"Ah." "Ah."
It was only natural that we both had the exact same reaction.
Now that we were actually facing each other like this, it finally truly sank in—despite already knowing it—that we really did attend the same school.
"Hello, Todo-san."
"Hello, Takanashi-kun."
Even our greetings were perfectly in sync.
"It feels a bit strange, meeting at school."
"I knew we were at the same school, but I'm actually surprised we didn't run into each other until today."
"That's true. Well, I look forward to seeing you around here too."
"Likewise, I'll be in your care."
We were able to exchange greetings with genuine smiles.
It seemed that the wall of wariness she’d held during our first meeting had finally crumbled.
"Oh, I should apologize first. I'm sorry for how I acted the other day. It was a case of mistaken identity."
"Mistaken identity?"
So she really had confused me with someone else.
That was a relief. I had been panicking, wondering if I looked so suspicious that a total stranger would be that guarded against me from the start.
"Yeah. There's someone out there with the same first and last name... and I mixed you up with him."
"The same first and last name?"
I wondered how common my name actually was.
But I suppose, statistically speaking, it was a possibility.
"Yeah. Anyway, he's completely different from you, Takanashi-kun, so please don't worry about it."
Hearing her say that meant she didn't have a bad impression of me anymore, at the very least, so I decided to let it go.
"I understand. As long as you don't think I'm some creep, it's fine by me."
"I'm sorry. Well then, if the opportunity arises, please play with Mio-chan again. I might be there too, but would it be okay if the three of us hung out together?"
"Of course. As long as you're okay with it, Todo-san, I don't mind at all."
I was happy that she seemed to accept me more than I had expected.
Maybe Todo-san might even become a friend...
I was letting myself think such optimistic thoughts.
Clatter
"Excuse me."
It wasn't unusual for a guy from another class to wander into our classroom.
Especially after school.
Because of that, I didn't pay much attention, but the reaction from the rest of the class was far from ordinary.
"...Wait, what?! Why is Hayato-kun here?"
"...No way, is this for real?..."
"...This is crazy, this is crazy..."
The girls were being particularly noisy.
"Yo, Hayato! You need something?"
"What, is it a mixer? Have you finally decided to invite me along?"
"Ah, maybe if there's a chance."
...I'd heard a conversation like that somewhere before.
As I listened to the exchange like it was someone else's business, I felt a presence right beside me.
"Hey, you're Takanashi-kun, right?"
"...That's right."
The guy who called out to me with a cool—no, a refreshing smile was—
...Hayato. Right, that was his name.
"Do you need something?"
To be honest, my impression of this guy was poor.
It wasn't for some petty reason like him being popular or handsome; it was because I couldn't tell what he was thinking, and he was making suspiciously meaningful moves on purpose.
Besides, he clearly already knew who I was, so what was with the "right?" act?
At the very least, he wasn't someone I felt like interacting with in a friendly, smiling manner.
"Don't be so cold. I'll tell you upfront: I want to be friends with you. Also, I want to reassure you that there's nothing that would make us enemies."
?
He went out of his way to tell me to feel "reassured."
I didn't like his over-familiarity either.
...Is he the type who thinks Sara-senpai is the only one suitable for him, and that someone like me isn't even a threat?
"If it's okay, could you give me a bit of your time? There's something I want to talk to you about."
I had plans to head to the Student Council Room after this, though it wasn't urgent.
However, I felt it would be better to talk now to settle any future trouble.
I didn't really know what he was up to, and the truth was, I didn't want someone who seemed as flighty as him getting anywhere near Sara-senpai.
"...Fine."
"Thanks. Then, would you mind following me? We can't really talk quietly in here."
Once he confirmed I was standing up, he started walking ahead to lead the way.
"...Hayato-kun is with a guy..."
"...What? What does that mean?"
"Hayato, we'll give you a hand too!"
"Hey, you want some help?"
The "showy guys" in my class started piping up.
Seriously? Is that what this is?
Ignoring them, we left the classroom.
After we’d walked a short distance, the handsome guy muttered in a voice just loud enough for me to hear.
"Don't talk to me, you morons. People will think I'm one of you."
...So he wasn't actually friends with them?
We walked a bit further until we reached a stairwell landing that wasn't used much.
There were no other students around, and it didn't seem like he was planning a group ambush.
The handsome guy gave a wry smile as he watched me check our surroundings.
"Ahaha, you seem pretty wary, but I really just want to talk to you. I want you to rest assured that there's no ulterior motive. I have nothing to do with those idiots."
It seemed he really did just have something to discuss.
When I met his eyes again, he finally introduced himself properly.
"I'm late with this, but I'm Hayato Yokokawa. We're in the same year, so feel free to call me whatever you like."
"...Understood. As you probably know, I'm Kazunari Takanashi."
"I know. You're famous for being the only guy who gets along with the great Satsukawa-senpai."
Since I was always with Sara-senpai, I didn't think for a second that people weren't talking about me.
I just hadn't realized I was "famous."
"Oh, and I have no intention of getting in the way of you two. Only an idiot who can't read the room would do something like that."
...Well, if that's what he thought, then fine.
"See, I don't like Satsukawa-senpai. I like Natsumi-senpai. In 그 sense, I'm actually envious of you. I've never seen Natsumi-senpai treat a guy the way she treats you."
......What?
He approached me, and on top of that, he was into Natsumi-senpai?
Even I could immediately grasp the implications of that.
It was essentially a declaration... and I could feel my irritation starting to flare.