Chapter 1 – "Even If You're Bland, You're Still Cute."
The wind continued to drift gently across the rooftop.
Kazumi Naoko, with his sharp eyes and headphone still dangling in one ear, was lying down once again—this time with his head resting on something suspiciously more human than a pillow.
Yes. A first-year kouhai's lap.
Specifically, Rino Chisa's lap.
A girl so emotionless, she could probably deliver a weather report about a typhoon with the same tone she'd use to describe a loaf of bread.
"…Senpai."
"Mhm?" Kazumi didn't look away from his game. His fingers were still tapping away.
"If you could eat anything right now… anything you really, really want to eat. What would it be?"
"Huh? Random question."
He blinked, not breaking focus from his battle screen. "Dunno… maybe karaage. The crispy kind. Homemade. The type you can still smell even after you're done eating."
"Karaage. I see."
No reaction. Just deadpan.
"…You're not gonna cook, right?" Kazumi asked without looking.
"No. I just like knowing things."
A beat passed.
"Also, I can't cook."
"Figured."
Tap, tap, tap. He was almost done with the boss now. Just a few more hits—
"Senpai."
Another question.
"What type of girl do you like?"
"…"
Kazumi's fingers paused. He slowly turned his head, giving her a suspicious look.
"...What's with the sudden interview?"
"I just want to know." Rino blinked at him, her expression still unreadable. "Curiosity."
Kazumi sighed. "Alright… Let's see. I guess I like girls who are honest, chill, and don't talk too much. Not overly clingy. Not fake."
"…So me?"
"Hey, don't just immediately put yourself in the category."
"But I qualify."
Kazumi sighed again, this time a little deeper.
"Sure, sure."
But then—Rino's voice lowered slightly.
"For you… do you think I seem bland?"
Kazumi blinked.
That… almost sounded insecure?
He sat up slightly, just enough to look her in the eye.
Rino's face was the same as always. Blank. Calm. No signs of nervousness. But something in her voice hinted at just a sliver of something behind the curtain.
"Do I seem bland to you, senpai?" she asked again, softly.
"…Hah."
Without warning, Kazumi reached out and squished both of her cheeks between his hands.
"Wha—" Rino's words came out muffled as her face got pinched gently.
"You've got the expression of a bored goldfish," Kazumi said. "But somehow, you're still cute. Also—" he squished again, "—your cheeks are squishier than I expected. Like mochi that's been in the fridge for thirty minutes."
"…Thank you," Rino replied blankly.
"Is that your reaction to a compliment?"
"Yes."
"…Right."
She stared at him for another few seconds. "Can you let go of my face now?"
Kazumi finally released her cheeks with a sigh. "Alright, alright. Back to the boss fight."
He laid back down on her lap again, picking up where he left off. The screen glowed once more. The music played softly in the background.
Silence followed.
The wind returned.
It was peaceful again.
But this time, it wasn't a cold, lonely silence.
It was just… comfortable.
After a minute passed, Kazumi spoke first.
"…Hey, Rino."
"Mm?"
"What's your type?"
There was a beat.
Then, without hesitation, Rino replied:
"You."
Kazumi didn't even blink.
"…Yeah. I figured you'd say that."
"Then why ask?" she tilted her head.
Kazumi sighed. "I was hoping you'd actually answer with something else for once."
"But my type is Kazumi Naoko. You're you."
"…I give up."
Kazumi closed his eyes and dropped his head against her lap again.
That was probably the most roundabout non-answer he'd ever heard. And yet somehow, coming from Rino, it felt sincere.
Or maybe it was because she was too dull to lie convincingly.
He opened one eye, glanced at the time on his console, and slowly sat up.
"…Five more minutes until class starts. I should head back."
Rino blinked. "Okay."
She stood up with him, brushing her skirt lightly.
As they made their way to the rooftop door, Kazumi glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"So, you just randomly show up, force me to rest on your lap, interview me, and now we're heading back like nothing happened?"
Rino nodded. "Yes."
"…You're a strange one."
"I'm aware."
They walked down the stairs together. Not too fast. Not too slow.
No more words were said.
But somehow, the silence felt less empty than before.