Chapter 19: Argument
It was a bright, peaceful day—at least for most people.
"UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Mui's voice broke the calm.
---
Kei had invited both Mui and Jirou to her apartment to work on their summer homework.
Inside her apartment, the atmosphere was anything but studious.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU TWO!?" Mui shouted. "HOW MANY TIMES ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE BREAKS!?"
Jirou slumped against the table. "Dude, chill. It's not our fault we get tired easily."
"Yeah," Kei added. "And keep your voice down. We have neighbors."
"Sorry," Mui muttered, rubbing his temples. "But seriously, how much homework do you two have left? What did you even do during the break?"
Jirou grinned. "Just lazed around."
"Same, hehe," Kei admitted sheepishly.
Mui sighed. "Why didn't you call Mizuno, Yuzuhara?"
"She was busy helping her sister with homework," Kei replied.
"And you, Jirou? Why didn't you call Aijin?"
"I did," Jirou said. "But he said he was spending time with his big sister."
"So mean," Mui groaned. "Both of them are busy, and I'm the one stuck with you two bums."
"Yep," they replied in unison.
Mui sighed again. "Let's just finish it already."
---
They resumed their work. Mui eventually completed his assignments, but Kei and Jirou were once again sprawled out, exhausted.
"Uhhh, I can't do this anymore," Jirou groaned.
"Me neither," Kei mumbled.
Mui crossed his arms. "Come on, guys. Me, Aijin, and Mizuno are already done, but you two still have tons left."
"Yeah, you're right," Jirou admitted. "They're just too good, but we still need to improve too."
"Exactly," Mui said. "The mock exams are coming soon, so we need to prepare."
Kei blinked. "Uhh…"
"Don't tell me you didn't think about the mock exams," Mui said, glaring.
Kei laughed nervously. "Well… not really. I don't think that deep. Yasmine already chose a great high school, though."
"And you didn't even think about what would happen to her?" Mui snapped. "You didn't even try to get into that high school!"
"My grades weren't good enough…" Kei muttered.
"You didn't even try, YUZUHARA! You always leave Mizuno's side for some reason. Can you really call yourself a true friend?"
Jirou stood up quickly. "Mui, that's enough!"
Kei froze, the words cutting deep. Her eyes lowered, trembling slightly. "Please… guys, I think we're done studying for today."
"Yuzuhara?" Jirou said softly.
"I said leave me alone for now."
"But—"
"I SAID LEAVE!"
The sharpness in her voice filled the room.
They both packed up silently and left.
---
Inside the now-quiet apartment, Kei sat alone at her desk.
(He isn't wrong… I'm the one who's wrong. How can I call myself her friend after what I've done?)
Tears welled up as she stared blankly at her notebook.
---
Meanwhile, outside, Jirou walked beside Mui.
"I think you went too harsh on her," Jirou said quietly.
"I just told the truth," Mui replied.
"You don't know her situation, so why talk like that?"
"Because Mizuno isn't just her friend—and not just Aijin's. She's our friend too. Of course I care," Mui said firmly. "Even though I don't know her that well, after what happened to her in the past… I want to help her. Just like Aijin does."
Jirou looked surprised.
"I also want to make her happy," Mui continued. "And help her and Aijin be together again after what happened."
Jirou sighed. "Mui… you really are a good person. But you have to consider other people's feelings too. Even if you care deeply about Mizuno and Aijin, you need to care for your other friends too. Talk to Yuzuhara."
"But—"
"Please, Mui. Don't make the same mistake I did. Mine was dumber, but still… you should apologize."
Mui looked down for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. I'll apologize to her."
"That's the spirit," Jirou smiled.
---
Later that night, in Kei's apartment—
She sat at her desk, quietly working through the rest of her homework. The silence was broken by the sound of her phone ringing.
She answered. "Hello?"
"It's me," said a familiar voice.
"Mui!? How did you even get my number!?"
"Jirou gave it to me. I really want to talk with you. Can we meet at the bakery near the school tomorrow?"
Kei hesitated. "Uh…"
"Plus, I also want to talk about Yasmine's birthday plan," he added.
"…Okay," she said softly.
---
The next morning, Kei arrived at the bakery and spotted Mui sitting alone at a table. She approached and sat across from him.
After placing their orders, Kei broke the silence. "So… where's Kanta?"
"Oh, Jirou? He's still doing his homework," Mui said. "Anyway, let's get straight to the point. I'm sorry for what I said yesterday."
"Well… you were right," Kei said quietly.
"Huh?"
"I was being selfish. You shouldn't be the one apologizing—I should."
"Listen, Yuzu—" he stopped himself, then took a deep breath. "Listen, Kei."
She blinked, stunned to hear him use her first name.
"I don't know much about you," he continued. "I don't even know Yasmine that well. But I do know this—I want to be friends with both of you. Just like Aijin, I want to help Yasmine. But I also don't want to make you upset."
Kei's eyes widened.
"I feel terrible for how I acted," Mui said. "I'm really sorry."
"Don't apologize," Kei said softly.
"Huh?"
"After all…" she smiled brightly. "We're friends, Mui."
Mui froze for a moment, his expression blank, then tried to act casual. "Are you sure?"
"Oh, come on," Kei teased. "You didn't even react when I said your first name."
"Well, Aijin and Jirou always call me that, so I'm used to it," Mui shrugged.
"Anyway," Kei said, slightly flustered, "about Yasmine's birthday—what did you plan?"
"Nothing."
"What!?"
"Plus, we'll need Jirou and Aijin's help too."
"Yeah, you're right," she agreed.
"Then let's just eat for now."
---
Meanwhile, at the bus station, Aijin and Reina stood together, waiting.
"Are you really leaving, Sis?" Aijin asked.
"Yeah," she said, sighing. "If I don't, I'll get scolded. Oh, right—here."
She handed him two tickets.
"Amusement park tickets?" Aijin blinked.
"I wanted to go with you, but I got called back early," Reina smiled. "So go with someone else. Maybe that Mizuno girl?" she teased.
"Please don't start that," Aijin groaned.
"Her birthday's in three days, right?" Reina added.
"Yeah."
"Then take her there. Consider it a present from me."
"…Fine," Aijin said with a small smile.
The bus arrived. Reina waved. "Okay, I'm off!"
"Bye, Big Sis."
After a few moments, the bus disappeared from sight.
Aijin glanced down at the tickets. "Let's see where this park is…" He checked the location—and froze.
"Wait… what?!"
Something about the address wasn't normal.
---
What could it be?
[End of Chapter 19]