Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – "Why That Flat-Chested Little Witch Can Know, But I Don't?!"

Click.

The door to the rooftop creaked shut behind them.

Kazumi and Rino walked side by side down the stairwell, the soft pat of their shoes echoing quietly in the narrow space.

There weren't many words.

But there were still questions.

"Senpai," Rino said, glancing at him as they turned the corner. "Do you prefer cats or dogs?"

"…Dogs," Kazumi replied calmly. "They don't judge you when you waste three hours grinding XP."

"Cats don't judge either," Rino added, nodding slightly. "They just ignore you."

"I'm already used to that."

"Ah. Because you're unpopular?"

"…Thanks for the reminder."

Rino didn't say it to tease him. That much Kazumi knew. In fact, she looked entirely serious—like she was updating a mental database about his preferences.

They continued walking.

"Senpai, do you like spicy food?"

"Not really."

"What about sweet food?"

"In moderation."

"Pancakes or waffles?"

"Waffles. They have texture."

"Do you sleep with socks?"

"Only if I hate myself."

"Have you ever—"

Kazumi sighed. "Rino, I'm not a search engine."

"But you're more reliable than Google. And cuter."

"…Stop talking like you're trying to break my firewall."

They finally reached the second floor.

Classrooms buzzed lightly with leftover energy from first lunch. Some students still lingered in the halls, chatting in circles or sneaking snacks before the bell rang.

As they walked through the corridor, Kazumi caught a few glances. Not many. Just enough to feel it.

A tall, handsome second-year boy walking next to a petite, emotionless first-year girl wasn't exactly normal.

Rino didn't seem to notice. Or care.

Kazumi reached the front of his classroom and stopped.

"Well," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "This is me."

Rino looked up at him. "Okay."

"…So."

"…So?"

"…You gonna say bye or just stare at me until I dissolve into mist?"

"…Goodbye, Senpai."

Kazumi nodded. "Later, Rino."

Rino gave a little wave—barely even a twitch of her fingers—before turning and walking away without another word.

Kazumi exhaled through his nose and turned the doorknob to his classroom.

Click.

The second he stepped inside, he immediately noticed it.

Two girls were standing near his desk.

Again.

He didn't sigh because people were near his desk.

He sighed because he knew exactly who they were.

"Oh boy," Kazumi muttered under his breath.

The first was Minami Inatsu, with short, fluffy blue hair that looked like she got into a fight with a cotton candy machine. Her face was bright, expressive, and borderline cartoonish—always bouncing between excited, annoyed, pouty, and gleeful at a speed most people couldn't process.

The second was Hanami Kanegaya, who had long, flowing brown hair and warm tan skin. She looked like she belonged on a beach rather than in a classroom. She had a very chill aura… but once she opened her mouth, you couldn't get her to stop.

Both were attractive.

Both were in his class.

Both were standing very close to his desk.

And worse—

Both liked him.

"…Here we go again," Kazumi muttered.

He walked over calmly, keeping his usual poker face on. As he pulled out his chair, Minami turned to him with her usual firestorm energy.

"There you are, Kazumi-kun!" she huffed, crossing her arms dramatically. "Where've you been during second lunch?!"

Kazumi sat down, leaning back with a practiced sigh.

"Playing games," he said plainly.

"Games?! Where?!"

Kazumi turned to her with a small smirk. "At a quiet place."

Minami puffed her cheeks. "That's not fair! Tell me where!"

Kazumi shrugged. "It's a secret."

"That's even more unfair!" Minami's arms flailed like she was physically fighting the injustice of it all. "If that flat-chested kouhai knows where it is, then I should too!"

Kazumi paused mid-laugh.

"Wait, what?"

He looked at Minami with a half-grin. "Why would you assume Rino knows where I go?"

Minami pointed at him like she caught him red-handed. "Because you were walking back here with her!"

Kazumi leaned back, arms behind his head.

"Could've just bumped into her in the hallway, you know."

"…Tch."

Minami opened her mouth to argue—but stopped.

Because technically… that made sense.

It could have just been a coincidence.

But the smug little smirk on Kazumi's face made her narrow her eyes. "You're annoying."

Kazumi grinned wider. "And you're predictable."

Minami stomped once and looked away with a huff.

"That smile of yours is so punchable sometimes…"

As Minami glared at nothing in particular, Hanami finally spoke.

"Aww, don't get so jealous, Minami-chan. It's not like he's dating the kouhai yet," she said with a teasing lilt in her voice.

Kazumi turned his head to her, surprised she hadn't spoken up earlier.

"Yo, Hanami. You were awfully quiet today."

"I was observing," she said with a grin. "Gotta give Minami her turn, you know~"

Hanami Kanegaya was a strange one.

Her energy was much more relaxed compared to Minami's, but she had a way of getting under your skin on purpose. Calm, clever, and a little too good at pretending she wasn't interested.

"So," she leaned on his desk casually, "what's the deal with the blonde first-year? New girlfriend? New project? New pet?"

Kazumi deadpanned. "Not dating her. Not training her. And definitely not adopting her."

"Aw, but she's kinda cute," Hanami said, tapping her finger to her lips. "In that dry cracker kind of way."

Minami turned back toward the conversation. "She's so bland! It's like talking to an answering machine with no battery."

"You're being harsh," Kazumi said, chuckling.

"She's trying to steal your quiet place!" Minami fired back.

"You don't even know where that is."

"Exactly! That's why it's unfair!"

Kazumi just shook his head. "You girls have too much free time."

Hanami smiled and twirled her pen. "And you're way too chill about having girls fighting near your desk every week."

Kazumi pulled out his console from his bag and placed it gently on his desk.

"Can't fight if I ignore both of you."

Minami smacked her palm on the desk. "Oi!"

Hanami laughed softly. "He's hopeless."

As the bell began to ring softly in the background, signaling the end of second lunch, the classroom gradually filled with voices and footsteps.

Kazumi leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes for a brief moment.

Two girls arguing.

One kouhai asking random questions.

His favorite boss fight still unfinished.

So much noise. So many moving pieces.

And yet, for some reason… he didn't mind it today.

Maybe Rino's lap had calming properties.

"Alright, take your seats!" the teacher's voice called out from the hallway.

Hanami gave Kazumi a knowing wink. "Try not to daydream about your first-year fangirl, okay?"

Minami clicked her tongue. "Cheh. Just don't forget who sat next to you first!"

Kazumi raised a hand lazily in mock surrender. "Yes, yes. You're both very loud. Can we learn math in peace now?"

He placed his console into his desk, leaned on one arm, and stared out the window as class began.

In the distance, he could just barely see the rooftop.

That quiet place of his was no longer a secret, was it?

But maybe that wasn't a bad thing.