We Are Too Different

I was speechless. Haruto's jaw was practically on the floor. Even the entire class seemed to have hushed in awe of this spectacle.

"Uh... What are you talking about, Chihara?" I gulped.

"Huh? You told me I could buy you boba if I wanted to repay you."

"D-did I?"

"It happened just last night. Don't tell me you forgot already. Unlike you're pretending not to know..."

She's serious. Dead serious. How is that even possible? That comment about buying me boba — it was clearly a joke, right? I only said it for the hell of it, not to actually suggest anything.

But now, I can't necessarily walk back on it. Not while we're being watched... and especially not when she came up to me with such sincerity. It'll make me look like a total dickhead, which I don't really care about. Being a total dickhead to her, though? That's a bit harder to pull off.

"Kinoshita?"

"Ah... Right— um... You see, I'd like to, but... I'm kind of preoccupied for the day. I promised Haruto I'd help him with something."

"Huh? You did?" he asked, to which I inconspicuously jabbed him in the hip. "Oh! I mean, yeah! Yeah, he did."

"Oh. I see..." Chihara mumbled. "How about tomorrow?"

No way. She's still going. Is there really no getting out of this?

"I'm not too sure what I'm gonna be doing tomorrow either. My schedule is pretty... spontaneous... Especially when it comes to my social life."

"Is that so? Then how about this?"

From her pocket, she slipped her phone out and held it in front of me.

"Can you give me your contact ID? I'll check in some time soon to see if you're free."

Damn... There's no getting out of this at all. Just like before, there's no way I can refuse without making it seem like a flat-out rejection. Not like this is a real confession anyway, but people will take this and turn it into something it's not. I'd rather not put her in that position.

And so, I took her phone and tapped in my ID. When I handed it back, she smiled. And of course, her smile was equivalent to a flashbang.

"Thanks, Kinoshita! I'll be in touch."

With that, she skipped up the aisle. The moment she disappeared beyond the doors, Haruto threw his arm around my neck. Aggressively.

"Ack! Haruto?!"

"You fucking sly dog, you!"

"No! It's not what you think!"

He then pulled me down under the desk and lowered his voice.

"The hell if I'm taking that for an answer again. Tell me the truth, Kazuha. You're talking to Chihara, aren't you?"

"N-no!"

"After all the song and dance about how you wouldn't go for her, and yet, what did I just witness? Not just Chihara Ouka. The Chihara Ouka, asking you for your contact info?! Are you seriously gonna sit there with your head in your ass and tell me that there's really nothing going on?!"

"Yes! Because there's really nothing going on!

"Yeah? And what's this favor she's returning? The hell did you two do last night?!"

"What are you insinuating?! It's nothing! And even if it were something, it's none of your damn business!"

I was finally able to pull myself back and take in a breath of fresh air.

Haruto... I know he's got some muscles under that baggy uniform, but damn. That chokehold is way too strong. Couldn't even budge.

"By the way, your social life?" he scoffed. "As if you even have one, you absolute troglodyte."

"Shut up, Haruto..."

"Haha! Well, I guess I'm responsible for you now, since you so brazenly dragged me into your little shenanigan there."

"Ah, that's right... My bad. I just needed a believable way to get out of that."

Haruto leaned back with his hands on the back of his head.

"How come? Are you really not attracted to Chihara?"

"What? That's not it at all."

"Then what is it? You know I'm not gonna stop pestering you about it until you give me a legitimate answer, don't you?"

He's not lying. I've known Haruto ever since I was a first-year student. He and I have been through thick and thin — every messy breakup he had, and every time Junko sent me home in tears. If there's one thing I've learned about him, it's that he's persistent. 

"Chihara Ouka... I've only known her for a week, but even I can't deny that I'm drawn to her. You said before that she's cute, smart, and just a chill person to be around — and you know what? For once, I agree with you."

"Hey. What do you mean by 'for once'?"

"Anyway, we couldn't be any more different. She's bubbly and cheerful. Maybe too much for her own good. But me? Hah... I'm just a background character in her world. It's better for both of us if I keep it that way."

Haruto pulled himself forward, pointing his pen at me.

"Man... You're one depressing asshole, aren't you?"

"It is what it is."

"But what if it isn't what it is?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Sure, you might think that the two of you are polar opposites and don't belong in the same world, but does she?"

That question hit me a little harder than I expected. Yeah, I might think we're not a good match, but does she also think the same way? Given how she's been so open to me, it doesn't seem that way. Even so...

"Regardless, it's not like I'm trying to get anything out of her, so just leave it alone."

"Well... Maybe, and hear me out here... She might want something out of you~"

"...Alright. We're done here. Just take me wherever so I can stay true to my excuse."

"Aye aye, captain!"

After a lengthy walk across the campus, we arrived at a faculty building that houses most of the student organizations. Naturally, it was busy. Very busy.

As we were passing through the hallway.

"Oh! Yoshida-Senpai!" said a boy, who was followed by two others.

"Hey, Nanami! How's it going?"

"Doing good, doing good. The boys and I are gonna go out to grab some sushi. You wanna come with?"

"I would, but I have to get to a meeting."

"Ahhh, dang. Next time, then. See ya!"

As soon as he waved them off, a pair of girls swung over.

"Yoshida-Senpai!" one of them exclaimed, startling him. "How are you?"

"W-whoa. Hey, Minamoto. And... Watanabe, right?"

"Yeah! I'm glad you remember."

"I'd ask for your mercy if I were to forget the next time we meet. I remember faces, but names are hard."

"It's okay, Yoshida-Senpai. We get it."

"Thank you. Off you go now, my little kohai."

They giggled at each other before walking away.

"You're pretty damn popular," I scoffed.

"Haha, yeah. When you're involved in a bunch of clubs like I am, it sort of comes with the turf."

 Then, someone else approached him the moment he turned around. It was a girl whose ice-cold appearance could cause a heart attack, so Haruto's yelp was understandable.

"Gah! K-Kanon... Don't do that."

"Not my fault that you're such a pussy, Haruto," she replied with that usual disinterested lilt. "You just make it too easy— Oh?"

She peeked over to look at me.

"Sup, Kanon," I said, giving a slight wave.

"Whoa. Kazuha's here. Hey, dude. What's got you roaming around in the Student Building? Didn't think you were the type to get involved in extracurricular activity, especially when you told me you weren't gonna join any during Summer break."

"Yeah, well... Circumstances have changed, I guess. Did Haruto tell you?"

"About a certain bitch named Junko? Nah. I didn't hear it from Haruto. Instead, it came directly from her mouth."

I felt my lips trembling and my hands clenching.

"What did she say?" I mumbled.

"Apart from how bad of a boyfriend you were, and how doing what she did was her only way out? Heh. Well... By that point, I wasn't even listening anymore."

"Seriously? Tch... Honestly, it's whatever. I'm just trying to do whatever to get my mind off of it."

"And that's where I come in!" Haruto interjected with a goofy smile. "How about joining me and Kanon in the Festival Committee?"

"Festival Committee? What is it you guys do?"

Kanon pointed at a poster pinned to a nearby bulletin board.

"The Fall Festival is coming up in about four weeks," she said. "We're responsible for planning and managing it. Things like food, games, and prizes — we get to decide all of that. A word of warning, it can get pretty stressful."

"Sounds interesting enough. Lead the way."

She crossed her arms and scoffed.

"Brave words. I wonder how long it'll take for you to break."

"Oh, come on. It can't be that bad, right?"

"If only you were here last year to experience it..."

"Hey, Kanon!" Haruto exclaimed. "Quit trying to scare him away!"

They led me further into the building and into a busy room. Left and right, students were running around, shouting over each other. It made me feel just a bit overstimulated.

"Well! Here we are," Haruto said. "Home sweet home. Now, Kazuha, let's get you started with—"

He stopped because I stopped. My eyes were fixed forward, staring at something I had no business staring at.

Sitting on the floor, sketching out a map of what will soon become the festival ground, was a girl. Dark brown hair that flowed like silk, shining pink eyes that seemed confused when they, in turn, pointed at me.

"Huh...? K-Kinoshita?" Chihara mumbled.