“Sakura.”
“Aoi.”
As soon as the homeroom ended that day, both Minase and Kuki called out to me at the same time.
“Hm?”
Apparently, the two hadn’t noticed each other until now, and when their timing overlapped, they glanced at each other awkwardly.
“Go ahead,” Minase said, gesturing for Kuki to speak first.
“I was thinking of hanging out with you for a bit, Aoi,” Kuki began.
“I don’t mind. But what about your club?”
“Taking the day off.”
For some reason, he said that with a smug grin.
“But actually, I’ll pass today. Looks like Minase’s got something to talk about. I’ll back off and let you owe me one. See ya.”
With a wave over his shoulder, Kuki walked off. …That guy really doesn’t understand what kind of favors people need.
“Um…”
Minase looked troubled as she watched him go.
“What should we do?”
“He said it himself, so there’s no point calling him back now. So? You wanted to talk?”
“Yeah. Let’s walk while we talk,” Minase said.
I packed up my things and left the classroom with her.
We chatted idly as we walked down the hallway and changed our shoes at the entrance.
“Do you already know what you’re having for dinner tonight?”
As we stepped out through the school gate and headed toward the station, Minase asked me.
“More or less.”
“Would it be a problem if you didn’t cook it today?”
I thought back to the ingredients I had at home. The pork belly’s expiration date was today, so I’d planned to use it—but if I froze it, it’d be fine for another day or two.
“Yeah, tomorrow’s fine too.”
“Then, how about we go eat out together tonight?”
Her eyes sparkled as she made the suggestion.
“Sure, but is there somewhere you want to go?”
“Of course! ‘Coarse Salt Commander’!”
“Oh, that salt ramen place?”
I knew it. It’s the ramen shop near our station—famous for its salt-based ramen, with a logo featuring an axe and shield for some reason.
“That’s kinda sudden.”
“I just remembered it and started craving it,” Minase pouted.
“So you’ve been there before?”
“Yeah, sometimes after club practice. We’d drop by together.”
She smiled fondly at the memory—apparently, no bad memories attached.
Well, that’s fine. I didn’t have a reason to refuse, and I could also bring up Yakushiji’s topic while we’re at it.
So dinner was decided—salt ramen.
§§§
We agreed to meet outside the apartment at 7 p.m.
When I stepped out a bit early, I heard footsteps coming down from the upper floor. Of course, it was Minase Mishio.
She appeared in baggy pants and a loose shirt, wearing a cap on her head. She looked like a rapper.
“Oh, Sakura! Yo!”
Spotting me, Minase raised a hand in greeting. For a split second, that day’s “flying tackle hug” flashed through my mind.
“Don’t jump, and definitely don’t hug me, alright?”
When I warned her, she pouted. “Boo…” Apparently, she had been planning to.
After meeting up, we headed downstairs and out to the street.
“That outfit makes you look like a rapper,” I said casually.
“I was going for a street style, actually.”
“You gonna dance or something?”
“Hmm, maybe? It’s been a while, so I might be rusty.”
Then, Minase jogged a few steps ahead, turned back toward me—and started dancing out of nowhere. I couldn’t help but stare. It was a real dance, sharp and dynamic, using her entire body.
After about ten seconds, her cap fell off, and she gave a sheepish laugh before striking a finishing pose.
“How was that?”
“Honestly, I’m impressed. Didn’t expect that.”
“Guess I’ve still got it,” she said, grinning shyly as she picked up her cap and dusted it off.
“You learned that at the talent school, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right… wait, did I ever tell you about that?”
She tilted her head. Crap. I’d heard that from Yakushiji, not her.
“Ah, I met Yakushiji the other day. She told me.”
“Asahi?”
Minase echoed, her eyes widening slightly as we resumed walking.
“So you talked to Asahi, huh? She’s a good girl. People think she’s scary ‘cause she’s so serious, but she’s actually really sweet. Is that your type, Sakura?”
“Don’t tease me,” I said, relieved that she didn’t seem bothered about me talking to Yakushiji.
“She was worried about you, though—wanted to know how you were doing after quitting the drama club. Said she hoped you’d come back someday.”
“Asahi’s such a kind girl,” Minase said softly, smiling.
“But sorry to her, I don’t plan on going back.”
“Because it’s not a club that can aim for nationals?”
“So you heard that too, huh? …Yeah, that’s part of it. But really, it’s not about nationals. It’s that no one’s serious about acting there. That’s why I’m done with it.”
It was clear that Minase had already made peace with that chapter of her life. Her quiet words—“I’m done with it”—said everything.
Yakushiji had said she wanted to rebuild the club with Minase, but now didn’t seem the time to bring that up.
“I’ve got my own little ‘former club members’ alliance’ now anyway,” she said cheerfully.
Was that really something to put on the same level as an actual drama club? I wasn’t so sure.
Before we knew it, the lights of the station came into view.
We arrived at the ramen shop “Coarse Salt Commander” and both ordered the standard salt ramen.
I was still a bit hungry, so I flipped through the menu, eyeing the fried chicken. Apparently, you could order by the piece, but six pieces were cheaper as a set. Six might be a bit much for me now, though.
“Minase, I’m thinking of getting some fried chicken. You want any?”
“Oh, yes please!” she said eagerly.
“How many can you eat?”
“Maybe two… or one.”
“Alright, six pieces it is. I’ll handle the rest.”
I called the waiter and ordered two salt ramens and six fried chicken pieces.
Minase was smiling happily across the table.
“What’s up?” I asked after the waiter left.
“This is nice,” she said. “Eating out at night like this.”
“Just that?”
“And sharing food too.”
“It’s not really sharing if we’re dividing it up beforehand,” I pointed out.
“Still counts!” she said, puffing her cheeks. “Hey, how about we make this part of our ‘former club members’ alliance’ activities?”
“Sure… but is late-night ramen really okay for your health?”
“Ugh…” She froze mid-sentence. Apparently, not okay.
“It’s fine, just sometimes!” she added quickly. I decided to let it slide.
“Oh, right! There’s going to be a marathon airing of my favorite drama on cable TV soon. Wanna watch it together?”
“When?”
“Next Saturday—well, technically Sunday. From midnight to 7 a.m. All eight episodes!”
“That’s… an all-nighter.”
“Technically Sunday!” she corrected proudly.
“Let me think about it,” I sighed, massaging my temples. I’d said yes earlier, but maybe I needed to reconsider.
Just then—
“Oh my, if it isn’t Minase-san.”
We looked up to see three girls in Kazamigaoka uniforms—third-years, by the looks of it.
“Ah, senpai. On your way back from practice?” Minase greeted them with a friendly smile.
So they were from the drama club after all.
“Of course. Unlike you, we don’t just quit halfway.”
“Quit? No, I just decided it wasn’t worth staying. The current club isn’t a place for real acting.”
Her words were sharp but honest.
The senior girls snorted derisively.
“You just can’t stick to anything. Didn’t you run away from your talent school too?”
“Oh, that again?” Minase sighed. “I told you, it was a difference in direction.”
“Sure, sure. ‘Difference in direction.’ Sounds like a band breaking up over ‘creative differences,’” one sneered.
Watching them, I realized—this must be what Yakushiji meant when she talked about Minase being badmouthed.
“What’s wrong with that?” Minase said calmly. “There’s no need to work with people you don’t fit with.”
Then she smiled and added, “By the way, do you know ‘Nightmare Maria’?”
“That K-pop girl group?” I answered without thinking.
“Oh, you know them too, Sakura?” she said, beaming at me.
“Just the name. They’re pretty famous.”
“Right? One of the members, Shiera—she moved to Korea because Japan didn’t suit her, and look at her now.”
She spoke casually, but the seniors looked uncertain.
“Actually, she was my classmate at the talent school. I’ll introduce you next time.”
“Huh?”
I couldn’t stop myself from blurting out. Wait, she knows *that* Shiera? The world-famous idol?
The drama club girls looked shocked too.
Minase smiled faintly. “You know, at those schools, people aren’t there to ‘learn’ how to sing or dance. They already can. They’re there to polish their weapons—to debut. You should visit sometime. You’ll see dozens of girls like Shiera, all burning with ambition.”
She said it so easily, but I could sense the pressure of that world in her tone. That was the kind of environment she had been in.
“So what? You still couldn’t make it,” one of the seniors spat.
“And I’m fine with that,” Minase replied coolly. “Believe it or not, doesn’t matter. …Oh, and Sakura, I’ll introduce you to Shiera by video call next time.”
“Wait, what—no, I don’t need that…”
Before I could finish, one of the seniors snapped, “You little—”
“Why don’t you sit down and order something instead?” I cut in, my tone sharper than I intended. “You’re disturbing the other customers.”
I was pissed. “You don’t even realize it, do you? Minase didn’t ‘run away.’ She transferred to a school known for acting because she *wanted* to act. And you’re the ones who ruined that club.”
Their faces twisted in anger.
“Keep making trouble here and the restaurant will report you to school. You’ll get the whole Kazamigaoka drama club banned. You want that?”
“Tch…” One of them bit her lip. “We’re leaving.”
They turned and stormed out.
“At least order something before you go,” I muttered. “What a waste.”
“Seriously,” Minase said, laughing lightly.
Right then, our ramen and fried chicken arrived. I placed a small plate in front of Minase. She smiled. “Thanks.”
We started eating.
“So good!”
“Yeah, it is.”
Seeing how genuinely happy she looked, I couldn’t help but smile too.
It had been a long time since I’d shared a meal with someone outside school.
“Ugh, I wish that whole scene hadn’t happened. Ruined the mood,” Minase sighed.
“You mean those girls?”
“No, me—dropping my friend’s name like that. It’s so lame. Like those people who brag about knowing someone famous because they’ve got nothing else to brag about.”
So that’s what was bothering her—using her connection to Shiera.
“Still, it’s true you left the school for a reason, right?”
“Yeah. Directional differences.”
She nodded. “Talent schools mostly want kids who can sing and dance. Like Shiera—oh, her real name’s Kyoka, by the way. She’s amazing. But I’ve always loved acting more. I want to be on stage, where I can see the audience’s faces.”
Her voice was filled with quiet determination.
“Then you didn’t run away,” I said.
“Huh?”
She blinked at me.
“You quit because you wanted something real. That’s not running away.”
“Yeah,” she said softly, smiling again.
To run away, you first have to reach your destination. Minase hadn’t. She was still chasing it. That wasn’t escape—it was pursuit.
“Oh, and about that drama marathon—you know what? I’ll join you.”
“Really!? Thank you!”
Her face lit up with pure joy.
Well… for her, I guess staying up all night once in a while isn’t so bad.
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