The Story of That Day

"...So that was what it was like?" After listening to Okita Soji, Sonoko Suzuki stared toward Tangze in disbelief. "With looks like Tangze's, he barely had any friends at school? Did your high school have that many handsome guys? That's way too harsh..."

"Not really. If we're talking popularity, I remember Tangze being pretty popular with the girls. On Valentine's Day, his shoe locker and desk drawer would be stuffed full of chocolates..." Okita Soji recalled. "But aside from me, I really don't remember him having any classmates he was close to."

"Not a single one?"

"Not that I remember..."

With a thud, Tangze heavily set a drink down in front of Okita Soji. "Stop talking nonsense, Okita-kun. You're too loud."

"See? Just like that." Okita Soji pointed at Tangze's irritated face. "We really are pretty close, right? He doesn't talk to other people like this."

No, he was clearly just fed up with you...

Watching Tangze shake his head helplessly and return to his seat, Sonoko Suzuki's mouth twitched. She felt as though she had gained some insight into how the two of them got along.

"You transferred schools without saying a word, then suddenly stopped coming to school. I asked the teachers around, but couldn't find any information. I went through all kinds of trouble to find your address, only to discover that your house had become fire-ravaged ruins..." Okita Soji glanced at Tangze's expression and let out a heavy sigh. "I thought something had happened to you."

"Were there any strange rumors at school?" Tangze immediately understood the implication and raised an eyebrow.

"You caught on fast, didn't you?" Already used to Tangze's tendency to bluntly expose the truth at the drop of a hat, Okita Soji pursed his lips. "You vanished without leaving even one explanation