At school, I would worry non-stop that Saeki would do something unexpected, but nothing happened at home.
“Club recruitment?”
Sitting next to me was Saeki, my flatmate, baking some French toast, while I was organizing the dishes, and asked her in the meantime.
A familiar morning scene.
This conversation started from Saeki’s “We have club recruitment this afternoon.”
“That so?”
Hearing Saeki talk about it, I was reminded that today clubs recruit new members.
Long story short, for second and third year students with a club, they would be looking for newbies to join, while the first years would be finding suitable clubs for themselves – or so that is the case.
Club recruitments will be in the afternoon. I completely forgot about this event, since I was busy rejoicing about today’s school day-off.
“Yumizuki, which club are you in?”
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After asking, Saeki took her baked toast out of the pan and put it on the pan. That’s my portion then.
“I told you, it took me 2 hours last year to go from home to school. I did not have time for club activities.”
“Ehh…”
Saeki started on toasting her slice of bread skillfully while showing a disappointed face.
“I was planning to join in the same club with Yumizuki”
“You are…”
What are you saying? She waved at me in the canteen last time, and now she was planning to do something that I didn’t want her doing. I had to be more careful.
“Don’t be so indecisive. You should choose the club that you like.”
“I don’t know where to join… the cheerleading squad, swimming club, or aerobic club?”
“If you want it then join them. If I recall correctly we have all of these clubs at school.”
“Which clothes does Yumizuki want me to wear?”
She asked without turning back, but I know without needing to see her that she’s giggling. So that’s why her question only included ones with special uniforms.
“Just one word from you, and I’ll consider wearing them at home for you to see.”
The way she’s saying that made it feel like she’s testing me, and she’s definitely laughing inside.
But I didn’t care.
“Your choice is yours to make, I have no right to interfere.”
“Yumizuki is boring…”
Saeki angrily said.
Saeki always joked like this. But I had no intention of going along, else I risk getting checkmated.
“Done.”
The second slice of toast was finished, Saeki placed it on her plate.
“Ah, Yumizuki, you were waiting for me? You could’ve eaten first.”
“You were the one who prepared breakfast, if I ate it first then it would be unfair for you.”
“I like Yumizuki because of things like this.”
Saeki gave a wholehearted smile, and sat at the table. I followed suit.
“Let’s begin”
“Itadakimatsu~~”
We began the meal for two.
___________________
After tying my tie, checking my school equipment, I grabbed the school’s jacket and brought the school bag to the living room.
Saeki was standing in the kitchen, making bento while humming an upbeat tune. It seemed she could fulfil the position of the lead singer in a band. It seemed there’s only 1 bento portion for today. I wasn’t interested in clubs so I didn’t need one anyways.
“Saeki, I’m leaving first”
“I really want to say that I want to come with you… but, it’s useless right?”
“Yeah”
I answered immediately.
“Hm, go then.”
Seeing my resolve, Saeki seemed to have given up nowadays, and she said while pretending to be angry.
I put the uniform on.
“I’m going. I locked all the windows already, just remember to lock your room and the main door.”
I reminded Saeki, then left the apartment.
______________________
Since I left earlier than usual, I had a lot of time left reaching school.
Walking along the lonely corridor, I stepped into the classroom, and found only one person in it.
Horyu Miyuki.
She was sitting in her seat, wearing a wired headphone connected to her MP3 player. She closed her eyes to enjoy the rhythm, shook her head to the beat, and tapped her finger to the tune.
Horyu Miyuki was unlike most others.
Every single features on her face, even her high nose, radiated delicacy. Her long curly hair fit the shiny black colour, and was very charming. No one could resist her beauty, as if she was an alluring lady coming straight from some mythical cult.
But, the most “unlike” thing about her was, she was held back a year.
She was admitted to the school one year earlier than me, but she didn’t reach the second year, and had to retake the first. She used to have the highest score in the entrance exam, and represented the student body to give a speech at the opening ceremony. I had no idea why she chose to get held back.
Hesitating for a bit, I stepped into the room, heading straight to my seat.
“Don’t treat me as air.”
She said right after I placed my bag on the table.
“I just didn’t want to bother you.”
I turned and looked at her.
Horyu put her music player away, and removed her earphones, twirled her hairs around while looking at me with a chilly expression. However, it wasn’t born from anger, rather, that’s the face she was born with. If anyone was the most deserving of the “Ice queen” title in the school, it’s Horyu Miyuki.
I leaned on the desk that’s the furthest away from Horyu’s seat.
“What are you listening to?”
“My new CD, bought yesterday. It’s a good song.”
“From your favourite band?”
I immediately recalled the favourite band she mentioned a while back.
“You want to borrow it?”
“Yeah, I don’t dislike that band.”
I borrowed her CD a good amount of times.
“Yukitsugu, you seem happy nowadays?”
Horyu suddenly asked.
“Ever since the start of the second year, I’ve observed and noticed your mood is better.”
“Takizawa also told me that.”
Both said so. Did it really show clearly on my face?
“From breaking up with me?”
“Those two things are unrelated. I won’t change, no matter if I were dating or had broken up with Horyu.”
“You are the same as always, Yukitsugu.”
She forced a laugh.
“So, is it due to you living alone this spring?”
“About that, my plan was only half finished.”
“Half?”
“Keep this a secret. Actually, I’m sharing my flat with another person. You should’ve heard of this name, it’s Saeki Kirika from the first years. I’m living together with her.”
“…Really?”
Horyu stared at me, like an eagle eyeing it’s prey. No, it’s not that she’s staring down at me, it’s just her natural composition. Just that, I could see the clear surprise deep inside her sharp glare.
“It’s true. We’re still hiding this fact, but if I met some emergencies, I would need your help.”
“That’s fine. But… don’t you think you and her are like a couple trying out cohabitating?”
“Cohabitating? You are over-exaggerating”
This question was beyond my expectations.
I wanted to deny her “cohabitation”, but couldn’t find another suitable word for it. And all things considered, that explanation was the undeniable truth.
Horyu nodded, making “hmm hmm” sound, like agreeing.
“Understood, understood”
“Understood what?”
“Living together under a roof with a cute girl, of course every day is a good day for you.”
“Hah…”
The words got stuck in my throat again.
And then—
“Oi, Yumizuki! What are you trying to do!?”
Right after entering the classroom, that person yelled.
I turned around, and saw a girl beeline straight to us without hesitation. That’s Suzume, my classmate last year and this year also. Along with her signature short hair, no school rule violations, and an angry expression.
“Nothing, I’m just talking with Horyu…?
“That’s the problem!”
Suzume inserted herself between Horyuu and me, and looked straight at the latter.
“You hold no rights to speak to Horyu. What are you planning? Trying to resparkle old love? You were the one to break up with Horyu, and now…”
“…”
Seeing her still absolutely despite me made me flash a wry smile. Weeelll, it’s not wrong, I was very lucky to be the boyfriend of the “ice queen” Horyu Miyuki, but I broke up with her. There’s nothing wrong to see girls standing up to her side.
Horyu smiled and shrugged her shoulders behind Suzume.
“Understood, I’ll just leave.”
“That’s right, and never approach Horyu ever again.”
I broke up with Horyu in Winter, but apparently, that much time wasn’t enough to cool Suzume’s anger. I was scolded terribly by her then, and she hadn’t calmed down even now.
I turned back.
Right then, Horyu mouthed some words: “See you later”