Raichi had woken up once again to a new morning. He had thought that the days he mostly dreaded seemed to fly by despite being somewhat unappealing.

He had a realization that it really didn't matter whether they were fun or not.

However, he was aware that it could be more fun if he simply made use of the time he had. The time to chat, and make memories.

And he vowed that he would make use of it this time around. Knowing that he might regret it later if he didn't. After learning about what he had done by accident, he couldn't look at Hiroshi in the face the same way he did.

He knew he had made a mistake, whether it was big or small. He once again found himself questioning why he even signed up to get a wingman, taking every interaction so seriously. It didn't make sense to him and it was impractical.

Especially since he was having these social interactions for the sake of doing so. In conclusion, he decided to go along with Hiroshi's game, knowing that eventually, doing something he liked would help him find people in common, like Yaori.

After leaving his house, he met up with Hiroshi and Hara again, who greeted him cheerfully.

"Good morning, Raichi-kun!"

"Morning..."

Hiroshi greeted him. The way Raichi was acting towards him looked off, but for now, it seemed like it didn't bother Hiroshi. He struggled to replicate his usual expression, realizing it was instinctual and not something he could do manually. Hara curiously asked,

''You okay, Raichi-kun...? You look strange this morning.''

''Uhh, I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed I guess.'' He said, trying to brush it off.

''Don't be metaphorical with us, c'mon...'' Hiroshi added.

Raichi bluntly said, ''Shut it. You don't need to worry about it.'' which probably came off a little rude.

''Sure...'' Hiroshi said with a doubtful look on his face.

Raichi thought he ought to somehow inform Hara of his reasons for acting strangely prickly today. If Hara knew, she probably would not have asked about his well-being. Not willing to cause a misunderstanding,

''I'm sure you can understand...'' Raichi said, giving Hara a meaningful side-eye. Hara had given him a nod in response.

----------------------------------------

When Raichi sat down, he could feel his sense of discomfort. And he was busy pouting, tapping on his desk out of boredom. But suddenly, he heard a voice approaching him.

"Hey! Morning Sato-kun." Came out Haruki, waving.

"Morning."

"So, how is your day going today?" He said casually.

"We just started the day,y'know?"

"I guess that's true. But do you have any special plans today?"

"Hmm... Lemme think." Raichi said, requesting a moment to process. He was questioning whether he should lie or not.

He preferred honesty, but knowing Haruki and Hiroshi's nature, not following that choice seemed to be none the wiser. He may just know what that plan might be. However, he had to get the two off his tail.

"Nothing in particular. Why do you ask?" He teased.

"Why not? Kimura-kun's curiosity wears on me at this point."

"Well, you can't help but go along with his cheerful and curious mindset." He added.

"True."

----------------------------------------

Raichi woke up from a strange feeling on his head. With half-opened eyes and a moody expression, he tried to touch his head but found that someone's hat was on top of it. Looking up, he saw his buddy old pal Hiroshi.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Hiroshi greeted him.

"W-Why did you... wake me up like that?" Raichi asked, still trying to shake off the sleepiness.

"I only disturb your sleep when it's most important," Hiroshi replied, taking his hat back. "Why don't you go for a walk or something? Sleeping like this won't give you any stamina."

"You're right, but I have something else in mind," Raichi said.

He attempted to go through his mind in search of distractions and to keep Hiroshi's gaze away from him while he at least tried to talk a little with Yaori.

Having him away was plenty good enough, as he would rather put up with the effort to distract than to be teased. He knew Haruki was invested, but he trusted that he would not tease as much.

And he knew Hara was very supportive of their soon-to-be relationship after the events of yesterday. And sooner or later, Raichi saw Hiroshi leaving for a little break. During that time, he had chosen the topic he wanted to chat about.

He was going to talk about Miyamoto-san. The author of the books Yaori and he had in common. He thought that maybe he could lead the conversation from there.

He leaned toward Yaori from his desk. He said in a soft-spoken voice,

"Hey, Yamada-san...?"

"Oh- Sato-kun? What is it?"

"I was wondering, just how much you like Miyamoto-san's books?"

"How much do I like his books...?" Yaori said as she began thinking of reasons and how to describe it. As she pondered, he noticed Yaori's unusually long eyelashes, especially prominent as her eyes fluttered in thought.

Her natural beauty made him understand just why a lot of boys would be so eager to talk to her. But this had only raised more questions for him. Her genuine curiosity for literature seemed more intriguing to him, and it had drawn him in.

Even if he had the same level of enthusiasm and passion for reading as she did, finding someone just like that was a different feeling. Putting her hand in front of her mouth, she said,

"A lot. They mean... everything to me. A lot more than just books."

"I am... happy to hear that. I think the same way." He nodded in agreement.

"How many Miyamoto-san books do you carry in your bookbag, Sato-kun?" She asked.

"Three or four. Though I've read all of them. I just like to read them again often."

"It feels good to see a fellow fan..." She said, smiling.

"Heh, I agree." He said, grabbing his other arm bashfully.

And so, in an awkward silence, they gave each other a warm smile. But at that very moment, Raichi felt the uncertainty rising within him.

According to what Hara had implied, it seemed like Yaori held herself back from saying something to him yesterday, and that thought hadn't left his mind since.

His concern was whether he should ask her what that exactly was.

Perhaps the best idea was to go alone this time around after school. Maybe during this time, Yaori might bring up what was on her mind. The uneasiness was visible on his face, and of course, Yaori was bound to have suspicions.

''S-Sato-kun... are you okay? You look a bit... restrained.''

''It's nothing really... you don't need to worry about it.''

"I... couldn't help but notice."

"I'll address it later, okay?"

"Um, okay."

Yaori hesitantly stopped tilting. She still looked worried and uneasy.

Wait... no. Why would I say it later? It is better to address it.

Raichi hesitantly looked at Yaori, his gaze unwavering. He had feared that the thing on Yaori's mind was something serious, and he did not want to make it wait any further.

"H-Hey, Yamada-san...?"

"S-Sato-kun? Is something on your mind?"

"Um, I couldn't help but notice... yesterday, you seemed like you had something you wanted to say to me, but then you held back... Am I right to assume that?" He inquired.

"Ah... you noticed it, huh..."

"I did... and it has been bothering me since. I just want you to know, that if something is bothering you, I am willing to listen."

"Thank you, Sato-kun. You're way too kind." She said.

"I'm just looking out for you, really," Raichi reassured. "But is there anything to worry about?"

Yaori sheepishly said, "It's nothing! I am just... failing to put it into words."

"Well, you have the time to process, so it is okay. No need to rush.''

"Okay, so... what I wanted to say was..."

"I'm listening."

"I-I..." Yaori hesitated, her cheeks flashing a rosy pink. She softly continued, "I was gonna ask whether we could walk home together!" She said, getting nervous halfway, and bashfully putting her hands in front of her chest.

Raichi blinked in surprise. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"Is that all? You seemed so hesitant, I thought it was something very serious."

Yaori laughed softly in response, slightly embarrassed.

"I guess I made it sound more complicated than it actually is... sorry about that," Yaori said with an apologetic smile.

"No need to apologize," Raichi reassured her, relieved that the matter wasn't as weighted as he feared. Truth be told, he had been worried that he made her uncomfortable. "I'd be more than happy to walk home with you."

"Great! I'll see you... after the classes then."

"Of course." He nodded, feeling a sense of warmth at the prospect and thought of spending time with Yaori outside of school for the first time. But before he could even think about it, the conversation had abruptly ended at the sight of Hiroshi entering the room with two bottles of soda in his hands. Raichi had another frown on his face, expecting another possibly absurd discussion to come up.

''Hey, I bought us some drinks!'' Hiroshi chirped.

''Well, how kind of you.''

Hiroshi set down Raichi's bottle on his desk. And in an instant, Hiroshi had dumped the entire contents of the bottle down his throat. Raichi looked back at him, bewildered at such a sight. But seeing an innocent expression looking back at him, he quickly put on a wry smile, not wanting to ruin it. Raichi had been expecting the company.

''So, Hiroshi-kun, I have something to say though.' He said.

''What is it?'' Hiroshi said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

''I will be going alone today,'' Raichi replied wryly.

''Oh really?'' Hiroshi teased, acting sceptical. ''For what...?''

''Not that it's any of your business, but it is something personal,'' Raichi replied.

"Something personal, huh?" Hiroshi said sarcastically. "I may be your wingman, but I do respect your boundaries, so I guess you can go alone." He grinned.

"I... wasn't really trying to get permission, I-I thought I didn't need to..." He stammered, slightly embarrassed.

"Well, you got it, so don't worry about it," Hiroshi said while grinning.

Wait... Yamada-san just overheard our conversation...!

Meanwhile, Hara had been looking at them, eavesdropping all the while. Glancing over at Yaori, she could see her rosy pink face. It seemed like something about their conversation had embarrassed her.

And Hara knew exactly what it was. Raichi who had just realized it, felt a sudden pang of guilt for indirectly stating his plans in front of her. Not to mention the fact that the word ''wingman'' had been mentioned, and she had clearly heard it. And that made things a lot more awkward.

Raichi noticed a subtle change in Yaori's expression out of the corner of his eye. Her face had still been glowing a delicate shade of pink.

He turned back to Yaori, his own face also feeling warm all of a sudden,

''So, um... shall we meet at the school gate after classes?'' Raichi said in a flustered tone.

Yaori nodded, saying, ''Yes, Sato-kun, We'll be there.'' while also feigning and hiding her embarrassment.

''Great. I'll... be looking forward to it.''

Hiroshi, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, grinned and gave Raichi a thumbs-up before settling down at his own desk again. ''Good luck, dude.'' He said in a voice only Raichi could hear.

Raichi rolled his eyes but couldn't keep smiling either way. As the remainder of the classes resumed, he found it hard to concentrate.

He did struggle with such an issue often, but this reason was rather unique. He had always been sleepy and sometimes couldn't focus on his books.

But this time, his mind was actually so occupied it couldn't occupy anything else. His mind kept drifting to the upcoming walk home with Yaori. Out of shyness, he had been twiddling his thumb a few times and had thrown glances at Yaori.

While doing so, he spotted her doing the same back at him. And occasionally, those glances had happened at the same time. Each moment, made his heart beat a little faster.

----------------------------------------

At last, the final bell rang, signalling the end of the day. Raichi had fidgety gathered his personal belongings, making his way over to the lockers, and then the gates.

Looking over, he could see the fluttering chestnut brown hair approaching him from afar. Holding her other arm, she bashfully approached him. Her face was still as rosy as ever.

"Well, are you ready, Yamada-san?"

"Yes, I am ready, Sato-kun."

And the two set off. As they began walking side by side, a comfortable silence settled between them.

The sun was setting towards the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the school grounds. Though some stares were thrown at their side, Raichi ignored them, knowing how to deal with such an occurrence.

Raichi glanced at Yaori, seeing how the sunlight made her hair shine so beautifully, along with her discomfort from the stares that she too, was ignoring. In an attempt to lighten the atmosphere and mood, he asked,

"Um, Yamada-san," Raichi began. "Do you usually walk home alone?"

"...Most of the time.'' She said. ''I listen to music whenever I have to walk home like that. It is peaceful, and the tranquil walk gives me time to think.'' She said with an honest smile. ''What about you, Sato-kun?''

Raichi hesitated for a moment, contemplating how much he should reveal.

''I... usually walk with my friends Hiroshi-kun and Hara-chan, but... I do love a good walk alone back home sometimes.'' He admits hesitantly. Though in his mind, the answer was rather obvious.

Yaori nodded, her eyes reflecting the evening sunlight. "I agree. It feels like a breath of fresh air... a little escape from everything."

They continued walking, their steps falling into a synchronized rhythm.

The streets they were going through were mostly quiet, as most students had already headed home.

The occasional sound of passing traffic and rustling leaves filled the air.

Raichi had felt some familiarities between the two of them. As if there was some common ground connecting them. The aching of his taunting past seemed to fade away in these shared moments with this bookworm whom he had only met recently. He knew that Yaori had a reason for being so distant at school.

Raichi had been curious about something regarding Yaori's interests, also wanting to explore their common interests more, he asked,

"Yamada-san, what got you into reading Miyamoto-san's books?"

Yaori's face lit up at the mention of her favourite author. ''It was actually my big sister who introduced me to his works. She bought me a book of his for my birthday a few years ago. I've been hooked ever since."

"That must be nice," Raichi said smiling. "It's great to have someone to share your interests with."

"Yeah. She has always been supportive of me and my love for reading." Yaori said with a softer tone. "What about you, Sato-kun? How did you discover Miyamoto-san's books?"

"I... found one of his books in the library once. I ended up reading the whole thing in one sitting. It was quite captivating..."

Yaori nodded enthusiastically. "His ability to create such immersion is incredible. It's like everything around just... vanishes and it is just you and the book left to stand.''

Raichi softly chuckled in response to her way of describing it. "That's awfully specific..."

"Heheh. It is. That is what's so good about it."

A comfortable silence had settled in. Yaori had been thoughtfully smiling into the distance. Raichi looked at Yaori again, willing to ask another personal question.

"Do you... have a favourite book of his?" He asked.

"That's a tough question..." Yaori said, her brows furrowing in thought. "Hmm... I think 'Forestful of Whispers' was my personal favourite."

"I can see why.'' He said understandingly. ''The way he describes the setting... it makes me think as if I was actually there," Raichi said, feeling excitement at the sight of shared interest. ''I love that one too, but...'' he said, spacing out to think.

Yaori looked back at him expectantly.

''The book I love the most is... 'Eternal Echoes'. It's the one I gave you.''

Yaori's eyes widened, and her face flushed in response. ''Y-Your favourite is... 'Eternal Echoes'?''

''Yes. It is also the book I've reread the most. I have truly made a bond with it.'' He said with an honest smile on his face.

''But... then why would you give me your signed copy of it?'' Yaori asked, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and a hint of concern.

Raichi looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts. ''I do have a profound place in my heart for the sign on it, but what I love it the most for is the story itself. And if the sign makes you happy, I know for a fact you would take good care of it. It felt right to share something so meaningful with someone who would appreciate it just as much as I do.''

Yaori's eyes softened, and she looked down, her cheeks still flushed, her hands held together behind her back in response. ''I... I don't know what to say, Sato-kun... thank you, it means a lot to me.''

''I'm glad you think so,'' Raichi said, then sighed out of relief and happiness. ''It is a special book, so I'm happy you have it.''

Yaori's face grew even more rosy at the honest tone Raichi had taken. She bit her lip nervously, glancing away to hide her embarrassment. To change the topic, she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt, and asked,

''D-Did you have any reading partners growing up?''

Raichi's expression turned thoughtful, and a wave of memories came awash. All those times he had read by his lonesome, unable to share his opinions with anybody, and finding solace in those stories. He had always been content with his solitude. But now, walking beside another bookworm who could respond back in tone, he realized just how much he longed for this kind of connection.

''I... sadly didn't have any,'' he admitted. ''It was mostly me, the books and I.''

Yaori glanced at him, giving him an understanding look. She took a brief moment to process her words.

''It is nice to share that experience with someone though...''

''It must be,'' Raichi replied with a hint of sadness, his heart warming at the thought.

Yaori hesitated for a moment, her cheeks still visibly rosy. She tucked a strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear as a nervous gesture. ''I-I was wondering... would you like to read together in the library sometime, Sato-kun? I-I mean, if you would like to...''

Raichi blinked in surprise, his heart skipping a beat. Not expecting the sudden invitation, he said, ''Really? You'd do that?''

''Of course,'' Yaori said, her voice barely above a whisper. ''I'd love to share that experience with you.''

''I-I'd like that a lot,'' Raichi said, feeling a comforting warmth at the thought. ''T-Thank you Yamada-san.''

Raichi still hadn't realized what kind of offer he had received, never expecting to get such an opportunity in the first place.

As they continued walking, Raichi glanced at Yaori again. Despite her popularity, he could see the quiet strength and resilience inside her.

He wondered how she felt about all the pressures and social expectations that came her way. He could sense that, like him, she had learned to navigate through the complexities of school life by finding solace within her interests.

''Yamada-san...'' Raichi began hesitantly, ''Do you ever feel... overwhelmed by all the attention you get at school?''

Yaori let out a soft sigh in response, her eyes a hint of melancholy. ''Sometimes, yes. It's not easy, but I have learned to manage it... and having my big sister's support helps a lot. And now, having a friend who understands... it makes a big difference.''

Raichi, feeling grateful, said, ''I'm glad we can be that for each other, Yamada-san.''

''Me too, Sato-kun,'' she said, her smile returning. ''Thank you for being so concerned about that... no one really asks how I feel about all this.'' She said, turning away.

''Of course. I could tell your discomfort from just a glance, actually...'' Raichi stated in concern, remembering a while back to their shared glance at the ceremony.

''I'm happy you noticed... thank you, Sato-kun.''

''Anytime.'' He replied benignly, feeling proud of the quality conversation he just had. As he took another glance ahead of him, he saw the gorgeous park approaching, basking under the orange sunlight of the dipping horizon.

And something that had especially caught his sight was the bench lying under the cherry blossom trees. The serene environment highlighted a singular spot. Such a beautiful place to take a break, he thought.

"Hey, Yamada-san? If you want, we can take a break in that park over there." Raichi said as he nodded towards the park. Yaori glanced back at the park, her eyes dilating.

"That'd be lovely." She said, so Raichi directed her by staying close. Her voice tinged with excitement.

----------------------------------------

They patiently waited for the passing traffic to clear and crossed the street together, the space between them seemingly getting smaller.

As they took in the surroundings, Yaori's expression softened. "This is beautiful," she said, marveling at the pink hue of the cherry blossom trees and their falling petals.

"It really is." Raichi agreed. "I usually just pass through here on my way home, but today felt... different.''

They navigated and reached toward the bench and gently sat down. The soft petals occasionally drift down around them. The tranquil atmosphere and feel enveloping them made the day's worries seem distant. The park had everything it could offer for a young middle school child. A children's playground along with a small sandpit, some benches for the parents to sit and watch by, and a magical scenery provided by all the surrounding trees and greenery. Even though he was already far past the age to be playing, sliding down those slides and swinging around, it felt nostalgic to see the sight either way.

Looking at Yaori through the corner of his eye, Raichi could see the reflection of the beauty emanating from the park through her eyes.

''I don't usually take the time to just sit and relax in parks like this. It's nice.'' She said.

''Yeah, it is,'' Raichi said, feeling a sense of peace. He looked back at Yaori, noticing her hair strands glowing amidst the wind.

They stood there in comfortable silence for a few moments. The presence of wind had been distracting, with not only the petals flowing around but also his own slightly messy hair moving along with Yaori's. His eyes squinting, he glanced at Yaori's head, spotting a vibrant, pink cherry blossom petal that seemed to be stuck there.

Smiling softly, he reached out and gently brushed it away. "Y-You had a petal in your hair," Raichi said, his fingers lingering for a moment.

Yaori's eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed a deeper shade. "Th-Thank you, Sato-kun," she stammered, her voice tinged with an embarrassing tone.

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Raichi's touch made her heart race momentarily, and she felt an unexpected warmth spreading through her. The simple act had left her feeling bashful, yet comforted. Looking at her, Raichi saw a hint of uneasiness.

The two sat quietly around for a while longer, Yaori's unease still present. The soft rustling of leaves, the wind's blurred sounds, and the distant chirping of birds creating a tranquil backdrop. Yaori slightly shifted. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and while slightly fidgeting, glanced at Raichi.

"S-Sato-kun... would you mind if I... b-borrowed your shoulder for a bit?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raichi's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the request. Raichi, who had only experienced such intimacy with someone like Hara while playing games, did not know what to do at the moment. His face still reddened, he said,

"S-Sure, Yamada-san,"

Yaori hesitated briefly before finally leaning her head on Raichi's shoulder. The intimacy flushed her face, but she felt a comforting ardour within Raichi's presence. Raichi too, felt the same way, although he also experienced a mix of nervousness and happiness.

As Yaori settled in, Raichi could feel the sudden weight of her head on his shoulder. After she settled, she leaned a little closer. Raichi felt slightly timid, feeling her soft hair falling down his shoulder, and he was close enough to hear the gentle rise and fall of her breathing. But that also rendered him almost unable to move. Fidgeting with his left hand on the bench, he was questioning whether he should slightly tilt his head, too. Instinctively, he had turned on his neutral face, despite the blush making it glaringly obvious. He had nervously been looking left and right, his eyes darting around. Eventually, he had calmed down, finally able to bask in the surroundings. Without all the excess nervousness he had been feeling just a second ago, he truly felt like he really was enjoying the calm and gentle breeze. And of course, with at least someone by his side.

And with a gentle sense of contentment, he slowly shut his eyes, starting to calm his breath himself.

''I see you're that comfortable...'' Yaori interjected. ''I'm... happy you trust me, Sato-kun.''

''I wouldn't turn you down like that, and you know it,'' He replied. ''Although, mind if I ask why you trust me, too?''

Yaori reflected back at herself in response, looking thoughtful.

''Truth is... you just seemed like someone I could trust. You say you can see through my gaze and see my struggle through it, but I can see yours too, Sato-kun.'' She said hesitantly. Raichi bitterly looked away in response, seeing as to how well he had been read. Even his close friends wouldn't know if he hadn't told them, so seeing someone who had seen right through him was a surprise, to say the least.

''So, what do you think?'' He said, urging her to keep going. He had never specifically been requested by someone to vent his frustrations.

''I think that... like me, the only people you could trust are your close friends, family and books...''

''I can see that you read right through me,'' He admitted.

After sharing an understanding chuckle, she said,

''A bookworm knows a bookworm best, that's what my sister told me,'' She added. ''She told me, 'After reading all the meaningful and life-changing words and meaning through those books and stories, you may find it easier to read one another, too.' A sentence that stood out to me.''

''She must be quite a wise person.'' He honestly complimented her sister in response.

''She really is.''

Thinking back to it, the words coming from her sister, Raichi had found them to be more weighty than he considered them to be. However, Raichi had wanted to talk about more than that, to rein in the moment, and enjoy it to its fullest.

"I think... you should try closing your eyes, too." He said, asking her to try the same.

"I-If you want me to, sure..." She said, shutting her eyes at Raichi's demand. She also tried to take in the calm and quiet air. Afterwards, a carefree smile had been playing on her lips.

She looks like she is really enjoying this... I am, too.

Raichi also closed his eyes in kind, and let out a sigh of relief. The moment had felt everlasting. With nothing to see in sight, the only thing sensible being the sounds of wind blurring, leaves drifting left and right, the feeling of time completely pausing, and the birds chirping on said trees.

"I am delighted that you thought of stopping by here, Sato-kun," her eyes still closed. "We should do this again sometime."

At Yaori's words, Raichi put on a thoughtful expression, trying to think of something. He felt like doing it "sometime again" felt unsatisfactory, not enough.

"Say, Yamada-san...?"

"What is it, Sato-kun?" She said in a curious tone. "Do you have something on your mind?"

"As a matter of fact, I do," He said playfully. "What if we... make this a regular thing?"

"Make what... a regular thing?" She said, turning her head at Raichi, her eyes widening in question after finally opening them.

''What if we come here... every day, after school?'' Raichi suggested with a hint of nervousness in his voice, only hearable by Yaori. ''It's so... calm and relaxing here, and I think it'd be nice to have something to look forward to every day. A chance to unwind.''

Yaori's face flushed a light pink, her eyes widening ever so slightly. ''E-Every day, Sato-kun?'' She stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raichi noticed her reaction and gave a warm and innocent smile in response, not realizing why he made her blush. ''Yeah. Every day. We could do more than only sitting here from now on, like reading and stuff, since we'd have our bags on us, too. I would for sure be looking forward to it if we ever did so...''

Yaori looked down, trying to hide her bashful expression. ''I... I'd like that, too.''

Raichi's heart lifted at her words. ''Great! Thank you for accepting my offer, Yamada-san.''

''No... I should be thanking you, Sato-kun. I'll look forward to it.'' She said, smiling back at him.

They both chuckled, feeling a new sense of connection. But after gazing around, it was clear that the sun had begun to set and cast a warm orange glow over the park, indicating that it was slowly getting late. Yaori hesitantly spoke up, saying,

''Is it... getting late already?'' Raichi said.

''It seems so... I wanted it to last a little while longer though...'' She said whiningly. ''Should we leave?''

''We kind of have to, so yeah...'' He said, hesitantly letting her head off of his shoulder, right before getting up. Yaori dusted her skirt of any might-be dirt. Raichi followed suit, dusting his pants. She tapped on her glasses and put them back in place. After patiently waiting for Raichi, she said,

''Are you ready to go?''

''Yeah, let's go.'' He said, slowly starting to walk, following the dirt and stone path they had previously followed onto the bench. After reaching the gate, Raichi looked around the area and spotted a familiar blonde hair around the corner a few steps away, but decided to shrug it off. He turned toward Yaori, who had spontaneously gotten closer to him, just an inch away from touching his arms. He knew the relaxed and calm intimacy of their break on the bench would still be lingering, even after they had left already. It wasn't a gesture he didn't like, but it was definitely unexpected. But in the end, he did not object to it.

Their footsteps followed in sync and rhythm, creating yet another peaceful silence. The path they were going through had been lined with tall trees, their leaves falling and crinkling in the gentle evening breeze. Raichi glanced at Yaori, who was seemingly lost in thought. Her usual reserved demeanour had softened, way different from how she was back at school. Raichi knew that he was also behaving differently. Yaori glanced back at him through the corner of her eye, giving a bright smile, both putting on a soft blush. The moment had felt endearing. It had been quite a while since he had a memory to cherish like this. But suddenly- Yaori had bashfully turned away, perhaps busy with something. Raichi looked at her, raising an eyebrow.

''You okay, Yamada-san?''

''Oh- it's nothing! I was just... thinking of how I should put it.''

''I think you have something to say in that case.'' He said, waiting patiently for a response.

''About what I said earlier... the reading session,'' She said timidly. ''I want to do it while eating lunch on Monday afternoon.''She said, her voice soft and hopeful.

''M-Monday afternoon?'' He blinked in surprise. ''Fine by me. But if you wanted a more private space, it would be better to do it on the weekend somewhere relaxing, like in the park.''

''I know... but I thought that we could bring pre-packed lunches and eat somewhere different.''

''...I'm listening.'' He said, genuinely intrigued by the idea of a private lunch.

''We'd be able to read in peace, just like in the park. What do you think?''

''I'd love that. That seems like a lovely idea.''

After said conversation, the comfortable silence couldn't settle in as easily this time around, the atmosphere was still bashful. In order to distract himself, he brought out a water bottle and drank some water, which seemed to have worked. But even with that, a growing sense of ease and happiness was present along with Yaori's company.

''I really enjoyed today, Yamada-san,'' Raichi said in a grateful tone. ''I hope we can do more stuff like this.''

''Me too, Sato-kun... it was really nice to share it with you,'' Yaori said, reassuring Raichi.

As they approached the place of their departure, Raichi's street, a feeling of reluctance arose. Although Raichi felt hesitant about leaving, he had no choice either. Raichi said regretfully,

''Well, I guess this is where we part ways,'' Raichi said.

''This is where you live?' Yaori said, her eyes widening in question.

''Yeah. I recently just moved here, actually.''

''I-I actually live pretty nearby,'' Yaori chirped. ''How well do you know the area?''

''Not much. I only know the route from my house to the school and the park,'' Raichi replied.

''I could help you navigate if you ever need help...''

''I would love that, although Hiroshi-kun would probably take the initiative before you do and carry me to places anyway.'' Raichi said disappointingly.

''O-Oh... okay.''

After a momentary awkward hush, Yaori muttered,

''Well... goodnight, Sato-kun.''

''Goodnight, Yamada-san,'' Raichi responded. After waving each other goodbye, he watched her as she turned and walked away in the other direction.

That was... a big day.

Raichi was about to turn towards his house and leave, but then his attention was drawn to the person with blonde hair from earlier peeking around the corner. He closed his eyes, pretending not to have noticed them, and then walked in their direction, raising his voice,

"You can come out now... Hiroshi-kun." He said. Behind one of the trees standing in line, the confident grin and glimmering blonde hair emerged. It seemed like the self-proclaimed wingman took liberties with his terms of conditions as a wingman. Raichi could only help but wonder just how much Hiroshi had seen.

"Well, well, well! It seems you saw right through me, huh Raichi-kun?"

"I saw you peeking in the park as well, y'know." He said. "Just what did you see when you were there?"

"Hmm..." Hiroshi put his hands behind his back, smirking. "A lot more than you think."

"Are you kidding me...?" Raichi said in a disappointed tone, facepalming.

He had planned on keeping this from him, and that this now soon-to-be frequent park visit would be a special secret between him and Yaori.

"What~? Were you planning on hiding this from me or what?!" Hiroshi said, his frustration creeping in. "I'm your wingman, y'know?"

Hiroshi stood where he stood, waiting for a response. Raichi thought that not everything about his relationships should be common knowledge for his wingman. Because he knew that it wouldn't be true to himself, a special relationship not so special and secret after sharing it.

''I wanted to keep this as our little secret... but I guess that's what being a wingman requires...'' He muttered quietly.

Feeling reluctant to share the 'news', he knew that Hiroshi probably knew already. But he was confident that the conversation was unintelligible from afar.

Raichi sighed, dropping his hand from his face. ''Look, Hiroshi-kun... I appreciate what you're doing. But some things... I just want to keep them between me and Yamada-san, okay?''

Hiroshi's grin eventually subsided into a soft, genuine smile. ''I know that, Raichi-kun. I won't pry too much. Just know that... I'm here to help.''

Raichi nodded, feeling a bit relieved. ''Thank you, Hiroshi-kun.''

''I... won't keep you any longer. Have a good night, Raichi-kun,'' Hiroshi said, giving him a thumbs-up before slowly turning and walking away.

Raichi watched his best buddy take his leave, shaking his head with a smile on his face.

He turned back towards his own house, feeling like reflecting back to everything that happened that day. As the lasting park visit and conversation took over his train of thought, a thoughtful expression showed on his face, gazing into the distance. Rethinking back to his shared moment with Yaori on the bench, he found himself blushing at the sight.

"I think... I won't forget this day for a long time," he muttered.

----------------------------------------

He pushed open the door, stepping into the warm and familiar interior of his home. As he entered, his sincere and genuine smile couldn't help but still linger- a stark contrast to his usual demeanour.

Raichi could see his mother, Emiko Sato, who seemed to be in the living room, busy tidying up a few scattered magazines. She looked up as she heard the door open and was immediately taken aback by the expression on her son's face.

''Raichi dear? Is that you?'' She asked, her eyes wide in surprise. ''You look... different. You were also a little later than usual. Did something good happen today?''

Raichi paused for a moment, wondering to himself. The smile was still lingering on his lips.

I look... different today?

He knew it wasn't easy to exactly put what happened and his thoughts into words, at least not yet.

''I guess so,'' he replied, his voice carrying a genuine, content undertone.

Emiko furrowed and raised an eyebrow, setting the magazines aside. ''Well, I'm glad to see you happy and smiling. You should do it more often, Raichi dear. It suits you.''

''Thank you, Mom. I appreciate that.''

He slowly made his way up the stairs. Halfway through, his mother called out to him. ''Dinner will be ready in a few hours. Don't forget to wash up, okay?''

''Got it,'' he responded, climbing the rest of the stairs.

Once inside, he shut the door and rested against it, pausing to take a deep breath. His room was neatly organized, with designated spots for arranged books, drawings and the faint scent of paper, the norm for his safe haven. He put his bag down and sat on his bed, taking a moment to appreciate the quietness of his room. But instead of picking up another book to read, he found himself simply enjoying the buzz of contentment. But then, something came to his mind. Hiroshi had demanded that the three of them go to the mall the next day. He had honestly forgotten about it. As he was about to pick up his phone and get a confirmation about it, his phone buzzed, snapping him out of his thoughts. It seemed to be a message from Hiroshi;

''Hey dude, nice job today! You did great.''

Raichi, chuckling softly, typed a quick reply. ''Thanks, Hiroshi-kun. But next time, try not to spy on me, okay?''

He quickly started typing another message. ''Are we going to the mall tomorrow, by the way?''

Hiroshi, not hesitating for a second, responded with, ''Absolutely. I have some cool clothing you might wanna check out.''

''Okay.''

He put the phone down and lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling with a smile.

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Yaori made her way back home, her thoughts still lingering on the moments she shared with Raichi at the park. She recalled their conversation, the serene silence, and how comforting it felt to rest her head on Raichi's shoulder. At such thoughts, she could not help but smile.

When she reached her home, she opened the door and stepped inside, greeted by the familiar warmth of her house.

''I'm home, nee-san!'' Yaori called out as she slipped off her shoes and quickly put on a pair of slippers.

Ayaka Yamada, her older sister, appeared from the kitchen doorway, a warm smile on her face. ''Welcome back, Yaori-chan. You're home a bit later than usual, and you've got a bright smile on your face. Did something good happen?''

Yaori nodded, slightly blushing. ''...I guess so. We're you cooking, nee-san?''

''Yeah, I was. Come in, I'm almost done.''

The sisters moved to the kitchen together, where Ayaka resumed her cooking. Yaori sat at the table, watching her sister cook. The familiar and comforting aroma of her sister's food filled the room.

''I can tell, y'know...'' Ayaka remarked teasingly.

''W-What is it...?''

''So, who's the lucky person who managed to put that smile on your face, Yaori-chan?'' Ayaka asked, glancing at her with a knowing look.

Yaori hesitated, her cheeks turning a shade of pink. ''Just a classmate I happened to get closer to... Sato-kun. We spent some time together at the park.''

Ayaka raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. ''Oh? Sato-kun, huh? Tell me more about him. I thought you don't usually let people enter your personal space.''

Yaori looked down at her hands, fidgeting slightly. ''I...don't. But he is... different. He saw right through me. He said he could tell my struggles with people's expectations from just a glance. Our shared interest in books, and his concern for me... I can say for sure that I've never felt this comfortable with a classmate ever...''

Ayaka's smile widened as she listened, noting the way Yaori's eyes lit up when she talked about Raichi. There is something special here, even if she doesn't realize it yet...

Ayaka quickly brushing off her thoughts, said, ''Sounds like a nice guy. What else?''

''He's kind and thoughtful...'' Yaori continued, her smile growing. ''Oh, I forgot about this...''

Yaori quickly rummaged through her bag, bringing out the signed copy of Eternal Echoes that Raichi had given her. After bringing it out, she pointed at the sign.

''He gave me a signed copy of one of Miyamoto-san's books...''

Ayaka paused, her eyes widening in surprise. ''E-Eternal Echoes? Miyamoto-san's books are very difficult to get signed! They rarely do stuff like that anymore. That's amazing, Yaori-chan! How did he manage to get that in the first place? And why did he decide to give it to you?''

Yaori blushed even deeper, looking away. ''H-He said he got it when he was a child. He has been a fan of Miyamoto-san for years. Back when their books were only recently getting attention, he got it when they were still selling in convention stands... he knew how much I loved their books and wanted to give me something special...''

Ayaka felt very impressed by this Sato-kun. ''Wow, Yaori-chan. That's really something. Miyamoto-san's books have always been significant to us. This Sato-kun must really care about you to give you such a thoughtful gift.''

Yaori nodded, feeling a mixture of happiness and embarrassment. ''Maybe... but I felt too grateful, and I thought I should give him at least my copy of Eternal Echoes that I was carrying on me. He told me his favourite book ever was the one he gave me...''

Ayaka, knowing how Yaori takes care of her books, asked,

''Y-You gave yours to him in return? But don't you have... personal notes in there?''

''I-I do. But he said he does the same thing. I figured I could trust him.''

''Hmm...''

Ayaka couldn't help but tease her sister a bit more. ''You know... it sounds like you two are hitting it off quite well.''

Yaori blinked in confusion. ''Hitting it off...?''

Ayaka chuckled. ''Never mind. So, did anything else interesting happen besides the book?''

Yaori jumped slightly, flashing back to the park. ''W-Well, um- we had a really nice conversation. And he made me feel... happy.''

Ayaka turned to face her sister, a knowing smile on her face.

''You said... he said that he could see through your struggles, is that so?''

''Yeah... what about it?''

''That means... he doesn't mind letting you confide in him. He does not see you as the Acing Bookworm. He sees you as Yamada-san, a fellow bookworm.''

''I... never thought about it like that...''

''How is he like... generally?'' Ayaka asked concerningly.

''He seems to be... closed-off, and cold to almost everybody else. Stoic, even.''

''How so?''

''I can tell that... he has a reasoning behind his behaviour too. But I don't know what it actually is. But in a sense, we are both in very similar positions. He never told me the specifics...''

''If you can confide in him, it is only fair that you let him do the same. You've got to reassure him, too. Whether you directly ask him or show him that he can trust you.''

''You're right, nee-san. Thank you.''

Ayaka smiled warmly. ''Don't worry about it. Now, I propose something. How about you and I go to the mall tomorrow? You may have traded your books, but we should get something for him to show your gratitude for his gesture.''

Yaori's eyes lit up. ''That sounds like a great idea, nee-san!''

Ayaka gave a lighthearted chuckle and returned to her cooking, glancing back at her sister with a teasing smile.

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It was almost time to sleep, and Yaori lay in her bed reading. She was reading Raichi's book, wanting to read it once more for Raichi's sake, wondering why Raichi loves it as much as he does. She continued to flip and skim through the pages of the book.

As she read, occasionally, she would come across small notes in the margins of pages. One of them caught her attention. Intrigued, she leaned closer to it, putting her glasses back on. In between one of the passages, Raichi had written a note like he was talking to the character. It read,

''This part... it made me think about how we all wear masks to hide our true selves. But sometimes, it's okay to let someone see the real you. I hope you find someone who can see the real you and accept you for who you are, just as I desire.''

Yaori's heart fluttered as she read Raichi's words, which he never intended for anyone else to see. Finally, she felt a deeper connection and understanding of him. He had seen right through her facade and accepted her for who she was. It was a comforting thought, and it made her feel a warmth she hadn't felt for a long time.

He really is amazing...

Closing the book, Yaori reflected on Raichi's note. The words resonated with her deeply, and she felt a newfound sense of hope and resilience. Knowing that she had found someone who could truly understand her. And after having gained knowledge of the one common desire between them, she let out a contented sigh. She turned off her bedside lamp and properly settled down into the bed, anticipating the next time she would see Raichi again.