By the time I used “Time, halt” on Haruka earlier, I had already given up on trying to deceive her and resolved to come clean. However, lunch break was far too short to explain everything.

So, I decided to give her the full details after school. Just before lunch ended, I let her experience time stop one more time and gave her a brief explanation.

After experiencing time magic again and hearing my quick rundown, Haruka seemed lost in thought, barely paying attention to the rest of our conversation.

Even during afternoon classes, Haruka appeared to be deep in thought.

What’s this? Has the super-genius, wicked Haruka-sama come up with some kind of evil scheme?

If you’re gonna think of something, make it useful. Otherwise, this is just a pointless risk.

After school, the three of us—including Yōji—gathered at a nearby park to give her a proper explanation.

Then, Haruka said this:

“So, that thing back then really was your doing, Hideaki.”

Huh? Wh-What do you mean?

I had way too many guesses, but… uh, wh-which one are you talking about?

My eyes darted around in panic, and I immediately looked to Yōji for help.

—We’re best friends, right!?

—Don’t drag me into this! I don’t know anything!

—That’s cruel, Yōji-sama!!!

—Besides, wasn’t this your fault to begin with!?

—I told you not to use it on Haruka!

—That was recent, wasn’t it!?

As the two of us silently argued with our eyes, whap-whap!—we both got smacked with a paper fan.

“Ow! That hurts!”

“What’s with the weird eye conversation? It’s creepy. And what did you think I was talking about?”

“Uh, well… that is…”

“Hmph. Seems like there’s more to this. Maybe I should squeeze it out of Yōji later.”

“Why me!?”

Because you’re way too weak against Haruka.

“Well, whatever. Hideaki, you might not remember this, but back in second grade, on our way home from school—do you recall the time I almost got hit by a dump truck?”

Did that happen?

I glanced at Yōji, who gave me a “Dunno” look.

“Yōji wasn’t there that day. I was swinging around a bag with my sewing kit inside when I accidentally let go, and it flew into the road. I panicked and ran to grab it, and just then—whether you call it good or bad timing—a dump truck came barreling toward me. Hideaki, you really don’t remember?”

Hmm… did something like that happen?

“Don’t remember.”

“I thought I was done for. There was no way I could dodge in time, and before that, I was frozen in fear. I still have nightmares about that moment sometimes. But then—somehow—I found myself back on the sidewalk. I had no idea what happened.”

I glanced at Yōji beside me. He shook his head. Not the time for Polnareff-style jokes.

“Right then, Hideaki, you said to me: ‘Haruka, you’re heavy. Try losing some weight.’…Yeah.”

!

“Ah… that part I kinda remember. Now that you mention it, maybe something like that did happen.”

“Oh, I could never forget that, Hideaki. One second, I’m terrified out of my mind, then the next, I’m somehow saved—but before I could even process it, those rude words of yours were scribbled across the blank canvas of my mind in giant, flashy calligraphy.”

Haruka stood there, her eyes devoid of laughter.

“Hey, Yōji. Is there really still a chance here?”

“Sorry, maybe not. But hey, Hideaki… this wasn’t me spilling the beans, right? So it’s not my fault anymore?”

“…Let’s just drop that.”

“What are you two muttering about? So, Hideaki. I’ll take that as a confession, then?”

I immediately dropped into the most dramatic dogeza possible.

“I’M SORRY!!”

Haruka-sama’s heels clicked (clack, clack, clack) as she approached. Then, she slowly leaned over me.

Wait, is she about to hit me with her signature German Suplex here!? My pants might end up showing—Haruka, stop! Mostly for the sake of my physical well-being!

…Or so I thought, but it never came.

Huh? What’s this? What’s happening now?

“Thank you, Hideaki.”

“Huh!?”

My voice cracked unintentionally.

“You saved my life, didn’t you? So I’m thanking you.”

“…No German Suplex?”

“No.”

“Not even a release German?”

“I said no, didn’t I?”

Uh, well… I’m still in dogeza, and she’s leaning over me, so… um, Haruka-sama’s impressive assets are kinda…

“Uh… they’re pressing against my back.”

“! Keep that kind of thing to yourself.”

“…Yes.”

How long am I supposed to stay like this? For now, I just stayed put.

Well… maybe there’s still a chance—

…Nah, it’s fine either way.