Melonbooks Special
The Mischievous Summer Fairy
Summer vacation. I have come to borrow a book from the school library, and now I am walking along the edge of the schoolyard to avoid the sun. As expected from this heat, there are barely any people on the field.
Suddenly, a familiar voice called down from above.
"Huh? Nukkun? What are you doing here?"
It's Yakishio's voice. When I looked up, my entire field of vision was filled with the sight of Yakishio in a swimsuit.
Her sun-kissed skin sparkled wet under the sunlight, and the damp swimsuit clung tightly to her slender frame.
I quickly averted my gaze, but the tan lines peeking from the edges of her swimsuit were already burned into my memory.
"Eek!? Wait, uh… why are you dressed like that!?"
"Duh, I'm at the pool."
…Well, obviously. Apparently, I had wandered near the pool without realizing it.
Still catching glimpses of her from the corner of my eye, I took a deep breath.
"I was just heading to the library. Wait, you're swimming? Are you on the swim team too?"
"I help the swim team clean up, and in exchange, the girls' track team gets to use the pool too."
"I-I see. Well, I'll be going, then…"
"Ah, Nukkun, wait a sec!"
Yakishio crouched by the fence and leaned forward to peek at me.
"You got the math homework printout, right? I threw mine away, so can I copy yours?"
"…Why would you throw it away?"
"I couldn't help it, okay? I got caught up in that summer vacation freedom vibe, you know? Like, bam! It was gone."
"If it's that worksheet, I've already finished it. But I wrote on it, so copying it won't do much good."
"Eh? Why did you finish it already? Summer vacation's not even over yet."
…Is doing summer homework during summer vacation really that weird?
"Still, let me borrow it. I'll get a clean version from someone else."
"Are you sure your goal hasn't changed or something?"
Maybe because of all our talking, a few girls from the track team started gathering.
"What's wrong, Lemon?" "Boyfriend?" "No way! Seriously?"
"No no, it's just Nukkun."
Yakishio said, laughing and waving at them. What does "just Nukkun" even mean?
"Hello, Nukkun~" "Are you here to check out Lemon's swimsuit?" "Whoa, your skin is so pale! You're blushing!"
The amount of exposed skin in my field of vision kept increasing. Huh…? Why am I surrounded by girls in swimsuits right now…?
"W-Well then, sorry for interrupting. I'm in a hurry, so…"
"Wait up! What about the homework printout?"
"Just get it from the teacher."
"Ehh, but the math teacher's scary… More importantly, Nukkun, why won't you look this way?"
"Because… you're in swimsuits…"
Seeing girls in swimsuits up close is way too intense for me. Please, have mercy.
While I fidgeted awkwardly, the track girls began whispering among themselves.
"So if we show him our swimsuits, he'll let us copy his homework?" "For real?" "Isn't that kinda lewd?"
"Huh? No, I didn't say anything like that…"
Yakishio's cheerful voice completely drowned out my feeble denial.
"So that's it, Nukkun!? Wanna look at my swimsuit?"
"Eh!? No, I mean- okay, okay! I'll get a new printout from the teacher and leave it in the clubroom!"
With those parting words, I quickly turned and bolted from the scene. Behind me, the track team's shouts echoed loudly:
"Bye-bye, Nukkun!" "Get one for me, too!" "Don't you dare lay a hand on Lemon!"
…Seriously. Please. Give me a break.
Animate Special
OO-san Is Kinda Like That
Our strategy meeting in my room had come to an end. After seeing Asagumo-san off with a polite bow, I closed the front door behind her.
Whew. Ayano and Yakishio's cheating investigation. What a mess I've gotten myself into…
"Asagumo-san's super cute, but kinda weird, don't you think? Don't you feel that way too, Nukumizu-kun?"
"Huh? Ah, yeah. I guess so."
Yanami, utterly untouched by the serious atmosphere just moments ago, hummed a tune as she headed back into the room.
"Wait. Aren't you heading home yet, Yanami-san?"
"Nope. My mom said she would come pick me up after work, so I figured I would stay until evening."
…Really now. But that might not be great. Even if it's Yanami we're talking about, the fact remains: the two of us, alone, in my room. That's the kind of thing that usually happens around Vol.4 in a light novel-
…Then again, it's Yanami. Eh, whatever.
Just as I stretched my leg toward the stairs, a small hand grabbed my arm. Kaju stopped me.
"…Onii-sama. That girl who came today for the first time is Asagumo-san, right? What kind of relationship do you have with a woman who already has a boyfriend?"
Even if she puts it like that, we're practically unrelated.
"Uh… well, I know her boyfriend, so she was just asking me for advice. That's all."
Alright, technically not a lie. Kaju seemed satisfied with that explanation and let out a relieved smile.
"Right! Kaju is sorry for being so presumptuous. Oh, right, tonight's dinner is your favorite, stuffed bell peppers!"
Oh, stuffed peppers. As I vaguely began daydreaming about dinner, a large shadow loomed behind Kaju.
"Imouto-chan!"
"Nya!"
Yanami suddenly threw herself over Kaju from behind, cheerfully rubbing her head.
"Whoa, up close her face is so small! And her skin's all smooth! So cute! So dinner's stuffed bell peppers? What else is there?"
"Eh? Eh? Seaweed salad and chilled mung bean soup-"
"I'm an only child, so I've always wanted a little sister like this~ I totally get why Nukumizu-kun would start getting indecent ideas."
"Huh!? Is that true, onii-sama!?"
Kaju looked up at me with a beaming smile. Wait, why are you so happy?
"No, I'm not having weird thoughts. Yanami-san, don't say such strange things."
"But come on, your little sister's adorable! Hey, wanna try calling me 'Onee-chan'? Just once!"
"Um, uh, Yanami-san…"
"O-ne-e-chan!"
"Ah, yes… Yanami-onee-chan."
"Nya, so cute!"
Kaju's eyes went completely dead as Yanami rubbed her cheek against her. I get it. I really do.
"Yanami-san, calm down. You were just in my room a moment ago. Why are you acting so hyped up now?"
"You don't get it, do you? Things were all serious just now, right? So I was staying all proper and focused."
Ah, so that was Yanami in serious mode earlier. Damn. I didn't notice at all…
"Finally, I can let my shoulders relax! Hey, Imouto-chan, want help with dinner prep? Onee-chan here's actually pretty good at cooking. How many stuffed peppers are you making? Think there will be leftovers?"
"Why are you so obsessed with our dinner plans…?"
Kaju, who had been silently enduring the petting, shot me a meaningful look.
"Onii-sama. Yanami-san is kind of…"
"…Yeah. She really is."
"Yes. Exactly."
Kaju and I exchanged glances and nodded solemnly in unison.
"What, what? What are you two whispering about? Secret talk?"
Kaju and I replied in perfect sync:
"Yes, it's secret talk." (x2)
Toranoana Special
Bubbles and Maidens' Overflowing Feelings
"Ohh, Lemon-chan, this foam is amazing!"
At Lemon Yakishio's grandmother's house, Yanami marveled at the fine, fluffy bubbles cupped in both hands as her eyes sparkled.
The lather from the soap and the scent are on a whole other level compared to what she used at home. When she pressed it onto her arm with a soft sponge, it spread out as if clinging gently to her skin.
"I don't really get it, but this has to be some super fancy stuff. And the bathroom itself is, like, crazy luxurious-"
While scrubbing her body, Yanami looked around.
The spacious bathroom walls are decorated with colorful mosaic tiles, and the white bathtub has those elegant clawed feet like something out of a movie.
"…Could it be that your grandma's actually rich, Lemon-chan?"
"No way. The previous owner was apparently really picky about the bath."
Lemon lay on her stomach, lazily splashing at the water with one foot.
"As for the soap, today's a special one. Grandma always keeps the fancy kind just for me."
"Wow, she really spoils you, huh?"
At Yanami's comment, Lemon gave a slightly embarrassed smile.
"Maybe so. Grandma always tells me to take good care of my skin. She says, even if it's fine when you're young, you will regret it once you're older."
"…She's absolutely right, Lemon-chan."
Yanami's voice suddenly dropped low. Lemon turned around, surprised.
"But we're still in high school, right? Isn't it a little early to worry about stuff like that?"
With a serious expression, Yanami shook her head.
"Remon-chan, if you take youth for granted, it will be over in the blink of an eye, you know? And it's not just your skin. Even I have started noticing a drop in my metabolism. I barely eat anything, and still my belly's getting soft."
"Huh…"
Lemon opened her mouth to say something, but decided to close it again. It seemed she chose friendship over snark.
"Your skin's really nice, Remon-chan. But you know, if you don't take care of it, you will be in for it later."
"Wait, I do use good skincare! The kind that says 'all-in-one' on the bottle!"
"Alright, I'll teach you the proper way to care for your skin later!"
Yanami rinsed off the foam from her body with the shower, then stretched and stood up.
"I think I'll try that fancy clawfoot tub for myself."
"Sure, then let's switch."
Taking Lemon's place, Yanami lowered herself into the tub.
Water spilled over the edge with a splash and flowed across the floor, knocking a washbasin lightly against the wall.
"The bath salts smell amazing, too. Your grandma has great-"
Yanami suddenly stopped speaking and looked up at the ceiling, her face turning thoughtful.
The tub Lemon had just been in… the overflowing water…
Its implication is obvious.
"…Lemon-chan, don't tell me you were only doing a half-bath?"
"Huh? What do you mean? You have to soak up to your shoulders or you will catch a cold."
"Right, catching a cold would be bad…"
As she watched Lemon calmly shampooing her hair, Yanami quietly reached down and pinched her own tummy-
Seibunkan Special
100 Years Since Founding - Since 1923
After school, I opened the door to the clubroom and found Komari already inside. I gave her a small greeting and sat down in a chair, glancing sideways at her as she stared silently at something in her hands.
"Komari, what are you looking at?"
"S-Seibunkan Bookstore's… the 100th anniversary thing… I bought it."
Looking slightly smug, Komari held up a tote bag for me to see. Wait, that's the…
"You managed to get that tote bag? The main store was already sold out."
"I-I see. That's u-unfortunate for you."
Komari, grinning as she began to tuck the bag away, was interrupted as I raised my hand with a serious face.
"...Komari, let's make a deal."
"D-Deal…?"
I nodded and pulled a card out of my wallet, placing it on the table.
"That tote bag, how about I give you retail price plus a QUO card?"
"Q-QUO card…?"
"Yeah. It's pretty much like a bookstore gift card. You can use it at convenience stores."
"S-So in other words… y-you're telling me to r-resell it?"
There was no need to answer. I stayed silent. Komari gave me a sharp glare from her half-lidded eyes.
"…Y-You're the worst. And a-anyway, I don't really go to c-convenience stores."
"But aren't you getting sick of eating nothing but butter rolls for lunch? Why not buy something different once in a while?"
A glint flashed through Komari's eyes from beneath her bangs.
"I-It's not about g-getting sick of them. I-It's whether they are c-cheap. T-That's all."
"If you don't have money, then that's exactly why a QUO card would help, right…? You could buy your favorite bread once in a while."
"F-Favorite bread…? L-Like… sweet buns? Can I b-buy those?"
"Yeah, as many as you want."
As she scrolled on her phone, Komari suddenly looked up with a start.
"Y-You can use them at S-Seibunkan Bookstore too."
…Wait, seriously? Komari placed her finger on the QUO card lying on the table. Reflexively, I reached for it too.
"…N-Nukumizu. W-Why are you h-holding it down?"
Now that I know it works at a bookstore, I'm starting to regret offering it. I pressed down harder with my finger.
"Well, you know. Maybe reselling stuff is kind of bad. Besides, you like that tote bag, don't you? It's a limited-time item."
"T-There's still some left at the S-Seibunkan near the c-city library."
…You could've said that first. Just as I opened my mouth to give her a piece of my mind, Komari's small hand snatched the QUO card.
"T-Then I'll take it, t-thanks."
"Wait, on second thought, maybe I should-"
But before I could finish, her smiling face lit up like she had just won the lottery.
…Well, if she's that happy, I guess I can let it slide.
"I-I'm… g-going home now."
Still smiling, Komari stood up. Looks like she's heading straight for the bookstore.
I watched her go with a wry smile, then opened a book alone in the now-empty clubroom. Well, it was true that I did miss out on the tote bag. If I think of the QUO card as a handling fee, I guess it's not a bad-
…Hold up, she didn't even give me the tote bag after taking my QUO card.
Sanyodo Special
The Secret Chest
It's a lazy summer afternoon. I'm spending a peaceful moment alone in the club room.
"…Being alone is great."
The words slipped out of my mouth without thinking. Initially, I had just come to borrow a book, but without anyone to pester me, relaxing with a book in the clubroom is incredibly pleasant.
Then, my hand froze mid-page.
"What's that sound…?"
Something is making a pitter-patter noise from down the hallway. The clubroom is tucked away in the far end of the old school building.
The sound was getting closer. Footsteps? Barefoot ones?
"Nice! The door's open! Nukkun, I'm coming in!"
With a cheerful voice, Lemon Yakishio entered the room. She's chugging from a plastic bottle and, for some reason, holding a pair of soaked shoes.
"Whoa, your shoes are dripping. Why are you so wet?"
"I was having a water fight with some friends, and my shoes got totally soaked."
…A water fight? We're in high school, you know?
Then again, for the sun-blessed extrovert crowd, a little rule-breaking in the name of youth is expected. Even Yakishio probably has days when she acts all cute and playful.
"Yakishio, don't put your wet socks on the table! There are hangers- ah, come on, don't shake water off your shoes inside the room!"
…Nope. She's just a full-on menace. I hung her wet shoes and socks on a hanger and stuck them out the window to dry.
"Thanks! Nukkun, you would make a great wife someday."
"Just be more careful with the water. This room's full of books."
As I said that, I finally noticed what Yakishio was wearing and quickly looked away. Her blouse is unbuttoned down to the second button, and her sunburn line across her chest is very visible.
"What's wrong, Nukkun? You suddenly looked away."
"That's because… you should button your shirt properly."
"It's summer! Of course, I leave a few open. Nukkun, aren't you hot, all buttoned up like that?"
"Huh? But I have to wear a tie, so obviously I button up to the top…"
Ignoring my reasoning, Yakishio approached with a bright, innocent smile. That sunburn line was heading straight into my field of vision.
"I've always thought this, but Nukkun, you're not wild enough. Loosen your tie, open a couple of buttons. Maybe try a different hairstyle, too."
"Eek! W-Wait, you're too close!"
"Come on, loosen the tie! You gotta open two buttons at least. Wow, your skin's so pale, Nukkun~"
"Stop it! Don't unbutton me! What if someone sees us like this!?"
Yes. In moments like this, someone always shows up, and her name is-
"Fuah!? W-What… are you t-two…"
"Ah, Komari-chan! Hey there."
Chika Komari. Still standing at the now-opened door, her mouth slightly agape, Komari stared in stunned silence as Yakishio cheerfully waved at her.
"Komari-chan, wanna join in?"
"Eek!? I-I'm good…"
Komari frantically shook her head, then quietly closed the door she had been halfway through opening. The sound of her footsteps retreated quickly down the hallway.
"Ah, she left. Komari-chan went home."
"…She definitely misunderstood everything."
"What's there to misunderstand? I was just giving you a makeover. What's so suspicious about that?"
"Eh? T-That's… um… you know… that…"
At my vague, indecisive reply, Yakishio let go of my tie.
"Not really sure what's going on, but maybe we should clear up the misunderstanding. I'll go get Komari-chan!"
"Ah, wait! You don't have to-"
Before I could stop her, Yakishio dashed out of the clubroom after Komari.
Left behind, I looked down at my disheveled clothes- and quickly fled the clubroom in a hurry.
Bookwalker Special
The Tanned Girl Runs at Dawn
In a residential neighborhood where the sky hadn't fully brightened yet, I glanced down at my watch.
5:55 AM. Still standing, I was about to doze off when a small hand roughly tugged at my shirt.
"N-Nukumizu. D-Don't fall asleep."
"...Y-Yeah."
Beside me, stifling a yawn, is Chika Komari. The "1-A Komari" stitched on her gym uniform gleamed in the morning sunlight. We are standing in front of her house.
-How did it come to this?
It all started with a casual conversation during library archive duty… Komari mentioned how she ended up having to run with Yakishio. You might remember this.
Tired of her repeated complaints, I casually told her, "If there's anything I can do to help, just say the word." And that was my mistake. Now, I, too, have been roped into early morning summer vacation jogging.
"But even if I tag along, it's not like that makes things any easier for you, right?"
"I-I'm going to drop o-out halfway, so you d-deal with Y-Yakishio."
"Me?"
She has to be joking. Running with Yakishio?
I'm the kind of guy who doesn't lift anything heavier than a paperback novel. Since my arms start trembling halfway through, I even read large-format books as e-books.
I checked the time. 5:58 AM. Just a little more until the promised 6 o'clock.
"Looks like it's about time…"
As the sound of sparrows chirping reached my ears, a blur of movement flew in front of me and came to a sudden stop.
"Hey! Morning, you two!"
High-energy as always, it's Lemon Yakishio.
Wiping sweat off her tanned face, she gave us a sunflower-bright smile.
"G-Good morning."
"…Morning."
Komari and I both weakly raised a hand.
Yakishio is dressed simply in a T-shirt and short tights. With the shirt clinging to her from sweat, the athletic lines of her track-honed body are pretty clear.
It's a pleasing sight this early in the day, but I want to sleep more than anything. Burn this image into my brain and let me pass out immediately.
"Great weather today, huh! Oh, Komari-chan, can I go look at your goldfish?"
"Eh? Uh… i-if you're just looking…"
Yakishio darted over to the fish bowl beneath the eaves. Once she was out of earshot, Komari glanced up at me, glaring with suspicion.
"N-Nukumizu, y-your gaze was g-gross."
"Oh? So that's what it looked like to you, Komari."
I didn't push it further. I let the comment hang. Meanwhile, Yakishio raised her hand, eyes sparkling from her goldfish viewing.
"Hey, Komari-chan! Can I feed them?"
"Uh, the food is m-my little ones' job, and they l-look forward to it, so…"
Little ones…?
"I see, then I'll just watch. I'm gonna grab some water, okay?"
As Yakishio chugged water straight from the faucet, I leaned slightly toward Komari and whispered:
"…Komari. You have kids?"
"K-Kids!? I-It's my little b-brother and s-sister!"
"Oh, is that so? I was kind of excited for a second there. I thought maybe you were secretly a mom."
"G-Go die…! D-Die 10 times!"
She's got a sharp tongue as always. Still, the idea of a classmate being a single mom is kind of heart-throbbing as a concept. I would appreciate a pass for that one.
At some point, Yakishio had started stretching right next to me.
"Thanks for waiting, you two! Let's get going."
"Personally, I feel like today's theme should be just meeting up. Maybe we work up to stretching tomorrow?"
"Don't worry! You're a beginner, right, Nukkun? So we'll keep it light today."
That was a relief. As I exhaled with gratitude, Yakishio leaned over to check my watch.
"Let's go at a 5-km pace in 20 minutes, okay? Just follow my lead!"
Wait, 5 km in 20 minutes… That's an average speed of 15 km/h. That's bike territory.
"Uh, hang on a sec. I'm out of shape and, well, I don't have wheels."
"You will be fine! If you collapse halfway, I'll give you a piggyback!"
Piggyback? I'm a perfectly healthy high school boy. Getting carried by a girl sounds like a flagrant violation of social norms. Plus, Yakishio sweats a lot. That sounds sticky.
"Alright, how about this? I'll go as far as I can, and when I hit my limit, I'll walk or something."
Put in a little effort at the start, then stroll the rest of the way. A classic strategy.
As I spoke, Yakishio spun her arms around in warmup circles, grinning with her pearly whites.
"Sure, that works! I'm gonna go hard though, so keep up!"
"…Didn't you say we would take it easy?"
"Alright! Let's move, both of you!"
With that, Yakishio shot off like a rocket down the street.
I exchanged a look with Komari, then chased after her.
*
At the park's water fountain. After finishing my drink, I collapsed against the fountain.
…I have reached my absolute limit.
Sure, it felt like I had been walking more than running for most of it, but still, I'm done.
According to Komari, this running route has a few built-in rest stops. When someone gets tired, they can take a break while Yakishio runs around freely until it's time to move on.
And this playground is one such rest stop.
"Y-You're pathetic… I-I could still keep g-going…"
Komari wheezed as she shoved me aside and pressed her lips to the water spout.
Despite her harsh words, she's clearly on the verge of collapse.
Her grand plan to sneak away at the right time has failed spectacularly.
Whenever Komari quietly disappeared, Yakishio would chase her down and bring her back over her shoulder.
Piggyback, princess carry, shoulder ride. After being carried three times, Komari finally accepted her fate. Now, when she started slowing down, she simply let Yakishio carry her without complaint.
…As she lifted her hair to drink from the fountain, I found myself watching Komari's profile absentmindedly.
Her neck's pretty thin, and overall she's just petite. As I thought that, it hit me- there are a lot of girls around me lately.
I haven't really noticed since the male count is also 0, but isn't this what people call a harem?
"W-What…? W-Why are you s-staring…?"
Komari wiped her mouth with a handkerchief and shot me a sharp, wary look.
"No, I was just thinking maybe I'm entering my popularity phase."
"Y-You can say that once you're actually popular."
She has a point. Well said, Komari.
Feeling oddly convinced, I glanced up at the park clock. It's already past 6:50 AM.
"Yakishio's heading to morning practice at 7, right? Where did she even go?"
"O-Over there…"
Komari pointed toward a fancy-looking standalone house a short distance away. There's a suspicious number of sparrows fluttering around it.
"Even Yakishio won't go on the roof, right…?"
"S-She's where the s-sparrows keep flying o-off from…"
So that's how we're locating her now?
The flocks of sparrows occasionally took off, gradually drawing closer. And yet Yakishio's pace never slowed down at all. Is she running on a nuclear reactor or something?
As I stared up at the sky filled with fluttering sparrows, I realized how bright it had gotten.
…All's right with the world. With what's left of summer vacation, I plan to spend the rest of it in peace.
Komari wiped sweat from her brow and nudged me in the back.
"C-come on. O-One more sprint. Can you m-manage it, Nukumizu?"
"Leave it to me. …Actually, I'm not all that confident."
"M-Me neither."
From just behind a nearby building, a flock of sparrows suddenly scattered, and a cat came tearing past us at full speed, as if running from something.
Komari and I steeled ourselves, ready to face the oncoming force of nature that was the tanned, energetic girl-
Melonbooks Novel Festival Winter 2022 Special
Light, Curses, and the Losing Heroine
One day after school. I'm absorbed in reading inside the Literature Club room.
Across the table from me sat a fellow first-year club member, Anna Yanami, idly flipping through a magazine while munching on Pocky.
She's the classic losing heroine, turned down by her longtime childhood friend just this past summer.
Usually a bit loud, today Yanami seems fully preoccupied with her magazine and snacks.
I turned the pages of my light novel in peace. I have finally gotten my hands on the highly anticipated title, <I Have Quite a Few Fiancées Who Are Also My Childhood Friends>.
All the heroines in this story are childhood friends and fiancés. Even better, each heroine got their own "what if" route, a very considerate setup.
Now then, which route should I read first…? I would need to consider it carefully…
For the record, my personal agenda is the quiet, kind-hearted glasses girl. I don't remember her name. She doesn't stand out much.
"Nukumizu-kun, hey, look! This special feature!"
Suddenly, Yanami shoved her magazine in front of my face.
"Mm, yeah, that's great."
"Look at it properly. See, they are doing the year-end illumination at the station again this year."
"Ahh… the illumination…"
I couldn't care less if I tried, but I reluctantly closed my light novel.
The magazine Yanami shoved at me is a local info mag for Toyohashi. It features the usual winter illumination display held in front of the station every year.
"And guess what? They are taking submissions for design ideas. I'm thinking of entering."
"Huh, but are you sure about that, Yanami-san? Illumination, you know?"
She picked up on the implication behind my words and shot me a flat, unamused look.
"…Nukumizu-kun. What are you trying to say?"
"Well, I mean, they say year-end, but it's basically a Christmas decoration, right? And you're kind of-"
Shoot. I said too much. I braced myself for a scolding, but Yanami just shrugged dramatically, exhaling like she was the most tolerant person alive.
"Just because I got rejected doesn't mean I'm the type to wallow in it forever, okay? I have enough maturity to bless all the happy couples in East Mikawa."
…Apparently, West Mikawa doesn't get her blessing.
She pulled out a notebook and a mechanical pencil.
"Here, I'll show you my illumination idea. So first, in the center…"
"Oh, so you're drawing it now."
"…What's that supposed to mean?"
"If you were going to draw it, you could've said something after you finished… Ah, never mind. Nothing."
It's all part of being sociable. I emptied my mind and focused on watching her sketch.
"So, there's this big heart-shaped object in the center. And when couples each place their hand on either side, the heart lights up. Pretty romantic, right?"
…Wait, that's actually quite normal. Has Yanami's heart finally been purified after months of turmoil?
"Yeah, not bad. It would make a great photo spot for couples."
"Right? I am more of a romantic than you think. The heart should be pink, obviously. Ohh, or it could glow in sync with their heartbeats. And then the innocent couple would be… all nervous and… flustered…"
Yanami, who had been coloring the heart with a pink highlighter, suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Without saying a word, she switched to a blue highlighter and began coloring the other half of the heart in blue.
"Hmm? So the heart's going to be two-toned?"
"…I changed my mind. I'm making it two-toned. That way, it can represent a broken heart."
What is she talking about now?
"Wait, wasn't the whole point to be a romantic monument for happy couples?"
"What's wrong with that? They are already happy from the start anyway."
The highlighter in Yanami's grip gave an audible creak.
"On Christmas night, everyone's going to be holding hands and flirting and stuff, right? So, at least while their hands are on this, they should be separated for that moment."
…No way. She turned the monument into a cursed object.
We can't have that thing placed in front of the station. I racked my brain for a solution and turned to Yanami.
"…Yanami-san, there's one problem with your plan."
Her hand froze.
"Problem…?"
"Exactly. Sure, your monument may succeed in getting couples to let go of each other's hands. But after the heart lights up, the girl will definitely say her hands are cold."
"Huh? They wouldn't get that cold from just a second or two, right?"
"It doesn't matter if they actually get cold. What matters is that it becomes the perfect excuse. From there, the couple gets even more lovey-dovey."
"...Huh!"
"They will start comparing how cold their hands are, holding them tighter, warming each other up, cupping each other's cheeks and giggling like idiots… There's no end to a couple's flirting."
Despair appeared on Yanami's face.
I slowly shook my head. A curse always returns to the one who casts it. That's something I learned from light novels.
"You know what, illumination's not eco-friendly anyway. I was against it from the start."
Yanami slammed her notebook shut and tossed the highlighters on the desk.
"Global warming, greenhouse gases, soda water diets- there's too much going on, you know? Christmas should be spent at home with your family."
Agreed. A cursed losing heroine should be safely sealed within her home.
As Yanami started chewing on three Pocky sticks at once, I turned toward the magazine on the table.
Why did she even want to enter this contest in the first place?
"Ten applicants will be selected by lottery to receive a pair of hotel buffet dining vouchers."
…So that's what this was about. Quietly, I closed the magazine.
Still, if she did win a pair of tickets, who was she planning to go with…?
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