The sudden shift in topic to glasses made Asakura Mio instinctively push the frames on the bridge of her nose.
If Sena Ajisai hadn't mentioned it, she'd almost forgotten—the fact that she'd changed her glasses didn't seem to have garnered much attention in class at all.
Aside from Koyanagi Kaho's offhand comment this morning, the entire morning had been uneventful, with no one else bringing it up…
"Ah, right… Didn't we agree to talk about Amaori-san? How did the conversation keep circling back to me?"
Sena Ajisai leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a hushed tone laced with a hint of subtle probing.
"Well… it's just… what happened that made Renako-chan and Mio-chan become so close all of a sudden? If I could know the reason, it might help me… get closer to Renako-chan too…"
Finally, we're getting to the main point!
So she really is thinking about how to get closer to Amaori Renako, isn't she?
Has she picked up on the subtle shift in the atmosphere between those two and started feeling anxious?
Is the thrilling drama of two girls vying for one girl's affection really about to play out in real life?
Watching Asakura Mio's eyes suddenly light up as if she'd discovered a new world, Sena Ajisai could only offer another silent, internal apology to Amaori Renako.
'I'm sorry, Renako-chan… I used you just a little bit again.'
--+--
After school, Asakura Mio found herself walking home side-by-side with Amaori Renako, a rare occurrence.
This pairing came about entirely due to Amaori Renako's blunt invitation before school let out:
"Let's walk home together after school."
"You just used up one of your chances to talk to me for the day."
That was Asakura Mio's instinctive, slightly prickly reply.
"Then… I'll use the second one for—continuing our conversation after we get to my house!"
A cunning choice.
This way, to uphold their agreement of only speaking three times a day, she had to follow Amaori Renako home. As for what they would talk about on the way, or even after arriving, and for how long… that would largely be dictated by Amaori Renako.
However, Asakura Mio couldn't find any compelling reason to refuse.
After all, she'd already accepted being friends with Amaori Renako; being overly hesitant now would just seem affected.
Besides, the topic they needed to discuss really wasn't suitable for a crowded, watchful environment like school.
This probably counts as quietly going behind Oozuka Mai's back…
Although Asakura Mio didn't desire much attention from that dazzling circle, equally, she didn't particularly want to be disliked by Oozuka Mai herself. Her feelings right now were just that contradictory.
"Why have you been looking at me with such a weird expression the whole way, Mio-chan?"
Amaori Renako seemed to notice her thoughtful gaze and couldn't help asking.
"Just thinking… Amaori-san is surprisingly popular, isn't she?"
Asakura Mio stroked her chin, offering a deliberate evaluation.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
Amaori Renako looked utterly bewildered, unable to follow Asakura Mio's seemingly random statement.
"Nothing~ Just forget I said anything."
Asakura Mio smiled and didn't elaborate further. After Sena Ajisai's question at noon, she'd already formed a rough theory.
Clearly, the subtle shifts in the group's internal atmosphere these past couple of days had stirred a faint sense of 'crisis' in some of its members.
That Sena Ajisai wanted to get closer to Amaori Renako was undeniable, regardless of her underlying motives.
So, she had selectively disclosed some of what happened between her and Amaori Renako yesterday.
Of course, it was a carefully 'sanitized' version.
For instance, she didn't mention they fell out of a tree onto her, simply explaining that Amaori Renako accidentally broke her glasses; she mentioned going to buy new glasses together afterward, but cleverly omitted the near-'accident' and the close contact.
Finally, Asakura Mio even offered what she considered sound advice: if you want to get closer, try meeting up outside of school.
There was ultimately a difference between 'school friends' and 'out-of-school friends.'
Currently, in Asakura Mio's view, Amaori Renako was still trying to blend into the 'Quintet' primarily to avoid repeating her middle school mistakes.
So, trying to transcend the 'school friend' identity might be the key for Sena Ajisai to break through.
Although Asakura Mio wasn't sure if this method would actually work, at the very least, the closing of the distance between her and Amaori Renako… well, no, the closing of the distance initiated by Amaori Renako towards her, seemed to have started with their interactions outside of school…
Soon, they reached Amaori Renako's house. Amaori Renako deftly unlocked the door with her key and moved aside to invite Asakura Mio in.
Asakura Mio unconsciously swallowed. It had been a long time since she'd stepped foot inside a female peer's home, and this visit made her feel somewhat nervous.
"I-I'm intruding…"
She said softly, a barely detectable hint of unease in her voice.
Just after changing into slippers in the genkan, she looked up and saw a beautiful girl with a pink ponytail, whose features bore a seventy or eighty percent resemblance to Amaori Renako, looking over at her with curiosity.
"This is the little sister I mentioned, Haruna."
Amaori Renako quickly introduced. The girl named Amaori Haruna stared at Asakura Mio for a few seconds before seeming to remember her manners, greeting her with poised ease.
"It's nice to meet you. I'm Amaori Haruna."
"N-Nice to meet you, I'm Asakura Mio. I'm Amaori-san's…"
Asakura Mio automatically began the introduction but stumbled, unsure how to define her relationship.
When was the last time she introduced herself to someone's family? Elementary school?
"Friend?"
Amaori Haruna finished for her with a smile.
They look similar, but their personalities are clearly different…
Asakura Mio couldn't help comparing them.
This little sister was obviously much more adept at handling strangers than her socially awkward older sister.
Currently, Asakura Mio, feeling equally awkward herself, felt a bit of pressure.
"I suppose that's one way to put it…?"
Asakura Mio glanced back at Amaori Renako; if she gave a different answer now, Asakura Mio would probably die of embarrassment.
"Yep, yep! We're heading upstairs now!"
Amaori Renako didn't seem inclined to let them chat any longer. She started pushing Asakura Mio from behind towards the staircase, practically ushering her up.
'Honestly, I wouldn't have minded spending a bit more time with the "cheerful version" of Amaori Renako.'
A shame she didn't get the chance.
Neither of them noticed Amaori Haruna downstairs, watching their retreating backs with a thoughtful expression as they went upstairs.
--+--