NOVEL WEB Chapter 32: Between me and her, who looks more likely to have a boyfriend?
"Makoto was only 15, wasn't he? Poor Moeko, I can't imagine how she must feel after losing her child," one middle-aged woman said.
"And wasn't she raising another daughter on her own? That irresponsible man abandoned them, didn't he? Or maybe he's already passed away? It's just Moeko and her two children now. But with her son gone... Only her daughter is left. Heaven has been so cruel to her," replied another.
On his way to Sakakino Academy that afternoon, Haruto overheard the conversation between two housewives. Curiosity piqued, he glanced in their direction, but the women had already walked out of earshot.
"A mother who's lost her son? A single parent raising two children, and now the son has passed away in an accident?"
The fragmented bits of the conversation lingered in his mind. Though his old-fashioned phone could technically access the internet, Hazama rarely used it for anything beyond contacting his family. He had no television in his apartment, so he was entirely out of touch with recent news.
The morning's incident—"two boys fall onto train tracks"—had stirred small discussions online. But to Haruto, who lacked access to current events, it was nothing more than a passing curiosity.
Still pondering the exchange, Haruto reached the white-walled perimeter of Sakakino Academy and came to a halt.
"So this is Sakakino Academy. Setsuna goes to school here," he murmured, looking up at the imposing structure.
Checking the time on his phone, he decided to wait quietly nearby.
After the opening ceremony, the new students returned to their classrooms, led by their teachers. Once there, everyone was asked to introduce themselves.
During Setsuna's turn, her flat, emotionless tone left the class with an impression of indifference. Meanwhile, Sekai's bright and bubbly personality won her instant popularity with both boys and girls.
"...And Setsuna and I have been close friends since childhood," Sekai concluded with a smile, trying to prevent Setsuna from being misunderstood or isolated by her classmates.
Her final comment caught the attention of the class, who turned to glance at the contrast between the quiet, expressionless Setsuna and the lively Sekai.
Then, it was Kotonoha Katsura's turn.
"Kotonoha Katsura, age 15. Please take care of me," she said softly as she stood.
Her gentle, angelic appearance captivated the class, especially the boys. Even Sekai found herself stealing a second glance at the serene girl.
Overwhelmed by the sudden attention, Katsura blushed and lowered her head. It wasn't until the teacher tapped the lectern lightly that the other students reluctantly shifted their gazes away.
When Katsura raised her head, her eyes met Sekai's.
Sekai flashed a warm, friendly smile, which startled Katsura at first. But after a brief hesitation, she responded with a shy, tender smile of her own.
During the break, the teacher asked the boys to help with some heavy lifting, while the girls remained in the classroom. Sekai, ever the social butterfly, pulled Setsuna along to Kotonoha's desk, where the quiet girl sat alone.
"Kotonoha Katsura... May I help you?" Katsura asked nervously, her polite tone putting a slight distance between them.
Sekai sighed internally at the formality but didn't let it deter her. Glancing at Setsuna, who was as silent as ever, Sekai realized she would have to take the lead.
"So, Kotonoha-san, do you have a boyfriend?" Sekai asked with a mischievous grin.
The bustling classroom fell silent. All eyes turned toward them, brimming with curiosity and intrigue.
Katsura, already flustered, turned an even deeper shade of red. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then bit her lip and lowered her gaze.
"W-why do you ask that?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sekai found Kotonoha's shy reaction utterly endearing and waved her finger playfully.
"Because Setsuna and I want to be friends with you! And isn't 'love' the best icebreaker for girls to bond over? That's why I asked. Or... does talking about it bother you Katsura?"
Sekai's sudden shift from "Kotonoha -san" to "Katsura" caught Katsura off guard. But despite her embarrassment, Katsura felt warmth from Sekai's friendliness. No one had ever been so straightforward in wanting to be her friend before.
Looking up at Sekai's earnest expression, Katsura felt her heart soften. Though she was still blushing furiously, she gave a tiny nod.
"No... I don't mind," she replied in a small voice.
"So? Do you have one?" Sekai pressed.
Katsura shook her head, her cheeks still flushed.
"N-no... I don't..."
"What? Someone as cute as you doesn't have a boyfriend?" Sekai teased, feigning surprise.
"My parents are quite strict," Katsura admitted. "So I've never had much interaction with boys..."
"I see. Then, Katsura, let me ask you something. Who do you think looks like they have a boyfriend—me or Setsuna?"
The classroom fell silent again.
Katsura blinked in surprise at Sekai's sudden, bold question. Her eyes darted between Sekai's mischievous smile and Setsuna's sigh of resignation. Katsura had no idea how to respond, caught off guard by the unexpected question.