Ibuki, Ishizaki, Albert, and Shiina's Day

"**Ibuki, Ishizaki, Albert, and Shiina's Day**" (伊吹と石崎とアルベルト、そして椎名の一日, *Ibuki to Ishizaki to Aruberuto, Soshite Shiina no Ichi Nichi*) is a short story released as the appendix booklet for *Monthly Comic Alive* December 2017 issue.

## Summary

Two days after the "Incident", Ibuki woke up and went to the boulevard that led to the school. She then went to look for Ryuuen and, seeing him adamant about dropping out, fought and beat him. After that, instead of going to the dorms, she again went to the boulevard and thought back on events that had happened till then. She thought about how Ryuuen took control of Class C. Without caring a bit about surveillance cameras and school rules, he beat anyone who dared to oppose him. She believed that his plans and behavior brought him "pride" in himself and felt that Ryuuen believed he would never lose if there were rules violations. She remarked that the incident happened was only due to Class C’s inability to stop him. While thinking about that, Ibuki noticed that the previously empty boulevard was now overflowing with students in their winter clothing as they went to the Keyaki Mall. While seeing the students enjoying their winter vacation, Ibuki remarked that there was no one she could consider her friend. After waiting for half an hour, she took her phone out to urge the other person to come. Before she called, the person she was waiting for called out to her.

Arriving at where Ibuki was, Ishizaki and Albert said that they were successful in their plan and added that Ryuuen was mad about it. When she asked Ishizaki about why he wasn’t resentful towards Ryuuen, who had suppressed him till now, Ishizaki answered that, even though he felt dissatisfied about it, he acknowledged and respected Ryuuen for what he did for the class. Ibuki felt that Albert, who was standing beside Ishizaki, also believed the same thing. When she asked Albert if he could win against Ryuuen, Ishizaki answered for Albert, saying that Albert hated fighting and added that he only beat anyone when Ryuuen asked him to. When remarked by Ibuki that not following Ryuuen would have allowed Albert to not fight at all, Ishizaki said that Albert followed Ryuuen because he let him experience manliness. Not understanding what Ishizaki said, Ibuki felt that there was no need for her to understand and said that she was going back to her room. As she tried to leave, Ishizaki with a serious face, asked if she could join them for tea. Thinking that he was "inviting" her, she stayed silent and pondered for a bit when suddenly Ishizaki explained that he didn’t have any weird intentions and said that even Albert was joining them. Even though Ishizaki wasn’t able to clearly explain his intentions, Ibuki felt that, despite his rude and violent nature, he was an honest person. And since she didn’t have anything planned for the winter vacation, she agreed to accompany him for a bit, but warned that if he did anything, she would knock him down. Ishizaki vehemently refused having ulterior motives, and the three left the boulevard.

Since it was the first day of the winter vacation, Keyaki mall was filled with students. When Ishizaki questioned Ibuki about why she tried to save Ryuuen if she despised him, Ibuki remarked to herself that it was because she didn’t like it when he tried to run away, but didn’t say anything, as she felt that they would not be able to understand her feelings. Seeing that she didn’t want to explain anything, Ishizaki didn’t inquire about it any further. While Ishizaki tried to discuss what to do next for the third term, Ibuki rebuked him saying Ryuuen’s decision would not change and he could do what he wanted. When Ishizaki tried to talk about Class D, Ibuki forbade him from talking about them and said that if he didn’t have anything to say, she would leave after finishing her drink. While she said that, she was greeted by Shiina Hiyori, who came to them. When she asked if she could join them, Ishizaki and Albert quickly agreed.

As she joined them, she talked a bit about her school club, the tea ceremony club, and asked if they would like to join. Soon after, changing the topic, she said that she saw Ryuuen in the morning in his school clothes and was concerned about him. Ishizaki reassured her that it was nothing serious. While Ibuki tried to silently leave them, Albert grabbed her shoulder to stop her. When Ibuki said that she wanted to go back, Albert pointed at the drinks as if asking her to finish her drink before leaving. As she tried to gulp down the hot drink, Shiina tried to get her to slow down. When Ibuki remarked that what she was doing had nothing to do with her and said that they would soon drop to Class D in the third term and added that their battle was already over. However, Shiina boldly declared that they would soon rise again and added that even though they had a late start, they would soon get promoted to higher classes if they could help each other.

When Shiina asked Ishizaki about his injuries, Ibuki believing that Ishizaki might say something unnecessary, explained that he was beaten by Ryuuen after Ryuuen and Ishizaki argued about Ryuuen’s policies yesterday. Shiina asked if he fought with Ryuuen and Albert nodded to her. Shiina then asked them to make up as soon as possible and asked if she could help them.

Soon after, Ibuki finished her drink and bid Ishizaki and the others goodbye. While she was leaving, Ishizaki informed her that many interesting movies were going to be released soon and asked if she would like to join him. She declined his invitation and remarked to herself that she would rather go alone. She then started to take her leave.

She finally understood why she felt so irritated after the incident. She blamed herself for not being able to handle things better. She felt that if she was a bit more reliable, she could have stopped Ryuuen and avoided this incident altogether. She felt that if she stayed with them, she would continue to lose her temper.

Just as she was thinking about all that, Ishizaki called out to her and asked her not to burden herself with all her troubles and asked her to rely on them. Ibuki remarked that she wouldn’t want to discuss anything with them. She then wondered why those normally stupid people were only sharp at a time like this. As she was leaving, Shiina asked to talk again sometime while Albert silently stared at her. As she started walking, she felt as if those three were trying to cheer her on and felt that this was unbearable for someone like her. She felt that this was one of the most boring day and, at the same time, a "no way out" day. However, little did she know that the real "no way out" day was going to come sometime later during that winter vacation.