As the school came into view, Kuonji and I decided to stagger our timing before entering the school building.
It would be troublesome if those guys saw us together in a place like this.
Kuonji went in first, and I followed shortly after.
As if acting like nothing had happened between us until just now, Kuonji only gave me a sidelong glance and didn't speak to me.
...It's not like I feel lonely or anything.
Suppressing a sigh, I changed into my indoor shoes.
Suddenly, I felt a light thump on my back.
“Akki, ’sup ’sup~”
“Oh, Neika. Good morning.”
“’sup ’sup ’sup ’sup ’sup~”
You’re saying ’sup way too much. Also, stop patting my side.
“Oh? You’re looking pretty energetic today, aren't you?”
“I don't recall catching a cold or anything.”
“Not that. Usually, during the rainy season, you're always so gloomy, Akki.”
She remembers that well.
It’s true that I used to always say things like “Rainy season should just perish.”
“What is it, what is it~? Did something good happen this morning?”
“...Nothing in particular. It’s just a coincidence.”
“Hmm? This is the third year I’ve been hanging out with Akki, but I’ve never seen Akki like this before.”
She’s too sharp, and she observes me way too much.
For some reason, it’s annoying. Take a forehead flick.
“Nywah!? That hurt...! W-What was that for all of a sudden!”
“Shut it.”
“That's so tyrannical!?”
Don't make such a ruckus in front of the shoe lockers. It’s a nuisance to others.
Perhaps she had been watching my interaction with Neika, because Kuonji had a slightly displeased look on her face.
“Oyo? Rila, ’sup ’sup~”
“Ah. G-Good morning. Well then.”
...She left. And she was walking fast, too.
Well, it would be weird if she just stood there anyway.
“Isn’t Rila acting strange?”
I stand corrected. Even she thinks she's acting weird.
“Is she? She seemed like her usual grumpy self to me.”
“No, not like that. Hmmm... well, whatever.”
Neika is quick to notice changes in others and is sensitive to the nuances of people's feelings, but she doesn't sweat the small stuff, which makes her easy to be around.
I walked down the hallway to the classroom with Neika after she finished changing her shoes.
During that time, she talked like a machine gun about yesterday's anime, how this or that in a game was cool or cute, and how the new fruit sandwich was the best.
Topics just kept bubbling up one after another.
She’s as energetic as ever.
We burst into the classroom.
Neika went around greeting everyone she could find and finally ran over to Ryuya.
“Ryuya, ’suuuup.”
“Oh, Nei. ’suuuup.”
“Mu. ’suuuuuup.”
“Hm? ’suuuuuuup.”
““’suuuuuuuup. Hey!””
“No, that was way too long, you guys.”
Don't high-five each other either.
I gave a chop to the crowns of the heads of these two who were noisy since early morning.
“Ngh? Oh, Akito. ’suuuuuuup.”
“I’m not doing it.”
Why are these guys always so energetic in the morning?
“Man, you've got no rhythm. ...Hm? Akito, doesn't your atmosphere feel a bit different today?”
“Right? Ryuya thinks so too, right?”
“Yeah. Usually, you’re practically dead during the rainy season.”
You guys are observing me too much. It’s getting scary at this point.
I let out a secret sigh, and Ryuya spoke up as if remembering something.
“By the way, for today's PE, boys and girls will be in the gym together. Apparently, it's going to stay that way for a while.”
“It’s the rainy season, after all~ PE is such a drag.”
“It’s rare for someone with physical abilities as high as yours to hate exercise, Nei.”
“What are you talking about? I love sports.”
Huh... Neika likes sports? That's unexpected.
“Neika, what kind of sports do you like?”
“e-sports.”
“Those are games.”
“e-sports are not games! It’s a supreme sport where palms sweat, blood boils, souls tremble, and mastered techniques clash against each other! It is! Definitely! Not! A game!”
“Uh, sorry...?”
I didn't expect her to snap at me like that.
What might be a game to someone isn't just play to someone else. It was a careless remark.
So please stop patting my back.
Even so, PE is joint for boys and girls, huh?
That means Kuonji will be there too... What should I do? I'm starting to feel restless.
“Why are you acting so restless, Akki?”
“Think about it, Nei. It's joint PE. The wifey will be there too.”
“Ah.”
“Hey, you two, don't make weird assumptions. Stop grinning.”
And they were right, too.
I haven't told them that Kuonji and I are connected by the 『Red Thread of Fate』 yet.
I let out a small sigh and looked forward.
Kuonji, for her part, was talking to Ryuguuin about something.
“Now, now, Riran-chan. It'll be fine.”
“It’s impossible... if I'm seen looking like that, I'll have no choice but to die...”
Isn't this getting a bit dangerous!?
Ryuguuin, noticing my gaze, gave a wry smile.
Seriously, what are they talking about...?