The sound of chalk scraping across the board echoed through the classroom.
"...and that's why this formula appears again in exercise fifty-two."
Sasaki-sensei's voice was calm and steady as he continued writing on the blackboard.
Most students were quiet.
Some were taking notes.
Others were only pretending to pay attention.
Near the window, Aoi rested her chin on her hand while copying part of the explanation into her notebook. A soft breeze slipped through the open window, gently swaying 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 drifted subtly... toward Takumi.
Aoi blinked.
Huh...?
Hanae looked completely normal.
Straight posture.
Calm expression.
But every now and then... her eyes returned to him.
Aoi thought about saying something.
But decided against it.
Maybe it's just my imagination...
She turned her attention 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 gaze.
He was looking straight at her.
She blinked.
Souma raised his hand slightly.
A small gesture.
Subtle.
A signal.
Aoi frowned.
What...?
Confused, she puffed her cheeks slightly and gave him a thumbs-up.
Souma's eyes widened.
Completely caught off guard.
Aoi realized what she had done—
And instantly turned red.
She quickly made an X with her arms, shaking her head in a flustered panic.
Souma stared at her for a second.
Then let out a small smile.
But right then—
"Pay attention."
Sasaki-sensei's voice cut through the air.
He was looking directly at Aoi.
"This will be on the test."
Aoi froze.
"Ah..."
She quickly turned back to the front, her face still slightly flushed.
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 was the first.
Misaki followed soon after.
The two of them headed toward the door.
From a few rows behind, Souma spoke:
"I'll be right back, okay?"
Aoi turned slightly.
"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 bentō today."
Hina stood up.
"Ah... then I'll head downstairs alone."
Mio pointed toward the door.
"Go on already."
Hina made a dramatic face.
"You're so mean."
Aoi laughed.
"Hahaha."
Hina left the classroom.
Soon after, Matsuda and Yamada stood up.
"Let's go get some anpan," Matsuda said.
The two left together.
Mio followed Yamada with her eyes.
A faint smile on her lips.
Aoi noticed.
And immediately felt nervous.
"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 down 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 at him.
After a few seconds—
"Ah... h-hi, S-Souma-kun..."
Suddenly—
"Cof—!"
Souma choked.
Aoi quickly patted his back.
"Careful!"
"Are you okay?!"
Souma took a breath.
"I'm fine... hehe... I'm fine."
Mio watched them with a smile.
"Do I need to leave you two alone?"
They both answered instantly:
"NO!"
They looked at each other.
Blushed.
And went back to eating in silence.
Mio sighed.
"This is getting way too cheesy."
She stood up.
"Where are you going?" Aoi asked.
"Getting some 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 flinched.
"W-what?!"
Aoi laughed nervously.
"Relax..."
"It's just..."
She hesitated.
"It felt different... the way you called me."
Souma tensed up.
"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 slightly.
"And you?"
Souma looked away.
"Y-yeah... I liked it too."
Silence again.
After a few seconds—
"What are you doing on Saturday?" Souma asked.
Aoi finished her bread.
"I'm going to the beach with my mom."
Souma looked surprised.
And a little disappointed.
"Oh... the beach..."
He paused.
"Wait... which beach?"
"Hoshizuna."
His eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah... why?"
He scratched his head.
"Some relatives of mine are going there."
"They invited me..."
"But I wasn't sure if I'd go."
Aoi smiled.
"Then you should go."
She laughed softly.
"Imagine all of us at the beach."
Souma blinked.
"All of us?"
"Yeah. Mio and Hina are going too."
"And Hina's family."
Souma lowered his gaze slightly.
"...Oh. Everyone..."
Aoi tilted her head.
"Are you sad?"
"N-no! Of course not."
He smiled.
"Then... see you Saturday?"
Aoi frowned slightly.
"But you said you weren't sure."
"I didn't want to go because there wouldn't be anyone my age..."
He looked at her.
"But now... you guys are going..."
"I'm actually looking forward to it."
Aoi smiled.
"Then it's settled."
She thought for a moment.
"I'll ask my mom if we can pick Mio up too."
"I think she needs a change of pace."
Souma nodded.
"I see..."
At that moment, Misaki entered the room.
Hanae immediately pulled her aside near the window.
Aoi glanced back at Souma.
"Souma-kun..."
"Yeah?"
Aoi took a deep breath.
"Why..."
She hesitated, then continued more firmly:
"You and Misaki-chan seem closer these days."
Souma choked again.
"Cof—!"
"Careful with the anpan!" Aoi said.
He recovered.
"It's just..."
"She likes cosplay."
"And I showed her some contests I've participated in..."
"Since then, she's been asking for tips..."
He stopped.
Because he noticed something.
Aoi was looking at him.
Her eyes were 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 with her hands.
"I just like watching."
"I think it's amazing when people really become the character..."
She paused.
"I'm talking too much, aren't I?"
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 for a moment.
"I thought Hina liked that kind of thing."
"You could go together."
Aoi laughed.
"Hina only likes games."
"She's not really 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?"
"Yeah."
He looked at her more seriously.
"Do you want to go with me?"
Aoi opened her mouth—
"Yes, I'd lo—"
"Ahh, that sounds great!"
Misaki suddenly appeared behind them.
"The three of us will go!"
Souma slowly turned his head.
"...Ah."
"You were listening, Misaki-chan?"
She laughed.
"Just the last part."
"Sorry."
Aoi smiled awkwardly.
"It's okay..."
If you made it this far, thank you so much.
This chapter is about the little things—glances, silences, and feelings that still don't quite know how to express themselves.
If you enjoyed it, don't forget to leave a comment and a rating.
It really helps me keep going.
See you in the next chapter :)