Unexpected Encounter (Part 2)

(After school, Ryota and Tetsuya)

"Why'd you drag me out of there in such a hurry?"

"I still had stuff I wanted to say."

Tetsuya couldn't help complaining, his face full of grievance.

"I kind of thought you had some social awareness, but why are you so blind to atmosphere?"

Ryota sighed.

"Didn't you notice? The classroom was already almost empty."

"That's true, but we weren't in that much of a rush. School just ended—even if we head to the soccer club now, they're probably still warming up and changing into their practice gear."

Tetsuya still looked puzzled.

Ryota rolled his eyes, like he couldn't be bothered to argue.

"You can't just do that—don't look at me like I'm an idiot, at least explain it first."

"The girls don't usually hang around this late either, do they?"

"You mean... Ichinose and her group?"

Tetsuya Hamaguchi recalled the scene just now and spoke uncertainly.

Ryota added another point.

"Think about it—what could those girls possibly need to keep doing in the classroom? Even if they were planning where to hang out, they could talk while walking or find a café."

"That's true, but jumping to conclusions like that doesn't seem great."

"Seisuke didn't seem to have a clue about it, like he had other plans."

"Maybe, but all in all, staying in that classroom any longer wasn't exactly the smart move."

They reached the park near the school building and sat down on a bench.

Tetsuya turned his head and looked straight at Ryota.

"How about we go dig up some gossip..."

Ryota turned his head in slight surprise.

"Gossip... about what?"

Seeing the sly grin on Tetsuya's face, Ryota pressed a hand to his forehead.

"Hey, don't smile so creepily..."

"Why are you suddenly so fired up about something like this?"

"Then I won't take you along?"

"...I just remembered I haven't finished the book I borrowed from the library with Seisuke last time. I'm going back to the dorm to read."

"As for the soccer club, 'Leo Tetsuya' can go by himself."

Ryota added another light jab.

"Please don't do that!"

Begging for forgiveness, Tetsuya pretended to wipe away tears and snot.

Ryota curled his lip and pushed Tetsuya away as he tried to lean on him.

"So gross... stop. Fine, I'll go."

"Yesss!"

Ryota gritted his teeth, feeling like he'd agreed too hastily.

Sensing that mood, Tetsuya quickly changed the subject.

He spoke while carefully watching Ryota's state.

#Query Ryota's Status

"Speaking of which, is Seisuke even the type to read books? During class, he basically does nothing related to studying except sit in the room."

"Do you think he's the kind of guy who's lazy and doesn't apply himself?"

"Honestly, I don't get that feeling."

Ryota nodded and added:

"When he reads, he looks pretty captivating, and he's got good looks to begin with."

"To be honest, there's this indescribable, special aura about him."

"He seems really invested in everything he does—that kind of focused charm. Just sitting there quietly reading is eye-catching."

Tetsuya propped his chin on his hand, looking up at the sky and clicking his tongue.

"He's focused on everything he does too."

"Sometimes when I see him spacing out, I wonder—why does even his daze look so intense?"

"Focused absent-mindedness—a contradictory way to put it, but that's really what it feels like."

"Easily slipping into their own world, yet never so lost in it that they ignore others' feelings."

"Hard to read, yet somehow tangible. They follow their whims, but when they act, they're completely focused."

They exchanged glances, each nodding in varying degrees of agreement.

"Let's go, come with me to the gym."

"You're not going to gossip anymore?"

"Hey, 'bumping into someone'—get it? Some things you can't force; they just happen."

"Fine."

"This gym is really huge, huh. By the way, I remember Hirata-kun loves soccer, right? He'll probably pick the soccer club for his extracurriculars?"

"Since soccer's my favorite sport, I'd be happiest if I can join smoothly."

"A guy as outstanding as Hirata-kun definitely can!"

I leaned on the railing, looking down over the entire gym.

"I'm a little curious... Hajima-kun, do you like sports?"

"Not bad. Occasionally I feel like joining in."

"I see..."

"What about you, Kushida-san?"

"As long as it's not a competition for rankings, I'm happy to participate."

"I also enjoy the pure fun that sports bring."

The gym was on a grand scale. At its center was the soccer field, surrounded by a track and plenty of field event areas.

The stands encircled everything.

Beyond the main arena, many other facilities were attached to the complex.

Like the outdoor pool on the west side, The small-ball sports venues on the north side. The south side had an indoor basketball court, and the top floor seemed to be tennis courts.

The east side appeared to be under construction or repair, not yet open.

A venue this massive—if they ever held a sports festival or a big event, it would be breathtaking.

I was just marveling at how much the school valued athletics when I suddenly spotted familiar figures on the soccer field.

It happened to be Tetsuya and Ryota, who had left right after school. Tetsuya, with his sociable nature, was chatting with some senior soccer club members.

Ryota didn't seem too interested, his gaze wandering around.

Then his expression shifted subtly. Looking closer, I realized he was staring in my direction.

What's wrong?

I turned my gaze to Kushida Kikyo, who was resting her chin on her hand beside me, watching me.

Then I glanced back toward Ryota.

His expression seemed calm again. Had I misread it?

"What's wrong, Hajima-kun~?"

"It feels a bit uncomfortable being stared at."

"I see..."

"Hajima-kun, did you have a crush or a romantic relationship back in middle school?"

"Huh? Neither, I think..."

"Really? I feel like if it were you, Hajima-kun, you probably had quite a few admirers in middle school."

Caught off guard by the compliment, I was a little surprised.

"Why do you say that?"

"Intuition."

A girl's intuition, huh. I've heard it's something that can't be measured by science.

They say girls are masters at reading minds—is it because of their naturally delicate sensibilities?

I looked into the girl's clear, rippling eyes.

But even I don't have an answer to that—whether I'm the kind of person who would be widely admired or followed.

As for whether a girl's intuition is truly accurate, I suppose it'll take me a long time to observe.