Magic

That night, as usual, I brushed off my sobbing mom and went out for my routine run and strength training. The playground equipment in the park along the way is great for various workouts without spending money.

I noticed my smartphone on the bench flashing.

Despite my reaction to Kinoshita, I don’t have many friends on my LINE friend list either.

Most notifications at this time are usually from my mom asking, “What are you doing?”, “Bored?”, “Preparing a game?”, “Haven’t come back yet?”, “Lonely?”, “Kidnapped?” and I generally ignore them.

So, even though I noticed the notification, I usually let it pass, but the flashing color indicated a missed call.

Wiping the sweat off my neck with a towel, I opened my smartphone. No voicemail or additional LINE messages, just a missed call.

It was from Kisaragi. I thought it might be just a casual chat, but it could also be an emergency. My mom’s worries about kidnapping unnecessarily lingered in my mind, so I called back.

“…Hmm.”

“Are you okay?”

“Huh, what do you mean?”

…Apparently, it was unnecessary worry.

“Nothing. Saw a missed call. Is there something you need?”

“Yeah.”

If it’s not urgent, that’s fine. I switched to speaker mode and continued my workout while talking.

“What are you doing now?”

“Working out.”

“Wow, shirtless?”

She giggled, teasingly.

“Can’t do that in a public park.”

“You can work out at home, can’t you?”

“Small apartment. Plus, the park on my running route has workout equipment, so it’s convenient.”

“That’s impressive. You’re not in any clubs, so why do you train?”

“It’s useful. The more stamina I have, the better I can do things. Consistency in daily routines yields better results over time.”

Well, saying I train every day is misleading. Today is abs and pull-ups day, tomorrow is push-ups, and the next day is rest. It’s more efficient that way.

“Kisaragi, your breath sounds funny while I’m working out.”

“You called me during my sit-ups.”

“Maybe. Might be true. Haha.”

The sound of pages turning suggested she was studying for the test. Even Kisaragi would prepare for exams at least a week in advance.

“Ryoma, how many points do you think are good for a test?”

“Your target score.”

“Answered so quickly. I just need to avoid failing. Too low?”

“Not necessarily. For you, studying has a different value.”

“True! I can live on my own, after all.”

“Exactly.”

With over a million followers, she’s become an influencer whose every move has an economic impact. Test scores are trivial at this point.

…But she knows that. Why bring it up now? What’s this about?

“…Do you feel jealous?”

“Why would I be? I respect what you’ve achieved, but I have my own ways. Envying you would be foolish.”

There’s nothing to envy. I helped plan her social media strategy to support her goal of living independently. It would be ridiculous to envy her success now.

“You said I should live on my own. My parents were the worst; I’ve arranged through lawyers never to see them again.”

“Yeah.”

“But… it’s not like I want to live alone.”

“Huh? I mean, being able to manage your life without depending on others is good. Having friends and acquaintances is also good.”

“That’s not what I mean…”

Another big sigh echoed through the park from her mic.

“I just mean, if you’re going to live lonely, maybe I could consider helping? I can live alone already, so I have room for you?”

“I’m not so far gone to leech off you.”

“You didn’t have to say it like that!”

“Why are you mad? Don’t make such offers to anyone. Even if you’re fine now, it might not always be the case──”

“I don’t make such offers to just anyone! Go die with your six-pack!!!”

The call abruptly ended.

Die with a six-pack, huh? Physically cracking open, I guess. Anyway, she cut off the call mid-conversation.

I called back. This time, she picked up quickly.

“Apologize.”

“I’m sorry. But unwise kindness can ruin you, like my father.”

She hung up again. One more try. This time, she picked up even before a full note played.

“Apologize.”

“I’m sorry. I’m impressed you care enough to think about me too. But relying on you isn’t perfect for me, so I decline.”

“…How long will this last?”

“It’s not about persistence. Until I achieve a satisfactory life with what I earn.”

“If you fail in three years, will you compromise?”

“No, three years is too short.”

“…Sigh.”

Another exasperated sigh.

“Alright, I’m going to sleep.”

“Rest well. And don’t leave missed calls. It worries me. If you have something to say, use LINE──”

She hung up again. That girl.

I hesitated to call back. If she’s going to sleep, I’ll tell her next time.

Then, a LINE notification. From Airi, Kisaragi Airi.

Airi: Worry and call back, dummy.

…Really? She planned this whole thing, including the missed call.

Since she’s awake, I sent a message.

Goda Ryoma: What was the point?

Airi: If I tell you here, you’ll just handle it on LINE.

Goda Ryoma: If it’s important, I wouldn’t.

Airi: Your voice.

…Voice?

Airi: Just wanted to hear it.

Goda Ryoma: That’s your reason?

Airi: Go die with your six-pack.

I’m not going to die. After a while, another LINE notification came.

Airi: Go to sleep, Ryoma.

Who’s worrying about whom? Sighing, I finished my workout.

“Alright…”

Next to my smartphone on the bench was my bag. I don’t usually bring it, but today I had towels, textbooks, and notebooks.

I didn’t want to study late at night with my mom sleeping nearby. Nor did I want to spend money at 24-hour places.

So, I studied at the park bench and table. An idea I came up with during exam season in winter.

The biggest drawback is the annoying bugs, making it impractical outside winter, but I needed to focus for this exam.

“Let’s do this…”

Glaring at the moths attracted to my lantern, I started studying.

For the next two weeks, I’ll have to keep up this routine.

──I became a nuisance to my class in high school…

I decided to change her resigned, lonely expression.

Goda Ryoma is a perfect man. Once I decide to do something, I do it perfectly. This is the swan’s paddling.

Even if I intend to help moderately, skipping steps isn’t perfect.

tln : fck airi is cute too. man, please i really hate when the premise is like this.