"Hey, what’s the meaning of this? You two aren't in some... weird relationship, are you?"
"N-no! That’s not it at all!"
I was currently being interrogated by Kuroki regarding the way I addressed Airi.
I guess there’s no helping it now. I’ll just have to tell them the truth.
"M-Miyama really wanted me to call her Airi. We made a deal, and calling her by her first name was part of the trade-off for... a little something."
If I actually told them what that "little something" was, they’d probably punch me on the spot. My lips were sealed. It was a pretty strained explanation, but it wasn't exactly a lie.
"Hmm. Is Ryouta-kun telling the truth, Airi?"
"Yeah! Exactly what Ryouta said!"
Why did she have to double-check like that? I guess I’m not trusted very much.
"Well, I suppose that makes sense. Airi has a boyfriend, after all, so I didn't think she’d get into a scandalous relationship with Ryouta-kun."
"I thought things had gotten weird between you two for a second, too... but Airi’s already got a boyfriend. In that case, Ryouta, you should start calling us by our first names as well."
"Eh!"
"I'm in favor of that. Good idea, Yuria."
"Right?"
That Yuria... she really knew how to jump on an opportunity. From my perspective, I often almost slipped up and used Yuria's first name anyway, so it was actually a bit of a relief.
"Got it, Ryouta? I’m Yuria, and you should call Rui 'Rui' from now on."
"U-uh, yeah... Got it. Yuria... and Rui."
Calling Yuria by her name felt natural since I was used to her, but calling Kuroki "Rui"... it felt kind of ticklish, or something like that. While I stood there feeling awkward, Airi gave the sleeve of my summer uniform a few light tugs.
"Ryouta."
"W-what is it, Airi?"
"Hmph... never mind. It’s nothing."
For some reason, Airi kept pouting the whole way until we reached the school. Why was she in such a bad mood even though I’d called her by her name? Yeah, girls really were a mystery.
For the time being, I walked to school with the three of them while sneaking glances at Airi's chest—the very one that had appeared in my dreams.
☆☆
With finals just two weeks away, the atmosphere in the classroom had turned dead serious before I even realized it. Even though I walked in with three of the school's top beauties, no one even spared us a glance. Everyone's eyes were glued to vocabulary lists and study guides being circulated among friends.
It was just the Cultural Festival a short while ago, so the speed at which they switched into study mode was impressive. Swept along by the mood of the room, I took my seat and opened a textbook instead of a light novel.
"Hey, Ryouta, Ryouta."
"Hm? What’s up, Yuria?"
"...There's something I want to talk to you about. Just the two of us. I'll head up to the rooftop first. Meet me there."
After whispering that, Yuria slipped out of the classroom.
Just the two of us...? Don't tell me it's lecture time about the names, like with Kuroki?
I was already exhausted from the morning's runaround with these beautiful girls, but since Yuria had summoned me, I had no choice but to head for the rooftop.