Track 9

…Nanamegi, I want to ask about that message you sent yesterday.

…Sorry, but you should go to Ushio instead.

Ushio is being obstinate today. He only responds with an “I don’t know” every time I talk to him.

Seriously? How immature can he get? He even ignored me when we literally made eye contact this morning.

…Look, I’m sorry about pulling out on such short notice, but I’ve already made up my mind.

…

…There is actually something else I have yet to disclose about D-BATTLE.

Huh?

I believe I said before that D-Club was established under the student council’s authorization.

However, the one who proposed the direction this club should take was actually me.

Wait… Are you saying you came up with D-BATTLE?

Indeed. Me and the club president, together.

(I seriously didn’t expect this. Actually, why would Muneuji do something like that…?)

You see, I saw an opportunity when they initially came to consult me.

An opportunity?

Yes, an opportunity to create a place where Ushio could take revenge on those who belittle him with the nickname “goody two-shoes.”

!

This club was, of course, established for the students… However, it was also partially created from my selfish desires.

So Nanamegi, I am asking this for myself, not on behalf of the student council, nor for anyone else…

But would you reconsider D-BATTLING Ushio? Please, as a favour for a friend.

And if you accept, I want you to give it your all and face him head-on.

…

The truth is, Ushio has been abandoned and hurt by the people around him for a long time now.

That is why he has given up on building human relations entirely and instead spits venom despite knowing that others will scorn him for it.

It is his self-defense mechanism.

…

(…Muneuji understands why Ushio acts the way he does because he’s been by his side for years…)

In other words, he is a coward. A coward afraid of facing others, a coward afraid of rejection.

And as his friend, I, of course, could not fathom seeing him get hurt. Therefore, instead of reprimanding him as I should have, I allowed that sharp tongue of his to run unchecked.

I see…

However, Nanamegi.

If that hurt were to come from you, from someone who has walked alongside him as an equal, then I believe it is a necessary pain for him to endure.

That is why, I want you to give him something he can wear with pride.

Muneuji…

But couldn’t we do this another way?

No… it has to be done through D-BATTLE. After all, the D in D-BATTLE stands for “discussion.”

Discussion…

That is all I have to say. I leave the rest for you to decide.

…

Still… raining, huh…

Yeah…

Um…

Can I, ask why, you sent that… message…?

Oh, but… if you don’t, want to, talk about it… then that’s, okay…

No, it’s fine. Muneuji actually pulled me aside about it earlier.

I, see…

Yesterday… I was rehearsing for the battle with Ushio when I said something that ended up making him mad.

And when I tried to talk to him about it, he just started insulting me like usual…

I can, imagine…

So I got pissed and told him I never wanted to speak to him again. That's why I sent that PeChat…

(But honestly…)

I think I said something I didn’t mean to in the heat of the moment…

…

(That’s right…)

Ha…

Hahaha…!

(What is this feeling?)

(This is it! I…!)

I could do this with him forever…!!

(I was having so much fun with Ushio.)

(And…)

“So where was that respect when I took time outta my day to help some shameless lover boy who flaked halfway bake like he was allergic to commitment?”

(Despite knowing I have feelings for Chief…)

(He never once used that against me. He only called me out for trying to give up on baking halfway through…)

(That’s why we were able to fight on even footing as equals. And yet…)

So… Could you maybe just… pretend to take some damage so I can look good in front of him…?

(I was the one who threw away the battle and any chance of facing him properly.)

Nanamegi…?

…Haha. Looks like I was the one who screwed up.

(What is this feeling…?)

…Me, too…

I didn’t express, myself properly… to my, best friend…

And, because of, that… our misunderstanding got, out of hand… and destroyed, our friendship…

Ever since then… it feels like, a part of me, has been missing…

Oh…

…Do you miss them?

Yeah…

(Ah… I see.)

(I finally understand what Chief said.)

It’s great that you have a friend you can be completely honest with.

Aaaaagh, damn it!!

!

Sorry, Kiroku! I’ll be right back!

Yeah… Good luck.

Club Prez!!

Nanamegi-kun? You’re like a completely different person—

I need that, please!!