Chapter 30: Next to Nagase-san
The new semester feels strange, doesn't it?
You suddenly stop seeing people you met every day because of the long break.
Meeting again after summer vacation feels kind of embarrassing or awkward in some way.
Though, things go back to normal pretty quickly.
Long time no see!
Did you get tanned?
You've lost weight!
I take my seat while watching these greetings being exchanged.
I saw Koji almost every day at basketball club, and I met Hiroshi once last week.
Nagase "No greeting for me, Kousuke-kun?"
Even during summer break, she pestered me...
Nagase-san, who sits next to me, is as healthy and beautiful as ever.
Her ponytail and expressive face captivate the boys.
Lately, she often teases me about Tomonaga-san or Airi-senpai.
"...Morning, Nagase-san."
Nagase "You've barely paid attention to me since that day I wasn't feeling well, huh??"
...Yeah, being a seat apart feels like a safe zone.
My fear of girls.
But seriously, the only girl in our year I talk to is Nagase-san.
I haven't really spoken to Satsuki since starting high school, and with Tomonaga-san, it's only been since summer break.
For someone as quiet as me, Nagase-san is definitely the girl I talk to.
Still, I don't actively start conversations with her.
"...Nah. Isn't this about right?"
Nagase-san puffs out her cheeks in annoyance,
Nagase "Eh? Really? Most of the other boys come up and talk to me a lot, you know? Like Yamamoto-kun... Kousuke-kun, you only respond and never approach me yourself."
True. I can't exactly say I'm scared of girls.
"...Yeah, true."
Nagase-san seems to notice something and suddenly brightens up,
Nagase "Got some troubles? Want big sis to listen?"
Kousuke "...Airi-senpai is enough for the big sis role."
She puffs out her cheeks again.
Nagase "That's the kind of thing I'm talking about! Mentioning another girl while talking to a girl lacks tact... ...Sorry."
Hey, don't apologize.
The awkward atmosphere reminds me of the whole thing with Satsuki rejecting me.
"...Don't worry about it. ...But, I'm kinda sad we'll be separated with the seat change this new semester."
Nagase-san is refreshing, healthy, and brightens up everyone around her.
I truly feel that her vibe has helped me a lot.
Honestly, the seat next to Nagase-san is considered a prime spot that everyone envies.
There were plenty of negotiations to switch seats.
Nagase "Eh? Really? Isn't that just polite flattery?"
She smirks and teases me with a smug look.
What a hassle, this girl is such a hassle.
Nagase "Well then, how about we exchange addresses so it's fine even if our seats are apart? You dodged it last time. ...Why is it that guys who don't need to ask forcefully give me their addresses, but when I suggest exchanging, I get turned down...?"
Nagase-san mutters under her breath.
"Fine, let's exchange then."
I did it to avoid complications. I've already exchanged with Tomonaga-san and Airi-senpai anyway.
If I mention I exchanged with those two first, it'll definitely cause trouble.
The opening ceremony ends, and it's homeroom.
Apparently, tomorrow's schedule is packed, so they're doing the seat change today.
Once that's done, we're dismissed for the day.
Nagase "Eh? We're changing seats already?"
I glance at Nagase-san, who seems shocked, while thinking it'd be nice if Koji or Hiroshi ended up close to me.
Nagase "Kousuke-kun, Kousuke-kun. We exchanged addresses for this reason. Even if our seats are apart, let's stay close, okay?"
She smiles mischievously but looks a bit lonely.
That kind of expression always gets to me.
"...I enjoyed being next to Nagase-san. It'd be nice if we're close again, right?"
Nagase-san makes a face like she's about to cry and laugh at the same time,
Nagase "Finally realized how great I am? I'll have you know I'm quite popular! You missed out, huh? You should've gotten closer to me while I was next to you!"
Yeah.
I nod. The seat change begins.
Everyone draws lots one by one; it'll be my turn soon.
*Bleep*
A LINE message comes through on my phone.
Nagase-san?
I look over, but she's staring at her phone and not looking at me.
When I first sat next to Kousuke-kun, I thought he was quiet and expressionless, and maybe he wouldn't talk to me!
*Bleep*
But I quickly realized that even if he doesn't show much, he's a good person and works hard!
*Bleep*
You even consulted me about Mishima-san, and we've been able to talk a lot and become closer, so I'm sad about being apart.
*Bleep*
Oh, it's my turn.
My new seat is on the opposite side, near the window, a bit toward the back.
It's completely opposite from my current spot near the corridor at the front.
As I check my lot and return to my seat, I catch Nagase-san's eye.
Nagase-san must've finished drawing her lot too.
Teacher "Alright, move to your assigned seats!"
Everyone starts moving.
Of course, I do too. It's still a bit warm, but a window seat in fall feels nice.
You can see the courtyard clearly, and the air feels fresh.
I wonder if there's something in that pond? I've never been to the courtyard bench.
Even if the seat location changes, we're still in the same class with the same people.
But changing seats shifts relationships, perspectives, atmosphere, and even the order we get called on.
A new round of neighborly interactions begins.
As I turn to greet my new neighbor,
I see a familiar ponytail and a healthy beauty glaring at me with half-closed eyes.
Nagase "You've been staring at the courtyard! I've been looking at you this whole time, waiting for you to say you're glad we're next to each other again!"
Isn't Nagase-san just pouting all day today?
Trying not to sound too blunt,
"...I'm glad to be with Nagase-san again."
Nagase-san looks down.
Huh? Still on LINE?
Does Nagase-san have more LINE messages?
You'll still pay attention to me even if we're apart, right?
It's lonely to be apart when I'm so used to being next to you, isn't it?
Let's stay close, okay?
I stare intently at Nagase-san.
I feel like teasing the bright red Nagase-san just a little.
"...Let's stay close, okay?"
Bon! Nagase-san, turning bright red, stretches out her arm and taps my shoulder three times with a pos! pos!
Nagase "I sent that LINE because I thought we'd drift apart! Geez! That's just like you!"
While grumbling complaints, Nagase-san was smiling brightly.
Since there are no club activities, she makes me treat her to Häagen-Dazs on the way home,
Nagase "It's a scam! I was convinced we'd grow distant if we were apart! Again! Next to me! Geez, can't be helped!"
The girl with the ponytail next to me changes expressions so often that I never get tired of watching her.
That's the kind of girl she is.