The hallways of our school are almost always covered with the glint of sunset. But today, a sea of clouds has covered the sky, making everything look darker than usual. It gives me a great urge to run back home because it feels like it's already night time, when it's really only fifteen minutes past school hours.
But despite the school bell having rung earlier, there are still some students loitering around here and there. Usually, they don't pay any attention to me and just continue on with what they're doing. But this time, I'm getting a lot of stares and mouths agape with awe. I could even hear whispers as I passed by.
"He's so handsome!"
"Do you think I should get his number?"
"He looks like a model!"
This must be what it feels like to be a popular guy in high school. Not that I'm suddenly craving for popularity. But it is nice to get to experience this feeling of superiority every once in a while.
Of course, it would have felt even better if these prolonged stares and comments were actually meant for me. In reality, they're directed towards Sakakibara Daiki, who is walking alongside me.
"Come to think of it, this is the first time we've actually spent time together. Right, Sugiyama-kun?"
Hearing Sakakibara Daiki say my name kinda gives me goosebumps. Like I'm not worthy of it or something.
"Y-yeah, I guess so."
"We should do this more often, then. I mean, we've been classmates for months now. And yet, this is the longest we've talked so far."
"Well, it's only natural… I mean, I'm not acquainted with you or any of your friends or friends of your friends. Being classmates is good enough, I think."
"Ahaha… I guess you're right about that."
Words trail off as an awkward silence ensues. I glance over at Sakakibara Daiki and notice his furrowed brows and awkward smile. See, this is what happens every time I speak my mind. It's going to be bad if Sakakibara Daiki is in a bad mood when we talk to Suzuki. I should try to salvage the situation.
"B-but it's not like I have anything to say or do that will interest you. So, it's not really much of a loss for you even if we had never talked for the entire year."
"That's… Actually kinda sad, don't you think?"
I don't know how to respond to that so I just stare awkwardly ahead. I don't understand what's so sad about what I said. In the first place, you wouldn't want an uninteresting guy to just start randomly talking to you, right? There's no point in conversing if you have absolutely no interest in what the other person has to say.
"Being classmates with someone for an entire year and not even bothering to talk to them… It doesn't sit right with me."
Sakakibara Daiki says this with the resolute expression of a proper main character. Honestly, I could see him starring in a live-action adaptation of some popular anime.
"How very noble of you then…"
"Ahaha! Nah, it's just my personal belief. Anyway, I meant it when I said we should hang out more often."
Sakakibara Daiki gives me a little tap on the shoulder. Gotta hand it to him, he really knows how to lessen the gap with someone. If this was with any other person, they would have instantly felt a connection with Sakakibara Daiki and become friends with him not long after. But I'm not any other person. I'm not so easily coerced into a pseudo friendship just like that.
Although I'd be lying if I said that little gesture of his didn't make me feel some butterflies in my stomach.
As we go down the stairs and onto the first floor, Sakakibara Daiki re-engages in conversation with me. Dude, it's fine. We can just walk there without either one of us uttering a single word.
"By the way, what exactly are we going to do once we meet with Suzuki-senpai?"
"Wait… You're kidding, right? Asamura didn't tell you anything?"
"Not really. She just told me to fill in for her and go with you to meet with Suzuki-senpai."
That girl… I can't believe she let Sakakibara Daiki loose on me without even giving him any idea of what we're supposed to do! I couldn't help but grunt in frustration. Sakakibara Daiki heard this and let out a slight laugh, making me feel even more vexed.
"Asuka can be a bit of a scatterbrain sometimes. I was surprised as well at first, since she's one of the smartest in our class and all."
"Yeah, well… I don't know her well enough to know all of that."
"Is that so? The way you talk with her made me think you two have been friends for a while."
"Well, we're not… She just started to randomly talk to me. But that's about it."
Sakakibara Daiki lets out another chuckle. As we step outside the school building, the sunset's orange glow manages to finally break through the curtain of clouds. The previously gloomy environment has now been blanketed by a huge wave of golden orange.
"Hey, Sugiyama-kun. I'll let you in on something about Asuka."
Sakakibara Daiki suddenly puts his arms around me and leans in close, like he's about to tell some top secret information. Does this guy not have any sense of personal space? Or is he just that friendly?
"Asuka isn't the most talkative person ever. So, the fact that she's even talking to you means she probably likes you."
I see. So that's how he sees things. Unfortunately for you, Sakakibara Daiki, I know the actual reason she's talking to me. It's because of Mr. Hirashi's bidding that Asamura even bothers to interact with me. Plus the whole thing with her keeping tabs on me so I don't blab about her counseling sessions.
"Well… What if someone was just telling her to go talk with me?"
"Hmm… If you put it that way, then it makes way more sense."
"What do you mean?"
Sakakibara Daiki pulls his arm back, finally releasing me from his clutches.
"Because Asuka always does what she's told."