Three drenched figures leaped back into the hot spring, sending ripples across the water. Their upturned faces were reflected on the surface, and under the starlight they looked like three blooming water lilies.
But... where were the shooting stars?
Meanwhile, in the lounge, Hisa Takei leisurely turned her teacup. Her wine-red hair was casually pinned up, exposing the delicate nape of her neck.
When Kageyama Sora pushed open the door, he caught the glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Where is everyone else?"
"Still soaking in the hot spring, I suppose." Hisa blew gently across the steaming cup, and the rising mist blurred the corners of her upturned eyes.
Kageyama Sora glanced at his watch. The metal band gleamed coldly under the lights. "Staying in too long isn't good for you."
Before he had finished speaking, Mako Someya had already briskly gathered up the documents. A cold glint flashed across her glasses. "I'll go check on them."
The moment the wooden door closed, the room fell abruptly silent.
Hisa rubbed her fingertip along the rim of her cup, then suddenly chuckled. "By the way, what do you think of them?"
Kageyama Sora paused, then looked up, his gaze as clear as ever. "What?"
"The person in your room that night wasn't Haramura Nodoka." Hisa straightened, her wine-red hair falling over her shoulders.
Kageyama Sora showed no alarm at being found out. Instead, he looked as if he'd suddenly understood. "So that's why you've been acting strange. You really did see it."
At the edge of the hot spring, mist curled like a gauzy veil. Moonlight fell across the water, scattering shimmering reflections.
Three girls soaked quietly in the spring. The rising steam blurred their features, and only the occasional ripple broke the stillness.
The distant night sky was as black as ink. A few stars flickered here and there, but the shooting stars still hadn't appeared.
Saki Miyanaga idly traced the surface of the water with her fingertip, making tiny splashes. Yuki Kataoka lowered her head to stare at her reflection. Her short brown hair was damp with steam, strands clinging to her cheeks. Nodoka Haramura's pink hair hung loosely over her shoulders, and her sapphire-blue eyes were filled with warmth and concern as she quietly studied the two beside her.
"You two seemed really focused during training today, but... I can tell something's weighing on your minds." Nodoka broke the silence first. Her voice was soft but clear, especially distinct beside the quiet hot spring.
Her words were like a pebble tossed into a still lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves.
Saki's hand abruptly stopped, the water droplets suspended at her fingertips. Yuki shuddered and hurriedly turned her face away, afraid to meet Nodoka's eyes.
The two exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with panic and embarrassment, as though someone had glimpsed the secret they kept buried in their hearts.
Nodoka sighed softly. Her gaze fell on the faint marks visible on Yuki's neck, and her voice was calm, yet carried the knowing certainty of someone who understood everything. "Those marks on you weren't mosquito bites, were they, Yuki..."
"Nodoka... I..." Yuki's voice was choked with tears and trembled. She gripped the wooden handrail tightly, her knuckles turning white.
"The only guy here is Kageyama Sora... and you came back really late last night..." Nodoka continued. Every word landed like a heavy hammer against Yuki and Saki's hearts.
"Nodoka, I'm sorry, I..." Yuki finally couldn't hold back. Tears spilled from her eyes, ran down her cheeks, and fell into the spring, making tiny ripples.
"Yuki, you..." Saki opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but she didn't know where to begin. She could only look anxiously at the two of them.
After all, Saki had nearly slept with Kageyama Sora the night before. She hadn't expected that, even though she hadn't crossed the line, Yuki would.
But Nodoka seemed calmer than Saki. "You don't have to apologize..."
Nodoka gently cut Yuki off and moved closer, reaching out to softly wipe away the tears on her cheek. "I understand."
Her palm was soft and warm, offering comfort.
"You understand..." Yuki looked up at Nodoka through tear-filled eyes, surprise and disbelief plain in her expression.
"Yeah, I understand..." Nodoka said quietly, her voice tinged with faint bitterness. "We're good friends. We became friends because we share the same interests. It's only natural that you'd fall for the same guy I like."
"Nodoka... you're not mad at me?" Yuki asked through a sob, her voice full of uncertainty.
Nodoka smiled gently, her expression relieved and openhearted. "If we've both fallen for a guy, why not just be together with him!? Feelings are hard to explain in the first place. We're friends. We shouldn't let this drive a wedge between us."
She reached out and drew Yuki and Saki into her arms. The three of them embraced tightly in the hot spring, their complicated but tender feelings mingling with the rising steam.
Love and Friendship Don't Contradict Each Other
By bringing the unspoken truth into the open herself, Nodoka had relieved Yuki of the burden weighing on her.
Still, Yuki hadn't expected Nodoka not to mind.
Or perhaps, compared to love, friendship mattered more to her.
The rising steam blurred the blush on Nodoka's cheeks. She folded her arms and sighed softly. "Actually, how could I not understand how you feel?"
Her voice was gentle yet firm, echoing through the mist.
Saki's body stiffened slightly, and her fingers curled unconsciously beneath the water.
She bit her lip, then finally worked up the courage to speak. "Nodoka, actually, I... I like Kageyama Sora too... I've been wanting to tell you... but I couldn't bring myself to... I..."
Her voice grew quieter and quieter. The last few words were barely squeezed out of her throat, laden with guilt and unease.
Yuki already knew all about it. After all, she'd stepped in when Saki had run away just as she was about to get close to Kageyama Sora. She'd even said, "Why can Saki Miyanaga do it, but I can't?" So naturally, she had no comment to make.
Now, Nodoka was the only one with any right to judge them.
Nodoka looked at them quietly, a gentle light shining in her sapphire-blue eyes.
She took both their hands gently and said, "I'd already guessed. You can't hide things like that in your eyes. I've seen those slightly apologetic looks you give me all the time."
Her thumbs gently stroked the backs of their hands, offering warmth and reassurance.
Saki could no longer hold back. Tears spilled from her eyes. "I'm sorry, Nodoka. I know this is selfish..."
"Don't say that." Nodoka interrupted her. "Feelings aren't something you can control. We're friends, partners working together toward our mahjong dreams. Should we really let one person ruin the bond between us?"
Yuki sniffled, her voice thick with tears. "But we both like him. What should we do?"
Nodoka looked up at the dark night sky and thought for a moment before answering. "Why do we have to choose? We can face these feelings together and work together to make him understand how we feel. Even if we can't be together in the end, we'll still be the best of friends."
Saki and Yuki looked at each other, hesitation flickering in their eyes.
"But wouldn't that be weird?" Saki asked quietly.
Nodoka smiled, her expression like the warm sunshine of spring. "What's weird about it? Love comes in all kinds of forms. We can ask him out together, prepare surprises for him together, and honestly tell him how we feel. No matter what happens, at least we won't have any regrets."
Hope rekindled in Yuki's eyes. "You're right, Nodoka! We're the best team. We can face our feelings bravely together, too!"
Saki clenched her fists, determination shining in her eyes. "Okay! Let's do it together!"
The three girls smiled at one another, their laughter echoing beside the hot spring. Suddenly, a shooting star streaked across the distant sky, illuminating their smiling faces.
This time, they didn't hurry to make a wish. They simply watched the shooting star disappear beyond the horizon.
They knew that true happiness was something they had to fight for themselves.
Steam still filled the hot spring, but it no longer felt oppressive.
Shoulder to shoulder, their heads leaning together, the three girls began to dream about the future.
They planned how to invite Kageyama Sora on an outing next time, discussed what gifts to prepare, and laughed as they looked forward to what lay ahead.
In that moment, love and friendship no longer contradicted each other.
When Mako arrived, all she saw was that beautiful scene and the tail end of a shooting star.
She smiled. "Stay in too long and you'll get dizzy."
But when Mako brought the trio back, only Hisa was in the room.
Mako asked curiously, "Where's Kageyama Sora?"
Hisa smiled. "He had some business to take care of at his company, so he went off to another international conference."
In fact, Hisa had taken the opportunity to talk with Kageyama Sora about relationships.
The wall lamp in the lounge cast a hazy golden glow over the tatami. Hisa leaned against the carved wooden window, her wine-red hair casually twisted into a loose bun that exposed her graceful neck.
She turned a celadon teacup between her fingers. The amber plum wine inside swirled gently as she looked at Kageyama Sora, who was sorting through documents with his head lowered. "I don't care what you think or who you like," she said, then suddenly paused, the corner of her eye turning sharp. "But I still hope you'll handle your relationships with everyone properly. The preliminary tournament is coming up. I don't want the mahjong club falling apart over this."
Hisa knew that many of these relationships had been initiated by the girls themselves, like Yuki Kataoka.
But as the club president, it was hard for her not to take her members' side.
Kageyama Sora realized that his actions had worried Hisa.
He didn't try to explain that he wasn't the only one involved. Instead, he answered sincerely, "I'll handle these relationships properly. Please don't worry... I'd never be the kind of scumbag who toys with girls."
Kageyama Sora's exceptionally handsome face was full of earnestness. Hisa's fingers tightened slightly around her teacup, its cool rim chilling her palm.
The young man before her had a presence impossible to ignore. When he looked at her intently, his dark eyes seemed to possess a bewitching power.
She turned her face away and drained her plum wine in one go. The sharp liquid slid down her throat, but it couldn't stop the tips of her ears from quietly turning red. "You'd better."
Even Hisa felt a little awkward and turned her face away.
After that, Kageyama Sora didn't linger. He chose to leave, and his conversation with Hisa became a secret between the two of them.
A secret known only to Kageyama Sora and Hisa.
The trio knew nothing about it. They just assumed that Kageyama Sora had really gone off to take care of work.
Still, the three first-years, including Nodoka, had to admit they felt relieved. They had only just decided to face their feelings for Kageyama Sora together, and running into him right away would've been embarrassing. They wanted to sort out their feelings before seeing him again.
The three of them, relieved, flopped onto the tatami together. Sure enough, staying in the hot spring too long made you feel lightheaded.
Hisa looked at them and chuckled softly. She hadn't asked a thing, but she knew something must have happened to make the tension vanish from the three girls. Still, that was a good thing.
We're All Your Wings
Morning light filtered through the gaps in the bamboo blinds, casting dappled shadows across the wooden floor.
Nodoka slowly opened her eyes. Her long pink hair spread across the pillow like a waterfall, its tips curling slightly and gleaming softly in the morning light. It made her already delicate features look even sweeter.
She looked around and saw that Hisa and Mako were already gone. Their usual toiletries were missing, too. It looked like they'd gone to soak in the hot spring.
She gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The pink ribbon in her hair swayed lightly with the movement.
Thinking of how pleasant it had been to soak in the hot spring yesterday, she also felt she'd stayed in a little too long. Perhaps it would be better to go for a walk.
She remembered a waterfall not far away. The sound of its water was crisp and pleasant. Lost in thought, she got up to change.
Her pale pink pajamas outlined her graceful figure, the fabric rising and falling slightly over her chest and highlighting her youthful softness.
Just as Nodoka unbuttoned her pajamas and was about to change into her outdoor clothes, Saki woke up, too.
She rubbed her round, wide eyes. Her brown bob was a little messy, giving her a touch of sleepy cuteness. Her voice was soft and drowsy as she asked, "Nodoka, where are the club president and Mako?"
"They've probably gone to soak in the hot spring." Nodoka's voice was especially gentle. She had already changed into a light blue yukata embroidered with delicate little flowers, making her look like a fairy from the woods. "But I'm planning to go for a walk by the waterfall."
Saki immediately perked up, excitement shining in her eyes. She quickly sat up and clenched her hands in front of her chest. "P-please take me with you!"
Her face was bright with anticipation, and she looked so adorable that it was impossible to refuse.
"Of course." Nodoka smiled and nodded, her eyes curving into crescents and dimples appearing faintly at the corners of her mouth.
The two of them looked over at Yuki, who was sleeping sprawled out in every direction. Her short brown hair, tied into twin tails, had fallen loose, and her Cherry Hair Accessory was tilted to one side. A faint smile lingered on her adorable face.
Seeing her like that, the two exchanged a smile—and tickled Yuki.
Amid laughter, their walk for two became a walk for three.
As it happened, Kageyama Sora had gotten up early, too. His neat black hair fluttered slightly in the morning breeze, and the morning light made his handsome features look even more dashing.
He wore casual sportswear. His tall figure was straight, and he set off with long strides to take a walk when he happened to hear... a lively girl's voice.
"Ah! This is great!" Yuki had already reached the waterfall. She was still wearing the yukata provided for the training camp, her twin tails bouncing as she ran, the Cherry Hair Accessory standing out in her hair.
The lively girl hopped about cheerfully. The patterns on her yukata danced with her movements, and her energetic look was enviable.
Kageyama Sora unconsciously walked over. From a distance, he saw Yuki bouncing around in her yukata.
Spray from the waterfall splashed onto her, but she didn't mind. Instead, she opened her arms and enjoyed the cool spray to her heart's content.
"I wish we could have another training camp," Saki murmured with a smile as she watched.
She folded her arms, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. The breeze gently lifted her brown hair. "Since joining the club and going to camp with everyone, I've started to love mahjong more and more... But after the tournament, the third-year club president will graduate. Even if it's only for a little while, I want to spend more time with everyone."
As she spoke, her voice gradually grew quieter, and a faint sadness came over her face.
She'd never thought about it before, but Saki's words stirred something in Nodoka for some reason.
She bit her lower lip and stepped forward, her pink hair blowing in the wind and brushing against her flushed cheeks.
Not very good at comforting people, she did her best to reassure Saki. "If we qualify at the prefectural tournament, we should be able to have another training camp before the National Tournament."
Saki's eyes immediately lit up, hope shining in them. "Then we'll get to come back again!"
Yuki turned around, looking full of energy, her twin tails bouncing happily behind her. "Not only that—we're going to win the National Tournament, too!"
She planted her hands on her hips, confidence written all over her face.
Nodoka looked just as confident. "That's right!"
Before you continue