It was past 5 PM. Most of the students from the "go-home club" had already left school, except for those still lingering after their club activities.
Many of the students passing through the school gate couldn't help but stop and stare at the sleek black motorcycle parked outside—especially since its owner was wearing the same school uniform as them.
Unlike the others, Nishikata immediately recognized Akira. Ignoring the scattered whispers from students around them, he walked straight up to him.
"Miyamura, this…"
"Want to try it out?" Akira could see the eagerness in Nishikata's eyes as he reached out toward the bike.
Nishikata's gaze dropped to the back seat, his eyes lighting up. Just as he was about to climb on, Akira's right foot slipped off the pedal, and he kicked down the kickstand. With his left leg still straddling the fuel tank, he leaned to the right and steadied himself on the ground.
"Here." Akira took the black helmet hanging from the rearview mirror and handed it to Nishikata. "You have to wear a helmet if you're going to ride."
"…" Nishikata froze, unsure if he should take it.
Akira noticed his hesitation—and realized they had both misunderstood each other.
"Akira, where's my helmet?" Just then, Shouko and the other two arrived, breaking the awkward silence between them.
Akira immediately unclipped the white helmet from the other mirror and handed it to Shouko. "I picked this one especially for you."
"Wow… the pictures really didn't do it justice."
Unlike Takagi, who was quietly observing, Ayumi couldn't resist. She reached out with shining eyes to stroke the polished body of the motorcycle.
She had never touched a bike before—only seen them on TV or passing by on the street.
"Miyamura, can I borrow it for a lap or two?"
Akira didn't hesitate. "Wait until you get your driver's license."
"???" Nishikata, who had already retreated to Takagi's side, gave him a pointed look. He didn't say that to me just now.
Ayumi wisely held back from asking for a ride, though. She was afraid that if she spoke too recklessly, Shouko-chan might just pinch her to death on the spot.
Eventually, Nishikata and the others chatted a little more about the motorcycle before saying goodbye. On one hand, they wanted to head home early, and on the other, the crowd at the school gate was growing, making the stares from their classmates harder to endure.
"Need help?" Akira asked after the others had gone, pointing to the helmet in Shouko's hands.
She nodded, passed it to him, and leaned her head closer.
"Akira, the strap's caught in my hair…" Shouko mumbled softly, half-complaining.
Pretending not to hear, Akira lowered his head and carefully worked the strap free. The faint fragrance of her hair, mixed with the sweet stickiness of sunscreen, drifted into his nose. When a few loose strands brushed against the inside of his wrist, it felt like a cat pawing gently at his heart.
"I'll be careful next time." He secured the strap and lightly tapped the helmet's crown with his knuckles. Thump-thump-thump. Shouko, who had been gazing up at his face, blinked in surprise at the sound.
Quickly putting some distance between them, Akira swung back onto the bike, kicking away the stand with the tip of his shoe. His uniform shirt fluttered with the breeze, carrying a faint scent of engine oil.
In the rearview mirror, Shouko approached slowly. She clutched her backpack straps with both hands, her skirt pressing tightly against her knees in the warm wind, making her steps smaller than usual.
"Akira, I won't fall… right?" She eyed the faintly growling exhaust pipe nervously, tiptoeing around fallen cherry blossoms on the ground.
Akira twisted the throttle on purpose, the sudden rumble making her flinch and shrink her shoulders. Shouko pouted angrily, her tiny fists clenching in mock threat.
"Don't worry. You won't fall. Just hold on tight here." He patted his waist, his jacket still carrying the warmth of the afternoon sun.
Before he even finished speaking, Shouko had already stepped onto the kickstand and slid onto the back seat. Her arms wrapped firmly around his waist, clinging so close it was as if she wanted to merge with him.
"…" The soft pressure against his back shook him, slowly eroding his composure. "Isn't that a little… tight?"
"I'm just scared of falling." Shouko's gaze flicked to the tips of his ears, noticing how red they'd turned. A mischievous urge to nip them flashed through her mind.
Her warm breath brushed against his ear as she spoke.
"If you hold on like that, it'll be hard for me to ride…"
"Fine." For safety, Shouko loosened her grip slightly.
But to Akira, it didn't feel like much of a difference. He stiffened, afraid to make any sudden movements.
"Akira… your ears are so red."
"It's hot."
"But… your heartbeat's fast too. Is that from the heat as well?"
This time, Akira didn't answer. Instead, he slipped on his helmet and started the engine. From behind him came a muffled chuckle.
Meanwhile, at the school gate, two boys from the Art Club watched the motorcycle disappear down the street.
"Tanaka, stop staring, it's already out of sight." One boy sighed, patting his friend's shoulder. "If you want one too, just save up with a part-time job during the holidays."
"…" Tanaka didn't reply, his eyes still fixed on the corner where Akira and Shouko had vanished.
"What's on your mind?" the boy asked, puzzled. Normally, Tanaka would've scoffed or made some sarcastic remark by now.
"…Nothing. Let's just go." Tanaka finally turned and walked off. The other boy followed.
"I can't believe Nishimiya already has a boyfriend," the boy said casually.
Tanaka's hand clenched.
"At first, I thought she was the timid type. But wow… she's way bolder than I expected. Riding off like that with him? Surprising!"
"…"
"But hey—at least Ayumi doesn't have a boyfriend yet. I've still got a chance!"
"…"
"Nishimiya—"
"Can you shut up already? What if that was her brother, not her boyfriend?" Tanaka snapped, his patience gone.
At first, he hadn't thought much of it. But the way this guy kept saying "Nishimiya" over and over was unbearable, almost like he was doing it on purpose.
The boy only grinned, unfazed. "No way. They don't look alike at all. And siblings don't cling to each other like that. I'm telling you, that was definitely her boyfriend."
"…"
"Don't believe me? Let's bet on it. Loser buys dinner. I'll ask Ayumi tomorrow."
"…Fine." Tanaka muttered. Even so, doubt lingered in his chest—he wasn't ready to believe Nishimiya truly had a boyfriend.
With the bet made, the two reached a crossroads, waved goodbye, and walked off in different directions.
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