That super fun day off was over, so it was back to everyday life—which Ruka still thought was fun in its own way. After making it through morning classes, Ruka, Meiri, and Hinaru gathered around Ginka’s desk to eat lunch. They were all really into the Turkish lunch Ginka brought, but that excitement died down after a while. Ruka finished eating and checked her phone, while Meiri started doing her own nails.
“By the way, Gin-neesan, why do you wear gloves all the time?” Meiri asked.
Ruka’s ears perked up. Yeah, she always wears those. Is it to hide her battle scars, or does it maybe help control exoforce? I have no clue, but I’m really curious.
“I suffer from a unique skin condition,” said Ginka. “The skin on my hands breaks out when directly exposed to air. I received permission from the school to keep these gloves on at all times, even during gym.”
Must be nice being able to lie like that... No fair... Mei and Hina always see through my lies right away!
Meiri looked disappointed. “Aw, I really wanted to do your nails. I think black would look amazing on you.”
“Nails... I know it’s rather late to be asking this, but does this school not forbid cosmetics?” Ginka whispered.
Hinaru had been digging into her bento, but she looked up and said, “Nah, Hie High’s cool with makeup. You can dye your hair, and piercings are no prob. Actually, about that... Nobody else is gonna say it, so I will. You’re asking about this now, Ginka-chan?”
“Ah...” Ginka trailed off. Her silver hair, silver eyes, and piercings would break most schools’ rules. It was only okay here because their school was so lax.
“They tell us it’s a good thing,” said Ruka. “Tani-chan especially. At our entrance ceremony, she was like, ‘It’s better to mess up now than become an adult without knowing anything about makeup and embarrassing yourself,’ which seriously threw the guy teachers off.”
Meiri and Hinaru laughed a little.
“It was cool, but also kinda scary,” said Meiri.
Hinaru nodded. “She was, like, obsessed or something. Bet something happened when she was in school...”
Ruka and Meiri nodded along with her. Then Ruka caught a glimpse of the serious girls and said, “Oh yeah, Chinami wears makeup too.”
“Hayami-san does?” asked Ginka.
“Yup. Hey, Chinami, you got makeup on today?” Ruka called out.
Chinami’s shoulders twitched. Her glossy black hair swayed as she turned and gave an embarrassed little nod. Ruka took a good look and thought her neat and tidy makeup might really work for Ginka.
“That’s it. Gin-neesan, let’s do your makeup.” Meiri put another bottle on the desk, next to her nail polish.
“What’s ‘it’? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You’re not wearing makeup today, right? It’s a waste since you’re so pretty.”
“Th-That is untrue. I applied skin lotion.”
“Ooh, Ginka-chan’s growing up!” Hinaru grabbed Ginka’s shoulders and held her down in her chair.
Ginka could send Hina flying, but she doesn’t look like she’s gonna resist even though she’s complaining about Mei doing her makeup. She totally likes it!
“M-Moriki.” There was a guy from their class standing in front of the door.
Hmm... His last name’s Chikado, I think? No clue what his first name is.
Ruka left her seat and headed over his way. “What’s up, Chikado?” she asked.
He rustled his short hair like he couldn’t stand still. “Someone said they want to talk to you. They’re waiting behind the gym.”
“Who is it?”
“Yoshiyama-senpai from the soccer team.”
“Yeah, who is that?”
“H-Hey, he just told me to tell you that. I don’t know anything else.” Chikado awkwardly looked away.
If someone’s calling me out, we gotta know each other. But I have no clue who this soccer guy is.
“Did I do something to him?”
“I-I told you, I don’t know.”
He looks so confused. I don’t need the power to see through lies to know he’s telling the truth here.
Ruka decided asking Chikado more questions would just make him more uncomfortable, so she said, “’Kay, got it. Behind the gym, yeah?”
“Yeah... W-Well, see you around...”
“Hang on.” Ruka grabbed Chikado’s shoulder.
Was he about to run away? We’re in the same class...
“Wh-What...?”
“Don’t be so nervous. We’re classies! We’re gonna be together till spring, so take it easy.”
“Ah, s-sorry...”
“Don’t apologize! You know, you’re a pretty interesting guy, Chikado.”
Chikado’s face turned red, and his eyes started looking up and down Ruka’s body.
Oh yeah, he’s a guy. I meant what I said, and he can look at me if he wants, but I should probably be clear with him.
“Hey. Don’t go falling for me, ’kay?”
“Um, uh...”
“Missed your chance to say something funny, my guy.” Ruka patted Chikado’s shoulder and left the classroom.
High school guys fall in love way too easily. What a pain.
“Be my woman.”
Ruka’s eyes went wide when she heard that.
The guy with spiky bleached hair standing in front of her behind the gym was in pretty good shape, but he was staring at Ruka like he didn’t think much of her at all. The way he kept tapping his foot made him look all worked up, and not in a good way.
“But, um, Yoshiyama-paisen... We’ve never met before,” said Ruka.
“Shut up. That ain’t right.”
I don’t like the way he talks. And this is the first time we’ve met. I’d never forget someone so arrogant.
“I don’t remember you.”
“Tch... Downtown.”
“Downtown...?”
“Psh, don’t tell me you forgot.”
A hazy memory started playing in Ruka’s head. When she and Ginka had gone shopping, they’d gotten crepes from a food truck. Some guys had started creeping on them after that, so they’d gone into the arcade to shake them off. Ruka thought there might’ve been a blond guy in the mix, but she really wasn’t sure.
“Were you one of the guys, uh, looking at us?”
“What? Nah, you kept staring at me.”
Crap...
“I don’t think we’re on the same page here.”
“Don’t be shy, Ruka.”
Crap, crap...