Tsun'na Megami-sama to Darenimoienai Himitsu no Kankei Chapter 3
*---Beep---beep, beep--beep---beep, beep---beep---*
"Ugh…? Ah… It’s already this late…?"
I woke up to the sound of my alarm. Still half-asleep, I reached over and turned it off.
Even though it stopped ringing, my eyes refused to open. My eyelids felt stuck together, weighed down by sleepiness.
My mind was all fuzzy. Man, I’m so sleepy…
I got way too excited last night for no reason and ended up not sleeping on time.
To make things worse, the spring sunlight slipping through the curtains only made me drowsier. People often say, “You’ll never wake up at dawn if you sleep in spring,” and I guess they were right.
...I really wanna skip school. No, no, no. Back in Kuroba High, I used to skip all the time and sleep through class without a second thought. But now I’m at Shiramine High. If I slack off even a little, I’ll fall way behind.
...Maybe I could catch up if I begged Yukimiya on my knees, but my pride would never let me do that. There’s no way I could ever bow my head in front of her.
…Wait, “ever”? It’s not like we’re gonna be together forever or something, right?
Man, my brain’s still foggy… Why am I thinking about weird stuff like this?
Haa… Well, as long as I can still move, I’ll do what I can.
I made a quick breakfast with whatever was left in the fridge and packed my stuff for school. It was time to head out.
I'm super thankful to Yukimiya for looking over my homework. I would've been buried under a mountain of it otherwise.
Anyway, I shouldn’t waste time. I need to hurry up and get to school.
As I left the apartment holding a bag of burnable trash—
" "Yaaawn～ …Eh?" "
Yukimiya walked out from next door at the same time and, just like before, let out a big yawn.
Still, it felt kind of awkward. I had to act fast and say something first.
"Good morning, Yukimiya."
"Eh, uh… good morning…"
She froze in surprise. Then a second later, she blushed and glared at me.
"…Did you see that?"
"I did."
"Don’t answer so fast."
"It’s fine. I already saw it, so you don’t need to make excuses."
"Let me decide whether it’s fine or not. And hey, that line—you're making fun of what I said yesterday, aren’t you? I’m mad now!"
"Sorry."
So she caught that, huh?
She gave me another glare, quickly locked her door, and walked away.
"…I’m leaving first today. Wait a bit before you go. I don’t want people thinking we’re going to school together."
She’s seriously strict. No, more like a teenager who doesn’t want to be seen walking with her dad.
Wait, does that make me the dad?
"Alright. Take care."
"…I’m off."
Well, she still replied to my goodbye. She’s actually pretty polite—guess that says a lot about how she was raised.
But then...
"Don’t forget to take out your burnable trash."
"............"
She stopped in her tracks, blushed, ran back inside, and came out again in a hurry with her trash bag, heading down the stairs. Yukimiya’s kind of clumsy sometimes.
I watched her from the second floor as she walked off.
After tossing her trash, she looked back at me for a second, then turned away and started walking. Honestly, she’s annoying sometimes, but she’s still cute—wait, what am I even thinking?
Out of nowhere, I noticed something move in the corner of my eye.
What was that?
Behind Yukimiya, there was a super suspicious-looking guy… Wearing a suit, a mask, and sunglasses. He looked like a walking red flag.
He was hiding behind a utility pole, staring at her… I don’t want to assume the worst, but… is he a stalker?
...Could be. Yukimiya—when she’s quiet—is totally beautiful and innocent-looking. People who don’t know her sharp attitude might fall for her at first sight. So it wouldn’t be weird if she had a stalker or two.
But I’ve never heard her say anything about being followed… Either way, I should probably ask her what’s going on before it becomes a problem.
I went down to the first floor, circled around, and approached the guy hiding behind the pole.
He was about the same height as me, but more muscular. If I said the wrong thing, he might hit back.
Using my foldable umbrella as a weapon just in case, I called out.
"Hey, you!"
"---Agh!"
Whoa…!? He ran off! Even in leather shoes, he was crazy fast.
While I stood frozen, he was already gone.
"What the heck was that…?"
That had to be a stalker, right? Maybe I should go to the police… No, should I talk to Yukimiya first? Or go to the police after that?
Geez… Lately, everything seems to involve Yukimiya somehow.
Letting out a short sigh, I started walking to school, following the path she took.
◆◆◆
"H-Hazuki, help me…!"
"Junya, wipe your nose. It’s gross."
"How can you say that to your best friend!?"
Because you’re my best friend! And don’t come closer! I don’t want your snot on me!
As soon as I got to the classroom, which I was slowly getting used to, Junya came over crying and asking for help. Figures.
"Let me guess—homework?"
"Exactly! I only finished English, but the rest… nothing! Haha, you didn’t do it either, right? As true best friends, let’s get scolded together!"
He just assumed I didn’t do it. Rude.
Well, if Yukimiya hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have finished either. So I kind of get it. Getting this much homework every day is terrifying.
"I finished mine."
"......Heh."
Did he just smirk at me? Take this!
"Ow!? What was that for!?"
"Because your face was annoying."
"No, no, no! Hazuki, come on! We’ve been friends for so long—I know you way too well. Don’t play dumb!"
"Haa… fine, I’ll show you. One bottle of juice per subject."
*Thud!* "Please show me!"
He actually dropped to his knees in front of the class. Now even the girls are looking scared. There goes my chance of getting a girlfriend.
"Don’t you have any pride at all, you Mooch-taro?"
"But seriously! All the teachers here are super strict! Yesterday’s class was brutal!"
"Yeah, I know."
I got death-stared just for not answering a question. I’ve only been here a few days, and I still can’t get used to this place.
"Here. Hurry and give it back after."
"Oooh, thank you, Lord…!"
Junya, with tears in his eyes, grabbed my homework notebook and rushed back to his seat to copy everything.
If I remember right, he’s also working a part-time job after school. Balancing that with all this homework must be rough.
"Wow, you're nicer than I thought. Is this what they call a true bromance?"
"Hey, please. He's my best friend. Of course I’d help—huh?"
Wait, who am I even talking to?
I turned toward the voice—and my eyes met Kurotsuki’s, sitting right in front of me.
She was way too close! If I leaned in even a bit, our noses would almost touch. Maybe that’s normal in an all-girls school, but don’t do that to a guy from an all-boys school! You’re gonna give me a heart attack!
Still, Kurotsuki just smiled sweetly without a care in the world.
"Nehehe~ Good morning, Hazukichi."
"O-oh, g-good morning…!?"
Too close—wait, seriously!? You’re way too close! I even froze for a second. This distance is dangerous!
I stepped back without thinking, but Kurotsuki just laughed at me. Seriously—shouldn’t you be more careful? We’re still a guy and a girl, you know. And yet, you got that close!
"Oh? Did something stir your heart? Hehe~ This kind of distance is totally normal between girls."
"But I’m a guy, remember!"
"Oh, right. Since we’re childhood friends, I didn’t even think about it."
Please think about it! Like, seriously!
And what’s with your shirt being open that far!? I can totally see your cleavage, and now you’re leaning over the desk like that!? I don’t know where I’m supposed to look!
And Junya! Why the heck are you staring this way!? Do your homework, not... that!
"Waa~ Haha, boys from all-boys schools really can’t handle girls, huh?"
"Don’t make fun of me. That’s just how teenage boys are."
"Hmm~ Then maybe I’ll tease you even more~?"
She whispered so only I could hear her, and from a spot only I could see, she leaned forward and opened her shirt just a bit more.
I could see a sexy leopard-print bra underneath... Wait, WHAT!?
"Don’t you have any shame…!?"
"Why would I be embarrassed around a childhood friend? It feels totally normal to me."
Ah… So I’m the only one freaking out here. That’s kinda frustrating.
But seriously, don’t do stuff like that in class! Even if the other guys can’t see anything, I know their imaginations are going wild!
They’re not just looking—they’re clearly trying to sneak a peek.
I gave a loud cough to get them to stop staring. I get it, I really do. But still, it kind of bugs me when people look at my childhood friend like that.
"So, what are you doing here? You’re not in this class, right?"
"It’s fine~ My friends haven’t arrived yet, so I got bored. And when I’m bored, teasing Hazukichi sounds like fun~."
"You, don’t mess with a guy’s feelings just because you’re bored!"
"It’s fine, isn’t it? I mean, we’re childhood friends."
No, it’s not fine at all! Do you not realize how long it’s been since we last saw each other? And now you’ve turned into a total beauty!
While I sighed in my heart, trying to hide it, Kurotsuki leaned forward slightly.
"So? Surprised, Hazukichi?"
"Ugh… yeah, kinda."
"Nehehe~ Gotcha."
She gave a bright, cheerful smile and flashed a peace sign with both hands.
Damn, she’s really cute. A totally different kind of cute than Yukimiya. Yukimiya’s like a mysterious cat, but Kurotsuki’s more like a playful puppy.
Maybe she got bored of teasing me or just felt satisfied. She pulled out a little mirror and started fixing her bangs while chatting away.
"Hey, Hazukichi. Do you go back and forth from your parent’s place every day? Isn’t it super far? Like, over an hour each way?"
"Ah… no. I live alone. I asked my parents and got their permission... and the money."
"Wow, lucky. So your parents are really chill? Are you that close with them?"
"...More like they just don’t care about me."
Kurotsuki already knew a bit about my family... or more like, how distant we were. We used to spend a lot of time together, and she was there for me when I cried as a kid.
That’s probably why she asked something like that. But honestly… when people bring up stuff like this, I really don’t like it.
...Maybe this is what Yukimiya meant—that weird feeling when someone touches a part of your heart you don’t want anyone to touch.
Noticing how I reacted, Kurotsuki looked like she instantly regretted it.
"Ah, um… s-sorry! I didn’t mean to..."
"Nah, it’s okay. Really."
I know her best—Kurotsuki... no, Yocchan, isn’t the kind of person who’d hurt anyone on purpose.
She used to be super shy and always watched how others acted before doing anything. Just a little girl who quietly followed me around. Seeing her now—so bold and confident—it honestly makes me happy.
Even so, that guilty look on her face… that hasn’t changed a bit.
Let’s just change the subject. If we keep talking about this, we’re both going to feel worse.
"Anyway, how are your parents doing?"
"Ah… yeah, they’re good! Yesterday, when I talked about you, they said they want you to come visit sometime."
She picked up on my change of topic and smiled warmly.
Yeah… Kurotsuki really does look good when she smiles.
"Got it. I’ll come by once things settle down."
"Yay~ Come anytime. Papa and Mama will be super happy too!"
They used to help me out a lot. This might be a good chance to properly thank them.
As I thought about the old days, Kurotsuki started looking restless, sneaking glances at me. Huh? What’s with her?
"So... um, I also want to visit your place, Hazukichi..."
"No way."
"Wha—Rejected!?"
"Absolutely not."
"You didn’t have to shoot me down that hard...!"
No, seriously—inviting a girl to a guy’s apartment when he lives alone? What are you thinking!? Of course that’s a no!
...Well, Yukimiya’s an exception. She’s my neighbor, so that’s different.
And if people find out I live next door to Yukimiya, it could get really bad. That’s something I have to avoid at all costs.
Kurotsuki pouted and gave me a death glare when I firmly turned her down. But honestly? It wasn’t scary at all—just cute.
"Muu... So stingy."
"You can call me stingy all you want. Anyway, class is starting soon. Go back to your own class room."
"Okaaay~"
She stood up quickly (my eyes accidentally followed the edge of her skirt as it fluttered—though I’ll keep that to myself), and stuck out her tongue before leaving. Honestly, is she still a kid or something?
As the whirlwind that was Kurotsuki left, I got ready for class—
"Haa~zuki-kun~~~"
"Whoa!?"
What the heck!? Junya, don’t sneak up behind me like that! You scared the crap out of me!
"Man, what’s with you? You look like you saw a ghost."
"It’s not just me. Look around…!"
"Huh? Waaah! You guys are seriously creepy!"
" " "We’re gonna beat you up!" " "
Before I knew it, all the boys in class had surrounded me.
With clenched fists, bloodshot eyes, and tears running down their cheeks. Dude… this is scarier than a horror movie.
"We haven’t even talked to a girl yet—haven’t even made eye contact…!"
"Why you of all people, Yatsuhashi?! Talking with a total cutie like that…!"
"And now there’s a rumor you’re connected to the ‘Ice Goddess’ from the student council too…!"
"Unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable."
Hey! Quit casting curses on me!
Ugh… fine, fine, everyone just calm down!
◆◆◆
"Ah... what a tiring day."
In the end, I felt like I was being hunted by every guy in school.
No, not just felt like—they really did chase me around. I even got scolded by the class rep because of it. Seriously, why me?
I could barely focus during class, and the jealous glares from the guys were exhausting. My brain's running on empty today.
"Hey, are you okay? You don’t look so good."
"Ugh... somehow, I’m still alive."
As I collapsed on the sofa, Yukimiya peeked at my face from above, looking worried. Her soft features came into full view... along with a certain pair of soft hills.
I never thought Yukimiya would be worried about me... That kind of touched me a little—
"You can still cook dinner tonight and make my lunch for tomorrow, right?"
"That’s what you were worried about?!?"
Give me back that emotional moment...!
Glancing at the clock, I realized it was already past 6 PM. Yeah, it’s about time to get started.
I dragged myself to the kitchen. Yukimiya followed right behind like a baby bird following its mom. She looked super curious about what I was going to make.
"Alright, let’s get started. I’ll make omurice tonight."
"Omu...!?"
"You like omurice?"
"....! (vigorously nodding)"
Her eyes sparkled as she nodded. she definitely loves it... I knew it—she’s got a childish side when it comes to food.
In that case, maybe she’ll love tomorrow’s lunch even more.
"I’ll show you how it’s done today, so just watch."
"Eh? The eggs have to be fluffy and melty, okay? No compromise."
"Don’t worry. I’ll make them fluffy and melty."
"As expected from Yatsuhashi-kun!"
She threw on her apron and eagerly prepared her notebook like she was ready for a cooking lesson.
I said it with confidence, but honestly, making omurice isn't that easy. If the eggs are cooked even slightly too long, they won’t stay fluffy inside.
So for today, instead of walking her through it, I decided to just make it myself first.
First, I stir-fried mixed vegetables and bite-sized chicken pieces, then seasoned it with ketchup, salt, pepper, and a few other things to make chicken rice.
Then, in a separate pan, I began cooking the omelet.
I tried my best to keep the outside fluffy and the inside soft and runny. Once I shaped it into an oval, I placed it gently on top of the rice, sliced it down the middle, and opened it up.
Finally, I drizzled ketchup in a generous line over the center, and ta-dah! A simple but restaurant-quality omurice was ready to serve.
"Done. Here’s your omurice."
"Wow, amazing...! The eggs are so shiny... like a gem!"
"Glad you like it. Go ahead and dig in."
"Really? Wait a sec."
"Eh?"
Yukimiya pulled out a toothpick and scribbled something on a page in her notebook... What is she doing now?
She cut a small square from the paper and taped it onto the toothpick with a ribbon.
"All done."
"A flag, huh? Just like the kind they stick in kids’ omurice meals."
"Yep! See, I even drew a nyanko on it."
"...Huh, a nyanko?"
Wait... a cat?
Uhh... I guess it’s supposed to be a cat... if I squint really hard. But honestly, even trying to be generous, it doesn’t look like a cat at all.
Come to think of it, Yukimiya is really bad at drawing.
I used to doodle a lot in class, so I ended up being pretty good at it without realizing. But Yukimiya… yeah, not her thing.
Maybe because my reaction didn’t go as she expected, Yukimiya leaned in and kept waving the flag in front of me.
"Come on, no matter how you look at it, it’s clearly a nyanko. Look, look closer."
Even up close, it doesn’t look like a cat... Maybe I should just stop commenting on it.
"...Hurry up and eat before it gets cold."
"Hey, it’s nyanko, right? Look, look~"
"If you’re not going to eat it, I’ll take it."
"Nooo!"
She quickly carried the omurice into the living room, stabbed her handmade flag into it again, and looked at me with a smug grin.
"You’re just jealous of my flag, aren’t you? Fufufu~"
"Yeah, yeah, suuuper jealous."
What is she, a kid?
Yukimiya, full of excitement, took out her phone and snapped a few photos before putting her hands together in front of her meal.
"Thanks for the food."
"Go ahead."
I wonder if she’ll like the taste... Well, knowing her, she’ll probably enjoy it no matter what.
"Waaa~~~!"
With her eyes shut tight, she flailed her arms around happily. Looks like she really enjoyed it. Seeing her this happy made it all worth it.
"Is it good?"
"...Ahem. It’s... decent."
What the heck? Her face totally says she loves it. Even her breathing is a little heavier than usual. She’s such a tsundere.
Anyway, I should probably go make my own food too—oh, right! I haven’t told her about what happened this morning.
“Hey, I forgot to ask. Yukimiya, have you ever had any creepy experiences? Like being followed by a stalker or something?”
“Huh? From you?”
“No, obviously not.”
“Just joking.”
Seriously, this girl. You should really know what’s okay to joke about!
“Now I’m hurt.”
“Eh? Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean—”
“I was joking too.”
“…You’ve got some guts, huh.”
Wow. Did I just make her mad? But... seeing her panic like that—it’s kind of new and cute.
She gave me a sharp look, sighed, and slowly shook her head.
“I mean, if someone suddenly moved into the apartment next to you right after meeting you, it’s normal to be suspicious, right? I mean, I am pretty cute.”
“I don’t even know what to say to that.”
But yeah, I kind of get where she’s coming from. If I were her, I’d be suspicious too. …And well, I guess she is cute. Not that I’d ever say it out loud.
“Anyway, I’m being serious now.”
“I haven’t had anything like that happen… Why do you ask?”
“This morning, there was this old guy who kept staring at you. And when I called out to him, he ran off right away.”
“Are you kidding me!? That’s something important, how could you forget to tell me!?”
Yeah, fair. She’s totally right. But no matter how I explain it, it'll just sound like an excuse. I really was running around all day being chased by those idiots at school. If that hadn’t happened, I would've reported it earlier like usual.
Yukimiya rubbed her forehead, then quickly went into serious-thought mode.
“A stalker, huh... But I really have no clue. I don’t remember seeing anything weird before.”
“Alright. I’ll go report it to the police later, just to be safe.”
“I-I’m coming too.”
“No, it’s fine. I can go by myself—”
“L-let me come too! It’ll be more convincing that way, right?”
…Huh? Why is she panicking—ah. Of course. She’d be all alone if I left. She must be scared. Honestly, I don’t even want to think about what might happen if I’m not there.
“Alright, we’ll go together.”
“Yes, let’s do that. …Wh-what’s with that look? I-I'm not scared or anything, okay? I’m just going so people don’t mistake you as the creepy guy. Yeah! I'm doing it for your sake! …Hey! Are you listening? I'm serious! Totally serious!”
◈ ⟡ The Next Day ⟡ ◈
After we talked to the police, they said they’d patrol the area for now.
It’s not perfect, but it should help Yukimiya feel a bit safer. I should also probably let the teachers at school know what's going on.
But before that—I need to give her the lunch I made.
There’s this student council event today where we’re having lunch together. So I made her a special bento just for that.
I even bought a cute girly bento box. Of course, I’ll make her pay me back later.
As soon as I rang her doorbell, she opened the door. Looked like she’d been waiting. Kind of like a pet waiting for their owner to come home.
“Sorry if I made you wait.”
“Not at all. So, this is the lunch for today’s event?”
“Yep.”
Her eyes sparkled as she took it from me. She looked so genuinely happy it made me smile too.
“It’ll be a surprise when you open it.”
“I know. That’s the best part about bento, right? I even looked it up online.”
“…Not what I meant. Wait, have you never made your own lunch before?”
“Nope. It’s always from the cafeteria or our family’s personal chef.”
Wow. She really is from a rich family. A personal chef, seriously? As someone who loves cooking, I’d love to try their food someday. I bet it tastes amazing.
“Well, it’s probably not as good as your chef’s cooking, but I promise it tastes great.”
“I never said it wouldn’t. You always cook for me… Thanks. I’ll eat every last bite.”
“…O-oh.”
Man, hearing her say that made me feel all awkward. I looked away, feeling kind of embarrassed for some reason.
“Alright then... shall we head out?”
“Ah, give me a sec.”
She ran inside, grabbed her bag, and came back out.
She carefully packed the bento box inside, then looked up at me with a serious face.
“Okay, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
She walked ahead, and I followed a few steps behind.
The reason we’re walking to school like this is because of what we discussed with the police yesterday.
They’d keep an eye on the area, but they couldn’t be everywhere. So for now, it was safer for Yukimiya to go with someone she trusted.
But since she didn’t want to be seen walking with me, we agreed I’d follow a little behind her. Compromise, I guess.
…Still, doesn’t this make me look like the stalker?
But whatever. I’d rather look creepy than let something bad happen to her. I’ll put up with it for now.
We walked until we hit the main street and started seeing more students in school uniforms. From here, things should be safe.
Just as I was starting to relax, a few girls ran up to her.
“Good morning, Yukimiya-san!”
“Morning.”
“Nice weather today, President.”
“Yeah, it is.”
I sighed and picked up the pace to pass her. We were on a busy street with lots of people around, so it felt okay to leave her side for now.
When I glanced back, Yukimiya was looking at me from the corner of her eye—and our eyes met.
Hey, don’t look at me like that. I’m not gonna talk to those girls for you, okay?
I quickly looked away and sped up a bit—
“Haaaaazukiiii, over here~!”
“Ugh!?”
Ow! Don’t smack me on the back like that, you idiot!
I turned and saw Junya, grinning as usual, throwing his arm over my shoulder. Dude, seriously, that’s sweaty and gross—stop it.
“Here, the juice I promised. Also, I’ll be counting on your help again today~”
“Today too? Yesterday’s homework wasn’t even that much.”
“The amount doesn’t matter. What matters is whether I can finish it. So come on, show me again today.”
“You’re hopeless. Fine, I’ll show you once we get to school.”
“Yay! Thanks!”
He really hasn’t changed since Kuroba.
And if we keep chatting like this—
“Look, Yukimiya-san. That’s what we call true boy friendship!”
“Eh? Y-yeah, I guess so.”
“So who do you think is the top? It’s gotta be Minase-kun, the brown-haired one, right?”
“T-the top…?”
“No way! Hazu-Jun all the way! Minase-kun’s the bottom!”
“No, it’s totally Jun-Hazu!”
“Hazu-Jun...? Jun-Hazu...? The… bottom…?”
These fujoshi girls never quit. Please, stay far away from us.
And stop teaching Yukimiya weird stuff! Now I won’t know how to face her after school!
“I wonder what those girls are talking about. Since they came from an all-girls school, maybe it’s something complicated.”
“No, it’s 100% weird. And honestly, it’s kind of your fault.”
“Huh?”
I slipped away from Junya’s arm and quickly made some distance between us and Yukimiya.
“Oh yeah, I’m playing basketball at the gym during lunch. You in?”
“Pass. I’ve got a student council meeting. We’re meeting during lunch break.”
“Whoa, tough schedule. This is how work slaves are made.”
“I don’t even want to work in the first place.”
“Hoo… so you want to be a stay-at-home husband?”
“Don’t say it like that. Call it a house husband.”
My dream is to live without working if possible. After seeing my parents always so busy, I just lost all motivation.
“Well, this school might actually give us a chance to land a rich girl.”
“No way. Impossible.”
“Why?”
“Think about it. Even if we like them, would they ever like guys like us?”
“…Yeah. You’re right.”
"They're all classy, elegant types. Probably gonna end up marrying some big-shot heir anyway."
"Man... life’s so unfair."
Yeah, that’s just how it is.
◆◆◆
Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was lunchtime. The student council members from Kuroba’s side and Shiramine’s side all gathered in the student council room. This was our second time meeting like this.
Yukimiya stood in front of the whiteboard, looking around at everyone before giving a small nod.
"Since this is our first friendship meeting, we’ll start by eating lunch together. Everyone brought their own lunch, right?”
Everyone nodded slightly in response. In front of each person was a lunch box. And in front of Yukimiya was the one I gave her this morning. I felt a little nervous… I really hope she likes it.
“But if we just eat like this, it won’t be very fun. So I thought we could switch seats,” Yukimiya said.
Hmm, seat switching, huh? Yeah, that makes sense. If we don’t, everyone will just stick to their own group. Switching seats is a good idea for getting to know each other.
Without me noticing, Yukimiya had already prepared two small boxes—one for boys and one for girls—with names written on slips of paper. She started pulling out names and writing them on the board in a circle.
It looked like the tables would be arranged in a circle, with boys and girls sitting in alternating order.
That way, it wouldn’t be divided by gender. Everyone would have to talk to each other, even just a little. It’s a nice idea for a friendship event...
" " " "Aa–a-a-aah!?" " " "
The problem was… everyone looked super nervous.
Of course, I felt a little tense too, but not as much as them. I was already used to talking with Yukimiya. But I started to worry—can these guys even talk to girls normally?
“Hey. It’s normal to be nervous, but just talk like usual. Try to make friends.”
“B-But, President...!”
“No excuses. You’re a guy, aren’t you?”
“Ugh...”
Seriously, why are they so shy all of a sudden? Weren’t they the ones yelling about wanting a girlfriend earlier?
As I looked at the nervous guys, Yukimiya clapped her hands.
“Okay, seats are set. Everyone, please move to your assigned spot.”
Oh, it’s already decided? Let me check where I’m sitting...
...【Yukimiya】–【Yatsuhashi】–【Kurotsuki】...
.......
Wait, what? Is this a joke? A setup? Cheating?
I looked at Yukimiya. She avoided my eyes on purpose. No doubt about it. She totally arranged it this way. Since she can’t talk to other boys, she cheated and put me next to her. This is supposed to be a friendship event, and she has no intention of making friends!
“This is final. Please take your seats.”
Before I could say anything, she quickly moved things along. Everyone stood up, still confused.
...Sigh. I guess I have to go too.
I picked up my lunch and moved to my seat. Yukimiya sat to my left, and Kurotsuki to my right.
“Nehehe~ It’s been so long since we had lunch together, Hazukichi!”
“Yeah. But don’t just talk to me. Talk to the person next to you too.”
“Y-Yeah, yeah... I know. Um, you're the secretary from Kuroba’s side, right? Nice to meet you~”
The secretary next to Kurotsuki was super stiff. He nodded like a robot.
Man, how nervous is he...? I guess it makes sense. Sitting next to a cute girl when you're not used to it would make anyone freeze up.
“Ahaha! You’re so nervous, it’s adorable♪”
“E-Eh!? U-Um...”
...Well, I’ll let them be. More importantly—this is what matters now.
I looked at Yukimiya, who had an awkward expression as she stared straight ahead. Is she really going to pretend nothing happened?
I leaned in and whispered so only she could hear.
“Hey, Yukimiya. You rigged the seating, didn’t you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“We’re eating natto for dinner tonight.”
“Sorry. I did do it.”
“At least you’re honest.”
She should’ve just said that from the start. Geez...
Yukimiya looked away, a little embarrassed.
“If I talk to the other boys, it’ll just make things awkward. Then the whole point of this meeting would be gone...”
“That’s true. But you should still try to get along with them.”
“Impossible. You’re the only one who can talk to me even when I’m being cold.”
“...Is that a compliment?”
“Yes, of course.”
Why does it not sound like she’s praising me at all?
As I let out a small sigh, Yukimiya stood up and clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.
“Alright, let’s begin. Everyone, put your hands together… Itadakimasu.”
“ “ “Itadakimasu.” “ ”
Everyone followed her and said it together. Whatever happened earlier, let’s just enjoy this lunch now.
I opened the lid of my lunch box. The first thing I saw was the karaage—it was the main dish. The pieces were small, but there were plenty.
There was also shredded cabbage, potato salad to add color, and tamagoyaki—classic lunch items.
Even the rice wasn’t plain—it was cooked with bamboo shoots, a seasonal dish I actually enjoyed making.
—I also packed some strawberries in a separate container for Yukimiya. It’s strawberry season, after all.
That’s it. A simple lunch box. Just like me.
“Wow! Hazukichi, your lunch looks so good! Huh? You live alone, right? Did you make it yourself?”
“Ah, yeah, pretty much.”
“That’s so cool! Hey, can I have a bite? I’ll trade you one of my octopus sausages!”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Yay!”
Kurotsuki happily popped a piece of karaage into her mouth and gave me a bright smile. I was relieved—it still tasted good even though it was cold.
Now, what about Yukimiya?
“...........!”
She hadn’t eaten yet, but her eyes sparkled. Looks like she really liked it. She told me once that karaage was her favorite, so I’m glad I made it.
It feels great when someone enjoys the food you made.
I put my hands together again and took a bite of the karaage myself.
“Mmm... it’s good.”
“Right?”
“What’s with the happy face, Kurotsuki?”
“Hehehe. If Hazukichi’s happy, I’m happy too~ Something like that.”
“W-What’s that supposed to mean?”
Feeling shy, I turned my head away from her and took a bite of tamagoyaki.
Yeah, just the right amount of sweetness. Not too sweet. Perfect for me.
As I chewed my food, I glanced around. It seemed like everyone had slowly started talking to each other. The atmosphere was becoming more lively. That was good—otherwise, if it were just the three of us talking while everyone else stayed silent, it would’ve felt like hell.
There was still some awkwardness among the boys, but they were doing their best to stay polite. It didn’t look like there would be any problems.
"Wow, as expected of President Yukimiya. Your lunch looks so good!"
"No, it’s just a normal, plain lunch."
Hearing those voices, I looked over to see two girls peeking into Yukimiya’s lunchbox.
I’m sorry it’s just a normal, totally ordinary lunch...
Maybe sensing my gaze, Yukimiya turned away. Hey, look at me.
"Ah, don’t worry about me. Everyone, go back to your seats. Remember, today is our friendship meeting."
"Okay. But in return, President Yukimiya, teach us how to cook next time, okay?"
"Sure, now hurry back."
"Okay, see you later!"
With one word from Yukimiya, the two student council members dispersed.
Well, that’s fine and all, but… she really just promised to teach them how to cook. Is she sure about that?
...Ah, probably not. She’s looking at me like she’s begging for help.
Guess I’ll have to come up with some easy recipes for her next time.
Just then, Kurotsuki leaned toward me, her eyes fixed on Yukimiya’s lunchbox.
Hey, hey, hey!? Kurotsuki, don’t lean forward like that! Gravity’s pulling your chest down and it’s causing a serious problem right in front of me…!
"Hey, hey, Hyouka-chan. What’s in your lunch?"
"Vice President Kurotsuki, please sit and eat properly."
"Just a little peek—eh?"
Kurotsuki tilted her head as she looked at Yukimiya’s lunch.
Hmm? Is something wrong with it? I worked pretty hard on that, you know.
I turned to look at Yukimiya’s lunch too.
...Nothing looked strange. It was just a regular lunch, wasn’t it?
"Umm, Hyouka-chan’s lunch and Hazukichi’s lunch… are the same?"
" "………" "
...............
.................................Ah.
"That’s not true."
"But it has karaage, potato salad, and even tamagoyaki..."
"No, no. It’s just a really common lunch combo. Total coincidence, right?"
"Even the bamboo shoot rice is a coincidence?"
"That’s super normal too. Like, mixed rice or whatever."
This is going to get bad if she digs any further.
Trying to hide my guilt, I hurriedly started stuffing my face with my own lunch.
"Ah! Hazuki, what’s with the way you’re eating!?"
"All high school guys eat like this. Besides, I bought a sandwich too, so I’ve gotta eat fast before time runs out."
"Ugh, that’ll make you fat."
"High school guys don’t get fat no matter what they eat."
"Your logic is too convenient!"
"And if you don’t eat your lunch soon, this high school guy’s gonna steal it."
"No way! This is mine!"
As Kurotsuki and I argued while eating, the mood lightened even more, and everyone around us seemed more relaxed too.
Now, I felt like I could chat with the person next to me casually. Kurotsuki, too, was chatting happily with another boy.
Taking advantage of the moment, I turned to Yukimiya.
"Sorry about earlier. That really was just a totally average lunch."
"Ah, I only said that because of the situation..."
"I know. If I were in your shoes, I’d probably have said the same thing."
"You’re so annoying."
"What?!"
"Just kidding."
Yukimiya took a piece of karaage and chewed it like she was savoring it. Honestly, I still didn’t really get what she was thinking.
Once I finished my lunchbox, I tucked it away and started eating the sandwich I had bought. First time trying a school sandwich… surprisingly good. Sometimes, eating bread like this is nice too.
While I was impressed by the taste, Yukimiya took a sip of tea, then spoke up.
"...This isn’t something I’d usually say out loud."
"Say what?"
She seemed hesitant.
Yukimiya glanced at me, then continued.
"...It was delicious. Today’s lunch… and all the ones before. Thank you. I really appreciate it."
"...I see."
I didn’t know how to respond. I didn’t expect her to thank me like that.
If only she could always be this honest. But more than that—I was happy. It felt like all the effort I put in wasn’t for nothing.
"Yeah. …Now that I’ve said it, that includes both today’s and the previous ones, okay?"
"You can keep saying it from now on... if you want."
"Who knows? Maybe if I feel like it, I won’t mind."
This girl... I still didn’t get Yukimiya at all.
As Yukimiya and I kept joking around like usual, I noticed Kurotsuki watching us with a sharp gaze.
Huh? We weren’t talking that loudly, were we? What’s with that look?
Yukimiya noticed too and tilted his head toward Kurotsuki.
"Vice President Kurotsuki, is something wrong?"
"Hmm...? Ah, no. I was just thinking… you two seem a lot closer lately."
"...Do we?"
I was caught off guard by her question.
Closer…? Me and Yukimiya, closer… huh. Are we really?
Over time, we’ve seen each other every night, taught each other things, traded sarcasm and complaints... but that doesn’t mean we’re close, right?
"I don’t think we’re that close. We’ve only known each other for less than a week, and we still don’t know each other that well."
"Really? But it feels like... I dunno, the atmosphere? The distance? It feels better than before. And you talk more than you did back on the stairs."
Ah, that was when I realized Kurotsuki was actually my childhood friend, Yocchan.
True, back then, I barely had any connection to Yukimiya. Compared to now, yeah, maybe the distance between us has gotten a bit smaller.
But that’s all. There’s no way we’ve gotten that much closer.
"You’re just imagining things."
"Yeah, maybe it’s just Vice President Kurotsuki’s feeling."
Yukimiya agreed with me. It seemed like she was thinking the same thing.
Still, Kurotsuki looked unsatisfied. She crossed her arms and tilted her head.
"That’s strange. I’m supposed to be good at picking up on stuff like this."
She said that as she munched on her food.
Good at picking up stuff, huh? I don’t think she really gets it. People don’t just get close that easily. Maybe if you’re a kid—but for teens, it’s different. That age is full of complicated emotions.
Then, as if something crossed her mind, Kurotsuki looked up at me.
"Then what about us? We’re close, right? I mean, we’re childhood friends."
"We were apart for more than half our lives and just happened to meet again recently. That’s not exactly ‘close.’"
"But we used to play together every day."
"‘Play’...? You just followed me around everywhere..."
"What did you say!?"
Ignoring Kurotsuki’s sharp glare, I took a bite of my sandwich. Calm down. That’s just the truth, isn’t it?
As our usual back-and-forth continued, I caught a quiet whisper from two girls nearby.
“So the vice president, Kurotsuki, is actually kinda close with the boys, huh?”
“She’s always flirting with them... just because she can talk to guys?”
“Wearing stuff that shows off her chest and legs like that... Seriously, no shame. That’s not how a girl should act.”
...Ugh. This is annoying.
What’s their deal? Just because someone dresses a little differently, they think it’s okay to judge? Acting all high and mighty doesn’t mean they get to push their standards on others.
I glanced around. Some of the others noticed the bad vibes too. The whole mood in the room dropped. This “friendship meeting” had totally gone off the rails.
I can’t let this slide. They went too far talking about Kurotsuki like that. And worst of all, they ruined all the effort Yukimiya put into organizing this. I won’t just sit back and let that happen.
I stood up, ready to walk over—
But then, under the table, Yukimiya and Kurotsuki both gently tugged on my shirt and shook their heads.
“Yukimiya… Kurotsuki…”
“Sit down.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it.”
...Don’t say that. Don’t smile like that and pretend it doesn’t hurt.
She might dress differently, but that doesn’t mean people can insult her.
I clenched my fists. If no one else says it, then I will. Loud and clear.
“STOP IT. Right now.”
The room fell silent.
Yukimiya’s voice followed, sharp and cold.
The girls who had been whispering behind her looked confused, but Yukimiya stared straight at them with a cold, icy glare.
“Ah… President Yukimiya…”
“As I’ve said before, Vice President Kurotsuki’s behavior may be inappropriate.”
“Did you not hear me the first time?” Yukimiya asked, her voice cutting like a blade.
Their faces went pale. They tried to speak, but their lips trembled.
“Yes, but still… the way she dresses and acts is just…”
“Listen,” Yukimiya said firmly. “Her clothes might not be the most modest, but she’s honest, kind, and always tries to connect with everyone. Unlike you two, who only tear others down while pretending to be classy.”
She took a step forward. The two girls flinched.
“Here’s a saying: ‘Watch others and reflect on yourself.’ You’re not in a position to judge anyone. If you want to be part of this student council, don’t hold your place by dragging others down. Earn it through your own effort.”
They nodded silently, unable to meet her eyes.
Yukimiya turned to Kurotsuki, who held her chest quietly. But she looked more relieved than when those girls were insulting her.
Maybe Yukimiya’s words really reached her.
I was so impressed that I clapped my hands. Slowly, others followed. The awkward atmosphere faded a little.
The two girls just sat there, faces red with embarrassment.
I looked over at Yukimiya. She just went back to eating her lunch like nothing happened.
“That ‘watch others and reflect on yourself’ line... not bad,” I said.
“I’ve been thinking about it — to keep my room cleaner.”
“That’s... good, I guess.”
If she came to that on her own, then that’s enough. I’m glad.
After that, lunch ended without any more drama. The first “friendship meeting” was kind of a mess, but I think it worked out. Kinda.
Well, except those two girls looked like they wanted to disappear.
A few minutes before the bell rang, everyone had left except for Yukimiya, Kurotsuki, and me. We locked the student council room and stepped into the hallway.
Kurotsuki looked a little down. Then suddenly, she hugged Yukimiya tightly.
“W-What are you doing, Vice President Kurotsuki? Let go.”
Yukimiya looked totally caught off guard. Honestly, kinda cute.
“Thanks, Hyouka-chan...”
“...Why are you thanking me? I didn’t do anything special.”
“You stood up for me… I’m really not good with stuff like that. I get scared easily…”
Now that she mentions it, I do remember she used to be shy and got teased by boys a lot. Maybe she still carries that with her.
Yukimiya just sighed.
“I just don’t like that kind of behavior. That’s all.”
“Even so… thank you.”
“If you really feel that way, then just smile like you always do. I like your smile, you know.”
“Hehe… Thanks, Hyouka-chan.”
“But still… fix your outfit a little.”
“Fiiine…”
Kurotsuki reluctantly buttoned up just a little. Even that small change made her look more elegant.
“How do I look now?”
“It suits you.”
“Hehe… Hey, Hazukichi, do I look better than before?”
“Yeah. Now I can look at you without freaking out.”
“Perv!”
“Pervert.”
Hey! I’m just a guy, okay? It’s not like I wanted to stare or anything!
Then Kurotsuki hugged Yukimiya’s arm and stuck her tongue out at me.
“Let’s go, Hyouka-chan! Leave this pervy Hazukichi behind.”
“Don’t cling to me, please.”
“Why not? We’re friends now, right?”
“We’re just president and vice president... Stop pulling me!”
...And I got left behind. Again.
But seeing them getting along now makes me feel kinda happy. Guess Kurotsuki really was talking about this when she mentioned 'getting closer.'
From an outside view, maybe it looks like I’m getting closer to Yukimiya too.
...Not that we are. Totally not. Nope.
◆◆◆
"Glad that meeting's finally over."
"Yeah. There were some unexpected things… but it was pretty fun."
"That’s good to hear."
It was after school. This time, we weren’t in my apartment room—we were each on our own balconies, watching the sunset together.
Being in the same room as Yukimiya wasn’t uncomfortable. But talking like this, separated by the balcony wall, felt kind of refreshing. Maybe it made it easier to speak honestly. Having a little space between us… it just felt right for now.
The sky was turning red as the sun went down. From blue to orange, then fading into deep blue. A soft, beautiful gradient spread across the sky.
We didn’t say much, but sharing the quiet like this felt peaceful.
After a short silence, a cup suddenly appeared from the other side of the balcony wall.
"I made some coffee. Want some?"
"...Is it safe?"
"This time I used the spoon properly, so it’s fine."
"Alright then. ...Thanks."
I took the cup and had a sip.
The coffee was a little cold, but it smelled really good. Way better than before.
"How is it?"
"It’s good. Totally safe."
"I’m glad..."
Yukimiya looked relieved, then quietly took a breath and drank her coffee too.
"...By the way, do you think those two are okay? You scolded them pretty hard earlier. Won’t they start hating you?"
"Oh? That’s kind of sweet of you to worry about me. Is the world ending or something?"
"Why would you say that to someone who’s just being nice!?"
"I was joking. ...After that, they apologized properly to me and Vice President Kurotsuki. Whether they change or not is up to them now."
"Phew..."
Only realizing their mistake after someone points it out... are they babies? Even elementary school kids know what’s right and wrong.
"Well, if nothing else happens, they should be fine."
"Yeah. ...More importantly, I’m hungry. Can I come over now?"
"Sure. We’re having sashimi today. I’ll show you how to use the knife. And we’ve got miso soup too. I’ll teach you how to make it, so give it a try, Yukimiya."
"Sashimi and miso soup...! I’ll do my best!"
Yukimiya peeked over the balcony wall for a second, then went back into her apartment.
Alright, time to start getting dinner ready.
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