Evening of Saturday, 3rd week of May42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMBHJ98tLZ
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I set my phone down on my desk. I called Runa hoping to cheer her up a little, but instead, the call ended with her sounding like she was about to cry.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0crevgC5j
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Ugh.
Seriously, what am I even doing? Making her cry again wasn’t my intention at all. Even though I think I’ve done it accidentally. All I wanted to do is help Runa. And if she can’t go back to his apartment anymore, then that’s that. It’s my turn to help her study again. It should be, but…
How?
I don’t even know how this guy was able to teach Runa about quadratic equations in just one night. I taught her about linear equations for a week. And until now she probably still doesn't understand what they are. Well, unless he already taught her about them.
But that’s beside the point.
I mean… studying aside. I understand completely what Shizuna-san, Runa’s mom’s concerns. It is not normal to have a girl and a boy who are still in high school, who aren’t even dating, be alone together in an apartment. I warned Runa about it, but even though she was hesitating, she still went. And by the looks of it, they actually just studied.
I can’t really comprehend this puzzle. It’s so confusing.
And because of that, I found it hard to concentrate on my own studying for the entire week. And again tonight… no… the whole day, I wasn’t able to progress at all. My desk looks busy. Notebooks scattered, pens everywhere. But it’s not because I was diligent. It’s because I was getting irritated that I am not progressing the way I want to, and there are still a lot of materials I need to review.
…and exams are just three days away.
Sigh.
“I can’t stand this,” I shouted toward my desk.
What am I supposed to do?
I hear footsteps suddenly emerge in the hallway outside my room. They sound light but still loud enough that my ears can pick up their rhythm. It's my mother. The footsteps stop when they reach my door. Then three knocks. I look behind me and I see my door opening slightly and her head peeking through. When she sees me looking at her, she enters.
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Mother sighed, but then smiled.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNwiXoBrtn
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“Still studying, Mika?” Mother asked.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqVleEKFH3
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“...Yeah,” I answered. “I just felt a little bit annoyed about something.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEtXUiOG9p
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“Well, if that’s the case, then I think it’s time for you to go to bed. Don’t you think so?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR8c6ev64jk
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“But, exams are coming up soon. I don’t want to waste time and not be prepared for them.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6ctYRhwDU
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I look toward my mother. She is still smiling. Then she taps my shoulder and points her finger toward my alarm clock that’s on my desk.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ30ZbTdpgXb
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10:32 pm.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysYM53Vf3I
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I turn toward her while I pout.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCEPRba7jzW
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“It’s still just 10:32 pm. It’s early,” I said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQatCWDOTVd
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“You’re a growing girl, and resting is also part of preparing,” my mother replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJafH2agpe
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“That’s not fair, how are you and father allowed to work hard but I can’t?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBMmELyuLF
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“True,” Mother answered. “Teru-kun and I work hard, but we work hard for you and your brother. You, on the other hand, are still young, and you shouldn’t force yourself when you are at the point of struggling. Sometimes, take a break.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw06qd3PR50
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That’s not the answer I wanted to hear from her. It’s like dismissing all the effort that I’ve put into my own studies. I mean, I get it, but I need to do this. Otherwise…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNOkylIyWs
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“And you know Teru-kun and I always go on vacations once a month. I also go out with my friends at least twice a month,” Mother continued, then patted my head. “See, even though we work hard, we both know when to take a break,” she said. Her smile still hasn't left her face.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI9keO50TEo
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“Okay,” I answered and gently lifted her hand away from my head. I don’t like it whenever she tries to treat me like a kid. But it has become a habit, and I don’t feel like correcting her anymore. Not that I haven’t tried. It's just that I tried too many times and she still ended up patting me on the head every time. “But, don’t you think it’s time for you to stop calling father by a nickname? I mean, you’re not in your teens anymore.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN5pRWCDiS
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“What do you mean?” Mother pouted. “I still love your dad, you know.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3T4wys8Miq
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Mother puts both her hands to her cheeks, then she blushes, then her smile gets bigger.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo5ONcgBF1
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“I still remember the time when he confessed to me before we graduated from high school. I’ve known he liked me ever since we got into the same class when we were in second year, but it took him two years to confess. But even so, I think those two years I’ve waited for him were all worth it. And—” Mother continued.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAGLZJZiWk
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“Mama… I’ve heard you tell me the same story like a million times already. Please spare me,” I said. I really don’t want to hear it again. It becomes cheesier the more I hear it from her. And I had to cut her off before she even began to elaborate more on her romance with Father from when they met to now.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVnKUcMfmIN
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I do respect that my mother never grew out of love with Father, but I really can’t comprehend what was so good about being in love. I’ve never thought about it, not even once.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9DLctmjoY9
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“Well, off to bed then,” Mother said as she stood up. “One day you’ll understand,” she said as if she just read my mind. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OZw3Kc46x
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“I don’t think so,” I said. “I’ll go to bed later, Mama.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEolRSERbp
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“Then don’t stay up late.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtWhj3hAVq
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“Alright.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡexKGbmlxj0
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I stared at her as she walked toward my door.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR3j8YcwQKX
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“Good luck then, and good night,” Mother said before closing the door.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUfq6RpqIx
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I immediately crossed my arms on my desk and hid my face inside them as soon as she left.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzbxnP6qbp
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Ugh.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDJSt1KXwj
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Ughhhhhh.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfXLgoLZ4d
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I knew my mother just told me something to think about life. But that’s beside the point of what is bothering me right now.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFvIYz7cHli
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Sigh.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxqtFFuzT9
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Knowing when to take a break, huh?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2ZsRn7ICH
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…No.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdiWld9ES8
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Runa still needs help. I have to think about something. Maybe…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwewzBM4cA
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An idea came to me. Then I reached for my phone from where I left it.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4G56Wf9Wp
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First, I’ll have to message both Hina and Yui in private, separately…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQF5t15eqv1
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Morning of Sunday, the beginning of the 4th week of May.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1idN9LB9Mq
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I am wearing my favorite clothes this morning. A frilly pale blue camisole layered beneath a cropped cardigan. My favorite high-waisted skirt with gentle pleats that sway just above my knees. My shoes, white with modest heels. I used my usual pair of small, glossy pink bead hair elastics to tie my high twin tails. I liked how everything came together.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazEbr11sK5
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Beside me on my left, is Yui, who just had her third yawn ever since she arrived at my house this morning. Her eyes are still half closed and she was rubbing one of them with her fingers while she yawned.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡchzEBHnOPd
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It’s already 9 a.m., for goodness sake. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhkSbgnPCl
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Yui is wearing an oversized T-shirt with an embroidered teddy bear taking a nap as a design on its chest. The front hem is casually tucked under her shorts while she leaves the rest to hang loose. A cute star-shaped hairpin decorates the left side of her bangs while her short chestnut brown hair falls just above her shoulders.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hZDToceDG
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“Yui, wake up,” I told her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDySX3WwwGS
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“Mmmnnn…” Yui only murmured.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PMmSWDXP8
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“There’s no way you’re still sleepy at this hour.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡda5llage0Y
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“But you basically held me hostage last night and kept me up until past midnight.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHMrSTjxHs
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“We had to discuss something important.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYjZdPmEKu
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“I know, but if I am sleepy, then I am sleepy.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcZC4fQ8xE
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…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6BpIP5BMef
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I shook my head slightly. I guess I’ll just have to try to ignore Yui’s yawns. There are more important things to think about at this point.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf0u1hs2IT
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I turned toward Hina, walking slightly ahead on my right. Tall, perfect figure, long black hair, pretty, and mature. She’s wearing a rose pink one-piece dress with the skirt running down just below her knees. She’s wearing sandals this time, but instead of looking casual because of them, she looks more feminine. I guess that’s what you should expect from her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9rIvJ2aVU
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“Hina,” I called, “sorry about my brother.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXEg4HO7LY
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Hina turned her head toward me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbuE2ip9AW
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“It’s fine, you were there to save me, right?” Hina replied with a wink.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtKnrV5SERq
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“I mean, he was not always like this, but lately he’s changed and started behaving unacceptably.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV1QbutoLMY
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That’s right, we could’ve gone to Runa’s house much earlier if not for my big brother’s interference. Of all the days he could choose to wake up early in the morning, he chose today. The day when I told Hina and Yui to come to my house early. And as soon as he saw Hina come in, he started hitting on her. Of course I would intervene. He’s not the same brother I know. If he gets together with Hina with how he has become, he’ll just ruin her life. The same thing happened last year as well, when he started hitting on Runa. I’ve told him multiple times to cut it out, and he did for a little while. But when he started doing it again, Runa stopped hanging out with me at my house. What a creep.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1CJVY2KfQF
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But that’s beside the point.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2oc5n9w86
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I am also worried about other things. I don’t want to think about my stupid brother and his stupid behavior right now. What’s more important is Runa.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMl5pCn0XjV
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“Do you think the plan would work?” I asked Hina.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNb15RCOGw
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“Of course it will. It's your plan after all,” Hina answered.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgPEhCGoik
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That doesn’t sound reassuring. I mean, I am already thinking of many possibilities of how this plan would fall apart with the wrong things happening at once. What would we do if we got to that point then?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhi7GQhrKD
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I don’t know. All I know is that we’re already in front of the small gate to Runa’s house. So, I took a deep breath.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjD4UgBsJqh
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“Don’t worry,” Yui said beside me. “With the acting skills I’ve gained from watching dramas, I’m sure everything will go smoothly.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXi1aqMph3c
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Acting what? Why do we need to act again? I know we need to lie, but do we really have to make it seem like we’re going to perform in a play? What is this girl thinking?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoZ4Kz2DtKW
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Now I am more worried…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07qnJGsbuq
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I checked the time from my phone. It’s already 9:16 am.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYuCFVufko
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Earlier Shizuna-san appeared right before us by the door. She looks proper as always, but her soft expression seems to be dimmer than usual. I saw some evidence of tiredness. But she still keeps that smile she has when she greets us.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ68YgK0wwbl
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She immediately led us toward the living room where we are now. Me, Yui, and Hina sat on a long sofa, Yui took the middle spot, I sat on her right and Hina sat on her left. When Yui started swinging her feet while sitting, I started to get annoyed. While I was sitting there being anxious, here comes Yui playing around like nothing’s about to happen.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7PiPmPy8I
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“Stop that,” I whispered to Yui.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcw4uBAT9P5
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“Stop what?” Yui whispered back.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTMCQDetq1
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“Your feet, it’s distracting me.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKp667AFA4y
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“Okay…” Yui said then stopped and suddenly became quiet.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIeG7gOKxZ
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Am I imagining things? It doesn’t seem like the Yui I know who always finds a way to continue annoying me. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiFOzvhGo9
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I carefully looked at her face. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAqXQ5eqFY
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Then I knew. She's also nervous. Her eyes keep looking around, and she’s gripping the sofa hard and then letting go, then she repeats it. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwVypkXXnhB
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I leaned forward a bit to look at Hina. She’s calm. That assured me for a minute. At least someone is really prepared to execute the plan.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeoQ9aCQzEK
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Please, Hina. I am counting on you.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMs45OJPBJ
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Shizuna-san comes back from the kitchen, she’s holding a tray with three glasses of orange juice, then she places them on the table right in front of us.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdyoBeftmIQ
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“Wait here, while I call for Runa,” she said as she walked toward the doorway.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0TyxJiHR94
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“Excuse me, Miyase-san,” Hina called for Shizuna-san’s attention.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6bgZH0tuBV
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Shizuna-san stops right before exiting. She turns around toward us. “You can just call me, Shizuna,” she said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHtEvib94zO
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I feel like I shouldn’t let Hina do the talking alone. So I replied, “Well, Shizuna-san. We would like to get permission to ask Runa to come study with us in the library in town,” I said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlw0MW6iTvv
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I wonder if it’s the right decision to take over from Hina, or maybe I should’ve just let her do the talking?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy21rHOfleg
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I found my answer by how Shizuna-san’s expression changed. From forcing herself to look cheerful, her face transformed to look more stern. Shizuna-san crossed her arms and stared at the three of us with a frown. She walked closer until she ended up standing right before us. Yui froze beside me. I looked at her in disbelief… Why are you looking so guilty? Where is your acting skill now when we need it? Unbelievable.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnFUuIq0g8
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I nudged her for a bit. But she only turned toward me with an awkward smile.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzz2bgHhn51
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“No,” Shizuna-san answered. “If you need to study, you can just study with her here at home.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR0TNRstja
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Okay, this is as far as I think I can do. At this point, I already don’t know what to say.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKexYlgkz7n
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“But there are things we can use as reference to help us study in the library,” Hina replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzVScRnBwc
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Nice going, Hina.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb5ojT0hgK
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“Can you just use the internet to find those references?” Shizuna-san said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7wNbH9fnq
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“Yes, but books are still the more informative option,” Hina replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wdSvYltTf
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I asked for both of their help last night because I knew that if I were alone in this situation I'd be rendered useless. And here, beside me was also someone who was being useless. Thank goodness Hina came. Otherwise, if I had done this all alone, the moment I entered the house it would have been over.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqUMtixH1y
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At this point, I just listened.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQCSo9nejF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSqGoNtUE8
“How?” Shizuna-san continued.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJUkfO8Dip
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTzj02JhsR
“Because a book will always be written with a lot of care by the author,” Hina replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPYjkJrLq6
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Uj9oP4yU0
“How is that different from what is written on the internet?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyYInySxunQ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqBmxw33bDE
“It is, because books that are well-written have years of research that were put into them.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44VHHwix6K
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVltkiLPb4
“But with the internet, you can do the same.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7vQp60ORL
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55H2LzUGJE
“Yes, but a lot of articles online can’t always be trusted.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB5dIolxgT5
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMhuwMV23S
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmkJmnobqF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRk52iv175z
“How come?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89hpeoLbHt
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhicPwb4pjh
“Miyase-san, are you familiar with the saying that ‘you shouldn’t believe everything you see on the internet’?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdakBygoVW
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzm0KpwGhyG
“I guess I heard it once from the news.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvh9O2ixebx
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56n6v6raqF
“Right? And a lot of the things you find on the internet can’t be easily verified.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YiW7uCZRa
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsadkCyMts
“Hmm… maybe, but I really don’t know anything much about the internet.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tHncSZCSA
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAawHydgJFZ
It might be just my imagination, but I feel like I just saw Hina’s eyes sparkle after what Shizuna-san just said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbAiDn6plI
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4Mx3sBc69
“Yes, and that’s why, since books are already verified because of years of research, if we rely on the internet, it might take years for us to find reliable references we need for our study material.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYzKS3TPkM
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQv1Zgf9Cy
I don’t like that reply from Hina. That doesn’t make sense. Even if Shizuna-san isn’t that knowledgeable about the internet, if she at least used it a few times, she’ll know that’s a lie.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvmKzspVdJ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknxXuArhj5
“Is that so?” Shizuna-san replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0ah8z7PtF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTEauEcohk
I let out a breath of relief. Thank goodness the internet is not for everyone yet. I don’t know if Hina deliberately calculated the risk or was just winging it, but it produced a nice result.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY5TIZkJ2B6
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGwXKhP5Cp
Shizuna-san noticed me completely relaxing my posture, and when I saw her turn toward me, I straightened up. Then she looked toward Yui who was still completely still beside me. Yui noticed Shizuna-san’s eye on her and from being still and not moving, she started swinging her feet like before, stared at the ceiling, and then whistled.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnlGLK8yiD
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3H2H6wIpEM
I raised my hand by reflex.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzuGmEQM3n
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMFe2IyOIjN
“Shizuna-san, um, can we borrow your bathroom for a second? I think Yui needs to use your toilet,” I said as I stood up.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNmpAkEFsd
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYk7JZbaGcw
Yui whispered to me, “I don—” but I interrupted her with a pinch on her back. Impressively, she didn’t let out a sound. “Y-yes, Miyase-san, please let me use your toilet,” she begged.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡct1nTARu5z
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkBmVcLmdK8
“Do you need to go together?” Shizuna-san asked.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD2usi73Xu
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJvX07xFl0
“Mhm.” I nodded. “Yui is kind of shy, so she needs someone to accompany her at least by the door if she’s in another house,” I replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzRC7wKcwj
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQn7db6spHv
“That’s weird. I know it’s been a long time since Yui’s last visit here, but I don’t remember her being shy,” Shizuna-san said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2KgzlF9PF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPmHRQyFN6
“Umm… Well, you know, since it’s been a long time… umm… I-I’ve become more shy…” Yui answered.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIkBMvkTW2G
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq7GPjZyYk5
“I see. Well, I guess that makes sense, since back then you were still in your second year of middle school. You looked shorter back then. I guess it makes sense that your personality would change as you grow through the years, especially when you entered high school,” Shizuna-san replied. “My, that’s too bad then. I kind of miss those times when we talked about silly stuff and dramas together.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYlyoYDKy33
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmEgo1ljV1
I glanced at Yui and saw her eyes start to well up. Is nostalgia hitting her right now? So I immediately pulled her out of the living room. I excused the both of us to Shizuna-san, then took a peek at Hina. Hina just winked at me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUeYY8x7kie
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPM0cSndh0
At this point, if Yui and I stay, we’ll just become a liability. Better we retreat now and wait a couple minutes before we go back. Hina, I leave the rest to you.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVn1pdMhFhh
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXtu0RSULo
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡve4BE2tZgI
It’s already 9:42 am. That took longer than expected. I wonder if Runa will have time to study the materials she hasn’t covered yet.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwR5b4wYuMI
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoUSV5Bxmbl
I looked at her. She doesn’t look the same as how she was when we saw her come down from her room. Her hair is not a mess anymore, she’s dressed more proper now, with her fitted light yellow short-sleeved shirt, paired with skinny jeans, and white rubber shoes. At first glance, you will think that she’s probably fine. But if you look at her eyes, the soreness is still there. And she’s also forcing a smile. She doesn’t look the same as she did, but she’s still feeling the same as she felt.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVNK5Ae8oy
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUQnv2BYnO
“How did you do it?” Yui asked Hina. “I mean, when we came back, suddenly Runa’s mom gave us permission. What did you do when we were gone?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyaVzeNUqL
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2xq7E3cW2
“I just tried to convince her,” Hina answered.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvQWnYxr5O
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzs9ywJknZe
“How?” I asked out of curiosity. Indeed, to me, everything that went down in that living room looked like a magician pulling some tricks out of her bag.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMQiPsxu9y
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyPEuwwzSK
“I showed Miyase-san the materials we are going to tackle, and explained to her why we needed to be in the library,” Hina said with a smile.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLacRwFTQL
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM806L5fFBI
“Is that it?” I did not sound convinced. I mean, it’s that simple? Maybe there was something more, but Hina isn’t the kind to elaborate on her thoughts, not like she can’t, but it’s more like she’s just summarizing everything for us, and hiding important details from us. I’m totally curious now, but it’s my fault for leaving the room.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxK2v7Y9mN
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyivlTRkfF
No…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1Bo3kCFD3
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KjRY465lM
It’s Yui’s fault.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6FdDQzqf1V
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOp3h41GPU
“Anyway, Yui, I thought you would show us your great acting like you said before we went in,” I said to her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86avHbhJIj
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa14Aoy4CI1
“Ah, well, I showed a different kind of acting. Hehe.” Yui laughed it off.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKIyY8dpM2q
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRjC3fAnOT
“Yeah, acting like a robot,” I replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGvFuqsnQy
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDcS7AWueQ
“No, I wasn’t!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYjqJ1XI0c9
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKRKtLvNk1i
“Yes, you were!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSxCta5Ggr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRzQB6xVZh
“No! You’re just jealous because I was a really good actress.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIglm9Kh6P
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW7WOymUoO6
“Explain?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxtTu9P8tt
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡymW2WVCkuN
“I don’t need to explain, I mean did you hear me whistle?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtHYpgYryq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9FHc3MQKT
“Yes, and it was awful.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwScuv7dcri
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLfkbWliHm
Yui pouted after my remark.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIE9eBEJxq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5Nj3ZqA1W
“You’re awful, look at you. You’re just like Runa’s mom, crossing your arms like that and frowning at me.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9287fYEJOL
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFNRoUYMurS
“What? I’m not—” I looked at my arms. They were indeed crossed.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJ137vz0JF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qC8gTkP4h
“See, scary,” Yui said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9orNR8nME1
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7HEd175yI
“I don’t think it’s nice to say Miyase-san is scary, she really wasn't. She was actually rather nice,” Hina said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLNuIX3D8Gi
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiGFX9XAdi4
Yui and I looked at Hina for a second. “Sorry,” both of us said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTZVsggq24
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOqmWsJ2S1
Wait… why am I also apologizing?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuIL4I5i9nU
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkm6yXLkmao
I heard someone giggle behind me and Yui and both of us turned. It was Runa. It doesn’t look like she’s forcing herself this time. It sounded genuine.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7273g6aUEi
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXxawKys7E
I smiled. I’m glad at least she’s feeling a little better now to laugh. I walked toward her and we started walking together. Yui joined us, and walked beside me, while Hina walked beside Runa. We never really asked Runa how she’s doing. I mean, we didn’t need to. We can see with our own eyes. And asking her felt wrong in a way. We just wanted her to feel better. And that’s why we’re walking beside her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwknvItVyX
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISxE32npUo
We reached the train station about five minutes later. We stood at the entrance first, before we entered. I thought it would be the best time to tell Runa what this plan was supposed to be.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxeDuelKXMz
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7fVhoNFyyX
“Runa,” I said. “I think this is where we split.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHu0RjuLPQN
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMzEvfrXX9
“Hmm? What do you mean?” Runa asked.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpM01LnMk1
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMImX4mt6wr
“She means, you’re going to Shadow Prince’s apartment,” Yui answered for me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS53mfB5NK
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFONHeh2hOP
“Huh? Eh? What’s going on?” Runa’s eyes widened and she looked at us like she wanted to know if we’re telling the truth.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvVmNNiozy
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgPjVCiaIhY
“Well, the plan all along is to get you out of your house, and then we let you go on your way. You know, to go study with him,” I replied.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmNp5eldgm
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzYD1LephU
“Really!?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvNpn0loxJ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSvBq8wA7F
“Mika was the one who thought of the plan,” Yui enthusiastically revealed.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU7vjnDiy17
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOreeBmV7q
Runa looked at me, her eyes started to well up with tears.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDX49BWgvN5
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9QkXk9ik1
“Careful with your makeup,” I reminded her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtvQKw5lwqH
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3aManAmSHD
Runa started biting her lips and fanning her eyes with her hands. I laughed. Then suddenly she hugged me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xMZW2gHnw
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡem3ZLBi0pF
“Thank you,” Runa whispered.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgEa6tFwCZ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5TkYopHcS
“Then I need one more pudding tomorrow,” I said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbtaNtbDr9
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTjuLGq1n1
“Awww,” Yui made a sound and hugged both of us.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8JyO8Mdfw
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnJl5jggNb
Then I felt Hina’s hands touch the top of our heads one by one.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUopJYSNCaF
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QeiVXmRLW
After that…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEnh3yDlvf7
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGl4EE7Rwi0
We went inside the station and parted ways with her in the lobby. She looked excited, almost running toward the platform where the train she needs to ride is. She would turn sometimes and wave, and then she turned toward a corner and there she went.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4roDOQw5uw
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgx7VIomIFG
I exhaled a little bit.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WtBh5WpMU
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZTwPNYLRq
“Look at Runa, so happy to go meet her prince,” Yui said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNXRLDgvKo
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsfwFsDVBH0
“You’re still onto that?” I replied, judging her for always forcing romance fantasy onto others. “You should know by now that they aren’t actually a thing.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JbdGSemmV
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjZzscD2m6t
“Why? Don’t you—”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJOahgdn8x6
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aNvVo0DAK
“Yui, making assumptions without evidence is bad,” Hina interrupted Yui.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1KcSiw1Zx
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVqPkOnmcN
“Hnnngh, why are both of you so stubborn about romance!” Yui pouted. “This doesn’t make sense at all, you’re supposed to be a teenage girl like me.” Yui looked at me specifically when she said the latter.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uGVqyyoaz
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzy2uNVIQ3Z
“...Are you saying that to just me?” I asked to confirm if she really intended to say what she said only to me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzJ7pRZ5c4
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr5KNMUTsGp
“Because you’re always studying. When was the last time you even liked someone? I think if you find a boyfriend you’ll be able to relax more,” Yui answered.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadByXFTEAr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtO38Q9qLhM
“Huh? What does that have to do with anything?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89OCwkoSqq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLG5qPu1I1
“I mean, don’t you feel bad?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXybGMveTyJ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSySXswnml2
“About?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡofYRp6aG6O
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjqoZGRTX7
“About those boys you rejected last year. You could’ve accepted at least one of them and enjoyed your youth.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK51ig3qnq
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Lu4BYU3la
“I am enjoying my youth now.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2q1rkYy3bV
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMgC1pfHck
“Studying in your room?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjZgqLVeuY
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwTgBG09eDA
“Yes, thank you. And besides, you know how bad those confessions were. And I don’t have any time to spare for those kinds of things.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrXHcRVQRl
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCBjVnPupO
Yui’s expression suddenly shifted. She’s now smirking.. 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE1ZqjePsTr
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJs7ig67gRW
“Oh, they were bad, alright,” Yui said. “Fujimoto-senpai, from last year. He was a second year student back then and was running to become the president of the student council.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEBoS9AEB7
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwqpg85Nze
“Stop!” I shouted at Yui. I didn’t know whether to cover my ears so I can’t hear what she’s saying or to cover my face to hide my embarrassment.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCzUtIbMwd
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb5aedi3TXE
“During the election, he went up to the podium. And instead of giving his speech, he started mentioning your name. Then read a poem, talked about the bees and the birds, the blues and the violets, and compared you to a rose that bloomed in the morning. Then, when everybody turned their attention to you, you just glared at him. In fact you glared at him so badly that when he finally decided to give his speech he started crying. And because of that he lost. I heard he transferred schools after a few months.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSeEHzdkTV
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDs4Z1wMgu
“That wasn’t my fault, I was still wearing glasses back then and I forgot them in my bag. It was a mandatory assembly so I just hurried there without my glasses. And also I wasn’t paying attention to what he was saying since I was focused on seeing what’s in front of me, but still…”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EW7nyfd36
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiLrRecOaRo
“Tanaka-kun.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZr9mIs04X
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQJiefCdyB
She’s still going!?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX4OBuj1CV
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡskJheG14mo
“He confessed to you during lunch break at the beginning of the school year last year. You rejected him right then and there in front of everyone in the classroom,” Yui continued.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTjNjmSeg5
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVnZ51NLZR
“His timing was bad, we were eating. Why would someone even confess in front of others while they were busy having lunch?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2UnlQAel6
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFKKVFLo5mb
“So, you would’ve accepted if you weren’t?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUmalkxK0h
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA3wiBLGY7t
“...No.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaP1C3ax1Vv
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T1BDDTsad
“See! After that Tanaka-kun didn’t eat lunch for days from being heartbroken.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEc6mI3olFg
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtLEfUymBL5
“That’s a lie! How did you even know that?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iVW6e0V80
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pU0Uxou16
Yui blinked. “Peripheral vision.” 42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHf414QMscA
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHehpFtyHGv
I just hit my forehead with my palm. I shouldn’t even have asked.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOERslpSLi
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDdzR8v1Lb
“Yui,” Hina suddenly said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLextkXdtzg
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERR3X8Tg4E
“What?” Yui turned toward Hina.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTwaue9Wern
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IrSFdilHw
“Yamada-kun,” Hina said. And as soon as Yui heard what she said, Yui’s expression changed.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqfEhfM3e7
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXrclaSwYg
“Wait. Hina, that’s different!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCRHvXBcSB
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wlcxbjr0m
“During our third year of middle school, he said you were cute in class and then you knocked down your pencil case, you stood up, and apologized to the pencil case for five minutes.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmXNHpzmc1
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPxW5afbsTg
“I-I was stressed that day!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfTklLhvAEu
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzQwMm7EpnI
“Goto-kun,” Hina continued. “You asked me to turn him down on your behalf and pretended to have diarrhea. And you hid in the bathroom for twenty minutes.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE9PJ75rZQc
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2x48SnRbs
“I wasn’t really hiding, I was—”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQaOpqCJX9
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06uo7HQpk9
“You messaged me ‘Hina help there’s a boy’ and sent me a selfie of you hiding in the stall.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9F3NWLzxgX
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDppDbqYrnc
I tried at first, but I couldn’t hold my laughter after that one. That’s the first time I heard a different side of Yui. I didn’t go to the same middle school as her, Runa and Hina, so knowing more about Yui is kind of a pleasant surprise, and funny.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFk1RQWJlx
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHAOxhFKG0s
“Hey it’s not funny,” Yui said to me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6q4NpFvvZ
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLHp2qveJZ
“Yui, you were worse than me.” I replied while still laughing.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyYRZ6QBQA
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7PmdkDEDV
“No, it’s different, it’s like a disease… This is not fair!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbH4j5ALJ6
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ7RXLVsY7l
“What kind of disease?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ldQMS755H
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc92jJa4wHL
Yui was quiet.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdDdD1mdpd
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡper4ppw7QJ
“Aww, little Yui being shy around boys I see, even though you always dream about romance.” I teased her.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aZDvJN64o
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxkpAftjeY
“Stop!” Yui pouted.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIU8PErozmB
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAHXuQj2nL
I laughed for a bit longer, but when I settled down I turned toward Hina.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmiOwq0w3va
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs3rmGCKOT5
“How about y—”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZooSvObV4v
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I was interrupted by her stare.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QlmZU9SWw
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLq5jo8vNnY
“N-nevermind,” I just said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX27Pw2d4VO
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBJjnwUF7j
“Let’s head toward the library then and study,” Hina said, smiling at me.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3f634ODojt
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6jfczQZplE
“Seriously,” Yui replied. “It’s Sunday, let’s go window shopping at the mall instead!”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OIYiMDBgf
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHL6Q1uR0Lx
“Yui, we already planned last night that we’re really going to the library after Runa leaves,” I said. “Didn’t you read what I messaged you?”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNgIpcW7R3
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW5T4i9ESH
“Uhh… well… I only read the part about Runa, I might have accidentally erased the part where we have to go study later from my memories.” Yui looked at me and she let out a sigh after she saw my frown. “Fine… Library it is.”42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDBeSWt6kPR
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9dN5Ry5BW
“Let’s go then,” Hina said.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUFN7u3tEpD
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kbYNXbziN
I watched them walk first toward another platform. Before I decided to follow, I looked one last time in the direction where Runa disappeared.42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tsIGLfXVs
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjq9apSWP3d
I stared for a few more seconds. Then a thought appeared in my head…42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Irs3UlhoB
42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1m2mQ3VuL
Love… huh?42Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38V8Fkl6Wl
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