88 - A New Challenge

RAW

The classroom buzzed like a disturbed beehive on the first day back from summer vacation.

Haruto glanced toward the commotion from his seat by the window at the back. At the center of the uproar was Ayaka, surrounded by a crowd of girls bombarding her with questions.

"Hey, Tōjō-san! Who's your crush?"

"Could it be someone in this class?"

"When did you start liking them? Was it over summer break?"

The girls' expressions ranged from excitement at the chance to hear about a famous figure's romantic life, to suspicious smiles probing for hints, to unbridled curiosity leaning eagerly forward.

Outside the circle, a few boys cast furtive glances, pretending not to care while straining their ears to catch Ayaka's answers. Understanding their intentions, Ayaka smiled serenely, offering vague replies.

"I can't say who it is, but they're amazing," she teased.

"Come on, tell us!" they pleaded.

"It's a secret," Ayaka replied with a giggle.

This playful exchange had been repeating endlessly.

Haruto watched the scene, resting his chin in his hand, frustrated by his inability to ease the trouble his girlfriend was facing. Just as he was lost in thought, Tomoya approached, chuckling wryly.

"That's insane," Tomoya commented.

"Well, considering how popular she is, it’s not surprising," Haruto replied, his tone tinged with irritation.

Since it was the first day of the term, there were no regular classes—just the opening ceremony and homeroom. At the moment, students were killing time after returning from the assembly in the gym.

"It's a half-day today, but tomorrow's going to be rough," Tomoya remarked.

"Yeah, if this happens every break, it'll wear her out."

As Haruto worried about Ayaka’s situation, a reliable ally stepped in to help.

"Hey, Ayaka, wanna hit the restroom before the teacher gets here?" Saki Aizawa, her best friend, chimed in brightly.

Smiling, Saki gently tapped Ayaka’s shoulder, and Ayaka gladly agreed, her expression softening.

"Sure, let's go."

The two left the classroom together, leaving the other girls with no choice but to return to their seats, their target gone. Watching the scene unfold, Tomoya quietly admired Saki's intervention.

"Aizawa-san’s smooth. She got Tōjō-san out of there so naturally."

After the crowd dispersed, Tomoya turned to Haruto.

"Does Aizawa-san know about you two?"

"Yeah, Ayaka said she'd tell her," Haruto confirmed.

"So, that makes just me and Aizawa-san in on the secret, huh?" Tomoya grinned.

"And Shizuku knows too," Haruto added.

"Oh, Shizuku-chan’s in the loop too?" Tomoya’s curiosity piqued.

"Yeah. When I told her, she said, 'Damn you, lovebirds,' while pouting," Haruto admitted with a faint smile.

"Shizuku-chan pouted? The usually expressionless Shizuku-chan?" Tomoya’s eyes widened slightly.

"She pulls funny faces sometimes, you know," Haruto replied.

"Really? Huh..." Tomoya mused, nodding meaningfully.

"Why the weird nod?" Haruto asked.

"Nothing," Tomoya said innocently.

Before Haruto could press further, his phone vibrated in his pocket. A message from Ayaka had arrived. Checking his surroundings, he opened it discreetly.

Sorry, Haruto-kun. I was the one who said we should keep this a secret, but I accidentally let it slip that I have someone I like...

Haruto couldn’t help but smile softly at her apology. Even though she was the one struggling, she was worried about him.

It’s not your fault, Ayaka. You don’t need to apologize, he replied.

Thank you. It’s just... while I was talking with Minato-senpai, thoughts of you popped into my head, and I couldn’t help myself…

Haruto’s face tensed as he suppressed a grin, letting out an odd noise instead.

"Hey, Haru, what’s with the creepy face?" Tomoya teased.

"This is my normal face. Don’t call it creepy," Haruto shot back.

"Yeah, no way that’s your normal face. If it is, you’re a seriously weird dude," Tomoya retorted.

Ignoring his friend’s jibes, Haruto turned his attention back to Ayaka’s next message.

Can we meet after school today?

Along with the message, she sent a cute stamp of a bunny peeking out shyly.

I’ll come over to your place this afternoon, Haruto replied.

Yay!! Ayaka’s enthusiastic reply brought a natural smile to Haruto’s face.

"Seriously, Haru, what are you grinning at?" Tomoya asked.

"None of your business," Haruto deflected, slipping his phone back into his pocket.

---

After the opening ceremony, Haruto returned home. The heat seemed milder than during summer, he mused as he opened the door.

"I'm home," he called out casually. Expecting the house to be empty since his grandmother usually worked, he was surprised to find her in the living room.

"Grandma? You’re home?"

His grandmother looked up, startled, then gave him a gentle smile.

"Welcome back, Haruto."

"Did you have the day off?" he asked.

"Yes… sort of," she replied vaguely.

Haruto’s grandmother worked at a nearby diner owned by an old friend. The flexible job had been a blessing, especially after she started working to support Haruto following the accident that claimed his parents.

Heading to the kitchen, Haruto called out, "I’m thinking of making yakisoba for lunch. Is that okay?"

"That’s fine," she replied absently.

After a pause, Haruto added, "I’m planning to go to Ayaka’s place afterward."

"That’s fine," she repeated, still sounding distracted.

Sensing something was off, Haruto returned to the living room.

"Grandma, are you okay?" he asked, his concern evident.

She hesitated before sighing deeply. "Actually… Kikuchi-san’s closing the diner."

"What?! Really?"

Haruto’s grandmother explained that her friend’s health had deteriorated, making it impossible to continue running the business. Haruto, worried about her finding new work at her age, suggested, "Maybe I should skip college and start working after high school."

His grandmother adamantly refused. "No. You’re going to college. That’s why you’ve worked so hard. Leave the rest to me."

Her firm resolve left Haruto no choice but to relent for now. After lunch, she ushered him out the door with a smile, urging him not to keep Ayaka waiting.