135 - Watch Out for Landmines

RAW

Haruto had been firmly warned by Saki and Shizuku not to make Ayaka sad.

"Alright, let's head back to the classroom."

He offered his shoulder to Ayaka as he spoke.

"Yeah."

Ayaka nodded, looking happy as she accepted Haruto's help to stand up from the bed.

Haruto handed her the crutches that Mr. Suzaki had lent and supported her as they left the infirmary.

As they stepped out, Shizuku, who had exited with them, stopped before heading back to her own classroom.

"Oh, right. Are you guys going to the cafeteria today?"

"No, I brought my lunch, and Tomoya bought his from the convenience store, so we'll be eating in the classroom today."

Haruto replied before glancing at Ayaka and Saki.

"Saki and I also have our lunches, so we’re not going either."

Hearing their responses, Shizuku declared that she would join them for lunch.

"I'll bring my lunch and come to your classroom later, so let's all eat together. In the meantime, prepare yourselves!"

Leaving those words behind, she quickly ran up the stairs to the first-year classrooms.

As she vanished from sight in an instant, Haruto let out a small sigh.

"'Prepare yourselves'? That’s a weird way to say it."

Haruto chuckled as he slowly ascended the stairs with Ayaka, heading toward the second-year classrooms.

Walking on the opposite side of Ayaka, Saki spoke cheerfully.

"Shizuku-chan is really funny. But Ayaka, did something happen between you two? It feels like you suddenly got a lot closer."

"Huh? Oh… yeah."

Ayaka nodded slightly at Saki’s words and then glanced at Haruto from the corner of her eye.

"…It's a secret."

"Hmm, I see."

Saki smirked slightly, as if she had caught on to something.

"I want to get closer to Shizuku-chan too, so I should start hanging out with her more."

"Just don’t team up against me, okay?"

Ayaka said warily, to which Saki replied with a mischievous grin.

"Who knows~?"

"Couples are the enemy of us single folks, after all."

Saki teased, leaning in toward Ayaka while glancing at Haruto, who was supporting her.

"Don't bully my precious girlfriend, Aizawa-san."

"You’re so devoted, Otsuki-kun."

Chatting like that, the three made their way to the classroom.

Since it was lunchtime, the school was bustling with activity. Many students were in the hallways, chatting with friends, heading to the gym or courtyard to play, or making their way to the cafeteria for lunch.

But as soon as Haruto and the others passed by, the surroundings fell completely silent.

After all, the "school idol"—who had always kept her distance from boys—was now walking closely beside a male student, leaning on him for support.

And she didn’t look even the slightest bit reluctant.

On the contrary, her cheeks were slightly flushed with embarrassment, yet she was smiling brightly, radiating happiness.

It was as if she were silently announcing to the world, I’m incredibly happy right now.  

Seeing Ayaka so intimately close with a guy, students who had been deep in conversation suddenly fell silent. Boys who had been heading out to play froze with their mouths agape. Groups on their way to the cafeteria forgot their hunger, their eyes following the pair instead.

Taking in the stunned reactions around them, Saki grinned.

"Wow, you’re getting a ton of attention. The guys’ reactions are hilarious. As expected of our popular Ayaka."

"This is kind of scary, though."

Ayaka replied with a wry smile.

"It’s fine. If anything happens, Otsuki-kun will protect you, right?"

Saki looked at Haruto, who nodded firmly in response.

Seeing that, Ayaka smiled happily and, without hesitation, wrapped her arms around Haruto’s.

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.

But the two, having already decided to be open about their relationship, ignored the reactions.

"Thanks, Haruto."

"As your boyfriend, it's only natural."

"Hehe."

They exchanged smiles as they gazed at each other.

Watching this unfold up close, Saki sighed in half-exasperation.

"Okay, okay. I get it. Enough with the lovey-dovey stuff."

Despite the stunned silence lingering around them, the three continued toward their classroom.

However, waiting for them near the classroom entrance were several male students, who quickly approached.

"N-No way… So it’s true that Ayaka is dating Otsuki…?"

"Aah… aah…"

"Otsuki… Damn it…"

The first ones to reach them were the boys, all showing clear signs of shock.

Even before they could ask, just seeing Haruto and Ayaka so close together confirmed the truth they hadn’t wanted to believe.

As realization hit, their faces twisted in despair, as if their souls had been drained from their bodies.

Then, pushing past them, a group of girls—eager for gossip—rushed forward.

"Ayaka-chan! So it’s true you're dating Otsuki-kun!"

"Your crush was him all along?!"

"Hey, hey! How did you two start dating?"

"Ayaka, are you okay? You’re on crutches!"

"Wow, you two look so lovey-dovey!"

These girls were likely Ayaka’s close friends.

Unlike the boys, who were filled with jealousy and despair, their eyes sparkled with excitement as they bombarded her with questions.

Relieved by their reactions, Ayaka smiled shyly and began to explain.

"I met Haruto through a part-time job over summer break, and after going on a few dates, we started dating near the end of summer. And my injury is just a minor sprain, so I’m fine."

Hearing this, the girls got even more excited.

"Wait, who confessed first? You or Otsuki-kun?"

"What kind of dates did you go on? The beach?"

"Otsuki-kun, what do you like most about Ayaka?"

"Ayaka, what made you choose him as your boyfriend?"

Blushing, Ayaka answered as best as she could.

"We went to the movies and did some window shopping. As for the confession, um…"

"It was me."

Before she could get too flustered, Haruto spoke up.

The girls' eyes immediately turned to him.

"How did you confess?"

"Well… I just said, 'I like everything about you.'"

Even Haruto, slightly embarrassed, scratched his cheek as he recalled the moment.

The girls erupted into high-pitched squeals.

"Aizawa, did you know they were dating?"

"Yeah. Ayaka asked me for advice on her love life."

"For real?! That’s the best position ever! I’m so jealous!"

"Right? Pretty awesome, huh?"

As the girls chattered excitedly, Haruto found himself surrounded by an all-female crowd, feeling a little out of place.

Still, seeing Ayaka’s friendships unaffected reassured him.

Then—

"WHY?!"

A male voice cut through the lively atmosphere.

All eyes turned toward the source.

It was one of Haruto’s classmates.

He was fairly popular among the girls and often bragged about receiving confessions.

Perhaps that was why he couldn’t accept the reality before him.

"Why?! He’s just a nerd! Ayaka, you’d rather date some scrawny, geeky loser?!"

It seemed his pride had taken a serious hit.

As he pointed at Haruto and hurled insults, something in Ayaka changed.

Her eyes darkened.

Haruto could feel the shift in her aura.

Next to him, Saki smirked.

"Oh, he totally stepped on a landmine."

Ayaka repeated the boy’s words in a quiet, measured tone.

"A 'nerd'? Haruto is a 'scrawny, geeky loser'?"

She tilted her head slightly.

Haruto usually found this gesture adorable.

But right now, it was terrifying.

Ayaka smiled—yet somehow, it only amplified the chill in the air.

"Even if he were, that has nothing to do with you, does it?"

"Y-Yeah, but—"

"It has nothing to do with you, does it?"

She cut him off with the same words.

Completely rejecting him.

His shoulders slumped as he hung his head in defeat.