White Album 2 Omake/Story04/Chapter 3/All

Chapter 3 - Those Feelings, Three Years Later

April.

Three years had finally passed since Setsuna enrolled in Houjou University.

It was the season where The Love That Will Not Reachthe standard number for winter would stop playing from the university FM radio...

"Setsuna~ next week will be the last party for new students, so be sure to come!"
"The graduate seniors will be pushing for us to come this time, okay?"
"I know... I'm going, okay?"

Entering a new school term, even as she moves up a year, Setsuna was again in the center of everyone.

"You don't have plans, right? You'll finish at fourth period, right? I'll grab you when lectures end, okay?"
"I'll be watching from the morning. Don't take her in any weird manner."
"Geez, that's the fifth time you've driven nails into me. Don't you trust me at all?"
"Like hell I would..."
"Who was it I wonder, the one who said she would come to the seminar camp, and yet cancelling at the last minute~"
"I-I've told you many times... I caught influenza..."

A month and a half, after Setsuna had turned twenty-one...

Until the new term started, Setsuna spent her spring break as a "known shut-in".

Of course, she wasn't hit with influenza or anything. She didn't go to the planned seminar camp and did nothing from morning to evening. In general, she avoided seeing other people.

"Even Kitahara-san isn't inviting you? It's all over, sis."

"Haruki-kun's going to be working for the entire spring break. He's different from you, who just keeps playing video games at home."

"So in other words, he's not going with some other girl... well, you should just give up since you both are useless."

She remained like this at home the entire time...

In short, she hadn't told her family she'd broken up with him.

And Setsuna found another thing that she hated about Haruki.

She hated how she lied to him in such a miserable way.

"That was quite a hassle back then."
"Yeah yeah, the two from the organizing group both dropped out~"

Remembering such a horrible event, the blame on the two friendsfrom the stressful group hadn't ended.

However, the way they said it had a far stronger and interesting meaning than being resentful...

"Hey Setsuna, I know I've been a nag asking you this, but just honestly answer us."
"... what happened with Tomochika-kun?"
"I've given you the same answer many times, nothing happened."

At some point, proof of that came from somewhere else.

"Well at the time, both of you cancelled on the same day, you see."
"In truth, the two of you were eloping... or not. There's rumors saying the two of you might be going ahead or something."
"Rumors are just rumors... don't get dragged down by such stupid stuff."

Just like Haruki, Tomochika hadn't seen Setsuna since her birthday that night.

Which was why she wouldn't tell anyone about what happened that night.

... save for herself.

"Because you see, at the time you guys got along so well. I really thought things were going fine."
"Also, I hadn't seen him since we entered third year."
"Yeah yeah, maybe something serious happened... did you guys get in a fight?"
"Like we'd... do something like that."

If there wasn't someone she'd seriously be angry with, then there's no way she'd get in an argument.

In other words, that's how it was.

"So please, let's stop talking about that..."
"Even if you say so, it was really a hassle back then."
"Yeah yeah, if not for the late Mr. Class President we wouldn't have pulled through."
"Indeed, what would have happened if Kitahara-kun weren't around...?"
"Look, I won't skip out next time, so please don't bring it up again!"

The development behind why Setsuna and Tomochika didn't participate in the seminar camp was a peculiar one.

When the two unexpectedly cancelled their plans, the other organizers who hadn't heard the whole story were left in a bind. And suddenly, a savior had arrived, substituting for the two.

... in other words, it was Kitahara Haruki, who changed programs in the spring and should have left the seminar.

His ability to coordinate things and hardworking diligence, along with exploiting the cowardice and impudence of the teachers and seniors, allowed him to redo the attendance list from scratch.

But it didn't stop there. He accompanied the seminar itself, not only taking control of Setsuna and Tomochika's jobs, but also keeping an eye on the work of other organizers. He'd be relentless with anyone who was slacking on their share, and finally he took full control of all the organizers.

He'd allot rooms from the Western boardinghouse, transport people to the skiing area, organize parties, purchased necessary supplies, etc. He'd never go out himself, but he pulled all the strings...

And at the end, one of the seniors injured themselves while skiing, and he'd organize for them to be sent back to Tokyo.

When Setsuna heard from the other organizers afterward about this somewhat meaningless legend, she stopped short of screaming angrily, "Why didn't you tell us!?" To begin with, she wasn't qualified to say something like that as she had supposedly caught influenza, so she sank into silence.

And for a while, she figured it'd be a mistake to be excited over whoever's sake it was Haruki had interfered for. She reconsidered it as a weak point of his rather than a strong one.

And Setsuna found another thing that she hated about Haruki.

She hated how he lectured sarcastically, making her feel guilty.

---

It was around the middle of April.

Around the time where the professors would end the introductory formalities and move on to the actual subject material.

"Is he... really not coming?"

Expecting someone, Setsuna waited at the entrance of the second cafeteria on the north side of the campus.

It wasn't really warm at all, as it was still chilly when fourth period ended and the evening came. She was shivering a little bit, holding her shoulders.

Her gaze was fixated on the path leading straight to Building 3's front entrance.

It was from there that students would come out one by one from lectures and seminars that seemed to have ended, merging with the campus populace.

Speaking of which, the second cafeteria in Building 3 was directly opposite of the social sciences' Building 6 on the south.

To get between the north and south sides of the long Houjou campus, one would need to spend more than ten minutes walking.

The reason why the home-keeping Setsuna would walk all this way was...

"What's going on... Haruki-kun...?"

Of course, because this was the literature program's turf.

Yesterday, Io called her with some interesting information.

It was about Haruki who had changed programs entering third year, but since the new term started his attendance was rather poor.

This was coming from Takeya's girlfriend friend , who'd seen him go to Building 3 at least three times over the past two weeks.

If he were in arts and sciences, perhaps he'd have been finished here. Even in social sciences, as "that" Haruki who was a master at earning his credits, this would have been a state of emergency.

... incidentally, there was an inconsistency with Io giving her rumors about Haruki which was particularly obvious...

In other words, Setsuna hadn't told her best friends that she'd broken up with him.

She was so into keeping secrets that one would doubt whether she was even ready to break up with him.

"......... haah..."

Setsuna sighed at the pain from noticing each of these things come one after another, reflecting on all these events in her mind.

Was there something in waiting for Haruki like this?

Even if Haruki did come to university today, nonetheless she wouldn't be talking with him.

She'd just be relieved, and fret over things that worried her.

And even if Haruki didn't come to university today, nonetheless she wouldn't be calling to check on him.

Her unease would just grow, and she'd be even more worried.

What she was doing had absolutely no meaning whatsoever. One could only see her as a pitiful stalker.

But from Setsuna's point of view, everything was Haruki's fault.

For someone who lectured people to not skip lectures, and yet not come to university...

Having said he changed programs thinking about employment, it was as if what he talked about didn't quite match up.

This is what one would call being worried.

She hated going out of her way to walk this far like this a little bit.

She hated doing this sort of pitiful thing a little bit.

She hated being worried like this a little bit.

Putting together these three things that she "hated a little bit", it formed a new thing she hated about him.

"Ah...!!"

Though she went through a struggle softening that grim expression of hers...

Even so, there was no way she would miss that familiar jacket coming from Building 3.

"......... eh?"

And incidentally, there was no way she would miss the girl that clung to his arm coming out of Building 3.

"Come on, Haruki~ Let's go for a drink! It's been so long since you came~"
"Like I'm going to join someone who had a hangover for two days straight last week. Hey, let go!"
"What's with that, when I'm giving you such a warm reception?"
"You know, I've been the one paying for your drinks haven't I?"
"W-Well~ this month has been quite a pain, you see!"
"Same here, what a coincidence. Anyways, I'm busy with work this month. Later."
"Ahhh! You're heartless~! Are you saying it's okay for me to be sober or something!?"
"Isn't it great to be healthy? So let go. You're pulling on my clothes, you know!"

".........!"

She wasn't able to approach him, let alone chase after him.

She could only let the girl that passed by cling onto him.

Hiding from them, she let them do as they pleased, shivering from the disgrace of not being discovered, and a bit swayed by such unreasonable emotions.

She didn't get a look at her face, nor did she want to see it.

She just knew based on her manners and voice that her personality was completely different from her own.

An assertiveness that let her freely talk to him. A carefree cheerfulness.

And most importantly, the reality that she'd accept him.

... all of these were things she had before that she'd lost now.

And Setsuna found another thing that she hated about Haruki.

She absolutely hated how he made other people worry, and then treated them like total trash.

"Did he... lose a bit of weight?"

As he had already walked off far away, she was going to check next time. Planting a new seed of worry in her mind, Setsuna stood there for a bit.

---

"Then, I'm up next......... well, to whatever's here on out. Cheers~!"
"Ah, okay... let's do our best... gulp..."
"Woah~ great, great! You can really take quite a bit, Ogiso-chan!"
"Hey, you seniors shouldn't be making her drink so much. She can only take a mouthful after all."
"Well, if she's like this I'm sure she can go all out."
"Aren't you just hiding what you're really up to?"
"No, it's not like that......... that was great!"
"S-Setsuna...?"
"Woah~ great, great~! Then, my cup's up next..."

Setsuna was rather quick with the pitcher when she was at the weekend welcoming party for new students.

Hiding away her usual shy and reserved manners, she focused on drinking, and answered when asked. However, she didn't return a smile when it came to stupid topics.

To the people who would always force her to join their parties, it was such a bewildering scene.

And no one could imagine the reason behind it had anything to do with a certain male student who had just changed programs, nor that the university idol was so jealous of someone...

"That blouse looks cute! Is it new this year?"
"Ah, who knows...? I thought it'd be nice to buy it."

If one called looking through a bargain mail catalog and carefully selecting it as nice, then what Setsuna said was correct.

With the exception of the enjoyable six months she had at the attached school, Setsuna was always a pretentious girl.

Though even she lost sight of how people saw her or what she was proud of.

"So your standards are that high for guys too?"
"Look you guys, I told you that asking Setsuna these questions is off limi..."
"I suppose... I don't mind if they're spending money or anything, but I like people who take care of how they look."
"S......... Setsuna?"
"Oh~, got it, got it~ you're right about that one~"
"Wait, you mean a guy who'd be in the same league as Miss Houjou. That's the worst situation to be in!"

Though it was quite a safe answer for her to give...

Even so, it was quite an event for these male students to see "that" Ogiso Setsuna talk about hobbies men have for the first time.

"Hey, Ogiso-chan, mind taking a look here? Maybe my clothes today would go well with you? Though I imported this directly from Italy..."
"You just don't get it, man. She said it was nothing to do with money."
"First you gotta rise above people~ you've got no balance whatsoever."

While the guys around Setsuna were in confusion over her words...

――That's right, pay attention for a bit, will you?

That's the same jacket from last year. That girl was also wearing it too, wasn't she?

And because a girl would wear it, that's not a jacket you should be wearing...!

Setsuna had only guilty thoughts about a guy who was far different from the lot here.

A thoughtless guy who always wore the same clothes, had a hairstyle that hadn't changed since high school, and had no fashion sense other than his own hygiene.

Though it wasn't something that would put him at ease, other people would have judged his appearance as average...

Certainly if the people here commented on him, they'd all drum on how he wasn't suitable as "a guy in the same league as Ogiso Setsuna".

Even so, this popular Miss Houjou had been hanging around such a guy for two years.

Even though he was so careful with his manners and money, even so it was as if he never answered her.

And Setsuna found another thing that she hated about Haruki.

She hated how he didn't notice how he looked to others, nor that he even cared.

---

And even after the party, Setsuna was right in the center of the surrounding graduate students...

Though they'd spent more than two hours, so the tired students finally began scattering, and a calm atmosphere soon reigned in.

When they did, as they were about to step outside and discuss how they were doing...

"Oh yeah, I saw Tomochika a while ago."
"Oh~ Where at?"
"His apartment. He'd been helping people move in next door."
"Oh yeah, he didn't show up even once to the seminar. Does he plan on dropping out?"
"I also asked him that, but his words weren't all that clear..."
"It'd be bad if he did. I'm relying on his notes after all."
"You shouldn't be worrying over a reason that doesn't even seem like you're true friends..."
"It's because when Kitahara disappeared, Tomochika end up being our last stand."
"Ah, that's right, Kitahara was also there too."
"Again...? So the two of them plan on going to three part-time jobs together?"
"Well, even if it turns out they did, that just means he's still hanging out with him despite changing programs."
"Maybe only the smart guys really talk with one another...?"
"What...?"
"........."
"........."
"Umm... Ogiso?"
"Ah... don't mind me, just continue on."
"Umm, even if you tell us that..."
"The seniors are all staring at us, you see..."

Right at the end of the table were two guys who were so tired, gossiping about such unimportant things. And at some point, Setsuna, who was supposed to be in the center of everyone, happened to jump right in.

... right around the point where they said, "Oh, that's right, Kitahara was also there too."

---

"Ah~ geez! He just pisses me off!!"

Kicking away at the road with her shoe heels left quite the echo, shortening the lifespan of her heels, and herself.

It'd been fifteen minutes since she got off from Suetsuguchou station and taken this path. Sometimes she'd be cursing, feeling down, or get so agitated she'd walk fast.

It was 9:40 PM.

At 9 PM when the main party ended, the guys believed Setsuna would join them for the follow-up party. However Setsuna betrayed them with the words, "It's curfew". Lightly rejecting anyone's invitation to send her home, she disappeared through the ticket gates.

Her female classmates would be relieved figuring, "Ah, it's the usual Setsuna". Even so, it was easy to imagine that it was a disaster for the male graduate students who couldn't hold themselves back.

But Setsuna didn't care about it at all...

――So it was for Tomochika-kun, wasn't it?

It wasn't for me at all, was it?

At the get-together, Haruki being brought up had excited Setsuna in an instant.

However, as she learned about the finer details, she became more and more irritated.

Haruki was working with Tomochika even though he'd changed programs, and even now they'd been talking with one another.

He wouldn't contact her. He wouldn't even come close to her, or even look for her.

Back then, he wouldn't even apologize, object, make excuses, or even scold her.

Despite all that, he hadn't cut ties with Tomochika, who had unexpectedly confessed to her, and made her suffer.

It was something Setsuna wouldn't accept.

After all, it all became clear to her.

The reason why he came to cover for the spring seminar camp...

The reality of how he'd continue to get involved for his friends...

――Haruki-kun, you haven't changed a bit, being so kind to anyone.

But you're so cruel for not even being kind to me...

Haruki-kun, you haven't changed a bit, lecturing even girls.

But you're so cruel for not even lecturing me...

Haruki-kun, you haven't changed a bit, getting involved with your friends all the time.

But you're so cruel for not even getting involved with me...

And Setsuna found two more things that she hated about Haruki.

She hated Haruki for moving into a different world from Tomochika, with a different girl.

She hated Haruki for not being in the world that she couldn't slip away from.

"He really......... really pisses me off!!"

The only thoughts running in her mind were that of Haruki.

Piling on these "hateful" thoughts further invited feelings toward him that were stronger than before.

"... ah..."

Setsuna had gotten it wrong from the start.

She shouldn't have been "hating" him, but she should have been "indifferent" with him.

But Setsuna was in no position to recognize such an obvious reality, having snapped one of her shoe heels, and amazingly standing up on just one foot.

---

May.

A beautiful afternoon, on the last day of Golden Week.

"Hey sis, it's something I've wanted to say..."
"Whatever it is, don't say it."
"Are you happy being a shut-in even during all of Golden Week in the spring break?"
"I told you not to say it..."

Setsuna spent the consecutive holidays just as her younger brother pointed out.

On top of that, avoiding other people, and doing nothing from morning until evening...

"University starts tomorrow... I really don't wanna go..."
"... the May blues?"

But she only had a day left to escape from reality.

She'd meet so many people once today ended, but the days of not being with Haruki would begin.

Despite the fact he hadn't talked with her, even though they used to be in the same program.

Despite the fact that she'd dragged herself on, being all alone.

Despite the fact they'd broke up in spring.

Despite the fact she had no further reason to feel so empty.

Even so, Setsuna waited for tomorrow, hurting herself once more.

... and, just when Setsuna had again sunk into despair, the high-pitched sound of the doorbell came from the entrance-way.

"Sis, you got a visitor."
"Your sister's in a dressing gown."
"Even I'm wearing pajamas."
"The neighbors will talk about it if I go out looking like this. Are you okay with that?"
"Then you should at least wear something at home..."

Certainly, the eldest daughter of the Ogiso residence was known by the neighbors as "well brought up", both physically and in personality. But to her younger brother     Takahiro     , who'd seen her slouch around every day at home like this, there was no way he'd even humor the thought.

"Look, it's ringing again."
"I know already... okay, oka~y, wait a second~!"

Having been called twice, Takahiro finally got fed up, going through the hallway and outside.

There was an intercom in the living room used for this, but there wasn't a single person within the Ogiso family who was so uptight that they'd use such crime prevention tools.

For a short while, there was the sound of the entranceway door opening, Takahiro talking with someone, and then for a short while, the sound of his footsteps as he came back echoed...

"Sis, you got a visitor."
"... who is it?"

Indeed she was no longer too optimistic about meeting Haruki directly.

---

And thirty minutes later...

The two spent ten minutes walking from her home, stopping by a coffee shop, taking facing seats at a table by the window.

"It's been a while."
"... was it?"

Regardless of whether it was, it'd been already three months since they hadn't met.

"Sorry for not contacting you for so long. There was... well, a lot of things."
"Hmm..."

She also had a lot of things to deal with.

"Did you... lose a bit of weight?"
"Who knows... I can't even tell."
"I lost about eight kilograms... it's quite tough helping people move between homes."

She hadn't noticed at all whether she'd gotten lighter or heavier, or if she'd become whiter or more tanned.

... after all, she had no idea what kind of expression she had for so long now.

And, she hadn't the urge to look at him in such a friendly manner.

"So, what's the matter? ... Tomochika-kun?"

Even if she was allowed to see him, that sliver of hope she had was indeed for nothing.

"I was worried... about leaving things unfinished, you see."
"........."

Tomochika had a somewhat shy, apologetic, and troubled look on his face.

But that all had no meaning to Setsuna right now.

It was all just the look of a bewildered man.

"And, umm... let's make this, quick..."
"Umm..."
"Hmm?"
"I'm sorry, I have to hurry back home soon."
"Y-Yeah. Sorry. I realize I wanted to make this quick, but it's been ten minutes now, hasn't it?"

And he'd been counting the time.

She didn't have any plans other than heading back home and eating dinner.

But, she really didn't want to be here any longer.

"Umm, Ogiso... I was waiting for your answer..."
"........."
"........."
"........."
"... I see..."

Perhaps the courage she'd mustered up to answer Tomochika's confession was...

Despite being urged to, Setsuna's response was that of silence.

"Sorry, Ogiso... for making you suffer so much."
"........."

And she looked away.

She didn't deny it by saying, "It's nothing like that".

"Well then, I'll be going."
"........."

And she persisted in remaining silent, as a positive affirmation to that.

"Ah, that's right, also..."
"........."

Setsuna had changed.

A part of her changed since her twentieth birthday, just like three years ago.

"It's about, Haruki..."
"........."

She'd lost the kindness she'd equally give everyone.

She'd lost the happy smile she put on for others.

"During this time, he..."
"........."

She'd lost being that "good girl"' who made anyone happy.

It further damaged the pride of being the eldest daughter of the Ogiso family.

"I take it you're not interested in this either?"
"........."

All she did was pull in others with her own pheromones.

Even so, she'd prick them with the thorns that guarded her.

"Did you guys... really break up?"
"........."

Maybe she might end up making too many enemies like this.

Maybe as a result of being too popular, she might became too hated.

"... never mind, this is probably something you'd hate, Ogiso. Forget it."
"........."

Yes, it was as if Setsunashe had become like Kazusaher best friend in an instant...

"Well then, this time, farew..."
"Wait."
"Eh?"
"Something about, Haruki-kun?"
"........."

This time, Tomochika fell silent.

"What about Haruki-kun?"
"......... pff!"
"Eh, what? What's wrong?"

And then he burst out into laughter.

At the manner and timing with which she asked that question.

"You're cruel, Ogiso."
"... eh?"

But, he knew. No, he knew since the beginning.

How Setsuna would unconsciously treat people so poorly.

"When it's about Haruki, your personality suddenly changes. No matter what you think of other guys, he's the only one on your mind."
"Eh? Eh?"

But Setsuna never expected someone would call her "cruel"...

That was the word that she kept cursing Haruki with, so for her to be cursed back with that word, she could only let it stab through her.

"No wonder you're so popular..."
"......... what about Haruki-kun!?"
"... yeah, yeah."

Setsuna had changed.

......... but she didn't want her inner self to change, it would seem.

For better or for worse.

Tomochika had reasons for not coming to university since April.

Well, he had reasons for not coming to the February seminar camp in the first place.

... because they'd finally scheduled surgery to treat his mother's condition.

And it landed right on the day the seminar camp was to set out, and it'd end the following day.

His time, his money, his resolution, and his prospects... there were too many problems that came up. He could only rely on Haruki, who should have felt rather awkward "on that night" just like he had.

Haruki came after having talked to him for thirty minutes on the phone.

Like always, he'd keep his cool, run the entire thing, lecture people, egg on Tomochika as if nothing had happened that night, and finally began his work.

First, he helped him prepare for sending his mother to the hospital, dealt with finances, and followed up with the camp.

... in other words, Haruki didn't save Setsuna at the time with the camp.

No matter what circumstances he had, how deep or hopeless they were, that reality was something that could not be swayed.

The surgery was a success, and Haruki returned from the camp the night Tomochika was finally at ease.

Haruki too, was also relieved to hear she pulled through, and then he had to deal with a certain senior who fractured their foot.

Things went well with his mother, and she was finally discharged in the middle of March.

During that time, Haruki also weaved through all his work and came to visit often.

And just like that, Tomochika's wish to see the day his mother fully recovered came closer and closer.

But the two knew that their real fight began right then and there.

The cost of having surgery, being hospitalized, discharged, rehabilitation was huge...

Even though he could apply for insurance, it was far too expensive, and once Tomochika's tuition fees were included, there was no way for the Tomochika residence to live off just part-time jobs.

Which was why Tomochika had prepared to drop out of university, and search for work.

... but, the one who violently objected to such a noble determination was none other than Haruki.

Haruki lectured him for three days and three nights, valuing Tomochika's abilities, how he took a year to finally enter university, and how it'd be all for naught if he didn't get past this.

Tomochika finally yielded to his stubbornness, and got to work at once.

He looked up every possible scholarship he was eligible for, and endeavored in building fundamentals in his studies.

On top of that, he made a deposit towards his tuition with the money he made from his two jobs, and started a moving job in April.

Of course, Haruki was egging on Tomochika there. Tomochika hadn't been used to such heavy physical work, he felt he might break.

To Tomochika, Haruki was a demon who he'd believe was his benefactor, all in form, manner, and action.

And that continued for about a month.

Just yesterday, the two managed to put together both their earnings for the tuition fees.

And last night, the two truly held a toast to it.

"If not for Haruki, I would have dropped out long ago."
"........."
"There hasn't been a single guy who'd get himself involved like this. Even if they were being paid, they wouldn't go this far."
"........."
"He was the stupidest, most depressing, and the best friend I've ever had."
"........."

Setsuna once again sunk into silence. She turned away her swaying eyes.

"Which was why, he..."
"......... congratulations."
"Ogiso?"

However, this time she had to remain indifferent.

"I'm glad your mother got through... I hope she gets better soon."
"Y-Yeah... thank you. And..."
"Yup, I really do believe it's such a relief. I'm serious, you know?"
"Ogiso..."
"I'm sorry, Tomochika-kun. I fussed over something so small, and made you suffer."
"No, not at all. I just didn't really pay enough attention. And you know..."
"So... I'm going now. I'm really sorry."

Her heart... seemed like it was going to fall apart.

She thought it'd broken since that day in February.

But she was wrong.

She'd blamed everything on him, and was under the impression she was broken.

Because, Haruki didn't do anything wrong. He wasn't the one who was being cruel.

She came to realize the cruel one who was wrong, the other one in this pair...

"Hey, wait a second, Ogiso. I'm not don..."

The reason Setsuna was in despair, was that she was left out from Tomochika's story.

Learning that Haruki did everything for his friend, she was ashamed of detesting him not knowing about the whole thing.

"I'm sorry... please, leave me be..."

Even if she heard of his true strength, and his true values...

Even so, she'd learned she was jealous of Tomochika, and his mother.

"... you're going to regret it if you don't hear this, you know?"

While listening to Tomochika's story, Setsuna was happy, rather vexed, and chewed on her lips.

"There's... nothing more I'd regret..."

Haruki hadn't changed at all.

But at the time, he did prioritize Tomochika more than her.

Hearing about this hopeless situation, she couldn't even have any pride as a woman.

She really was a cruel "woman".

"I told you I was drinking with Haruki last night, didn't I?"
"Please, stop it!"
"He said I'd be able to return to school now. He was happy, like if it was happening to him."
"I said stop it!"
"And... he broke our friendship."
"I'm telling you this isn't something that matters to......... eh?"

"Just wait a second... what are you saying, Haruki?"

"I said, you don't have to pay me back. Just use all of it."

"Wait, that's no good. We're friends, so I have to pay you back..."

"The one who's no good is me... because right now, I'm about to do something horrible to you."

"What is it you're talking about...?"

"Just one punch... let me hit you."

"......... Haruki?"

"Sorry for bringing this up of all times, but I've been holding it back all this time.

There were many times I would have just blown up, but I endured until your mother's surgery was done.

I'd delayed it until she was discharged, and until you'd paid off your tuition.

So... it's fine now, right? Even if I'm not around, you can figure out what to do, right?

So, it's fine now, right......... don't screw with me, god damn it!!

You fell in love with Setsuna, didn't you!?

You confessed to her right in front of me, didn't you!?

You were going to steal her away from me, weren't you...!?"

"Weren't you avoiding Ogiso?"

"What about that...?"

"Didn't you plan on... breaking up with her?"

"Don't say that like you know what goes on between me and her!"

"Haruki..."

"You see, you see... I betrayed Setsuna.

That's why no matter what, I can't take her. It can't happen.

But, for some other guy to take her... I can't accept that."

"That's really cruel to her, you know?"

"It is! It's cruel!

But, that's how I feel! I couldn't take it anymore!"

"Tomochika, you're a good guy. You're an amazing guy.

I think you're more human than you are my best friend.

I think you'd probably be able to make Setsuna happy.

However, I don't want to see another guy make Setsuna happy right in front of me...!"

"If you have any other problems, just tell me. I'll do what I can.

But, we're no longer friends......... I can't forgive you anymore."

"And, he really did hit me. Left a mark right here."
"........."
"But it looks like he's never punched someone else before, so I think it hurt him more than it hurt me."
".........!"

She gripped both her hands, placing them on top of her knees.

"Looking back, both of us must've looked like crap."

Those clenched fists of hers moved to her thighs, as she gripped even more tightly.

"But, Haruki was real serious. That's why it was a real shock to me too."

But it wasn't to hold back her emotions, but for more pragmatic reasons.

"I really thought he was my best friend. But, he rejected me."

Because, there was a part of Setsuna that she had to hold in far more than her emotions right now.

"However, it's all my fault. So I can't go back."

A part of her she had to hold back that would overflow.

"Anyways, that's how it is... he really cares so much for you, Ogiso..."
"......... I'm sorry..."
"Eh...?"

After all, it throbbed in pain.

"I know it's not enough, but I'm so sorry!"

A reckless and selfish desire for Haruki would wash over her entire body...

Even now it seemed like that desire would flow.

"... you should raise your head soon."
"........."

A man and woman boht faced each other, sitting at a coffee shop table by the window.

And the woman had been bowing deeply for quite a while now.

Indeed, this carnage had naturally attracted the attention of all the customers.

"This isn't something you should be apologizing for, Ogiso..."
"No, it's my fault..."

However, Setsuna accepted those gazes that came her way.

"It's my fault that Haruki-kun did something cruel to you..."
"Ogiso..."
"Because I made Haruki-kun do such stupid things, after all..."

――It's becuase I courted another guy, even though I was supposed to be his.

Yes, because I was his, that wasn't something that could be allowed.

She was so proud of having that attitude of hers, that she didn't feel any kind of gratitude or anything.

"So it's fine if I apologize, right?"
"If you feel satisfied by taking responsibility..."

To the point that her apologizing was ridiculously stupid.

"......... I'm really sorry, okay?"

Setsuna finally looked up.

She glanced a bit upward, a bit mischievously, and smiled in an unreasonably cute way...

A slightly devilish smile from three years ago that was extraordinarily cute.

"Oh man..."

Tomochika was bewildered, seeing this smile since that February night.

Because he knew that charm of hers was something that would eat away at him, even now.

Or rather, there wasn't a single person within the university who didn't know of her.

For "that" Ogiso Setsuna to hide such amazing, slightly devilish cuteness of hers.

However, that was something she would only show to a certain someone she loved...

It was like a mirage that he couldn't ever reach himself.

---

"I'm... really such an idiot, aren't I?"

Kicking her heels at the ground gave a light echo, and in haste Setsuna checked to see if it was okay.

The shoe had just been fixed from being broken last month.

Finding a friend of hers in the neighborhood who ran a shoe store, she spent 1000 yen to have it fixed. Though it was a little different than what it used to be, it was still quite comfortable for her to walk in.

Parting with Tomochika, she'd been walking for ten minutes from the coffee shop to her house.

... though even after thirty minutes had passed, Setsuna had strolled around her own house, taking detours on the way back.

Sometimes she'd be mocking herself, reflecting on herself, and giggle as she slowly walked.

When they parted, Tomochika told her, "If I can, I'd like to reconcile with Haruki".

And Setsuna lightly smiled, answering "I wish you luck!" as she quickly turned her back on him.

... perhaps she had completely ignored his need for her to be a mediator for him.

――I'm sorry.

I'm a cruel girl.

My personality's all messed up.

... because of Haruki-kun.

"... I can tell even my own personality gets all messed up when I talk with you, Kitahara-kun!"

A nostalgic memory from three years ago returned to her, coming from when she still called him "Kitahara-kun" and when he still called her "Ogiso".

At the time, she smiled bitterly, sulking with the words, "She really is cute, if I should say so myself."

――Because, I'm happy that you guys broke your friendship.

I'm happy that Haruki-kun got thrown off for my sake.

And like that, Setsuna gave a bitter smile while those words crept up in her mind. If anyone heard them out of context, they'd tremble in such fear.

――Haruki-kun grew violent.

He wouldn't be one who would do such a thing.

... it's because of me.

He lost himself when it came to me.

Perhaps Setsuna really was a true idol.

Because, right now she could give a smile to anyone.

She'd be able to form a smile from the bottom of her heart at any time.

... even if she couldn't even give a care about whoever it was she was smiling to.

Even if she could only think about the one guy who wasn't there.

――The only one who can drive him mad...

The only one who can throw him off, is me.

Me, and Kazusa...

That's why I picked him.

That's why I treat him that way.

She was no longer the "Setsuna-chan of the Ogiso residence".

The real Setsuna should have been a girl who was raised well with affection by her parents, as someone who was honest, kind, and could make anyone happy.

――Maybe I don't love him. Maybe I don't hate him.

But, I can't be indifferent with him.

However, it was clear to her that "it's fine to be cruel now".

Even if she should hurt other people, she has to protect herself.

Even if she's wrong, this was all all she had.

――I'm really so selfish, aren't I...?

I'm not so different from you after all, Kazusa...

That she could make everyone happy.

That she could make people around her happy.

... that she could make their trio happy.

――Just kidding... are you angry, Kazusa?

Though, it's not like I meant to say anything wrong, you know?

The two of us can't hold back, can we?

Because she tied herself to the person she liked.

Because she loved him.

And because this was the first time she had a wish she prayed for...

――Hey, Haruki-kun...

Setsuna continued to walk, looking up at the sky.

At the starry sky that couldn't let snow fall now, blowing with a warm wind.

She only looked up, so that not so much would fall from her eyes.

――The cruel man who would continue to make me suffer.

Even so, you wouldn't let anyone else make me suffer.

The cowardly man who would never accept me.

Even so, you treat me as if I'm your own thing.

――I have to tell you, I'm quite popular, you know?

There are so many guys that hit on me, you know?

Even so, you're so stubborn, and so unfaithful.

... no, you wouldn't even look at someone like me.

You would continue to truly show affection for other girls that weren't me.

Even so, you couldn't let go of me, could you...?

And Setsuna finally found the one thing that she hated the most about Haruki.

... even though she tried to hate him so much, and pretty much destroyed it all, she still loves him.

---

Edit this section That night, Setsuna had treated herself to something she hadn't had in many months.
It wasn't really something a person would talk of. It wasn't something anyone could show. What this was, went on...
And on.
And on.

Notes

• The latter part of this section (Part B2) is quoted from the PS3 version of the game. It is left implicit.

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