8: Mae's First Move

Silence.

No one spoke between us. I don't even know what to talk about anyway. I looked at her and saw her roaming her eyes around my room. I bet she's disappointed, huh?

Besides, as usual, there is nothing special about this room. Honestly, there is only a bed, a table, and one chair in each room. And it's up to us how we design our room. 

But for me? Nothing.

I just put my clothes inside the cabinet near the table and put a picture frame on it. It was my picture with my mom when she went abroad.

Anyways, aside from that, I don't put anything inside this room. Let's say I prefer to be in a minimalist room. Besides, it's a drag to design my room more than this.

I sighed when I saw her looking at the ground. It seems like she has no idea that it's pretty uncomfortable to see a girl inside a guy's room. Well, I don't mind since I don't care, but I just want to be alone right now.

I started to talk to her but immediately stopped when she looked at me.

I thought she'd been sufficiently disappointed, but I could see happiness in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Mae, who's feeling nervous, can't bring herself to talk casually with June. When she heard June talking to her ever since she entered the room, she couldn't stop her heart from beating fast.

"Mae," he said.

"Yes!" she uttered with her high-pitched voice. June was taken aback by her and looked at her.

Honestly, this wasn't the first time that Mae went inside a guy's room or the first time she flirted with someone, but looking at June, she felt something strange. Something that she longed for.

"Um, I'm sorry about this... but, can I stay much longer?" she asked bluntly, bowing in front of him.

June looked at Mae, surprised. But in the end, he just brushed his head as if he had no choice anymore.

"Uhmm...s-sure. I'm going to the cafeteria after I change my pants...so, just wait here," June said, while his hands were on his head.

"Yes!" Mae answered and sat on the chair.

I walked toward my bed and cleaned my mess. Well, not that I really care about the mess, but I just felt like I needed to. She was watching my every move, and her gaze was fixed on me. 

What a strange girl.

After that, I took my pants from my cabinet as it was already time for dinner. I usually buy my dinner in the cafeteria and eat it here in my room, but I guess I'll eat at the cafeteria today. That's why I need to wear decent clothes at least for tonight.

While changing my pants, I could see how uncomfortable she was since I was half naked. But well, it's not my fault for her to feel like that. And I don't think it's her first time seeing a guy naked.

After that, we both went to the cafeteria to eat our dinner. Luckily, she hasn't eaten her dinner yet, so it's not weird if I eat mine while she's just looking at me.

"June!"

I heard someone call my name, so I looked back at the door and saw Kanaye with Aki and Amelia. He cheerfully walked toward me until he noticed Mae beside me.

"Oops... I-I think I gotta go. See you later, June!" he retorted as if he had remembered something important in his life.

Amelia, as usual, still wears her poker face while looking at me while Aki smiles at Mae as if saying, "Please take care of him."

Seriously? Why do I feel like it's all on me right now?

Anyway, I don't give much time to trivial things, so we went to the counter and ordered some food. On the other hand, Kanaye and co. went to the other side of the cafeteria while still looking at June.

"I didn't expect June to hit on Mae," Aki said while smiling. Well, she's not the only one who's surprised at this moment. Even Amelia, who's looking intently at her friend,

"Why would June hang out with Mae?" she asked directly, attracting Aki and Kanaye's attention.

He was about to answer her and tell her what happened earlier, but he was cut off by the strange look that she was giving him.

"What a strange look she has," Kanaye thought while looking at Amelia.

"He's not even good at talking to people. How much more if he flirts?" Amelia said, wearing her disgusted face.

Kanaye and Aki looked at each other as if communicating without words. They looked at Amelia and smiled at her.

"What?" Amelia asked them while raising her eyebrows.

"Huh? Nn..nothing," Aki replied, settling into the chair. Even Kanaye stayed silent for the time being. They're pretty sure...someone's jealous.

"Anyways, I heard about the next activity tomorrow. I'm soooo excited!" Aki cheerfully announced to them to break the silence.

"Really?! What is it?" Kanaye asked her. Well, obviously, he really wants to talk to Aki since he's in love with her.

Ever since they were in middle school, he's been attracted to Aki, especially because of her attitude. She's friendly and empathetic, which makes her rational in making decisions, and everything about her is so fascinating to Kanaye.

"Yeah!! I hear it will be...like by partner!" Aki added as she closed the gap between her and Amelia, who sat beside her.

"Ne...Meliii, can we be partners?" Aki, who's trying to pout and make a cute expression, turns to Amelia, who seems not interested in what they're talking about.

Amelia turns to her, confused as she hadn't listened to what she was talking about.

"Ah-ye—yeah, sure. I don't mind at all," she answered, sipping on her milk tea.

"Yey!! I hope we can choose our own partner...huhu. Anyways, how about you, Kanaye?" she asked Kanaye, who was now looking at them.

Honestly, he didn't expect that question because he was just thinking of inviting Aki to be his partner. But in the end, he didn't bother to ask her anymore. 

Besides, he's happy as long as Amelia is her partner.

"Ahh...I don't know. Maybe June?" he answered. 

"June? Hmm...but I'm not sure if he won't invite Mae," she said, then looked in their direction.

There, June was still eating while Mae was chatting with him. Amelia turned her sight away from the guy and continued eating. This makes Kanaye and Aki look at each other and secretly giggle.

****

[ June POV ]

"I see. Thank you, June. I'll remember your kindness," Mae said before we left. Honestly, I didn't intend to take her to her room, but I have no choice since she's been asking me to.

After that, I walked away as she closed her door. I could feel the secret glances of the other girls from the other room. Maybe it's because they heard some random guy go inside their territory.

Oh well, anyways. I put my hands over my head and started walking when I saw Amelia walking in front of me. She was still wearing her boring and plain face.

I also looked at her. Nothing special...but I could see something in her eyes. Is she annoyed at me?

But why?

I wanted to ask her, but she seemed pissed off, so I'd better keep this pace going. I slowly walked past her and felt her intimidating presence at my back. I even looked back at her, but I already heard her door shut.

What a girl.

"June!"

I heard someone call my name. That's why I looked at him and saw Kanaye smiling at me while waving his hands in the air.

Okay...here we go again. I bet he has nothing to talk about seriously even now.

I faced him and made it obvious for him to see how much trouble he had made me have.

"Hahaha, how is it, bro? I heard you took her to her room. Hmm?" he asked me, teasing me obviously.

Oh great...what a wide smile you got there, brother.

I lazily answered all of his questions until we reached the front of my room. It's almost curfew time, so he's got no choice but to return to his room too.

"You better tell me everything tomorrow, bro. I mean it, I need to know how far you go with her," he said, then winked at me.

Oh, whatever.

And that concludes my day.

But unlike June, there is someone who can't sleep and just keeps looking at the ceiling. His anxiety is still there. He knew he should've told someone about it, just to release this feeling.

But because of his nervousness, he could not even sleep. Not until he heard a knock outside his door.

"Mr. Raia?" 

This voice came from Mr. Rayven, who is now waiting outside his door.