Stumbling Over Love | ✓

Chapter 30

_Chapter 30~ Strange Connection_

"That report we worked on turned out really well! Better than I imagined, actually," Daichi told me as we gathered our stuff for the day.

"And you said I wasn't a capable partner," I said, placing my books in my bag.

"I'm pretty sure I didn't say that," he defended, a smile growing on his face. "But, for sure, you seem more reliable than the last one."

"Why, thank you." I fake curtseyed. Just as I zipped my bag, my attention fell on the ajar classroom door. My eyelids rose in astonishment upon recognizing Ryu idling by the doors.

"Is that... Iwasaki?" Daichi asked, following my gaze.

"It is..." I murmured. I hurriedly swung my bag strap over my shoulder. "You can go home, Daichi. No need to accompany me to the office today."

I didn't wait to hear his reply and instead booked it to the exit. As soon as I arrived, I craned my neck up.

"Iwasaki?" I asked, immediately catching his attention. "What are you doing here?"

He adjusted his slumped posture. "Um..." He bashfully scratched the back of his neck. "I just thought we should head for the infirmary together. Is that strange?"

My eyes shrunk in surprise. Typically, we met each other there, so it had definitely shocked me that he suddenly wanted to go together.

"It... isn't strange," I replied, the corners of my mouth lifting upwards. "Let's go."

Visibly relieved, Ryu returned the expression and we set off towards the office.

"Were you busy with Class President stuff lately?" I broke the silence.

"Yeah," he responded. "My teacher kept piling me with duties. I should've told you."

"No, it's fine," I quickly reassured him. "Whenever I saw you you'd always run in the opposite direction so I was honestly worried you were avoiding me or something. I'm glad that's not the case."

It was honestly the reason why his sudden request startled me. I hadn't exactly gotten a chance to talk to him these days because he'd been so 'busy.' A part of me had begun to think he was lying about that, so, I was relieved to know that wasn't the case.

Ryu was quiet for a moment. He meekly scratched his cheek, turning his head away a bit. "Well, I was busy... but I also didn't know how to act around you."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Act around me? Why?"

"Y-you said... we'd be friends," he awkwardly responded. "I couldn't figure out how that meant you wanted me to act, so I was avoiding you a little. Sorry."

Ryu's unexpectedly honest answer caused my mouth to collapse. Wait... really?

Warmth filled my chest. I couldn't fight back a smile. "You're thinking too much into this," I told him. "You can act normally. When I said we should be "friends", I kind of meant we should stop focusing on when we first met. Leave everything behind us so we can start fresh."

Ryu didn't seem satisfied, which was clear by the expression that he wore.

I rolled my eyes. "I never would've imagined you'd worry about stuff like this. Weren't you supposed to be focusing on your duties?"

"I was focusing on them."

"And that's pretty surprising in itself," I teased. "Who would've thought you'd be so dependable."

He pouted. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, really." I grinned. "Just, I guess Class President Iwasaki is someone amazing after all."