Night walk

“H-Hi, Minami-kun.”

I hope he doesn’t recognise me!

Minami frowned. “You’re out alone at this hour?”

Satoko nodded.

“Oh, be careful, okay?”

“O-Okay…”

He’s worried about me, he’s such a gentleman!

“I’m going back to school to see if it’s still open.” Minami grided the back of his head, a little embarrassed. “I forgot my umbrella.”

Satoko couldn’t help, but let out a soft laugh. He can be clumsy too sometimes, adorable.

He pouted. “Hey, don’t laugh!”

“Sorry, it’s just that I didn’t expect to meet you.”

Minami chuckled. “So do I. Since you’re here, why don’t you come with me?”

Satoko’s eyes widened. Uh? Why should I?

“To be honest, I feel a bit nervous at the thought of entering school at night alone.” He made eyes at her. “Would you keep me company?”

Don’t look at me that way! She looked away, blushing. How can I say no to him?

“F-Fine.”

Noo, why did I accept? I’m an idiot! When will I do my homework now?

Minami’s lips curled up and his face shined with a beautiful smile. “Thank you, Itou-san!”

Well, at least this smile was worth skipping homework.

They took the road to school together in silence. Satoko glanced at Minami, who was walking with a cheerful expression.

I’m seeing him too often these days.

“I feel so much better now that I’m not alone” he commented. “Speaking of which, today something unexpected happened. Do you want to know?”

Satoko pursed her lips. I don’t think I want to know…

“I went to a butler cafe with my little sister.”

I knew I didn’t want to know! The girl lowered her gaze.

“R-Really?”

“Yeah, it was good. I thought it was something strange, but it was a nice experience.” His cheeks coloured a little. “The butler who served us, Satoshi, was actually so cool. He knew a lot of things and was determined to let me relax at all costs.”

Satoko forced a robotic laugh. I wanna die!

“I think I will come back…” he mumbled between himself.

No, please, DO NOT come back!

He suddenly turned to Satoko. “He was tall like you, more or less. What a coincidence!” He burst out laughing.

“Haha, yeah…” Coincidence?! He really doesn’t suspect anything?

“Itou-san, do you think it’s strange if a boy enjoys the attention of another boy?”

Satoko’s jaw dropped. He’s taking it too seriously!

“N-No, there’s nothing strange, in my opinion.”

“Right? I think so, too.”

He’s… He’s falling in love with Satoshi?! She shook her head. No, it can’t be, I have to calm down. I’m reading too much into it.

“Oh, but in those types of places they usually do fan service, so you shouldn’t take it seriously.” Satoko’s expression darkened. “It would only hurt you.”

Minami put a finger on his chin. “Mmm… You’re right, but Satoshi is different. You have to see him to understand it.”

Satoko stared blankly at him. What is he babbling about?

“Even if it was fan service, it was definitely heartfelt.”

Of course, it was heartfelt! I like you, idiot!

Minami chuckled. “But let’s talk about something else, why were you out at this hour?”

Satoko flinched, startled. “I… was going to buy something at a convenience store.”

“Oh, so I interrupted you. I’m sorry, I will buy you something later, so you can forgive me.” He clasped his hands and bowed his head.

“T-There’s no need.”

Spending time with you is already a good payback.

“I’m dragging you in this story of the umbrella and even ruined your trip to the convenience store. You’re also listening to my nonsense, so you must accept my offer!”

Satoko’s cheeks tingled. “If you insist…”

Please, marry me. You must accept my offer.

“Oh, we’re here. While talking, time really flies.”

The two stopped in front of the school’s closed gates. They exchanged a glance and looked back at the building.

Did we really come here for nothing?

Minami approached the gate and tried to push it, but it was closed. He tightened his grip on the gate and raised himself with his arms, then climbed to the top and turned to Satoko.

“Come on, it will be fun!”

Satoko stared blankly at him. I didn’t know he enjoyed doing these illegal activities.

She took courage and raised herself like he had done. Minami stretched his arm towards her. Satoko grabbed his hand and let him help her climb to the top. She sat towards the courtyard, giving her back to the street, and stiffened her body.

This is too high, what if I fall?

“Do you think you can jump?” Minami asked.

“Uh?!” Is he crazy?

He chuckled. “I’ll take it as a no.” He raised a hand and pointed his pinkie towards Satoko. “Do you promise me you won’t tell anyone?”

The girl shifted her gaze from his pinkie to his eyes and wrapped her little finger around his.

“I promise.”

Minami smiled. “It will be our secret, together with your book.”

Satoko stared at their intertwined fingers, blushing, and nodded.

“Now, let’s rescue my umbrella!”

“Wha—”

Without notice, Minami took her in his arms and jumped down.

Satoko squinted her eyes, frightened. He’s out of his mind! She instinctively wrapped her arms tight around his shoulders, then, with a thud, they landed on the courtyard.

“It’s alright, we did it.”

Satoko slowly opened her eyes. The silvery light of the moon outlined Minami’s face, making his skin shine like pearls. His lips, kissed by the white drops of light, curved into the brightest smile Satoko had ever seen.

Ah, from this perspective he really looks like a prince… Wait, from this perspective?

She realised that she was still in his arms and, furthermore, hugging him. Her face started roasting. This is too much!

Minami’s smile transformed into a worried expression. “Itou-san, are you alright? Your face is completely red and is fuming!”

“Yes, never been better.”

She closed her eyes with a heavenly look and her soul left her body.

I can rest in peace now.

“Itou-san?!!”

***

In the end, they succeeded in rescuing Minami’s umbrella and they were now heading to a convenience store. Minami entered the first one they found and bought two cups of instant noodles, then they sat down at one of the tables that were on the sidewalk.

Satoko took her warm cup and started eating.

I really needed this, I was dying of hunger!

She secretly peeked at Minami, but he was already looking at her, so their eyes met. Satoko immediately averted her gaze and Minami chuckled.

“Itou-san, thank you for keeping me company today. Do you promise you won’t avoid me anymore?”

She wrapped her cup with both hands.

So he noticed. He’s making me promise too many things today…

“It looked like you were trying to talk to me as little as possible, especially after today, during the cleaning.”

She pursed her lips. “I actually avoid talking with everyone in general. I’m very shy…”

“Yes, I know. I still remember how you were panicking when you forgot your textbook during the first year.” He chuckled. “We were seated next to each other, back then.”

Satoko’s eyes widened and a warm feeling pervaded her heart. He remembers it.

“I don’t know what I would have done without you, that day.”

“Knowing you, you probably wouldn’t have asked anything.”

They both laughed.

“Itou-san, let me be your friend.” Minami rested his head on his hand. “It’s fun to be around you and this is our third year in the same class, it can’t be a coincidence. Maybe we’re meant to be.”

Satoko choked on her noodles and coughed. Meant to be?!

Minami got up abruptly, worried. “Itou-san? Do you need me to hit your back?”

Satoko stretched a hand towards him to stop him and calmed down.

“It’s nothing.”

Minami sighed, relieved, and sat down again.

Effectively, I always pushed him away because I was too shy to talk with him, but I never thought it would hurt him. She played with a noodle. But it makes sense, he’s a very sociable person, he probably notices these things and blames himself for it.

Satoko lifted her scarf over her nose. “I will count on you more often, from now on.”

Minami’s eyes sparkled. “Yes, it would be wonderful!”

Satoko closed her eyelids. Why is he excited for such a simple thing? He’s so cute!

***

It was already summer and the trimester was about to end. During the last three months, Satoko started talking more often with Minami and he kept on showing up at the cafe everyday to see Satoshi, his favourite butler.

“Good luck for your exams, guys. Please, study. I don’t want to see you even during summer vacations” the professor said before leaving class.

Satoko, who was zoning out until that moment, flinched.

Oh no, the exams!

She fell on her desk, desperate.

And I also have the job, I will never make it!