Chapter 3

Translated by KaiesV Edited by KaiesV

「Hey, are you guys going out?」

Arakawa Sanae turned her lazy gaze on Saya with her cheekbones. Healthy tanned wheat-colored skin. She has short black hair that gives a fresh impression. The slightly boyish look of her hair is perfect for a track and field girl.

「I would love to, but Kisaragi-kun is…」

Saya looked sad and muttered in a downcast manner. This was seen by Kisaragi as extremely theatrical.

The place is 1st Year Class D’s Room at Keihoku Private Academy—— There was Kisaragi Haru, who had been quietly sorting through the printouts with the same blank expression on his face as before. On both side of him, two female students with very contrasting looks are conversing with each other as if flanking him. This strange situation. It all started with a comment from the homeroom teacher, Sugawara Mizuho.

After finishing Homeroom, Kisaragi was preparing to go home as usual. Then Sugawara ordered him to organize the printouts. Kisaragi, who was on day duty today, had no right of refusal, and his partner, Sanae, was naturally made to do the work.

Saya, on the other hand, was waiting for Kisaragi to leave the school with her, which was the current situation. In case someone’s wondering, two weeks had already passed since that day when Kisaragi and Saya had their first conversation. During that time, they were always alone together at lunch, and the same for leaving school, and from the side, they were like lovers.

「Hey, why don’t you go out with Saya when she’s trying so hard to get you?」

「It’s fine, Sanae… I’m happy enough as it is.」

Still downcast, Saya wore a melancholic expression on her face.

「As Kisaragi knows, Saya has a beautiful face, and although she looks skinny, she has very beautiful breasts. You can do whatever you want with it… and for a simple boy like you, it’s not every day you get a chance like this!」

Sanae tapped her desk loudly. The classroom instantly becomes quiet—— There was only the sound of mechanical print sorting, played by Kisaragi.

Forty-five sheets to go… It’s time to get it over with. Despite the intimidating Sanae, Kisaragi mindlessly immersed himself in his work.

「Wait, what are you waiting for? Hey, are you listening to me?」

「Kisaragi-kun, you know, you have a special ability to completely block out any conversation that doesn’t interest you. Isn’t that amazing?」

Saya smiled at him like a child bragging about a newly purchased toy.

「Then, for now, put your special ability to rest and listen to me carefully!」

What a stupid loud voice… Kisaragi couldn’t help but let out a sigh at the sheer persistence of the situation.

「What do you want to talk?」

「So it’s about Saya. Alright? I’ll say it again! A girl with such high specs is asking you, a mayfly, to “go out” with her, so go ahead and do so without questioning her.」

「The mayfly… that’s an antligid when it’s a larva. Did you know that?」

After taking a break from organizing the printouts, Kisaragi slowly adjusted his gaze to Sanae.

「I didn’t know that, but…」

「The ant lion larvae, however, prey not only on ants, but also on other insects, such as sludge worms. By the way, adult mayflies have degenerated mouthparts, so they only eat water.」

「Heh, is that so… And what does that have to do with what I’m talking about?」

「No, nothing at all.」

Kisaragi returns his gaze to the print and begins to mechanically move his rested hand again. Seeing him like this, Sanae quietly opened her mouth, wrinkling her brow.

「…Are you poking fun at me, by any chance?」

「No, there’s no way. But even I have my likes and dislikes, just as the larvae of the mayfly prefer non-ant insects.」

「…Then what’s your type?」

「For the moment, I like those who doesn’t lie.」

「Ahh, I see. Well, Saya is no good then.」

Sanae nodded broadly with her arms folded, as if she was satisfied.

「Right?」

「Hey, what are you two talking about in the middle of all this?」

Saya wrinkled her brow and glared at them alternately.

「Because it’s true. To be honest, if they knew your true nature, all the guys in this school would be turned off by you.」

That’s on point. If someone ask her, this loud-voiced woman and the iron-masked woman have known each other since kindergarten. Therefore, of course, she knew her true nature.

「Leave it!」

「Well, let’s put aside your true nature for the moment… Why Kisaragi of all people? I hate to say it, but there are plenty of better ones around.」

「For example?」

「The other day you dumped him in two weeks ago, Suzuki-senpai, a senior member of the soccer club. He has a good face, an all-around athlete… honestly, I think he’s a hell of a lot better than the humble Kisaragi, don’t you think?」

「What are you talking about? He just had a face, it’s totally useless!」

Saya waved her hand fluttering in front of her face, wrinkling her brow. Then Sanae opened her mouth as if she remembered something.

「Ah, speaking of Suzuki-senpai, I hear he’s been talking shit about you lately.」

「Hmm, what?」

While playing with the ends of her hair, Saya tilted her head slightly, uninterested.

「He said you’re a slut and all kinds of other things.」

「That’s— terrible! Is he serious!? He’s really the worst, Suzuki!!」

「But he’s not quite wrong, aren’t he?」

「Hey, why are you talking about that too!?」

Tapping the desk vigorously, Saya glared at Sanae with a wrinkled brow.

「Just kidding, just kidding. But for now, no one seems to trust you, but who knows what will happen in the future. And Suzuki-senpai, I hear you’re going out with that bad guy… Saya, are you alright?」

「I have no problem with that. Because I have a reassuring darling named Kisaragi. Right?」

Saya asked Kisaragi, who was still absorbed in organizing the printouts next to her, to agree. Needless to say, he did not respond.

Okay, it’s finally done. It took longer than he thought. Kisaragi let out a light exhale and quietly placed the edges of the printouts in front of Sanae.

「I’ve done my part. Arakawa-san, you’re on your own now.」

「Eh!? Are you going to leave me alone?」

「Isn’t that obvious? I’ve already done my share.」

Kisaragi reached for his bag and slowly sat up from his seat. Then Saya followed his example as a matter of course.

「…What about the kindness of waiting for me to finish?」

「None.」

Kisaragi replies without a pause and quietly makes his way to the classroom exit. Naturally, Saya followed his slender back as he ran.

「Hey, Saya! Where are you going, leaving your best friend?」

「Sorry!!」

When Saya put her palms together apologetically, Sanae let out one sigh and smiled bitterly.

「Alright, alright. Look, your darling is going home, so get going.」

「I’m really sorry!! I’ll definitely buy you something next time!」

Saya left her words and walked quickly to Kisaragi’s place.

「Make it last this time!」

Saya responded to her best friend’s encouragement with a peace sign as she turned away. Seeing this, Sanae smiled again. Then, staring at the pile of prints on her desk, she began to work with a sigh.

「Sanae, isn’t she a good girl?」

「On what part?」

On the 15-minute road to Jinmatsuki Station—— While walking downhill, Saya was talking to Kisaragi as usual. She chimes in with a brusque grin. For the past two weeks, they have been leaving school with this exchange.

She thought she would get bored of it soon, but it’s been two weeks since then… longer than she thought. Kisaragi was mechanically walking to the Jinmatsuki station while blocking out Saya’s talk with his signature technique.

Dismissing from school alongside the girls. If Sagara-sensei saw this scene, she would be very surprised. As Kisaragi was thinking about this in a daze, he received a strong blow on his back. The opponent was self-evident. He suddenly gave Saya a reproachful look when she slapped him on the back.

「What the hell, just suddenly…」

「You weren’t listening to me at all, were you!」

「No, I am listening.」

「Then tell me what I am talking about.」

「Which is more prestigious, the Superintendent or the Commissioner of Police——」

「The worst! I knew you weren’t listening. I was talking about something very important!」

Saya stuffed herself into Kisaragi’s arms with a sniffle.

「All right, I’ll listen to you nicely this time. Just give me some space.」

As always, this woman is very close… Kisaragi looked disgusted at Saya, who brought her face close to his as if they were a couple kissing from the side.

「But unlike them, we are not a couple, right?」

「Strictly speaking, that may be true, but from the side, we are a fine couple!」

「…I get it. If you want to walk on the sidewalk so badly, do what you want.」

With an exasperated look on his face, Kisaragi, with Saya at his side, let out a sigh and switched his body to the side of the roadway.

「You must think I’m a pain in the ass, right?」

「What’s the point of it now?」

Hearing the blunt answer, Saya smiled with satisfaction.

Upon arriving in front of the Jinmatsuki station, Kisaragi and her made their way to the nearest shopping center as usual. This large shopping center, with over 4,000 stores nationwide, has many of its own-brand products, and at this time of the day was very crowded with housewives shopping for supper.

The two stepped through the automatic doors and into the store. Then a cool, artificial coolness is felt in the body, and the sweat that had been floating on the neck is suddenly gone. Kisaragi let out a light exhale, and without hesitation, turned his attention to the food section.

「Hey, is bento again your dinner for tonight?」

Looking into Kisaragi’s face, Saya tilted her head curiously.

「That’s right.」

「Is your mom someone who doesn’t cook?」

「I don’t have a mother.」

Well, which one will it be today? He answered with his signature brisk reply, not bothering to choose a lunch box.

「Heh, is that so? So you live alone with your dad?」

「No, I don’t have a father as well.」

「Do you mean to say… you don’t have any family?」

「I have one uncle. But he’s working alone right now.」

Despite Saya’s awkward question, Kisaragi answered in his usual matter-of-fact manner.

「Then, perhaps you live alone?」

「Yeah, that’ll do.」

「Oh, you’re with me, then!」

Saya folded her hands in front of her chest and her face lit up.

「You too? I thought our school didn’t allow people to live alone.」

「Kisaragi-kun, you live alone too, right?」

「I don’t have any choice.」

「Neither would I…」

Saya instantly looked away from Kisaragi as she said this with a downcast look on her face. Her expression was unusually dark and heavy, he thought.

「Is that so? Then you should buy one too. The bentos here are surprisingly good.」

「I’m good. I cook for myself.」

「You cook for yourself? Heh, looks aren’t always what they seem.」

「What do you mean by that?」

「It’s all in the words.」

Despite Saya’s raised eyebrows, Kisaragi picked up two fried chicken bentos and headed for the cash register.

「You’re going to eat two more? You’ll get fat.」

「I have a droopy stomach, so it’s not a problem.」

「Hey, why do you buy the same two bentos every time? Why don’t you just get different ones anyway?」

「They have to be the same.」

Kisaragi’s sharp gaze pierces Saya’s pale pigmented eyes.

「W–What… You don’t have to be so mad.」

「I’m not mad at you.」

In a flash, Kisaragi hides his sharp eyes and returns to his usual expressionless face, then pays the cashier as if nothing had happened. Saya gazed at him with a curious expression.

The premises of Jinmatsuki Station were deserted, as it was before the rush hour to return home. Kisaragi is at his usual stop, waiting for the train to arrive with the plastic bag containing his lunch box down. Next to him, Saya was talking to him about something else.

The contents of the conversation were things that didn’t interest Kisaragi at all, such as who likes whom, or the parfait at the cafe she frequents. Nevertheless, because of the earlier incident, he had no choice but to listen to Saya’s story with a blank expression on his face as he returned a raw reply. Soon after, the train they were boarding entered the platform. However, Saya was so engrossed in her conversation that she showed no sign of getting on the train at all.

「You don’t want to get in?」

「Yeah, I’m gonna delay one.」

「For the record, I’m not going out with you.」

「I know that.」

「If you did, I’m glad but…」

Kisaragi then turned to his watch. The time was 17:25. By the time he get home, it should be exactly dinner time. While he was thinking about this in a daze, Saya, who was standing next to him, unexpectedly came around in front of him.

「It’s been two weeks since then, right?」

「Yes, that’s correct. I think you must be getting tired of me by now.」

「No, not at all. I think my interest in Kisaragi-kun is growing by the day.」

「Okay, I’m very sorry to hear that.」

「How about you, Kisaragi-kun? Are you starting to like me a little?」

「No, not at all. Like Mishima-san, my annoyance with you only grows by the day.」

Two people silently staring at each other—— After a moment of silence, Saya confidently stated.

「You will definitely like me, Kisaragi-kun. You can bet on it.」

「That’s a lot of confidence. I’ll take a bite of that bet, then. The one that doesn’t happen, of course.」

It was when Kisaragi muttered with a pale expression on his face that the train he was boarding entered the platform.

「Well then,」

「You don’t have to buy your lunch tomorrow.」

Saya called out to Kisaragi as he boarded the train.

「Why?」

「I’ll go make it for you.」

「I don’t owe you anything for that.」

「Don’t be shy. It makes no difference whether I make one or two.」

「No, that’s not the issue——」

Just as he was about to say so, the door slammed shut with a buzz. Kisaragi wrinkles his brow and says to Saya through the door, “I don’t want it,” without saying a word. But she seemed unconcerned about such things, smiling and waving her hands.

「Listen to what people have to say…」

Kisaragi muttered with a sigh as he gazed at Saya waving her hand.

The next day, during lunch break at Year 1, Class D.

In the classroom, Saya was walking to her seat by the window with a somewhat nervous look on her face. And as usual, she smiles at the boys in the front seat of Kisaragi. The male student quickly sat up from his chair and, with a practiced hand, placed his desk across from Kisaragi’s desk.

「Thanks.」

Saya thanked the male student and slowly sat down opposite him. At the same time, her face instantly becomes cloudy.

「I… I told you not to buy anything, didn’t I?」

「I said I didn’t want it.」

To Saya, who wrinkled her brow, Kisaragi replied with the same blank expression as ever. Then she snatched up the makunochi bento that was on the desk. Kisaragi, perhaps anticipating this action, reached for his own bento, but Saya was only one step ahead of him.

「This will be confiscated until the end of lunch break.」

「Then what about my lunch?」

「You have the one I made!」

Saya’s loud voice echoed through the classroom. The neat and tidy character she had built up over the past few days since she began working with Kisaragi was slowly but steadily disintegrating.

Perhaps overcome by Saya’s bravado, Kisaragi reluctantly reaches for her handmade bento. Just then, three female students appeared in front of them.

「Hey, are you Saya Mishima?」

One of the female students approached Saya. Dyed brown hair and thick, gaudy makeup. Their expression and tone of voice clearly showed a hint of acrimony.

Kisaragi looked at them for a moment. Judging by the color of their ties, they’re apparently second years. Another troublemaker or… He ate the bento in silence and decided to mind his own business.

Saya’s eyes were not on the girls, but on Kisaragi, who was chewing her bento in front of her.

If you have time to worry about me, then worry about yourself. Kisaragi muttered in his mind despite Saya’s gaze.

「Hey, what are you ignoring me for!」

「What do you think? How many stars it had?」

Saya completely ignored the girls and asked Kisaragi, who was eating her bento with a blank expression on his face, with a superior look. What in the world is this woman thinking… However, the taste of this bento is not bad. Kisaragi thought so and told him to grade the lunches.

「Stars… It would be two and a half.」

「You should have read the atmosphere there and said three stars.」

「Hey, I said don’t you leave me out of this!」

The female student, who was still being ignored, put her hand on Saya’s shoulder in exasperation.

「What do you want?」

Saya said as she chewed her bento. Her voice had changed drastically from the one she had been saying to Kisaragi to something completely different and indifferent.

「You’ve got a lot of nerve.」

「Is that so? I apologize if I offended you, but could you please move your hand away first?」

「You really want to get beat up, don’t you? Let me tell you something——」

「Did Suzuki-senpai ask you to do this?」

When the female student interrupted her, Saya looked at her quietly. Her expression was not the soft one she always showed, but dark and very cold. Perhaps this is her natural expression, Kisaragi thought at the time.

「Yeah. He said you were being cheeky and needed a bit of a shimmy.」

「Do you like him? Suzuki-senpai, I mean.」

「That’s none of your business.」

「I don’t even think about Suzuki-senpai anymore.」

「So you mean that sober Megane-kun over there is your current partner?」

「Yes.」

Saya’s cold expression changed and she replied with a smile.

「You serious? Certainly, Kensuke would want to cry if he lost to such a thing. Right?」

The girls asked their friends, who had been kept behind them, to laugh and agree. Saya then quickly sat up from her seat and stood in front of the female student, looking at her as quietly as before.

「What do you like about Suzuki-senpai?」

「I told you it’s none of your business!」

「Is it that handsome face? Or is it the athletic versatility? Well, that’s about all you can do for him, isn’t it?」

In a whisper to the girls, Saya further continued.

「But it’s pretty hard to win that guy over, you know?」

「What do you mean by that?」

「Because Suzuki-senpai is attracted only to physical appearances…」

Saya averted her gaze from the female student and awkwardly grumbled a few words.

「I told you, what does it mean——」

「You’re not very perceptive… I’m just saying your face isn’t worth enough.」

Saya whispered in the girl’s ear as if she were breathing on her. As Saya whispered in the female student’s ear as if she was breathing in her ear, her face changed. Instantly, the female student tries to grab Saya—— Just then, the voice of Sugawara, the homeroom teacher of Class 1–D, echoed from the entrance of the classroom. Behind her, Sanae was giving Saya a peace sign.

「What are you girls doing here?」

Sugawara crowded the female students.

「Nothing… We were just talking with Mishima-san.」

A female student who had just tried to grab Saya replied in a huff.

「Mishima-san, did they do something to you?」

「No. These senpai s did nothing wrong. It’s because I got cocky…」

Saya muttered to herself as she looked down. She looked like a tough underclassman who had been bullied by the upperclassmen.

As always, by being so theatrical… Kisaragi glanced at Saya. Then, as expected, her large, pale-pigmented eyes were filled with teasing tears.

The girls were then escorted by Sugawara to the student guidance office, as was the norm. Needless to say, the girls were casting sharp glances at Saya as they did so.

「Thank you, you helped me there.」

Saya smiled and put her hand on Sanae’s shoulder.

「You owe me this time too… I mean, don’t be so gung-ho about your lunch, he should be the one to help you out!」

Sanae poked Kisaragi’s arm repeatedly, wrinkling her brow. He then tilted his head slightly and gave her a dubious look.

「Why it would be me?」

「You should at least thank her for the homemade lunch.」

「It’s not like I asked her for it.」

「Then why are you eating it?」

「It’s a matter of necessity. Right?」

Kisaragi turned a cold gaze on Saya.

「Well, well. Come on, Sanae, sit down.」

Sanae seemed reluctant to stop her pursuit of Kisaragi.

「Anyway, are you okay with what happened back there? They were pretty pissed off, those girls.」

「It’s okay, those stupid bitches… You ate more beautifully than that. Was it that good?」

Saya smiled at Kisaragi, who had finished the lunch before she knew it and was currently looking down at his paperback book. But of course, there was no response from him. Even so, Saya still had a look of satisfaction on her face.

Too optimistic. That look in his eyes as they’re being taken away to the student guidance office… There’s no way they’re going to let this go on. Well, it doesn’t matter to him what happens to her.

Kisaragi muttered this in his mind and slowly shifted his gaze out the window with Saya beside him, who was eating her self-made bento with satisfaction. There was a clear blue sky that he hadn’t seen for a long time. But it was like the calm before a storm, and it gave him an eerie feeling.

Read only at Travis Translations