The letter on the broadcast came like a shotgun blow. Nobody expected it.

  But wait – everyone was here. WHO exactly sent in the letter?

  I look at everyone and they were really confused. Is Mai serious? Did Kaguya think that much of me after sleeping over at her house? Was Akane finally admitting she is a tsundere? Mizuki gained clear feelings after the mall shopping?! Or did Suzuki pull some strings from the inside and admit her love for me after meeting again, 7 years later?

  “Do you have any clue about this, Suzuki?”

  “Uh…I was handed in a letter and I left it for Tsuku-chan to read it, as per the instructions. I had no idea it was something that important…”

  “I see.”

  Mai starts thinking again, visibly concerned.

  “Another one?! Or could it be that one of us finally admitted her feelings for Kaito…I need to look into this further. I can’t afford to lose!”

  The whole situation was nerve-wracking. Akane was very worried, Kaguya and Mizuki were deeply confused, and Mai clearly was planning something. But Suzuki was a bit different. She was blushing. Could it be her own work? I get the whole emotional feelings after all these years…but…

  “Alright guys! It might have been Hikaru’s work to pull off a quick joke. Don’t mind it anymore.”

  “Right! I was thinking the same too, haha, no girl would be so desperate to announce their love for you out of all people.” said Akane, now relaxed.

  “Right, right. Let’s go home guys.”

  “Can we stop by a diner?” said Mai enthusiatically.

  “If you got money, then go for it.”

  “Come on…you can treat us.”

  “Fine…”

  “You’re the best, Kaito!” everyone said in unison.

  We head to the diner as the sun sets, and now the sports festival has ended. In a stylish and unique way.

  At the restaurant, everyone orders what they want. They didn’t take any order sum limit into account. They didn’t hold back on anything, at all.

  “I want a steak with pommes frites!” (Mizuki)

  “Akane and I will share a sushi set!” (Mai)

  “Hikaru…please be mindful..”

  “I’ll get just a coffee. I understand our common male problems. I’m scared to go out with Hana at a restaurant to be honest.”

  “Oh, is she your girlfriend?”

  “No, just a childhood friend. But my dad always tells me to pay for her. It’s a real pain.”

  The girls were all looking at me.

  “Kaito! Do you even hear us?!” said Kaguya, annoyed.

  “Sure, sorry. What did you say you want?”

  “I will get the Miso Spicy Ramen. Suzuki said she wants the regular version of it.” (Kaguya)

  “Kaguya-san, I have one more request…can we be friends?”

  She stared back at her unsure what to say.

  “Um…are we not? I mean hanging out at a diner with a childhood friend of a friend is making us friends by default.”

  Suzuki was overjoyed.

  “Is that so…I’m happy!”

  “Akane, Mai, do you also want us to be friends?”

  “Uh, sure…why not?”

  “I’m so happy! Looking forward to make loads of fun moments with you guys!”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  And so, our food arrived. Everyone was happy and all, except for me and my wallet. (The bill was 17.000 yen.)

  The walk home was endless. I kept thinking about who could do such a thing. It could be absolutely anyone. Even except the girls in our group, maybe some other girl fell for me…but why do it like that?! It makes no sense…I guess I should let it rest for a while.

  Mai notices i'm zoned out.

  “What are you thinking about, Kaito?”

  “I bet he’s having creepy thoughts about the girl who confessed to him! Pervert!”

  I glare back at them, totally tired.

  “Really? You know me like that?”

  “Come on Akane, there’s no way. He doesn’t even know her. Maybe he’s just confused.” said Mizuki, trying to defend me.

  “I don’t trust him one bit!”

  “Okay, Akane…”

  We get home. Everyone unpacks and gets ready for bed.

  I go to the kitchen to grab a snack and see Akane struggling to spread a bit of chocolate cream over her cookies. Everyone was asleep, just the two of us not.

  I go and help her without noticing me, but when I try to take the knife and give her a helping hand, she gets startled.

  “Huh?! Don’t touch me! What are you even doing?!”

  “I’m just trying to help you, looked like you were struggling…”

  “I don’t need your help! Mind your own business!”

  I was out of power.

  “Okay, so be it. Good luck and good night.”

  “Wait…do you...want one biscuit?”

  “Sure. Thank you.”

  She started smiling.

  “It’s good! Did you bake them?

  “Sure I did! You like them?”

  “Yes! They’re very tasty! I always loved your baked goodies!”

  Akane starts blushing and gets flustered.

  “It’s not like I care or anything…but I’m glad.”

  I always loved baking for him…seeing him stuff his face with my food always made me smile. After all, the guy I liked for so long was eating the food I cooked. Why can’t I just tell him that I love him…

  “I’m going to sleep. Have a good night and thanks for the cookies!”

  I get in my room and fall asleep instantly. Meanwhile, Akane was still replaying the scene.

  “I’m so happy! It’s been a while since he ate food I cooked…I’m happy to see he still likes it. I guess I could do it every now and then…”

  The next day comes by in a flash. Akane comes to my room, and moves me easy to get up from the bed.

  “Wake up, Kaito. The food is getting cold.”

  “You made breakfast? What’s the occasion?”

  “There doesn’t need to be an occasion. Just come here and stop asking questions.”

  I head downstairs and…it was a whole feast. She stayed up the whole night to cook.

  “Akane! Did you sleep last night?!”

  “About 2 hours. Why?”

  “What do you mean why…you’re visibly tired!”

  Mai pulled up in the Kitchen on short notice and saw Akane's face.

  "Good morning, Mai!"

  “Good Morning, Kaito and Akane! UEEEAAHH, AKANE WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE A GHOUL?!”

  “It’s nothing, I just…”

  “No! Come here now!”

  Mai dragged her to the bathroom and applied a lot of makeup to hide her eyebags. She also styled her hair.

  “What did you do last night?!”

  “I cooked…for Kaito. He was happy when I gave him cookies last night…”

  Mai lets out a relieved face.

  “You’re starting to be honest with yourself. I’m so glad. But not in this manner!”

  “What are you talking ab-“

  And she fainted from tiredness. She woke up in the classroom, during break.

  “What happened…?”

  “Good morning!”

  “Good Morning, Kaguya…how am I here?”

  “I saw Kaito give you a piggyback ride. You all 4 entered the gate at the same time.”

  “W-W-WHAT?! Kaito…….”

  I felt a death stare from behind. Akane approached me and started to shake me.

  “People are going to get the wrong idea!!!!”

  “You cooked for me last night. This is the last I could do. And I don’t care about others perception of our friendship.”

  Moved by my words, her reply comes calmly: “T-thank you…”

  The third period started. Liana-sensei entered.

  “Hello guys! Let’s get started! We have finals next week!”

  Akane and Mai turned to me.

  “Kaito….”

  “Alright. Group study time. Kaguya, Mizuki, Hikaru, let’s do it again.”

  “Sure!”

  “I’m on it!”

  “Let’s do it!”

  We all head home and set up the kotatsu. Mizuki starts cooking dinner.

  “Any questions?”

  “Let’s revise everything.”

  Akane came up with the first question.

  “About this equation…how do you solve it?”

  I get closer to her. Akane gets flustered.

  “Simple. You just use this formula.”

  “T-thanks….” He got so close to me! It startled me!

  “I also have a question.”

  Mai got closer to me.

  “Here…”

  (He’s not going to resist to this! I’m going to make his heart pound fast for me!)

  “Simple, again. “On cloud nine” is an expression in english used when someone is extremely happy.”

  Not even a reaction?! How tough are you, Kaito?!

  My eyes were twitching.

  Hang in there, face…don’t you dare move one bit!

  “Kaguya…”

  She was writing like crazy.

  “I suppose you need no help. Hikaru?”

  “I’m good for now! I’m actually studying this time.”

  “News to me. Mizuki?”

  “I’m good too! Food’s ready.”

  “Then let’s have dinner.”

  Everyone finishes up their studying and they all gather at the table to eat.

  “It’s so tasty! Who cooked it?”

  “Kaguya, pay more attention, Mizuki did it!” said Mai annoyed by Kaguya's carelessness.

  “Marry me! I love your food!”

  Fluttered by her words, a timid reply comes out:

  “Well, thank you…”

  “I would’ve loved Akane to help you cook.”

  Silence.

  “Anyway, Kaito, can you please take me home again?”

  “Of course. Especially after what happened last time.”

  “Thank you!”

  The group study ended well. We went on to do the same for the following week, and everyone was ready for the finals.

  And so, the finals came. The final stretch. We arrive at the school. The exams start.

  I take a look every now and then at Akane and I see she’s struggling on maths.

  I can't leave her like this.

  I start to whisper the solution.

  “1…C."

  She turned to me and let out a smile. Normally she would’ve turned her head away, but I guess she’s really needed this.

  I focus on the exam and my hands were writing at colossal speeds. After 2 hours, the finals end. Everyone’s tired.

  Mai comes out of the classroom and happily gives us a great idea.

  "Guys, let's go watch a movie!"