The season had fully shifted to autumn, yet it seemed that for our second-year class at Aotaka High School, even spring had yet to arrive. There wasn’t a single rumor about any new couples forming within our class, aside from myself and Iori. Even the highly anticipated pairing of Souta and Shirataki hadn’t managed to cross that barrier yet.

“We have no choice but to stake everything on the Suzakura Festival.”

With that declaration, Souta was brimming with determination. He dragged a nearby chair noisily toward my desk and sat down across from me.

“Are you planning to confess to Shirataki?”

“That’s the plan. There’s no way I’m spending Christmas with just the guys two years in a row.”

“Hey, what are you talking about?”

“I couldn’t help but overhear something interesting.”

The ones gathering around were Hiura, the ace of the track team, and Haneda, our class’s representative. Both had failed to score a girlfriend during the summer beach mixer.

Haneda had even fretted beforehand, saying things like, ‘What if I end up having to apply suntan oil on someone?’ Yet in the end, he couldn’t even gather the courage to talk to a single Suzakura student. I’d heard he had cried bitterly on the train ride home, lamenting, “I didn’t come to the beach just to play with crabs.” I genuinely hoped his pure heart would find its reward someday.

“Is this a strategy meeting for the Suzakura Festival, by any chance?”

Haneda adjusted his black-rimmed glasses with a sharp motion. Honestly, it still cracks me up how someone with his serious, committee-president vibe turns out to be so bad at studying.

“Yeah. You guys want to spend Christmas with a girlfriend this year too, right? Let’s come up with the perfect plan.”

“True enough. Well, I’ve got a few girls I think I could hit it off with, so I’m not in a rush.”

Hiura was good at sports and looked cool too. During the Aotaka Festival, he had exchanged contact info with several Suzakura students, and at the summer beach outing, I saw him hanging out with Suzakura students as well. A far cry from Haneda, who had spent his time playing with crabs.

“I don’t really see much difference between Hiura and me when it comes to not having a girlfriend, though.”

Haneda’s jab made a vein pop on Hiura’s forehead. But realizing he couldn’t deny it, he shoved his clenched fist back into his pocket.

“Don’t fight, don’t fight. Let’s rely on the wisdom of our one and only relationship expert, Yamabuki Natsuki, to join the ranks of the lovebirds ourselves.”

“Wait, is that what this is about?”

Even being called the “relationship expert,” I didn’t feel like I had much advice to offer.

“That’s right, Natsuki. You and Tachibana Iori are the only hope we have.”

“Even if you say that… I don’t even know what the Suzakura Festival is like.”

“Leave that to me.”

Haneda stepped forward with a confident look.

“Haneda, you know a lot about it?”

Hiura looked at Haneda with surprise. Honestly, it was a bit rude to seem so surprised, but I couldn’t blame him — I was surprised too.

“Ever since my summer heartbreak, I’ve been researching the Suzakura Festival. A true professional rises swiftly after being knocked down.”

With that, Haneda gave a smug grin. The reflection from his glasses gleamed brightly.

“What’s that from again?”

“Eye Shield.”

“Oh yeah, that’s right.”

Haneda often quoted lines from manga and anime. When I recognized one, it always made me a little happy.

“I’ll explain everything about the Suzakura Festival. But before that, Natsuki, there’s something I need to tell you.”

“Me?”

I wasn’t particularly close to Haneda, so I stiffened slightly. What was he going to say?

“I think this concerns everyone. It might even be the reason Souta and Hiura have been stuck single for so long.”

“You too, you know.”

Hiura muttered a quiet jab.

“Are you saying the reason those two don’t have girlfriends is because of me?”

“Yes. Including me, it’s the three of us.”

“Wait, hold on, Natsuki’s been sabotaging us this whole time!?”

Souta dramatically raised his voice, clearly playing along with Haneda’s antics.

“Sorry, I have no idea what you’re talking about… Could you explain?”

Haneda adjusted his glasses with a serious expression and declared firmly:

“Natsuki, you need to publicly announce that you’re dating Tachibana Iori. The girls who’ve had their hearts broken need someone to turn to next — and that’s where we, the Aotaka students, come in.”