CH 13

Chapter 13 – Secret Conversation

The next morning, I arrived at school and, as usual, I turned off my presence and slipped into the classroom.

As I made my way towards my seat, I felt a gaze.

I turned my head to look… It was Urushibara-san.

When Urushibara-san’s eyes met mine, she quickly turned away.

However, her profile has changed from yesterday, and she is smiling calmly like an honor student.

Fumu…

It’s a relief to know that she’s going to keep her word from yesterday’s phone call.

After checking on Urushibara-san’s movements and taking my seat, I began my daily routine of cycling through the daily rounds of my smartphone game.

After homeroom, students start preparing for the first period.

I took out my pencil case I had left on my desk and opened it to find a folded up piece of paper inside.

Hmm?

Did I put something like this inside?

When I unfolded the paper, I found a letter written in beautiful handwriting.

I just saw this handwriting yesterday, from Urushibara-san’s letter.

At the end of this letter, it says “Himeka.”

I knew it.

But why another letter?

Ah, that’s right…

We both know each other’s phone numbers, but I don’t use a chat app, so we can’t exchange messages on our phone.

At any rate, if I read the letter in a place like this, I run a high risk of someone noticing. I folded up the letter, tucked it into my uniform pocket and started preparing for class with a nonchalant look on my face.

After the first period, I headed to the restroom and rushed into the cubicle.

I immediately took the letter out of my pocket and began to read it.

◇

Dear Moriyama-kun.

Thank you for calling me yesterday.

Also, I was very happy to be your friend.

As soon as possible, after school today, can we meet and talk for a while?

I have a student council meeting, but it’s not going to be late, so let’s meet at a time that’s convenient for you, Moriyama-kun.

I await your reply.

Himeka.

◇

Hmm…

Oh, God…

The day after I said we’d be friends, I can’t be indifferent, and I guess I have to meet her.

But how do I respond to her when she says she’s waiting for a reply?

Ah, should I send a text message to her phone number?

I began to write a short message.

◇

I have read your letter.

I don’t have a chat app, so from now on, let’s just use email.

This is my email address.

I’m fine with meeting after school today.

I will email you the time and other details later.

◇

The short message is sent in several installments.

Then, within a minute, I received an email.

So quick!

As you’d expect from a karate master.

But time is up now. I rushed back to the classroom and headed for my seat, where my eyes met Urushibara-san’s again.

Just when I thought she was smiling, she immediately averted her eyes.

After every break from the second period onwards, we continued to exchange emails during breaks.

Since there’s almost no risk of being seen by others if you’re communicating on your smartphone, I didn’t go to the bathroom, and instead did the exchange in the classroom.

But when I thought about it calmly, I felt strange.

Conversation by email secretly with the person who is in sight.

What’s more, the other party is a popular person who is called an idol at the school, but no one around us has noticed. It feels like we’re sharing a secret just between the two of us.

I haven’t had a conversation with a friend since junior high school, and I must confess that this kind of exchange was very fresh and I was having a bit of fun.