I stared at her with my mouth wide open; I was speechless.

What did she just call me?!

It took me a few seconds to realize I’d just been labeled a pervert.

“Who are you?! And more importantly, why are you calling me a pervert?!”

I tried to give her a sharp retort.

“As if I didn’t know—aren’t you Sora?” 

Her tone was authoritative; it felt like I was talking to a security guard, and I started to waver.

“Yes, that’s me, so what?” 

She shot me a glare—the kind that makes your blood run cold. 

“You’re the one who was looking for Akari in her bikini!”

I can’t believe it—the story has spread outside my classroom.

I started breaking out in a cold sweat.

“Wait, I—”

“I’m stopping you right now.”

She practically shoved her hand in my face. 

“I don’t care what you say—you have to leave her alone.”

She spun around on the spot. 

“Otherwise, you’ll have me to deal with.”

She started walking away, leaving me there, frozen in place. 

I can’t believe she’s gone!

I ran my hands through my hair, messing it up without meaning to.

“It must have been a dream—things like that just don’t happen.”

I walked toward the classroom, still in disbelief. 

Without realizing it, I opened the door and went inside. 

That girl was out of her mind. Me, a pervert.

I kept mulling it over.

Until...

“Good morning... Sora.”

Akari’s voice swept my thoughts away. 

She’d hesitated to call out to me; she was sitting there in her seat.

I hadn’t even realized I’d walked right past her. 

“Akari, good morning.”

Like an idiot, I smiled at her. 

I just can’t help myself.

Our classmates were watching us in surprise.

That didn’t surprise me, given the whole magazine thing. 

“No biking today?”

She asked me. 

“Haha, let’s just say it’s still undergoin' repairs.”

I hadn’t checked it yet—I had too much on my mind.

I leaned in and whispered to her.

“Is your knee okay?”

She flinched slightly at my question. 

“Of course it is—did you have any doubts?”

Actually, I had plenty. 

“Well, you were crying—”

“Shhh!” 

She silenced me.

“Look, it really hurt, but don’t tell anyone.” 

She blushed slightly; I found her reaction sweet. 

I tried to hold back—I couldn’t laugh. 

“What’s so funny?” 

She pouted—or at least tried to—and it made her look even sweeter.

“Nothing, nothing.”

I tried to look serious again. 

“I promise, I won’t tell anyone.”

Or rather, from now on, I won’t tell anyone.

Unfortunately for her, Haru already knew everything.

“You’d better not—you haven’t seen me angry yet.” 

“Well—” 

I froze; near the hallway, our eyes met...

Am I dead?

That mischievous girl’s gaze.

“Shiori! Good morning!”

Akari spoke to her first, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. 

Damn it! Now I have no doubts!

I’d already suspected it, but at that moment, I had my confirmation. 

Those two… are friends.

Akari caught up with her in the hallway.

“I hadn’t seen you yet; I thought you weren’t here today.”

“What are you talking about? I was late because…”

“I had to deal with a little kid at the entrance…”

She shot me a glance; Akari noticed it, and her face lit up.

“I want to introduce you to someone…”

She stepped closer. 

“His name is Sora, he’s…”

She paused for a moment. 

“A friend of mine.”

She said it almost in a whisper. 

“N-nice to meet you.” 

I was afraid she’d fly at my throat at any moment.

“The pleasure is all mine.”

Her tone and her behavior startled me.

She didn’t seem at all like the same girl who had accused me of being a pervert.

Is she… smiling at me?

“Sora, her name is Shiori Tachibana.”

“She’s on the student council—let’s just say she makes sure the rules are followed.” 

Shiori puffed out her cheek. 

“You’re making me look like a prude.”

“Sorry, don’t worry about it.”

Akari turned to me again.

“I’ve known her since elementary school—she’s a good person.”

She was absolutely convinced of what she was saying, but I just don’t see her that way. 

“That’s enough, guys.”

Out of nowhere, the teacher appeared.

“Go to your classrooms.”

For the first time, I was happy to see the teacher. 

“Great! We really have to go—it was nice meeting you, Shiori.” 

I made a beeline for my seat as fast as I could. 

“I’ve never been so happy to sit at my desk…”

I whispered, then looked up. 

“Ahh! Haru!”

He’d been watching me for who knows how long. 

“Sora, you finally noticed me.”

He smiled. 

“How long have you been here?”

“Well, quite a while. Akari’s friend is cute.”

He’d seen everything. 

“You think so? I think she’s scary.”

I had my reasons for saying that. 

“Why do you think that?” 

“Well—”

The door suddenly opened.

“Mr. Kenji? What’s he doing here?”

“Good morning, everyone. As you know, there’s going to be a basketball tournament today.” 

He was strangely excited. 

“I need one of you to help set everything up.” 

The whole class fell silent; everyone knew how hard Mr. Kenji could make you work. 

“So many volunteers…”

“Well, out of all of you… I’m choosing you.” 

I trembled; I could hear his voice right next to me. 

Slowly, I lifted my head. 

“Come on, Sora, we’ll need you.”

He started pulling me out of the classroom. 

“Wait! We should check if the teacher agrees!”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already told him.”

I was done for. 

A few minutes later, I found myself in the gym. 

I can’t believe it!

“Come on, you two will do a great job—I can tell.” 

“You two?”

I turned around. 

Ahh! Shiori?!