CH 1.3

I walked slowly between the chairs in the classroom to go to Mikoto-san and tell her about the change of classroom.

Mikoto-san’s seat was right next to the window, at the very back of the class.

How envious I was.

I think she must be very comfortable since there is no one behind her.

But at this time of year, it’s cold when it comes to ventilation and also far from the heaters, so it may not be all that good.

The fact that I was thinking about something as unimportant as her seat position was all an excuse or an escape from reality.

In other words, I didn’t really want to talk to Mikoto-san.

One might think that talking to a classmate is not a big deal.

But I am a rather shy person, and the other person is a beautiful girl whom I have never talked to much.

Well, the scary part is the first remark, but once I start talking to them, I gradually get used to it.

However, I feel that Mikoto-san has an aura about her that says, “Don’t ever talk to me.”

Even when I stood right in front of her, she didn’t even look up.

Her eyes were down on her desk, reading a book.

“Mikoto-san, I’m sorry to disturb you, but can I have a moment?”

I called out to her, but she didn’t respond.

Maybe I’ll call out to her again.

“Mikoto-san. …Mikoto-san? …Mikoto rei-san!”

When I mentioned her full name in a rather strong tone, she finally looked up at me.

With a dejected expression on her face, she gazed at me with blue eyes.

I couldn’t help but be startled.

As expected of our school goddess.

Even with such a dejected expression on her face, Mikoto-san looks beautiful.

I was once again convinced and impressed by the fact that Mikoto-san is the most beautiful girl in school.

Though, I prefer the cheerful cuteness of a girl like that of Kaho.

Well, my preference is probably unimportant to both Mikoto-san and Kaho.

“What?”

Shortly, Mikoto-san gave me a reply.

I could see her blue eyes were somewhat dull.

I wondered if she was sleepy.

I was curious, so I asked without thinking.

“What are you reading?”

“Book.”

Mikoto answered immediately with a single word.

I could tell she was reading a book when I saw her.

I was impressed once more.

She is indeed worthy of the title, “Ice Goddess.”

Her response was cold!

I thought it was wrong to peek at her, but for a moment, the cover of the paperback book in her hand flipped open.

“Wow,” I muttered to myself.

“It’s interesting isn’t it. ‘Black Widowers’”

What Mikoto-san was reading was an old mystery novel, which happened to be one that I had also read.

In spite of my appearance, I am quite a mystery lover.

Mikoto-san looked at me with eyes that seemed to show a little surprise, as if she was looking at something unusual.

It was the first time I saw an emotion from her.

Then, Mikoto-san said,

“It’s not interesting to me at all.”

“Oh, I see. You look sleepy.”

“Yes, I am.”

Mikoto-san mumbled briefly and returned to her bored expression.

There is a saying, “Once you have eaten a poison, also eat the tray.”

I tried to get her to drop her guard and talk back.

“Why are you reading that book if it’s so boring?”

“Because I feel like I would be wasting my money if I don’t read it since I already bought it. So, Akihara-kun, right? If you have nothing to say more, why don’t you go back to your seat?”

The conversation with Mikoto-san was terminated quickly and easily.

Talking back to her was a mistake.

The eight alphabets of the words ‘GAME OVER’ flashed in my mind and then disappeared.

I knew I should have just told her what I wanted from the beginning.

And then I told Mikoto-san straight out.

“The classroom for the next period has been changed.”

And I gave her the details briefly.

Mikoto-san nodded and said, “Thanks,” in a small voice.

She did indeed at least thank me.

I politely said, “You’re welcome,” and left.

Well, that was nerve wracking.

Is this the Mikoto-san that everyone is afraid of?

Well, she’s not really that scary, but she’s definitely not very friendly.

Though I heard that she doesn’t act this cold toward girls, so maybe she just doesn’t like boys.

When I came back to my seat, Kaho was still swinging her legs on the desk behind me.

“How was it?”

Kaho asked me, glancing at me with a curious look.

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Indeed, she gave the vibes of a goddess.”

A beautiful and cold ice goddess.

That was my impression of Mikoto Rei .

Well, we will be switching classes in a few months, and I probably won’t have much chance to talk to Mikoto-san before then either.

Mikoto-san is a far cry from the colorless, transparent me.

That’s what I still thought at the time.

It was only natural that I could not imagine that she would come to my apartment that night.