In the end, despite what had happened, Riran and I didn't speak to each other until after school.
No, it wasn't like we were avoiding each other or didn't want to talk.
It was simply because I felt happy just being near her, so I didn't find the right timing to speak...
...Yeah, sorry, that's a lie. I chickened out a bit.
I mean, after what happened, it's obvious that far from talking, it would be embarrassing just to look her in the face.
If there's anyone who wouldn't feel embarrassed by that, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they're either incredibly used to women or a total player.
...Well, maybe that is an exaggeration.
While preparing to head home, I looked at Riran, who was talking to Ryuguin at a distance.
...She seems to be having a fun conversation. She has her usual smile.
Yeah, just like always... Wait, am I the only one who cares? Is she surprisingly used to this kind of thing?
If so, that's a bit sad...
"Why are you so down, Akky?"
"Whoa. Oh, Neika."
Neika had jumped onto my back, utilizing her high physical ability.
As always, she's light. It's a lightness that makes it hard to believe we're the same age.
"That's right, Akito. There's no time to be moping around. After all, we're going out to play today!"
"Wait, Ryuya. I haven't heard a word about that."
"I just told you now!"
This guy...
"Come on, it'll be fun, Akky. Let's hang out!"
"Let's eat parfaits at the cafe in front of the station! I'm starving!"
"Oh! Ryuya, nice idea!"
" "Hey-ey!" "
It's not 'hey-ey'. And don't high-five.
Also, Neika, get off me already.
I forcibly removed Neika from my back and continued getting ready to go home.
"Hey, Akky."
"A-ki-to."
"...Sigh. Fine. I guess I'll just eat whatever I want today without worrying about anything."
What happened with Riran was one thing, but more importantly, I moved too much during PE and I'm short on calories.
Sweet parfaits should be just right for escaping reality.
"Oh! Even Akito is getting into it! Nice, that's how it should be! Now that it's decided, let's head to the station immediately!"
"Super Cosmo Grade Ultra Deluxe Parfait~"
What is that, some kind of resurrection spell? It sounds like a menu item a competitive eater would tackle.
I wonder every time, where does that volume of food go in Neika's body... I can only think she's ignoring the law of conservation of mass. It's one of the seven wonders of the human body.
The two of them couldn't wait, shouldering their bags and singing a random song: "Par-fait~ Par-fait~♪" They really get along well.
"Akito, let's go quickly!"
"The Super Cosmo Grade Ultra Deluxe Parfait might sell out! If I can't eat it, it's Akky's fault!"
"Don't worry, there's no way something like that would sell out."
In fact, if this town were full of people who could easily finish such a thing, it could be called an inhuman territory.
When I finished getting ready and put on my bag, the two of them happily pushed me from behind.
"Hey. Don't push."
"As expected of Akky, you're just playing hard to get, I get it!"
"Then I'll push even harder!"
I'm not playing hard to get, and you don't have to push harder.
But, well... it's been a while since I hung out with these two after school.
Despite everything, I'm actually looking forward to it.
◆
"...Why are you guys here too?"
"That's my line."
In front of the cafe at the station.
There were me, Ryuya, and Neika. Besides us, there were two others.
It was Riran and Ryuguin.
Whether they took a different route or not, we bumped into them right in front of the cafe.
"Rira, Rio. Yo, yo."
"Kuonji and Ryuguin are going to the cafe too?"
"Yes. Riran-chan suddenly started throwing a fit, saying she wanted to go to a cafe. The same Riran-chan who used to say that stopping by places was out of the question... I wonder what brought this on."
"I-I just happened to be in the mood today. Really, there's no other meaning to it."
While saying that, she kept glancing at me.
Ryuguin, who knows the situation, was grinning and watching us the whole time.
But Ryuya and Neika, who don't know that Riran and I are connected by the 'Red Thread of Fate', distorted their faces with delight as if they had found a great opportunity.
"In that case, let's all hang out together today. We haven't really hung out with Kuonji and Ryuguin before anyway."
"That's a great idea! Akky, you're okay with it too, right?"
"...Well, it's often more fun with more people. Isn't it fine?"
I instinctively looked away from Riran.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Riran's face soften with a somewhat happy expression.
"T-Then, I guess I'll take you up on that. Right, Rion?"
"That's true. I've also been wanting to hang out with everyone. Nice to meet you, Sanada-kun, Neika-chan, and Kurashiki-kun."
"Hey, hey, hey! Nice to meet you both!"
"Hey, hey, hey! Come on, Akky, you too."
"I'm not doing it."
"And then...?"
"No, I'm really not doing it."
Riran, who is connected to me by the 'Red Thread of Fate', and Ryuguin, who knows about it.
I don't even know what kind of mood I should use to interact with them.
Ryuya and Neika entered the cafe first, followed by Ryuguin.
When I was about to go in next, my sleeve was pulled with a tug.
Looking back, Riran was looking down bashfully.
"...What is it?"
"Um... when everyone is around, just act like usual. Call me by my surname, not my name."
"Oh, I see."
Indeed, I couldn't call her by her first name in front of everyone.
"...Understood. Let's do that."
"Yes, please. ...Akito."
"Hey."
"Now, let's go in."
Riran hurried into the cafe as if running away.
Seriously... that girl is just unfair..."