Chapter 16: Borrowing Courage from a Drink

"Mmph! Mmmph!"

"Be quiet. Traitor."

Nagisa spoke, looking down coldly at Mika, who was writhing on the floor. Three thin but long roll cakes were stuffed into Mika's mouth.

"How dare you break your promise? Wasn't it you, Mika-san, who first suggested that we should join forces since that strange girl appeared? And yet you stab me in the back?"

"...Gulp, I didn't betray you! I just went out to play like we promised a long time ago!"

"Shut up."

"Ah, no! No more roll ca— Mmmph!"

Nagisa continued to replenish the roll cakes in Mika's mouth. Mika struggled as if she didn't want it, but Nagisa's hand didn't stop. Mika, perhaps knowing she was in the wrong, didn't break the ropes that bound her and run away.

Still, what was infuriating was infuriating.

The day after they met Seia, Mika had come to Nagisa to talk about her. She said that it was obvious she was after Kenji, so as his close 'friends', they should prevent him from falling for a strange woman.

But in reality, it was a proposal to 'not fight amongst ourselves while keeping Seia in check'. And as a bonus, not to cut in line.

Thanks to that, Nagisa knew what kind of feelings Mika had for Kenji without even having to ask. No, even without that proposal, she had a rough idea.

Thinking about it logically, would anyone set a sleeping man's face as their smartphone's lock screen if they didn't like him? The same went for stealing the clothes he had taken off, using them a few times, and then returning them, and for storing the clothes he had lent her and buying a new, identical one to give back.

'Mika likes Kenji.'

That was Nagisa's conclusion.

Since she had done the same thing multiple times, she couldn't help but notice, even if she didn't want to.

So she had accepted her proposal. She didn't know about the future, but for now, she didn't want to get into a love quarrel with her. First, they would deal with their common enemy, Yurizono Seia, and then she would think about what to do next.

But she had been splendidly stabbed in the back. Who would have thought that the very person who had made the proposal would betray them so openly?

"...Hah."

Mika flinched at Nagisa's sigh. She mumbled the roll cakes she had finished eating and glanced at Nagisa.

"Since you broke the promise first, I will be going to meet Kenji alone today. Don't follow me."

"No!"

"Yes. If I catch you following me, we'll be strangers from that day on."

"...Ugh. Nagi-chan, you're so mean! Your heart is as small as your chest!"

"Do you want to die?"

Nagisa spat out in a cold voice. Mika lowered her gaze at her icy demeanor and grumbled.

It was only for a moment.

She soon compared Nagisa's chest to her own and let out a series of giggles. It was a smile for an unknown reason, but Nagisa, for some reason, didn't like that smile and shoved the largest roll cake into Mika's mouth.

*

After school.

Before going to meet Kenji, Nagisa first stopped by her dorm room. It was to change out of her uniform and into casual clothes. The casual clothes that Kenji had complimented her on a few days ago. She hadn't thought much of it at first, but after that day, those clothes became one of Nagisa's most treasured possessions.

The middle school dormitory was a two-person room, not a single. Because of that, there was another student in the room besides Nagisa. A student who was far from a model student.

"Ah, Nagisa. You're here."

She was holding a transparent bottle in her hand. It wasn't... water. Nor was it a soft drink. It smelled somewhat like disinfectant.

"What is that? It smells strange..."

"This? It's alcohol, of course! I bought it myself from the Black Market yesterday. It wasn't expensive, but there were a lot of people trying to buy it, so it was a bit of a hassle."

"...Alcohol?"

"Yeah! Oh, do you not know what alcohol is?"

"I know that much, Chiyo-san."

Nagisa replied with a deep sigh.

Alcohol was a surprisingly common item. It was sold in restaurants and convenience stores in the autonomous district. But it was strictly forbidden for students to buy it. Without the school's certification mark, which meant it was for cooking purposes, it was one of the things that, along with cigarettes, they could never touch.

But in the Black Market, there was no need to worry about such things. It was a place where you could do anything as long as you had money, so you could get as much alcohol or cigarettes as you wanted. It was a popular item among students, so there was some competition, though.

"Didn't you get caught going to the Black Market last time? If you get caught again, it won't just end with school service."

"I just won't get caught! Then it's not a crime."

"And it's okay to show it to me?"

"...Uh... you're right."

Chiyo scratched her head with a dazed expression. Nagisa looked at her with a pathetic expression and opened her closet. Then she took out the clothes she managed with much more care than the others and placed them on her bed.

A black skirt that was a little shorter than her uniform skirt. Black pantyhose to match. A white turtleneck sweater and a long women's coat, and a scarf. They were all clothes that Kenji had complimented her on at least once. Nagisa skimmed over the clothes, checking for wrinkles or smells.

Fortunately, there were no problems.

"Hey, Nagisa! You're not going to tell the president, are you?"

"Well. I'll think about it."

Nagisa replied perfunctorily and sprayed perfume on her body. She wouldn't have normally, but unfortunately, today was a gym class day. She had sweated, so she had no choice.

"Don't tell! I-I'm begging you! If I get caught again because of demerits, I'll be suspended! I can't get suspended when graduation is just around the corner!"

"You reap what you sow."

"No! Waaaaah! Please, let me off the hook! H-here! This! Alcohol, I'll give you about half of it. So just turn a blind eye for today!"

"I don't need it."

"No, you'll need it! That person. The name you desperately call out in the bathroom every night! For his sake too!"

"...Chiyo-san."

Nagisa's neck snapped around. At her murderous gaze, Chiyo let out a hiccup.

"I. Have never. Done that."

"B-but yesterday, you were in the bathroom saying 'Kenji... Kenji...'—"

"Chiyo-san. I've never. Done that. Have I?"

"...Y-yeah. I don't think you have."

Chiyo nodded. Nagisa smiled in satisfaction and slowly changed her clothes.

"By the way, what did you mean, for his sake? Of course, I've never said his name."

"...You're really shameless."

"What did you say?"

"Ah, nothing."

Chiyo cleared her throat once, then shook the bottle of alcohol and said.

"The person who sold me this said that alcohol is one of the best things for building friendships and a way to confirm each other's feelings. They said that adults can become friends quickly with just alcohol."

"...Elaborate."

"Uh, th-and! When you're drunk, you can see a side of people you've never seen before! They said that a strict person might suddenly act cute or cling to you like a child!"

"..."

Nagisa imagined Kenji acting all cute and clinging to her. A foolish smile spread across her face. Chiyo, seeing her idiotic smile, rubbed her arms, which were covered in goosebumps.

"N-Nagisa?"

"Give it to me."

"H-huh?"

"The alcohol. I won't tell, so give it to me."

"Ah, okay. But... Nagisa, your eyes are a little scary."

"It's just your imagination."

Nagisa smiled brightly. Chiyo felt a chill run down her spine.

*

Kenji and Nagisa didn't deviate and went straight into the kindergarten. Although it was called a kindergarten, there were currently no children attending. When he asked Torimune, she said that another kindergarten with better facilities had opened nearby, and all the children had flocked there.

But Torimune's wallet didn't suffer. In the first place, this place wasn't run on her own money but was supported by the Trinity autonomous district, so there was no need for separate operating costs.

Because of that, the money she received wasn't much, but Torimune was satisfied with it. She said she started the job because she liked children, so the salary didn't matter. She said she would send her own child to this kindergarten when he grew up, but that was a long way off.

'I have to become independent before then.'

He had already looked for a place. He hadn't told Mika, Nagisa, or Seia, but he thought he would probably finish moving in two weeks.

He was used to living alone, so he didn't feel any particular emotion about it.

"You haven't had dinner, right? Should we order something?"

"Hmm... should we?"

Nagisa nodded. Kenji plopped down on the sofa, took out his smartphone, and opened a delivery app.

"What do you want to eat?"

"How about pasta?"

"Alright. I'll have spaghetti, and you?"

"I'll have the cream pasta."

"Okay, I'll order it."

Kenji operated the app. Nagisa sat down gently next to Kenji and glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

Black hair. Black eyes. A sharp but playful face. And even a well-built body, as if he had started working out. Nagisa realized once again how handsome he was.

Am I seeing him through rose-colored glasses?

Whatever. Nagisa chuckled and looked down at his hands.

What had he been doing lately? His once delicate hands had become quite rough. They sometimes smelled of gunpowder, as if he had been holding a gun. He seemed to think he had washed it off, but as someone who was familiar with firearms, she couldn't help but notice.

'I should respect it.'

No matter how much she loved him, she didn't want to monitor and interfere with his every move. Just as she had her own life, he had his own, didn't he? She was worried because he was physically weak, but she shouldn't be overprotective like before. Of course, when she was with him, she intended to protect him with all her might.

From danger.

And from women.

"Ughhh..."

Kenji stretched. Nagisa, startled, turned her gaze away from him.

"Should we read a book until it arrives? Or is there something you want to do?"

I want to hold your hand.

"How about chess?"

Nagisa suppressed her true feelings and answered. Kenji grinned and stood up.

"I'll go get the chessboard. Don't cry when you lose."

"I don't lose anymore. And I'm the best chess player in my class."

"It must be a class of scrubs. I'll slaughter you in chess."

"Hmph, bring it on."

Nagisa said with a confident expression.

A short while later.

"Oh, thank you for the meal! This is in a great spot to be eaten! Isn't this a famous restaurant?"

"..."

"Oh. Sweet, so sweet! I'm so full..."

"...Ugh."

"Oops, I moved my piece by mistake. But there's a bishop there? Oh my!"

"...Ugh... grrr..."

"Oh, this is great! This is fun!"

"Grrrrrr!"

Nagisa flipped the board.

It was a common occurrence.

*

After a simple meal, Kenji cleared the table and Nagisa brewed tea for their tea time. She put hot water in a teapot with a tea bag and waited for the water to cool. Normally, she would have waited leisurely here, but not today.

"..."

Swoosh.

Nagisa took a water bottle out of her bag. A bottle with a clear liquid sloshing inside. It was the alcohol she had gotten from Chiyo.

A special kind of alcohol where not much of the alcohol evaporates even when boiled. It wasn't suitable for cooking, but since it wasn't brought for cooking, it didn't matter.

Nagisa subtly glanced around to see where Kenji was.

Fortunately, he was currently facing away from her. He wouldn't notice if she put something in the teapot.

The problem was... the only way to get him to drink the alcohol was through the teapot. She couldn't put the alcohol in the teacup, so she had no choice. But if she did that, she would have to drink the alcohol too.

'What if I get drunk before Kenji...'

Everything would be for nothing. The risk was too great for her goal of seeing him drunk. She had taken the hangover cure that Chiyo had, but she was still anxious. Nagisa fiddled with the cap of the bottle of alcohol, debating whether to really put it in.

The debate was short.

Yes, since I went through the trouble of getting it, wouldn't it be a waste not to use it? I have to believe in my own tolerance!

Nagisa opened the bottle cap with a determined expression. And then, the sharp scent of alcohol wafted out. Before Kenji could smell it, she poured all the alcohol into the teapot. The clear liquid mixed with the black tea and disappeared without a trace.

"Hoo... haa..."

Nagisa composed her breathing and her expression.

The die was cast. All that was left was to wait for the results. Nagisa silently vowed not to get drunk and began to prepare for tea time in earnest. She took out a slice of cake and some macarons from the dessert container and set up two teacups on the table.

She prepared a saucer for the teacup, a plate for the dessert, and a spot for the teapot. With that, the preparations were complete. Just in time, Kenji had also finished clearing the table.

"Finished?"

"Yes."

Before Kenji sat down, Nagisa poured black tea into his and her teacups. Fortunately, the alcohol-laced black tea didn't smell of alcohol. The taste was the same. It was a little more bitter than usual, but not enough to be bothersome. It would be enough to make the excuse that she had misjudged the amount of the tea bag.

"It's black tea today? Didn't you make green tea?"

"I was out of tea bags. So I could only make black tea. I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize. Well, it can't be helped."

Kenji plopped down in his seat and sipped his tea. The characteristic bitterness of black tea lingered on his tongue. But for some reason, the bitterness seemed stronger than usual.

"It's a little bitter...?"

"Hmm... you're right. I must have misjudged the amount of the tea bag."

"That's strange. For you to make a mistake like that."

Kenji, not thinking much of it, had tea time with Nagisa.

And so, one cup.

"How's school these days?"

"It's the same as usual. Mika-san is running around energetically, and I'm enjoying refreshments."

"And Seia?"

"...We're in the same school, but we're in different classes, so we don't see each other often. But sometimes I spend time with Seia-san. And sometimes the three of us talk together."

"It's nice that you're getting along."

Two cups, three cups.

"...Nagisa? Your face is red. Do you have a fever?"

"Ah, no? I'm fine."

"...Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes. I'm perfectly fine."

Six cups.

"...Hiccup."

"..."

"Hic... waaaah! Mika, you traitor! You broke your promise!"

"...Has she finally gone crazy."

"Waaaaah!"

Ten cups.

"No, why is your pace so fast today? You're drinking tea like it's alcohol."

"Alcohol?! Are you drunk, by any chance?!"

"I think you're the one who's more drunk."

"Heeing."

Twelve cups.

"...Hey, be honest. You put something in the tea, didn't you?"

"..."

"I'm starting to feel drunk the more I drink. Did you put alcohol in here by any chance?"

"...Noooo... it's just your imagination..."

"Be honest."

"I didn't... hiccup! I didn't put anything in it..."

Thud.

Nagisa's forehead hit the table. Kenji looked down at her and let out a deep sigh. She was denying it, but at this point, he had no choice but to notice. How could he not know when he was getting drunk as if he were drinking alcohol the more he drank the tea?

He had thought it was strange from the middle, but he wasn't sure. But seeing Nagisa like this, his suspicion turned into certainty.

"Why did you put alcohol in it? Did you get curious and want to try it?"

"...Just... I wanted to see you drunk..."

"What the hell are you talking about."

Kenji clicked his tongue and reached for the teacup in front of Nagisa. If he left it there, she would probably drink all day like someone who had just been fired from a company, so he was going to throw all the tea away. But before he could grab the teacup, Nagisa grabbed his wrist first.

"Tsk, let go."

Kenji said with a serious expression. But Nagisa didn't let go. Instead, she squeezed even tighter, making it impossible for him to escape. She may not have been as strong as Mika, but she was still a student with a halo. She had a strength that couldn't be compared to Kenji's.

"Hey, hey. Let go."

"..."

"...Nagisa?"

"...Kenji-san."

Nagisa opened her mouth. Kenji, feeling an unexplainable chill, swung his arm to shake off Nagisa's hand. But his arm didn't budge. It only trembled, and Nagisa's hand remained where it was.

"Hey, wait a minute."

"Kenji-san."

"..."

"What do you think of me?"

A silence fell at her quietly uttered declaration.

Nagisa, with a flushed face, looked up at Kenji.

Kenji, with a flustered face, looked down at Nagisa. But he soon hardened his expression and answered.

"A friend. A close friend."

"..."

"I've answered, so can you let go now."

"That's not the answer I wanted."

"...Hah, Nagisa. You're very drunk right now. First, take a nap and—"

"I like you."

Kenji's words were cut off. At Nagisa's sudden words, his body froze like a rock.

"...What?"

"I like you. Not as a friend."

"...Wait a minute."

"I, Kirifuji Nagisa, am in love with the man named Kenji Suzuki."

"..."

Kenji couldn't say anything and just moved his lips. No way, no way he would hear something like that from that Nagisa. It was something he hadn't even thought of, so his brain stopped functioning. But Nagisa's face and her voice were clearer than anything else.

He looked at her face again. Her appearance, which he had felt was like a younger sister's, was still youthful but came across as beautiful. Her eyes, which seemed soft but at the same time sharp, her straight, closed pink lips. The blush that bloomed on her cheeks. Her bright red earlobes.

...Was she always this pretty?

Kenji gulped and looked down at Nagisa. She also met Kenji's gaze and moved her lips.

"I've always wanted to tell you. That I love you, that I'm grateful for always being by my side, that I'm grateful for cherishing me. I didn't think I would say it this way, but now that I've said it, I feel relieved."

"..."

"I won't be childish and ask for an answer right away. You'll need time to think too, Kenji-san. But please don't make me wait too long. I have my limits to my patience too."

"...Nagisa."

"Shh. I'm sorry. Please don't say anything right now. Just... can you hug me once?"

While Kenji hesitated, Nagisa hugged him tightly. Their bodies pressed together. Nagisa went straight into Kenji's embrace, and Kenji looked down at her head, then closed his eyes tightly.

His head was fuzzy from the alcohol. The scent of Nagisa's body felt strong. As if she had sprayed perfume, the scent of peaches, not her own body scent, invaded his nostrils.

"I love you, really. I really, really love you. To the point where nothing else matters as long as I have you."

"..."

"I don't want you to go to other women. Don't make eye contact with them. Don't talk to them. I just want you to look at me forever. Even if my feelings are rejected, I will be by your side forever. But I'm sorry. I'm a selfish woman, so I don't think I can wish for your happiness after you've abandoned me. I'll probably struggle to have you by any means necessary. I'm confident in my political skills, you see."

The hand that was stroking Kenji's back tightened.

"I can't share a table with another woman. Your gaze must be directed only at me, and my love must be directed only at you. I'm sorry for my heavy love. But I don't want to share your love with another bitch."

"...Nagisa, you might be mistaking your feelings. You might have mistaken your affection as a friend for love—"

"Do I seem like such a foolish woman to you?"

Nagisa lifted her head. She stood on her tiptoes. Her face came up slightly.

And so.

They touched.

Peck.

"...I'm serious."

Nagisa muttered, her cheeks blushing.

The taste of their first kiss was black tea.