“It is fine!” Himari countered. “I only feel like I’m going to black out occasionally!”
“You’ve got to take care of yourself more properly.” At this point, Saito had no clue about Himari’s motives. It clearly wasn’t the kind of book a ditz like her would normally go for, and yet, she seemed genuinely happy when he explained things to her. Even though she was clearly pushing herself, she didn’t show any signs of strain.
“Well, you know, sometimes reading serious books like this is a good life experience! Maybe it’ll help my grades a little too,” said Himari.
“I don’t think reading a book that digs this deep will help with high school tests,” said Saito solemnly.
“Anyway, thanks again, Saito-kun! Sorry for bothering you!” Himari pressed her hands together and bowed her head to Saito in gratitude. Despite her flashy looks, she was a surprisingly polite girl. Unlike other gyaru, she wasn’t cynical at all.
“You’re not bothering me. I like talking to you,” said Saito.
Himari beamed. “Whoa? R-really…?”
“It’s true.”
“Hee hee… Hearing that kind of thing makes me blush,” said Himari, scratching her cheek as her necklace-adorned neck slowly flushed red.
Saito hadn’t implied anything special with his remark, but her reaction made him feel a bit embarrassed too.
“Isn’t it kind of a pain to explain everything to me?”
“I really don’t mind. Besides, I owe you one,” said Saito.
Himari blinked in confusion. “Owe me? Did I save you from a falling meteor or something? Do you owe me a life debt?”
“Nothing that dramatic. But it’s also not entirely incorrect, I guess.”
Saito glanced back toward the classroom. From his desk, he looked at Akane standing by the hallway window. The moment their eyes met, she turned away.
“You’ve always stopped our fights, haven’t you? Between me and Akane,” said Saito.
“I just don’t like watching people argue.”
“Thanks to you, I escaped with my life more than once. If you hadn’t been there, I might’ve been dead by now. So, thanks.” It was a sincere expression of gratitude from Saito.
“D-don’t say that… It’s not like I did anything worth that kind of gratitude!” Embarrassed, Himari recoiled slightly, and in that moment, she bumped into a passing student. In her rush to dodge, she ended up bumping shoulders with Saito.
“Ah, s-sorry!” said Himari in a hushed voice.
“No, it’s fine…”
“Jeez, what am I even doing… This is so embarrassing,” said Himari, holding her blushed cheeks in her hands and laughing.
Normally full of energy, she now exhibited an unexpectedly feminine expression, and Saito found it surprisingly disarming.
Himari clasped her hands together and continued. “Just so you know, Akane’s not a bad person at all. She’s the one who told me about the books you like, Saito-kun.”
“Why would Akane tell you what kind of books I like?”
“Uh… Well, um, I just wanted to talk with you more, Saito-kun. I thought maybe if I read the same things you read, I might understand your thoughts a little better,” said Himari.
It dawned on Saito that she genuinely seemed to like him. Saito scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed and flattered. “I appreciate that, but…you don’t have to push yourself, you know?”
“I’m really not pushing myself! I’m dumb, yeah, but if you explain it, I get it! It just makes me feel lonely if I can’t see what you see.”
“Is that how it works?”
“It does. You know, I want to see the same view as the person I…” Himari trailed off in a whisper, looking down. She was clasping her hands near her chest. Her eyes had a soft glow, like they were warmed by a gentle flame. Saito noticed the scent of her perfume more strongly than usual.
Suddenly flustered, Himari changed the topic. “A-anyway! Akane’s really great, you know? Back in elementary school, when I was getting bullied, she stood up for me.”
“Someone bullied you?” said Saito. “I feel like anyone who tried that would get ganged up on by the rest of the class…”
“What do you even think I am?” replied Himari, sounding slightly exasperated.
“The class boss.”
“No way! I mean, now I get along with everyone, but back then, I was bad at social stuff. I stood out too much because I looked different.” Himari gave a wry smile as she combed her fingers through her golden hair. If she’d had her fashion style even since elementary school, she must have really stood out in such a uniform environment.
“Well, I don’t dislike the way you look,” said Saito.
“Whoa, really?”
“Yeah. There are plenty of people who bleach their hair and it doesn’t suit them, but it looks good on you. You’ve got a great sense of style, and you know how to dress in a way that brings out your charm,” said Saito matter-of-factly.
“Gosh, th-thanks…”
“I mean, not that someone like me with zero sense of style has any right to say that,” Saito added with a shrug.
“No, I’m happy specifically because you said it, Saito-kun,” said Himari, her cheeks tinged pink as she smiled at him.
Saito reminded himself that such things shouldn’t be said so carelessly. Guys were simple creatures—it’d be too easy to misinterpret conversations and start wondering if they had any chance.
“You and Akane are seriously alike,” said Himari.
“How so?”
“When I was being bullied, Akane told me, ‘Your hair color is beautiful and is really becoming on you, Ishikura-san,’ and she told the ones insulting me, ‘and you bullies have no taste.’”
“She said that?”
“Mm-hm. Right to their faces, there in the classroom. It was like a declaration of war. She was so cool…” Himari spoke with the awe of someone recalling a great hero.
“She probably just blurted out what she really thought.”