CH 71

A week had passed since he started his life as a sophomore in high school.

The class was still acting reserved to each other, but some had formed small groups.

Most of the students who formed groups were either clubmates or classmates from last year.

In a new environment, it was natural for people who knew each other to stick with each other.

Asahi was no exception, and was with his good friend Chiaki.

Fortunately, they were seated in the same order as last year, and their daily lives were all the same.

To be exact, it was the same routine as the third semester of freshman.

“Here, Chi-kun! Ahn~!”

“Ahn~ Oh! That’s super good!”

“I know, right!? I made it pretty well today!”

Chiaki and Hinami were flirting, as usual.

And in the circle inside the classroom, Fuyuka had naturally joined everyone.

“What do you think about this bento, Asahi-kun?”

“What do I think…? It looks pretty good, I’d say.”

Asahi answered the question with a bland reply, but Fuyuka looked pleased.

“Actually, I made this myself.”

“Seriously? I thought your housekeeper always made it for…”

“Since, I was nagged by a certain someone. I wanted to be able to make it myself.”

“Wha- I was just worried about your health…”

“I’m just kidding. I can feel your concern, Asahi-kun.”

Fuyuka softly laughed.

Asahi wondered if it was just his imagination that the distance between them had somehow become closer ever since spring break.

Like the exchange they just had, there was a slight change in the way she suddenly behaved.

“I’m still not as good as you, Asahi-kun. But…look, this omelet turned out very well.”

“Right. It’s curled nicely, and it’s not out of shape.”

“It not only looks great, but it also tastes great.”

With that, Fuyuka grabbed an omelet with chopsticks.

And, she reached for Asahi’s mouth.

“Here you go.”

Asahi saw her innocent caramel eyes.

He was immediately confused and looked away.

‘Those two…’

Asahi saw the lovebirds grinning and looking at him.

He couldn’t help but swear in his heart “This is because of you guys’ influence.”

After some hesitation, Asahi slowly opened his mouth.

“Ahn… just kidding!”

“…What?”

“I tried to imitate Aiba-san, but it was still embarrassing.”

Apparently, this was just another one of Fuyuka’s jokes.　

With a shy smile, Fuyuka placed the omelet on the lid of his lunch box.　

“Starting again, please taste it.”

When prompted, Asahi put Fuyuka’s homemade omelet in his mouth, and its soft texture and gentle sweetness spread.

“…Delicious.”

After muttering a few thoughts, Fuyuka’s smile blossomed once more

Lately, she had been teasing him like this, saying things like “Just kidding!” and laughing really often – it seemed like they were now somewhat closer.

However, this was just as a friend.

The distance between them, as good friends, had not changed.

That was why his memories of the event that happened in the aquarium were like a sweet fantasy.

The days continued to be troubling for Asahi, who could not take a step forward.

“Are you done flirting?”

“…That’s my line.”

Chiaki, who had somehow separated from Hinami, whispered quietly in a voice that only Asahi could hear.

“You’re getting a lot of attention there, pal.”

Asahi didn’t bother checking the meaning of those words.

At lunchtime, they gathered together as in the third semester, but during breaks and after school, Fuyuka was usually with someone else.

If one were to look at her, they would want to be friends immediately with the individual named Himuro Fuyuka.

Therefore, Asahi could understand why people were looking at his back.

They wanted her to have lunch with them , which was what they were probably thinking.

However, this was Fuyuka’s wish and there was nothing he could do about it.

Once he tried asking her if she could eat with other people.

“I haven’t been able to talk to you much lately, so at least have lunch with me…”

She said so with a hint of sadness in her words.

Thinking that the invisible thorns that pricked him from time to time were annoying, Asahi softly let out a small sigh.

“Needless to say, Himuro-san is very popular.”

“…I know.”

“Try not to get stabbed in the back.”

Chiaki laughed and changed the subject before Asahi could ask him what he was talking about.

Rather, he had to change it because Hinami was interested in eavesdropping.

“What’s this? What are you two talking about?”

“Talking about how tough being popular at the start of a new school year is.”

“Hoh? So, you’re talking about me?”

“…Yeah, yeah.”

“Asahi! You definitely don’t think that, do you?”

The three of them giggled and Hinami’s cheeks puffed up at the lighthearted banter.

“Hmph. I know, Fuyu-chan is the popular one.”

“I- I’m not really…”

“No, no. Everyone, men and women alike, have hearts in their eyes”

Perhaps it was payback for earlier, but Hinami stared at Asahi.

Asahi ignored her gaze and avoided it, but this time his eyes met Fuyuka’s.

As he looked at Fuyuka, he felt like he was being asked “Is that so?”

The cuteness of it almost spawned a heart in his eyes, and he had a hard time knowing what to say in response.

What saved Asahi was a catcall that echoed through the classroom.

“Ryoma! Is the meeting over already?”

“Yeah, we were just watching videos today.”

“Let’s have lunch together. I’ve been waiting for you, Ryoma!”

The first thing Asahi saw when he turned toward the voice was a tall, fresh-looking man named Yamada Ryoma.

The moment he came back to the classroom after the club activity meeting, he became the center of attention.

Chiaki was right, it must be hard to be popular.

Ryoma was already surrounded by girls, and the owner of these catcalls was the center of it all.

Her stylish school uniform, flashy make-up, and most noticeably, her golden hair.

‘I believe that’s…’

Before Asahi could put his thoughts together, he happened to lock eyes with Ryoma.

He smiled, and Asahi responded with a light bow.

Then Ryoma’s gaze shifted slightly to the side.

At that moment, his expression seemed to darken for a moment.

Ryoma quickly returned to smiling and this time waved modestly.

It was Fuyuka, sitting next to Asahi, who waved back.

“You’re close with Yamada?”

These words came out of Asahi’s mouth unconsciously.

“I suppose. We have similar hobbies, so it’s fun talking to him.”

Fuyuka’s answer to his question was quite normal, but he still felt bewildered and uncomfortable.

Chiaki and Hinami looked at Asahi with warm eyes.

And another person.

The blonde-haired schoolgirl was also staring sideways at Asahi.