WebNovels

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3:

Walking into the classroom, Mahiru and I garnered a lot of attention. Mainly her, with me being looked at like some random. Not like I cared all that much either way.

'Yukino. Saeko. That Utaha girl, and even Mai-san. Wow~' I whistled, seeing the lineup. It made no sense how all the ages worked out, given that some should be a year older at least, but it was perfect for me.

Wasn't this a clear sign to form a harem?!

Okay.

Jokes… Possible realities aside, it was just so cool to actually be in the same class as them! This really stroked the nerd side of me — the part that used to spend hours admiring fanart, scrolling through forums, or rereading their scenes just to catch the smallest nuances. But seeing them in person was just so much different. 

Each of the girls respective strengths shined brightly! Just seeing art or reading their stories never could never achieve what I was seeing. These girls were just to stunning to remain fictional. At this moment, I felt like I'd walked straight into the cover of an artbook of a divine artist!

"Ouch!"

A sharp sting snapped me out of my daze, the sudden bite of pain pulling me straight back to reality. My daydreaming apparently had consequences.

"Shiina-san?"

"Hmph. My apologies."

Her voice was calm, but her eyes said otherwise. That faint pinch between her brows and soft exhale through her nose were enough.

"Why are you upset?"

"I'm not."

"You clearly are."

"You've only known me for thirty minutes."

"Uh-huh. Well, I think I can guess. You have nothing to worry about."

She really didn't. Even compared to the others, she was effortlessly striking — the kind of beauty that didn't need to compete, just existed.

"A pretty good answer."

"Here you go. And was it really?" Pulling out her chair, I then sat at the desk behind her. She put her bag down and turned around, her caramel eyes meeting mine.

"Yes. You have common sense. If you didn't, I was going to have to help you as my neighbor."

She whispered the last part. I didn't really see the need to, but perhaps she had her own thoughts about us being neighbors. As long as she didn't dislike it, I was fine.

"You're so cute." I mumbled under my breath. I had to cover my eyes to fight the urge to pat her head. I just met her, and she already had this powerful effect on me.

'I wonder if it's because I've read her story that I can already feel this connected?'

The system didn't answer this question. I went with my own belief and thought what quickly came to mind was the truth. There was a certain connection that was being realized quickly.

"S-stupid." I heard her stutter, which didn't go well for me. I felt my face heat up because of her.

"Wow, already." One classmate didn't bother hiding their aggravation. Another also felt the need to join in.

"I can't believe she likes someone as plain as him."

'Damn. Screw you, random classmate A!'

Her comment was somewhat true, but that was my fault. It was the original Amane's trauma that held him back!

"Tch."

Mahiru and I turned to our left. Sitting near the window, bathed in thin bands of sunlight, was a black-haired beauty with icy blue eyes half-hidden behind the page of a book. The faintest rustle of paper followed each of her turns, her every movement precise and unhurried like the rest of the world didn't exist.

"Thanks, it means a lot!" I replied.

Yukino didn't even glance up. Her gaze stayed locked on the lines in front of her, her voice carrying the same detached grace as before.

"I was talking about your girlfriend's words. Not you."

"I know… I was just trying to joke around." My face was so deadpan you could've used me for the emoji. And really, why would I deny being called Mahiru's boyfriend? What idiot denies such a beautiful girlfriend?

"H-he isn't my boyfriend!"

"Rejection must suck."

"Miss, uh?"

"Yukinoshita."

"Okay, Yukinoshita-san. You won't get friends if you act so mean!" I pressed a hand to my chest in mock pain, though my voice carried no weight of it. Nothing but just playful dramatics from my side.

"Hah. Whatever." She didn't even blink, her page flipping softly with that same steady rhythm, like her disinterest was a well-rehearsed skill.

"Yukinoshita-san, my name is Shiina Mahiru. Nice to meet you."

"Hmm."

"Would you like to be my friend?"

"Eh? Oh. Sure."

"Good! See, Fujimiya-san, she already has a friend. What about you?"

"Wow." I rolled my eyes, though I couldn't stop the small grin tugging at my lips. The room buzzed faintly with chatter, chairs scraping, sunlight warming the air. The homeroom teacher really needed to get here soon

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