Horikita Route

Chapter 13 - V1

A warm breeze on a sunny May afternoon was felt by the two students as they walked along the concrete path of the park.

Around them, students were mingling in groups of friends, eager to relax before the inevitable exam.

Kiyotaka and Suzune were silent as they walked away the school building, the tenseness of the situation slowly turning into a peaceful air.

Leaves, fresh from the aftermath of Spring, rustled around the pair. Gentle wind colliding into their well-kept uniforms.

Once they were a certain distance away from all prying ears, the girl spoke;

"It's been a while since we properly talked, Kiyotaka."

Truthfully, it has. Due to the upcoming test, their bond has been... different... than before.

"We have been busy, is all."

"Seems like we have."

Another pause, before Suzune pushed forward;

"You.... you are going to be okay, right?" A hint of worry could easily be distinguished in her words.

Without even hesitation, he replied;

"It's only 15 thousand. For the sake of the class, that's worth nothing."

"But..."

"I have 54 thousand more, really. You don't have to worry about me, Suzu."

Embarrasment filled the face of Horikita, angry at being found out.

"I'm not that worried, I-It would just be a bother if your skills get affected because of starvation. I wouldn't want to be forced to procure sustenance for you, after all."

A dry, almost unnatural chuckle came out of Kiyotaka's mouth, confusing the smart girl.

Since when did he start emoting? Wasn't he always emotionless?

"As expected of you, of course.

...

You don't have to worry about that anymore. That reminds me..."

He slowed down his walk and tried to get out something from his blue school bag. Two sandwiches came out of it, and he offered one to his friend.

Seeing no reason to refuse, Horikita reached out and accepted the food gratefully.

Together, they unwrapped the bread and sat at the same bench they used on the second day of school, the one where she first found out Kiyotaka's piano skills.

A bite of the sandwich, tuna apparently, perplexed Suzune even more.

Didn't he say that he absolutely sucked at cooking? What the hell is this, then?

"I'm surprised, this is actually edible."

"Yeah, her first creations were absolutely disgusting."

Her?

Ahh.

"Karuizawa?"

"Who else?"

That's right.... who else but her?

_________________________________________________

Her again. I don't know if I should be grateful or mad at her for doing stuff like this.

"You've been awfully close these past few days with her, Kiyotaka."

....

....