Free preview
Introduction
■ Kengo's Episode ■
Saki Takane is so mysterious.
Or so her classmates say.
One of her classmates told me,
No one has ever seen her smile.
Another classmate claimed,
Bad things happen to anyone who tries to talk to Saki Takane.
Yet another classmate had a different theory.
She's actually an exclusive model for a famous fashion magazine.
Someone else shared their own rumor.
She has connections with some really shady people.
Yet another one said:
She's secretly running experiments in the Kami High annex.
And so on and so forth . . .
Setting aside the fact that these sound more like urban legends, the rumors about Saki Takane persisted.
Saki Takane was a female student at Niigata Prefectural Kamimura High School who was constantly the subject of one rumor or another.
Hey, is it true that Saki has a sugar daddy?
So it was pure coincidence that I, Kengo Majima, happened to overhear such a rumor.
It was April 7th, after the opening ceremony had ended.
During my patrol of the school grounds, I spotted four figures in the shadow of the bike shed.
Well, we heard about it from friends too, you know.
We were wondering what it's actually like.
So? Does having a sugar daddy actually pay well? I mean, what's it like? How far do you go?
The trio of girls peppered her with questions in rapid succession.
Their target was—needless to say—Saki Takane herself.
Her porcelain-white skin seemed to glow with an inner light.
Her naturally defined eyes were framed with elegant lashes.
A delicate, perfectly straight nose completed her features.
A slender yet feminine figure moved with graceful fingers.
Gorgeous hair flowed down her back like silk, swaying gently in the spring breeze.
Her otherworldly beauty was made even more striking by her perpetually expressionless face.
Her face conveyed both perfect stillness and refined elegance, as if it were a Noh mask.
It was the perfect comparison.
Her features didn't so much as twitch as she answered them.
I don't do that.
It was a remarkably direct answer and almost beautiful in its simplicity.
But such a brief response only made them more curious.
No, it's fine! We're not going to snitch on anyone or anything!
We're just genuinely curious!
If you're embarrassed, you can be a little vague about it! Right?
They leaned forward, pressing her with their questions.
Their hearts raced at this bit of excitement that had found its way into their quiet rural high school.
The conversation paused.
I don't do that . . .
I caught a faint tremor in Saki's voice as she repeated herself and knew I had to act.
I took a deep breath and gathered all my might.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONNN!
My roar thundered through the bike parking area, and all four of them, including Saki, jumped.
I learned later that my shout at that moment echoed all the way to the third floor of the school building, and apparently caused an entire flock of sparrows perched on nearby power lines to take flight in unison.
Wh-what what what what?!
Rika Kanaya from Class 2-C! Shizuku Komachi! Mai Hanadate! Student handbook dress code section 1 "Attire" states that skirt length should be long enough to cover the knees! All of you are clearly more than three centimeters above the knee! This is a violation of school rule and I will conduct disciplinary action immediately!
They all turned toward me in unison, looking as shocked as if they'd seen a ghost.
Eek?! The Goody-Two-Spook's appeared!
How can he tell our skirt lengths just by looking from that distance?!
L-let's get out of here! If we get caught, we'll be stuck in an insanely long lecture!
Rika Kanaya and Mai Hanadate, I have already addressed both once this month! The first violation is a warning! The second is submission of a written reflection, the length of which must be one sheet of manuscript paper per centimeter above the knee!
Gyaaah!! He's got a ruler!!
Let's run for it!!
The speed at which the cornered girls fled was incredible.
The three of them flipped their short skirts and scattered in different directions in the blink of an eye . . .
Soon even their retreating figures were out of sight.
Tch . . . They're too fast. Do they really have that much of a problem lowering their hems by a few centimeters?
I groaned in frustration, but the students I was trying to catch had already gotten away.
That left just the two of us in the now-empty bike parking area.
Saki Takane from Class 2-B.
. . . !
Saki's shoulders twitched at the sound of her name.
When she turned around, her face was, as always, like a Noh mask.
Her expression was difficult to read, giving little hint of what she was thinking.
Your skirt length is exactly at the knee. Perfect—there's nothing more beautiful than following the rules properly. Well then, excuse me.
Eh?
Saki's eyes widened slightly and they seemed to draw me in.
What is it?
Aren't you going to discipline me?
You saw what happened, didn't you? The students I was after got away.
You heard that conversation earlier, didn't you?
I didn't hear it.
You heard it, didn't you?
Saki stared intently at me.
Under the intensity of those captivating eyes, I couldn't stand it and immediately looked away.
I'd always been bad at lying.
Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but—no, that's just an excuse.
Did you help me?
If I was being meddlesome, I apologize.
No . . . it's just strange.
Strange?
If you heard what that conversation was about, well, shouldn't you be disciplining me . . .
Saki's speech was unusually hesitant.
But I responded firmly instead.
Why? You said yourself that you don't do it. There's no need for discipline.
Saki had denied that baseless rumor herself.
That was the end of it.
Nothing matters more than a person's own words.
I thought I was just stating the obvious.
That was my intention, but . . .
You're the first person to say that to me . . .
For some reason, Saki was shocked.
She still had that Noh mask-like expression, so it might have just been my imagination.
In any case, I had other matters to attend to.
I still have committee work to do, so I'll excuse myself.
I bowed slightly as I left.
She said something quietly.
Thank you very much . . .
Don't worry about it.
I replied and finally left.
Misfortune befalls anyone who talks to Saki Takane.
On my way back to the school building, that old rumor I'd heard somewhere crossed my mind.
That’s a ridiculous story. She’s just a normal girl.
Naturally, nothing bad happened to me at all, and I even forgot the rumor existed—until one week later.
The incident occurred during "Greeting Improvement Week", which was led by the disciplinary committee.
I heard Saki likes you.
It was a Monday morning with gentle spring weather, in front of the school gate.
Class 2-A Yuka Senami—a girl with small, animal-like features—said this with a mischievous grin.
I held my head in my hands and sighed.
I see, so that's how it is.
I'd been standing guard at the school gate since 7 AM for greeting guidance, but I forgot all about that and let out a deep, deep sigh that hardly suited such a refreshing morning.
Huh? What's with that reaction . . . ?
I don't know who you heard it from, but that rumor is false.
Whaa?! That was quick!
Obviously.
However, Yuka Senami didn't seem convinced.
H-how can you say that so definitively?
That's a strange question. Look over there.
Right on cue, Saki Takane herself was walking to school.
That's Saki, right?
Yes, that's Saki Takane.
I'd already described how beautiful Saki was, so I'll skip that, but . . .
Today, as always, she was stunning.
Even with other students staring at her, she kept her composure, walking with such grace that she looked almost ethereal, like something out of a painting.
I've been thinking about it.
About what?
I've been thinking about why Saki always has rumors about her.
W-why's that . . . ?
First, Saki is exceptionally beautiful.
Kengo, how can you say stuff like that with such a straight face . . . ?
She's apparently quite popular, isn't she? It was a bit questionable of one, but I heard a rumor that when she was a first-year, an entire class of boys confessed to her.
Haha, no waaay, even Saki can't be that popular.
Well, rumors are just rumors after all.
Well, to be accurate, it was a dozen boys. She turned them all down though.
What?
I didn't know of any culture that counted confessions by the dozen.
Anyway.
Second, she's mysterious.
Mysterious, huh . . .
She's aloof and doesn't say much. Despite her high profile, Saki reveals remarkably little about herself to anyone—that mystery probably makes people speculate about her even more. Just look at that calm expression. She's completely at peace with herself.
To me it just looks like she's not thinking about anything . . .
Either way, it makes her unattainable.
Unattainable.
I had simply spoken the word that came to mind, but it fit surprisingly well.
A lone bloom on an unreachable peak . . . that was Saki Takane.
What about me, though?
Wh-what do you mean?
I'm the disliked, uptight head of the disciplinary committee.
Well . . . I wonder if that's really true . . . ?
No need for pleasantries. I'm aware of it.
I was evaluated as stupidly honest and extremely serious.
Those qualities were probably what got me appointed as the disciplinary committee head as only a second-year, and I'd been giving many students verbose "guidance" ever since.
It was the complete opposite of being popular and I knew fully well that I was seen as a nuisance.
On one hand, the unattainable flower; on the other, the disliked, uptight disciplinary committee head.
We could never be compatible.
We lived in completely different worlds.
Really, with all these rumors flying around, I could have easily imagined how much trouble Saki must've been going through.
I was lost in these thoughts when . . .
W-well . . . I don't think you can say that so definitively . . .
I couldn't help but frown at this.
Why are you being so persistent . . . ?
Er, well, that is . . . hmm, call it woman's intuition . . .
Yuka's eyes darted around as I furrowed my brow.
Wait . . . who exactly did you hear this rumor from in the first place? You're not the source, are you?
N-no! I'm not, but . . . hm? Am I . . . ?
Student handbook, student code of conduct, section 1 "Daily Conduct". Speech and actions must always maintain dignity and not descend into vulgarity—spreading rumors of questionable truth for amusement is absolutely unacceptable. If you are the source of this rumor . . .
A f-friend!! I heard it from a friend, but I forgot who I heard it from! B-but it's true! I really heard that rumor!
I see.
This had become a problem.
If Yuka's words were true, it seemed that a rumor had begun to spread.
In that case, I couldn't overlook it as a disciplinary committee member.
Very well, if you're so insistent, let's verify it.
Huh? Verify what . . . ?
Good morning, Saki. This is sudden, but I've heard a rumor that you have romantic feelings for me.
GWAAAAAH?!
When I called out to Saki, who was just about to pass through the school gate, Yuka let out a scream I'd never heard before.
Meanwhile, Saki . . .
What . . . ?
She looked up at me without changing her expression at all, seeming completely serene.
Yuka was panicking right beside her, despite not even being involved.
K-Kengo?! What are you doing?! Stop it! Please! Why would you do this first thing in the morning?! And in a public place?!
By the way, judging from the context, the "feelings" in question seem to be love rather than just liking someone.
STOOOOOP!
Yuka's face turned pale as she bounced up and down, desperately trying to cover my mouth. Unfortunately, there was more than a 20-centimeter height difference between us, so it was impossible.
Besides, I had to confirm this with Saki right here and now.
Oh, what's that about?
Saki got caught by the head of the disciplinary committee.
I think I heard something about Saki liking Kengo . . .
No way, you must have misheard. The other way around would be more believable.
No, the other way around would be even less believable! That's the Goody-Two-Spook!
Now, I began attracting attention from the students heading to school, just as planned.
As planned—yes, this situation was exactly as I had planned.
I thought rumors spread faster and gained momentum precisely because they were semi-official and stoked people's curiosity.
So if Saki herself could flatly deny the rumor in front of everyone, just like the other day, that would be perfect.
That way, I could eliminate this false rumor in one fell swoop, no matter how far it had spread.
Saki, let me ask you again: is this rumor true?
The onlookers surrounding us naturally leaned forward at this.
That was enough attention.
Now, if only Saki could firmly answer with a simple "That's false", just like the other day, I could handle things from there and make sure something like this would never happen again.
U—
After a moment, Saki opened her mouth.
Even surrounded by this many people, she still maintained that Noh mask-like expression, showing not the slightest trace of distress.
Then she spoke in that beautiful voice that sounded like chiming bells . . .
Wh-wh-wh-wh-why are you a-a-asking me s-something like that?!
Huh . . . ?
Probably everyone present had the same reaction I did.
Minus Yuka, who was holding her head in her hands with a somewhat exasperated expression.
S-Saki?
Wh-wh-what is it? What's wrong?
That's my line . . .
Saki maintained her beautiful, statue-like expression, yet her voice . . . no, her entire body was trembling slightly—like a frightened rabbit.
First, I needed to answer the question.
You were asking why I was asking that question, correct?
Hic.
Was that hiccup sound a yes, Saki?
Well, when baseless rumors are spreading around, that can be considered a disruption of school discipline.
Hic.
So if we can prove this is just a baseless rumor, then the disciplinary committee—including myself—can take action . . .
Hic.
Are you actually listening to me, Saki?
By the way, do you have any idea who could have spread this kind of rumor?
After a pause, Saki seemed to snap out of it.
N-n-no way! I don't know anyone who would spread false rumors like that!
Then is it true?
Um . . .
She pressed her lips together and fell silent.
Something seemed off about Saki's behavior.
Her cheeks look flushed, and she was talking way more than she usually did.
Maybe she knew who spread the rumor and was protecting them?
Or maybe she didn't want to believe that someone would be that malicious?
I couldn't even begin to imagine it, but . . .
Listen, Saki, you have to realize that you're an extremely attractive woman.
Eek . . .
Saki made a strangely weak sound, and several onlookers, including Yuka, burst out laughing.
Beautiful looks, excellent grades, exemplary conduct, a gentle nature, a law-abiding spirit . . . truly the embodiment of talent and beauty.
Law-abiding spirit . . . ?
Yuka, who was listening nearby, tilted her head, confused.
It means always trying to follow the rules.
I explained politely.
No, I know what it means. I'm just surprised because that's not exactly the kind of thing you'd usually say to compliment a girl.
That's just how wonderful Saki's law-abiding spirit is. After all, from what I've seen, she has never once violated school rules or engaged in any behavior approaching such violations. Her noble spirit shines more beautifully than anything else, even without flashy makeup or shortening her skirt.
. . .
. . .
Isn't that just because you're the head of the disciplinary committee Kengo?
What?
Gah!
Right after Yuka's confusing comment, Saki suddenly grabbed her from behind in a bear hug. Of course, she still had her Noh mask-like expression.
Yuka, who was being held like a teddy bear with both her arms pinned, looked even more exasperated.
Is there some connection between me being head of the disciplinary committee and Saki's behavior?
Hey—Saki-Saki—can I just spill everything since this is getting annoying? I'm getting tired—
Spill what?
N-n-nothing! It's nothing! D-don't worry about it, please continue talking!
Don't use me as a shield.
Is it okay to continue with Yuka between us like this?
I-it's fine! Th-th-this way is more comfortable for me!
I see. If you say so, then we'll continue like this.
Hey! That's not right! I'm the one being used as a human shield here! What about my opinion?!
As I said before, Saki, you're extremely attractive.
Oh, for crying out loud! He's actually going to keep talking like this!
Both as a person and as a woman—I can guarantee that. But that's exactly why some people might harbor ill feelings toward you. If it's hard to talk about now, we can discuss it later. Just know that if you're ever in trouble, I'll always be there to help.
Please! Look at how ridiculous this situation is before you start delivering cool lines like that!
. . .
Yuka was shouting in an exhausted voice, but there was no response from Saki, who remained hidden behind her.
Everyone was silent again.
After waiting a while . . . Yuka let out a big sigh.
Kengo . . .
What is it?
I think you're probably really dense . . . no, serious and honest.
I should probably be modest, but I'll take that as a compliment.
That's exactly why this situation makes no sense to you.
It definitely makes no sense.
I'll tell you how to figure it out.
Oh?
Take a look at Saki-Saki's face behind me right now—that should tell you everything.
Her face?
Wasn't it her usual mask-like expression?
I leaned forward and peeked behind her as instructed.
Saki was pressing her face completely against Yuka's back. Naturally, I couldn't see her expression.
All I could make out was that her ears were bright red like autumn leaves.
Saki, sorry, but could you show me your face?
Mmfph mmph.
She seemed to be saying something, but I couldn't make it out.
My back is all warm and gross.
Yuka grumbled.
Saki, if I did something to upset you, I apologize. So please, let me see your face.
Mmfph . . .
Saki-Saki—just give up, it'll be easier—Kengo is the kind of person who—won't get it unless you spell it out for him—
. . .
?
I frankly didn't understand what Yuka was trying to say, but it seemed to get through to Saki at least.
. . .
She finally pulled away from Yuka.
Her face was still downcast, so I couldn't see her expression, but . . .
Saki slowly began to speak.
Um, Kengo, about that rumor from earlier . . .
Yes.
A-Actually, that wasn't a rumor or anything . . .
Not a rumor?
The onlookers collectively held their breath.
Everyone was waiting to hear what Saki would say next.
Um, so . . .
Saki forced her words out, as if pulling them from deep within her chest.
It wasn't her usual flat, detached tone.
The words she spoke seemed charged with emotion.
I . . . I . . . !
She eventually lifted her face with determination.
Her expression was no longer that of a Noh mask.
I . . . I think Kengo is—
The moment our eyes met . . .
Ah.
The flame of determination within her was somehow extinguished in an instant.
Saki's face became mask-like again in a split second.
That's not a rumor—it's completely false.
Once again, the area in front of Kami High fell silent.
Hmm, I thought so.
In the silence that seemed to freeze time itself, I nodded.
You all heard that! I'll let it slide this time, but spreading malicious rumors like this could get you in serious trouble! Keep the gossip to a minimum! That's all!
My words broke the spell, and I could feel the tension that had been building in the crowd suddenly drain away.
Oh, so it was false.
Whew—that scared me. I really thought a confession was about to happen.
I was so jealous I almost killed Kengo.
But that's the first time I've ever seen Saki talk so much.
She seemed pretty different from usual. Maybe she's not good with romance talk?
Huh, maybe Saki is more approachable than I thought.
Let's head to class.
Oh right, we have dental checkups today . . .
The crowd in front of the school gate gradually dispersed in small groups, each person returning to their usual daily routine.
Daily life returned as if nothing had happened.
Well . . . I guess it was time for me to get back to my daily routine too.
Thanks for being honest with me, Saki. I'll make sure to keep a better handle on things so this kind of situation doesn't happen again. If you ever have any problems, feel free to come talk to me.
Ahh . . .
Well then, I'll be going now.
I said goodbye to them both and walked away.
And with that, Kami High returned to its normal daily routine.
What are you doing, Saki-Saki?
I heard Yuka's voice from behind, but since it was such a quiet murmur, I couldn't make out what she said.
In any case, everything was peaceful and uneventful—nothing beats peace and quiet.
■ Saki's Episode ■
Are you familiar with this concept?
The Windsor Effect.
It refers to a psychological phenomenon named after a line from the Countess of Windsor in the mystery novel The Spy Went Dancing by American author Aline Romanones:
Third-party compliments are always the most effective.
Simply put, it means that word-of-mouth is considered more trustworthy than hearing something directly from the person.
While this technique is primarily used in marketing, it's also extremely effective in romance.
If you have a third party convey your feelings, even that shy cutie, that dense crush, or that suspicious someone might suddenly start thinking about you?!
Or so the theory goes.
The book said it would work, but it didn't woooork . . .
On the third floor of the Kami High annex, in an empty classroom, I wailed in despair.
This place was safe—no matter how much I cried or screamed, no one would hear me . . .
Yuka's judgmental gaze from earlier had been weighing on me.
You're acting pretty different from how you were in front of everyone, Saki-Saki.
Hey! You know perfectly well that you're the only person I can talk to normally at Kami High, so don't be mean to me!
If you could be that honest about your feelings, you might have been able to start dating him right then and there.
It's impossible! There's no way I could confess my feelings directly in front of that many people! I couldn't say that I l-l-l-l-like Kengo . . .
All you had to do was say one little thing: Yes, that rumor is true. If you couldn't do it even with that kind of setup, then maybe nothing will work.
Sniff . . . sniff . . .
Don't quietly sob like that! It's depressing thing to do first thing in the morning!
Of course I felt like crying.
Because . . . it was my only plan.
It was my all-out strategy . . .
If it were a normal guy, maybe, but you picked the wrong target. The guy you like is that dense, serious Goody-Two-Spook.
Ken! Go! Don't you start calling him weird nicknames too, Yuka!
Yeah, yeah, Kengo. Saki's crush is Kengo Majima.
Don't say it out loud again! What if someone hears?!
This is so annoying.
I'm sure you all understand by now.
I heard Saki likes you.
That wasn't a lie or just a rumor—they were the complete truth.
Those were my actual feelings, and since I was a bit tongue-tied, I asked Yuka to convey them directly!
Though the result was a crushing defeat . . .
I mustered up all my courage . . .
Hey, wait a minute. Using your one and only best friend to wingman for your crush isn't called courage . . . Plus, even though you talked all about psychological effects and all that fancy stuff, what you're doing is super cliché.
But PopNow! said this would definitely make him notice me . . .
Just ignore it.
I pulled out a book covered in sticky notes from my school bag.
PopNow! was a romance how-to book written by popular online romance creator mori.
Popular Now! Super Love Psychology
It was an abbreviation, and it was my bible, but . . .
That book always looks sketchy.
How can you say that?! This book contains all the romance know-how!
Even though you've never once dated anyone before.
I'll prove it from now on!
I was completely annoyed by Yuka's teasing.
Hmph, fine then. I won't rely on you anymore, Yuka. It's not like PopNow! only has one approach method. Next time I'll definitely make Kengo notice me . . .
I know it's late to ask, but what exactly do you like about Kengo, Saki-Saki?
Well! First of all, it's those sharp eyes that show such strong will! The wrinkles between his brows are so cool too! His serious expression when he's instructing someone is absolutely irresistible! Oh, and! His smooth forehead peeking through his center-parted hair makes me want to touch it, and and and and when you see him up close, his eyelashes are surprisingly long, and personality-wise—
I get it, I get it, I get it! I was wrong, so keep it short!
He helped me.
Kengo was the hero who saved me.
The reason I fell for him was, in the end, so laughably simple.
But even knowing this, I liked him too much to stop.
That's why I absolutely have to date Kengo.
Should I give up after just one or two failures?
After all, according to PopNow!,
90% of the elements that make love successful are courage and perseverance!
I'll capture Kengo's heart with courage, perseverance, and love psychology!
Why don't you just confess directly instead of being so roundabout?
If I confess directly and get rejected, I'll never recover! If I had a guarantee that confessing would work, then maybe . . .
So much for courage.
Hehe.
Huh? What? Why are you suddenly grinning . . . Did you snap? . . . Actually, that smile is scary.
I was just thinking about how Kengo called me attractive earlier . . . ehehe.
How lovely.
Of course, a girl in love was invincible, so Yuka's look of disgust had no effect.
But anyway, Saki-Saki, putting Kengo aside, are you okay with that other matter?
Suddenly, Yuka's expression became serious.
That other matter?
You know . . . you had weird rumors spread about you again, right? I heard about it too . . .
Oh . . .
Seeing how unusually hesitant Yuka was being, I immediately understood.
It had to be about that rumor—the one those three girls asked me about at the bike rack a week ago.
No matter what, Yuka always worried about me more than anyone else.
I'm fine, I've gotten used to it.
You absolutely shouldn't have to get used to it! If I ever find whoever's spreading those lies, I'll definitely—
Yuka trailed off after saying that much.
It was true that someone really was spreading terrible rumors about me behind my back.
But Yuka probably understood this too.
It was impossible to find the source of rumors that had spread this far.
Gossip dies down in 75 days—if we leave it alone, everyone will forget.
Though the truth was that it'd been going on for nearly a year and not just 75 days.
Knowing that someone out there clearly had it out for me was more painful than the groundless rumors themselves . . .
I won't say this out loud though, since it would only worry Yuka.
It's my fault for being tongue-tied and unfriendly.
That's not true.
She had a pained expression she wore for my sake . . .
I found myself wishing I could express emotions as richly as Yuka.
