"There's sothing very suspicious going on," Akira said casually, crossing his arms on the desk. The glare of light flashed across his glasses as he glanced over at Shouko with an oddly serious expression.
Shouko ignored his cryptic tone. Tilting her head, she asked curiously, "Where did you even get those glasses?"
She was certain he didn't own any round-rimd glasses. And co to think of it… they looked really familiar.
Akira raised his left hand and pushed the bridge of the glasses up with his middle finger, just about to reply—when a flat voice interrupted him from in front.
"Hey, Miyamura-kun, are you done with those yet? Can I get them back? I need them to see the board."
The Class Rep turned around with a deadpan look.
Akira sheepishly returned the glasses and said, "Ah, sorry. Listening to the lecture is more important." He sighed inwardly. My first attempt at cosplaying… and I get busted imdiately.
"Shouko, look." He leaned in and pulled out the magenta envelope from his desk drawer. "I got another love letter."
"Really? Akira, you're so popular." Shouko said this with a smile—but there was sothing a little too calm about her tone. Akira could sense it right away.
Wasn't she freaking out yesterday? Now she's acting like it's nothing… He squinted slightly and asked, "You feeling okay? You're acting kinda off."
Just as he was about to push the topic, a voice from the podium rang out sharply.
"Miyamura! Don't disrupt the lesson!"
"Got it!" Akira quickly sat up straight.
While the teacher resud the lecture, he sneakily unfolded the letter under the desk. But as he looked down to read, he couldn't shake the feeling that soone was watching him.
He glanced around. Nothing.
He finally focused on the content—and his eyebrow twitched.
It's exactly the sa… word for word as yesterday's letter.
Even worse—it was in the sa handwriting.
"Dong… dong… dong…!"
The bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Teacher Minagawa grabbed her books and left the classroom quickly, calling out behind her, "Class dismissed. Be careful on your way ho."
As usual, they split off at the neighborhood intersection. After saying goodbye to Miu and Chika, Shouko turned to Akira. "What about that letter from earlier? You said you got another one?"
"Wanna hear it?" Akira pulled the envelope from his pocket, waving it teasingly.
"Wouldn't that be embarrassing?" Shouko blushed faintly, glancing around.
Akira watched her reaction closely, his tone light but pointed. "I'm pretty sure it's another prank."
He thought to himself: Co on, Shouko… you're way too obvious. Even your handwriting gave you away.
But he didn't say that out loud. Instead, he opened the envelope and began to read in a serious, deep voice. When he finished, he lowered the paper and said:
"See what I an? Word for word from yesterday's letter. Total copy. But, I will say—whoever wrote it has great taste. This envelope is way nicer than the pink one. And unlike yesterday's, there are no typos. They definitely put in more effort this ti."
"Hehehe…" Shouko couldn't help herself. She let out a silly giggle.
Akira glanced at her sideways.
Ah, there it is. That proud little giggle. So this was your doing, huh.
And Shouko? She heard none of that subtext. Her brain filtered it all out, leaving only one thing: He thinks I have great taste! He noticed I worked harder this ti!
"What're you laughing at?" Akira raised a brow.
"N-nothing!" Shouko shook her head vigorously. "Let's hurry ho. We don't want to worry Auntie!"
She tugged on his sleeve, pulling him forward before he could say more.
22:45 p.m.
"Mom, Dad, I'm heading to bed," Akira yawned, stretching lazily as he turned toward the stairs.
"Alright, make sure you cover up properly. It's getting colder," Shizuka reminded him from the couch.
"Go to the bathroom first," his dad, Daiki, added with a chuckle. "Don't wet the bed."
Akira rolled his eyes and trudged upstairs. Once in his room, he opened the drawer by his bed, slipped the magenta letter inside, and smiled quietly to himself.
Soday, when she's getting married, I'm gonna take this out and tease her to death with it.
The next afternoon
"Clap, clap, clap!"
The dismissal bell had rung, but Teacher Minagawa stood at the front, clapping firmly to hold their attention.
"Everyone, quiet down. I have an announcent."
The students slowly turned their attention forward.
"Tomorrow and the day after are your final exams. After that, sumr vacation begins."
A few kids let out cheers, but she raised a hand.
"However, once you return for sixth grade… all classes will be reshuffled."
"Ehhh!?"
"No way!"
"We're getting shuffled in sixth grade!?"
Teacher Minagawa ignored the protests. She'd heard the sa thing year after year—every ti she taught fifth grade.
"Clap, clap!" She brought them back to order and continued calmly, "Everyone moving up will be re-sorted. There's nothing to negotiate. Dismissed."
And with that, she swiftly walked out of the classroom.
Shouko waited until she was gone, then turned to Akira with a worried voice. "Akira… does that an we'll be in different classes next year?"
"Don't worry," Akira said gently, reaching up to rub her head. "I doubt the principal even rembers. I'll talk to Dad when I get ho."
"Mhm…" Shouko nodded, reassured.
She thought about asking if Miu and Chika could be placed in the sa class too—but stopped herself. That'd be selfish and hard to arrange, right?
"My heart's breaking already just thinking about being separated from Shouko and Chika!" Miu Matsuoka cried dramatically, clutching her chest as she walked to her desk.
Akira gave her a look. "What about ?"
"It'll be okay, Miu-chan," Shouko said sweetly. "We'll still see each other after school."
Chika ca up behind them and said dryly, "Finally, I'll be free from Miu."
They were childhood friends, practically glued together, so Chika wasn't fazed by a class shuffle at all.
"Let's go review!" soone shouted.
Just as everyone started packing up, Miu suddenly turned back around.
"Wait, Shouko! What'll you do if you and Akira do end up in different classes?"
Chika paused. "Yeah… you two have been together forever."
Akira waved them off like it was nothing. "It's fine. I'll make sure we end up in the sa class."
"Oooh!" Miu lit up and leaned forward eagerly. "Then—then can you make sure we end up in the sa class too!?"
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POWER STONE!!!
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