"Care to explain?"
Of course, the first thing that I would be doing in the morning is some kind of an interrogation. Come on, man, I didn't even get to place my bag yet.
After taking a seat, I took a deep breath and faced Haru, who was looking at me with a serious expression. "Okay, where should I start?"
"It would be appropriate to start from the very beginning, no?" Haru replied matter-of-factly.
"Right..."
I thought there was something specific he wanted to know. Judging by his text messages yesterday which I hadn't gotten to see until this morning. He said that after telling the teacher about my cold, Amano glared at him like he's a criminal. Then, when lunch break came, Amano told the teacher that she was sick, and secretly asked Haru about my address, I guess you could say that he was forced to give an answer. And that's how Amano figured out where I live.
"So this is what happened..." I explained the whole scene, starting from the 'lending the umbrella' to the 'falling asleep on the sofa' as detailed as possible, so he won't ask any more questions. Regarding the 'Amano visit' part, I told him that Amano just went and check if I was doing good because she somehow felt responsible. I kept it as vague as possible to avoid suspicions. Besides, I still get embarrassed when I remember the way I acted.
"I see..." Haru nodded as if he just understood something.
"Are you all good now?"
"You forgot something."
"And what could that be, I wonder?"
"I went to your house after school."
My eyes went wide after hearing Haru's reply. Amano already left by that time, right...? Right? I slept until dinner, so I actually have no idea.
"I rang the doorbell twice... Do you want to know who answered, Kenji-kun?"
Haru's intense tone made me gulp. I already knew what was coming.
"W-who could it be... ha-ha..." I scratched my head inadvertently.
"It was Amano-san," Haru paused. "Based on your explanation, Amano-san left after checking up on you, right?"
"Y-yeah... that's right."
"Do you wanna know what she said?"
"I don't know..."
"She said, 'Taneki-kun is fine now and is currently sleeping, I would appreciate it if you don't wake him up.'"
That does sound like something that Amano would say...
"Kenji-kun..."
"Fine, fine...," I sighed. "What I said isn't completely false, though."
Haru looked at me with a "hm?"
"Amano-san did check up on me and left, that much is true." That's right, I'm not lying when I said that. But, I am the one who asked her to stay...
"Then why is she there when I arrived?"
"I didn't exactly say how long she checked up on me..."
"Hmm... So, what are you trying to say?"
"She simply accompanied me until I fell asleep, but don't get the wrong idea. That's all there is to it, nothing more."
"Whoa, whoa, I'm not saying anything, you don't have to be so hostile."
Wait... he's right. Why am I being so defensive? It's not like I did anything wrong.
"I'm not. Just clearing things up."
"I don't see why she would stay there until school's over, though."
"Maybe she didn't want her parents to know? Of course, she's a top student, it would be bad if they found out that she skipped school, right?"
"That actually makes sense if you say it that way."
"So, are we okay now?"
"You sure that's all?"
"Yeah, yeah, that's all."
"Okay, if you say so." Haru turned his face towards the side, but I can see an impish grin form on his lips.
Well, as long as he doesn't get any funny ideas, I'm all good...
After a while, the class finally started and everything was going on as usual. Though, it seems to be much livelier today.
I had to copy notes from Haru because I had the privilege to stay at home yesterday. Luckily, he's not a lazy bastard. He actually cares about studying. To add to that, his handwriting is excellent and well organized.
On the other hand, Amano would occasionally glance at me, but when our gazes met, she would quickly avert her eyes. Can't blame her, though. I still wanna slap myself whenever I remember how I acted.
"Psst, Kenji-kun"
Haru was leaning toward me while trying to be as quiet as possible. Ugh, what does he want now?
"Pssst~"
"Don't be too loud, the teacher will hear you," I replied silent enough so that only Haru could hear.
"Did something happen after all?"
"And why is that?"
"Don't tell me you haven't noticed."
He must be talking about Amano. So, he noticed it too, huh?
"I told you, I'm asleep."
"Maybe you did something lewd while you're knocked out?" Haru cracked a provoking grin.
"You're lucky the teacher's present."
"So scary..." Haru said in a sarcastic tone.
"I'll talk to her later" Wow, the way that I said that actually sounds like we're close.
"I thought you said that it would be impossible?" Haru was looking at me with an infuriating smile. I almost wanna slap him.
"...What could you be talking about?"
"I asked you to be friends, but at this rate, you could even become lovers."
"Wha—?!"
My sudden rise in voice caught the attention of most of our classmates. Luckily, the teacher didn't seem to notice. This guy... what's he thinking spouting nonsense like that? I swear I'll beat you up.
"I thought we should keep our voice down?" Haru cracked a shit-eating grin.
All I could do in response was glare at him.
"Hey, Kenji-kun, your face is red."
"Shut up."
This bastard's really pushing it extra today. What's up with those nasty delusional things he's been spouting? Besides, there's no way in hell a thing like that would happen. I mean, Amano is a national treasure, she's an art that is meant only to be admired, our difference is like heaven and earth, way too far apart...it's foolish to even think about it.
When lunch break came, I waited for Amano to leave the room like she usually does. However, this time, she sure is taking her sweet time over there. I wonder if it's really okay for me to approach her? I mean, after what happened yesterday— the words that I said echoed in my mind, as clear as spring water. Someone, please kill me now.
"Now's your chance."
While I was busy trying to find ways to die on the spot, Haru's voice snapped me back to reality. He pointed at Amano who already set foot outside.
Oh crap, I almost forgot! "Don't start eating until I get back."
"Fine, fine... good luck, gentleman."
I quickly left the classroom, attracting as little attention as possible. I don't want any of these goons getting the wrong idea.
After reaching the hallway, I saw a familiar black hair dancing gracefully at every step. It turned a corner which seems to be the stairway that led to the 2nd floor. That must be Amano. I swiftly maneuver myself into the crowd, avoiding bumping into any of the students present in the area. It would be a pain in the ass if I got caught up in some kind of a delay. More importantly, why does Amano walk so fast?
I turned the same corner and quickly made my way upstairs. What came to view was a rather empty hallway. Less than ten people are roaming the area, and among them, was the one I was chasing. She was already at the end of the hallway, turning to the stairs that goes upwards. Once more, I quickly followed, easier this time because of the lesser population. Where is she planning to go, I wonder?
I managed to catch up as I'm now walking behind her, I'll say two meters apart. It seems like she's planning to go to the rooftop, which is forbidden if I remember correctly. There are only students walking in the hallway, good thing she's not looking back, if she does, I'll probably have no time to hide and the next scenario would be the end of me.
Amano stopped in front of the stairs. I managed to hide in a corner as she scans the whole area behind her. After making sure no one's looking, she quietly made her way up. As for me, I waited for a bit, making sure that no one also can see me, and then I followed.
If you'll look at a long distance, you wouldn't notice the slightly open door. Amano must've left it this way to avoid suspicions from the teachers and other staff. The sunlight outside creates a shadow large enough to cover any signs of the door being used. For some reason, standing in front of it is making my heart beat faster, it feels like I'm doing something I'm not supposed to. Which is technically correct.
I stood there for a while, thinking about whether I should enter or not. Maybe I should back out after all? The feelings of guilt are slowly overtaking my sense of action. My foot instinctively took a step back.
I've already come this far. It'll be a waste of effort if I go back now, and Haru would surely be upset. Right, I've made up my mind, no use chickening out.
I took a few deep breaths before gently putting my palm on the handle. We're just going to ask her, we're just going to ask her... I told myself repeatedly. Okay, three, two, one!
I pushed the door open, applying very little force. I was welcomed with a beautiful ebony hair, gently swaying in the wind, and a sweet familiar scent that instantly calmed my racing heartbeat. Standing in front of me was a national treasure—so far out of reach.
"Eh—!?"
Amano went one-eighty and gave me a face like she had just seen a ghost.
"T-Taneki-kun?!" Her face went completely red in an instant.