So, Mochizuki-san wanted to relive her college days, huh?
Well… who wouldn't?
Everyone has those bittersweet memories — the crushes, the laughter, the kind of regrets that stick with you forever. College is that fleeting "green time" in life, a messy blend of youthful dreams and painful lessons.
The only difference is… she can't go back. Unlike me.
I leaned back, watching her delicate profile as she continued her story.
"In fact," she began softly, "I've always wondered how to make up for the regrets I had in college. But… the idea of wearing a university uniform? That happened by accident."
Her fingers traced the rim of her glass, as if reliving that day.
"I have this friend from college—her name's Rieko. We're still close. That day I met Ginjo-san… it was a weekend. I'd gone to Rieko's place, and we started drinking around noon."
I raised an eyebrow and said, "Drinking, huh? Afternoon drinking with a friend. This sounds like trouble already."
"Well… we hadn't seen each other in a while," she said, smiling faintly. "One drink turned into two… and before we knew it, we were both tipsy, talking about everything under the sun."
She paused for a moment, her cheeks coloring as she recalled the next part.
"Rieko looked at me and said, 'You're so pretty now, Haruka-chan. If you went back to college like this, you'd be the campus queen.' And then…" She let out a soft laugh. "She pulled out her old college uniform. I was drunk enough to… try it on."
Ahh, so that explains the uniform. No wonder the buttons on her shirt that day looked ready to pop — it wasn't hers! Rieko probably didn't have the… assets Mochizuki-san does.
"After that, I did my hair and makeup like a college girl. It was silly, but… I don't remember much after. I must've passed out, because when I woke up, the sun was setting."
She took a small sip of water before continuing, her voice softening.
"I panicked. I had work the next day, so I rushed out of Rieko's place without changing. But when I saw myself in the station mirror…"
Her lips curved faintly.
"I thought, 'What if I could really go back? What if I had a second chance at that kind of college romance I always dreamed of?'"
Her faint smile vanished.
"Then… well, you know what happened after that. The train."
Of course, I knew. The harassment. The fear in her eyes.
"Being harassed is terrifying," she said quietly, "but what scared me even more was… being found out. I kept imagining a headline like, 'College Girl Harassed on Line XX — Victim Actually OL in Disguise?!'"
"Yikes," I muttered.
"If that ever got out," she continued, "my company would find out. My life would be over. I froze on that train, Ginjo-san. I… I couldn't move."
Her gaze softened, warm and sincere.
"But then you appeared. Like a hero, you saved me. I'll never forget that moment."
I scratched my cheek awkwardly. "I didn't do much, really…"
"No, Ginjo-san. You saved me — not just from the harassment, but from that shame too. If it weren't for you, I might have packed up and left this city that very night."
The way she looked at me, with those big, earnest eyes, made me shift uncomfortably. I wasn't used to this level of gratitude.
She continued, explaining how she'd realized I was her neighbor when she overheard the building manager talking about a "male college student" moving in.
"…I was terrified you'd figure out the truth. That's why I let you go ahead that day, at the street corner."
"So that's what that was…" I murmured, piecing it all together.
Everything finally made sense — the uniform, her flustered behavior, the way she'd avoided me.
After a pause, I asked the question that had been bothering me, "If I hadn't recognized you tonight, would you have shown up this weekend still dressed as a college girl?"
Her face turned red and she stammered as she spoke, "M-Maybe… because dating a college boy is something I've always wanted to try."
I nearly choked on my drink.
D-dating…?
"B-but! I would've still told you I'm an OL!" she added quickly, waving her hands, as if to ward off any "old cow eats young grass" misunderstanding.
"…So, uh," she muttered after a moment, "since you know the truth now… can we still keep our weekend plan?"
I grinned. "Of course. I've already set aside my weekend anyway. Besides, I still need someone to explore Tokyo with. Last time, I was alone — kinda boring."
She relaxed instantly, her smile returning. And wow, when Haruka Mochizuki smiles… it's dangerous.
"Oh, and Mochizuki-san," I said teasingly, "do me a favor and wear the uniform again. You looked amazing in it."
"E-Eh? Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. It suits you."
Her blush deepened, but she nodded, her voice almost whispering. "Okay… thank you, Ginjo-san. You really are kind."
We locked eyes. For a moment, neither of us looked away. There was this… soft, electric feeling in the air.
It was almost like… Like we were teenagers again.