I approach Alina's side as if to replace Taku.
She had been so hostile and uncomfortable, but now she is as quiet as the surface of a lake. I talk to Alina as if she were a sensitive bomb.

You were scary just now.
'I don't know what you're talking about.
'You were saying a lot of nasty things to a member of the men's tennis club.'
'Oh, no. He was so persistent.
'Do you know him?'
'No. I've never seen him before.'

You mean you've never met him before.
You don't look like you're lying.

You don't have any idea what I'm talking about? The other side seemed to know.
No, I don't. Don't underestimate my memory. I don't know.
I am, huh?
'Yes, it is. I don't know.
'Does the other one know?'
'Maybe.'

She straightened her back,

'So, what are you up to?'
'?
'That was a first-year student. I'm sure you and Shirana were up to something. I hope she goes to hell.
'You're sharp. To tell you the truth, Nakatani Taku is from the same junior high school as you and has a crush on Hinoha Arina. I was going to confess it to you today.
''What's the point of telling me?''
'Well, yeah. I can't tell him about your situation without your permission, and if I say anything to stop him, he'll think I'm interested in Alina. I don't want that.
'Why do you have to have a crush on me?
He likes Arina Hiba more than you can imagine. And it's a common belief that I'm the only student who can have a serious conversation with you. He'll further misunderstand that I'm special to you.
'Oh, that's a pain in the ass. And can you stop saying 'you'? I'm Alina Hiba, too.
'Sorry. It was thoughtless.
'No need to apologize. I'm grateful. You're like mouse excrement to me. I know it's surprising.
'Huh, what?'
'Only Dr. Akakusa and you know who I am. My family doesn't know either. At home I try to act as much like the beloved Alina as possible. Only two people in the world know me as a person. That's enough.

I was puzzled by the unusual phrasing. Is it nuclear war tomorrow that this guy is thanking me? But he doesn't seem to be kidding.
She went on in a matter-of-fact way.

I want to know why 'I' came into being. Am I completely separate from Arina Hiba, or am I a part of Arina Hiba? But I have a lack of memory, I can't share my memories. I think I am a different personality from Arina Hiba. No one loves me.
'Is that why you reject people?'
'No, I'm not. I don't consciously act that way. It's unconscious. It's not my choice. The fact that I'm a little more tolerant of you for some reason proves exactly that.
It makes more sense to be consciously tolerant of me. I don't think you can do it unconsciously.'
If that's the case, then maybe you really are special to me.

For some reason she laughed self-deprecatingly. A weak smile, as if to say that she was stupid or miserable. Her bangs cover her eyes and hide her expression.

To me, Arina Hiba is a high school girl in front of me.
The Arina Hiba I met in the infirmary is a stranger to me.

I wonder who I am trying to save.




As soon as the tennis club finishes its activities for the day, Arina and I decide to break up.
The sun sets early in the autumn. Shivering in the cold, I was about to head for the rose garden when Shirana stopped me. She called out to Alina as she walked toward the rose garden.

'Alina, go ahead of me.
I'll be waiting for you in hell.
'Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.

After confirming that Alina has moved away, he turns to Shirana.

'Well, that was a hell of a scene,' she said.
'I wonder if Taku-kun is okay. I wonder if Taku-kun is alright. He looks like he has a bad mental condition.
'Well, it must be hard for you. Anyone would lose confidence after being beaten to a pulp like that.
I'm sorry I caused you trouble. So, I was wondering...''
''Hmm?''
'Alina-san, where are you waiting for the comet?'
'What are you talking about ? '


'You asked me to go ahead, but maybe you're in that former teacher's office ......?'
'Ah, ah, ah, ah.'
'What are Alina-san and Comet doing over there after school?'
'Ahhhh.'

d*mn it. I can't come up with the best and most effective excuse!
He has been deceiving Shirana that he is being forced to help out in various ways by the teachers, but he still keeps his true purpose hidden. For Alina's sake, I must keep this a secret. Think, Comet Sakakiki. You're a brilliant man.
Yes, we have to make her forget with a shocking topic.
And what would that be?
What is it? Think. Something a high school girl would be surprised to hear. Think of a tag that can be associated with high school girls.
High school girls, sweets, cosmetics, love, skirt, thighs, breasts, skin, profile, fingertips, eyes. Shit! All I'm getting from the second half is my proclivities!
What am I going to do! My computing power usage is now going to reach 100 percent. Think. Don't just feel. I'm so glad Bruce Lee's words are no longer of any use to me.
Speak a sentence with impact or it's over. Oh, impactful, something, come on, synapse.

'Shirana. Slugs can melt sugar.
''Huh?''
''Huh?''

Shirana is puzzled. I'm a bit puzzled too.
But within a few seconds, her expression returns to normal.

'So Arina and Comet were dating after all. ......

Why would I do that? If I don't do something, they'll find out. My past efforts not to tell her about our relationship, in consideration of the negative impact on Alina, fizzle out. No, isn't it okay to tell Shirana in the first place? No! I can't risk it!

At that moment, Comet Sakakimagi received a sign from God.

The word "going out" sent electricity through his brain like a thunderbolt.
High school girls are vulnerable to love, and they want it. For them, it must be sweeter than any pastry.
I decided to take advantage of that.

"Shirana.
''What?''
I liked you in middle school.
'Yeah--'

Of course, I never liked Shirana. I mean in LOVE. It's not that I'm not attracted to her. My taste is more for beautiful girls like Alina, so we're going in different directions.
My precise, appropriate, and destructive words made Shirana as red as a tomato. My mistake, I blushed her cheeks. If she turns red like a tomato, she's sick. Tomatoes are my favorite vegetable. I want tomato juice.
Turning my back to Shirana, who had fallen silent, I heard the enemy's declaration of surrender and took a step forward with my left foot, shaking myself like a soldier who proclaims victory with every bone in his body.
I had won.
I did not give in, I kept the information. I deserved the incentive.

Wait!

Shirana stops him.
Oh, come on, girl. Waiting for the king's move is against the philosophy of war, isn't it?

'Actually, I really liked the comet...'

Ohhhhhh!

If this story were a movie, I bet Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' would be playing.

Ender.