Chapter 22: Kato and Kato
Yamaguchi Takashi and Takei Ichiro hid in the corner and whispered.
"Don't look at Yusuke's usual cold expression, but he's actually very proud."
"I think you should apologize quickly, Yamaguchi!"
"Ha?! Why am I the only one? Weren't you laughing too?!"
Just as they were arguing, the classroom door swung open, and Yusuke entered.
"About what was said yesterday."
He tossed strawberry milk to Takei and a soda to Yamaguchi.
"Thank you!"
"Thanks!"
They thanked him simultaneously, then turned to Yusuke.
"Hey, Yusuke!"
"We were wrong about what happened at lunch, we're really sorry!"
They bowed deeply, showing genuine remorse.
Yusuke paused, then walked to his seat and sat down, opening his notebook while responding.
"It's fine."
His tone was calm, indicating he wasn't troubled by the incident.
Relieved, Takei and Yamaguchi resumed their usual demeanor. Yamaguchi even teased Takei.
"It's no wonder you can't lose weight, always drinking those super sweet drinks."
As he spoke, he opened his soda.
Puff!
The soda erupted from the bottle, splashing Yamaguchi in the face as he tried to drink, followed by the distinct sound of marbles hitting the bottle's bottom.
"Pfft... ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
"Ah!" Ichiro Takei quickly dodged grimacing, "What are you doing? It's so messy!"
"I'm sorry!" Yamaguchi covered his mouth "Hand me some paper!"
A pack of tissues was passed to him, and he gratefully wiped his face then suddenly exclaimed, "A trick!? You did this—Yusuke!?"
Yamaguchi dropped the tissues and pointed accusingly at Yusuke.
The mechanical pencil in Yusuke's hand spun expertly. Facing Yamaguchi's accusation Yusuke responded indifferently, "What are you talking about?"
"You shook that soda!"
A sharp look flashed in Yusuke's eyes but he smiled coolly. "Why would I do that? You were careless, or there was something wrong with that bottle."
"Really...?" Yamaguchi remained skeptical, staring intently at Yusuke. "Then swear it's true, and I'll believe you!"
"I have no interest in earning your trust."
Yusuke flatly refused, looked around, then abruptly stood and walked across the classroom to where two girls were chatting. He spoke briefly to the girl with the bobbed haircut and handed his drink to the other girl.
"Huh? Who is that girl?" Yamaguchi furrowed his brow, tapping Takei's shoulder. "Takei, do you know her?"
"Um..." Takei scrutinized the girls briefly, then shrugged. "Not sure, but she looks kind of familiar. Maybe from another class?"
Some people said uncertainly: "I think she's called Kato or something…? I can't remember the name."
"Huh? Kato? Isn't that the same as Yusuke?" Yamaguchi said in surprise. "Is there such a girl in our class?"
"I don't know…" Takei slowly shook his head, thought for a moment, and said, "But I remember the girl next to me; it seems she was called Yoshiko."
"Really… I don't have an impression." Yamaguchi scratched his head and said, "Forget it; I'd better wait and ask Kato directly."
…
On the other side:
"Take this if you don't mind."
"…Coffee?" Looking at the drink handed over by the other party, Kato Megumi's eyes were slightly puzzled. "Hey, Yusuke-kun, what does this mean?"
She looked at Yusuke and said with a very easy-going tone.
Yusuke thought to himself, 'I just don't know why her presence is so low.' But he didn't show any expression on the surface. To the girl, he said, "This is a thank-you gift for borrowing your notebook. It's nothing; just accept it."
"Is that so?" Megumi nodded, then took the drink. "If that's the case, I'm welcome."
Whether it was casual or friendly, this kind of conversation that didn't make people feel burdened was very rare among girls. Kato Yusuke couldn't help but relax.
Looking at Megumi, who unscrewed the bottle cap and took a sip of coffee, he thought for a while and said, "Megumi-san, if you're not in a hurry, can I borrow some notes for a while?"
"Eh? Okay." Megumi nodded, put her index finger on her chin, looked at the ceiling, and said, "Just pay me back a week before the exam."
"Okay, I'll pay you back on time." Yusuke said, "That's it; I'll go back first."
"Safe travels."
Then Yusuke returned to his seat.
…
After Yusuke left:
"…Megumi?"
"What's wrong, Yoshiko?"
Megumi looked away from the phone and saw her friend looking at her with strange eyes.
"…What's the matter?" The girl named Yoshiko said, "That boy was Yusuke Kato just now. How did you meet?"
"Huh? Didn't you hear it all just now?" With some doubts in her black eyes, Megumi looked at Yoshiko and said, "I just met him by borrowing notes."
"No, no, no, but you haven't communicated at all before, right? Even classmates wouldn't ask unfamiliar people to borrow notes, right?"
Yoshiko waved her hands again and again, leaned forward slightly, stared into Megumi's eyes, and said.
"So how did you meet before then?"
The tone was a little subtle.
Megumi turned her eyes back to the phone: "Ah, I'm probably going to disappoint you; it's not what Yoshiko thought."
"Then explain it to me!" Yoshiko felt very uncomfortable, as if she was caught by a kitten. "Why is someone with Megumi's character suddenly familiar with a boy she doesn't know?!"
"Even if you say that, I don't know what to say."
Megumi said while playing with the phone.
"In that case, let's start from the first time the two of you met each other~!"
"Eh~? I'm going to start from there?" The Megumi's tone was a little troubled.
…
…
(i'm going Megumi Kato's first name so it is less confusing)
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