"Haru?"

He didn't answer, still staring blankly out the window. Worried, Chie checked too. All she saw were some students outside, gossiping and wandering about. What was Haru so engrossed in that he couldn't spare her a glance?

"Haru? Helloooo!"

Chie waved her hand in front of his face, but he remained frozen. Time for drastic measures—she pinched his cheek.

"Yeah?" Haru stretched. "What's up, Chie?"

Chie was stunned. Was he possessed or something?

"Here..." She handed her notebook to him. "Notes from Nishima-sensei's seminar class. Snagged it all the way from Kanagawa. It's not much, just a page and a half."

Haru took the notes and stashed them in his bag. "Thanks."

Then, like a moth to a flame, his gaze drifted back outside.

"What happened?" Haru couldn't fool her; he was restless, practically jittery. Everyone could see it.

"Nothing," Haru lied, taking a bite of his onigiri. "So, about today's class—"

"Let me ask you again," Chie interrupted him. "What happened?"

Haru grimaced, setting down his onigiri. He offered Chie half, but she declined. "What makes you think something's wrong with me?"

"You've gone quiet. I mean, you were never the chatterbox, but lately, it's like you've turned into a silent mountain. Ignoring classes, lost in thoughts, staring out the window."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

Haru stretched, yawning, his hands reaching for the sky. "I've got a lot on my mind, Chie. That's all."

"I know. Now spill it! I can't deal with you in this weird mood."

Haru squinted. "Chie, you really care about me, huh?"

"Well, you're basically my only close friend," Chie said with a can't-help-it tone. "As a friend, it's my duty to care for you, you know?"

"You should hang out more. Make more friends."

"Hanging out with the wrong crowd can be a real headache."

They both chuckled.

"It's not a huge problem," Haru admitted. "Mother turned the side yard of the ryokan into a dance floor, and things got crazy. It was cool, but we were drowning in it. Grandma was getting up there in age, and my two younger siblings were still stuck in school So we become a bit overwhelmed over there."

"Mm-hmm, I can imagine." Haru family's ryokan in Yoshino was pretty sizable, Chie remembered. "Ever thought about hiring some extra hands?"

"Most young folks have bailed for Osaka or Kyoto. You know how it is."

Haru was telling the truth. Small towns nestled in mountainous regions like Yoshino rarely captured the interest of young people. All their friends had promptly departed from Yoshino as soon as high school graduation beckoned. Some towns even offer money and housings for foreigners to settle in.

"If it continues like this, our village might become underpopulated, huh?"

"I think Yoshino is already underpopulated," Haru corrected her. "That's why I'm having a hard time. Should I just move to Osaka, huh? It's closer to Yoshino. I can go home every weekend and on holidays."

Chie grasped that Haru's good-guy side was taking over. Usually, in such moments, he couldn't think straight. "Don't be like that. You've been accepted at this campus. You can still go home on semester breaks. Your mother has gone to great lengths to get you to Tokyo, she'll be upset if you return home. Besides, Nishii-san is happy with your presence."

She scrutinized Haru's face. He still seemed worried.

"And there's Fujiwara-san too," Chie added. "Your new, enigmatic friend."

Haru swallowed hard. He bit into his onigiri and chewed quickly, until he choked. Chie handed him a drink of water and patted his upper back. Haru had a strong and muscular back. Despite being slender, his body was well-toned from his hard work at the ryokan. In elementary school, Chie towered over Haru because he was so tiny, like a baby bird. But in high school, he'd grown rapidly, as if being pulled along. When they parted ways in the second year of high school, the top of Chie's head had barely reached Haru's ear. Now, she only reached up to his shoulders.

"Thanks, Chie," said Haru. His nose was runny, and his eyes were watery.

"Not a problem. In my opinion, for now, just do what you can. Don't act stupid."

Haru leaned his head on the back of the chair and looked up. "But I acted stupid!" He smacked his forehead. "You're such a big idiot, Haru!"

Chie took his hand. "What's wrong with you? Your brain is toasted from studying?"

He rubbed his eyes and groaned in annoyance. Earlier, his eyes were watering because he was choking, but there was more water.

"Excuse me..." Kobayashi, their female classmate, approached them. "Nakano-san, do you have a moment?"

Haru opened his eyes and fixed his expression. "Yes?"

Kobayashi glanced at Haru. "There's something important I want to talk about."

...

Chie brushed aside the leaves, trying to get a better view. I'm stalking him again, she admitted to herself. Haru had expressly forbidden her from following him, yet here she was, hidden behind the bushes, playing the part of the amateur detective.

Kobayashi led Haru to the park next to campus. With the weather warming up, the park had become the go-to outdoor hangout spot for students. The view was breathtaking, thanks to the blooming flowers. Every day, a small hanami took place there, though it was mostly the girls being overly romantic. Haru and Chie weren't too interested; after all, they could catch a more spectacular hanami on Mount Yoshino every year.

"What can I help you with, Kobayashi-san?" Haru asked.

Even though she were covered by the trees, Chie was close enough to eavesdrop on Kobayashi and Haru. She silently thanked herself for choosing such a strategic spot.

Kobayashi fidgeted, shifting her weight between her legs. Her cheeks reddened, not from makeup. Kobayashi, a Tokyo native, was one of the cutest girls in their class. Her clothing style was always on point, and her tall, slim figure made any outfit look perfect on her. With large, double-lidded eyes, a long pointy nose, and rosy lips, she exuded charm. Chie had heard rumors that Kobayashi was once offered a spot in an idol group but declined, choosing to focus on her studies.

But today, Kobayashi looked like she was about to face the grim reaper.

"Kobayashi-san?" Haru approached, looking genuinely confused. "Are you okay?"

Chie felt like she often witnessed scenes like this—one of those nervous and shy girl meets a handsome, bewildered boy situations. It was straight out of a teen manga or a romance drama on TV.

"The thing is, Nakano-san," Kobayashi's voice was barely audible, like a mouse stuck behind a cupboard. Chie had to move in closer to eavesdrop better. "I... like you. Would you like to go out with me sometime?"

Haru blushed. "What?"

Chie slapped her forehead; she couldn't believe what Haru had just said.

"I like Nakano-san," repeated Kobayashi, this time more firmly. She raised her face, already as red as the circle on the Japanese flag, and looked at Haru.

Chie had to cover her mouth because she was giggling hard. Looking closely, Haru and Kobayashi really resembled a couple in manga and drama series. Kobayashi was beautiful, and Haru was handsome. Both had the charm of gods. They were compatible.

However...

Bitterness climbed up Chie's throat like a leech. She suddenly regretted following Haru here. Sure, Haru and Kobayashi seemed compatible, but did that automatically mean they should date? Kobayashi didn't know Haru as well as she did. From the way Kobayashi stared at Haru, Chie could see admiration in her eyes. But was admiration enough? Haru was like an onion. From the outside, he appeared as a handsome guy who was calm and generous, but he was more than that. Haru needed someone who not only admired him but also understood him.

"Please forgive me, Kobayashi-san," said Haru, "but I can't accept your feelings."

Chie almost shrieked. She couldn't believe that Haru just rejected Kobayashi! Why would Haru reject a girl as perfect as her? That guy must have lost his mind.

To her surprise, Kobayashi just laughed. "Ah, I should have known that Nakano-san was already together with Maruyama-san."

"Chie and I are just tight friends," Haru clarified. Hearing that, the leech in Chie's throat jumped to her tongue.

"Are you still single, then?" Kobayashi asked.

Haru didn't answer; he just forced a smile.

"I get it," Kobayashi said. She looked like a prisoner who had just been sentenced to death. "I just hope Nakano-san can always be healthy and happy."

"Thank you. Kobayashi-san too."

"We can still be friends, right?"

"Of course," Haru replied, his smile widening.