The unusual energy in 2-B would have been put in a bottle. Tanaka-sensei clapped his hands and raised his voice above the noise.
"All-right, listen-up! Today, we start the cultural study project. You are going to work in pairs; I expect good presentations in two weeks."
Groans drowned him out while many searched for their friends to be partners. On his part, Haruto Sakamoto remained at his desk, quietly flipping his notebook open, ready to be chosen last, as he always was. He really didn't mind; he was always fine working alone.
Then the names were being read off: "Sakamoto Haruto... Amane Yui..."
Haruto froze. Yui?
He slowly raised his eyes and met Yui's across the room. The look on her face was one of surprise that soon changed to joy. She gave him a joyful wave, gathered up her books, and walked over.
"'Looks like we're partners, Haruto-kun,' she said, setting her bag down next to his on the desk. Her ribbon swayed as she leaned forward. 'I'm glad.'"
Haruto shifted awkwardly. "...You are?"
"Of course! You're careful and detailed. It's perfect for a project," Yui said, genuinely smiling.
The class accompanied their chatter with scraping of chairs and calling out, but all Haruto could feel was that warmth. Finally, he opened his notebook. "So...our topic?"
Yui tapped her chin thoughtfully. "The teacher said that we could pick anything about culture. Maybe...maybe traditions during spring? Like hanami."
"Cherry blossoming view?" Haruto murmured. He pictured sketches of petals flying down the park, families positioned under trees, and friends sharing their bento. He felt an itch on his pencil hand. "...That could work."
Yui leaned towards him, noticing the glimmer in his eyes. "You're thinking of something, aren't you?"
Haruto paused. Then he gave a nod. "I could draw some illustrations... for the presentation. To explain things more clearly."
Yui softly clapped her hands. "Wouldn't that be great? We shall really stand out."
They now spent an hour exchanging ideas. Yui wrote with perfect penmanship while occasionally doodling flowers in the margins. Haruto contributed in his low tone, calmly articulating his very calculated thoughts. To his disbelief, Yui wanted to hear everything he said, nodding in interest at what he said.
Upon a pause, Yui tilted her head. "You know... you don't talk much, Haruto-kun. But when you do, it's always something important. I like that."
Haruto blinked in unknowing. That was soooo unfamiliar to him. "...Th-thank you," he offered, eyes still glued to his notebook.
The bell signaled an end to the session, with groaning from the students, who were beginning to argue already about who would do what. But calm reigned around Haruto and Yui's table, and the plan was already set.
"Let us meet after school tomorrow at the library?" Yui suggested, slipping her books in her bag. "We can gather materials together."
Haruto nodded slowly. "...Okay."
As Yui was about to stand, she flashed him another satisfied smile. "This will be fun."
That warmth spreading into him had arisen for a reason, and it gave Haruto a feeling he had never recalled.For once, being paired up seemed more like a blessing. It was... like the beginning of a quietly simple joy.