The final exam results were out, and no one had failed.
So the overall atmosphere among the first-years was cheerful.
Almost everyone was looking forward to tomorrow's cruise.
Uesugi Hara was no exception.
He'd rarely bothered anyone lately, since they'd all been busy studying and had no time for him.
Of course, a few people were exceptions, but Uesugi Hara didn't feel like dealing with them.
Like the little girl sitting across from him.
Inside the Palette Cafe.
Sakayanagi Arisu held a cup of latte and smiled at Uesugi Hara. "What do you think of tomorrow's cruise, Uesugi?"
"I'm looking forward to it. That is, as long as the school doesn't pull anything."
"I'm looking forward to it too. But it seems like you don't want to spend this wonderful time with me, Uesugi." Sakayanagi Arisu looked at the troubled expression on Uesugi Hara's face and couldn't resist teasing him.
"How could I possibly turn down the adorable Classmate Sakayanagi? You must be imagining things."
Uesugi Hara said it with such conviction that it was as if everything that had just happened had been an illusion.
Sakayanagi Arisu smiled. "Is that so?"
"Of course."
"But speaking of which, Sakayanagi, don't you think that, to other people, we look like a couple?"
At those words, Sakayanagi Arisu froze for several seconds.
When she came to, she chuckled. "Have you fallen under my spell, Uesugi?"
"I just wanted you to look around."
Many people nearby were watching them, and some were even whispering.
"Are you really that concerned about what other people think, Uesugi?"
Sakayanagi Arisu didn't think there was anything wrong with it.
Uesugi Hara objected with a straight face. "I'm only concerned about my reputation at school."
"And I'm worried about you too, Classmate Sakayanagi. Going on a date with