On the first day of the short two-week vacation, the students were already buzzing with excitement. Even a brief holiday was enough to stir restlessness among the boys and girls at school.
Haru spent nearly the entire morning hearing classmates debate more than ten times where to go during the break.
Friends in his class also sent invitations. Some suggested movies, others hiking trips.
Only Furukawa was unwavering in saying he'd join a cosplay club.
Yes… he'd wear a girl's outfit.
Haru couldn't help but admire the determination. At least he personally couldn't muster the courage to wear female attire, even if there were other cross-dressing pros at the club.
Haru himself didn't have strong plans for the holiday, but Utaha was different.
Since the break was short, she didn't want to monopolize classmates' time. She planned to finish all outdoor shooting within three days.
The problem she had encountered the previous night had mostly been resolved. Not just by her own efforts... Yukino had provided plenty of help.
Their relationship was improving, though they never lacked daily quarrels.
By noon, Utaha boldly came to meet Haru, drawing the curious eyes of many classmates.
But when they noticed Yukino following beside her, the gossip quickly died down.
In everyone's eyes, Haru and Yukino were already a pair.
Utaha's open approach made it clear she had a purpose... nothing like the "love triangle drama" some had hoped for.
Of course, a few boys were secretly delighted. If Haru had no romantic involvement with the famous Kasumigaoka-senpai, they might still have a chance… even if that chance existed only in their fantasies.
After lunch, the trio followed Utaha to the faculty office.
She had come to request funding.
Yukino had reminded her.
Last year, Haru's karate championship and Yukino's experimental short film had boosted the school's publicity. The principal was surprisingly lenient with photography club funding requests.
Since Utaha planned to finish outdoor shoots early, it was the perfect time to apply for venue rentals and other expenses.
In the office, Shizuka was present along with two other female teachers.
Initially, they barely noticed Haru, Yukino, and Utaha.
But when Utaha explained her purpose, the two single teachers perked up.
"Are the students nowadays really all this talented? We saw your short film last year... it was amazing," one said.
"Yes, when we were your age, we only cared about dating handsome boys," the other added.
As adult women gathered, conversation naturally flowed.
Shizuka nodded, reflecting. "I've said similar things to them before. Truly, the students are so capable it can be intimidating for us elders."
The two other teachers agreed.
Utaha maintained a polite smile, neither arrogant nor nervous, showcasing remarkable composure.
"The budget shouldn't be an issue. I'll inform the principal later. He made a promise to Amamiya last year, so I expect this year will go smoothly too," Shizuka said confidently.
"Thank you," Utaha replied with a slight bow.
At that moment, one teacher curiously asked, "By the way, you three are all so well-presented... how did you assign roles for this short film?"
Another chimed in, "Amamiya is obviously the male lead, but who's the female lead Kasumigaoka or Yukinoshita? I can't guess."
Utaha was about to answer when Shizuka interjected with a smile: "You guessed wrong. I'm also assisting with their photography club. This short film doesn't have a male lead."
"What? Then what role does Amamiya play?" the two teachers asked, astonished.
Calmly, Haru replied, "I play a corpse."
"Pfft…"
The teachers couldn't hold back their laughter.
Yukino sighed in exasperation. "Can't you give a proper answer?"
"But my scenes are already done. My character is dead," Haru said, entirely serious.
Utaha's soft voice added, "You're not done. In my script, you and Furukawa still have to be extras."
"That makes sense. Extras are actors too... they should give it their all," Haru suddenly agreed.
Both Yukino and Utaha were puzzled. "Why didn't you continue to argue?"
"Because in my favorite movie, The King of Comedy, they said extras are professional actors. Approaching it casually and wasting an opportunity is shameful," Haru said earnestly.
"Oh? I'll have to remember that and watch it next time," the two girls replied, intrigued.
The teacher who had asked earlier teased, "I thought such a handsome boy would be the lead. If not, does that mean we won't get to see you in a romantic scene?"
"Romantic scene?" Haru tilted his head.
"Yes, if you were the lead in a story with romance. How would you choose between Kasumigaoka and Yukinoshita?"
Yukino and Utaha froze.
Haru, however, answered with complete composure: "If I were the male lead, I'd play a scumbag. As a scumbag, I'd tell them... I won't let go of either."
Yukino and Utaha were stunned again. Their feelings grew complicated.
Is he just being his usual self?
Even Shizuka was momentarily distracted.
For some reason, that familiar pang of unease returned.
Yet Haru's audacious answer caused her heart to inexplicably race.
She remembered that night at dinner, sensing Haru might know something but she hadn't gathered the courage to get a definitive answer.
"Is Amamiya really this bold?"
The other two teachers were amused, purely teasing.
After hearing Haru's answer, they looked at Yukino and Utaha, laughing: "So, what do you think these girls are thinking?"
Utaha's face tensed, careful not to give anything away.
She felt her sleeve tugged and glanced to see Yukino standing calmly.
Instantly, Utaha understood.
Stay calm. Don't panic.
"I guess they want to hit me," Haru said seriously, skillfully shifting the conversation to filming anecdotes, instantly diverting the teachers' attention.
After leaving the office, Utaha smirked at Haru. "Your answer just now… was your true thought, wasn't it?"
Yukino looked over, teasing, "Obviously. Only he could shamelessly say that to teachers."
Haru let them mock him; he was used to it.
Besides, he knew he had already walked the path of a scumbag.
Once a scumbag, he had to admit it.
And no matter how much they teased him now, , as long as it's night and he gets the chance, they will be too weak to get out of bed.
That night, Haru received a voice call from Shizuka.
She didn't say much, just confirmed details for tomorrow's shoot and reminded him not to forget equipment.
Haru answered everything.
Still, he couldn't shake a strange feeling he couldn't explain.
After the call ended, Shizuka, clad only in pajamas, lay on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Seconds later, guilt, unease, and shyness flooded her thoughts.
She had recorded Haru's voice.
She had done it before.
Though she had resolved not to act on these feelings out of embarrassment and guilt, Haru's answer earlier had stirred her heart again.
"One last time."
Forgive me… this is the last billion times.
Shizuka stared at her fingers, eyes growing distant and misty.
~~~~~~~~~~