The classroom buzzed with noise.
Too much noise.
Yamabuki already felt tired.
"…I have a bad feeling."
Takumi grinned.
"You always do."
"And I'm always right."
The Announcement
The teacher clapped once.
"Everyone, today we will do group work."
Groans filled the room.
"But—" the teacher continued,
"I will assign the pairs."
Yamabuki froze.
"…No."
Takumi leaned closer.
"…It's over for you."
"DON'T SAY THAT LIKE IT'S MY FUNERAL!"
The Pairing
"Yamada Naya… and Yamabuki Namasta."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then—
"EH?!"
Yamabuki stood up instantly.
"WHY ALWAYS ME?!"
Takumi laughed.
"Fate."
"I WILL END FATE."
Across the Room
Naya didn't react.
Not even a little.
"…Understood."
Cold.
Calm.
Distant.
Yamabuki frowned.
"…Again with this attitude…"
Group Work Begins
They sat together.
Same desk.
Same distance.
Too close.
But somehow—
Too far.
"…We have to write this report,"
Yamabuki said.
"…I know."
"…Then say something useful."
"…You're loud."
"I'M NORMAL!"
The Awkward Silence
Minutes passed.
No conversation.
Just writing.
Paper sounds.
Pen scratching.
Yamabuki sighed.
"…This is torture."
"…Then don't talk."
"I WASN'T TALKING!"
Small Accident
Yamabuki reached for a paper.
At the same time—
Naya did too.
Their hands touched.
For a second.
Just one second.
Both froze.
"…!"
Naya quickly pulled her hand back.
"…Sorry."
"…You said sorry?"
"…Don't make it weird."
"YOU'RE THE ONE MAKING IT WEIRD!"
The Reaction
Naya looked away.
But her ears were slightly red.
"…Focus on the work."
"…You're the one who reacted!"
"I didn't."
"You DID!"
"I didn't."
"You—"
"…Shut up."
"…Yes ma'am."
From the Side
Takumi whispered to another classmate:
"…This is better than TV."
"Should we record it?"
"I already am."
"I HATE ALL OF YOU!!" Yamabuki shouted.
The Slip
As they continued—
Naya suddenly spoke.
"…Your handwriting is messy."
"…Excuse me?"
"…It's hard to read."
"…Then don't read it!"
"…I have to. We're partners."
"…Unfortunately."
"…Agreed."
The Moment
For a brief second—
They both paused.
Then—
"…Huh?"
"…Wait…"
They looked at each other.
"…Did we just agree?"
"…That's disgusting."
"HEY!"
Ending
The bell rang.
Class ended.
The work was done.
But the tension wasn't.
As they stood up—
Naya spoke quietly.
"…We'll continue tomorrow."
Yamabuki blinked.
"…We will?"
"…Yes."
She walked away.
Calm as always.
But this time—
Just slightly slower.
Final Line
Yamabuki scratched his head.
"…Why does this feel… less annoying than before…?"