After barely surviving a math class in a half-asleep haze, Miyahito was about to resume his nap when someone tapped his back.
"What were you up to last night? You've been sleeping through two periods now." Yoshikawa Yuki withdrew her hand, frowning slightly. "Cheer up, Miyahito!"
"Can't help it... haa..." He glanced back at Yuki with bleary eyes, grumbling, "I just got back from Chiba this morning."
"So sleepy."
Hearing this, Yuki and Hori Kyoko, who was passing by with a stack of homework, both paused.
"Back from Chiba? You went home for the weekend, Miyahito?"
"Yeah..." He nodded lazily. "Went back for the weekend."
"Right, you're from Chiba." Kyoko's eyes lit up in realization, but then a long-held question resurfaced. "By the way, why come all the way to Tokyo for high school? Chiba's Benten High has a pretty high deviation score, doesn't it?"
"Mm, it's a long story." Already face-down again, Miyahito lazily waved a hand and mumbled into his desk. "So I won't say."
"Eh..." The two girls, fully primed for gossip, instantly matched their disappointed expressions. Hooking their curiosity only to drop a "so I won't say"?
Just then.
"Miyahito!"
"Hmm?"
Woken again, he looked up blankly, his gaze slightly cold as it landed on Ishikawa Tooru waving at him from the back door.
Tooru felt a sudden chill, like he'd been targeted by a predator. He stiffened, instinctively scanning his surroundings. Finding nothing, he looked back at Miyahito's deadpan face.
Weird. Why does he look like he wants to punch someone?
Confused, Tooru casually jerked his head toward the end of the corridor.
Miyahito's right eyebrow twitched slightly. His chin tilted up just a fraction.
Seeing this, Tooru's expression shifted, and he nodded reluctantly, as if forced into an agreement.
Despite zero verbal exchange... how did they do that?
Watching Miyahito casually stand up and walk toward Tooru with a hint of relief, Yuki blurted out, "Hey, Miyahito, where are you and Tooru going?"
"To the vending machine."
Seeing his "duh" expression, Yuki's mouth twitched. Without saying a word, who knew you guys were going there?
Noticing her speechlessness, Miyahito turned to Kyoko, who was expertly pulling his weekend homework from his bag to submit. "Kyoko, what do you want to drink? Tooru's treating."
"A box of lemon tea for me, then."
"Me too! I want one!"
"Got it." He flashed an OK sign, met Tooru at the door, and they walked toward the vending machine at the end of the hall.
After they left, Yuki turned to Kyoko, who was checking Miyahito's homework, her expression full of wonder. "No matter how many times I see it, it's still amazing. How do guys just know what the other wants without saying a word?"
"Not necessarily," Kyoko said, scanning the pages at lightning speed without looking up. "Maybe Miyahito didn't even know what Tooru wanted until he stood up."
"Isn't that even more amazing?!" Yuki's shock deepened. So he just follows Tooru blindly? Even a dog follows a sausage! Does he not even consider the possibility of being tricked?!
"In a way, Miyahito is kinda terrifying."
"As much as I hate to admit it, you're right, Yuki."
.....
Kasumigaoka-san isn't in class... Absent today?
Passing by Class C, Miyahito habitually peeked inside and noticed her seat was empty. It made him slightly uneasy.
Is she sick? Or did she take a personal day?
"Here."
Hearing the voice, Miyahito caught the coffee Ishikawa tossed him. Absentmindedly, he popped the tab and took slow, distracted sips.
Noticing his friend's distraction, Tooru, holding a cola, asked curiously, "What's on your mind? You're zoning out hard, Miyahito."
"Nothing." He shook his head.
"By the way, what's next period?"
"Next period... hmm." Tooru frowned slightly, uncertain. "Pretty sure it's Hina-sensei's English class."
"English class?"
"Yeah."
"Then I'm skipping it."
"Hah?" Tooru stared at him like he was joking. "Are you crazy? Hina-sensei's our homeroom teacher."
"And you're still gonna skip? Watch her drag you to weekend remedial classes."
Finishing the can in one gulp, Miyahito waved it off casually. "So what? My English pronunciation is way more standard than hers anyway."
"Yeah, yeah, you're amazing." Tooru's reply was dripping with dry sarcasm.
But as much as he hated to admit it, he had to respect Miyahito's English skills. It was true—Miyahito spoke with a flawless, standard London accent, flowing so naturally it was unbelievable for a Japanese high schooler.
Hina-sensei's English teaching was solid, and her speaking was fluent, but it still carried that subtle Japanese accent... even if it was mostly correct.
"Cover for me later."
"Eh, me again? Ask Hori or Yoshikawa to cover for you."
"Aren't we bros?" Miyahito smiled 'warmly', slinging an arm around Tooru's shoulders. Gradually tightening his grip, he added, "If we're bros, just help me out."
"Cough... choking... can't breathe..."
"So, will you or won't you?"
"Fine... I'll do it, okay?"
"Thanks. Knew I could count on you."
He immediately let go.
Gasping for fresh air, Tooru coughed and shot a resentful look at the grinning Miyahito.
Sigh... whatever. I'm only human.
As everyone knows, monsters are for Ultraman to deal with.
"I'm gonna find a cool spot to nap."
"Class D invited us to play soccer this afternoon. You coming?" Tooru called out after his retreating back.
Miyahito raised a hand and shook it side-to-side. No thanks.
Playing soccer in this heat? Sleeping in the shade was obviously the better choice.
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