“Oh, it’s Anrakuji.”
“Noa, yahhoo.”
“Ah! Ryūya-senpai and Nei-chan-senpai! Konchasu!”
The two who were acquainted with Noa greeted her.
Well, since Ryūya and Neika were the ones I hung out with in middle school, they had interacted with her quite a bit.
“Wah-hah! It’s been so long! Nei-chan-senpai, you’re minimum-cute as always!”
“Don’t call me minimum.”
Despite saying that, Neika allowed herself to be hugged without resistance.
Looking at them like this, Neika really did look more like the younger sister.
Once Noa set Neika down, she made a pouting face and ruffled her own twin-tails.
“I was so, so lonely after everyone graduated. Especially since Senpai wouldn’t even contact me.”
“You’re an exam student just like Kotono. I thought it’d be a nuisance to contact you.”
“It’s not a nuisance at all. That kind of kindness is actually the nuisance! You being kind is a total nuisance, Senpai!”
What the heck? I don’t get it.
“Well... anyway. Have you been doing well?”
“I was on my way back from cram school, but seeing Senpai’s face has filled me with energy! As expected, Senpai is a walking energy drink! Just for me!”
I really don’t understand. What is she trying to say?
While I was exasperated by Noa’s usual nonsensical behavior, I felt a tug on the hem of my uniform.
Who is it... wait, Riran? Oh, is she in a bad mood?
“Wait, Aki... Sanada. Who is this girl? What’s your relationship?”
Even if you look at me with a face like you just caught me cheating...
I haven’t done anything. ...Right?
Riran also went to the same middle school, but fortunately or unfortunately, she had no acquaintance with Noa.
This girl’s personality is the polar opposite of Riran’s. I really didn’t want them to meet while Riran was around.
“She’s Anrakuji Noa. Our junior.”
“I can tell that much by her uniform. Not that, I mean your relationship with her.”
“It’s nothing major. Just a junior, and she’s Kotono’s best friend.”
“Really? The face she made when she found you didn’t look like 'just a junior' no matter how I see it.”
“What kind of face was it?”
“...I don’t know.”
Ehh... don’t give me that after coming this far.
Riran looked at Noa with wary eyes.
What is she suspicious of?
Well, it’s no wonder Riran feels an instinctive aversion to her.
If the word to describe Riran is 【Conscientious】, then the word for Noa is 【Random】.
You could say she’s more on the side of me, Ryūya, and Neika than Riran’s.
Then Noa noticed Riran, and her eyes changed color.
With eyes tinged with hostility as if looking at a sworn enemy, Riran flinched for a moment and grabbed my clothes tighter.
“Why is this person here, Senpai?”
“By this person... you mean Kuonji?”
“Yes. Why is Senpai together with this person????”
Scary. Scary, scary, scary. In manga terms, her highlights have disappeared. Stop that face.
“Hey, Noa, calm down.”
“I am calm. I’m just asking why this person is here.”
*Glarree!* Noa’s eyes, which were already cat-like, narrowed even further.
“I know. This is the person who hates Senpai. Kuonji Riran... she was famous even in middle school. For such a person to be—”
“Noa.”
I sharpened my tone a bit.
With just that, Noa’s eyes widened and she slumped.
“Calm down.”
“...Yes, I’m sorry.”
Good grief... why does she always get like this when it comes to me?
“That might have been the case back then, but it’s different now. We interact enough to hang out together.”
“But...”
“Besides, no matter how things were, what’s with that attitude toward your senior?”
“Uguu... uu... Senpai is so sports-minded...!”
Well, if you keep going to kickboxing and the gym all the time, you’re bound to become sports-minded.
Noa glared resentfully at Riran.
Riran, perhaps having made up her mind, let go of my clothes and stepped forward.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Kuonji Riran.”
“...Nice to meet you. I’m Anrakuji Noa.”
Eh... eh? Why is it so sparky between them?
I am currently confused.
By the way, Ryūya, Neika, and Ryūguin are watching with smirks. You guys know something, don’t you?
“I won’t acknowledge it. To hate Senpai that much and then just flip around like that...!”
“I don’t need you to acknowledge anything.”
““Muumuumuumuu...!””
...I want to go home.
◆
“Hey, Kurashiki-kun. Neika-chan. Could that girl be...”
““Just as you suspect.””
“...Things have certainly become interesting.”