The sound of chalk scratching across the board echoed through the classroom.
"...and that's why this formula shows up again in exercise fifty-two."
Sasaki-sensei's voice was calm and steady as he continued writing.
Most students were quiet.
Some took notes.
Others only pretended to.
By the window, Aoi rested her chin on her hand while copying part of the explanation into her notebook. A soft breeze slipped in through the open window, gently moving the curtains.
That's when she noticed something.
A few rows ahead, Hanae would occasionally lift her gaze.
But not toward the board.
Her eyes would subtly drift... toward Takumi.
Aoi blinked.
Huh...?
Hanae looked completely normal.
Straight posture.
Calm expression.
But every so often... her gaze returned to him.
Aoi thought about saying something.
But decided not to.
Maybe it's just my imagination.
She turned back to the front.
But then—
She felt it.
A strange sensation.
Like someone was watching her.
Aoi slowly turned her head.
And met Souma's eyes.
He was staring directly at her.
She blinked.
Souma raised his hand slightly.
A small, subtle gesture.
A signal.
Aoi frowned.
What...?
Confused, she made a weird face—pouting slightly—and gave him a thumbs-up.
Souma's eyes widened.
Completely caught off guard.
Aoi noticed.
And immediately turned red.
She quickly crossed her arms in an X, shaking her head.
Souma stared for a second.
Then let out a small smile.
But right then—
"Pay attention."
Sasaki-sensei's voice cut through the room.
He was looking straight at Aoi.
"This will be on the test."
Aoi froze.
"Ah..."
She quickly turned back around, face still slightly red.
Beside her, Hina was holding back laughter.
"Don't laugh, Hina..." Aoi whispered.
Hina started laughing even more—quietly.
"Hehe..."
The rest of the classes passed normally.
Explanations.
Notes.
A few discreet naps.
Until finally—
The lunch bell rang.
Students began to stand.
Kuma stood up first.
Misaki followed.
They walked toward the classroom door.
From a few rows behind, Souma spoke:
"I'll be right back, okay?"
Aoi turned.
"Ah... okay."
Beside her, Mio and Hina exchanged looks.
"Hmmm..."
Mio smiled.
"Finally."
Aoi blinked.
"Finally what?"
Hina laughed.
"Haha..."
Mio opened her bag.
"I brought a bentō today."
Hina stood up.
"Ah... I'll go downstairs alone then."
Mio pointed to the door.
"Go already."
Hina made a dramatic face.
"You're so mean."
Aoi laughed.
"Hahaha."
Hina left.
Soon after, Matsuda and Yamada stood up.
"Let's go get anpan," Matsuda said.
They left together.
Mio followed Yamada with her eyes.
A faint smile on her lips.
Aoi noticed.
And started sweating nervously.
"Mio..."
"What?"
Aoi hesitated.
"Yesterday... when I was leaving school..."
"I saw you and Yamada."
Mio looked at her.
Aoi continued.
"I only heard part of it... about you preferring taller guys."
She lowered her head.
"Sorry for overhearing."
Mio stayed silent for a moment.
Then raised an eyebrow.
"So that's how you are, huh?"
Aoi panicked.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
Mio burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
She waved her hand.
"Relax."
"That? I don't really care."
Aoi blinked.
At that moment, Souma returned.
Holding an anpan.
He sat beside Aoi.
"Hey, Kanzaki-chan..."
He hesitated.
"...A-Aoi-chan."
Silence.
Aoi's eyes widened.
Mio's too.
Souma started eating, trying to act normal.
But both of them kept staring.
After a few seconds—
"Ah... h-hi, S-Souma-kun..."
Suddenly—
"Cof—!"
Souma choked.
Aoi quickly patted his back.
"C-careful!"
"Are you okay?!"
Souma took a breath.
"I'm fine... hehe... I'm fine."
Mio watched with a smile.
"Do I need to leave you two alone?"
They answered instantly:
"NO!"
They looked at each other.
Blushed.
And went back to eating in silence.
Mio sighed.
"This is getting cheesy."
She stood up.
"Where are you going?" Aoi asked.
"Getting juice."
She walked toward the door.
"Hina should be coming back soon."
And left.
Now—
Only Aoi and Souma remained.
Souma kept eating quietly.
But his eyes kept drifting toward the door.
Like he was waiting for someone.
Aoi noticed.
"S-Souma-kun..."
He jumped slightly.
"W-what?!"
Aoi laughed nervously.
"Relax..."
"It's just..."
She hesitated.
"I thought it was different... the way you called me."
Souma stiffened.
"Y-you didn't like it?"
Aoi shook her head quickly.
"No!"
She smiled.
"It just surprised me."
"But I liked it."
She tilted her head.
"And you?"
Souma looked away.
"Y-yeah... I liked it too."
Silence again.
After a few seconds—
"What are you doing Saturday?" Souma asked.
Aoi finished her bread.
"I'm going to the beach with my mom."
"Why?"
Souma looked surprised.
A bit disappointed.
"Oh... right. The beach."
He paused.
"Wait... which beach?"
"Hoshizuna Beach."
His eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah... why?"
Souma scratched his head.
"Some relatives of mine are going there."
"They invited me."
"I wasn't sure if I'd go."
Aoi smiled.
"So you're going?"
She laughed.
"Imagine all of us at the beach."
Souma blinked.
"All of us?"
"Yeah."
"Mio and Hina too."
"And Hina's family."
Souma lowered his gaze slightly.
"...Oh. Everyone..."
Aoi tilted her head.
"Are you sad?"
"N-no! Not at all."
He smiled.
"Then... see you at the beach?"
Aoi frowned.
"But you weren't sure."
Souma replied:
"I didn't want to go because there'd be no one my age."
He looked at her.
"But if you're going... I mean, all of you..."
"I'm looking forward to it now."
Aoi smiled.
"Then it's settled."
She thought for a moment.
"My mom and I are going early."
"Oh... I need to tell her about Mio."
Souma blinked.
"Mio?"
"I'll ask my mom if we can pick her up."
"She needs a break."
Souma nodded.
"...Ah. Her mom."
Aoi answered quietly.
"Yeah... something like that."
At that moment, Misaki entered the room.
Hanae immediately pulled her aside near the window.
Aoi looked at Souma.
"Hey... S-Souma-kun..."
"Y-yeah?"
Aoi took a deep breath.
"Why..."
She exhaled.
This time, more firmly:
"You and Misaki-chan seem really close lately."
Souma choked again.
"Cof—!"
"Careful with the anpan!" Aoi said.
Souma recovered.
"It's just..."
"She likes cosplay."
"I showed her some contests I've been in."
"Since then, she's been asking for tips and—"
He stopped.
Because—
Aoi was looking at him.
Eyes shining.
Souma blinked.
"Y-you like that too?"
Aoi got a little embarrassed.
"Y-yeah..."
"I do."
"I've never dressed up though."
She fidgeted.
"I just like watching."
"It's amazing when people become the character."
She realized she was talking too much.
"I'm talking too much, right?"
Souma shook his head.
"No!"
"I love that too."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Have you ever been to an event?"
Aoi shook her head.
"No..."
Souma thought.
"I thought Hina liked that stuff."
"You could go together."
Aoi laughed.
"Hina only likes games."
"She's not into events."
She sighed.
"And I didn't want to go alone..."
Souma took a breath.
"We can go together."
"There's one next month."
Aoi's eyes lit up.
"R-really?"
Souma smiled nervously.
"Yeah."
Then he looked at her seriously.
"Do you want to go with me?"
Aoi opened her mouth—
"Yes, I'd lo—"
"Ahh, that sounds great!"
Misaki appeared behind them.
"The three of us will go!"
Souma slowly turned his head.
"...Ah."
"You were listening, Misaki-chan?"
She laughed.
"Just the event part."
"Sorry."
Aoi smiled awkwardly.
"It's okay..."
Souma asked:
"What character will you go as?"
Misaki thought.
"Not sure yet."
"Something that matches my hair."
She looked at Aoi.
"And you, Aoi-chan?"
Aoi froze.
"Me?"
Misaki tilted her head.
"Ah... never mind."
"You can talk."
Aoi started sweating.
"I don't know..."
"I don't watch that much anime..."
"But I like strong heroines."
Misaki smiled.
"I can help you."
Souma clapped once.
"Then it's settled!"
Aoi laughed nervously.
"I-I guess so..."
At that moment, Mio and Hina returned.
"Ah, so that's how it is?" Hina said.
"Of course," Mio replied.
They noticed Souma and Misaki.
"Hey."
"Hey."
Mio asked:
"So?"
"What were you talking about?"
Souma and Misaki exchanged a glance.
Aoi answered quickly:
"Cosplay... and events."
Souma swallowed.
For a moment—
A memory flashed.
A girl laughing.
"You dress up as characters? That's pathetic."
He shut his eyes tightly.
Then—
"That's cool!"
He opened them.
Mio was smiling.
Hina said:
"I don't like those events."
"Too crowded."
She raised her phone.
"But it's the only place I can meet my Prince John."
Aoi blinked.
"So you've been to one?"
"Once."
"I didn't tell you because I thought you wouldn't like it."
Aoi pointed at her.
"Hina, you—"
"What?"
She took a sip of juice.
Then—
Mio's phone vibrated.
She looked at the screen.
Kanzaki Katsuro
Message:
"I want to see you today, my daughter.
Let's visit your mother."
Mio's smile vanished.
Her eyes narrowed.
Her grip tightened around the phone.
"...What do you want... dad?"