"Hey, I'm just curious, but are you and Rokka dating?" asked Rokka's classmate with a hint of excitement in their voice.
As Rokka's classmates bombarded me with their questions, I couldn't help but feel a slight panic rising within me. "Hahaha, what a funny thing to say, juniors..." I chuckled nervously, taking a small step back.
"But seriously, senpai, are you and Rokka dating?" one of the classmates persisted, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
I scratched the back of my head, trying to find the right words to defuse the situation. "Come on, guys, let's not tease her too much," I said, attempting to change the subject.
"But it's true! You two look good together," another classmate chimed in. "And you even go as far as bringing her lunchbox!"
Before I could respond, I was cut off again. "Yeah, isn't that something a boyfriend would do for his girlfriend?" the classmates teased, nudging each other with playful grins.
I sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of their assumptions pressing down on me. How did things escalate to this point?
Flashback to four hours ago, during Rokka's visit to CirCLE:
Rokka entered the CirCLE, her expression bright with excitement as she discussed plans for a live performance with Marina and me.
"Oh? So Raise a Suilen finally decided to perform here?" Marina remarked, her eyes lighting up with interest.
"Yeah, CHU²-san thought it would be a good idea," Rokka replied with a smile, her enthusiasm infectious.
Marina nodded in agreement. "That sounds fantastic! We'd love to have you perform here."
"Yeah, it'll be great to see you on stage!" I added, feeling genuinely excited for Rokka.
"I was wondering about LiveHouse Galaxy. Don't RAS always perform there?"
"Ahaha~ Well, it was CHU²-san's decision, and I don't mind performing here."
Marina nodded in agreement, her smile warm and genuine. "That'll be great, really!"
"Yeah! I'm really excited to play!" Rokka exclaimed, her energy infectious.
Amidst their conversation, I couldn't help but interject with a note of concern. "By the way, to come here early at the livehouse, are you sure you're not going to be late?" I asked, setting the broom aside as I joined the discussion.
Rokka's expression shifted to one of realization, and she glanced at the time with a start. "Oh! You're right! I gotta go now! Thank you, Marina-san, Nakasone-san," she said hastily, bowing to both of us before rushing out of the livehouse.
Marina and I exchanged a glance.
"Asahi-san is a good girl, huh."
"Mhm~ She is," Marina agreed, nodding in affirmation as she resumed her tasks.
"Oh well, I guess it's time to clean up," I shrugged. After a few minutes, however...
As soon as the woman walked in, I was taken aback by her youthful appearance. Though she carried herself with the poise of a mature individual, there was a certain vibrancy about her that suggested a much younger age."Uhm, Is this CirCLE Livehouse?" The woman asked.
"Huh? Yes... Who might you be?"
"Uhm... I'm Asahi Rokka's sister," she explained, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Asahi-san's sister?"
"Yes, I'm here to give her this..." She held up a packed lunch, her expression fraught with concern. "Is she here?"
"Oh, uhh, she was here a few minutes ago..."
"Argh... I see, I'm going to be late for my flight..." Her distress was palpable as she fretted over her impending departure.
"U-Uh... Sorry, but is there a way that I can help you?"
As she approached me, I could see the gratitude in her eyes. She clasped both of my hands and said, "You seem to know my little sister. Please, give this to her." Suddenly, she thrust a lunchbox into my hands before darting out of the livehouse. As she hurried away, she called out "Thank you!"
"Wait! HUH!?"
What kind of sister are you suddenly trusting a person based on my looks!?
Argh, whatever, I'll do it anyway since I offered it.
As I approached Marina, I couldn't help but feel impressed by her dedication to fixing the speakers on stage.
But why is she fixing that speaker?
"Marina-san," I called out, causing her to jump in surprise and turn towards me.
"Eek! Part-timer-kun?! Don't scare me like that... Geez," she chided, slightly flustered.
"Sorry... Why are you fixing the speakers?"
"Oh? Hahaha~ Well... We can't just hire a mechanic, so I'm fixing it."
"Eh? I can fix that, you know?"
"Really!?"
"Yeah."
"Ohh! Good going, Part-timer-kun! Now, now, fix it!" Marina encouraged me, her enthusiasm palpable.
"There's one problem," I interjected, holding up the lunch box in my hand.
Marina tilted her head, "What is it?"
"I have to give this to Asahi-san."
"Eh? Where did that come from?" Marina's surprise mirrored my own.
"Errm... She said she was Asahi-san's sister."
"Rokka-chan's sister? Hmmm... That must be Nanami-chan," Marina mused, her brow furrowing slightly in thought.
"Nanami-chan?"
"Yeah~ Nanami-chan is a college student and the daughter of the owner of the Asahi Bathhouse. She went to study overseas. Do you remember when you asked me out on a date, and I mentioned having a friend who invited me? That's her."
"Oh... So she's the culprit."
"Ahahaha~ Anyway, she must be heading back overseas," Marina remarked, shrugging.
"Overseas, huh..."
"Anyway, she wants you to give that lunch box to Rokka-chan, right?"
I nodded.
"Alright, then... You may go, but please come back early. Rokka-chan is studying at Haneoka High School."
Wait a minute... I suddenly had a bad feeling about this... What's this chills running down my spine?
"Ahh, got it."
"Have a safe trip~"
"I will," I assured her before heading off on my errand.
As the school was just a few clicks away, I confidently chose to walk there.
But seriously... Haneoka High School is an all-girls school.
If I remember their school uniform is a gray winter uniform with a pleated skirt. But again, I noticed the students' summer uniform, they should be wearing a summer-style school uniform with a beige color palette. And a knitted vest. But right now... They should be wearing winter uniforms since it's still January 24. <--- (Don't ask why he knows that lmao)
Valentine's Day is almost coming up too.
Standing in front of the school gate, I couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty creeping over me. As a boy, stepping into an all-girls school felt somewhat unusual.
I couldn't help but wonder if my presence would be perceived as odd or out of place.
I took a moment to gather my thoughts, reminding myself that I was simply delivering a lunch box to Asahi-san.
It shouldn't be a big deal, right? After all, I wasn't here to cause any trouble. With a deep breath, I pushed aside my concerns and resolved to carry out my task regardless of any lingering doubts.
Oh wait... Now that I think about it, where is her classroom?" I muttered to myself, feeling a pang of uncertainty.
Suddenly, a voice called out to me, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Hey! You!"
I turned to see a familiar face rushing toward me. "Imai-san!"
"Heya~ I knew it was you, Nakasone-kun. It's been a while," Imai-san greeted me with a warm smile.
"Yeah, it has. How are you guys and Roselia?"
"Oh, we're doing great! Just been busy with band practice and gigs as usual."
I see...
...Wait a minute... Isn't this my chance to ask where Asahi-san's classroom is?
"By the way, do you know where Rokka-chan's classroom is?"
"Rokka? Why?" Imai-san's curiosity was piqued as she noticed the lunch box I was holding, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
"Heh, just delivering this to her."
"Hmmm?~ What's the real story here?" She teased, her smirk growing wider.
I chuckled nervously, "Nothing much... We're just friends, I guess."
"Friends, huh? Fine, fine, I'm done teasing. She's in 2-A Classroom. You'll probably find Ako there too."
"Great, thanks!"
"Wait! Let me come with you!" Imai-san interjected suddenly.
"Hm? Why?"
"Because it'll be weird if there's a boy in an all-girls high school, right? I'll follow you so you won't get suspicious."
"Ahh! Good thinking, Imai-san!"
"No worries!" she said with a playful grin, her smirk still intact.
With Lisa leading the way, we finally reached the classroom.
"Here we are~" Lisa announced cheerfully.
"Thank you, Imai-san... I hope I'm not... intruding."
"Oh, no no, you're not," she assured me with a smile.
Relieved, I slowly slid the door open and peeked inside. "Uhm... Asahi-san...?"
Suddenly, all the girls turned their attention towards me, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"It's... It's... a boy!" one of them exclaimed, causing a flurry of excitement among the group.
Before I knew it, they were all crowding around me, bombarding me with questions.
"Eh?! Huh!?" I stammered, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden attention.
"What's your name?"
"You look older than us!? What's your year!?"
"What's your hobby?!"
"You look cute!! Are you single!?"
The questions came flying at me from all directions, leaving me at a loss for words.
"U-Uhm... I-Imai-san... Help...?" I called out desperately, but to my dismay, I realized that Lisa had disappeared, leaving me to fend for myself amidst the sea of curious girls.
TRAITOR!!!
"S-Senpai?" Rokka's voice broke through the chatter as she approached me.
"Asahi-san! You're here... Geez, here you go..." I handed her the lunch box.
"Huh? Is this my lunch box?" Rokka looked surprised.
"Yeah, I was asked to deliver it to you," I replied, feeling a bit awkward under the curious gazes of her classmates.
"T-Thank you..." Rokka said, taking the lunch box from me.
"You're welcome," I replied with a nervous smile.
"Hey, I'm just curious, but are you and Rokka dating?" asked one of Rokka's classmates, excitement evident in their voice.
I felt a flush of heat rise to my cheeks as I struggled to find the right words. "Hahaha, that's just a funny thought, guys," I laughed awkwardly, taking a small step back.
"But seriously, senpai, are you and Rokka dating?" another classmate persisted, their eyes gleaming with excitement.
Trying to diffuse the situation, I scratched the back of my head. "Come on, guys, let's not tease her too much," I said, attempting to change the subject.
"Guys! Enough now!" said another classmate, her voice ringing with authority.
Wait... She looks familiar... Is that... Kasumi? But something feels off... She has brown short hair but purple eyes. Are these two... siblings?
"Oh!? Senpai!? You're here!?" Ako chimed in, breaking the tension. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to deliver Asahi-san's lunchbox from her sister."
"Oh? Nanami-oneechan?" Rokka asked.
"Yeah, you left this on your home."
"I see... She must've been delayed from her flight because of me," Rokka mused.
"It's okay, maybe you should text her."
As the commotion settled down, a mature woman appeared, her stern gaze sweeping over the scene. "What's the commotion here? All of you get back to your classrooms!" she scolded the girls, who scattered back to their rooms. Then, her attention turned to me. "And you? I don't recognize you here. Are you trespassing?"
"Oh no! Uhh! I was simply giving my friend her lunchbox," I explained hastily.
"Is that so? If you're done, then go home."
"I will!" I replied, bowing respectfully before quickly making my exit.
Haahhh... That was nerve-wracking.
"Oh? Well done," Lisa said, appearing beside me with a smile.
I turned to her, returning the smile before delivering a light karate chop to her head.
"Ow? What was that for?"
"This is what you get for leaving me alone."
"Ehh? Why not? Aren't you having a good time as a harem protagonist?" Lisa smirked.
"Well... No."
"Pfft~ Lies~"
Just then, the bell chimed, signaling the end of the break.
"Oh? Looks like that's the time for me to get back to my classroom. See ya, Nakasone-kun~" Lisa waved as she walked away.
"Yeah," I replied, waving back before heading off in the opposite direction.
With that, I immediately rushed back to CirCLE Livehouse to continue my job, the events of the day still fresh in my mind. As I resumed my tasks, I couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected scenario I had just experienced.