Girls’ gathering [Aisa’s Perspective]

“Alright, spill it already!”

“What the heck…”

I was suddenly dragged by the arm by Rikako into the brass band clubroom. Apparently, as the club president, she’s entrusted with the key, but I’m pretty sure it’s not meant to be used for something like this.

Talk about an abuse of power.

“But, I’m kinda curious too.”

“Even you, Mie…? No, wait, Aiko, aren’t you supposed to be the one stopping this?”

“I’m a committee chair, sure, but I’m also just a girl, you know!”

“Sigh…”

So, basically, there’s no escape, huh?

“So, what exactly am I supposed to talk about?”

“Obviously, it’s about how you and Kouki-kun have been getting super close lately!”

“…”

The moment Kouki’s name came up, I could feel my face flush a little.

“It’s not like that…”

“Oh, really? Even after you went all out with that bold swimsuit to catch his eye?”

“Wha—!? You saw that!?”

When!? And which one!?

If it was at the beach, Manami was there too, so that’s fine, but if it was at the pool…

“Now, now… So, you’ve been up to other stuff too, right? Obviously?”

“I’m curious…”

Rikako’s smirking like crazy, and Mie’s totally egging her on… I glance at Aiko for help, but she just signals with her eyes to give up.

“Ugh…”

“Come on, come on! Tell us all about those sweet, embarrassing moments!”

“There’s nothing to tell!”

That’s right. There’s nothing.

Things with that guy are the same as always. It’s just that things have been a bit weird lately… That’s all… right?

“Hoooh? I see, I see…”

“Aisa… you’re so cute…”

“Who knew you could make such a girly face, huh?”

The three of them start going on about something, but it’s barely registering.

“So, how long have you two been dating?”

“Dating!?”

“Wait… you’re telling me you’re not dating after all that?”

“What even made you think that?”

“I mean… come on, right?”

The three of them exchange looks. What is this…?

“You two were looking pretty chummy coming to school together today, weren’t you?”

“That’s just because Manami said—”

“And yet, you were all smiles, Aisa.”

“But the second you got to the classroom, you forced that scowl on your face.”

Just how much are they watching me…?

“Still, you’re not dating, huh? If you’d just ease up on that scowl, I bet Kouki-kun would take you a bit more seriously.”

As she says this, Rikako pokes my forehead with her finger.

“Stop that.”

“See, see? That’s the kind of cute face you should have… Oh, it’s gone again.”

Well, yeah, my face is gonna look like that when you’re messing with me!

“But, like, you’re always like that around Kouki-kun. Hasn’t he ever said you’re kinda scary?”

Scary…?

“Yeah, Aisa, your face gets weirdly stiff whenever you look at Fujino-kun.”

“Yup…”

Even Aiko and Mie are saying it now.

Sure, I might’ve been a little nervous around him sometimes, but lately, it hasn’t been that bad… has it?

“Is my face really that bad?”

When I ask to confirm, for some reason, Rikako gives me an exasperated look.

“If you showed that face to him, I bet he’d fall for you in a heartbeat…”

“Yeah… Aisa, you’re adorable.”

Was it really that bad…?

But Kouki’s fine with it, right? I mean, my face has always been like this around him… hasn’t it…?

“Well, anyway, we’ve gotta do something about this, right?”

“Guess you’re gonna have to take the lead, Aisa…”

Not just Rikako, but even Aiko’s chiming in now…

“Take the lead? How am I supposed to—”

“Heh heh heh… Shall I lend a hand to this lost little lamb?”

“No thanks, Rikako’s ideas are terrifying…”

“What’s that supposed to mean!?”

After that, they kept teasing me under the guise of “giving advice,” and it was quite a while before they finally let me go.