When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

In the morning, when I arrived at school, a problem was already waiting for me.

“Suu…suu…”

“…………”

A mysterious beautiful girl was lying face down on a desk in front of me, fast asleep.

Well, I think sleeping at school is questionable, but class hasn’t started yet. How one spends their time before the morning homeroom is up to them.

But the problem is… that’s my seat.

And who is this girl? Did we have such a girl in our class?

It’s been half a month since I started attending this high school, and I don’t recognize her at all.

In this situation, the gazes of the entire class are focused on me, and some people are whispering.

Ouch… the stares from the class hurt.

What should I do? Should I wake her up? But how should I do that? If I do it wrong, would she accuse me of sexual harassment?

Darn, why isn’t Akane here when I need her? Oh, please, Akane, come quickly!

As I think about something I would never usually consider,

“Good morning!”

Akane enters the classroom. At that moment, the gazes of the class shift to her, and the atmosphere changes.

Right now, she looks like my savior.

“Shinjo, good morning!”

I quickly go over to Akane before anyone else.

“What’s up with you all of a sudden? You never initiate a conversation…”

Akane is surprised by my action but doesn’t seem to mind it. If anything, she looks a little pleased.

“No, I just wanted to see your face a second sooner…”

I never dreamed I could say such a thing from the bottom of my heart.

I probably won’t ever say it again, though.

“What?! W-what’s with you all of a sudden? R-really…”

No, she looks really happy.

Isn’t she becoming too easy? I’m a little worried about her future. Well, it’s convenient for me right now.

“Sorry to ask so suddenly, but there’s a girl fast asleep in my seat. Can you help me?”

“Fine, I’ll do it…”

Great!

“Huh? Isn’t that Futaba… Hey, Futaba, wake up.”

Akane wakes up the beautiful girl with an experienced air.

“Hmm?… Yawn~”

Yawning, the girl named Futaba wakes up and stretches her back.

Long hair, sleepy eyes, a uniform hoodie with black tights, and the noticeable presence of her large breasts.

“Ah, it’s Akane. Good morning.”

“Good morning. You actually came today, Futaba. Good for you.”

Contrary to Akane, who nods in satisfaction, the girl looks a little disheartened.

The atmosphere between them is not hostile, but rather a familiar one that only develops between close friends.

“I mean, you said I had to come today… If I didn’t, you would have definitely come to my house.”

“You know it. Also, that’s his seat. Yours is to the right.”

“Eh, really? Oh…”

The girl looks at my face and thinks.

Oh, I see. She doesn’t know my name because I’m a transfer student. It doesn’t even seem like she knows I’m a transfer student.

“I’m Sato Itsuki, the new transfer student. Nice to meet you.”

“Ah, yeah. I know. You’re Akane’s childhood friend, right? The one who loves Akane so, so, so much.”

…Excuse me?

I glanced at Akane and saw her avert her face, which seemed to twitch. It seems I need to ask her about something later.

“So, more importantly!! I haven’t introduced her yet! This girl is Nakano Futaba, my friend.”

The moment she was called a friend, Nakano’s expression seemed to tense up a little.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Akane’s friend, Nakano Futaba. I usually stay indoors, so I’m a rare character!”

Nakano cheerfully introduced herself.

… Was that earlier thing just my imagination?

“Ah, sorry, sorry. I’ll move right away. I haven’t been to school lately, so I misunderstood my seat. Hmmm. I really should go to school properly.”

“You should come every day if you think so.”

“Yes~”

With a completely insincere reply, Nakano sat down in the seat next to mine and fell asleep again.

What a carefree girl.

I became curious and decided to observe her for a while. Classes began, but Nakano showed no sign of waking up. I continued to watch her until lunchtime, but she slept soundly the entire time.

Huh? That’s way too much sleep. She might be dead?

Her lack of movement was somewhat worrisome.

It seemed as if she came to school to sleep, not to attend classes.

Nakano Futaba… somehow…

“Futaba, it’s lunchtime.”

During lunch break, Akane shook Nakano’s body to wake her up.

“Uh~? It’s already lunchtime? Wow… that was quick.”

Well, of course it would be if you slept the whole time.

“You look even sleepier than usual today.”

“Uh-huh, I stayed up late reading manga last night, so I’m sleep-deprived.”

She yawned loudly.

“I really intended to stop reading right away, but… as I read, I wanted to read until a good stopping point, and I just couldn’t help it.”

Ah, I can relate to that feeling.

“Hmm? Are you going to the cafeteria today too?”

At Akane’s words, Nakano nodded.

It seems that today, Nakano and Akane were going to have lunch together.

“Akane, why don’t you eat with us today after such a long time?”

One of Akane’s friend groups in the class invited her. They hadn’t invited her lately, perhaps because it was well-known that Akane and I ate together.

“Ah, sorry. I’ve already decided to eat with Futaba today.”

“…with Nakano-san.”

“……………”

Nakano and Akane’s friend group. The atmosphere became a little tense.

“Well, it’s fine, isn’t it~? Satochi is here, so I’m sure it’ll be okay~”

“…Yeah, that’s right. Sato-kun! I’m leaving Akane to you!”

“Ah, uh…”

What exactly am I entrusted with? Akane’s friends didn’t say anything more and just waved their hands as they walked away, but not-so-friendly gazes were directed at us from around the class.

Not at me and Akane, but at Nakano.

Apparently, the atmosphere in today’s class is a bit off.

“Well, let’s go. Itsuki! Come on, you too.”

“O-Okay.”

And so Akane, Nakano, and I ended up having lunch together as a group of three.

[Tl/N Kazuki’s First name is sometimes referred to as Itsuki]