"Akira, let's go." Nishikata patted Akira, who was standing in front of him.

"Okay."

Akira pulled back the messy thoughts in his head and moved forward with the line.

After five or six minutes, their class arrived at the gymnasium, filing into their designated spot under Nobe-sensei's guidance.

What had seemed like a spacious gymnasium quickly became crowded and noisy. On the platform at the front, a middle-aged man in a brown suit had already taken his place.

"Cough, cough."

The Principal tapped the microphone, cleared his throat, and began, "Alright, students, quiet down. I'll just say a few words, and then we'll be dismissed."

The teachers below immediately hushed their classes.

Once the noise died down, the Principal launched into his well-practiced routine of meandering speeches.

"I don't know how long he'll talk this time," Nishikata muttered behind Akira.

Akira raised three fingers. "Based on the past… at least thirty minutes. His nonsense is too powerful."

"Other schools at least give chairs for the opening ceremony—why don't we?!" Atsuya Ayumi, standing among the girls, whispered in complaint.

Shouko glanced toward Nobe-sensei at the very front. Seeing her absentminded, she quickly comforted Ayumi, who looked ready to collapse. "It's alright, Ayumi. Just hang on a bit."

"Right," Takagi-San nodded in agreement.

Scenes like this played out across every class. The teachers themselves relaxed as soon as the Principal got going.

"…Alright, that's all I have to say."

Clap clap clap!

Warm applause erupted. The Principal smiled, bowed slightly, and stepped down with the microphone.

"Alright, anyone who needs to use the restroom or grab water, go ahead. Be back in the classroom in twenty minutes," Nobe-sensei called out, before hurrying off herself, ignoring the boys' playful jeers.

"Well, that's a new record," Akira checked his watch. "Almost an hour."

"Let's go, Miyamura. Stop looking and get back to class," Nishikata patted his shoulder.

But Akira's eyes drifted toward Shouko. She caught his gaze and mouthed silently: Akira, I'm going to the convenience store with them. Do you want anything?

He shook his head, waved, and followed Nishikata. Knowing she was with Takagi and Ayumi, he felt at ease.

Not long after, Shoko returned with the two girls, holding two bottles of juice.

"Akira, which one do you want?" She showed him an orange and a grape juice, both labeled 100% pure.

"You pick first. I'll take the other," he said.

"Okay." Without hesitation, Shouko handed him the grape.

Akira slipped it into his desk drawer, letting her resume her talk with Takagi. He turned instead to Nishikata, who immediately launched into conversation. Most of the time, Akira just nodded, offered a few short replies, or explained things Nishikata couldn't figure out—but far from feeling brushed off, Nishikata seemed even more energized, as if a floodgate of topics had opened.

Their chat only broke off when Nobe-sensei returned to the classroom. She posted the new schedule by the blackboard, explained semester precautions, and oversaw the distribution of textbooks. Within ten minutes, everyone had their set of eight.

Before long, the lunch break arrived.

"Akira, here." Shouko naturally pulled out a black bento box from her bag and placed it in front of him.

"Thanks." Akira joined his desk with hers, as well as Takagi's and Nishikata's behind them, and took the box with a small smile.

Fate worked in strange ways. Seats were reshuffled every semester, yet the four of them remained in the back row together. Only Ayumi had been moved forward—but she simply rolled her chair back at lunch to eat with them.

Before eating, Akira reached for something to drink. His water was already gone, so he grabbed the grape juice. The lid twisted off effortlessly, as if it had already been loosened.

"Shouko," Akira pinched her cheek gently, "aren't you going to explain this?"

Shoko blinked, her expression all innocence. "I don't know what you're talking about, Akira."

The others quietly ignored them and ate.

Akira leaned closer, whispering so no one else would hear: "Are you sure you didn't sneak a sip before handing this to me?"

Shouko shook her head firmly. "You've been sitting here since I gave it to you. How could I drink it? That's slander."

"I mean before you gave it to me." Akira switched to pinching both cheeks.

"I said no. Do you believe me?" She raised her hands and held his.

Just as Akira was about to shake his head, Takagi spoke up calmly:

"You two, watch your image. This school is strict about puppy love."

Akira pulled back immediately, taking a sip of juice instead before starting on his bento. Shouko lowered her gaze, blinking a silent thank you toward Takagi.

It's nothing, Takagi's returning look seemed to say.

"Are your eyes uncomfortable?" Ayumi asked, misinterpreting Takagi's gesture.

"Pfft—" Akira almost burst out laughing.

Nishikata, noticing, leaned forward in concern. "Takagi-san, are you feeling unwell? Do you want to go to the infirmary?"

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