Part 3 – Walking Together
The hallway was already filling with students making their way home.
Just outside the door...
Amaya stood waiting.
Beside her was Daichi.
The two turned as they heard footsteps.
"...Haruto."
Amaya smiled.
Haruto walked over.
Daichi grinned.
"Took you long enough."
Haruto scratched the back of his head.
"...Kaito."
Daichi nodded knowingly.
"...Got teased again?"
Haruto let out a defeated sigh.
"...A little."
Daichi laughed.
"So..."
"Aren't you walking home with Ayame and Kaito today?"
Haruto quickly shook his head.
"...Nope."
"...I'll walk with you guys today."
Amaya quietly glanced at him.
She knew exactly why he was saying that.
Daichi simply nodded.
"Works for me."
Haruto looked around the corridor.
"...Who are we waiting for?"
Amaya answered without hesitation.
"...Izumi, of course."
Just then...
A familiar voice echoed from inside the classroom.
"...Arashi!"
Hina peeked through the doorway.
"Aren't you coming?"
Arashi looked up from packing his bag.
He was about to answer—
Before Riku stepped beside Hina.
"Hina..."
"That's not how you ask."
He puffed out his chest.
"Watch this."
Riku looked at Arashi.
"So..."
"Would the great Arashi Homura honor us with his presence on today's walk home?"
Hina blinked.
"...That's even worse."
Arashi let out a small laugh.
"...Sorry."
"I've got something I need to do today."
"Maybe tomorrow."
"We'll see."
Before Hina or Riku could reply...
Izumi suddenly appeared behind them.
She folded her arms.
"...'Maybe tomorrow'?"
Arashi looked toward her.
"Izumi—"
"For the past few days..."
"You've skipped sitting with us."
"You've skipped walking home with us."
"And every time..."
"It's always 'maybe tomorrow.'"
Arashi quietly looked away.
Izumi let out an annoyed sigh.
"...Forget it."
She grabbed Hina by one arm...
And Riku by the other.
"Come on."
"W-What?!"
"H-Hey, Izumi!"
The two stumbled forward as Izumi dragged them out into the hallway.
"If he doesn't want to walk with us..."
"Then don't force him."
She didn't even look back.
Arashi remained standing in the classroom doorway...
Silently watching the group walk away.
The five stepped out into the hallway together.
The afternoon sun poured through the academy windows as students filled the corridors.
Just as they reached the entrance...
Hina suddenly blinked.
"...Haruto?"
Haruto looked over.
"...Hm?"
She tilted her head.
"Aren't you walking home with Ayame and Kaito today?"
Haruto smiled awkwardly.
"...Not today."
"I'm walking with you guys."
Hina's eyes sparkled.
"Really?!"
Before anyone could react...
She happily skipped over and wrapped both arms around Haruto's right arm.
"Yay!"
"We all get to walk together!"
Haruto stumbled a little.
"W-Whoa..."
Riku chuckled.
"Hina..."
"You nearly knocked him over."
Haruto laughed nervously.
"...I'm okay."
Standing beside him...
Amaya froze.
Her eyes quietly drifted to Hina holding onto Haruto's arm.
"..."
She didn't say a word.
Izumi noticed immediately.
She let out a small sigh.
"...Hina."
"Hm?"
"Let go."
"But why?"
"Because you're making it hard for him to walk."
Hina looked down.
"...Am I?"
"...Yes."
She pouted.
"...Fine..."
Reluctantly...
She let go of Haruto's arm.
Almost immediately...
Amaya quietly stepped closer.
Without saying anything...
She gently took hold of Haruto's sleeve and pulled him back to her side.
"...Let's go."
Haruto blinked in surprise.
"...O-Okay."
Izumi glanced at Amaya.
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
She understood exactly why.
But chose not to say anything.
Riku looked from Hina...
To Amaya...
Then to Haruto.
"...I feel like I missed something."
Izumi answered without missing a beat.
"...You did."
Riku scratched his head.
"...What?"
Izumi simply smiled.
"...Nothing."