As summer arrived, the temperature reached 36 degrees Celsius, with cicadas singing throughout the day. M.A. High students had switched from their winter uniforms to their summer uniforms.
The boys wore short-sleeved shirts, with or without the summer vest, and their normal light grey pants. The girls wore the same, except they had bows and light grey skirts instead of neckties and pants.
That day, Mizuha's group ate in the cafeteria for the first time, their usual rooftop spot too hot to use.
When they first arrived at the rooftop earlier, Mizuha leaned in. "Hey, is it just me, or does this place look like a desert?"
"It's not just you, Mizuha. We can see it too," Hikaru said.
"Why has our favorite place turned into a desert?" Shimizu shouted.
"Well, it is summer, you know," Zul pointed out.
"Shut up, Shimizu. Your shouting makes it feel even hotter," Hikaru grumbled.
"Eri-chan, you've been quiet since earlier. What's wrong?"
Eri looked like she was about to collapse.
"Sorry, Mizuha-chan. I can't handle this heat. Ah, it's so hot..."
Mizuha offered Eri a bottle of drinking water. "Hang on, Eri-chan. Here, drink this water."
"Thanks, Mizuha-chan."
"This is bad. We need to find another place to eat before we get dehydrated up here," Mizuha suggested.
"How about the cafeteria? It's been a while since I ate there," Shimizu suggested.
"That's a good idea. Let's go, everyone," Hikaru agreed.
"Oh, so this is our cafeteria. My first time here since transferring to this school," Mizuha said. "It’s so spacious."
"That’s right, you haven’t been here before. You used to eat with just us two in the classroom until you showed us that rooftop spot," Hikaru said.
"Hehe, you owe Mizuha and me thanks for finding that place," Shimizu said.
"Yes, yes, thank you for that. There's nothing to be proud about though."
"What’s wrong, Hikaru? Why are you so cold today? Having your period or something?"
Hikaru blushed, still upset.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG9HwENnUHV
"P... period, you say? I'm a man, you know!"
Everyone laughed at Hikaru after Shimizu's teasing.
Mizuha smiled. "That's a nice joke, Shimizu."
"Are you okay, Eri? Still feeling hot?"
"Not anymore, I feel cooler now."
Zul offered his bottle. "Here, drink this water. You need to stay hydrated in this heat."
"You're right. Thanks, Zul."
"So, it begins—a romance story between these two childhood friends."
"Hey, why are you suddenly turning into the narrator of this story?"
Eri’s face turned bright red. "Shimizu-chan!"
Takeru approached with a ramen bowl he had just bought. "Oh, you guys! Rare to see you eating here."
"Oh, Takeru, hi."
"Hi Mizuha, you look more cheerful than before. Can I join you guys eating here?"
"Sure, go ahead. It's nice to have you here too."
This guy again. Since when did he become so friendly with Mizuha? Hikaru thought, glaring at Takeru.
Takeru noticed Hikaru’s glare. "Hikaru-kun, are you jealous that I’m friendly with Mizuha? Don’t worry, I won’t steal her from you."
Hikaru blushed. "What!?"
This guy, he thought.
Mizuha blushed. "Takeru, what are you saying?"
"It’s not like that, Takeru-kun. Hikaru is actually having his period today. That’s why he’s in a bad mood."
"Period? Hikaru-kun, are you a girl or something?"
Hikaru’s face turned bright red. "Enough with all that, you guys!"
Everyone laughed at Hikaru again. He then noticed Mizuha looking cheerful, unlike when she was sick last week.
Mizuha… I’m glad to see you smile like this again, Hikaru thought, smiling inwardly.
After the lunch break, in their classroom, Mizuha tried to draw something but couldn't concentrate because of the intense heat.
It’s no use; it’s too hot to concentrate. Going to the mountains and rivers must be fun now, Mizuha thought, looking out the window.
Shimizu appeared in front of her suddenly, crouched in front of her desk.
"Then why don't we go there this weekend?"
Mizuha yelped, startled. "Wargh, Shimizu?"
"Mountains and rivers? That's a great idea, Mizuha."
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
Shimizu struck a pose.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpqfG2WSJo
"Hehe, I just got telepathic powers. Now kneel before me, YukiYuki-san!"
"What's with that strange pose? Also, don't say my name like you're singing in a musical. My name is Yuki Mizuha"
"I'm sorry, I bit my tongue"
"No, that was on purpose."
Shimizu grinned.437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvpSVihkaa
"I bwit my tongue..."
"It wasn't on purpose?"
Shimizu smirked. "Oh, you get this joke too, huh, Mizuha? I didn’t know you watched that anime too."
Mizuha sighed. "Enough already. I’m too hot to play along with your jokes."
"But it was a great idea, right? Going to the mountains and rivers during this heat. Let’s ask others about their opinions."
"Hey, Shimizu, wait... geez, this girl..."
"Hey Eri, please come here for a moment."
Eri approached Mizuha's desk. "Yes, Shimizu-chan? What is it?"
"You see, Mizuha suggested we go for a picnic this weekend at the mountains and rivers. What do you think?"
Mizuha gave Shimizu a light chop on the head.
"Hey, it was you who suggested it, not me!"
"That's a great idea—count me in, too. It's been a while since I went to the mountains or the river. It would be nice to go there."
Eri turned to Zul, who was sitting behind Mizuha. "How about you, Zul? Do you want to join us too?"
"Well, if you go, I’ll go too."
Shimizu sighed. "You’re so quick to agree with whatever Eri says."
Eri then chuckled when she heard what Shimizu said.
Shimizu sent a chat to Hikaru. "So, it's decided. Let's tell Hikaru about this."
"Hey, don’t decide it for me suddenly. I wasn’t thinking about it yet."
Meanwhile, in Class 1B, Hikaru sat at his desk fanning himself with a book to combat the heat.
Ah, today's so hot. Going to the mountains and river would be nice, Hikaru thought.
Suddenly, Takeru turned around from his seat in front of Hikaru.
"Umm, Hikaru-kun, can I talk to you?"
Hikaru kept fanning himself. "Huh, what is it? Make it quick. It's too hot."
"I'm sorry about earlier at the cafeteria. I didn't mean to tease you like that."
"Oh, about that, don't worry. I'm not upset at all. "Thanks to that joke, I could see Mizuha smiling cheerfully today."
"Oh, you noticed that too?"
"There's one more thing I want to ask you."
"Do you like Mizuha, Hikaru-kun?"
Hikaru stopped fanning, shocked. "Huh, why are you bringing this up suddenly?"
"You can answer if you want, or you can answer it later."
This guy, what is he planning? Asking something like this, Hikaru wondered.
Hikaru blushed slightly. "Yes, I like her. Are you satisfied now, or do you have a problem with it?"
"No, I'm fine with it. I just wanted to know."
"Then, what's the reason you like her?"
"Reason? I've never thought about that. Maybe because she’s kind, cheerful, and friendly to everyone without judging them by their cover, I guess."
Takeru nodded. "Oh, I see. Then, this is my last question."
"How many questions do you want to ask? Are you a police officer or what?"
"Are you going to betray her once you're done with her?"
"Betray the person I like? Of course not. I'm not that type of person. That type of person is someone I hate very much."
"I see. "As her childhood friend, then I don’t need to worry about Mizuha when she's with you. Thanks for telling me that.
Takeru extended his hand to Hikaru.
"From now on, please take care of Mizuha for me, Hikaru-kun."
Hikaru shook Takeru's hand. "That was always my intention—to take care of her."
"Are you angry that I like her?"
"Angry!? For what!? I'm just her childhood friend, not her former boyfriend or someone with romantic feelings for her."
"She doesn't remember our shared childhood, but seeing her happy is enough for me. If you make her cry or betray her, I'll make you pay and take her back."
Hikaru smirked at Takeru. "I see, you're really a tough guy, Takeru. I should not underestimate you after all."
Takeru chuckled. "Huh!? You just noticed it, hahaha." He turned his chair back to face the front.
Suddenly, Hikaru received a message in the group chat of Mizuha, Eri, Shimizu, Zul, and himself.
The message had been sent by Shimizu: "Hey, you guys, Mizuha suggested we go on a picnic this weekend. What do you all think?"
"Hey, that was your suggestion, not mine."
"Sorry, everyone, Shimizu just blurted that out! She somehow read my mind. I was only thinking about mountains and rivers when she made that suggestion."
"Like I said, I can read everyone's mind."
"Shut up, you tomboyish woman! I didn’t even say anything to you."
Shimizu sent an angry emoji.
"Hey, who are you calling a tomboyish woman?"
So, Mizuha was thinking the same as me about the mountain and river, Hikaru thought, blushing at their shared idea.
Hikaru joined the conversation. "It’s a great idea, Mizuha. So, why not all go this weekend?"
"Okay, if Hikaru agrees, I, of course, agree and want to go. How about you guys?"
"Count me in too."
"Because Eri is going, I’m going with her."
"How about you, Mizuha?"
"Well, it can’t be helped. Since you’re all going, then I’m going too."
"Wait, didn’t you just say you hadn’t decided yet? Did Hikaru make you change your mind?"
Mizuha sent an angry emoji. "Ah, shut up, Shimizu, you’re so annoying."
Hikaru chuckled read their group chat.
A picnic? It's been a while since I visited the mountain and river, he thought, gazing out the window.
Back in Class 1F, Eri smiled at her phone as the picnic plan was confirmed.
Going on a picnic with Mizuha-chan and everyone... I can’t wait.
Then, suddenly, something important came to her mind.
Ah, tomorrow’s the day... I should remind Zul about it later.
It’s been a while since I visited her, Eri thought, looking out the window.
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6lrYxxS95
Right, Onee-chan...?
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNN4W63nO4z
437Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBIaC2r3Ll
and then Add to home screen.