Childhood Sweethearts

"Ehh~ Excuse me, the Mango Pomelo Sago you ordered is ready. Please enjoy."

"Sorry for the trouble."

I took the drink she handed me and placed it in front of Ichinose.

Even though I hadn't ordered a drink, the server had brought out a Mango Pomelo Sago.

Ichinose looked a bit puzzled by this.

"Seems like they got the order wrong?"

She was about to speak up and inform the server not far away, but my question cut her off.

"Do you not like it?"

"I actually quite like Mango Pomelo Sago. But it seems like the server got it wrong—I didn't order this."

"I saw you order this last time too, and you seemed to really enjoy it, so I took the liberty of ordering one for you."

"Really... I love it!"

Ichinose took the straw and took a small sip.

She stopped pretending to look at her phone and actively turned her gaze toward me.

"By the way, did you order this before I even arrived?"

"I figured you might be a bit thirsty after walking all the way here, so I thought I'd order a drink in advance and wait for you."

Ichinose gently held the cup, took another sip.

Just as she was about to speak, the sound of leather shoes clicking against the floor reached our ears.

Sakayanagi Arisu smoothed her skirt and sat down gracefully.

She casually set her cane aside and spoke:

"How ungentlemanly, leaving a girl on crutches to walk over on her own."

Picking up the coffee on the table, she turned her gaze toward my side.

She seemed a bit surprised at first, then quickly returned to a composed expression.

She extended her hand proactively.

"Hello, I'm Sakayanagi Arisu from Class 1-A. Pleased to meet you."

"My name is Ichinose Honami. I'm in the same class as Hajima-kun."

Ichinose smiled and took her hand.

Sakayanagi Arisu's lips curled slightly.

"So it's you."

"Seisuke has told me about you... Please take good care of him in class from now on."

Why did that sentence sound so much like... a show of force?

I wasn't sure what the purpose of the show of force was, but at first glance, it felt very aggressive.

Was this a clash between pretty girls?

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't let go of her hand, just kept smiling.

Ichinose furrowed her brow slightly.

"Even if Classmate Sakayanagi hadn't said so, I would naturally take the initiative to look after Hajima-kun."

"Knowing that Seisuke-kun has such a kind-hearted classmate puts me, as his childhood friend, a little more at ease."

"Eh?"

(Ichinose)

Childhood friend...

I instinctively wanted to confirm, turning to look at my side.

He was biting his straw, lost in thought, showing no sign of wanting to refute it...

It was true.

Even though I didn't have a childhood friend myself, someone you've grown up with since childhood must hold a significant place in your heart, right?

Why did a feeling of timidity rise in my chest, making it hard to look her in the eye?

Even the way she addressed him was so intimate, to the point where she could call him by his first name.

Once these random thoughts started, they flowed like an unstoppable stream.

They seemed to be discussing something, but I couldn't quite hear it clearly.

Some names came up, apparently students in the same grade.

Hajima-kun said there was still plenty of intriguing material in the documents, but he couldn't be bothered to flip through them.

I felt like I wanted to grasp at something, but I didn't even have the strength to clench my fist.

"But still, Seisuke-kun, spending my money to treat other girls to drinks is really too much, you know."

"The money's with me, so I can spend it however I want, right?"

"Don't come asking me for more when it runs out."

Leaving those words behind, Sakayanagi Arisu stood up and left.

At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary conversation between friends, but my mind couldn't stop replaying the image of Sakayanagi Arisu's smiling face as she said she and Hajima-kun were childhood friends.

It was like the bickering of childhood friends, and I somehow couldn't find a way to join in...

I was a little envious of that kind of relationship.

The kind where you could say whatever you wanted, without having to weigh every word because of too many considerations, just expressing your most original thoughts without worrying about leaving a bad impression on the other person.

Such a relaxed atmosphere...

"Hajima-kun, are you having trouble with Personal Points? If so, you can come to me."

"Is it because you heard Arisu say I was spending her money?"

"Something like that..."

"Remember how I'd already spent all my Personal Points on the first day of school? Back then, Ichinose even helped me out."

"I remember."

"The documents Arisu and I were just talking about—that's where the Personal Points went. The content is basically the admission evaluations and ability assessments for us first-year students. I felt there was probably still some interesting stuff in there, so I handed it over to her."

"The Personal Points she gave me were more like payment for obtaining that information."

Hajima-kun stared in the direction the girl had left and spoke again.

"If it's for her, then at least this information won't go to waste."

His evaluation of that girl seemed quite high.

It wasn't that I wanted to compete with anyone, but somehow, I felt a surge of motivation.

Ichinose Honami... wasn't inferior to anyone.

"Remember last time when Teacher Hoshinomiya called us over?"

"I remember. At the time, Hajima-kun seemed to be in a bad mood and went back on his own."

Ichinose propped her chin up, recalling.

"Teacher Hoshinomiya had some doubts about my entrance exam paper, but I hadn't taken the entrance exam very seriously back then, so I got playful and pulled a prank."

"I thought no one would notice, but Teacher Hoshinomiya caught me anyway. I originally thought she wanted to use it to demand something from me, but I realized I'd overlooked a crucial point."

"What was it?"

Ichinose was a little curious.

"Ichinose was Teacher Hoshinomiya's main target."

"Huh... how did it suddenly involve me?"

"Don't you think her picking on me felt more like she was hinting at something for you?"

"I didn't have much of a reaction to Hajima-kun's entrance exam paper, hmm... I'd say I'd already categorized Hajima-kun as someone really impressive before Teacher Hoshinomiya even hinted at it."

She took a sip of her Mango Pomelo Sago and continued:

"But after what the teacher said later, I mostly understood—things like hinting at the atmosphere and discipline in our class..."

"Then she called me aside to talk alone, and suddenly I was burdened with a heavy responsibility."

Seeming a bit troubled, Ichinose pouted.

"It's because Ichinose is outstanding enough that Teacher Hoshinomiya placed those expectations on you."

"But just having a goal—even though I don't resist it—I'm still a bit lost about what exactly I should do."

"Things like managing everyone, uniting them and leading them to improve step by step—just thinking about it feels like a heavy burden."

"That's not your fault, Ichinose."

I turned my head and looked directly at Ichinose.

"It's just something Teacher Hoshinomiya forced on you, even if it doesn't go against your wishes."

"But compared to the role of a manager, being something like a leader suits you better, doesn't it?"

"Even if the results of the two might not be that different—both are about uniting the class and progressing together..."

"I just don't want Ichinose to be a fool who only ever considers others, you understand?"

Teacher Hoshinomiya wasn't purely thinking about her—I wanted to convey that thought to her.

Ichinose pressed her hands to her chest, her breath rising and falling gently.

"My... head's a little jumbled."

She bit her lip slightly.

"Huh!?"

I grabbed her hand and turned her sideways.

Her lowered head lifted slightly in surprise.

She met my gaze for a moment, then realized I was still holding her hand.

She struggled a little, but couldn't break free.

"Either way... just follow what your heart chooses in each moment."

She tilted her head, as if sorting through her thoughts.

I let go of her hand, propped my chin on my hand, and looked out the window.

I couldn't quite understand Teacher Hoshinomiya's obsession. Even though school had just started, Class B would be a united class without her needing to intervene.

As long as I had this straightforward girl by my side...