We met in the restaurant for breakfast.
Hayama's table had a huge glass of chocolate protein shake and a plate piled with over twenty boiled eggs. I felt embarrassed watching him peel and eat them.
He got me a protein shake too, while I ordered rice with tamagoyaki.
"They lie and say eating too many eggs causes cholesterol," Hayama said. "It's the cheapest protein and still the best quality."
"You're in a five-star restaurant eating the cheapest protein?"
After breakfast, we headed to the parking lot. Hayama drove a mid-range Koyuka—better suited for the captain, while the captain's sports car would've fit Hayama's vibe.
We drove to the university in our Kurozawa district. After the morning's grueling workout, driving beat walking.
We parked in the university lot and headed inside to finish his paperwork.
"Look at all these pretty girls," Hayama said. "You ignored them for a girl you'll never get. Some are even checking you out."
There were indeed many beautiful girls, some glancing our way—definitely at Hayama. I must be the ugly one in the team, and he's just humoring me by calling me handsome. He knows I'll never get Kirishima because I'm unattractive, not her faith.
"They're looking at you," I said.
"Not all of them. I'll stop to tie my shoe—keep walking and see." He actually stopped.
Walking alone, I forgot how to move. My confidence vanished, and tension gripped me. They're probably staring because I'm walking weirdly. I stopped and waited for Hayama.
"See how some looked at you?" he said.
"They did because I acted weird."
"Weird? No, you didn't. That's all in your head. Even if your pants fell, they'd laugh, talk about it all day, then forget you—even your face. Want me to show you how it's done?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Don't get me wrong—I'm not a player. I broke up with my girlfriend in Arashima recently and want a fresh start. Pick a girl for me, and I'll pick one for you later."
"Alright. That one sitting alone on the bench—she was looking at you."
"Okay. Follow me close enough to hear, but not too close."
Hayama walked with unshakable confidence. "Good morning," he said, smiling at her. She smiled back.
He asked for directions to the office, which she gave, then said, "You study here?"
"Yeah."
"I'm studying online so I can work full-time."
"Really? That's cool."
"I won't come to campus much. Can I get your number in case I need help with anything?"
"Sure."
He saved her number, then said, "I'll treat you to a drink or dinner to thank you, if you're okay with it."
"Not if it's not a date," she said.
Hayama laughed. "A date it is, then. I'll call to set it up."
"Looking forward to it."
She looked thrilled, still smiling after he left, probably staring at his number on her phone.
"See?" Hayama said, resuming our walk.
I clapped instantly. "You're my Sensei from now on."
He laughed. "You've got the looks. If you were ugly, I wouldn't suggest anything. Enjoy your youth before these girls see you as some creepy middle-aged guy."
"I want that too, but I want Kirishima."
"Even if you got her, how'd you keep her with no experience? You're a virgin, right?"
I scratched my head.
"My turn to pick. Be confident—that's the key. Do exactly what I did. That girl on your right, standing alone—I'm sure she was checking you out."
"Fine. If I get rejected, you're buying me cigarettes."
I walked over, nervous, but thinking this was a fresh start, I decided to try.
"Good morning," I said.
"Morning?" she replied.
She was pretty, but not Kirishima-level.
"Sorry to bother you. Is there a bathroom nearby? My friend's sick and needs one urgently."
Surprised, she pointed me to it.
"You study here, then?" I asked.
"Yeah. It's a nice uni and city, right? You studying here too?"
"No, I'll study online so I can work."
"Really? What do you do?"
Her question caught me off guard. "I'm staying at the Amari Hotel by the sea. I'm supposed to open a new branch for a brand from the capital, but I'm waiting on paperwork, so I've got some free time."
"Wow, that's cool."
"I won't come to campus much. Can I get your number in case I need help? You can call me if you need anything too."
"Sure."
We exchanged numbers, and I said, "I'll call you."
I rejoined Hayama, who said, "See? Not hard."
"But she might think I got her number for business, not a date."
"You think she's dumb? She wouldn't give her number to just anyone. But it's not over—you need to be fun on the first date to keep things going."
"Sounds like a lot of work. I'm already stressed after getting her number. I might not even call."
"What's to stress about? She's just a girl. If it doesn't work, find another. There's plenty, and you know how to do it now."
"You say you're not a player, but you sound like one."
After finishing his paperwork, which took half the day, we returned to the hotel for lunch, then each went to our rooms.
I threw myself on the bed, staring at the girl's number, barely believing it. Ignoring last night, everything had gone smoothly on my first day. Hayama became my friend faster than I'd expected, and I was on the verge of getting my first girlfriend.
But Kirishima lingered in my mind—her stance, her angelic features. I hadn't even seen her smile yet. I wanted her. I wanted to make her smile, hold her hand, kiss her at sunset. I didn't want to use other girls to practice for that. My sister wouldn't be proud if I did.
Kirishima was the only girl I hadn't thought of perversely or imagined sleeping with. For years, when I liked a girl, I'd picture her in my room instantly. I did it with the girl whose number I got, imagining her here. But not Kirishima. I just wanted to look at her, see her smile, hold her hand, kiss her, talk to her, spend time with her. Those slaps must've rewired my brain. I thought about her all afternoon, doing nothing else.
In the late afternoon, I got a message from the captain:
*[4:00 PM your time, meet in Hayama's room for a briefing to prepare for tonight's mission.]*
Right after, my phone rang—Hayama.
"Get the message?" he asked.
"Yeah."
"Come over. Let's play some video games until the meeting."
"On my way."
---
Hayama's room, 705, was much like mine. We sat on the couch, playing video games and chatting.
"When are you calling that girl? Want to do a double date to make it easier?" Hayama asked.
"That's actually a great idea," I said. "But I need to do something first."
"What?"
"I'm confessing to Kirishima."
"What?" Hayama paused the game, stunned.
"Yeah, after tonight's mission. If she rejects me, I'll go on the double date with you."
"Are you serious? You're insane."
At exactly 4:00, Kirishima knocked. She wasn't wearing last night's outfit. She had on a loose, long-sleeved shirt, striped in beige, navy, and burgundy, with an uneven hem that showed a sliver of her midriff. Her faded, high-waisted jeans were so baggy they nearly covered her shoes, softening her steps. That same necklace hung prominently. Somehow, she looked even more beautiful than this morning.
Hayama sat back beside me, while she took a single armchair on Hayama's other side, keeping her distance.
Hayama connected his laptop to the TV in front of us and called the captain.
After greetings, the captain began the briefing, sharing a slideshow on the screen.
"This is the victim's profile," he said.
Name: Haruki Takahashi
Age: 29
MentalState: Severe isolation for years, classified as a "hikikomori." Never leaves his apartment, spending most of his time on video games and anime. Nearing his 30th birthday has increased psychological pressure, accelerating his mental decline.
Suspected Muma Type: Mamukuu – Nullma
CurrentThreatLevel: E (Potential to escalate to C based on mental state progression)
Current Status: Estimated to potentially transform into a Muma during his upcoming birthday, just days away.
AdditionalNotes: His psyche is likely more fantastical than realistic, increasing the risk level. The more fantastical the psychic world, the greater the danger, so exercise extra caution.
AssignedTeam: TeamSeven