Quick heads up:
( ) = Kaze's inner monologue
Recess arrived with the familiar clamor of chairs scraping across the floor and voices overlapping in careless enthusiasm, yet amid that sudden freedom, an odd stillness lingered at one particular corner of the classroom. The seat beside Sato Itsuki remained conspicuously empty, its absence far more noticeable than it should have been. Takuya Kaze had left moments earlier, muttering something about going to the canteen, and though his departure was brief and unremarkable, the space he left behind felt strangely hollow. Itsuki found herself glancing at that vacant chair again and again, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her desk as though waiting for something to return.
After a moment of hesitation, she turned her attention elsewhere. Her gaze settled on Yagami Kazumi, who sat on Kaze's seat without asking, like always. Gathering her resolve, Itsuki called out to her, her voice quiet but deliberate.
"Hey, Yagami-san…"
Kazumi looked up, mildly surprised by the sudden address, yet she smiled easily. "Yeah? It's rare for you to talk to me..."
Itsuki straightened slightly, her expression serious. "Can I ask you something about Kaze-kun?" She paused briefly, then continued without retreat. "I want to know about his ranking last year. I want to know whether he's actually good at studying or not."
Kazumi blinked once, clearly not expecting such a direct question. She leaned back in Kaze's chair, folding her arms loosely as if weighing how much to say. "I don't think it's a problem," she replied after a moment. "But it might shock you."
Itsuki's brows knit together faintly. "So?" she pressed. "Is he good? Straight to the point."
Kazumi let out a short laugh. "No — but yes."
Itsuki's patience wore thin almost instantly. "We're not playing riddles," she said, rolling her eyes. "Make it clear."
Kazumi exhaled softly and glanced toward the window, her gaze drifting as though recalling something distant. "To be honest, even though I'm his childhood friend, we weren't that close for a long time," she began. "It wasn't until last year that I approached him on my own." She paused, her voice lowering slightly. "Back then, he was incredible. Always ranked first. No exceptions."
Itsuki's eyes sharpened. "Then what changed?"
"He transferred schools in Year Three in primary school," Kazumi replied. "After that… I don't know what happened to him. Until the freshman year in high school, I met him again."
"So what was his ranking last year?" Itsuki asked quietly.
"He ranked thirty-sixth out of two hundred and twenty-seven students in Grade Two," Kazumi said. "Just barely enough to stay in Class A."
Itsuki did the calculation instantly, her lips parting slightly. "Our class has forty students," she murmured. "That means he's fourth from the bottom."
"That's right."
A faint, confident smile crossed Itsuki's face. "Then this will be easy for the bet..."
Kazumi tilted her head, amused. "You're really desperate to go on a date with him, huh?"
"Wh-What?!" Itsuki flared instantly, her face heating up. "No! I just don't want him to date you!"
"Yeah, yeah," Kazumi replied lazily, waving her off. "Don't worry. I won't let you win either."
Moments later, footsteps echoed from the hallway. Takuya Kaze returned from the canteen, a small plastic bag swinging lightly from his hand. His expression was calm, bordering on indifferent, as though nothing unusual had occurred in his absence.
"Yo, Kaze-kun!" Kazumi greeted brightly, while still sitting on his chair.
"H-Hi, Kaze-kun…" Itsuki added, her voice noticeably softer.
(She changed a lot, comparing to the first time...)
"Yeah, hi…" Kaze replied perfunctorily, his gaze immediately dropping to Kazumi occupying his seat. "Can you move?"
Kazumi grinned mischievously and patted her thighs with exaggerated slowness. "You can sit here, you know. On my lap."
(Honestly, yes, milady.)
Without a word, Kaze raised the book he was holding and tapped the back of her head with controlled force.
"Ouch!" Kazumi reacted dramatically, tumbling off the chair and crouching on the floor with an exaggerated pout.
Before he could stop himself, Kaze reached out and patted her head.
"!!!"
Realization struck instantly. He withdrew his hand as though burned, his heart skipping a beat.
(Damn it… again. Why do they all pout the same way my sister does?)
A faint blush crept onto his face.
"Oh?" Kazumi smirked. "Looks like someone's flustered."
Kaze turned sharply — and met Itsuki's furious, pouting glare, her eyes shimmering with unmistakable jealousy.
"Why?" Kazumi added teasingly. "You want him to pat your head too?"
"H-Huh?! N-No!" Itsuki snapped back, flustered.
Kaze sank into his seat with a long sigh, retrieving his science textbook and placing it on the desk. Without ceremony, he rested his head against it, using the hardcover as a makeshift pillow. Within minutes, his breathing steadied.
"Wow," Kazumi muttered. "That was fast."
...
The lesson began quietly, unnoticed by Kaze, who remained asleep. The teacher failed to notice him, but Itsuki did not. Her attention drifted away from the whiteboard, drawn instead to his peaceful expression. Almost unconsciously, she leaned closer, raising her hand to gently run her fingers through his hair.
Kaze woke instantly, but didn't move.
(No… no, no, no. Worst possible timing.)
He remained perfectly still, caught between the urge to pull away and the unexpected warmth of her touch. It reminded him — dangerously — of something long buried.
"Itsuki-san?" The teacher's voice cut sharply through the room.
"I — I was waking him up," Itsuki blurted out.
"Takuya-kun," the teacher said, tapping the desk lightly. "Wake up."
"S-Sorry…" Kaze muttered, lifting his head and feigning drowsiness.
The teacher sighed. "Since Sato-san woke you, I'll let it slide this time."
Kaze glanced sideways. Itsuki met his gaze with apologetic, puppy-like eyes.
(This trick won't work next time... Just this once.)
...
Later, his eraser slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor, rolling beneath Itsuki's desk. She retrieved it and handed it back.
Their fingers brushed.
Time seemed to stall.
Itsuki recoiled instantly, the eraser slipping from her grasp and falling again — this time beneath Kaze's desk.
"Th-Thanks, anyways…" Kaze said quietly as he picked it up.
When he straightened, he felt a sharp gaze piercing him. He turned.
Masakami Kento.
Their eyes met for a brief instant.
Then Masakami looked away, his expression once again calm and unreadable.
(…Maybe I'm just tired.)
End of Chapter