Expanding Circles
Finally, Subaru’s muscle pain had subsided enough for him to return to school. However, with each step he climbed up the stairs at the school entrance, his quiet groans of “It hurts…” were plainly audible to everyone around him.
“Hey, Sorano! What’s with that weird walk?”
The voice calling out belonged to his classmate, Sato Sota. With his short-cropped hair and bright smile, he was the very image of the sporty type. He couldn’t help but comment the moment he spotted Subaru.
“Did a zombie possess you or something? What happened?”
“…Shut up, Sota. I’m just sore, that’s all.”
Subaru muttered his response, but before he could elaborate, another classmate, Takahashi Ren, approached. Like Sota, Ren also had a refreshing vibe, though his tone was calmer and more composed.
“Muscle pain? Sorano, you don’t seem like the type to exercise. What’s the deal?”
Ren narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Meanwhile, Sota clapped his hands and burst out laughing.
“Haha! Don’t tell me you started working out, Sorano!”
Subaru looked away awkwardly, trying to dodge the question, but before he could say anything, a cheerful voice chimed in from behind. “Oh, perfect timing!”
Yuto appeared with a grin, clapping Subaru on the shoulder.
“Ow! That hurts!”
Subaru yelped, and Sota and Ren laughed even harder.
“This guy’s been working out. He’s got some promise, you know.”
Yuto’s comment made Ren raise an eyebrow skeptically.
“Promise? What exactly are you training for?”
“…It’s nothing.”
Subaru muttered, lowering his gaze, but Yuto wasn’t about to let him off the hook.
“Oh, come on. He’s gearing up to show off his ripped body at the beach this summer!”
That was all it took for Sota and Ren to burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“No way! The beach?! Sorano, I didn’t know you were that kind of guy!”
Sota slapped his desk, laughing so hard he could barely breathe, while Ren sighed in exasperation.
“So, all this ‘self-improvement’ is just a cover for wanting to get girls?”
“Yuto’s making things up!”
Subaru’s protests fell on deaf ears as the two continued teasing him.
“What’s the plan? ‘Accidentally’ take your shirt off in front of everyone?”
“Or maybe go, ‘Man, it’s so hot today,’ while casually flexing your abs?”
“…I’d never do that!”
Subaru, his face bright red, tried to defend himself, but Sota and Ren were too busy laughing.
Yuto, watching with amusement, gave the pair a thumbs-up.
“You guys don’t get it. I’m supporting Subaru’s growth, okay? Right, Subaru?”
“You’re the reason this is happening!”
Subaru shot a glare at Yuto, who simply shrugged it off.
Watching Subaru bury his face in his desk, Sota and Ren exchanged a glance and chuckled.
“Come on, Sorano. Don’t take it so seriously—we’re just messing with you.”
Sota leaned on his desk, grinning as he peered at Subaru.
“…Just leave me alone.”
Subaru’s response was quiet and resigned.
“Still, you’re surprisingly fun to tease, you know?”
Sota remarked, and Ren nodded in agreement.
“Yeah. I thought you were the quiet, serious type, but you’re actually pretty interesting.”
“…What’s that supposed to mean?”
Subaru raised his head, looking at them in disbelief, but Sota only smiled casually.
“I mean, you should talk to us more. You were a little distant at first, right?”
Ren, wearing a thoughtful expression, added,
“You might act all cool, but your sense of humor is great, and your comebacks are hilarious.”
“…You think so?”
Subaru frowned slightly, but their words didn’t feel bad. In fact, they left him feeling a little embarrassed in a good way.
Sota laughed and patted Subaru lightly on the shoulder.
“Basically, we’re saying we want to hang out with you more.”
“…Hang out?”
“Exactly!”
Sota grinned, and Ren added with a small smile,
“So, don’t be shy. If you won’t talk to us, we’ll come to you.”
“You’ve got great timing with your jokes, and you’re honestly pretty fun.”
Sota nodded, and Ren continued, “And deciding to work out for the summer? That takes some real grit.”
“…I’m not doing it for you guys.”
Subaru pouted, but his expression betrayed a hint of bashfulness.
Seeing this, Sota and Ren burst out laughing again.
“Look at him! He’s blushing! What a cute guy.”
“I’m not cute!”
Subaru protested, flustered, but their laughter filled the classroom.
Watching the scene unfold, Yuto smirked.
“See? Subaru fits right in with you guys. I did a good job, didn’t I?”
“This is all your fault!”
Subaru snapped at Yuto, while Sota and Ren laughed even harder at the exchange.
“Come on, Sorano. You’re a fun guy.”
“Yeah, looking forward to hanging out more.”
Sota and Ren waved casually, their smiles warm. Subaru sighed but couldn’t hide the faint happiness in his expression.
“…Yeah, let’s get along.”
Before he knew it, Subaru’s face relaxed into a small, genuine smile.
Amid the cheerful laughter in the classroom, Reo sat in a quieter corner with his arms crossed, glaring at Subaru and his group with a sour expression.
“…That guy’s getting too full of himself.”
Reo muttered under his breath, his words dripping with jealousy.
Surrounding Subaru were Yuto, Ren, and Sota—the popular, athletic upper echelon of their class—laughing and having a great time together.
—They’re supposed to be hanging out with me.
Reo clenched his teeth, his frustration simmering just beneath the surface. It felt as if the circle that used to revolve around him was beginning to collapse. Watching Yuto and the others accept Subaru into their group made his blood boil.
“What’s so special about him? He’s just a timid, gloomy guy.”
Reo’s narrowed eyes glinted with a mix of unease and possessiveness as he continued to glare.
“Reo-kun, what’s wrong?”
Beside him, Kanon tilted her head with exaggerated curiosity. Her voice was probing, her question laced with an almost playful malice as she noticed his obvious irritation.
“Nothing.”
Reo responded curtly, his gaze still fixed on Subaru and his group.
—A boring guy does a little weight training, and now he thinks he’s hot stuff.
Meanwhile, Kanon’s gaze drifted toward Subaru, who stood at the center of the lively group. Her lips curved into a faint smile—somewhere between mockery and condescension.
“He’s changed, hasn’t he? Subaru-kun.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Reo snapped irritably, glancing at Kanon. She shrugged playfully, as if to dismiss his annoyance.
“I mean, he’s been trying so hard lately. Working out, blending in more…”
“…So what? Who cares?”
“Hmm, I wonder…”
Kanon pressed a finger to her lips, her tone taking on a teasing lilt.
“Maybe he’s trying to change because I dumped him.”
—To win back my attention.
Her words carried an air of misplaced confidence, as though she fully believed Subaru still had lingering feelings for her.
“…Yeah, right. That’s ridiculous.”
Reo scoffed coldly, though Kanon seemed entirely unfazed, her gaze lingering on Subaru.
“Still… it’s kind of fascinating. He’s changed so much.”
Kanon’s eyes unconsciously followed Subaru, a flicker of uncertainty in her expression.
It felt as if the Subaru who was trying to change was becoming someone unfamiliar to her.
Noticing Kanon’s intent gaze, Reo’s irritation only deepened.
“Tch. This is so annoying.”
Reo leaned on his desk, letting out a deep sigh. His posture betrayed not just jealousy toward Subaru but also frustration at Kanon’s apparent indifference toward him.
In a classroom filled with vibrant laughter, the corner where Reo and Kanon sat felt noticeably colder—
A space where conflicting feelings were slowly beginning to intertwine.