Thankfully, Yuigahama made it ten seconds before class started.
She nearly late, and today another student ten minutes late.
When Hiratsuka asked reason, he pushed glasses. Eyes clear like child, firm like soldier. Answered:
"For raising my Teio Tokai. For my cute Horse Girls. Forgot sleep, forgot update, now forgot school—Sensei, you understand, right?"
*SWOOSH!*
Finished speaking, punch wind grazed late student's ear, swept remaining hair.
Hiratsuka withdrew fast punch, friendly patted shoulder. Wide smile.
"Understanding you God's business, Sensei's duty send you meet Old Man."
Heard now sincere pious Holy Judgment from Holy Maiden—
"After school, come my room."
Late student knelt pale, like heretic sentenced burn.
Morning small incident passed.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Noon, Totsuka sought Yuu lunch, hit question.
"True Love Fan Club? Ah... Heard it. Invited join, but I'm Yuu's friend. Feels weird."
"Club people all weird. Good not join." Yuu took lunchbox. Asked, stood: "Today eat Service Club. Sorry."
"No problem, then I'll go Tennis Club." Totsuka smiled. Glanced Yuigahama at door seeming wait together. Recalled forum talks.
(Who's really his girlfriend...)
Hesitated, silver-haired teen said nothing. Only extended slender calloused fingers, fixed collar wrinkle.
"Whatever happens, I'm Yuu's friend." Stared straight, Totsuka's eyes serious. Smile sincere clean: "Come talk if trouble! Maybe no good advice, least be trash bin vent emotions."
Men's friendship, whatever happens, silently support behind, pillar for other!
Felt sincerity, Yuu extended fist. Smiled, raised brow: "You said. If come with liquor bottle complain cry, don't kick out."
"Ah, that's... Minors better not touch alcohol. Champagne maybe?" Totsuka wry smiled. Extended fist, gentle touched.
No need much talk. Fist bump, men understood feelings.
"Just kidding. At most invite tea." Yuu waved. Bid Totsuka, turned, left seat.
Fact, besides Totsuka, some classmates gave suspicious looks post-forum.
Among, most aggressive, boldest talk, Yumiko, Yuigahama's friend.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Flashback.
Morning entered class, Yuu's collar grabbed by early blonde drill-haired girl. Nearly pushed wall interrogated.
Said nearly, opponent strength far below. Yuu no intent let treated roughly—result, Yumiko pounced like hitting wall. Like ant shaking tree, no half-step back.
Luckily collar-grabbing hand blocked, else sizable chest would stuck him.
"You jerk, what said before?! Really dare betray Yui!"
Yuu didn't resist, didn't push.
Looked down, saw girl angry disgusted deep heart. Resigned sighed: "Doing this many people only make Yui more awkward entering class."
"What?!"
"My feelings unimportant. Before venting, think Yui's feelings. Angry for her, right? If can't do that, just self-satisfying. Show others you care friend."
"...Big mouth guy!"
Yumiko gritted teeth hate. Released collar. Eyes brighter under anger reflection, as burn him ash. Sharp stared: "Just pity Yui! Don't feel how much she loves you?!"
Yuu patted touched spot. Calm replied: "Course. I'm her boyfriend. No need outsider like you say."
"Her friend before dated! Who's outsider, huh!" Too angry, Yumiko wanted violence again. Held full force by Ebina behind. Face fierce, like lioness biting through cage.
"Enough, Yumiko, calm. Their feelings matter! Angry fine, don't too impulsive..."
Calmed bit, Ebina looked Yuu. Square-frame glasses glinted cold. But face sincere mediator smile: "Tenkuji-kun, know Yumiko can't stand friend hurt. Won't mind, right?"
"Don't care if minds—" Yumiko threatening sound.
"Look vengeful?" Yuu shrugged. Not only no mind, smiled: "Should be glad. Yui has sincere friend, bit wild like her. Comforting."
"Say who wild, jerk—"
"Hahaha, smart phrase~" Ebina happy laughed. Slightly tilted head. Gaze behind glasses locked eyes. No shift, little smile: "Then, tell us, Yui's good friends, forum talks true? Dating Yui, while told others Yukinoshita-san girlfriend?"
Tone still friendly soft. But voice ice-deep bone-piercing, as interrogating confirmed-crime jerk.
Stared judged dangerous eyes both girls, Yuu unchanged expression. Silently deep breathed.
Knew answer since climbing stairs.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Lunch break, corridor.
"Feel everyone's attitude Yuu-kun changed fast."
Yuu natural replied, unconcerned odd looks around: "Course. To them, I'm jerk admitted loving two girls. No longer school idol."
"Dare call self school idol... Fine, maybe shamelessness Yuu-kun's strength."
Walked side-by-side Service Club, Yuigahama swung lunchbox. Hard sighed, muttered complained:
"Because that, I'm treated weird. Feel they pity, or talk I'm dumb behind..."
Usually haughty relaxed Yuu sudden wilted. Guilty coughed. Expression troubled, hard dug comfort words brain.
After all, he caused Yuigahama's 'public spotlight' treatment. Committee words root issue. Must fully responsible.