"H-How are you even here? I didn't even—" Yumiko cut herself off mid-sentence. A rosy blush crept across her fair cheeks at visible speed.
Combined with the expression of forced composure on her face, it was an oddly endearing sight.
"You didn't even what?" The corners of Mio's lips curled into an amused smile.
"N-Nothing." Yumiko guiltily averted her gaze from Mio—and it landed squarely on Hayama standing right beside her. The actual reason she'd come out today hit her all over again.
Not that it mattered much at this point. It was already 4 PM, and Hayama had plans for the evening. In a little while, the date would be over.
Even if he didn't have plans, she'd need to head home on time anyway.
She'd been looking forward to today's date so much. Last night she'd lain awake imagining all the ways things might progress between her and Hayama. And yet, for most of the day, her attention had been on Mio instead.
With a quiet sigh, Yumiko asked, "Where are you guys headed now?"
"We just finished shopping and were going to find somewhere to rest before heading home. Want to join?" Mio lifted her shopping bags with a little shake, then glanced at Hayama.
"I'm fine with anything."
After hearing Hayama's response, Yumiko nodded. "Then let's go to a café nearby."
Decision made, the group headed toward the café.
Yumiko noticed that Mio wasn't holding onto Megumi's arm this time. Though they were still walking close together—and whispering to each other. Was there something they couldn't say in front of her?
For reasons she couldn't quite pinpoint, Yumiko pouted slightly in displeasure.
On the other side of the group, Mio watched Yumiko walking ahead and couldn't help feeling a little exasperated. She'd literally created alone time for those two, and Yumiko still hadn't made a single move. What was she even doing?
"Megumi, do you think we shouldn't have shown up and third-wheeled them?" Mio whispered.
"I couldn't tell you either way. But when Miura-san saw you, she looked genuinely happy. I'd guess she was hoping you'd show up." As a bystander, Megumi had an excellent read on everyone's reactions.
Now that she mentioned it, Mio did recall the look on Yumiko's face when she first spotted her.
Her immediate thought was that Yumiko might've run into some kind of problem.
She had told Yumiko before that if she ever ran into anything she couldn't handle, she could come to her for help. But knowing Yumiko's tsundere pride, she probably wouldn't take the initiative. Still, Mio showing up might've been just what she needed.
That was the only explanation that made sense, really.
But Yumiko hadn't actually told her what the problem was.
Whatever. I'll find a chance to ask at the café.
They arrived at a nearby café shortly after. Mio used the opportunity to text Yumiko, asking about her progress.
Sitting across from Mio, Yumiko glanced at the message on her phone and felt a pang of guilt. Her mind hadn't been on Hayama all day—what progress could she possibly report?
But she couldn't bring herself to tell Mio that. After all, Mio had taught her so much. If she had absolutely nothing to show for it, what if Mio decided not to help her anymore?
After a moment's hesitation, Yumiko typed back: "There's been some progress, I think. Don't worry about it."
"Really? If you need any help at all, you have to tell me, okay? Being all tsundere about it won't get you anywhere." Mio urged, practically channeling a concerned parent.
Yumiko blinked. She understood the first part, but—tsundere? She was NOT a tsundere!
Just as she was about to type something back in protest, she suddenly noticed Hayama giving her a curious look.
It took her a moment to figure out why—and then it clicked. Her little texting exchange with Mio had probably been spotted.
After all, the pattern was pretty obvious: Mio sends a message, Yumiko immediately checks her phone; Yumiko sends a reply, Mio starts reading. Anyone paying attention could tell the two people sitting across from each other were having a secret phone conversation.
Hayama had noticed, but didn't call them out. He just gave them a subtle look as a heads-up.
At the same time, Megumi poked Mio in the side, trying to tip her off.
But the moment her finger touched Mio's waist, Mio jolted like she'd been shocked. She squirmed, then turned to look at Megumi with wide, pleading eyes.
Megumi hadn't expected such an intense reaction. She paused, then whispered, "Sorry, I didn't know you were that ticklish."
"That's my weakness, you know. If Megumi attacks my weak spot, I'm completely defenseless~"
"You're talking about your own weakness, yet you look way too excited about it. I'm starting to think something's wrong with you." After that retort, Megumi remembered what she'd originally meant to say and lowered her voice. "You and Miura-san are being way too obvious."
"Oh, I know." There was no way Mio hadn't noticed something that blatant. If anything, she'd been making it more obvious on purpose.
"Huh? Why would you do that?" Megumi asked, confused.
"To make a certain someone take notice, obviously~"
Why else would she be texting Yumiko right in front of Hayama if not to drop some very unsubtle hints?
Mio was confident that with Hayama's perceptiveness, there was no way he'd miss what was going on.
Though, knowing him, there was also a very real possibility that he'd see right through it—and pretend he hadn't.
All to maintain the status quo.
Catching Mio's gaze, Hayama offered a polite, gentle smile—the kind that would've made any ordinary girl's heart skip a beat. Too bad it had absolutely zero effect on Mio.
Megumi, after hearing Mio's answer, quickly pieced together the logic behind it.
This silver-haired girl really does have tricks for days, she thought.
Meanwhile, Yumiko—the only one not in on the plan—was frantically texting Mio a warning.
Mio looked down at the message and sighed like a parent watching their kid fail an open-book test.
Frustrated beyond words.
...