When I reached the classroom, a crowd of classmates had gathered around Rui’s desk.
Yuria and Airi were nowhere to be seen, though their bags sat on their desks, suggesting they’d stepped out for a moment. Another girl was occupying my seat to the left of Rui’s, leaving me to wait awkwardly by the sliding door at the front of the room.
"Morning, Kuroki-san! You were incredible at the Inter-High!"
"Congratulations on the win! I went to watch you!"
"As expected of Kuroki-san! You were perfect, just like always!"
The class extroverts were showering Rui with praise for her victory. Their comments were so generic that I seriously doubted they’d actually seen her run.
The fire Rui had shown back then was a different beast entirely compared to her usual effortless excellence. Usually, she handled everything with a cheerful, composed smile, but in those moments on the track, she had been the very definition of desperate.
Seeing the "perfect beauty" Rui Kuroki give it her absolute all, her face etched with such raw emotion, had moved me beyond words. That was why I wanted to support that perfection and—
"Hey, Ryouta-kun?"
"Eh..."
I was still standing dazed by the door when I realized Rui had approached me. She was calling my name.
"What are you doing over there?"
"Ah, well, your entourage was camping out at my desk. I thought it’d be rude to ask them to move."
"I see... Sorry if you felt like you couldn't come over, Ryouta-kun. But everyone’s gone now, so why don't you have a seat?"
With that, Rui returned to her own desk.
"A-Ah... Right."
The words escaped me like a tired sigh. Our conversation felt stiff.
Ever since I’d told Rui I wanted to be the Vice President following the Inter-High, things hadn't been quite the same between us. The clearest sign was how I handled the photos she sent me.
In the past, whenever I saved one of her pictures, I’d send back a review of up to a hundred characters detailing exactly what I liked about it as a thank-you. Lately, however, I’d been too embarrassed to even try. I’d been reduced to just sending a "Thank you" sticker.
I didn't know why I couldn't bring myself to send those creepy, otaku-style replies anymore, or why I felt so shy... but it was probably that awkward distance couples feel right after their first time—or so this virgin assumed.
Well, Rui’s probably just relieved she doesn't have to deal with my disgusting messages anymore, so it’s fine...
"Hey, Ryouta-kun."
"Hm? W-What is it, Rui?"
"Lately..."
Rui spoke from my right, her eyes narrowing as she looked at me out of the corner of her vision.
"You haven't been giving me your feedback on my selfies, have you?"
"Eh..."
R-Rui had noticed too?!
"I was always looking forward to them."
"Huh? L-Looking forward to them? To that?"
"Yes. Because I want to know exactly what you’re staring at that gets you so excited, Ryouta-kun."
"...!"
"I want you to tell me what else you like, not just my navel."
Rui was actually asking for my perverted reviews... That was way too erotic! No, wait. Stay calm. Don't let her get to you. This was just another one of her verbal traps. She was always playing with my heart like this... but I didn't hate it.
"Got it. From now on, I'll send a proper reply like usual instead of just a sticker."
"Hehe... You’ve turned into such a 'good boy' since the Inter-High, haven't you, Ryouta-kun?"
"A good boy? What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Well, the old Ryouta-kun probably would have said something like, 'In that case, I'll announce all your erotic spots right here in front of everyone!'"
"I-I wouldn't say something like that! What do you take me for?"
"A total pervert, maybe?"
"Ah... point taken."
I was completely unable to argue with that.