Chapter 1 - She is an Honor Student
"Toya-kun!!"
It is a daily morning routine.
I wake up to Airi's loud voice.
And I give the usual response.
"I told you to knock before entering my room."
"But you don't answer even if I knock."
Airi is already dressed in her uniform and ready, while I am still in my pajamas.
"...I'm going to change, so stay downstairs."
"Oka~y... Maya-san! Toya-kun is awake!"
She calls out to Mother while thumping down the stairs.
Mother, you should stop her too...
I let out a sigh and begin to change sluggishly.
While I'm changing, I'll do a self-introduction.
My name is Katagiri Toya.
I'm a very ordinary middle school student.
I have no particular strengths, but no particular weaknesses either.
I'm the type who knows a little bit about a lot of things.
As for hobbies... I don't really have any.
Or rather, Airi doesn't give me the time for hobbies.
Not that there's anything I particularly want to do, though.
The girl who comes over every morning is named Tosaka Airi.
Beautiful appearance, excellent grades, and she handles most things perfectly.
She is a flawless girl.
Though her personality is somewhat problematic.
You can tell just by looking at her.
Now then, I'm finished changing.
Now for my things... wait, the time is terrible!
The clock had passed 8 o'clock.
I stuff things into my bag haphazardly and rush out of the room.
"Ah, you've come down."
I hurry Airi, who is relaxing in the living room.
"If we don't hurry, we'll be late!"
"It's okay. There are 24 minutes left, so we have about 5 minutes to spare. Just like always. Maya-san, thank you for the tea."
"You're welcome, Airi-chan, be careful!"
Listening to that conversation, I was tying my shoelaces at the entrance.
By the time I finished tying them, Airi arrived at the entrance.
"Hurry up."
"I told you it's okay~"
Conversations like this happen almost every day.
"I'm telling you, we'll make it even if you don't panic so much~"
Airi follows leisurely behind me as I head to school at a trot.
"There are still 15 minutes left~"
Airi follows behind, checking the clock.
"Why are you so relaxed?"
"It's just like always~"
Giving in to the always-at-her-own-pace Airi, I decided to walk.
"Why are you in such a rush every day? Even though I go to Toya-kun's House so that we'll make it in time."
"Then why do you always come to my place at the very last minute?"
"Because I figured you're the type of person who isn't satisfied unless you sleep until the very last second..."
"There's no way that's it!"
"Then, should I go earlier?"
"...If you're coming anyway, please do."
While having that conversation, before I knew it, Airi's right hand was gripping my left hand.
"Let go!"
When I shake off her hand, Airi lets out a shout.
"Eeeh, but we're dating, so it's fine, isn't it!"
"Don't say it so loudly! I told you it's a secret!?"
The students on their way to school around us all look over at once.
An unmatched couple.
They must be thinking that.
Because I hate being thought of that way, I'm keeping it a secret.
"...I always wonder, why is it a secret?"
"...Because it's a hassle."
"Is dating me really that much of a hassle?"
Airi says, sounding a bit lonely.
"That's not what I meant!!"
"Yo! Toya. You two are getting along well today too!"
The one who said that while slapping my back was my friend, Tada Makoto.
"It's not like that."
The moment I said that, Airi's face became lonely.
Since this is something that happens almost every day on school days, I don't let it bother me.
I just have to say some kind words to her later.
Somewhere other than school!
"Everyone already knows, just confess already."
Ding-dong-dang-dong
"Ah, the warning bell,"
Airi said.
"Toya-kun, we have to go soon."
"Let's hurry, Toya!"
And so, the two of them pass through the school gates.
I follow after them.
It was the usual morning occurrence.
Up until here...