Chapter 72: The Blond Gal Sure Stands Out

Cherry blossoms danced on the ground and soared into the sky.

April had passed, May had begun, and the long-awaited Golden Week had arrived.

In the meantime, nothing special happened.

School life was the same.

Everyday life had not changed much either.

That was the atmosphere in the entire classroom, including Asahi’s.

People were still in the process of expanding their friendship.

A time where everyone was getting to know each other.

Therefore, students who stood out really well would be in the limelight.

For example, the girl named Himuro Fuyuka.

The sight of her chatting with everyone before morning homeroom was a familiar one.

Another example was Yamada Ryoma.

On his way home from morning practice, the fresh, handsome man was surrounded by many girls in the hallway.

And also the lovebirds, Yoshikawa Chiaki and Aiba Hinami.

While Asahi was looking over the entire classroom, they were flirting next to him.

“You guys better be studying for the test at the end of this month.”

“…What did you say?” 

“I’m not teaching you guys this year.”

“He says this, but in the end he’s gonna help either way.”

“Good grief, Asahi is such a tsundere.”

“…Ha?”

“Please forgive us!”

The two of them, still in perfect harmony and on good terms with each other, were even more excited than usual.

It seemed that they hadn’t seen each other during Golden Week and now they were making up for it.

Although the period was much shorter than the long vacations during the spring, summer and winter, he passionately said that it was hard for him to be in a situation where he knew he couldn’t see her.

While he dismissed the idea as ridiculous, Asahi could also understand his feelings a little.

“Good morning, Asahi-kun.”

“Mhm, Morning.”

“It’s been five days, right? I feel like it’s been a long time.”

Fuyuka arrived at Asahi’s seat, probably after chatting with her classmates.

As she said, it had been a long time since they had seen each other like this.

Asahi thought about inviting Fuyuka to play with him during Golden Week.

However, as was the case with most students, Asahi had plans to return home.

Two messages arrived as if someone had seen through his state of mind.

Asahi’s father, Kagami Kazuaki, said.

「If you have any plans, you don’t have to come home!」

And according to Asahi’s mother, Kagami Touko.

「Isn’t it an important time period? Don’t be shy.」

A dynamic father and a sensitive mother.

‘I don’t even know what to comment.’

He also had a strong desire to offer incense to his grandfather who cared for him.

No matter what they said, he already knew what to reply.

「I’m definitely coming home.」

That was why he hadn’t seen Fuyuka in five days.

The only reason he could empathize with the lovebirds was because of the circumstances.

“Yoshikawa-kun and Hinami-san, good morning too.”

Fuyuka smiled softly and naturally entered the circle of three people.

From Yoshikawa-san to Yoshikawa-kun. From Aiba-san to Hinami-san.

Asahi still felt uncomfortable hearing it, but his ears should gradually get used to it.

Above all, it was Fuyuka herself who was the most unaccustomed to it, and she looked a little embarrassed.

In contrast, Hinami looked very satisfied, and Chiaki softly smiled.

Fuyuka voluntarily changed the way she called them when she became a sophomore.

Hinami’s excitement when she was called by her name for the first time was still fresh in his mind.

In this way, the four of them grew closer together.

Asahi, who wanted to take the relationship to something beyond friends.

From the day he realized his feelings for Fuyuka, his love for her continued to overflow.

But he was still thinking about it a lot, and was at a standstill.

However, he also understood that this couldn’t go on forever.

That was why Asahi was in search of the right moment to take a step forward.

Perhaps the entire classroom was waiting for some kind of trigger.

Studying, athletics, and of course, friendships and love affairs.

Most of the students were still standing still at the moment – and among them.

“Gooood Morning~!”

The bright voice that echoed throughout the classroom drew the attention of many.

When Asahi turned his attention to the source of the voice, he found the person he had expected standing there.

Perhaps the student that would stand out the most.

Asahi thought so because she didn’t know when to stop.

“Ryoma! Are you free after school today? You’re not doing club activities, right?”

“Yeah, but I’m sorry, I was invited by a fellow club member.”

“What a pity. I wanted to play with you.”

“Then, want to go to karaoke with us? We’re gathering people to come with.”

“That’s not what I meant! I want the two of us…”

Ryoma looked apologetic, and his classmate smiled bitterly after being easily rejected.

At the center of it all, her wavy golden hair swept over her.

“I’m sorry, Asuka. Ask me out again sometime when I’m free.”

“…Okay. See you next time, I’m looking forward to it!”

Miyamoto Asuka, the girl who looked down for a moment and immediately broke into a big smile, was a bit of a celebrity in the school.

Hair color that was impossible for a Japanese person.

Her skin was boldly exposed through her untidy uniform.

Flashy makeup that could be seen from a distance.

First impression would be a blonde gal.

But that was not the only reason why she stood out.

The way she approached the one she liked was beyond obvious.

Her words and actions were overly honest.

Looking at her with people talking behind her back.

Asahi thought she was dazzling.

“Miyamoto-san, sure is amazing.”

Fuyuka, who muttered in a small voice, also narrowed her eyes and looked at the blonde girl.

A rectangle formed in the classroom.

The inside of it was very beautiful and very colorful.

It had a distorted shape that looked as if it would collapse at any moment.