Kazuki's POV
I stood frozen between Murayama-san and Akeno-senpai as they looked at each other... then at me... then back at each other.
"Kazu-kun~," Akeno-senpai began with a gentle, closed-eye smile. "It's time for your study session, isn't it? I'm sure you have plenty of questions about your courses."
"Yeah, I do," I admitted honestly. "And your smile is kind of scary right now, Senpai."
"Sakuragi-kun."
"Yes, Murayama-san?"
"You haven't forgotten what happened earlier, have you?" she asked in the same authoritative tone she used in the dojo. "Or did you somehow mess up your schedule?"
"Of course I remember," I replied calmly. "That's why I hurried over here."
Both girls spoke at the exact same time. "Then why is she waiting for you?"
I let out a long sigh.
To make matters worse, several students had already stopped to watch.
"Hey, hey... what's going on over there? Is this some kind of love triangle?"
No, it isn't.
"Wait... isn't that Akeno Himejima? One of Kuoh Academy's beauties? And the other girl's Kaori Murayama, the captain of the Kendo Club!"
"Who's that guy? I'm so jealous..."
Please...
Whoever you are...
Stop talking.
"Isn't that Kazuki Sakuragi from Class 1-C?"
"No way! Is he dating both Himejima-senpai and Murayama-san?!"
"What a playboy!"
Alright, whoever said that... come over here.
I want to punch you.
Murayama-san let out a loud sigh, which I heard very clearly.
"Well..." she began. "Since it's Himejima-senpai, I guess I should step aside and let you two go. You can treat me another day."
She turned around before glancing back at me.
"Next time, then, Sakuragi-kun."
As she prepared to leave, I gently caught her wrist, causing her to look back at me in surprise.
"No. Not like this."
I turned to Akeno-senpai, "I'm sorry, Senpai. I promised to treat her today."
"Oh my~"
"Besides..." I paused, "We never actually agreed on a time or a place for today's study session."
"My, my, Kazu-kun."
Akeno-senpai slowly opened her eyes.
The warmth in them was gone. In its place was a sharp gaze, like a predator watching its prey.
"You're quite a naughty boy, aren't you?"
..........
Alright.
That's scary.
But I won't back down.
"I'm truly sorry," I said. "But I'll make it up to you next time. One request. As long as it's within my ability, I'll do my best to fulfill it."
Akeno-senpai fell silent.
Her bangs cast a shadow over her eyes, making it impossible for me to read her expression.
For some reason...
I was sweating.
Why was I even negotiating?
She wasn't my girlfriend or anything.
Was it simply because I didn't want to hurt her feelings?
Man, I don't understand girls at all.
"Kazu-kun..."
"Yes, Senpai?"
"That's the answer I wanted."
"...Huh?" I blinked, "Wait... you're not angry?"
"Of course I would have been angry," Akeno-senpai replied after a brief pause.
"If you had chosen me over Kaori-chan."
She smiled again. It was the gentle smile I had grown used to. She even gave me a few soft claps of approval.
"If you had abandoned an injured girl," she said, pointing at the bandage on Murayama-san's neck, "then I really would have been angry and trust me..."
She tilted her head slightly.
"You wouldn't like seeing me when I'm truly angry."
Akeno-senpai smiled before turning away from the school gate.
After taking a few steps, she glanced back over her shoulder.
"Just don't stay out too late, you two~" she said with her usual gentle smile. "The nights around Kuoh can be quite scary."
With that, she gave them a small wave before disappearing into the evening crowd.
"Akeno-senpai..." I murmured. "She's so cool."
"Well..." Murayama-san replied. "Students look up to her, so of course she is. She's one of Kuoh Academy's divas, after all. And also..."
"Hmm?"
"...How long do you intend to keep holding my wrist, Sakuragi-kun?"
"Ah." I immediately let go. "I'm sorry. I didn't even realize I was still holding it."
"No, it's okay," she replied, her face turning slightly red as she gently rubbed her wrist.
Hey, hey, hey...
Why are you the one getting embarrassed?
Shouldn't it be me?
And now that you're embarrassed, you're making me embarrassed too.
"A-Anyway..." I coughed into my fist. "Let's get out of here. I don't want any rumors spreading, alright?"
"About that..." Murayama-san looked toward the students who were still secretly watching us.
I followed her gaze and, yeah... we were being watched. By a lot of people. Before I could think twice, I grabbed Murayama-san's hand again.
"He-hey, Sakuragi-kun?"
"Let's run!"
Without waiting for an answer, I took off, pulling Murayama-san along behind me.
We didn't stop until the familiar sight of Kuoh Park came into view. Only then did I finally slow to a walk, letting out a long breath as we stepped beneath the shade of the trees.
"Hah... hah..." I panted, trying to catch my breath. "It's over... My peaceful school life is over. It was already bad enough with Akeno-senpai, and now this?"
"Hey..." Murayama-san said between breaths. "Am I the problem here?"
"No." I sat down on a nearby bench. "Not at all. You can't expect life to be kind to you. Somehow, it'll always find a way to mess things up for the sake of a good laugh."
Murayama-san let out a small laugh before sitting down beside me.
"I don't know whether I should agree with that or not."
"You shouldn't." I stood up. "I'll go buy the ice cream. What flavor do you like?"
"Strawberry," she replied with a smile. "A big one."
"Oh, girl... you're going to make me bankrupt." I started walking toward the ice cream stand before glancing back at her.
"Well, a promise is a promise."
A few minutes later, I returned to the bench and handed Murayama-san her strawberry ice cream before sitting down beside her with my own.
I didn't have much money.
That's why I settled for a medium-sized chocolate ice cream.
It was a lot cheaper.
And just like that...
It was instant ramen again for the next few days.
I still hadn't been paid from my part-time job.
Why did I make that promise?
You're an idiot, Kazuki.
"Mmm..." Murayama-san smiled brightly as she ate her ice cream. "It's delicious."
Watching her, I couldn't help but smile.
...........
I guess it was worth the trouble.