Chapter 13: Who needs peace?
The time was 7:50 a.m., and the classroom of Year 1, Class 1 was already buzzing when I walked in.
The moment I stepped into the room, I was greeted with an orchestra of looks-some curious, some envious, and a few downright venomous. Apparently, a certain incident from this morning was still making waves.
'Seriously... what a mess.'
I barely made it to my seat before the expected comment arrived.
"Good morning, Nino. So... what's it like being the headline scandal of the day?"
I sighed, flopping into my chair. "Morning, Shinji. If I had to sum it up in one word? HELL."
Shinji Higure-my longtime friend, piano classmate, and occasionally annoying soccer genius-just grinned. At 165 centimeters, he was slightly short for a midfielder, but his precise, creative passes made him an absolute weapon on the field. I used to go watch his games when I was too bored to function.
With his soft features and friendly energy, he was what girls called a "dog boy," and even in his time in middle school, he had fan girls-seniors included. But he'd shut them all down without hesitation. Why? Because he'd already been in love with someone else from the start.
"Well," Shinji continued, "you did stroll into school this morning arm-in-arm with the guy everyone talks about. What were you expecting? Red carpet treatment?"
"I told him it was a bad idea," I muttered. "Repeatedly. But he didn't listen. I tried to resist... I really did..."
My blood ran cold as I remembered something I really shouldn't have. I bit my tongue before blurting out the truth: that I was the one who'd insisted on walking together. Gah, I'm such an idiot.
"...You brought it on yourself," Shinji said flatly, looking more amused than sympathetic.
I braced myself for further grilling, but luckily, the crowd seemed more interested than intrusive. That is... until he showed up.
"Ninooo~! Tell me it's true! You and Tarazune are dating now?!"
The peace I'd worked so hard to protect crumbled in one shout. I turned slowly.
Standing there, with the expression of a man who just discovered gossip was a renewable energy source, was Emiya-my cousin.
"What are you doing here, Emiya?" I said flatly. "Aren't you supposed to be in year 2?"
"I got bored. Decided to drop in on my adorable little cousin," he replied with a grin far too wide for comfort. "And then I heard this juicy rumor. You and Tarazune-kun, huh? So? Is it true?"
"No. It's not. Where are you even getting this nonsense from?"
"From, oh I dunno... literally everyone talking about how you were skipping into school this morning with his arm wrapped around you like it was a honeymoon?"
"W-We weren't skipping! And it wasn't like that! Not that it's any of your business!"
Emiya just smirked. He looked nothing like me-taller, sharper features, messy dark brown hair-and yet, he had the same exact family gift for getting on my nerves. He was the kind of guy who'd show up with energy drinks for everyone, then drink them all himself "for balance."
"I'm just looking out for my baby cousin," he said. "You know how many people in this school want to get close to that guy? You're playing with fire."
"I'm not playing anything," I snapped. "And you're in my class uninvited, by the way."
Shinji chuckled. "So this is the famous cousin of yours. Makes sense now."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I glared at him.
"Nothing. Just... explains a lot. So, Emiya-san, what do you think? Are they a couple yet or still in denial?"
"Totally in denial," Emiya replied without pause. "Look at that face. She's blushing just hearing his name."
"I AM NOT-!" I stopped mid-shout, realizing everyone was watching. Half the class was now pretending to do something else, but their ears were practically glued to our conversation.
I sighed, hiding my face in my arms.
Shinji leaned over. "Hey, Nino. Can I ask you one thing?"
"...What?"
He hesitated, then whispered: "You and Tarazune-san... You're not, like, living together or something, right?"
*Thunk!*
That was the sound of my forehead hitting the desk.
My silence was probably the worst answer I could've given. Both boys stared at me. I could almost hear their neurons trying to piece together every interaction I'd had lately.
"Wait, WHAT? Are you serious?!" Emiya gasped, now dramatically leaning over my desk.
"I didn't say that," I mumbled.
"But you didn't deny it either," Shinji pointed out.
I wanted to disappear.
"Y'know what?" Emiya said, patting my back like I'd just come back from war. "I admire you, Nino. Getting arm-in-arm with him, living under the same roof, becoming the poster child for chaotic school romance-all before the results of final exam ? That's talent."
"Shut up."
"Not even jealous. Just impressed."
"...I really hate this day."
I screamed in my heart.