“Takumi-san, if a girl comes to you for advice, do you answer just about anything?”
On a Sunday afternoon, Mizuki asked while swirling the straw in her iced coffee with her finger. Takumi was sitting across from her, looking down at his smartphone.
“Depends on what it’s about.”
“Relationship advice.”
In that moment, Takumi’s fingers stilled. It was only for a split second, so Mizuki didn’t notice.
“You’re asking me?”
“I am.”
“You picked the wrong person for that.”
“Why?”
“You know what my romantic track record is like.”
“It is pretty slim, isn’t it?”
“Don’t say it so outright.”
Mizuki laughed. They were sitting in a family restaurant near the station.
Mizuki had texted him before noon: “I have a report to write, so come keep me company.”
Takumi had been doing laundry at home at the time.
“Why do you need me there?” he had replied.
“If I’m alone, I’ll never actually do it,” came her answer. So, he came.
Takumi was reading a book, while Mizuki had her laptop open. Though, despite more than an hour having passed since they arrived, her report had barely progressed at all.
“So?” Takumi laid his smartphone on the table. “What do you want to ask?”
Mizuki hesitated slightly. “Do guys go out for meals one-on-one with a girl even if they don’t like her?”
Takumi looked at Mizuki. “Sure they do.”
“They do?”
“Girls do it too, don’t they?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Is that all?”
“Then, would he say he wants to see me again?”
“Some guys would.”
“Would he text me on LINE every day?”
“Some guys would.”
Mizuki pouted in dissatisfaction. “That’s not helpful at all.”
“Your questions are bad.”
“Then how should I ask?”
“Just ask, ‘I want to know if this guy likes me.’”
Mizuki’s hands froze. Seeing that, Takumi felt a faint pang of regret.
Hit the mark, apparently.
“…I never said it was about me.”
“Sure, sure.”
“It could be about a friend!”
“Fine, let’s pretend it’s about a friend then.”
“What’s with that attitude?”
Takumi took a sip of his iced coffee. After a brief silence, Mizuki turned her eyes back to her laptop screen.
Yet her fingers didn’t touch the keyboard.
“How do you know when you actually like someone?” This time, her voice was a little softer.
“You mean yourself?”
“Yeah.”
Takumi was at a loss for an answer. You’re really asking me that?
The thought crossed his mind, but he didn’t voice it out loud.
“Isn’t it when you want to see them?”
“I want to see you too, Takumi-san.”
She said it so effortlessly. Takumi lowered his gaze.
“I don’t mean it like that.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“ Beats me.”
“What kind of answer is that?”
“Don’t ask me.”
Mizuki laughed. Seeing her expression, Takumi couldn’t help but chuckle softly too.
“But you know,” Mizuki continued, “it’s a little different.”
“What is?”
“Compared to meeting up with you, Takumi-san.”
Takumi listened in silence.
“When I meet up with you, I don’t have to think about anything.”
“Is there really no better way you could phrase that?”
“No, no! I mean it in a good way!”
“Not thinking about anything counts as a good thing?”
“It does!” Mizuki laughed, then paused to think for a moment. “I mean, today I’m barely wearing any makeup.”
“Like I care.”
“My clothes are totally casual, too.”
“That’s pretty rude to me, you know.”
“I told you, that’s not what I mean!” Mizuki giggled. “It’s just with you, Takumi-san, it doesn’t matter.”
Those words represented the absolute highest level of trust Mizuki could give. Takumi understood that well.
And because he understood, it hurt all the more.
“Then, what about when you meet up with him?” Takumi asked.
Mizuki let out a slightly shy laugh. “I think about what to wear.”
“Yeah.”
“I do my hair properly.”
“Yeah.”
“And when he texts me on LINE, I feel a little happy.”
“Then haven’t you already got your answer?”
“I wonder…”
Mizuki twirled her straw around and around. Looking at her side profile, Takumi thought to himself:
Yeah, she definitely has. It was an expression she had never once shown him.
“What kind of guy is he?” Before he knew it, the words slipped out.
“Eh?”
“That guy.”
Mizuki hesitated for a second. Deciding there was no need to hide it, she picked up her smartphone. “He goes to the same university as me.”
“A classmate?”
“Yeah.”
“Did you meet recently?”
“I’ve known his face for a while, but we only started talking recently.”
Takumi nodded.
“Ren Saeki-kun.”
Hearing the name suddenly made it feel real. A guy he didn’t know.
At the same university as Mizuki. The same age.
Spending every day in the same environment. A world Takumi couldn’t enter.
“Is he handsome?” Takumi asked.
Mizuki laughed. “Why are you asking that?”
“It’s important, isn’t it?”
“Coming from you, Takumi-san?”
“Are you trying to pick a fight with me?”
Mizuki burst out laughing. “He is handsome.”
Takumi caught the look on Mizuki’s face when she answered. She looked so happy.
That was answer enough.
“Do you have a picture?”
“Want to see?”
“You have one?”
“On Instagram.”
Mizuki navigated her smartphone and showed it to Takumi. It was a photo of him standing alongside some guy friends.
Takumi stared at it for a few seconds before handing it back. “I see.”
“What do you mean, ‘I see’?”
“Looks like he’d be popular.”
“Right?”
“Why do you sound so proud?”
“No reason!”
She laughed again. Takumi smiled too.
Only, when he handed the smartphone back, his hand felt just a little heavy.
That night.
Takumi went to the convenience store alone. He had grabbed a lazy dinner earlier, which left him feeling hungry again.
Carrying a cup of instant noodles and a rice ball in his basket, he walked toward the register. His smartphone vibrated.
Mizuki.
【 Thanks for today! 】
Takumi replied while walking.
【 Even though you barely touched your report? 】
It was marked as read immediately.
【 I did it properly after I got home! 】
【 Good girl. 】
【 Don’t treat me like a child! 】
Takumi smiled. Then, a brief silence followed.
Another notification popped up.
【 Also… 】
He got a bad feeling.
【 About Ren-kun. 】
Takumi stopped in his tracks, staring at the screen.
【 I think I might actually like him. 】
The convenience store’s refrigeration display hummed softly in the background. Takumi typed a few words.
Erased them. Typed again.
In the end, all he sent was:
【 I see. 】
An instant reply came back.
【 What’s with that reaction? lol 】
Takumi thought for a moment.
【 That’s great then. 】
He hit send. This time, there was a short pause.
【 Yeah. 】
Followed by:
【 It’s been a while since I felt like this. 】
There were no hearts, no emojis. Yet Takumi could tell just how happy Mizuki was.
【 Just enjoy it. 】 Takumi replied.
From Mizuki: 【 Thank you. 】
He returned home and turned on the light. The room was quiet.
Setting his purchases on the table, he took off his suit jacket. He reached into the fridge to grab a beer, then stopped himself.
Instead, he grabbed a glass of water and sat down in a chair.
The face of the guy he saw earlier floated into his mind. Ren Saeki.
He was a handsome guy. Imagining him standing next to Mizuki, Takumi thought they would look really good together.
“What am I even doing?” he laughed to himself.
He had already been rejected six months ago. The answer had been clear for a long time. Even so, because Mizuki kept relying on him, a part of him had foolishly felt like their relationship was somehow still ongoing.
Takumi placed his smartphone face down. Mizuki didn’t contact him again for the rest of the night.
From then on, the distance between Mizuki and Ren narrowed rapidly. The time they spent together at university increased.
They ate lunch together on some days. Whenever lectures ended, Ren would ask her, “What are you doing today?”
They didn’t go on formal dates every time. Some days they just walked back to the station together. Other days they simply bought drinks at a convenience store and chatted on a campus bench.
She enjoyed every moment of it. Ren was skilled at closing the distance between people.
“Is your hair different today?” He noticed even the subtle change in how she curled her hair.
“Did you change your nails?” He noticed when the color changed.
“That outfit suits you.” He said it so naturally.
At first, Mizuki just laughed, saying, “You sure pay close attention.” Before long, she found herself anticipating him noticing those things.
Friday. They were on their way back after having dinner together, walking along the main avenue in front of the station.
The traffic light turned red, and they stopped side by side. Ren suddenly spoke up.
“Can I call you Mizuki?”
Mizuki looked at Ren. Until now, he had always called her Minase.
“That’s so sudden.”
“Do you dislike it?”
“It’s not that I dislike it…”
“Then, Mizuki.”
He had only called her by her first name, yet her heart leaped in her chest.
“What?”
“Just wanted to call your name.”
“I don’t get you at all.” Mizuki laughed.
The light turned green, and they started walking again. The street was crowded.
As Mizuki tried to dodge someone coming from the opposite direction, Ren lightly pulled her by the arm. It was only for a split second before he let go.
“That was close.”
“Sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing, Mizuki?”
His calling her name again made her realize just how hot her face felt.
Even after reaching the station, neither of them entered the ticket gates right away.
“What are you doing tomorrow?” Ren asked.
“Going shopping with a friend.”
“A guy?”
“A girl.”
“I see.”
“What?”
“Nothing… just thought I’d hate it if it was a guy.”
Mizuki looked at Ren. He was smiling. She couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious.
“Why would you hate that, Saeki-kun?” she asked intentionally.
“You don’t know?” Ren took a step closer.
They had been talking normally just a second ago, but Mizuki suddenly felt a rush of nerves.
“I don’t know.”
Truthfully, she kind of did. Ren looked at Mizuki for a long moment.
“I like you, Mizuki.”
There were plenty of people around them. The sound announcing an arriving train echoed through the air.
Yet those words alone sounded remarkably clear.
“Will you go out with me?”
Mizuki couldn’t answer right away. Not because she didn’t want to, but because she was so happy.
Her heart was racing. Her face felt burning hot. She couldn’t look Ren squarely in the eyes.
It had been so long since she felt this way.
“…Yeah.” That was all she managed to say.
“Really?”
“What’s with that reaction?”
“Well, I’m just really happy.” Ren laughed. Mizuki laughed too.
“So, you’re my girlfriend starting today?”
“I guess so.”
“Mizuki.”
“What?”
“Look at me.”
Mizuki looked up. Ren was smiling with pure delight.
The moment she saw his face, happiness welled up inside her too. I really like him. This time, she thought it with absolute clarity.
On the train ride home, even after sitting down, her heart refused to settle. A message arrived from Ren almost immediately.
【 I want to see you already. 】
Mizuki couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
【 We literally just parted ways! 】
【 But I can’t see you tomorrow. 】
【 What about the day after? 】
【 We’re meeting up. 】
【 Is that a promise? 】
【 I’m your boyfriend, after all. 】
Mizuki pressed her smartphone against her chest. She was so happy.
When she arrived home, she entered her room, set her bag down, and sat on the edge of the bed. She wanted to tell someone.
She was meeting Chihiro tomorrow. It was too early to tell her mother.
As she pondered, the very first person who came to mind was Takumi.
Mizuki unlocked her phone and opened her chat with Takumi.
【 Takumi-san 】 She sent it.
After a short moment, it was marked as read.
【 Yeah? 】
Mizuki typed out the words:
【 I started dating Ren-kun. 】
Send. Marked as read.
No reply came. One minute passed. Two minutes.
Mizuki began to feel a swell of anxiety.
It was only natural. She knew Takumi liked her. Yet he was the very first person she reported this to. Only now did she realize how cruel that was.
She couldn’t undo it.
I’m sorry, she began typing out. Just then, a reply arrived.
【 Congratulations! 】
Mizuki stared at the screen. Then, she typed back:
【 Thank you. 】
A moment later, another text arrived.
【 Hope he’s not a weird guy, lol 】
Mizuki felt a slight wave of relief.
【 He’s fine! 】
【 Good then. 】
It was the usual Takumi. Mizuki smiled.
Meanwhile, Takumi was standing out on his balcony.
Clutching his smartphone, he looked out at the night cityscape. He had offered his congratulations. He had decided on that himself.
If Mizuki is happy, then that’s what matters. It wasn’t a lie. He truly believed that.
Even so, a deep ache throbbed in his chest. Takumi looked down at the screen once more.
【 I started dating Ren-kun. 】
A single, short sentence. No matter how many times he read it, the meaning remained unchanged.
Mizuki had a boyfriend. Takumi slipped his smartphone into his pocket.
The night breeze felt a little cold.
“’Congratulations,’ huh…”
He spoke aloud the very words he had sent her. He tried to laugh, but he couldn’t pull off a proper smile.
The next morning, Mizuki woke up to a message from Ren.
【 Good morning, girlfriend. 】
She couldn’t help but laugh under her blanket.
【 Good morning, boyfriend. 】 She sent back. It was marked as read instantly.
Just that simple exchange made her whole morning feel bright. Standing before the mirror, she looked like the same person as yesterday, yet somehow subtly different.
There was no contact from Takumi. She didn’t particularly mind it. Her head was entirely filled with thoughts of Ren right now.
That afternoon, Takumi was having lunch with Nao and Ryosuke.
Slurping his ramen, Ryosuke asked, “Speaking of which, Mizuki-chan hasn’t joined us lately.”
Takumi took a sip of water. “She got a boyfriend.”
Ryosuke’s chopsticks came to a sudden halt. “Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Not with you?”
“If it were with me, I wouldn’t phrase it as ‘she got a boyfriend.’”
“Guess that’s true.” Ryosuke chuckled.
Nao didn’t laugh. She was staring straight at Takumi.
“Are you okay?”
“About what?”
“What do you mean, ‘about what’?”
“I’m fine.” Takumi continued eating his ramen naturally.
Ryosuke chimed in, “Well, they’ll probably break up eventually anyway.”
Takumi’s chopsticks paused. “Don’t say things like that.”
“Why not?”
“Mizuki went out with him because she likes him, so it’s better if they last.”
Ryosuke gave him an exasperated look. “Man, I really don’t get you.”
“Don’t get what?”
“Normally, if the girl you like gets a boyfriend, you’d wish for them to break up.”
“I don’t think like that.” Takumi answered instantly.
Only Nao remained silent.
After leaving the restaurant, Ryosuke headed home first. Nao and Takumi walked toward the station together.
“Takumi,” Nao said.
“Yeah?”
“Are you really okay with this?”
Takumi kept staring straight ahead as he answered. “It’s not a matter of being okay or not.”
“But—”
“It’s the choice Mizuki made.”
Nao fell silent. They walked for a while.
Takumi gave a faint laugh. “Don’t make a face like that.”
“What kind of face?”
“Like I just got dumped.”
“You did get dumped.”
“Don’t say it like it’s the second time.”
Nao didn’t laugh.
“Takumi.”
“Yeah?”
“Just how long…” She paused briefly. “…are you planning to stay as the most convenient person for Mizuki-chan?”
Takumi stopped walking. Nao stopped too.
“Watch your phrasing.”
“Sorry. But that’s honestly how it looks to me.”
“Mizuki is—”
“I know. She doesn’t mean anything bad by it, right?” Nao cut him off before he could finish.
Takumi went silent.
Nao lowered her voice slightly. “But she has a boyfriend now.”
“Yeah.”
“From now on, when Mizuki-chan feels lonely, who’s going to be by her side?”
Takumi didn’t answer.
“When something happy happens?”
“…Her boyfriend, obviously.”
“Then what about you?”
Takumi gave a small, faint smile. “A friend.”
Nao stared at Takumi for a long moment. “Can you really do that?”
This time, Takumi couldn’t answer.
That night, a message arrived from Mizuki.
【 Takumi-san 】
Normally, he would open it right away. Takumi stared at the screen and waited a few moments—about thirty seconds—before finally opening it.
【 So, about Ren-kun… 】
The moment he saw those words, Takumi closed his eyes.
Of course.
Happy things. Anxious things.
Mizuki would always share them with him. That used to make him happy—until now.
After thinking for a moment, Takumi replied:
【 What happened? 】
Mizuki immediately sent back a long wall of text. Takumi began to read it.
He wasn’t the one she had chosen.
And yet, the person she wanted to talk to most about her romance was still him.