Interlude: The Prince and the Princess

I reach for Shinso-kun’s lunch while he’s clearly lost in thought.

“Hey. You don’t get to take my lunch,” Shinso-kun says sharply.

Of course, I still reach for it anyway.
Teasing Shinso-kun is fun. He’s been like this ever since we were kids.

He always looks like he’s thinking about something deep. And when you think you’ve read him right, he gets flustered.
But honestly, he’s not that easy to read.

He always does the most unpredictable things.

We’re still arguing over the food—
or rather, I’m still thinking about stealing it—

when we hear raised voices outside.

Shinso-kun stands up immediately and rushes toward the noise.

Me?

Well… I grab a bite of his food first, then follow.

But when I arrive, just as I’m about to call out to him—

I see Shinso-kun standing in front of the bullies.

My chest tightens.

I’m scared for him.

I want to stop him, but my legs won’t move. They’re shaking too much.

He’s standing straight.

No fear in his eyes.

But his gaze—

It’s sharp.

Sharp enough to hurt someone.

“Oh,” Shinso-kun says calmly.
“That’s actually a pretty interesting thing to say.”

How can he be this calm?

He could get hurt.

I should call Souta. Or Shion. Anyone.

But I still can’t move.

I should rush to his side. I should.

I’m his friend.

“Is this really the best you can do?” Shinso-kun asks lightly.
“Ganging up on someone who’s already on the ground?”

Why are you saying things like that?!

Are you insane?!

Are you actually trying to start a fight?!

“That guy is scarily weird,” someone mutters.

See?
Everyone’s misunderstanding you.

“What’s going on? Why is he talking like that?” another voice whispers.

See?!
They’re scared of you now!

“Look around,” Shinso-kun continues.
“Everyone’s watching. So—what’s your next move?”

Ah—IDIOT!

Why are you putting yourself in the spotlight?!

This is so not you!

The bullies back off.

They run.

Only then do my legs finally stop shaking.

I rush up to him.

“Hey, idiot!” I hiss. “That was scary!”

I’m ready to drag him to a teacher, to complain—

but he says this instead:

“You should check on him.”

I turn toward Tanaka-kun—

and realize Shinso-kun is already walking away.

How fast can he walk?!

I’m not done complaining yet!

I’m definitely telling Shion-chan and Souta-kun about this!

“Hey,” I say, kneeling beside Tanaka-kun.
“Are you okay?”

I reach out my hand.

He finally looks up.

…You know, Tanaka-kun could actually be handsome
if he just had a bit more confidence.

As I help him sit up, a light novel slips out of his bag.

“Wait—what?” I blurt out.
“You read this too?! I love this one! I have a copy, but I haven’t read the latest volume yet!”

It’s rare to find someone who likes this novel.

“Do you want to be friends, Tanaka-kun?” I ask, smiling.

I know I’m smiling.

“…Is that really okay?” he asks quietly.

“Of course it is,” I reply.
“That’s not weird at all, right?”

“I’m Tanaka Kazuki,” he says. “Nice to meet you, Yamamoto-san.”

“Wait—you already know my name?!” I ask.

“But yeah!” I grin.
“I’m Yamamoto Koharu. Koharu is fine!”

It’s okay to use my first name.

When I say that, his eyes sparkle a little.

After that, I pester him about the novel—favorite scenes, favorite characters, what he thought about my favorite part.

But even while I’m talking—

I can’t stop thinking.

Shinso-kun is walking farther ahead.

Far enough that I don’t notice when I stop walking beside him.