[And so, the date for next Sunday…]

[It’s not a date. Playing together, buying things together is all]

[… Dear sir, that is what’s called a date]

This place is somewhere distant from the heart of the city. Named [Hamidas.h.i.+]. Just like it’s name, even at night the brightness does not lose to the heart of the city, though not as lively. In that place, just a while ago, Yuuto entered a certain store.

Bar · Shangri-La.

Yuuto’s part-time job. The usual three people are there. The male talking beside me is called Kaijou Takao. The center of the three.

[But, it’s that right… If Shana-chan knew of this, she’ll kill you]

[Eh, but why?!]

Takao’s words made Yuuto gasp. But, a voice comes in from the side immediately.

[Takao. Don’t say it that easily or you’ll have the same sin]

[Hey Mizuki. Why don’t we go together? We’ll protect Yuuto from afar]

Takao’s ears got flicked.

[… No way. The motivation is too impure. Speak once you thought of something better]

The waitress putting coffee on the counter, Saigane Mizuki, shot out a cold, pressurizing gaze.

[… Mizuki. Isn’t that too mean? We are boys living out our youths you know? Asking out a girl takes courage you know? Right, Guy?]

The one on the same side of the counter wiping the gla.s.s, Guy, puts his hand on Takao’s shoulder while saying nothing.

[…]

And Takao became crestfallen.

Takao, Mizuki and Yuuto are of the same age. The tall and silent Guy is 2, 3 years older. To Takao and Mizuki, he’s a close friend and a guardian.

However, those two don’t attend school.

In this city, those around Yuuto’s age all go to school. It’s natural for students to come learn state-of-the-art since here. However, there exists students who stopped schooling for various reasons. Money, relations.h.i.+ps, academic level. There are many reasons but, for these people, those that have fallen, you’ll have to live a difficult life in this city.

What was common between them and Yuuto, was the s.h.i.+ning silver bracelet on their left hand.

It’s called [Rune Bracelet]. Anyone who possesses this silver bracelet, unbelievably, is given a supernatural power. In other words, using magic.

Yes, they are [Magic Users].

One day, without warning, the bracelets were sent to them in a small package from an anonymous sender.  And as the fate of those who holds the bracelet, Yuuto encountered a monster, and was saved by them by chance while running for his life.

Demon beast. It’s a monster that appeared recently. They suddenly appear from the [Cracks in s.p.a.ce-time].

When the cracks appears, it is not known where it’ll connect to. That’s why, there’s not so many appearances at once till now. Until now, they have been fighting the demonic beasts. Magic is the only thing that can fend off demonic beings.

Other than Takao and these three, there are other comrades. They are not here due to work or patrolling of the city but, they’ll appear in cases of emergencies.

They also don’t attend school. They are permitted to live in the city if they do labour in exchange. The one holding them together, at the center of those who use magic, are Takao and the three who created a vigilante group to protect the city from the demonic beasts.

In time, Guy’s store got turned into the base of operations.

It doesn’t mean that there’ll be rewards. Or will there be people who thank us. Even so, they’ll move.

The sound of a cup being placed. Along with a pleasant smell.

[You better have fun. It’s important to have time for rest]

Guy said as he pa.s.sed the coffee to Yuuto.

[However, strange cases are on the increase. Be careful Yuuto, since it could be demonic beasts. And also because you can;t use magic]

Yes. As Takao said, Yuuto still am unable to use magic. The bracelet’s power would not activate no matter how hard he tried.

Yuuto hopes to use magic soon. That’s why he’s here. To leave behind the ordinary days. Something may change being here. It may change, was what he thought.

It’s not because he wanted to use magic to do whatever he wants.

He wanted more to hold his head high.

There was a silent impatience in Yuuto’s heart. To an unchanging self. To a mediocre self.

Isana was a student that competed for first or second in the year, coupling with her appearance boasts of top cla.s.s popularity even in campus. Well liked and with strong desires. Always being surrounded by students in school. Apparently she was also confessed to by the most popular boy in school many times. Even though he got rejected at every attempt…

As for Touma, in academics and sports, he was a perfect human. Though he doesn’t talk about himself, there are parts of him that are often misunderstood, he holds the friends.h.i.+p between them dearly.

Especially because he was with those two, Yuuto thought deeply.

Then what could I do? What am I to them?

Then he came to a conclusion. There was nothing he could do.

There was an instance in which he told Touma. During that time Touma replied,

[It’s not about suiting each other. Humans do not move with only such feelings of loss as you think. The important thing is what you want to do. We know of your good points. Throw away your whining from time to time, and try to be someone different. Go at it with guts. Guts!]

And Touma laughed after saying that.

While Touam and Yuuto exchanged jokes, Isana directed a warm smile towards them.

That was their everyday. The very image of happiness.

But that alone is useless.

Those were words spoken by his friends for life. That was the very relations.h.i.+p between them and Yuuto.

But there are times friends change. A person is a living thing that chooses what is necessary for itself. Wherever there are good friends, the lesser they talk as they become distant. A person that cannot be touched, and a person directly in front of you. It’s a no brainer who you’ll interact with more. Memories will be gradually overwritten.

Do you remember how many friends you had in kindergarten?

How many still connects with their primary school friends?

In a sense, it is not equal. You must be the only one who cannot be inferior to anyone.

Someday those two will also leave. I don’t want that.

I want to be the only one for them.

Not another, but the existence known as Yos.h.i.+no Yuuto.

That was what Yuuto yearned for the most. What those two do not have. To be of use to those two. If so, surely――