With some time still left over for lunch, Komi introduced Akiyama to her friends.
Tadano Hitohito, Agari Himiko and Osana Najimi were sitting in a circle, talking about random stuff until Komi went up to them, their focus now shifted onto her and Akiyama standing behind.
Komi's new friends consisted of solely weirdos, as expected of Itan Private High, you could say.
Tadano Hitohito, the epitome of average-ness with an exceptional skill in reading moods.
Agari Himiko, the sweet girl with glasses and absolutely no self-confidence.
And, finally, Osana Najimi, everyone's gender-fluid childhood friend.
*Everyone, let me introduce you to my pen-pal Akiyama Shoji. He's the very first friend I've ever made. We've known each other, albeit just in text, for over seven years. I hope you all can get along with him.*, Komi wrote, scared, she didn't know what to do, if her new friends don't accept Akiyama.
Tadano, having complicated feelings, kept quiet.
Osana Najimi immediately jumped on, being everyone's childhood friend, they craved to become friends with Akiyama.
"'Sup, Akiyama, neeee… where are you from? Sapporo? Niigata? Nagaoya? Okayama? Why did you suddenly transfer? Where do you live?", the cheerful Najimi asked.
Akiyama, barraged with questions, answered them one by one. Not shying away, after all, these were Komi's friends. And anyone who is friends with the shy Komi can't possibly be a bad person, he thought.
"Eeehh, let me see. First, I'm from Nagaoka. Secondly, I transferred because of family reasons and lastly, I'm currently living in a flat not too far from school.", Akiyama responded.
By now, Komi was sitting in her seat again. The standing Akiyama wasn't quite sure if it's okay for him to just insert himself into their group. Having only associated with his aunt and Komi for the past seven-ish years made Akiyama kind of awkward at social interactions. Not as helpless as Komi, but still bad.
"May I sit down?", Akiyama asked the group.
"Why aren't you already?", Najimi stated as a matter of fact. In her book, Akiyama is already a friend.
"P-P-Please", the distressed Agari stuttered.
Tadano, silent, nodded.
Akiyama, now sitting, pulled out his lunch, a packed lunchbox from a convenience store, and unabashedly started eating away.
"Akiyama, what happened to your hand?", Najimi asked.
"Ahh, I cut myself while cooking.", Akiyama casually lied. Telling Komi the truth was one thing, but he couldn't just go ahead and rant to everyone he met how he was almost murdered.
Akiyama's standing in the school was already on weak-knees, making trouble for the school could potentially end in expulsion for him.
You may have asked yourself: How did Akiyama even manage to get in a private school if he has no money and his grandfather barely covers his rent?
Well, before sending Akiyama away, his grandfather did one last well-meant thing for him. That was contacting his old comrade-in-arms, who, nowadays, is the principal of Itan Private High. Asking him for a study place at Itan Private High. Unfortunately, as a student who isn't paying for tuition, he is rather considered a nuisance by the principal.
"Hmmm… Nee… Akiyama, do you have a girlfriend?", Najimi inquired. Truth be told, Najimi didn't believe what Akiyama said of his injury, how does one cut themselves while cooking so badly that you need to wrap your entire hand in bandages? But if Akiyama doesn't want to tell the whole story, so they left it at that, maybe if they got closer, they can ask again.
This question made Komi tense, her ears perking up. This miniscule movement didn't go unnoticed by Tadano, nor Najimi.
'As I thought…', Tadano thought, down heartened.
'Heee… So, that's what this is.', Najimi concluded. Being an expert at interpersonal relationships, they obviously picked up on Tadano's attempts at Komi in the past few months. 'So that's what it was, Komi is actually in love with Akiyama-kun, even though she herself doesn't seem to quite understand what these feelings are.'
"Ha? No, I don't have a girlfriend.", Akiyama brushed the question nonchalantly aside.
"Hmm, then how about going out with me? ~", Najimi suggested jokingly.
Hearing this, Komi's ears didn't just perk up, she looked like a frightened kitten as she glared at Najimi. She didn't know what it was, but something didn't sit quite right with her. The question tugged at her heart-strings.
Najimi was staring at Akiyama, with him staring back. Komi glared at Najimi, Tadano gazed at Komi and Agari was just sitting in a corner, muttering "Awawawawawa..." whilst biting on her fingernails.
"Obviously, it's just a joke ~ Hahahahaha", as Najimi said this, she averted her sight from Akiyama. Putting an end to the staring contest.
With the tense ambiance coming to a close, Agari calmed down and Komi stopped glaring at Najimi. Even if a little disappointed, in all actuality she wanted to hear Akiyama's response. 'Would he have rejected Najimi? Ahhh, what am I even thinking. It is none of my business who Akiyama goes out with…'.
"Jokes aside, I have someone I'm interested in.", Akiyama interluded. That someone being Komi.
This, this is what Komi subconsciously wanted to hear. Komi, although not knowing who Akiyama was interested in, started feeling weirdly elated, looking at the ground to hide the grin creeping up her face. Her thoughts going: 'Ehehehe'.
'Ooh? So, the feeling's mutual?', Najimi reasoned. 'This Akiyama is an interesting fella.'.
Agari, completely clueless about the situation, still sat aside. Waiting for something to come up in which she can actually participate.
Unfortunately, her entry will have to wait until a different time, with the school bell ringing, the students went back into their seats, preparing for the latter half of the day.