175 Third-Year, Start

A smiling Shun entered the school for a new term. Another year at Tokiwadai Middle School.

He looked around and saw nervous first-year students, second-year students, who finally could be called senpai by the first-year students, and third-year students like him excited for another year.

Shun took in the hustle-bustle of the school as he walked towards the school building.

He took in a deep breath of air and spoke with a smile.

Shun: "Nope, still smells the same."

He made a joke on his own and laughed alone.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

Just after he changed into his indoor shoes, he saw Romio standing in front of a group of first-year girls. The group of girls looked intimidated.

He chuckled as he walked towards Romio.

Shun stood on Romio's left and tapped him on his right shoulder.

Romio turned to the right, while Shun stepped ahead from his left.

Romio, who looked back, didn't saw anyone.

Romio: "Eh?"

He turned back to the girls, who called out to him for directions and saw Shun standing there talking to the girls with a smile on his face.

Shun: "Ah, the first-year classrooms are on the first floor.

You have to go up that staircase.

And, turn left, you would see the classrooms.

There would be room signs, so finding the correct classroom wouldn't be a problem."

Romio saw the first-year girls blushing as they stared at Shun.

He made a face and clicked his tongue.

Shun turned to Romio, and the girls too followed Shun's gaze to look at Romio, who was currently looking very pissed.

The girls were scared by Romio's face.

Girls: "Hiiiiii!"

Shun sighed and covered Romio's face with his hand and spoke.

Shun: "Romio, you really need to ease that frown on your face.

It makes you look scary.

See, these girls look so scared looking at you.

You need to smile more, like me."

Romio glared at Shun and spoke.

Romio: "Oye."

Shun turned to the first-year girls and spoke to them.

Shun: "Now, off you go. Go to your classrooms.

I am sure you guys are excited to see your new classmates. Make some new friends."

The girls bowed, and before leaving, spoke in unison.

Girls: "Thank you, senpai."

Shun smiled and waved them goodbye. After that, he turned back to Romio and spoke.

Shun: "See, a smile goes a long way."

Romio harrumphed and said.

Romio: "I don't know why all of them go squealing when they see you. Sometimes, it wants me to bash your face in."

Shun put an arm around Romio, and both started to walk towards their classroom.

Shun: "Oh, don't worry, your day will come, someday you too will be popular, and that time will come soon if you watch and learn from me.

Lesson number one, just as I said earlier, a smile goes a long way. And, not your scary smile, try to imitate my charming smile."

Romio clicked his tongue and retorted.

Romio: "No one wants to be like you."

Shun straight out laughed at that.

Shun: "Yeah, right. Everybody wants to be like me."

Romio glanced at his friend and spoke.

Romio: "Narcissistic, much?"

Shun flashed a smile and stated.

Shun: "Hey, I am just stating facts."

They reached the staircase, and Shun conversed.

Shun: "Our classroom has moved up to the third floor."

Romio sighed and complained.

Romio: "Now, I will have to hurry a little more. I need to compensate the time it takes to run up another set of stairs."

Shun quirked his brow and told.

Shun: "Or, as we tell you every time, you can just come early.

Hey, you came early today."

Romio shrugged and prattled.

Romio: "Late on the first day will be bad, even for me."

As they climbed up the stairs, Shun's eyes shined, and he asked.

Shun: "Oh yeah! Where is the Kendo club set up in the club promotions tomorrow?

Are you going to sit at the station tomorrow?"

Tomorrow was the day when all school clubs were going to set up stands around the school to attract and draw in new members.

Romio was the captain of the Boys' Kendo Club Division, just as Shun was going to sit at the boys' basketball club station as the captain with Yuki.

Romio nodded and replied.

Romio: "I am going to sit with Juliet."

Juliet Persia was the captain of the Girls' Kendo Club Division.

Not all clubs were as massive as Tokiwadai's boy's basketball club, so clubs like Kendo shared a single dojo gym and practiced together.

So, the Kendo club set up their stand together for both genders.

Shun grinned slightly and questioned.

Shun: "Ooh, how is that going?"

Romio tilted his head and asked.

Romio: "What do you mean?"

Shun slightly humphed and snorted.

Shun: "Oh, don't act like you don't know.

How is it going with Juliet-san? I know you like her."

Romio jaw slackened, and his cheeks flushed a tad bit before he denied Shun's suggestion completely.

Romio: "What crap are you saying?!

Don't be stupid! I don't like her at all!"

Shun narrowed his eyes at Romio before speaking.

Shun: "Well, whatever helps you sleep at night.

Come to me if you need some help."

Both of them reached their floor, and Romio questioned Shun.

Romio: "Like you have any experiences with girls, you always refuse every girl that tries to ask you out.

Have you ever been on a date?"

Shun smiled and said something that shocked Romio.

Shun: "I have been on dates. Multiple dates."

Romio blinked a couple of times before speaking in a raised voice.

Romio: "Eeeh?! With whom?!"

Shun opened the door to his new classroom and dropped the hammer on Romio.

Shun: "Hmm? I went with a girl that I like."

Romio's jaw was on the floor. He had no idea that Shun had a girl that he liked.

Girls at school flocked around Shun, and he was polite and nice to every girl that talked to him, but he always had them at a distance, so it was shocking to hear that Shun was interested in a girl.

Shun entered the classroom, and Romio followed, still in shock.

He hurried behind Shun and asked.

Romio: "Hey, tell me who is it?

Is she from our school? Our year, or a second-year?

Oye, Shun. Tell me!"

Shun just laughed in response.