In the evening, Keyaki Mall showed a different scene. Now that Christmas had passed, the trees were already removed in various places, and preparations for the New Year were underway.
There wasn't a store specifically for cakes in Keyaki Mall, so I headed to the cake section in the mall's supermarket. However—
"It's not here."
The regular cakes were on display, but I couldn't find any discounted ones.
The special Christmas corner's been removed, and I can't even find a whole cake. Did they all sell out, or were they already discarded?
Since the mall was located within the school grounds, the number of customers was limited, so they may not have stocked too much.
I wasn't particularly craving it, but I couldn't help feeling a little disappointed now that it wasn't available.
Even so, it wasn't worth buying at the full price and bringing back.
I didn't want to waste money here, even though I made a pointless trip.
For now, I went around the inside of the supermarket two or three times to see if there was anything I needed, but in the end, I left the store empty-handed.
"Ayanokōji-kun."
Just as I was about to leave Keyaki Mall, I was called out from the side.
Sakayanagi, sitting on a bench and waving her hand toward me, was the one who called.
"Are you going home now?"
"Yes."
"It seems you've only been here for about 15 minutes."
"Have you been watching?"
"I just saw you leaving the dormitory."
I see. In that case, it's not surprising that she'd want to call out to me. I had left the dormitory just a few minutes ago and was leaving without buying anything.
I told her about Kei being bedridden with the flu and spending Christmas without doing anything. In addition, I talked about coming to the supermarket thinking that I might've been able to eat a cake at a cheap price.
"Is that so?"
"I missed the timing, so the opportunity slipped away."
If I didn't eat it even on the 25th, I would be off course this year.
"I couldn't have it today, but I'll eat it next year."
"Hehe."
Sakayanagi, still seated on the bench, laughed elegantly.
"What's so funny?"
"No one can guarantee they'll be able to eat cake at this school next year, right?"
"...Indeed."
"In your case, if you go back to your parents, you'll be living a life without cake."
"I wouldn't be able to get a cake even on my birthday."
Should I go back to the supermarket now?
Sakayanagi, who couldn't see my shallow thinking, stood up with her cane.
"By the way, I don't recommend the supermarket's cake."
"Is that so?"
"I hate to say it, but it's a mass-produced product that could be found anywhere. It has to be handmade by a craftsman."
"But there are limited places where you can buy a cake."
"The convenience store also has surprisingly good options."
Oh, right. The Mont Blanc that Sakayanagi brought before was from a convenience store, I think.
"In order to get a truly satisfying taste, you have to order it."
Sakayanagi started walking and stopped as she passed by.
"Would you mind accompanying me for a while?"
"Where to? Going out alone with the leader of Class A would stand out too much."
"Don't worry. Our one-on-one time will end soon."
No sooner after Sakayanagi said that, she lightly raised her hand in a direction away from me
A male student who spotted Sakayanagi then quickly approached her.
"I'm sorry, Sakayanagi-san. Did I keep you waiting?"
"You're a bit late. But, thanks to that, I was able to kill some enjoyable time, so it's fine."
It seemed that the time she killed was our casual chat.
"Sanada-kun, have you ever spoken to Ayanokōji-kun before?"
"No. Actually, today's the first time."
While bowing politely to me, Sanada answered her question.
As a student from the same year, I had seen his face several times. However, there were no opportunities to talk face-to-face until now, so it was the first time as Sanada said.
His name was Sanada Kousei. His OAA was as follows:
Academic Ability – A
Physical Ability – C+
Adaptability – B+
Social Contribution – B+
Overall Ability – B
He was an extremely talented person with an A in academic ability—something only a limited number of second-year students could obtain.
His physical ability was average, and there were no outstanding weaknesses in other areas.
Although Sanada was an honor student, I had never seen him with Sakayanagi before.
As I had been interacting with more and more Class A students recently, I was reminded of how little contact I had with Sakayanagi's classmates.
At least, it didn't seem like the two of them just happened to be together by chance.
"I've always wanted to talk to you, Ayanokōji-kun."
His speech was polite, and his demeanor was gentle.
It didn't feel bad to have someone of the same sex take an interest in me.
"Is that so?"
I didn't think I had done anything to attract Sanada's attention.
"Oh really? What aspects caught your eye?"
On my behalf, Sakayanagi asked Sanada that question.
"He's recently stood out in Class B, and also—"
Without breaking his smiling posture, Sanada approached me.
Then he gently grabbed my right arm and moved me away from Sakayanagi, who was standing next to me.
"Excuse me, but what kind of relationship do you have with Sakayanagi-san?"
"What kind? Well, there's nothing special between us, really."
"She's the leader of Class 2-A. She isn't someone you can approach without reason."
I wonder if he perceives me as a strong enemy.
From his polite words, an unknown anger—or rather, a wariness, seeped out.
"It's also odd that she seems so friendly in a one-on-one situation with the opposite sex."
That was an interesting way to put it. I wanted to say that it wasn't like that, but it was difficult.
Sakayanagi usually didn't take much individual action. In fact, she acted with others a good amount.
A one-on-one with Sakayanagi, especially with the opposite sex, was rare.
Even if it was a common sight among classmates, people from other classes wouldn't be able to grasp that fact.
No, it's better not to overthink things.
It might've been a separate issue how much I picked up from Sanada's wording and whether he was intentionally cherry-picking. If anything, it would be faster to pretend to be someone oblivious who didn't notice anything when dealing with such an opponent.
"Last year, during the final exam, I had a chance to talk with her. Our relationship is neither more nor less than that."
I better give a firm answer and keep it vague.
Regardless of the intention behind his question, this was the better choice.
"I see. I understand. Sorry for asking in such a scary way."
"I don't mind."
"Have the two of you gentlemen finished catching up?"
"Yes. Ayanokōji-kun, if it's alright with you, could you accompany us for a little while after this? Of course, only if Sakayanagi-san allows it."
"Hm?"
"Oh, what a coincidence, Sanada-kun. I was also thinking of inviting him."
I didn't really understand, but Sakayanagi and Sanada seemed to have the same ideas, smiling at each other.
I was led by the two of them, moving farther away from the exit and walking back into the mall.
"Here it is."
In no time, we arrived at a general store.
It was a popular store with a variety of small items that were particularly popular among girls.
The Class A students entered the store without hesitation and began to look for something.
"Ayanokōji-kun, please wait for a moment. If you'd like, please feel free to look around the store."
Even if I was told to look around, I wasn't told any specifics, so all I could do was watch from the side.
The quiet conversation between the two was being drowned out by the store's background music, and I couldn't partake in the conversation. As a result, I reluctantly distanced myself.
Then, without any particular purpose, I wandered around the store to pass the time.
I waited five minutes, then ten minutes, and their conversation only became more lively. There was no sign of their shopping coming to an end.
When I had finally run out of things to see in the store and approached to check on them, Sanada hurriedly reached into his pocket.
"Excuse me, I need to make a phone call."
After giving a polite excuse, Sanada walked outside the store and stopped.
"Today, I was on a date with Sanada-kun. I spent Christmas with him."
"Is that so? That's news to me."
I thought there was a slight date-like atmosphere, but that was an unexpected new fact.
<Illustration>
However, until now, I didn't know that Sakayanagi had such a partner. Was there an event that caused a major change in their relationship just before Christmas? Or had they been maintaining a close relationship without making it public?
"But is it okay to be so open about it? If people find out how important he is, it wouldn't be strange if someone comes after him as a weakness in the future."
Protecting oneself and protecting a third party were at entirely different difficulty levels. In Sakayanagi's case, having limited mobility meant a higher possibility of falling behind.
"Of course, I suppose you have that much confidence in yourself... but what's going on?"
Sakayanagi remained silent and stared at me in response to my analysis. Or rather, was she angry?
"Didn't you understand it was just a little joke?"
"Which part?"
"Well, it's not that Sanada-kun and I had a date planned."
"Huh?"
I was confused considering that she said the complete opposite of what I understood.
"I'm sorry, Sakayanagi-san. I kept you waiting."
After ending the phone call, Sanada apologized and slowly returned to us.
"How did it go?"
"Good. I made the arrangement."
He blushed slightly, stroked his own cheek, and happily smiled.
"The person on the phone was Miya-san from Class 1-B. She recently started dating Sanada-kun. I was just giving him some advice on what to give her as a present."
This story was entirely different from what I was first told. Apparently, that had been a joke.
I didn't quite understand the humor, but it didn't seem like a situation to argue, so I let it pass.
"I gave her a well-thought-out present for Christmas, but then her birthday's just four days after. Since we just started dating, I thought about giving her one present for both occasions, but I wondered if it would be better to celebrate twice."
So that's what it was.
Indeed, if one's birthday was close to a major event like Christmas, for couples, it might've been hard to decide how to celebrate.
It would be easier to combine the celebrations, but there was also the possibility that the person being celebrated might not appreciate it.
"Anyway, she's your kouhai, huh? How did that happen?"
"It's because of our club activities. I belong to the band club, and she's my kouhai there."
I see. I overlooked the fact that those in cultural clubs might become friends.
Spending time together in club activities allowed them to get to know each other and deepen their bond.
"But I'm surprised, Sakayanagi. You give advice on such matters too?"
"I don't think I'm the best fit, but Sanada-kun seems to be keeping their relationship a secret for now. There seem to be various things going on in club activities."
She answered while still giving me a slightly displeased look.
I wondered if there were restrictions on dating a senpai or kouhai, or if there was a rule prohibiting romance for a certain period after joining the club. It was unclear, but such constraints might exist.
Of course, even if they did, it was more likely an unspoken rule agreed upon by the students rather than an official school rule.
If it had been made explicit, it would've been impossible to apply only to the band club.
"As expected of Sakayanagi-san, huh? I mean, you noticed it."
The sharp Sakayanagi must have sensed the change in her classmates and probably collected information.
That was why Sanada decided to rely on her as well.
"I understand the situation, but why did you invite me?"
It would be understandable if I were to play some advisory role, but I didn't give a single piece of advice. The two of them had already decided on a present.
"Well..."
Instead of a slightly troubled Sanada, Sakayanagi told the truth.
"I just wanted to tease you a little."
"Was that why you said that earlier?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, you weren't surprised or suspicious."
There was some surprise, but no suspicion.
To begin with, I didn't have much interest in who she does or doesn't date.
"Please don't take it seriously. The reason I invited you was so it wouldn't be mistaken for a date. What would you think if you saw me and Sanada-kun together?"
"There might be some misunderstandings."
If I mixed in, it would be two boys and one girl.
This way, his kouhai girlfriend wouldn't have any doubts whether or not it was a date.
"It would've been better to invite someone else earlier, but that would've revealed the fact that Sanada-kun had a girlfriend. I was planning to invite someone by pretending that I just so happened to be there outside of the supermarket."
It seemed that I was the one who was chosen for that role.
Was it right to talk to them? Was it wrong?
In this case, I got to know Sanada, so I guess it was right.
I didn't see what the present was, but he was holding it carefully.
That alone probably meant he cared about her.
"Good luck, Sanada-kun."
"Yes, thank you, Sakayanagi-san."
Holding the newly purchased present close to his chest, Sanada bowed his head.
With a happy expression and a straight back, he started walking, perhaps heading to see his girlfriend next. He might even give her the gift impulsively before her birthday.
"By the way, Ayanokōji-kun, have you given up on the cake today?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah, that's the plan. I thought I'd stop by on the way home and—"
"I don't recommend convenience store sweets right now. This season isn't the best for them."
I was going to check the convenience store... but was preempted by her helpful advice.
"If I were you, I would quietly go home and take my revenge next year. If you settle for something here, how should I put it... it's a bit of a pity."
It was just a cake. I had a feeling it was up to the individual to decide when and where to eat it, but that feeling went away.
"...It seems like it might be better not to."
If I bought one here now, Sakayanagi would label me as a disappointing person.