Chapter 10

The classroom was in an uproar.

Nikaido Haruki was the unattainable flower, and her every move was the focus of everyone's attention.

Haruki herself had always acted in a way that she should, and she understood her value well.

For her to approach a boy without any particular reason—this alone was enough to spark various speculations among those around her, making it a special event.

"Nikaido is talking to the transfer student?"

"Could it be that he's her type...?"

"No, there must be some business with the transfer student. I hope so!"

Whispers and glances filled with interest and envy came from all around.

She was already the center of attention. It was impossible to pretend nothing had happened.

Both Hayato and Haruki understood this, whether they liked it or not.

"Um, that, that thing, that thing."

"H-Haruki..."

Despite this, Haruki continued to repeat "that thing" with a cool expression, as if it were the only thing to say.

However, from the outside, it seemed as if Hayato was being blamed for not understanding.

But Hayato knew that she was just realizing her mistake and trying to cover it up.

(Come to think of it...)

He recalled a past event.

When they were children, Haruki had climbed the wooden fence separating the pasture from the field and it suddenly broke.

Thanks to the nearby adults who were working, the sheep didn't escape, and everything was fine.

The fence was rotten, and Haruki was neither to blame nor injured, but she had thought she had caused the problem and kept repeating, "It's that, that, that thing..." just like now.

Despite her composed face, Hayato saw that Haruki was reacting exactly the same way she did back then, even with the same pleading eyes.

(Really...)

Hayato suppressed a bubbling laugh and carefully chose his words.

"Ah, that thing. The one I was asked about this morning in the flower bed."

"Ah! Yes, that's it. I wanted to get it done early... Is it okay now?"

"Sure."

"Ah, and please take my bag too."

"Sure thing."

It was an impromptu ad-lib.

But this way, he successfully changed the situation to make it seem like she was rushing him to get something done quickly.

The surrounding atmosphere relaxed with a sense of relief, and people lost interest.

Haruki visibly sighed in relief and quickly left the classroom, as if to cover up the situation. Hayato sighed and shook his head, and Mori, who was grinning, spoke to him.

"Lucky you, transfer student."

"Haha, shut up."

◇◇◇

The place Haruki led him to was a small, empty room in the old school building.

It was about a quarter the size of a classroom, long and narrow with a wooden floor, and it had a worn, historical feel.

However, the floor was spotless, showing signs of careful maintenance.

"Where is this?"

"A secret base. This area is only used for storing materials, so no one comes here."

"A base with nothing in it?"

"Hehe, you're right. I'll bring something next time. It also serves as a shelter."

"A shelter, huh."

Without the prying eyes of others, Haruki reverted to her "boss" mode, just like in her room the other day.

She plopped down and sat cross-legged, not caring about her skirt. She seemed to hesitate for a moment but didn't take off her socks.

(This, I can't show to the class.)

Hayato pressed his temples and looked around.

A small, empty room with a wooden floor.

A lonely place for a secret base.

A shelter to escape the noise.

A bare room with only a window, devoid of any materials.

"What are we doing here?"

"I just found it. There's a key too?"

"Is that okay?"

"It's fine as long as no one finds out. Hayato, sit down?"

"Really..."

Hayato sat down in front of Haruki, mirroring her cross-legged position.

"So? What's the deal?"

"Um, well... how do I put it..."

Haruki hesitated, giving a hesitant response. She seemed to be struggling with something.

Earlier, Haruki had invited Hayato.

Despite her usual facade, it was a rash action. However, her eyes were filled with a strong desire, which left a lasting impression.

She must have something important to say.

"Will you laugh?"

"Depends."

"If you laugh, it's a favor."

"Ah."

Haruki's serious eyes met Hayato's.

Hayato turned to face her, ready to listen.

"Actually, I... my dream has always been to have lunch with a friend."

"......What?"

He couldn't help but let out a surprised and somewhat silly voice.

Misinterpreting his reaction as disbelief, Haruki raised her eyebrows in protest.

"Hey! It's really important to me! You see, because I'm like this... arguments always break out over who I eat with... so I've always been alone, and... well..."

"......"

Her voice trailed off at the end.

It was easy to imagine what Haruki meant.

The scene in the classroom earlier and this empty room called a shelter. She must have spent her lunchtimes alone in this room, which made his heart ache.

(Really...)

Hayato scratched his head to hide his pain and took out his lunch box from his bag.

"Is that so? Then your dream will come true every day from now on."

"Hayato..."

"Is that not what you want?"

"No, that's exactly what I want. Then this is a favor from me!"

"That's a cheap favor."

"Hehe, how about 10 lunches for one favor?"

"That would just pile up your favors... How about we meet here for lunch every day unless there's something else? What do you think?"

"Promise... right, a promise... Yes, a promise, Hayato!"

"Okay."

Haruki, who had been looking confused, suddenly broke into a childlike, innocent smile. Unable to contain her excitement, she leaned in so close that their foreheads almost touched.

(Too close!)

Haruki, a beautiful girl, was a fact that Hayato couldn't deny.

When such a girl showed a smile that no one else would ever see, and it was this close, it was natural to feel his heart race.

Hayato felt a bit frustrated that Haruki might realize his feelings.

"Back off."

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

So he pushed Haruki away a bit forcefully and extended his little finger, aware that it was a childish gesture.

"A promise, okay?"

"Okay, a promise. Hehe."

Interlocked little fingers. A small, secret promise. Laughter that escaped from both of them.

Another memory was born between the two, just like back then.