As we descended the stairs together, I stole a nervous glance her way before asking, "If it's not too intrusive… may I ask who that guy was?"
I only meant to spark a casual conversation—after all, I couldn't afford to waste this rare moment alone with her. Normally, I never mince my words; in that regard, I'm a lot like Nino. But when it comes to them, something in me changes. I instinctively soften my tone, choosing my words with care, afraid that a careless remark might hurt them without meaning to.
Her gaze remained fixed ahead—a good thing, considering we were still on the stairs. "He's just a tutor our guardian assigned to us," she said calmly. She hesitated for a moment, as if debating whether to speak further, then asked, "Why are you being so formal?"
I hadn't expected her to call me out on it.
"W-well…" I looked away, a bit embarrassed. "You… make me nervous."
She finally turned to look at me, tilting her head slightly. "Why?" she asked, genuine confusion in her eyes.
I gave her an awkward smile. "It's only natural to feel that way around your crush."
She touched a finger to her chin, pondering it. "Is that so?" she murmured, still unsure. "Love, life… I don't really understand any of that."
A faint chuckle escaped me—how perfectly like her. "I didn't either," I said softly, offering her a gentle smile, "not until I saw you."
It wasn't empty flattery—I meant every word. But she might misunderstand and think I was openly hitting on her, so I quickly shifted the topic.
"A-anyway," I cleared my throat, forcing my gaze forward, "it seemed like that guy was trying to convince you to study. Why is that? Do you… not want to study?"
She didn't answer right away, and for a moment I assumed she wouldn't. After all, I was practically a stranger to her, and "studying" was a sensitive subject—something tangled with their past traumas and insecurities.
But then she spoke. "Yes. I don't like studying… and I'm not as smart as my sisters."
I opened my mouth to respond, but she didn't give me the chance.
"Thank you for your assistance today. I'll be going now."
With a small, polite bow, she turned and walked off in another direction.
"Wait!" I called after her, and this time she actually stopped.
"Yes?" she asked, turning back.
I stared at the floor, awkwardly scratching the back of my head. "W-well… y-you know, we're classmates and all…" My voice cracked from nerves, so I squeezed my eyes shut and forced the words out. "That's why… can we be friends?"
"You want to be friends?" she repeated.
Was that the wrong move?
I quickly raised both hands in front of me, as if in defense. "I mean—we could help each other with studies since we're in the same class. I might not look like it, but I'm pretty smart. And I'm sure I could learn one or two things from you as well."
Don't underestimate me—back then, I was a scholarship student.
She stayed quiet, and I let out an inward sigh. Maybe I really had been too hasty.
But then—unexpectedly—a small, beautiful smile blossomed on her lips, one so natural it made my heart skip a beat effortlessly.
"Your motives are as clear as they can be," she murmured playfully.
A faint blush crept up my cheeks. It wasn't like I'd been trying to hide it anyway. I lifted my gaze to her, shy but sincere.
"Is it really wrong of me," I asked softly, "to want to get close to the girl I love?"
"As I said, I don't know."
She turned away, adding softly, "But I'll think about it."
Then she quietly walked off.
Soon after, the bell signaling the end of lunch break echoed through the halls. I made my way back to class, followed by Miku—she must've gone to check on her sisters. The afternoon lessons passed in a blur, gone almost in the blink of an eye. Maybe it was because I was in such a ridiculously good mood. How could I not be? I'd talked with her so much today. Just seeing her is enough to make me smile—so imagine being able to actually hold a conversation with her.
When classes finally ended, the class representative stood up to announce who had been assigned cleaning duty for the day. Two students were chosen at random each day—out of the fourteen of us—meaning everyone ended up cleaning roughly twice a week. With odds like that, what were the chances?
"Ren Hayama and Miku Nakano," the class rep called out.
Before I could stop myself, I shot to my feet, pulling my fist back to my side in that classic victory pose.
"Hell yeah!" I shouted, as if I'd just won the lottery.
Then reality hit me—hard.
Everyone was staring at me like I'd grown a second head.
I immediately sat back down and buried my face in my arms, pretending to fall asleep on the desk. It didn't help much; I could clearly hear the waves of laughter spreading across the room.
"This guy is totally head over heels," someone chuckled.
…Yeah. And they weren't wrong.
After everyone left, it was just Miku and me alone in the classroom once more. We had plenty to do—wiping the blackboard, sweeping, rearranging desks, etc.
"Miku-san, could you clean the board while I move these desks?" I asked, dividing the tasks between us.
Of course, I had no intention of letting her handle anything heavy.
"But…" She seemed to notice it too—how I'd only given her the easy task—and tried to protest.
I cut her off gently. "Don't worry. Leave the heavy stuff to me," I said, giving a playful flex of my arm.
"I'm curious," she said as she started wiping the board, "don't you ever feel embarrassed by the things you do?"
I began moving the desks, neither of us looking at the other, yet the conversation flowed naturally.
"People are judgmental," I said. "No matter what you do, they'll judge you. They can laugh, say whatever they want… but there's nothing shameful about expressing your feelings."
I paused for a moment, then added softly,
"And I knew the person I have those feelings for isn't someone who would mock them."
"You're strong," she murmured quietly.
I let out a soft laugh. "Thank you. But I can tell you're a strong person too—just have a little more confidence."
---------
Miku's POV
There's been this guy lingering in my thoughts lately, but not in any special way. I didn't even remember his name at first. Maybe it's simply because he's the first boy to ever confess to me.
I've always attended all-girls schools—middle school, and even my previous high school—so I never really had the chance to interact with boys. Not that I was particularly interested in doing so.
I've always been quiet and shy—at least, that's what my sisters say, and they're not wrong. I've always struggled to express myself, and I care too much about what other people think. That's probably why I tend to keep my distance from others.
But this guy… what was his name again?
Oh, right—Ren Hayama.
He's the complete opposite of me. He doesn't stop to think about the place or situation before he acts. He just… says whatever is in his mind, very similar to Nino.
On my very first day after transferring to this school, he suddenly confessed to me out of nowhere, saying I had changed his life. I didn't even know him. I don't remember ever meeting someone like him before.
So of course, I didn't take it seriously. I thought he was just trying to mess with me using some convenient lie. It's not uncommon—boys claiming they've seen you somewhere before, saying it was love at first sight… all those tired clichés.
He tried to approach me again the very next day. I was already exhausted from dealing with a persistent tutor who was dead set on making me study, and the last thing I wanted was another person hovering over me. So I simply ran away from him.
Maybe he misunderstood and thought I was avoiding him because of his appearance—because the following day, he showed up completely different.
Before, he'd looked rough and unruly. But now… he was neatly dressed, calmer, almost gentle—and if I'm being honest, he looked a bit handsome too.
But that wasn't what caught my attention. What truly made me pause was how far he seemed willing to go.
Did he really change his appearance… because of me?
I'd heard the rumors, the warnings—that he was a violent delinquent who picked fights wherever he went. A troublemaker. Someone I should avoid.
But when he speaks to me, I can't see that at all. His voice is always gentle, and he tries so hard to choose his words carefully, as if he's afraid of upsetting me. If he's acting, then he could make a professional career out of it.
"Why are you always so formal?" I asked him out of curiosity.
"It's only natural to feel nervous around your crush," he said without hesitation.
This guy… he really can say anything without flinching. I still don't know if that's truly how he feels, but he doesn't seem like the bad person everyone makes him out to be. For a moment, I wondered if it would be too much to ask about his past… No. That would be too personal.
"Miku-san, do you not like studying?" he asked.
Yes. I hate studying. It only brings back painful memories. And above all… I'm not as smart as my sisters.
"W-we're in the same class and all, so… do you want to be friends with me?"
Friends…?
What exactly is friendship?
I've never had any. My sisters have always been both my family and my only friends.
"I mean—we could help each other with studies since we're in the same class. I might not look like it, but I'm pretty smart. And I'm sure I could learn one or two things from you as well."
I already told you—I'm not as smart as my sisters.
What does he even know about me to say something like that with such confidence?
But… somehow, I doubt that's all he's after.
"Is it really wrong of me to want to get closer to the girl I love?"
Love… what is that supposed to feel like?
I don't understand.
And why is he trying so hard—so earnestly—to get close to me?
"Hell yeah!" Ren shouted the moment he heard we were paired for cleaning duty.
The whole class burst into laughter. Even I almost laughed.
Why is he so happy over something so small?
This is work… isn't he bothered by it at all?
Because I certainly was.
"Let me take care of the heavy stuff," he said with complete confidence, giving me only the simplest tasks.
He looked like he'd be even happier if I just sat down and let him handle everything.
"And I knew the person I have these feelings for isn't someone who would ever mock them."
You may have seen me somewhere before, may have somehow learned my name… but I never once felt like I was being watched by someone. And the security around our home was strict.
So how could you love me without knowing anything about me?
What if I were someone who didn't deserve those feelings?
"You're strong," I found myself murmuring before I could stop it.
He laughed softly. "Thank you. But I can tell you're a strong person too—just have a little more confidence."
No… you are wrong.
I'm not strong—not even close.
I'm full of insecurities, and confidence is something I've never had.
"Yosh." I heard him stack a desk atop another, clapping his hands to dust them off. I wasn't looking at him, but the sounds alone painted the scene clearly in my mind.
"Miku-san, do you have any hobbies?" he asked, his tone gentle—curious—like he genuinely wanted to know more about me.
Hobby, huh…?
I do have one.
A very "strange" one—at least for a girl like me.
It's a secret I've kept even from my sisters.
I don't want anyone to know about it.
What if they think it's weird?
What if they laugh?
I'm a girl too—I care about things like that, more than I want to admit.
And yet…
A part of me wants to tell him.
Because I want to test him.
In his mind, he probably sees me as some quiet, ordinary girl.
So what if I tell him something he doesn't expect?
What if I show him a side of me that doesn't fit his imagination?
Would he still look at me the same way?
"I… I have one," I said hesitantly.
He paused his work and turned toward me, eyes bright with interest. "Really? What is it?"
Ah… I shouldn't have admitted that.
Regret flooded in immediately, but since I'd already said it… I might as well see it through.
"I like… I like reading books…"
My voice faded so quietly that even I could barely hear myself.
He took a step closer, leaning in a little. "Ah, Sorry, I didn't catch that. Can you say it again?"
I clenched my fists, steeling myself.
"I said," I blurted out, cheeks burning, "I like reading historical books about warriors from the Sengoku period!"
I said it…
A secret even my sisters don't know, revealed to a boy who is practically a stranger.
Now then—how are you going to react?
I opened my eyes slowly, bracing myself to see a strange look on his face.
Not that it would hurt me…
It would just mean I trusted the wrong person.
But when I glanced up, his expression hadn't changed at all.
The same gentle smile he always seemed to reserve just for me.
"Wow, that was totally unexpected," he said, sounding genuinely impressed. "Does that mean your strongest subject is history?"
He leaned in slightly, eager—wanting to know more, as if this was an exciting discovery to him.
My eyes widened.
…Something is wrong with this guy.