Chapter 05: Crossing Thoughts

Roughly two hours before Karuizawa fell before Ryuuen.

Chabashira-sensei gave Class D an explanation regarding the essentials of the winter vacation.

"Over the winter vacation, a portion of the school is scheduled for renovation so it will be off limits. Make sure to keep that in mind. And also, all club activities will be suspended after the closing ceremony today. Be sure to head back as soon as you're able to."

Our teacher explained only the bare minimum to us.

But for some reason, she silently looked around the class. And no matter how long we waited, she did not signal the end of class.

Feeling numb at this point, Ike raised his hand.

"What's the matter, sensei?"

"I'm sure there are students already aware of it but you can assume that your promotion to Class C is all but guaranteed. Well done."

"W-Woah, you actually gave us honest praise. Isn't this a rarity?"

It's not just Ike, I'm sure the rest of the class feels the same way.

"Don't get complacent. If you cause trouble during the winter vacation, it may have an effect on your class points. Make sure you act properly as a student even over the long holidays."

After saying that, Chabashira-sensei concluded our second semester.

"This really is an unusual sight, Chabashira-sensei reprimanding us gently, I mean."

"Maybe so."

There's no doubt that she added the warning to not cause trouble as a follow up.

While putting my textbook back into my bag, I looked in Karuizawa's direction.

And when I did, she turned to look at me while still in the middle of a conversation with the other girls.

This morning, I had received a single mail from Karuizawa at the address I gave her for emergency use.

That something came up regarding the incident with Manabe's group and that she had been called out to the rooftop at 2 o'clock today.

I wasn't surprised and I didn't reply either. After all, I had already been informed of it beforehand by Ryuuen.

He couldn't care less whether Karuizawa would inform someone else of it or not. It was an act meant to lure me out in the first place.

But perhaps Karuizawa felt from our eye contact that I had already seen her mail, because she left the classroom with her friends while looking satisfied. Maybe she intends to leave once and then come back later.

One hour after the class ended most of the students had already left the school grounds.

"We're talking about going to Keyaki Mall after this, what'll you do?"

Yukimura, ready to leave, asked me that while approaching me.

"Sure. I don't have anything particular planned for today anyways. After I finish packing I'll come."

"Then I'll be waiting in the hallway."

Just in case, I should bring some of the textbooks with me since there's still the possibility I might be needing them later.

"Umm...could it be that you're not free right now?"

The one who called out with that apologetic voice was none other than Satou.

"Yeah, I'm planning on hanging out with Yukimura and the others...."

"I...I see. That's a shame."

Satou's shoulders droop in disappointment. I wonder if she was planning on asking me out again like last time? If so.

"...today might be problematic, but would the winter holidays be ok with you?"

"Eeeh?"

"I mean, it seemed bad for me to refuse you twice in a row so if you're okay with it then..."

"R-really?"

"Y-Yeah."

I felt a bit overwhelmed by Satou happily pressing her body against me.

"I-It's a promise then!"

She said with a blush while jumping around joyfully.

I wonder why exactly she's this interested in me.....

Of course I have nothing against this but since there were still people left in the classroom I felt slightly embarrassed.

"In any case, from tomorrow onwards is fine I'll send you the details via mail."

"Understood! See you later Ayanokouji-kun!"

Satou then joined Shinohara's group with a pleased look on her face.

Shinohara's group looked at me suspiciously before leaving the classroom.

Now then, I suppose I'll meet up with Keisei and the others. It seems they've all already assembled out in the corridor, chatting while waiting for my arrival.

I immediately grasped the situation from Haruka's creepy smile and Airi's crestfallen expression.

As we started walking, Haruka seemed to want to cut in and so I took the initiative.

"There's no deep meaning behind that."

"I haven't even asked you anything yet, what's the matter?"

"Nothing's the matter, you were about to ask me, weren't you?"

"I mean, right? Just look at how Satou-san was acting, not too hard to imagine what's up, no?"

"How adulterous, Kiyotaka. Horikita and now Satou, you've got no integrity."

For some reason, even Keisei is angry. Still, I suppose I'll make an apology.

"I was just invited to hang out."

"It must be quite something for a girl to ask a boy out though?"

"Surely you don't think S-S-S-Satou-san is interested in Kiyotaka-kun!?"

There had been a dispute of that nature a while back but Airi said so frantically.

"...there's really nothing I can say to that even if you ask me."

"A last minute rush for a lovey dovey Christmas perhaps? Now that's an amazing development there."

Haruka is Haruka after all, one-sidedly imagining her own scenario.

"More importantly, where do we go? I think today's going to be crowded."

Since a long holiday begins tomorrow, there's bound to be a lot of students hanging out late into the night today.

Keisei concluded that it'd be in our best interests to decide on a course of action.

"Well, can't we just, like, loiter around? There's no rush."

As we had that conversation, Akito walked silently without once letting the tough look on his face falter.

Akito's focus isn't on us but rather, behind us. While on the move, he checked to see whether or not there's someone behind us.

"No sign of anyone tailing us....."

Akito quietly whispered that in relief.

Looks like Ryuuen wants to settle things today. He must've concluded that a tail is no longer necessary.

"But you know, even though Keyaki Mall has everything, I'd like to go outside after all."

Haruka said so and looked towards the main gate, far from here.

"I'd like to go to Shibuya or Harajuku, or go see the lights at Omotesando."

"Keyaki Mall aside, the school roads won't be a substitute for that I suppose."

Since there are no special preparations for change of any sort, the outside is as it has always been.

"I'm rather satisfied with the way things are now though. The essentials are all here too. Do you feel the same way as everyone else, Kiyotaka-kun? About wanting to go outside."

Unlike Haruka, Airi doesn't seem like the outgoing type.

Well, I suppose I don't have to force myself to go along with the flow.

"I'm satisfied with this too like you, Airi. But I guess I can also understand the feeling of wanting to go outside."

"I don't know if they're doing it to uphold the rules but I think prohibiting any contact with even your family is going too far. Wouldn't a family normally be worried about their child?"

It certainly isn't normal to not be able to see your children for three years. Maybe that resonated with Akito, because his expression turned grim.

"See, my mom's a worrywart so maybe she's feeling some anxiety over that."

"Looks like the school also takes care of that. Apparently they regularly report your progress from your report card or something."

"That...might actually make me worry even more. I guess I'll study harder....."

"Parents would worry more about girls than they would the boys, right?"

"Ahh---I'm fine though. Because that's not the case for me."

Haruka smoothly deflected it. Because it looked like there's something she didn't want to talk about, we also didn't press the matter.