TSIINGAC Chapter 3

My heart jumped when I saw the embarrassed look on her face when I apologized for unintentionally grabbing Haruno’s hand.

I originally thought Haruno was very pretty, but I have zero romantic feelings for her.

No matter how cute a TV idol may be, I have no romantic feelings for her, and of course I don’t like every beautiful woman I see on the street.

I look at those who get excited about TV celebrities, or at my classmates who innocently rejoice when they go to a concert and say, “That girl who I liked smiled at me,” with cold eyes, thinking, “These guys have happy brains.”

I wouldn’t make that mistake, and I don’t understand myself to like a girl simply because she’s cute.

The same is true when I look at Haruno. I do think she is unimaginably cute, but I can honestly say that I have never had any feelings of liking her or anything like that.

I used to wonder why people would say, “I like Haruno-san,” even though they have never really talked to her.

However, even for me, I was surprised at the cuteness of Haruno now.

I honestly think it’s amazing how cute she is.

Well, that doesn’t mean that I suddenly have romantic feelings for her, of course.

“But I’m sorry, Akizuki-kun. I’m leaving after all.”

“What…? Did you not like it that much… when I held your hand?”

“That’s not right. But… I’m sorry.”

Haruno removed her floral pink apron and triangular hood and turned to my mother, holding a shoulder bag that was in the corner of the room under both arms.

“Sensei. I’m really sorry.”

With a drawn face, Haruno bowed deeply and ran toward the front door, her slippers making a clattering sound.

I ran after her and called out to her as she was bending down to change her shoes at the entrance.

“Hey, Haruno-san. I’m sorry. Let’s go back to the class.”

“I’m sorry. It’s not your fault, Akizuki. But I’m going home today.”

I was at a loss for words to say to Haruno as she said that.

“Oh, that’s right, Akizuki-kun. Don’t tell anyone at school that I came to the cooking experience class today.”

Haruno said with a straight face.

The expression on her face, with her eyebrows slightly lowered, seemed to be pleading.

“Oh… oh. I understand.”

Hearing my words, Haruno looked relieved.

She then spun on her heel, opened the door, and walked out.

All I could do was stare in amazement at her back.

Haruno had left, but I couldn’t leave the other three students alone.

So after that, my mother and I started the trial class as planned.

But I couldn’t get Haruno out of my mind.

Despite this state of mind, I managed to do my job as an instructor without any problem.

After the cooking class, my mother told me, saying, “You should follow up properly at school.”

“Yeah, okay.”

I would apologize again to Haruno at school when the new semester started for suddenly holding her hand.

That’s what I thought.

 

Five days passed, and it was the first day of the second school year.

As soon as I arrived at school, I went to look at the class placement notice posted in the hallway.

I found my name in the second year, second group.

The last name Akizuki is always the first number in attendance and the first one notated, so it’s easy to find.

I then let my gaze wander around, looking for Haruno’s name.

I was in the same class with her in the first grade, but we hardly ever talked.

Furthermore, I wonder if I will ever have a chance to talk to her now that we are in different classes.

Haruno shines brightly as a school idol.

I am not a good enough communicator to casually talk to her like that.

As I looked around the bulletin board with this thought in mind, Haruno’s name immediately jumped out at me.

Ah…

Same, second year, second group.
This might give me a chance to talk to Haruno.

However, Haruno asked me not to tell anyone at school that she had come to our cooking class.

It seems that she doesn’t want others to know that she can’t cook.

I think it’s hard to talk to her casually, even if we are in the same class.

Originally, Haruno and I had no contact with each other, and I feel that it would be extremely unnatural for other students to have a private conversation between an inconspicuous guy like me and Haruno, who is always around people and is treated as an idol.

I want to follow up on Haruno’s sudden departure from the cooking class, but I wonder if I can do it right.

I have nothing but anxiety.

But, well, nothing will get done if I dwell on it.

Anyway, I headed for the classroom of the second year class.