~ Ayano's Pov ~
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I checked the time, realizing that lunch break was almost over at this point. In fact, I might as well pack it up and leave now. I've still pretty much got two more tests today to finish up. Fortunately, I think I was doing fairly well for someone who had only two months to cram down all the material.
Bzzzt~
Bzzzt~
I held my phone to see who was calling me, And to my surprise, "Sekai?" I kept my hoodie down still, quickly picking up while moving off to the side.
"Ayano-san, I know this a bit sudden, but... Could you help me study for the Econ test tomorrow. I'm not so good at it."
Helping her study...? I don't blame her for asking me since, I was the probably best at Econ in the class without much contest, I pretty much always scored in my high nineties in it. "Alright, since school is ending early today, why don't we stay in the library since it closes off at 7PM?"
Sure," I said. "School's ending earlier today, right? We could just stay in the library after classes. It's open till seven."
There was a pause on the other end. Not a long one, but just enough to notice...
"Um... I'm not really that comfortable studying here," she admitted, her voice dropping. "It's kind of noisy… sometimes. And I get distracted easily."
How though, it's the library? You know what, it's fine. "O-Okay..." I said slowly, raising an eyebrow as I waited for the rest.
"If it's not too weird," she continued, "my place isn't far from here. We could study there instead?"
…
Now that I didn't expect.
Not that I thought Sekai was the type to pull something, but the idea of going over to her place caught me a little off guard. Especially today, when everything already felt upside-down.
Still, she sounded completely genuine. A little nervous, even. I glanced back toward where I had been sitting a second ago. Setsuna was still there, head buried in her book like the world outside didn't matter to her.
I ran a hand through my hair... 'Great. First attention I didn't even ask for, now study invites to girls' houses? What sort of timeline even is this?
"...Alright," I said after a moment. "If you're sure, I don't mind it."
"Really?" she sounded almost surprised that I accepted. "Thanks, Ayano-san! I'll text you my address, okay?"
I replied back, "Cool. See you after school."
I hung up and slipped the phone back into my pocket, quietly exhaling. 'This day just kept leveling up in weirdness, doesn't it...'
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DING~ DONG~
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"Hwaah! I'm glad today's set of exams are over... We only have econ and civics left." Renji said, stretching.
I nodded at that, I was glad they were coming to a close too. "You can say that again." I packed up all of my things. When I looked down a few rows, I spotted Sekai doing the same, so I left my desk, walking straight down to her.
"Ah, you ready to go?"
She nodded, "Yep!"
"Wait!... Where are the both of you going?" Renji called out, stopping us before we could even make it to the hallway.
I turned around with a tired sigh, shifting my bag over my shoulder. "Sekai asked me to help her prep for the Econ test. Nothing major, just some review."
Renji raised a brow, his grin creeping in like he already thought this was something it wasn't. Typical. Before I could shut that down—
"M-May I join you two?"That, voice.
I blinked. Turning, I saw Katsura standing just a bit in front of Renji now, clutching her bag strap with both hands like it was some kind of emotional support. She looked a little nervous... but also, determined?
"...Huh?" slipped out before I could stop it.
My confusion wasn't even subtle. Katsura? Joining? For Econ?
I mean, Sekai needing help made total sense to me. She was barely scraping by last term in the subject, hovering in the low 60s. But Katsura-san? If I remember correctly, she was consistently around the high 70s in the class. She wasn't struggling—not enough to need me, anyway.
And the way she asked… it felt more like she wanted to be there than actually study too. No, I don't think she'd do that kind of thing. Plus, I might be in over my own head head thinking she would do that...
But, it wasn't just me either, even Sekai glanced at her, a little surprised. Not mad, just caught off guard too.
"Uhm," I started, scratching the back of my head. "Are you sure? I mean, I don't mind, but... aren't you already doing fine in that subject."
Katsura gave a small nod, with her voice being barely above a whisper. "I just… I want to make sure I understand the newer topics. That's all."
Right... Totally not suspicious I guess. I glanced sideways at Sekai. Her expression stayed neutral, but I caught something odd, just the slightest twitching of her lips—like she wanted to say something to me, but chose not to.
"Well," I said, trying to sound casual, "if you really want to, I guess it's fine, by me of course... But..."Internally, this situation felt pretty awkward already...
"I can't just give the go ahead by myself, since I'll be studying over Sekai's place. She kind of needs to give you the permission to even come over..." I glanced over at Sekai. "But like I already said, since we'll be studying at your place, I feel like it's your call more than mine."
Sekai paused, her smile faltering just a bit as her eyes shifted toward Katsura.
"Ah... Soto~" she started, fidgeting with the strap of her bag. "My room is kind of small, and I was honestly just planning for a one-on-one study session..."
She trailed off, her voice getting softer. Katsura didn't say anything, just stood there quietly—waiting...
Then Sekai sighed, giving a small nod. "But... I think it should be fine. If Kotonoha-chan really wants to come along, I won't say no..."
"Are you sure?" I asked, just to be polite—though I could already feel the awkward air thickening.
"Yeah," Sekai said with a quick smile. "It'll be a little cramped, but I'm sure we can make it work."
Katsura bowed her head slightly. "Thank you, Sekai-san. I'll do my best not to be a bother."
"Alright then," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "A study trio it is."
Renji from behind us groaned dramatically. "Man, this is straight out of a rom-com. What's next, one of you trips and lands on Ayano's face?"
I shot him a look. "Shut it." Renji looked like he wanted popcorn.
"Sweet," he said, smirking. "You guys have fun, I guess... I'll be at home not third-wheeling."
Sekai giggled. Even Katsura cracked a tiny smile... But still, I can't help but feel that the air between the three of us as we walked out of the classroom? Yeah… definitely not on the lighter end.
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"3 for the price of 1, get your ice-cream! 3 for the price of 1!" a vendor shouted from across the street, ringing a tiny bell while waving his hand.
Sekai paused mid-step. "Ooooh... That actually sounds kinda tempting."
Katsura slowed down too, glancing toward the stall. "We do still have time before studying starts…"
I shrugged. "Well, I'm not in a rush. You two want to grab some?"
Sekai's eyes lit up. "Let's! My treat—since I'm technically dragging you two into study mode."
Katsura blinked, surprised. "A-Are you sure?"
"Yep," Sekai smiled, already heading toward the cart. "Besides, consider it... a peace offering for the tight squeeze later."
I followed behind, chuckling quietly. "You say that like we're about to be packed into a shipping container."
"Well," Sekai said with a playful glance, "you haven't seen my room yet."
The three of us lined up at the vendor's stand. It felt weirdly normal for once. Just… friends after school grabbing ice cream. Even with the awkwardness earlier, this little detour helped ease some of that tension we had earlier... Thankfully.
The vendor handed over three cones, and Sekai passed them out like a peacekeeper distributing truce flags.
"To cramming our brains out," she said, raising her cone slightly.
I smiled and tapped mine against hers. "To not flunking econ."
Katsura hesitated, then tapped hers in too. "…To studying together."
Yeah, maybe things were still weird under the surface, but in this moment? It didn't feel so bad...
On the other hand, I spotted Sekai reaching for her wallet when I gently held out a hand. "Nah, let me get it. You're already opening up your place for us—kind of feels like I should handle the bribe for dragging you into the econ stress."
She blinked. "Eh? But I was the one who—"
"It's cool, really." I said, stepping up to the cart. "Think of it as a trade. Your space for my wallet."
Katsura looked between the two of us, then softly added, "That… seems fair."
Sekai puffed her cheeks out for a second like she wanted to argue, but gave in with a dramatic sigh. "Fine, but next time, it's on me." I handed the vendor some yen and took the three cones, passing them around.
"To last-minute studying," I said, lifting mine.
Sekai raised hers with a smile. "To Ayano-kun being weirdly reliable today."
Katsura tapped her cone lightly to ours, her voice low but clear. "…To getting through tomorrow."
We all just continued on our way together... Making small talks along, and generally enjoying each other's company. It was, fun...
"Woah, look at those cuties over there!"
"You're right, especially the taller one, isn't she mature~"
I stopped mid-step, ice cream halfway to my mouth, my eyes flicking over to the guys leaning casually against the side of a vending machine. Late college-age, maybe early twenties. Way too old to be ogling high school girls, but clearly not self-aware enough to care.
They were looking directly at Katsura and Sekai. Talking like they weren't even a few feet away.
Sekai froze beside me, her smile vanishing. Katsura's expression didn't change much, but I noticed how her fingers subtly curled tighter around the cone.
The taller guy nudged his friend with his elbow. "Should we say something? Bet they're waiting on someone like us."
That was enough for me. I took one small step forward—not aggressive, but just enough to plant myself slightly in front of the girls. I didn't even look directly at the guys when I spoke...
"Sorry, man. They're not interested."
The shorter one raised an eyebrow, looking me up and down like I was just background noise. "Was I talkin' too ya'?"
"No." I said, finally turning to meet his eyes. "You were talking at them. Big difference."
I could feel Sekai and Katsura standing just behind me, sticking to my back—quiet, but close...
The taller guy scoffed at me. "Tch. Chill out, man. We were just giving out some compliments."
"Cool..." I said, voice calm but sharp, "Then take 'em to someone who asked."
There was a pause. Just a second or two, but enough for them to get the message. Then, finally, the taller one clicked his tongue and nudged his friend. "Whatever, let's bounce."
They both walked off—grumbling under their breaths, but leaving all the same.
Only when they were far enough out of earshot did I turn around. Sekai let out a breath she'd been holding. Katsura just gave me a small, almost imperceptible nod as well.
"Are you both good?" I asked, tone softening.
Sekai nodded quickly. "Y-yeah… T-Thanks, Ayano-kun."
"…Thank you as well," Katsura added, her voice even lower...
I shrugged like it was nothing, if I kept myself strong they'd feel more at ease too... but on the inside? My blood was still a little hot...
"C'mon guys." I said, sighing. "Let's keep moving..."
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END