—Time to go home.
Just as I solidified that decision, my neighbor at the next desk—Kimiya—stood up.
“Ah, Kimiya. Could you—”
“…Muu.”
When I called out to her, Kimiya turned toward me with a distinctly displeased pout—
an unusual expression for her, who was always smiling. Had I done something to upset her?
For just a moment, I felt uneasy, but Kimiya quickly returned to her usual self.
“What is it, Sou-san?”
“Ah, well, I wanted to talk, but more importantly, you just now—”
“I’m fine.”
“But—”
“I’m fine.”
“…Got it.”
“We can discuss that matter another time.”
“………………”
If that was the case, she didn’t seem fine at all.
But faced with Kimiya’s smile, I didn’t have the courage to press further.
Reluctantly, I blurted out the random thought I’d originally planned to say.
“Uh—hey, Kimiya? You got any plans after this?”
“Eh?”
For just a split second, Kimiya seemed flustered by my question.
But she quickly composed herself and nodded.
“Ah, y-yes. Today, I was invited by the volleyball team, but…”
“Oh. Yeah, figures. Sorry, forget I—”
“—Wait.”
Wait.
That’s what she said.
“Wait, please.”
Twice.
“Uh… sure. I’ll wait.”
“Sou-san. What exactly was the intent behind that question?”
“Huh? Oh, well. I thought maybe I could make up for all the times you’ve helped me out. But I didn’t mention it beforehand, so—”
“Understood.”
Before I could finish, Kimiya whipped out her phone and typed at lightning speed.
Then, in the blink of an eye, she put it away and faced me again.
“I’m free today.”
“…Kimiya. Did you just cancel on them?”
“I’m free today.”
“………… Okay. Well, I’m free too, actually.”
“Yes.”
“Wanna grab some tea or something later?”
Kimiya smiled faintly and gave a small nod.
“I’d love to accompany you.”
And so, we left the school building together.
What was meant as a gesture of gratitude might’ve ended up making her go out of her way, but well—Kimiya seemed happy.
That was good enough for me.
“Hehe. I never expected Sou-san to invite me out so suddenly,”
Kimiya said, pressing her fingers to her lips as we walked side by side.
Her steps seemed unusually light—or was that just my imagination?
“Nah, I’ve actually been waiting for a chance like this.”
“Oh? It felt very spur-of-the-moment to me.”
…She saw right through me.
Not that I was lying about waiting for an opportunity.
“I figured you’d be busy. Both of us, really.”
“Well, we do have student council work, Sou-san. It’s only natural to be busy.”
“But nothing’s so urgent we can’t take a breather, right? Thought we could relax for once.”
“And you chose me?”
“Ah… that phrasing makes it sound weird, but yeah. Mostly as thanks for everything up till now.”
“I understand. And I’m very much looking forward to it.”
“Now I feel the pressure…”
“Don’t worry. Hmm, how about the café near the station?”
There were two chain cafés by the station—both generic but convenient.
“That’s fine with you?”
“Do I strike you as the type who’d only settle for expensive places?”
“Then let’s go there. My treat, of course.”
“Yes! I’ll gladly accept your kindness!”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
As we chatted, we made our way to the nearest station.
The more popular of the two cafés faced the station entrance, crowded with students. Most kids hung out at bigger stations after taking the train home, but not everyone.
We cut through the station to the quieter café on the opposite side—
fewer Seishinkan students there.
Being with Kimiya always drew attention, so this was the better choice.
We entered, placed our orders, and sat across from each other.
“Let’s enjoy,” Kimiya said, lifting her café latte.
I took a sip of my usual blend.
Even as a chain, it was plenty satisfying for me—
but would it meet Kimiya’s standards? I had no idea.
Then, she spoke.
“It’s delicious.”
“…………”
For a second, I wondered if she’d read my mind—but she was probably just sharing her thoughts.
I smiled and nodded.
“Glad you like it.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m with Sou-san.”
“Ah. That’s why mine tastes better than usual too.”
“How smooth. But I won’t lie—I don’t mind hearing that. Thank you.”
If anyone was smooth here, it was Kimiya. Still, I’d call this a passing grade.
For some reason, I always chose my words carefully around her. The surprising part? It didn’t feel bad. I genuinely wanted her to enjoy herself—no ulterior motives.
I wasn’t being cautious.
I wanted to be considerate. That was just the kind of person Kimiya was.
As I watched her, eyes slightly narrowed, I found myself thinking:
“Kimiya… you’re amazing.”
“Sou-san?”
The words had slipped out almost unconsciously. Kimiya tilted her head.
“Ah—sorry. Just a thought that escaped.”
“I-Is that so…? Hearing it so directly is a little embarrassing.”
Kimiya blushes thinly, as if she is a little embarrassed,
She is fiddling with her bangs in a way that struck me as incredibly endearing.
“Didn’t expect you to get flustered. You’re used to being praised, aren’t you?”
“Muu. You’re the one who’s unexpectedly mean, Sou-san. Don’t tease me too much.”
“Not teasing. I mean it.”
“Do you? I don’t recall doing anything worth your praise just now.”
“Well, it’s… everything. You’re someone who really thinks, you know?”
“Thinks?”
“Yeah. Not about good or bad—just that using your head is a choice.”
I echoed one of the few lessons my late father had taught me.
Smart or not, in the grand scheme, people aren’t that different. No matter how brilliant someone is, they can’t perfectly read others’ thoughts or predict the future with certainty.
The real difference lies in whether you keep thinking—never stopping.
“Kimiya, no matter what you do or say, you always consider the consequences, right? You never half-ass anything.”
“Saying it like that makes me sound calculating.”
“No, that’s not what I—I respect that about you.”
Kimiya stared blankly for a moment
before averting her gaze with a soft murmur.
“…You always say things like that out of nowhere… You’re a bad man, Sou-san.”
“Huh? Really? That’s how I come off?”
“Why do you look happy about that…?”
I’d been called a good guy plenty, but never a bad man.
If this was growth, I’d take it.
“…Well, if you’re happy, Sou-san, then I don’t mind.”
Nodding slightly, Kimiya suddenly added:
“Kimiya?”
She smiled softly at my puzzled look.
“That’s it. That.”
“Huh?”
“Even after going out alone together like this, you still only call me by my last name. It makes me a little sad.”
“Ah… sorry.”
Now that she mentioned it, I was being unfair.
As I bowed my head, Kimiya shook hers gently.
“No, it’s fine. There are four of us in the same grade with this name, after all.”
“…Yeah.”
That wasn’t the real reason, but I couldn’t correct her.
—But.
Even so, Kimiya met my eyes and said:
“Still… I’d like it if you called me by my first name.”
With that, she lifted her cup, closed her eyes, and took a sip.
I couldn’t bring myself to agree.
—Sorry, Sou-kun.
—You can’t call me that.
The words Natsuki had once spoken echoed in my mind.
Was I still trapped by those feelings?
“…………”
Silence lingered between us.
Then, as if struck by inspiration, Kimiya held up her cup and looked at me.
“Look, Sou-san.”
“Yeah?”
She took a deliberate sip of her latte, then lowered the cup with a grin.
“Foam mustache.”
“———!!”
The unexpected move nearly made me spit out my coffee.
Kimiya, with a creamy line above her lip, wore a triumphant smile.
“Oh, that worked. Better than I expected.”
“Wha—how could you just drop a gag like that out of nowhere… pfft.”
“I can be playful too, you know?”
Still sporting her foam mustache, Kimiya puffed up proudly.
Cute… God, she’s cute… Even the slightest bit of calculated charm only added to her appeal.
“Honestly, for the heir of the Kimiya Group, this is undignified.”
“Muu. That’s unfair. It’s not that improper.”
“My bad, my bad.”
“Then, as an apology, keep this between us. It’s our secret, okay?”
Putting a finger to her lips in a “quiet” gesture.
Well, if she says so, I have no choice. It seems this has to stay a secret.
“Between the lunchbox thing and this, you and I sure have a lot of secrets, huh, Kimiya?”
“……Maybe so.”
With that, she set her cup down on the table.
Then she turned to face me.
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