Lately, my classmate Asanagi Umi has been acting strange.
I, Nitta Nina, started feeling that way in October, when we were preparing for the cultural festival at the start of the second semester.
On the surface, she doesn't seem to have changed much. Her looks are obviously great, she's good with everyone, considerate, but doesn't try to stand out on her own, sticking to the shadows next to our class idol, Yuu-chin—Amami Yuu. She's what you'd call the "No. 2."
Honestly, when I first entered school, I didn't have a very good impression of her.
Even when talking normally, sometimes her eyes wouldn't be laughing, or she'd look completely elsewhere with a bored face… anyway, I was kinda bad with her because of those things. Unlike Yuu-chin who is kind to everyone without discrimination, I thought I might not be able to get along with Asanagi.
However, recently, that impression has been changing.
"…Pfft."
One morning during HR, I heard Asanagi quietly stifle a laugh.
She was probably doing something on her phone, but since I'd never seen her doing something so unserious at school before, seeing her guard down was pretty fresh to me.
Getting a little curious, I decided to poke Asanagi's shoulder—who sits right in front of me—while the teacher wasn't looking.
Whatcha doin'? If it's something interesting, tell me too—I intended to whisper to her with that kind of lighthearted vibe, but.
—Jolt!!
"! Whoa—!?"
The moment my finger touched her shoulder, maybe because she was completely off guard, Asanagi's body jumped up lightly. In doing so, her desk and chair made a loud clatter-clatter noise, so I inadvertently let out a voice too.
Naturally, everyone in the classroom turned toward Asanagi.
"Ah, excuse me. I was surprised because Nitta-san suddenly tickled my side from behind."
"Ha? No, I just touched your shoulder a little… Igi."
"Right? Nina?"
"Ugi… Y-yes. I'm sorry."
Overwhelmed by her undeniable intensity, I couldn't say anything else. Also, she pinched the back of my hand super hard, and it hurt like hell.
She's always behaved so smartly until now, so it was unexpected that she was the type of girl to use such forceful methods. And, furthermore.
"Hey, Nina."
After HR, when I went to the restroom to cool down the back of my hand which had turned bright red from the pinch, Asanagi, who must have followed me, called out from behind.
"W-what?"
"…Well, sorry about earlier. I haven't panicked like that in a while, so I couldn't control my strength."
"No, never mind controlling your strength, don't pinch me… By the way, it's rare for you, Asanagi, but you were sneaking around doing something earlier, right? What were you doing?"
"! Um, that's, well…"
At my question, for some reason her cheeks rapidly dyed red, and then she muttered quietly.
"I-It's a secret…"
Seeing her acting so meek, it made me secretly think that we might be able to get along a little better.