When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

“Kandou-kun, thank you for helping until the end despite being tired from the support speech.”

“Well, I’ve received a lot of help from Shion this time, so let me at least help clean up.”

Having finished cleaning up after the support speech, Kandou-kun and I are walking side by side back to the school building.

“Besides, I wouldn’t get a chance to talk leisurely with Shion otherwise.”

“…Hehe, you’re right.”

The other students have already returned to the classrooms, and now it’s just me and Kandou-kun.

I orchestrated this so that we could have some time alone.

There are only a few minutes until we return to the school building, but I still wanted to be with Kandou-kun.

I wanted to be with Kandou-kun for even one second longer. So naturally, I find myself walking slower.

Kandou-kun notices the unnatural pace of my walk, but he doesn’t say anything and matches my pace.

I don’t know how much he understands my feelings.

“Besides, I wanted to compare answers.”

“Compare answers…?”

“Yeah, this support speech. You orchestrated it, didn’t you, Shion?”

Kandou-kun said that without looking at my face.

I see, so that’s what he meant by comparing answers.

“You told Aoi-san about me, got her involved in Akane’s student council election, leaked information to the person who would likely ask for a support speech, and created a situation where I had no choice but to give a support speech.”

“Bravo.”

As Kandou-kun says, I orchestrated this whole situation.

For a certain purpose.

“But there’s one thing I don’t understand.”

“Oh, there’s something even you don’t understand, Kandou-kun?”

“Well, I’m not a god. Why did you do all this?”

“It’s simple. I wanted to gauge your current abilities and share them with the other students. In fact, this support speech really made me feel how exceptional you are, Kandou-kun.”

“It’s not a big deal to move the hearts of the masses. You and Aoi-san could do it too, right?”

“Hehe…”

Kandou-kun looks at me with a surprised expression as I chuckle.

He doesn’t seem to understand why I’m laughing.

“I’m not mocking you. The students who were there are all future leaders of our country. I’m just relieved that you, who can say such a thing to the masses, are the same as you always were.”

“…Relieved?”

“Yes, that the Kandou Itsuki I supported hasn’t changed at all.”

When I say this, he looks away with a bitter expression.

“…When we get back to the classroom, it’s going to be quite a scene.”

Kandou-kun says this with a slightly weary look as he gazes at the school building.

Most likely, what awaits Kandou-kun next will be voices filled with curiosity and admiration from his classmates.

But…

“Perhaps, didn’t your classmates already suspect you were Kandou?”

“…Huh?”

Then Kandou-kun makes a surprised face.

I can’t help but smile at his face, which seems to say he hadn’t even thought of that.

“Haven’t you ever been told that you look alike or that you remind them of someone?”

“Well, I have, but… I always denied it.”

“Perhaps they were just accepting your denial because they understood your situation?”

Changing your last name and suddenly transferring back would lead to various suspicions.

And only those who are very close to you would ask about such things.

“Eh, eh…”

While the appearance may be different, the existence of “Kandou Itsuki” isn’t something light to them that can be deceived by such things.

It seems the person himself is not aware of this.

“You thought you wouldn’t be recognized because your appearance and name were different, didn’t you?”

“…Ugh.”

He averts his gaze awkwardly. It seems I hit the nail on the head.

“Kandou-kun’s only flaw is that he can’t properly evaluate himself.”

And that can sometimes be a fatal flaw.

“…I can’t compete with Shion.”

“Hehe, even so, you are still—”

“As expected of my partner.”

Kandou’s words quickened my heartbeat.

“Huh? Did you forget? You and I are partners, aren’t we? Those were your words to me when we first met.”

“…Yes, I remember it well.”

I still vividly remember when I first met you. However, bringing up those words now of all times…

I suppose it’s strange that I react so emotionally to each and every one of your words.

You really are…

“Well, you, my partner, disappeared all of a sudden without saying anything…”

“No, I really am sorry… I felt bad about that. That’s why I sent a letter as soon as I returned here, telling you that I was back at this school, right?”

“Yes, I still occasionally read the love letter that you put your feelings into.”

“A, a love letter… You’re still mad, aren’t you?”

“Hehe… I wonder?”

Maybe I was a bit mean, but I’m not angry anymore about you suddenly disappearing when we were in middle school.

It’s easy to assume that something must have happened in the Kandou family.

But let’s keep you in suspense a little longer about me.

Before I knew it, we were almost at the school building.

It seems that enjoyable time really does fly by.

“Kandou-kun.”

In the end, I stop and reach out with my right hand to his cheek.

“…Shion?”

When I touch his cheek, there is a definite warmth there.

I feel relieved at that warmth.

Ah, Kandou-kun is here.

“No… I’m sorry. I just… I don’t want to forget this warmth.”

When Kandou-kun hears my words, he tightens his grip on my right hand.

“…Rest assured. I won’t suddenly disappear anymore.”

I’m slightly surprised by his words, which seem to dispel the anxiety I’m feeling.

“…Are you worried?”

“Yes… I am worried. Words alone aren’t enough.”

You always disappear just when I think I’ve caught you. That’s the kind of person you are.

I refrain from voicing the feelings that involuntarily overflowed, and keep them to myself.

This pep rally was merely a prelude. My true objective lies several steps ahead.

But Kandou-kun will never realize it.

Believing so, I started walking towards the school building again.