1.2

When I returned from my meal with Ishizaki, I found Ike standing in front of the door. He had a restless look on his face as he worked his phone. After raising his head and checking his surroundings, our eyes met.

"Oh, Ayanokōji! I'm glad you're here, I've been waiting for you."

Ike was waiting for me? Another unexpected occurrence.

"Actually, I'm thinking of going to visit Komiya right now, and I was wondering if you'd join me."

"Me too?"

Ike approached me, asking me to lend an ear, so I did.

"How to put it?…I feel a little awkward going to see him by myself."

"Why?"

"You say why…Well, you know, I…I'm going out with Shinohara. When we were heading back to the ship after the exam, there was a moment when we were alone, and…"

It seemed he confessed his feelings and Shinohara gave him the okay. I thought their relationship might develop, but this exceeded my expectations.

"Is that so? Well, congratulations."

After I bluntly offered congratulations, he averted his gaze in embarrassment.

"Ah, thanks. But…from Komiya's point of view, I think I might have done something unfair."

"I don't think so though."

"No, I mean, rather than unfair…It's like I was stealing a march on Komiya."

Certainly, Komiya had to retire from the island exam early due to injury, so you could express what Ike did as stealing a march, but that was also true for everyone involved. It seemed like Komiya was planning to confess to Shinohara during the uninhabited island exam.

"I was actually gonna wait until Komiya recovered, you know? But then I was so relieved that the island exam was over, Shinohara was right by my side…and then…it just hit me that I didn't want to give her to Komiya…"

It seemed like he couldn't help confessing his feelings to her. Of course, there was also the risk of being rejected. If that had happened, it would've been even more awkward if Komiya and Shinohara had gotten together.

"That's why I thought I have to report it to Komiya properly. If that guy's still planning to confess to Shinohara, it'll get complicated, right?"

"If you don't get ahead of this, you could be in trouble if Shinohara decides to go with Komiya."

"Uh…! W-why would you…!?"

My exaggerated reply left Ike flustered. So half of the reason was to report the truth to him, and the other half was to stop him from confessing.

"You're prepared to take at least one hit, right?"

"Ehh!? I'm going to get hit!?"

"Wouldn't you do at least that much if the person you love was snatched from your side?"

"…Gulp."

Ike looked terrified; it seemed imagining what was coming left him a bit scared. Komiya wasn't necessarily a big guy, but he wasn't playing basketball just for show. On the other hand, Ike was on the smaller side for a guy, so there was a more than sufficient size difference.

"Well, he's got an injured leg right now, so he shouldn't be able to get a good footing. It shouldn't hurt that much"

"T-that's not really the point, but…I-I'm prepared."

Since he seemed to be somewhat determined, I didn't have any reason to object. I'd been wondering about Komiya's condition, so this was a good opportunity.

"I hear that Komiya's still sleeping in the infirmary."

"I'm sure it would be hard for him if he was in his own room."

It wouldn't be surprising if he spent most of his holidays in the infirmary.

Ike and I arrived in front of our destination. Ike took a deep breath to calm himself down before entering. There was no point in rushing him, so I was just waiting quietly when we heard a loud laugh from inside.

"W-what's that? Let's go in and have a look."

After hearing unexpected laughter from inside, Ike opened the door and entered the infirmary before he could finish preparing himself. There we found Ryūen and several classmates around Komiya, who was sitting upright. There was a group of four people; Albert, Kaneda, Kondo and Yamawaki.

Because people from outside his class appeared, Ryūen stood up, not giving us a second glance.

"Excuse us, Komiya."

He left the infirmary with his friends; apparently he was done talking. I stole a quick glance in Ryūen's direction, but he didn't look my way.

"Ryūen's just as scary as ever… Anyway, what did he want?"

On the other hand, Ike couldn't even look directly at Ryūen, and was muttering to himself dejectedly. Komiya, who overheard what he said, nodded in understanding before answering,

"Well, he certainly has that power. Despite appearances, he just came to visit me."

On a small table near the head of the bed, there were snacks and juice that he seemed to have been gifted.

"J-just visiting…Somehow, he doesn't come across as the kind of guy to do that." Ike replied with his honest feelings and Komiya agreed with him.

"If it was this time last year, well, that would've been unthinkable." Komiya smiled with nostalgia as he recalled the past year. "But somethin' about Ryūen-san's changed a little bit. He's become a bit more mellow…or maybe not…" Komiya added, with a somewhat confused, yet happy face.

As soon as they entered school, Ryūen took control of the class and treated everyone as tools to be used without mercy. It wasn't surprising that most of his classmates felt a strong sense of rejection in their hearts.

"If it's that guy from now, I feel like I can honestly follow him, you know?"

"You can willingly follow Ryūen?…I don't get it…"

Ike's body trembled slightly, as if he couldn't understand what he was hearing.

"Anyway, Ike, Ayanokōji, don't just stand there, sit down."

Komiya gently welcomed us students from another class and urged us to sit down without hesitation. The two of us took advantage of his kind offer and sat in a couple empty chairs.

"You seem healthy."

Looking at his leg that was secured in a fixed position, I checked Komiya's condition.

"As you can see, I'm fine except for my leg. But I get frustrated when I think about everyone having fun on the other side of the door. I hope it heals quickly…"

"When will you be able to walk?"

"I'm in the process of asking for permission to walk on crutches."

They were rivals in love, but surprisingly, they were able to talk to each other without any problems. It looked like my presence here was completely unnecessary.

"I'm just… a little worried."

"Worried? About what?" Ike, who was straddling the backside of the chair, put his arm on the backrest and asked Komiya.

"It's just…Ryūen-san's trying to figure out who pushed me during the exam. He asked me a bunch of questions to see if I remembered anything, but just like I told Ayanokōji, I don't even remember being attacked at all…"

It seemed there has been no difference in his memories since that time. Right now, Ryūen's class was gaining momentum day by day. It was time to focus entirely on the second year battle and reach Class A. Of course, that goes for our class as well, so we shouldn't delve too deep into this one.

If Amasawa or another White Room student, or someone else related to Tsukishiro was involved, there was no guarantee that even Ryūen would be safe.

"It would be good if Ryūen-san doesn't overdo it."

"It seems he wants to beat the culprit half to death."

The two of them were unable to envision Ryūen getting beaten. Rather, it was natural to be worried about the culprit instead.

"So? You didn't just come to visit me, right?" Komiya asked Ike softly, as if he had sensed something.

At that moment, Ike stiffened up in surprise.

"Ahh, no…That…"

He was unable to speak. Had he not prepared himself enough yet? Perhaps seeing this, Komiya waited for him to speak without prompting, wearing a serious expression.

The atmosphere changed in the blink of an eye. There was no trace of the relaxed situation we had just experienced.

"…I…How to put it?…so…"

Ike's talkative demeanour faded and he became unable to string the words together.

"Ike. I don't know what you're gonna say, but if it's important, then look me in the eye and say it."

He must've guessed what he was about to say. Even so, Komiya pretended not to know, and urged Ike to tell it to him straight. I didn't think Ike had noticed that Komiya had already guessed what he wanted to say, but he must've felt something from him as a fellow man. He felt that this wasn't something to be reported in a lazy manner. He slapped himself on both cheeks, forcing himself to wake up out of his daze.

"I confessed to Shinohara!"

Ike, who had steeled his resolve, spoke in a simple but loud voice.

All that came after was silence. I could see Ike gulping down a large mouthful of saliva beside me.

"And? What was Satsuki's reply?"

"I got the okay. We're going out now."

"I see…"

After hearing his curt response, Ike continued to stare at Komiya's face without averting his gaze. Like we had spoken about earlier, because Ike had jumped the gun, he couldn't blame him if he had complaints. He seemed to think he would jump out with a surprise shot.

"Did you think I was gonna hit you?"

"Eh?"

"It's written all over your face; that you might get punched."

"T-that's…Well, maybe a little."

"Well, then you've resolved yourself, right? I can't move right now, so you come over to me."

As he asked him to come over, Komiya's face hid any hints of his intentions. But, from his intensity, it seemed Ike had made up his mind. Even though he was terrified, he went to stand right next to Komiya. Immediately after, Komiya's right arm reached out and grabbed Ike's shoulder.

"Tss!" Pushing his aching body to the limit, Komiya looked into Ike's eyes. "If you make Satsuki cry, I'll show you no mercy." Komiya said, as he lightly pressed his left fist against Ike's chest.

"K-Komiya…?"

Komiya's serious expression turned into a smile. "What's up with you, don't act so glum. Satsuki chose you, that's all there is to it, right?"

"But…If you hadn't been injured, it might've been the other way around…"

"It sucks, but I don't think that's true. Satsuki's had her eye on you for a while, that's why she accepted your confession. It's not a case of first-come-first-served. But…"

"But?"

"If you hadn't faced Satsuki properly and kept runnin' away, I might've had a chance."

It was as Komiya said. I didn't think it mattered so much whether he confessed first or after. There was an accident that resulted in a serious injury, and Ike just happened to be in the vicinity. That then created an opportunity which gave him a huge boost, allowing him to face Shinohara. Without a doubt, that was the single most important factor that resulted in the two of them being together now.

If Komiya hadn't been injured, if Ike hadn't been nearby at that time. If either of them had suffered a different fate, the one next to Shinohara right now may well have been Komiya.

"In that sense, this injury was really unlucky."

Even though his feelings of love were left unfulfilled, Komiya seemed to be in a good mood.

"Thank you, Komiya."

"Make sure you study properly, will you? Satsuki…No, Shinohara was worried about that too."

"…That's right. I can't afford to get expelled."

This love affair might just become a pivotal turning point for Ike. Like Sudō, he now had an opportunity to struggle for both himself and the one he loves.

Anyway, Ike's report and the ensuing discussion with Komiya had concluded.

"Sorry Ike, but can I talk to Ayanokōji alone for a bit? There's something I'd like to confirm about my injury."

"Alright, see you later Komiya. You too, Ayanokōji."

Ike said goodbye to us and left the room. When we were alone, Komiya cut me off.

"I'm sorry. Ike brought you here asking for your help right?"

"No, I was concerned about your condition too. Rather, I caused you trouble."

"That's not true. I mean…I don't really understand what's going on."

"Hmm?"

"Even though we're in different classes and fighting against each other, we've started talking normally. It's like that kind of hostility has faded away. Last year, it was so bleak."

Since we were in different classes, we were supposed to fight and kick each other down. Other than for a strategy, there wasn't much merit in getting along with each other.

"The uninhabited island exam was a competition between school years, plus we'll be at the same school together for a long time. Maybe that's the reason?"

"Yeah, maybe."

"So? You wanted to talk about your injury?"

It was obvious that this conversation was just a preliminary chat before we got to the main topic.

"It's as I was saying earlier, it's about Ryūen-san."

"You said he was searching for the culprit."

"I'm against it. To be honest, I'd rather chalk this one up as an accident caused by my own mistake."

"But Shinohara actually saw the person that attacked you."

"I know that. But I have this bad feeling that this won't end well."

Maybe it was because he was the one attacked that he could feel the danger.

"Even if it's just for a little while, would you mind keeping an eye out on this matter for me, Ayanokōji?"

"I don't really think there's anything I can do about it though…"

"I don't expect you to do anything directly. If you feel uneasy, let me know."

Komiya made his request with a strong look in his eyes. We formally exchanged contact information so that we could get in touch at any time.

"Okay, for now, you should just focus on healing your injury as soon as possible, Komiya."

Resting was the only shortcut to a full recovery after all.

"Thank you. I'd like to thank you properly next time, if you don't mind. I wanted to talk to the other guys that helped me too."

"I'm sure they'll be glad to hear it. Ike might even bring Shinohara along."

"No way. If I had to watch those two flirting, I think I might just cry."

Komiya smiled bitterly. It seemed he was more heartbroken than he looked. I think it was a mistake to include that teasing comment.

Anyway, I wasn't saying the injury was a good thing, but I felt like the distance between Komiya and I had shortened a little.

"See you later, Ayanokōji."

"Yeah."

After saying goodbye and leaving the infirmary, I was struck by a strange feeling.

My classmates Sudō and Ike, and from another class, Ishizaki and Komiya. The number of people around me that I could call my friends was gradually increasing. I wasn't even particularly trying to make friends, but that was what ended up happening.

"The way to make friends isn't something you can find in a textbook."

Like an idiot, I thought that seriously.