Bring bring bring~
The bell rang, and Yuigahama Yui slipped back into her seat.
For all the breezy confidence she'd shown just moments ago—her cheeks were burning now.
There was no way the old her would ever have done something like that in a classroom full of people. But for the sake of making Mio fall for her, it was more than worth it.
She wasn't sure what thought crossed her mind, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Across the room, Mio had just pulled out her textbook when she felt a sharp gaze on her. She glanced sideways.
Miura Yumiko quickly looked away.
Yumiko sat there, trying very hard to focus on anything that wasn't Mio. It wasn't working.
She thought back to that conversation with Yui. Signs that you like someone.
Because lately, everything she could think of applied to herself. Mio walks in and her eyes go straight there—every single time. Someone mentions Mio's name and she's craning her neck to listen. She'd been lying in bed at home clutching her phone, wanting to text Mio but unable to think of a single thing to say. Her sister had commented, more than once, that she'd been giggling at nothing.
Something is very wrong.
She definitely wasn't like this before. She was straight. She was sure of it.
…Although. She did have to admit that during their two dates, some thoughts had crossed her mind that could only be described as dangerous.
Two dates wasn't even a lot. That was basically nothing.
The class period ended before she'd processed a single word of it. And then she realized Mio had quietly dragged her chair over and was now sitting right beside her, smiling.
"What—what is it?"
"I feel like I should be asking you that. You were staring at me this whole time. Did you need to tell me something?"
Yumiko scrambled for an exit. "I—it's just, Christmas is coming up, right? I was wondering what kind of present to get Hayato."
"Christmas? That's still about two weeks away. Already thinking about it?"
"Better to plan ahead." She laughed weakly. Her posture had gotten noticeably smaller.
Mio, genuinely considering the question, didn't notice. "I don't know Hayama-kun that well, honestly. Going with his interests is probably your best bet."
"What about you? What kind of gift would you want?"
"Hm?" Mio tilted her head, then narrowed her eyes. "Are you asking because you're planning to give me one?"
"I'm just asking randomly. Don't get ideas."
Mio leaned close to Yumiko's ear. "Whatever you give me, Yumiko—I'll love it~"
That soft voice, that warmth—it brought back the exact feeling from their dates. She opened her mouth to say something.
The rest of their group descended on them. Tobe barreled over with a dramatic laugh: "What are you two whispering about over here?!"
"Girl talk~" Mio said pleasantly.
"I want in."
"Come back when you've become a girl."
"Fair enough."
Yui, who'd finished packing up and wandered over, caught a glimpse of Yumiko's face—still a little flustered. Romance conversation, probably. But something nagged at her. There were times when the vibe between Mio and Yumiko felt a little… too close. Not in a bad way—just in an oddly intimate way. She shook it off. Yumiko liked Hayama. She was definitely overthinking.
Then Mio's gaze drifted toward the corridor window.
Twin blonde pigtails. A figure that wouldn't win any curves competition. It could only be one person.
"Someone seems to be looking for me. Let me go check."
Yui glanced toward the corridor. She didn't know Eriri personally, but she'd seen her come find Mio enough times to recognize her on sight. They always talked in low voices, like they were guarding a secret.
Mio bounded over with a smile. Eriri immediately took a half-step back.
"Don't just get right in my face like that—"
"Sawamura-san took a whole half-step back? I'm hurt."
"Drop the act. I just came to ask—if the sample's fine, I'll start printing."
"Oh, is that all? Here I thought you were coming to ask me out~"
Eriri's expression turned dangerous. Mio straightened up.
"I went over it again last night. Everything checks out."
"Good." Eriri paused. "One more thing—are you free this weekend?"
"See, that's asking me out."
"It's not a date." Eriri pinched the bridge of her nose. "I just want you to come by the house. I've had a bunch of new ideas lately and I want your input. It's too awkward to talk about this stuff at school."
"Let me think… I have a study session on Saturday with some friends. Sunday work for you?"
Eriri went very still.
"…Stu… studying?"
"Finals are coming up. Sawamura-san, you haven't started reviewing yet, have you?" Mio stared at her. "No way. No way."
...