“Um, Azuma-san...?”
“Don’t mind me.”
“Even if you say that...”
The next day during lunch break, for some reason, Azuma-san and I were eating lunch facing each other in the cafeteria.
Well, to be precise, I was the only one eating lunch, while Nee-san was resting her chin on her left hand and holding her smartphone in her right, staring intently at me while I ate.
“Hey, does it taste good?”
Azuma-san tilted her head and smiled teasingly.
“What is this, a 'newlywed wife' act...? The lunch lady in the cafeteria made this... More importantly, why am I being monitored while I eat?”
When I furrowed my brows, she sighed.
“It can’t be helped. The lyrics are just one step away from being finished, but they won't come out. Aaah.”
Azuma-san let out a breathy groan and rested her jaw on the table as if collapsing.
“Why does that lead to watching me eat...? There aren't any lyrics written on my face.”
“No, no, they are written there. That’s where they’re written the most.”
She directed only her gaze toward me and pointed at my face with the hand holding her smartphone.
“I know you’re a skill user, but even so, there’s no more information than what I already put into the song. I poured everything into it.”
“Whoa, how cool.”
Her eyes sparkled like a child’s. Her reactions today felt somewhat childish.
“By any chance, have you not slept much? Are you trying to make it in time for tomorrow’s practice?”
“Yeah, of course. We can’t perform the live if we don’t have a clear prospect by tomorrow, right?”
“Well, that is what we decided... Thanks, Azuma. Sorry for being late to start composing.”
“No, I don’t need your thanks. This is something I’m doing because I want to. Rather, are you okay, Konuma? Not lacking sleep?”
For some reason, she pouted her lips and tilted her head while maintaining her posture.
“I slept quite a bit yesterday.”
“Heh? Where?”
“What do you mean where...? At my own house, obviously...”
The strange question from the sharp-witted Azuma-san was scary, so I averted my gaze. It would be bad if she read into what happened at the park yesterday...
“Ah. Speaking of which, I got proper permission from Amane today—permission to look at Konuma’s face.”
“What kind of permission is that...?”
It was news to me that my face required permission, or that the rights to it belonged to Ichikawa. What am I, an idol?
“You’re not an idol at all. Amane said, ‘If that helps her write lyrics, then of course it’s fine! I’ll come watch later too!’ and lent you out.”
“Could you not treat me like something to be lent and borrowed? I mean, both of you really leap over various common sense boundaries when it comes to music...”
“Are you the one saying that, Konuma?”
“Yes, I am. I’m the voice of reason here...”
“I think that’s been getting suspicious lately. I’d never tell you to stay in line, but it feels a bit lonely.”
Azuma-san was acting pouted again.
“I think that’s an overvaluation...”
Just as I muttered that.
“Ah—you’re really doing it!”
“Your voice is too loud...”
Ichikawa and Sako came over to where we were sitting.
“Yuri, Konuma-kun, Yahoo!”
You’re in high spirits, Ichikawa... Saying 'Yahoo' when we aren't even on a mountain...
“Yahoo, Amane.”
Is that an echo? No, it’s Azuma.
“Haa... So, what are you two doing?”
Sako tilted her head with an exasperated expression, and Ichikawa answered.
“Yuri is writing lyrics while looking at Konuma-kun’s face!”
“Huh, what does that even... I mean Yurisuke, what about your own meal? Should I go buy something for you?”
“No, I’m fine. Thanks, Sakohasu.”
Azuma-san returned to an upright posture and smiled gently.
“You’re smiling nicely, but please be aware that what you’re doing is weird to begin with. Also, Ichikawa-san, why are you so relaxed?”
Sako pointed out the issues one by one with precision.
“Hm? Relaxed?”
“Normally you’d have your cheeks puffed out saying ‘Moo!’ or something.”
“Sako-san, your emotions only come forward when you’re imitating people... It’s not exactly that I’m relaxed, but, well... you know?”
And then, she began to let out a silly grin.
“Aah?”
Sako seemed irritated by that smile and glared with a rising tone, but Ichikawa didn't pay it any mind and kept smiling.
“Haa... fine. We’re going to eat over there. Yurisuke, keep doing your best and don't mind us. Takuto... chew your food well.”
“Sako, if you don’t have anything to say, you don’t have to force it, you know?”
“Sakohasu, thanks.”
As Sako gave a small wave, Azuma-san responded cheerfully again.
“Sako-san, wait, I want to eat with you.”
“No, Ichikawa-san, you have a lunch box. I’m eating cafeteria food.”
Sako didn't even slow her pace for the following Ichikawa.
“ I'll bring my lunch box! You can eat a lunch box in the cafeteria too, right?”
“I can eat with other people, but Ichikawa-san might be a bit difficult.”
“Why!? Eh, you hate eating with me?”
“Yeah.”
“Yeah!?”
After watching their retreating backs and voices grow smaller, Azuma-san rested her chin on her hand again.
“Guhehe... amane-sama is cute...!”
“Hey, drool...”
When I handed her a paper napkin that was on the table, she said, “Pardon me,” and wiped her mouth.
“...So, why is Amane in such a good mood?”
“I don't know.”
I looked away abruptly.
“...Look this way?”
Azuma-san’s face chased after mine to try and get in front of me, so I averted my gaze even further.
“No.”
“Hee... Well, either way, it means Konuma did something...”
I see, there's a way of being found out like that too...
“Amane really is cute. She’s a girl after all...”
Her expression looked a bit melancholy, different from her 'believer mode' from a moment ago.
“Azuma...?”
“Hmm?”
“No, just... are you okay?”
When I asked that, Azuma-san widened her eyes.
“Are you worried about me?”
“Of course I am.”
“...Why?”
Azuma-san peered into my face with her usual large eyes. What’s this all of a sudden...?
“What do you mean why... Azuma-san was worried about my lack of sleep just now, wasn't she?”
I answered with a bit of exasperation.
Then, she whispered softly.
“...Even if it’s not love, for example.”
“Huh?”
A question mark floated over my head at the sudden change in topic.
“Even if it’s not love, if someone cares about you, it makes you happy, right?”
“Hm? Yeah, well, I think so...”
“...Right.”
“Hm...?”
I tilted my head, watching Azuma-san nod to herself with a solemn face. I couldn't follow the conversation.
“I see... that’s all it was. The story was much simpler.”
“Hello? Azuma-san?”
Just as I called out to her, Azuma-san stood up abruptly.
“Konuma, thanks. I’m going. Um... chew your food well.”
“You don’t have to worry about me that much... Did the lyrics come to you?”
“Yeah, probably okay. The rest is, what is it... a matter of determination and resolve.”
“I see...”
She gave a grin toward my still-confused self and made a strange hand gesture next to her face that was neither a peace sign nor an open palm.
“Thank you. For caring about me.”