The rumors didn't die.
They evolved.
"Yamabuki and the goddess are secretly dating!"
"They meet alone every day!"
"I heard she even holds his hand!"
Yamabuki slammed his head on the desk.
"This school is insane…"
Takumi leaned back in his chair.
"Honestly, I respect you now."
"I DID NOTHING!!"
Unexpected Visitor
During lunch break—
Something unusual happened.
A girl approached Yamabuki's desk.
"Um… Yamabuki-kun?"
Yamabuki looked up.
"…Me?"
The girl smiled nervously.
"C-Can I sit here?"
Takumi immediately leaned forward.
"Ohhh… new character unlocked "
"SHUT UP!"
The girl sat down anyway.
"My name is Aika," she said softly.
"I just wanted to talk…"
Yamabuki scratched his head awkwardly.
"…About what?"
"Well… you seem interesting."
Takumi almost fell off his chair.
"INTERESTING?! HIM?!"
"STOP TALKING!!"
From Across the Room
Near the window—
Naya was watching.
Quietly.
Silently.
Her expression didn't change.
But her eyes…
Stayed on Yamabuki.
On the girl sitting next to him.
Laughing.
Talking.
Getting closer.
Her fingers tightened slightly around her pen.
…Why is this happening?
She looked away.
Then looked back again.
Why am I looking…?
Back to Chaos
"So you and Naya—" Aika started.
"NOTHING IS GOING ON!" Yamabuki panicked.
Aika giggled.
"You're funny."
"I'M NOT TRYING TO BE!"
Takumi whispered:
"She likes you."
"I WILL THROW YOU OUT THE WINDOW."
The Feeling
Naya suddenly stood up.
Her chair made a small sound.
The classroom went quiet for a second.
Then she walked.
Step by step.
Toward Yamabuki.
Toward them.
Takumi's eyes widened.
"BRO… SHE'S COMING."
"I CAN SEE THAT!!"
Confrontation
Naya stopped beside the desk.
She looked at Aika.
Then at Yamabuki.
"…You seem busy."
Her tone was calm.
Too calm.
Yamabuki immediately shook his head.
"I'M NOT!!"
Aika smiled politely.
"Oh, are you Naya Yamada? Nice to meet—"
"Yes."
Awkward silence.
Takumi whispered:
"…That was cold."
The Moment
Naya looked at Yamabuki again.
"…We have cleaning duty today."
"We already finished yesterday—"
"…Again."
"Huh?"
"Teacher said so."
"…She did NOT say that."
Naya didn't react.
"…Come."
She turned around.
Didn't even wait.
Yamabuki blinked.
Takumi slowly grinned.
"…She's jealous."
"I'M GOING TO DIE."
Outside the Classroom
Yamabuki caught up with her.
"Oi! That was a lie!"
"…Maybe."
"WHY?!"
Naya stopped walking.
Then turned slightly.
"…You were smiling."
"Huh?"
"With her."
Yamabuki froze.
"…So?"
Naya looked away.
"…Nothing."
Silence.
Wind passed softly through the hallway.
"…It just annoyed me."
Yamabuki blinked.
"…Annoyed?"
"…Yes."
She started walking again.
Leaving Yamabuki behind.
Completely confused.
Ending
Yamabuki scratched his head.
"…Why does that sound like a problem for me…"
Meanwhile—
Ahead of him—
Naya quietly held her hand.
The same hand that once held his.
"…Why… does this feel so strange…"