Akari was getting dangerously close. 

I was screwed.

She caught up with us in the blink of an eye.

“What the hell is going on with you guys?” 

she asked. 

“Look at this, Akari.” 

She held the magazine right in front of her eyes.

Why?! She won’t shut up!

“But this magazine...”

She recognized it right away, not that it was hard, since she was the one posing in it.

“Sora wanted to see you in a bikini!” 

Another girl chimed in; they were popping up out of nowhere

“Hey, don’t talk nonsense, Sora would never do that.”

Haruto chimed in.

Haru, you’re a godsend.•

I was almost moved to tears; only later did I realize I’d used the same expression as my mother. 

“And you expect us to trust you? You’re his friend.”

“Exactly, of course you’re going to defend him.” 

The situation was getting out of hand; even Haru had been dragged into the argument. 

By now, everyone was arguing. 

“That’s enough!” 

It was Akari’s voice that finally calmed everyone down. 

“I don’t understand what’s gotten into you all.”

“I’m a model, and therefore a public figure...”

She paused; I think she was searching for the right words. 

“If Sora wants to look me up in the magazine, he’s free to do so.” 

That statement didn’t sound reassuring; it was as if she were taking my guilt for granted. 

“But Akari...”

“There’s no need for you to worry.”

She stopped our friend from continuing, then stepped closer to me. 

“A-Akari.” 

“Here, take it.”

She handed it to me gently; she didn’t seem angry, but I was mortified.

Instinctively, I picked it up again.

I tried to stop her, to tell her what I thought, but she was already heading back to her seat. 

“Good morning, everyone.” 

The teacher for the next class arrived at the worst possible moment.

For the rest of the class, I kept my head down on the desk. 

How the hell did that happen!? I’m such an idiot!

“Hey, Sora” 

Haru called out to me, whispering. 

“You owe me an explanation after class.” 

I nodded; I certainly couldn’t blame him. 

Lunchtime finally arrived. 

Haru and I grabbed our bento boxes and headed to the cafeteria; we got there in no time.

“I’m so hungry!” 

He opened it with a loud snap. 

“How can you have such a big appetite?”

I was impressed—or rather, he’d always been a big eater, but after what had happened…

“Well, arguing makes me hungry.” 

He started eating the rice. 

“But… hmm… don’t worry, go ahead and tell me.”

It was hard to take him seriously, but I started anyway. 

I told him everything that had happened with Akari.

“Really!?” 

He almost choked. 

“Shhh, keep your voice down, Haru.” 

“Y-yes, sorry.” 

“I’m doomed. I don’t want her to get the wrong idea about me.” 

Haru looked at me, puzzled. 

“Sorry to ask, but why do you care? Until yesterday, you’d hardly ever mentioned her.” 

He wasn’t wrong. 

“I… I don’t know, she just seems more interesting than I thought.”

I blushed; it was a little embarrassing. 

“I’d like to get to know her a little better.”

I stared at my lunch without touching it; I had a knot in my stomach. 

“Well, are we still going to the arcade today?” 

Haru’s comment caught me off guard. 

“I’m telling you I’m worried, and you’re talking about the arcade!” 

I didn’t realize I’d yelled until the other students stared at me.

I tried to hide my face. 

“Don’t you get it, Sora?” 

I stared at him, confused. 

“The damage is already done; taking your mind off things for a bit won’t hurt.” 

He gave a thoughtful smile. 

I smiled back, without even realizing it. 

“Pfft! Are you that eager to lose again?” 

I teased him. 

“Oh look at that, Mr. Magazine has come to his senses.” 

“Pff…” 

I tried to hold back my laughter. 

But I failed—not even Haru could contain himself.

I’d be lying if I said the rest of the day went smoothly; I was still worried. 

I kept watching Akari; when class ended, I still couldn’t get my thoughts straight.

“Come on, Sora, let’s head downtown!” 

“Fine, fine—you can’t beat me at video games anyway.”

“You’re underestimating me, my friend.” 

“Don’t take it personally—you’re better at sports.”

I thought back to basketball practice, to my attempt to make a shot. 

“Well, I’ll beat you at this, too!”

It didn’t take us too long—or maybe it was just the company that made it seem that way.

“Man, it’s packed.”

There were a lot of people; after all, we were inside a mall. 

“The driving games are open.”

I pointed it out to him. 

“Perfect! That’s where I’ll get my first win.”

“Keep believing that.”

We set off, grabbed some tokens, and dove right into the games.

“Damn it, no!” 

Haruto veered off course. 

“I told you so, Haru—you’re not going to win!” 

It was the last lap; we were neck and neck. 

“Victory is mine!” 

We said it in unison. 

In the end… I won. 

“Yes!” 

I got out of the cockpit. 

“I hate you, Sora.” 

“I told you so.” 

We kept challenging each other to different games until it was time to go home. 

“Sora, feel free to wait for me outside—I’m going to the bathroom.” 

I nodded in agreement. 

I waited near the entrance to the arcade. 

I really had fun, but…

I wanted to clear things up with Akari…

I started pacing back and forth. 

I didn't really manage to...

I—

accidentally bumped into someone. 

“I’m so sorry—”

I froze. 

“Sora, is that you!?”

I had run into Akari.