The warm afternoon sun filters through the classroom windows as students shuffle out for lunch.
I linger by my desk, collecting my books, my expression as blank as always. Just as I turn to leave, a familiar voice calls my name.
The girl cheerfully approached, a large smile on her face. "Ayano! Hey, um, I was wondering... do you think you could help me with something?"
I paused, turning to face her. Amai Odayaka, with her ever-sweet smile, stands holding a clipboard, the scent of sugar and flour practically radiating off her.
"What do you need?" I ask bluntly.
Amai beamed. "The Cooking Club is hosting another bake sale soon, and we’re really short on extra hands. I thought of you since... well, you helped out before, and you're pretty good at this stuff. Could you join us again?"
...right,
During week 2, I helped out with a bakesale since Amai was busy with problems from their bakery.
But why me now?
"Um..." I let out.
"Ayano! What are you waiting for? Are you just gonna let me stand here waiting for you to hurry up?" Osana called out, pushing the door open. When suddenly, she came to a stop when she saw Amai.
“Why is she here?” she asked, eyebrows furrowing.
“I was just asking Ayano if she could help with the bake sale! We need more—” Amai started, but Osana cut her off.
“She’s hanging out with ME today! Can’t you see? Rai isn’t here, so I’m alone!” she huffed.
When did I sign up to be a replacement again?
“Uh… well, if you want, you can help out too!” Amai smiled sweetly.
“Wha— really...? I MEAN— NO. Nuh-uh! You’re not getting my amazing baking skills for this.”
“Aw, come on! It’ll be fun! We can make a cake and cupcakes...” Amai encouraged.
“That does sound nice… W—wait, no! I’m not doing free labor for you!” Osana crossed her arms defiantly.
“Yan-chan?” Amai turned to me with a glimmer of hope.
Oh god.
“Um… why not?” I managed to say.
“You’re accepting?! I thought you were with me!” Osana snapped, her jaw dropping.
“I never said that— ack!” I was interrupted as Amai pulled me away. “Let’s go, Yan-chan!” she laughed, running ahead.
“Wha— HEY!!!” Osana shouted, sprinting to catch up with us.
Eventually, the three of us arrived at the cooking club, with Osana finally catching up. “Hah…! Hah…” she panted, hands on her knees as she looked up at us.
Suddenly, she lunged forward and tugged on my arm. “You can’t just force her like that!” she yelled at Amai, who looked back at her, confused.
“Ah…! Sorry! Sorry! I only did that so you’d run after us,” Amai explained, a bit flustered.
“…what?” Osana stared at her in disbelief.
Amai took Osana’s hand and pulled her into the cooking club, quickly putting on a bandana. “H-hey!” Osana protested, her cheeks flushed.
I stepped inside the club and slipped on an apron, grabbing another one to hand to Osana. “Let’s just help out. It’ll be fun,” I said flatly.
“Oh… um… okay…” Osana’s voice softened a bit before she put on the apron and crossed her arms. “Hmph! Not like I wanted to help out anyway. Let’s get this done.”
She turned to Amai, pointing at her. “I’ll show you how good I am at baking!”
“I see we’re already baking?” a deep yet soft voice came from behind us.
“Eep!” Osana squeaked, her head snapping back to the door. “You scared me,” she mumbled.
“Ah! Shoku!” Amai greeted sweetly. “Hello!” He smiled as he stepped into the clubroom. “I see we have some helpers here. Hello again, Aishi.”
I nodded in acknowledgment, and he turned to Osana. “And you are... Najimi, right?” He extended his hand to her, and she shook it immediately.
“Hi! Tsuburaya-san, right? I saw you handing out some sweets right before lunch,” Osana said, her demeanor surprisingly soft.
“Haha... I feel kind of awkward that you recognized me like that. Ah well, what will we be baking today, Amai?” he asked, glancing back at the brown-haired girl.
“Mhm~ just some cupcakes!” Amai replied cheerfully.
“Well, we better get to work then,” he nodded, putting on an apron. “I’ll call the others.”
“Oh, I’ll go with you!” Amai said, trailing behind him. “Wait for a bit!” she called back to us.
Osana and I were left alone in the room. She cleared her throat, trying to ease the awkwardness. “So… are they a thing?”
“What?” I glanced at her.
“Ugh… you know, dating?” she groaned.
“Ah, no. I don’t think so.” Though… he probably likes her, huh? I never really thought much about it. I could have exploited it...
...but it’s not like I can or have to now.
“Geez, sometimes you’re so awkward to talk to…” Osana mumbled.
“How so?” I asked, causing her to flush instantly.
“Nothing! Shut up!” she huffed, picking up a whisk and pointing it at my face. A grin spread across her lips, her other hand resting on her hip.
“I’ll show you the best cookies ever, just you wait! No one will compare. Not even Shoku and Amai!” She said smugly, flipping her hair to the side.
“Right… looking forward to it,”
...
“Erm... do we go in now?” Saki whispered. We were standing behind the wall, listening to the two girls bickering inside the clubroom. I giggled slightly.
“Their dynamic is kind of odd, isn’t it? But it’s pretty sweet,” I said, clasping my hands together with a soft sigh.
“The main bake sale isn’t here yet. We don’t need that much help; why’d you call them?” Aija asked, glancing back into the classroom.
“I thought it’d be fun! Plus, if it helps take their minds off the recent death, then I’ll be really glad. They were both so close with Taro… I can’t imagine their pain.”
“Our Amai, being as sweet as ever,” Aija laughed, followed by small chuckles from everyone else.
A small laugh escaped my lips.
Hah... I’m happy.
I don’t want to see such sad faces.
Though it seems that Osana has been hanging out with Yan-chan quite a lot... Maybe it’s because she relates to her? I can imagine that.
Or perhaps... Does she...?
Ah, what am I thinking? I need to get my head out of the gutter and bake those cookies!
YOU ARE READING
Heartstrings & Shadows (Yandere Simulator FF)
RandomAfter losing her one and only beloved senpai, Ayano tries to take her life to be with him. Only to be saved by her old acquaintance. Having no choice but to live through everyday again, Ayano decided to try and live peacefully and happily. Holding o...
