Chapter 2 – The Second Girlfriend

“And then that comedian said—ah, we’re already here… I wanted to keep talking~”

“You don’t have to pout, we’ll see each other again soon.”

“Muuu~ It’d be better if we were at least in neighboring classes~”

“Too bad, we’re complete opposites on the floor plan.”

After walking for about twenty minutes from home, we arrived at school.
Since we’re in the same grade, we can walk together until the second floor—but I’m in Class 1, while Iroha’s in Class 5, all the way on the opposite side.
That’s always when her mood starts to drop.

“Well, let’s do our best today too.”

“…Mm, see you later!”

We wave lightly and head off in opposite directions.

Now, what was first period today again? Math or English, I think… and honestly, I hate both.
I was lost in thought when, just before entering the classroom, a voice called out from behind me.

“Good morning, Ren-san.”

“…Morning, Suzu-san. Sorry, I was spacing out a bit.”

“I thought so. You looked rather troubled, so I wondered… By the way, first period is English.”

“English, huh… Ugh, great. Wait, did I even say I was thinking about first period?”

“…Fufu.”

“…”

That smile… please don’t smile like that for no reason. It’s terrifying.

Her name is Himuro Suzu.
Just like the sound of her name, her voice rings soft and clear—like a bell.
She’s the polite, elegant ojou-sama type… a proper young lady.
Rumor has it her family’s actually well off, so maybe she’s not just the type—she might be the real deal.
Honestly, she does give off a bit of a sheltered vibe.

“Now, shall we go to class?”

She extends her hand gracefully.

I take that slender, white hand in mine—her long, delicate fingers cool to the touch.

I guess it’s time to mention it… Himuro Suzu is my second girlfriend.

“…You know, it’s about time you started calling me by my name.”

She whispers it right next to my ear.

Her voice is so beautiful it’s bad for my heart.

“I’ll think about it when you stop calling me ‘Ren-san.’”

“I could never be so disrespectful as to call you without honorifics. Even ‘Ren-san’ is a significant compromise. After all, you’re my—‘Ahh, you two are flirting again!’”

Suzu’s words are cut short.

“…What is it, Hikari-san? We’re keeping a perfectly appropriate distance.”

“Appropriate!? That was more like ‘just about to make out in class’ distance!”

For a second, Suzu looks annoyed at being interrupted—but then smiles sweetly.
The mood in the room turns noisy with the arrival of Hoshino Hikari, our class’s resident moodmaker.

As her name suggests, she’s bright and bubbly… though whether she reads the room or not is anyone’s guess. In short—she’s a lovable idiot.
That said, she’s helped me plenty before, so I’m actually secretly grateful.

“My, Hikari-san, not only your name but your head seems as empty as a lightbulb. I don’t wear sunglasses indoors, you see, so if you could step out of my sight, that would be splendid.”

…Yeah. She’s angry.

That’s a completely different smile than the one she showed me a moment ago—the kind that’s so cold it burns. Her eyes aren’t smiling at all.

“Uuuh… Ren, help meee~ Suzu’s bullying meee~”

And with that, the conversation ends when Hikari tugs me into a hug like the loser of a verbal battle.

I take that back. I’m the one who needs help.
Of course a genius like Suzu-san, top of our year, would crush Hikari in a war of words.

“…”

“It’s hot, stop clinging to me.”

Great. Suzu’s smile is twitching.
And Hikari, completely missing the mood, tightens her hold on me even more.

“Aha~ Ren’s blushing~!”

“I’m not! You’re just annoying!”

“Mmm, but I really like Ren’s scent~ sniff sniff …Wait a sec! I smell another woman!”

Thump!

“It—It’s not like that! Don’t say weird stuff!”

I smack her lightly on the head.

Her intuition in that direction is way too sharp.

“Owow! Domestic violence! DV! And you’re cheating too!”

“Hikari… san.“

“Y-Yes, Suzu…? Hiii!!!”

Yep. Terrified of Suzu.
Cheater, huh… that one actually stings a bit.

Glancing at Suzu, I see her smiling… beautifully. Terrifyingly beautifully.

“…A beautiful woman’s smile sure packs a punch.”

Note to self: do not make her angry.

Ding-doong, da-ding-doong.

“Ah, saved by the bell… Let’s go back to our seats, Suzu-san?”

Looks like the bell spared me… sort of.

“Understood. We’ll have a talk later, then.”

“…I’m doomed…”

Maybe the bell didn’t save me after all.
Rest in peace, Hikari.

—————————

《side: Himuro Suzu》

Finally… I was able to see you again, my beloved. You seemed to be thinking deeply about something… Ah, was it about first period?

“I thought so. You looked rather troubled, so I wondered… By the way, first period is English.”

“English, huh. Wait, did I even say I was thinking about first period?”

“…Fufu.”

Of course I knew. Because I always watch you… carefully.

Even so… when will you finally call me without honorifics?

“When Suzu-san calls me by name, I’ll think about it.”

There’s no way I could do that.

“I could never be so disrespectful as to call you like that. Even this form is already a great concession. After all, you are my—‘Ahh, you two are flirting again!’”

…Hikari-san always appears at the most inconvenient times.

Sigh… but talking about names reminds me of that day.

‘…That’s why…’
‘…Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to hear those words? Truly, to me, you are… of irreplaceable value.’
‘It feels weird being treated like some kind of god.’
‘Perhaps… but to me, that’s exactly what you are.’

Fufu… truly…

I will adore you—for as long as I live.