A Story About a Handsome Girl Having Her First Kiss Stolen by an Equally Handsome Classmate - Episode 2

Friday, November 12

I walked up the stairs from the central exit of the station closest to my house to the ground floor and continued walking along the route to school. I entered the convenience store opposite the drugstore and lined up at the register with the yogurt drink that Mizuhara Shizuku had given me last week.

Just like last week, I rang the intercom to room 605. I was worried that it would be a repeat of the last time, but I immediately heard Mizuhara Shizuku’s voice say, “Yes.”

“You came.”

“Why did you think I wouldn’t come? I’ll come.”

“I’ll get off, so wait for me there.”

The connection is cut off with a click.

As I was taking out the handouts from my backpack and getting ready to hand them over, my classmates were already coming down from the elevator.

Mizuhara Shizuku came out to the entrance. She was wearing a plain navy blue sweatshirt made of thick fabric and loose grey pants, with her hair tied up in a bun. Even when she was at school, Mizuhara often had her hair tied up in a bun. I had no idea that her impression could be so different between her uniform and her loungewear. Mizuhara’s current outfit seemed a little vulnerable.

“A printout and a gift from before.”

Along with the printout, Wakamatsu handed over a yogurt drink. Mizuhara accepted it with a smile, saying, “It’s an apology, so don’t worry about it.” That smile still seemed like a formality.

“See you later.”

As Mizuhara turned around, I didn’t speak to her like I did last week. I simply said, “See you next week,” and walked in the opposite direction from my classmates, going outside through the front door. The dry air hit my cheeks, and I felt the change in the seasons.

Friday, November 19

Press the intercom.

Mizuhara came down the stairs briskly and received the printout, looking just like always.

She must have already gone out. Instead of wearing her loungewear, she was wearing a light brown blouse and wide pants.

“Have you been anywhere?”

“To go shopping.”

“Why don’t we go somewhere together next time? Invite Komazawa-san and Yamaguchi-san too.”

“Eh, that’s troublesome.”

With a friendly smile, Mizuhara Shizuku flatly declined the invitation, and the conversation ended in an instant. She had no intention of accepting Wakamatsu’s invitation.

“Mizuhara-san, if you’re feeling so energetic, why aren’t you coming to school?”

Ask a simple question.

The image of “school refusal” that Wakamatsu had in his mind was completely different from the classmate he was looking at. Mizuhara Shizuku said she was in perfect health and was even able to dress herself and go out on her own like this.

Mizuhara looked annoyed and replied, “If I’m feeling fine, do I have to go to school?”

“Wakamatsu-san always seems to be in top form. I don’t think someone like him would notice.”

“Is Mizuhara okay?”

“I don’t know,” came the curt reply.

Her responses are all vague and unclear.

“Even if they look healthy, there are people who are mentally ill.”

“Eh, is that so?”

“That’s right. So what you just said might alienate a lot of people.”

I am shocked by Mizuhara Shizuku’s words.

“Is that so… I’m sorry for assuming that Mizuhara was fine.”

Reflecting on his remarks, Wakamatsu sincerely apologized, saying, “It was a thoughtless remark.”

“I guess that’s why everyone likes you, Wakamatsu-san.”

Mizuhara Shizuku smiled lightly and inserted the key into the intercom.

The door to the lobby opened, and she said, “See you,” and left.