Chapter 35 - A Beautiful Sight

"You want us to teach you how to talk to other people?"

"Mm…"

"Well, I guess it is hard if you can't learn to socialize with others."

"I give Amane-kun more trouble than he deserves… He's always looking out for me even when he knows it might make him the target of the other boys' hatred… So, I want to change."

"As much as we want to help… I just don't know how to… It's not like we've done something like this before."

The point that Chihaya made was actually valid seeing as they have never done something like this before. Not to mention they don't really know her that well. As they sat there thinking of solutions, Azusa spoke up.

"How about this?"

""?""

"How about starting with having normal conversations in class and hanging out at school? That way, we can help you with your issue of talking to others. Start small before increasing the number."

"NAISU AZUSA!"

Chihaya burst out while getting up from her seat. The solution Azusa suggested not only helps with Mai's problems as well as Chihaya and Azusa's intentions of befriending Mai. Just as they reached that solution, they tried to get back on topic.

"Speaking of which, do we continue following Kei-chin or do we call it a day?" Chihaya brought up the question.

"As much as I would love to follow Kei-kun, the person is missing." Azusa pointed at Kei's table.

"Eh?!"

When Chihaya looked over at the table that Kei was sitting at, it was now empty and getting cleaned by the waitress. She looked around the restaurant to see that Kei was nowhere to be found now and that he was probably long gone.

"MOUUU!! Why didn't you say anything?!" Chihaya said while grabbing Azusa's shoulder and rocking her back and forth.

"But… you looked so happy when you were celebrating so I didn't say anything then…"

"When did he leave?!"

"I didn't see it either, but probably around the time we were chatting with Mai here."

"Uuuuuuuuh."

The three of them decided to call it a day and went their separate ways home after eating. When Mai reached the front door of her apartment, she took a glance over at Kei's door next to her apartment and wondered if he had already gone home or if he was somewhere else. When she unlocked her apartment door and was about to enter, she heard footsteps approaching her and looked to her right to find that Kei had just reached home holding a big bag of groceries.

"Kei-kun?"

"Mmm? Out for a stroll?"

"Oh…ah…umm… y-yeap! Well, it's getting late so don't let me bother you! Good night!"

"O-oh…"

Mai dashed into her apartment after she said that, leaving Kei slightly confused with her behaviour. Kei entered his apartment with the heavy bag of groceries that he decided to buy when he passed by the supermarket.

"I'm home…" Kei said as he stared into the empty hallway as usual.

"Haah…"

Kei decided to sort and put away the groceries before taking a bath and going to bed. As he lay there, many things clouded his mind.

"… How long more… do I have to suffer alone…?" Kei whispered very softly before closing his eyes and finally falling asleep.

***

Two days later, it was already Monday and Kei was having breakfast after his short jog as usual. Everything seemed normal for him today as he left the house to go to school. His morning walk to the school was nothing out of the ordinary as well, save for a few stares from the other girls on their way to their schools as well. This was also considered normal for Kei as well.

When he reached his classroom however, Kei heard unusual chatter from his classmates who were usually quiet in the mornings. When he opened the door and entered the classroom, he could finally piece together the puzzle of the chatters going on around him. When he took a look into his classroom, there stood Azusa and Chihaya standing in front of Mai talking to her. Although Mai was seemingly not speaking much due to the nature of her personality.

"Eh? Fujinomiya-san, Saki-san, and Chihiro-san together?"

"Do you think they're good friends?"

"Ah, the three class beauties together! This is such a beautiful sight!"

"Befriend one, befriend all! This is a juicy deal here!"

Kei couldn't help but overhear the chatter going on around him, and also couldn't help but be disgusted hearing the chatter especially from the side of the male classmates. Even though it is somewhat true that befriending one of them would automatically let them befriend all three of them as they would be let into the small circle, they are forgetting the fact that the circle consists of Chihaya, who is notorious for rejecting boys, and Azusa, who recently showed her scary side to Keigo.

Kei decided to ignore the chatters and also this event and started walking towards his table. He thought it would be good for Mai to start speaking with other people and also knew she would be fine with the two of them since he knew Azusa and Chihaya very well. When he sat down, two figures appeared in front of him. Looking up, he saw Azusa and Chihaya looking at them with mischievous looks and grins.

"Keiii-chiiinnn~ Wanna have lunch with us today?" Chihaya spoke up.

"We won't take a no for an answer! We are celebrating a new friendship after all!" Azusa piled on.

"I—"

"See you at lunch!" Azusa said, cutting Kei off and any chance he had to say no before walking away with Chihaya back to Mai's table.

When they were gone, Kei could do nothing but give himself a big facepalm. Around him were shocked girls who didn't know what just happened and very intense glares coming from the boys. After the moment of confusion among the classmates, Keigo started approaching Kei and putting his arm on his shoulder.

"Come, friend. I shall join you for lunch!"