It's Time for Home Ec!

Late at night, Yuta rested on his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind was torn between studying math and sleeping. Moonlight shone through his window, illuminating his room with a soft blue light.

His thoughts occasionally wandered over to Shiori. ‘Why does she like romance so much? Is it because it’s entertaining, or because she wants to have her own romance, but feels she is unable to?’

He shook his head, attempting to remove the thought from his mind. ‘Whatever the reason, it doesn’t concern me.’

At first, he tried to fall asleep, but too many thoughts were keeping him awake. After trying to sleep for what felt like an hour, he checked the time on his phone, squinting at the bright screen. Twelve forty-five. “It’s only been fifteen minutes…?”

Shaking his head, he jumped out of bed and turned on the light before sitting on the chair by his desk. Already on his desk was his math textbook. He flipped through the pages until he reached the section he wished to study.

Time ticked by, and Yuta couldn’t get himself to concentrate on his studies. No matter how hard he fought to stay focused, his thoughts continually wandered back to Shiori.

Finally giving up, he pulled out his phone and texted Shiori. I doubt she’s even awake at this hour…’

She almost immediately responded. ‘I’m still up.’

‘Would you like to meet for another lesson tomorrow?’

‘Sorry, I’m busy tomorrow.’

‘How about thursday?’

‘What time?’

‘We could do it when you get home from school, whenever that is.’

‘I’ll check with my mom in the morning.’

‘Okay. Give me your answer during school tomorrow.’

‘Okay.’

‘By the way, what are you doing up so late?’

‘Playing the game Hitomura gave me.’

‘Are you almost finished with it?’

‘I’m getting close to the end… but there are several endings.’

‘Just make sure you get a good amount of sleep. Don’t pull an all-nighter.’

‘I won’t.’

‘Okay, goodnight.’

‘Night.’

Yuta placed his phone on the desk and sighed. “She’s taking up too much of my time… I’ll have to be careful moving forward.”

…

Mr. Sawajima quieted the class. “I hope you’re all preparing for the culture festival. There are less than two weeks left. Also, don’t forget that you have exams soon. There are only a few weeks after the culture festival until test day, you know. Remember that you have a beach trip on the line. Studying is very important.”

Yuta only half listened to the teacher. His head rested on his fist, and his science textbook was open in front of him. Unlike most of the class, Yuta didn’t need to be reminded about the importance of studying.

When the bell sounded, he closed his book and put it in his bag. Home Ec was the first class of the day. He crossed the room to Shiori. “So, what did your mother say?”

Shiori set a bookmark on the page of the manga she was currently reading and shut it. “She said it’s fine… as long as we keep our focus on academics…”

“Yeah, that sounds like her…”

“What class do we have first…?”

“Home Ec.”

“Okay…” She stood up and carried her bag in both hands. “Shall we… go together?”

“If that’s what you want. I don’t mind either way.”

Shiori nodded and exited the classroom with Yuta. The Home Ec room was at the end of the hallway on their left.

Once all the students were in the Home Ec room, the teacher, Mr. Harada gathered the students’ attention. “Today we are going to have a group project, so pick three other people to be in your group. I’ll give you your instructions once everyone has a group.”

Yuta turned to Shiori. “Want to be in my group?”

She nodded emphatically.

“That means we just need two more people… And I have a feeling they are coming to us right now.” Yuta’s theory was confirmed by a hand on his shoulder.

Hitomura grinned. “It’ll be a pleasure working with you again, Yuta!”

“Why do I even involve myself with this group… Ozaki’s the only one I’m interested in spending time with.” Kurosawa stepped out from behind Hitomura, arms crossed.

“Come on, you know you love us!” Hitomura attempted to playfully put his arm over her shoulders, but she jabbed his side with her elbow, causing him to recoil.

“Point taken…” He dramatically fell onto his back, earning some looks from his classmates. Some, who were more acquainted with Hitomura and his theatrics, stared at him in annoyance or amusement, while others that did not know him looked on with worried expressions.

“Unfortunately, it looks like we have our four members.”

“Unfortunately…?”

“She means she’s not satisfied with the group. She would rather not have Hitomura in our group.”

“I don’t really care for you either, you know.”

“Yeah, yeah. You just use me to study.”

“You make it sound like I’m abusing you.”

Yuta shrugged. “I would rather study on my own…”

Hitomura stood up, clutching his side. “Yuta still needs to try School Spirit II.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Aww, come on, Yuta! Studying with waifus is the perfect way to learn!”

“I’m not interested in fictional girls any more than I am real ones. Which, by the way, I’m not really interested in.”

Hitomura raised a brow. “Not even Ozaki?”

Shiori stared at Yuta, curious to hear his response.

He noticed her staring at him and sighed. “I’m not looking for any relationships right now.”

“Ah, right now you say? And you didn’t deny being interested in Ozaki?” Hitomura put a finger on his spectacles. “Yuta, Yuta… Looks like not even you can resist Ozaki’s charm...”

Her cheeks turned red, and she quickly hung her head, staring at the floor.

“It’s not like that.”

“Oh?” Hitomura smirked. “Sounds like you’re in denial.”

“I’m not–”

The teacher started speaking again, bringing the conversation to an end. “It looks like everyone has found a group. Wonderful. The project you’ll be working on is baking cookies.”