ALL NOVEL Chapter 12 - Class Together
“Then, could you form a group of two males and two females?”
With those words from the teacher, the classroom during the lesson suddenly became noisy.
From the next lesson, they were to be divided into groups of four to research and write reports on specific themes and present them, and this was for deciding the groups for that purpose.
In a group of two males and two females, usually the pairs of the same sex who get along well form first.
Haruya naturally teamed up with Ryoma.
“So, Haruya-san.”
“What is it?”
Ryoma put his arm around Haruya’s shoulder and spoke in a whisper so low that no one else could hear.
“The crucial point is who we team up with among the girls. Depending on this, the next few weeks of this class can become enjoyable or not.”
“I see?”
“It’s also possible to boldly pair up with someone we haven’t interacted much with. It feels like exploring new territory. Or we could try to get along better with a girl with whom we already have a certain level of relationship.”
“A certain level of relationship…”
While pondering what level of relationship he and Akiha had, Haruya said, shaking off Ryoma’s hot arm.
“In your case, it would be Kijima-san.”
“Hey, give me a break.”
Ryoma responded with a truly fed-up look.
“We’re in the same class, the same club. But she’s someone who doesn’t give me even a hint of romance. I’m sure even the god of romance is saying, ‘She’s not the one.'”
“Sorry to burst your bubble, but…”
Haruya pointed to the back of the classroom.
There, Ran was beckoning to Haruya and Ryoma.
Next to her was Akiha.
It seemed that Akiha had paired up with Ran.
“Ryoma! Haruya! Let’s team up!”
“This is what happens when you say something ridiculous…”
Ryoma, despite his resentful eyes, headed for the back of the room.
He had properly noticed that Akiha was next to Ran.
He thought that even if he had to team up with Ran, it would be okay if Haruya could team up with Akiha.
Ryoma Mizumoto, a surprisingly reliable man despite his grumbling.
“Nice to meet you!”
“Oh, great, this class too, with you. Fuyutsuki-san, nice to meet you.”
“Wait, what about me!?”
“Ah, yes, yes, nice to meet you.”
Ryoma and Ran performed a comedic exchange, and Haruya and the others watched, amused.
“I’ll go report our group decision to the teacher.”
“Do I have to go too?”
Ran took Ryoma and went to report the group members to the teacher.
Of course, one person was enough to make the report, but the reason Ran dragged Ryoma along was her consideration to give Haruya and Akiha some time alone.
“Haruya, nice to meet you.”
“Yeah, nice to meet you.”
“In this class with Haruya again…! I’m so happy…! I have to thank Ran…!”
“I’m happy to interact with Akiha in class too. I have to thank Ryoma and the others.”
The two of them, leaning against the classroom wall side by side, quietly met eyes and smiled shyly.
Then they exchanged words in the still bustling classroom.
“I was glad we could have a rowin yesterday.”
“I had fun too.”
“Can we do it again?”
“Of course. Can I also ask?”
“Yes. You’re very welcome.”
Watching the two from a distance, Ryoma quietly asked Ran.
“You know, Haruya is a little interested in Fuyutsuki-san.”
Ryoma isn’t stupid.
He knew that the reason he came to make a report that could have been done by one person was to create a time for Haruya and Akiha to talk together.
But the only thing Ryoma didn’t expect was that Akiha was also interested in Haruya, something he couldn’t have dreamed of.
As a result, he provided Ran, who had been acting with a perspective of supporting Akiha, with unexpected new information.
“Huh, Haruya is also interested in Akiha. That means… Hehe…”
“Ah, love is interesting, isn’t it?”
Ryoma made a face as if to say, “What are you talking about?” in response to Ran’s completely off-the-mark reply.
But he soon snickered and, looking down at Ran because of the height difference, said,
“It’s funny just to hear you talk about love.”
“What!? I can be in love too!?”
“No, no, you’re the least likely type of person to be involved in love.”
“Hey, you have no delicacy~! That’s why you’re not popular.”
“What did you say?”
“Oh, you wanna fight?”
“I’ll throw back the words you just said. That’s why you’re not popular.”
“Are you really picking a fight!?”
“Bring it on!”
To an outsider, it might seem like a big quarrel is about to start, but for the two of them, this back-and-forth is the norm.
The fact that they can say what they want to each other without feeling uncomfortable signifies that they have a good relationship.
In other words, they’re close friends.
“Those two get along well, don’t they?”
Haruya murmured, watching the two argue from a distance.
Akiha nodded in agreement.
“Ran-chan and Mizumoto-kun always look so happy when they’re together.”
“I think they’re surprisingly good together, actually.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
Setting aside their own issues, Haruya and Akiha enjoyed talking about others’ love stories.