I went back to Ichika, and immediately regretted any thoughts I had about this being easy or simple. I didn't even know what I expected, maybe a quiet visit, maybe a normal evening. Yeah, that wasn't happening.
No guard this time. That should have made me feel safer, but it didn't. Was I that unlucky to see him last time? How does this school even pick night guards? Some random guy with a gun is supposed to watch over students at night. They better have checked his background. In theory, he could decide I'm a "bad person," ruin my life, or even worse, and everyone would believe him. Just thinking about it made my stomach twist.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself before knocking on her door. Practically nighttime now, the hall was quiet, and the soft glow from the windows made the world feel smaller, more suffocating.
She must be really close to her friends to let them stay this late. Are they actually sleeping here? No way I'm getting invited to two different sleepovers, one has to be better than the other, and clearly, Ichika's is the main event.
Ichika opened the door, smiling like nothing was wrong.
"You came back!"
"Y-yep," I stammered, my voice quieter than I wanted.
"Come in," she said, stepping aside. The door clicked shut behind me, and the sound made my chest tighten.
"You want some water?" she asked, filling a cup.
"Y-yes, please," I said, taking it and drinking, hoping the cold water would calm my nerves.
"Kenji! You decide the movie now!" Yoshida's voice rang out from the living room.
"I-I'm not really good at choosing movies, Yoshida..."
"C'mon, we can't pick anythinggg... And bro, you can just call me Minami."
Did she just call me 'bro'? Whatever feelings I thought she might have had, gone. Just gone.
"Minami, I really can't choose a movie," I said, my words trailing off.
"We'll watch this romantic movie!" she said, already putting on a film that looked suspiciously cheesy.
"No," Misa protested sharply.
"Fine..." Minami huffed, surrendering with a dramatic flair.
"Ichika, where are you?" Minami called.
"Sorry, I was in my room doing something," Ichika replied, stepping into the room wearing a different shirt. Black this time, I didn't pay attention to her shirt before but this is completely different from the first one.
"Why did you change your shirt?" Minami asked curiously.
"Shh," Ichika said softly, as if it were something secret.
My heart skipped. Changing a shirt... because of me?
"Alright, Kenji, sit here." She patted the seat to her right.
I slid into the spot between Ichika and Minami. Not the worst, but not the best either. I couldn't lean on either side. My hands were awkwardly on my lap, my knees pressed together, trying to make myself as small as possible. Please, no one talk to me. Please.
"I want this movie!" Ichika announced, pointing to an action movie. Finally, no romance. No drama. A choice I could actually enjoy, or at least survive without embarrassment.
I sat there, aware of every single sound, the soft rustle of the blanket Ichika had brought, the faint hum of the AC, the creak of the floor when someone shifted. Minami's voice was loud and teasing as usual, Misa complained quietly but sharply at every wrong decision, and Ichika... Ichika just sat there, calm, easy, a little smile playing at her lips, as if the entire world bent around her.
And me? I just hoped I didn't make a fool of myself tonight. Hoping, probably in vain, that nothing I said or did would ruin the night for everyone else.
I pulled the blanket over me, wrapping it tightly around my shoulders like it could somehow shield me from everything else in the room. Everyone else, everyone except Misa and me, was busy with snacks, munching loudly and chatting like this was just a regular sleepover.
Misa frowned at them. She said that it was rude to eat snacks like that.
I didn't answer. I couldn't. Because the truth was, I wanted to make as little noise as possible. Even the tiniest crinkle of a chip bag would make me jump. I could practically hear every bite echoing in my head, a reminder that I didn't belong here in the easy, loud way the others did.
The snacks looked good, sure, crispy chips, cookies, candy, but the thought of eating one made me tense. I could already imagine the sound. That sharp snap of a chip, the sticky stickiness of candy unwrapping, the clatter of a cup sliding across the floor. Every noise felt like it would announce me, loud and clumsy, in a room full of people who were effortlessly at ease.
Ichika nudged me slightly, eyes darting toward the snacks again. "Don't you want any?"
I shook my head, hugging the blanket closer. "Uh... no, I'm okay," I whispered. My stomach protested, but it wasn't worth it. Not if it meant becoming the center of attention by accident.
The others laughed at something Minami said, the sound bouncing off the walls. Even Ichika, calm as ever, smiled quietly, sipping her drink. Watching her move so naturally, I felt a mix of envy and relief, relief that she wasn't testing me, envy because she seemed to exist in this world without even trying.
I felt a sudden shove from my right side. My balance gave out instantly, and before I could even register what was happening, I toppled sideways and landed right against Ichika's body.
Minami. Of course. Who else?
The room tilted for a second, my cheek brushing against Ichika's shoulder, her warmth impossible to ignore. My brain immediately short circuited.
"Wha- what the-" I stammered, scrambling for words, for anything.
"Hehehehe," Minami giggled, sitting there with the most satisfied grin, like she had just pulled off the prank of the century.
Ichika jerked in surprise but didn't push me away. Instead, her head snapped toward Minami, her expression a mix of annoyance and disbelief. "Minami! Stop that or I'll come over there myself!"
She said it with that sharp yet playful tone of hers, the one that somehow carried both threat and warmth.
Minami threw her hands up, still laughing. "Alright, fine, fine! But you gotta admit, that was hilarious."
I sat rigid, hands gripping the blanket like it was a lifeline. My heart hammered so loudly I was half convinced everyone in the room could hear it.
Minami, of course, didn't let it end. She leaned forward, grinning like a cat that had just cornered a mouse. "Kenji, you looked so cozy. Maybe you wanted to fall over, huh?"
"Shut up," I mumbled, pulling the blanket tighter.
Misa groaned from across the room. "Honestly. May you two stop acting like you're five? We're supposed to be watching a movie."
The movie finally ended. The credits rolled, music swelling, but I had no clue what I had just watched. The plot went in one ear and out the other, I spent the whole time focused on not moving too much, not making noise, not existing in a way that might draw attention.
"That was amazing!" Minami announced, clapping like she had just witnessed a masterpiece.
"It was enjoyable," Ichika said, her tone calm and collected as always.
Misa crossed her arms. "It was alright."
And me? I didn't even know what the movie was about. Some scenes flashed in my memory, explosions, shouting, maybe someone running dramatically, but if you asked me to explain the story, I'd fail instantly.
"Okay, everyone!" Ichika said, standing and clapping her hands. "I'll walk you all to your dorms."
"No need, really," Misa replied, already pulling her bag over her shoulder.
"I must," Ichika said firmly, her smile unwavering.
"Yay! Walk with me!" Minami cheered, throwing her arms up like a little kid.
I stayed quiet, my blanket folded neatly at my side, hands tucked nervously in my pockets.
We cleaned up together, cups stacked, blankets folded, snack wrappers stuffed into the trash, and then shuffled outside into the cool night air. The campus was quiet, shadows stretching long across the path.
Ichika walked us to Minami's dorm first.
"Goodnight!" she called cheerfully as Minami bounded up the steps.
"Night," Misa added flatly.
"G-goodnight," Someone said.
"Goodnight!" Minami said back with a grin before disappearing inside.
And just like that, it was the three of us: me, Ichika, and Misa.
As we walked, Ichika glanced at Misa. "Misa, what do you think about Kenji?" she asked out of nowhere.
My heart stopped. She really just asked that? With me right here?
Misa looked at me for half a second before answering. "He's quiet."
That was it. No insult, no compliment. Just... quiet.
Ichika laughed lightly. "Don't worry, Kenji. Misa is kind."
"I-I can see that..." I stammered, wishing I could disappear into the sidewalk.
We reached Misa's dorm.
"Goodnight!" Ichika said brightly.
"Night," Misa replied, glancing at me briefly.
I said nothing. The silence between us stretched too long, awkward enough that Ichika nudged me with her elbow.
"G-g-goodnight," I sputtered, forcing the words out.
Misa sighed, shaking her head like I was some puzzle she had no interest in solving. "Night." Then she slipped inside, leaving just me and Ichika.
The walk to my dorm was shorter but felt longer with only the two of us. Every step made my chest tighten, every streetlight felt like a spotlight.
We stopped at my door. Ichika smiled at me, her eyes soft. "Goodnight, Kenji!" she said happily, like she really meant it.
"Goodnight..." I whispered, turning quickly to open my door. My hand gripped the knob. The night should have been over. I should've gone inside and let it end cleanly.
But something stopped me.
"Ichika?" I said, turning back.
She paused, halfway down the hall, and tilted her head. "Hm?"
The words slipped out before I could stop them. "Why did you change your shirt earlier? Really?"
Her expression shifted. For a moment she just looked at me, like she was weighing whether to answer. Then, after a few seconds, she spoke.
"Um... before that, I was wearing pajamas," she said slowly. "And I thought it just... isn't okay to dress like that around you. It wouldn't feel respectful." She looked away as she spoke, her hands fidgeting at her sides.
"Oh, but you dress like that around your friends?" I asked without thinking.
"N-no, it's not that," she said quickly, shaking her head. "You're a guy, Kenji. I was taught not to dress like that near guys. I'm sorry. It's not personal. You're my friend, but... to me, it would feel disrespectful to myself."
Her honesty made my chest ache. She didn't say it in a harsh way, more like she was confessing something that embarrassed her.
"Oh... I understand," I said, scratching the back of my neck. "It's okay, really. Trust me, I'm not looking at you like that." The words rushed out, desperate to make sure she didn't think less of me. "Sorry if I made you switch shirts..."
She shook her head gently, finally meeting my eyes again with a small smile. "Don't apologize. You didn't do anything wrong."
For a moment, the hall was quiet. Just us, standing there, the night holding its breath.
Then Ichika gave me one last wave before turning to leave.
"Goodnight, Kenji."
"Goodnight," I said again, softer this time, and finally stepped into my room.
This time, the night really was over...
I shoUldn't have asked her. I shouldn't have asKed her. I shouldn't have Asked her. I shouldN't have asked her. I shouldn'T have asked her. I shouldn't Have asked her. I shouldn't hAve asked her. I shouldn't haVe asked her. I shouldn't have askEd
her.