Chapter 116: The Angel and That Guy (2/2)

Amane really was somewhat inept at dealing with girls, and this situation was bad for his gut. He knew this would happen however, so he looked towards them unflinchingly.

“…What is it?”

“Wow, it’s really you, Fujimiya-kun! It shocks me how you’re different from the one I know!”

“That’s a huge change in impression.”

“Yes yes! You look really plain the last time.”

“It’s a little rude to call him plain, you know?”

“Ah, sorry Fujimiya-kun.”

“It’s fine. You’re not wrong to say that.”

Amane was nearly devoured by the vigor shown by the girls, but he did his best not to get caught in their pace, and showed a wry smile.

They were completely right, so he did not want to refute them, and was not angry.

He was the one who remained plain looking, and he did not want to stand out in personality, so he maintained an impression of a a harmless, honest guy in class.

It appeared everyone in class had dismissed Amane as an ordinary boy.

It was no wonder then that they were troubled by this sudden change.

“That’s quite a huge change in impression.”

“Yeah. Is this weird?”

“No no no, I think you look a lot better.”

“It’s more like, we’re shocked to see you become so handsome.”

“I guess my efforts aren’t wasted if you say that.”

Amane felt embarrassed to be praised directly, but it was pointless for him to deny it. He did learn that it was bad to be overly humble sometimes, so he graciously accepted this praise.

He tried his best to give a gentle expression as much as possible as he nodded, and they smiled back happily.

“Say, can I ask something?”

“Please do, if it’s something I can answer.”

“I’m wondering, was it you who walked alongside Shiina-san back then, Fujimiya-kun?”

I guess the question’s finally here,  Amane wondered.

It was a matter of time until someone asked, so he decided to answer and address his views on this matter.

Their classmates were probably pricking their ears at this conversation. If he declared it, it was likely that news would spread throughout the entire school.

“Yes, it’s me.”

“A-are you two dating? I saw you two holding hands while coming to school…”

“Yeah. Thanks to everyone, we started dating last week.”

Once Amane confirmed this, there were agitated shrieks in the class. He could hear some voices of despair and grumbles by the boys, but he decided to ignore them.

After all, the boys would be asking him further questions; he would handle them when they come.

“Erm, how did you and that Shiina-san…”

“It started last year, and our relationship just naturally improved. Isn’t that right, Mahiru?”

“Yes.”

It appeared Mahiru was done answering her questions, but it was more likely that she felt a conversation with Amane would make things much easier, as she approached him with a beaming face.

Once she stood next him, she showed a beautiful smile at the girls questioning Amane, while being so close to him, they were about to touch.

“It is a little difficult to explain, but after many things have happened, we started dating. I had a crush on him, so I am really happy now…it feels like we were boasting when we came here while holding hands.”

Mahiru put her hand on Amane’s, just as they did while going to school. Amane gave a wry smile as he in turn held her hand.

“No, I think I fell for you first.”

“It was me, no? Either way, you would not confess, Amane-kun.”

“Sorry about that. I confessed properly, forgive me.”

“…I think I confessed first.”

“I’ll do so properly next time.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“…Who knows?”

There was only one objective a couple would have, and Mahiru would understand if she put some thought into it…but she merely felt skeptical.

Amane felt that he should not say it at this point, and that he was not of the appropriate age to take responsibility, so he decided to keep it to himself. It seemed these words would never fade even after many years,

He hoped to keep these words to himself until then, when he intended to personally say it to her.

Mahiru lifted her head unhappily towards him as he pulled a fast one on her, but once he patted her head, her dissatisfaction was quelled.

“…You are fooling me again.”

“I will say it later. Let me off for now, please.”

“Goodness.”

She verbally expressed her unhappiness, but her face looked elated.

She hurriedly covered her increasingly blushing face however, having noticed something.

Amane did not know what was going on as he looked around, and found his classmates remaining silent.

Their stares were gathered upon the two of them.

I messed up.

Amane did intend to show how good their relationship was, and to lay down the fact that he was Mahiru’s boyfriend. He however did not intend to converse with her as he usually did at home.

And once he carelessly patted her head, it was obvious what their classmates would think.

“…Amane, you two are just unwittingly flirting. Take note of that.”

Even Itsuki, dubbed part of the original bakauple, reminded Amane. The latter hastily removed his hand from Mahiru, bit his lips, and tried to prevent showing the heat rising up his cheeks.