LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 57 - What Should I Even Do Now?!
~Lunch Break [Front Desk]
11:30 a.m.
“Is Ms. Shirayuki available? I was told to come here.” (Kei)
“I believe she should be in a meeting right now. However, she should be available in about ten minutes.” The man in the front desk told me, as he checked a log book in the process.
I was called by Haru to deliver some paperwork to her. Honestly, can’t she just bring them herself? Well… whatever.
As I turned to the row of seats that were arranged at the left side of the front desk, I saw a familiar figure. Long jet-black hair tied up on a ponytail tossed on her left shoulder, she had a great figure, along with our neat and tidy turquoise school uniform.
As my eyes met hers, a shocked expression invaded her small face, and a little after, she recovered and waved at me.
“It’s been a while, Kei.”
“It has, Alyssa.” (Kei)
As I sat down with a seat of distance from her, I greeted Alyssa Kokonoe, who seemed to also be waiting on a teacher.
“What are you doing here during lunch break?” (Kei)
“I was told to bring the career surveys from my class here. However, the teacher I was supposed to turn them in to is in a meeting, you?” (Alyssa)
“My homeroom teacher asked me to deliver it to her.” I sighed, “I could’ve dumped all this paperwork here and there, but… I have some things I have to talk about with Ha– with my homeroom teacher.” (Kei)
“I see.” She giggled, “Looks like you have it tough.” Alyssa smiled.
“U-unn.” I could only nod.
“Is something the matter, Kei?” Alyssa tilted her head.
“N-no it’s just… I’m surprised we can converse this comfortably again after… well… you know…” Back on Valentine’s Day, when Alyssa confessed to me, after she left and after I could see the tears streaming down her cheeks, I wouldn’t be surprised if she told me that she cried to sleep.
She talked to me, the guy who dumped her less than a month ago, like it was nothing.
“Fufu, so that’s what it was.” She said, “Who do you take me for? I won’t deny that I cried myself to sleep but, being rejected is part of life, you know?” (Alyssa)
“How mature!” I wondered.
“H-hah-ha…” She wryly smiled.
Soon after, I saw Haru from the corner of my eye, leaving the door behind the front desk. Another group of teachers left along with her. However, she noticed me, and walked up to me. So I said my goodbyes to Alyssa, and got up from my seat walking towards Haru.
“Do you need anything, Kei— What’s with the mountain of paper…?” As her jade eyes opened as wide as possible, her black hair tied up on a ponytail, I retorted.
“Oi, you were the one who told me to bring you ‘paperwork’ here!” I exclaimed.
“Ah, sorry, sorry~ My bad~” (Haru)
“I wonder what mom would say if she knew her long-time friend is using her son as her little ‘errand boy’.” (Kei)
“N-now, now. Kei, A-aren’t you being a bit too cruel?” She grabbed my shoulder, flustered. “Don’t you feel bad for me—” (Haru)
“Not at all.” (Kei)
“—you really are Touya’s son… So merciless…” She sighed, “Anyhow, you could’ve left them with the receptionist. He could’ve put an adhesive note with my name on it and that would’ve been it.” (Haru)
“There was no need to wait here,” She said. That was true. However, as I already told Alyssa, there was something I needed to talk about with her,
“Actually… There was something I needed to talk about with you…” I said.
“Is that so?” (Haru)
“Unn,” I nodded. It wasn’t anything serious, I just did as my mother once taught me.
Ask for help from those around me and if possible, use their connections to your advantage.
♡
~Lunch Break [Classroom]
11:12 a.m.
“Areh? Where are Riku and Sachi?” I muttered, as I gazed across the classroom. With no sign of them here, I was about to take out my phone.
“Ah, Kei. Ryouzaki and Sachi had something to attend to. They were called in by someone.” Said one of my classmates.
“Eh? Is that so?” (Kei)
“It seems, they looked quite confused so we can’t tell you anything more.” Another classmate added.
“I… see?” I sighed, “Shizuka and Hayato are eating alone today… and now those two aren’t here?” (Kei)
“If you’d like, why don’t you join us?”
“Eh? Are you sure? I feel bad though… imposing on you guys like this,” I smiled.
“N-no… If anything, I’m pretty sure they are people that will feel honored to have you,” I glanced across my classmate’s shoulder. I could see multiple girls with hopeful expressions. Some of the guys were smiling wryly or waving.
I chuckled to myself and accepted, “If you’d have me, then it’ll be my pleasure.” I took a chair from a nearby desk and positioned it in a vacant lot.
Still, what can those two be doing now, I wonder… I thought to myself as I sat down and opened my lunch box.
♡
~Lunch Break [Back Of The School Gym]
11:05 a.m.
Seven Minutes Earlier.
Third Person POV~
““U-uhm…””
“Answer me honestly…” A voice, which sounded both lifeless and confused, inquired as the source grabbed the shoulders of two people.
“A-Arisa…?” Calling out to her, Sachi Sadataka sounded a little concerned.
“Are you… okay?” Riku Ryouzaki felt Arisa ‘s hand shiver slightly.
“…happened to him…” Arisa said in a whisper.
““…eh?” (Riku & Sachi)
“What the hell happened to Kei?! Is he alright? Does he have a fever? Is it alright for me to somehow feel happy about it?!” (Arisa)
“C-calm down… W-what happened?” (Sachi)
A little bit after lunch break started, Arisa sent a message to both Riku and Sachi asking them to meet her at the back of the school’s gym as soon as possible.
“This happened!” Arisa showed her phone to the two of them. Then, everything was crystal clear. It was a conversation between Kei and Arisa, one that the former started.
[Kei: Hey, Arisa. You free Saturday?]
[Arisa: Saturday? I don’t have anything in particular. What ‘s up? Something interesting is happening? Did a new novel volume come out?]
[Kei: You’re free, I see. Want to go on a date Saturday? Ten o’clock by the usual station.]
[Arisa: Huh? Wait, Kei?!]
[Arisa: Kei?!]
[Arisa: OI, DON’T IGNORE MEEEEEEEE]
[Arisa: KEI?!]
“Good for you, isn’t it?” (Sachi)
“I’m happy of course, but… It’s the second-third time Kei explicitly called it a date!” She pondered for a moment, “Could it be he’s going to do something? Nah, there’s no way, he ain’t that straightforward…” (Arisa)
He actually will, though… The couple of juniors thought.
“What should I even do now?! Sachi~ Help!” Arisa and Sachi grew closer at an alarming rate, both Riku and Kei never expected Sachi to socialize that confidently.
“I can’t do much but… Want me to help you look for clothes? Since he explicitly called it a date, you should dress up and make him speechless!” (Sachi)
Sachi is that you?! Riku was left dumbfounded at the mood shift from the girl he liked.
“Thank you! I still don’t have much experience on dates myself so… I really appreciate it.” (Arisa)
Last time I wore a set my Asahi gifted me…She lamented. Before they knew it, minutes turned into hours. Finally, school ended… and with each passing minute, the day steadily approached—the day when they will finally seal the deal.
Days Until Date: 3 Days