Volume 1 - CH 2.2

Chapter 2 - Progress (Part 2)

I went to school with Hoshimiya and entered the morning class. We separated and took our respective seats.

Before, we had always been noticed by classmates, but now it seemed to have become an everyday scene so when Hoshimiya and I were together, no one would overreact.

The people around seemed to have gotten used to our relationship (not that we were really dating).

However, it seemed quite convenient for me to pretend that we were together when I stayed at Hoshimiya's house as a measure against stalkers. I kept it a secret that we were living together, but it should be easy to convince them in case they found out that we were living together.

"......It feels peaceful, doesn't it?"

My true feelings leaked out. I realized that my daily life had become calm.

However, there was one thing that bothered me.

Yono wasn't talking to me. It felt like he was deliberately distancing himself from me.

Last time she said she wanted to be with me as a childhood friend, but instead...

Although distancing myself from Yono was what I wanted, but I felt a little sad.

"Kuromine-kun?"

"Uh, oh."

Hoshimiya was right in front of me.

For some reason, Hoshimiya, whose right arm was behind his back, bent down slightly and looked at my face.

"Hey, Kuromine-kun. Didn't you forget something?"

"Forgot ............ you mean that one?"

"Yes, that one, that one."

"Good morning kiss?"

"No! That's not it at all! Kuromine-kun, baka!"

Yes, I got the word "baka". Then some classmates who seemed to have heard our conversation whispered, "Kiss ...... good morning......" , "Damn, they're making out all the time, aren't they?" Hoshimiya seemed to be sensitive when she heard that voice, and his face immediately flushed with a blush.

"K-Kuromine-kun......? I'll give you a lecture later."

"Sorry, sorry. By the way, what did I forget?"

"Your lunch box."

Hoshimiya said in a low voice so that the people around him could not hear him, then brought his right arm, which was behind his back earlier, forward. In his hand, there was a black handbag. There must be a lunch box inside.

"Didn't I tell you not to forget your lunch box?"

"Yes, you did."

"Kuromine-kun, you neglected your lunch box and left it home. ...... I've been waiting for you to remember, you know?"

"I'm sorry. ......."

"You're ignorant, aren't you?"

Hoshimiya, who was very dissatisfied, handed me my lunch box and returned to his seat.

Then Kana, a gal pal of his who was sitting next to him, spoke to him.

"Hee, you made a bento for him too?"

"Uh, you... know? It was after I made it for myself."

"Hmm, I don't see it that way. It seems like Ayana is getting more and more obsessed with Kuromine."

"No, no, no! The lunch box is just an extra! It has no deep meaning!"

"That desperation of yours just says the opposite, suspiciously... aren't you really already in love with him after dating him out of pity?"

"N-No! I-I can't leave Kuromine-kun alone, okay? He's like a lost puppy."

Huh? So that's why you've been so nice to me lately?

No wonder I've had a vague feeling for the past while that she really treats me like a pet.

I was startled, and somehow turned my attention to where Yono was. I felt jolted.

Yono was looking at me with a very displeased face.

Ah .... the moment our eyes met, she turned his face away from me.

I don't know what Yono was thinking.

Well, maybe I don't need to worry about him anymore. I want to enjoy my current life.

"By the way..."

I took out a letter from my desk drawer. I found it in my shoe box this morning.

It read, "Please come to the back of the school building during the lunch break after you finish lunch."

There was no name on the letter. Also, the handwriting was a bit rough. It looks like it was written by a woman ......

But the way she wrote "finished lunch" didn't seem feminine at all.

Well, I guess I should go there for now.

***

I followed the instructions in the letter and came to the back of the school building.

After a while, Kana appeared.

When she saw me, she looked impressed.

"Oh, finally came too."

"Sorry. I can't go date with you."

"What?! Sorry, I can't date you? I mean, I'm surprised I was rejected by Kuromine."

"Uh, didn't you want to confess to me...?"

"Of course not. I'm not so pathetic as to snatch Ayana's boyfriend."

I knew it wasn't a love letter. If that was the case, I wondered what she was calling me for?

"I'm going to ask this bluntly... how is your relationship with Ayana?"

"Well, I think we get along pretty well..."

"Oh. You guys are only going to date for a month, right?"

I nodded at Kana's question.

"It's been about two weeks since you and Ayana started dating, right? Then, about Ayana not being used to men... you already knew that, right?"

"Well... I already knew that earlier."

Saying that, Kana continued her words, "That's right."

"Because Ayana was like that, I became vigilant so that she wouldn't be made to cry by strange men."

"...What do you mean? Do you want me to break up with Hoshimiya?"

"Huh? I didn't say that."

That was an insulting way to put it. So what did she really want to say? I couldn't read what she meant.

"These days, Ayana, she's very cheerful, isn't she?"

"............"

"She was always a cheerful and energetic girl before, but lately, she's been glowing more, as if she's enjoying her life to the fullest."

"So?"

"Ayana, I think she's really in love."

"With who?"

"With who? ...... Are you seriously asking that? Who else if not Kuromine, huh?"

"No, that's ridiculous. ....."

I couldn't hide my surprise at Kana who said while sighing. That Hoshimiya...?

"I really looked down on Kuromine before, you know? Just imagine, confessing while crying as a man? What?! However, I don't think Ayana can deal with it calmly if you're such a loser."

"That's poor judgment. I'm almost crying right now."

"I heard you guys promised to only date for a month, but please extend it."

"I think it's Hoshimiya who should decide, not me."

"If so, then it will be easy. Right now, Ayana is only concerned about Kuromine."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. What I want to say is, please continue to support Ayana in the future."

Kana, who had said whatever she wanted, left the back of the school building with a wave of her hand.

Her courage or selfishness is close to my image of a gal.

And I, who was left alone, muttered, "Seriously, here?!"

***

Hoshimiya likes me?

I thought about it all the time and that's why I didn't try hard in class. Without realizing it, it was already time to go home.

While my classmates were leaving the classroom, a girl came up to me casually as usual.

"Kuromine-kun. Let's go home."

"Hoshimiya......"

"Hm? What?"

Hoshimiya tilted his head. Oh no, I was made nervous by him.

I never thought that I, who never had a crush on a girl other than Yono, would feel nervous....

"Hoshimiya, I haven't lost yet."

"Yes.... Are we playing a game?"

Hoshimiya with his confused smile, was also a little adorable.

......I'm in trouble! I might have been attacked before I realized it!

No, considering everything that's happened so far, it's no surprise that I've been attacked!

I've been rescued from the darkness of life, drawn and treated with kindness at every turn, and recently I've even been cared for daily by her.

Hey, hey, hey! I'd go crazy if I wasn't stricken with all this!

"Kuromine-kun?"

"Hoshimiya, marry me now."

"Wh-What? I'm not ready for that kind of talk!"

"Okay, let's talk about our wedding tomorrow."

"No, no, no! We have to take a step further first and then we'll talk about ......!"

"Okay. So, you want me to go further?"

"T-That... I don't know..."

Hoshimiya's face turned bright red. As you can see, she was mentally cornered.

While Hoshimiya was like that, enemies appeared from unexpected places.

"Kuromine! Please take care of my Ayana!"

"Uh, Kana?!"

"Leave it to me! I'll make Hoshimiya happy!"

"K-Kuromine-kun?!"

I didn't know what to do, but it was nice to see Hoshimiya who was trembling now.

Hoshimiya said angrily, probably because she saw me who was enjoying myself right now.

"Hmph, you just said some strange things! I don't want to know Kuromine-kun anymore!"

"Ah..."

Hoshimiya ran out of the classroom.

I'm too much. I have to chase after him right now!