Honda Shuuya didn't take the event that happened yesterday to heart. She figured that maybe senpai¹senpai (先輩, "senior") and kōhai (後輩, "junior") represent an informal hierarchical interpersonal relationship found in organizations, associations, clubs, businesses, and schools. and his friends were just messing around that day, and she happened to be picked as one of the unlucky targets.

Honestly, she was a little disappointed. Do senpais play around with kouhais this much?

There were countless people who still asked about her relationship with the Maeda twin. At some point she began to tire out explaining, so she just shrugs in response, neither declining or agreeing.

Maeda didn't come interact with her the next day anyway. If he keeps this up, rumors about them would probably disappear soon.

The weekend passed, and it was Monday.

The path to the schoolgate was flooded by fallen cherry blossoms. This usually signified a new beginning, since it was just the second week of school after all.

Should I turn over a new leaf and take studying seriously? Shuuya contemplated, but quickly dismissed the thought. She was still young at the moment, there's no need to rush.

She was surprised to see Maeda leaning on a post near the schoolgate. He was dressed neatly compared to other guys who just passed by her. It seems like he was waiting for someone.

It was the first time she saw him again ever since that day.

But of course, she pretended to not have seen him.

Or at least that was what she intended to do.

"Shuuya."

She almost tripped in surprise when someone called her by her first name.

Even her friends didn't call her that, who in the world dares to except for her parents?

She looks back and saw that it was Maeda.

He really has a thick face.

"Can I help you with anything?"

"There is nothing. Actually, can I help you with anything?"

"Pardon?"

But before she could even say anything, the prototype she was carrying in a box just now was snatched away by him.

"Be careful—!" She says in panic, as there was a fragile element in the prototype she made.

"Whoops, sorry," Maeda laughed apologetically. "I'll be careful now."

Early in the morning he was already giving her a headache. She couldn't help but sigh.

"Look, I appreciate your help, but as you can see it's light. I could carry it by myself alone."

"The hallway's packed, how can you squeeze through without damaging the inside?"

"..." Should she apologize for her height?

"Where's your classroom?" he began to walk, so she couldn't help but follow.

"1-1"

"I see,"

For this reason, students couldn't help but talk about how the new couple were showing off their love openly. Dare to show it on campus?

Shuuya wasn't an idiot, she knew they were being discussed, so she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. She slowed down to match Maeda's pace and whisper to him.

"Actually, there's no need for you to do this."

"Why not? We're friends."

"..." You were really serious back then?

When they reached her classroom, Yuma didn't stop there. He directly entered, and the students inside were shocked to see an upperclassman in their classroom, let alone in their building. Because of this, all eyes were once again on Shuuya.

"Where do you sit?" Yuma asks, as if he doesn't see how everyone was looking at him.

"...the farthest back, beside the window."

"We sit on the same seat. I also sit at the farthest back beside the window."

Why was he smiling? Shuuya doesn't find this fact amusing.

Once she settled down, she waits for Maeda to go. But then she finds that he was just silently standing in front of her desk, looming over her.

"...what?"

"Number."

"?"

"Your phone number."

"..."

This couldn't do. She was so embarrased by him she just wants him to leave immediately, so she gives it without much thought.

"Thank you," Maeda's face glowed.

So happy? Shuuya couldn't believe how he looked like he was given a ration of food after being deprived for so long.

Once he left, she was once again swarmed by her classmates.

"Did Maeda-senpai really carry your things to your seat?!"

"You say you're just friends, but you don't look like friends to me!"

"You two, you're actually dating aren't you?"

"Enough," she says loudly in distress. "You're all thinking too much. Can't friends carry things for their friends?"

"You two must be good friends then."

"..." She barely even knows him.

At this time, Yuma was surprised when he was blocked in the hallway by his twin brother and their friends.

"So it was that girl? Your girlfriend?"

Soma was bewildered knowing that Yuma really went and headed to school by himself an hour ealier than him without notice. He moved fast and also urged their friends to come to school early as well.

Fortunately, they were just in time and saw how Yuma waited for someone in front of the school gates and carried her box for her. They followed them and was even surprised at how Yuma even entered her classroom.

Yuma was unreadable at this moment. But he answered resolutely. "...not my girlfriend."

His friends collectively laughed.

"Come on, still dare to lie?"

"..." Yuma decided to walk pass.

"Hey, hey, hey! Isn't it just a girlfriend, what are you so shy about!" Shotaro called as they caught up to him.

"I already said that she's not my girlfriend."

"Actually, it makes sense. Or else why would he cry on that day?" Yuji states.

On the very day he confessed, Maeda Yuma cried in the classroom. It was the first time for anyone to see him cry this much, even Soma, his twin, haven't seen him cry like this ever since they were kids.

"Actually, what's exactly going on?" Soma drapes an arm across his brother's shoulders. "You haven't been telling us anything lately. It's driving me nuts!"

"...sorry." Yuma could only say.

But Soma doesn't give up. "Tell me, since when did you like that girl?"

"..."

"Still not answering? Okay, new question. Why are you still pestering her? Didn't she already turn you down?"

"I'm not pestering her, we're friends."

"Eh? Since when?" Everyone said simultaneously, but they were left unanswered as Yuma quickened his pace in order to get away.

"O-oi, slow down you punk!!"

*

What's his deal?

Shuuya couldn't help but wonder. Her simple and quiet life seemed to be threatened ever since his confession last week.

"Good work today,"

"Likewise,"

"Have a safe trip home,"

"You too,"

The students that were assigned to clean up today bid their goodbyes once they reached the schoolgate. Shuuya was one of them.

An hour of cleaning was really draining to the mind, body, and soul. She cleaned the windows and painted the old desks, she swore she'd need a serious healing right after.

Now where should I go? She was already listing a bunch of cafés in her head until someone nudged her side.

"Hey, isn't that Maeda-senpai?"

"What?"

She turned to look at the direction her classmate was pointing at, and saw the tall man standing at the side. It just so happened he raised his head and their eyes met.

"Shuuya!"

He looked so eager to meet her, everyone just had to leave to give them space.

"What are you doing?" Shuuya was shocked. Was he really waiting for her?

"I'm waiting for you."

And so you are. "Why?"

"I'll walk you home."

She was suddenly vigilant. "There is no need to."

"There is need to!" He holds up his phone that displayed an article about kidnappings. "The number of kidnapped girls in this city just increased! What if you're next?"

"You're thinking too much! And why do you care?!" Shuuya was starting to get annoyed at his persistence.

"You're my friend! Of course I'll worry!"

"Are you insane? We just met only recently!"

"That doesn't change the fact that we agreed to be friends on that day."

"Still, do you really think I'll let a stranger see where I live!?"

"Then at least let me walk you to your street!"

"And you thought I'll agree to that instead!?"

However, under his impregnable persistence, they could only comprimise to send her off two streets away from her house.