Ch. 1: First Broadcast: The Forest of Deltora Wants to Start as Friends

The broadcasting room was completely empty. Trendy J-POP played softly in the background as I sat in a folding chair and stretched my arms.

“Just need to go over next week’s announcements, play the jingle, and that’ll be it, I guess…”

Going through the schedule out loud in an empty room had already become a habit. I checked the time on my phone and hooked a finger on the mixer’s dial.

“Five, four…”

 

I counted down the final three seconds in my head, flipped the mic switch, and pushed up the volume fader. As the background music faded, the ripples of anxiety in my chest settled along with it.

 

“…Well then, that was ‘Marionette’ by BOØWY, requested by Shirasu Omusubi-san. It breaks my heart, but it’s about time we say our goodbyes. Next week’s theme is ‘My Test Successes and Failures’! I’ll be waiting for your letters!”

 

I fired the words out in a single breath, then snuck a quick one in before anyone could hear.

 

“Thank you all so much for tuning in! Let’s meet again next week at this same time. See you later!”

 

I killed the mic and turned up the background music. Once the track finally faded, a heavy silence reclaimed the room.

 

“Alright, another job well done…”

 

My hollow praise bounced off the soundproof walls. I grabbed my chopsticks and went back to my cold lunch.

 

“I didn’t stutter either, so that was pretty much perfect…”

 

Kageyama Syogo: second-year student at Myoujin High School and president of the broadcasting club. That was me.

 

Our duties basically fell into two camps.

 

First, we acted as convenient mouthpieces for school events, mostly making announcements at the sports festival or MCing stage events during the cultural festival.

 

Second, we handled the weekly lunchtime broadcast I’d just wrapped up. This Wednesday radio show was our main gig, which meant reading student letters, offering commentary, and spinning requested tracks while juggling the mixer.

 

It involved public speaking, audio equipment, and music! It was a cultural club where you could experience a slice of youth you wouldn’t find anywhere else. That was the broadcasting club!

 

…Or so it should have been. Truth be told, the Myoujin High School broadcasting club had one massive problem. And that was…

 

“Man, today was exhausting…”

 

Silence.

 

…Yes, the Myoujin High School broadcasting club had very few members. Or rather, I was the only one. Calling myself the president sounded nice, but it was just because no one else was there.

 

It was all about the “individual”! Or rather, “isolation”! Complete and utter loneliness! Enjoying my youth while engaging in friendly rivalry with clubmates was a complete pipe dream.

 

I spent every week groaning in exhaustion, steadily chipping away at my youth just to keep these broadcasts alive! No cute underclassmen handed me water with a sweet, “Good job today, senpai!” No beautiful upperclassmen with mature voices comforted me with a, “Today’s broadcast was fantastic.” None of that existed here!

 

I didn’t even have anyone to run the mixer. I was a one-man show, doing everything from setting up the gear and sorting the letters to being the host.

 

How did it end up like this!?

 

…Well, to be fair, this club actually used to have a decent number of members. But our popularity had tanked. The seniors who formed the core of the club graduated all at once last year, leaving me as the sole survivor. To make matters worse, Myoujin High School poured its budget into clubs, especially the sports clubs. Naturally, the active freshmen flocked to sports, while the introverted kids opted for quiet, low-pressure cultural clubs. That meant exactly zero students wanted to join the broadcasting club, a weird, half-baked middle ground that forced you to speak in front of the whole school.

 

“I feel like I could have hyped up today’s letters a bit more…”

 

Naturally, I was talking to myself. I leaned back and muttered to the ceiling, taking full advantage of the soundproof walls.

 

“Heya, good work today.”

 

The heavy soundproof door creaked open, and a tall female teacher smoothly slipped into the room.

 

“Good work today, Mashiro-sensei.”

 

Our club advisor, Mashiro Izumi-sensei, yakisoba bread in hand. She taught world history and was pretty popular among the students for breaking down complex global affairs using illustrations and modern analogies.

 

“I’m borrowing a chair.”

 

Without waiting for permission, she dropped into a swivel chair, kicked off the floor with her long legs, and started spinning. She might have been a beloved teacher out there, but in the broadcasting room, she let her free-spirited nature run completely wild.

“Sensei, you’re going to get sick if you spin while you eat.”

 

“It’s fine, I’ve got a strong sense of balance. I’m the back-to-back champion of the inter-teacher dizzy bat tournament.”

 

“Just how starved for entertainment are the teachers at our school?”

 

Usually, it would be a ball game tournament or something. I couldn’t even imagine a bunch of adults getting together to play dizzy bat. Or rather, I didn’t want to.

 

“Honestly, I can’t get through life without spinning.”

 

Ignoring my warning, Sensei continued to spin in her chair, letting out a weird “Gaaah!” while skillfully taking a bite of her yakisoba bread.

 

…Something must have happened in the staff room again. It had been a few years since she started working here, but it seemed she still had a lot of problems to deal with, and this room, where almost no one ever came, served as her refuge.

 

“Sensei, did you run into some kind of trouble?”

 

“Huh? Nah, well, you know, just a bunch of stuff.”

 

I asked out of obligation, but she just gave a vague answer. When things were really bad, she would launch straight into a rant, but judging by her tone, it didn’t seem to be anything major. Thank goodness, that was a relief.

 

Popping a piece of sweet rolled omelet into my mouth, I went back to checking the letters. Suddenly, the whirring of the swivel chair stopped.

 

“Say, Kageyama. Are you having fun in the broadcasting club?”

 

Surprised by the sudden question, I stopped sorting the letters and turned to her. Mashiro-sensei wore the most complicated expression I’d ever seen on her.

 

“Well, yeah, it is fun. It’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding. And besides…”

 

“Besides?”

 

“There aren’t many of them, but there are people who look forward to my broadcasts.”

 

“Right, of course…”

 

“Yeah, as long as these people are listening, I can keep doing my best.”

 

I answered with absolute confidence, but she still seemed troubled.

 

“Hmm…”

 

Then, she started spinning in her chair again. When she stopped this time, her back was facing me.

 

“We had a staff meeting today…”

“Okay.”

 

“And, well, one of the things that came up was the necessity of the broadcasting club.”

 

“…Are you serious?”

 

Her feeble voice made a bad feeling rear its ugly head in my mind. Contrary to my desperate hope that she was joking, she continued with a dark expression.

 

“Listen, I know full well how hard you’re working. You operate all the equipment by yourself, you come up with the plans and discussion topics on your own, and I know you’re trying to protect the club they left behind.”

 

“…”

 

Sensei quickly averted her eyes.

 

“But they questioned whether it was appropriate to fund a broadcasting club with only one member…”

 

“…I figured that would be the issue.”

 

“The vice principal was especially strict about it…”

 

“Ah, him…”

 

Hearing his name unfortunately made a lot of sense. He was an educator who put a lot of effort into developing Myoujin High School’s club activities, and he had a lot of influence in the school.

So he finally set his sights on the broadcasting club, huh…

 

“In the end, it’s a result of my lack of skill…”

 

“No, you’re doing a great job. It’s just that he’s incredibly stubborn…”

 

“I’m sorry for putting you in such a tough spot…”

 

Sensei let her frustration show. I knew full well the story of how my predecessors had essentially forced Mashiro-sensei to become the club’s advisor soon after she started teaching. It must have been tough being the advisor, but I was incredibly grateful for her willingness to oppose the higher-ups to try and save the club.

 

“But it’s still frustrating. We have people listening to the radio right now, so it feels like we’re betraying them…”

 

I had three letters resting in my hands. Sure, this broadcast wasn’t popular. But even if they were a small crowd, this radio show had regular listeners. Three people whose faces and real names I didn’t know, but who sent in letters every week for our broadcast. What would they think if they found out the radio show was ending? Would they be sad for me?

 

“Sigh…”

 

A sigh slipped out before I could stop myself. Ah, so this is how it ends…

 

“Kageyama, don’t tell me you’re planning on giving up?”

 

“Huh?”

 

I glanced up. Mashiro-sensei, usually so laid-back, was piercing me with a sharp gaze.

 

“Do I look like the kind of woman who’d just roll over and accept it when told the club is being disbanded?”

 

“Don’t tell me…”

 

She gave a small nod in response to my desperate plea.

 

“Yeah, I managed to negotiate a deal to save the club under one condition.”

 

“Are you serious!?”

 

“Yeah, I’m dead serious.”

 

“Wh-What is it!? What’s the condition!”

 

She held up a single finger as my voice went up an octave.

 

“The first semester. We have to show some results by the end of the first semester. That’s the condition to save the club.”

 

“Sensei…!”

 

“Yeah, we’re going to do this, Kageyama.”

 

She flashed a wide grin. But that condition was by no means an easy one to meet.

“But… even if you say we need to show results, what exactly are we supposed to do? The most obvious thing would be to get more letters, but… that’s going to be tough, isn’t it?”

 

We were only getting three letters as it was. Increasing that number to the point where we could call ourselves popular would be a monumental task.

 

“No, I’m sure we can get more letters. I have a great idea.”

 

“An idea…?”

 

Unlike me, she clearly had a plan. She sat in her swivel chair, looking downright triumphant.

 

“Kageyama, I believe this radio show is missing one crucial element. Do you know what it is?”

 

“If I knew that, I wouldn’t be struggling right now.”

 

Mashiro-sensei smirked at my exasperated sigh.

 

“Do you want to know?”

 

“…Yes, I do.”

 

I straightened my back as I answered. She took a deep breath and spoke.

 

“To put it simply, romance!”

 

Pure silence descended on the broadcasting room. I couldn’t even hear the hum of the equipment. Mashiro-sensei just let out a dry, cynical chuckle at how speechless I was.

 

“Good grief, it seems you’re too shocked to even speak.”

 

“No, I’m just speechless at how incredibly shallow that suggestion is.”

 

“Why! It’s the best possible answer!”

 

I shot her a deadpan glare, but she just brushed it off like I was the one being unreasonable.

 

“I was wondering what you were going to say, and it’s just… romance…”

 

“What’s wrong with romance! High schoolers think about nothing but love all day, every day, right?”

 

“Uh, I think that really depends on the person…”

 

“No way! Every single student I pass in the hallway is talking about their boyfriend, their girlfriend, idols, or VTubers!”

 

“What’s with that reaction? You sound like an unpopular high school boy…”

 

I stared at her, completely dumbfounded. Sensei, who had shot up from her chair in her excitement, caught my unamused look. She cleared her throat awkwardly and sat back down.

 

“Listen to me, Kageyama. The problem with your radio show is that it’s too stable.”

 

“Stable? Isn’t that supposed to be a good thing?”

 

“No, this show is far too serious for its own good. It’s perfect as background noise while studying, sure, but it lacks the hook needed to actually hold people’s attention. If you want modern high schoolers, who are already drowning in endless content, to tune in to you, you need something that speaks directly to their desires.”

 

“And that’s why we’re adding romance?”

 

“Brilliant idea, right?”

 

“Well… it’s not terrible.”

 

For a spur-of-the-moment idea, it was surprisingly well thought out. In fact, those kinds of segments were pretty common on regular radio shows.

 

“By the way, what exactly are we going to do for this romance segment? A mini-drama or something?”

 

“It would be great if we could get the drama club’s help, but that’s probably a tall order right now… How about we start with relationship advice?”

 

“I see, relationship advice…”

 

“It’s not that crazy of an idea, is it? If we allow anonymous submissions, it’ll be easier for people to talk, and there might surprisingly be people who want to share their troubles with others.”

 

“Yeah, I guess there are a lot of people who want to share their problems without getting exposed…”

 

The more I thought about it, the more relationship advice seemed like a solid plan. It was easy to digest and was bound to draw people in. But I couldn’t embrace her “go for broke” mentality.

 

“Relationship advice, huh…”

 

“What’s wrong? Still worried about the new segment?”

 

“Well, it’s not like I’m not worried about that…”

 

“Then what’s the problem?”

 

I reluctantly gave her the reason as she stared at me in confusion.

 

“…I don’t have any romantic experience.”

 

That was right, Kageyama Syogo had been single for as long as he could breathe. It wasn’t that I couldn’t talk to girls, but I had never once been in a remotely romantic situation with one. I used to wonder if I’d get a girlfriend once I entered high school, but looking back, my high school life had been nothing but radio. I was the last person who should be giving relationship advice.

 

“If anything, I’m the one who needs advice…”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it.”

 

But she just waved her hand dismissively and spoke in a light tone.

 

“Just say whatever sounds right and you’ll be fine. High schoolers who write in for relationship advice on the radio just want someone to push them forward anyway.”

 

“Are you even taking this relationship advice thing seriously!?”

 

That hardly sounded like something the person who suggested it would say. By the way, she was quite popular among both boys and girls at school, and I heard there were quite a few students who actually wanted her relationship advice.

 

…I should have recorded that and played it on the radio.

 

“Well, that was twenty percent a joke…”

 

“So you were eighty percent serious?”

 

“I know you don’t like the idea, but we’re fighting a losing battle here, you know?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“If you keep running the show the same way you always have, the chances of our fanbase suddenly exploding during the first semester are slim. So shouldn’t we try everything we possibly can?”

“That’s…”

 

She had an unexpectedly solid point. I reflexively looked away, my eyes landing on the three letters I had read today. If I quit the radio show, I wouldn’t get to read these letters anymore. I’d be the one abandoning these people, listeners whose names and faces I didn’t even know, but who had joined me in trying to make this show a success…

 

“…Understood.”

 

My mind made up, I met her gaze straight on.

 

“Betraying my listeners’ expectations would make me a failure of a radio host, right?”

 

She smiled warmly upon hearing my answer.

 

“Looks like you’ve made your choice.”

 

“Yes, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

 

“Well said! Now that that’s settled, let’s start accepting submissions right away!”

 

“Sensei, you’re pretty hyped up about this…”

 

In stark contrast to my momentous decision, she gave a magnanimous nod, clearly in high spirits.

 

“Of course I am! We’re going to gather the kind of sweet, sappy stories that’ll make every listener think, ‘Wait, is this about me?’ Hehehe…”

“Sensei, you’re making it sound like a grand plan, but really, you just want to snoop into people’s love lives, don’t you…”

 

“Come on, come on, there’s no time to waste! Let’s get on the broadcast before lunch ends. If we’re fast enough, we can start the relationship advice segment next week!”

 

Blatantly changing the subject, she shoved me forward. Swept up in her momentum, I found myself forced back into the broadcasting booth.

 

“Good grief, you leave me no choice…”

 

But there was no point in complaining now. I flipped the switch on the player I had placed nearby for easy access and played the usual jingle. In contrast to my lingering anxiety, Sensei was eating her yakisoba bread, looking smugly triumphant. …She was so carefree. There was no point in worrying about her anymore. I closed my eyes and took a small, deep breath.

 

“Hello everyone, this is your host, Kageyama, bringing you the lunchtime broadcast from the Myoujin High School broadcasting club. Our show just ended, but I have a special announcement for you all today… Believe it or not, we’ll be starting a brand new relationship advice segment!”

 

Despite the irregular broadcast, my mind felt surprisingly clear. Hoping to reach as many people as possible, I kicked things into high gear.

 

“Topics like ‘The girl sitting next to me has been looking really cute lately…’ or ‘He looks so cool when he’s working hard at club practice!’ are totally fine. Why not try anonymously submitting those relationship dilemmas you can’t tell anyone else about? Who knows, your feelings might just reach that special someone…! I’ll post the details on the bulletin board, so I’ll be waiting for your submissions! See you next week!”

 

I cut the mic right there, played the jingle, and ended the broadcast. Relieved that I’d gotten through it without a hitch, I slumped limply against the back of my chair.

 

“Man, I was so nervous…”

 

“Good work, you sounded great out there.”

 

“Thank you…”

 

I accepted a bottle of tea that Sensei must have bought earlier. The crack of the cap opening was an incredibly comforting sound.

 

“Do you think we’ll actually get any letters…?”

 

“It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine. I have a feeling this plan is going to be a huge success.”

 

“You have a feeling… That already sounds super sketchy.”

 

“I don’t really know, though.”

 

“Are you out of your mind with that follow-up?”

 

“Relax, my intuition is usually spot-on.”

Sensei ruthlessly slapped my back while I was nervously sipping my tea, nearly making me do a spit-take. Coughing and sputtering, I shot her a mild glare.

 

“…I’m trusting you on this.”

 

“Well, that all depends on your skills, Kageyama.”

 

“So you’re leaving it all up to me…”

 

I let out another sigh as she casually waved her hand.

 

◇◇◇

 

Having finished my lunch, I walked down the hallway alone.

 

“Still, relationship advice, huh…”

 

I had started the new segment on impulse after being told the club would be disbanded, but honestly, I had zero confidence. …Should I rely on my classmates to send letters for me? No, that was obviously a terrible idea. I was a radio personality, after all. What was the point if I tried to solve radio problems outside of the radio? Even if the club’s survival was on the line, I couldn’t throw away my pride.

 

“…Well, it’s not like I could rely on my class anyway…”

 

With those thoughts in mind, I braced myself, grabbed the classroom door handle, and threw it open.

 

“Hey! Did you see Austa live stream yesterday!?”

 

“I saw it! Risamin was seriously so cute! I think I’ll buy that lip gloss once I save up enough from my part-time job.”

 

“Dude, today’s ComiPla update is insane!?”

 

“Of course I saw it! The Demon King’s Box is getting so hype!”

 

“Taking a break next week to work on the volume is pure torture!”

 

The moment I opened the door, a chaotic flood of noise assaulted my ears. It was deafening, but I was already used to it. Dodging the different cliques gathered in groups, I made my way to my seat.

 

…Yes, Class 2-E was incredibly loud. Our school had a somewhat unique layout: Classes A through D were lined up in a row, but Class E was isolated across the hallway. Rumor had it they’d added the extension to accommodate a sudden increase in students, turning our classroom into something like an isolated outpost. With no neighboring classes to bother, the students here enjoyed their lunch breaks to the absolute fullest.

 

“Yo, Kageyama! It’s rare to see you in the classroom during lunch.”

 

“Ah, Kuramoto. Just got back from finishing up today’s broadcast.”

 

“Really? Oh right, today’s Wednesday.”

 

Some students would talk to me like this, but they probably didn’t even care enough to remember when my broadcasts were. By the way, that was Kuramoto, a refreshing, sporty guy who apparently played goalkeeper for the handball club.

 

“How about it? If you feel like it, you can give me your thoughts, or even send in a letter if you find it interesting.”

 

“Ah, I’d really love to, but you know what our class is like. Sorry!”

 

“It’s fine, I was just joking. Don’t take it too seriously.”

 

When I brushed it off, Kuramoto flashed a refreshing smile and went back to joining his friends in whatever game they were playing.

 

…Yeah, I really couldn’t handle this class atmosphere. It wasn’t that I hated loud noises. I did radio, after all, so I actually liked talking to people. But it just didn’t sit quite right with me that my own class was in a state where they couldn’t even listen to the lunchtime broadcast. In the end, I spent my lunch breaks listening to the radio with my earphones in to prep for my show, or shutting myself in the broadcasting room. I hadn’t made any real friends. If possible, I would have loved to hear my classmates’ genuine thoughts. But as things stood, that was just a pipe dream.

 

“In a world where I can’t even hear what I want to hear…”

 

I quietly mumbled a parody song to myself so no one would hear. Just then, one of the girls in the class walked over. For a second, I thought she was coming to talk to me, but she stopped at the desk next to mine.

 

“Hey, Kitahara-san.”

 

“…”

 

“K-Kitahara-san. Are you listening?”

 

“…”

 

She wasn’t talking to me; she was talking to the girl with long black hair sitting next to me. But the girl paid absolutely no attention, keeping her eyes glued to the paperback book she held in both hands. The classmate finally lost her patience and slammed a hand on the desk.

 

“U-Um, Kitahara-san, I am actually trying to talk to you right now!”

 

“…What is it.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“…What do you want?”

 

Her voice was sharp and cold. Despite being spoken to by a classmate, Kitahara’s gaze didn’t move an inch, barely parting her lips to speak.

 

“A-Ah, s-sorry.”

 

Even though Kitahara was the one ignoring her, the classmate was overwhelmed by her icy tone and instinctively pulled her hand away from the desk. Usually, someone acting that high and mighty would get yelled at, but Kitahara had an aura that somehow forced people to accept it. Still keeping her eyes on the book, she let out a sigh.

 

“…Hurry up and speak.”

 

Kitahara replied with her usual curt responses. I could feel her strong desire to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

 

“S-So, Mikuri-chan and the rest of us were thinking of hitting up karaoke today, and we were wondering if maybe you’d want to…”

 

“I’m not going.”

 

“Well, I mean, everyone really wants you to come… Ah, do you already have plans or something?”

 

“I’m not going.”

 

“Ah, okay…”

 

Kitahara effortlessly cut right through the classmate’s desperate search for an easy excuse, shutting her down completely. Bluntly rejected, the girl just spun on her heel and walked away briskly without another word.

 

Her rejections are as brutal as ever…

 

Kitahara herself didn’t seem to care that the girl left, continuing to read with the exact same expression. The girl she’d just brushed off was now glaring at her with obvious annoyance from across the room, but Kitahara showed absolutely no signs of noticing.

 

…Still, she really is incredibly beautiful.

 

The girl who stood out in our class for her beauty in a good way, and for her behavior in a bad way, was Kitahara Yuzuha. She had a slender figure, straight black hair, almond-shaped eyes, and long eyelashes. With looks so striking that you’d believe it if someone told you she was a model, she was sitting right next to me by some twist of fate.

 

Not that I ever got any perks out of it. I had barely spoken a word to her since we became desk neighbours. Actually, I rarely saw her talking to anyone in our class. Even when she did, it was usually just a “yes” or “no.” In our incredibly loud classroom, she was a rare existence who asserted her presence through pure silence.

 

It seemed she had been confessed to multiple times by students from every grade, but no one had ever succeeded, earning her the nickname “Lady of the North Wind.” I thought “North Wind” sounded a bit much for a blooming high school girl, but watching her behavior just now, I could totally understand it. She was way past a north wind. She was a full-blown blizzard.

 

To her, the classroom probably didn’t matter at all, and she likely didn’t even know that the guy sitting next to her hosted a radio show. I’d be lucky if she even remembered my name…

 

“Kageyama-kun.”

 

As I was lost in thought, I heard a voice calling my name from next to me. It was so quiet it almost drowned in the noise of the classroom, but I managed to catch it. When I turned toward the voice, I saw Kitahara, her eyes still fixed on her book.

 

“Wait, Kitahara… did you just call me?”

 

“Are there any other Kageyama-kun’s?”

“Well, no, but…”

 

“Then there’s your answer.”

 

“…Uhh?”

 

I was confused by her suddenly talking to me, but Kitahara still didn’t look up from her book.

 

“Kageyama-kun, good work on the radio today.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

“You were doing the lunchtime radio broadcast just now, right? So, good work.”

 

“O-Oh… thanks…”

 

It was just feedback…

 

She was apparently thanking me for my hard work, but honestly, my brain completely blanked. Kitahara was actually talking to me normally? With full sentences? My brain was short-circuiting from the sheer amount of information, but since she’d gone out of her way to speak to me, I desperately tried to keep the conversation going.

 

“Ah, well, do you… listen to the radio too, Kitahara?”

 

“Yes, I make it a point to listen every Wednesday.”

 

…Kitahara listens to my radio show?

 

This was shock number two. The fact that she was still talking to me was surprising enough, and I was struggling to hide my agitation. Honestly, I was incredibly happy, but I did my best to play it cool.

 

“O-Oh, wow. I’ve always seen you reading books all the time, so that’s kind of surprising.”

 

“Is it? I can’t read while I’m eating, so I think listening to the radio is only natural.”

 

“O-Only natural, huh…”

 

“Yes, completely natural.”

 

Kitahara gave a small nod. She still wouldn’t meet my eyes, but finding out she was a listener suddenly filled me with a sense of familiarity and confidence. Taking this opportunity, I decided to ask her something a bit more probing.

 

“Oh, by the way, have you ever written a letter to us or anything…”

 

“Obviously not.”

 

“R-Right, of course you haven’t.”

 

My confidence vanished in an instant. If anything, she denied it a little too quickly. Thinking about it, it made perfect sense. There was no way the Lady of the North Wind would send a letter to a run-down radio show like mine.

 

Don’t get too carried away, me…

“A-Ahem!”

 

As I sat there sulking, I heard Kitahara clear her throat beside me.

 

“Anyway, changing the subject… Was that thing today real?”

 

“Hmm? What thing?”

 

“Y-You know, the announcement you made after the main broadcast… about the new segment…”

 

Kitahara was mumbling unusually, but I instantly knew what she was talking about.

 

“Ah, you mean the relationship advice?”

 

“Y-Yes! I was hoping you could tell me more about that.”

 

“Well, there’s not much else to say. It’s exactly as I announced on the broadcast.”

 

“S-So, if someone asks for relationship advice, you’re going to answer them, Kageyama-kun?”

 

“Yeah, that’s the gist of it.”

 

“I see…”

 

Kitahara adopted a thoughtful posture.

 

“Um, do you not like it? The idea of changing the radio show’s direction, I mean…”

“? What do you mean?”

 

“Well, I figured maybe regular listeners like you might hate it if the show’s vibe suddenly changed…”

 

“Let me see…”

 

Kitahara thought for a moment before holding up a single index finger.

 

“Can I ask you one thing?”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

“For this relationship advice segment, it means you’ll read whatever letters get sent in, right?”

 

“Yeah, that’s the plan for now.”

 

“…Then I’m in favor of it.”

 

“Seriously?”

 

“Yes. In fact, I strongly approve of it.”

 

Kitahara responded with unexpected enthusiasm. That made three shocks. Kitahara actually liked this kind of stuff? Even if she was the Lady of the North Wind, she was still a normal high school girl in some ways, it seemed.

 

“…Are you thinking something rude right now?”

 

“Huh?”

Stared down by her half-lidded eyes, I hurriedly tried to cover it up.

 

“A-Ah, no, I was just thinking about how happy I am that you’re on board with it.”

 

“Hmph?”

 

“Yeah, I’d be devastated if someone like you stopped listening, after all.”

 

“…I see.”

 

That was how I honestly felt. Even if she just used it to pass the time before reading, a listener like her was precious. Kitahara briefly glanced in my direction.

 

“By the way, what made you decide to change directions?”

 

“Ah, you want to know about that?”

 

“If it’s something you can share, I’d definitely like to hear it.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

I didn’t think it was a good idea to talk too much about the club’s internal affairs…

 

“Well, it seemed like the radio show was getting stuck in a rut if things stayed the same, so I figured it was time to shake things up a bit.”

 

“I see. So that led to relationship advice.”

“Pretty simple-minded, right?”

 

“Yes, it’s exactly the kind of idea an unpopular high school boy would come up with.”

 

“…It wasn’t my idea, for the record.”

 

Kitahara shut it down far more ruthlessly than I expected. Mashiro-sensei… you have my permission to cry.

 

“But I finally get it now. I’ve mostly been tuning it out, but it sounds like the broadcasting club has it pretty rough.”

 

“Yeah, well, with such a noisy classroom, no one really listens anyway.”

 

“Seriously, this class is way too loud. I can’t even focus on my reading…”

 

Kitahara’s gaze shifted from her book to around the left center of the classroom. Over there was a group of girls who, despite being in the back of the classroom, were talking so loudly that their voices echoed throughout the entire room. Even at Myoujin High School, where the rules were relatively relaxed, these girls dressed so flashily that they seemed to be bordering on, or completely breaking, the school regulations. The guys weren’t here right now, but they were often seen hanging out with the boys from the sports clubs.

 

Among that group was the classmate who had spoken to Kitahara earlier. They clearly didn’t care about how they were perceived, acting as if they were the center of the world. Kitahara glared bitterly at these girls who were currently enjoying their youth to the their fullest.

 

“Honestly, they could at least be a little quieter during lunch…”

 

“That’s an opinion that completely goes against public sentiment, but I generally agree with you.”

 

Kitahara had her reading, and I had my radio show. It was a silent protest against the overwhelming majority. In stark contrast to us, the source for all that noise was Minegishi Mikuri. She was the leader-like figure of the class’s most prominent group. She had piercings in both ears, and her boyfriend was apparently in the baseball club.

 

“Speaking of which, you got invited by them earlier, Kitahara. Are you involved with them?”

 

“Does it look like I am?”

 

“Sorry, but not at all.”

 

“If you’re going to say that, at least put some malice into it.”

 

Kitahara let out a sigh and closed her book with a snap.

 

“One of the boys who hangs out with that group wants to meet me…”

 

“Ah, well, that’s unfortunate…”

 

I guess it was the kind of trouble that came with being beautiful, but I really had to question the guts of a guy who would go after Kitahara…

 

“First of all, shouldn’t they realize that I’m the complete opposite of Minegishi-san and her group just by looking at me? Well, I suppose they’re inviting me because they don’t realize that.”

 

“Wow, harsh.”

 

“Exactly. For starters, my type is…”

 

“Your type is?”

 

“…Anyway, the broadcasting club seems like a lot of work. I’ll pray that it becomes popular.”

 

Kitahara blatantly changed the subject. But I had no intention of pushing any further either.

 

“Yeah, send in a letter if you feel like it. That would be the biggest encouragement.”

 

“…Well, I’ll do my best as a dedicated listener.”

 

“What’s with that new kind of polite dismissal?”

 

Was it a third option to replace “I’ll do my best” and “I’ll think about it”? Before I knew it, she reopened her book, and we didn’t exchange another word. The classroom was noisy, and it really wasn’t an environment where anyone could listen to the radio. However, knowing that I was getting even a fraction of Kitahara’s time during her lunch break made my heart feel just a little bit lighter.

 

◇◇◇

 

A week passed since I’d announced the new segment, and the day of the broadcast had finally arrived.

 

“Ahem, ahem, ahh, ahh.”

 

Sitting in front of the mic, I cleared my throat, but it did nothing to calm my nerves. I opened my phone to check the time again, but the display hadn’t changed by a single minute.

 

“A! I! U! E! O! A! O!”

 

As I ran through my vocal warm-ups, Mashiro-sensei let out an exasperated sigh from across the desk.

 

“What’s all this racket for? Are you nervous?”

 

“Of course I am! It’s a new segment! A-new-seg-ment!”

 

“You don’t need to spell it out for me, I know.”

 

“Honestly, I’m way more nervous now than I was on my first day in the club when I got forced behind the mic without any warning…”

 

“Yeah, that was pretty brutal.”

 

“This is the part where you’re supposed to comfort me!”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. I helped you out back then too, right? You’ll be fine this time.”

 

“That’s weird, is this some kind of false memory…?”

 

“You were young back then, so it makes sense that you wouldn’t remember.”

 

“Do you think I was a kindergartener or something last year?”

 

For the record, Mashiro-sensei had been sitting in that exact same spot back then, laughing her head off. There had been absolutely zero comforting involved. Still, she was the only one I could rely on right now. Reluctantly, I bowed my head.

 

“Mashiro-sensei, I’m seriously counting on you if things go south, okay?”

 

“Yeah, with me here, it’s like you have the strength of a hundred men.”

 

“Uhh…”

 

…I feel like it’s more like one and a half at best.

 

“Sigh, I guess I just have to do my best on my own.”

 

“Hey, I just said you have the strength of a hundred men.”

 

I ignored Sensei’s grumbling. I was the one who’d brought this whole threat of our club being disbanded upon myself in the first place, so I had to clean up my own mess. With a little time left before the broadcast, I stood up and looked out the window. Through the thick glass, I stared up at the clear, cloudless blue sky.

 

“Ah, what an infuriatingly blue sky…”

 

Seeing me glaring at the heavens, Mashiro-sensei sighed again.

 

“It’s fine, isn’t it? We got some letters, after all.”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

A stack of letters sat on the desk, about twice our usual amount. The new segment was apparently better received than we’d anticipated. But a part of me just couldn’t be genuinely happy about it.

 

“What if I completely bomb this whole relationship advice thing trying to act cool…”

 

“Who goes into something already thinking about failing?”

 

“Because I don’t have any romantic experience, remember!?”

 

I read rom-com manga, but none of that had ever been useful in real life.

 

“If anything, since I’m basing things on those insanely popular protagonists, there’s a very real chance I’ll give some weird answer…”

 

“True, it would be hilarious if you told someone to shut them up with a kiss.”

 

“This is no time for laughing!”

 

But my words seemed to have triggered something in Sensei, as she began to stare off into the distance.

 

“Must be nice. I wish I could ask a handsome guy for relationship advice and have him tell me, ‘I’ll make it so you can’t look at anyone but me’…”

 

“…Do you read those kinds of things, Sensei?”

 

“Yeah, a ridiculously perfect guy in a book really hits the spot after a day at work.”

 

“Being a teacher must be tough…”

 

“But you know, getting too much attention from a ridiculously perfect guy can be exhausting in its own way, so be careful.”

 

“I wasn’t asking, so I’m fine.”

 

I ended up learning about my advisor’s quirks in the most unexpected way. Adults are complicated.

 

“Well, putting that aside. Like I said before, you just need to nod along and say whatever sounds nice.”

 

“That hardly sounds like something a teacher should say…”

 

I wondered what kind of face she made when she listened to her students’ relationship troubles.

 

“Come on, stop pacing around and at least look over the letters.”

 

“…I’ll do that.”

 

I had simulated this in my head countless times, but I was still anxious. I plopped down into my chair to calm myself. Just as I picked up one of the letters, Sensei spoke up.

 

“Still, I never expected our regulars to jump on board.”

 

“No kidding…”

 

We had received a letter for the new segment from one of the dedicated listeners who always wrote in to our radio show. The consultation itself also sounded quite serious. Unlike their usual letters, the fresh, innocent tone and their adaptability brought a smile to my face no matter how many times I read it.

 

“Alright, it’s about time. Kageyama, are you ready?”

 

“Yes, I’m starting. Five, four…”

 

I counted down three seconds in my head and hit play. As the jingle faded in, a switch inside me flipped on.

 

“Hello everyone! It’s May 27^th, and it’s time for the lunchtime broadcast!”

 

I was surprised to find that my voice wasn’t shaking as much as I’d expected. I glanced over at Sensei, who nodded with a knowing look.

 

“Everyone. May is finally coming to an end… Man, it’s already been two months since the new school year started! Time sure flies, doesn’t it~ How long is two months, really? It’s about seven episodes of a spring anime! …When you put it that way, is it actually pretty short?”

 

[Note: Anime are broadcast in seasons with spring anime airing in April.]

 

“Hahaha.”

 

Sensei laughed quietly, just loud enough for the mic to barely pick it up. Alright, we’re off to a smooth start.

 

“But two months is a tricky amount of time, right? For the freshmen, it might be full of new things since it’s their first time experiencing high school life, but for us returning students, it’s just the transition from spring to the rainy season. It went by in a flash.”

 

This initial chatter was mostly for my own sake. I always started like this to check how I was feeling on any given day. Having done this for nearly a year, I’d learned to gauge my condition just from the opening talk. Today… I was in top form.

 

“Alright, let’s wrap up the opening and get straight to the letters! After all, we’re starting a new segment today, and honestly, I’d rather hear fun love stories than talk about tests…! Ah, no, Mashiro-sensei. I didn’t mean it like that…”

 

I raised a hand to stop Sensei, whose expression had clearly changed, and shifted my eyes back to the letters.

 

“So, let’s start with our first letter, from radio name Matcha Powder-san…!”

 

And so, the radio show progressed smoothly.

 

“Now, let’s move on to the next segment! Next up is our new segment! The Myoujin Love Advice Inbox!!”

 

I let out a breath while operating the equipment to play a clapping sound effect. No matter how good I was feeling, it was natural to be nervous. But I couldn’t let them know that. Just stay calm and focus on entertaining the listeners…!

 

“Alright, this probably doesn’t need any explanation anymore. We’ve been taking your romantic troubles since last week, and thanks to all of you, we’ve received a ton of letters! I’d like to read a few of them today!”

 

With a fluid motion, I picked up a letter from the table and offered a silent prayer. I had decided before the broadcast even started that I’d read this one first. With a feeling akin to making a wish, I turned back to the mic.

 

“Alright, let’s start with our first letter. From radio name, Forest of Deltora-san!”

 

The Forest of Deltora was one of the regulars on this radio show. They were someone who sent in cynical letters with a slightly twisted vibe reminiscent of a late-night radio listener, making them one of my personal favorites.

 

I’m counting on you, Forest of Deltora…!

 

“Hello, Kageyama-san. I always enjoy listening to your radio show.”

 

I raised my voice slightly, not enough to sound like I was joking, but enough to liven things up.

 

“There’s someone I’m interested in. They sit next to me in class, and I always cheer them on when I see them working hard at their club activities. But because I’m shy, I always end up making snide comments and can’t be honest with them. Do you have any advice on how I can start talking to the person I like?… is what they wrote.”

 

Hmm, this is serious. Honestly, I couldn’t believe this was the same Forest of Deltora. They usually sent in letters teasing me, setting me up to play the straight man, but this was a serious consultation. It was like they were a completely different person. Did they go out of their way to be considerate just because it was a new segment? Whatever the case, I had to answer them with sincerity!

 

“Wow, starting off with such a pure letter! I honestly think it’s very common to hesitate to actively approach someone precisely because they’re close to you, and end up settling for the status quo!”

 

Love makes people cowardly. I understand, Deltora!

 

“But if things stay the way they are, your feelings will never reach them! …Ah, Sensei is nodding like crazy over here.”

 

Mashiro-sensei was shaking her head up and down like a bobblehead. There… definitely must have been something in her past. Now, that covers the letter itself. This is where I show my stuff…!

 

“So… it seems you want some advice. For example, how about trying to strike up a conversation about something you like?”

 

I checked the reaction of my closest audience member, Mashiro-sensei… Alright! She looks interested!

 

“If it’s about something you like, even someone as shy as you, Forest of Deltora-san, shouldn’t run out of things to say. Besides, if the other person looks interested, it might lead to your conversations stepping up to the next level!”

 

I wanted this to reach Forest of Deltora. With that thought in mind, my words gradually grew more passionate.

 

“Also, if the conversation continues based on what you like, it might be a good idea to ask them about what they like next! That kind of give-and-take might bring you much closer to them.”

 

Speaking through the mic, the words flowed smoother than I expected, and my excitement steadily grew.

 

“Or, if you’ve never really talked before, starting as friends is always an option! Either way, love is all about going on the offensive. Don’t be afraid, and try talking to them as much as you can!”

 

As I delivered my closing remarks, Sensei offered a small round of applause.

 

“Forest of Deltora-san, was that helpful…? Now then, onto the next letter!”

 

Alright, this is a perfect start! I’m going to keep pushing forward like this…!

 

◇◇◇

 

“And with that, I would like to conclude today’s lunchtime broadcast! Thank you all so much for listening~”

 

Riding that momentum, I read a few more letters and played some requested songs. Once the broadcast ended, I turned down the mic volume, and the broadcasting room fell into complete silence.

 

“That felt pretty good, didn’t it!?”

 

Unable to contain myself, I turned to Sensei. She nodded once before standing up.

 

“Yeah, I couldn’t be happier with how that went. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to handle it that well, Kageyama.”

 

“Right!?”

My excitement was through the roof, and I responded eagerly. I had been doing radio for nearly a year, but this felt like a major success. Watching me excitedly pace around the broadcasting room, Sensei laughed in amusement.

 

“Still, ‘love is all about going on the offensive,’ huh… You sounded pretty confident.”

 

“Well, I was just kind of riding the momentum…”

 

“Don’t be shy. It’s the springtime of youth.”

 

“…Are you sure you’re using that phrase right?”

 

Sensei nodded firmly as I tilted my head.

 

“High school teachers can’t survive unless they find youth in the little things. So this is the springtime of youth. No matter what anyone says, it’s the springtime of youth.”

 

“R-Right.”

 

They say people start seeking what they couldn’t get in their student days once they become adults, but…

 

“Hm, what’s with that pitying look?”

 

“No, it’s nothing…”

 

Mashiro-sensei seems like she’d be popular, though… As my gaze toward Mashiro-sensei softened slightly, she shooed me away with her hands.

 

“Come on, don’t just stand around here. Hurry up and get back to class.”

 

“Huh? Oh, I was just going to eat my lunch since I’m already here…”

 

She wagged a finger at my bewildered expression.

 

“We went through all the trouble of doing a new segment. Go get some feedback while everyone’s still hyped up about it.”

 

Her words made me realize something.

 

“Sensei, you actually say some good things sometimes!”

 

“The ‘sometimes’ was unnecessary.”

 

“Then, I’ll be going!”

 

Urged on by Sensei, I hurriedly packed up my lunch box and headed back to the classroom with a light step.

 

◇◇◇

 

Suppressing my lingering excitement, I opened the back door of the classroom and took my seat. I didn’t want anyone to realize how restless I was, so I tried eating the rest of my lunch, but I couldn’t even taste it.

 

“Kageyama!”

 

I instinctively glanced up to see a classmate looking a bit more energetic than usual.

 

“O-Oh, Kuramoto…”

 

“Kageyama, I listened to your radio show today~ I heard you started doing relationship advice?”

 

“A-Ah, yeah. Just starting today.”

 

“I see! It was pretty easy to listen to today, so I caught everything perfectly.”

 

“Oh, really? Thanks…”

 

It was pretty embarrassing to have a classmate who didn’t usually listen to the radio tune in just for the new segment, especially since it was relationship advice. But the popular sports guy didn’t seem to care, flashing a bright smile.

 

“Man, using what you like to get close to someone if you’re shy, huh…”

 

“Hey, cut it out.”

 

“Why are you embarrassed? That’s not something just anyone can say, you know? I’ll use it as a reference too.”

 

“Are you… making fun of me?”

 

“I’m not, I’m honestly complimenting you.”

 

Kuramoto narrowed his eyes in amusement, though he didn’t seem to have anything else to say.

 

“Well anyway, I’ll be looking forward to next week! Good luck!”

 

“Ah, wait a sec!”

 

I called out to him, and Kuramoto turned back with a confused look.

 

“Um… earlier you said my radio show was easy to listen to… Do you know why that might be?”

 

Kuramoto’s words from earlier had caught my attention. Almost no one in our class listened to the radio. If there was some change in the way I spoke or something, I definitely wanted to know. In response to my question, Kuramoto casually tilted his head.

 

“Well, I dunno, it just felt like the speaker was louder today…”

 

“Ah, I see…”

 

It wasn’t anything special. It had nothing to do with my technique: the speakers were just louder. A painfully simple explanation.

 

“Oh, speaking of which.”

 

“Did something happen?”

 

“Well, after lunch break started, it kind of looked like Kitahara-san was messing with the speaker volume…”

 

“Kitahara was?”

 

It was true that our school’s speakers could be adjusted for each classroom. But did that mean Kitahara had adjusted it…? However, Kuramoto lightly shook his head.

 

“Nah, maybe it was just my imagination. Forget it.”

 

“Yeah, alright. Sorry for holding you up.”

 

“No problem. See ya.”

 

Offering a brief goodbye, Kuramoto briskly returned to another group.

 

…Hmm, I was hoping to get some pointers for future broadcasts, but I guess it’s not that easy.

 

“Well, it sounded like it went over well, so that’s what matters…”

 

“Kageyama-kun.”

 

“Whoa!?”

 

Someone suddenly spoke to me from the side while I was talking to myself. I turned to find Kitahara addressing me, her eyes still glued to her book.

 

“K-Kitahara. Did you need something?”

“Yes, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”

 

Kitahara shot a fleeting glance in my direction. Her beautiful eyes were the same as always, but I could sense some sort of strong resolve in them. She immediately returned her eyes to her book and took a few shallow breaths.

 

“…Today’s broadcast was great.”

 

“Oh, thanks…”

 

Oh, it was just feedback…

 

I bowed my head, and Kitahara gave a small nod.

 

“Yes, the new segment was especially good.”

 

“Seriously!? I was nervous since it was the first time… Was it really okay?”

 

“I could really tell that you were taking the letters seriously, Kageyama-kun. You spoke confidently, and I think the person asking for advice must have felt reassured.”

 

“R-Really? It’s kind of embarrassing when you say it like that…”

 

There wasn’t a hint of teasing in Kitahara’s flat tone. Even if she was just listening while eating lunch, getting praised by a listener who had been tuning in for a while made me incredibly happy. As I beamed internally, Kitahara cleared her throat.

 

“S-So…”

 

“Hmm? What is it?”

 

Her face held a fiercer resolve than I had ever seen before, and I instantly realized this was no ordinary matter. As a tension akin to two martial artists facing off enveloped us, Kitahara looked me in the eye with a determined expression.

 

“I like mysteries.”

 

“…I see.”

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

Conversation, terminated.

 

Wait, seriously? What was that? Was that all she wanted to say?

 

As I sat there completely lost, Kitahara lifted her eyes from her book and shot me a sharp glare.

 

“Hey, aren’t you going to follow up on that?”

 

“Uh, well…”

 

“I like mysteries.”

 

Staring right at me, Kitahara repeated her words like an NPC. Only then did I realize she was waiting for my response.

 

“Uhh… I read them sometimes too, you know? Mysteries.”

 

I played along without fully understanding her intentions, and her face lit up instantly.

 

“R-Really? Like what? What kind do you read!?”

 

Slightly taken aback by her sudden intensity, I tossed out the name of a novel my little sister had recommended.

 

“Let’s see, I read ‘The Murder in the Black Coffin’ recently…”

 

“R-Really!? You read ‘Black Coffin’, Kageyama-kun!?”

 

“Yeah, I just finished it the other day… I think they just finished making a drama out of it, right?”

 

“…T-They did!”

 

Her eyes practically sparkled as she nodded with incredible, vigorous force.

 

“The ‘Coffin’ series is amazing, isn’t it!? It’s basically the foundation of modern orthodox mysteries! No, more than that, it’s both the foundation and the peak! I mean, of course there are plenty of other great works out there, but it still defined an entire era!”

 

“U-Um, Kitahara?”

 

“But just like you said, Kageyama-kun, ‘Black Coffin’ relies on tricks that only work in a novel! Everyone said it was impossible to bring it to screen, but the fact that they still managed to deliver something of such high quality is just incredible! It really shows the director’s sheer determination! And also…”

 

Kitahara, who had been speaking with such fiery passion, realized what she was doing, and her words trailed off.

 

“I’m sorry. I got carried away and talked too much…”

 

She lowered her head awkwardly.

 

But…

 

“It’s fine.”

 

“Huh?”

 

I didn’t mind this side of Kitahara at all.

 

“I don’t dislike your current vibe, Kitahara.”

 

“R-Really…?”

 

I nodded reassuringly at the anxious Kitahara.

 

“I think it’s great when someone can talk passionately about the things they love.”

 

“Passionately… I mean, this is pretty normal, though…”

 

Her words were blunt, but I could hear a hint of embarrassment in her voice.

 

“Oh, right! Hey, Kitahara. If you don’t mind, could you tell me about some of your favorite mysteries?”

 

“E-Eh, are you sure?”

 

“Of course. I like books too, and I’m sure anything you recommend would be a hit.”

 

Kitahara nodded thoughtfully at my suggestion.

 

“B-By all means! If you’re okay with it, Kageyama-kun, I’ll bring some!”

 

“Yeah, thanks.”

 

It’s always best to ask an expert for their opinion on these things. Kitahara shifted her gaze restlessly as if agitated, before suddenly looking as if she had an epiphany.

 

“That’s right! Never mind me, do you have anything you like, Kageyama-kun?”

 

“Eh, me?”

 

“Yes, isn’t there anything? You know, as part of our conversation! Right!”

 

Kitahara raised an eyebrow. I see, the things I like, huh…

 

“Well, it’d have to be radio, right?”

 

“Oh, like what?”

 

“Well, I mostly listen to late-night radio. Shows hosted by comedians, musicians…”

 

At my completely harmless explanation, Kitahara’s expression shifted, like she’d just realized something.

 

“For example, ‘All Night Japon’, or ‘COLLEGE OF LOCK’, something like that?”

 

[Note: All Night Japon (All Night Nippon) is a legendary celebrity-hosted talk show airing since 1967, while COLLEGE OF LOCK (SCHOOL OF LOCK!) is a popular evening show framed as a fictional high school where top musicians give real-life advice to listeners.]

 

“…Seriously?”

 

I couldn’t help but gasp at the titles Kitahara brought up.

 

“Kitahara, you listen to ANJ and COL?”

 

Under my intense gaze, Kitahara flinched and stiffened.

 

“Y-Yes. Well, I say listen, but it’s not like I’m studying to send in letters… I mean, I’ve just happened to hear them a few times by chance, so I’m probably not as knowledgeable as you, but…”

 

“It’s fine, I know it’s rare for high schoolers to listen to the radio as a hobby these days.”

 

“Ah, no, that’s not what I meant…”

 

I offered her kind words to reassure her, but Kitahara cast her eyes downward, looking faintly disappointed.

 

…What kind of emotion is that?

 

After fidgeting for a bit, Kitahara snapped her book shut and slapped both of her cheeks.

 

“W-Wait, Kitahara!?”

 

As I reeled in shock from what she suddenly did right next to me, Kitahara stared straight into my eyes with a look of absolute resolve.

 

“Kageyama-kun, the truth is, I’m interested in radio.”

 

“R-Really?”

 

“Y-Yes! So, if you wouldn’t mind… could you maybe tell me about some of your favorite radio shows?”

 

“I see, my recommendations, huh…”

 

Kitahara’s tone was as resolute as ever, but seeing her looking somewhat nervous, I let my honest feelings out.

 

“Let’s see, the two I mentioned earlier are classics, but there are plenty of others! I think people tend to gravitate towards nationally broadcast shows hosted by comedians, but personally, I think local stations are definitely worth a listen! I highly recommend ‘Hatolady Night’! They project their voices well, but it’s still relaxing to listen to. It doesn’t feel like an inside joke, so I think even beginners can enjoy it! In fact, I kind of aspire to be like that show myself…”

 

I poured all of that out in a single breath, only to realize there was absolutely no response from Kitahara.

 

Crap, I got too excited.

 

“S-Sorry, I don’t know anyone else who’s interested in radio, so I just…”

 

And I had gradually leaned in closer, too. This is bad. She finally got interested in radio, but if I creep her out, it’ll backfire completely…!

 

“Pfft, fufufufu.”

 

“K-Kitahara…?”

 

Kitahara burst into laughter. Oh no, did I spit on her or something? Was she laughing because I was acting so gross? Our classmates began looking our way, wondering what on earth was up with the Lady of the North Wind.

 

After laughing for a while, Kitahara lightly wiped her eyes.

 

“Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve laughed this much… You really don’t change at all from when you’re on the radio, Kageyama-kun.”

 

“Do I…?”

 

“Yes, you don’t change one bit. It’s actually kind of funny.”

Nodding slowly, Kitahara wore a refreshed expression, as if she had finally shaken something off.

 

“Hey, Kageyama-kun. I have a proposal.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Still trying to process the situation, I watched as Kitahara turned to fully face me for the first time. Seeing her face straight on for the first time, she was startlingly beautiful. And she was wearing a soft smile that didn’t fit the moniker “Lady of the North Wind” at all.

 

Parting her lips slightly, Kitahara spoke in a slow, clear voice.

 

“Kageyama-kun, will you be my friend?”

 

Her face betrayed a mix of anxiety and anticipation. An incredibly unexpected proposal. But…

 

“Yeah, sure. Let’s be friends, Kitahara.”

 

I had no reason to refuse. Hearing my answer, Kitahara smiled warmly again.

 

Right on cue, the chime rang, signaling five minutes left of lunch break. As if remembering it was empty, my stomach let out a loud rumble.

 

“Classes are going to start soon. Never mind me, you should eat.”

 

“My bad, I’m going to eat this really quickly!”

 

“You don’t need to ask for my permission.”

 

Kitahara smiled elegantly. I was honestly a bit hyped up myself from making a new friend. Trying to suppress the rising exhilaration, I gripped my chopsticks and scarfed down the rest of my lunch. Watching me, Kitahara offered a small smile.

 

“…First, we start as friends. Then it’s all about going on the offensive, right?”

 

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

 

“No, it’s nothing.”

 

Whatever the girl next to me murmured was lost in the lunchtime noise and never reached my ears.

 

◇◇◇

 

“Hmm…”

 

A few days had passed since the first relationship advice segment. It was a refreshing morning, and I’d arrived at school unusually early, before most of my classmates showed up. They say you can concentrate the most at this time of day. Bathing in the morning sun, I let my pen run across the paper.

 

But that peaceful time didn’t last long. The sound of indoor shoes echoed through the silent classroom, stopping right next to me.

 

“Good morning, Kageyama-kun.”

 

“Good morning, Kitahara. You’re here early.”

 

“It’s quiet in the morning, so it’s the perfect time to read a book.”

 

The chair next to me pulled out with a scrape. Our class’s number one beauty sat with perfect posture, looking as lovely as ever even this early in the morning.

 

“You’re quite early yourself, Kageyama-kun.”

 

“I’ve just got a lot to do today. I didn’t think I’d be able to focus at home, so I came to school early.”

 

“For the lunchtime radio?”

 

“Ding ding ding.” I answered rhythmically.

 

“You’re as diligent as ever.”

 

“I’m just paying the price for slacking off.”

 

“Did you stay up late, perhaps?”

 

“There was a radio show I just had to listen to live last night…”

 

Kitahara sighed at my excuse.

 

“Good grief. What happened to using the app? The app.”

 

“…You remember that.”

 

“Of course I do. We just talked about it the other day.”

 

As expected of the talented Kitahara, she had even remembered the casual lines I had spoken the other day.

 

“I disapprove of this, you know. Nothing good ever comes from staying up late.”

 

“I appreciate the warning…”

 

“You talk a big game, but you’re probably still going to listen live later tonight, aren’t you?”

 

It was just a casual morning conversation, but Kitahara chuckled. Then, she naturally pulled a book out of her bag.

 

“Another mystery for you today?”

 

“Yes, that’s right.”

 

She was known as the Lady of the North Wind, but there were hardly any classmates who knew that she and I talked like this. What brought us together was none other than the lunchtime radio. After doing it alone for so long, hearing a listener’s voice directly was incredibly reassuring, and I was fully enjoying this relationship.

 

“So, what are you doing today? The broadcast is tomorrow, right?”

 

“Ah, well, I’m trying to figure out how to handle the letters I’m going to read tomorrow…”

 

“Hmm, what kind of letters?”

 

Kitahara leaned over her desk without opening her book to check the letters spread out on mine. Her beautiful face drew close, and a soft, floral scent tickled my nose.

 

“W-Wait, Kitahara…?”

 

“What is it?”

 

Kitahara looked at me, her face literally inches away from mine. Oh man, I don’t know if it’s shampoo or perfume, but she smells incredibly good… I was a healthy high school boy. My heart couldn’t handle a beautiful girl like Kitahara getting this close.

 

As I leaned back with all my might, Kitahara’s expression faltered, and she pulled away.

 

“I try to be mindful of my scent, but… did you find it unpleasant, Kageyama-kun…?”

 

“N-No, it’s not unpleasant at all. If anything, it smells so good it’s actually a problem…”

 

My desperate plea didn’t seem to reach her. The Lady of the North Wind just tilted her head in confusion.

“If it smells good, then there’s no problem, is there?”

 

“No, it’s a huge problem…”

 

“So? What kind of letters did you get?”

 

Kitahara tried to lean in close again.

 

This is bad, I won’t get any work done at this rate…

 

I know!

 

“I’m not going to stop you from looking, but are you sure about this, Kitahara?”

 

“About what?”

 

“These are the letters I might read tomorrow. If you read them now, it’ll ruin the fun, won’t it?”

 

“…True, you have a point.”

 

Seemingly convinced, Kitahara obediently returned to her seat.

 

Thank goodness, I can focus now…

 

In the empty classroom, the sound of Kitahara and I flipping through paper echoed through the air.

 

“Hey, Kageyama-kun.”

 

“What is it, Kitahara?”

“I love…”

 

“Hyah!?”

 

I reflexively snapped my head up from the letters and turned toward Kitahara.

 

“your radio show, Kageyama-kun.”

 

“Oh, that’s what you meant…”

 

She really startled me with that misleading phrasing. However, Kitahara just pressed her index finger against her lips and tilted her head.

 

“What exactly did you think I meant, Kageyama-kun?”

 

“Shut up, leave me alone.”

 

I casually brushed off the mischievously smiling Kitahara and returned my eyes to the letters.

 

“Speaking of which, I listened to it. ‘Hatolady Night’.”

 

“Seriously!?”

 

“You recommended it, didn’t you?”

 

“Well, yeah, but…”

 

Honestly, I was pretty shocked. It hadn’t been that long since I recommended it, and she had already listened to it…

 

“H-How was it?”

 

I was pretty sure I’d just rambled purely on momentum back then, so I was honestly a bit worried. But Kitahara just gave a small nod without changing her expression.

 

“Yes, it was very interesting.”

 

“R-Really…!”

 

“The hosts didn’t force any laughs, and they spoke in a tone that was perfect for background noise, so it was a very comfortable experience. I could hardly believe it was a local station.”

 

“Right!? When I first heard it, I also totally assumed it was a national broadcast!”

 

“I completely understand. Both hosts had very clear, pleasant voices. They handled the letters very carefully, and I could really feel how much they cared about their listeners.”

 

“I know! Makise-san and Touyama-chan are both so good at handling things! I wish I could run a show as well as them…”

 

Looking down at the letters in my hand, my own lack of skill hit me hard. If I could host my show as well as them, I probably wouldn’t be in this situation right now…

 

As I continued to stare down at the letters in my hands, Kitahara asked with a confused look.

 

“I have one question… Do you not write scripts, Kageyama-kun?”

 

“Ah, um…”

 

“I always had the image that radio hosts prepared proper scripts before broadcasting… Do you not do that, Kageyama-kun?”

 

I was at a loss for words at her critical question.

 

“I mean, I kind of do? Look, I jot down notes on the letters like this.”

 

“But those are just rough notes, aren’t they? You can’t call that a script.”

 

I tried to vaguely brush it off, but Kitahara wasn’t letting it go. Man… I was honestly a bit embarrassed to talk about this.

 

“Do you really want to know?”

 

“Yes. It’s not just because you’re busy or something, right?”

 

“Well, yeah…”

 

Kitahara stared at me with eyes full of determination, silently telling me she wouldn’t back down. …I guess I had no choice. It was embarrassing, so I hadn’t really wanted to tell my listeners…

 

“It’s nothing major. Radio is all about raw words, right?”

“Live? You mean real-time?”

 

“Yeah. Depending on when you talk, the way your tongue moves and your excitement are different, right? So, I try to only jot down the bare minimum of what I want to say, so that people can hear my exact words in the moment I’m broadcasting.”

 

“Ohho…”

 

“It sounds pretty arrogant coming from a guy like me, but if you want to entertain others, you have to enjoy yourself first.”

 

I adopted this style because I wanted to share my words in the moment with my listeners.

 

“Well, it also leads to me crashing and burning pretty often, though…”

 

“So you really don’t write scripts? The actual broadcast is completely ad-libbed?”

 

“Not completely, but yeah, mostly ad-libbed.”

 

“I see. That’s… amazing…”

 

Kitahara’s beautiful black eyes were wide with surprise.

 

“Stop it, I’m just trying to sound cool.”

 

“No, before we even talk about trying to sound cool, I think that’s normally impossible…”

By the way, we had seniors who didn’t even take notes, let alone write scripts. I wasn’t actually doing anything that amazing, but being praised so directly still made me happy.

 

“Still, you sure know a lot about this, Kitahara.”

 

“Know a lot? About what?”

 

“About radio. You knew about local stations, national broadcasts, and you even knew about scripts. Did you actually listen to quite a bit of it?”

 

“Eh.”

 

Kitahara’s cool, teasing expression from moments ago vanished completely. She gave a sudden jolt and stiffened up.

 

“That’s just… basic stuff for a high school girl.”

 

Her cheeks flushed as she looked away.

 

I had a lot more I wanted to ask her, but just then, the back door of the classroom slid open, bringing our conversation to a close.