Chapter 106: Bonding (1/2)

“Fujimiya, just asking, are you on good terms with Shiina-san?”

Kadowaki organized a simply bonding session at the fast food restaurant, and Kuju was munching at a chicken nugget when he suddenly raised this question, as though he had just thought of it.

Amane did his best to show a stoic look as he stuffed fries into his mouth.

Kadowaki invited the four of them to prepare for the cavalry battle…or just a bonding session. Amane went along, but he never expected someone unrelated to him to ask such a question.

He glanced towards Kadowaki, and saw the latter’s expression was clearly saying I didn’t say anything. It appeared Kuju too was quite the perspective one one.

He assumed he was trying his best not to show any expression.

“Why do you think so?”

“Well, the 5 of you often talk together, including Yuuta. I get the feeling that Shiina-san treats you differently from Itsuki and Yuuta.”

“Really? I didn’t notice it.”

Hiiragi widened his eyes at Amane in surprise. It appeared he was just surprised.

“Well, it’s not like you’re slow, Kazuya…I think I’m the only one who noticed it. The others were just looking jealous.”

“That’s scary…”

“Guess I’m right from your reaction.”

Kuju had a stoic look when he asked, so Amane gave Kadowaki a questioning look of what was going on.

I trust them. They should be fine. Kadowaki answered with a look of his own. Amane scratched his face.

It appeared Kuju was certain of it, but Amane hoped that he would not go about spreading it.

Nevertheless, Kadowaki might really have an eye for people, and Kuju’s question simply seemed to be one of curiosity, rather than gossipy. There was no malice in his question.

“…Well, we’re on good terms.”

“It looks like Shiina-san’s taking care of you. Guess I’m right.”

“…Does it look that way?”

“Sorta.”

Kuju’s insight was really terrifying.

It might be better for Amane to tell some truth rather than come up with a flimsy excuse, and this would make him more trustworthy if they were to bond.

“Well, our places are close to each other, and I get chances to talk to her. We’re just on better terms.”

“Was that before we’re in our second year?”

“Yeah. We started interacting in school during this second year. Pretended to be strangers before that though.”

Of course, Amane could not say that Mahiru was his neighbor who came to his house every day to cook. That would sound too surreal, so he simply mentioned something that was true to a certain extent.

Upon hearing Amane’s explanation, “You already knew, Yuuta?” Kuju looked towards Kadowaki.

Since the man himself said so, Kadowaki had nothing to hide, so he nodded. Kuju then sighed.

“Well, you really are too kind.”

“Kind?”

“Nothing, just a comment to myself…so you’ve been hiding it from us, Yuuta.”