- Reunion?

Because of what occurred in the past, I won't expect her to talk to me, but at least I'll try.

"Nomura-kun?, I didn't expect you to approach me." 

That was the kind of response I was expecting. After all, I had severed my ties with them at the time.

"Can I meet you after class, Takeda-san? I'd like to discuss something."

"Of course you can; I'll meet you at the gate."

"Thank you, Takeda-san"

I exited after bowing and then suddenly she replied

"Nomura, you've gone cold, but I'm glad to see you're doing well."

She walked away after I returned my gaze. Hearing her say that piques my interest. Is she concerned about my well-being?
Then, out of nowhere, Aoki approached me with a curious expression on his face, as if he had misunderstood something.

"Hey, Asahi, I didn't realize you'd already met someone here, and it's a girl."

"Don't get me wrong: we're just old acquaintances from my old school."

"Yes, yes, yes. So, let's go eat some lunch. I'd like to introduce you to my lady."

That irritated me because it sounded like he was about to brag about his girlfriend in front of me. As we proceeded down the hallway, I noticed someone who piqued my interest. My attention was drawn to her long black hair and his jet black eyes. She also gave me a smile while looking at me, which shocked me.

"Aoki"

"Yes?"

"Do you know who she is? She looked at me and seemed to recognize me."

"Oh, she? Is that what you're saying? Ishikawa Haruka is her name. She's sitting next to you. You honestly didn't notice her?"

"To be honest, I was thinking of something else at the time. Well, thanks for answering that."

I'll just think about her later. We arrived at the cafeteria, and I only ordered sandwiches even though Aoki ordered so much food; perhaps he's a big eater. I just need to eat to replenish my energy. While we were eating, Aoki's girlfriend approached us and then sat beside him.

"Oh, by the way, Asahi, this is my girlfriend Hashimoto Yui. Yui-chan This is Asahi. Asahi This is Yui-chan."

"Nice to meet you Hashimoto-san i'm Nomura Asahi."

"Nice to meet you too, Nomura-san, I'm Hashimoto Yui."

"Let's start with some food, both of you." Perhaps Aoki is really hungry, as he responded with those remarks. 

Aoki told me everything about them after we ate, and it appears that Hashimoto-san is a really nice girl. She's easy to get along with. While walking, we looked at some of the club rooms to see where Aoki would fit, and then we came across the school band's clubroom.

"Isn't that the girl you were talking to earlier, Asahi?"

"Yeah"

"Well, you really like her, don't you?" As Aoki made that joke, Hashimoto-san secretly pinched him in the side.

"Yui-chan! I'm just kidding. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Well, let's just go." as I walked away.

Takeda-san seemed to have remained unchanged throughout his life. She enjoys music a lot. Perhaps this is why she is so close to her. because they both enjoy the same hobby I suddenly missed her while thinking about it.

As we walked, we heard the bell ring.

"Well, I'll be going now. Good bye, Aoki-kun. Bye, Nomura-san."

We also returned to our classroom as Hashimoto-san walked away. As we reached our classroom, Aoki and I went back to our own seats. When I returned to my seat, I noticed Ishikawa-san staring at me. I ignored her, but she never moved her gaze away from me.

"Oh, you're completely ignoring me, aren't you?"

"Well, I don't know you, and I apologize if that offends you."

"Well then. I'm Ishikawa Haruka. It's nice to meet you, No-Mu-Ra-kun."

It seems Ishikawa-san right here is a really active person. Why do I feel she's acting like Aoki? After that, I hear Aoki sneeze.

"It's also a pleasure to meet you too, Ishikawa. -san" as I replied a little annoyed.

She smiled at me and I sat back as the next teacher came into the classroom. I noticed Ishikawa-san trying to talk to me as the class progressed. Of course, I ignored her, but after a few minutes, she began to throw a few small pieces of paper to get my attention.

"What!?" I whispered to her

"I simply wanted to have some fun with you." as she looked at me while having puppy eyes.

"but where in-"  Even though I tried to lower my voice, the teacher could hear me and abruptly called me.

"Nomura Asahi!" I stood up fast because of a sudden call.

"Yes sir?"

"What's the deal with all the commotion in the back? Are you paying attention in my class?"

I steal a glance at Ishikawa-san after hearing the question, and then when I see her. She pretended she had nothing to do with the commotion. I answered back after looking at her.

"Sorry sir, I lost my focus for a bit."

"Well, if that's the case, then I'll answer my question."

After that, he asked me some questions about his subject. Those questions were simple for me, so I answered them without difficulty.

"Well, it seems you're smart too. Take a seat and don't distract yourself anymore."

"Yes sir, thank you sir."

I returned my gaze to Ishikawa-san after I had sat back down. I noticed her smiling at me, as if she was teasing me.

"I never thought our Nomura-kun was smart," she said, chuckling slightly.

After teasing me, I ignored her throughout the class, and when all the classes were finished, she just suddenly started talking to me.

"Oy nomura, let's hang out."

"Why?, we're not even close, and besides, I have a meeting today."

"Eh, nomura-kun is stingy."  She replied disappointedly.

"Well, I'll just see you tomorrow ishikawa -san"

"Really?, Okay!" She responded as she sounded happy.

After that, I saw Aoki approaching me.

"Oh, Asahi, do you have plans today? Oh, Ishikawa-san, hello."  Ishikawa-san waved back and also said hello.

"Well, I have plans today and I have to meet someone today."

"Oh, you're going to meet that girl, aren't you?" He said those as if he was teasing me.

"Oh, you cheater, Nomura-kun!" As Ishikawa-san jokingly put it, 

"Don't misunderstand, I'm just going to ask her a few things. Well then I'm going"

They both waved goodbye, so I did the same. I exited and changed my shoes. After that, I waited at the school gate for Takeda-san. Suddenly, while waiting, Ishikawa-san seems to have come into my mind. Well She's not a bad girl, but she's annoying; it's as if I have two annoying people besides me. and then suddenly, Takeda-san appeared.

"There you are, Nomura- Kun, did you wait too long?"

"No, I also just got here." as I replied awkwardly.

"Well, let's go then." As she walked.

"First and foremost, hasn't it been a month since i last saw you? I never expected to run into you  Nomura-kun."

"That's what I should say. After all, this is my hometown. I simply returned due to unforeseen circumstances." 

"You've gone really cold, haven't you? Don't tell me you're still mad at yourself for what happened to her." 

Well, due to some circumstances, something happened to our old classmate back then. and I felt guilty.

"I don't know, but for sure the guilt is eating me inside."

"If that's what you're feeling, then why don't you visit her?"

"I'm still not ready yet."

"If that's how you feel, I won't push you, but visiting her will make her happy."