’s, Rio sat down next to him. 

The warning bell rang. A group of college girls came rushing on at the last minute, and the doors closed behind them. The train slowly pulled out of the station. 

“Figure anything out?” Rio asked, staring out the window. 

“Your nudes are amaaaazing.” 

“……” 

“I mean, I knew. Even with your clothes on.” 

If he looked at her boobs now, she’d definitely yell at him, so he focused on the view, just like she was. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see she had her hair up still. No glasses. The other Rio had the glasses, so this one probably didn’t even have the option. 

“And you’ve come to tell me to stop being stupid?” 

“Hell no. That sounds like a hassle.” 

“Then why are you here?” 

“I can’t get a date with Mai, and I’m bored, so I figured I’d come hang with you.” 

“……” 

She considered this. 

“I see,” she said. “You’ve decided to give yourself an even bigger hassle.” 

In lieu of an answer, he turned and looked her in the eye. 

“What?” 

“You got any other pictures? Non-close-ups?” 

“Yes. Why?” 

“Can I see?” 

“……” 

That was definitely disgust on her face. 

“Why care if I see anything now?” he asked, pressing further. 

Rio silently handed him her phone. 

He opened the photo folder, and the viewer screen filled with images. 

“That’s a lot…” 

There were over three hundred of them. At least ten times what he’d expected. 

But they weren’t all provocative shots designed to arouse or stimulate the viewer. Some of them were just the palm of her hand or the tips of her toes. She’d even taken a shot of the inside of her backpack. 

He flipped back down the timeline and found a picture of her in a different uniform. A navy-blue blazer and a skirt down to her knees. Her face looked younger. Her hair was shorter. But it was definitely Rio. 

“Is this…?” he asked, showing it to her. 

“Junior high.” 

She had already been taking selfies by then. This ran deep. 

“Plenty of faces and full-body shots.” 

The further he went back, the more of those he found. It was only in the newer stuff that she started keeping her face hidden. In return, she started showing more skin, or glimpses of her underwear—much more sexually charged. 

“I didn’t originally plan on showing anyone, much less uploading them online.” 

“Just your own private album?” 

“You make it sound worse than it is.” 

“You have only yourself to blame.” 

“Fair.” 

Rio’s smile was filled with self-loathing, and Sakuta didn’t like it. He didn’t want to see her look like that. 

“When I first started taking selfies, I just wanted to look at myself objectively and go, ‘You’re being an idiot.’” 

“I don’t get it.” 

“It felt satisfying to show myself how dumb I was.” 

“……” 

He really didn’t get it. 

“Calling this ‘self-analysis’ may just be silly, but I consider it a form of self-harm.” 

That was pretty much the opposite of silly. But it was absurd to be saying that herself. Especially since, despite knowing better, she’d not only kept doing it, she’d escalated. 

“Maybe this won’t make sense to you, but…I hate myself.” 

“The other Futaba said as much.” 

Starting with the changes to her body. She’d said seeing how the boys reacted to that made her feel filthy. She’d come to hate her curves. 

“That’s why I punish myself. Because I hate myself.” 

“You reject the parts of yourself you hate and feel momentarily better?” 

“You’re smarter than you look.” 

“But those parts you rejected are still you.” 

Ultimately, her actions resolved nothing. A little time would pass; she’d snap out of it and realize the obvious. She’d look back at what she’d done and despise her own weakness. Then she’d hate herself even more and do the same thing to punish herself. And as this cycle repeated, the actions she took became harsher and more extreme. 

Rio was wrestling with a contradiction so great it had split her in two. 

Sakuta couldn’t say he truly understood it. But he could empathize with at least one aspect of it. 

When Kaede was in her first year of junior high and her classmates started bullying her, Sakuta had watched her suffer, powerless to help. There was nothing he could do. He felt helpless and worthless, and with no outlet for those feelings, they ate away at him from the inside. 

Feeling utterly pathetic, Sakuta had put himself through the wringer. And at the end of that downward spiral, he’d found three gaping cuts on his chest. The only explanation he’d ever found for them was that they were a punishment he’d inflicted on himself. Proof of his sin, his failure to save his sister. 

“Azusagawa,” Rio said. 

He looked up. “Mm?” 

“Whose side are you on?” 

“I am on Rio Futaba’s side,” he said immediately. 

“That’s a weaselly answer.” 

“Such contempt!” 

“My other self and I will never see eye to eye.” 

“Don’t be stupid.” 

“That was blunt.” 

“I don’t pull punches with friends.” 

He was a little embarrassed by that but thought it was worth saying. He knew it would get to her. But she just laughed it off. 

“Then I won’t hold back, either—Azusagawa, you’ve gotta give up on one of us.” 

“What a terrifying thought. I might just piss myself.” 

“If you’re being flippant about it, that means you already know I’m right.” 

The train stopped. They’d reached Shichirigahama Station. 

“The world doesn’t need two Rio Futabas,” she said, her voice cold and flat. 

She stood up and got off the train. 

The loudspeaker announced the departure. 

“……” 

While he searched for an answer, the doors closed, and the train pulled out with Sakuta still on board. 

“She really can be terrifying. I might actually piss myself…” 

The woman next to him must have heard that, because she edged away. 

“I’m kidding,” he said. 

But of course, she didn’t move back. 

Sakuta considered getting off at Inamuragasaki Station (the next stop) but ended up riding the train all the way to the end of the line at Kamakura Station. 

Then, for no good reason, he left the station, went into a nearby shop, and bought a pack of five dove-shaped sablés. These cookies were a Kamakura staple souvenir. Having been born and raised in Kanagawa Prefecture, they were as familiar to Sakuta as shumai. 

With his purchase in hand, he went back to the station, boarded the Enoden, and rode it back the way he’d come. 

This time he actually got off at Shichirigahama, the stop for his school. 

His detour had left him arriving about forty minutes later than originally planned. 

“I brought presents.” 

He put the yellow box of dove cookies down on the lab table Rio was using. 

“Where did you even go?” 

“Kamakura, ho!” 

“Whatever you say.” 

Losing interest, Rio reached for the package. She’d just brewed a batch of coffee, so she was in the mood for sweets. Apparently, she was the type who start with the tail. 

Sakuta picked one up himself. He started with the head. 

“You decide which of us to back?” 

“Look, Futaba.” 

“What?” 

“You’re gonna have to decide that yourself.” 

“……” 

“This is your problem, and you’ve gotta solve it.” 

“You do have a point.” 

Sakuta pulled a stool out from under the desk and sat down. To fill the silence, he grabbed the remote control and turned on the TV. 

The screen dangling from the ceiling by the blackboard came on. Showing a midday current-events talk show. 

A familiar face was interviewing people at a sand-art competition on a beach somewhere. Fumika Nanjou, holding a microphone, eyes on the camera. On location today. 

“Look at this incredible piece!” she said, sounding quite excited. She waved at the sand sculpture behind her. Someone had made a model of the Sagrada Família, the famous church in Barcelona. And with all eighteen towers complete. Better than the real thing. Fumika was right—it was incredible. 

It was a class above everything else in the competition. 

“These two are the creators of that masterpiece.” 

Fumika brought in a woman and a man, both in their midtwenties. The man was tall and slim, with glasses—smart and handsome. He smiled, not at all afraid of the camera. The woman was small and cute, with an impressive figure. She had a T-shirt on over a red bikini, clearly visible through the shirt; her boobs seemed like they barely fit in it, and the T-shirt was really short, offering a clear view of her taut, healthy waistline. 

She was maybe Rio’s height. Sakuta glanced to his side for comparison, and their eyes met. 

“My waist isn’t that narrow,” Rio said, reading his mind. 

But that also meant she was in the running for the other categories. Maybe Rio nude was even more amazing than he’d imagined. 

“Are you a couple?” Fumika was asking. 

“You’re even more beautiful in person, Ms. Nanjou,” the guy said, ignoring the question. When Fumika blinked at him, he added, “She’s my wife.” 

The girl held up the glitter band on her left ring finger. “Sparkle!” she said. 

“You’re so young! Newlyweds?” Fumika asked. 

“Nope! We married at eighteen!” the man said, staring into the distance. 

Marrying that young must have a story behind it. Maybe he was reflecting on the hardships. Sakuta would be eighteen next year, but marriage might as well be some fantasy-world jargon. 

“E-eighteen?!” Fumika stammered, caught completely off guard. “So I understand your wife did most of the work. What challenges did you face?” 

“I’m in another competition at Kugenuma Beach on the twenty-third! Come shake my hand!” the girl yelled the moment the mic was on her. What was she even doing? 

Then she stared roaring and advancing toward the camera. The man—her husband—grabbed her in a full nelson and dragged her out of the frame. 

“……” Fumika stared after them for a moment, then recovered and said, “Back to the studio!” with a big smile. 

Everyone in the studio had an awkward expression, and they soon cut to a commercial. 

Another familiar face appeared on screen. Mai. In a shampoo commercial. Beautiful hair spreading outward, then gathering back together. “Everyday moisture keeps it supple,” the narrator said. Mai smiled into the mirror, like she was giggling. The combination of beautiful and cute was devastating. It got him every time. He savored the moment. 

When another commercial began, Sakuta picked up a fan from the desk and went over to the window. The AC was turned down a bit, so the room was a little stuffy. He began fanning himself. 

He could see five people running around the track in the blazing sun. Yuuma was way out ahead of the others. Must be the basketball team. 

“Hey, Futaba.” 

“What?” 

“What would it take for you to be one again?” he asked, not turning around. 

The world doesn’t need two Rio Futabas. 

Rio’s words had been looping through his mind. The suggestive photos were an issue, too, but he couldn’t let this Adolescence Syndrome keep on going. 

“We can’t.” 

“If a split in consciousness caused this, can’t it merge again?” 

“…Well, maybe,” Rio said, finally conceding some ground. 

“How do we make that happen?” 

“At the moment, we’re moving further apart. The two of us are doing totally different things. The more our memories and experiences diverge, the less likely we are to merge again.” 

“Gimme a more optimistic read before I get an ulcer.” 

“I guess we just both have to feel the same way.” 

“Like how you wuv Kunimi so much?” 

“……” 

That earned him a frosty silence. If he turned around, there would likely be an equally frosty glare. So he just didn’t turn around. 

“I believe the two of us do agree on that point.” 

“So be one again!” 

“If that hasn’t brought us together by this point, then we need something stronger than that.” 

“Something you’re more fixated on than Kunimi?” 

Sakuta couldn’t think of anything. 

“Don’t ask me,” Rio said, holding both hands in the air. 

She’d dumped a problem with no apparent solution in his lap. 

He grimaced and focused on the dove cookie. 

Tossing the last bite of tail in his mouth, he chewed it over. Yuuma’s lap was taking him past the school building. 

Yuuma’s eyes met Sakuta’s in the lab window. Yuuma grinned and came running his way, then collapsed against the school wall. Sakuta opened the window. 

“Argh, I’m dying!” Yuuma said, gasping for air. 

Sweat was dripping onto the concrete below. 

He saw Sakuta’s fan. “I need one of those,” he said, fingers opening and closing, like he was demanding tribute. 

“No way.” 

“Why not?!” 

“What’s in it for me?” 

“I need wind!” 

Sakuta ignored him, turning around. 

“Futaba,” he said, waving to her. 

She looked up from her test tube. “What?” 

She sounded annoyed, but she joined him at the window. Sakuta handed her the fan. 

“Cool Kunimi down.” 

“He asked you.” 

“If I was gonna be fanned by someone, obviously I’d prefer it be a girl.” 

“……” 

She looked disgruntled, but this was half embarrassment. 

“Futaba! I need wind!” Yuuma wailed. 

Rio thought for a moment, then silently started waving the fan. 

“Ahhh…that feels amazing!” 

The other four players were still running. Or staggering. 

“Aren’t you usually in the gym? Why is it just the five of you running?” 

The team was larger than that. 

“Penalty for losing yesterday.” 

“Wait, your team lost?” 

“They put me on a team of first-years!” 

“Not like you to blame your teammates. You must be a fake!” 

“I dunno what kind of person you think I am…” 

“I know you’re obnoxiously popular.” 

“Cruel!” Yuuma said, laughing out loud. 

“It really is a mystery why you two are friends,” Rio muttered. 

Yuuma just grinned at her. Sakuta followed suit. Rio was looking for an answer, so neither of them gave her one. It was tough to put into words anyway. They just got along. That was all. Sakuta had known right away they could always speak their minds, and Yuuma would always get if he was joking or serious. 

He felt the same way about Rio. They’d first talked in depth in the first term of their first year. After rumors started spreading claiming Sakuta had got in a big fight in junior high and sent some classmates to the hospital. 

Sakuta had been looking for a place to eat lunch in peace. And he’d found the science lab—but it was already occupied. 

“Everyone in school’s scared of you, yet you keep on showing up,” she’d said. 

“‘Agh, everyone’s avoiding me!’ As if I’d say something so over-the-top.” 

“I don’t think it’s that much of an exaggeration, actually. Are you right in the head? Oh, you aren’t; that’s why you keep coming to school.” 

“You’re pretty cool, Futaba.” 

“Huh? How?” 

“You’re talking to me, right?” 

From the get-go, neither of them had held back. He remembered it well. Things were still like that now, a year later. 

“Last dash!” Yuuma called, addressing his teammates. The four first-years managed a final burst of speed, trying to be the first to reach him. 

Then they fell to their knees, gasping for air, shoulders heaving. 

“Ugh, no fair, Kunimi!” one of them said, seeing Rio fanning him. 

“You’ve got a girlfriend, and now this girl’s fanning you? Why does everyone fall for you?” 

Sakuta totally agreed with this kid. He nodded emphatically. 

“She’s lovely! You gotta introduce us!” 

“Is she a second-year?” 

“Huh? You don’t know Futaba?” 

Rio was pretty well-known, really. The second-year who always wore a lab coat. Even the first-years probably knew her by now. 

“Huh?” They all blinked, exchanging glances. 

“I didn’t know she was this cute,” one of them whispered, but Sakuta heard him clearly. 

Rio didn’t have her lab coat, her hair was up, and she wasn’t wearing glasses. That changed her look enough that they hadn’t recognized her. When Sakuta first saw her like this, he’d done the same thing. 

“You all have no eye for women. Can’t introduce her to you now, can I? Get on back to the gym.” 

Yuuma shooed them away. 

They shuffled off, glancing back at Rio every now and then. 

“Second-years are so grown-up!” 

“Definitely my type.” 

“Sexy smart! Smart and sexy!” 

“I’d like to have her teach me a thing or two!” 

They were really getting worked up. 

“I dunno that you’ve got much of an eye yourself, Kunimi,” Sakuta grumbled. But he was thinking about something else entirely. 

Rio’s words were still echoing through his mind. 

The world doesn’t need two Rio Futabas. 

She wasn’t wrong about that. The world just wasn’t set up to handle two of the same person. They couldn’t both attend school next term, nor could they both live in the same home. How would she even register her current address with the government? 

And at the moment, this Rio was the only one actively participating in society. Only a few people even knew that the Rio at his apartment existed. 

Things couldn’t go on like this. But none of his classes had taught Sakuta a way to turn two people into one. 

Rio had said they needed something they both felt strongly about, but he couldn’t think of anything stronger than Yuuma. He was at an impasse. 

“I dunno what to do,” he muttered. 

“Mm?” Yuuma said. 

“Never mind.” 

For now, he had no choice but to skirt the issue. 

2 

“So how long are you planning to keep this up, Azusagawa?” Rio asked, out of nowhere. 

They were on their way home from school, sitting on a bench at Shichirigahama Station, waiting for a Fujisawa-bound train. 

It was now August 12. 

Sakuta had been showing up in the science lab every day for a week. 

“Until you stop doing what you’re doing.” 

Futaba was still uploading racy pictures. 

He’d checked at an Internet café on the way home from work yesterday, and there’d been a picture of a test tube in her cleavage. Apparently answering a request to put something in there. Frankly, Sakuta thought this was pushing things so far it was just dumb; he didn’t think it was sexy at all. 

“Or at least until you agree to show these sexy selfies to no one but me.” 

“You’re getting further from that goal every day.” 

“Shame.” 

He leaned forward, looking toward Kamakura. Still no train. It was after six, but the sky was still bright—maybe just a trace of red in the west. 

“What experiments do you have planned for tomorrow?” 

She’d been doing a lot of rather dull ones. Measuring gravitational acceleration, rolling a little dynamics cart around. She worked diligently at them, but they weren’t fun to watch. 

“Maybe I should make a rocket to entertain you?” 

“Would you actually?” 

“Out of a plastic bottle.” 

“Oh.” 

“I’d make you go fetch it for me.” 

“That’s what you want from me? No competitions to see whose rocket goes higher?” 

“You wouldn’t stand a chance.” 

She pulled out her phone. Seemed like she’d got a text. 

But the moment she read it, she flinched. She quickly took her eyes off the screen but then checked again. She looked very pale. 

Rio hid her phone’s screen, placing it facedown on her thigh and putting both hands on top of it so the display wasn’t visible at all. 

“What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing.” 

Rio wouldn’t even look at him. Her attention was entirely on the other people on the platform. Several Minegahara students. A few other groups of students. Her phone vibrated again. 

“Futaba?” 

“…I’m fine.” 

She didn’t look fine. There’d been a long pause before that answer, and her voice was hoarse. The hands on her phone were shaking, and not because of the phone’s vibrations. 

“Somebody reply?” 

“……” 

Rio nodded slightly. 

“Can I see?” 

He glanced down at her phone. 

“No.” 

Sakuta reached out anyway. He slipped his fingers under hers, touching the phone’s cover. 

“……” 

Rio lowered her head a little but didn’t stop him pulling the phone out. 

Did that count as permission? 

Sakuta looked down at the screen. 

It was open to the social networking site’s direct messages. 

That’s a Minegahara uniform, right? 

An alarming opening. 

I went there myself, that’s why I know. 

This message had appeared a moment later. 

I’m in the area, wanna meet? 

A third message. As he watched, more flooded in. 

I can sponsor you. 15 sound good? 

I’ll tell the school if you don’t meet me. 

And you don’t want that, right? 

C’mon, let’s meet up. You’re down, right? 

They just kept coming. 

Rio was looking at the screen from next to him, and her hand had fastened itself to his sleeve. He could feel her trembling getting stronger. 

“People like this really exist,” he muttered, writing a response. Even as he typed, more messages poured in. 

We gotta meet! 

Waiting for your answer! 

Are you even reading these? 

Don’t blame me for what happens. 

This dude didn’t even give her time to answer. What an asshole. Sakuta finished the message. 

“Azusagawa?” 

He pressed send. 

“What did you just…?” 

“This.” 

He showed her the screen, with the message he’d sent. 

Calling the police. 

The phone stopped vibrating. No more messages came. 

“That should handle it.” 

“…Delete it.” 

“Mm?” 

“Delete that account.” 

“Got it.” 

He had Rio watch to make sure he was doing it right and deleted the account for her. 

“That good?” 

“Mm.” 

A Fujisawa-bound train finally arrived, so they got on board. 

The car was fairly crowded. Inside was a group of middle-aged women on their way back from Kamakura, clutching bags of souvenirs. There were also young couples and groups of students heading home after a day on the beach. 

Sakuta led Rio to an empty seat in the middle of the car, and they sat down. Rio never once let go of his shirtsleeve. This earned them some warm looks. They must have seemed like a brand-new couple. 

“Sorry,” Rio said softly. “Serves me right, huh?” 

Her body, voice, and heart were all still in the grip of fear. Totally terrified. 

“I… I dunno why. I’m just so scared.” 

She couldn’t stop shaking. Their shoulders were pressed together, so Sakuta couldn’t help but notice. 

“Texts and messages are like being stabbed,” Sakuta said, staring straight ahead, keeping his tone conversational. 

“……?” 

“When Kaede was being bullied, her counselor told me we get eighty percent of our information from people’s eyes.” 

“…True.” 

“So getting a letter or an email that says ‘Drop dead!’ is way worse than being told the same thing face-to-face.” 

And texts arrive without warning. If you’re talking to someone, the flow of conversation gives you time to brace yourself. But electronic messages can catch you completely off guard. Before you can put up any sort of defense, the malice within is already gouging a hole in your heart. 

And that’s exactly where Rio was now. 

When they reached Fujisawa Station, Sakuta went through the Odakyu Enoshima Line gates with Rio. He’d normally have turned to head home here, but he couldn’t very well do that today. 

The platform was a long one—it looked like the end of the line. The rails might only go out one way, but the trains did actually head in two directions—it was a reversing station, with some trains going to Shinjuku, and others to Katase-Enoshima. 

They followed the other passengers. 

“Um, sorry,” Rio said, as if suddenly concerned she was being a burden or causing trouble for him. 

But it seemed she still couldn’t bring herself to let go of his shirtsleeve. 

“I’ll have to tell Kunimi how cute you were later.” 

“……” 

She gave him a wordless glare, but the residual fear meant she still looked ready to cry. 

They boarded a Katase-Enoshima-bound train that was waiting at the platform. 

He couldn’t exactly leave her alone right now, so Sakuta made up his mind to take her all the way home. 

The warning buzzer sounded, and the white cars moved down the track out of Fujisawa Station. Rio lived by Hon-Kugenuma, which was only one stop away. The train ride didn’t take long. 

It was a five-minute walk from there. 

“Here,” Rio whispered, stopping in front of a house in a quiet neighborhood. This area was mostly houses; the few apartment buildings were on the small side, five floors tops. Nothing crowding out the sky. 

Rio put her hand on the impressive double gate. It had a decorative arch across the top. Definitely looked like a rich-people house. 

Inside, there was a ten-yard stone path leading to a cube-shaped, chic house. The garage to the side definitely looked like the doors opened automatically. And like it could hold three vehicles. 

“Wow,” Sakuta said, impressed. 

“No warmth anywhere, right?” Rio said, unemotional. 

“Doesn’t seem like anyone lives here.” 

More like one of those model homes from the Shonan area he’d seen on TV. 

“Normal people would try to be considerate and go, ‘Oh, no, it’s really nice!’” 

“Don’t expect that from me.” 

“Fair enough.” 

They reached the door. Rio pulled out a key and opened it. There were lights on inside, but no signs of life. The entrance lights probably turned on automatically. 

It was past seven. The sky was starting to darken. 

“Make sure you lock the door.” 

“Azusagawa.” 

Rio turned around, clutching the door. She looked anxious. 

“Mm?” 

He knew what she was going to ask before she said it. The message from that strange creep had rattled her badly, and she was still frightened. 

“Could…you stay?” she asked, barely audible. But she got it all out. 

“Your parents are…?” 

“My father’s in Germany for a conference. My mother’s in Europe on business, too.” 

“That happens in real life?” 

“It happens in my house.” 

“I should point out that I’m a boy.” 

“Well, if anything happens, I’ll tell Sakurajima all the gory details. With embellishments.” 

“Stick to the facts, please.” 

“I trust you.” 

“I’d prefer to be considered a potential threat.” 

“Stop being dumb and come in.” 

“Don’t mind if I do.” 

Inside the doorway, the stillness was even more pronounced. Even the swishing fabric of their uniforms sounded loud. Maybe the vaulted ceilings in the entrance enhanced it. 

He followed Rio into a large living room. It was maybe 350 square feet. All monochromatic black-and-white interior design. There was a comfortable looking couch, and a sixty-inch TV. From the window, he could see a well-kempt garden. 

The kitchen had a counter that faced the living room, and the glass-doored cabinets behind that were filled with spices and utensils—again, like a model home. The halls were all lit by fancy indirect lighting. 

Simple, but elegant. It boasted an unmistakable sense of luxury. The kind of place anyone would want to live in someday. 

But Sakuta felt there was something fundamentally missing. He’d noticed it before he even stepped inside. 

This house had no smell. No character. 

It was like a beautiful container, but nothing about it seemed like Rio, even though she lived here. He couldn’t even feel her body heat. 

It gave him a weird feeling as if he’d stepped into some unknown dimension. Just standing here made him nervous. 

“They’re away often?” 

“Not that often.” 

“Oh.” 

“Only like half of every year.” 

“That qualifies as often.” 

Way too often. When Rio had said not that often, he’d imagined, like, two or three times a year. But it made a weird kind of sense. That explained why the house was like this. If her parents came home every night, it would be different. 

“My father rents a room near the hospital and usually sleeps there, and my mother’s often overseas for business. Totally normal.” 

“How is any of that normal?” 

But this also explained why the other Rio seemed so familiar with cooking and doing laundry. If she was doing all the housework herself six months out of every year, she had to get good. 

“This is normal for us. Neither of my parents were ever meant to be parents,” Rio said, as if stating facts that everybody knew. At the very least, she no longer seemed to have any strong feelings on the matter. She’d given up on it long ago, and it was just the way things were…is how Sakuta read it anyway. 

“My father only married to increase his chances of a promotion.” 

“Huh?” 

“There are places where you can’t move up if you’re single.” 

“And your mom was cool with that?” 

“My mother got married so she could call herself Dr. Futaba’s wife. Their interests aligned. And they each do whatever they please, so what’s to complain about? Seems like you have some very old-fashioned ideas, Azusagawa.” 

“I’m a caveman. Don’t even own a phone.” 

“Huh? 

“This cute kohai called me that.” 

“Oh, the Laplace’s demon? She’s got a way with words.” 

Rio smiled faintly. This wasn’t normally something that would make her smile. He wasn’t sure if it was conscious or not, but it felt like she was forcing a smile to try to make herself feel better. 

She went around turning on lights and pressed the button to start the bath. 

“Once it’s full, you go first,” she said. 

“Okay.” 

With Rio in this condition, it seemed inadvisable to suggest he go second. It wasn’t like he would stay in the bath long. 

At least, that was the plan. But once undressed and in the bath, Rio said, “I’ll wash these, so stay in there until they’re dry.” 

“How long will that be?” 

“Thirty minutes.” 

“You want me to die?!” 

She heartlessly declined to answer. 

When Sakuta staggered out, half-dead, Rio took his place. She stayed in there a full hour. 

Sakuta was under strict orders to remain on guard outside the bathroom. She really didn’t want to be alone right now. 

Sakuta sat down outside, leaning against the bathroom wall. It was a lot like the two long talks he’d had with the other Rio. 

“Azusagawa.” 

“I’m here.” 

“Mm…” 

“……” 

“Azusagawa?” 

“Still here.” 

“Mm…” 

“A……” 

“I said, I’m here!” 

This repeated several more times. 

“Um, Azusagawa…” 

“Seriously, should I just get in with you?” 

She was quiet a moment, then said, “…If you keep your eyes closed the whole time.” 

Rio would normally never say anything like that. She was definitely in a state. 

“No way! That’s some advanced fetish stuff I am entirely unprepared for.” 

“Then sing a song.” 

“That’s even worse!” 

When Rio finally finished her long bath, they ate a light meal. Using that amazing kitchen to prepare instant ramen. Sakuta found this amusing, but Rio didn’t get what was funny about it. She lived here, so that made sense. 

During the three-minute wait, he made a quick call home and let Kaede know he wouldn’t be back that evening. 

Then they sat down on the couch in front of the TV, slurping instant ramen. In lieu of music, she put in a Blu-ray of some overseas TV show, and they sat like that, watching. 

But even watching TV got exhausting after five straight hours of nothing else. 

It was half past one now, and he started nodding off. 

“Bedtime?” Rio suggested. 

She’d been in her pajamas since she got out of the bath, and now she headed for the stairs. He’d seen those fluffy pajamas in one of the photos. And she was wearing shorts underneath, so her legs were dazzling. 

Figuring he couldn’t very well follow her to her room, Sakuta stopped at the base of the stairs. Rio noticed and turned around halfway up. 

“We should probably crash on the couch,” she said. 

“Shame. I wanted to worship your room.” 

“Now I really don’t wanna let you see it. You’d probably tell Kunimi all about it, too.” 

“Well, of course.” 

“Sigh…” 

Rio came back to the living room and sprawled out on the couch. Sakuta moved the coffee table a bit and lay down on the floor next to her. 

The carpet was really thick, and it was comfortable enough. More than enough. Way better than his own living room. 

“Good night.” 

“Mm. Good night.” 

Sakuta had been yawning all through the last episode they’d watched, but once he lay down, sleep didn’t come. 

He’d intended to stay up until Rio fell asleep, so it worked in his favor, but… 

Rio had been lounging on the couch for over an hour. Based on her irregular breathing and frequent changes to her position, she wasn’t sleeping, either. 

Rio let out a long sigh. Like she was trying to process something. A very conscious sigh. 

Sakuta stared up at the ceiling, lit only by the light through the crack in the curtains. 

After a long silence… 

“Azusagawa, are you awake?” she asked. 

“Sound asleep.” 

“Doesn’t seem like it.” 

“Almost asleep.” 

He deliberately yawned. It was best if Rio got some rest. Anxiety would only lead to more negative thoughts. When you’re feeling down, sleep’s the best cure. Think about it later. 

“I was scared, I think.” 

“……” 

“Right now, I have you and Kunimi. But I was scared I’d be alone again eventually.” 

“Why?” 

“I didn’t feel like that before high school. Being alone was normal for me, at school or at home. It only became scary after I got to know you and Kunimi.” 

“Kunimi has a lot to answer for.” 

“Half the responsibility is yours. I never looked forward to going to school before. But once I met you two…I did. A little.” 

“Just a little?” 

“Do you enjoy school?” 

“Not at all. At most…a little.” 

“Exactly.” 

But even that “little” had started to make her anxious. When people find a source of joy, they want it to last forever. And the thought of losing it naturally makes them afraid. 

“When Kunimi got a girlfriend, I got really scared……” 

“You should have just been like, ‘Why her?’” 

“I did, but…” 

“You did? Nice, Futaba.” 

“But a glamorous girl like that belongs by Kunimi’s side. I don’t.” 

“Kunimi’s a villain! He’s made you so sad.” 

“You don’t get to criticize him.” 

“Huh?” 

He’d thought he was safe, but apparently not. 

“I thought I’d never see you again once you picked up a girlfriend that beautiful.” 

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he snorted. “I mean, she does get me hot and bothered, but…” 

Rio chuckled. “Never heard anyone actually say that. What decade is that even from?” 

“But I’m planning on staying friends with you for life, Futaba.” 

“You don’t have any friends, either.” 

“Exactly. So don’t be fading out on me. I’d cry.” 

Rio didn’t answer. It felt like she wasn’t sure where they stood. 

“Also, you really don’t get it, Futaba.” 

“Get what?” 

“Even though you’re madly in love with Kunimi, you don’t understand him.” 

“That’s not…” 

“You don’t,” Sakuta interrupted. “I’m gonna use your phone for a sec.” 

He’d been holding on to it for her this whole time, powered down. He turned it back on, and the screen lit his face. 

“To do what?” 

“Show you how amazing Kunimi is. You’ll fall in love all over again.” 

Yuuma’s number was on the screen. Sakuta pressed the call button. 

“Azusagawa, you can’t!” Rio sat up. “He’ll think I’m insane, calling at this hour!” 

Panic and confusion—like any girl in love. Every particle of her being was desperate to avoid doing anything that would make Kunimi turn on her. 

“Too late.” 

He held the phone to his ear, listening to it ring. It was two thirty in the morning, so it took a while to answer. 

But Sakuta never doubted Kunimi would pick up. 

He did so on the sixth ring. 

“Mm? Futaba?” Yuuma asked blearily. He’d definitely been asleep. 

“It’s me.” 

“Sakuta?” 

He sounded clearly disappointed. Definitely a little slow on the uptake, but he’d recognized Sakuta from his voice alone. 

“Futaba’s in a bind. Come to Hon-Kugenuma Station.” 

“Okay, got it.” Yuuma’s tone changed immediately. It sounded like he’d jumped to his feet. “On my way,” he said and ended the call. 

The volume had been turned up high enough that Rio heard that last part, too. 

Sakuta powered off the phone off again and stood. Rio was sitting on the couch, looking shocked. 

“Kunimi’s on his way.” 

“You’re crazy, Azusagawa.” 

“Crazy like the dude who didn’t even think twice about coming over at this time of night.” 

Yuuma lived north of Fujisawa Station. It was two, maybe two and a half miles from here. And the trains weren’t running this late, so he’d have to find another way to get here. 

It wouldn’t be quick. 

“Better wash your face, Futaba.” 

She hadn’t been crying or anything, but her eyes were a bit puffy. 

“And get dressed.” 

The fluffy pajamas were pretty cute but not really suited for going outside. 

“Maybe dress up?” 

“I’m not changing into anything weird.” 

“Mm. I’ll wait out front.” 

Sakuta left Rio in the living room and headed for the door. 

He waited out front for fifteen minutes, and just as his butt was getting to know the stones by the door, Rio emerged. 

“Sorry that took so long,” she said. 

Like he’d suggested, she’d washed her face and looked much more put together. She had her hair up, too, tied back with a scrunchie. 

She was wearing a baggy T-shirt. One that hid her figure. It had long sleeves and a hem that reached all the way down to her thighs. Below that, she had on denim capris that left very little leg uncovered. 

“……” 

She’d kept him waiting long enough, so he gave the outfit a good look over. 

“Wh-what?” she asked, bracing herself. 

“Not enough skin. Try again,” he said, pointing at the door. 

“We can’t keep Kunimi waiting,” she said and headed for the station. Her sandals had a bit of a heel to them, making her a couple of inches taller. That seemed like the best she could manage right now. 

“Mm, well, it’s pretty good for you.” 

“I don’t know who made you the fashion police.” 

“Personally, I’d have gone with short shorts under a shirt like that, but oh well.” 

Rio glanced down at herself. 

“That would make it look like I wasn’t wearing anything.” 

“That’s the point. You gotta sell the dream.” 

“……Um, Azusagawa.” 

Rio suddenly sounded serious. 

“Mm?” 

“Is it really not good?” 

She looked worried. 

“I can’t speak for Kunimi.” 

“I’m asking your opinion. The male perspective.” 

She sounded annoyed, but he took that as an expression of her stress and anxiety. 

“It’s very you, so it’s fine.” 

“Argh.” 

“You asked!” 

Nothing he could say would alleviate her worries. The current source of that was Yuuma himself. 

It was three in the morning, so the streets were deserted. They didn’t see anyone else until they were almost at the station. 

Someone was sitting on a bicycle near the ticket machines. 

Wiping a fountain of sweat from his brow with his T-shirt. 

When he saw Sakuta and Rio coming, he said, “You’re late!” and came pedaling over to them. 

It was Yuuma, bathed in streetlights. Even Sakuta hadn’t expected him to be here already. He must have run straight out of the house and biked over as fast as he could. 

“You’re way too fast.” 

“You told me to come flying!” 

“Are you made of muscle?” 

“Basically.” 

Yuuma turned to Rio. 

“Futaba, you okay?” 

“Uh?” 

“Sakuta do anything weird?” 

“I would never.” 

“You’re the most likely cause.” 

“Then I wouldn’t be the one reporting it.” 

“Obviously, your conscience got the better of you. Wait, do you even have one?” 

Yuuma was Yuuma, even after a three AM bike ride. 

“Why…?” Rio whispered. “Why…?” she said again. 

And then it all happened fast. 

Tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks, and they kept flowing, dripping onto the asphalt at her feet. 

“Why…? Why…?” she kept saying. 

“Don’t make her cry, Kunimi.” 

“This is my fault?” 

Yuuma reeled in the face of Sakuta’s scorn. Having no clue what was going on did not help. 

“It’s absolutely your fault.” 

“Crap.” 

Yuuma scratched his head, at a loss. 

“It isn’t your fault,” Rio said, voice choked with emotion. She wiped her tears away with both hands. Like a crying child. 

“It’s not your fault, Kunimi…,” she said again. Maybe unsure she’d actually been intelligible. “Don’t mess with his head, Azusagawa.” 

She glared at him over her damp hands. 

But all he could think was that she looked exactly like a sulking toddler. 

“You even cry cute, Futaba,” Sakuta said. 

She cringed. “I don’t… I haven’t cried in a long time,” she said. 

Maybe she just didn’t know any other way to let it out. So even at her age, she still cried like she had when she was little. 

“But… But…” Her emotions got the better of her again. She choked up. “I… I…” 

She sniffed. Her face was a mess. 

“I wasn’t alone. I’m really not alone.” 

Rio was still sobbing, but she seemed happier now. So Sakuta said nothing else. Yuuma might have no clue what this was about, but he silently watched over her, too. 

For a while, Rio kept saying she wasn’t alone, trying to stop crying, failing, and unleashing another wave of tears. 

“Sakuta,” Yuuma said. 

“Mm?” 

“Can you run and get us some drinks?” 

“Squeezing free drinks out of me now doesn’t make a whit of sense.” 

“We’ve both lost a ton of fluids and gotta replenish,” Yuuma said smugly. 

“That’s a flimsy rationale, but, well, it’s a special occasion.” 

“I’ll take any soda. Futaba?” 

“Iced coffee,” she managed. 

She was looking at the brightly lit convenience store down the street. Vending machines clearly weren’t gonna cut it here. 

“Don’t blame me if you can’t sleep later,” Sakuta said and headed toward the store. 

Once inside, Sakuta grabbed a blue-labeled sports drink off the shelf. A two-liter, out of sheer spite. He took that to the cash register and ordered an iced coffee to go with it. While the college-aged clerk was making that, Sakuta picked up a set of handheld fireworks from the side of the counter and got it all rung up. 

“Thank youuu. Come agaaain,” the clerk droned as Sakuta left. 

Yuuma and Rio had moved closer. Rio’s face was red. 

“What, was Kunimi getting saucy?” 

“No. He just noticed my outfit…,” Rio told him softly. 

It must have been a compliment, if she was blushing this hard. Well done, Yuuma… He never misses a beat. 

Sakuta handed her the iced coffee. There was already a straw in it. He handed Yuuma the two-liter. The same sports drink Mai did commercials for. 

“I see Sakurajima still has you whipped,” Rio said, a smile on her tearstained face. She’d stopped crying, at last. 

“You pick the weirdest ways to stan her,” Yuuma said. 

He didn’t complain about it not being a soda. Or it being a two-liter. He actually chugged half the thing in one go. The complaint about thirst must have been real. The remainder went into the basket on his bike. 

“So what now?” Yuuma asked. He was resting on his bike seat. It was well past three in the morning. 

“These,” Sakuta said, tossing the convenience store bag in the basket. The fireworks he’d bought were sticking out. 

“There a place nearby where we can light them?” Yuuma asked. 

There was nothing but houses in every direction, so…good question. 

“The beach?” 

“That’s a long walk from here,” Rio said. This was her home turf. 

“I could ride the bike with you on the back, while Kunimi runs alongside. We’d be there in ten minutes.” 

“It’s my bike!” 

“What, are you gonna make Futaba run?” 

“I had someone else in mind,” Yuuma chuckled. But he handed the bike to Sakuta. He did a few warm-ups and stretched his Achilles tendons, obviously getting ready for a run. “But if I made you run, it would hardly be any faster than walking.” 

“Don’t be ridiculous. With all the breaks I’d have to take, walking would be way faster.” 

“Not something to be proud of.” 

Yuuma started to laugh out loud but remembered how late it was and stopped himself. 

“Futaba,” Sakuta said, waving to the back of the bike. 

“I’ll go on ahead,” Yuuma said and ran off. Now Rio couldn’t refuse. Or demur. 

“You’re not supposed to ride two to a bike,” she said, but she sat sidesaddle on the rear rack. She took a firm grip on the back of the seat. 

“You can put your arms around me if you like.” 

“You’re so gross, Sakuta.” 

“I was kidd— Erp.” 

He let out a little yelp, because Rio had surprised him by actually putting her arms around him. She locked her hands in front, leaning up against his back. Lots of warmth and softness going on. 

“I’ll have to tell Sakurajima how turned on you got,” Rio said. It sounded like she was mostly trying to cover how awkward this felt. 

“I’ll look forward to her scolding, then.” 

“That’s our rascal.” 

Grinning at that, Sakuta started pedaling. They swayed pretty bad until he got up to speed. 

“K-keep it straight!” Rio squeaked. 

“You’re pretty heavy!” 

“Drop dead.” 

Once they were balanced, they soon caught up to Yuuma. 

“You two having fun?” Yuuma asked, grinning at him. 

“Not at all!” Rio said, still annoyed by the dig at her weight. Like any ordinary girl would be. 

Fifteen minutes later, they’d reached Kugenuma Beach, one station south from Hon-Kugenuma. One corner of Shonan, facing Sagami Bay. There was a park along the coast, with a path through it to the sand. There were beach volleyball courts and a skateboard rink nearby. Sakuta would definitely never use either of those. 

Enoshima lay to the east. It was quite far from here, so Benten Bridge looked more like a tightrope. 

“Sakuta.” 

“What?” 

“Isn’t it a bit windy for this?” 

Sakuta, Rio, and Yuuma were standing in that order, their backs to the water, trying to form a wall against the wind but not having much luck getting the included candle lit. 

“There’s a typhoon coming in tomorrow night.” 

That explained why the wind was so damp. 

“Get in closer, Kunimi. Use that prodigious height to shield us.” 

“You too, Sakuta.” 

They huddled up against Rio. 

“H-hey…,” she protested, but they ignored her. “Kinda cramped here,” she said, hunching over. 

“Oh, it lit!” Yuuma said. “Futaba, hurry,” he urged. 

The flame was already sputtering. Rio stuck the tip of her firework in it, and it caught immediately. Green sparks gushed out. They changed to yellow, then pink. 

Sakuta and Yuuma got theirs lit, too. The area around them was suddenly much brighter. 

The smell of burning fireworks definitely said summer. 

Given how much they’d struggled to get the candle lit, now that they were going, they were really worked up. They started lighting one firework after another, like it was a race to see who could light the most. 

A few minutes later, the wind died down. The three of them exchanged glances, then reached for the sparklers. They lit them on the count of three and watched them go. 

“You’re not gonna ask, Kunimi?” Rio inquired, eyes on the sparks. 

“Mm?” 

“About me.” 

“When Sakuta called, I did wonder,” he said, like it was no big deal. 

Rio’s eyes turned toward him. 

“But when I saw you crying like that, I figured that was enough.” 

“Forget you saw that.” 

“Ah!” 

“Aw.” 

Sakuta’s and Yuuma’s sparklers died at almost the same time. 

“Argh, I lost!” Yuuma said, getting up. He stretched. 

They hadn’t really been in a competition, but Sakuta felt the same way. 

“Good view of it from here,” Yuuma said, looking toward Enoshima. 

“Huh? Of what?” 

“The Enoshima fireworks. Those are next week, right?” 

Sakuta stood up, joining him. From this distance, they’d be able to watch the show just fine. 

“I literally said that last year,” Rio said. Her sparkler was still going. 

“You did?” 

“And you both insisted we should watch up close.” 

But it had been packed, their necks started hurting, and the booms were stupid loud. 

“Then let’s watch ’em from here this time!” Yuuma said, turning toward her with a grin. 

When Rio didn’t answer, Sakuta said, “No plans to watch them with your cute girlfriend?” 

“Ah, I’m in the middle of a huge fight with her,” Yuuma said with a wince. 

“See?” Sakuta said, facing Rio. 

“Don’t you have plans with Sakurajima?” she asked. 

“Her agency has made dates off-limits.” 

“That’s a celebrity for you,” Yuuma said. Finding humor in the misfortunes of others. 

“I’ve got a shift that day, but I’ll have Koga fill in for me, so we should be good.” 

“Don’t care about her plans, huh?” Yuuma scoffed. 

“You in, Futaba?” 

“My schedule’s free.” 

“Then it’s settled!” 

“Futaba, you gotta wear a yukata this time. Make up for today.” 

“Wha—?” she yelped. 

“Oh, nice! Yukataaa!” Yuuma said. 

That really got her. 

“They’re a pain to put on,” she protested. Ineffectually. 

“So you know how!” 

“……” 

Rio realized she’d dug her own grave. She gave Sakuta a furious glare, so he stepped closer and let her punch him in the shoulder. 

“Hey,” Yuuma said, still staring toward Enoshima. “I think the sky’s starting to get brighter.” 

Sakuta compared the sky near Mount Fuji, to the west, with the sky near Enoshima, to the east. Yuuma was right. The sky in the east was slightly lighter. 

“I’ve never spent an all-nighter like this,” Rio said. “What am I doing?” 

“Something dumb,” Sakuta said. 

“Super dumb,” Yuuma agreed. 

“Argh,” Rio said. She let out a huge sigh. “It’s a real shame,” she said. 

“You heard her, Kunimi.” 

“She meant you, Sakuta.” 

“I meant you both.” 

They looked at each other, confused. But they just didn’t get it. They turned to her, still confused, and Rio smiled. 

“If only the two of you were girls.” 

Sakuta and Yuuma glanced at each other again. 

If they were all girls, maybe she could open up more, share everything she felt. Chances were that she wouldn’t have fallen in love with Yuuma. They could have stayed just friends. 

Was that what Rio meant? 

“Start wearing a skirt tomorrow, Sakuta.” 

“Always wanted to try one,” Sakuta said, not to be outdone. 

Rio laughed. 

“You’re so dumb.” 

She was having fun now. She looked at Sakuta, then Yuuma, laughing. 

“You’re both so dumb. And the worst. But…” 

And then she broke off. 

“But what?” 

“Nothing.” 

“Come on, now. Spit it out.” 

“No way.” 

“Aww.” Both Yuuma and Sakuta sounded disappointed. 

But Rio wasn’t talking, so neither of them pressed the issue further. They could both guess what she’d been about to say. 

You’re both so dumb. And the worst. But…that’s what makes us friends. 

Something along those lines, at least. 

“Kunimi,” Sakuta said. Without waiting for a response, he tossed him a phone. Rio’s phone. 

“Mm? Whoa!” 

Though caught by surprise, Yuuma still nimbly caught it. He looked puzzled, but when Sakuta stepped up next to Rio with the water at their backs, he quickly caught on. Yuuma moved over to the other side of her, standing shoulder to shoulder. 

“Wh-what?” 

She was the only one who hadn’t figured it out. 

“Now, now,” Yuuma said, pointing the camera lens at them. He’d already activated it. He held his arm out as far as he could so they’d all fit in the frame. 

“Whaddaya call milk left in the fridge too long?” 

“Cheese,” Rio said dutifully. 

A moment later, the snap of the shutter echoed across the beach. 

The three of them chatted away about nothing in particular until the morning sun arrived. Yuuma asked if Rio planned on being a doctor like her father, Sakuta said female doctors that never smile are kind of a turn-on, Rio said she had no such plans, Sakuta said Yuuma had terrible taste in women, Yuuma said Saki had her good side even though they were currently fighting… They opened up, sharing everything and saying whatever they pleased. 

When the sun rose, they agreed it was amazing and moving and frankly, after being up all night, too damn bright, so they abandoned the beach. 

They made sure to clean up the trash from the fireworks, of course. Like you do with used kebab skewers, they dumped the burnt ends in a plastic bottle they’d filled with seawater. 

“Oh, the trains are moving.” 

They ambled slowly toward Katase-Enoshima Station. 

A red station modeled after the legendary Dragon Palace, it glittered magically in the morning sun. 

Yuuma left them at the gates. 

“I’d better go. See you later.” 

“Yeah.” 

Yuuma waved and pedaled away. He was up to speed soon, and disappeared beyond some buildings. 

He never once asked Rio anything. 

“I can see why you’d fall for him.” 

“Where’d that come from?” 

“Kunimi’s too good for this world.” 

“So are you.” 

Rio went through the gates first. Sakuta followed after. 

“Don’t lump me in the same boat as Mr. Pleasant.” 

“Even you get embarrassed sometimes, huh?” 

They stepped onto the waiting train. There were a few other passengers, mostly young college-aged groups. Probably drifting into the first train after being up all night, too. They were mostly exhausted from too much partying. A few were already snoring. 

The warning bell rang, and the doors closed. 

The train quietly pulled out. 

“Azusagawa.” 

In the quiet of the morning train, Rio’s voice sounded oddly clear. Her eyes were locked onto the scenery flowing past outside the windows. 

“If you’re still scared, I can stay with you again today.” 

“I’ll be fine. Right now, I just wanna get home and sleep as soon as possible.” 

Rio stifled a yawn. 

“Same here.” Sakuta failed to stifle his. “So what is it?” 

“About the other me.” 

“I thought so.” 

“She’s probably in worse condition.” 

“……” 

Sakuta gave her a searching look. 

“The other me hates me.” 

“Oh.” 

“She hates the way I tried to get men to validate me. So much, that she thinks it isn’t her.” 

And that was why there were two Rios. 

“But no matter how much she hates it, loathes it…I’m sure the other one knows, deep down, that it’s undeniably a part of her.” 

“What a thorny concept.” 

“Yeah.” 

If the other Rio hated this Rio, that meant she hated herself. What could be thornier? 

“So please take care of her.” 

“Sure, but…” 

“But what?” 

“Next time I pop by the science lab, you’ll owe me a coffee.” 

“Fine. It’s not mine anyway…but you think you can handle it?” 

She was the one asking but seemed deeply unsure. 

“I dunno. We’ll see. But when I saw you crying, I felt like I understood.” 

Maybe he was wrong, but he thought he’d caught a glimpse of what she really desired. 

“Seriously, forget about that. It’s mortifying.” 

Rio curled up, cringing. The train stopped at Kugenuma Beach Station and set out again. It was only a minute from there to Hon-Kugenuma, where Rio got off. 

“Want your phone back?” 

Sakuta was still holding on to it. 

“Take it. Right now, I just can’t.” 

She didn’t even want to touch it. 

“Got it. Good night.” 

“You too.” 

Rio waved in the morning sun with a soft smile. Sakuta had known her for over a year, but this smile was so beautiful it made his heart skip a beat. 

Rubbing his bleary eyes, Sakuta made it back to his apartment by five thirty. He figured everyone would be asleep, but as he took off his shoes, he heard someone stirring. 

“Welcome back,” Rio said, coming to greet him. 

“Yeah…” 

“You look exhausted.” 

“Futaba, here,” he said, handing Rio her phone. “I don’t think she’ll do it again.” 

“…Oh.” 

Rio took the phone, her head down, staring at the screen. The photo of Sakuta, Rio, and Yuuma together had been set as the lock screen. 

Rio was in the middle, looking surprised. Yuuma was flashing his pleasant smile on the right. Sakuta was on the left, his face half cut off. The ocean, Enoshima, and the predawn glow stood out behind them. It wasn’t a great photo. Hardly art. But it had captured a moment. 

“I’ll fill you in later. Too sleepy. Need bed.” 

He shuffled into the living room and collapsed onto the carpet. He wasn’t moving again, couldn’t. His eyes closed, and his mind was instantly dragged into the world of dreams. 

So he didn’t hear what Rio said next, or catch the sound of the door closing a moment later. 

When he woke up that evening, Rio was long gone.