Chapter 4: Come on, guys. Say something

"Anyway, how about trying to talk to her? Nothing big. You might be surprised to find you two have a lot in common."

"Yeah… But after what happened last year? I don't know."

Masachika nodded back at Takeshi with understanding.

A young, beautiful transfer student had suddenly appeared last year like a comet. She, Alisa, instantly became the center of attention. Transfer students in general were extremely rare at Seiren Academy. The reason for this was simple: The entrance exam for transfer students was extremely difficult. Although the highly selective school was tough to get into already, the exam for transfer students was so hard that only a tenth of the current students, at most, could pass it.

Nevertheless, not only did Alisa pass the entrance exam for transfer students, but she also got the highest scores on her midterms in her grade. Plus, she was beautiful. It would be more surprising if she wasn't the center of attention. But while countless guys and girls tried to befriend her, she always kept her distance and never tried to get close to anyone. In no time flat, people started calling her the solitary princess.

"If I'm going to try to make a move on one of them, it's going to be Yuki. By process of elimination, of course," claimed Takeshi while looking at one of the girls lined up to order food. She had long, black, shiny hair that went down to her waist, and while she was small in stature, she had a well-proportioned feminine body. It didn't appear to be as sensual as Alisa's or Maria's at first glance.

However, despite her dainty looks, she displayed elegance through her firm posture and graceful gestures as if to hint at a proper noble upbringing.

She, Yuki Suou, was a first-year student and the student council publicist. She was the eldest daughter from a family of former nobility who had worked as diplomats for generations. She was genuinely one of the elites. Just like how students called Alisa the solitary princess, Yuki's peers referred to her as the noble princess due to her high social skills and refined behavior, making her the other "beautiful princess" on campus.

"Like, I know she's out of my league, but she's easy to talk to, so at least I still have a chance, unlike with Princess Alya."

As Takeshi continuously nodded to himself, Hikaru skeptically tilted his head.

"Do you really have a chance, though? Yuki is known for having turned down more guys than even Alisa."

"Mmm… Yeah… Maybe she's not looking for a boyfriend? Or maybe she has a fiancé already, just like real nobility? So, Masachika? What's the deal with her?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Who else would I ask? You two grew up together," argued Takeshi, emphasizing each word as his eyes smoldered with jealousy. Masachika sighed.

"She doesn't have a fiancé as far as I know. I don't know if she's interested in dating, though."

"Then go ask her."

"No."

"Why?! Come on! Be a friend!"

"Real friends don't use their friendship to pressure others into doing something."

"Oh. Yes, I agree with Masachika on that."

"Ack!"

Takeshi was immediately silenced by the verbal cross fire hitting him from every direction. When Masachika just happened to glance over at the food line, he saw that the three girls had begun looking for empty seats with their trays in hand.

It looked like there was nowhere left to sit until all of a sudden, a student in the corner of the cafeteria waved someone over. After Maria said something to the other two, she began walking over to the girl waving, most likely her friend or classmate. The other two kept looking around the cafeteria until Yuki's and Masachika's eyes met. She recognized him right away and her gaze slid to his side where there were two empty seats at the end of the table.

Guess I know where they're sitting now.

Right as Masachika's gut told him that, Yuki said something to Alisa and started walking straight toward them, which flustered Takeshi and made him immediately straighten his posture.

"Masachika, are these seats taken?"

All eyes were on Yuki, so the sharp crease that appeared in Alisa's brow the moment those words left Yuki's lips went unnoticed.

"Oh, uh. No, they're all yours. You guys don't mind, right?"

"O-Of course not."

"Be my guest."

"Thanks," she replied with a gorgeous smile before walking around to the other side of the table and sitting next to Masachika. Alisa then sat next to Takeshi, diagonally to the right of Masachika.

"I knew we'd order the same thing, Masachika."

Yuki also had a bowl of mapo-tofu ramen, which belied her upper-class vibe.

"Wow, uh… I didn't know you ate stuff like that, too, Ms. Suou," stammered Takeshi nervously. Yuki took a hair tie out of her pocket and put her hair up into a ponytail with an awkward smile.

"You don't have to be so formal. It's not like we just met. We're classmates."

"B-But, like… Yeah, you're right."

"And of course I eat ramen. We don't eat it at home, but I often go out on the weekends for ramen."

"R-Really? I guess I misjudged you."

Both Takeshi's and Hikaru's eyes were wide in astonishment after hearing how down-to-earth Yuki was, a departure from her ladylike image at school. Yuki smiled even wider before elegantly beginning to slurp her noodles.

Masachika waited until she was eating and shot Takeshi a look.

You're way too nervous. (Masachika)

Speak for yourself. Maybe you are, but not me. (Takeshi)

You wanna get to know her, right? How are you going to do that when you're trembling in your seat? (Masachika)

Sorry, but she's just out of my league. (Takeshi)

Giving up already?! (Masachika)

As they conversed like this with their eyes, Yuki suddenly took a break from her ramen and exhaled deeply in satisfaction.

"This is really good, isn't it? I kind of wish it was a little spicier, though."

"Right? It needs more chili oil."

"I saw they had soy sauce and salt at the counter, but there wasn't any chili oil, unfortunately. The student council may need to have a talk about this during our next meeting."

"Way to abuse your power for self-gain," joked Masachika.

"I'm kidding," said Yuki, giggling.

Another unnoticed crease appeared in Alisa's brow as she quietly ate her lunch while listening to their friendly banter… The crease deepened until she eventually closed her eyes and consciously changed her expression.

"Are you two close?" Alisa casually asked.

"We're childhood friends, actually," said Yuki, grinning cheerfully after facing forward.

"Since childhood…?"

"We've actually been going to the same school ever since kindergarten. We've unfortunately never had class together, though."

"Oh…" Alisa nodded ambiguously, making it unclear if she was satisfied with Yuki's answer.

"What about you two? Are you two close?" asked Masachika.

Alisa paused as if she didn't know the answer to that question, so Yuki decided to speak up instead.

"I guess you could say…we're still getting to know each other. I want to be friends with Alisa, at the very least," she explained while gently smiling at Alisa and tilting her head.

Alisa, wide-eyed, didn't quite know where to look.

With her eyes averted, Alisa gave an odd reply. "…There's nothing good about being friends with me."

Yuki blinked a few times, but a smile soon played upon her lips once more. "In other words, you aren't against the idea of us becoming friends, right?"

"Oh… Yeah, I guess?"

"Then let's be friends! We're both in the student council and the same grade, after all. Oh, hey! Do you think I could call you Alya, too? I always thought it was the cutest nickname whenever I heard Masha and Masachika call you that!"

"S-Sure… Go ahead."

"Hee-hee! I can't stop smiling! You can call me Yuki or whatever you want, too, okay, Alya?"

"…Okay, Yuki."

Strangely enough, Alisa leaned away from Yuki, who was cheerfully giggling with her hands clasped together.

"I'm glad you two are friends now, but your ramen's gonna get soggy if you don't hurry," warned Masachika.

"Ah! I totally forgot about my ramen!"

Alisa watched with slight bewilderment as Yuki hurriedly ate her ramen; then she noticed that Masachika was staring, so she pouted awkwardly.

"So… Kuze… What have you been telling Ms. Su—Yuki about me?" Alisa asked.

"Huh? Oh, nothing really… Just about how you always get mad at me and…that's about it."

"You make it sound like I'm always angry, but it's always your fault," argued Alisa as the corner of her eyebrows curled furiously.

"Can't deny that," replied Masachika, lowering his head as Yuki giggled.

"You don't have to feel embarrassed, Masachika."

"Hmm?"

"Masachika always speaks so highly of you, Alya. He told me you're a really hard worker and how he really respects you."

"…?!"

"I never said I respected her."

"But you still unconditionally show respect for hardworking people. Am I wrong?" replied Yuki as if she were some all-knowing, omnipresent being.

"…"

Masachika awkwardly looked away before facing forward once more, staring at Takeshi and Hikaru as if to say, "Come on, guys. Say something."

Hikaru and Takeshi exchanged glances, gave each other slight nods, then simultaneously stood up with their trays.

"Well, we're done eating, so we should get going."

"See you all later."

Masachika tried to plead with his eyes as the two traitors started leaving.

Hey?! (Masachika)

Sorry, but I can't stomach any more of this. (Takeshi)

I'm not comfortable around women for prolonged periods of time. (Hikaru)

They then averted their gazes and hurriedly left the cafeteria, rendering all of Masachika's begging for naught. With his eyes, burning with resentment, locked on their backs, he suddenly heard Alisa whisper in Russian;

""