The last couple of days, while the school hallways buzzed with gossip about me, my mind was elsewhere—fixated on the little club senpai runs with that girl who sports shoulder-length hair. Everyone's jaw dropped when a girl ditched the wildly popular manga club to join what many considered a sinking ship. Curiosity piqued, a part of me felt a slight relief hearing about their new recruit. They just need a couple more souls and an advisor to keep the club afloat.
"Gosh, don't be so loud, senpai. We're in the library," I whisper a giggle, offering a hand to help senpai up after his little tumble.
But he brushes me off with a frosty reply, "Tch, what do you want from me?"
"Heh, come on. You think I'm sketchy 'cause I'm dating Maki?"
The words just spill out, unfiltered, and the way his glare sharpens tells me I've struck a nerve. But seriously, what's it to him if I'm with Maki? Does he reckon I'm just another pawn in her game, here to screw with his life? Or maybe he's just over keeping ties with anyone linked to Maki. Could it be that the betrayal by his dad, marrying into her family so soon after Horie-san's death, left him this jaded?
Regardless, I can't fault him for being wary of me—I've danced into his world with an ulterior motive. Yet, despite my schemes, there's this pull to stand by him, stronger than any desire to unearth his secrets. This feeling… what is it?
"Hey, you listening?"
I snap back to the moment after getting so caught up in my thoughts that I nearly missed the irritated look on senpai's face, clueless about whatever he just spat out at me.
But luck's on my side when he goes on, his tone sharp, "Let me remind you— stay the hell away from me, or I'll rearrange your face for you."
Man, he's like a feisty stray cat, all hisses when you try to get cozy.
"Oh, right… about that painting…" I switch gears, dodging his threat as a new thought strikes me. I lean in a bit, drawing out a flicker of curiosity in his eyes. "That shrine you painted—it looks super familiar. Where is it?"
Senpai's frown shifts, not the guarded scowl he tossed my way over the painting before but a milder, intrigued one. There's something almost childlike in his expression now.
"Azabu-juban. That's where it is," he replies, his voice cold but the edges a bit softer, nothing like the harsh bite from before.
Oh, my… Why is it that every little expression he makes just pulls me in more?
But, wait! I remember tagging along with nee-san to that shrine, right after running an errand for mom at her customer's house. It was the first time I'd ever been there, and I was just a kid, so the details are kinda fuzzy, but I remember the shrine being tucked away behind a park full of reddish maple trees. Even nee-san only found out about it through friends when she was hunting for a lucky charm to ace her university entrance exams. And yes, the place was buzzing with a few cats that roamed around like they owned it, which kinda brought the old shrine to life.
An old shrine right smack in the middle of a swanky residential area—I wonder how senpai stumbled on it. Maybe he was also after some luck for entrance exam? Whatever it is, this could be a cool thing to chat about.
"I just remembered where that shrine is. My sister used to drag me there to get an amulet," I toss out, waiting for him to bite, but he just turns back to the bookshelf, his fingers trailing over the spines of the books.
But I'm not about to throw in the towel yet. He's tough to crack, but he hasn't walked away yet, which is a good sign.
I let out a laugh, trying to keep the vibe light. "Did you go there for a lucky charm too, senpai?"
Whoops, his fingers stop. Did I strike a nerve? But then… oh man, he couldn't have been going for good luck, could he? If he did, and then everything went south with Maki at the festival… where was the luck in that? Damn, should've thought before I spoke.
Gotta steer this back on track, Tetsurou!
As I'm mentally scrambling for a save, I notice the title of the book he's paused at—something about cat anatomy. Is this dude into cats or something? I can't say tell him that I'm a cat person… I mean, I love animals, got a shiba inu and all, but my cat knowledge? I don't even know the first thing about cat breeds or how to take care of them.
"Uhm… the cats at the shrine looked well taken care of, didn't they?" I blurt out, hoping this random comment might reel him in. "Someone must be looking after them well. I'm not much of a cat guy… but, I've always thought about getting a cat myself."
And there!
I'm not being delusional, but pretty sure I just caught a quick side glance from him. Is that a flicker of interest? Alright… keep rolling, Tetsurou, this might just be the break you need.