Later in the afternoon Hotaru called Yuqi and said, "How was your sweet walk home with your super handsome boy....friend".
"Shut up! He is my friend who is a boy! Nothing else. You would have known if it was something more.", Yuqi replied with annoyance.
"You were able to convince me but be prepared for all the rumors tomorrow. Bye bye and write one article for me as well. ", before Yuqi could reply, Hotaru hung up.
Yuqi knew that Hotaru was right and that there would definitely be rumors flying and that she had to face them.
--Next Morning--
"Good Morning Shimizu! Let's go!", Sosuke said energetically.
Yuqi sighed and said,"Dear Sosuke! Today, thanks to you, there will be many rumors about us that are not true. I would appreciate if you deny them."
"Of course I will deny them. You don't need to worry Yuqi. Now let's go, okay?",he replied.
The moment he firmly said he will deny them... it somehow made Yuqi upset. She felt rejected and indirectly being told that a guy like Sosuke was out of her league. Lost in her thoughts while walking she suddenly felt a stinging pain due to a pinch on the arm.
"Are you here or did you go on a trip somewhere?",he asked.
"Oh nothing just thinking about something!",she replied.
As they entered the class many of their classmates started teasing them and started whispering to each other. "We are just friends!! So I would like it if you understand that and keep your thoughts to yourself!", Sosuke said seriously and sat beside Yuqi.