"Kubo-san, are you really that interested in Shiraishi-kun? You've been watching him the whole time, with the same look a scientist gives… some brand-new, fascinating species."
(This girl seems to be able to spot Shiraishi easily too.)
Kubo Nagisa looked at Saiki with eyes full of curiosity.
[Because he's special. Kubo-kun, you seem just as interested in Shiraishi. You can find him quickly too, right?]
"I used to be pretty interested in Shiraishi-kun, and I could spot him clearly, but now…"
Saiki glanced at Kubo Nagisa. She had skin as soft and tender as a baby's, and a pair of gentle, autumn-water-like beautiful eyes were fixed intently on him.
(For some reason I have a really bad feeling. Whatever you do, absolutely do not ask right now, but… what?)
The very next second, Kubo Nagisa flashed an angelic smile and looked at Saiki as she said, "But now, I'm way more interested in you, Saiki-kun!"
Saiki Kusuo: !!!!
[By the way, why is it so hard for other people to find Shiraishi-kun?]
Kubo Nagisa watched Saiki Kusuo try to change the subject and smiled. "Who knows? But for me, I can find Shiraishi because I see you, Saiki-kun. After all, you've been staring at him the whole time."
Meanwhile, Shikimori, who had been watching the interaction between Saiki and Kubo Nagisa the entire time, puffed out her cheeks in anger.
Shikimori [For some reason, seeing Saiki Kusuo and Kubo Nagisa chatting so happily makes my chest feel kind of uncomfortable.]
[Could it be that the type Saiki-kun likes is someone like Kubo-san?]
(It's not.)
Saiki felt something was off. He stood up, grabbed Shiraishi, and said, [Let's go, Shiraishi-kun. The next class is in a different room.]
…
On the way home after school, Kubo, Kudo Hazuki, and Taira Tamao were walking together.
Taira Tamao: "Today was pretty rare. We actually found Shiraishi-kun twice."
Kudo Hazuki: "Feels like today's going to be a lucky day."
Kubo Nagisa turned her head with a smile. "What are you talking about? He's not a four-leaf clover."
"He's way harder to find than a four-leaf clover. It's already been two weeks since school started, and there are tons of guys who still haven't spotted Shiraishi even once. His rarity level has already reached kappa and tsuchinoko territory," Kudo Hazuki replied.
Kubo Nagisa: "True, but Saiki-kun seems to find him effortlessly every time."
"Saiki-kun? He really is amazing. Maybe that's some kind of special talent. He'd probably make a great detective in the future."
"I feel like those two things are completely different," Kudo Hazuki said as she patted Taira Tamao on the head.
Kubo Nagisa lowered her head. [Hehe, Saiki-kun really is an interesting person.]
…
While walking home with Shiraishi Junta, Saiki suddenly shivered and looked left and right as if searching for something.
Among the people he knew at school, both Shikimori and Izumi had gone to club activities. As for the tree, he was afraid that if they walked home together, he'd get dragged into doing some weird challenge again.
(What is this feeling? It feels like something bad is about to happen again.)
"Saiki-kun, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Shiraishi Junta asked with concern after noticing Saiki's strange expression.
[I'm fine.]
[Anyway, Shiraishi-kun, you don't have to keep putting yourself down. Even if you can't step onto the stage of youth, every person has their own value in life. Don't underestimate yourself.]
"Yes, thank you." Shiraishi Junta scratched his head in confusion. [How does he know what I'm thinking inside?]
(Maybe I said a bit too much? Whatever.)
"Then see you later. I'm home." Shiraishi Junta waved and headed toward his house.
…
The morning air in the park was very fresh. Many students were gathered there waiting for friends or eating breakfast.
Saiki stood under a tree, seemingly waiting for someone.
"Good morning, Saiki-kun." Saiki turned around. [Good morning, Kubo-san.]
"Are you waiting for someone?"
[I suppose so.]
Kubo Nagisa stepped closer and closer until she was almost pressed against him. Standing in the sunlight, she looked up at Saiki. "So… are you waiting～ for～ me～?"
Saiki crossed his arms over his chest and answered without mercy, [No.]
Kubo Nagisa looked disappointed. "Aww～"
"Then let me guess. You're waiting for Shiraishi-kun, right? Why are you so interested in him, Saiki-kun?"
[Because we're the same kind of person, so I find him interesting.]
"Really? Then what about me? I feel like we're the same kind of person too. Don't you think I'm way more interesting than Shiraishi-kun?"
[No.]
"How can you say that? Sigh, look, it's Shiraishi-kun." Saiki looked in the direction Kubo Nagisa was pointing.
[Yare yare, he finally showed up.]
Kubo Nagisa leaned close to Saiki's ear and whispered, "What do you think? If you say hi to him, will he not even see you?"
[He won't.]
(Seriously, what is this woman even saying? There's no way he'd ignore me like last time. After yesterday's exchange of friendship, there's no chance Shiraishi would do that again.)
"Oh, is that so?" Kubo Nagisa tilted her head toward Saiki with a smile, then hopped two meters away in front of him.
Saiki saw Shiraishi Junta getting closer and closer until he was right in front of them. He started to raise his hand to greet him. [Good morning! Shiraishi—]
Before he could finish, Shiraishi walked straight past Saiki as if the two of them didn't know each other at all.
Second time in a row.
Saiki inwardly complained as he reached out, grabbed Shiraishi by the back, and turned him around. [Shiraishi-kun, what are you doing? Why are you ignoring me?]
"Huh! Saiki-kun, were you calling me?" Shiraishi replied, looking a bit confused.
"Sorry, Saiki-kun. I thought you were greeting Kubo-san."
(What? After yesterday's friendship negotiation, this guy still thinks I can't see him?)
Kubo Nagisa stood to the side watching Saiki's face grow darker and darker. She showed half her face, turned her head, and smiled, creating a stark contrast with Saiki's black expression—like an angel and a demon.
"Hahaha～ Good morning, Shiraishi-kun! Just now I was telling Saiki-kun, 'What if you say hi to him and he completely ignores you?'"
"Ah, really? Sorry, Saiki-kun. Sumimasen, sumimasen."
[Sigh… Whatever. Just don't let it happen again. You should know I can see you.] Saiki answered with a dark face.
"Saiki-kun, are you okay? Your face looks so dark." Kubo Nagisa rubbed Saiki's cheek and asked.
When Saiki didn't answer, Kubo Nagisa took advantage and pinched his soft cheeks, stretching them.
(This girl is definitely doing this on purpose. She's absolutely standing here on purpose just to analyze how Shiraishi would react.)
Saiki removed the pale little hand that was wreaking havoc on his face. [I'm fine.]
Kubo Nagisa poked Shiraishi's arm. "What's wrong, Shiraishi-kun? Look, Saiki-kun's so mad his hair turned pink. What are you going to do about it?"
(My hair is pink to begin with.)
Shiraishi raised his arm and held out the milk in his hand to Saiki. "Here, Saiki-kun. When you're upset, you should get more calcium."
[Yare yare, I already said I'm fine. I'm not mad.] As he spoke, Saiki casually took Shiraishi's milk and started drinking it.
[So cute.] Kubo Nagisa watched this scene and smiled even more happily.
[He still drank it.] With that, Shiraishi felt relieved. He turned to Kubo and gave her a thumbs-up. "Thanks, Kubo-san."
Kubo Nagisa waved her hand. "You're welcome."
[Why are you thanking her?]