How long has it been since I've been able to welcome the morning of a new school year so cheerfully?
Until last year, that would have been unthinkable. Every time the clock in the upper-left corner of the morning news crept closer to the time I had to leave, a wave of misery would wash over me. I'd glance at my daily horoscope—usually ranked low on days like those—sigh, and head to school alone.
However, a year has passed since then, and now that I'm a second-year high school student…
"Maki, school's starting again today. You okay? You're not pretending to be sick or anything, are you?"
"Why are you assuming I'm faking it…? I'll be fine. Today's just the entrance ceremony for the first-years and the class announcements, so we only have morning classes. What about you? Are you going to be late again today?"
"Yeah. I'll try to leave in time to catch the last train, but I think I'll probably be home late."
"I see. Well, I'll go to bed first then. I'll leave your dinner in the fridge."
"Got it. Oh, and just so you know, don't think you can bring Umi-chan over every single day just because your mom isn't around to see it."
"I-I know. I plan on getting back into the swing of things with that, too. Look, you should get going before you're late for work."
"Oka~y."
During spring break, I spent almost every day with Umi from morning till night, but I haven't forgotten about my studies, the main duty of a student.
It would be a disaster if my grades dropped just because I was having too much fun with my girlfriend and neglecting my studies.
While still doing all the couple-y things with Umi, I'll also maintain or even improve my grades. That's my immediate goal.
"──Hey, Maki."
"What? Did you forget something?"
"Is school fun?"
"Eh? Hmm… Well, it's… not bad, I guess?"
"Fufu, is that so? Well, that's good, then. Ah, I just remembered I left my cigarettes on the kotatsu. Sorry, can you go get them for me?"
"So you did forget something after all."
I did as she asked and tossed her the pack of cigarettes and the hundred-yen lighter, then saw my mom off to work as usual.
I never really paid much attention before, but looking at her now, my mom's back seems to be brimming with energy as she heads to work.
"Alright, I guess I should change into my uniform soon. Umi should be here to pick me up around this time, too."
For the first time in about two weeks, I put my arms through the white dress shirt of my uniform and tied my necktie.
I hadn't really noticed before spring break, but my uniform feels just a little tighter now. I made sure to stay active during the break, so I doubt I've gained weight… According to Umi, I've also gotten taller since last year, so I guess I'm actually growing.
I put on my freshly cleaned blazer, which still faintly smelled freshly ironed, and was preparing coffee for two when Umi arrived right on time, just as we had promised yesterday.
"Yo."
"Yo. Morning, Umi."
"Mm, morning, Maki. What's this? I was expecting to find you still in your messy pajamas with bedhead, but you're surprisingly put-together. Color me impressed."
"Well, I was a slob during spring break except for the days I had my part-time job, so I figured I had to. I'm boiling water, is coffee okay?"
"Yeah. Ah, with lots of milk since it's morning."
"You got it."
There's still about thirty minutes until we have to leave for school, but this is intentional.
After seeing my mom off, we get to spend a little bit of time alone together in the morning──now that the new semester has started, we can only hang out late on Fridays, so we decided to make effective use of the time before school.
Thanks to that, I have to wake up even earlier than before, but if it means spending more time with Umi, it's no big deal.
Now, if only I could be in the same class as Umi again, just like last year, then today would be perfect.
"Umi, I hope we can be in the same class."
"I know, right? I'm pretty sure I'll be in the advanced class, so I'm prepared to be separated from Yuu and the others… but it'd still be lonely to be all by myself right away."
Looking at our past exam scores, I'm the only one who has a chance of being in the same class as Umi. Thanks to the study sessions led by me and Umi, the academic abilities of the barely-passing trio—Amami-san, Nitta-san, and Nozomu—have improved noticeably, but they're still closer to the bottom of the class.
Class 11, the advanced class for students aiming to get into difficult private and national/public universities, had a capacity of about thirty students──Umi, who's in the top five of our grade, is a shoo-in, but I wonder about myself.
"It'll be fine. I'm the one who knows best how hard you're studying right now, Maki. Besides, your results are clearly showing, so I'm sure the teachers will recommend you for it."
"You think so... Well, even if we're in different classes, it's not like we won't be able to see each other all day, and if that happens, we can just talk about things again, the two of us."
"Yeah. The two of us... right?"
"...Yeah."
And so, we held hands and intertwined our fingers as usual, cherishing the time until our departure with some flirting.
If Amami-san and the others heard this exchange, they would surely say, 'You two are better off being apart,' but… still, I want to be in the same space and time as her as much as possible, to feel each other's presence.
In any case, we'll find out the results in a few dozen minutes.
We left the house on time and came out onto the main street under the bypass, which serves as the school route, to find more students than usual walking in lines.
Those dressed in the brand-new uniforms of our high school are probably the new students about to attend their entrance ceremony. The road, with cherry blossom petals fluttering down, was far more bustling and full of life compared to after the third-years had graduated.
"──Ah, Umi, and Maki-kun, too. Hey, you two~ over here, over here~"
"Yo, lovebirds, long time no see. Been well?"
While we were walking to school together lovingly, we ran into Amami-san and Nitta-san, who must have also been heading to school together. Even with all these sparkling new students around, Amami-san's presence was still a cut above the rest.
—Hey, that girl is super pretty and cute. Is she an upperclassman? —Her hair is so shiny and golden… and her eyes are blue, too. Is she a foreigner? —I might have made the right choice coming here…
I could hear such voices from the kids who seemed to be new students (mostly the boys), as if they were all thinking the same thing.
"...Yuu-chin, you're the same as always. Looks like you'll be busy for a while again, huh?"
"Ahaha... but I got used to it last year."
"Yuu, when you turn them down, just say 'Sorry, I can't,' and if even that's a hassle, just ignore them completely."
"So you're already assuming I'll turn them down, huh…"
The four of us could only force a smile at each other at the repeat of last year's events. At this rate, there would probably be a surge of clueless new students getting shot down for a while.
We still don't know anyone who could trouble Amami-san's heart.
"By the way, Yuu-chin, aren't you gonna get a boyfriend or something? I think it'd be less of a hassle if you just started dating someone like Asanagi. I mean, is there really no one you're interested in?"
"Hmm, let's see~… There's someone I think is cool, but not in a romantic sense… Look, more importantly, let's hurry to school, okay? The new classes should be posted by now."
"Ah, wait, Yuu-chin... Tch, the search for a hidden gem among the new students will have to wait until the entrance ceremony."
"...Nina, you need to exercise a little more self-restraint."
Slipping through the crowd of fresh-faced new students on their way to the entrance ceremony, the four of us headed to the entrance hall. The new class attendance lists were already posted, and the area in front of the entrance was crowded with current students.
The reactions of those who found their names on the class lists varied. Some had expressions of relief at being in the same class as their close friends, while some female students were a little down because their group of friends had been split up. Then there were the boys who were secretly doing a fist pump after getting into the same class as the girl they were interested in.
I wouldn't have understood any of these feelings before, but now I can understand all of them.
"Ugh, I'm getting nervous… Please, God, let me be in the same class as Umi again, please, please, please~…"
"You know, Yuu, there are some things that even God can't do. ...So, thank you for everything until now."
"Aww! I had a feeling that would be the case, but don't say it so clearly~!"
"Yuu-chin, there's still a chance you'll be with me. Here, let's go look together, okay?"
"Ugh..."
Nitta-san took Amami-san, who was clinging to Umi and whining, to the front of the notice board.
Umi and Amami-san had been in the same class from elementary, through middle, and up to the first year of high school, but it seemed that even that bond couldn't overcome this challenge.
Judging from the expressions of the two who had found their names first, it seemed that Amami-san had also been separated from Nitta-san. Nitta-san was desperately trying to comfort Amami-san, who was dejected after confirming that neither Umi's nor Nitta-san's names were in her class.
"...Should we go check, too?"
"Yeah. ...It would be nice if we could be in the same class."
"Yeah, really."
When the number of students in front of us started to dwindle, Umi and I, still holding hands, went to the front of the class list for 2nd Year, Class 11, where only the top students were.
Umi was almost certainly going to be in this class, but I wonder what my situation was.
I checked from the top, in order of student number. Since it was in alphabetical order, Umi's name was easy to find.
No. 1 Asanagi Umi
"...Well, this is as expected."
"Yeah, of course. Now all we need is your name, Maki, and it'll be perfect… Let's see, Maehara Maki, Maehara Maki's name is…"
We carefully checked each person in order so as not to miss anything.
No. 2, No. 3—and then No. 10. Since my name is Maehara ('Ma'), it should be in the latter half if it's listed.
We checked up to No. 20… and then No. 25, but my name was still nowhere to be seen.
"...No. 30, Watanabe──and that seems to be everyone."
"Mm. Your name wasn't there, Maki."
"Yeah. It wasn't."
After carefully reading through everyone's names, the name 'Maehara Maki' was not on the class roster for Class 11.
Unfortunately, I failed to achieve my first goal of the second year: 'to be in the same class as Umi again.'
Unlike Umi, who was in the top five of our grade, I was on the borderline, so of course I was prepared for this to happen... but still, seeing that my name wasn't there was a little disheartening.
"Maki, before you get depressed, let's just find your name. There's still a chance that the teachers made a mistake and forgot to put your name in. That would be annoying in its own way, though."
"R-Right. Uh, well then, first let's check the class next door──"
And so, when I casually shifted my gaze to the roster of the adjacent class, Class 10, I found my name immediately.
And also the names of some other familiar people.
2nd Year, Class 10 (Homeroom Teacher: Yagisawa Miki)
No. 1 Amami Yuu
...
...
...
No. 21 Maehara Maki
"...Hmph."
"Ouch... Um, Ms. Umi, may I ask why you suddenly decided to pinch my side?"
"...No reason. Just because."
"I-I see."
Why are you in the same class as Yuu when you're not with me?—If I were to put Umi's feelings into words, that's probably what it would be. It's completely beyond my control, but I can understand her frustration, so for now, I'll let her use my side as an outlet.
However, it was a surprise to be in the same class as Amami-san again.
After confirming, we decided to join Amami-san and the others.
"Nina-chi is in Class 7, I'm in Class 10, and Umi is in Class 11... No~ Umi~ I'm lonely~"
"Come on, I know how you feel, but don't cling to me so much. I'm separated from Maki, too, you know."
"Oh, that's right. I'm still lucky because I'm with Maki-kun... Ehehe, Umi, um, sorry about that, I guess?"
"are you trying to pick a fight with me, you brat"
"Eek~ Umi's bullying me~"
Amami-san, who was initially depressed about being separated from her best friend, quickly bounced back to her usual cheerful self.
I wish I could learn a thing or two from her positivity.
...As for me, I'm still a little crushed by reality.
"Well, Asanagi and Yuu-chin are still in adjacent classes, so if you're lonely, why don't you just go visit her once in a while? I'll only go occasionally, though."
"Eh~? Come on, Nina-chi, you should come too~ it'll be fun, I promise~?"
"Well, to be honest, I'd like to, but if I keep going to other classes, I'll end up being an outcast in my own class. I have to strike a good balance there."
"Ugh... Now that you mention it, you're right."
Just like Amami-san, I had no choice but to agree with Nitta-san's opinion.
Whether it's me, Umi, or Amami-san, we all have our own complaints about the class change, but the new classes have already been decided.
It's good to continue cherishing our existing relationships, but it's even more important to get used to the new environment and our new classmates.
When I think about it that way, this result might not be so bad for me. If Umi and I weren't physically separated like this, there's a very high possibility that I would have remained dependent on her throughout my school life.
To be able to communicate properly with other classmates and live a decent life even when Umi isn't by my side—if I can't do that, I'd be too pathetic to be Umi's boyfriend.
"Well, since it's come to this, I'll just have to do my best. It's lonely not having Umi around, but I can go see her whenever I want to."
"…Maki, are you okay? You're not going to get lonely and start crying without me, are you?"
"No, I'm not that childish... although it's pathetic that I can't say that with certainty. But well, I'll try my best."
This is the first time I'm starting a new school year with this kind of feeling, so I might end up complaining. But when that happens, I can just have her comfort me when we're alone together.
That's how we decided to do things back on Christmas.
"...So, Ms. Umi?"
"What?"
"I'd appreciate it if you could let me go soon. Look, we're about to reach our new classrooms."
"…No. Just a little longer."
Umi, clinging to my arm and refusing to let go, is very cute, but the bell for the start of class is about to ring, so we have to separate.
Also, I'm a little bothered by the teasing gazes of Amami-san and Nitta-san, who are grinning at us.
I think I'll let Umi be extra clingy after school today.
"Well, for now, we only have morning classes today, so after school, let's go to a family restaurant with the usual people for lunch. We probably have a lot to talk about."
"Oh, I agree with that! Umi and Maki-kun, you're okay with that, right?"
"I don't mind, but... are you okay with that, Maki?"
"Yeah. I'll invite Nozomu, too."
"""......"""
"Why did the three of you go silent all of a sudden?"
Even in our second year, the girls' treatment of Nozomu is as rough as ever. He should be much more popular and well-liked than us at school.
"Well, because it's Seki-kun."
"Yeah. It's Seki-kun, right, Yuu?"
"Eh!? N-No, of course I haven't forgotten about Seki-kun... Um, I think Seki-kun is in Class 5, right?"
"No, Nozomu is in Class 4."
"...Ehehe~"
"Don't laugh it off, my best friend."
It's a relief to reaffirm that our relationships haven't changed even in our second year, but... I'll keep this exchange a secret from Nozomu for now.
Well, it's sad to be separated from the usual members, but it's about time I start paying attention to my new classmates.
It turns out that there are quite a few of our first-year classmates in Class 2-10, where Amami-san and I have been assigned. I say 'it turns out' simply because I don't remember most of my classmates' faces, and I only judged by seeing the girls around Amami-san happily saying, 'We're in the same class again!'
I need to start by properly memorizing the faces and names of my classmates from now on.
As far as I can see from a quick scan of the classroom, the boys seem rather quiet, and I don't see any of the slightly mischievous guys who were in my first-year class. According to Nozomu, with whom I exchanged a few messages just now, most of those guys are gathered in his class, Class 4, where a tough-looking P.E. teacher is keeping a close eye on them.
Compared to that, my class isn't so bad.
"Ah! Hehe, Maki-kun~ Over here, over here~ let's talk together~"
"...H-Hello."
Our eyes met with Amami-san's, and she smiled and waved her hand enthusiastically.
At that moment, the attention of the entire class (mainly the boys, as expected) turned to me.
—Hey, why is that guy so friendly with Amami-san?
—It doesn't feel like they're dating, but still, why with a guy like that…
Personally, I'm getting tired of this topic, but it must be quite a surprise for those who are in the same class as me or Amami-san for the first time.
I have no intention of talking about my relationship with Amami-san, or with my girlfriend Umi, so I'll just tune it out as background noise like usual.
"──Alright, alright, everyone, please take your seats~ We're going to start our first homeroom of the year~"
Our homeroom teacher, Yagisawa-sensei, a familiar face to me, stood in front of the teacher's desk as the bell rang, and our second-year classes finally began.
The first thing everyone does in a new class is—yes, 'that,' the thing that I had a painful experience with last year.
"We have about thirty minutes until the entrance ceremony, so let's quickly get everyone's self-introductions out of the way. I usually do it by drawing lots, but we don't have time today, so we'll go in order of student number... Amami-san, you're up first."
"Yes, leave it to me~!"
It's no exaggeration to say that self-introductions are the thing I hate the most in the entire year, but this time, it's just saying my name and a little bit about my ambitions, so it probably won't be as humiliating as last year.
"—And so, I'd be happy if I could get along with everyone and have fun this year. So, please feel free to talk to me anytime!"
When Amami-san finished her self-introduction in her usual cheerful tone, the classroom was filled with a friendly atmosphere along with applause.
Even without her best friend Umi, who had always supported her in various ways, Amami-san was still the same old Amami-san.
"Alright, thank you. Well then, next is No. 2, Arae-san──but,"
The self-introductions had started smoothly thanks to Amami-san… or so I thought, but the seat behind Amami-san, where the next person was supposed to be sitting, was empty, as if a hole had been punched through it.
"She's not here, huh. I don't think we received any notice of absence... Does anyone know Arae-san well?"
"......"
The teacher called out, but everyone just looked at each other, and no one raised their hand.
It seems there are a few people who were in the same class as her last year, but they just tilted their heads.
"So she's skipping, huh? ...Good grief, I had a feeling this might happen since I heard about it from the head teacher, but to think she'd pull this on the first day."
"? Yes, sensei."
"Go ahead, Amami-san."
"Thank you. Um, is this Arae-san girl that much of a delinquent?"
"Hmm, I wonder... Looking at her report card, she's not that bad, or rather, her grades are above average. But her attitude, you know, it's not very good."
Apparently, she's treated as a problem child among the teachers.
──Student No. 2, Arae Nagisa-san.
As for the boys, including me, Class 10 seems to have no problems, but it might not be the same for the girls.
If Umi were here, I'm sure she'd be making a bitter face, I thought to myself.
Since there wasn't much time before the entrance ceremony, which the current students were also required to attend, we decided to put Arae-san's matter aside for now and continue with the self-introductions.
Since we used extra time on Arae-san's matter, the introductions proceeded even more briefly. We went through No. 10, No. 20 in a flash, and before I had time to get nervous, it was my turn, No. 21.
"Alright, next is Maehara-kun."
"...Yes."
At the teacher's signal, I stood up from my seat, and the bodies of my classmates all turned towards me at once.
At the same time, a wave of indescribable nervousness that I hadn't felt before washed over me.
As the classroom fell silent, only the beating of my heart echoed in my ears.
"Umm... well,"
"? Maehara-kun, what's wrong?"
"Ah, no..."
...This is bad. I had decided what to say yesterday, and even did a rehearsal with Umi, but the memory has completely flown out of my head.
My name, and a short word for my new classmates──it's a line that would only take a dozen seconds, but it won't come out.
"...I'm Maehara Maki. Nice to meet you."
"Hmm... That's a pretty simple self-introduction, but is that all?"
"...Um,"
I managed to squeeze out my name, but that can't be all.
I decided to turn over a new leaf and start my school life with a fresh feeling.
To live each day positively and enjoyably, like Umi, Amami-san, Nitta-san, and also Nozomu──to tell my new classmates, and above all, myself, that I'm different from the 'Maehara Maki' of last year.
However, even if I wanted to, the words just won't come out of my mouth.
"...It's fine. I'm sorry."
"Mm. Well then, I'll move on to the next person."
Perhaps because of what happened last year, the teacher didn't seem to force me. I'm grateful for that, but I feel like I've been shown more pity than last year, which is incredibly frustrating.
I let out a quiet sigh so that no one would notice, then sat down in my chair as if to switch places with the classmate in the seat behind me.
Just then, the phone in my pocket vibrated.
...It's a message from Umi.
While everyone's attention was diverted from me, I secretly looked at what it said at my desk.
(Asanagi) Maki, you can do it.
That's all it said.
"...Um, excuse me, sensei."
Cutting off the flow of the self-introductions, I raised my hand towards the teacher.
"? This is the second time, but what's wrong, Maehara-kun?"
"About my self-introduction... I'm sorry, there's just one thing I forgot to say."
"I see... Well then, want to say it again?"
"Please."
"Alright. Then, after everyone else is done, we'll have Maehara-kun wrap up this homeroom as the final act. Is that okay?"
"Yes."
Since I was being selfish, I guess that can't be helped.
It makes me even more nervous, but strangely, my head was calm.
Even when she's not nearby, my girlfriend is so reliable.
Once everyone had finished their self-introductions, my classmates, including Amami-san and the teacher, were looking at me.
Even though I said I wanted to redo it, I don't intend to say anything particularly clever or funny to lighten the mood, which I feel bad about, but I guess they can just take this as part of my self-introduction.
That Maehara Maki is a troublesome person.
"──Let me reintroduce myself, I'm Maehara Maki. To be honest, I'm really anxious about starting my days in a new environment again... but still, I want to turn over a new leaf and do my best in this new class, so please take care of me. I'm shy, so I might not have many opportunities to talk to you myself... oh, and I like shark movies."
After saying that, I bowed my head and sat down, and a smattering of polite applause erupted from around me.
Despite the expectations, I rambled a bit, but personally, I feel refreshed having said what I wanted to say.
...For now, as for my talking skills, I'll just have to hope they improve in the future.
"Alright, thank you, Maehara-kun. Well then, it's about time, so let's all head over to the gym. After that, you're all dismissed for the day, but we'll have regular classes starting tomorrow, so don't be late."
"Eh~? Miki-sensei, can't you do something about that, at least until the weekend?"
"Amami-san, let's work hard on our studies from now on, okay?"
"Gaah!"
When Amami-san raised her voice dramatically, the atmosphere in the classroom instantly became cheerful, and laughter broke out here and there.
When my eyes met with Amami-san's, who was blushing and smiling shyly, she gave me a subtle wink that only I could understand.
In the end, I was saved by Amami-san, who will probably take on the role of the mood-maker, but I'm not the kind of person who can do everything by myself in the first place.
I know my own limits best. So, from now on, I won't push myself more than necessary, and I'll move forward little by little with the help of my friends and close ones.
After school, after watching the well-organized entrance ceremony for the new first-years.
As we had originally promised, the usual members gathered at a nearby family restaurant for lunch and to report on the day's events. Nozomu didn't have any club activities today, so the five of us were together for the first time in a while.
So, I thought we would be able to spend a leisurely lunch time, chatting casually as usual, but.
Among us, there was one cute girl who was openly puffing out her cheeks and looking displeased.
Well, it's Umi.
"...Hmph~"
"Come on, Umi, I know how you feel, so cheer up already. Here, I'll feed you some fries."
"Mmph... Maki, give me some coke, too."
"Yes, yes."
After somehow managing to soothe the pouting Umi by my side, I decided to explain why she was in a bad mood to Nitta-san and Nozomu, who didn't know the circumstances.
The cause was when Umi tried to ask our homeroom teacher, Yagisawa-sensei, about the details of the class change after the entrance ceremony.
She didn't go as far as to directly ask, 'Why couldn't Maki get into the advanced class?' but she wanted a reason she could accept.
'I can't tell you about that, even if it's you, Asanagi-san... not that I know much about it myself. Class 11, the advanced class, was the first to be decided, before the rest of us discussed about the other classes. I can't give you the details, of course, but I suspect that this time, it was the students who had worked hard on their studies throughout the year who got in. However, in the case of our high school, the homeroom teachers basically have discretion, so the standards are quite varied... I feel sorry about that, too.'
Due to her position as a teacher, her wording was slightly veiled, but in short, Yagisawa-sensei told us that what was taken into account in this class assignment was not just the ranking in the final exams, but the average ranking and grades of all the regular tests conducted throughout the past year.
Umi's ranking had been consistently in the top 10 since she enrolled, but in my case, my grades only started to soar around last fall and winter, when my relationship with Umi became particularly close──until then, my grades had fluctuated between 50th and 100th place, so if you average it all out, I fall short of the top thirty, which is the cut off for the advanced class.
It's a shame that I started my efforts a little too late, but the time I spent working hard with Umi was not in vain.
This year, I fell short by a little, but there are still two years of high school left, so I just have to keep working hard so I can get my revenge in my third year.
Yagisawa-sensei explained as much as she could, and both Umi and I were satisfied with that.
So, why is it that even after discussing it so thoroughly, Umi is still unusually unable to let it go?
"──Ah, maybe it's the school trip? I think our school's trip is usually in January or February... Class rep, Asanagi, am I right?"
"Correct."
"...Mmph~"
Nitta-san was the first to realize it, but the reason Umi is more frustrated than usual is about the school trip, the last major event of our student life, which takes place in the third semester of the second year.
To be in the same class, in the same group, and to spend a sweet time together throughout the trip, sometimes playing around──that's what Umi had been thinking about, which is why she had secretly put so much effort into helping me improve my grades, even more than her own studies.
"You know, school trips are basically group activities, right? I'm sure there will be some free time, but that's still group-based, so you can't just go off on your own. It would be a huge inconvenience if something happened."
Of course, with everyone's cooperation, it would be possible to create a situation where we could be alone together even in different classes, but I still feel hesitant to lie to or deceive the supervising teachers with false reports just to set that up.
To enjoy the trip openly and without sneaking around, it would be better to be in the same class than in different classes.
"Huh? Does that mean that you and I will be going separately this time, too? We were always together during elementary and middle school, and it was so much fun."
"That's right, Yuu. Naturally, our rooms will be separate, too, so you'll have to wake up on your own in the morning."
"M-Mmph... Umi, is there any chance you could give me a special wake-up call just for that time?"
"My dear friend, do you really think that would happen?"
"I-I SEE~..."
Amami-san's expression gradually changed to one similar to Umi's when she realized that.
The problems caused by being in a different class than Umi are not limited to just me.
...In fact, this one might be bigger.
Not just for the school trip, but from now on, there will surely be times when Amami-san has to do things on her own. School events, relationships with classmates──the first day was fine, but there's no guarantee that it will continue for the entire year.
"Well, we still have a lot of time before the school trip, so that's fine... more importantly, Nitta-san, there's something I want to ask…"
"Oh? It's rare for the class rep to talk to me. Is this the first time since the part-time job? Ah, maybe that beautiful senior at work is actually bullying you?"
"No, Emi-senpai is as kind as ever... that's not it. What I want to ask about is a person named Arae Nagisa."
"! Maki-kun."
Amami-san, hearing Arae-san's name, quickly looked up at me.
It might not be something for a guy like me to worry about, but for Amami-san, whose seat is close to hers, it's a concerning issue, so I want to confirm it while reporting and sharing information with everyone.
I don't know the reason for her absence, but personally, I don't think it's a good thing to be absent on the first day of the new school year without contacting the teacher.
No matter how you look at it, she's bound to have a quirk or two.
"Ah~ Arae-cchi... so that girl is in your class, class rep. Miki-chan got stuck with a troublesome one, huh?"
"? Nina-chi, you know Arae-san? Are you friends, by any chance?"
"Friends... Hmm, I wonder... We've gone out to play together in groups, so we've talked a bit then. Well, I guess we're just acquaintances? Do you want to see a picture from a while ago... I mean, a long time ago?"
"Yeah. Thanks, Nina-chi."
Was it taken at an after-party for a school event last year? Several female students in uniform, including Nitta-san, were in the picture, making similar peace signs.
"See, there's a girl in the center-left who's just staring blankly without making a peace sign or anything, right? That's Arae Nagisa."
While Nitta-san and the others were smiling brightly, the girl with light-colored hair, whose expression could be better described as sullen, was apparently the problem student who was causing our homeroom teacher, Yagisawa-sensei, a headache.
She wasn't wearing a necktie or a ribbon, and silver earrings, peeked through the gaps in her semi-long hair.
Her tanned skin aside, she seemed to be wearing full makeup, a blatant violation of the school rules from any angle.
Her face looks well-proportioned, but... anyway, just from this picture, I personally only get a hard-to-approach impression.
Her almond-shaped eyes, directed at the smartphone lens, seemed to be emitting a sharp light.
"Wow, Arae-san looks very beautiful. She's taller than the other girls, and her figure looks amazing... Nina-chi, did Arae-san play any sports or something in middle school?"
"Who knows? There are hardly any kids from the same middle school as Arae-cchi here, so I don't know anything about that... Seki, do you know anything? This girl is from Higashi Junior High."
"Even if you ask me... I think a senior from the baseball club was from Higashi Junior High, but there's no way I'd remember a female junior."
In that case, we have no choice but to wait for her to come to school tomorrow or later.
Even if she has a habit of skipping, her grades aren't that bad, so I want to believe that she also has a serious side... but this is my first time having a classmate with such an obviously bad attitude, so it's probably best to watch from a distance for now.
"Well, as long as we don't provoke her, there shouldn't be a problem. It's not like she doesn't have any close friends, but she tends to be a lone wolf. Just like the class rep last year."
"I'm less of a lone wolf and more of a herbivore that just strayed from the herd."
The ideal would be for all my classmates to be understanding people, but with so many people, there are bound to be clashes with others whose sensibilities are a complete 180 from our own.
To keep as much distance as possible from people who seem unreasonable, and to step into their territory only when absolutely necessary──understanding and implementing such things in my head is also necessary to spend my school life peacefully.
"Anyway, this Arae person is one to watch out for. Yuu, I'm sure you know this, but don't try to get too close to her right from the start. With someone who seems so strong-willed, the two of you would probably be like oil and water."
"Mmph~ I know that much. You treat me too much like a child, Umi. Even without you, I can handle my friendships just fine."
"Really? Well then, no more morning calls from now on. You have to take this opportunity to do everything by yourself."
"I don't want to do that yet~! Hey, Maki-kun~ Umi's bullying me~!"
"Amami-san... um, good luck."
"Aww! Everyone, everyone is so cold to me~!"
When Amami-san said that in a lamenting tone, the rest of us, including me, burst out laughing, and then Amami-san laughed along with us.
This whole exchange is a joke that we always make among ourselves. Just because we're in different classes, it doesn't mean Umi will stop giving Amami-san morning calls for now, and it's not like Amami-san thinks everyone is being cold to her.
We trust each other that much, and that's why this conversation works, but it's also true that there are people who don't get this kind of 'vibe' among the five of us.
"By the way, are you okay, Umi? I'm happy that you're worried about me, but I'm worried about you, too."
"Ah~ now that I think about it, I think Asanagi was the only one from our class who went to the advanced class, right? Maybe you're actually being ostracized from day one. It's a huge prejudice, but I have this image of people in the advanced class being very conservative."
"Conservative... does that mean, for example, they only stick with their close friends from the first year and don't interact much with other people?"
"Exactly. You get it, class rep, even though you used to be a loner."
It's precisely because I was a loner with nothing else to do but secretly observe people that I can see these things so well, but I think this pattern is quite common. In fact, we're kind of like that right now.
We're happy and satisfied with the way things are, so there's no need to change anything──if most of the people in the advanced class think that way, then there's a possibility that Umi, the only one among us who got into the advanced class, might be left out.
...But then again, that's probably not going to happen with Umi.
As if she knew my worries, Umi laughed, dismissing the words of Amami-san and the others.
"Fufu, you all seem to be worried, but tough luck. Today was just a light self-introduction, but everyone was really friendly and we got along right away. My class has a lot of girls, and no one's high-maintenance like Yuu, so it's very relaxed."
"Eh~? That's not fair, Umi~! I want to be in the advanced class, too! Me too!"
"Then you'll have to study a lot from now on, okay? Just so you know, I have no intention of letting my grades drop one bit. Right, Maki?"
"...I'll do my best, too."
It's a given that I'll have to study even harder from now on, but for now, I'm relieved that my worries seem to have been unfounded.
However, if Umi ever feels lonely in her current class, I want to be there to spoil and comfort her no matter what.
And surprisingly, that time came sooner than I expected.
After finishing lunch while chatting with everyone at the family restaurant, Umi and I, having parted ways with Amami-san and the other two, naturally moved to the Maehara residence to continue playing, just the two of us. It wasn't the weekend or anything, but we, who would go out of our way to secure a precious thirty minutes in the morning just to fool around, would not miss the chance to enjoy a half-day of school.
"Maki, I'm hungry. Let's eat something."
"We just went to the family restaurant... well, we didn't really eat a full meal, so I'm not full either. Well then, how about some potato chips? What flavor do you want?"
"Hmm~ seaweed!"
"Nice. Okay, I'll get the drinks, so you can handle that."
"Aight~"
I turned on the TV in the living room and switched to the channel that always broadcasts movies during lunchtime on weekdays. It was an action movie that was a hit a long time ago, perfect for watching casually while munching on something.
I took a sip of my coffee with plenty of milk and sugar, and let out a sigh.
"Haa... It's already April, but it's still pretty cold, isn't it? I only had a scarf today, so my legs are freezing."
"The wind has been strong since this afternoon, too. ...Well then, we need to warm up right away."
"That's right. It's your responsibility, Maki, to make sure your cute, cute girlfriend gets all warm and toasty. ...Here I come!"
"Woah."
The moment Umi hugged me, she slipped her hand into the gap of my dress shirt.
I like the feel of Umi's smooth skin, but when it's a surprise attack, it still startles me a little.
"Haa~ your body is always so warm, Maki."
"Hey, don't just stick your hand in like that... ah, hey, I said stop tickling me."
"Nihihi~ you're usually weak around here, aren't you, Maki? But this is the warmest spot, so I can't stop~ Here, rub, rub~"
"Ngh... good grief."
A strange voice escaped me as she tickled my side from under my arm, but she had already gotten into my personal space and was holding me tight, so there was nothing I could do.
In these situations, the desire to retaliate swells up inside me, but I manage to hold it back.
Even though we're a couple, I should avoid touching a girl's delicate bare skin too carelessly... of course, if you were to ask me if I want to touch her soft white skin, as her boyfriend, the answer is obvious.
We stayed like that for a while, clinging to each other, exchanging our body heat, and slowly warming up from the inside.
It's nice to get cozy with the heater and the kotatsu, but personally, I prefer this because it feels like both my heart and body are getting warm.
"Umi, are you going to let go soon? We can't eat snacks like this."
"Hmm~ just a little longer. Another hour."
"Isn't that a bit too long... your coffee will get cold."
"Fufu, I'm just kidding. But I might want to stay like this for another five minutes or so. Is that okay?"
"No, it's fine."
"...Thanks."
Umi, who had pulled her hand out from inside my shirt, now started to act spoiled by rubbing her face against my chest.
She must have felt a little better after venting to Amami-san and the others, but it seems she hasn't fully recovered yet.
It means she's that disappointed about not being in the same class as me, so as her boyfriend, I'm happy, but... it's not good for her to keep dragging this on, and I want her to cheer up soon.
Now, what should I say to Umi?
"But a school trip, huh... It certainly would have been nice to go around to various places with you, Umi. It's the first and last school trip of our student lives, after all."
"First and...? Eh, Maki, did you not participate in elementary and middle school? Because you had no friends and it would be boring?"
"No, it's a school event, so I'd participate even if it was boring. ...Well, in the end, it just happened to coincide with my dad's work transfer, or a family memorial service, so I couldn't participate. Oh, and of course, I was also sure it would be boring to be alone. About eighty percent?"
"Maki, in this world, that's called 'almost entirely,' you know? Remember that."
That said, looking back at myself at the time, unable to join the circle of classmates who were excitedly talking about the school trip I knew nothing about, and having no choice but to pretend to be asleep in a corner of the classroom, I think I did have some regrets.
...A trip, a trip, huh.
"...Hmm? Wait a minute, then──"
At that moment, an idea suddenly popped into my head.
"Maki, what's wrong?"
"Ah, no, I just thought of something."
"??"
Since I said that so suddenly, even Umi tilted her head in confusion.
However, this might be able to lift Umi's spirits.
"──You know, Umi,"
"Yeah."
"What do you think about... going on a t-trip, with me?"
"Eh?"
Umi responded to my proposal with a blank expression, but as soon as she began to understand the meaning of my words, the light that had been missing from her eyes until then was quickly restored.
"Hey, Maki, that trip, of course you mean just the two of us... right? Without inviting Yuu or Nina, just me and you, Maki. Right? That's what you mean, right?"
"Well, I guess so."
"Not like a graduation trip or anything?"
"Yeah. If possible, sometime this year... we probably won't be able to be so carefree next year."
"I see, you're right."
It's an ideal plan that doesn't take into account the dates, destination, costs, or whether we can even get permission from our parents, but this might give both Umi and me something to look forward to this year.
"But that's a great idea. I think it's a really great idea. A trip with just you, Maki... it might be even more fun than the school trip."
"I think that's a bit of an exaggeration... the school trip will surely be a good memory, too."
"R-Right. I might have gotten a little too excited."
However, she was more pleased than I had expected, which was a happy miscalculation for me. Seeing Umi so energetic that she was practically pushing me down, made me feel a sense of relief for now.
"The next long holiday would be Golden Week from the end of April, but... that's too sudden, so let's secretly plan for sometime after summer vacation. We'll keep it a secret from our parents and Amami-san and the others for now."
"Yeah. A secret just between the two of us, right?"
We decided on the spot, but having a goal like this should motivate us for our studies and part-time jobs from now on.
The biggest hurdle for our trip for two will be getting permission from our respective parents, but... we should just try our best for now.
If they found out that we were working hard for the very wicked reason of wanting to be lovey-dovey on a trip for two without anyone bothering us, they would probably, no, definitely be appalled by their respective parents and friends, but that's just the kind of couple Umi and I are, so it can't be helped.
"...Thinking about it again, we're pretty stupid, aren't we?"
"Ahaha. We are. We're good at studying, but when it comes to love, we're complete fools."
I, however, love Umi even more when she says that with a radiant smile.
"Ah. Umi, you have a piece of seaweed on your tooth."
"Eh? W-Where, where? No way, my smile is ruined now... geez, you're such a dummy, Maki. You're so mean. I hate you now."
"You switched you attitude way too fast."
...Well, I don't dislike Umi when she blushes with embarrassment, either.
In the end, as long as Umi is happy, I guess I'm fine with anything.