The door suddenly swung open, making both of us snap our eyes toward it.
Fortunately, it was just the school janitor.
"I'm sorry, kids, but you can't hang out here," he said, coughing with each word. He looked sick.
We nodded and left the classroom, walking down the hallway together. The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.
"I think we should head off now… before we run into that guy again. Don't you think, Aranami-san?" I said casually, ignoring the awkwardness building between us.
She nodded. Soon, other students flooded the hallway. She slipped her hand around my arm as we walked, catching me by surprise.
Her palm was soft against my forearm. I couldn't help but blush. If this continued, other students would think we were a couple. I mean, I didn't mind… she's cute, but it felt wrong. We'd just met—and in such a horrible way, too.
We finally reached the school exit and paused. I still couldn't leave her alone.
"S-so, Aranami-san… where do you live?" I asked, trying to sound casual. Her grip on my arm tightened slightly.
"S-Street 011," she whispered.
"011…" if I remembered correctly, that's where the elite families lived. Too far from my street, 506, where my house was.
"I'll walk you there, Aranami-san, if that's okay?" I said. Dinner would be late, but I didn't care.
"R-really?" Her eyes lit up.
"Yes, unless you don't want me to."
"N-no, it's okay! I'd love to…" she whispered, barely audible. I noticed but didn't press further.
We walked in silence, blending with other students heading home. Her hand remained hooked around mine. Other students glanced at us, probably thinking we were a couple. Cute… but I reminded myself not to get ahead of myself. She was probably scared after today. Yeah… that's it, dumbass Reui.
After nearly thirty minutes, we reached Street 011. The houses were massive, elite, and impressive. One in particular caught my eye—a big, modern white house with a unique aesthetic.
She finally let go of my arm.
"T-thank you for walking me here, Reui-kun," she said, fingers fidgeting, eyes on the floor. Was this… her house? I was flabbergasted.
"It's nothing," I said, hiding my surprise. We lingered there for a moment.
"Aranami-san?" I called.
"Mhm," she mumbled.
"Aren't you heading inside?"
"Sorry! I'll go now." She turned toward the gate but paused, walking slowly back to me. Her gaze stayed on the floor as she approached.
"Reui-san," her voice lightened slightly.
"What is it, Aranami-san?"
"U-uhm… do you w-want to… exchange contact?" Nervousness laced her voice.
"S-sure," I said, pulling out my phone. She saved my number, and I saved hers.
"T-thank you… I'll go now… again." She hurried through the gate, disappearing inside.
I checked her contact and got a notification from my sister:
"WHERE ARE YOU NOW BROTHER? THE DINNER IS GETTING COLD. GET YOUR ASS HERE."
Still chaotic as ever. I replied, "Got it, heading now."
The walk home took nearly forty minutes. My phone buzzed again.
"WHY ARE YOU TAKING SO LONG?"
"B*TCH ANSWER ME."
My sister was extra annoying tonight. "I'm halfway there, wait," I replied, sighing.
When I finally reached home, the door swung open—revealing my sister standing there, arms crossed.
"Where have you been? School's over hours ago! Who are you with? Why did it take so long?" Her voice was grating as ever.
Aizi Kuziya, my younger sister. Loud, self-centered, chaotic. She claimed I had a sister complex, but honestly… she was deluded.
"I just walked with a friend. Geez, you're being extra annoying tonight," I said, walking past her.
"With a friend? My brother doesn't have friends! And me being annoying? Be thankful I'm still paying attention to your perverted ass!" She kicked me in the back. "Don't walk past me while I talk to you!"
"Sorry, okay? Let's just eat. The dinner must be cold now."
"What food?"
"Huh?"
"You said dinner is getting cold?" I pulled out my phone, showing her the text.
"Oh, that? Must be a typo or something," she said, firm and uninterested.
The hell with this girl…