It was the fifth day since Kanade's transfer.
Even though it had only been five days, I realized that a life with Kanade around was already becoming quite familiar as I went through my classes.
“Alright. That’s all for today.”
When the bell signaling the end of the day echoed through the school building, the classmates who were bored with their lessons cheered up.
Without joining in with those classmates, I quickly packed my textbooks into my bag as usual.
Once the afternoon short homeroom was over, my classmates left the classroom for their respective plans.
“Takagaki-san, are you going to the library today?”
I asked Takagaki-san, who sat in the seat next to mine.
“I’m not going.”
“Eh— I see. Studying with you is calming, so it helps me make good progress, though.”
“So that’s how you felt about that study time.”
Takagaki-san’s reaction was dry, as usual.
“Do you have any plans today?”
“Don’t ask a girl about her plans so casually.”
Takagaki-san looked a little angry.
“...Well, to tell you the truth, it’s not that I have plans.”
“Eh, then why?”
“...Because your childhood friend, who is still looking over here, is scary.”
At Takagaki-san’s words, I noticed that Kanade, who was sitting in front, was casting her gaze toward us.
...What on earth does she mean by Kanade being scary?
I wasn't quite sure, but I waved my hand at Kanade. Kanade, who had been looking this way with an expressionless face as if she were wearing a Noh mask, suddenly broke into a smile and waved back at me.
“...You two really are a perfect match.”
I heard Takagaki-san’s exasperated voice, but I didn’t really understand the intent behind her remark.
Then, as Takagaki-san left the classroom, Kanade, who had been talking with Kadokura and the others, walked over to me.
“Ak-kun. What were you talking about with Takagaki-san?”
“Eh?”
...If you ask me what we were talking about.
“...Well, it wasn't really much of a conversation.”
“Hmmmm. Then, what were you doing?”
“...First, I asked her if we were going to study in the library from now on.”
“Which one of you asked?”
“I did.”
“Hmmmmmmmmm.”
Kanade was smiling, but was it just my imagination that I felt some sort of pressure?
Well, it must be my imagination.
There's no way Kanade would emit bloodlust while talking to someone.
“And? Are you going to study together?”
“No, we aren’t.”
“Hmm. Why?”
“Takagaki-san told me this.”
I picked up my bag and stood up.
“She said that Kanade and I look like a perfect match.”
...Kanade’s eyes widened.
“Hmm. Hmmm. Hmmmm... Ehehe.”
Kanade had a silly, slovenly grin on her face.
“Ak-kun. I’ve been thinking lately that I might have misunderstood Takagaki-san.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Takagaki-san is a really good girl, isn't she?”
“Ahaha. That’s true.”
I had no choice but to agree completely with Kanade's statement.
After all, Takagaki-san treats someone like me, who has few friends, just like a normal friend.
Well, her tongue gets a bit sharp when it comes to studying, likely due to her impatience... but other than that, she is beyond reproach.
We left the classroom.
“I think I’ll give Takagaki-san a thank-you gift soon.”
Kanade said as she waved toward Kadokura and the others behind us.
“A thank-you gift?”
“Yep!”
...It would probably be tactless to ask what she’s giving as a thank-you.
“I know. Ak-kun, are you free tomorrow and the day after?”
“Hmm? Well, I’m free.”
“Really? Then, could you help me find the gift to send to Takagaki-san?”
Today was the fifth day since Kanade’s transfer.
Since she transferred on Monday, tomorrow is Saturday, then Sunday. School is out.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
“Yay! Then is tomorrow okay?”
“That's fine.”
“Then it’s a date!”
“Yeah.”
As soon as I nodded, Kanade, who was walking behind me, sped up and moved in front of me.
“In that case, I can’t just stay like this. I’m going home first!”
“Eh? ...Why are you getting so excited just because we’re hanging out tomorrow and the day after?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Ak-kun, that’s a tactless question.”
Kanade smiled.
“It’s been decided that tomorrow is a date, right? Preparing to look pretty, deciding what to wear... a girl has a lot of preparations to make!”
“...Ah, I see.”
“See you later, Ak-kun!”
Watching Kanade as she ran off, I realized something.
“...Eh? A date?”
Wasn’t tomorrow supposed to be for buying a gift for Takagaki-san?