Have you changed a bit lately?

“That’s it for today. Each of you, please pass on the message to your classes.”

　With that line from Oki, the day’s school trip meeting came to an end.

　The committee members stood up at once and left the audiovisual room one after another.

　Compared to the first meeting, the attendance rate of the committee members was noticeably lower.

　There were 16 members of the school trip committee, two from each class, but only 10 were present today.

　Almost all classes had only one person participating.

　Well, from what I saw at the last meeting, it seems that they are still mainly concerned with communicating matters, so I guess they decided that it would be enough if one of them attended the meeting.

　I, on the other hand, thought the same thing and was going to attend alone. ……

“It’s over!　Let’s go home!”

“……”

　For some reason, Sayano, the other committee member for our class, had again taken time off from club activities this time to attend.

　I told her she didn’t have to come, but she wouldn’t listen, saying, “I’ll go with you!”

　I don’t mind if it is her own problem, but she is a weird person.

　Maybe she just has trouble with club activities.

“Well then…”

“Oh, hey!”

　When I left the classroom, Sayano caught up with me at a run and lined up next to me.

　She was looking somewhat disgruntled.

“It’s …….”

“Let’s go home together.”

“…… why?”

“Why not?　We’re on the same committee, we should get to know each other!”

“We’re on the same committee, which is why we don’t have to get to know each other.”

“Thats not good!”

　Apparently it wasn’t good.

　Of course, I think you should try to at least make it easy to talk to each other to some extent.

　But with Sayano’s riajuu-like ability, it would be enough to keep things as they are.

　At that time, the three members of the student council came out of the room late.

　When Sayano waved her hand, they each responded in their own way and walked down the hallway.

　As they left, only Susami, who was at the back of the group, seemed to look at me with a strange smile.

“Let’s go, too.”

“…… haha.”

　Well, Rika is going home first today, so I’ll just have to put up with it.

　We’ll probably part ways soon anyway.

“But it’s getting serious now, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to it, Guam.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Yeah, you’re right. You really think so?”

“Well, yeah, to a certain extent.”

　At least it will be more fun than the junior high school excursion.

　The most important thing to remember is that you can’t just go to any school and expect to get a good education.

　And …… well, there’s Rika, too.

“Kusuba-kun!”

“Have you changed a little lately?”

“……Eh?”

　I looked at Sayano, who had her hands folded behind her back and her upper body thrust toward me.

　She tilted her face faintly, as if urging me to respond.

“…… No, not really.”

“Yeah, that’s a lie.”

　Sayano shook her head, looking unconvinced.

　It may be a lie,……, but there shouldn’t be any significant change to be told by someone you haven’t had anything to do with before.

“Because, Kusuba-kun, you used to be more …… negative?　Or rather, you were darker.”

“I’m sure it’s the same now.”

“Hmmm. Now, I feel like you’re calm. I’m not bright, but I’m not afraid.”

“……, maybe it’s just your imagination.”

　I replied, but Sayano said, “No, it’s not!” and for some reason she giggled happily.

　She is a funny girl in many ways.

　Well, maybe that’s just the way riajuus are.

“What is it?　What’s wrong?

“Nothing. Nothing has changed to begin with.

“What’s wrong? I know what’s going on, even if you’re fooling me!

“……Why?”

“Because …… I–

　At that moment, a tennis ball rolled in near us as we were heading to the main gate.

　Then, with a voice saying “sorry,” a student who looked like a member of the tennis club rushed up to us.

　Sayano picked up the tennis ball with a light body movement and tossed it to the tennis club members.

　He deftly received the ball with his racket, bowed, and left.

“…….”

　I looked toward the tennis court and saw Kyoya just over the fence.

　I was so happy to see him.

　And Hinata was there too.

“Oh, it’s Natsume-kun!”

　Sayano said and waved her hand in Kyoya’s direction.

　Kyoya waved his racket back amiably.

　Then he turned to me this time and sent me a grin and a funny smile.

　What’s with those eyes, just like Susami’s earlier?

“Come to think of it, Kusuba-kun, you and Natsume-kun are good friends, aren’t you?”

“Eh?　Ah, ah. Well.”

“Why though? The both of you are like total opposites.”

“We’ve just known each other a long time. We’ve been together since elementary school.”

“Wow! That means we’ve known each other since childhood!”

　Well, I guess that’s what it means.

　But childhood friends among men sounds rather unexciting.

“…… Then, how about you and Susami-san?”

“Eh …….”

　Sayano seemed to be a little less excited than she had been before.

　It was the same when I met her at the previous meeting, but I wondered if she had some kind of history with her.

　Well, it’s nothing for me to worry about.

　However, I wonder if Susami or …… is the same person.

“It’s just a …… coincidence.”

“What’s that?”

“We’ve had a lot of silly things happen, and we’ve just started talking a little bit. And we’re not really close.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

　I mean, I don’t know why this girl is trying to expose her relationship with her.

　I don’t understand her.

“Well, ……, that’s okay. I believe you.”

“…… thanks a lot.”

“Oh, now you sound like a girlfriend who suspects you of cheating on her.　Haha, that’s funny.”

　Sayano said selfishly and laughed again amusedly.

　I’m kind of tired, …….

　Let’s go home early and rest today.

“Hey, Kusuba-kun, are you that way?”

　The two of us walked together for a while, and when we reached a large pedestrian crossing, Sayano said, “It seems like we’re splitting up here.”

　Apparently, it was another road from here.

　From that direction, I guess they were going to the station.

“Yeah. See you then.”

“……Yeah. Let’s see, …….”

　For some reason, Sayano still hadn’t turned her back to me.

　She was looking at the tips of her shoes with her face slightly downcast.

　Somehow, the atmosphere was different from her usual refreshing impression.

“……, do you want to exchange contact information?”

“…… eh?”

“Look, with committee work and all, it would be better if we could contact each other right away, right?　So, yeah.”

“……Well…”

“Hai!”

　Sayano said bouncily and took out her phone from her bag.

　Reading the code on the screen, a contact was added to the Messages app.

　I had such a hard time with Rika, but I didn’t expect it to be this easy.

　As expected of her, it’s amazing how easy it is.

　Well, there is nothing better than being able to get in touch with someone.

　I had experienced the trouble of not being able to do so.

“Haha!　Why the lemon profile picture?”

“No, it’s just something.”

　The truth is, I chose this one to match Rika’s icon, which is a mandarin orange.

　Kyoya teased me, “You’re the same!” I cursed my lack of thoughtfulness, but that’s another story.

“I like it. It’s kind of cute.”

“Is it?”

“Yeah. Kusuba-kun, you always look so sour.”

“What’s with that?”

“Heh heh. But lately, you’ve been making a kind face. A little bit.”

　After saying something I didn’t understand, Sayano-kun took a step away from me, as if bouncing.

“Well, see you later. When I call you, make sure you respond.”

“Oh, ah, …… probably.”

“Absolutely!”

　Sayano laughed again and left with light steps.

　I took a breath and started walking again.

　She’s a lively girl to no end.

Bzzzz

“Hmm?”

　A faint vibration and sound ringed through my ears. It was a notification on my phone.

　On the screen was a message from Sayano, who had just left.

“Let’s go home together again!”

　Were the words she sent along with an emoji sticker.

　After that, no more messages came.

　I knew it, riajuus are mysterious creatures.