"I-I'm fine, really!" Yukiko Fujimine stammered, a strange flutter in her chest. "You're overthinking things, Yuka! Come on, class is about to start!"
She spun on her heel, ready to bolt for the classroom.
"Hold it!" Yuka Takahashi grabbed her arm, her expression turning serious. "Yukiko, are you badmouthing Hayashi because you lost the class rep election to him?"
"Huh?"
Yukiko froze, her taut nerves loosening in an instant.
"Haha, that's what you meant by 'acting weird'?"
Yuka smirked. "What else could it be? Don't tell me you've got a crush on Hayashi-kun and you're badmouthing him to keep me away from him."
"W-What are you talking about?!" Yukiko's face flushed crimson. "Me, like that sneaky, bullying perv who's always staring at people's butts? No way!"
Her voice came out louder than intended, drawing startled glances from students in the hallway.
"Yukiko, keep it down!" Yuka hissed, dragging her friend toward the stairwell.
Once they were out of earshot, Yuka grinned mischievously. "Well, well, Yukiko. You sure know a lot about Hayashi-kun. When did he stare at your butt?"
"…Last Friday during lunch break," Yukiko mumbled, her cheeks still burning. "I asked him to meet me to talk about the gym incident."
She gave a quick rundown of the encounter. "And anyway, he's the manager at the izakaya where I work part-time. That's the only reason I know him so well—not whatever you're thinking!"
Before Yukiko's outburst, Yuka might have bought it. But now, seeing her friend's nervous expression and darting eyes, Yuka wasn't born yesterday.
"Oh, really? You say it's not what I'm thinking," Yuka teased, leaning in. "But what am I thinking? I don't even know myself. Care to enlighten me?"
"You—!" Yukiko huffed, flustered. "Look, that guy is not boyfriend material. Trust me on this!"
In the Class 1-A classroom, with lessons about to start, Shuichi Hayashi was organizing his textbooks when someone tapped his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Yuka Takahashi, who'd been oddly hot-and-cold toward him lately.
"Hayashi-kun, take good care of Yukiko from now on, okay?"
With a playful smile, Yuka sauntered back to her seat.
What was that? She sounded like a dad giving away his daughter at a wedding.
Shuichi glanced at Yukiko, puzzled. "What did you tell her? Why's she acting so weird around me?"
"Oh, nothing much," Yukiko said coolly. "Just that you won the class rep election."
"Really?"
Shuichi's face practically screamed, Do you think I'm blind? He glared at the back of her head. "Turn around and look at me when you talk."
"Nope!" Yukiko kept her eyes glued to the window. "I'm just admiring the view. The sun's so big and round today!"
That afternoon, as the final bell rang and students prepared to scatter, Mr. Murakami burst into the classroom.
"Sorry, everyone, I need five minutes for a quick class meeting!"
Groans erupted across the room.
"Why?!"
"It's after school! I've got a date, Sensei!"
"My club's gonna start without me!"
"I'm so sorry," Mr. Murakami said, clasping his hands apologetically. "I know you're all eager to go, but the class representative selection is important. Please bear with me."
With the teacher's plea, the students reluctantly shuffled back to their seats.
"As some of you may know," Mr. Murakami clapped his hands, "this morning, I gave three riddles. Shuichi Hayashi solved two, and Yukiko Fujimine solved one."
"So, the class representative for Class 1-A is Shuichi Hayashi!"
Amid enthusiastic applause from the girls, Shuichi stood and gave a small bow.
"Oh, and one more thing," Mr. Murakami continued. "Teidan High doesn't usually have a vice-representative, but Shuichi came to me this afternoon and said he's not great with administrative tasks."
"After some thought, I've decided to appoint Yukiko Fujimine as vice-representative!"
"Huh?"
Yukiko stood, dazed, as the boys cheered wildly.
"That's all! You're free to go!"
Before Mr. Murakami finished speaking, students were already sprinting out the door.
Yukiko snapped out of her stupor, assuming Shuichi had gone to the teacher to spare her feelings after losing the election. The thought warmed her heart—especially when she remembered the bento he'd made for her during lunch.
He's actually kinda sweet when he's not being a jerk…
With a mix of emotions, she approached Shuichi as he packed his things. "Don't think I'm grateful just because you talked to Mr. Murakami," she said shyly. "I might, at most…"
Before she could finish, Shuichi looked up, confused. "Grateful? Why would I want that? Just do your vice-rep duties properly."
"Huh?"
Yukiko blinked, a sinking feeling creeping in. "Why did you suggest adding a vice-representative?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Shuichi chuckled. "I don't want to deal with all the class rep paperwork. Now that you're vice-rep, I can dump all the grunt work on you!"
"You—!"
Yukiko clenched her teeth, fuming.
Give me back my warm fuzzies, you jerk!
This guy is definitely not boyfriend material!
That afternoon, Shuichi found himself alone on the way home.
Kogoro Mouri's judo club was on hiatus, but he'd joined the baseball team instead. Eri Fei had finished the study materials she'd borrowed and was off to the library. Yukiko, meanwhile, had drama club activities.
Walking alone, Shuichi relished the quiet.
Being by myself every now and then feels…
Before he could finish the thought, a familiar voice called out, "Hayashi-kun!"
He turned to see several police cars parked along the riverbank, cordoned off with yellow tape. Dozens of officers bustled about, and waving at him was none other than Inspector Megure from the First Investigation Division!
(End of Chapter)