Chapter 52: The Day Following Valentine’s (1/2)

“Fujimiya, you helped me out yesterday.”

Amane arrived at school the next day, and froze as Kadowaki suddenly spoke to him a little too naturally.

Though they had some interaction yesterday, he never expected Kadowaki to thank him just for that little thing.

Unlike when he was surrounded by the girls, Kadowaki was smiling as heartily as he could. Amane, being approached by Kadowaki, could feel some stares around him, and felt really unbearable.

He hated the attention, and was a little intimidated to be faced with such curious stares.

“Ahh, you don’t have to worry about that. Looks like you had it tough too.”

“Sort of…”

Kadowaki looked into the distance, and Amane answered with sympathy, “Well, a popular guy sure has it tough.”

Kadowaki himself knew he was popular, but was not proud of it. He was popular with the people around him, and the boys jealous of him did not really despise him.

Perhaps one reason why he was so popular was because of his courtesy to thank others, even for the little things.

“Anyway, you helped me out. Just want to thank you.”

“It’s fine. We should help each other out when we’re in trouble.”

He did not help Kadowaki out just for a favor, and he did not think he did anything worthy of being thanked.

Don’t fret, he chuckled, and Kadowaki then smiled with some relief.

The surrounding girls started a ruckus upon seeing that earnest smile, and Amane could only show a wry smile, thinking that that smile should be directed at the girls.

“Did anything happen between you and Yuuta?”

After Kadowaki left, Itsuki, who seemed to have noticed, approached Amane.

‘Yuuta’ here was Kadowaki’s given name. Itsuki was on better terms with everyone, was amicable, and could cook up the mood. Obviously he got along with Kadowaki.

Amane sometimes was amazed and troubled by how Itsuki of all people was willing to be his friend

“Eh, he received too many chocolates, and was at a loss of what to do. I just handed over my shopping bags to him…”

“Ahh, guess he received more than expected. Managed to deal with them, somehow.”

Itsuki too had seen the masses of chocolates and the goodwill of the girls, so he understood after hearing Amane’s explanation, and gave a wry look with some pity mixed in.

Back then, both of them felt that it would be tough for Kadowaki to bring so many back. It was not surprising for Amane to lend him a hand.

Amane felt that he merely helped a little, and there was nothing to thank for.

“That’s all. Nothing too impressive.”

“I guess that’s just like you…but well, you got shopping bags prepared…why does it look like you’re raising a household? Feels like you’re a housewife when you’re looking at the supermarket ads on your phone.”