As Jousuke and Leah were walking together, they turn the corner and bump directly into someone. Leah stumbled back slightly and she startled. Jousuke steadies her gently by the shoulder. The person looked at them with sharp eyes
"Watch it. Are you two blind?" the person strictly asked.
They both looked up at the person and realized it's Miyazaki.
"W-we're sorry! Miyazaki-san! We didn't see you..." said Leah.
Jousuke slightly bowed. As always, he's calm as he said "Sorry, Miyazaki-san. We weren't looking ahead."
Miyazaki crosses her arms. Her lips pressed together. She's wearing a lavender casual cardigan, long white skirt, and carries a small sling bag. She looked at the penguin plush sticking out of Jousuke's bag and raises a brow.
"Hey, is that a penguin?" Miyazaki dryly asked.
"Yeah. I've had my eye on it. Picked it up earlier." said Jousuke.
"For yourself?" Miyazaki asked with disbelief.
"Yeah. I know it's childish, but it makes me feel at ease." said Jousuke.
Miyazaki stares for a moment then abruptly looks away as she slightly blushed.
"Tsk... Not childish, I guess. I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff." said Miyazaki as she muttered.
Leah catches the flicker of softness in Miyazaki's expression before she hides it. Leah was shocked and in disbelief as it somehow proved her point. But Miyazaki turns her sharp gaze towards Leah again.
"What are you two doing here together anyway?" Miyazaki asked with a tone of suspicion.
"Just… walking around..." Leah replied as she slightly flustered.
Miyazaki replied with a cold smile "How wholesome..."
There's a sharp and unspoken edge in Miyazaki's voice. Leah feels it. However, she keeps her face calm and straight as if she didn't notice anything.
Meanwhile, Miyazaki is clearly watching the distance between Jousuke and Leah. She observed that they're too close.
In all of a sudden, Jousuke gently said "Actually, Miyazaki-senpai, I wanted to ask you something."
Miyazaki strictly replied "I can't date you."
"You clearly want to!" Leah thought to herself.
"No, not like that... We're planning to watch a movie tonight. Midnight showing. Just a few of us—mostly, our classmates and then there's Poku-san. I thought you might want to come." Jousuke calmly said.
Miyazaki was visibly surprised. She asked "Eh? Midnight?"
"I-It's not something we usually do... Just one time. For fun." said Leah.
"I didn't ask you." said Miyazaki.
"What's with this girl!?" Leah thought to herself.
Leah looks down, but her expression remains the same. She can see the jealousy behind Miyazaki's eyes. And she knows, because it mirrors her own.
"No pressure, of course. I just thought you might like it. It's a mystery movie called 'Oblivion in Felony'. Something you'd probably enjoy. I mean, you look like you love something like that." said Jousuke.
Miyazaki faltered. Her fingers twitch on her bag strap. She steals a glance at Jousuke's calm and sincere face, then at Leah who remains silent beside him. The sight stings, but she pushes it down.
"Fine. I'll come... I guess. Not because I want to. Someone has to make sure you people behave like civilized humans in a public theater." said Miyazaki as she blushed.
"We're lucky to have you." said Leah.
Miyazaki glares at Leah, but Leah doesn't glare back. Instead, she gave a soft look at Miyazaki. There's an understanding between them now. Both know each other's feelings for Jousuke. But neither is saying it out loud.
They both thought to themselves "I like him more!"
"That's great. It'll be fun with you there." Jousuke said with a smile.
"What the heck! You're so cute!" Miyazaki thought to herself as she looked at Jousuke's smile and then blushed.
Then, there's a moment of silence. Then Jousuke pointed to a nearby store.
"Since we're all here, want to shop around together while we wait? There's still a few hours before the movie." said Jousuke.
Miyazaki cleared her throat and said "I suppose I don't have anything better to do. Just don't waste time. I'm not strolling around for hours."
"Tell me if you're tired, Miyazaki-san. I'll carry you." said Jousuke.
Miyazaki blushed as she closed her eyes and then thought ro herself "I'm suddenly so tired now!"
Leah gently said "Sorry to interrupt you guys. There's a newly opened snacks' store on the third floor. They sell some interesting stuff like penguin-shaped mochi, extremely spicy onigiri, extremely strong coffee, and many more. I saw it on a flyer earlier."
Miyazaki's eye twitched as she heard the word penguin. Jousuke lights up slightly.
"Really? That sounds fun and interesting. Let's check it out." said Jousuke.
The three begin walking together. Jousuke at the center, unknowingly carrying the weight of two secret crushes beside him. Leah glances at Miyazaki, who avoids eye contact but clearly walks a bit closer to Jousuke's side. Leah quietly smiles to herself. Both challenged and comforted by the subtle rivalry. They walked as their footsteps blended into the hum of the evening crowd.
-SNACKS' STORE-
"So this is the penguin-shaped mochi. That's kind of adorable." said Jousuke.
Leah looked at it and said "T-they're really cute. I-I wonder if they taste as good as they look..."
As Miyazaki's arms were crossed and she's frowning slightly, she said "Tsk! It's just mochi. Don't get all excited over some squishy penguin.
Jousuke gently smiled at Miyazaki and said "Still, it's unique. You don't see this every day. Want me to get a box to share, guys?
Leah blushed and asked "I-I'd like that."
"I-I mean... whatever. If you're paying, I guess I won't say no. It's not like I want it or anything." said Miyazaki.
Jousuke chuckled and replied "You're welcome, Miyazaki-san."
He turns to a corner display with a bright red sign "EXTREMELY SPICY ONIGIRI!!! EAT AT YOUR OWN RISK."
"So this is the onigiri you mentioned earlier, Boutsuki-san." said Jousuke.
"That looks like it might... melt your tongue." said Leah.
Miyazaki smirked and teasingly asked "Scared, Boutsuki-chan? It's just some spicy rice. How bad could it be?"
Miyazaki grabbed one as her eyes were daring. But inside, she's screaming "What the heck am I doing!?"
Leah muttered and said "I-I'm not scared! Just... cautious."
Jousuke softly laughed and said "Honestly, I might try it just for the challenge."
"I-I'll try it too!" said Leah the same time Miyazaki said "W-Well, I'll try it if you do!"
They both freeze as their eyes met. Tension between them slightly rises silently.
"Oh, can you do it? Boutsuki-chan? Or you're just trying to impress someone?" Miyazaki teasingly asked.
"N-not really! I just don't want to fall behind..." said Leah.
Then, Jousuke pointed at the coffee and said "That's the coffee you've mentioned earlier, Boutsuki-chan."
Then he went to get a free sample.
Then, there was a beat of awkward silence while both girls were admiringly looking at Jousuke. Jousuke was still clueless then he sips the strong coffee.
Jousuke calmly asked "This isn't strong at all. Is this decaf? You guys wanna try?"
Leah replied "M-maybe just a tiny one..."
Miyazaki grabbed the cup with a challenge in her eyes just as before Leah get it.
Miyazaki said "Tsk! I'm not afraid of some overhyped caffeine."
She takes a sip, instantly regrets, but pretends she didn't.
"S-see? Easy! Totally fine!" said Miyazaki as her teeth were clenching and a little tear dropped from her eyes.
Leah hides a small giggle behind her sleeve. Jousuke raises an eyebrow, amused but polite.
Then, Leah grabbed the cup and tasted it. Leah gave the same reaction and said "I-it's not that strong!"
Miyazaki tried hide her laugh but it's obvious. Leah blushed as she was embarassed.
Jousuke said "I don't know many people who would argue about mochi, onigiri, and coffee without any reason..."
Leah and Miyazaki glared at each other and Jousuke noticed it.
"H-hey! This one says 'Penguin Jelly Surprise!' That sounds safe, right?" said Jousuke as he pointed at it.
Leah chuckled and Miyazaki sighed. Then, they glanced at each other again. The silent war of hearts continued.