The sound of chalk scraping against the board echoed through the classroom.
"…and that's why this formula shows up again in exercise fifty-two."
Sasaki-sensei's voice was calm and steady as he continued writing on the blackboard.
Most students were quiet.Some were taking notes.
Others were just pretending to pay attention.
By the window, Aoi rested her chin on her hand as she copied part of the explanation into her notebook. A soft breeze slipped in through the open window, gently swaying the curtains.
That's when she noticed something.
A few rows ahead, Hanae would occasionally lift her gaze.
But not toward the board.
Her eyes drifted subtly… toward Takumi.
Aoi blinked.
Huh…?
Hanae looked completely normal.Straight posture.Calm expression.
But every now and then… her gaze returned to him.
Aoi thought about saying something.
But decided against it.
Maybe it's just my imagination…
She turned back to the front.
But then—
She felt it.
A strange sensation.
Like someone was watching her.
Aoi slowly turned her head.
And met Souma's gaze.
He was looking straight at her.
She blinked.
Souma raised his hand slightly.
A small gesture.
Subtle.
A signal.
Aoi frowned.
What…?
Confused, she puffed her cheeks slightly and gave him a thumbs-up.
Souma's eyes widened.
Completely caught off guard.
Aoi realized what she had done—
And instantly turned red.
She quickly crossed her arms in an X, shaking her head in a flustered panic.
Souma watched her for a second.
Then smiled faintly.
But right then—
"Pay attention."
Sasaki-sensei's voice cut through the room.
He was looking directly at Aoi.
"This will be on the test."
Aoi froze.
"Ah…"
She quickly turned back to the front, her face still slightly red.
Beside her, Hina was holding back laughter.
"Don't laugh, Hina…" Aoi whispered.
Hina started laughing even more—quietly.
"Hehe…"
The rest of the classes passed normally.
Explanations.Notes.A few discreet naps.
Until finally—
The lunch bell rang.
Students began to stand.
Takumi was the first.Misaki followed right after.
The two of them headed toward the door.
From a few rows behind, Souma spoke:
"I'll be right back, okay?"
Aoi turned slightly.
"Ah… okay."
Beside her, Mio and Hina exchanged glances.
"Hmmm…"
Mio smiled.
"Finally."
Aoi blinked.
"Finally what?"
Hina laughed.
"Haha…"
Mio opened her bag.
"I brought bentō today."
Hina stood up.
"Ah… then I'll go downstairs by myself."
Mio pointed toward the door.
"Go already."
Hina made a dramatic face.
"You're so mean."
Aoi laughed.
"Hahaha."
Hina left the classroom.
Soon after, Matsuda and Yamada stood up.
"Let's go get some anpan," Matsuda said.
The two left together.
Mio followed Yamada with her eyes.
A faint smile on her lips.
Aoi noticed.
And immediately felt a chill run down her spine.
"Mio…"
"What?"
Aoi hesitated.
"Yesterday… when I was leaving school…"
"I saw you and Yamada."
Mio looked at her.
Aoi continued:
"I only heard part of it… about you preferring taller guys…"
She lowered her head.
"Sorry for overhearing."
Mio stayed silent for a moment.
Then raised an eyebrow.
"So that's how you are, huh?"
Aoi panicked.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
Mio burst out laughing.
"Hahaha!"
She waved her hand.
"Relax."
"That? I don't really care."
Aoi blinked.
At that moment, Souma returned.
Holding an anpan.
He sat down beside Aoi.
"Hey, Kanzaki-chan…"
He hesitated.
"…A-Aoi-chan."
Silence.
Aoi's eyes widened.
Mio's too.
Souma started eating, trying to act normal.
But both of them kept staring at him.
After a few seconds—
"Ah… h-hi, S-Souma-kun…"
Suddenly—
"Cof—!"
Souma choked.
Aoi quickly patted his back.
"Careful!"
"Are you okay?!"
Souma took a breath.
"I'm fine… hehe… I'm fine."
Mio watched them with a smile.
"Do I need to leave you two alone?"
They both answered instantly:
"NO!"
They looked at each other.
Blushed.
And went back to eating in silence.
Mio sighed.
"This is getting way too cheesy."
She stood up.
"Where are you going?" Aoi asked.
"To get some juice."
She walked toward the door.
"Hina should be coming back soon."
And left.
Now—
Only Aoi and Souma remained.
Souma kept eating quietly.
But his eyes kept drifting toward the door.
Like he was waiting for someone.
Aoi noticed.
"S-Souma-kun…"
He flinched.
"W-what?!"
Aoi laughed nervously.
"Relax…"
"It's just…"
She hesitated.
"It felt different… the way you called me."
Souma tensed up.
"Y-you didn't like it?"
Aoi shook her head quickly.
"No!"
She smiled.
"It just surprised me."
"But I liked it."
She tilted her head slightly.
"And you?"
Souma looked away.
"Y-yeah… I liked it too."
Silence again.
After a few seconds—
"What are you doing on Saturday?" Souma asked.
Aoi finished eating.
"I'm going to the beach with my mom."
Souma looked surprised.
And a little disappointed.
"Oh… the beach…"
He paused.
"Wait… which beach?"
"Hoshizuna."
His eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah… why?"
He scratched his head.
"Some relatives of mine live near there."
"They invited me too… but I was thinking of canceling."
"…Actually, I wasn't sure yet."
Aoi smiled.
"Then come."
She laughed softly.
"Imagine everyone together at the beach."
Souma blinked.
"Everyone?"
"Yeah. Mio and Hina are going too."
"And Hina's family."
Souma smiled faintly.
"…Oh. Everyone…"
Aoi tilted her head.
"So you're going?"
"Y-yeah! Of course."
He smiled.
"Then… see you Saturday?"
Aoi frowned slightly.
"Why were you unsure?"
Souma hesitated.
"I didn't want to go because… something bad happened there before."
He looked at her.
"But now… you'll all be there… so I feel a bit better about it."
Aoi smiled.
"Then it's settled."
She thought for a moment.
"I'll ask my mom if we can pick up Mio too."
"I think she needs a change of pace."
Souma nodded.
"I see…"
At that moment, Misaki entered the room.
Hanae immediately pulled her aside near the window.
Aoi glanced back at Souma.
"Souma-kun…"
"Yeah?"
Aoi took a deep breath.
"Why…"
She hesitated.
"…have you and Misaki-chan seemed closer lately?"
Souma choked again.
"Cof—!"
"Careful with the anpan!" Aoi said.
He recovered.
"It's just…"
"She likes cosplay."
"And I showed her some contests I've participated in…"
"Since then, she's been asking for tips…"
He stopped.
Because he noticed something.
Aoi was looking at him.
Her eyes were shining.
Souma blinked.
"Y-you like that too?"
Aoi got a little embarrassed.
"Y-yeah…"
"I do."
"I've never dressed up, though."
She fidgeted with her hands.
"I just like watching."
"I think it's amazing when people really become the character…"
She paused.
"I'm talking too much, aren't I?"
Souma shook his head.
"No!"
"I love that too."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Have you ever been to an event?"
Aoi shook her head.
"No…"
Souma thought for a moment.
"I thought Hina liked that kind of thing."
"You could go together."
Aoi laughed.
"Hina only likes games."
"She's not really into events."
She sighed.
"And I didn't want to go alone…"
Souma took a breath.
"We can go together."
"There's one next month."
Aoi's eyes lit up.
"R-really?"
"Yeah."
He looked at her more seriously.
"Do you want to go with me?"
Aoi opened her mouth—
"Yes, I'd lo—"
"Ahh, that sounds great!"
Misaki suddenly appeared behind them.
"The three of us will go!"
Souma slowly turned his head.
"…Ah."
"You were listening?"
Misaki laughed.
"Just the last part."
"Sorry."
Aoi smiled awkwardly.
"It's okay…"