I was walking to school and noticed Yasurouka walking alone in front of me, as usual. I picked up my pace and reached for her.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Sakamaki-kun,” She yawned and rubbed her eye from under her spectacles.

“Still sleepy?”

“Tell me one thing, who is even so energetic in the morning except our parents?”

“Good point.” I nodded.

After observing Yasurouka for a week, I got an idea of the time she usually comes to school. I adjusted my time so that I can meet with her gradually without making it look like I’m doing it purposefully.

“Ah, yeah thanks for sending the homework pictures.”

“No problem, but were you able to read my handwriting?” She asked.

Well, her handwriting wasn’t the best, but not that bad that I couldn’t read it.

“No, I could pretty much read it.”

“Pretty much?” She smiled awkwardly.

“Is this your way of not making me feel bad for my handwriting?”

“Not really,” I shrugged.

“I see.” She sighed.

We entered the school building, and I opened my shoe locker only to see a letter kept over my shoes. There wasn’t any envelope or anything. Just a piece of paper folded over. Yasurouka noticed it as she walked past me.

“Woah, what is this?” She said while peeking over my shoulder.

I opened the letter and skimmed off the first few lines. The handwriting was pretty neat, and it was presented in a proper way.

“Heh, looks like a love letter!” She said,

“I can tell.” I said as I folded the letter and put it in my pocket. I wore my school shoes and headed towards the class with Yasurouka.

“You’re aren’t much surprised that you got a love letter.”

“Umm… It’s not like this is the first time I got one.” I smiled awkwardly.

“Heh!? You have got more in the past?” She asked in astonishment. I nodded to her question.

“I thought you’re a loner who doesn’t talk to girls.” Sue chuckled.

“I’m talking with you right now and I’m pretty sure you’re a girl.” I said that as a comeback to her prior statement and she frowned at me.

“So how do you not have a girlfriend yet?” She asked.

“Pretty bold of you to assume I don’t have one.”

“Wait… so you have one?”

“I haven’t told you whether or not I have one.”

“Ehh?” She was confused.

“I don’t have one.”

“Why can’t you talk like a normal person?” She sighed.

“So despite getting so many love letters, you don’t have a girlfriend?” She narrowed her eyes on me.

“Well, it’s just that I couldn’t feel comfortable with them.” I shrugged.

“Haven’t you received love letters?” I asked.

“Me… well my love life isn’t the best.” She laughed while playing with a strand of her hair.

“Really? That’s weird.”

“Huh!?”

“Oh, I didn’t mean to offend you. You’re pretty cute so I thought that you must have some history with confession and stuff.” I gave an awkward laugh.

“You… You think so?” She said while staring at me.

“Kind of,” I shrugged. Judging from her reaction, maybe I shouldn’t have said that but I didn’t give it much thought. Over the past few days, my interactions with her have gradually increased.

I slid the door and entered the class, Yasurouka walking behind me. While walking past her desk, I heard Kizhashi asking her, “You talk with him?” in a very low voice. I didn’t look at her nor did I mind it. I just went over to my place and sat on my chair.

I have a feeling that Kizhashi doesn’t have a good opinion about me. Not like I care about it at the moment. But she has quite the influence on others, mostly the girls of our class so being on her bad side may actually become a disadvantage for me.

I glanced out the window. It was great weather outside, branches were moving softly every now and then due the breeze flowing outside. On a hot summer day, a gentle breeze flowing across your sweaty forehead can be really soothing.

I looked at the doorway and noticed Seifuku entering the class. His eyes wandered over to Kizhashi and both of them stole glances and Seifuku returned to his seat. He was smiling and I can tell that Kizhashi was the reason behind his smile.

Love was an incomprehensible thing for me. But sometimes, it feels like it’s something so rare that not everyone can experience it. And if you’re indeed experiencing it then you must treasure it. Though that’s my opinion about it, if I believed in love.

Today we had a PE period after lunch so everyone was quite excited for it. I mean it was a good change in mood after so many days of continuous study periods.

It was lunchtime and I was heading over to the specific area that was mentioned in the letter which was directed at me. It was written by someone named Chiaki. I guessed it was her first name and she was an underclassman because she was referring to me as senpai in her letter.

I walked past Yasurouka’s desk and she gave a smug look.

“Where are you going?”

“To answer that girl.”

“Hooo, you’re quite righteous aren’t you?”

“I’m not righteous, I’m going to give her a clear answer because she decided to confess her feelings.”

“Eh, let me see that letter please.” She pouted at me.

Now, I could’ve easily given her the letter to read it but that wasn’t the right thing to do. I respected the girl’s courage and privacy that she chose to convey her feelings.

“That wouldn’t be the right thing to do.” I said.

“Eh, just a peek wouldn’t hurt.”

“It may not hurt you, but this will be disrespectful towards her.”

“Yo…you are… I mean if you put it like that…” She could find the correct words to back her up.

“On top of that, this is her feelings that she directed at me. Of course she wouldn’t want anyone else to even have a peek at it.” I continued.

“I understand… my bad for asking.”

“Don’t get me otherwise, if this was you, I guess you also wouldn’t like the thought of your private feelings getting exposed to someone else other than the person you directed it at.”

“Heh… I… Yeah.” She nodded but her tone changed from a curious one to depressed one. It seems like I made her remember something. Judging from her reaction, that might be the reason which made her a vessel.

“Anyways, see you later.” I said and left the class.

Now who is this Chiaki? I haven’t even heard her name. Even if I have seen her somewhere, I wouldn’t know that it was her because I didn’t know her name. Well, I’ll reject her either way, so it doesn’t matter.