That evening, I received a phone call as I was browsing through some online shops. My cellphones screen lit up as it was charging next to my bed, the caller ID indicating it was from Kushida Kikyou. I couldnt resist doing a double-take to confirm that I wasnt seeing things. Since I didnt have the courage to call back if I missed it, I rolled across the room in my chair, grabbed my cell phone and dove onto my bed.

Sorry for calling so late. Did I wake you up?

Hmm? Oh, I was thinking about going to bed in a little bit. Do you need something?

Sakura-sans digital camera broke, right? I feel like Im partially to blame because I was talking to her and made her nervous, so I wanted to take responsibility for that

At least, I dont think you need to feel responsible for that. Besides, shes just going to get it fixed, right? Since its important to her, wouldnt she go even if she had to leave it with the shop?

As I asked this question, I realized that it wasnt so simple. Sakura was extremely inept at talking with people, and she didnt seem confident enough to go to the store on her own to repair it. It was probably somewhat similar to the situation where youd feel slightly hesitant when you enter a restaurant alone.

It was a little hard to believe that the world was full of people of all kinds of characteristics and personalities.

Isnt it particularly surprising that there are people who have trouble connecting with others?

So you offered to help?

She probably acted proactively in order to establish some common ground with Sakura.

Yep. She was a little hesitant, but she eventually said shed be fine with the day after tomorrow. I think that digital camera is probably really important to her.

In order to have Sakura open up to her, Kushida had done a splendid job with taking the first step.

But why are you telling me this? Wont it go smoothly with just the two of you?

Thats true if we were just going to go get it repaired. However, theres one more important thing that Id like to ask for your cooperation with, Ayanokouji-kun.

Did you want me to ask about whether or not she knows anything about Sudous incident?

Horikita-san is convinced that shes the witness, and after getting a bit closer to Sakura-san myself, Im also thinking that she knows more about the incident than shes letting on. However, since shes been denying it, there has to be some reason as to why shes keeping quiet.

While its true that having Horikita go along with her would be the best option, it would be delusional of me to think of Horikita and Kushida going out with each other on their day off. Through the process of elimination, she probably decided to choose me as I was the least likely to cause any issues. If she was to invite Ike or Yamauchi, they would focus all of their attention on Kushida.

Moreover, its convenient. Ive been wanting to go to the electronics retail store at least once.

I sat up on my bed and leaned my back against the wall. For some reason, it felt rude to make arrangements while laying down.

Okay, I get it. Lets go.

Although I only had to respond normally, I was a little too eager and my voice cracked slightly.

Fortunately, she didnt say anything about it since it didnt seem particularly strange.

For a while after that, Kushida and I chatted enthusiastically about various unimportant topics.

Since the conversation was casual, I didnt feel nervous about it. Rather, there wasnt any reason to get worked up at all.

It stood as proof that she could intrude upon my personal space by this much and still not make me uncomfortable.

I guess on the inside, Ive already firmly recognized her as a friend.

By the way, it was terrifying when Kouenji-kun and Sudou-kun were about to start fighting.

Ah. It was an explosive situation, but I guess you could say that they were on the verge of exchanging blows.

Although Kouenji always does things at his own pace, if Sudou had swung a blow at him, he wouldve fought back.

If things had continued any further, it wouldve been a catastrophe.

I was so scared that I couldnt move Hirata-kun is amazing. Truly respectable.

Yeah.

Realizing I was a little jealous of her praise for Hirata, I did some self-reflection.

It was only natural to feel respect for somebody who could courageously interject into a situation like that.

Class D was somehow able to take shape thanks to you and Hirata. Its also due to the fact that both boys and girls were involved.

Sometimes, matters between girls can only be resolved by girls.

Im just doing things as I normally do. It wasnt anything special.

I think Hirata wouldve said the same thing.

Most of the time, special people dont consider themselves as such.

While were speaking of special, isnt Horikita-san more special than someone like me? She can study and her physical abilities are excellent. It makes me wonder why she was placed in Class D.

That doesnt make her special. Instead, that makes her a rather unique type of person.

I kept quiet as I was afraid that saying too many bad things about her would come back to bite me later on.

Wasnt she assigned to Class D partially because shes not very sociable?

But isnt she normal when she interacts with you, Ayanokouji-kun?

Youre saying thats normal?

If we were to base things off my interactions with her, the way Horikita treats others is really miserable in comparison

I trembled slightly as I recalled Ike fainting in agony.

I still feel like theres some sort of wall between Horikita and I. Or perhaps I should say thats just the extent of our relationship, just in case youre misunderstanding something.

Uh-huh~

She responded with an amused, yet doubtful tone in her voice. I really dont want to be misunderstood by Kushida.

Ah, thats right, theres something I wanted to ask you. Your room is on the 9th floor, right?

Eh? Ah, yeah thats right. What about it?

No, its nothing. I was just a little curious is all.

Before I realized it, Kushida had fallen into silence. A silence that came unexpectedly, without any signs of arrival.

Our conversation, which had been going smoothly for some time now, suddenly stopped.

Usually, Kushida would continue our conversation almost immediately, but that wasnt the case here.

Perhaps it was a bad idea to ask what floor she lived on?

I was too restless to calm down, and aimlessly looked around every corner of my room.

Aaah, I want to be an ikemen with exceptional communication skills right now. I couldnt help but think so.

It was so quiet that we could only hear each others breathing.

Its getting late. Should I hang up?

Unable to bear the silence anymore, I gave up.

It was too painful to stay on the phone with a girl in complete silence.

Say.

Hm?

Kushida broke the silence but didnt continue to speak. It felt like she was hesitant to speak, nothing like the usual Kushida who would always try to make the conversation brighter.

If She trailed off. What if I I-

She stopped once again. Silence came as five, then ten seconds passed by.

No, its nothing.

That reaction doesnt seem like its nothing

However, I didnt have the courage to respond with something like What is it? You were about to speak, so just say it. so I decided to let it go. Sorry Kushida, forgive me. If I was to go to the battlefield, Im the type of person who would chicken out and hide in the back with a sniper rifle, far away from all the action.

Ill see you the day after tomorrow then, Ayanokouji-kun.

With that, Kushida cut the call.

I wonder what she was trying to say there?

It seemed like it was going to be a long, sleepless night.