Volume 17, Chapter 4: Part 2

October had finally arrived, and the main event of the Sports Festival drew closer.

Kei and I had come to Keyaki Mall after school for a date.

The intense gazes of the 3rd year students were the same as ever. Despite getting caught in the crossfire, Kei gave off no impression of caring. Looks like she wasnt just paying lip service when she said she was used to it already.

It seemed like Kei had a few stores she wanted to visit today. For starters, we headed to the home electronics store.

What do you intend to buy?

Eh? I dont really want anything though? Ah, well, its not that I dont want anything, but we didnt come here for my sake today.

Not for her own sake, was her response. So it must be for someone else.

Isnt it gonna be your birthday soon? I was thinking of surprising you, but then I thought getting you something you really want would be good.

Now that you mention it, my birthday is coming up.

I was thinking we could walk around and find something you want.

I see

Of late, I do remember Kei repeatedly asking if there was anything Ive been meaning to buy, but Id often reply with whatever came to mind since I had not been thinking too deeply about it. Because of that, it seems like Kei thought of finding a present I would want with me.

Youll have to spend private points, you know?

It wasnt like Kei had saved up a lot of money.

I know what you mean, but I think its alright for your birthday. Just get what you like!

She was bent on buying whatever I wanted, but that wouldnt do.

I say that, but in this situation, I know that telling her I didnt want anything would be the wrong answer. I could also tell that she wouldnt be satisfied if I asked for something extremely cheap.

Ill pick something that wouldnt make Keis wallet suffer.

Thats the kind of response this scene called for.

I know exactly what youre thinking, you knooow?

She stared at me with a relentless gaze and forcibly linked our arms.

Ill buy what, you, want! Got it?

yes.

At the very least, I should keep the burden on her low and not buy something that I dont really need.

Just as we started walking with our arms linked, Kei snuggled her cheek on my arm.

Ehehe. Im so happy

She said as she hugged my arm harder.

Theres nothing Im hiding from you anymore. Ive let you know anything and everything about me. I never thought that there would be someone more important to me than my mom and dad.

Her face turned red and her eyes narrowed in true happiness.

Kiyotaka, you hiding anything from me is a no-no too, you got that?

Uh huh

Hidden things. I wonder what she was referring to.

My family. The White Room. The things Im trying to do at school.

My relationship with my friends or my romantic feelings.

If she was referring to any of them, then there was nothing there that I could say was not hidden. To put it in another way, I havent told Kei anything true about me at all.

Ah-

While we were walking around the store, talking about the products and dilly dallying, we ran into Satou, who had come to the store alone. When we bumped into each other, her eyes were glued onto our linked arms.

Lo, Lovey dovey arent you. Sorry for bothering yooouuu

Ah, wai- wait a minute!?

Kei tried to stop her, but Satou had run off at full speed.

ah, damn

Kei facepalmed at her blunder.

Youre still being considerate to Satou?

Its not really that but it really isnt a nice feeling, you know

If thats the case, the next time were out we should refrain from linking arms.

Nope.

Although she felt sorry for her friend, it seemed like she wouldnt give that up.

Ohh? Ayanokouji!

While walking around the rice cooker and kettle corner, we ran into Ishizaki and Albert.

At that moment, I could feel Keis hold on my arm tighten slightly.

On a date with Karuizawa? You guys are even linking arms such normies

Ishizaki was looking at us with envy, but my attention was on Albert, who was standing next to him holding a large, branded pot. It was curious because the large pot didnt seem so large in Alberts large hands.

Oh, this? The 20th of this month is Ryuuen-sans birthday. Were just picking something out for him.

Eh? The 20th you guys have the same birthday?

Kei was surprised and a little wary as she looked up at me.

This is the first Ive heard of it.

Who has the same birthday?

Just as Ishizaki indirectly shifted his gaze to Karuizawa, Kei glared at him and took a small step back to hide.

Whats wrong, Im asking you to tell me

At that moment, Albert placed his hand lightly on Ishizakis shoulder. Finally, it seemed like Ishizaki figured out the reason Karuizawa was on her guard.

ah, thats, right

I could hear him mutter, Damn it.

Even though it was on Ryuuens orders, Ishizaki had participated in calling Kei to the rooftop and bullying her. Naturally, Kei wouldnt be comfortable around Ishizaki.

Annoyed at his own insensitivity, Ishizaki clicked his tongue and lightly hit his head with a clenched fist.

Im sorry. I think I should have said it earlier I, on the rooftop

Dont talk about that here.

Ishizaki was about to apologize, but he still lacked the delicacy to do so appropriately. This was Keyaki Mall. At any time, it wouldnt be strange to run into someone you knew. In this situation, Kei wouldnt want him to broach the topic of the rooftop.

If we had just moved away from them this problem would be solved, but so long as our relationship continued, the number of times she would get mixed up with Ishizaki wouldnt be small.

Lets go someplace else.

Even inside the well-trafficked Keyaki mall, there were more than a few hidden corners.

Although Kei seemed dissatisfied, arms still linked she came along without a word.

Albert returned the product back to its shelf and came along with Ishizaki.

Precisely because they both felt sorry, they wanted to apologize.

By an emergency exit, we would be a good distance from the shops, and other students wouldnt show up or hear our voices.

Even if an acquaintance did show up, our location meant that if we stopped the conversation, there wouldnt be a problem.

Im very sorry! And for not apologizing for all this time!

you dont have to. It would be troubling even if you did. In fact, it just makes me more irritated.

Eh?

You guys were beaten to a pulp by Kiyotaka, and since you lost you have no choice but to apologize.

Well, thats not

If Kiyotaka didnt come to the rooftop or if he lost to you guys, you wouldnt apologize like this. Am I wrong? You guys are just annoying me.

There was logic in Kei calling it weird and troubling.

Although there have been instances where Ive interacted with Ishizaki and Albert since then, thats mostly because of what happened on the roof. The hypothetical Kei mentioned was not unreasonable.

I know that theres nothing I can do if you blame me, but

Im not really blaming you. The strong being on top is natural. I hated being at the bottom too, so in order to be on top I took this high and mighty attitude. Isnt that right?

Kei and Ishizaki had similar natures, but to different degrees. If you cant beat them, join them. Thats the kind of sense of values they had.

I get what youre trying to say. But - since weve also started to interact, there is something I do understand, if only a little: Ishizaki has definitely matured in a good way.

Whats this good way? It seems to me like he hasnt changed at all?

Well, at the end of the day its just how I feel, but I think that if Ryuuen right now asked Ishizaki to do to someone else the same thing they did to you, Ishizaki would not simply obey.

Really? I dont think he would go against Ryuuen, though.

That was probably right on the mark, as Ishizaki was at a loss for words.

Unable to say a thing, his frustration boiled over, so Ishizaki struck his own knees with his palms. Seeing Ishizaki like that, Kei sighed.

Thats enough. Right now, you are Kiyotakas friend, right? I wont forgive you but I will stop blaming you.

Is- is that alright?

Ive already said it, havent I? Its over, got it?

Y, yes!

Ishizaki raised his head in happiness.

Umm So about that. Earlier, whose birthday was it?

Ishizaki asked her again. Kei still didnt trust him fully yet, but she pointed her index finger at me.

Eh? Really? Ayanokoujis birthday is also October 20th!?

Ishizaki was shocked beyond words.

This is fate, isnt it!?

What fate, theres more than 400 people in this school, its not strange that there are some people with the same birthday.

But, isnt it amazing that its Ayanokouji and Ryuuen?

Ishizaki was overjoyed over a simple coincidence. As Kei said, it wasnt strange, but for some reason even Albert looked a little happy.

Can we return to the store now?

Ah! Right! Wait a sec!

His voice was so loud that Kei, annoyed, plugged her fingers into her ears.

I have a suggestion - if its okay with you, why dont we celebrate both their birthdays together? Ryuuen-sans and Ayanokoujis double birthday party, wont it be amazing?

No, from the moment I heard that suggestion, I did not for a second think it would be amazing

I tried to imagine it, but I couldnt really picture it well.

If he apologizes, Im okay?

Eh?

I said if that guy, Ryuuen lowers his head then I accept.

Her response was a pretense to refuse.

Ishisakis jaw dropped. Then he realized how difficult it would be, and his mouth changed to look like .

Ryuuen wont apologize to me, right?

Eh? Well yeah, thats definitely not happening

It might have been impossible for Ishizaki to even suggest it to Ryuuen. Ishizaki was stunned, but gathering his determination, he pursed his lips with great force.

If both of you agree, then I will suggest it to him!

You probably shouldnt?

A beating was probably waiting for him if he did that. Ryuuen was a well known figure in our year, so that was the image that came to our minds.

Ill do something about it! If I can get the promise of an apology, itll be a birthday party!

Well if you can really make it happen Ill think about it

Ishizaki was overflowing with his passion and even this cheap promise wouldnt bring down his mood.

Maybe I should also clearly reject this idea.

Its true that Ishizaki has been able to express his intentions more strongly of late. Furthermore, judging from the fact that he didnt expel anyone during the Unanimous Consent Special Test, it was also true that Ryuuens way of thought was beginning to change.

However, I shouldnt read into it as proof of whether that was his instinct or his real intentions. Even if you want to change, humans dont change that easily.

And Ryuuen wasnt trying to change, he was trying to evolve.

Being a man who has only fought using evil, he has simply started to use good too. He was beginning to freely control what happened both above and below the table.

If Ishizakis read on him was wrong, then

I think you should probably stop.

Kei tried to stop him, but Ishizakis resolve wouldnt be broken.

If Ryuuen says he will apologize, its fine right?

But

I understand! On top of that, let me apologize again. Ill get you something that I put even more effort into than I put into Ryuuen-sans present!

Having lost to Ishizakis energy, Kei hesitantly agreed, saying Okay, I get it.

Done! First, lets go look for Ryuuen-sans birthday present!

Albert nodded, and he and Ishizaki went back towards the mega mart before us. They clearly understood that the two of us could not go with them.

Why did you accept Ishizakis idea? I thought you would shoot him down.

Accepting the honest apology was one thing, but she had never thought Id choose to meet Ishizaki and the others on my birthday.

I mean, for me, being together on your birthday, just the two of us would be great but

Are you betting on the chance that Ryuuen will apologize?

Thats impossible. Its not that

Kei turned around and looked at Albert and Ishizaki as they were walking away from us. Ishizaki was happily talking to Albert.

I could feel that Ishizaki-kun likes being your friend. Even Kiyotaka needs friends, you know.

I quickly realized that she was referring to the fact that the Ayanokouji group was in pieces.

Kei realized I had guessed what she was thinking and turned away, her face bright red.

Also? Ishizaki-kun did say he would once again apologize, and I just thought it wouldnt be a bad thing to accept that.

That side of her that wasnt honest was somehow very Kei.

But, it was more likely that it wouldnt come true. It was better to take Ishizakis proposal with a grain of salt.

Like this the days passed till the day of the Sports Festival.