Chapter 37

Although each harbored their own thoughts, their school life continued as usual, unchanged.

Because Reika had been absent due to a fever, no one had paid it much attention at first—but the rumor was quietly spreading.

“Reika Hatsune has a boyfriend.”

Her cold attitude toward the boys around her had previously led to speculation that she simply wasn’t interested in romance. That theory wasn’t uncommon.

However, the fact that she had subtly acknowledged having a boyfriend—

And more than that, the shocking revelation that she’d had a hickey—was enough to stir up the entire school. 

It had created a situation where people could no longer deny the existence of her boyfriend.

Naturally, that led to widespread curiosity about who her boyfriend might be, even if there wasn’t much to go on.

Speculation was rampant in various corners of the school.

 “Hey, Reika, what kind of guy is your boyfriend?”

 “Fufu, I’ll leave that to your imagination.”

 “Ugh, it’s driving me crazy! You won’t tell us, but you look happier than I’ve ever seen you!”

 “That’s because I love him more than anyone else in the world.”

 “If there’s a guy who can make you say that, then I absolutely need to know who it is!”

Despite all the chatter, Reika herself never said a word on the subject.

Even so, the rumors had reached Satoru’s ears plenty of times.

At first, each mention made him nervous inside, but hearing it day after day gradually desensitized him.

It helped that Reika showed no signs of ever addressing the topic directly.

Thus began a new term, one where Satoru’s surroundings were shifting ever so slightly.

 “This afternoon is our physical checkup, so everyone please change into your PE uniforms and gather at your designated location at the scheduled time~”

During morning homeroom, their teacher informed the class about the upcoming physical measurements session.

It was the usual start-of-term routine that every school and every grade goes through.

Once the scheduled announcements for homeroom were finished, everyone shifted to self-study.

Satoru, as class representative, busied himself with recording the day’s notes and events.

Beside him, Reika quietly watched his actions.

 “…If you get too close, people are gonna start getting suspicious.”

 “Fufu, maybe we’re finally getting found out.”

 “Just curious, but if someone straight-up asked you, ‘Is it him?’—how would you answer?”

 “Hmm… I suppose I’d walk right up to you, hug you from behind, and say, 

‘That’s right.’ Sounds picture perfect, doesn’t it?”

 “I see. At that point, I guess there’s no choice but to come clean. Honestly, that’d make a decent manga cover. If I told my sister, she’d probably scream, ‘It’s just like a manga cover!’”

 “Chisa-chan is adorable.”

 “Yeah, well, don’t teach my cute little sister anything weird… I’m worried about her future.”

 “Oh my, I didn’t realize you were that much of a siscon.”

 “Whether I am or not doesn’t matter. But I’ll admit she’s got smart. She’s a great little sister.”

 “That’s what we call a siscon, you know. Still, having a good relationship with your sibling is a lovely thing.”

Their conversation continued in the same usual tone, quiet enough not to be overheard by others.

To the rest of the class, it would have just looked like they were briefly checking over some details for the class notes.

 “Speaking of which, we’ve got physical measurements today, right?”

 “Yeah. Why?”

 “I have a small favor to ask. Is that okay?”

 “A favor? That’s rare, especially from you during school hours. What is it?”

 “Do you have a long-sleeved PE uniform?”

 “Yeah, I’ve got one. Haven’t used it recently though—it’s been too warm.”

 “Can I borrow it for the physical checkup?”

 “Wait, you don’t have your own?”

 “I do. But I want yours.”

 “…What?”

It was hard to imagine Reika ever forgetting something.

Looking back, she’d never once asked to borrow anything before.

 “…Why are you dense? Maybe it’s the downside of having such a pure heart?”

 “Wha—Why are you being so harsh all of a sudden?”

 “You seriously don’t know about the concept of ‘boyfriend-shirt?”

 “…Ah. That’s what this is about.”

Even when she said it, the idea didn’t really click for him.

After all, their relationship had already skipped early bases.

Considering the things they’d done together, it seemed strange that she’d want something so… cute and beginner-level.

 “You look like you’re still not getting it.”

 “No, I get it. I just didn’t expect you to ask for something so basic.”

 “Is that so? I think the desire to be wrapped in something that belongs to the one you love is quite cute.”

 “You’re saying that about yourself…?”

Honestly, things between them had grown so deep and stable lately that it bordered on excessive calmness.

When he thought about it like that, he couldn’t deny that her wanting this kind of thing was kind of cute.

Though the fact that she knew that and played into it bothered him just a little.

 “Also…”

 “Also?”

 “You’ve been catching the attention of a lot of girls lately. I figured someone might try asking you to borrow your jersey too.”

 “…You think I’d lend it to them?”

 “No, I don’t. But you’re too kind for your own good. If it came to turning someone down, you’d probably feel bad and struggle to come up with a decent excuse.”

 “W-Well… yeah…”

Bullseye.

He didn’t really think anyone would ask—but if someone did, having to dodge the question would definitely be a pain.

 “So if  this amazing girlfriend takes yours first, you can just say, ‘Sorry, I don’t have it,’ without guilt. Simple, right?”

 “You’ve got a point. That would help.”

 “And meanwhile, I get to legally enjoy being wrapped in my beloved boyfriend’s scent even at school. Win-win.”

 “Feels more like the win is mostly on your side… but sure, let’s go with that.”

 “Fufu. Now I’ve got something to look forward to this afternoon.”

And so, Satoru ended up suddenly lending Reika his PE uniform.

He had absolutely no idea that this would stir up even more rumors around them.

If he’d thought it through, he might’ve realized that Reika wearing a boy’s PE uniform would only confirm for others that her boyfriend was someone within the school.

But for the pure-white Satoru… such a thought didn’t even cross his mind.