CHAPTER 6 - Sizzling September (4)

[CASUAL TALK 101]

On a Saturday, some of the girls in Class 3-E have gathered in the mall to restock their closets with a new set of clothes. It was also the perfect chance for them to bond together as girls.

"I have to buy new clothes since mine doesn't fit me anymore even though they are still fine," Yada stated as they entered the department store.

Nakamura bent over with her eyes glued to the brunette's chest. "No wonder. Since your breasts have gotten bigger, Touka," she said.

"Jeez!" After covering her front with her arms, Yada cried, "Will you stop staring?!"

Walking ahead of them was Kayano, who pierced a look of envy over her shoulder on Yada's bosom before glancing down at her own 'forever flat' chest.

'When will they start growing?' she thought helplessly.

"You know, it has been a while since I last went out to go shopping," Kanzaki said from Kayano's left as her hand gracefully touched her cheek. "Due to our studies and assassination, I rarely have the time to do other stuff."

"Thank goodness we have the time today!" Kayano interjected, her hazel eyes brimming with energy.

Then her face fell as she added, "It's a shame that the others couldn't join."

While waving her finger, Nakamura said, "Like what Bitch-sensei has told us – fashion is also an important skill for an assassin. We are lucky that we have Touka and Kurahashi to ask for tips."

"Hayami-san can also dress pretty well," the petite green-haired pointed out, which made everyone else glance in Hayami's direction. "She looks feminine and more mature in her casual clothes."

"I agree. Haya-chan looks cute in them!" Kurahashi exclaimed upon clasping Hayami's arm.

The stoic sniper simply said, "Thanks."

The group, then, proceeded to the women's section and looked around. Hayami was brought to a halt when she had come across a mannequin clad in a floral dress with white cotton long-sleeves underneath.

Yada passed by and caught sight of Hayami taking a closer look at the mannequin. "What a cute dress. Are you going to try it on?" she asked.

"The floral design seems too much for me," said Hayami.

Then Nakamura showed up unceremoniously with a sneer and a hand under her chin. "Ho ho ho... Do you plan to wear that on your date with Chiba-kun?"

Hayami paid her no mind as she started to examine the items on a rack. But her silence only prompted the blonde prankster to grin more and slide closer. "Why are you not saying anything? You two actually go on dates?" she teased.

She leaned closely towards Hayami's ear with a hand by the corner of her mouth. "Why don't you wear this for your next date instead?" she whispered as she pulled a red lingerie out of thin air. "I'm sure he will like it very much."

Flustered and ticked off at the same time, Hayami snatched the provocative garment before chucking it away. "Rio, will you stop it?" she berated in a tone that they had never heard her use before.

Even if it was so much entertaining to harass Hayami, Nakamura knew when to retreat. And so she excused herself and broke into a jog towards her next victim.

Upon seeing the stoic sniper react that much from Nakamura's heckling, Yada could not help but presume that Hayami and Chiba have indeed been going out – especially when Hayami did not even deny the blonde's allegations.

***

Across the table were Class 3-E's class representatives – Yuuma Isogai and Megu Kataoka. Each of them has a drink on the table that had been served by Isogai right before ending his part-time shift.

The girl in a ponytail with light brown hair intertwined her fingers around her lemonade as she asked, "Why did you want to meet with us, Chiba-kun?"

After taking a sip, Chiba put down his coffee as his finger began to tap on the cup. "I..." he trailed off, looking away from their accommodating gazes.

He did not know where to start especially with the two class reps, which he had rarely interacted with personally. But this was now or never. He even made the effort of coming to this restaurant where Isogai was working, so there was no way that he would back down.

"I need advice on how to engage in a longer conversation with someone especially when you're –" he gulped "– on a date."

Isogai and Kataoka exchanged looks, thinking similarly that their classmate's concern was unexpected.

"Do you mean how to converse casually?" the spiky brown-haired ikemen clarified.

"And, how to make it last long?" added Kataoka.

Chiba nodded.

With eyebrows furrowed, Isogai looked down as he contemplated it. "May I ask who this someone is?" he asked although the class reps already knew the answer, one name flashing in both minds:

/Hayami/

"She's from our class," Chiba answered in reluctance. "A friend."

Both of their shoulders slumped with a sigh from their mouths as they had hoped that they would get a direct confession from him. It turned out they were pushing their luck too soon.

"You don't need to think about it too much," Kataoka began to say. "Just talk like you usually do in class."

"But the only topics I know are about school and assassination," Chiba reasoned.

Isogai lifted his index finger and said, "Start by asking questions. Maybe about the things that she likes, her interests, and so on. After she gives her answer, you can provide your thoughts based on what you currently know."

"Be honest and don't try too hard. Your conversations will flow naturally that way," Kataoka inferred.

"I'm curious about one thing," Isogai followed. "What caused you to ask for advice?"

"Isogai-kun's right. Did a problem arise when you went out with her?"

"When we went to the movies, we couldn't talk that much so it was kind of awkward for both of us," Chiba replied.

Somehow, Kataoka found what she had heard adorable while her fellow class rep raised one eyebrow. "It sounds to me that you are both quiet and reserved," he pointed out. "Then there should be no problem."

When confusion had crossed on the raven hair's face, Kataoka explained, "What Isogai-kun meant is that since you two are not the type to talk a lot, there is no need for you to become talkative whenever you are together."

Although he didn't say a word, Chiba displayed a troubled look as he was half-convinced at the statement.

"Chiba-kun, you need to relax. There is nothing wrong with just enjoying each other's company," said Kataoka

The ikemen class rep folded his arms across the table before leaning forward with a solemn expression. "Chiba, do you want to be with her?" he asked.

The taciturn sniper nodded in reply.

"Do you like being with her?"

Feeling like he was having a déjà vu, he nodded again.

Isogai reached his arm out and gave Chiba an encouraging pat. "Then stop worrying and just be yourself! I'm sure that she also wants that," he said with a beam while Kataoka, sipping on her drink, bobbed her head in agreement.

'If it's Hayami, she will definitely not mind,' Isogai thought.

Chiba dipped his head slightly as he uttered, "I'll keep those in mind. Thank you for your help."

"I'm surprised that you came to us for advice, Chiba-kun," Kataoka said. Usually, other students would only come to them for school-related stuff and, in their class, for matters about the assassination.

Chiba tilted his chin up as he replied, "You two are the only decent people that I can rely on in this case."

Even though he had actually thought of asking Karma and Nakamura as they were the few ones who were acquainted with his and Hayami's relationship, he did not want to be on the receiving end of their incessant teasing any more than he already was. The girls in the class were out-of-the-question as well although some of them could help. Sugaya was all right, but he was not sure if he was the right guy in this sort of matter.

All that remained were the two most reliable people in the class besides his sniping partner. They also have a good 'work' relationship between them, so he might as well hear their thoughts.

***

After shopping, Hayami decided to take a rest on the bench right outside the store. When she had arrived, Nakamura was already sitting there, with a paper bag beside her feet, while engrossed on her phone.

Kurahashi came after with a satisfied smile on her face. "It feels refreshing to buy the things that you want," she proclaimed before plopping down on the empty spot of Hayami's left side.

"The others are sure taking their time," said Hayami.

"I already sent them a message to meet us here for lunch," Nakamura stated, her eyes still honed on her phone as her fingers tapped fervently. "Let's just wait for now."

Since they were simply waiting, Hayami saw this as a chance to consult with the blonde prankster. "Rio," she called out. "How do you hold a conversation with a boy while you're hanging out outside school?"

This hooked Nakamura's attention, her fingers stopping as she looked at Hayami incredulously with one eyebrow up. "Aren't you already fine the way you are?"

"Still, it feels awkward when I don't know what else to say. Maybe I should become better in conversing like you and Kurahashi," Hayami explained.

Jumping up from her seat, the wavy-haired beetle-lover spouted, "How about talking about your own interests? That's what I do whenever I just want to chat."

Hayami nodded. For her, it was a good idea. As what you would expect of Bitch-sensei's disciple.

On one hand, a wrinkle formed between Nakamura's brows. "Do you need to be sociable when you're with him?" She reclined back, her hand supporting on the bench. "Act normal. Talk normally. Don't sweat out the details. Chiba-kun won't dislike you for who you are."

"This is not about Chiba," Hayami retorted as she crossed her arms.

Nakamura – 'It's obvious that you were talking about him.'

Kurahashi – 'Haya-chan is so cute when she is bashful.'

"Right," Nakamura deadpanned with a flick of her hand.

Then she added, "You two should just be happy in the silence that you share, or –" she paused as a sleazy grin molded on her features "– if you are stuck, you can grab his arm."

In a swift motion, she captured Hayami's arm. "Then nuzzle your head on his shoulder and rub your body on him like this," she carried on while acting out every action that she was saying.

Reaching her limit, Hayami pushed Nakamura away, having regret in asking the blonde prankster for tips. Still, the blonde did have a point in her previous statements.