It is precisely because my heart is narrow that the world it holds appears small.

September 23rd, Wednesday.

After several days of rain, the sky finally showed signs of clearing. During the lunch break, Tsukimi Jinguuji sat at his desk, lost in thought. Outside the windowsill beside him, the sound of fluttering banners reached his ears. Colorful streamers were tossed down from the rooftop, swaying like carp streamers in the wind, and many students poked their heads out the window to see.

"Sakura Sports Festival," "Effort," "Friendship," "Victory."

These words were written on the enormous banners. It was unexpectedly reminiscent of "Shonen Jump," Tsukimi Jinguuji couldn't help but comment inwardly.

Still, such changes in the surroundings finally brought a tangible sense of time passing. Or perhaps, their youth was being spent at an equal pace; realizing this, he suddenly felt that the sports festival was not entirely without merit.

"Jinguuji, Hasebe-sensei wants you to go to the staff room."

"Understood."

Sakura Sakurakouji settled back into her seat, while Tsukimi Jinguuji opened the classroom's back door and stepped out.

At the staff office, Hasebe seemed—

"Jinguuji, there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

"Allow me to refuse in advance—it's about the sports festival, isn't it?"

"Are you a mind reader?"

"Other than that, I can't imagine why a model student like me would be summoned to the staff room by the homeroom teacher."

"You certainly know how to talk," Hasebe sighed lightly.

"Yet, despite that, my eloquence has never been put to use in class."

Meaning, no one in the class ever spoke to him, which left Hasebe a bit awkward.

"About the group events at the sports festival—due to numbers, our class is short one participant. Could you sign up for the boys' tug-of-war?"

"Just to make up the numbers?"

"That's one way to put it."

"So you mean I can just stand there, hold the rope, and daydream without needing to exert myself?"

"Er... At least don’t pull in the opposite direction."

"I see."

"Huh? You’re agreeing?"

"Is it that surprising?"

"I prepared a lot of arguments to convince you."

"I imagine among those is the fact that I’m the vice president of the student council."

Hasebe gave a thumbs-up. "You really are a clever one."

Tsukimi Jinguuji neither affirmed nor denied.

"How’s the student council work?"

"Nothing remarkable—ordinary. At least, I haven’t caused any trouble yet."

"Your standards for yourself are quite low."

"Because our school’s student council president is extremely capable, leaving almost no room for me to be of use. It's the same as you having me join tug-of-war just to fill the numbers."

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"Oh, by the way, I have a complaint. Please don't casually share students' private information."

"Meaning?"

"My part-time job address—you were the one who told President Hoshinomori, weren’t you?"

"Did she come find you? ... That Hoshinomori really is something."

Tsukimi Jinguuji was at a loss for words, sensing that Hasebe saw the whole matter as some sort of passionate pursuit.

Explaining would be troublesome, so he decided to let it go.

Thus, Hasebe picked up the sign-up sheet with Tsukimi Jinguuji's name, and circled "tug-of-war" under the group events column.

After leaving the staff room, standing at the stairwell, just about to go upstairs, he saw a third-year girl coming down, carrying a wooden rack filled with test tubes and beakers.

Her crimson bow on the collar was tied perfectly, like a butterfly briefly at rest, poised to flutter away at any moment.

Her steps were tentative, cautious as she descended, her chest and the rack making her move carefully, giving off an impression of impending clumsiness.

She probably wasn't athletic.

Tsukimi Jinguuji glanced at her and greeted her. The girl, seeing him, returned the greeting.

"The chemistry equipment room?" he asked.

"Yes."

Tsukimi Jinguuji nodded, thought for a moment, then took the rack from her hands.

"Let's go."

Hoshinomori Hoshino looked at him, uttered a soft "oh," and followed behind.

On the way to the old school building, Tsukimi Jinguuji walked ahead while Hoshinomori Hoshino kept a single step behind and to his right, like a high-speed camera tracking an athlete, constantly observing and recording something.

Even though Tsukimi Jinguuji was merely walking.

"Is there something dirty on my face, for you to look at me like that?" he suddenly asked.

"There is."

"What?"

She seemed to ponder, as if hesitating whether to tell him, and after a brief pause, she said slowly:

"My filthy gaze."

"...That line doesn't suit the president."

"Regrettable."

Tsukimi Jinguuji wasn't amused; in fact, he'd expected such an answer before she even spoke.

"Next time, think of one that suits me."

"If I have the time."

They entered the chemistry equipment room, put the equipment away, and on the way back, Tsukimi Jinguuji seemed to notice something, his gaze occasionally drifting to Hoshinomori Hoshino.

"Jinguuji-kun."

"What is it?"

"Even today, I still think you're a fine underclassman."

The remark was oddly out of place, so he simply thanked her.

"And you?"

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The girl clasped her hands behind her back and asked casually, as if inquiring what he'd had for lunch.

"What?"

"In your eyes, am I a fine senior?"

Tsukimi Jinguuji thought for a while, then spoke softly: "First, we should define what 'fine' means."

"With that answer, you've already made your judgment. Am I so unworthy?"

"No, I mean, president, you're more than just fine—you could be even more proud. Just the fact that you aren't afraid of others' eyes and spend time with someone like me is enough for me to admire you."

He believed he was speaking sincerely. If she responded with "You’re lying," he would never again believe she could see through a lie.

Sure enough, Hoshinomori Hoshino glanced at him with spirited confidence, saying openly, "I’m the president—if I feared other students, I wouldn’t be fit for the role!"

Tsukimi Jinguuji couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "Well said."

Though she didn’t like his feigned levity, she was gradually getting used to it.

"Jinguuji-kun, as your senior, may I give you some advice?"

"Advice?"

"From now on, try lying less, set aside your acting, and be sincere. You might find this world is not as narrow as you imagine—quite the opposite, it's much broader."

Tsukimi Jinguuji thought that girls like Hoshinomori Hoshino, who face life positively, were from a world entirely different from his own.

It wasn't that he sought to be negative, but one's personality is shaped by experience. He wanted to be positive and upright, but such transformation is not achieved overnight.

If yesterday's pain could be instantly forgotten, then no lessons could be learned from it—it would be meaningless. But when we overcome that pain, we gain a heart that is forever strong.

He firmly believed that one day, he would become cheerful, honest, and reliable. But to reach that, he first had to accept his current, flawed self.

"President, one thing you said isn’t quite right."

"Which one?"

"It's not the world that's narrow—it's my own heart. Because my heart is narrow, the world it holds seems narrow."

Hoshinomori Hoshino was briefly taken aback, then said, "Jinguuji-kun sometimes says interesting things. Where’d you copy that from?"

"How rude, it's my original."

"Heh... Seems all those books you read weren’t in vain," she remarked.

"Then let me give my dear, narrow-minded junior one piece of truly useful advice."

"I'm all ears."

"First, be an honest man—at least that way, you won't risk your life in the future. Otherwise, a girl's jealousy can be far more formidable than you imagine."

He looked at her in puzzlement.

Hoshinomori Hoshino laughed softly, her eyes clear as mountain spring water, captivating him with just a glance.

"Anyway, thanks for carrying the equipment. See you after school, my narrow-hearted, habitual-liar junior."

Just posted this in the public chapters—how embarrassing.

Thanks to "Idle Birds and Idle Flowers" for the reward.

Votes for the month, please.

(End of chapter)