Chapter 7

“I’ll take that criticism as fair, but before that, hold on a second. I let it slide earlier, but… how did you know I went to Reika’s place?”  

“What do you mean ‘how’? Is there any other reason why you’d be out late instead of coming straight home?”  

“T-There could be, you know…”  

“That response makes it obvious there isn’t. You’re not in any clubs, you hate wandering around outside, and if you had no plans, you’d be home for sure.”  

Satoru had no comeback for his little sister’s sharp observation.  

To begin with, all his friends, starting with Seiya, were deeply involved in their clubs and barely had any private time, even on weekends.  

So, the option of going out with friends was immediately off the table.  

And since he was a total homebody who never went out alone unless invited, it wasn’t like he’d voluntarily step outside either.  

Thinking about it, rather than Chisa being particularly perceptive, it was just that Satoru himself was way too inactive.  

“The only thing that gets you moving is a ridiculously cute invitation from Reika-neechan. Seriously, I wanna be like her too~!”  

“Yeah, no. Please don’t.”  

Sure, he respected Reika for being intelligent and able to adapt to any situation.  

But the idea of his little sister learning the kind of techniques that could thoroughly ensnare a guy was something he’d rather not imagine.  

“Huh? Are you seriously telling your own sister not to become an amazing woman?”  

“That’s not what I’m saying. I just think you’re way too young to be worrying about that kind of thing.”  

“Ugh… Reika-neechan told me the same thing… She was like, ‘I’ll teach you when you’re a little older, okay?’ and totally put me on hold.”  

Did Reika hold back because Chisa was still a kid, or was she actually planning to teach her someday?  

Even though he understood Reika well as her boyfriend, there were still things about her that he just couldn’t figure out—and that was honestly terrifying.  

“By the way, when did you and Reika get so close?”  

“Of course we are! A person that perfect isn’t someone you get to interact with so easily, you know!”  

Satoru had no idea when or how the two had built up such a close relationship.  

But seeing them get along so well only made him feel like he was losing more and more control over his own life.  

——————-

“Haah…”  

“What’s this now? You’re sighing again? You’re probably the only guy who’d react like this the day after a girl tells him she wants to talk more.”  

“It’s just… everything’s happening too fast. The whole conversation feels kind of… unsteady, you know? And I don’t even know how often I’m supposed to reply.”  

“Oh-ho! So, despite everything, you’re pretty conscious of her, huh?”  

“Of course I am. After what she said, I have no idea how I’m supposed to handle this.”  

“Which means, in some way, you’re kind of enjoying this, aren’t you? You little bastard!”  

Satoru was genuinely troubled, not just spacing out in some dreamy daze, but obviously, that wasn’t coming across at all.  

“Anyway… sorry. I sighed again. My little sister already chewed me out for it this morning…”  

“Yeah, that’s on you.”  

Even though his sister had already scolded him, he had let out another sigh.  

Annoyed at himself, he began organizing the textbooks he’d need for the day, preparing for the start of school.

As Satoru was half-forcing his backpack into the locker in the hallway—  

“T-Takashima-kun! Good morning!”  

He turned around to see Ruri, dressed in her usual stylishly loosened uniform, calling out to him.  

Since she still had her backpack on, it seemed she had just arrived at school.  

“Good morning.”  

“Um, about yesterday… thank you! I ended up talking a lot, but… was I a bother?”  

She looked up at him with a slight downward gaze, appearing somewhat apologetic.  

That looks so obviously calculated…  

Was she doing it on purpose, or was it just a habit by now?  

Either way, to Satoru, it felt unnatural.  

And there was one thing that made this situation even more troublesome—  

With someone like her acting like this in a place like this, of course people would start paying attention…

A girl as popular as Ruri suddenly acting all shy and reserved was bound to draw a lot of eyes.  

He didn’t want to think about it, but maybe this was all part of her plan.  

School interactions were like a microcosm of society—by shifting the atmosphere in a certain direction, opportunities could be created.  

“It’s fine. Though, if I’m busy with something, I might not always be able to reply right away. Sorry in advance if that happens.”  

“Oh, no, it’s totally fine!”  

For now, he just gave a safe and neutral response.  

Even to that, she nodded repeatedly with a bright smile.  

“You don’t have to be so formal, you know? We’re the same age and classmates! Just talk casually with me!”  

“O-Oh… right. Well, I guess I’ll try to get used to it… eventually.”  

“Okay! Oh, shoot! Class is about to start! See you later!”  

With that, Ruri waved lightly and headed toward her classroom.  

Satoru returned a slight nod and watched as she walked past him.  

“……”  

After briefly looking up at the ceiling, he turned to head back to his classroom.  

That was when he locked eyes with Reika, who was slipping into class just before the morning bell.  

She gave him a slight smirk—  

As if to mock him, as if saying, “What a hassle, huh?”  

Or rather, there was no doubt that was exactly what she meant.