Chapter 11: The inner thoughts are all over the place

After Rina hurried into the women’s restroom, Aya followed, a smile playing on her lips. She could hear Rina’s rapid breathing from beyond the quiet, empty restroom.

‘Rina, you really are… cute.’

Aya quietly opened the door and entered the stall next to Rina’s. Closing the door behind her, she replayed the recent events in her mind.

Rina’s flustered expression, her frozen stance, her frantic movements as she’d stood before the men’s restroom, unsure of what to do. Rina, usually so calm and composed, had looked utterly adorable in that moment of panic.

‘She didn’t need to be so embarrassed.’

Aya smiled softly. Rina, her seatmate… she was constantly on Aya’s mind.

Being taller than most girls, and even some boys, Aya always sat in the back row, Mizuki beside her. Even when she tried to sit closer to the front, her height inevitably landed her in the back by the end of the semester. So, she’d made a habit of choosing a back seat from the start.

This time, as she’d naturally gravitated towards the back, something had caught her eye.

Kurosawa Rina, looking slightly anxious as she scanned the room during the entrance ceremony. She’d looked like a tiny, nervous hamster. Aya had taken the seat beside her.

‘I wonder what she’s like?’

She was curious. Everyone Aya had met so far had maintained a respectful distance, their gazes filled with admiration and awe. Most of them, unable to distinguish between kindness and romantic interest, had eventually confessed their feelings.

But Rina was different. Initially, Aya had assumed Rina would gradually warm up to her, like the others. But instead, Rina seemed to be creating distance, as if she shouldn’t be near Aya.

‘Is she… afraid of me?’

Aya fidgeted with her fingers. To others, she was an object of admiration, someone to approach with awe.

But Rina didn’t fit that mold. She seemed interested, yet she erected walls, withdrawing at the slightest hint of closeness.

‘Did I do something wrong…?’

This feeling was new to Aya. She found herself caring about Rina’s opinion, about what Rina thought of her. And Rina’s behavior… it mirrored Aya’s own behavior towards others.

‘Ah… I see.’

Aya shook her head softly.

‘No, I shouldn’t overthink it. I’m still a stranger to her…’

She was enjoying her time with Rina. Rina’s awkward reactions, her surprised expressions, her innocent replies – they all amused Aya. She wanted Rina to feel comfortable enough to approach her.

Just then, Rina’s voice, accompanied by a soft sigh, came from the next stall.

“Ugh… that was so embarrassing… What’s wrong with me?”

Did she not realize Aya could hear her? Aya closed her eyes, a warm feeling blossoming in her chest. She hoped Rina would feel more at ease, more comfortable around her.

She hadn’t really thought about what this feeling was.

‘Is this what it feels like to have a friend?’

Aya thought of Mizuki, her childhood friend. But this felt different.

With Mizuki, Aya was always aware of the eyes on them. She maintained a perfect facade, a habit ingrained from a young age. It was how she navigated life as “Yukikawa Aya” of Takamari Academy. Noblesse oblige – it was a way of life.

Mizuki understood this better than anyone. Aya knew Mizuki wasn’t just a frivolous airhead. Behind her playful smiles and teasing, there was a sharp intelligence, a fierceness that Aya had witnessed firsthand.

But with Rina, it was different. Rina made mistakes, she reacted honestly when flustered. It reminded Aya of emotions she’d long forgotten. And the memory of those emotions brought a smile to her face.

‘What is this feeling?’

Aya lowered her head, realizing she was more herself around Rina. She didn’t have to pretend, she didn’t have to maintain a perfect facade. And that was strangely comforting.

She finished, flushed the toilet, and opened the door. Her reflection in the mirror showed her usual smile, but her cheeks seemed slightly flushed.

‘I want to… be closer to her.’

Aya washed her hands, deciding to wait for Rina.

****

I emerged from the stall, my face burning with embarrassment. My reflection in the mirror showed my flushed cheeks and mortified expression.

‘Calm down, calm down…’

As I reached for the sink, my eyes met Aya’s.

“…!”

Flustered, I quickly turned on the faucet, my trembling hands sending soapy water splashing everywhere. Aya watched me quietly, then spoke in her usual calming tone.

“Rina… are you… afraid of me…?”

“N-No… I was just startled. D-Did I get any water on you? I’m sorry…” I stammered, quickly turning off the faucet and lowering my head.

Honestly, Aya was just too beautiful. Her translucent skin, her shimmering silver hair, her deep blue eyes… I’d started reading the web novel because the heroine had silver hair and blue eyes.

So, to have someone who perfectly embodied my ideal type appear in real life… it was overwhelming.

She looked like a living, breathing figurine! And every time our eyes met, my heart skipped a beat. I’d resolved to accept that I wasn’t just a background character, but I was still easily flustered by her presence.

“Rina…” Aya’s gaze held something more than just friendly concern.

“…Yes?” I replied, my voice barely a whisper.

Aya hesitated for a moment, then smiled softly. There was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “If there’s anything that makes you uncomfortable, you can tell me… If I’m making you uncomfortable…”

I quickly waved my hands, interrupting her. “N-No, Aya! You’re not… uncomfortable! You’re actually too…”

My words trailed off, as if buffering. Then, like a video resuming playback, the rest of the sentence tumbled out in a rush.

“Uncomfortable? You’re perfect! Silver hair and blue eyes! Hair like something out of a fantasy, eyes like precious jewels! Radiant skin, delicate features, and a calm personality! I love everything about you…”

‘I-I just… you’re so beautiful… it’s… distracting… haha…’

“…Huh?”

‘What did I just say?!’

I realized I’d said something wrong. Aya’s expression had frozen.

My mind went blank. Time seemed to stop, my reflection in the mirror frozen in place. Wait, was this… one of those moments where my inner thoughts and spoken words got swapped?

My inner self was screaming in horror. Aya stared at me, one eyebrow slightly raised. I glanced around, relieved that we were alone.

‘At least… I avoided public humiliation. Ahaha…’

A cold sweat broke out. I shook my head and waved my hands frantically. “N-No, that’s not what I meant! I just think you’re really beautiful! I-In a purely aesthetic sense!”

I desperately tried to backpedal, but my face was burning. Aya watched me, a faint smile playing on her lips. And then…

“Ahaha, Rina, you really are… amusing.”

She closed her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. “Cute.”

“…!!” I froze, rooted to the spot. I wanted to run, to disappear!

‘This is a dream! This has to be a dream!’ I screamed internally, lowering my head and frantically washing my hands. Water and soap splashed everywhere, but I didn’t care.

‘Please, just let this go…’

But Aya, watching me, chuckled softly. Her eyes seemed to say, “You’re so entertaining.”

My uniform was soaked from the splashing water. I desperately searched for a hole to crawl into, but there were no such hiding places in a high-class establishment like Takamari Academy.