Lunch break after PE class.
Normally, I’d be so hungry I couldn’t think of anything but my lunch box... but right now, I’m in no state for that.
The reason goes without saying. You get it, right?
It’s about Kuonji... Riran.
Even if it was just to make her stop in her tracks, I ended up calling her by her first name in the heat of the moment.
And then I was forced (?) to keep calling her by her name from now on.
No, that part is fine. I’m used to calling girls by their names because of Neika and Kotono. ...Well, Neika feels like a guy friend, and Kotono is my sister, so the feeling is completely different, though.
The problem is what happened after that.
That girl... Riran, said she’d call me by my name too...
"Hmph!"
*Thud!* I slammed my head against the desk.
"Whoa!? Akki, don't suddenly start acting weird!"
"Akito. You’ve been strange lately. Seriously."
"Shut up..."
After something like that happens, how could I not be heart-throbbing?
The softness of being wrapped in that towel, Riran's scent... and that smile she gave when she looked back.
More than anything I’ve seen until now, it made my heart race.
My heart is so full that food won't even go down my throat. That’s the kind of shock I’m dealing with right now.
By the way, Riran isn't in the classroom right now.
She left the room with Ryuguin, so it seems they’re eating together somewhere else.
If she were here, I’d never do this. So, just for now, please forgive my eccentric behavior.
"Still, you two are the same as ever. That vibe and momentum that drags everyone around you in... I could never imitate that."
"It's not really 'us,' it's mostly Ryuya."
"My motto is 'Everyone who enjoys wins.' If I’m going to do it, I’ll do it thoroughly, involving everyone around us. More than anything, everyone watching the match enjoyed Akito's flashy plays, right? Then it’s our win this time too."
Same as ever, really.
He’s been like this since the day I met him. He enjoys himself and makes those around him enjoy themselves. He doesn't mind playing the fool to make that happen. That's his stance.
That’s why Neika and I hang out with him. It's just more fun being around him.
...Come to think of it, I forgot to ask, but did Riran enjoy watching that match too...?
"Sa-na-tan!"
"Whoa!?"
Suddenly, Tsuchimikado approached as if she were flying toward me.
Her face was flushed bright red, perhaps from excitement.
"Sanatan, Sanatan! It was super amazing! I was seriously moved watching you! As expected, Sanatan is so cool!"
"Ha, haha... Thanks, Tsuchimikado."
"Muu. You can just call me Hiyorin!"
No, seriously, why is this girl acting the same as always? Doesn't she usually feel awkward? After that, I was overwhelmed by the pushy Tsuchimikado from beginning to end while I somehow managed to eat my lunch.
◆Riran◆
"...Nihe... Nuhehe..."
"...Um, Riran-chan?"
"Ehe... Hmm? What is it, Rion?"
"Your mouth is totally loose, you look incredible right now."
Oops, no, no.
I squish my cheeks and press my lips into a straight line. ...Ah, they’re loosening. They’re slipping.
"...Fuhi."
"She's a goner."
How rude.
But it can't be helped. That... That...!
"Ehehe."
"No, really, what happened? You’re not acting like the usual Riran-chan at all."
We have our lunch boxes spread out in the school courtyard, and Rion, sitting next to me, looks at me worriedly.
I’m sorry, Rion. But I won't tell anyone about that. I don't want to say it.
It’s a secret conversation between me and Sanada... between me and Akito. A secret interaction. A secret promise.
I don't want to tell this secret to anyone... not even to my best friend, Rion.
"It’s about Sanada-kun anyway, isn’t it?"
"That’s ri— Wait, eeeeeeeeeeeh!?"
I-I’ve been found out!? Why!?
Rion let out a soft sigh and looked at me with half-closed eyes. Hey, stop that look. It’s scary.
"It’s obvious. Riran-chan, the only time you grin like that lately is when you're thinking about Sanada-kun."
"Au."
It really was obvious. Pien.
"Well, I understand the feeling. Sanada-kun in PE today was really cool, after all."
"...Eh. Oh, yeah. That's right, truly..."
Phew, thank goodness. She hasn't found out. She thinks I’m grinning about that part.
Just as Rion says, Akito at that time was really cool. No, he’s usually super cool anyway, you know? That much is certain.
But... I’d heard rumors, but it was my first time seeing Akito moving around so actively.
Even just that made my heart throb, but then...
『Riran!』
My name... He called me by my name...
"Uhehehehe."
"Riran-chan has gone crazy..."
How rude.
I mean, I was called by my name by the person I’ve been thinking of all this time. By my name, and he even gripped my hand tightly.
If I don't get hyped up over this, what am I supposed to get hyped up over!
I feel bad for Hiyori, who likes the same person... but as I thought, I can’t give Akito to anyone else.
I got to see a different, cool side of Akito, he held my hand, and he called me by my name.
Haa... happiness... ...Does feeling happy from just this make me a cheap woman...?
Ah, Akito... Akito, Akito, Akito.
...I want to talk to him again soon.