"...I forgot to pick a meeting spot."
"Huh? Did you say something?"
"No, nothing."
Hashimoto’s voice pulled me back to reality as my private mutterings leaked out in the after-school classroom.
The study group with Akise-san was finally happening tomorrow. Despite that, so much had happened lately that I’d only just realized we hadn't settled on a time or place to meet.
Naturally, I didn't have her contact information. Takamiya-san and Mukai-san would definitely have it, but they’d already gone home for the day.
Fortunately, Akise-san should still be on campus for a Committee meeting, but...
"Hashimoto, do you know what time the Committee meetings usually wrap up?"
"Hmm? Not for sure, but they usually take an hour or so."
"I see. Thanks."
"Don't mention it. But what’s this about...? Ah, I get it now."
Hashimoto scanned the room and, having put the pieces together, flashed a devious, knowing grin. His eyes were fixed squarely on Akise-san’s empty desk.
"Hey, don't go getting the wrong idea."
"Don't be shy! If anything, I totally sympathize. You can't call it a 'high school youth' without after-school dates with a cute girlfriend."
"Like I said, that’s not what this is."
"I know, I know. I actually tried to invite my girlfriend on a date today since I didn't have club practice, but..."
Hashimoto trailed off, his expression turning miserable.
"She totally shot me down. She said, 'Tests are right around the corner, so why would I go? Are you an idiot? Do you want to die?' and then just... dumped me there."
"Well, that sounds about right."
Apparently, Hashimoto’s girlfriend was quite the force of nature.
"You should actually study for the tests too. If you fail and end up in remedial classes, you really won't have any time for dates."
"My girlfriend said the exact same thing!"
"Then do your work."
I threw the retort back at him as he groaned theatrically, looking like he was about to cry, "Et tu, Brute?"
She sounded like a good girlfriend—someone who wasn't afraid to tell him exactly what he needed to hear. When I told him as much, Hashimoto beamed as if I’d just handed him a medal.
...He was a bit of a jokester and definitely lacked foresight, but he was a genuinely good guy.
"Fine, I guess I’ll find a little motivation... Later, Yanagida. I won't lose to you!"
"We weren't even competing. See ya, Hashimoto."
I waved him off as he left the room with a renewed, lighthearted spring in his step.
It was a strange feeling. Here I was, having a casual conversation with one of the most popular guys in class as if we were equals... No, maybe we really were friends now.
Still feeling that odd sense of sentimentality, I turned my attention back to the textbooks and notebooks spread across my desk. I hadn't agreed to any competition, but I could feel my heart racing just a little.
"Oh, Yanagida-kun?"
It was nearly an hour later when Akise-san finally returned. She looked surprised to find me as the sole remaining person in the classroom.
"Were you... waiting for me?"
"Well, partially."
Partially was probably the right way to put it.
Akise-san giggled at my vague answer and walked over to my desk.
"But you aren't denying it, are you? Did you need something?"
"It’s about the Study Group tomorrow. I realized we hadn't decided on the details, like where and when to meet."
"...Now that you mention it, we didn't."
Akise-san tilted her head, looking like she wanted to say "Oops."
"For something like that, we could have just talked later over the phone or LAIN... wait, did I even give you my info yet?"
"I'll give it to you now," she said, pulling her smartphone from her uniform pocket.
I pulled mine out as well. I scanned the QR code she held out and tapped the screen once... and there it was. In my app’s friend list, the name 'Haruka' appeared.
"There! All set. Ah, Yanagida-kun, your icon is so cute! Is that a yawning puppy?"
"It’s my dog back home. My younger sister took the photo and sent it to me. I liked it, so I made it my icon."
"Heh! I’m jealous. I’ve always wanted a pet, but my dad has a dog allergy, so it was never allowed."
Though she sounded disappointed, Akise-san was grinning at her phone screen, unable to hide her excitement.
"Hmm? Why? Because I’m happy, obviously! I mean, now that we’ve exchanged LAIN, it means we can talk even when we aren't at school, right?"
She looked up at me with an expression of pure, unadulterated joy. It was clear that she was genuinely thrilled that our connection now extended beyond the school gates.
"...As long as it isn't too late at night, I’ll try to reply when I can."
That blunt response was the best I could manage.
Akise-san puffed out her cheeks in mock dissatisfaction.
"What? And here I was hoping we could stay on the phone until we fell asleep. Also, don't just wait for me—you have to be the one to message me too, Yanagida-kun!"
"I'll... do my best."
For someone like me, whose experience with messaging even male friends could be counted on one hand, this felt like a monumental task.
Still, I couldn't let her down. I’d have to rack my brain for topics we could actually get excited about... As I struggled with the thought, Akise-san gave me a mischievous little smile.
"Since we finally have each other's info, let's talk about the plans for tomorrow over the phone!"
"...That makes sense."
"However! You have to be the one to call me, Yanagida-kun!"
"Sure, I'll—wait, what?"
Seeing my startled reaction, Akise-san laughed brightly.
"You clearly aren't used to this, so think of it as practice. If we decide on a time beforehand, it’ll be easier for you to make the call, right?"
"I... suppose so?"
Even so, the sheer anxiety of having to call a girl myself wasn't going away.
Regardless of my inner turmoil, Akise-san quickly packed her things to go.
"See you later, Yanagida-kun! I'll be waiting for your call tonight!"
"Ah, yeah... See you."
I watched her skip out of the classroom, then looked down at my phone. There she was in my friend list—one more person than before, a permanent change. The reality of it made my chest tighten with a excitement I couldn't deny.
Later that night.
I had finished dinner, my bath, and the bodyweight training that had become part of my routine. Now, having finished the bare minimum of my test prep, I sat staring at the phone sitting on my desk.
I had the chat window with Akise-san open. It only contained a cute, stylized dog sticker she’d sent and my incredibly stiff reply: "I look forward to working with you."
One more tap. If I just hit the call button at the top of the screen, I’d be talking to her.
"............"
I was nervous. I was beyond nervous.
I’d never called a girl at night before. Honestly, I’d never even called a guy friend at night. I didn't even know if I was calling at the right time. Was I interrupting her? Should I have messaged her first to ask if she was free? I was paralyzed.
But I couldn't sit here forever.
"...Here goes nothing."
Steeling my resolve, I pressed the button.
The monotonous, default ringtone began to drone in my ear. Just as the first loop ended... the screen switched to "Connected."
Shocked by the speed of her answer, I managed to force out the first word.
"...Hello?"
『............』
There was no response.
Was the connection bad? Or was I so late that she’d actually fallen asleep?
Panic began to rise. I was just about to pull the phone away from my ear to check the screen when a voice finally came through.
『You’re late...』
"...! O-Oh... Sorry."
Her voice caught me completely off guard. The atmosphere was entirely different.
The usual brightness and energy were gone, replaced by a tone that was quiet, soft, and calm. It was the voice of someone who didn't have to worry about anyone else’s eyes—someone who was completely relaxed in their own space.
"Um, well. I thought you might be busy with dinner, or a bath, or studying... I figured it’d be better to wait until you were settled for the night."
『I see. But honestly, I haven't even taken my bath yet.』
"Really? Then maybe I should call back later—"
I heard her let out a shallow sigh on the other end. The sound was so clear and close that it made my shoulders twitch.
『It's because I was waiting for you to call, Yanagida-kun.』
"...!"
I finally understood.
The reason her voice sounded different wasn't just because she was calm. Even though she was in her own room and probably wouldn't bother her family by speaking normally, she was keeping her voice down anyway.
She was speaking in a low, intimate murmur, as if we were sharing a secret.
『Oh? Yanagida-kun? Are you there?』
"...Sorry. I was just zoning out for a second."
I lived alone and didn't have to worry about anyone hearing me, yet I found myself lowering my own voice to match hers.
『Hehe. Your voice sounds so much softer over the phone than it does at school. It’s very soothing.』
"I was thinking the same thing about you. You’re... a lot quieter than usual."
『Does that mean I’m usually loud?』
Perhaps because of the comfortable atmosphere, I found myself able to handle her playful sulking without getting flustered.
"No, that’s not it. Seeing you so energetic and bright always gives me a boost. But right now... it feels like my heart is at peace. It’s comforting."
『...You really think of me that way? That makes me happy.』
Akise-san’s voice sounded like it had a little bounce to it.
『I feel the same way when I’m with you, Yanagida-kun. I feel safe. Because you never waver, and you always... you always look straight at me.』
"I... I see..."
『Though I’m not a fan of how you sometimes get shy and look away.』
"...I'd appreciate it if you could overlook that for now."
The cheesy line "It's because you're so bright and dazzling" flashed through my mind, but I buried it immediately.
『Hehe, nope. Not allowed.』
"Then what do I have to do to get a pass?"
『Let's see... in that case...』
Both of us sank into that strange, comfortable tranquility, letting the conversation drift. We were so caught up in the simple joy of hearing each other's voices that we completely forgot why I’d called.
It wasn't until the clock neared midnight that we finally remembered to discuss our actual plans for the next day.