Somehow I ended up sitting next to Miyuki, something I can’t complain about, however getting surrounded by these great personalities feels like a big threat to my survival. My fight or flight reaction is kicking on high. Only reason I’m able to sit still is because Miyuki is at my side.

Sitting in front of me is Akane. However, this is not the same Akane I have gotten used to until now. She looks far more relaxed than she ever did, this change is probably because of the person sitting next to her, Ann Amamiya.

It seems both Ann and Akane went to the same middle school and were quite close until Ann had to leave the country due to her parent’s work. Now that she is back she is in the same class as Miyuki.

“Arima-san, Sawatari-san seem comfortable today.” Miyuki whispers in my ears like an angel’s singing.

“Uhh… yeah, probably because of meeting an old friend.”

“I know, she always looked so lonely before. It seems ever since you were introduced to her she has been getting better.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” That's right, thinking I can influence a person is too arrogant. Everything I’ve done was to serve myself. I’ve caused more problems for Akane. “She’s probably just happy to see Amamiya-san.”

“Yeah there’s no doubt about that. Ann is such a fun and sweet person.”

“Miyuki-san, it seems you have known Amamiya-san for a while.”

“It’s Kai. Our homeroom teacher told Ann to join a club as soon as possible to get her up to pace with the school year and she decided to join the drama club. That’s how we met.”

A fun and open person. She does seem very carefree as a person. A complete opposite of the Akane I know. What kind of person was Akane in middle school? Was she the same but then how did someone like Akane start to talk to Ann? Did something happen that changed Akane? It was probably Ann who started talking to Akane.

“Arima-san, I’m gonna get some coffee. Do you need something?”

“No, thanks. I’ll be alright, Miyuki-san.”

“It’s Kai. Do you need something Ann?”

“Yes. I do. But don’t worry about it Kai. I’m gonna ask Akane to get it for me. She knows what I like and afterall, she owes me this.”

“Why would I owe you anything?”

“Uh… you know… for that one time.” Ann seemed a little hesitant to continue, like she didn’t have much to add to her previous statement. It’s clear Ann wants to talk to me alone. She really is the opposite of Akane, so easy to read. How did they become such good friends when they are so different?

“I understand.” Akane said with a sigh. She is good when it comes to reading people, she probably saw Ann wanting to talk to me. “I’ll go with you Miyuki-san.”

Akane gave a look that told me to keep my mouth shut about anything. Ann and I saw the two of them walk away, Miyuki was saying something to Akane, knowing him he was probably telling her to call him by his first name. Akane did seem like she was listening to him intently but I can’t really imagine her calling Miyuki by his first name this easily.

“So we haven’t been introduced formally. I am Ann Amamiya, I was recently transferred to class 2-2 of Soubo highschool. Nice to meet you.” She extends her right arm for a handshake.

“I’m Youhei Arima. Class 2-1.” Even through my dislike of people wanting to get too close with gestures like handshakes, I extend my arm and shake Ann’s hand, just so I don’t come out as rude.

“Arima-san, you probably didn’t notice but I sent Akane away so I could talk to you alone.” Ann said in a sly tone.

“It was obvious.” Did she really think she was tricking any one of us?

“Huh?!? You are lying. Arima-san, it's not good to lie to someone you just met.”

She really thought her acting was good. What is she? A child? Does Akane like children and that’s why she became friends with her? The more I get to know about Akane the more I feel like I know nothing about her.

“What did you want to talk about Amamiya-san?”

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“Oh that. Well we can start with – How do you know Akane?” Her childish tone was gone. She sounded serious, something I hadn’t expected her to be.

“We are in the same class.”

“Come on, you already proved you are smarter than that. You know what I mean. Akane isn’t the type of girl who would be spending her time with a guy, especially a guy like you.”

It seems Ann really does know about the real Akane far more than I could ever know. She is not the kind of person who would do anything as meaningless as spending her time with some guy. I understand why Ann would be suspicious of me.

But even so.

What do you mean ‘a guy like me’? What’s wrong with me? I’m at least above average when it comes to looks and my grades are pretty good. And my ideology is pretty good. There’s nothing about me to not like.

In any case, I cannot tell Ann about the real reason why Akane is here with me. I’ll just have to think of a convincing explanation. The best way would be to be as honest as I can without telling her about our true intentions. I guess I’ll just start from the beginning, “Our homeroom teacher made me sit next to her. That’s how we started talking.”

“Hmm… I see… your homeroom teacher you say.” Ann seems to be thinking hard about it. I wonder what her next question will be. “I guess that makes sense. If you were sitting next to her it would make sense that you two started talking.”

Wait, that was all it needed to lift her suspicion? She seemed so serious about it and all it took was one explanation? What is this girl?

“Is that all you wanted to ask?”

“To be honest there was nothing to ask.” She starts laughing. “Akane is not someone who is easy to convince. You already know that, don’t you?” Her laughter turns into a solemn smile. “She doesn’t trust people easily, which did make it harder for me to even get close to her at first.” Her eyes emanated sadness . “But that also means anyone she does trust would be a good person. I trust Akane.” Her smile comes back.

“She’s a pain to convince. Always thinking she knows the best.” This last week has been so hectic for me. I had to take the most radical options to make Akane convince for the smallest things.

Hearing my response Ann starts laughing, “I know right? She's so stubborn. Finally I have someone who understands my pain.” After a few moments of pure laughter Ann says with a smile on her face, “I can see why Akane chose you, even if I wouldn’t have imagined her choosing you. No offense.”

Says the girl who gave me every reason to be offended. Somehow I don’t blame Ann for thinking that, I too wouldn’t have thought I’d be sitting here today on a saturday. I was lying peacefully on my couch playing my game, now I’m here meeting Akane’s friend. Being ‘chosen’ ruined my peaceful life.

Wait. Chosen?

Why did Ann say Akane ‘chose’ me? What did she mean by ‘chosen’? It could simply be the way she decided to say it. I’m probably just overthinking things.

“You better take care of her or I’ll personally punch you.” Ann says in a playful tone, showing me her clenched fist.

“Amamiya-san, how do you think Akane and I are related?” I have to confirm it right now. I don’t want her to think of something which can cause more problems in my life.

Ann looks surprised. “What do you mean? I don’t know what image I have in your mind but not even me can be that dumb. You are Akane’s boyfriend.”

“That’s what I doubted you’d think.” I said with a sigh. “You are misunderstanding Amamiya-san. Akane and I are nothing more than acquaintances.”

“Are you serious? How long have you known Akane?”

“Almost a week.”

“Just a week?” Ann’s eyes widen and I can feel her getting redder. “I’m sorry. I spoke without thinking.” She bows her head frantically.

I put my arms up in an attempt to stop her, “Please don’t apologize. You saw your friend with a guy you didn’t know. I understand why you thought that.”

“This is so embarrassing. I’m really sorry Arima-san. I wouldn’t have imagined you’ve only known her for a week, she would never go out with someone she has known for a week. That isn’t like her at all.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

“But you have only known her for a week and she’s already spending time with you?”

“It’s nothing like that. You can say we are here to take care of a problem.”

“Can I ask what problem?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Is it related to Akane? You have to tell me.”

“Amamiya-san, I really can’t say anything without Akane’s permission.” I should probably keep it to myself for now. The more people know the less chance the plan has to work.

“I understand. I know how closed off Akane is.” her eyes drop towards the floor. “I did leave her alone all this time.”

This is probably the first time I am feeling something like jealousy. And the reason is Akane. I never thought I would be jealous of someone popular. I always thought popular people won’t have friends. But now there sits a girl in front of me that I can see really cares about Akane. Why does it hurt to know there are people who care about others?

I shouldn’t let Ann worry about this whole thing. I decided to see this thing through and that's what I’ll do. “Don’t worry about this Amamiya-san. It’s really not that big of a problem.”

“I’ll help you.” Ann said, looking straight at me.

“Loo-” before I could say anything Ann stood up and started walking towards Akane and Miyuki.

“Oh I forgot something important to do. I’ll have to leave now.” she’s doing it again, her attempt to ‘trick’ us. “Kai, would you come with me? I can use your help.”

“Sure, what do you need my help with?”

“Just come with me.” Ann grabs Miyuki’s arm and drags him outside of the cafe, “Oh Akane, we have a lot to catch up. Make sure you make some time for me.” Ann said, winking.

Seeing this bizarre turn of events Akane looks towards me with suspicion.

“What did you say to her?” Akane said, tilting her head and squinting her eyes.

“Nothing that would explain this.” I shrugged. Behind Akane I saw a head peeking into the cafe with a wide smile. As the head panned away a thumbs up took its place. She thinks she helped us, well I guess in some way she did.

“Never again let me leave you alone with anyone I know.”

“Make sure I don’t meet more people you know.”

Just as I completed my sentence, like divine intervention, I saw a familiar looking face behind Akane passing through the front door of the cafe. It was the same face I had seen outside our school, talking to Watari. This is probably the reason Akane had brought me here today. Like I had imagined, Watari was visible a few moments later. Neither of them had noticed us yet, are we supposed to be noticed?

This is exactly the kind of situation I wanted to prepare for but Akane hadn’t given me any real information about her plan. I’ll just have to go with my gut feeling and get their attention. I know just the way to get their attention without arousing suspicion.

I walked past Akane towards the front desk and said in an almost shouting voice, “Excuse me, can we get two coffees?” As expected, my voice got the attention of everyone present, including Watari and the girl he was with.

Now it’s your turn Watari, what will you do? Are you going to ignore seeing Akane with me and walk away or introduce this girl to the both of us? Turning towards the pair I could see Watari scowling, he hadn’t expected this at all. However, the short blue haired girl with Watari didn’t seem as surprised for some reason, instead her face was covered with a menacing smile.

She said something to Watari before grabbing his hand and dragging him inside the cafe. Before I knew it she was standing right in front of me.

“Are you a friend of Watari’s?” she asked with overflowing excitement.