Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Keeping Secret

Today was another Friday.

“Okay, that’s it for today. Remember, don’t play too much just because it’s the weekend! Midterm exams are coming up soon!”

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and my classmates began to move in unison.

Some went home immediately, some went to their club activities and some stayed in the classroom to discuss their plans for fun.

“See you, Maehara-kun.”

“See you next week.”

After saying goodbye to Ooyama, I immediately left my seat.

Since I didn’t have anything else to do at school, of course, I would go back home immediately.

Just before I passed through the door, I glanced at the group that Asanagi-san was in.

“Hehe ~ Hey, hey, Umi ~ Let’s go somewhere today ~ Everyone said they want to do karaoke with the rest of the class.”

“Ah, Sorry, Yuu, I have something to do today, so I have to go back home right away.”

“Eh, again?? Why is it so hard to hang out with you lately? Boo.”

“I’m only busy on Fridays, not the whole weekend. Besides, aren’t we practically inseparable every other day?”

“That’s true, but I want to be with Umi every single day!!”

Asanagi-san was spoiling Amami-san as if she was a puppy. In other words, their usual antics.

They started doing this ever since Asanagi-san started hanging out with me on Fridays.

Since today was Friday, we promised to hang out at my place like usual.

Normally, we would play games together, but today we were planning to watch a movie.

As for what kind of movie, Asanagi-san would be picking it, so I’ll have to wait to find out what we’re watching.

“Anyways, I’m busy today so I’ll hang out with you tomorrow and the day after, so just be patient, alright?”

“Boo… I understand.”

Whenever she had plans to hang out with me, she would always try to refuse Amami-san’s invitation like this.

After much deliberation, we came to the conclusion that Asanagi-san and I should keep our friendship a secret from the rest of the class. I proposed this to Asanagi-san and she agreed to it.

As far as we were concerned, Asanagi-san and I were just friends, but other people might think otherwise. There were those that loved to “ship” certain couples.

Also, even though Amami-san overshadowed her, Asanagi-san was still quite cute. If someone were to find out that we got along this well, they might start some unnecessary trouble. And I’d rather not deal with that.

[Asanagi-san]: Sorry.

[Asanagi-san]: I might be late.

[Maehara]: It’s fine, don’t worry about it.

[Asanagi-san]: So…

[Asanagi-san]: What’s for dinner?

[Maehara]: Fried chicken, hamburger, fries. No salad.

[Asanagi-san]: Neat ~

After exchanging messages with her in secret, I tried to leave the class.

If there’s no smoke, there won’t be a fire. But in my case, I’m holding quite a strong spark, so I need to be careful, else I start a fire that I’d have no chance of extinguishing.

“Alright, so… What should I get for today?”

Earlier this morning, I took the 2000 yen that mom left on the table and put it in my pocket, wondering what I should eat with Asanagi-san.

I found myself actually enjoying this, which was kind of out of character for me.

[Asanagi-san]: Ah…

[Asanagi-san]: Right!

[Maehara]: What’s up?

[Asanagi-san]: I haven’t told you the genre of today’s movie.

[Maehara]: Mmm?

[Asanagi-san]: Shark movie.

[Maehara]: Shark movie?

Why shark movie? When talking about shark movies, I could only imagine man-eating sharks randomly attacking people swimming in the ocean, blood spraying everywhere… Does she love that kind of B-movie?

“Hey, Umi… The thing you have to do… Is it a family matter?”

“Yeah, what about it?”

“Nothing ~ It’s just that I smell something fishy from you ~ Why does your voice sound bouncy I wonder~?”

Asanagi-san and I had never talked with each other in class before, so we shouldn’t have roused Amami-san’s suspicion, but she’s surprisingly sharp.

“Huh? Does it?”

But Asanagi-san didn’t fall for it and instead replied to her calmly.

“Wait, Yuu, do you actually want to go to my home and say hello to my brother? Well, I’ll notify him then.”

“Ugh…”

“Ah yeah, I wonder how long has it been since the last time Yuu met my brother? Since 1st year of middle school? I’m sure that he’ll be happy if he knows that you’re coming ~ Who knows, maybe he’ll even crawl up to you ~”

“Uee…”

I didn’t know that Asanagi-san had an older brother, but it seemed like he had quite the personality. It was to the point that Amami-san was wincing like that.

“So? What will you do? Come over to my house, or just call it quits for today?”

“…I’ll call it quits…”

“Is that so? Too bad ~”

“Ugghh…”

As expected of Asanagi-san. Not only did she deal with the situation calmly, she even pulled out the uno reverse card on Amami-san. Also, it was refreshing seeing her telling such a brazen lie with a straight face like that.

“Tomorrow then…”

“Yes, yes, I promise I’ll make up for it properly, okay, Princess Yuu?”

Although we previously agreed to not tell anyone about our friendship, I think it would be fine if Asanagi-san just told Amami-san the truth, but well, I’ll leave it to her judgment.

By the way, Asanagi-san seemed to be in a good mood.