Hikarigaoka Girls High School

From the name itself,Hikarigaoka Girls High School is an all-girls school but at same time,

also kinda unique in some ways.

First of all,this school only run one class,one teacher and a limited number of students,

twelve to be exact.Meaning,the twelve of us will be together from first year up to we graduate here.And our homeroom teacher will be also the one who will teach us in all subjects in those three years of our study here.

Another unique thing here is me,Tomozoki Hashimoto,being a part of this class.If you will gonna ask why I,a boy was enrolled here,

well let just say that it was a common setting you will find in a romantic comedy school setting.

The bell rang,meaning the English class already ended.

"Okay,that's all for today.Let's just continue this lesson on the other day.Goodbye and see you after an hour."said by Kaede Takahashi,our homeroom teacher.

Hmmm,how should I put it.To tell you the truth,I'm not good on describing someone but I will try my best here.She was a tall woman(taller than me),a single ponytail hairstyle,good curves.For the age,let say around twenty to twenty-five.And for the personality,she has this "dark" aura around her.You will know it once you see her sharp eyes.

Anyways,the lunch time already started.Some students go to the canteen and some just stay here since they have their own lunch.I belong to the latter.

I pick up my lunch under my desk and start eating.After finishing eating,I look at the clock.We still have fifty minutes to spare so I pick up a novel in my bag and start reading.

"A Nisio Isin work again,Hashimoto-kun?"

My neighbor from my right,Irina Yahiro talk to me when I about to flip a page in the novel.

"You're right.This time it was a sequel of his 'The Kubikiri Cycle' named 'The Strangulation Romanticist'.Did you perhaps already read it?."

"My,my,Hashimoto-kun.Why did you always forget that I don't read Japanese novels?."

"Ah.Sorry about that."

Irina Yahiro is a diabled girl.She has an elementary body but with a mind of an adult.

She was probably the most matured student in this class.Her lilac-colored hair together with her sadistic face is what makes her beautiful.

By the way,I'm sitting close to the window in my left at the last row so she was my only neighbor in my sideways.

"It seem like you are bringing your own lunch lately,Yahiro-san."

"That's because I don't want to bother myself anymore in going on canteen.It's tiring me up,especially in my case."

"Well that's a good decision."

"Anyways,how about trying Agatha Cristie books,Hashimoto-kun?"

Chrisite books huh.When she said earlier she doesn't read Japanese novel,well thats book she's only reads Agatha Cristie books.I remember she said last time that she was already in 20th book of Hercule Poirot series.

Of course,I don't know what she is talking about(since I haven't read any Christie's work) but I think that if we compared it in Japanese light novels,she was already in the volume 20.

I'm not fully sure though.

"Maybe in some other time,Yahiro-san.Or maybe after finishing this sequel book.I will read one or two."

"I see.Then that's good to hear.I recommend you reading her work,'And Then There Were None' and 'The Murder of Roger Ackroyd'.

Those two are masterpieces."

"Thank you.I will take note of that."

After that,a silence occurs between us so I force to ask a a question to her.

"By the way,Yahiro-san.Where are at you now on Hercule Poirot series.Oh,did I say the name correctly?."

"You said it right.I'm on the 23th book now.So let's take this free time to read our own book,

Hashimoto-kun."

After that,our conversation had finally ended.

Yahiro-san pick up a book in her bag a start reading.I look again in the clock.I realize that I talk to her for almost ten minutes.

I go back on reading again.After some minutes,I was interrupted again.

"Tomocchi,are you free right now?"

Shiina Hosokawa,the name of the girl,shouted at me.Well,the perfect way to describe her as she was the most cheerful student in this class.

After that,she walks towards me and when she saw what I doing,she made a disappointing face.

"Ah.I see.You are busy on reading.I think I will just have to ask others.....but"

"Hmmmm?."

I couldn't help but to wonder.It seems like she was hesitating to say something.After some seconds,she finally spoke up.

"You see Tomocchi.Remember that Valentines Day is already coming?.And actually we have a big celebration for that day.But of course,we are preparing for that.And Ai-chan and I was ordered to carry some boxes to the first floor.

The problem is that there is this heavy box which we couldn't carry even with the two of us.So in short we are asking for your your help....."

I understand now.But isn't kinda a long explanation?.Though thanks to that,she remind me of Valentines Day.Why I'm always tend to forget the important things.

"Okay.No problem.It's not like you're bothering me that much."

I put the novel I'm reading back to my bag,

stood up from my seat and follow Hosokawa-

san.

Just a quick explanation.This school only have one building with two floors and a rooftop.First floor contains the principal and teacher office and a spare small room.Second floor contains obviously our classroom and the storage room.And this is where Hosokawa-san asked to carry the boxes.The restroom was located at the back(which is kinda hussle).Laslty,two stairs can be found at both ends of the building.

Upon arriving in the room,I saw Aina Chinatsu.

She was the opposite type of Honosakawa-

san.In other words,the shy and nervous type.

Her bangs that almost covering her right eye is the signature appearance from her.

I also saw that they are so many boxes inside this room,so I asked:

"So which of this I will be carrying?.

And where?."

"The-the-the-se two,Hashimoto-kun.And you will ca-ca-carrying them to the storage in the fi-first floor."

Not Hosokawa-san,but Chinatsu-san is the one who nervously answer my question,

pointing to the two boxes near her.

"Ai-chan,you can guide Tomocchi on where you he will put exactly the boxes in the storage room."

"Ehhhh?.But there is already a tab-"

"That's okay.That's okay.Did you already forget the plan?."

"Wait,Shiina-chan.I'm not fully ready for this..."

"Don't worry!.I know you can do this!.Just remember my tips I gave to you!."

When I'm checking how I will gonna carry the boxes,I heard their conversation.It seems like

Chinatsu-san can talk comfortably when it comes to Hosokawa-san,which is not a really surprise to me since they have been friends since the school started.A shy girl and an energetic one.I quite like this combination,

honestly.

After that,I lifted up the first box with two hands and carry it throughout the stairs,while Chinatsu-san follow my pace.There is a silence between us.When we arrived at the storage room,she spoke up.

"Ju-ju-just put the box in the table."

I saw the table,specifically it was a foldable one.Hmmm.This is strange.If this was already arrange from the start,why she still need to accompanied me here.Anyways,let's just take this opportunity ask a question.

"By the way,what is inside with this boxes?."

"Ah.It's paints.Yes,paints."

"I see."

Another silence occured.Maybe should I asked her to get the other box.When I'm about to do that,she suddenly spoke up.

"Uhhmm.Hashi-shi-moto-kun!."

He called me a little bit loud so I stopped moving and turned my head.She exhale,inhale and continued.

"I know that you love reading mystery novels,but did you perhaps re-read romcom light novel?."

"Romcoms?.I read them"

I noticed that compared before,this specific line from her was more natural and straight.Is this what Hosokawa-san mean when she said 'tips'?.Anyways,aside from mystery novels,I also read romantic comedy stories.But I always prioritizing reading those award winning piece.But why is she asking this?.I think I have a hunch.

"Thank goodness.And what is your favorite among them?."

Favorite huh.I can only think one title.

"The title of it is 'My Stepsister Is My Ex-

Girlfriend'.Can you remember that?."

Instead if answering my question,she pick up a pen and small notebook and write something to it.After that,he show it to me and said:

"Is this correct?I can remember them now but I will immediately forget them so I just wrote it here right now."

I read what she wrote.She was correct.

"But why did you ask my favorite romcom series?"

"Th-th-that's a secret.Yes,a secret.Anyways,

who is your fa-fa-vorite character in that series?."

When the moment she asked this question,I realize that my hunch is right.Okay.Let see.I think I will just choose that character.

"Yume Irido.She is my favorite character there."

"Why?"

"Why you say,well.."

I paused a think a little bit.While doing that,she was writing the name of the character.After some seconds,I spoke up.

"Well.I like her personality in the novel.I mean she was the main heroine there.And a tsundere type."

"I see.Tsundere huh.A-anyways,that's all"

Chinatsu-san seems kinda worried with my last exchange and immediately left the scene.

I go to the second floor again,bring the second box of paints and returned.Upon arriving,only Honokawa-san is the one who is present in the spare room.

"Where's Chinatsu-san?."

"Ai-chan was called out by Suzuki-chan to help her in the preparation."

A silence had occured.Since there's nothing to be done here anymore,I think I will be going back now in the classroom.

"Can I go back now to the classroom?."

"Wait.Tomocchi.I have something to tell you.

And it's about Ai-chan."

Hosokawa-san hesitated first then spoke up.

"Maybe you already noticed it,that Aichan have romantic feelings to you."

"You're right.When did she start liking me?"

"Before that,when did you notice it?"

"Maybe around the start of January.Even though we didn't really talk to each other most of the time,I already know it.You see,I have my eyes on people."

After replying,she paused again,look in somewhere else as if she is reminiscing something.

"You see,Tomocchi,Ai-chan is the first friend I made in the school.At first,she was afraid of talking on me,maybe because she couldn't handle talkative people but as the time goes by,she getting used to my behavior.I mean,all our classmates is my friend,even those 'three gals' but Aichan is my bestfriend,that's why...."

She paused again.It feels like she is getting the courage to say the words she wants to say.

"She will confess to you tomorrow.We already talked about it days before.And I only want you to answer her on what's in your heart with full of honesty,that's all."

After that,she said "Don't tell Ai-chan what we just talk about",smiled to me(But not the smile I usually saw from her,but a different one.Very different)and left the room.

At then the end,I realized that I didn't manage to know when Chinatasu-san started liking me.

After that,I go towards the classroom.As I go back,I noticed three girls standing in the corridor

"Hey,hey girls.Isn't Hashimoto?Where did you go,boy?."

The one who said that is Tsujinaka Reina.

Another tall girl,maybe the same height as me.With a blonde ponytail hair,quite number of accessories in her body,and a makeup in her face.Truly a gal characteristic.There are also two girls besides her,Nene Hoshino on left and Ruri Ichika on right.

"I'm just helping others in the upcoming event on Valentines Day."

"I see.I see.So can you tell me now how the hell did you enroll in this all-girls school highschool?."

"You really hate me,don't you,Reina-san?."

Instead of answering her question,I dodged it by asking also a question.

"Really?.But I haven't said words that I hate you,yet."

'Yet'I muttered.

For some reason,she and the other two gals hated me since the day I enroll here.Maybe because they couldn't accept the fact that a boy was accepted here and start thinking that this school is rigged,despite of being 'special'.

That was just my assumption though.

"How about go help them,Reina-san?.It seems like the three of you are only ones who doesn't still help in the event."

"You're joking right?."

"Yes.I'm just joking."

Well,that was expected.They are already like that since the school year start.

I feel like the conversation already ended there so I entered the classroom.

"The Valentines Day celebration will be boring.It's a all-girls highschool after all."

"Right.right."

I heard those lines coming from Hoshino-san and Ichika-san before entering the classroom.

I go back to my seat,check the clock and realize that we only have ten minutes before the next session starts.Because of that,I decided to not read anymore.I just look to the window to kill time.After that,the bell rung,

indicating of the end of the lunch break.On the other hand,my neigbhor,Yahiro-san seems like she spent all this whole lunch in reading her novel.

Anyways,the next subject starts.And after a long period of time,the class finally ended

"That's all for today.By the way,I just want ot remind you that as much as possible,don't be absent in 14,since it was a special day,unless some personal circumtances occurs.And,of course,I not will not give assignment today and the next day,in prepation on Valentines Day.That's all.Goodbye and see you tomorrow."

Takahashi-sensei,using the same aura around her,said that and left the classroom.

Come to think of it,today is 12.So we still have one day to go to prepare.Honestly,even though I'm looking forward to it,I'm not really excited.

It just like the day that you will enjoy,then you will forget.In short,for me,it was just a normal day.

As I go to the locker room to change shoes

coincidentally,I met the 'Class President'.

"Good work,Hashimoto-san."

"Ah.I just help them on bringing the boxes on the first place.It was nothing special."

The class president,Suzuki Ayumi is a modest girl.I wouldn't say she was the smartest one in academics and the best student in physical education,but this kind of 'personality' of hers is what makes her to become our class president.Just a pure girl.Really.

"How's the prepation in Valentines Day?."

"Well,things are going smoothly,thanks to Chinatsu-san."

"Oh.I remember that you called her after dealing with me in the boxes.What did she do anyways?."

Even though I already have an idea what it is,I still asked.

"Obvisously,to draw and paint the picture that I assigned to her."

That's right.That's the reason why she asked me of who is my favorite character in my favorite romcom series.That is to draw an illustration of that character on her own.Aside from that,she also painting something that Ayumi-san asked her to do.What a talented student.But I'm not surprised anymore.

Afterall,she has the talent to do it.

I remember way back in September,when there is a simple and friendly drawing match,

Chinatsu-san shocks us after showing her work.I can only describe it in one word;

masterpiece.On the other hand,I failed miserably that time.I tried my best but it seems like that is not the best competition for me.

"Did you also asked Kanakura-san's help?."

"No.Instead I assigned her a different task."

"Different task?"

"Are you curious,Hashimoto-san?"

"Not really.I just thought Chinatsu-san and her will be a good tandem in this big task that you assigned her."

"Don't worry.The task I assigned her is still somehow related to arts."

I see.Well,Ayumi-san knows the capabilites of each person,so she knows how she will assigned each of us in this preparation.

After changing our shoes,she said a short "Goodbye" and left.I also did the same.

My house was near with the school,so I don't need to take a train or a bus to go home.While walking,I saw someone familiar sitting in the bench.

"Practicing again in drawing,Kanakura-san?"

"Woahhhh!."

The girl,Sumire Kanakura,shouted as she cover her big notebook with her chest.

Kanakura-san is what you called the 'tsundere' type of character.And just like Chinatsu-san,

she was also good in painting.

"Do-don't surprised me like that,Hashimoto-

kun."

"Sorry.sorry.It's not that it's the first time I saw you here."

She is usually going in this place,mainly to enhance her talent.By the looks of it,it seems like she is painting a scenery again.

"But seriously,Kanakura-san.You are really good on painting this kind of views,no?."

"So you saw it after all?."

"No use of hiding it.

"But I think it's still not enough.I still need to practice more...to surpass HER."

Chinatsu-san huh.But you really don't need to do that.Afterall...

"It is because that Ayumi-san don't assigned on that big task?."

She opened her eye widely.She was probably surprised.

"Ho-how did you know that?."

"Did I hit a bullseye?"

"Ahhhh."

Kanakura-san couldn't help but to accept the fact.Just a short story.She wants Ayumi-san to acknowlegde her talent.But because she thinks that Chinatsu-san is better than her,she become jealous to her.But for me,I think that is not the case.

"To tell you the truth,I think you and Chinatsu-

san were the same.You are both great with your talents.Even Ayumi-san praised back then don't you?.That's why stop pushing yourself too hard."

"You don't understand,Hashimoto-kun.You really don't."

She looked at the trees in front of us,then continue.

"And it's not like I'm doing this for you.If there's someone,probably for President."

"How did you came with that conclusion."

Tsunderes are really confusing.Really confusing.

"Anyways,goodluck for that work.I just want to say it was already good in my eyes.But if you still want to continue,I will not stop you."

"And now you are flirting with me?.Sorry,

Hashimoto-kun but even if you confe-"

"Goodbye and see you tomorrow."

Just as she about to complete her sentence.I immediately interupted her,turn around and waved my hands a little and walk away from her.

"Oiiii!."

At last,she shouted at me.She probably didn't like what I did,but let's just leave that.

Confession huh.I remember the words of Hosokawa-san said to me earlier.Chinatsu-

san,what should I answer her tomorrow?.

I arrived in my house.I decided to continue reading the novel I left behind last afternoon.

After finishing two chapters,I decided to go sleep and decided to read the remaining chapters on ther other day.

Another normal day had ended.Yes.Normal day.