"What's wrong?" Fujimine Yukiko peered curiously. "Just a shoe print. You kick it?"
"Why would I kick my own door?" Hayashi Shuichi said flatly. "It's Eri's."
"…You even know Glasses Girl's shoe prints," Yukiko pouted, her tone sour.
"Rest here. Later, head to the shop to prep ingredients," Hayashi Shuichi instructed, heading for the door.
"Where're you going?" Yukiko asked instinctively.
Hayashi Shuichi waved without answering.
With a "bang" of the closing door, Yukiko realized she'd asked the obvious.
Where else would he go?
To find that narrow-minded, petty, small-hearted childhood friend, of course!
It was just accompanying me to an audition. Why's it like we got caught cheating…
Yukiko guiltily covered her face.
She recalled their closeness on the morning train.
Not quite knowing each other's depths, but for a girl new to love, it was thrilling enough.
Her cheeks burned.
Was I too forward this morning?
Will Shuichi think I'm too flirty?
He seems to like traditional girls, so I…
Her thoughts were cut off by Hayashi Shuichi's voice from the bedroom: "Who… Go back to class, don't fall behind."
Seeing the footprints on the door and recalling his anxious reaction, Yukiko's irritation flared. She kicked the door hard twice.
"Childhood friend, big deal!"
…
Teitan High.
As a "sick" student, Hayashi Shuichi couldn't waltz through the front gate.
Having attended Teitan High for a while, he knew the school's layout well.
At a side alley, he used wall crevices to climb over the fence.
School wasn't out yet; the campus was quiet.
Heading toward the main building, Hayashi Shuichi realized his dilemma.
He'd taken sick leave. If a teacher saw him, his lie would be exposed, ruining his good-student image.
In society, being a good student meant little, but at school, it made you a teacher's pet.
If labeled a troublemaker, getting leave would be tougher.
Plus, appeasing Hii Eri was another issue.
Growing up together, he knew how stubborn she could be.
If he didn't fix this today, she might cut him off.
After school, Eri usually returned books to the library, but would her anger change that?
Hayashi Shuichi decided to head to the library and wait. If she didn't show, he'd try her house.
…
Class A, First Year.
After the dismissal bell, Mouri Kogoro glanced hesitantly at Hii Eri packing her bag.
Since returning at noon, her face had been stormy. Kogoro hadn't dared speak to her all afternoon.
Shuichi, don't be that much of a jerk…
Praying silently, Kogoro mustered courage and approached with a dry laugh. "Eri, where you headed?"
"Home."
"Wait for me, we'll go to the izakaya together."
"I said, home!"
Eri glared impatiently, grabbed her bag, and started to leave.
"Eri, is there a misunderstanding with Shuichi?" Kogoro pressed, defending his friend. "Even if he's not home, he could be at the hospital, not necessarily with Yukiko."
"Hospital?" Eri sneered. "He's not even sick!"
"But this morning, he looked unwell…"
"We've been played for fools!"
Eri bit her lip, furious not that Hayashi Shuichi went with Yukiko, but that he lied to her for another girl.
Growing up together, he'd rarely lied to her.
Now, for a girl he'd known less than two weeks, he deceived her!
I'm his childhood friend. What's Fujimine Yukiko?
The angrier Eri got, the less she wanted to deal with Kogoro. Bag in hand, she stormed out.
She meant to head home in a huff but remembered two unreturned books.
After a brief hesitation, she didn't change shoes and went to the library.
…
Teitan High Library.
Eri returned her books, then headed to the corner shelves with law books.
Usually, she was the only one there.
Today, still fuming, she had no curiosity for the figure with their back to her, just wanting to grab her book and go.
Reaching for a book, another hand suddenly covered hers.
What jerk dares take advantage of me!
Eri turned, ready to scold, but saw a familiar face.
"Eri, want this one? I'll get it," Hayashi Shuichi said, grinning shamelessly as he handed her the book.
Eri gave him a cold look, said nothing, and turned to leave.
Hayashi Shuichi grabbed her arm. She struggled, but despite her martial arts training—learned from him—his strength overpowered her. In moments, he pinned her hands against the shelf.
Red-eyed, Eri demanded, "Weren't you with Yukiko? Why're you here?"
"Eri, I messed up today. I shouldn't have lied," Hayashi Shuichi said earnestly. "But I did it for you, not Yukiko."
"For me?" Eri scoffed. "You believe that? Think I'm a toddler or Kogoro?"
"You think I'd buy anything you say?"
(Chapter End)
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