Chapter 49: The Immense Influence of the Ice Lady

It would not be an exaggeration to say that Friday after school was the best time for students.

From tomorrow, two days off were much awaited.

Free time spent in such a situation should be tremendously enjoyable.

Of course, depending on the school one went to or club activities one belonged to, they might have classes to begin with or rigorous practices waiting for them.

But at least for Asahi, Saturdays and Sundays were holidays, and Friday after school was supposed to be the best time of the week.

“Sigh…”

“Asahi, are you… that depressed for tomorrow’s amusement park?”

“No, that’s not why I’m sighing.”

 

“So then it’s because of Asahi FEVER?”

“…Well, sort of.”

 

As for Chiaki, who must have known from the start, Asahi didn’t even have the energy left to go along with his jokes.

Even though it was after school on a Friday, he looked exhausted and sighed several times before disappearing into a deserted classroom.

This seemingly grumpy attitude was not in response to tomorrow’s half-assed appointment.

In fact, he was looking forward to going to the amusement park for the first time in a long time.

The reason why Asahi was sighing more than usual was due to another story.

To borrow Chiaki’s words, the Asahi FEVER had been going on for the past few days.

It was not because Asahi suddenly became popular, but rather it was due to the aftermath of Himuro FEVER.

“What’s your relationship with Himuro-san, Kagami-kun?”

“Hey, don’t imitate a girl with that voice. I don’t want to hear it.”

“Shall we do a male version then?”

“No, I’d hate to hear that more.”

A student who was called by their first name by the “Ice lady” and looked much closer to her than the other students.

If such a student did exist, he or she was bound to attract attention from many students, both good and bad.

In fact, every time they had a break, not only his classmates but also other classes would ask him about his relationship with Fuyuka, and as recently as a few minutes ago, a senior who Asahi had never met before approached him.

“Are those answers fine? Every time, you spoke the same words, like an NPC in a game.”

“Cause that’s all there is. We live close to each other and we got along well. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Well, I’m not lying. I’m just leaving out too much of the details.”

Ignoring Chiaki’s grin, Asahi plopped down on his desk.

If he kept silent, it would look suspicious, but if he told them everything, it might start unnecessary rumors.

In the end, he had no choice but to repeat the same bland answers.

When Asahi asked Fuyuka about it, she smiled bitterly, saying that she was also being asked the same question, and that she would have a hard time containing the situation.

“Sigh…”

“You’re really tired. Is talking really that exhausting?”

“The conversation itself is not so much. If anything, the stares are what tires me out.”

“Oh, I see.”

 

“You feel me?”

“Yeah, I know a little bit about that. I feel it too, sometimes.”

Although they didn’t speak clearly to each other, Asahi and Chiaki seemed to have reached a conclusion.

Indeed, the flirting lovebirds may have received more than a little of that kind of attention at some point.

In other words, they were talking about unpleasant feelings that prickle and sting them in the back.

“Himuro-san is very popular, after all. There are many students who are in love with her. I’m sure one or two of them will be jealous of you.”

“I have no idea why they’d turn on me.”

“That’s because you’re closer than most people, aren’t you? You’re more than friends, but less than lovers. Or maybe you’re already in a relationship.”

“That’s not the case…”

“That’s right. Because you and Himuro-san are just friends, right?”

He said it in a slightly suggestive way, but he didn’t say it in an annoying way like he did before.

Letting out another big sigh, Chiaki gently pats Asahi on the shoulder as he plops down on the table without strength.

Apparently, he was serious about what he said, and his usual smirk had faded.

“What’s the use of talking about others? Let’s wait patiently for everyone to settle down.”

“…Yeah.”

 

Even though seventy-five days had not passed, Asahi was sure that the day when he would be free from unnecessary prying and jealousy was not far off.

Fuyuka was slowly adjusting to school, starting with her classmates.

It seemed that new names were being added to her contact list little by little.

It was only a matter of time before she made friends.

She would gradually be able to call others by their first names, one by one.

‘I just got to know you a little earlier.’

Didn’t reject people, able to communicate, and could smile. The day would come when that kind of “Ice Lady” or rather Himuro Fuyuka would be accepted as a natural part of the world.

And someday, the “Ice Lady” will completely disappear.

“…Hey, Asahi. I told you earlier that the rumors would settle down someday, right?”

“Hmm? Yeah, you mentioned it.”

“My bad, I take that back.”

“…Ha?”

 

“Well… you know. We’ve got a new customer.”

When Chiaki urged him to look at the door of the classroom, a tall man was standing there.

His neat face resembled that of a very popular actor who was currently the talk of the town, and the word “handsome” fit him well.

Asahi didn’t know him personally, but when he saw his face, his name at least came to mind quickly.

And Asahi had a pretty good idea why he was here.

“Kagami-kun, right? Can I talk to you for a second?”

The name of the boy who smiled so freshly was Yamada Ryoma.

As a freshman, he was the ace of the soccer team, and was the most popular guy in his grade, receiving enthusiastic support from the female students.