ch1-ch20 · 002-ch2

Episode 2: Childhood Friends and an Interesting Girl

By the time I got to the classroom, only about half my classmates were there.

I'm the type to leave pretty early, y'know. Sumi's always cutting it close.

And yet, she'd gotten up early today to wait for me. A bit heavy, but also kind of embarrassingly nice.

Then I was surprised to see another friend who should've been cutting it close already sitting at her desk.

"Huh, Kirikiri, you're early."

"Ah, mornin', Sumi, Ai."

Sitting there was Ōnaki Kiriko—a serious-looking girl at first glance with her regulation-perfect uniform and black hair in twin tails, the complete opposite of Sumi.

She's a little taller than me. Got these droopy eyes that are totally charming, another childhood friend of mine. Also, she's got a big chest. Stands out even more 'cause she's on the shorter side. Huh? What about me? Don't ever ask me that again.

We only met after starting elementary school, but since she went to the same kindergarten as Sumi, we hit it off right away.

"What's up, Kiri? It's rare to see you here before me."

"Mmm, there weren't many hits this season, lots of one-episode drops, so I've been sleeping early."

This is why the boys don't approach her despite her charming droopy eyes and impressive chest.

She's a hardcore anime otaku. There aren't many kids these days who'd look down on someone for liking anime, but Kiri takes it to another level.

Up all night watching anime, always barely making it on time, always barely passing. And she doesn't even try to hide her passionate feelings for her 2D faves—once she starts talking in the classroom, she can't stop.

Back in middle school, some senpai who called himself an otaku approached her, but after one lunch break conversation, he never came back.

Bottom line: she's the type who lives too much for her hobbies. We don't mind, though.

"Huh~~. So you're watching something especially interesting right now?"

"Hmm, not god-tier or anything, but it's decent. I mean, I should save my energy this season and look forward to Pinky-Q season 3 in summer and the new GunCross—"

"Ah~, I've heard of Pinky-Q. Is it good?"

"It's good! Especially season 3 has the most hype first doubles match from the original! They're always bickering, but when it's game time, they work together perfectly—they understand each other way too well, don't you think!?"

Sumi props her chin on her hand, nodding along as the excited Kiri talks. There it is. This is the right approach.

If you try to have a normal conversation with Kiri, you'll get swept away by the flood of knowledge and character love. Playing the listener is the best strategy.

And Sumi isn't just zoning out—she's actually interested in listening. That's why Kiri can enjoy talking to her, I think.

The only downside is that Kiri's explanations are so detailed that Sumi and I end up feeling like we've already watched the shows and get satisfied, so we never actually end up watching them.

"...Especially, in the third set, when Shōya crouches down without eye contact... hey, Ai, are you listening properly!?"

"Mm, sorry, I spaced out a little."

"Geez, pay attention."

Laughing at the scolding from smiling Kiri, I just grin and brush it off.

Even in high school, I hope this kind of peaceful daily life continues. That's what I was thinking.

"Ai-chaaaaan! Good mooorning!!"

Ahh, peace is over.

Pushing through the growing crowd of classmates, one girl comes charging at me.

"Good mooorning!!"

"G-good morning, Mikato-san."

This girl who appeared with enough momentum to glomp me is Mikato Reiya from the next class. Looks-wise, she's a black-haired, pure-looking beauty. ...Yeah, her insides used to match too.

After some incident, she got strangely attached to me. Her pure image has gone somewhere—now she looks like a puppy begging her owner for cuddles. Though she doesn't actually glomp me for real.

"Please, don't call me 'Mikato-san' like that. You can just call me by my first name."

Blushing and bending down to force herself to look up at short little me. How did this happen.

"Ah, to be separated from Ai-chan in different classes! If it comes to this, I'll ask my father the PTA president to pressure them into another class reassignment!"

"That's scary."

"A rich girl with power is cute in anime, but in reality... she's just, wow, yikes."

Sumi and Kiri exchange looks and shrug like it's someone else's problem. Hey, help your childhood friend out here.

"Say what you will! I won't hesitate to use any means for Ai-chan's sake. ...Wait, Arizuki-san, what is that hair color!?"

"Ah, wow, it really is an amazing color."

You only just noticed your childhood friend's hair color changed now, Kiri? That's weird.

"Ehehe, cute, right? Ryunryun did it for me~"

"Ryun...? It certainly is cute, but... no, it's too flashy for a high schooler!"

"But Chii-sen said it was okay~"

Chii-sen is our homeroom teacher, Senkaga-sensei.

Not a small cute teacher, but a ripped macho man.

But still, I'm impressed Sumi's calling him by a nickname after only a week.

"Even if that's what the school rules say, what if it has a bad influence on Ai-chan!?"

"Bad influwence?"

"Bad inflooence?"

"Wait, Mikato-san, what are you saying in that loud voice..."

See? Look around. Your classmates are weirded out.

Why are you acting like a guardian to someone your own age? Is Mikato-san my mom or something?

Even though there are lots of familiar faces, there are also kids I'm with for the first time after the class shuffle, and kids who came here for high school entrance exams. Could you maybe, I don't know, be a little more restrained? Act with some common sense? They're gonna treat me like a weirdo too.

"What if Ai-chan sees your hair and wants to dye hers! Your beautifully bluish-black hair is so lovely as it is!"

Ah—so it's not about delinquency, it's about your own desires. Give me a break.

"U-um, I'm not planning to dye my hair or anything. And besides, Mikato-san's hair is way prettier."

Gathering my courage to voice my opinion while the whole class is watching.

Honestly, I'm not that fond of my slightly bluish-black hair. I wish it were truly black like Mikato-san's.

Mikato-san, complimented on her hair by my honest feelings... ah, her eyes turned into hearts.

"Oh my, to say my black hair is beautiful, lustrous, and lovely... hah"

"Ai didn't say all that~"

Kiri's quiet retort naturally doesn't reach Mikato-san.

　　Ding-dong, ding-dong.

"Ah, it's already time to start, how unfortunate. Ai-chan, I'll come again!"

Mikato-san quickly straightens her hair, gives a little bow, and heads back to her own class.

"Ahh, I'm exhausted..."

"She's as interesting as always, Mikato-chan."

Sumi doesn't mind all the back-and-forth at all. Rather, she's always enjoying it.

Though the reason I even know Mikato-san is because of Sumi in the first place.

"Hey, the bell already rang. Hurry up and take your seats."

Finally, Chii-sen—Senkaga-sensei—arrives, and my classmates, including Sumi and me, rush back to our seats.

Sensei, this is the first time I've thought this, but you could've come a little earlier.