— We need to decide the shifts.
Those words, spoken by Misaki Fujimoto with her usual calm, were enough to turn the classroom atmosphere into something dangerously competitive.
— Shifts? — Sakura Aoyama repeated, tilting her head. — Like… who works with who?
— Essentially, yes — Misaki replied, writing on her clipboard. — We need to organize who serves at which times.
Haru raised his hand immediately.
— I want the busy shift!
— Of course you do — said Ren. — More chances to mess things up.
— HEY!
— We need balance — Misaki continued. — More communicative people during peak hours…
She paused.
Then looked at Yuuto.
— …and more… stable people at the register.
— Stable — Yuuto repeated. — Acceptable.
— None of that! — Sakura slammed her hand on the table. — I don't accept it!
Everyone looked at her.
— Yuuto is going to serve too!
— No — he replied automatically.
— Yes!
— No.
— YES!
— We already discussed this.
— And I didn't accept the result!
Ren crossed his arms.
— I vote that he serves. It'll be fun.
— That's not a valid criterion — said Yuuto.
— It's the best criterion.
Haru leaned in.
— Just imagine… shy customers being served by someone even shyer!
— That's cruel — Yuuto muttered.
— That's entertainment — Ren corrected.
Misaki sighed.
— We are not here for entertainment.
— I disagree — said Sakura and Ren at the same time.
They looked at each other.
— Don't get used to it — said Sakura.
— Never.
---
— Alright — said Misaki, regaining control. — Let's define pairs.
Silence.
And then…
— I PICK YUUTO! — Sakura raised her hand forcefully.
— This is not free choice — Misaki replied.
— It should be!
— It isn't.
— Then I strongly suggest it!
— Noted. Ignored.
— HEY!
Haru laughed.
— I can pair up with Yuuto!
— You'll drop trays — said Ren.
— I won't!
— You will.
— Maybe one…
— See?
Misaki thought for a few seconds.
— Let's do it this way: shifts will rotate.
— That solves nothing — said Sakura.
— It solves everything.
— It doesn't solve the main issue!
— And what would that be? — Misaki asked.
Sakura pointed.
— I want to work with him!
Silence.
Yuuto blinked slowly.
— That's too specific.
— It's objective! — she corrected.
— It's suspicious — said Ren.
— It's not!
— It is.
— IT'S NOT!
— It kind of is — said Haru.
— SHUT UP!
---
Misaki closed her eyes for a second.
Thought.
And then—
— Fine.
Sakura froze.
— Hm?
— You two will be together on the first shift.
Absolute silence.
Haru's mouth fell open.
Ren smiled slowly.
Yuuto… completely stopped.
— Approved — said Misaki.
— APPROVED! — Sakura raised her arms. — I WON!
— You really do decide your own victories — Yuuto murmured.
— And now it's official!
He sighed.
— This is going to be problematic.
— It's going to be fun!
— For you.
— For us!
— Don't include "us."
— I will!
---
Later, in the courtyard…
Yuuto was sitting on his usual bench.
Notebook open.
Comfortable silence.
Or at least… it was supposed to be.
— Can I sit?
He looked up.
Misaki.
— You can.
She sat beside him, keeping a respectful distance.
— You don't seem excited about the festival.
— I'm not good with crowds.
— But you're participating.
— I don't have a choice.
— There's always a choice.
— Not always.
Silence.
— Sakura seems determined — said Misaki.
— She always is.
— And you?
— I… observe.
— Just that?
Yuuto thought.
— For now.
Misaki nodded slowly.
— I see.
---
— YUUTOOOO!!
Silence shattered.
Violently.
Sakura came running.
Stopped.
And then…
looked at the two of them.
— …
— …
— …did I interrupt something? — she asked, narrowing her eyes.
— No — Yuuto replied.
— We were just talking — said Misaki.
— "Just," huh… — Sakura muttered.
She crossed her arms.
— About what?
— The festival — Yuuto replied.
— Hm.
— And behavior — Misaki added.
— Hm.
Silence.
Heavy.
— So… — Sakura forced a smile — …you're getting along, huh?
— We're talking — said Misaki.
— I talk to him too!
— I know.
— I talk more!
— I know that too.
— Then…?
Misaki tilted her head.
— Is this a competition?
— NO!
— It seems like it.
— IT DOESN'T!
— It does — said Yuuto.
Sakura turned to him.
— You're not helping!
— It's not my job to help.
— It is!
— It isn't.
— IT IS!
— …
— …
— …maybe a little — he said.
She blinked.
— Hm?
— You create situations… that are hard to ignore.
Sakura went silent for a second.
— …was that a compliment?
— Observation.
— I'll take it as a compliment.
— As always.
---
Misaki watched.
Silent.
Analytical.
— Interesting — she murmured.
— What? — Sakura asked quickly.
— Nothing.
— Suspicious.
— Coincidence.
Yuuto almost smiled.
---
After a few minutes…
Misaki stood up.
— I have things to organize.
She looked at Yuuto.
— See you tomorrow.
— Yes.
She left.
Sakura stayed silent.
Rare.
Very rare.
Yuuto noticed.
— You're quiet.
— I'm thinking.
— That's new.
— HEY!
He looked at her.
— What is it?
She looked away.
— …nothing.
Silence.
— Sakura.
— What?
— You don't usually get like this.
— Like what?
— Quiet.
She took a deep breath.
— I just…
stopped.
thought.
— …don't like it when someone "steals" my time with you.
Silence.
Yuuto blinked.
— That's… specific.
— I know!
— And direct.
— I know!
— And a bit strange.
— I KNOW!
She covered her face for a second.
— Forget it! I spoke without thinking!
Yuuto observed.
Carefully.
As always.
— You do that often.
— THAT DOESN'T HELP!
— I'm not trying to help.
— Then stop analyzing!
— I can't.
— Why?
— Because you're… interesting.
Silence.
Sakura froze.
— …
— …
— …you said that again.
— I did.
— And again… so easily.
— I don't see a reason to hide it.
She looked away.
— Idiot.
— I've been called worse.
— I'm not joking.
— Neither am I.
Silence.
But not heavy.
Different.
— So… — Sakura said, calmer — …you're really going to stay with me on the shift?
— It was decided.
— And you're not going to run away?
— I don't usually run.
— But you could.
— I won't.
She smiled.
Small.
But sincere.
— Good.
Yuuto closed his notebook.
— Why?
— Because… — she looked at him — …it'll be more interesting that way.
He thought for a second.
— I agree.
And this time…
no one tried to deny it.