Yuigahama family home.
"Already after school time..."
Faint bell sound, or perhaps distant crows carrying bustle.
As if aware, Yuigahama lifted head. Gazed out window to gradually darkening sky.
After few seconds blank stare, returned gaze to workbook on desk. Pen tip softly wrote just-found answer.
"Huf... About enough here."
Muttering, Yuigahama set pen down. Interlocked ten fingers forward, stretched body hard—felt rusty body, but brain hyperactive.
Usually opposite.
In short, today Yuigahama did two big things.
First, after mom permitted, pretended sick, skipped school.
Second, sat desk-front, studied all day. From morning till now, never left desk except meals, toilet. Didn't turn on phone waste life.
Shocked? Hehe, she too.
When forgot descend lunch too focused study, mom nearly dragged to psychiatrist. Muttered, "What stimulation? Saw N-O-R directly...", words she didn't understand.
Really, just promised morning, though no school, study diligently. Not skipping laziness or avoid anyone...
Alright, even Yuigahama didn't believe that.
Anyway, felt reborn. Body healthy, except slightly sore eyes. Condition super prime!
"Right, we're students! Love totally unimportant. Before us not just poetry struggle life, but national mock exam pile"
Odd zeal ignited heart. Yuigahama slapped desk book, stood. Pious passionate look, eyes hope future zeal.
Mama Yuigahama, secretly door-opened, sighed. Entered tray-bearing.
"Yui, Mama glad you rise on time..."
"Uh... 'Rise' word odd?"
Body tensed. Awkward face slightly flushed.
Yuigahama sat desk as nothing. Held head bun, pretended nothing happened.
After placing desk items, Mama Yuigahama sighed. Palmed smooth daughter cheek, slightly anxious: "But, like this just borrow study escape sadness. Though turn heartbreak motivation, can't force self."
"I-I'm not heartbroken!"
Grabbing tray chocolate cookie, defended: "Anyway, want study own will. No force. My mood change way!"
"Your mood change before not like." As seeing all, Mama Yuigahama narrowed eyes slightly: "All because him, right? Tenkuji Yuu."
"..."
Yuigahama head down, ate cookie, drank green tea. No answer.
Indeed, mood change, karaoke or bowling old style.
Study? No such ambition.
Maintain grades certain level. Anyway, no matter effort, can't match those two, no plan Todai Waseda. Just casual self.
Mediocre her live mediocre life. This much unchanged.
But, though thought so, even fake sick bad mood, not old self do.
Her mediocre no longer mediocre, but still far from admired star.
"Tenkuji-kun grades great, right?"
Mama Yuigahama voice softened slightly.
"...Rank one."
"Though same high school, unconsciously chase steps, stand same height. Thus not sing, not play out, hide home study, temporarily escape him."
Mama Yuigahama soft sighed. Stroked bowed-head daughter: "Coward part unchanged, but far stronger before, Yui."
"Not too coward. Said needed..." Yuigahama ate chocolate bites, as swallow unclear voice. Slightly annoyed: "Also, don't casually analyze daughter feelings."
"Sigh, why so predictable~" Mama Yuigahama softly naughty smiled. Rubbed head hard twice: "But didn't guess melancholy reason. Tell Mama? Maybe useful advice~"
"Talk as Mama much experience..."
"At least more than you, life experience and woman experience." Mama Yuigahama poked soft cheek, teased: "Anyway, before you two that stage, Mama teach related knowledge... Like, make self comfy look..."
"Aaaaaaaaaah—Don't wanna hear, don't! Mama stop talk! Quick out!" Before censor shadow mind, Yuigahama cut words. Returned empty cookie plate tray, shame-annoyed pushed mom out door with tray.
"Handle my problem self! Mama just happy daughter striving! Done. Down dinner when ready!"
"Eh~ Mama want feel teen hardship too. Said youth-preserving~" Mama Yuigahama sad-stared.
"Mama young enough, clearly just gossip me!" Amid fun mocking mom smile, Yuigahama angry puffed cheeks. Prepared close door.
But before shut, mom voice again:
"Yui, whatever... Can escape day calm, but not lifetime. Some things face."
"Though Mama unknow Tenkuji-kun did, after think doubt hurt despair, tell true feelings, heart choices."
"Better say, cry blanket Mama hug than regret room silent! Life path. Don't fear. Mama always with."
After soft words fell, silence seconds. Then footsteps left door, light downstairs.
"..."
Leaned room door, Yuigahama body-weighted shut. Dangling hair shadowed face.
Outside window sky darkened amazingly fast. No sunset today. Gray clouds quick ink-covered.
"Really... Mama so kind."
Calmed silence, wiped eyes. Left door, took black-screen phone desk, pressed power.
Besides morning care messages, sent no other—what Yuu doing now?
Straight home? Or Cultural Fest work? Maybe old part-time.
...Or, chatting Yukino?
Not just Yukino, but Haruno-san, Masuzu... Even Iroha or Kanade possible.
Yuigahama unknow since when, but felt all world girls attracted Yuu. While she most mediocre. None notice if abandoned anytime.
Stars prefer earth humans, or shine Galaxy Moon beside?
"Know, mustn't think this... All needless worry. Can't that inferior."
As self-convince, complain all same-feeling people.
Yuigahama unconsciously clutched chest clothes. Bit trembling lip, deep breathed.
But, yesterday scene resurfaced mind.
So weird. Said be girlfriend. Both understood feelings, firm promise. Bluntly, even first kiss...
Then, why still so uneasy dare not face, not talk?
Why fear happy future together?
"—Soon starts, affair Yuu said."
This vague premonition caused heart unrest.