Quick heads-up:
( ) = Kaze's inner monologue
<" "> = Whispers
For the remaining days leading up to the examination week, the atmosphere within the classroom underwent a noticeable transformation. Conversations dwindled into murmurs, laughter became scarce, and even the most talkative students now bent over their desks with uncharacteristic seriousness, eyes fixed on textbooks and notes as if trying to burn the contents directly into their minds. The air itself felt taut, stretched thin by shared anxiety and unspoken competition. In contrast to this collective urgency, Takuya Kaze remained conspicuously detached, his posture lax, his gaze unfocused, and his consciousness drifting in and out as sleep repeatedly claimed him during lessons.
(Geez… those zombies are really fired up right now. When a classroom gets this quiet, it only makes it harder for me to stay awake…)
He shifted slightly in his seat and turned his head toward Sato Itsuki, who sat to his right. Her back was straight, her eyes unwavering as they followed the teacher's chalk across the whiteboard. Each time the teacher paused to emphasize a point, Itsuki's pen moved in precise strokes, capturing every detail with almost excessive diligence. There was no hesitation in her movements, no sign of distraction — only pure concentration.
(I guess now's not the time to bother her.)
Kaze then leaned back and glanced forward at Yagami Kazumi, seated directly in front of him. Her head was lowered, bangs partially obscuring her face as she quietly reviewed her notes, fingers turning pages with deliberate care. Unlike her usual teasing demeanor, there was no trace of mischief in her posture today — only focus.
(Yeah… not her either. Come to think of it, I barely ever talk to either of them unless they start first…)
Resting his elbows on the desk, Kaze propped his head up with his hands, staring vacantly ahead. After a few moments, he shifted again, folding his arms on the desk and lowering his head onto them as though they were a pillow. Even so, comfort eluded him. Sleep refused to come, leaving him stranded in a dull limbo between awareness and rest.
(Gah… I can't even fall asleep. And this class is painfully boring…)
Without warning, he felt a gentle tug on the sleeve of his uniform. Kaze turned toward the source and found Itsuki leaning slightly in his direction, her voice lowered.
<"What?">
<"Nothing… I was just wondering — are you really okay with the bet we made before?">
<"A promise is a promise. I can't just back out now, can I?">
<"So… that means you're okay with going on a date with me if I win?">
(So that's what she's been worrying about… And why are you so confident?)
<"If you win, I don't really have a choice, do I?">
<"I guess not…"> Itsuki replied, finishing her sentence with a playful wink and a soft smile.
Ba-dump —
Kaze immediately turned away, heat rushing to his face as his heart thudded violently against his chest. He inhaled sharply, trying — and failing — to steady himself.
(Gosh… what the hell was that? Stop making my heart racing!)
He stole another glance at Itsuki, only to realize that she, too, was blushing faintly, her eyes darting away the moment their gazes nearly met.
(If you're going to get embarrassed, then don't do that in the first place!)
After a brief pause, Itsuki seemed to regain her composure. She tugged on his sleeve once more.
<"What now?">
<"Kaze-kun… I just noticed that you've never called me by my first name. Not even once.">
<"Does that bother you?">
She puffed her cheeks slightly, pouting.
<"It's not that it's a problem, but when you call Yagami-san by her first name, it feels unfair…">
<"And why is that?">
<"We're friends, right? So… shouldn't you call me by my first name too?">
(It's not that I don't want to. But people already know Kazumi-san is my childhood friend—that's why they don't overreact…)
Kaze let out a quiet sigh.
<"If you insist — and since you keep calling me by my first name — then… I suppose I can try.">
Itsuki's face immediately brightened.
<"Thanks… hehe.">
(This girl really is strange. Easygoing like a zombie — but not a simple one. I still can't read her.)
<"Then it's another promise, okay? Don't break it, Kaze-kun.">
<"Yeah, yeah…">
Only after their exchange ended did Kaze sense the sudden stillness around them.
"Huh?"
He looked down and realized that throughout the entire conversation, Itsuki had been holding onto his sleeve without letting go. When he glanced up, he saw not only Kazumi's openly jealous stare, but also the attention of the entire class — including the teacher.
"Itsuki-san… you can let go now…"
(Wait — ! Did I just — )
The classroom erupted instantly.
"Did he just casually call her by her first name?!"
"My ship just leveled up!"
"It's weird — Sato-san only ever talks to him… could it be — "
A sharp voice cut through the noise.
"Sensei, please do something."
It was Masakami Kento. And this wasn't the first time.
"Can we not normalize people calling their friends by their first names?"
The class fell silent.
"They're friends, aren't they? Then what's wrong with using first names?"
(So that's it… Perfect grades, perfect posture — but clenched fists, stiff shoulders, and that look he's been giving me lately. I see.)
Kaze stood up slowly.
"Yeah, I think Kento — " he deliberately emphasized the name, " — has a point. Itsuki-san and I are just friends."
Each first name he spoke rang louder than the last.
Kento looked away, his expression darkening.
"Can we end this here?" Kaze added calmly. "I believe Kento agrees."
After a brief pause, Kento nodded and sat down.
The teacher cleared her throat.
"Exams are coming up. Let's stay focused, everyone."
"Hai (Yes in Japanese) !" the class replied in unison.
…
(If I'm not mistaken… Itsuki knew Kento from before. Just a hypothesis — for now.)
…
End of Chapter