Foreword

Foreword

Foreword

O CTOBER. After school. There I stood in front of the courtyard cafeteria, at the precipice of providence. One by one, the construction workers removed the tape standing between me and my destiny.

In my hand—the school newspaper. The Honoka Happenings . Fall edition. Its lead articles had to do with sports matches and the upcoming cultural festival, but those were of little interest to me. No, that was not news. But the little notice off in the margins? That was news.

“Cafeteria sink temporarily closed for renovations until October 14th.”

The water lines were aged and needed fixing, apparently. But no more. Today’s date? October 14th.

As the construction workers packed up and left, I stuffed the newspaper into my blazer pocket. “All right. Let’s see what you’ve got, newbie.”

But just before I took my first step, I heard a pitter-pattering behind me. I knew that scuttling. I turned and, sure enough, there she was—Komari Chika. A first-year in the literature club like me, and a fellow tap water savant.

Komari was doubled over with her hands on her knees. “N-Nukumizu,” she panted in between heaving breaths. “There you are.”

“Couldn’t stay away either, huh?”

I couldn’t blame her for rushing over here. I would have too. In large facilities like our school, water normally came from a tank on the roof. But these renovations were going to be a game changer. Supposedly, the water being supplied here came directly from the source. It was connected straight to the water line. No detours.

Komari would never pass up a chance to witness the true potential of Tsuwabuki High tap water.

“There’s room for two,” I said. “Here, you can take the other spout.”

“Sh-shut up…about the water.” She seized me by my blazer—“Come here.”—and started yanking me away from the cafeteria.

“H-hey! Aren’t you here for the new setup?”

“S-snuck a taste during lunch already.”

Oh, come on. Leaks were no fun.

“Now m-move!” she insisted. “To the club room!”

“All right, all right, quit pulling.”

Sighing, I let her whisk me away. If only to spare my clothes the wrinkles.