I wrote a short story.
Please give it a read if you'd like.
"The Ice Princess Shows Her Sweet Side to Someone in Her Dreams."
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n1521gz/
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...It's normal.
The next day in the classroom.
I was subconsciously following Ryuguin-san with my eyes, but she was talking happily with Riran as if nothing had happened.
Well, she has kept it hidden until now. I suppose she wouldn't start acting out of character this late in the game... but I'm not sure if I should call her bold or something else.
The two of them stood by the window, never letting their smiles fade.
Our classmates were also captivated by the sight of them.
Truly, those two make such a picture when they're together... and one of them is my Fated Person.
I feel bad for Ryuguin-san, but... I really might be a lucky guy.
I spent a while absentmindedly watching the two of them.
Ryuya and Neika, who had just arrived at school, came over to me.
"Hey, hey, hey! Akito, chis-chis!"
"Akky, morn-morn."
"Oh. You two are coming to school together today too?"
"Of course!"
"We're!"
"A married couple!"
""Hey!""
The two of them shared a high-five.
Since that certain incident, the distance between them has shortened even further.
Nowadays, they don't even hide it in the classroom.
Perhaps because they've publicly announced they're tied by a Red Thread, everyone looks at them with warm, approving eyes.
"More importantly, Akito. What's up with you staring at your wifey?"
"No, I was just looking at Ryuguin-san."
"...Don't even think about cheating, Akito. Okay? Your wifey will be sad."
"Akky. Even though you have a wifey, you're the worst."
"That's not it."
Seriously, Neika. Please don't look at me with eyes like you're looking at raw garbage. It hurts a little.
However, I obviously can't talk to them about Ryuguin-san's situation.
Even if I did, it's not like we could do anything about it. What should I do? *Sigh*...
"...? Akito, are you really okay?"
"Did you eat something off the ground or something?"
"I didn't. What do you think I am, Neika?"
"...A wild child?"
"There hasn't been a single 'wild child' element in my life so far."
Please explain briefly where and how you saw me as a wild child.
I glared at Neika with half-closed eyes, but she seemed to have lost interest and returned to her seat.
As always, she's such a free spirit.
"Sana-tan!"
"Owa!?"
Hey, don't scream right in my ear! I thought my eardrum was going to burst!
I turned around in a panic to find Tsuchimikado with a full smile.
Even though it was the rainy season, she was wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with the sleeves folded back a few times. Isn't she hot?
"Sana-tan, morn-morn-morn!"
"A-Ah. Good morning, Tsuchimikado."
"You can just call me Hiyorin, you know~"
After our usual exchange, Tsuchimikado sat in Riran's seat.
Tsuchimikado was acting just as usual, as if that confession back then had never happened.
I was bewildered at first, but I've gotten used to it.
We've built a good friendship now. ...At least I think so. It might just be me.
"Oh. Tsuchimikado, chis-chis."
"Yeah, Kura-tan, chis-chis."
Lately, she has been interacting with us more like this.
Of course, she doesn't forget to mingle with Kuroseya and the others too. Gyaru communication skills are too high; it's scary.
Tsuchimikado took out some chocolate she had hidden in her bag and popped it into her mouth.
"You're going to get fat."
"Boo. Girls are made of sugar and spice, so they don't get fat even if they eat sweets~. If you keep saying such indelicate things, Rila-tan will hate you, you know? Well, for Hiyori, that might actually be more helpful."
Tsuchimikado said it nonchalantly, but every single word was bad for my heart.
It seems like she hasn't completely given up on me yet. I feel a bit of guilt, or something like it.
"Tsuchimikado, I..."
"I know~ Sana-tan has his Fated Person too. ...But."
Tsuchimikado turned a bewitching, sidelong glance toward me.
I couldn't help but feel a throb in my chest at an expression Tsuchimikado usually never showed. Sorry, Riran. I apologized to her in my heart for some reason.
Tsuchimikado rested her elbows on my desk and looked up at me as if peering into my face.
Provocatively. Coquettishly.
And then, she whispered softly into my ear so that no one else could hear.
"Hiyori's feelings still belong only to Sana-tan. *Phew*."
"Hyu...!?"
Hey, don't blow into my ear...! My ears are sensitive...!
"Aha☆ Sana-tan reacting in his ear, so cu~te♪"
"D-Don't tease me...!"
"Sow-wy."
This girl isn't sorry at all.
...Well, I guess this is just Tsuchimikado. I gave up on trying to fight it.
I looked around and spoke in a low voice so no one would notice.
"Are you perhaps holding a grudge about me turning you down? Is that why you're doing this...?"
"That's not it~ I mean, Hiyori thought about looking forward and graduating from Sana-tan, you know... but feelings are things that don't disappear very easily. Tha-at's-why."
*Pito.* She flicked the tip of my nose with her finger.
"It would make me happy if you'd let me cherish these feelings just a little longer... I guess."
Tsuchimikado looked at me happily, yet somehow lonely.
If Tsuchimikado says that's fine, then I won't stop her, but...
Also, Ryuya. Stop that smirking face, or I'll smack you.
I let out a soft sigh. Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.
That's it. If I consult Ryuya or Neika, they'll just make fun of me or jump to wrong conclusions... but what if I consult Tsuchimikado?
...That's good. Tsuchimikado would probably listen and give me sincere advice. Right, let's do that.
I was about to speak to Tsuchimikado.
But then.
"Good morning, Hiyori."
"...Ah. Rila-tan, morn-morn."
Riran, who had been talking to Ryuguin-san until a moment ago, was now standing behind Tsuchimikado.
Riran looked somewhat displeased, while Tsuchimikado didn't lose her smile, appearing quite defiant.
Th-This feels really uncomfortable.
"Hiyori. What were you talking about with Aki... Sanada?"
"Eh? We were just talking as friends, you know?"
"...I see... Sanzenin-sensei will be here soon."
"Oka~y. Well, Sana-tan. See ya later."
With a bright grin, Tsuchimikado headed toward her own seat.
I'll send her a message about the consultation later.
While I was thinking about that, Riran looked at me with a pouting face.
"W-What?"
"...Hmph."
She turned away and sat in her seat, ignoring me.
What is she so angry about... Hm? A message...
Riran: Cheating is not allowed, okay!
Riran: (Stamp of a growling dog)
Ah... I see. She didn't like me talking friendly with Tsuchimikado.
...What a cute girl.
Akito: Rest assured.
Akito: The only one I love is Riran.
*Whap!*
Riran suddenly whipped around.
On her face was a mixture of embarrassment and a tiny bit of anger, creating an indescribable expression.
"Hm?"
"~~~~! I don't know!"
Haha. This is revenge for when she cornered me at the shopping mall before.
I was basking in a bit of pleasure from finally getting my revenge when Sanzenin-sensei arrived just in time.