Study group

The next day, Satoko went to the place where she had to meet with her colleagues to study. Hiroto sent the location on the group chat, so she followed the route.

Apparently, the previous year he invited Kenji and Akito to his house, but he refused to do the same again, so he opted for a cafe frequented by a lot of students.

I wonder what those two might have done… She thought, feeling pity for Hiroto.

She arrived on time, but Hiroto was already inside, waiting for them at a table next to the window.

Why is he always early? He makes me feel like I’m late!

She walked with lowered head towards him. “Hi.”

Hiroto replied with a nod of the head and motioned for her to sit next to him. Satoko put down her bag and took place at the table.

“Have you been waiting for long?”

He shook his head. “No, I’ve only been here for thirty minutes.”

Satoko tilted her head to one side, lost. Only? Isn’t it like… a lot?

“I have the habit of arriving early, when I can.” He glanced at the other tables. “Besides, this place gets full in a short time, a lot of students come here to study.”

Satoko observed the room and could ascertain that he was right: the majority of the tables were taken.

“I’ve never been here, though.”

At that moment, the door opened again and Kenji and Akito entered the cafe.

“Hey! Satoshi, Hiroto!” Kenji exclaimed, waving his entire arm.

Why is he shouting like that?! He’s gaining everyone’s attention!

Satoko and Hiroto immediately looked away, feigning to not know him. Confusion was depicted on Kenji’s face.

“Why don't they reply? Did I confuse someone else for them?”

Akito lazily raised his gaze from his smartphone and scanned the room.

“No, it’s just that you’re too loud, Kenji. Sometimes it’s better to stay silent, you know.”

Kenji’s expression saddened. “Oh… Okay.”

Akito is as nice as a mosquito bite, as always. Satoko thought, a little sorry for Kenji.

The two reached their table and sat in front of them, next to each other. Hiroto called a waiter and everyone ordered something.

“Well, now we can start” Hiroto said, as soon as the man left.

“What? Already? No coffee break first?” Akito complained.

“No, you just arrived. We’ll eat when we’re done with the first subject.”

Akito chugged. “What if I’m hungry?”

“Make it fast, then.”

“You’re a tyrant!”

Satoko glanced at Hiroto, who was sighing, distressed.

How to blame him, Akito is a real nuisance. She had already given up with him and she wasn’t even the one who had to explain things.

I’ll try my best to not stress Hiroto out too much.

She took out her things and Kenji and Akito did the same.

“In which subject do you have the most problems?” Hiroto asked.

“Maths” Satoko replied immediately.

Maths is my worst enemy, I hate it!

“For me it’s English, even if I’m bad at everything, honestly” Kenji replied.

Everyone turned to Akito. He put a finger on his chin, thoughtful.

“I don’t know. Can you list the subjects? I don’t remember them all.”

Satoko’s jaw dropped. He’s truly hopeless.

“How do you think you will pass the exam if you don’t even know which are the subjects?!” Hiroto exclaimed.

Akito shrugged. “I will rely on my luck, it always works.”

“You’re impossible.” Hiroto sighed, desperate. “Fine, we’ll start with math, then we’ll do English.”

Everyone nodded and they got to work. Unsurprisingly, Hiroto was a good teacher. Thanks to his help, Satoko managed to complete a lot more exercises than usual and was even starting to enjoy it.

Is this the difference between a standard high school and a prestigious one? Insane.

She wrote the exercises to solve in her notebook, positive about it. When she finished her first one, Akito slid his notebook towards Hiroto.

“Done. Can I use my phone now?”

Satoko and Kenji turned to him, shocked.

How can he be done already? I bet he got everything wrong—

“If you’re so good that you do everything right, why don’t you do it on your own?” Hiroto complained.

What? She glanced at Akito, astonished. How is it possible? He was so quick!

“I don’t feel like it when I’m alone.” He looked away guiltily.

Who has teeth has no bread… Satoko cried inwardly.

When they were finally done with maths, they took the eagerly awaited break.

“My coffee is cold now and it’s all your fault, Hiroto!” Akito whined.

Satoko grabbed her cappuccino without making stories: she had used too much brain power for those exercises, she didn’t care if the drink was cold or hot.

When she was about to accost her lips to the cup, something catched her eyes outside the window. She laid her cup on the table abruptly, startling the others.

“What happened?” Kenji asked.

“See? It’s because it’s cold!” Akito exclaimed.

I… think I saw Minami-kun outside the window.

She stared at the sidewalk, but couldn’t find him anywhere.

I must have imagined it. She shook her head. It’s because I've been seeing him too much lately, now I’m even having hallucinations.

She lifted her cup again and took a sip. Her eyes sparkled.

This cappuccino is amazing!

Suddenly, Hiroto nervously tapped her shoulder. His face was paler than usual, as if he was worried about something.

What’s wrong with him, all of a sudden? She glanced at him with an interrogative expression.

Hiroto pointed with a finger behind her back and, when she turned around, a warm smile, brighter than the sun, welcomed her.

“Hi, Itou-san! What are you doing here?”

Her eyes widened and she choked on her cappuccino.

Minami-kun? Why is he here? This is the worst thing that could happen!

She turned to her colleagues in panic.

If he sees me with them he will understand everything! She tightened the grip around the cup, nervous. I would have liked to tell him directly, I don’t want him to discover it like this…

Minami stared at the four boys and raised an eyebrow.

“You’re not here with Kobayashi-san and Watanabe-san?”

“No, today no.”

Minami’s expression was a little troubled. “Are they your friends?”

Satoko looked up, unsure. He really doesn’t recognise them? Then, maybe, I can make up a story.

“They’re my…” She tried to think about something, but her mind was in disarray.

“We go to the same preparatory school, so we decided to study together. I’m Shigeru, nice to meet you. Those two are Kuma and Tsubura.” Hiroto intervened.

Thank you, Hiroto, you saved me!

“Understood.” Minami shifted his eyes on Kenji and lingered on him, as if trying to remember something.

I knew it, it’s impossible to not recognise him with his orange hair! Satoko prepared herself for the worst to happen.

“Hey, you’re in the football club of Ogawa’s High School, right?”

What? She glanced at him in dismay.

“Oh.” Kenji’s eyes lit up. “Yes, it’s me! I remember you too. You’re Minami Hiroshi of Murata High School!”

The two guys smiled cheerfully and exchanged a high-five. Satoko stared blankly at Minami.

I can’t believe he did not realise it.

Akito frowned and wrote something on his phone. Soon after, a message arrived in the group chat.

‘Is he truly stupid or is he acting?’

Satoko shrugged and shook her head, even more confused than him. Minami glanced at the books on their table.

“What subject are you studying?”

“We’ll start with English soon” Hiroto replied.

The blonde guy’s gaze hesitated for a moment on Satoko.

“Can I join you? I also need help.”

Satoko stiffened. Why?! He’s not bad at English and I can’t handle this situation any longer!

“I, um… Maybe it’s better if—”

“Of course, brother, come sit with us!” Kenji interrupted her.

Satoko fell dead weight on the back of the bench and her soul slipped through her mouth, leaving her body.

Farewell, infamous world.

Minami instantly reached for her, worried, but Hiroto grabbed her soul and dragged it back in her body first.

“Wake up, we’re not done studying.”

Satoko got back to her senses. “Sorry.”

Minami’s smile wavered a little. He took the seat next to Satoko and turned to her.

“By the way, I didn't know you’re attending a preparatory school, Itou-san.”

She made the mistake of looking up. His honey eyes were glancing at her in a curious expression. They were brilliant like two precious gems shining under the sunlight.

Too close! Too pretty and too close!

Her cheeks caught fire and her head exploded, making everyone cough for the exaggerated amount of smoke.

“Itou-san?!” Minami exclaimed.

He tried to touch her to wake her up, but Hiroto moved his hand away before he could reach her.

“She’s fine.”

Minami frowned. “I was just trying to help her.”

The two made eye-contact, annoyed. Satoko blinked multiple times and glanced around, disorientated.

How did I end up in this terrible situation?!!