The boy, one of the new students, who had passed his high school entrance exams, stood in front of the school gate of his new school, his face tightened.
　But for all his tightness, he was unreliable. His height is about average for his age.
　He has striking hair that has a blue tinge to it when the light hits it, but when it's this boy's, it all looks normal, perhaps because of the atmosphere that comes from within.
　Around me, the new students are excitedly looking forward to their new school life before the entrance ceremony. Some of them were taking pictures with their parents who were there with them.
　In the midst of all this, this boy mutters to himself with deep emotion.

I don't know how they got in!　But it's just the beginning. Three years............short but long. I'll have to step up somehow.

　After saying that, he walks towards the direction of the elevators, as if he had made up his mind.

'I have no choice but to do it......... I'm the only one I can rely on.''

　This boy, Dohdori Hiroto, will be a new student at Jilin High School in Horaiin, a private school, starting this year.
　Jirin High School is a prestigious school that has been in existence for 90 years and is known for its emphasis on both the humanities and the martial arts and for producing many unique and famous people. The school culture is free and popular.
　For a moment, Yuto, who had a difficult look on his face, relaxed and looked around.
　The grounds of the school are large, and behind the magnificent school building, there is a mountain behind the school that is densely covered with large trees, so the scenery is not bad.
　Masato gazed at that back hill.

''.........the grounds of the school here. Somehow.........I can feel it, especially from that back hill.......

Yo, Yuto!

Ow!

　Suddenly, he was slapped on the back from behind and Yuto fell down in front of him.
　When he turned around, Hakamada Ichigo, a bad friend from the same junior high school, was standing there. And as usual, Ichigo put his hand on Yuto's shoulder with a bloody face.

''What is it?　You look as dull as ever.

'You're too good to me as always!　No, it's too dull!　

　Yuto's eyes widen as he realizes with a huff, and he gets a little teary-eyed.

''Hey, what, did it hurt that much?''

'No no no no!　Ichigo!

　Despite the fact that he already had his hands around him, Yuto was still laying into Ichigo.
　Feeling an unusual pressure, Ichigo pulled his nose and arched his back.

'Then what!　I'm scared!

You, you're a.... You're pretty important to me, aren't you!　I'm glad I did!

　Yuto hugged her with all his strength.

''Uge!　Hey, hey, get away from me!

　The schoolgirls around the noisy duo were looking at them passionately.

"Look at that, what is that?" or "Don't tell me it's your girlfriend! 'Isn't there a lot of individuality in this school?　

　Sensitive to that situation around him, Ichigo pushes Masato away with all his strength.

''Ah........''

Taku!　What the f*ck!　I'm sure I gave you a ridiculous misunderstanding early on in your enrollment!

Oh I'm sorry. I didn't think you'd remember me...

Yeah?

Oh, no!　It's been a long time since I've seen you.

Long time?　We're in the same middle school, so it's only three weeks or so, you know?

'Oh, oh, yes!　Yeah.

　For a moment, Ichigo looks curious, but then he laughs a bit and the two of them get into their usual groove.

''Oh, I see, Ichigo went to the same high school as you, right?''

'Yeah, it was a challenging school, so I didn't think I'd get in.

　At first glance, this Hakamada Ichigo has a well-defined face, but he seems to have a light-hearted or something, and it is hard to deny that he has a sense of fun. However, he and Yuto have a strange affinity for each other, and they've been playing together since their junior high school days.
　Ichigo was a good talker and his jovial personality always made him the center of the class. It was surprising to him that he was close with Yuto, who was rather on the opposite end of the spectrum from the aggressive and prominent Ichigo, but it wasn't a bad idea to go to the same high school again with an old bad friend.

''More importantly, Yuto!　This place is awesome!

　Ichigo puts his hands around his shoulders once more.
　Yuto is wary of his evil friend, who speaks excitedly at all times, fearing further misunderstandings from those around him.
　At times like this, Ichigo generally doesn't think of anything fragile.

''Wha, what?''

'Look around you. Well, it's a famous private school in the country, and there are lots of pretty girls with a ladylike appearance. It's going to be busy from the first day.

　Yuto sighed heavily.

(Even though this one isn't where it is........ Don't tell me this guy wasn't studying for that...)

　However, today is the entrance ceremony, and usually the mood might be uplifting.

''Haha.... Well, good luck with that.

　What is Ichigo saying to that Yuto's attitude?　He makes a face as if to say.

''Well you're going to help, too.

'What!　Why me?　You're not the only one!　You're good at that, right?

　Ichigo turned his head to the side and breathed lightly through his nose while placing his hand near his brow.

(Ah, what's that, it's pissing me off.......this guy.)

　Ichigo turns to face Yuto. That gesture also has some kind of acting in it.

''You........do you have a girlfriend?''

I'm not there but I know you're not there either!

　The bad friend didn't care about that statement, and the last part of the statement, as if to cover it up, the bad friend continued to talk.

''We're all sunny and high school students now, do you want a girlfriend, Yuto-kun?''

　The "Yuto-kun" part is rather loud.

' "Did you just mislead me?

Do you want her?

Well I'd like to have them if I could, but...

Of course. It's perfectly natural. Well, you're going to help me with that. It's settled.

　Ichigo moves slowly, placing his right hand on Yuto's shoulder and staring at his son with a look on his face.

'May I?　Yuto. Good at it, not bad at it!　I know you want her. But she's not here. Why?

　As he says this, Ichigo stares at the sky, closes his eyes and places his fist on his chest.

''So you won't even be there Ichigo...''

''Yuto-kun. It's ... an action.

Hey, you hear me?　Ichigo. Are you listening to me?

'It's no secret that throughout history the doers get more respect than the originators of things. By the way, I don't know what you're trying to say, but I'm not without a girlfriend...

Nah, nah, I'm sure.

　Without recalling it, Ichigo had been popular since middle school. He was well spoken and not bad looking. It was popular. The proof of that was the fact that he had a ridiculously large number of female friends. Despite his appearance, apparently he wasn't badly intelligent either.
　Maybe that's what made him so attractive. It's a far cry from the fact that I was unimpressed by the opposite s*x.

'That's why you need to act. I'm not waiting around and I'm not going to spend my days like a retired old man. I want a girlfriend, I want to be strong, I want to be smart, whatever. The first step in fulfilling any desire is to take action.

　Ichigo also placed his left hand on Yuto's shoulder and grabbed both of them forcefully.

'And you're not that bad of a material!　You're a gem in the rough. Trust me and trust me. I'll get you to that broadway, I promise!

What the hell is that?　This persuasion is....

　Hearing the name of her, the face of the girl with the same indigo hair that he had met and spent time with before this entrance into the school, flashed through Yuto's mind for a brief moment.

(Yes.........she would surely.......)

What's up?　All of a sudden, it got very serious.

　Ichigo looks into Yuto's face......and Yuto suddenly lets out a loud voice.

''All right!　Ichigo. I'll do my best too. First, tell me what I have to do!

'Wow!　Yeah, right!　Do you understand me?　So, you're taking the first step towards realizing your potential. Okay, first things first.　Don't think a beautiful girl will come to you on her own. It's going to come from us.

Oh, I'm walking away!　I'm going to walk out on you!　Even if you're behind... no!　Be strong and kind to the poor!

'That's the spirit, Yuto! We're going to have to work on the assumption that they won't come to us.

　Breathlessly, they face each other and intertwine their elbows with each other. This is the signal of agreement they've had since middle school.
　They are mingling just outside the school gates and are unaware of a girl approaching.
　That girl is drawing the gaze of several people, especially the boys.
　Then the girl stops behind the two excited men.

'Good morning, you two. What are you doing here?　Are you ready for the ceremony?

　When Yuto and Ichigo turned around, a girl with an appearance befitting her ladylike voice was standing there.

''Huh?　Did they come over here without permission...?

　As if he had been caught off guard, Ichigo responds in a goofy voice.
　The girl, holding a student bag in her hands, with lustrous chestnut-colored hair that stretched to her shoulders, just catches the ears of those around her, even though she's just walking.

''It wasn't!　Good morning, Shirasawa-san. It's just that... We were just talking about how it would be great if we could be in the same class as you.

　Feeling immediately calmer, Ichigo smiled at the girl. Although the content of what they were talking about was different, Masato couldn't help but be impressed by the tact of not worsening his own impression of the opposite s*x in this area.
　The girl was Shirasawa Mari, who was from the same junior high school. She is wearing a brand new school uniform and her skirt looks short, probably because it is high on her waist.
　Yuto also immediately responded to this familiar girl with a smile.

''Oh, good morning, Mari. So, yeah!　We were talking about how we wish we could be in the same class.

　Mari grinned with a carefree smile.

'Yeah. You two get along great, don't you?

(Come to think of it, Mari hasn't forgotten about me either...)

　While looking at Mari's dazzling smile, Yuto can't help but think about something deeply emotional.

''Normally, it seems there are many places where class divisions are notified in advance, but I heard that the class announcements here are given to everyone on paper on the day of the entrance ceremony. The classification system at this school is simple and easy, so you don't have to spend a lot of time thinking about it.

　Yuto didn't really care about it, but he did, I guess.

'And hey, did you know that?　This school is a little different, we have a set number of openings, but we don't have a set gender ratio.

Huh?　It's....

　What does it mean for Ichigo and Yuto?　You'll have a look on your face.

'I mean, it's completely based on the exam results, and we're going to give out passes from the top. So this year, you know ... it seems that the exam results were better for the girls, and it's six to four for the girls.

　As soon as he heard that, Ichigo's expression almost collapsed....

''So it's good to see you. There are a lot of pretty girls with a ladylike appearance. Don't let them skip the first day. Because as someone from the same middle school, I don't think they'll be too impressed with that kind of show-off.

　His face is smiling like the Mona Lisa.
　But why is that?　The two boys can feel the cold sweat running down their backs.
　Something intimidating.......especially as it's directed at Yuto.
　The tension from earlier disappears into the distance, and to his dismay, Yuto responds.

''Yes, that's right. Ha, you shouldn't get too excited, yes. At all!　This is a hallowed schoolhouse. I can't forgive an insolent person like that either........ Um, why are you staring at me all the time?

　While Yuto was talking, Ichigo put on a cool face and said, "You heard everything. I don't know........" attitude.

''Come on, let's go. The gymnasium is at the back of the school building. Come on, Masato, hurry up too. Don't be in a daze!

　After saying that, Mari begins to walk off with a light step. Although she is polite in her use of language to everyone, she is a bit strict with Yuto, since they have been friends for a long time.
　But that's not the only thing that comes to mind right now, and even from this firm girl, a lighthearted mood can be seen.
　Since it's the entrance ceremony, she thinks she's doing what she normally does, but she's still in an upbeat mood.
　Then, yes!　Mari looks back at him like this.

'Speaking of which, Yuto. Where did you go for spring break?　I've shown up at the dojo a few times.

'What!　Really?

　Yuto says in surprise, not meeting his eyes.

''Uh, I've been out for a bit...''

Hmm. All spring break?　I asked my master, though, and he said he'd be back soon.

'Grandpa?　...Oh, no, it's been longer than I thought it would be.

　Mari's eyes narrowed a bit and she listened with a hefty smile.
　Yuto felt the air demand for further explanation and got a little defensive.

'Shirasawa-san. Do you still go to the swordsmanship dojo at Yuto's place?

　The bad friend's statement that casually changed the topic of conversation made Yuto inwardly great!　I compliment him.

'Hmm?　Yeah, I was going to continue kendo in high school, so I didn't want to dull my senses.

Wow, you are so serious. After all, there's a difference between people who have participated in the national tournament and those who haven't.

'No, it's not. It's like doing a spiritual discipline.

　Despite her modesty, this girl named Mari Shirasawa was a talented girl who was famous for her kendo skills, and had won second place in a national tournament when she was in middle school. For the sake of spiritual cultivation, it was accompanied by a tremendous amount of achievements.
　There, Polone!　And then there was a strange electronic sound. What is it?　When Masato tilted his head, Mari took out her pink smartphone from her breast pocket as if she had noticed.

''Oh, I'm sorry. I'm going to go ahead, since my friend is waiting for me.

'Mari!　You bought a cell phone!

Yes. We were strict about this kind of thing at home, but.... My dad bought it for me as a gift for my new school...

　When Masato gives Mari a look of heartfelt envy as she happily replies, Ichigo with a wry smile interrupts from the side.

''Hmph, actually, I was bought by you too.

Eh!

　Yuto stared at the shiny blue cell phone Ichigo had taken out.

''Shirasawa-san. Give me your phone number next time.

Yeah, sure.

　Yuto is stunned by such an exchange, like a native who has been completely left behind by the times.

''Well, I'll see you later.''

　Saying that, Mari goes off at a short run towards the gym.
　Yuto also waved his hand and stared at Mari's distant posterior, looking nostalgic.......as if it had been several years since their first encounter.



　It was when Masato and Mari Shirasawa met when they were in the fourth year of elementary school.
　Yuto's family had a small old school swordsmanship dojo that his grandfather had opened.
　He had opened it, but there were no students at the time. In that sense, it was questionable to Yuto whether it was open, but then Masato's grandfather, Tenzo, and Mari's father, Masataka, were known friends, and Mari, his first student, had been admitted to the dojo.
　Although they attended different elementary schools, Masato and Mari were the same age, and as they were the same age, they quickly became friends and took lessons from each other in swordsmanship.
　At that time, Masato was truly happy to have this cute, solid introductory student. Even the most boring training sessions seemed to be fun when practicing with Mari.
　Mari practiced three times a week, but from her appearance it was hard to imagine that she was so strong-willed and competitive that her swordsmanship improved rapidly after she was introduced to the school.
　After that, although Masato and Mari attended different elementary schools, since the two elementary schools were in the same area where the two schools were consolidated into a single middle school after graduation, they also became classmates at the same school from middle school.
　Because of this, Masato and Mari have an unconcerned relationship with each other.

Shirasawa-san is as seamless as ever, isn't she? She is cute, has excellent grades, and is a national level kendo player. In addition, she has a good personality and her house is quite rich, isn't it?

　While saying that, Ichigo glanced at Yuto. Yuto noticed his gaze.

What?

It's not worth it. No wonder she dumped you...

'Gu!　Don't rehash the old story. I'm sure Ichigo would have supported you then, too!

I knew it was going to work out, you know?

What?

'No, it's nothing.... It's just that girls are complicated, I guess. So, Shirasawa-san said at that time, what was it?　How are you getting along with this guy you say is far away?

'Well I don't know the details, but you're doing well. Then again, I've never heard of it.

'You........are you still reeling from being rejected by Shirasawa-san?

'Haha, that's gone. Really.

'Well, it was one of the biggest rejections I've ever received, as a man. But that was a year ago already. Now, go find a new love. If I find a good girl, I'll introduce you to her too.

'Dahhhh, I'm not really dragging it out!　It's just that....

'Only?　(Heh, it looks like you're really blowing it off...)

'See, Mari, you're so caring, aren't you?　So.....

　Ichigo knew what Yuto was trying to say.

''Ah ... a year ago. It was about three months after spring break when I was in the third grade, right?　You mean after you've been out of school for an extended period of time?

Yes.

Well, I had to put myself out of my misery and take care of your lagging studies. It's a little complicated to be taken care of by a woman who has been dumped. Well, women don't understand that part of a man's heart.


　In fact, Yuto confessed to Mari at the end of the third semester of junior high school.
　And he was successfully rejected.
　That was something that Yuto was prepared for, but the content of the confession was also terrible.
　Apparently it was a complete coincidence, but the day before Masato confessed his feelings to Mari, Mari told him that a boy who seemed to be one year older than Mari, who had been her friend since she was little, had confessed his feelings to her.
　At that moment, who was Masato also?　I asked him.

'You don't know who it is!　His name is ... well, yes, Katayama-kun.

　Yuto had known Mari since the fourth year of elementary school, but he didn't know this person at all, which meant that, as things stood, two men had confessed to Mari two days in a row.
　But maybe it wasn't unusual. Every year, Mari receives a number of confessions from a number of people.
　However, those had either not met Mari's needs or were not interested, and she had refused them all.
　However, nevertheless.
　This time, to her surprise, she agreed to go out with a guy she went to elementary school with on hold. The word "on hold" means that it is not official, but a friend.
　However, this was an unthinkable event in Mari's pattern of refusing all confessions until now.
　Naturally, this quickly became the talk of the whole school. There was a great deal of excitement as to who the mystery man was.
　By the way, Masato was completely rejected, and as expected, it was too much, and it didn't even become a rumor....
　It's not a good idea to be a good sport, and furthermore, Yuto, who has never been attracted to a girl, summoned up all the courage he had left in him, and he was prepared to be crushed.
　That was true, but as expected, he hadn't anticipated this situation.
　As a result, it was only natural........
　Yuto fell to the bottom.
　He had been prepared for this....
　Also, Mari would come to the dojo at Yuto's house every Sunday afternoon.
　Needless to say, right after being rejected, Masato was quite nervous.
　However.........Mari's attitude was exactly the same as usual. This made Masato more upset.
　In addition, after practice at the dojo, that Katayama, one year older than her, seemed to have come to pick Mari up, and Masato repeatedly told her that he had something to do with Katayama-kun! I've been told.
　And even though it's withholding, it's no surprise that they're going out................but they seem to be on good terms, yes, they seem to be on good terms.
　The reason for this is that Mari has told me many things about Katayama-kun every now and then.
　She said that he was full of confidence, or the type of person who would lead, and that if things went on like this, they might even go out officially.
　Yuto was repeatedly told by Mari how it was going on, and it knocked Yuto's heart, which was at the bottom of the heap even more, down to the abyss.
　The only people who know the whole story are themselves and some of their few friends.
　One of those few friends, Ichigo, turned his face to Yuto.

(When I was in front of you, you started explaining things too much....... I mean, this senior guy named Katayama........well, it doesn't change the fact that he was rejected)

''Let's go too, Yuto. Yeah, I seriously hope we're in the same class.

　When Ichigo said that, Yuto nodded.

''Yeah?　Oh, yes.