Chapter 3: Rising Tensions

After the unexpected meeting in the school's back garden, Ryo felt slightly more pressured. His once orderly life, filled with routines, was now disrupted by the attention he was receiving from Mika, Ayumi, and Haruka. Every time he tried to focus on studying or preparing for exams, one of them would appear, greeting him with a smile or striking up a conversation about things unrelated to his studies.

That day, Ryo sat at a library desk, trying to finish his piled-up math assignments. As usual, he was immersed in numbers and formulas, which made him feel at peace. However, his calm was interrupted when Mika suddenly sat at the table next to him.

"Ryo," Mika called softly. "Are you working on your assignment? If you need help, I can assist you," she said with a sweet smile.

Ryo felt awkward. "Ah, thanks, Mika, but I can handle it myself," he replied, trying to avoid further conversation.

Mika nodded but didn't leave. She just sat there, occasionally stealing glances at Ryo, who was focused on his book. Mika always knew how to get close, making Ryo feel slightly uneasy because he couldn't just reject the help she offered.

A few minutes later, Ayumi appeared from the bookshelf area, walking briskly with her usual excitement. "Ryo! Come on, let's go to the sports club event later! A lot of people will be there, and you should join!" Ayumi said cheerfully, as if Ryo had no choice but to participate in something that had nothing to do with his goals.

Ryo looked at her for a moment, unsure how to respond. "I… I think I have assignments to finish, Ayumi," he replied politely.

Ayumi didn't give up. "Come on, you need to get out more! If you just study all the time, you'll get stressed!" She grinned widely, then glanced at Mika, who was still sitting beside Ryo. "You should come too, Mika. We can have some fun together."

Mika gave a small smile but then lowered her head again, as if she also knew that Ryo was trying hard to stay focused. Not long after, Haruka appeared, wearing glasses and carrying books that looked heavier than Ryo's study materials.

"Are you two still able to concentrate on your studies?" Haruka asked calmly, her voice almost sounding like a reminder. "If you socialize too much, you'll lose focus, and that's not good for the exams."

Ryo felt slightly relieved hearing Haruka speak. Haruka, who tended to be quiet and serious, always gave him a sense of security, though her words often carried a certain weight. But he knew that Haruka wasn't trying to disturb him—if anything, she was reminding him to stay on the right path.

Mika, Ayumi, and Haruka sat around Ryo's table, though they weren't entirely involved in studying. Ryo felt as if something was weighing on his mind. How could he stay focused when the attention from these three girls constantly interrupted his study time?

After a while, Ryo closed his book and sighed deeply. "I… really have to go," he finally said, deciding to end the gathering. "There's something I need to take care of at home."

Ayumi looked disappointed. "Aw, fine then. But don't overthink things, Ryo! Try to have fun once in a while!"

Mika smiled and nodded. "If you ever need a study partner, I'm always here. You can ask me anytime."

Haruka simply raised an eyebrow. "Don't let your study time go to waste," she said with a faint smile.

Ryo forced a small smile in return, but his heart felt heavy. Their attention wasn't just distracting him from his goals—it was also stirring feelings he couldn't ignore. Every time he thought about his ultimate dream—earning a full scholarship and getting into the best university—those feelings returned: what about them? What about the relationships that were forming?

On his way home, Ryo thought about their conversation. He felt anxious, confused, and increasingly torn between chasing his big dream and the unexpected attention from the three girls. Would he stay focused on his goal? Or would these three become an unexpected part of his journey?