Chapter 8

It felt as if the brain that had been melting since morning was regenerating rapidly.

My heart had been very agitated, but thanks to Shizuki's words, I felt a great sense of calm.

That's right... I had forgotten, but I became friends with this girl yesterday.

It wasn't that I had forgotten... but thinking about Azusa and the others had made it slip my mind.

When you're thinking about something bad, you usually can't come up with anything positive. Maybe I had been in such a state until just now.

"Ah, I'm not shy with strangers. If I were, I'd be like a homebody... Well, I don't get nervous when I'm with my family. I'm also fine when I'm alone with Nakayama-kun... but, I'm not used to being seen by others."

It seemed Shizuki was trying to argue, whispering in my ear. I felt bad for her effort, but no matter how much she tried to justify it, she still looked like someone who was shy with strangers.

Not just like a homebody... I think she probably is one.

Besides, from what I heard yesterday, she seems to have sharp senses. She has good hearing, right? That might be affecting her, making her very aware of other people's presence.

Just as I was thinking about this, it seemed that the group led by Ryūzaki, who had been making out outside the school building, had finally arrived at the classroom.

"Y-You've been touching my chest this whole time, haven't you?"

"I'm not touching it, I'm pressing it against you~"

"Well, Azusa-san's chest is so small, it doesn't even feel like it's touching. Mine is much bigger, you know?"

"Isn't it not about the size? The shape is important too~♪"

What on earth are they talking about... A wave of giggles spread, and everyone in the classroom turned to look at Ryūzaki and the others. But they didn't seem to notice the attention and continued to be affectionate.

"Hey, Ryūma-oniichan? Who's the best, tell me?"

"W-Who... How can I decide such a thing—"

Just then, Ryūzaki's gaze turned towards us. I think he was looking for Shizuki. He always follows her with his eyes.

And then Ryūzaki saw it.

The sight of my childhood friend, Shizuki Shihō, leaning close to my ear.

"!?"

Even though his conversation with Azusa and the others wasn't over, he immediately walked over to us.

His eyes were intense, glaring at me. His attitude was so overtly hostile that it left me confused.

"Hey, Shihō? Is something wrong? It's rare for you to be awake when you usually sleep all the time. If there's something, I'll help you."

He spoke with a mix of anxiety, anger, and panic.

In response to Ryūzaki's attitude, Shizuki... in an instant, the color drained from her face.

It seems she really doesn't get along with Ryūzaki.

Just being spoken to made the adorable face she had shown me just now turn cold.

"......Nothing"

And with just those words, she turned away.

She had returned to the quiet, icy Shizuki I always saw.

But the insensitive Ryūzaki couldn't understand Shizuki's feelings.

With his usual self-centered attitude, he tried to impose his one-sided kindness.

"There's no way nothing's wrong, right? It's rare for Shihō to talk to someone she doesn't know... Look, it's better to ask someone you know when you're in trouble, don't be shy."

Ryūzaki tried to touch Shizuki's shoulder in a familiar way.

But she took a step back, as if to hide behind me.

This naturally put me face to face with Ryūzaki.

"Um...? Sorry? It seems my childhood friend Shihō is causing trouble."

Ryūzaki tilted his head and looked at me.

"S-Sorry... I'm bad at remembering people's names. Uh, could you tell me your name?"

His face seemed to be saying, "Is this guy even in our class?"

Such an attitude made my heart feel dark and murky... It was almost like an illusion that overcame me—