Obata Yui was avoiding Mu Xiaoxiao.
Mu Xiaoxiao knew this, and so did Chisato, but they didn't mention it.
This had been Yui's state since Saturday. Although Mu Xiaoxiao stayed at the Obata house, he was basically with Mrs. Natsumi... As for Yui-senpai, she probably didn't know what attitude to take toward him. Maybe she still had some feelings she couldn't sort out.
Today, she'd gotten up very early and come to school. Then she'd stayed motionless in her classroom, with no intention of looking for Mu Xiaoxiao — even though she usually couldn't wait to walk to school with him.
During recess, she always used to go see Xiaoxiao, or Chi-chan and the others...
Now it was noon. In the past, Yui-senpai would eat lunch with Makoto, Chisato, and Anna in the library or on the rooftop. But today she didn't go. Instead, she stayed in the classroom to eat with her friends.
"Yui? Yui?"
Shinohara Misaki called out twice. Obata Yui, sitting at the table next to her, poked at the rice in her lunchbox with her chopsticks, completely zoned out. She was so far away she hadn't even heard her name. Misaki couldn't help showing a helpless expression.
She reached out and poked Yui's cheek.
"Misaki?" Obata Yui startled awake. "What's wrong?"
Shinohara Misaki was both a classmate and a fellow member of the women's basketball club. They even shared the same hair color — though unlike Yui, Misaki tied her red hair into a ponytail. She was an energetic, athletic girl.
The two had become good friends.
"I should be asking you that. What's wrong, Yui? You're not eating well, you didn't respond when I called you, and you've been spacing out all day."
'I've been spacing out?'
"No, I was just thinking about something..."
"Thinking about what?" Shinohara Misaki propped her pretty face on one hand and took a bite of her rice ball. "Is it about a boy?"
"...How did you know?"
Obata Yui felt a little ashamed and embarrassed in front of her friend.
"I could guess. Lately, I never see you during lunch break — you're always going to the first-grade building. And I've seen you bring two lunchboxes to school several times. There's no other reason except a boy. Unless you like girls?"
Her friend's words rang in Obata Yui's mind. Yes — she used to go see Xiaoxiao and the other girls often. She'd even taken the initiative to cook for him, wishing she could spend every day entangled with him.
But that was all because of hypnosis...
This was where Yui struggled. Although she'd been hypnotized, the villain hadn't hypnotized her feelings — he'd modified her worldview instead. Now that she was back to normal...
Yui couldn't swear that the feelings in her heart were fake... and she couldn't just sever ties with Chi-chan and the others, who had become her real friends.
She even missed those happy times — the days she'd spent having lunch with Xiaoxiao, chatting and joking with Chisato and the others.
However, she couldn't let go of the resentment in her heart...
Today she'd stayed in the classroom to have lunch with her friends, but her mind had already flown elsewhere — to Mu Xiaoxiao and the others. 'Chi-chan and them must be eating bento with Xiaoxiao right now, right?'
'Mom made two lunchboxes today too, but I couldn't bring myself to give him his... I wonder what he had for lunch.'
'Hmph. Even without me, Chi-chan and the others would cook for Mu Xiaoxiao. I was worried over nothing.' Obata Yui quickly shook her head, glanced at the bento box in her drawer, her expression darkening.
She felt a little frustrated. Even though she was trying to avoid Xiaoxiao, she couldn't forget him. She kept thinking about him...
"You're spacing out again." Shinohara Misaki rubbed her forehead, unsure whether to laugh or cry as she watched Yui sit silently, motionless. "Yui, if it's about love, please tell me. Maybe I can help."
"No, it's not love." There was no way to explain this kind of thing. Obata Yui shook her head. "Don't overthink it. I'm fine, Misaki."
With that, she put away her lunchbox.
"You're done eating already?" Shinohara Misaki glanced at the barely touched food. "You've hardly eaten anything from such a nice meal?"
"I don't have much appetite. Misaki, if you want it, I'll give it to you." She pushed her bento box toward her friend with a weak smile.
"We have club practice this afternoon. You—"
Seeing Obata Yui continue lying on the table in a daze, Shinohara Misaki looked down at the bento box before her, helpless. "I'm suddenly a little curious. What kind of person could make you so lovesick?"
'Lovesick?'
'Me? Lovesick? How could I be...'
A sad, boring lunch break ended. Obata Yui hadn't left the classroom even once. Xiaoxiao and the others hadn't come looking for her either — as if they'd forgotten she existed. Obata Yui wasn't happy about that.
She was actually quite sad.
Even though she didn't know what she wanted — avoiding him while hoping he'd come to her... As for the boyfriend she'd dated for only two days? She remembered him. She just remembered him.
She had no intention of looking for him. She felt nothing for him...
The afternoon classes passed in a blur. Obata Yui didn't even know how she'd made it through the day. Only when the school bell rang did she perk up a little.
"Let's go. Let's play — forget about those unhappy things." Shinohara Misaki grabbed Yui and headed to the indoor basketball court for club activities.
Boom——
Boom——
In the women's basketball gym, girls in athletic wear were sweating on the court — the sound of basketballs hitting the floor, occasional shouts, and cheers.
Obata Yui wore jersey number 24 and played shooting guard. Her movements and footwork were sharp, her ball control excellent. Elegant and natural, she easily blew past opponents for layups.
The girls watching from the sidelines cheered again.
"Whew——"
Obata Yui adjusted her breathing, heading back to her home basket for another round. But when she turned, she accidentally noticed someone outside the court.
Mu Xiaoxiao stood there with his hands in his pockets, watching the girls on the court with a smile. More precisely, watching her. Senior Yui's breathing hitched.
Her heart raced.
'He — why is he here?'
'I brought Xiaoxiao here last time, so he knows where my club is, but...'
Bang bang bang——
"Yui!"
Obata Yui lost focus and got tangled up by an opponent. Her heart shaken, her movements grew chaotic. She tried to shake free, but her legs gave way mid-stride, a wave of weakness surging through her.
Boom!
She hit the ground.
"Yui?!"
"What's wrong, Yui?! Are you okay?!"
"YUI!!"
The girls rushed over. Obata Yui slumped on the floor, clutching her ankle and forcing a smile, shaking her head at her teammates. "I'm fine. Really."
But the pain in her ankle made sweat bead on her forehead.
'This is... so embarrassing.'
'Just when I was feeling down, Xiaoxiao had to see me like this. Now I have another reason to avoid him.'
The noise faded around her. The crowd parted. Mu Xiaoxiao walked in. Obata Yui stared at him blankly, then lowered her head, hiding her pretty face in shadow. Her lips moved. "Xiaoxiao..."
"You twisted your ankle?"
"...Yeah."
"Careless. I'll help you to the locker room to rest."
"...Okay."
She didn't refuse. She didn't want to refuse.
The pain in her foot seemed to ease slightly. Looking at the boy she couldn't help but want to hold, Yui wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned half her weight against him. The familiar scent gave the girl a sense of security.
She realized then — he'd already become part of her daily life. A part she couldn't cut away.