As Sato exited the classroom, he turned a corner in the hallway and spotted a surprising figure.
"Nishimiya-san? You haven't gone home yet?"
He asked with some surprise.
"Ah…"
Shouko Nishimiya heard his voice and greeted him with a gentle smile. She instinctively began to use sign language, but the moment her hands started moving, they froze awkwardly. The light in her eyes dimmed slightly.
Seeing this, Sato frowned slightly, then quickly smoothed his expression and smiled. "Were you waiting for me?"
Shouko nodded in response.
"Alright then, let's go together."
He spoke naturally. After all, back in the countryside, he'd often gone to and from school with a few girls.
Oh, and there was also a very quiet guy.
On the first day of school, clubs and student council activities hadn't officially begun yet, so the campus was relatively empty. The hallways were nearly deserted.
Until they reached the stairwell corner—
"Satoshi!"
Satoshi… It had been a long time since he'd heard that name.
Sato was momentarily dazed, then turned toward the bouncing figure in front of him, a petite blonde girl.
With sapphire-blue eyes, shining golden twin tails, and a cute, doll-like face currently twisted into an angry expression, Eriri Spencer Sawamura looked like a tiny, growling puppy.
"Your little fangs are kinda cute, Sensei Sawamura," Sato teased with a smile.
Eriri froze mid-growl, then took several steps back, cheeks flushing bright red, as if steam had erupted from her head. "Wh-what are you saying?!"
Shouko Nishimiya looked on curiously from the side.
Isn't that the freshman rep who gave the speech today? Do she and Nohara-kun know each other?
Eriri could handle compliments from other girls with ease, but when they came from a guy, she turned into a flustered mess. She stammered awkwardly for quite a while.
After regaining some composure, she glared fiercely at Sato and growled under her breath, "Don't call me that name!"
Then she shot a suspicious look at Shouko, her eyes sharp and full of warning.
Did she hear that? Do I need to silence her?!
So cute!
Shouko stared at Eriri in a daze. She really looks like an angry kitten…
Huh?
Eriri blinked. What's with this girl's eyes? Why do they feel… weirdly affectionate?
Wait, affectionate?!
Why is she looking at me like that? Don't tell me… she's into girls?!
Eriri's mind began conjuring increasingly colorful images. As those thoughts took over, her gaze grew distant, her face turned a deep red, and imaginary steam poured from her head.
"Eek!"
Suddenly she snapped out of it, her whole face bright crimson.
Sato raised an eyebrow at the girl who had just had a mental breakdown. "Sensei Sawamura, is something wrong?"
She stepped back, clearly flustered.
But within seconds, Eriri snapped back like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on. She stormed up, grabbed Sato's collar, and yanked him down to her level. Staring him dead in the eyes with fire in her own, she growled:
"I told you, don't call me that name!"
Sato's face twitched. He was significantly taller than her, and with her holding his collar like that, it looked like she had to jump just to stay eye-level.
"Could you maybe let go first?" he coughed.
Hmph!
Realizing how ridiculous the situation looked, Eriri's face turned red again. She quickly released him.
Sato straightened his collar and asked, half-resigned, "Eriri, what are you even doing here?"
"Obviously I was waiting for you, idiot! What are you doing here?!"
Eriri's eyes narrowed in suspicion and frustration, her emotions visibly battling on her face.
Sato gave her a once-over, then smirked. "Don't tell me you think I came to this school because of you?"
Her face turned red again, but she kept staring at him intently.
Wasn't it?
"Nope. I just found out today that you're attending this school."
"Really?"
Eriri eyed him, unsure whether to believe him. Did I… really just imagine it? Why does that feel kind of disappointing…
"Of course it's true. You're way too suspicious, Sensei Sawamura."
"I said stop calling me that!!"
Eriri exploded in embarrassment and unleashed her special move—Twin-Tail Whip Attack!
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Sato ducked nimbly, then caught her twin tails mid-swing.
"Sorry, I'm just used to calling you that," he said with a hint of apology.
"Hmph!"
Eriri snatched her hair back and glared at him. Then, puffing up her nonexistent chest, she raised her delicate chin and huffed:
"From now on, let's keep our distance in school. Pretend we don't know each other! And don't ever call me by that name again!"
"But since you're here, we can discuss scripts more easily. So... when are you giving me the draft?"
"Haven't written it yet."
"What?!"
Eriri bared her little fang in fury and tried to stomp on his foot with her boot, but Sato dodged easily.
"You jerk! At least take the script seriously!"
"There's still plenty of time. I'll come up with something soon."
"I don't care! You have to finish it one month before Summer Comiket!"
Arms crossed, she glared at him with a look that screamed If you don't, I'll bite you to death.
"Summer Comiket, huh? Fine."
Sato thought about it. There was still time.
"I'll be going now."
With his agreement secured, Eriri hesitated briefly before glancing at Shouko. Then she turned and headed downstairs.