While Mizuto wondered why this girl came to his class, Yume approached him and asked, "Do you know her, Mizuto?"
Not only Yume, but many also had such doubts, wondering who this girl was.
Still, after a moment of doubt, they thought that this girl was going to confess to him, like how many girls came to him during lunch to confess to him. When they thought of this, everyone returned to their own activity since they knew the result of this confession was only one, which was a failure.
Yume also thought so, but she could tell that this one was different from the rest since Mizuto knew the name of this girl.
"I saved her before."
"...save? Are you okay?" Yume quickly asked in worry since, in her mind, whenever Mizuto saved someone, it meant that he was in danger. Yet, she couldn't be blamed for his action of saving someone; his head was bleeding, and his foot was broken.
"I am alright. I just saved her from a guy who wanted to pick her up."
"Pick-up? The one that approached a woman on the street?"
"That one." Mizuto nodded. "Probably, she wanted to thank me or something." While he knew that Ran didn't come to him to thank him, it should probably be more or less the same. Nevertheless, to know why she came, he had to come to her. "I will talk with her first. Wait here."
"O-Okay..." Yume sighed helplessly. If a girl was saved during a crisis by a handsome and charming guy who exuded the aura of confidence that could act nonchalantly when they faced many dangerous things, how could they not fall?
Yet, unlike before, Yume was no longer a jealous type, and she had confidence in Mizuto. She didn't think that Ran's appearance could threaten her, especially when she was with Mizuto every day, making all the girls crazily jealous of her.
Still, this was the advantage of becoming his stepsister, and she was proud of it.
"Say, Yume."
"Hmm? What's wrong, Kanai-san?"
"Have you thought about what would happen if Irido-kun got a girlfriend?" Kanai suddenly asked an outrageous question when Mizuto left.
Yume looked at Kanai in doubt, wondering why this classmate of hers asked such a question, but she didn't think that Kanai would fall in love with Mizuto, considering how they often acted in tit-and-tat to each other.
Still, should she say what her relationship was with Mizuto?
Frankly, she wished to do this since no girls would approach him that way.
Nevertheless, she had to say that even though the status of the "step-sibling" made her able to get closer to Mizuto, it was also a hindrance for them since it was hard for them to announce their relationship.
While having a relationship with a stepsibling wasn't exactly taboo, considering many even married their first cousin in this country, some might think that this wasn't appropriate.
Moreover, they also didn't have the obligation to tell others everything, right?
These were probably the most profound words that she remembered from his mouth.
As they were in a relationship, there was a problem between the two. There was no need to involve others or let others dictate their relationship for them. After all, it was their own lives.
Yet, the words were painful things.
Could she handle the pressure of becoming his girlfriend?
She did.
She believed she could.
Yet, she was afraid that their relationship might change just because they announced their relationship. A change naturally would happen in the first place; when they dated each other for the first time, their relationship changed. Even in the future, she believed that their relationship slowly changed.
However, even so, she believed that she would still be with him.
Not only because she loved him, loved him so much, but he also loved her.
So, with that confidence, she didn't think that they should announce their relationship, especially when it was easier for them this way as there was no need for others to pry open their relationship.
"Well, it is okay, isn't it?"
Her answer exuded confidence as if she believed that Mizuto wouldn't go anywhere.
Yet, her answer made Kanai and Maki lower their heads slightly as if they thought of something.
"Oh, I see..."
Still, Yume didn't want them to talk about this conversation anymore, so she quickly changed the topic.
Meanwhile, Mizuto also faces Ran, who comes to his class. As expected, when he walked, many glanced at him, yet being handsome was like this. It was easy to become the center of everyone.
"Asuhain-san, do you need me for something?"
"Ah, Irido-kun, I am sorry for bothering you for lunch." Ran bowed her head and apologized as politely as ever.
"...."
Mizuto had to say this girl was as serious as ever. "I don't mind, but are you sure that you are okay?"
"Huh? Is there a problem with me?" Ran asked in confusion.
"Well, if you come to me like this, someone might mistake you for any other girl who came to me to confess," Mizuto said quietly so only Ran could hear him.
Ran was startled, blushed, and embarrassed as she lowered her head. 'I...' She had never thought of this before, or had she? Frankly, when she thought about how she sniffed at his handkerchief last time, she couldn't help but think that it smelled so wonderful that she wanted to sniff at it forever. She even felt reluctant to watch it, thinking that she should get a copy, and kept the real one in her house. Yet, she couldn't do so as it was hard to get the copy, and with her straight-laced nature, she didn't want to do anything so despicable.
Moreover—
'I don't mind...'
If Ran had said something in a mutter, Mizuto might have known something, but she was all silent, which made him feel strange. "Sorry, I might have said too much, but if you have a boyfriend, he might misunderstand you."
"I DON'T HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THAT!"
"....." Everyone.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and was stunned when Ran suddenly shouted.
"Ah-Ah..." Being watched by everyone, Ran quickly became panicked, but Mizuto quickly calmed her down. "It's okay. Everything is fine. You didn't say anything wrong. Calm down." So what if they were watched? He didn't care either way?
"I-I am sorry for causing you trouble, Irido-kun..." Ran felt like crying because he comforted her, yet she had to say that it felt nice.
"You don't cause me trouble."
Ran stared at Mizuto, who was still calm even if they were watching and felt something different somehow. "But... I don't have anyone like that. I don't have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, so it is fine."
What did you mean by "fine"?
Mizuto was speechless, thinking the problem of a handsome guy was like this.
He wouldn't be surprised if Ran had somehow fallen for him, but as expected, he had to refrain. He was afraid that if he got his hands on her, he might not be able to stop himself.
While Ran might not have realized it, she was charming, with petite stature yet ample breasts comparable to Reina's. Well, hers might be a little smaller, yet when they were put on her body, Mizuto had to say they were so impactful.
"Is that so?" Mizuto remained calm and asked, "So, do you need me for something, Asuhain-san?"
"Oh, right, this is your handkerchief. I had washed it before."
Yes, Ran had washed it cleanly since if she didn't, Mizuto might have noticed the drool on it.
"You don't have to be in a hurry, though, but thank you."
"No problem."
When Ran returned the handkerchief to him, their hands touched each other. It felt like a jolt of electricity on her body. She felt her entire body in goosebumps, feeling a sensation that she had never felt before that made her subconsciously trace her lithe fingers against his palm.
Mizuto was in silence, then looked at Ran, who was looking at him with a blush before he also smiled, causing her face to redden even further.
"Then, see you later, Asuhain-san."
"Ah, yes, see you later."
Reluctantly, Ran parted away, but as she walked back to her class, she looked at his back and saw him sitting on his seat with others once again, quietly staring at his figure for a while, but then she noticed that she wasn't the only one as there were many who had such a similar intention, especially the fair pink haired girl who attracted attention whenever she walked.
Her expression turned to grimace before she shook her head, thinking that she was dreaming, yet when she thought of his smile when her fingers touched his palm, she was... wet.