Morning. I woke up on the sofa, feeling uncomfortable from the poor sleeping conditions.
"Hm... she's gone."
Yuzu wasn't in the bed, and unlike yesterday, there was no surprise breakfast made for me.
Only the rabbit plushie was left alone, rolling around on the bed. Probably because she had hugged it in her sleep, there were wrinkles in several places.
"You said not to get it dirty since I was giving it to someone."
I muttered that to myself, but I felt somewhat relieved.
I couldn't give something like this to the manager. So I'll give it to her instead. She dirtied it, so she should take responsibility and keep it.
With that excuse in mind, I felt lighter. I changed into my uniform and brushed my teeth.
---
"Morning, Minato. Thanks for the other day."
As soon as I got to school, Arisu came over to me.
"It was nothing. So, has Tanaka senpai said anything since then?"
"Well, listen to this. This morning he stopped me at the gate and said, 'Who was that guy you were with the other day?' So I told him he was my boyfriend."
"I don't like the sound of this."
"Sorry, I got angry and just said it. I'll definitely make it up to you, so if Tanaka senpai says anything, can you back me up? I don't think he'll be that persistent."
Arisu said it lightly, but I had a really bad feeling. Still, I told myself that I was also at fault for not refusing her ridiculous request for a one day boyfriend, and just said, "Okay."
Then, right after Arisu left her seat, my bad feeling came true.
"Hey, is there a guy named Aoyama Minato here?"
The door opened forcefully and a good looking guy came in saying that. I hung my head.
It was Tanaka senpai. Well, I figured this would happen.
"Yes, that's me."
Even though I hadn't introduced myself, he knew my full name. He must have already done his research. Realizing it was useless to hide, I identified myself. He immediately said, "Come with me."
Called out, I reluctantly left the classroom and went into the hallway.
---
"Hey, is it true you're dating Arisu?"
That was his first question. Annoyed, I nodded as Arisu had told me to.
"Yeah, something like that."
"Hmm. I wonder what she sees in a guy like you."
His reaction was surprisingly mild.
"You're not angry?"
"It's not like I liked her or anything. I'm just saying that if she has someone, it'll be a pain, so I'll back off."
In the end, it seems Tanaka senpai just wanted to sleep with Arisu too. Every single one of them... well, I'm not one to talk.
"Morning."
"Hm, oh, morning."
As we were talking in the hallway, Yuzu, who was late as usual, unusually spoke to me and entered the classroom.
"Hmm, she's a cute gal. Hey, are you close with her?"
Tanaka senpai's gaze turned to Yuzu. She didn't seem to care and quietly sat down as usual. Meanwhile, Arisu was glancing over at us nervously.
"Not really. Are you planning to go after her?"
"That's none of your business. But come on, introduce me. I like gals like that."
Tanaka senpai stared at Yuzu with a greedy smile.
That attitude irritated me. And when I realized the source of that irritation, I got angry at myself.
After all, Yuzu isn't anyone's property. But I was thinking of her as mine. In terms of treating women as objects, Asou san's ex boyfriend, Tanaka senpai, and me are all the same.
But even though I knew that, I couldn't help being hypocritical.
"Hey, stay away from her."
"Huh? You think you can talk to a senior like that? You looking down on me?"
"Just don't go near her. She's... Arisu's important childhood friend."
Words like that, which I didn't even mean, couldn't convince anyone. Tanaka senpai ignored me and said, "If you won't introduce me, I'll ask Arisu to."
Just as he was about to enter the classroom, I grabbed his shoulder.
"I told you to stop."
"Ow, it hurts... what the hell... ow, let go."
"Then go somewhere else. Otherwise, I'll make sure you can't play soccer anymore."
I put strength into my hand. I intended to crush his slender shoulder, with full force.
Then, "Ow, ow, ow! Okay, okay, I get it! What the hell is wrong with you?"
He shook off my hand and ran away, frightened.
"Tch."
What the hell am I doing? A guy's jealousy is really pathetic. Every time Yuzu said it, it annoyed me a little, but it really is disgusting.
I stared at my hand that had been clenched with force just moments ago, then slowly walked back into the classroom, which had become noisy because of me.
I sat down and looked at Yuzu, but she sat there calmly as if nothing had happened.
"Minato..."
Coming into my view was Arisu, with a worried expression.