Satoshi Satonaka, Who Likes Men

After Little Fist Stone Katsuragi noticed that Star Color hadn't come in that morning, he greeted him.

"Classmate Otonashi, you weren't here this morning. Did you skip class?"

"What do you mean, skip class? I wasn't feeling well, so I took a perfectly valid sick day!"

Yahiko Totsuka chimed in from beside him.

"Seriously, taking the day off on the very first day? This is when you should be building a good relationship with the teachers. Leaving your seat empty is an easy way to get on their radar."

"Come on, Totsuka. Let Classmate Otonashi rest. Otherwise, he won't have the energy to focus in class this afternoon."

Yahiko Totsuka obediently returned to his seat. Neither of them seemed like pushy or mean people.

Star Color lazily rested his head on the desk. Sunlight spilled over him, warm and pleasant, while the room temperature sat right at a comfortable level. He couldn't help letting out a contented purr.

The lighting was one of the classroom's best features. Four large windows let in soft daylight.

"Honestly... the way you sleep..."

Katsuragi's gaze turned a little strange. He'd just been wearing a serious expression, but now there was a hint of tenderness in it, the sort of feeling someone might show toward a family member.

"What is it?"

Star Color tilted his head slightly. His purple hair spilled across the desk as he looked at Little Fist Stone Katsuragi with his striking violet eyes.

"Nothing. The way you sleep just reminded me of my little sister."

"Oh? You have a little sister? How old is she? Could you introduce me?"

Star Color flashed a mischievous smile. His delicate, androgynous face took on a slightly roguish look, like that of a sly little fox.

"You! Your personality doesn't match your face at all."

"Huh? Is Classmate Little Fist Stone Katsuragi a siscon?"

"What kind of nickname is Little Fist Stone? Although, back in middle school, a boy did say I looked like one. And I'm not a siscon!"

"Have you never played the classic game Pokémon? Surely you've watched the anime, too."

Star Color deftly changed the subject, deciding not to tease Little Fist Stone into getting angry.

"I don't have time for that."

"I'll bring a game console for you to try sometime. Then you'll see."

"No need."

Kohei Katsuragi frowned. Was this lazy, oddball really a student in Class A?

"It's really fun! If you study all the time, your brain will get rusty. You should relax once in a while, don't you think? Come on~ Just give it a try. How will you know if you don't? It's a lot of fun."

Star Color half-pouted and half-pleaded, patiently wearing Kohei Katsuragi down like a devoted missionary. After all, it was fun to get people hooked.

"We'll see."

Kohei Katsuragi couldn't resist Star Color's pleading and eventually accepted the offer.

"Oh? Are you two discussing something interesting?"

A sweet voice interrupted them.

"Classmate Sakayanagi? Good afternoon~. I was talking with Classmate Katsuragi about Pokémon games."

Star Color greeted Sakayanagi lazily.

"Good afternoon, Classmate Otonashi. You certainly are as laid-back as ever."

"Hehe, I guess I'm just naturally carefree."

"There's a club orientation this afternoon. Which club are you thinking of joining, Classmate Otonashi?"

"I'd be happy with a video game club~. If there isn't one, maybe the model-making club. I'm pretty good with my hands, whether it comes to building things or playing games."

"Unfortunately, neither the video game club nor the model-making club you want exists, Classmate Otonashi."

"Huh? How could that be..."

Star Color instantly lost his energy, then asked in return,

"Which club do you want to join, Classmate Sakayanagi?"

"I'd like to test the Chess Club members' skill. If they can't satisfy me, I won't consider joining a club."

"Chess? It's way too difficult for me to get into. You must be really good at it, Classmate Sakayanagi!"

Star Color gazed at her with admiration.

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled faintly, watching Star Color with interest.

"Would you like to learn?"

"Huh... Not at all, but thank you for the offer, Classmate Sakayanagi."

"Oh, what a shame."

Star Color turned to Kohei Katsuragi, who was studying on his own, and smoothly struck up a conversation.

"What about you, Classmate Little Fist Stone Katsuragi? What club do you want to join?"

"Me?"

Kohei Katsuragi glanced at Star Color, put down his math textbook, and thought it over seriously.

"The Student Council."

"How ambitious~. Good luck, Classmate Little Fist Stone Katsuragi."

After enduring the boring afternoon classes, they were finally free!

Most of the class had gone to the club orientation. It was so lively.

Star Color hated crowded places. The surging, noisy voices assaulted his already fragile mind.

"I'm exhausted..."

He'd only been standing for a little while, but he was already tired. Star Color parted his lips slightly and breathed slowly, trying to calm his aging heart.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Concern filled Tamiya Emi's eyes as she steadied Star Color's frail, petite frame.

Behind him, Satoshi Satonaka had somehow brought over a chair. He spoke to Star Color in an even tone.

(Satoshi Satonaka: the most handsome guy in the year, no. 1. No illustration.)

"Have a seat, Classmate Star Color."

"Ah, thank you!"

The white-haired handsome guy had been icy during yesterday's introductions. Star Color had labeled him an abstinent-type super handsome guy. Most of the girls in class had been drawn to him. If he entered the annual contest for the most handsome high school student, he'd definitely come first. Maybe a talent agency would even notice him and cast him in something like Kamen Rider. Star Color was so jealous.

His heart soured at the thought. Why did this guy get to appear in Kamen Rider?! Star Color had no idea why he was jealous over such a trivial thing, but he still had to keep up appearances. A shy smile hung on his face.

"Ah, that feels much better... Why do humans have to stand for so long?"

"Classmate Star Color, you're way too frail."

Tamiya Emi sighed, as if she were looking after a child.

"Can't help it. I'm just built this way."

"Classmate Star Color, if you feel unwell, let me know. Don't push yourself."

Star Color turned toward Satoshi Satonaka, the icy, abstinent-type super handsome guy behind him. To his surprise, Satoshi was smiling at him.

A cold sweat broke out on Star Color. This wasn't right... Could this guy be...?

He turned around again. When Satoshi Satonaka noticed Star Color looking, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

WTF... Star Color lowered his head, afraid to think too much about it.

Star Color trembled.JPG.

"What is it?"

Tamiya Emi, beside him, saw that Star Color had gone pale.

"Nothing! Classmate Tamiya, don't ask any more questions!"

At that moment, Star Color felt like his backside had been smeared with mustard and a suppository repeatedly forced inside, subjecting him to the most excruciating torment until he made an expression of extraordinary intensity.

"Ah... Classmate Star Color, you look really pale."

"I'm really fine, Classmate Tamiya."

Star Color was close to tears.

After watching the Student Council president from [Campus Super Fierce Tiger] show off, Star Color listened as representatives from each club introduced themselves. It was so boring. He yawned.

But Class President Qiaoheng of the Archery Club was so pretty in a plain, unassuming way. A main-character type? Star Color envied her. She probably had plenty of guys pursuing her. She was clearly one of life's winners.

Star Color activated his human observation skills, studying each club representative. They all seemed like people he didn't need to pay attention to. He wasn't going to join any of these boring clubs.

"What club do you want to join, Classmate Tamiya?"

"I'd like to join the gardening club. I enjoy tending to flowers and plants. Growing beautiful flowers is so satisfying."

"That's a lovely hobby~."

Did all rich young ladies enjoy gardening or tea ceremony? Star Color couldn't understand it. He didn't feel like thinking about it either. They lived in different worlds, so he might as well enjoy the story.

Classmate Tamiya went to sign up for the gardening club, leaving Star Color alone. No, not alone—there was a dangerous guy! He had to ignore him.

Satoshi Satonaka kept following Star Color. Star Color thought he was such a creep. Was he treating him like a dog on a walk?

Star Color picked up his pace, trying to ditch Satoshi Satonaka, but luck and stamina had never been his strong suits. He reached the area near the ballet club, where a group of upperclassmen girls happened to surround him.

"Wow, this kid has the perfect bone structure for it."

"Really? Let me feel!"

"So soft, and his skin is so smooth."

The girls ran their hands over Star Color's waist and leg bones.

"W-w-wait... I'm a boy! Don't touch me like that... Ah... Not there!"

Surrounded by a group of girls, Star Color was like a lost kitten being petted.

"A boy? Even better! Ballet isn't just for girls. Some boys dance so elegantly and beautifully. Besides, our club welcomes cute kids."

"No... Classmate Satoshi Satonaka! Save me!"

He could only pin his hopes on Satoshi Satonaka behind him.

"Sorry, but this kid has plans with me."

Seeing Star Color's predicament, Satoshi Satonaka took his hand and pulled him free of the crowd of women.

"Wow, he's so handsome!"

"Can I get your contact info?"

"You're a first-year, right? Which class are you in? Come join our club!"

The girls there all turned their attention to Satoshi Satonaka. But there was no room in his eyes for the girls who were attracted to his looks. In fact, he didn't care about any of the girls there.

Hey, hey, wasn't this even scarier...? Star Color felt as if he'd escaped one tiger's den only to fall into another.

Satoshi led him away from the ballet club's territory, and they wandered around together.

"Is there a club you'd like to join, Classmate Star Color?"

Satoshi Satonaka looked back at Star Color and asked.

"Huh? A club I'd like to join... No... The clubs at this school all seem too formal."

"There's no club that interests you?"

"Mm... I want to start my own club."