"Hehe," Kikukawa Kyo chuckled playfully. "You guys shouldn't follow my example—I just genuinely can't stand that stuffy classroom anymore."
"I know, I know! Everyone in our class has been gossiping about your Class B's suffering," Anon said, watching as Kyo dragged a chair over and comfortably positioned herself between the open window and the Astronomy Club room's doorway. She exhaled softly, savoring the breeze like a contented cat.
Though Kyo's position slightly blocked the path, hardly anyone else came to the Astronomy Club, and the other two present didn't mind at all.
"Ah, everyone loves a bit of schadenfreude. News travels so fast," Kyo noted.
"Well, honestly, most gossip at school revolves around stuff like that, you know, 'so-and-so forgot their books and got scolded, poor thing,'" Anon replied.
"Mm-hmm." Kyo blinked thoughtfully.
She started recalling the kind of topics she usually discussed with others and quickly realized that when she first entered middle school, she never initiated conversations. Back then, socially inexperienced as she was, she cautiously followed others' leads, learning gradually how to communicate.
Only after her "profile wall" had become fuller and clearer did she grow more adept. Eventually, she discovered that socializing didn't require such rigidity. Most people didn't mind trivial talk, as long as one avoided saying anything too absurd.
So, she had gradually widened her circle of acquaintances quite smoothly. But upon reflection, she noticed that much of this casual "friendship" relied heavily on her own popularity. People often discussed topics revolving around her, which naturally eliminated any risk—how could talking about herself cause issues?
"Anon, Anon," Kyo softly called.
"What's up, Kyo-chan?"
"What kinds of things do you usually chat about with others?"
"Well…" Anon paused to think carefully. "There's quite a lot to talk about, actually. As long as you stay tuned into current trends, you won't run out of conversation topics."
"Ah, so that's why you're always so focused on trends?"
"That's part of it, yeah. Plus, I genuinely enjoy keeping up with what's popular."
"So, is that what you talk about the most?"
"Hmm… Not everyone's into trends, I guess. If I had to choose, the most common topics are definitely school-related gossip. Pretty much everyone can join in on those conversations, although that's limited to classmates, of course."
When it came to everyday chatter, Anon certainly had her own insights.
"I mean, even though school gossip is just trivial stuff, chatting doesn't always need substance. The point is the interaction itself."
"Wow." It was at this moment Kyo genuinely saw Anon's mastery. "I never knew you were so knowledgeable."
"What do you mean by that?! Of course I'm great at it! What kind of impression do you even have of me, Kyo-chan?!" Anon waved her fists indignantly, but couldn't hide her delight at the admiration in Kyo's eyes.
Yes, yes, exactly this! This is the reaction I've been aiming for! Even someone as famous as Kyo was looking at her with admiration!
Hehehe…
"And you dare ask what impression you leave on me…" Kyo muttered quietly, watching Anon bask in self-satisfaction, an expression a bit too shameless to praise.
She could easily make herself more respectable…
But showing her genuine self like this was probably a good way to build affinity. Kyo just wasn't sure if the same strategy would work for herself.
With hands on hips, Anon proudly shifted into a teaching posture, preparing to enlighten her student, Kyo:
"Among all school topics, there's one that's eternally popular—no matter the trends or recent topics—it always draws the most attention… Romance!"
"Ohhh—" Kyo clapped appreciatively, boosting Anon's already soaring ego even higher.
"Love: the light and heat of life, the purest definition of romance, encapsulating all the joys and sorrows. How could anyone possibly find this topic boring?"
"I never really talk about these things. What about you, Tomori?"
"Huh? Wh-what?"
"Do you ever talk to people about romance?"
"Um, no…I don't really understand those things…"
"What a coincidence—I'm the same." Kyo happily patted the confused Tomori's head. "It's alright, I won't disturb your note-taking. You go ahead."
"Oh…okay…"
"How could this be…" Anon stared incredulously at the two before her—Tomori, socially anxious and withdrawn, and Kyo, emotionally indifferent—both seemingly uninterested in the most engaging topic possible. "Kyo-chan, haven't you ever imagined yourself falling in love with someone?"
"It seems pretty difficult," Kyo honestly admitted.
"Difficult…" Anon choked on that response. "Love isn't something you describe as easy or hard!"
Anon secretly thought: Was Kyo always this rational? But she wasn't like that at home…
"I have another question, Anon-sensei!" Kyo raised her hand.
"Go ahead."
"This is an all-girls school. Do people really talk about romance that much here?"
"Uh…I need to ask first—Kyo-chan, do you know about girls who—"
"Yes."
My sister is one! Of course, Kyo couldn't say that aloud. "But I thought it was still pretty rare, even in girls' schools."
"Well…" Anon hesitated, her cheeks turning slightly red. "Actually, from what I've observed, especially after the 'All-Girls Band Era,' some people joke that we're now in the era of girls-loving-girls. It might even qualify as trendy nowadays."
As Anon spoke, she hesitated, worried Kyo might start associating her desire to form a band with that particular stereotype…