C09

Chapter 9: A Tiny Regret — Kokona Suzumura Side

Saturday.

Inside a photography studio in central Tokyo, the crisp sound of camera shutters echoed rhythmically.

"Yes, looking good!"

"Just eyes this way!"

"Great smile!"

Matching the photographer's cues, Kokona Suzumura flashed a natural, radiant grin.

Dressed in a casual-chic outfit and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, that single gesture drew murmurs of admiration from the staff on set.

"As expected of Kokona-chan."

"She's flawless today, too."

Yet, she didn't let it get to her head.

When she first started modeling half a year ago, she used to blush every time she was praised. Now, however, she understood it was just part of the job.

"Alright, and cut!"

Along with the photographer's voice, the tense atmosphere instantly softened.

"Kokona-chan, taking a quick break!"

Bowing to the staff, Kokona headed toward the edge of the studio.

"Good work—"

A plastic bottle drifted gently through the air toward her.

"Whoa."

Catching it in a panic, she found a woman smiling with a satisfied look standing before her.

Misaki Uehara.

Kokona's exclusive manager, a dependable partner on the job, and like an older sister she could talk to about anything in private. With her straightforward, easygoing personality, she always brightened up the room.

"Nice catch!"

"Geez, please don't just throw things at me."

"No, no, I figured Kokona could catch it."

Unbothered and laughing, Misaki made Kokona chuckle in spite of herself.

"You're in great form today, too."

"Thank you."

"Getting used to balancing school and work?"

"Yes. I've started catching onto the rhythm lately."

"I see, I see. That's a relief."

Misaki popped open a canned coffee and took a sip.

"Man, even so, being a high schooler is great."

"That was sudden."

"Wasn't sudden."

"Wearing a uniform to school, hanging out after school, falling in love."

"Feels totally like youth."

"Is that what it's like?"

"That's exactly what it's like!"

Misaki nodded without a trace of hesitation.

"High school romance is the most fun time of your life."

"Once you get a boyfriend, the very beginning is constant LIME messages every single day."

"Starting from 'Good morning,' to 'I just got to school,' 'What are you doing after school?', all the way to 'Good night.'"

"There's barely any actual content, but it's still fun."

"You talk on the phone at night, saying 'I'm hanging up now—' but you can't actually hang up for like 30 minutes."

"Before you know it, you're going to school sleep-deprived."

"That's part of youth, too."

Watching Misaki laugh wistfully, Kokona smiled faintly as well.

"Do people actually do that?"

"They do, they do. There's no real point to it, but that's what makes it nice."

Right at the moment she heard those words—

—LIME.

Kokona's smile faltered for a mere fraction of a second.

(Now that I think about it...)

(I haven't even exchanged contacts with Tachibana-kun.)

Lovers.

At least for now, that's what we're supposed to be.

And yet, we don't even know each other's LIME accounts.

That day, I really should have asked myself.

However.

(It's a relationship that's going to end on Monday anyway.)

(Exchanging contact info...)

Feeling like she had no right to do so, the words wouldn't come out.

Tachibana-kun hadn't brought it up, either.

(Tachibana-kun is that kind of quiet person, after all.)

(I wonder if he couldn't bring himself to ask, either.)

A tiny regret quietly spread deep within her chest.

"Well, if you're just messaging on LIME all the time, you won't get any work done, though," Misaki cackled.

"Still," she continued, "work is important of course, but nobody's going to get mad at you for falling in love."

"You're a high schooler, it's fine to have someone you care about."

"Someone I... care about?"

"Yeah."

"Is there someone you're interested in right now?"

At that casual remark, Kokona's train of thought ground to a halt.

(Someone I care about...)

The image of a single male student popped into her head.

Reo Tachibana.

The sight of him quietly staring at his smartphone in the corner of the classroom.

The way he smiled awkwardly after school.

And...

“I've always liked you too, Suzumura-san.”

That reply.

"......Kokona?"

"Eh?"

"You're zoning out."

"Ah, sorry!"

She hastily forced a smile to cover it up.

"Heh~"

Misaki's mouth curved into a meaningful grin.

"That reaction is super suspicious."

"N-No it's not!"

"Yes, yes. Big sis won't pry any further."

As Misaki laughed teasingly, Kokona smiled back helplessly.

Even so.

(No, Tachibana-kun isn't... someone I care about like that.)

Lovers.

We're just playing the part.

It's all a relationship born from a lie.

That's why.

(It'll end on Monday. On Monday, I'll apologize properly.)

(...I'll tell him everything and put an end to it.)

That was fine. That's what she thought...

And yet.

(Tachibana-kun... will he be mad?)

That thought suddenly crossed her mind.

Ever since the fake confession, Tachibana-kun's expressions kept flashing through her mind.

When he accepted the confession.

On the way home.

It was a somewhat restrained, bashful smile.

(If I suddenly tell him it was all a fake...)

Would he be hurt? Would he be disgusted?

Or else...

(...Will he look down on me?)

Her chest tightened slightly.

That day, it was meant to be a prank.

It was supposed to end with everyone laughing.

And yet.

Tachibana-kun was the only one who faced it with 100% sincerity.

(I have to apologize properly.)

There was no running away.

Monday.

After school.

She would tell him everything with her own mouth.

Because that was the only atonement she could offer right now.