Chapter 3 – "That Dumb Thing Make Me Misunderstand!"
The afternoon sun filtered in lazily through the windows.
Warmth filled the classroom. The kind that made students want to nap rather than work.
The math teacher stood at the front of the room, holding a pile of worksheets in her arms and a stern frown on her face.
"I'll be out of the classroom for the next thirty minutes," she said. "Finish the assignment I gave you during that time. If not, it becomes homework."
That last word sent a visible ripple of groans across the room.
Minami immediately straightened her back, grabbing a pencil like it was a sword. "Got it! I'll finish this now!"
A perfect student in moments like these.
Meanwhile…
Kazumi barely reacted.
The moment the teacher left and the classroom door clicked shut, he reached into his desk, pulled out his beloved handheld console, and placed it down gently on the desk like it was sacred treasure.
"Perfect timing."
He popped open the lid, the soft chime of the game start-up sounding like music to his ears.
Just as he was about to put on his headphones and disappear into digital bliss—
"Wait."
A voice came from his right.
He turned.
Hanami, who had been leaning back lazily until now, suddenly leaned forward toward his desk.
"Don't put those on," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "I wanna watch you play."
Kazumi raised an eyebrow. "...Watch me play?"
"Yep. Sit closer and let me see."
Without waiting for his response, Hanami pulled her chair right next to his and leaned in, her arm brushing lightly against his. Her head tilted to peek over at his screen.
"I've always wondered what kind of games you're into," she added. "This feels kinda intimate."
Kazumi blinked. "It's just turn-based combat."
"Still counts."
He shrugged. "Sure, whatever."
He continued playing, now fully aware of how close she was sitting.
Then, from across the room, came a sudden jolt of realization.
"Eh?!"
Minami shot up from her seat.
Her eyes locked onto the scene—the two of them, shoulder to shoulder, heads nearly touching, the gentle sound of pixelated swords echoing from the console.
Her pencil fell to her desk with a clack.
She stood up so fast her chair screeched. Then, without hesitation, she marched over and slid her chair right beside Kazumi's other side.
"Hey! Not fair, Hanami!"
Hanami didn't look at her. "What isn't fair?"
"You took the chance while I was working on the math assignment!"
Hanami finally turned with a grin. "Well, you chose math over Kazumi. That's your loss."
"I didn't choose! I was just—ugh!!" Minami flailed her arms, then crossed them tightly with a loud hmph.
Kazumi grinned without even looking away from the game.
"…Is that so?"
Minami narrowed her eyes.
That casual tone. That tiny smirk.
He was enjoying this.
"You think I chose math over you, don't you?!"
Kazumi didn't respond. He was too busy navigating a dialogue tree in his game. His expression remained calm, almost indifferent. He might as well have been discussing the weather.
Minami leaned in closer. "I didn't mean it that way, okay?! I just wanted to finish the worksheet before it piled up!"
Kazumi finally looked at her, blinking slowly. "Hm?"
"…What?"
He tilted his head slightly, the tiniest hint of amusement in his expression.
"I was just playing a game. What're you freaking out about?"
Minami froze.
Her brain did a quick rewind.
Wait.
She had gotten worked up over something small. Again.
She'd assumed he was upset. That he thought she prioritized homework over him. But…
He hadn't even been thinking about that.
"…You tricked me!" she shouted, pointing an accusing finger.
Kazumi shrugged, finally letting his smirk become obvious.
"I didn't say anything. You assumed."
"You knew exactly what I'd think!"
"Did I?"
Minami puffed her cheeks again. "Ugh, you're the worst."
Kazumi calmly returned to his console.
But before he could even move his fingers again—
Snatch.
"Huh—?"
His hands were suddenly empty.
Minami had grabbed his handheld console.
He blinked. "...Oi."
"Nope. You're not getting it back," she said, hugging it to her chest like a trophy. "Because of that dumb game, I misunderstood and said weird things!"
Kazumi raised an eyebrow. "You misunderstood on your own."
"Still! The point is, you need to stop zoning out and actually talk to us once in a while!"
Hanami, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange with a small giggle, nodded. "She's got a point."
"Oh, now you're supporting her?"
"Only when it's funny."
Minami sat back down beside him, placing the console carefully on her lap—just far enough to annoy him.
"You can have it back later. But for now, we're gonna have a real conversation."
Kazumi gave a long, slow sigh.
"…Fine."
For the first time that afternoon, he pushed the console aside mentally and leaned back in his chair.
Hanami rested her chin on her hand, her eyes twinkling. "Look at that. We've tamed the wild Kazumi."
Minami smirked. "Finally."
Kazumi looked between them and rolled his eyes.
"Alright then, what do you want to talk about?"
Minami raised a finger. "First question: what were you really doing during second lunch?"
"Playing games."
"Where?"
Kazumi crossed his arms. "That's classified."
"Eh?! Again with the secrets?!"
Hanami laughed softly. "So mysterious."
Minami frowned. "If you're not gonna tell us, then I'm keeping this console forever."
"You'll forget where you put it in ten minutes."
Minami opened her mouth—then paused.
"…Tch. Fine. New question."
She leaned forward. "Do you think that kouhai girl is cute?"
Kazumi blinked. "What kind of question is that?"
Hanami raised an eyebrow. "Oho~ Bold."
"Answer the question!"
He sighed. "Yeah, I guess."
Minami squinted. "What part of her is cute?"
Kazumi thought for a second.
"…Her face. Her height. Her weird honesty. And her expression when I squish her cheeks."
Hanami let out a short laugh. "You squished her cheeks?"
Kazumi nodded. "Squishiest cheeks I've touched this year."
"Ughhhh!" Minami groaned, falling back in her chair. "Why do you remember that in detail?!"
"I've got a good memory."
"You never say things like that about me!"
"Your cheeks aren't squishy."
Minami screamed internally.
Meanwhile, Hanami was giggling again, clearly enjoying the chaos.
"Senpai bullying at its finest."
Kazumi stretched his arms and leaned back.
"Well, I did what you asked. We had a 'proper' conversation. Can I have my console back now?"
Minami clutched it tighter. "Nope."
"Figures."
He turned to Hanami. "Wanna help me get it back?"
Hanami shook her head. "Nah. This is fun."
Kazumi narrowed his eyes at both of them.
"...I need better friends."
Minami grinned. "No you don't. You need us."
He leaned forward slowly, reaching for the console. "Then give me—"
"Nope!"
Minami stood up with a start, holding the console high above her head and stepping away.
Kazumi chased after her slowly, arms half-raised like a cat stalking prey, his expression deadpan.
Hanami laughed so hard she nearly fell off her chair.
The classroom continued buzzing in the background, but for the three of them, it was like their own little bubble of chaos had formed.
Eventually, after a few more minutes of playful bickering, Minami returned the console with a proud grin, and Kazumi—without even looking—flipped it open and resumed his game.
But this time…
He kept his headphones off.