Chapter 3 | Meeting

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“Alright, school’s over, let’s go to the game center now. And we’ll grab dinner too. No objections!”

As soon as homeroom ended, Ryo went to me and put his arm around my shoulder.

Ryo was still smiling as usual, always full of brightness.

Seeing that, I naturally smiled too.

“Okay, if I lose in the game battle, I’ll treat you to a dish for dinner.”

“Easy peasy, I’ve been practicing, you know.”

We walked down the hallway, having our usual exchange.

However, after walking a little, I began to feel a sense of unease.

Everyone who was going home was talking about different things, but their attention was focused on one thing.

Ryo seemed to have noticed it too and was naturally listening in.

“Hey, it seems the angel is waiting for someone.”

“Huh, really? Is it me?”

“There’s no way, it’s a girl. But it’s unusual.”

That’s the kind of topic that was being discussed in hushed voices.

I also thought it was unusual that Kotomi was waiting to go home with someone.

There was a sense of distance between me and the angel.

She was popular because of her looks and demeanor, but she didn’t have anyone who was particularly close enough to be called a friend.

No one had ever seen the angel get close to anyone.

She was always warm, but there was a sense of distance there.

It was as if her personality was created in a formal manner.

(I don’t know what happened, but did she maybe get a crush on someone?)

Suddenly, Kotomi’s expression towards me yesterday flashed in my mind.

(That must have been her true self…)

It sounds good to say that I was able to know the angel’s true self.

“The angel, huh? I’m not a big fan of that person.”

“Not a fan? Does the prince have anyone he dislikes?”

“Hey, stop with that nickname. You know, I might seem idolized by some of the girls, but I’m still human. There are people I don’t like.”

“…I guess that’s true.”

“In the first place, I don’t think I could get along with that person either. I don’t think we could even be friends.”

The distance with the angel is equal for everyone, neither too far nor too close.

That’s why she might be even more idolized than Ryo.

“By the way, Ryo, did you not have club activities today?”

Ryo is in the basketball club.

It seems that they were overwhelmingly strong within the first year, and he had also made the starting lineup.

On the other hand, I was unassigned.

I sometimes study, but mostly I’m just lazing around and playing games alone in my room.

Since I’m living alone, the rest of my time is spent doing chores.

“Club activities? Not today… Wait, today’s Thursday, so… Friday is off.”

Then his face turned pale.

It seemed like he had club activities today.

“I have club activities today, I messed up.”

“Hurry up and go. It’s okay for tomorrow.”

“Sorry, I’ll definitely make it up tomorrow!”

Ryo said that and dashed towards the gymnasium.

Watching his back, I sighed as if saying “Oh well”.

That slightly careless part of him was also one of the reasons why he was popular with the girls.

It seemed like today was a good day to play games at home.

As I walked, I saw Kotomi standing straight near the stairs, holding her bag.

She wasn’t leaning against the wall, and it was as if only Kotomi was shining.

My classmates were looking at Kotomi with curiosity.

Then, one student spoke to Kotomi.

“Amase-san, would you like to go home with me?”

“I’m very sorry. I have someone I’m waiting for.”

Kotomi politely and firmly refused.

She seemed used to this kind of thing.

If I looked in front of that student, I saw several students laughing at him.

And that student was also laughing.

Having experienced it yesterday, I immediately realized that it was something like a dare.

I felt a little disgusted, but I tried to pass Kotomi without caring about it.

At that moment, our eyes met for a brief second.

Then, as if she noticed something, Kotomi grabbed my clothes and stopped me.

“Um, would you mind if I walk with you for a bit?”

Not thinking that the person she was waiting for was me, I was confused for a moment.

Did she want to talk about yesterday?

And now, walking next to me was the angel.

I was being glared at with jealousy for being in that scene.

(I feel like I’m going to be killed by the needles of their eyes…)

Kotomi was silent and didn’t say anything. Perhaps she didn’t want to talk in front of people.

When there were fewer people around, I decided to bring up the topic.

“So, what’s up?”

“I wanted to apologize and thank you again for yesterday. I’m sorry for being suspicious. You helped my little sister, but I acted a little rude. Thank you very much.”

Kotomi bowed her head politely. I was surprised for a moment because I didn’t expect her to apologize so much.

“It’s okay, I was actually a little cheered up by your sister’s energy.”

“You were?”

“Ah, sorry, it’s nothing… Or rather, was that all you wanted to say?”

“No, I also have a request… Would you mind playing with my little sister again today? She had so much fun playing yesterday, she wants to play at the park again.”

“I see, I’m totally fine with that.”

If that was the case, I would totally play. Rather, I was having trouble with what to do with my time.

It would be more meaningful and fulfilling to play with Karin than to laze around playing games at home.

“Thank you very much. Here’s my contact information. Would you like to exchange numbers? It’ll be more convenient to exchange, for whatever reason.”

Saying that, Kotomi took out her smartphone.

Exchanging contact information with the angel.

I wondered if I should be doing this, but I didn’t particularly care and decided to exchange numbers.

“Then see you later. I’ll be waiting at the park.”

“Okay.”

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