After chatting with Kanade for a while longer, we arrived at the classroom, and Kanade immediately headed over to Kadokura-san and the others.
“Good morning, Kanade-chan.”
“Good morning, Kadokura-san.”
...It’s a bit late to wonder, but why does Kadokura-san call Kanade by her first name, while Kanade calls Kadokura-san by her surname?
It seems the two of them became close after school the day before yesterday while I wasn't around, but is it just my imagination that the level of affection between them doesn't quite seem to match up?
“...Well, whatever.”
Trying to pry into other people's friendships usually doesn't lead to anything good. No matter how curious I am, it’s wiser not to get involved.
With that in mind, I decided to kill time by studying until the morning homeroom started.
“Good morning, Hagiwara-kun.”
However, an interruption came.
“...Good morning, Yoshihira-kun.”
That was because Yoshihira-kun, who sits in the seat in front of me, spoke to me. Yoshihira-kun was the boy who had invited Kanade to go out and play on her first day after transferring.
He is a normie, the complete opposite of an introvert like me, and seems to have friendships with most of the classmates. To be honest, he belongs to a breed of people I don't particularly like.
...Why exactly do I not like them?
The reason is obvious. Introverts are genetically predisposed to dislike normies.
“You came to school with Ichinose-san again today, didn't you?”
“Yeah. We're childhood friends, after all.”
“I see. You guys are really close.”
Why did he go out of his way to bring that up?
“Hagiwara-kun, I'm thinking of holding a get-together to deepen the class's bonds soon. Would you like to join?”
...It was a very sudden invitation.
“Of course, Ichinose-san is invited too.”
“...I appreciate the offer, but I think I’ll pass.”
“I see. That’s a shame.”
I thought he would be more persistent in recruiting me, but Yoshihira-kun backed off surprisingly easily.
“...You give up easily.”
“It's not something to be forced, right?”
Yoshihira-kun gave a wry smile.
“Or did you perhaps want me to invite you persistently?”
“No, definitely not.”
“Ahaha. Right.”
Just then, the chime announcing the start of school echoed through the building, and Yoshihira-kun turned back to the front. After that, morning homeroom was held, and as usual, it was time to focus on the lessons.
“Finally finished~”
After a while, when the chime for lunch break rang, the classmates began to make a fuss or lounge around, perhaps out of joy from being released from the oppression of the long lessons.
“Ak-kun.”
It was just as I was thinking about going to eat lunch.
“Kanade.”
“Shall we go eat lunch together?”
I was invited to lunch by Kanade. The noisy classroom suddenly fell silent.
...Since the day Kanade transferred in, every time the classmates see me and Kanade interacting in this classroom, they’ve started to hold their breath. I don’t know why that happened.
But since I'm not used to being the center of attention, I really wish they would stop.
“Yeah, sure.”
“Thank you.”
“Only... I want to make time for studying, so I might leave midway.”
“I understand.”
Kanade smiled.
“Then, let's study together after we eat lunch.”
“...Eh.”
“...You don't want to?”
I felt like the tone of Kanade's voice dropped.
“...I feel like if I'm with you, it'll become too fun and I won't be able to concentrate on my studies.”
“...”
“...”
“...Ufufu. I see.”
Kanade looked very happy.
“...But please. I'm in quite a pinch for the upcoming test.”
“Eh, really?”
“Yeah. ...Since I couldn't really study for a while, it’s had an effect.”
...I see. From her way of speaking, Kanade probably couldn't study properly while she was concentrating on her medical treatment.
Even so, the fact that she was able to transfer into this preparatory school shows how naturally smart she is.
“...Alright.”
“Yay. Thanks!”
Kanade rejoiced.
“Then, shall we go eat lunch?”
“Yeah.”
“I know a place where there aren't many people, so let's eat together there.”
“Hm? Yeah.”
“I think it’ll be okay to do anything there.”
“Ahaha. You say the strangest things, Kanade. I'm not going to do anything.”
“Ufufu. I don't think you'll do anything, but I think it's okay even if you do something, you know?”
“I see. But I won't do anything, so it’s fine.”
“Ufufu. ...Ufufufufu.”
Kanade was smiling. Even so, despite having only transferred to this school a few days ago, she’s already found a secluded spot.
Perhaps she already knows more about this school than I do, even though I've been here for several months.
“Well then, let’s go.”
“Yeah.”
I followed after Kanade and left the classroom, which remained as quiet as ever.