"All right, morning homeroom is starting! Everyone, get to your seats. ...What’s with you lot? You’re all unusually restless."
Mr. Azuma walked into the classroom a few moments after the chime. He tilted his head, looking puzzled by the flighty energy permeating the room.
In response, our classmates let their knowing, tepid gazes wander back and forth between Haruka and me. It was more than a little uncomfortable.
Sensing the situation, a smirk played at the corner of the teacher's mouth.
"Aha, I see how it is. Must be nice to be in the full bloom of youth. Here I am, turning thirty this year, and I don't even have a girlfriend..."
"Sir, aren't you going to try some matchmaking services?"
"Your teacher is busy; I don't have time for that. ...Now, stop looking at me with those pitying eyes. You, on duty, give the command."
Stand, bow, sit.
The morning SHR began with the unenthusiastic command of the female student on duty.
First came the attendance check and a brief health observation, followed by announcements from the subject liaisons, the library committee, and the broadcasting committee.
Since the weather was holding up, it seemed we would be playing soccer outside for Physical Education during the fifth period. Hashimoto, sitting in the seat in front of me, gave a triumphant fist pump.
"Anything else? ...Okay, a word from me then."
"Yeah, thanks. Now then, good morning, everyone. Did you all get some rest over the weekend?"
"Yes! Karaoke was great!"
"Oh, right, you had a celebration at karaoke, didn't you? I'm glad you could recharge... especially since the first semester term exams are in two weeks. Make sure you get your heads in the game."
A low groan rippled through the classroom at Mr. Azuma’s words.
Even though the midterm exams had only ended the week before last, the schedule was relentlessly hectic.
"Unlike midterms, the term exams will cover a total of twelve subjects, including health and physical education and home economics. They’ll be held over four days, from Tuesday to Friday, with three subjects per day. Monday's classes are scheduled to end after four periods. The exam range will be announced in each class by this week or next Monday at the latest, so start reviewing now."
As the number of subjects increased, so did the required study load.
The term exams also included material from the midterms, meaning that if you hadn't been reviewing regularly, it would be impossible to cover everything. Cramming the night before was out of the question.
...I was glad that my little competition with Haruka had helped me establish a study habit.
I stole a glance at her. While many other students were clutching their heads or wearing sour expressions, she was listening to the teacher with a perfectly composed face.
As expected of her. It was a bit embarrassing to admit, but I decided I’d rely on her, taking her up on what she’d said during our previous study group.
As if sensing my gaze, Haruka suddenly looked back.
My eyes widened in surprise, but she just gave me a soft smile and a tiny, playful fist pump.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the adorable gesture. I was lightly waving back when—
"You two, the couple in the back. Stop flirting and pay attention."
...My apologies.
Rebuked by the half-grinning teacher, we both turned red and shrunk into our seats. The giggles that filled the room only amplified my shame.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Azuma continued.
"Also... there’s a staff meeting today, so we have a shortened five-period schedule. Unless you have club activities, you must leave school by 5:00 PM. It’s the start of the week, so keep your focus sharp... strive to live a life of moderation, and let's work hard starting from the first period!"
Mr. Azuma pointedly looked our way during the "life of moderation" part before concluding his talk.
I wanted to protest, but after just making a spectacle of myself, I had no right to speak. Even though Karin had warned me to exercise self-restraint, I was already being far too careless.
The teacher left the room, and the classroom was immediately swallowed by its usual lively energy.
As I let out a heavy sigh, Hashimoto turned around to tease me.
"Hey, hey, Yanagida-san. You’re really putting on a show right from homeroom, aren't you?"
"Shut up. Get ready for class."
"No, you don't get to take that attitude with me. I’m pretty sure I’ve been giving you plenty of warnings, haven’t I?"
"...Sorry."
"Yeah, that's what I thought."
When I tried to talk back with a grimace, I was immediately shut down by his exasperated look. I didn't have a leg to stand on.
As we spoke, several other people approached my desk. It was the usual crowd—Minami, Akasaka, and Hamasaki was there too.
Hamasaki had a strangely solemn expression. Then, the moment he reached my desk, he suddenly bowed his head.
"Master! I am moved to the depths of my soul...!"
"I'm not your Master... but what is this about all of a sudden?"
"You flirted like crazy even before you started dating Akise-san, and then the moment you officially get together, you show up holding hands for everyone to see! You made a public declaration of love, and then you kept flirting right in the middle of homeroom! I can't even look you in the eye anymore; I have nothing but respect for you, seriously."
"...You're obviously mocking me."
"I don't mean to mock you. Well, I'm teasing you about half of it."
Hamasaki spoke with total shamelessness. I glared at the guy, but it didn't faze him at all.
Minami and Akasaka joined in with laughs of their own.
"Well, I get why he wants to say it. You two have been laying it on thick just this morning."
"There was a time when I thought, 'Maybe they’ll settle down once they actually start dating.'"
"Are you serious? Do we have to watch this for the rest of the year?"
"...Sorry. I'll be more careful."
With everyone piling on, I actually started to feel bad.
If I were in their position, I certainly wouldn't enjoy watching a couple show off like that. If it were the old me—before I knew Haruka—I probably would have clicked my tongue in annoyance.
...However. There was one "however."
"I'll do my best to fix it... but I don't want to make Haruka sad, so please give us some leeway."
"O-Oh..."
At my bold declaration, the surrounding boys looked at me with something bordering on awe.
"What do you think, Hashimoto?"
"He's a lost cause."
"Ugh! This is rough for a single guy."
"Well, I have a girlfriend, so I'm better off than you lot."
"Wait, you bastard! You traitor!"
While Hamasaki and the others were practically bowing before me, Hashimoto’s careless remark got him pounced on by Akasaka.
I didn't really care, but shouldn't these guys be getting ready for the first period?
§
"Yanagida-kun! Got a second?"
During the break after the first period, I was organizing the handouts from class when a bright, bouncy voice called out to me.
I looked up to see three girls who were clearly the "gyaru" types of the class. They were staring at me with intense curiosity.
"...Did you need something?"
"Whoa, a bit cold, aren't you? We’re classmates, right? We can at least chat."
The one who spoke was a girl with curly, light brown hair who looked like the quintessential strong-willed type. She seemed a bit miffed. My blunt response must have caused a misunderstanding. I hurriedly tried to correct it.
"Ah, sorry. I'm just naturally unsociable. I don't mind talking to you."
"When you were talking to Haruru, you had such kind eyes and a sweet voice, though."
The one who cut in was a tall girl with short black hair and a black mask standing behind the first girl. She stared at me with expressionless eyes, though she probably just had naturally sharp features and didn't realize she was glaring. I felt a weird sense of kinship with her.
"That was because it was Haruka... Is it really that obvious?"
"You're like a different person compared to how you are right now."
"I see..."
"Hmm... Hey, Tatsumin! Could you stand up for a second?"
"T-Tatsumin?"
I was taken aback by the strange nickname, but a pair of round, sparkling eyes were looking up at me. The last girl was a petite girl with a bright-colored side ponytail. She reminded me of Mukai-san, but with a more small-animal-like friendliness.
Baffled, I stood up as instructed. The first and third girls let out small cheers, while the masked girl’s eyes widened slightly.
"I knew it, you're huge up close. How tall are you? Your shoulders are wide and you’ve got long limbs—did you play sports? But the slouch is a bit of a point deduction."
"He's about half a head taller than me, so he's definitely over 180. His eyes are a bit scary, too. He’s got quite the aura. Well, if you're dating Haruru, I guess you need to be like that."
"His eyes are sharp, but his face is actually kind of gentle. I feel like I'd feel safe around him, like he'd protect me. If you trimmed your bangs a bit, I think it would look really clean and nice!"
They continued to size me up from head to toe, tossing out whatever impressions came to mind.
I suppose they were just curious to see what "Haruka's boyfriend" was actually like. They were mostly complimenting me, and since a girl's perspective on my appearance might be useful, I decided to let them do what they wanted.
I tried to keep clean, but if I was going to stand next to Haruka, I wanted to look as good as possible.
The girls were getting more excited and started closing the distance. I was just about to tell them to back off when—
"—Tatsumi-kun?"
"Ha-Haruka...?"
A chill ran down my spine.
Her voice resonated quietly, cutting through the chatter of the girls. Before I knew it, Haruka was standing behind the trio with a smile.
A smile... or it was supposed to be a smile. The corners of her mouth were turned up, and the corners of her eyes were lowered, but her eyes themselves were not laughing.
The three girls turned around in surprise, their faces twitching with a look that said, Oh, crap.
Everyone in the immediate vicinity seemed to shrink under the mysterious, heavy pressure radiating from Haruka. The masked girl was the first to speak.
"So... Sorry, Haruka. We were just curious about your boyfriend; we didn't mean anything by it, really!"
She apologized in a rush while bowing her head, and the other two nodded vigorously. The way they stole glances at Haruka's face made it clear they were terrified. Even I felt a slight shiver.
Haruka stared at them for a long moment, then suddenly softened her expression.
"...I see. Then, let me introduce him properly! This is Tatsumi Yanagida-kun, my boyfriend! Hehe... He's cool, isn't he?"
The three girls nodded their heads like their lives depended on it. Even though Haruka was smirking adorably, her smile still carried that strange weight.
But when she turned that smile toward me, the pressure vanished instantly.
"Well then, Tatsumi-kun, see you later! Class is about to start, so I think everyone should get ready."
With that, Haruka headed back to her seat. The three girls let out massive sighs of relief, looking completely drained of energy.
"...That was scary. I didn't know Haruru could make a face like that."
"Haruka is actually the jealous type... Man, you're really loved."
"Her eyes were totally dead. Sorry, Yanagida. We got carried away."
They apologized and left in a hurry.
...So that was Haruka's jealousy.
For some reason, my heart raced. I felt like I understood why Haruka had looked so happy this morning when I had been the one acting possessive.
I didn't want to make her jealous on purpose... but getting that tangible proof of her love felt pretty good.
§
"Ta-tsu-mi-kun♪"
As the second period ended and I stood up to move to another classroom, something latched onto my arm.
There was no need to guess what it was. I looked down to find my right arm held captive by a beaming Haruka.
"Let's go to the science room together!"
"That's fine, but... what about the arm?"
When I asked, Haruka puffed out her cheeks.
"Well, the second I took my eyes off you, you were surrounded by girls! I have to make my mark!"
"They were only looking at me because I’m your boyfriend. They were just curious, and I didn't feel anything about it."
"Really? Weren't you enjoying being pampered by cute girls just a little bit?"
"No. I only have eyes for you... I don't even know those girls' names."
I tried to tell her I wasn't interested, but she gave me a very flat look.
"Tatsumi-kun, I think you should at least learn the names of your own classmates."
"Yes, ma'am..."
She was right. I hadn't expected to get such a sensible lecture in the middle of this.
Ahem... regardless.
"I’ll walk with you, but no linking arms. The teacher and Takamiya-san both told us to keep things in moderation."
"Ehh? ...Then can we hold hands?"
"...N-No."
"No way..."
My resolve nearly crumbled when I saw her eyes welling up with sadness.
But no meant no. I had finally decided to be more aware of self-restraint and my surroundings.
As I shook my head firmly, Haruka looked disappointed, but then she had an idea.
"...Then just this, okay?"
She reached out and hooked her right pinky around my left one.
To anyone watching, it was basically the same as holding hands, but it was becoming too painful to keep rejecting her requests. Or rather, I couldn't handle the guilt.
Besides, I’d already told the guys they’d have to deal with it to some extent.
"We’re going to be late. Shall we?"
"...Mm-hm!"
I squeezed her finger back lightly, and she rewarded me with a radiant, heart-melting smile.
Once I saw that look on her face, I was powerless to say anything else.
I knew then that I’d only continue to get softer where she was concerned. I gave a small, internal wry smile as we walked together toward the next classroom.