When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 22: Coincidence?— 3

Coincidence?— 3

Arriving at school with a mental exhaustion that felt disproportionate for so early in the morning, I spent the time chatting with Shuuji and Chika until homeroom began.

“Alright, time for a seat shuffle,” announced Yama-sensei, our homeroom teacher (29 years old, male), right off the bat.

The sudden declaration caused a stir in the classroom.

One of the girls, looking confused, asked him hesitantly, “We just changed seats in the middle of last month. Are we doing it again?”

“Ah… well, yeah. You know how it is. After Golden Week, you all probably feel gloomy, don’t you?”

“Yeah, honestly, I’m not really motivated.”

“That’s why I figured you could use a change of pace. A seat shuffle might be a good way to shake things up. It’s like an event, right? Makes things more fun.”

“Well, I guess that makes sense.”

Though his announcement had been abrupt, his reasoning was sound. The murmurs of protest gradually subsided as everyone accepted the idea.

Satisfied that there was no opposition, Yama-sensei pulled out a box with a hole in the top.

“Alright, it’s time for the fun part—drawing lots. I’ll call your names one by one, so come up and pick a slip. Afterward, match the number on the slip with the seating chart to find your new spot. Got it?”

We began drawing lots in order.

When it was my turn, I reached into the box and drew a slip with the number “28” written on it. Checking the seating chart, I saw that seat 28 was by the window in the very last row.

“Wow, it’s the classic protagonist’s seat,” I chuckled, unable to help myself.

Just then, Shuuji came over to me.

“What seat did you get, Tetsu?”
“28. By the window, last row.”
“That’s like the protagonist’s seat in a manga!”
“Right? I thought so too.”

We both found it amusing and laughed together.

“Got it. Seat 28. Seat 28, huh.”
“Yeah, that’s right… but why do you keep repeating it? Are you trying to memorize it or something?”
“Nah, no deep reason. Anyway, I’m off.”
“Alright, see you.”

I watched Shuuji walk away, a subtle sense of unease lingering in my mind.

On my way back to my seat, Shuuji suddenly stopped in his tracks and turned around.

“You’ve got the protagonist’s seat now. Maybe you’ll get a rom-com moment or two.”

“No way. Stuff like that doesn’t happen so easily.”

“Well, who knows? There’s no harm in hoping for it, is there?”

Leaving me with those cryptic words, Shuuji finally departed for real this time.

Once everyone finished drawing their lots, the seat rearrangement officially began.

“Alright, here we go,” I muttered, carrying my desk over to the last row by the window. Setting it down, I let out a small sigh of relief.

“Looks like I’ll be sitting next to you, Tetsu-kun,” came a familiar voice from my right.

“Huh?”

I turned toward the source, only to find Ayame standing there with a cheerful smile. My brain briefly short-circuited.

“Wait… Ayame, you’re sitting next to me?”

“Yes. Please take good care of me,” she replied with a polite nod.

“O-Oh, yeah. Same to you,” I stammered, instinctively nodding back.

With a satisfied smile, Ayame sat at her desk, radiating happiness.

Meanwhile, I stood there, frozen in surprise.

This was unexpected. Lately, I’ve been spending more time with Ayame, but I never imagined we’d end up as seatmates, too.

At this point, it feels almost too coincidental. It makes you wonder if there’s something deliberate going on.

Frowning in suspicion, I let out a wry smile.

No, I’m overthinking it. There’s no way the teacher rigged the lottery or anything like that.

Dismissing my ridiculous thought with a laugh, I finally sat down at my new seat.

The first period was math.

I pulled out my notebook, textbook, and pencil case from my desk, preparing for class.

“Tetsu-kun, can I ask you something?”

As I was getting ready, Ayame called out to me. She looked troubled, her eyebrows knit in worry.

“What’s wrong?”

“I think I forgot my textbook…”

“Huh?”

Her words took me by surprise.

“Ayame, you’re such a top student—I didn’t think you ever forgot anything.”

“I’m only human, Tetsu-kun. I make mistakes, too,” she said, a soft, self-deprecating smile on her lips.

“So, um, if it’s not too much trouble, could I share your textbook?”

“Of course. That’s no problem at all.”

“Thank you so much!”

Ayame’s face lit up, and she scooted her desk right next to mine without hesitation.

The math teacher entered the room, and class began.

I opened my textbook, angling it so both of us could see. That’s when Ayame leaned in close.

Our shoulders brushed together, and the silky strands of her chestnut hair tickled my arm. My heart skipped a beat.

Unable to bear the proximity, I turned to her.

“Uh, isn’t this a little too close? Couldn’t you move back just a bit?”

“Sorry, but I can’t see the textbook very well otherwise. Am I bothering you?”

“N-No, it’s not that!”

“Then… could we stay like this?”

“Uh… yeah, I guess that’s fine. It’s hard for you to see, after all.”

“Thank you, Tetsu-kun. You’re so kind,” she said with a gentle smile.

Her warm smile and kind words made my heart pound even faster.

Feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, I turned my face away, hoping she wouldn’t notice my flustered state.

I fixed my gaze out the window, watching the fresh leaves sway in the May breeze, and let out a small sigh.

Being around Ayame always threw me off balance. Borrowing Shuuji’s words, it really did feel like something out of a romantic comedy.

As that thought crossed my mind, a scene from AmaNyan surfaced in my memory.