They say that the fortunes we are born with are all different. And I, born into a wealthy family and raised with an abundance of love, was a person blessed with more fortune than I deserved.
At a young age, I met a child who was loved just as much as I, perhaps even more. It would not have been strange for my young heart to feel a sense of envy toward her, but... looking back, I think that child knew how to be loved so well that she could naturally erase even those feelings.
A bond forged in the Trinity kindergarten. My first friend, a girl named Misono Mika.
I cannot say how fortunate I am to have met her and become her friend. As I etched my family's teachings—to maintain one's dignity at all times and in all places—into my very being, people began to watch me from a distance rather than approach as I grew older.
Mika told me that one of the reasons people found me difficult to approach was my habit of using formal speech with everyone, but by that point, it was already completely ingrained in me. She would generously permit me to practice speaking casually with her, but how many times must I tell her that I am simply more comfortable with formal language?
...I don't know if I should be ashamed of it, but I do not possess the same friendliness as Mika. While she can approach anyone with ease and befriend them just as easily... even after many years, the only person I could truly call a close friend was Mika.
In truth, a large part of the reason I didn't make more friends was that handling Mika alone was already a handful. It may sound like an excuse, but Mika is truly a chatterbox, mischievous, and despite being able to get along with anyone, she was particularly attached to me.
Ah, there may be a slight issue with my statement that Mika approaches anyone easily. That is because she pathologically despises the students of Gehenna. It's a relief that she at least pretends to listen when myself or Seia-san try to talk her down.
As you can see, Mika is a friend with many flaws. Sometimes, I even wonder why I bother putting up with her.
I remember mentioning this once when Mika was within earshot, and the response I received was quite the spectacle. What on earth is, "You don't know why you still hang out with me, Nagi-chan? You're so silly, Nagi-chan~ It's obviously because you actually love me so, so much☆"? That's not funny in the slightest. If she ever says something like that again, I shall have to stuff that little mouth of hers with a roll cake.
"..."
If I were to define what Mika is to me, she is likely my one and only, dearest nemesis.
...So is it not natural for me to be concerned when such a nemesis skips school without notice for the first time in her life? I feel a sense of unease, not knowing what strange new trouble she has gotten into.
I send her MomoTalks constantly, but not only do I get no reply, the "read" receipts don't even appear. At first, I thought, that fool finally managed to oversleep, but as morning turned to noon, worry began to take precedence.
"Nagisa, have you heard from Mika?"
"No, she isn't even looking at her MomoTalks. Mika-san may be a self-centered fool, but she isn't the type to skip school without a word..."
"First, you must calm your heart. I am sure nothing dire has happened to Mika. You are well aware of her combat prowess, are you not?"
"...That's true. I can't quite imagine that idiot getting beaten up somewhere. It's more believable that she's off causing some bizarre incident. For example, robbing a bank in the Black Market..."
"Nagisa, surely Mika is not that bad... or is she...? Hmm, she probably is not."
"Sigh... She had better hope nothing is wrong. This time, I will seal that mouth of hers with roll cake for good."
There are people you should and shouldn't worry. Mika, I will not forgive you for this. If you hadn't been so stubborn about needlessly redecorating the interior of your own mansion, I wouldn't be pacing around restlessly like this right now.
You need to be aware of who the current Tea Party Host is, Mika, even if it is not a position you will hold for long. I'm not asking for much, so please, just have a little sense of responsibility until Seia-san takes over the position.
...So please, just answer your messages. Please.
"Mmm... it's nice and quiet without Mika-san. This is how tea time should be."
"It may be a little mean to Mika, but I must agree with you on that. She can be a bit overly boisterous at times."
I try to soothe my burning insides with the bitter taste of black tea, but today, the tea tastes exceptionally bitter. I fear this may only be having the opposite effect.
"But you know, regardless of our tea time... we are the Tea Party, are we not? A party is only at its best when it is loud and lively."
"Seia-san... no matter how you look at it, that's a bit of a stretch."
It seems Seia-san is also quite worried about Mika, seeing as she's saying such strange things with a straight face.
"Hehe, is that so... But as quiet as it has become in Mika's absence, has the emptiness you feel not grown just as large, Nagisa? At least, that is how I felt. To evoke such emotions in just half a day. It seems Mika was a far more precious friend to me than I had thought."
Normally, I would have refuted her words without a second thought, but for some reason, my mouth refuses to cooperate today. However, I have to admit that Seia-san is right about one thing: Mika's absence leaves a larger void than I expected.
After finishing as much work as we could with Seia-san, the afternoon classes that followed were nothing short of torture. I resent Mika for putting me through this ordeal. Yes, I truly resent her.
In any case, it was only when my studies became completely unfocusable that I made my decision.
[Something is definitely wrong. Mika-san, are you okay? Please reply as soon as you see this. I'm so worried about you I can't even focus on my studies.]
In the end, I committed a transgression I had never once committed in my life: I used my phone during class.
As expected, once a dam is breached, it can no longer perform its duty. I checked my phone constantly for a reply, and eventually sent Mika-san another MomoTalk, resolving to go find her myself.
After that, my studies were completely pushed aside. I must have come up with dozens of things to say to Mika when I saw her, staring blankly as I waited for class to end.
The shame I felt at becoming just like the students I had once thought pathetic—those who couldn't focus and just waited for the bell—was fleeting. When the final bell finally rang, I set off for Mika's house without even informing the students tasked with escorting the Tea Party members of my destination.
Completely oblivious to the absurd situation that awaited me.
Once I arrived in front of Mika's house, I hesitated, wondering what I would do if she wasn't here. But I couldn't stand here forever, so I steeled my resolve, placed my hand on the doorbell, and opened the lid of the box, hoping the cat inside was still alive.
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang several times, but even after a minute, Mika did not open the door.
If she's not home, then where on earth could she be? The reason my thoughts turned dark was that no matter where Mika was, there was no reason she couldn't check her MomoTalks. The only possibility was that she had left her phone at home.
I decided to ring the bell one more time, just in case. Praying fervently that Mika would open the door, I pressed the button. To my immense relief, this time I heard a presence from beyond the door.
I could faintly hear Mika's voice in a very small whisper. I couldn't make out what she was saying, but I could catch one word.
Memory.
That alone told me nothing, so I dismissed it as unimportant. At the same time, with a click, the front door opened. The time for interrogation had finally come... or so it should have.
Mika was a complete mess. Her hair was disheveled as if she had just woken up, and even though it was nearly evening, she was still in her pajamas. Furthermore, she was staring blankly at my face without a word. It seemed she was not in a good state at all.
"...Hello, Mika-san. You... don't look very well. Surely you haven't been sleeping in this late, have you?"
In truth, it was obvious to anyone that she had been sleeping this whole time. Her atmosphere was different from the usual Mika, so I postponed the interrogation, but I had already decided that for the crime of making me worry over something as trivial as oversleeping, she would be force-fed a mountain of roll cake.
I will kill you with my own two hands, Misono Mika.
If you feel even a little bit sorry, I hope you will surrender peacefully. You're used to letting me win whenever you do something wrong anyway, aren't you? But this time, you had better prepare yourse—
"Um... are you perhaps Nagi-chan?"
Eh?
"The person saved as Nagi-chan in my messenger said they were coming here, so I was waiting. I thought you might be able to tell me who I am, and what kind of person I was."
An odd sound escaped my lips without my knowledge, but Mika gave me no time to feel embarrassed, spouting a stream of incomprehensible words.
My brain, which had been trying its best to understand Mika's nonsense even a little, finally raised the white flag. I could not, for the life of me, understand what she meant.
"Wait, just a moment. Mika-san, what in the world are you talking about? Why are you speaking as if you're seeing me for the first time today? I don't understand at all... And what am I supposed to tell you..."
What am I supposed to tell...
In that instant, a single, worst-case possibility flashed through my mind. A possibility I prayed was not true, one that absolutely could not be true.
I belatedly understood why Mika had been staring so intently at my face, but it brought me no joy. Please, tell me everything you've said so far was just a joke, Mika. Just this once, I'm willing to forgive you completely. So please...
Ah, now I don't even know what I'm saying anymore. As Mika looked at my rambling self with an apologetic expression, the sky came crashing down around me.
"...I'm sorry. But I don't remember anything at all. Everything in my head is a jumbled mess."
...
"H-haha... Mika-san, really... Did you think I'd fall for something so..."
As a white flame sparked before my eyes, a single fear took root deep within my heart. The terror that I might have lost my most precious friend forever. It blinded me.
The last thing I saw was Mika looking down at me with worried eyes, and then I lost consciousness.