CH 1.3

"What video are you watching?"

"This is the latest popular comedian's video,"

Kana says and turns the screen of her smartphone toward me.

The person on the screen was a comedian I'd never seen before.

"Ah, I'm sorry, I don't know him......"

"Oh, no, you don't know him?"

"He's been on TV a lot lately."

They rolled their eyes and looked at me. I smiled at them in panic and said, "Haha, I haven't been able to watch much TV lately."

"Really? You're falling behind the times."

I nodded my head in agreement, "You're right, I should check it out. Thanks for telling me."

"Look at this. Isn't this one really funny?"

I answered, "Yes, it's very funny." However, the style of the comedian in the video was not very elegant, and I personally did not think I would like it very much.

But if it was popular, I had to know about it, and if I didn't watch new videos when they came out, I would be left out of the conversation.

"Oh, hey, I'm thirsty. Let's go buy some juice,"

Kana said, and Nanami and I nodded our heads at her words. I wasn't particularly thirsty, but this was more about socializing than rehydrating, so I couldn't and shouldn't say I wouldn't go.

On my way to the juice vending machine, I casually cast my eyes down the corridor and spotted a slender back walking with a large sports bag slung over his shoulder.

Immediately, my heart skips a beat.

"It's him," I muttered to myself.

I had gazed at his profile and back countless times. Whenever and wherever I find him, I subconsciously look for him, and when I do, I feel my heart beat wildly and uncontrollably.

While I was staring at him, forgetting to blink, he turned to the corner of the corridor. Beyond that is the student entrance.

To get to the vending machine, I would have to follow him.

I felt a bit nervous, but while I was wondering what to do, Kana and the others kept moving ahead of me, and I had no choice but to follow.

When I turned the corner, I saw him there.

There were several other students there, but my eyes were immediately drawn to him.

I consciously looked away so as not to see his profile as he was changing his shoes.

I bowed my head and headed at a quick pace to the doorway, wanting to leave as soon as possible.

At that moment, Nanami shouted, "Oh!"

I reflexively looked up and unintentionally followed her gaze.

"There's Kanata-kun."

Nanami said quietly.

I had been trying to keep him out of my sight, but in the end, I saw him clearly.

At that moment, I regretted it.

He was not alone. A small girl was standing next to him.

......Tohko is there too, isn't she?"

Kana muttered, almost whispering.

I couldn't say anything because my throat was tight, so I bit my lip.

The two of them are talking and smiling at each other in a friendly manner.

She - Tohko - has been my best friend since elementary school.

And he - Kanata-kun - is my favorite person.

They have been dating for a while now.

"......Oh, I just remembered I forgot something."

A makeshift lie burst from my lips.

But before I could turn on my heel, Kana took my arm and strode forward.

"I'm not sure why Haruka needs to be so careful. I'm going."

I was neither able to confirm nor deny, so I was dragged along.

"Tohko, you look so lovey-dovey today."

Kana's red-lipped lips formed a smile as she passed by and called out to Tohko's back.

Shaking her shoulders, Tohko turns around.

Our eyes meet.

She twisted her face awkwardly and turned her head down.

I hurriedly called her, "Tohko."

She looked at me with eyes that looked as if she was about to cry.

I didn't want to see her face like that, so I tried my best to keep my voice clear and cheerful, "Did you give that to Kanata-kun?"

Kanata-kun looked a little troubled as he looked at us, but then he turned his attention back to me.

I turn my face away a little to mend my expression so that he doesn't realize how startled I am.

"What's that?"

He tilted his head slightly and asked a question in a tone that did not seem to be directed at either me or Tohko.

I smiled at Tohko and answered, "Tohko, you made muffins in the cooking class today, didn't you? Haven't you given them to him yet?"

I chuckled and put my hand on her shoulder, and she smiled with a tearful look on her face.

"...Yeah. I'll give it to him now. Thank you, Haruka."

"Really? Come on!"

I waved to her with a smile, and, turning my head away from her, I left them.