A Spark Of Friendship

It was the beginning of June and after that one not-so-ordinary day of Golden Week—which, at Midoridai High, is a rather complicated time since students only get days off on public holidays and must still attend classes in between—nothing particularly unusual happened anymore.
After the live stream, Hana and Airi talked about what happened and evaluated what had gone wrong. Airi stopped streaming for two weeks until she finally got herself together to live stream again. She was feeling a bit under the weather but Hana supported her and helped her get well as soon as possible. It wasn't really a good idea to talk about something so private live on stream but they thought everyone would forget it and everything will be fine again.
But on this day of June, the temperature was warm and was about to rise even higher this week, it was the first day that the students of the Midoridai High could go to school in their summer uniform. It was a huge relief for everyone because the summer uniform was way better ventilated than the winter uniform.
Ren put on the summer uniform he had waited so long for and then went outside the house. He didn't need to say "Goodbye!" to anyone because his father had driven his sister Yumeko to school before he went to work and his mother slept because she had a night shift again and she doesn't like it being woken up from the much needed sleep.
So he got on his bike and rode to school along the Yumenari River. The early morning was still a bit cold for the uniform but with the high noon sun up, Midoridai was warm in no time.
It took him about twenty minutes as he nearly collided with Haruto Kanda, Ren's best friend, as he jumped in front of him from behind a wall and tried to scare Ren. That worked pretty well and that's why they both nearly collided with each other. But Ren jerked the handlebars of his bicycle around and came to a stop behind Haruto with squealing tires and after a large swerve.
"Wow, what was that?! Haruto, I nearly ran you over with my bike!" Haruto said outraged and with deep shock written on his face.
"Oops, I underestimated your speed and thought I would scare you without it being such a close call." Haruto Kanda said with his hand behind his head, scratching it, with an embarrassed look.
"I forgive you but please don't do something like that again. I want to get to school unharmed."
"Yeah, I'm sorry for that. Can we keep going again?"
"I guess so. I calmed down a little so we can go to school now." Ren said and now they both walked along each other through the small alleys and side streets of Midoridai. The main roads were always very crammed and so they were both pretty lucky that their fastest route to school was also very uncrowded.
The first bell of the Midoridai High rang as they both walked onto the school campus. There were still ten minutes left until the first lesson starts so they had to hurry up a bit. They quickly reached their lockers, switched into the school shoes and then walked as quick as possible into the classroom of class 2-C. Everyone was already there and prepared themselves for the lesson. The first lesson was English so Ren and Haruto had to take out their textbooks and notebooks.
After the first lesson was over, Airi came to Ren's desk and asked him something.
"Hey, Sato-san. The summer festival is not so far away anymore and I wanted to ask you if you're free this week for planning how we want to do our maid café?"
"Hey, Fujimoto-san. Umm, yeah, I think I should be free." Ren said, pretending he had some important obligations at home. Well, you could argue that making dinner for his little sister Yumeko is very important but on the other hand she can also make her own dinner now.
"And when are you free then?" Airi asked right after.
"Ermm, that depends on you, I guess? I told you, I don't have any club activities but you have your athletics club so it's depending on you."
"Well, if that's the case, then let's meet tomorrow and this time in a diner not far away from my home. Last time we met, you had the shortest way home so now I want to have a short way home too. Tomorrow is free for us because the club leaders have to report the club activities we had until today to the student council. Wanna meet at five o'clock again?"
"Sounds good to me." Ren said, looking around to avoid eye contact. He was a little embarrassed that one of the most popular girls in class was right infront of him and talking with him. A totally normal and not very talkative guy who doesn't really like standing out that much. He was totally aware that his friend Haruto was looking at them while they talked and he wasn't the only one. That fact made Ren pretty nervous.
"Hmm... Why are you avoiding me, Sato-san?" Airi asked him.
He had to cough because he had choked but then he stammered: "N-no-nothing. Everything's alright. I'm looking forward to it," and then he left the classroom and ran into the restroom. Haruto followed him and found Ren in front of the sinks. 
"Everything alright Ren?"
"Yeah, it was just a little too much presure for me." Ren answered.
"I can see that. Don't worry, it's fine. You're in a good state. She definitely likes you and if not in a romantic manner, than in a friendly manner. Having more friends than me is totally fine you know. And if she's betraying you then remember that I don't!" Haruto knew how to lighten Ren's mood up again and after Ren washed his face and let out a deep sigh, they both went into the classroom for the next lessons.
Several lessons went by and it was the end of the day. The school bell rang one last time and everyone was happy to leave, especially Ren. Haruto—even though he wanted to help the basketball club team today—accompanied Ren until the school gate. 
On the way there, they talked a bit about the homework they got and about Ren's mood but it was fine by now. At the gate they saw someone very familiar. She was one of the best and also one of the most popular students in their class. At the gate, apparently waiting for someone, was Airi Fujimoto. She stood there with her eyes glued to her phone. But as she heard Ren and Haruto, she looked up and right at Ren.
"Oh, look who's there Ren. I guess she's waiting for you?" Haruto said.
"Not again on such a display..." Ren said somewhat exhausted.
"Well, I guess I should go to the basketball team. They're waiting for me to help out and they have a surprise for me. Everything will be okay Ren, promised. You talk with her and then you go home and relax." Haruto placed his hands on Ren's shoulders to demonstrate his sincerity. Then he went off and into the direction of the gymnasium. When Haruto did that and Ren was about level with Airi, she spoke to him.
"Hey, um, Sato-san."
"Hm? Oh, erm, hi Fujimoto-san."
"I don't want to keep you any longer, so I'll get straight to the point. I'm very sorry for making you feel so uncomfortable! I should've known that talking with you seeks attention that you don't want. I mean I already knew that much about you."
Ren was a bit confused about the sudden apology but he said: "Oh, no, that's nothing you have to apologize for Fujimoto-san! I mean you're right that I felt really uncomfortable but that's something I have to work on. I don't want to be like this so talking with you is actually pretty good, I guess."
"Oh, so that's the case..." Airi said with her face down. "I'm glad to hear that!" Now she looked up at Ren again and Ren thought he could see a little tear in her eyes.
"I was worried about it so much because we've to work together and I don't want a bad relationship with you and so..." She paused for a moment... "I'm very glad that everything's alright between us."
Airi was worrying the whole day since the moment happened and she didn't really know why but she felt horrible and her heart ached a bit. So she was really relieved after Ren told her that everything was fine. But with the things she said, Ren got a little confused. What did she mean by their relationship. Did she mean the school relationship they had? It sounded a little like more than that.
"Okay, but what do you mean with relationship?" Ren asked.
"Well the thing we have now as classmates and class president and vice president. What else Sato-san?" Airi answered confused.
"Nothing! I was just wondering."
"Okay. Our appointment for tomorrow is still on, right?"
"Yes." Ren answered. He felt a little sad that she hadn't said date but you could easily mistake such word for the real deal which they both obviously weren't doing. But it would've sounded better than appointment, thought Ren.
"I'm going home now Fujimoto-san. See you tomorrow." Ren said and went off.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow Sato-san!" Airi shouted after him. Ren didn't know why but her voice made him smile and with that good mood he had now, he went home.
His sister was still at school doing club activities so Ren was alone again because his parents were working but it didn't matter. He was happy.