I walked with Kurosawa Sato through shadowy corners—no, wait, the dimly lit elevator. Since Sato was a girl, and everyone else was paired with a girl too… well, I was male, but compared to my old self hauling two people alone up the stairs? This looked far less weird. So why take the stairs? Why work harder when I could slack off?

Four people stood in the elevator. But two were passed-out drunk, so really just two conscious people. The air felt… charged. An awkward tension hung thick. Watching Sato’s serious little face and those big, watery eyes, I just knew she was flustered. She had to feel this weird vibe too! No! I had to break the tension!

“Uh… Sato? Don’t you feel kinda hot in here?”

“Hot? No way! The AC’s freezing. Feels exactly like always—just cold, not hot!”

*Awkward. Capital A-W-K-W-A-R-D.* No giving up! She must be too shy to admit it! I had to fix this! I was the Mood Master, after all!

“How about this—being alone with me right now… does it feel weird? Don’t hold back. Be real. Is it awkward hanging out with a guy like me? I know it must be!”

Sato stared at me like I’d lost my mind. Then, catching herself, she smoothed her expression—way better than the “you’re an idiot” look—and a smile tugged at her lips. She covered her mouth politely.

“Gen-kun, you’re so funny! I never knew you had such a sense of humor! Honestly, it did feel stuffy earlier… but after your joke? The mood’s way lighter now. Thanks, Gen-kun!”

*What?! She didn’t fall for it?!* I felt like a clown. Denial was impossible—I’d look like a total fool!

I shifted smoothly into “you caught me” mode. Natural. Super natural.

“Okay, fine. I just thought the elevator was too quiet. You’re helping me carry someone, and I didn’t want things to feel weird. Wanted the walk to the parking lot to be less… heavy. Guess you saw right through me.”

“I knew Gen-kun wouldn’t act like that. Thanks—it’s much better now. Oh! We’re at the underground lot. Let’s go!”

The elevator doors slid open. Outside lay the familiar parking garage—I’d been here three or four times already. Always via stairs, but enough visits bred recognition. Even if those memories weren’t exactly… cherished.

I knew the way like the back of my hand to Tsurumi Mirei’s luxury seven-seater. The window was cracked open for air. I peeked inside—no one missing, no trouble.

*Of course not.* This spot was ridiculously remote, guarded by cameras, in a high-class hotel. Trouble here? Unlikely. Still, my body kept double-checking.

I pulled out Mirei’s keys and unlocked the car. Gently, I settled her into the passenger seat. Then I took Shimatani Chiyo from Sato’s arms and placed her in the back.

Finally… mission accomplished. Bone-tired—not physically, but that soul-sucking fatigue from repeating the same chore too many times.

“Seriously… thank you so much for your help. I don’t know how to repay you. If you ever need anything—anything at all—I’ll do it. This kindness… it’s beyond words.”

“It’s nothing special. Just doing what anyone would. Small favors, really. If I can help, I will.”

“Let me walk you back upstairs? You came all this way—it feels rude not to.”

“No need! You should stay with them. What if something happens while you’re gone? Really, don’t bother.”

“How about a compromise? I’ll walk you to the elevator. If you refuse that… I’ll feel awful.”

“Well… alright. Just to the elevator. Thanks, Gen-kun.”

“Easy. It’s basic goodbye etiquette.”

We’d reached an agreement: I’d escort her to the elevator. Proof that negotiation and communication mattered!

We walked to the elevator bank without incident. Utterly uneventful. When we arrived, I said:

“This is where I say farewell. Take care.”

“Mhm. Thank you. Goodbye!”

“Wait—hold on!”

“Yes, Gen-kun?”

“You said ‘goodbye’… but we don’t even have each other’s contacts. How would we ever meet again? And how would you reach me if you needed that ‘anything at all’ favor? Right? Let’s exchange numbers.”

“Oh! My mistake. Hand me your phone.”

I fumbled mine out and passed it over. Sato tapped away, then returned it.

I pocketed the phone.

“I saved my number. You can reach me anytime. I work part-time at this hotel—I’m a student too. Goodbye, Gen-kun!”

Sato stepped into the elevator. I watched the doors close, inching upward… just watching…

After a moment, I turned and walked slowly toward the car.

This goodbye likely meant we’d never meet again. Like parallel train tracks—destiny roaring over them like a locomotive, our paths forever separate, never crossing.

*If a narrator said that right now, it’d sound so cool!* Too bad this wasn’t a manga. No voiceover to make me look deep.

Back at Mirei’s car, I slid into the driver’s seat. Staring at the wheel… this felt like my first time driving. Ever.

*Last life!* Right—I wasn’t that person anymore. No driver’s license here. And last time? I’d barely practiced. My skills were terrible. What now?!

No license meant no expectations! Bad driving didn’t matter! But… no license *and* driving drunk?

Please, traffic cops—don’t see me! Think, think, THINK!

Got it! Prayer was the ultimate solution. *Heavenly powers—God! Jade Emperor! Buddha! Laozi! Protect your humble believer!*

Alright. Time to drive.

Heart pounding, I pulled out of the spot.