4.4

It was nearly 11:00 p.m., almost lights out. Kitō stood up silently and headed down the hallway, grabbing several magazines he had borrowed.

"That guy reads almost the whole time he's in his room, doesn't he?"

I guess a book lover enjoys reading. Unlike Hiyori and I, he didn't seem to be the type to read books from the library. A few minutes later, Kitō returned with a new magazine in his hand. I wondered if it was so he could read it right away when he woke up in the morning. The magazines Kitō read strongly depicted his personal taste, and most of them were what one would call fashion magazines.

"Can I read some of them too?"

I thought he would tell me to get it myself, but Kitō silently put the magazine on the table. Did this mean I could read whatever I wanted?

I decided to read the magazine for a little while, as I had about 10 minutes left before lights out. The magazine featured things such as trendy clothing and accessories. To be honest, the pictures and the articles in the magazine were quite interesting, even though I didn't really understand the meaning behind them.

However, I could tell that Kitō had a strong attachment to the magazine. Kitō's outfits, which may seem eccentric in fashion, were arranged with his own sense of style and feelings in mind.

Soon it was time for lights out, and we darkened the room and went to bed.

After quietly staring up at the ceiling for a while, my vision gradually became accustomed to the darkness.

It seemed that no one was asleep yet, and I wondered what they were thinking.

"We're going to be senior high school students in half a year, and even though we're competing for Class A, we still have to think about the future–like going on to college or getting a job. I still can't imagine myself after graduating from high school. There's nothing in particular that I want to do. What about you, Ayanokōji?"

Watanabe asked.

"I'm going on to higher education... But I haven't decided on a specific university yet."

I talked about a goal that would be safest.

"What about you, Kitō?"

I guess I wasn't sure I could get an answer, but Watanabe asked without hesitation.

"I'm going to become a fashion designer."

"What?!"

Watanabe was doubly surprised, both by the fact that he received an answer and by the contents of it.

"I know you must think it's surprising. You can't imagine that from my appearance."

"No, no, well, it's hard to say..."

But considering Kitō's taste in personal clothing and the contents of the magazines he read, it's easy to see.

"Kukuku, it would've been easier for Watanabe to accept if I had said that he would be an assassin."

I was worried that Kitō might get angry again at Ryūen's sideways lashing, but I didn't hear any response.

"Don't worry about it, Kitō. Ryūen always says harsh things."

Watanabe followed up, but Kitō didn't seem to really care.

"I'm used to it. Most people are surprised and unconvinced when I talk about my dreams. I don't expect them to readily accept me if I pursue that path honestly."

Prejudice was something that shouldn't exist, but it certainly did in this world. For the strong and stern-faced Kitō, aiming for some professions may be a natural hurdle to overcome.

"But it doesn't matter if you graduate with Class A. You can jump into that world with no questions asked. Once you jump in, all you have to do is silence those around you with your skills."

For Kitō, breaking through the initial barrier was what he considered to be the most difficult obstacle.

"You're seriously thinking about the future, aren't you? No, it's great, you have a proper dream."

Watanabe was surprised, but he also felt admiration and was inspired by Kitō, whose thoughts were more determined than his own. Children will grow older and have to go out into the world. The same was true for Watanabe, who had no goals at the moment, and for Ryūen, who didn't speak.

"It's kind of hard to do when you think of that... You know what I mean?"

Watanabe muttered to the ceiling in a voice that sounded like a bitter laugh.

"Everyone here's from a different class, right? That means, normally, only one of the four of us could graduate in Class A. I'm assuming you have a dream that you want to fulfill, but, you know, if I take that seat, someone else can't accomplish their dream."

Classmates can share a dream with each other. But you can't share your dreams with your rivals. That's how this school works. Some laugh, some cry.

I wonder if this was the kind of talk that happened when students of the same age spent the night together.

It was a night that reminded me of the time I spent talking with Keisei and my friends at last year's camp.