Higashi Hazuki Fell

I once heard a saying.

That is, if you do not want something to happen, then it will definitely happen.

Using this sentence to describe me could not be more appropriate.

In truth, this is survivor bias.

Because it leaves too deep an impression, people remember it and thus come to agree with it.

This saying itself has no real theory behind it.

It is merely meant to tell people a lesson.

As long as the probability is not zero, no matter how small it is, one should always prepare for the worst outcome.

I simply failed to make that kind of preparation.

[Minister Hisateru, I think it would be better if Higashiha and Amayama stay together.

Kino and I being together would be fine too, and there would be no danger.]

Ichijō Rikō raised his hand slightly and expressed his opinion.

[Besides, Amayama doesn’t look like she wants to leave Higashiha either.]

Amayama Kaoru nodded vigorously at the side, strongly agreeing with Ichijō Rikō’s words.

At the same time, she looked at me pitifully, wanting me to say something as well.

For the plan to proceed smoothly, and also to respond to Amayama Kaoru’s gaze.

[Minister, I think it would be better to let Ichijō and Kino form a group.]

My words paused for a moment, carrying a hint of gloom.

[After all, Ichijō really likes being with Kino, doesn’t he.]

This performance probably counted as that pitiful woman who loves someone but cannot have them and can only yield to others.

Playing such a role for the first time felt a little novel.

[Hazuki—]

Amayama Kaoru looked over worriedly, still completely fooled by me.

Seeing that made me want to laugh instead.

Though that feeling did not last very long.

[No, no, I’ve already decided, so it can’t be changed.]

Hisateru Yoshiyuki still had that firm attitude.

[And it’s precisely because I know how familiar you all are with each other that I made this decision.]

[If we group things the way you suggested, wouldn’t the Classical Literature Club just split apart.]

She spoke with utmost seriousness.

[I want everyone in our club to get along well.

Only then does it feel like a real club.]

Well, we ran into an overly serious minister.

Though that did not really benefit me either.

In the end, we followed Hisateru Yoshiko’s grouping plan, and I replaced Ichijō Rikō at Nishimura Kino’s side.

Still, the preparations I made could not be said to be completely useless.

[Ichijō, make sure you learn well from this.]

It seemed like she was telling Ichijō Rikō to learn something from this outdoor experience.

In reality, she just wanted him to see how to talk to Nishimura Kino.

It also served as a demonstration for him.

[I understand, Higashiha.]

He nodded smartly.

It was really great that he could understand the meaning behind my words.

[See you later, Hazuki.]

Amayama Kaoru waved her arms vigorously, eyes brimming with tears, as she said goodbye to me.

And I responded in kind.

[Mm hm, Kaoru.]

Just like close friends reluctantly parting ways.

At least, that was how it looked on the surface.

[Amayama, let’s just take a walk nearby.]

[O-okay, Ichijō.]

The situation on Ichijō Rikō’s side came through the earpiece.

And I spoke as well.

[Kino, let’s go.]

Sakuragami Mountain was not very tall.

At least for us, reaching the summit was not particularly difficult.

But we did not need to reach the top.

We were simply strolling along the artificially carved mountain path.

Cherry blossoms were the most common sight on Sakuragami Mountain.

In this warm month of March, that color was what we saw most wherever our eyes wandered.

From the moment we split up until now, we had been silent.

Completely different from Amayama Kaoru’s group, where conversation cropped up from time to time.

[Hazuki, look over there.

How is the scenery.]

Saying that Nishimura Kino was not good at talking was actually inaccurate.

Rather, she was not good at casual conversation.

For her, breaking free from that kind of meaningless chatter was very difficult.

So she did not dare to speak lightly and never took the initiative to talk.

But that was not absolute.

When she encountered something she wanted to share with the person beside her, she would eventually be unable to hold it in and speak up.

At such times, she would shift from being passive to proactive, allowing communication and guidance to proceed smoothly.

It was a small trick I had learned from games.

Having played those games, I understood her inner self very clearly.

She was someone who deeply longed for friends and had all sorts of girlish preferences.

A real person.

Unfortunately, such a person had to be deceived by me.

She had done nothing wrong, yet she met someone as despicable as me.

But for the sake of my goal.

No matter how detestable the act, I would do it.

I raised a slight smile and faced her.

[Yeah, Kino.]

I looked toward the direction she indicated.

And in that moment, I was captivated by the breathtaking sight.

Sakuragami Mountain had many cherry groves.

Unlike the cherry blossoms seen at school, the blossoms here were even more gorgeous and enchanting.

There was never a lack of wind in the mountains.

Even a slightly stronger mountain breeze could blow the falling petals into the air.

They danced gently along the wind’s path, painting before our eyes the most beautiful scene one could witness in a lifetime.

No wonder Nishimura Kino could not hold back.

If a scene like this were not shown to others, it would be a pity for anyone.

Then—

I took out my phone and captured the moment.

Caught off guard by my action, Nishimura Kino turned her head with some confusion.

[This kind of scenery shouldn’t be enjoyed by just the two of us.]

I said it in a playful tone.

[Kino, you should take a few photos too.]

[Mm—]

She showed no sign of refusing my sudden request.

This was one of Nishimura Kino’s weaknesses.

She looked completely unapproachable, yet she did not know how to refuse people.

She tended to accept requests by default.

If one got used to the pressure she naturally gave off, she was actually very easy to get along with.

Of course, one still had to know the limits.

If the request went too far, she would definitely refuse and even develop a sense of aversion.

But with such a plain girl, gauging that limit was not easy.

Even for me, I could only make requests when I was sure it would not trouble her too much.

[Click—]

As if she had discovered some fun, the clicking sound from Nishimura Kino’s phone continued.

She even showed a smile.

[Kino, just like that.

Click to record life.

Life has so many beautiful moments.

It would be such a waste to let them pass by unnoticed.]

[Mm—]

She nodded, with a hint of joy.

[But honestly, I was a little worried earlier.

I thought Kino didn’t like taking photos.]

I patted my chest, acting as if I had been frightened, then smiled.

[But seeing Kino having so much fun puts me at ease.]

[You don’t need to worry, Hazuki.

If I don’t want to do something, I will refuse.]

Nishimura Kino said seriously.

[At the same time, thank you, Hazuki.

This is my first time taking photos of scenery.]

[Eh, really.

Is this your first time using a phone to take pictures, Kino.]

[Yes.]

[Then do you usually share them.]

[—]

She fell silent, looking unsure how to answer.

I did not expect her to respond anyway.

[Look, photos of scenery only have meaning when you share them with everyone.

For example, right now—]

I opened my phone, but—

Ah.

It seemed I had not added anyone’s contact information.

But that was not a problem that could stump me.

[Let me look for it.

Ichijō’s contact info.

Ichijō, hello, hello, can you hear me.

I need to find your contact info.]

I said a string of nonsensical words, even shouting loudly at the wristband on my arm.

There seemed to be some response.

His heartbeat sped up a little, and he stopped his idle conversation.

[Uh, Amayama, can I add your contact info.]

[Eh, Ichijō, why so sudden.]

[We’re in the same club after all.]

The innocent Amayama Kaoru naturally did not refuse.

At the same time, I also obtained Ichijō Rikō’s contact information.

We had known each other for quite a while.

Yet we were only exchanging contact details now.

Thinking about it like that made me want to laugh for some reason.

Well, it was not like I planned to keep much contact with him anyway.

[Ah, I sent it.

Ichijō must really like it, right.

It’s really beautiful, isn’t it, Ichijō.]

Even though I sent it through text, I also spoke loudly.

[Hazuki sent you a message.

Take a look.]

[Wow, it’s really pretty.]

[Ugh, I’m a little unhappy.

Why does Hazuki only send it to you and not me—eheh, she sent it to me too.]

Amayama Kaoru was an easy woman to deal with.

I confirmed that conclusion once again.

[Yeah, the image Higashiha sent really does look great.]

Seemingly responding to what I had deliberately said earlier, he also said it out loud.

As expected, he was an idiot.

Why would he imitate what I just did.

I only did that to maintain a cheerful and lively image.

What could he possibly gain from copying me.

Thankfully, he was next to the extremely foolish Amayama Kaoru.

Otherwise, our plan might have been exposed.

[See, Kino.

They all responded to me.]

I pretended to be happy as I showed the phone to Nishimura Kino.

Seeing her eyes faintly sparkle, I knew that was a sign of interest.

[Come on, Kino.

Share yours with them too.]

[I don’t have their contact information.]

She showed me her phone as well.

It was almost completely blank.

[That’s exactly why you need me to tell you.]

The friend requests were accepted quickly.

Questions came along with them.

—May I ask who you are.

They appeared almost simultaneously.

[Kino, just share it like this.]

With a little encouragement, Nishimura Kino sent out all the photos she had just taken.

She also wrote.

—Saw it by chance, so I’m sharing.

Concise and to the point.

Yet it gave no desire to continue the conversation.

Still, this was a fairly big step forward.

I narrowed my eyes slightly.

[Then add me as a friend too, Kino.]

After that, I dragged Nishimura Kino around, taking photos here and there, fully playing up the enthusiasm of my role.

This trip did not achieve the result I wanted.

But it could still be considered progress.

[Hazuki, I’ll go over there to take a picture.]

Without realizing it, we seemed to have gone a bit deeper.

The surroundings had grown much darker, and the carved mountain path was long gone.

Nishimura Kino was in high spirits.

She no longer walked leisurely like before, but nimbly stepped on stones and climbed uphill.

As for me—

I was already a little out of breath.

After all, my body was not particularly strong.

And I only ate one meal a day.

Being able to keep up until now was already exhausting.

I finally climbed up the slope, only to see that Nishimura Kino had already gone far ahead.

Leaving behind only her silhouette.

I was almost at my limit.

For some reason, a wave of dizziness rose in my head.

I could barely see the road clearly.

In the end, I collapsed uncontrollably.

Then I rolled down the slope like a rag doll, countless pains surging through me.

And then—

Ah.

I really did not expect this.