Of Course It's A Lie

Closing

"Yamane Nunoe. You'll be with ××××."

It didn't matter whose name the teacher had called out, because it wasn't Sumi's. Nunoe glanced over to see her best friend turning from her front row seat to look at her in shock.

"Maeda Sumire, you'll work with..." As the teacher droned on, Nunoe lost herself to her thoughts.

She knew there was little harm in working with other people for a change--she needed to learn to socialize more anyway--but she didn't really want to. Okay, she really didn't want to. She worked with Sumi all the time. It was fine working with other girls and boys, but with Sumi, it was fun. Everything was better with Sumi. At least it was only for one class period. And then, it would be lunch.

After the class had ended, Nunoe had quickly made her way to her friend. She didn't want her to feel alone for a second longer.

"I really thought we'd be together," Sumire sighed.

"Me too." Nunoe said in what she thought was a consoling voice.

"Oh well, at least it was for one class period." Sumire smiled.

Nunoe was suddenly reminded of the smile Sumire had flashed while working with that other girl. "Yeah, that's good."

"Yeah. I don't mind." Sumire proceeded to drone on about her favorite band, which she'd introduced Nunoe to some weeks ago. Unfortunately, Nunoe hadn't had the time to get into it yet. She was on thin ice in English class and needed to focus on her grades.

As Sumire took Nunoe through the finer points of the band boys' handsome looks, Nunoe's eye became unfocused. As she chewed on her food, she found herself wishing that Sumire had asked her if she wanted to work with her in the next class period.

"Just askin', you know? Even though the teacher chooses it every time", Sumire would have said.

"Of course," Nunoe would have answered. "'Course I'd want to work with you, every class. I have fun when I work with you."

This was during their first year of high school.