“Ah, by the way, Senpa~i.”
“Stop with that overly sweet voice.”
“Ah-ha! Why not? We’re close, aren’t we, Senpai!”
She suddenly clung to my arm. As usual, I don’t understand this girl’s sense of distance.
I’ve known her since I was in my second year of middle school. It all started when Kotono invited her over to our house, maybe because their high energy and vibes matched.
At first, she was just like any other gyaru, showing no interest in me—neither good nor bad. But at some point, she started messing with me for every little thing.
In a different way than Riran, I can’t tell what she’s thinking.
Just then, Riran approached with her lips twitching.
“Excuse me, Anrakuji-san, aren’t you a bit too close?”
“Ehー? Doesn’t that have nothing to do with you, Kuonji-senpai?”
“Mugu...”
It does have something to do with her. However, since we’re keeping our relationship a secret from others, we can’t just talk about it. Even if Ryuguin knows, it’s absolutely out of the question while Ryuya and Neika are here.
“Noa, let go.”
“Eh... you don’t usually say things like that, so why are you saying it today?”
“Don’t make it sound like you’re always clinging to me.”
“But I do cling to you, don’t I? Like at Senpai’s house.”
Ah, hey, you idiot.
“H-H-House...!? House...!?”
Riran’s face turned bright red, and her eyes were darting around in shock. Well, I figured that would happen.
“Sigh... anyway, let go. I have a Fated Person too, you know.”
“Muu. Fineー.”
She let go quite easily this time. She’s even harder to read than Riran.
“You, you said she was just a junior earlier.”
“Yeah, she is a junior. She’s also Kotono’s best friend, so she comes over to the house sometimes.”
“Is that distance normal for a 'mere junior'...?”
Yeah, I’m curious about that too. Well, she’s somewhat like this with Ryuya and Neika as well, so I’ve gotten used to it by now.
“Boo, isn’t 'mere junior' a bit cruel? There’s more between me and Senpai than that, right?”
“No, it’s a senior-junior relationship.”
“Dry as always... Tsk.”
Because it’s nothing more and nothing less. Wait, did she just click her tongue?
“Mo-re-o-ver~”
Noa approached again, as if to say Riran wasn’t even in her sight. Looking at her from the front, she really is a beautiful girl... it makes my heart flutter a bit.
“Senpai, you can already see your Fated Person, right? What kind of person are they?”
Again, she hits me with such a difficult question to answer. While trying not to let my agitation show, I let out a slight breath without looking toward Riran.
Out of the corner of my eye, Riran looked like she was somewhat expectant.
That part is fine, but hey, Ryuguin. You look like you’re about to burst out laughing. I’ll lecture you later.
“...It doesn’t matter to you what kind of person they are.”
“...Well, I guess so. We’re different ages anyway.”
“? Does age have anything to do with this?”
“Senpai, you should just get kicked by a horse and go pyoi-pyoi!”
“What’s with that sound effect?”
I mean, why did she suddenly get in a bad mood too?
“Oops, I have to go. I should head home soon. Well then, Senpai. I’ll come over to play again!”
“Ah, wait, Noa.”
“Ai?”
I stopped Noa, who was about to run off, and whispered in her ear so the others couldn’t hear.
“Is this a whisper of love? Kyaa!”
“It’s not. Um... are you okay?”
At my words, her eyes widened for a moment, and then her expression immediately melted into a soft, gentle smile.
“...You really are kind, Senpai.”
“It’s normal, normal.”
“Ehehe. You don’t need to worry, I’m fine. Kotono is there, and above all, you’re reliable, Senpai.”
“...If that’s the case, then fine. But tell me if anything happens.”
“Aye-aye, sir!”
She gave a sharp, mysterious salute, said goodbye to Ryuya and the others, and ran off energetically. All in all, I’m glad she’s doing well.
“Hey, hey, Akito. What were you talking about at the end?”
“Could it be, Akky, you’re planning to lay a hand on a middle schooler?”
“It’s nothing like that.”
I can’t tell anyone because it’s hard to talk about. Besides, Noa probably doesn’t want people to know either.
Anyway, it’s almost 9 PM. I really should get home.
“Well, we should probably head back too. See you tomorrow.”
“True. Nei, let’s go.”
“Oh. Bye, everyone!”
“I’ll be going too. Sanada-kun, Riran-chan, see you tomorrow.”
Ryuya and Neika left first, followed by Ryuguin, who disappeared into the bustle of the station. The ones left behind were Riran and me... but I feel like we were intentionally left alone.
“Akito.”
Ugh... I’m still not used to her calling me by my name so abruptly.
“W-What is it?”
“About that girl earlier... there’s really nothing between you, right?”
“Eh? ...Yeah, there’s nothing. Really.”
“Hmph. ...Well, whether something is going on with her or not has nothing to do with me anyway. Hmph!”
Mu, that actually irritated me a bit.
“What are you so angry about?”
“I don’t know.”
“No, saying you don't know...”
“I just don't know!”
What the heck is that? In the end, we parted ways with Riran still in a bad mood.
I had intended to walk her home... but for some reason, an aura of 'don't follow me' was radiating from her back, so all I could do was see her off at the station.