It was the second Wednesday of Satoshi's new high school term, and today, quite shockingly, he was up on time.

"Satoshi, are you alright? You're up early today,"

"Yeah, is there something wrong with that? You're always telling me to wake up early."

"Hmm, but you’ve been waking up late until now. Why the sudden change?"

"No reason."

"He definitely shouldn’t find out the real reason. I’m doing this so I can see Shizuka-chan. If I leave on time, I can walk with her for a while since her school is nearby.’

‘Heh, he thinks I don’t know. Didn’t I tell you? You’ve fallen for her,’ the author thought with a smile.

Satoshi got ready and left his home on time.

"Oh! It's Satoshi oni-chan, good morning!" Jin called out as he noticed him.

"Good morning, Jin. Good morning, Shizuka. Good morning, Mrs. Kazama," Satoshi greeted them all.

"Good morning, Satoshi-kun," Mrs. Kazama replied warmly.

"Good morning, Satoshi nii-chan," Shizuka added shyly.

"My, my, Satoshi-kun, it seems Shizuka has grown quite fond of you. She usually doesn’t greet people or even reply, since she's so shy. But she seems really happy walking with you to school."

"Well, I guess it's because I talk to her and Jin a lot about their favorite shows. Maybe that's why they've gotten comfortable around me."

"Jin has always been extroverted, so it’s no surprise he’s close to you. But Shizuka being this comfortable with someone is a first."

"Well, I’m glad the kids are warming up to me," Satoshi said with a smile.

"Yes, it’s great that they’ve made a new friend so quickly in this new place."

After the usual chit-chat, Satoshi walked with Shizuka and Jin towards their school.

"By the way, oni-chan, if you walk with us, you can't use your bicycle, right?" Jin asked.

"Yes, that’s right."

"Then why do you still choose to walk with us? Wouldn’t it be faster if you took your bike?"

"Don’t worry about it. I walk with you guys because I enjoy it."

"Do you like walking with us, nii-chan?" Shizuka asked softly.

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"Yeah, I do."

After dropping them off, Satoshi headed toward his own school.

"Yo, Satoshi! Good morning," Ryo greeted him.

"Yo, Ryo. Akira, good morning."

"You're on time nowadays," Ryo said with a teasing smile. "Any special reason?"

"Nah, I just figured getting to school on time is a good habit."

"Oh, really?"

"Stop it, Ryo, you sound cringe," Akira interjected.

"Oh, come on. Don’t you have a sense of humor?"

"No, I don’t."

"Cold as ever!" Ryo exclaimed dramatically.

Satoshi chuckled. "You guys really make a good comedy duo."

"See? Even Satoshi agrees!" Ryo exclaimed.

"Don’t encourage him, Satoshi," Akira sighed.

"By the way, how are your new neighbors, Satoshi?" Akira asked.

"They're nice people. Their kids go to the nearby elementary school, and I walk with them every morning."

"Oh, so that’s why you’re on time," Ryo teased. "Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for that little girl!"

"Stop it, Ryo. She’s in elementary school. Do you want to put me in jail?"

"Haha, I was just joking. Anyway, have you decided on which club to join?" Ryo asked, changing the subject.

"Yeah, I’m joining the history club," Akira replied.

"Typical Akira. What about you, Ryo?"

"The manga club, obviously."

"Of course," Satoshi laughed. "I’m thinking of joining the debate club."

"Oh, because you want to be a lawyer, right?"

"Yeah, I figured it’d be useful for that."

As the day went on, Satoshi and his friends headed to the club fair during the second period.

"Alright, time to check out our respective clubs," Akira said.

"Yeah," Satoshi agreed.

Satoshi entered the debate club room.

"Welcome, oh—Satoshi-kun?" A familiar voice called out.

"Oh, Aoi-san! You’re in the debate club?"

"Yep! I’ve been a member for a while."

Before Satoshi could say more, the debate club president appeared.

"Ah, a new member? Please, have a seat on the sofa," the president said, gesturing.

"Thanks," Satoshi replied, taking a seat.

"So, Aoi-san, when did you join the club?" Satoshi asked.

"Well, actually, this is the debate club president, Arata Ikari. He’s a second-year and my childhood friend."

"Oh, I see. So, he invited you to join before the fair even started?"

"Exactly," Arata cut in. "Kohai, you’re quick to understand. I like that. You should join the club."

"Yeah, I’d like to," Satoshi replied.

"Btw, Satoshi-kun, why did you choose the debate club?" Aoi asked curiously.

"Well, it ties into my future plans."

"Interesting. Tell us more," Arata urged.

"Hey, Ara-chan, don’t pressure him!" Aoi scolded.

"But Ai-chan!"

Satoshi smiled as the two childhood friends bantered.

"Oops! I did it again," Aoi muttered, looking embarrassed.

"Using your special nicknames, huh?" Satoshi teased.

"Don’t spell it out!" Aoi blushed.

"She has this habit of using my nickname in front of others," Arata explained, laughing.

"Well, I think it just shows how close you two are as childhood friends. There’s no need to be embarrassed, Aoi-san," Satoshi reassured her.

"See, even your classmate agrees," Arata chimed in.

"Alright, alright, let’s get back to work," Aoi said, flustered. "Give him the application form."

After filling out the paperwork, Satoshi officially became a member of the debate club.

"Now, tell us, why did you join the club?" Arata pressed.

"It’s because I plan to become a lawyer in the future," Satoshi explained.

"Ah, that makes sense. The debate club will definitely help with that."

"Yeah, that’s what I thought."

After a bit more casual conversation, Satoshi returned to class. The rest of the day went by as usual. After school, he made dinner, ate, and went to his room.

"What’s on your mind, Satoshi?" the author asked.

"Just thinking about Aoi-san and Arata-senpai. They seem really close."

"Heartbroken already?"

"Obviously not. I’m not talking about that."

"Oh, is it about *her* then?"

"Yeah, I wonder what she’s doing right now."

"Don’t overthink it. You should just go to sleep."

"Yeah, you’re right. Goodnight, author-san."

"Goodnight."