Volume 2 - CH 5.1

Chapter 5: So, as friends.

Part 1

We had mathematics on Monday.

Like how messed up “Sangetsuki” was, I drew incomprehensible vector arrows in the vector field. 

[TN: Sangetsuki or Tiger-Poet was a classic from 1942 that spoke of inner discordance and transformation, blah blah blah.]

I noted the ring of the chime.

Hoh? So it’s time?

Well, from the looks of it, I wouldn’t have to take make-up classes. My points should be just enough for math…

“Akashi–”

“Hm? Hiura?”

What’s with that refreshed face…

While not as good as Minato, I had to admit that her scores were quite lofty.

“You’re a free man now, don’t cha. Let’s have lunch.” She lobbed her pack on her back and grabbed me by the shirt. A short while later, Reiji joined us, yawning.

Normally, the three of us would stop off somewhere on the way home and study for a bit. That was how it was supposed to go.

“Sorry, can’t make it today either.”

“Whattt? What’s with you!”

“Mikage-chan?”

“Shh, a little quiet, will you?” Like, keep it down! I don’t need any more attention.

“This is the last time, forgive me…”

“No shit.”

“Absolutely last time.”

She let my shirt go like a child throwing away old toys. 

I got back to my seat, rechecking the mail. At the top of my mail inbox, I had mail from Mikage last night. I took some time convincing myself this wawa real.

[Can I have your time after school tomorrow? The entirety of it.]

◆　◆　◆

I went home and quickly changed into my casual clothes. I put the bare minimum of my belongings in my bag and left the house again.

[Meet me at Kyoto station.]

I did that.

I stepped out onto the platform and looked at my phone again. She still hadn’t told me at which ticket gate I was to meet him.

“Ya, Akashi-kun.”

She smiled amiably at my befuddled face. The question died in my throat, seeing her in casual clothes had that effect.

She wore a white blouse, the type that exposed the shoulders. Her long, slender legs stretched out from a red flared skirt of softer color with a cinched waist. A combination of cuteness and maturity was quite different from the rough outfit she wore when I met her at Proof before. Besides, she looked even more stylish than usual.

She winked once and spun around to show her entire body when she noticed my gaze. Her skirt flared and her hair flowed. Her white thighs were exposed momentarily, followed by a sweet smell.

I felt a jolt of consciousness. With a  whimper, I turned my head away.

“Oh, no, you have to look at me properly. I picked this just for you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous…”Seriously, that’s too provocative.

“You’re early,” she noted, “Thought I’d have to wait a bit more.”

“You’re earlier than me,” I retorted.

If I was right, she lived further from me.

“Don’t you come early for a date?”

“D-date?!”

This was a date?

“When a boy and a girl go out together, that’s called a date.”

“That’s not always the case…” If I were to go by that definition, I’d have been on a date with Hiura countless times already.

“Whatever you say. C’mon, this way.”

“Hey, wait.”

She walked off on her own. I went after her as she hopped up the stairs, then down to the opposite platform. 

Wait, don’t you tell me.

“Where do you think you’re going…”

“Hmm, I wonder where.”

This girl… What’s her deal?

“Mikage, one thing.”

“Hm? What’s it?”

“Didn’t you say ‘date?’”

“Yup?”

Hey, don’t just “yup.” Don’t you have a boyfriend?

“I know that you don’t really have any feelings for Hibiki, but aren’t you dating? I don’t think we should do this.”

No matter the deal we had, there was no way I could go along with this. She should have known better. 

“It’s alright. Totes alright.”

“What’s alright?”

“‘Hibiki-kun’ doesn’t exist.”

“Huh?”

Doesn’t exist?

Doesn’t exist?

Pop, pop, pop, question marks filled my head like popcorn. 

She frowned, her expression fuzzled a little.

“Limited express, bound for Himeji,” said the announcer.

That was her cue.

“Let’s go, Akashi-kun.”