COTE: Behind the Mask

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 3

As soon as Arisu appeared, we began strolling towards the mall.

"Wanna go to the café first?" I broke the silence. Her eyes, which had been focused on the road ahead, turned to me. "Sure," she responded.

When we arrived at the mall, there was a small crowd in front of the entrance.

"Should we check it out?" I asked Arisu.

"I don't think it's that important for us to check it out," she replied.

As we walked past the crowd, I noticed the magenta-haired boy from the entry ceremony, along with other boys, confronting a tall red-haired boy about something. Soon we arrived at the popular café that many people had been talking about. She led us to a table for the two of us and handed us the menus. The café was beautifully decorated, with lots of plants and natural colors. It was also quite calm, with not many first-year students around, mostly second and third years. However, there were many girls and only a few boys.

"Kiyo, what are you going to order?" she asked with a curious look.

"I'm still looking," I replied while scanning the menu.

After a few moments, I found something: a dessert called 'Strawberry Cheesecake' and a green tea.

"I'll order a Strawberry Cheesecake and a green tea," I said, closing the menu.

"I'll get Anmitsu and a royal milk tea," Arisu decided.

I called the waitress over and we placed our orders. While we waited, the café started to fill up with more students. I was lost in thought when suddenly a boy greeted us.

"Excuse me, could we sit at your table?" he asked with a smile.

"I wouldn't mind," I answered, looking at Arisu.

"I wouldn't mind either," she agreed.

He thanked us and they sat at our table. I recognized them from Class D as I had seen the boy at the entry ceremony. Then a girl from their group started speaking.

"Shouldn't we get to know each other?" Everyone nodded.

"Alright, I'll start since it was my idea. My name is Karuizawa Kei. I like shopping and I don't really like studying," she introduced herself with a confident smile.

"I'll go next! I'm Sato Maya. I like hanging out with my friends and I also don't like studying." That's probably why they're in Class D, if they're also bad at physical activities.

"I guess I'll go next. I'm Matsushita Chiaki." Well, that was a short introduction, but I guess I don't have much to say either.

"My name is Hirata Yosuke. I'm pretty good academically and I like to play soccer." He's probably one of the, if not the best student in Class D.

"I'm Sakayanagi Arisu. I like to play chess in my free time and I'm above average academically." I guess it's my turn now.

"I am Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. I play piano and do calligraphy," I started. "What I like to do in my free time is probably reading," I finished my introduction.

"Did you both already order?" Hirata asked.

"Yeah, it should be coming soon."

As soon as I said that, the waitress arrived with our orders. She placed them on the table and handed menus to the others.

"Oh, that cheesecake looks good!" Karuizawa said, eyeing my Strawberry Cheesecake.

"Do you want to try?" I asked. "Yes, please!"