Chapter 49: Changes and Hashima Izumi
It was another early morning, and Aragaki Takiya woke up as usual. After carefully getting dressed, he began his daily routine—washing up and eating breakfast... Oh, right! He also left some easily reheatable food for the still-sleeping Aragaki Moeha, and then headed to school just like any other day.
On the train, Aragaki Takiya took out the Vocabulary Book from his bag as usual. His grades weren't top-tier, just in the upper-middle range; with a bit of luck, he might even break into the top thirty of his grade. To maintain this position, he used his time to review what he had learned. After all, he didn't come from a wealthy family, so all his hopes rested on the entrance exams... "Ding~"
Accompanied by the announcement that the train had arrived at the station, Aragaki Takiya was instantly submerged in the surging tide of students. However, he was accustomed to this, and unlike those students walking in groups of two or three, he was alone and didn't have to worry about anyone else, so he naturally wove through the crowd.
"Twenty minutes until class starts? It seems I have a bit of a talent for managing my time..."
Looking at the time displayed on his phone, Aragaki Takiya couldn't help but feel a sense of gratification. This was the seventh day in a row he had arrived at school at this time. How should he put it? Although it might seem boring to others, he felt a small sense of achievement.
"Hmm? Has Kato-san not arrived yet?"
After entering the classroom, Aragaki Takiya naturally noticed the empty seat in front of him. That was Kato Megumi's seat, but it was currently vacant. Arriving at the classroom this late wasn't like Kato Megumi at all.
"Forget it, maybe Kato-san is busy with something else."
Thinking this, Aragaki Takiya focused his attention on the books on his desk. The first period was Math, a subject he wasn't good at, so he naturally didn't want to waste the opportunity to review before class.
However, while he was focusing on the content of the book, he didn't have his usual concentration. The empty seat in front seemed to have a kind of magic that kept drawing his attention. In this state, Aragaki Takiya began a half-hearted review until the sound of a chair moving came from the front row. After looking up and seeing that familiar figure, he was finally able to snap out of it.
"Am I..."
Aragaki Takiya quietly watched the Short-haired Girl in front of him. Although it was just a view of her back and there was no conversation, it was precisely this back that cleared his distracted state.
"It must be concern for a friend. After all, I used to feel this way when Hachiman was about to be late..."
Aragaki Takiya shook his head and didn't give the matter much more thought. He didn't think he had developed any feelings for Kato Megumi; he only thought of it as a friendship. After all, Hachiman Hikigaya had received similar treatment before, so it was nothing special... "Ring, ring, ring~"
With the ringing of the bell, it signified the official start of the school's lunch break. Although it was only a short hour, it was certainly enough to eat a bento and take a nap.
"Never mind, I'll go buy some bread."
As the students in the classroom gradually dispersed, Aragaki Takiya also prepared to sort out his lunch. However, today's situation was different from the past. When he stood up, the Short-haired Girl beside him actually stood up as well.
"Can we go together, Aragaki?"
The girl asked calmly.
"Huh? But doesn't Kato-san bring a bento every day?"
Although he was curious how Kato Megumi could ask a question in such a calm tone, Aragaki Takiya still focused on the question of why they should go together. After all, the girl usually brought a bento every day, so there was no reason for her to go to the shop to buy bread with him.
"Um... because I overslept a bit today, so..."
Kato Megumi didn't finish her sentence. Similarly, this was the first time Aragaki Takiya had seen a hint of something like an embarrassed expression on the girl's face.
"Of course, no problem. Let's go together."
Aragaki Takiya naturally had no reason to refuse Kato Megumi's request, so the two of them went to the Convenience Store near the school together.
"Is Red Bean Bread okay?"
"Would it be too sweet?"
"I don't think so. I eat Red Bean Bread often, and the sweetness should be considered moderate..."
At the Convenience Store outside the school gates, Aragaki Takiya and Kato Megumi were discussing the bread issue. If one ignored the small distance between them, even if others said they were a couple, it would seem reasonable... "Eh? Aragaki, aren't you going to your part-time job today?"
After enduring the afternoon classes, Kato Megumi, who was packing her books, noticed that Aragaki Takiya, who usually packed everything very quickly, wasn't as fast as usual today.
"Yeah, because I have other things to handle, I quit those jobs."
Aragaki Takiya explained to Kato Megumi while unhurriedly packing his books. This was something he had planned yesterday. It wasn't hard to find temporary work in Kyoto, so he planned to try working as a Virtual Streamer first and then see how things went. Anyway, even if the streaming situation didn't go well in the future, he could continue working part-time. In that case, why not give it a try?
"I see."
Hearing this, Kato Megumi didn't say much more, but she silently observed Aragaki Takiya's movements and then quietly slowed down her own.
How should she put it? If she had a choice, Kato-san still hoped someone would walk home with her.
"Then let's walk together, Kato-san."
After packing everything, Aragaki Takiya naturally noticed Kato Megumi, who had just finished packing nearby. Since they both finished at the same time, he naturally extended the invitation.
"Okay."
Hearing this, Kato Megumi naturally agreed. She was very satisfied with Aragaki Takiya's response; after all, that was her plan anyway.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Aki Tomoya also encountered an unexpected person at the school gate.
"Hashima Izumi?"
"Yes, that's her name."
Sitting on a bench, Eriri and Kasumigaoka Utaha were watching Aki Tomoya deal with a cute red-haired girl not far away.
"But what exactly is her relationship with Rinri-kun? Is she just a junior? She looks more like a Childhood Sweetheart~"
Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at Eriri beside her without changing her expression, but her words were meant to provoke Eriri's nerves.
"I don't know about that either, because she wasn't in the same Elementary School as me, and she's two grades younger. Besides, she transferred schools later on."
Eriri muttered, but there was no trace of anger in her tone. In the past, she would have been very angry upon hearing such words, but for some reason, she couldn't muster even a hint of anger now, as if this matter had nothing to do with her.
"Two grades younger than you, so she should be a Middle School Student, but in terms of size..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha said this while her eyes locked onto Hashima Izumi's chest. Hmm, comparing her with Eriri-san next to her, who exactly is the Middle School Student?
"Crack, crack~"
The sound that followed was Eriri snapping her Pencil. She might not care about Hashima Izumi's situation at all, but Kasumigaoka Utaha was attacking Eriri's sore spot!
Loving Book So Far Check Out 40+ Chapters In Advanced At Pa Treon:
patreon.com/FictionsTL