The Fourth Period Is Modern Chinese (Continued)

Hayama and Ebina seemed a little intimidated by her overwhelming momentum as well.

As long as Hayama turned someone down tactfully with that refreshing smile of his, most people would leave it at that. As far as I knew, the only person that trick did not work on was Yukino Haruno.

"Little Tomi, you're really into this, huh. Yeah, sure, we can go after club activities!"

Apparently impressed by Tomioka-san's straightforward personality, Tobe blew a clumsy whistle and cast a vote in favor. Wait, weren't you from another class...?

"I'm free today too."

Ebina lightly raised her hand in agreement, and Hayama nodded right after her.

"After club activities..."

Then he glanced at me and asked what I planned to do.

"Ah, I'm a little busy today..."

The excuse came out almost as a reflex. Hayama looked puzzled for a moment, but he seemed to figure it out immediately and nodded.

"—Oh, right. Then yeah, you really can't go."

"Huh?"

Hayama was acting like he knew something, so I could not help shooting him a confused look. At that moment, Tomioka-san hurriedly cut in.

"Ah, any time is fine! We're just going out to have fun, so going at night is completely fine too!... I mean."

"It's not that... How should I put it? I'm just kind of busy..."

She was so forceful that I had no idea how to respond. Hayama was holding back laughter beside me, his shoulders trembling nonstop. Then he suddenly raised his head and gave me that friendly, refreshing smile.

"If anything, nighttime is exactly when you can't go, right?"

"That's right... That's true, but why are you the one saying it...? And why do you know...?"

What was with this guy? He had been grinning so slyly this whole time... Wait a second. Did