Love Song of Green Seasons

It was only when they left the karaoke bar and the cool night air filled her lungs that Ichinose Honami seemed to wake from a thrilling dream. She looked at Kazama In, whose expression had returned to calm, and recalled the lightning-fast clash in the private room, the bone-chilling crack, and Kazama In's sincere apology and the medicine he had given her afterward... The enormous contrast left her at a loss for words.

Inside the private room.

Ryuen Kakeru stared in the direction Kazama In had gone, his eyes frighteningly sinister. He abruptly downed a mouthful of strong liquor, letting the burning liquid sear his throat.

"B-Boss... we're just going to let it go?" Ishizaki Daichi asked, reluctant but still shaken.

"Let it go?" Ryuen Kakeru let out a low, beastlike laugh, though his eyes were cold as ice. "Heh... as if. Kazama In... 'The Arbiter'? Interesting. Very interesting." He licked his lips, as though savoring some dangerous, tempting flavor.

"He showed his fangs today, and revealed his goal... the Student Council President?" Ryuen swirled his glass, the crimson liquor resembling blood beneath the lights. "Using my men as bargaining chips, then trying to use my votes as stepping-stones... What nerve! What a move!"

He glanced at Albert, who was silently rolling his arm, then swept his gaze over Ishizaki and the others, who sat frozen with fear.

"Remember today!" Ryuen's voice suddenly rose, tinged with a cruel excitement. "Remember the man who broke your arm, set it back himself, and even gave you medicine! Remember his face! Remember his name—Kazama In!"

"He's a poisonous snake lurking in Class D, and a beast in sheep's clothing! His fangs are sharper—and deadlier—than we ever imagined!" Ryuen drained his glass and slammed it onto the table with a piercing crash.

"This game... is only now getting interesting!" His eyes burned with a crazed fighting spirit and the thrill of finding a worthy opponent. Kazama In's fangs hadn't frightened him off. If anything, they had completely ignited his desire to conquer and destroy.

After leaving the noisy, chaotic karaoke bar, Ichinose Honami felt as though the cool night air had a cleansing power. She took a deep breath, and her taut nerves finally began to relax. Turning her head to look at Kazama In, whose expression had returned to calm, she was filled with complicated emotions: lingering fear from the dangerous scene, shock at his ruthless methods, but above all, gratitude that he had protected her and ultimately "settled" things in such an unusual way—and an indescribable... flutter in her heart.

"Kazama-kun..." she said softly, breaking the silence. "Thank you... for earlier." Her voice still held a barely noticeable tremor, but it was mostly sincere.

"Mm." Kazama In gave a faint reply, as if he had done nothing more than an insignificant favor. He was still holding her hand, but his grip had loosened; he merely held it loosely as he led her toward the dormitories.

After walking for a while, Ichinose finally voiced the question on her mind. "That contract... the last clause, about the votes for the Student Council President election... Kazama-kun, are you planning to... run for president?" Her blue eyes were curious, with a hint of probing, as she looked at his profile.

Kazama In didn't avoid her gaze. He nodded openly. "Mm. I'm the vice president now. The position will be vacant after Student Council President Horikita Manabu graduates." His tone was calm, as if he were stating a settled fact. "I need that position."

"I see..." Ichinose said, understanding at last. Then, as if something had just occurred to her, she pouted slightly, her pink lips forming a cute, reproachful expression. She gave his hand a gentle swing. "So when you agreed to help with Chihiro's problem last time, and asked me to do you a favor in return... this was what you meant? You want Class B to vote for you when the time comes?" She blinked her big eyes, looking a little pleased with herself for having figured it out—and with a trace of expectation.

Kazama In paused under her gaze. That had indeed been his plan; trading favors for votes was the most direct and effective approach. But now that Ichinose had put it so plainly, and he saw the understanding in her clear eyes—and a hint of... disappointment?—he suddenly felt that simply admitting "yes" seemed a little too... calculating.

He was silent for a few seconds. A rare, almost awkward emotion flickered through his dark eyes, and in the end, he gave an ambiguous "Mm," tacitly admitting it. He turned his gaze toward the streetlights in the distance.

Seeing him so unusually "put on the spot," Ichinose burst into a giggle. Her slight disappointment vanished instantly, replaced by an even brighter smile. She squeezed Kazama In's hand, her voice clear and firm. "All right! I understand! You're a little 'sly,' but..." She paused, her smile growing warmer and brighter. "Kazama-kun is a good person! Everything you do is for everyone and for the class, right? I believe in you!"

She lifted her face and looked at Kazama In earnestly. "I'll talk to everyone in Class B about the election! I'm sure they'll understand and support you, too!"

Kazama In looked down at her radiant smile and trusting eyes, and the slight unease he had felt about using their favor to secure votes gradually subsided. He nodded gently. "Thank you."

The mood grew light again. They walked side by side toward the dormitories, the early autumn breeze brushing past them. The conversation naturally turned to everyday things: amusing happenings at school, their classes... and, eventually, Kazama In's copy of Love Song of Green Seasons, which he almost never put down.

"You really like that book, don't you, Kazama-kun?" Ichinose said with a smile. "Are there really that many ways to 'raise affection' in it?"

"Mm." Kazama In nodded seriously and took out the book. "It says that inviting a friend to a movie is an effective way to get to know each other better and strengthen a friendship." He flipped to a page and pointed at the text, studying it with the focus of someone examining a battle plan.

Watching his serious profile, Ichinose felt a faint tickle in her heart, as if a feather had brushed it. Holding back a laugh, she teased him on purpose. "Oh? So who are you hoping to invite to a movie to 'raise affection,' Kazama-kun?"

Kazama In closed the book and turned his calm gaze toward her without the slightest hesitation. "You. Are you free this weekend?"

"Huh?" Though she had expected it, Ichinose still blushed instantly at his direct invitation, her heart pounding like a drum. She lowered her head and unconsciously began twirling the ends of her hair again, her voice barely audible. "Um... I-I'm free..."

"Good." Having received her answer, Kazama In said nothing more, as if he had just scheduled an important appointment.

The cinema was fairly crowded that weekend. Kazama In and Ichinose chose a highly rated drama. It told the story of a skilled, cold-blooded assassin who unexpectedly rescued a pure-hearted girl during a mission. The girl's warmth and unconditional trust gradually melted the ice around his heart like sunlight. To protect this precious light, he decisively gave up his identity as an assassin and chose to become an ordinary person, hoping to live a peaceful life with her. But fate's cruel joke didn't spare them. Just as they thought happiness was finally within reach, the assassin's old enemies came looking for them. To protect the girl he loved, he picked up his weapon once more and fought a bloody battle. In the end, he fell in a pool of blood before her, filled with love and regret... and the girl ultimately failed to escape her own tragic fate...

The film's ending was beautiful and tragic. When the mournful melody played over the credits and the cinema lights came on, Ichinose Honami was already in tears. She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her shoulders trembling slightly, clearly deeply moved by the story.

Kazama In silently handed her a packet of tissues. His dark eyes gazed at the frozen image on the screen—the last look the assassin had given the girl, brimming with so many complicated feelings: love, reluctance, relief, regret... That look was like an invisible thorn, gently piercing Kazama In's heart. "Give up his identity... protect her... and still fail in the end..." The ending strongly resonated with some vague understanding buried in his subconscious, leaving him lost in thought for a moment.

Outside the cinema, the cool night breeze helped Ichinose calm down a little, though her eyes were still red. She looked at Kazama In, who remained silent beside her, and thought of the assassin who had given everything up for love. Then she thought of Kazama In's unfathomable skills and the occasional detachment he showed, so out of place with those around him. An indescribable feeling welled up inside her.

She gently tugged at Kazama In's sleeve. Though tear tracks still marked her face, she tried to smile, somewhat vulnerably, and said half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Kazama-kun... that male lead, the way he gave up everything for the person he loved... it felt... a little like you, didn't it?"

Kazama In paused for the briefest moment. He turned to look at Ichinose, her bright eyes still marked by tears, reflecting the streetlights and his own image. He was silent for a few seconds. The film's despairing ending flashed through his mind, followed by the warm smile of the girl before him.

When he finally spoke, his voice was lower and gentler than usual, carrying an unusual seriousness. "I won't become him." He didn't explain who he meant by "him"—the assassin, or the one who met a tragic end. But his dark eyes held a steadfastness almost like a promise. "Come on. I'll walk you back."

Seeing the earnestness in his eyes, warmth filled Ichinose's heart. She nodded firmly. "Okay!"

On the way back to the dormitory, Ichinose gradually cheered up and began quietly discussing the movie's details with Kazama In, musing about the fickleness of fate and the greatness of love. Kazama In listened quietly and occasionally responded, but his gaze kept drifting to the lively profile of the girl beside him. The streetlights stretched their shadows long, sometimes overlapping, sometimes drawing apart.

At last, they reached the dormitory entrance. It was late, and the lobby was quiet.

"Thank you for the movie tonight, Kazama-kun." Ichinose stood by the elevator and turned to face Kazama In. Her eyes glimmered in the light, filled with contentment and a trace of reluctance. "Even though the ending was sad... I was really happy to watch it with you." She tilted her head slightly, smiling sweetly and sincerely.

"Mm. I... learned a lot, too." Kazama In nodded. He meant the "methods" in the book, as well as... the feelings the movie had stirred in him. As he looked at Ichinose's warm smile, he felt as though it had brightened some corner of his heart.

"Well then..." Ichinose's cheeks turned pink again. She lowered her head shyly, her voice gentle. "Good night, Kazama-kun."

"Good night," Kazama In replied warmly.

The elevator doors slid open with a chime. Ichinose stepped inside, then, just as the doors were about to close, suddenly leaned out again. She beamed at Kazama In, a playful glint in her smile, and waved energetically. "Let's 'raise affection' together again sometime!"

The elevator doors slowly closed, cutting off her radiant smile.

Kazama In stood there, watching the floor numbers climb until they stopped. He lowered his head slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting in a clear, gentle curve. The smile was faint, but it held a genuine warmth. He touched the contract he had signed with Ryuen in his pocket; the cold paper seemed to have warmed a little.

Affection... really does seem to have gone up. The thought quietly crossed his mind. He turned toward another elevator, walking a little more lightly than before. In the shadows, the "Arbiter" called Kazama In seemed to be gradually illuminated by another kind of gentle light.