“Kyou! Jupi!”
Haruka stood by the darkened school gate waving happily at us.
She wasn’t wearing her usual battle costume. Instead, she was dressed in her official school uniform… That seemed strange to me. After all, she doesn’t go to Sakurabana #2 Secondary School like Kyouichirou does. As a result, her school uniform stood out even more than her battle gear.
But Haruka always stands out. She’s really, really pretty, and her figure looks a lot more mature than a middle school third-year’s. Plus, she always shows a lot of skin, especially when she’s in her battle costume. It’s really something. Her boobs and armpits are totally exposed.
“What’s up, Jupi?” she asked.
I guess when I think about it, her school uniform is a lot less flashy. Her skirt is short, and she doesn’t button up her blouse all the way, but she still manages to look presentable. Besides, her face is so cute and pretty that she manages to pull it off. She just looks like an idol walking around in costume. It doesn’t matter how much skin she shows; her outfits always suit her. Haruka’s just charming like that.
“…Nothing.” I shook my head. “Anyway, how come you’re here, Haruka?”
“C’mon. You think I’d miss something this exciting?” she asked, flashing a smile as bright as the sun. “Going to school at night makes for the perfect spooky test of courage! Talk about exciting!”
“…Is that true, Kyouichirou?” I asked, turning to him.
“I never said anything about this being a ‘test of courage,’” he replied.
Apparently, there had been a misunderstanding about our reasons for going to school. Communication is full of pitfalls, it seems.
“Well, I’m not just here for that, obviously!”
When I got off Kyouichirou’s bike, Haruka grabbed me by the hand and pulled me aside to whisper something in my ear.
✦ ✦ ✦
We got inside the school easily, just like Kyouichirou said we would.
When he told the teacher on duty that he had come to get something he forgot, they let us through easily.
Even though Haruka and I don’t go to his school, the teacher said, “You’re friends with Shimizu? No problem, then.”
“This is why it pays to be a good student the rest of the year. It gets you in everyone’s good books,” Kyouichirou told me. It sounded like bad advice.
He opened the door to the classroom for us.
“There’s so much stuff,” I said.
There were a bunch of desks and chairs all lined up inside the room. I saw a blackboard and the teacher’s desk at the front of the room, and a bunch of colorful posters and pieces of calligraphy paper with unique handwriting lined the walls. Lockers and a broom closet were at the back. The wall nearest the hall had upper and lower windows, while the far wall had a big window and a door leading out to a balcony that looked out over the schoolyard. The curtains were drawn.
I’d seen rooms like this on TV and in dating sims, so I’d already known what to expect.
“What do you think, ■■■■■■■? This flower ■■■■■■ is R■■■■ and ■■■’s pride and joy. And you and ■ have it all to ourselves today…”
But knowing what to expect and actually experiencing it were two completely different things. The floor under my feet felt hard. I could smell the faint scent of chalk. And then there was the…
“Wow! Amazing! Jupi, you look so, so cute!”
I’d changed into a school uniform that Haruka had let me borrow. She told me it was a first-year middle school uniform.
“You’re as cute as a doll, Jupi,” she said. “Dressing you up is so fun!”
She kept excitedly complimenting me as she hugged me tight and rubbed her cheek against mine. Haruka’s cheek was so soft and squishy, and she smelled like citrus.
“This uniform’s too big for me,” I said.
“Sorry about that! But it’s super cute how the sleeves are big and baggy! I just love you, Jupi! I love everything about you! From the tips of your feet to the very top of your head! I love it all!”
“Well, I…think you’re pretty okay, too, Haruka.”
“Oh, that makes me so happy to hear! Looks like the feeling’s mutual, huh?”
Kyouichirou sat on a chair nearby watching us with a pleased look on his face. He was eating a protein bar and some boiled eggs.
“Hey, Kyou. What are you doing eating all by yourself over there? Come here and eat with us girls!”
“Uh, no thanks. That’s not really my style.”
“Huh? Why’re you acting so shy all of a sudden? Don’t tell me! Are you intimidated by Jupi’s cuteness?”
“Of course not.”
Haruka moved closer to Kyouichirou, laughing the whole time. “Hey, c’mon! Let’s hang out. We’re in school at night—might as well make the most of it, right? And it’ll be a good memory for Jupi.”
Her invitation was so casual. She sounded like a character in a game—the bright and cheerful class-president type.
“…Nah. I can join in the conversation just fine from over here.”
“No way! Let’s bring our desks together and chitchat. C’mooon, it’s more fun when we’re all together.”
Her gestures, her absurdly friendly tone…and more than anything, when she looked Kyouichirou in the eyes, Haruka looked more beautiful than ever. To be honest, I got the impression she was trying to be beautiful. The angle of her body, how she positioned herself, and the casual way she touched him—all of it was…
“Ugh. What are you doing?” asked Kyouichirou.
Sitting there in the classroom in my borrowed uniform, I felt a distinct vibe from Haruka. She’s so pretty and cool, and I really admire her. And most of all, she’s really, really easy to read.