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AHH, black tea really is delightful.
I was enjoying a cup on the terrace of the academy’s café. Of course a school for the richest families in the nation would have its own café with delicious aromatic tea. The café had several unique varieties, and though I longed to be a repeat visitor, my wallet was far less amenable to the high price.
That was a shame...
“Well? Urara Tendou, you said you weren’t going to get in my way, right?”
It really is a shame.
Immediately after that girl had appeared in homeroom, class began. Afterward, I tried to make a hasty esc—I mean, leave, but she quickly grabbed me.
This strange girl, who introduced herself as Shizuku Aritomo, caught me off guard and insisted I come with her.
I could hear my mother telling me to be wary of being taken behind the school building, so I was glad when she suggested the café instead. There were plenty of people and she seemed to have calmed down, so I was comfortable being upfront with her.
“I don’t completely understand what’s going on, but I had no intention of getting in your way.”
She didn’t seem to believe what I said, but it was the truth.
After all, everything bad that happened to me today was connected to her.
I drained the contents of my cup under her suspicious eye. I inadvertently slammed the cup down when I was done, heavy under the weight of my racing thoughts.
“Well, it doesn’t matter anyway.”
She spoke with a haughty manner, but I simply ignored her.
“I still have two events left today, so I need to at least trigger one of them.”
“If you say so...”
“So, Urara Tendou, I need you to stay here for exactly one hour.”
I had no idea what she was talking about.
“What I mean is, don’t get in the way of me triggering any other events! If you stay here, you won’t be pulled into anything, so it should be fine. Got it?”
Her narrowed eyes locked on me with frightening intensity. This girl had absolutely none of the proverbial chill I would associate with such a look. It was like a kitten sizing up a lion…a strange comparison if not for her poor attempt at intimidation.
I bobbed my head up and down like a broken toy, agreeing not to get in her way. I was getting hungry, but I would remain here for another hour. What could I do for lunch?
Seemingly satisfied with my promise to remain still as a statue, Aritomo rose and summoned the waiter.
“I’ll buy your lunch, so have whatever you like. I’ll settle up later.”
“...Thank you very much.”
Well, she could be generous when she wanted.
“In exchange, do not take even one step from that seat for one hour!”
Never mind.
She gave a triumphant cackle and headed off for the courtyard. I had no idea what she was planning, but as promised, I would not interfere. I would stay put for an hour.
Something came flying...and hit Aritomo? Bull’s-eye right on her head. It looked like a rugby ball.
Oh no, a muscular group of boys chasing the rugby ball slammed right into her! It looked like quite a predicament…but I had promised not to leave this spot for one hour... This was what she wanted, right?
It seemed one of the muscular boys had helped her up and was ferrying her away. I heard her cry out, but I couldn’t help wondering—if that was the event she didn’t want me interfering with, then surely the best thing to do was to pretend as if I hadn’t seen anything. I turned my attention to the waiter and asked for another cup of tea and a sandwich instead.
Just as the waiter set my tea and sandwich on the table, a soccer ball came flying out of the schoolyard and bounced off several walls before rolling its way to my feet. My, that was close. I picked the ball up just as a boy with short light-brown hair and an energetic expression dashed over to me.
“Oh, sorry. I tried to be careful, but... Oh?”
It was the boy who had been laughing hysterically before.
Perhaps he realized the connection, too, because he was suppressing a smile. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I stood up and handed the ball back to him without a word.
“Thanks,” he said with a quick wink that suited his personality perfectly. I was suddenly aware of several girls around us letting out scandalized shrieks. A boy like him likely had plenty of fans, so it was best to be discrete. So I replied with a gentle smile and a bow.
I then returned to my seat. Just as my eyes drifted back to the table, I heard him speak again.
“...Hey, tell me your name.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
He pulled out the chair to my right and sat himself down. I had no idea how to respond to someone like him. But then I remembered that my classmate Shimozuru was also a member of his group, so there was no reason to be hesitant. Though I had introduced myself as the representative for new students at the ceremony earlier today, I suppose he hadn’t felt the need to learn my name.
“I am Urara Tendou, a first-year.”
“Urara, huh? I remember now. I’m Ui Mikazuki. Nice to meet you, Urara.”
He gave my right hand a squeeze as he said that last part. Wow, what is this? He just grabbed my hand! I felt a little embarrassed.
And now I couldn’t bring myself to eat. What to do?
Mikazuki was smiling at me as he held my hand, and though I was famished, I couldn’t bring myself to eat in front of him. Oh, why couldn’t he read the room?
Just as I had resigned myself to my fate, the hand of an angel intervened.
“Ui, how long do you intend to trouble her? Leave her be.”
It was the boy with the glasses. He seemed a bit introverted but had a cool look in his eyes. He seemed intelligent.
He ignored Mikazuki’s friendly greeting and removed his hand from mine. Thank you. Now I can finally have my lunch.