"Are you sure you're not really friends with Amano-san?"
Haru over here has been asking me the same question for the past ten minutes now. Why is it so hard to believe that we're not? I mean, just because you talk to someone doesn't mean that you're friends.
"No, I told you right? I just returned her bracelet. That's it."
"But why do you have her bracelet?"
"I told you already... right?" I sighed.
Haru, who seemingly gave up, crossed his arms and pouted. What are you, a middle schooler??
Other than that, these pancakes are sooo good! I wish I could share Haru's lunch every single day. Wait, can I?
I cracked a cheesy smile and glanced at a pouting Haru.
"Hey Haru-kun, you won't mind if I sh--"
"Only if you'll be friends with Amano-san"
Haru who seemed to have read my mind quickly cut me mid-sentence. Why are you so obsessed with Amano and me being friends???
"T-that's impossible, you see."
"And why is that?" He sounds like he's not buying it.
"…Amano-san already has enough friends… yeah, that's why."
"Kenji-kun, for a person who once beat Amano-san in a test, you sure are dumb."
"H-Haru-kun? Have you come to hate this poor little man???" I grabbed his hands with both of mine and looked at him with teary eyes.
"Don't be so dramatic." He brushed off my hands. "What I'm trying to say is; there is no such thing as 'enough friends'. There is always room for expansion."
"Why do you suddenly sound like a wise man? Actually, stop spouting this nonsense. Why do you want me to be friends with Amano-san anyway?" I gave him a questioning look.
"Well, you see… Amano-san and I were classmates throughout the whole middle school. But I haven't seen her talk to a single guy with that much emotion. Not even the teachers." He's saying all of this with such serious eyes… However, I think you saw a different Amano earlier. What 'emotion' are you talking about? As far as I can tell, I don't remember blinking.
"I'm not implying that she needs to talk to one, no. Yet upon seeing you two earlier… I saw something in Amano-san that I have never seen before… So please Kenji-kun; at least try to become her friend. You'll never know if you won't try, right?"
What's up with this serious atmosphere...? Didn't you approach me because you find me cool? Come on now, I know I'm cool. But I didn't know that Haru and Amano went to the same middle school. Also, what is your relationship with her? Are you her father or something? Because you seriously talk like you are.
Kidding aside, I get where he's coming from… but Amano is perfectly fine the way she is right now. What I don't understand is… what's the source of all of this? It couldn't possibly be, just because they were classmates, right?
"Haru-kun, apart from being her middle school classmate? Is there any reason why you're being this persistent?" I tried asking him. "Because I just don't see the point. I mean… I'm not trying to be rude or anything. I just want to un--"
"Yeah, no need to tell me that. To answer your question though..."
"Okay class, lunch break is over, get back to your seats." Our fifth-period teacher came barging in before Haru could even finish his statement.
"I guess we'll have to discuss this later." Haru gave me a dry smile.
"… Okay…" I gave him a pat on the back and returned to my seat.
What was all that about? I think there's more to Haru and Amano… Siblings, maybe? No, that's impossible... or is it? Ahhh, this is messing with my mind… Why did that teacher come here anyway? Should've just slept.
While a current war is happening inside my mind. I unconsciously glanced towards Amano, who is paying attention to the nonsense our teacher was saying.
What could you be hiding, hmm...? I think the word 'hiding' sounded a bit intense.
Suddenly, I felt a sense of danger. Like a rabbit, hiding from an eagle, on a wide-open farm. Despite my chances being slim, I muster all my strength, running, hoping for a miracle hole to appear right in front of me. In other words, Amano is glaring at me with piercing eyes, those of a predator.
Did I stare for too long? Why does her 'stare sensing skill', seem to only work for me??? Do I look like such a threat to you…?
I attempted to brush it off with a wry smile, which seemed to work, as Amano rolled her eyes with disgust written all over her face. I guess you could say that 'I won the battle, but lost the war'… Actually, could you even say that? I don't know.
The class went on as usual. Most of my classmates are not paying any attention, especially those in the back… including me. This time, though, I have a reason not to pay attention to whatever the hell our teacher is blabbering about. This was partly her fault anyway. If she had come just a little later, she wouldn't have interrupted what Haru was about to say.
I lowered my head onto my desk and closed both of my eyes.
What could it be... This is really taking a toll on my mental stability… I scratched my head with frustration.
"Kenji-kun?" Our teacher called my name.
I instantly jerked my head.
Upon making eye contact with our teacher, I noticed that all eyes were on me… What are you looking at, ya fools? You're making me uncomfortable.
"Are you not feeling well?" Our teacher asked.
Perfect! I'll take this opportunity to go get some fresh air and clear my mind.
"Yes, sensei, can I go to the infirmary? I think I may be sick." I said all of these using a frail voice. Forgive me, teacher.
"Oh, is that so? Can you make it alone? I'll assign one of your classmates to accompany you."
"It's fine sensei. I am perfectly fine on my own—"
"I'll go with him."
I can see everyone's jaw drop at that moment. It was a cold voice yet, it was soft. Hell, even I was left standing in shock.
The one who volunteered to go with me was none other than the Ice Queen herself, Amano.
"Are you sure you don't mind Amano-san?" Our teacher looked at her.
"Yes."
"Okay, that's great then. You can go."
While I was still processing what just happened. My eyes found their way onto Amano's gaze.
"Let's go," she said in her usual cold voice.
"O-okay…"