The Crescent Moon Is Unhappy

[So there’s nothing serious, right, Higashiba-san.]

Ichijou Rikou had already stopped eating, asking from the side.

[After realizing that someone might be following me, I switched to a more populated route.

I got home a bit later than usual, but nothing happened along the way.]

I smiled slightly when I saw how tense he was.

[It’s fine, Ichijou-kun.

It doesn’t really count as that much trouble.]

[Higashiba-san is really calm.

Most people would be frightened if they ran into something like this.]

[For me, it does count as something stimulating.]

At least at that moment, my necrotic heart did jump once, and there was a trace of tension.

But most of that was fear toward the unknown, toward something that might threaten me.

What remained was only a dead stillness with no real feeling.

So someone like me is really troublesome.

[Then what should we do, Higashiba-san.

Do you need me to walk you home?]

At some point, he had begun thinking more and more for my sake.

And this tendency was clearly growing.

Still, this situation was something I welcomed.

After all, the more he cared about this fake version of me, the higher the probability of fulfilling my expectations.

So I maintained a gentle smile.

[Wouldn’t it be too much trouble for you if Ichijou-kun walked me home every day?]

[No, it wouldn’t be troublesome.

After all, Higashiba-san’s home isn’t that far.]

[But something very troublesome would happen, you know.]

[Troublesome things?]

[For example, being seen together with me.]

I slowly savored the small dish made by Ichijou Rikou.

The fleeting sense of happiness suppressed the nausea that should have surfaced.

[Ichijou-kun probably wouldn’t want people at school to know that we often walk home together, right?]

[Especially if Kamizumi-san found out, the consequences would definitely be severe.]

[For example, Ichijou-kun abandoning going home with her just for another woman.

And that inexplicably appearing woman is Higashiba Hazuki, whom she knows.

It would look like deliberate scheming, maybe even approaching her with malicious intent.]

[That way, not only you, but I too would be disliked.

There might even be unpleasant rumors spreading around the school.]

As my words continued, his expression became something hard to describe.

Um, flustered.

He even broke out in a bit of cold sweat.

To be honest, even though I’d seen this once already, I still couldn’t help feeling a bit of pleasure.

At the very least, I smiled as I looked at him.

[Heehee—]

The midday breeze was always so gentle.

Carrying my laughter, it echoed around us.

[It shouldn’t be that serious, right.]

He stopped the motion of eating, took a deep breath, and didn’t truly fall into my words.

[Hmm, that’s true.

Maybe it wouldn’t.]

[Higashiba-san really likes scaring people.]

[I just want to feel a bit of joy during boring moments.

I don’t actually like scaring people that much.

If I weren’t close to Ichijou-kun, I wouldn’t do this.]

[It seems knowing Higashiba-san really isn’t a good thing.]

[Ichijou-kun is only realizing that now?

Becoming someone by Higashiba Hazuki’s side isn’t as nice as you imagine.

But it’s far too late to regret it now.]

[You should know.

I won’t regret meeting you, Higashiba-san.]

Words that casually slipped out, truly worthy of a galgame protagonist.

Or rather, that’s just the kind of gentle and earnest person he is.

But—

I don’t dislike it.

If anything, people like this are easier to get along with.

And their displayed goodwill can even become a source of enjoyment for me from time to time.

[Since I can’t walk home with Higashiba-san for a while, what should I do instead?]

He asked in confusion while eating.

[Ichijou-kun is really not very clever at times like this.]

[I’m sorry for not being clever.

So if Higashiba-san has any ideas, please tell me quickly.]

This kind of unwillingness to think on his own won’t do for a protagonist, Ichijou-kun.

[Didn’t I ask Ichijou-kun before to help find the unknown person who harbors malice toward me?

Now there’s an opportunity.]

[You think the person following you is related to the one who damaged your umbrella?]

[Rather than related, I think they’re probably the same person.]

I finally finished eating.

That immersive sense of happiness gradually faded, leaving behind a difficult-to-bear nausea.

But none of this stopped me from continuing.

[After all, the incident in the morning happened, and then there was stalking at night.

It’s hard not to be suspicious.]

[So, Ichijou-kun, please follow behind me tonight at some distance.

Just like that unknown person, follow me from afar.

At the same time, watch out for anyone else doing something similar.]

[Doing that would easily make others think I’m a stalker.

I might be suspected of having some evil intentions toward you, Higashiba-san.]

[Then it’ll depend on Ichijou-kun’s adaptability.

But don’t worry, I’ll help clear things up.]

After saying that, I noticed he was thinking about something.

There was also a trace of hesitation on his face.

This was the first time I’d seen such an expression on this tool of mine.

As expected—

Was I asking too much of him?

After all, I was using him to complete a task without any reward.

It was normal to feel some reluctance.

But for me, this wasn’t good.

Because right now, I had no way to offer compensation.

[Ichijou-kun—]

I moved a little closer.

In the end, I used the advantages of this body.

The sweet fragrance, the well-proportioned figure—

Enough to unconsciously guide most men’s thoughts in a direction favorable to me.

I believed that even Ichijou Rikou wouldn’t be able to resist.

[Eh, Higashiba-san, you—]

As expected, he was startled by my action.

He looked at a loss, even stuttering a little.

[Just think of it as being for the original Higashiba Hazuki.

You wouldn’t want to see this body get hurt, right?]

In truth, I was exploiting the kindness in his heart, somewhat forcing him to agree.

I’m truly sorry, Ichijou-kun.

Having nothing of value, this was the only way I could think of.

So please, don’t hesitate anymore.

[I never said I wouldn’t help.]

He said words that made me relax slightly.

At the same time, he pulled back to a safe distance.

That was good for both of us.

[Then, thank you, Ichijou-kun.]

I said it with a bit of sincerity.

In return, I got a helpless smile.

[Higashiba-san, you really shouldn’t always be so—]

[Don’t you like it, Ichijou-kun?]

[At the very least, shouldn’t we wait until our relationship is a bit better?]

[So Ichijou-kun really does have thoughts like that—

I don’t really mind.

As long as you take responsibility for the original Higashiba Hazuki, it’s fine.

Oh right, the original Higashiba Hazuki doesn’t seem to have a boyfriend.

Remember to choose the right timing to make your move.]

[Higashiba-san is joking again.]

The fairly pleasant lunchtime passed just like that.

Which is to say—

[After all, I really feel sorry for Xiaoyue.]

He sighed.

It seemed to be about Kamizumi Tsuki.

And even facing me, he wasn’t willing to say more.

Well, to begin with, I’m not really someone worth confiding one’s true feelings in.

So—

I felt a bit disappointed.

An unexpected emotion.

Perhaps it was a sense of frustration born from not having fully grasped the situation.

In the end, Kamizumi Tsuki, that childhood friend, was troublesome.

[Then I’ll be counting on you tonight, Ichijou-kun.]

[Yeah, leave it to me.]

He turned around and left before my eyes.

Slowly.

As time stretched, his figure grew smaller, and finally he turned into a building and disappeared from sight.

[Hah—]

The gentle smile hanging on my face slowly faded.

My gaze withdrew from him.

Then I narrowed my eyes and looked up at the sun.

Midday sunlight was always so dazzling.

It also brought a bit of clarity to my somewhat clouded mind.

That rare feeling of being alive.

It’s increasing, little by little.

But for me—

It doesn’t really matter much anyway.

As expected—

It’s still so boring.

Once again, I was enveloped by boredom.

[Fifteen seconds!]

Aoganji Bokujun didn’t show his usual disappointed expression.

Instead, he nodded at me.

[Very good.

This time you’ve improved a lot.

Looks like you’ve been training hard.]

Rare praise.

In truth, it was also because I’d received sufficient energy replenishment, allowing for a slight improvement in speed.

[That’s amazing, Tsuki.

You’ve improved quite a bit.]

Shimizu Meya came over to offer congratulations.

And beside her, Kamizumi Tsuki was also smiling brightly.

[At this rate, I might really start being afraid Tsuki will surpass us.]

[This was just a one-time good condition.

You’re exaggerating too much, Tsuki.]

[Not an exaggeration.

Tsuki might really have the kind of potential Aoganji-sensei mentioned, something ordinary people can’t compare to.]

[Looks like I’ll have to treat Tsuki as a rival now.]

Shimizu Meya’s gaze fell on me, carrying a trace of seriousness.

Honestly, that competitive spirit should be directed at Kamizumi Tsuki instead.

I’m not that attached to sprinting.

[By the way—]

Kamizumi Tsuki’s expression dimmed.

As if she’d remembered something.

Naturally, we noticed.

[What’s wrong, Tsuki?]

Shimizu Meya asked.

[Rikou-nii rejected me.]

[Eh—]

That news made my attention sharpen slightly.

[You both know I’m in the kendo club, right?]

Kamizumi Tsuki decided to just say it outright.

[These past few days, someone has been pursuing me.

Even after I rejected him, he wouldn’t give up.

So I wanted Rikou-nii to come pick me up, to make that person give up.

Yesterday, it did work.

After seeing Rikou-nii, he didn’t bother me anymore.]

An event that didn’t appear in the game.

The variables in this world really are increasing.

But more than that, what followed caught my attention.

[Then isn’t that fine?]

[But— I want Rikou-nii to come pick me up every time.]

Kamizumi Tsuki pressed her lips together.

[Just now, he rejected me.

He said he had something to take care of.]

So that’s what his “sorry, Xiaoyue” meant.

I blinked.

Recalling the words from noon and that moment of hesitation.

So—

For the sake of this fake me, he decisively rejected his childhood friend’s request?

That was the answer he came to after thinking it through?

Ichijou-kun—

[Next, Kamizumi Tsuki.]

[Beep—]

[Thirteen point two seconds.

What happened, Kamizumi?]

[Sorry, sensei.

I’m not in very good condition today.]

It seemed this matter hit her quite hard.

Looking at Kamizumi Tsuki, who appeared a bit guilty.

[Hmm—]

I slowly lowered my head.

Secretly, so no one else would see.

I curved my lips into a smile.

[Heehee—]

But I wasn’t the only one smiling.

After hearing Kamizumi Tsuki’s result, Shimizu Meya was also radiating a cheerful aura.

Ah.

What a truly terrible friend you are, Tsuki.