Hayama-kun really does surprise me.

Even though he looked annoyed with how persistently I approached him, I never expected him to make a lunch for my sake.

‘Well, unless he’s like that, I wouldn’t take an interest in him.’

When break time came, I wandered the hallway without any particular aim.

‘Still, since he’s far too kind, I suppose I’ll have to stay close to him even more.’

I tried choosing corridors with as few people as possible, but this is still inside the school building. No matter where I went, I inevitably ran into girls.

“Ah, Takatsuka-sama!”

“Prince!”

Even from far away, girls who seemed to be my fans rushed over the moment they spotted me.

“Yes, yes, what is it?”

No matter how unwell I am or how little interest I have in a girl, I always smile at them.

It’s not that I particularly like the title ‘Prince’.

But the girls gathering around me want the version of me that suits being treated like one.

Even if it’s a trivial conversation, they’re delighted.

Until recently, if I noticed someone among them I liked, I’d speak to her and spend time together after school.

Lately though, those feelings don’t arise.

Beautiful girls, cute girls, fun conversationalists, whoever talks to me, Hayama-kun comes to mind.

Even now, I’m distracted while speaking with them.

The bell announcing class rang.

That ends my service time.

“Well then, I enjoyed chatting, even if only briefly.”

I waved as I turned my back and left them, and cheers loud enough to question where they came from erupted behind me.

Seems they were satisfied.

Freed, I returned to my classroom.

Now I can devote my thoughts entirely to Hayama-kun.

‘I wonder if he’ll spend after school with me today?’

From what he told me, he doesn’t just run off to sales, he also has the important task of picking up Umi-chan from daycare.

‘With Hayama-kun, going somewhere might be difficult… perhaps steering things into a home date would be better?’

To make Hayama-kun mine, I can’t ease my offense.

‘At this rate, class will be a strategy meeting.’

If my grades drop, I’ll make him take full responsibility.

Using that as justification, suggesting study sessions and visiting his house might work.

‘You truly never bore me.’

I placed my hand on the classroom door and slipped inside just before the teacher arrived.