Classroom of the Elite

Part 4

[Hey, what do you think? Can everyone make it to the Pallet after school?]

Came the message from Haruka in our group chat. 

I didn't have any plans after school so I could make it there alright.

[Yes, no problem.]

[I can make it as well. Today my club activities have been canceled since the club is undergoing maintenance.]

[I can come. It's been so long since we all were gathered together.]

Keisei, Akito, and Airi all replied almost immediately.

I wanted to be the first one to reply but all the three of them beat me to the punch.

[Guess I will try next time.]

But what Airi had said was absolutely true. Because of the recent special exam, we hadn't been able to hang out together. So, I replied as well.

[Okay, I am fine as well.]

[Then it's all decided we will all be meeting at 4!!]

Haruka replied after a while and that's how it was decided that all of us will be meeting at the Pallet.

*

We managed to secure five seats at the cafe. Keisei sat next to me and next to Keisei sat Akito. Haruka and Airi sat across from us. 

Haruka had arrived earlier and had ordered coffee for each of us, all to our individual likings.

Sipping on our drinks, we chatted about nothing in particular.

But then suddenly Akito asked me something that he had said that he would ask later.

"So, Kiyotaka, please fill us in your relationship with Ichinose-san."

Saying that he held his hand in front of me mimicking a microphone.

"There's nothing going on between us. That's all."

I tried to mimic how a spokesperson that I happened to see on TV spoke and I think I managed it pretty decently as Haruka, Airi, and Keisei along with Akito all laughed a bit. But Airi's laugh was a bit awkward. 

Then all of a sudden, Haruka grew serious and kicked Akito under the table.

"Hey, don't bring this topic anymore. See, you ruined my Airi-chan's mood. See for yourself how dejected she is and how down she's feeling because of you."

"N-No, I am not feeling down, Haruka-chan!"

Airi wailed again and Haruka again went into teasing mode. 

"Hey, look there."    

Keisei poked at my shoulders and pointed at a table in the corner of the Pallet.

What I saw there truly shocked me.

"What's wrong?"

Following my and Keisei's line of sight, all the three of them also looked at the table at the corner.

"It's quite rare, isn't it?"

Said Keisei.

"Huh? Why? Isn't it normal for two classmates hanging out together?" Said Airi. She doesn't think, no, she doesn't even try to think too deep.

She's too good for her own good. Since she herself was a good-natured person she thought of others as equally good and that could get her into some trouble in the future exams. But more than deliberating on her personality I decided to focus on what I was seeing.