While we're leaving the classroom earlier, everyone was in complete awe. Except for that bastard Haru who is nodding at me while holding his thick glasses… Now, what should I do with this?
"… Y-you know rumors would arise, right?" I glanced at Amano, who is walking a few inches beside me.
"I'm not particularly bothered by it"
"..."
This silence is killing me... But Amano doesn't seem to care, though.
"Why did you volunteer anyway?" I tried breaking the silence.
"Is that how your mother taught you how to thank people?"
"Don't get my mother involved in this."
"You could say that this is my way of thanking you, for returning the bracelet." Amano then looked at me with pitiful eyes. "Plus, nobody in that class wanted to come with you anyway. You should really be thanking me, Taneki-kun." She has this smug look on her face while saying all these complete nonsense. Also, who the hell is Taneki?
Ignoring that insult just now, Amano seemed to have lessened her guard a little around me. Though, my motive for going out is a lie, I guess I should still thank her for trying to help in her own way.
"Fine… thanks," I murmured.
"What's that? I didn't hear you." Amano pointed her index finger at her ear, and slightly leaned her head towards me.
"Come on, I know that you did."
"Say it louder." Amano's voice was ice cold.
"T-thank you!" My survival instincts reacted. "There, are you satisfied now?"
"You're welcome," she smiled.
Is it just me? Or Amano's been smiling a lot lately. By any chance, is she actually getting comfortable with me now? Is this the chance to ask her to be my friend?? As if! I'm probably just imagining things…
I didn't notice that Amano was looking at me with suspicious eyes while I mulled over these stupid thoughts.
"Are you thinking of something stupid right now?"
"Definitely not…" I quickly averted my eyes and began whistling.
Amano rolled her eyes and continued walking.
I wonder what would Amano do if I told her that I'm really not sick? She'll probably hit me with a meter stick that'll come out of nowhere. Worst possible scenario; she'll hate me. I don't want that to happen, though… Wait?! Isn't this the perfect opportunity to ask about Haru?! That's right! The odds are with me today, I'll ask her when we reach the infirmary.
Every classroom we passed by has all the student's eyes, glued on Amano. Her presence is really out of this world. A lot of the students would occasionally look at me, with eyes full of jealousy and anger. All I could do was man up and look forward. Amano would also occasionally check on me. I guess she could somewhat sense what I'm feeling.
After making it in front of the infirmary, Amano knocked on the door. We waited for an answer, but no response came whatsoever. The door isn't locked, so we just barged in.
There were numerous medicines inside, placed in small baskets. There is a bed on the right side, covered with a curtain. The teacher's desk is in front of the window, right beside the singular bed. No teacher or school nurse can be seen, though.
Should I ask Amano about Haru now? Amano is standing beside me, scanning the place.
"I'll be going now," she turned towards the door.
"W-wait, Amano-san."
Amano glanced at me. "What?"
"Do you happen to know someone named Haru?"
"Haru…?" she pressed her finger on her chin. Somehow, she looks adorable. She's so cute I could die.
"Takahashi," I followed up. Haru is a pretty common name, after all.
"Oh, Takahashi-kun. Yes, I know him. Why?"
Haru's not lying, I can't believe it. I thought he was just making things up. For some reason, Haru's face popped up in my mind. He was looking at me with a shit-eating grin.
"Since when?"
"You didn't answer my question," Amano said.
"Uhh, he told me you were classmates in Middle School, I just want to know if it's true."
"Yeah, it's true. Anything else?"
How am I supposed to ask her about their connection? Maybe I'll just wait until the school ends to ask Haru about it.
"I'm all good, you can go now. Thanks."
Without giving any reply, Amano vanished. Only the sound of the door, closing, can be heard.
I walked towards the window behind the desk and opened it. Fresh air really is calming… I can see the school fence over here, along with the main highway. The road is pretty calm today… The chirping of birds really adds up to this relaxing atmosphere.
While I'm busy appreciating the scene in front of me, a voice rang out just outside the room.
"I already told you, I'm not interested in giving my contact to a delinquent like you." It was an oddly familiar voice.
"You surely think highly of yourself, huh? What about I give you a taste of reality?"
"What is a lowlife like you going to do? Steal my wallet? You seriously believe that you're something, huh? How pitiful." Just from those harsh words alone, I was a hundred percent sure that Amano is the one speaking. I feel bad for the guy.
"You–! Just because you're popular doesn't mean that I'll go easy on you."
"Go on, do something. I bet a child could hit harder than a puny rat like you."
This is not going to end well. I need to go out there.
"That's it!"
I hurriedly rushed outside.
The guy raised his fist and actually tried punching Amano. I quickly grabbed his arm before it reached her face. That's a natural treasure right there, I don't want it to be ruined.
Shocked, the guy withdrew his arms and glared at me.
"This doesn't concern you. Get lost!"
"Violence is not permitted in this school. Plus, you're about to hit a girl. Don't you have any shame?"
The guy was lost for words and was clearly embarrassed as he went running through the hallway like a seven-year-old.
"You shouldn't do reckless things like that." I glanced to Amano, who doesn't seem to be bothered.
"I was just stating the facts."
"What if he really hit you, though?"
"I can handle myself pretty well. In fact, if you hadn't stopped him, I'll put his back on the floor in roughly three seconds."
"That's kinda hard to believe, coming from someone about to block a punch using her face."
Amano glared at me.
"But you know, Taneki-kun."
It's Tanaka-- Actually, nevermind.
"What?"
"You looked so cool back then, I almost fell in love," Amano said with a wry smile and no sign of excitement in her voice at all.
"If I wasn't smart, I'll be taking those words to the roots of my heart."
"So, you're saying you're smart, Taneki-kun?"
"That's not what I meant…" I beat you on a test though…
"By the way, I thought you were sick? You look nothing like sick to me."
"Oh… about that… I took some medicine and I instantly felt better…"
"I see… That's perfectly believable," Amano said in a sarcastic tone. I didn't know she is capable of that.
"Come on, let's get back to class," I said.
"Huh? Oh, right." Amano proceeded to walk.
After arriving in class, it was already the last period. Gazes descended upon us while we make our way to both of our seats. I feel like the 'Amano worshipers' are already on my neck. Hopefully, that strange cult doesn't actually exist.
Upon reaching my seat, Haru was looking at me with a smile, saying 'good job'. It almost made me want to throw a notebook at his face. You still have some explaining to do, don't look at me like a proud dad. It's infuriating.
I glanced at Amano, who was already looking at me. She quickly averted her eyes, though. I wonder why.
Being the last period of the day, our teacher's dull, boring voice is enough to put everyone to sleep. Without that much energy, only a few students are paying attention. Not including me. I almost want to sleep, despite sleeping through the whole four periods.
After the class is over, I instantly went to Haru.
"Finally… so, what are you going to say earlier?"
"Oh, about that. Give me your contact information, I'll tell you later on the phone."
Say what now? You made me wait two hours just to tell me that you'll tell it on the phone?!
"… Why can't you tell me now?" I tried to sound as polite as possible.
"I don't feel comfortable with this many people around."
But you're about to tell me earlier, though? Despite the same number of people. Are you in your right mind, Haru?
"Come on, Kenji-kun. Don't look at me like that," Haru probably noticed that I'm on the verge of smacking him.
I sighed. "Okay, here."