Oh, if it isn't Aoyama-kun."
Lunch break.
I was wandering around after buying some bread at the school store, looking for a quiet spot, when I ran into Asou-san.
"Hey."
"You're as cool as ever, huh. Come to think of it, you've got work today, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. Did something come up again?"
"No, nothing since last time. Haven't even gotten a message. Maybe they gave up."
She chuckled and picked up her phone, and a familiar strap caught my eye.
"…So you're into that kind of thing too, Asou-san."
"Huh? Aoyama-kun, you know Lover Rabbits?"
"Is it that surprising that I know about them?"
"Well, you've got that look like you couldn't care less about that stuff."
"What look is that? Nah, I've just heard about them from other people."
"Ah, yeah, that figures. I only put this on because a friend recommended it, but honestly, I don't really like the design."
"I get that. I have no idea what's supposed to be cute about it."
"Right? This is exactly where we click."
She giggled, flicked the strap with her finger, and said, "See you after school," before heading back to the second-year building.
---
◇
Right after school.
As usual, just as Beni was trying to leave the classroom ahead of everyone else, a boy from her class called out to her.
"Hey, Beni. You free after this?"
He looked nervous, his eyes serious.
I think his name was Yoshida. Tennis club.
"What?"
"Uh, well… do you have a boyfriend or anything?"
He faltered at her cold demeanor, but still forced the words out. The class stirred a little.
"No, but what about it?"
"…Then go out with me. I've liked you for a while now."
At the sudden confession, a cheer went up. "Ooh!"
But the mood didn't last long.
"I don't like you."
She left it at that, then promptly exited the classroom.
Everyone stood around awkwardly, avoiding the dumbfounded Yoshida, until eventually they drifted away.
Yoshida hung his head and trudged out of the classroom.
After watching the whole scene unfold, I slowly left the room as well.
---
◇
"Oh."
When I got back home, Beni was already standing in front of the apartment, which was rare.
"…Welcome back."
"I came straight home today."
"It's not like I'm mad you kept me waiting."
Even as she said it, she still seemed a little annoyed.
"Well, come in. I've got work today."
"With that Asou person again?"
"Pretty much whenever I work."
"Hmm."
Once inside the room, she went straight to the bed today.
She sat down heavily, and the keychain hanging from her bag swayed back and forth.
She flicked it with her finger, just like Asou-san had done earlier, looking somehow bored.
"…Were you close with Yoshida?"
I found myself asking.
"Jealous again?"
"No, not really… Well, maybe that's part of it."
A feeling I held somewhere in my heart. That ego that says Beni is mine. That's why I'd felt uneasy watching the confession today.
If Beni had said yes...
It'd be a lie to say I wasn't worried about that.
"You just don't want your friends-with-benefits to become someone else's."
"…I know it's selfish. But yeah, maybe that's it."
"Hmm."
She flicked the keychain one more time, then smoothly slipped off her jacket.
"I don't need a shower today."
Her words and that upward glance made my heart race more than usual.
I slowly pushed her down onto the bed, still half-dressed.