6.4
AND SO, the Ayanokouji Group (saying it still felt weird) was officially established. Originally, the group was designed to support Haruka and Akito, but the scope had begun to expand little by little. We began to make plans together, including Airi. Haruka created a group chat, making it much easier to talk when we weren’t physically together. Because we were often alone in our rooms, our chats were lively and long.
After we finish class tomorrow, do you all feel like seeing a movie to take our minds off things? Haruka texted.
Wait, are you talking about that one new movie?
Yeah, yeah, that one. I heard that it comes out tomorrow. Since everyone’s studying right now, scoring tickets should be easy!
I suppose that taking a break is a good idea. When you say “you all,” I assume I’m invited?
Of course! You’re part of the group, Yukimuu. But I guess I did spring this on you guys. If you don’t have time, we can wait and go after the test.
If not enough people could attend, Haruka was willing to postpone. Akito hadn’t seen these messages yet, but when he did, he’d probably agree to go. I wondered whether I should take the initiative here. Even though I was a little nervous, I replied in the group chat. I’ll join you.
A message from Airi came only a few seconds later. I want to go, too.
All right. If Akito goes, I’ll come as well, replied Yukimura.
With that, the majority of us had agreed to join Haruka for the movie. Akito himself sent a response in a couple minutes. Sounds good to me. I’m interested, too. Can you reserve our tickets?
Sure. I’ll collect points from you later. Thanks, everyone!
The group chat quieted down after that. Haruka had probably switched over to her web browser to reserve our seats online.
I’m looking forward to seeing the movie, Airi texted me.
Yeah, me too.
I’m really excited about tomorrow, Kiyotaka-kun. Goodnight. She ended the chat on that especially polite note.
“So, I’m going to the movies with a group, huh?” I muttered to myself.
It seemed I was somehow developing a social life. This’d be normal for anyone else, but I trembled with a kind of excitement I’d never experienced before.
“I’d better hit the sack early so I’m not sluggish tomorrow.”
My phone rang, and I glanced at the caller—Horikita Suzune—before answering. “Seems like you’re awake,” said Horikita.
“It’s still only ten o’clock. Do you need something?”
“The library study groups are just about finished. After tomorrow’s session, I’d like to make some final preparations for the exam. Can you come along with me? If you could tell Yukimura-kun as well, that’d be a big help.”
“Tomorrow, huh?”
“Is there a problem?”
That was the day I’d just agreed to see a movie.
“If that’s inconvenient, the day after tomorrow is fine. But Thursday is the limit. The questions are almost complete, but I think we need to change some of them.”
It seemed as though she had wanted to make a decision as quickly as possible. Even now though, I didn’t want to completely disregard her expectations out of hand. She’d probably discussed matters at length with Hirata and the others, but I figured she wanted to keep checking on things until the very last minute.
“I’ll talk it over with Keisei. Is it okay if we’re late? We should also get in touch with Hirata and Karuizawa ahead of time, if we need to,” I told Horikita.
“Keisei? It seems like you and Yukimura-kun have gotten quite close. You don’t need to worry about the other two. I already talked to them,” said Horikita. “I’ll let everyone know the date and time, then.”
I wasn’t the only one who’d gotten closer to others, evidently. Horikita seemed to have successfully bridged the divide between herself and the students in her study sessions. I’d be delighted if she got on good terms with Hirata and Karuizawa, at the very least.
Just as I hung up, I received another text. Apparently, I was popular tonight. This time the message wasn’t from Airi, though, but from Karuizawa.
I confirmed that a girl was walking around today asking whether people saw how much sugar Hasebe-san puts in her coffee. Apparently, Hasebe puts a ton in, so people had noticed.
Just as I thought. Rather than being incredibly perceptive, Hiyori was quick-witted. She’d pretended to display remarkable powers of observation to shake us up. I figured this was the perfect opportunity to fill Karuizawa in.
I think that Horikita’s going to contact you about tomorrow, but we plan to meet around 8 p.m.
Isn’t that pretty late? Karuizawa asked.
I’m busy before that. I’m going to a movie with my study group.
A movie? Are you seeing that new one, by any chance?
Seems like you know it. Anyway, I have a favor I’d like to ask of you.
I gave Karuizawa detailed instructions. I had no choice but to use tomorrow’s meeting for this. Once she finished reading everything, she sent me an irritated reply. This is another super-annoying errand. What are you even after?
I’ll explain when it’s done. It’s for your own sake.
Yeah, sure. See ya tomorrow.
I thought that was it from her. However, immediately afterward, I received another message. There wasn’t any text, but there was a little sticker. It was a cute strawberry shortcake with a bunch of candles in it.
Happy belated.
That additional message popped up after the cake. Karuizawa didn’t text me again.
“She noticed that it was my birthday? But how?”
I hadn’t told anyone about my birthday. Then I recalled that our chat app had a field for your birthdate, in addition to the fields for your name and email address. I hadn’t chosen to keep that information private.
I’d thought that no one would notice my birthday this year. Karuizawa was the first.
After finishing my conversation with her, I deleted all the texts. Though I hesitated, I also deleted the birthday sticker she sent. Afterward, I accessed Karuizawa’s profile and saw that her birthday was March 8.
“Guess I’ll remember that.”
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