Chapter Two

"Mafuyu-chan, good morning!"

"Hope you have a great day, Saikawa-san!"

"Hello, Mafuyu-chan!"

How many greetings has it been? And we haven't even reach the building yet. I've been used to this since kindergarten so it doesn't bother me anymore.

No one even greets me, I'm just a weed beside this beautiful flower named Mafuyu. Ah, what an honor.

"Aki, did you finish the homework in history?"

"Yes, I did. What's the matter?"

I tapped the side of my bag, just basically pointing out where my homework was.

"Can I copy yours?"

I titled my head in curiosity. This is weird.

"Sure but that's rare. You always do your homework before dinnertime, Mayu. Did something happen?"

"I was busy with my phone until 1am."

She irritatingly closed her eyes and pinch the bridge of her nose.

1am?! Wait—I remember Mayu being busy with her phone since yesterday! And yesterday was when that guy from the next class confessed to her!

Did they exchanged numbers?! That's why Mayu didn't do her homework because she was talking to him all night, sharing things about herself, and deepening their bond?!

I closed my eyes and I murmured to myself.

"Ah, how lovely."

"What's lovely?"

"Nothing, Mayu. Here's my homework."

I took out the homework and gave it to Mayu. She was reading it until we were inside the building to change into our indoor shoes.

"Akira, good morning!"

A loud voice from the entrance doors roared. Takeru-kun's energy was beaming that it's almost blinding me.

"Tsk. He sure is loud first thing in the morning…"

I chuckled a little when I heard Mayu's remark.

When he was near us, I replied.

"Good morning, Takeru-kun."

"Good morning to you, too, Saikawa."

"Morning."

Mayu's tone was indifferent. She was already done changing into her indoor shoes while I still haven't opened my shoe locker.

"Aki, I'm going first. I need to copy your homework before class starts."

"Okay, I have something I need to get from the art room."

Mayu went ahead while reading and unbothered by the looks tagged on her.

"She sure is popular."

"Yup, it sometimes bother me that someone like me who's normal looking is always beside her."

I'm not sad. I'm just a little worried. Mayu don't have any friends other than me. People might think that I'm monopolizing her all to myself. Well, that doesn't sound so bad, if I really think about it.

"What are you talking about? You're pretty cute, Akira."

What is this guy saying? Is he blind?

"Hahaha! Right? I'm not so bad myself."

I jokingly strike a pose.

"Ahahahahaha! What's with that?"

Takeru-kun laughed so loud that other kids from the corridor started looking at our direction. I immediately composed myself.

"You're really funny, Akira! But I'm serious, you're cute!"

He ruffled my hair. Why does he always treat me so nicely? Does he have some sort of sister complex? I could definitely sense some *onii-chan aura on him.

"Well then, I have cleaning duty at the gym so see you later in class."

"Sure!"

There's still 30 minutes before homeroom, after changing into indoor shoes, I was calmly walking towards the art room on the third floor.

I ran out of canvas and some paints in the house. I remember hiding some extra materials at the art room, I'm gonna put it in my locker immediately so I won't have to go to the art room since we don't have art class today.

Just a few meters from the entrance door of the art room, I noticed the door was slightly open.

It must be Chika-sensei. Is she preparing for the supplementary class later after school?

Chika-sensei is so hardworking, making her more popular among the students.

Gosh, why am I surrounded with good looking people? I must have been a hero in my past life.

It would be a little fun to see Chika-sensei's surprised face. Should I play with her a little?

Sneakily, with careful steps, I loudly slide the door opened and shout with a cheerful voice.

"Sensei! Good Morning!!!"

"Aaahh!!"

*booogsh!*

I slightly shut my eyes because of the noise of the canvas that fell on the floor. To my surprise, it was not Chika-sensei.

I titled my head. Hm? What is he doing here?

"Hey, it's you. The president from next class."

His face was beet red. He's perplexed of my presence.

"U-um..a-ahh—This is..!."

He tried to explain but he sounds baffled along with his indescribable hand gestures. What is he trying to say?

My eyes diverted at the canvas he dropped just now. I recognized it right away.

"Oh, that's mine…"

I walked towards it and picked it up. It was the painting of the view of the school yard.

"I-I'm sorry I d-dropped it!"

As he apologized, his eyes' direction went to the floor, making him look like a cute puppy. I chuckled as I looked at him then at the painting.

"Its fine, its fine. It's not that special. I just painted it on a whim. It's not that pretty anyways."

I painted this last month. It was nothing special. That was when I was waiting for Mayu after class because she had some supplementary lessons when she was sick for 3 days.

I noticed that he quickly lifted up his eyes on me. He was hesitant to talk but in the end, he did.

"No! It's really pretty! I like it!"

"Really?"

"Mm, mm!" He vigorously nodded.

I badly want to laugh because of his cute insisting.

"Then, you can have it."

His mouth gaped open and as he was nodding really hard a moment ago, now he's shaking his head.

"Wha—No! I can't accept that! I can't!"

"Hmm, that's too bad, then. Chika-sensei asked me yesterday to clean up my previous works so we can have some free spaces. I guess, I have to throw this away."

It was, of course, a lie. The art club only has few members and the students using this room for art classes are always asked to bring home their materials after class.

Of course, I wouldn't be sad to throw this away since it really has no sentimental value. And I'm not the type who keeps things at my room if it has no daily use or memories, it would only take up my room's space.

Should I ask my brothers to have this instead? I think they would be more than willing but I bet they would fight over on who's going to have it so I'd rather throw it away than be a war mediator at home.

"You can't throw it away! Please don't! I'll take it! No— I mean…C-can..Can I have it?"

"Here you go."

I push the painting unto his chest and went to search for the materials, which was the main reason why I went here.

The art supplies were on the side corner of the room and I have to look for the box where I kept it. I'm pretty sure, I kept my supplies inside a box with "Aki" written on top of it.

"Ah, there it is..."

Yup, this is my supplies. I took the supplies that were already running out at home, some fine brushes, different pencils, and paints.

"Charcoal pencils, too…ah, there's the red paint…"

It's really silent. After all the fuss, the art room was pierced with heavy silence. The only sound was me mumbling nonsense and the boxes I was rummaging through.

Did he leave already? Of course, why would he stay with me?

I was finished with my task. I need to hurry, there's only a few minutes before homeroom period.

I transferred the supplies in a smaller box and lifted it up.

"Um, do you need help?"

"Eeek!"

I felt my skin crawling because of the husky voice behind me. I almost lost grip of the box I was holding.

As I turn my back, he was still on the same place, a moment ago. He was still holding the painting I gave him. No, he was not just holding it, he was hugging it tightly.

Does he like it that much?

"You scared me. I thought you left already. What are you still doing here?"

I asked him while making my way through the boxes. He titled his head a little as if it was a ridiculous question.

"What do you mean? I was waiting for you."

Oh, he looks calm now. He's not stuttering like earlier. I must have surprised him really bad.

"Why? Homeroom's about to start."

"Then let's go together."

He smiled brightly. Ah, now my painting looks divine with him holding it. I'm glad I gave it to him.

"Do you really like that painting? You're really holding it tightly."

"Yes, I really like it! Thank you for giving it to me!"

Without much thought, I stared at him and said something that made him blushed again.

"You're really handsome."

"Wha—No! I'm n-not! T-t-thank you!"

Now, he looks embarrassed that I'm starting to see his face blow off some steam.

As I thought, he's really good-looking. He looks perfect beside Mafuyu.

Ah, should I buy a new SD card for photoshoot purposes? Should I become their official photographer during their dates? Should I take my camera to the maintenance shop? I haven't used it in months.

That would be great but no! I will feel bad for disturbing their dates! But I really want to capture Mayu's godly beauty!

Get a hold of yourself, Aki.

We walked together. He insisted his help on carrying the box for me, but I rejected his offer since it was not that heavy, besides I can see that he doesn't want to let go of the painting I gave him.

"By the way, do you know me?"

I asked him while walking down the stairs. I saw how his eyes glittered and bit his lower lip from excitement.

What's with that look?

"Of course, I know you! You're Miyazumi Akira-san from Class 2. You're Saikawa Mafuyu's best friend. You're also a member of Art Club. I heard from Chika-sensei that you're the best oil painter in the club—Ah, no! I just see and heard of you from time to time! I hope you don't see me as a weird person!"

Of course, I'm his crush's best friend. He must've know me already. Not bad, Mr. President from next class. But that reminds me…

"Why were you in the art room earlier, Yuuta-kun?"

I was about to take another step when I noticed that he stopped from walking beside me.

"What's wrong?"

I asked as he was gloomy all over. His head was drooping low. I feel like he's about to cry any moment now.

"T-the thing is... my name is not Yuuta."

Oh, really? Well, I don't know his name in the first place but I think his name was something similar to Yuuta, more or so.

Whose name was Yuuta, by the way? It sounds familiar.

"Ah, is that so? My bad. What's your name, then?"

He clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

"I-Its—Its KIRISAKI YUJIRO! Please don't forget my name!"

I flinched when he loudly said his name and after that he sobbed as he dashed away.

I, sometimes, think that he's really weird. Like how he exudes that calm and princely image but he's actually a shy boy.

Is that how he's going to be when he's about to become Mayu's boyfriend? He'll act all shy when he's holding her hand?

Well, that would look cute—Wait, that can't be! If that's the case, Mayu will be forced to initiate things between them! Mayu will always take the lead when they're on a date! Mayu will initiate conversations! No! A girl cannot initiate things before the guy does! What kind of role is that?! The guys has to take the lead!

Alright! This is the time that my help is needed!

Don't worry, Mayu! Leave that guy to me! I'll mold him into a perfect boyfriend that will always take care of you! You can count that on me!

Since our classrooms are just beside each other, I need to see Kirisaki-kun and ask him to eat lunch together with us later.

I'll create more opportunities for them to be together. Kirisaki-kun needs to snap out of it and be used to it or else he'll be seen as an unworthy boyfriend for my Mayu. He's also good-looking so there's nothing for him to be worried of.

I was looking through the window of Class 1, looking for Kirisaki-kun when someone from inside saw me and quickly opened the window.

"Oh, it's Miyazumi-san!"

Everyone inside their classroom turned their gazes on me. W-what? Why is everyone looking at me like that? Am I disturbing them?

Class 1 is a special class. By that, all of the enrolled students here are geniuses, be it in academics, athletics, art, and such.

"U-umm…do you know me?"

"Yeah! I'm Yuuta Kenjiro! Don't you remember me? I applied to be a member of the Art Club last month but I realized art was not my thing so I pulled out my club application form! But man, I saw your paintings there, it was amazing!"

He laughed. He's definitely a chatterbox. He looks like a nice kid though.

Ah, so he is the Yuuta-kun I am somewhat familiar with, that's why I kept mentioning his name. I remember him now. He applied for the Art Club because of the anime he saw and said he wanted to be a manga artist even when he can barely hold the pencil properly. He's actually an athlete.

"Is Kirisaki-kun here?"

"Ah, yup, he's here!"

He nodded and called out towards the back row of the classroom.

"Oi, Kirisaki! Kirisaki! Miyazumi-san is here for you!"

From there, the last desk from the right, which was swarmed by few guys, immediately turned to me.

"Oh, it's Miyazumi-san!"

"Kirisaki, Miyazumi-san is here!"

Why does these people know me? Is it because I'm Mayu's best friend? Mayu's popularity is indeed scary.

"H-huh? What?"

Kirisaki-kun, who was just laying his head flat on the desk, immediately raised his head and with slightly squinted eyes, and asked his classmates.

"Miyazumi-san is looking for you. Mi-ya-zu-mi-san!"

"Wha—?!"

He turned his back to the wall and did something I couldn't see, but it looks like he was rubbing his eyes or something like that. His friends were patting his back and whispered to him.

"Ah, you guys are so annoying!"

He irritatingly stood up and walked up to me. Yuuta-kun went to his friends and started giving Kirisaki-kun a cheerful look from behind.

"Can I do something for you, Miyazumi-san?"

He smiled but I can see his swollen eyes.

"Did you cry?"

He smiled more brightly that my eyes are about to melt. Damn it, he's so dazzling.

"No, you're just seeing things. Do you need me for something? What is it? I'll do anything I can."

As expected of Mayu's future boyfriend, he's also nice to me. That's it, you can also make Mayu fall for you more if you're that nice.

"I just want to ask if you'd like to have lunch with me and Mayu."

"L-l-lunch?! All of a s-sudden?"

"Mm, that's because I want to know you more!"

I want to know you more, I need to test your capabilities as Mayu's future boyfriend!

"S-saying that all of a sudden. I-I don't—"

"You don't want to?"

Is he busy during lunch? Or he's always eating with his friends?

"No! I would love to! I'll eat with you during lunch!"

After saying that so clearly, I can see his lower lip quivering, trying to suppress his excitement.

Ah, he's totally in love. He's so excited to eat with Mayu during lunch. Should I make an excuse that I have an English report to do so I have to leave early and give them some time together?

I'm good at excuses. Whenever my brothers would come to my room to play, I always tell them that I'm painting and tell them to go away even when I'm just reading some magazines. I'm a pro at this.

"Fufu, is that so? I look forward to it!"

Such a cutie.

"Akira!"

From the hall, I saw Takeru-kun waving his hand, he's panting heavily. His morning duty at the gym must be done. Passing by our classroom, Takeru-kun went to where I was and without hesitation, he took the box I was carrying.

"I'll carry this for you. You're taking this home later, aren't you?"

He grinned. Takeru-kun's onii-chan mode is on full blast ever since earlier.

"Yup, I ran out of supplies at home."

"Should I help you carry this home?"

Takeru-kun is such a nice brother. He's been helping me ever since, that's how I got close with him.

"It's fine! I can carry it by myself!"

"Its fine, its fine! I want to see your older brothers, too. It's been a while since I got to play with them."

He carried the box with his right hand and his left hand ruffled my hair. He definitely has that sister complex vibe. My brothers have that, too, but they're on the abnormal level.

"Should I call and tell them that you're coming over after school?"

"Sounds good."

*ding!*

It's the bell for homeroom period. Takeru-kun and I should get going.

"Then, Kirisaki-kun, see you later!"

"Ah, yes. See you."

He looked nonchalant and went back inside the classroom senselessly.

Hm? Kirisaki-kun's mood is suddenly a bit off. What's that about?

"Akira, we should go."

"Mm! Let's go!"

We weren't in a hurry so we got to talk a little before arriving at the entrance door of our class.

"Are you close with that famous Kirisaki Yujiro?"

"Not really. But sooner or later, we'll be close because he's Mayu's future boyfriend."

I intentionally whispered it to him because someone might hear it and cause an uproar.

Saikawa Mafuyu and Kirisaki Yujiro, the students with god-tier visuals are dating, how shocking must that be.

"That guy likes Saikawa?"

I nodded energetically.

"Mm, mm! Shocking, right? Please keep this a secret before they officially announced that they're dating!"

I clapped my hands together to plead him.

Takeru-kun just laughed and opened the entrance door for the both of us.

He grinned. "Your secret is safe with me."