The Ice King Gets What He Wants

"Yes, I did actually." I sheepishly answered. Expecting some remark from Nao, I looked around and realized he wasn't here. "Where's Nao-kun?"

"Oh, we don't know." Hoshi stole a quick glance at Daichi that showed her worry. "We thought he might have stayed home today, but he hasn't answered any of our texts."

"Does he normally just stay home?" For some reason, I felt my anxiety rising.

"Yeah, sometimes he just skips, but he always tells us." Daichi rubbed the back of his head. "We're gonna go see what's up after school."

"Oh, I hope it's nothing." I have this suspicion that it isn't nothing, though.

"Do you want to come with us? Nao wouldn't mind." Hoshi suggested, noticing my own apprehension.

"Uh, su-"

"He can't."

…

"Oh, come on, Haru. We have something we to do together later, remember?" Akira's smile told me to go along with him.

But, why?

"R-Right." I awkwardly nodded. Hoshi and Daichi looked at each.