Midnight Stroll

The moon was high in the sky, and the air was a lot colder than before.

I walked along a path in the courtyard. If anything, it was more like a park at the edge of the dormitory hall. Maple trees were scattered across the green grass, save for only one: a cherry blossom tree in the distance. Outdoor tables and benches were set up along the path, lit by lamps from above.

Letting the cold sink in, I drew a deep breath.

Late-night walks are always a good time. It's so much more peaceful when there's no one else around. Even the ducks by the pond over there are fast asleep.

I sat down at a bench, leaning my head back so that all I saw was the night sky. For a while, I stayed like that, thinking about nothing and looking at nothing.

Eventually, my eyes began to close. Just as I was about to fall asleep again, I felt something poking my shoulder.

It was then followed by a soft, "Hello?"

My left eye cracked open, and the moment I saw who was there, my entire body jolted. A head of brown hair and a pair of bright pink eyes.

"Oh! I'm sorry... I didn't mean to frighten you."

"It's fine, Chihara," I mumbled. "Just... Don't do that again. I get nervous when people get too close like that."

"I-is that so? Sorry..."

This girl... Why is she apologizing so much? It's making me feel bad.

"Again, it's fine. There's no need to apologize. Anyway, what are you doing out at this time? It's almost two in the morning."

"Huh? I thought you might've wanted to tell me something."

"What? What made you think that?"

"Well... You're in my spot."

"...Your spot?"

I glanced over to see a cherry blossom tree towering over the bench. That was when I remembered. Last night, I was walking down the path just over there, and this bench was where I found Chihara sitting alone in the rain.

It didn't cross my mind that I'd see her here again, though.

"Ah... That's my bad."

I stood up to leave, but Chihara quickly raised her hands.

"Y-you don't have to do that, Kinoshita! It's just that you had met me here last night, so I thought you were waiting to meet me again. Since that clearly wasn't the case, then it's okay. I can sit over here instead! Don't mind me."

She plopped down on the other end of the bench before pulling a book from her school bag. While she was reading away, I just sat there with a bunch of questions plaguing my head.

Is my being here making her uncomfortable?

Should I just get up and leave?

She went out of her way to tell me it's fine, so I shouldn't. If I do, that would hurt her feelings, wouldn't it?

But what if that isn't the case, and it's actually the other way around?

I leaned further back on the bench, planting an arm over my eyes.

Godammit... I don't know what to do.

Suddenly, she said, "Um... Senp— I mean...! Kinoshita?"

I turned my head just slightly to see her looking at me with a welcoming smile.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"Have you already started reading this book? For our modern literature class?"

"Oh, that? No, I haven't."

"H-huh? But don't we have a quiz on it soon?"

"Ah... I should've worded that better. I guess I should say that I've already read it for a class I took last year. Maybe I'll skim through it to get a refresher, but I definitely don't need nor want to reread it."

"Whoa~ That's like... legally cheating."

"Pfft. Yeah, I guess you could say that."

This is... strange. I'm not the most introverted person in the world, but when it comes to meeting new people, I'm way out of my element. Only now am I realizing... That's the very definition of introverted.

"By the way, Kinoshita, how come you're out here so late?" Chihara asked. "Do you normally wander around at this hour?"

"Normally? Not really. I only ever do this whenever I have a lot on my mind and don't wanna stay cooped up in that cramped dorm room."

"I see."

"What about you, Chihara? Did you always live in this dormitory hall? I feel like yesterday was my first time seeing you. Then I find out that we have a class together."

"Oh. Yeah. I moved in here at the beginning of the Spring term, and I don't think I've ever seen you around either. I normally come out here late at night to avoid people during the day. Plus, napping after my classes is part of my schedule now, so around this time is when I'm wide awake."

"Is that so?"

I was just about to lean back again until those words repeated in my head.

Chihara comes out here at night to avoid people. Earlier today, Haruto had told me that she closed herself off because of those two guys vying for her hand. And so, the puzzle pieces began to fall into place.

With that, I stood.

"Well, Chihara. I should probably check in for the night.

"Oh! Have a good night, Kinoshita. And... It was nice to finally meet you."

"...Yeah. Likewise. Don't stay out here for too much longer."

"No worries. I was about to head it as well."

"Alright. Then... See you later."

As I walked off, I thought about what Haruto had said earlier today.

That checks off everything on his list.

She's cute. Yeah, she is.

She's smart. For her to come out here so late at night just to read that book, I'd say so.

She's kind and just a chill person to be around. I can also attest to that.

Even so, this will be the extent of our relationship. Now that I've confirmed everything I had previously doubted, I should do my best to avoid her. Sticking around someone like me...

"Hah. Yeah. That's not gonna happen."

At least, that's what I thought.

Before I knew it, a week had gone by. As much as I enjoyed my midnight walks, I'd made it a point to stop in case I ran into her by mistake. What I failed to take into account was the fact that we shared the same last class.

I always liked having the aisle seat in the lecture hall, but for once, I wished I were seated elsewhere. Every day, like clockwork, Chihara would pass me by, but not without glancing back and waving at me. I didn't wanna be a total dickhead, so I waved back.

"Kazuha~" Haruto said with a sly tone.

"...What?"

"Is there something you wanna tell me?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

And now Haruto's on my ass. Not a day goes by that he fails to pester me about this and that whenever Chihara looks at me. No matter how many times I tell him that it's not what he thinks, he draws up his own dumb fantasies. Truly a romantic at heart, yet he's still as single as I am.