Chapter 7 – So There’s Demand for That Too, Huh?

As I sat through class, the bell rang.

Since I’d walked in partway through, it somehow felt like class ended faster than usual.

“Mm—”

While thinking about that, I let out an exaggerated sound and stretched.

“Y-Yuuto!”

I could feel eyes on me—not just from Yui, but from other girls too. I was basking in the attention when Mana came into the classroom and called out to me with a flustered look.

“Hm? What’s up, Mana?”

“Y-you’re wearing short sleeves, so you can’t do that! Y-your, um, armpits are showing…”

Mana’s face turned red as she said this, clearly embarrassed.

I see. So there’s demand for that kind of thing even in this world.

Come to think of it, in my previous world there were people with a thing for girls’ armpits too.

While thinking that, I glanced over at Yui, who looked embarrassed and quickly averted her eyes, as if to say I totally wasn’t looking.

“Yeah. Sorry, okay? I’ll be more careful next time.”

Watching Yui like that, I thought she really is cute, though I had zero intention of actually being careful as I said that.

“Yuuto? What were you just thinking about?”

“…I-I was thinking about how cute Mana is too, you know?”

“Huh? O-oh. Th-thank you. Y-you’re the coolest guy in the world too, Yuuto.”

It’s not a lie, so it’s fine, right? I do think Mana’s cute too.

“But what do you mean by ‘too’? It should be ‘only me,’ right?”

Just as I was thinking that, Mana said this.

It slipped out precisely because Yui was sitting right next to me, which is why I’d phrased it that way. But now she’d caught me on it.

I planned to get Mana to accept this eventually, but considering what just happened earlier, it was still too soon. I needed to make some kind of excuse.

“W-well, it was just a slip of the tongue, I guess. It’s not really something to worry about, is it?”

“Really? You’re sure it was just a slip of the tongue?”

“Y-yeah.”

When I nodded, Mana seemed to accept it and didn’t press any further.

Thank god. With Yui sitting right next to me, I didn’t want to push too hard.

“More importantly, shouldn’t you get back to your classroom? You were already late earlier, and I’m worried you’ll get in trouble.”

“O-oh. Thanks, Yuuto. I’ll head back then, but don’t do that stretching thing again, okay?”

“Got it.”

After saying that with a concerned look, Mana left the classroom.

“H-hey, that girl just now… what’s your relationship with her?”

Yui asked timidly.

“She’s my childhood friend.”

There was no reason to lie about this, so I answered honestly.

“O-oh, I see…”

“More importantly, the next class is math, right? I forgot my textbook, so can I look at yours?”

I hadn’t actually forgotten it, but I said this to get a little closer to her.

“Huh? O-oh, sure, of course.”

Yui nodded and handed me her textbook.

“Um, then I’ll go borrow one from someone in the class next door—”

“W-wait a second. Huh? Why don’t we just share it? We can push our desks together.”

“Huh… i-is that okay?”

“I mean, I’m the one asking you.”

“I-I’m totally fine with it! Or rather, please let me!”

“I don’t really get why you’re the one asking me, but yeah. Let’s push them together then.”

When it seemed like she was going to borrow a textbook from the next class over, I was honestly surprised, but I’m glad it worked out.

Chapter 8 – During Class

After asking Yui if I could share her textbook and pushing our desks together, the bell rang as if on cue.

At the same time, the teacher walked in, and naturally her gaze fell on us since all the other students were staring at us.

Yui looked embarrassed and seemed uncomfortable with all the eyes on us.

“Yui, are you feeling okay? You alright?”

Even though I noticed this, I pretended not to and asked her.

“Huh? Y-yeah. I’m totally fine.”

“You sure? Well, okay then.”

“A-all right, let’s start class. Everyone, face forward.”

The teacher must have realized she couldn’t keep staring at us, because she said that and started the lesson.

Good. I kept a calm face, but honestly even I was feeling uncomfortable.

“Yui, isn’t that too far away? Can you see properly?”

“I-I’m fine! I-I can see it just fine.”

“Hmm, but it’s your textbook, and I feel bad if you’re having trouble seeing it. Let’s move a little closer.”

I said that somewhat deliberately and moved my chair until our shoulders were almost touching.

Yui’s face, which was already red, seemed to turn even redder, but I pretended not to notice.

“See? Now it’s easier for you to see too, right, Yui?”

“Y-yeah. Th-thank you. B-but isn’t this a little… close…?”

“Huh… oh, y-you’re right. Wait, did you… not want this?”

I knew perfectly well she was saying it was too close because she was embarrassed, but I said that anyway.

“N-no, that’s not it at all. …Um, a-actually, I’m… happy about it.”

“Really? Then there’s no problem.”

“Y-yeah.”

I wonder if Mana would react the same way if she saw this.

Well, even if things develop with Yui, as long as I can prove to Mana that I won’t neglect her, she’ll accept it eventually. It’ll be fine.

As class continued, the teacher handed out worksheets.

“Yui, do you understand this?”

“Y-yeah, I get it.”

…She understands it, huh?

Honestly, I’m a bit iffy on it myself. I barely remember anything from middle school classes.

“Then could you teach me how to do this part?”

I could probably work it out myself if I tried, but I seized the opportunity to lean even closer to Yui as I asked.

“Y-yeah, o-of course.”

“Thanks, Yui.”

“D-don’t worry about it.”

As I was getting help from Yui like this, the bell rang.

“Ah—”

The moment I used the bell as an excuse to pull away from her slightly, I heard that wistful sound.

“What’s wrong, Yui?”

“Huh? Oh, i-it’s nothing.”

“You sure?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Then let’s separate the desks.”

“Y-yeah, you’re right.”

It was completely obvious she didn’t actually want to separate, but I pretended not to notice that either and thanked her before moving my desk back.