After finishing reminiscing about last night's memories.

As I was getting ready for school, I sensed movement behind me.

"Mm... good morning."

Rui-san, having woken up, stretched widely and looked my way.

"I'm sorry, I fell asleep. I ended up staying over as a result."

"Shall I make some coffee? It's instant, though."

"Thank you very much."

When I stand in the kitchen, I boil water. I put instant powder in a cup. Then, I pour the boiling hot water over it, and it's done.

"Since we're out of sugar and milk, it's black."

"No, no. Don't worry about it."

"Also, just to let you know, that cup hasn't been used yet."

It was something I got from a campaign.

"Thank you for your concern. But I don't really mind that, you know?"

"I'm the one who cares."

When Rui-san received the cup, she slowly took a sip of the coffee.

Perhaps still not fully awake, her eyes were drowsy and unfocused. The bedhead gave her a somewhat childish appearance.

But I vividly remembered the seductive expression of a predator from last night.

"Yesterday was fun, wasn't it?"

I was surprised because she just happened to mention that moment.

"...You remembered. I thought for sure you had forgotten."

"I remember everything clearly. I remember asking Clerk-san's name. I remember talking about the seminar. I remember kissing Yuito-kun."

Rui-san says that so innocently.

The memory of that time remained with her as well. It wasn't just a dream I had.

But then, what was that all about? Was it just the alcohol talking? Or was there some other meaning behind it? I couldn't ask her directly. I didn't know how to bring it up.

"Could it be that this was your first kiss?"

"...Then what would it be?"

"No. I just thought it was nice."

Rui-san rests her chin on her hand at the table and gives a gentle smile.

Even though I'm so shaken inside, she doesn't seem to be affected at all. She has such a calm expression, like a still sea.

She's at ease. She's an adult. She felt distant.

When I averted my gaze as I was unable to look directly, the wall clock showed eight o'clock.

"...I should be going soon."

I'm going to be late.

"I'll go ahead. Please lock the door when you leave. This is a spare key. Just return it to me the next time we meet. See you."

As I turned on my heel and headed towards the entrance, just as I was about to take a step, the hem of my uniform pants was tugged.

I looked back.

It was Rui-san who was tugging at the hem of my pants.

"Shall we go out after this?"

"Huh?"

"I have no classes at university today. It seems the lecture I was taking got canceled. I'm just at a loss for what to do with my free time."

"But I have regular school."

"Then, you should skip it."

"Well, even if you say it so lightly..."

I hesitated.

"Or rather, why not invite someone else? Like a friend or something."

"Other people have scheduling conflicts."

"You can keep yourself busy even alone. Reading books or watching movies."

"Yeah, but I'm not in the mood for that today."

Rui-san said that, traced her finger on the table, and then smiled.

"I'm in the mood to hang out with Yuito-kun today."

"Even if you say that."

I was a little shaky.

"If I skip school, I might not be able to keep up with the classes."

"One day should be fine."

"If I play outside in broad daylight, I might get picked up by the police."

"If you're not wearing the uniform, you won't get caught."

"But."

"Do you really like school that much?"

She asked. Not out of anger or sarcasm, but simply out of curiosity.

It's not that I like it. Moreover, it's not even fun.

I was feeling down. Especially today. Because we have a soccer class in the gym.

I don't dislike moving my body itself. I don't think my athletic ability is that bad either. But I wasn't good at group activities.

At the end of each class, a match is held, where students from the soccer club, divided into two teams, compete for players through rock-paper-scissors.

Basically, students who are at the center of the class are chosen first. For those in the soccer club who are also central figures, they are friends and know each other's abilities and personalities well. Consequently, those who are outcasts end up being chosen last. Since I have no friends, I end up being the last one left.

Students are being chosen one after another, leaving the group. Witnessing that scene, I was confronted with the fact that I was not needed. Like an invisible person. In the end, I waited to be called, treated like a pariah. That time was agonizing.

"If you spend the day with me, I guarantee it will be more fun than going to school."

Rui-san says that while holding up her finger, she is full of mischief.

I was shaken again.

Going to school and going out with Rui-san. Weighing the two against each other.

"Think about it. If a meteor were to fall tomorrow and destroy the Earth, which option would you choose, Yuito-kun?"

"That."

I said.

"First of all, you probably won't go to school."

"The answer has been revealed, hasn't it?"

Rui-san smiles.

"Let's live a life without regrets."

"But in reality, no meteors fall, and the Earth doesn't perish. If I keep choosing a way of life that avoids temporary regret, I'll end up regretting it in the long run."

"Maybe."

It seems she doesn't deny that part.

However, while saying that, the scales were heavily tilted towards going out to play. But I didn't have the courage to make a decisive choice. So, I decided to leave it up to fate.

I made a suggestion.

"...Alright, let's do this. We'll play rock-paper-scissors, and if I win, I'll go to school. If you win, I'll spend the whole day with you."

"Hehe. Sounds good. But I'm strong, just so you know?"

Rui-san is getting on. She interlocks her fingers and stretches.

I think while facing her. Which outcome do I really want? Will I be able to genuinely celebrate if I win?

It might have been better the other way around. Instead of going to school, if I win, I will hang out with Rui-san.

But if that's the case, it means no one wants to go to school. I don't understand why we're playing rock-paper-scissors.

Thinking about such things, I simultaneously made my move with her.

Chapter 11: Shall We Go Out and Have Some Fun?