The first half of the classes came to an end, and the students were heading out for lunch. However, Miyano couldn't leave his seat, surrounded not just by girls, but boys too, all eager to know more about him.
"So, you're from abroad? But you have a Japanese name, so... are you Japanese?" one of the girls asked curiously.
"He doesn't even look like he's from here," another one chimed in.
"My father is from England and my mother is japanese . I hope that clears things up," Miyano replied with a calm smile.
"Wow! That's awesome!" said Kino, a tall boy with messy hair. "You look so cool, I thought you were a celebrity."
The girls around him giggled and admired him.
"You're really cute and handsome," one of them added.
Though Miyano was chatting with them, his eyes drifted toward Kiyato. He watched as Kiyato stood up to leave for lunch.
"Kiyato, can you lend me the notes?" Miyano suddenly asked.
Kiyato turned slightly, his expression neutral. "Sorry, I forgot about that. I'll give them to you after class." With that, he left.
"His attitude's like that, but he's a good guy. He's popular, so people like to hang around him," said Aio, a girl with short hair and big eyes.
"From now on, you'll be famous too!" she added with a grin.
"Oh, thanks, but I'm not really a fan of popularity. I usually get attention wherever I go."
"Would you join us for lunch then?" Aio offered.
"No thanks, I'm good."
"Oof, rude!" Kino teased, making a sad face.
"It's fine, we'll hang out next time," Aio said, pulling Kino along as the others followed.
Miyano gazed out the window, lost in thought.
"You didn't eat lunch?" a voice suddenly interrupted.
Miyano turned, recognizing the voice immediately. Kiyato stood there, his face expressionless.
"No, I wasn't hungry," Miyano replied with a small smile.
Kiyato, unsure how to respond, quietly returned to his seat. But Miyano wasn't done.
"So, you're really going to pretend you don't know me?" Miyano asked, walking closer. "Or do you actually not remember me, Kiyato?"
Miyano now stood directly in front of him. Kiyato stared at him, guilt evident in his eyes. "I..."
"Hii guys! Wow, you're back already? I really don't want to go to the next lecture; I'm so tired. I'm going to sleep!" Kino interrupted, bursting into the classroom. The others soon followed, and Miyano silently went back to his seat behind Kiyato.
Later, the teacher arrived, starting the next lesson. Yua, the girl sitting next to Miyano, raised her hand and called out to Kiyato. "Can I borrow a pencil? I forgot mine."
Without a word, Kiyato handed her a pencil. Yua blushed as she took it.
"If you need anything, feel free to ask me," Miyano offered, smiling.
Yua shook her head shyly.
After hours
"Alright, class dismissed. Be sure to finish your assignments. See you tomorrow," the teacher announced, closing the lesson.
As the students packed up, they waved goodbye to Miyano. "See you tomorrow!"
"Bye," Miyano responded, before calling out, "Kiyato."
"Yes?"
"Do you live in the dormitory?"
"Yeah," Kiyato replied.
"Okay, let's walk together."
"You live in the dorm too?"
"No, I have an apartment outside campus."
"Oh, I see."
They walked in silence for a moment before Miyano broke it. "You're still the same—quiet, but popular."
Kiyato glanced at him. "Not as popular as you. You haven't changed either."
"So, you do remember me."
Kiyato hesitated. "I thought you might hate me... that's why I didn't say anything."
"Hate you? Why would I hate you?" Miyano asked, laughing.
"Because... your girlfriend broke up with you because of me."
Miyano laughed even harder. "That was ages ago! Why would I still hate you for something like that?"
"But everyone talked badly about me after. I never liked her, and I didn't think she'd break up with you for me."
"Kiyato, it wasn't your fault. I didn't even like her that much. She begged me to date her, and since no other girls asked me out, I thought, 'Why not?' But honestly, it was a waste of time."
Miyano hesitated before asking, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure." Kiyato replied
"Why didn't you ever date anyone, even though you had so many fangirls?"
"How do you know I never had a girlfriend?"
"Everyone knew. You were also popular."
"I just wasn't interested in relationships, and I'm still not."
They reached the dormitory entrance. "This is my stop. See you tomorrow."
"Alright, see you."
As Kiyato walked away, Miyano thought to himself, Kiyato, I never hated you. How could you even think that?