21 Chapter 21: Storm (1/2)

I wonder what she meant by 'not losing to Hiroisora again'? Does Koujou know her? She did say that they were classmates again, but why does she seem so unfriendly to Hiroisora? I had a lot of questions I wanted to ask her, but she already went home after confessing to me. I headed to our clubroom to continue our practice.

When I got inside, I noticed that Hiroisora was not around. I went over to Nariyuki to look for her.

”Where's Hiroisora? I thought you came here together.”

”We were headed here. But when she saw Koujou-san talking to you, she just ran off.”

”What happened between those two? They seem to be avoiding each other. And it's just the first day they meet again.”

”I'm pretty sure it's just about you.” I was surprised by what Nariyuki said, although I shouldn't take her too seriously.

”Who can blame them?” I couldn't resist the chance to brag to Nariyuki.

”Yeah. I certainly don't blame them for having poor taste in men.” She always has the final retort, doesn't she? I just can't beat her.

”I don't know if Hiroisora already told you or not, but we're doing this relationship act because we want to help you and the club.”

”She already told me, and I'm really grateful to the both of you.” This is maybe the first time I heard Nariyuki so sincere. ”But you two are stupid in your own ways.” Ok, I take that back.

”Here I thought you were her friend.”

”I am. Which is why I'm so frustrated.”

”About what?”

”About how dense you two are.”

”Huh?”

”It's obvious that you both—” She stopped speaking and shook her head in disappointment. ”Never mind. I shouldn't be the one saying these things to you. Figure it out yourself.” She then went back to work and walked away while talking with other club members.”

I waited for Hiroisora in the club room, so that we could get some practice done. Although, the real reason was that I wanted to talk to her as well. She didn't show up in the end, and we all decided to finish for the day and go home.

As I was walking home from school, my mind was wandering off. Even though I have finally realized my true feelings for Hiroisora, something new happens. I didn't know I'd affect Koujou like that; she even followed me to my school. This will surely complicate things...

---

The next day at class, our classmates were still swarming over at Koujou. It still does feel weird to see her as our classmate.

I glanced over to Hiroisora. She seems to be down. I guess it has something to do with our new classmate.

”Why don't you talk to her? Instead of glaring like a stalker.” Nariyuki suggested something I already was planning to do.

”I was thinking of doing that. Though I don't know if it's okay to just approach her with how she is right now...”

”Stop worrying about every little detail. No wonder you're not making any progress with her.”

”On the contrary, we are already a couple.”

”A fake one, that is.”

”Yeah...” I let out a weak laugh.

I decided to approach her during lunch break. Nothing will happen if I just look from afar. I'm worried about her.

”Hey, Hiroisora.” I stood next to her before she could leave her seat. ”I brought some yakisoba bread with me. Want to eat it together?” I tried to act casual about it, but I was nervous for some reason.

”I brought a bento today. Eli made one this morning.” She was neither happy nor angry when she answered me. It was more like she didn't care. I can't give up just yet.

”Well, we can eat the bread and the bento. You do seem to be getting pretty thin yourself.” She let out a sigh.

”You shouldn't comment on a girl's weight, you know.” She took out her bento from her bag and stood up. She went straight to the door without saying another word. But before going out, she looked at me and pointed upwards. It took me some time to realize what she meant.

”Oh, the rooftop.” I followed her outside.

When we got to the rooftop, we sat down near the fence. She prepared her bento and took out chopsticks. She hasn't said a word since we were in the classroom. I decided I had to start the conversation again.

”Um...”

”Sorry for worrying you.” She was the one who talked first, which surprised me.

”Oh. Was it obvious?” I tried to pass it off as a joke. But she was still serious.

”Kosui-san talked to me earlier. I'm sorry for not showing up yesterday. But I'm fine now.” She still wasn't looking at me.

”It's alright as long as you are okay. But if there is anything you want to talk about, you know I'll listen, right?” She finally smiled, even if just a little.

”Thanks.” I didn't pry any further. I let her talk when she wanted to. We just ate in silence afterwards.

We finished eating quickly since we weren't talking. When I thought lunch break would end without us really talking, she asked me a question.

”So, um, did you really save her? I mean Koujou-san.” She was looking down at her empty bento, trying hard to avoid eye contact.

”Well, yeah. It's kind of a long story, really. I'm not even sure how or why I did it.”

”So what happened?” Her voice sounded like she was a bit curious. She still wasn't looking at me.

”Long story short, I met her accidentally while she was in disguise. Her disguise made her stand out even more, so I just told her that. After accusing me of being a stalker, she asked for my help to catch the real one.”