Chapter 65 Invitation

Lets forget about Christmas for the time being.

Umi and I decided to continue our relationship as friends on the assumption that we would become lovers eventually, but it didnt mean that we did anything different.

We spent more time together, but all we were talking about were trivial things like a new pizza menu, or trash talking about a certain soft drink company. We still did the same things as we previously did like playing games together and bantering about stupid things. Overall, we were just trying to take it slow and having a good time.

Umi, good morning~!

Morning. How are you so energetic in this bloody cold weather?

Ehehe~ Do you want me to share some of my energy with you?

No, thanks. How do you even do that in the first place?

Kiss!

If you do that, instead of getting more energetic, people will just get aroused instead Also, Im not into that kind of stuff, okay?

When I entered the classroom, I saw those two being chummy this early in the morning.

Amami Yuu and Asanagi Umi. The centers of our class and the two most beautiful girls.

Theyve known each other since grade school and they were best friends, but lately theyve been really close with each other.

Of course that wasnt a bad thing. It was good that those two got along so well considering what happened to them in the past, but Isnt Amami-san too touchy feely?

Hehe, as expected, Amami x Asanagi is the correct pairing.

No, no, its obvious that the pairing should be Asanagi x Amami.

Ignoring the shipping talk that started somewhere within the class, I walked toward the two girls.

Good morning, Amami-san

Ah, good morning, Maki-kun! Todays weather is really cold, isnt it? My hand felt so numb that I couldnt even remove my coat earlier! Oh, right, are you okay with the cold, Maki-kun? Do you want me to warm up your hands?

Ah, no need, I brought a pocket warmer.

I immediately hid my hands before Amami-san could grab them.

As usual, her sense of distance toward the opposite gender was off. She did draw a clear line between people though. She divided everyone in four categories; stranger, acquaintance, friend and best friend and treated them accordingly. But thanks to this, a lot of boys misunderstood her, and thought that they had a chance with her and were inevitably crushed by the cold reality.

Good morning, Maehara.

Mm Good morning, Asanagi.

The way Umi and I treated each other in class didnt really change.

Since the lovers hold incident, the whole class knew that we were close, but that didnt mean that we would go out our way to flirt in front of everyone.

That was why we kept our interactions at school moderate.

Of course things were different when we were alone.

That was the dynamic of our relationship.

Hehehe~

Do you have something to say, Yuu?

Nothing~

Amami-san, who knew how our relationship worked, grinned at us.

Because Umi had been keeping her guard up, we were able to silence the voices who tried to criticize us, but we still couldnt control Amami-sans behavior.

Rather, we tried to, but gave up soon after.

Anyway, as Umi and I hung out more with each other, the less I had to deal with Amami-sans antics, but recently she had been looking at us with an amused grin for some reason.

Umi, you seem to be keeping your distance with Maki-kun lately, whats wrong? I mean, you stopped going to school with him since last Monday

W-what are you on about? T-theres nothing wrong, stop making things up!

She looked embarrassed.

Monday was the day when she suddenly gave me a kiss on the cheek.

Ever since that day, whenever I saw her face, I would remember that scene and stumble over my words. Our conversations became awkward lately because of that.

Huh~? Whats wrong, Umi? Your face is all red~

Theres nothing wrong! Its because of the AC! The AC!

Hehe, Umi youre so cute

You!

She seemed to be having fun teasing Umi over this.

What a nice hobby shes got there.

Anyway, I went to my seat, leaving those two idiots and prepared for the morning class. At that moment, my phone vibrated. Someone sent me a text message.

[Asanagi: Dont get the wrong idea, okay?]

[Maehara: Umi, youre so cute]

[Asanagi: Do you have a death wish?]

[Maehara: Please forgive me.]

[Maehara: Anyway, I have something to talk about.]

[Asanagi: Hm? What is it?]

[Maehara: Ah, its nothing too important.]

[Asanagi: Spit it out.]

[Maehara: Its about Christmas]

I stopped sending anything for a few moments to gauge her reaction.

[Asanagi: Pervert.]

[Maehara: ]

[Maehara: Okay, what the f**k?]

[Asanagi: I mean, arent you trying to invite me?]

[Asanagi: Youre inviting me over, arent you?]

[Maehara: I mean, kinda? Mom wouldnt be there so we could have some time alone.]

[Asanagi: See? I was right]

[Maehara: You still shouldnt call me a pervert out of nowhere like that though]

As expected, whenever you talk about Christmas, people will connect it to that kind of talk, huh?

Actually, I heard from somewhere that people did research on this matter and that was proven to be a fact.

But I didnt expect that Umi would also think so.

[Asanagi: Sorry, that was a joke. So, youre up to something?]

[Maehara: Well, if youre coming, Im thinking of baking a cake for you.]

[Asanagi: Seriously? Maki, you can bake a cake?]

[Maehara: Well, as long as I have the correct ingredients and utensils, yes.]

[Asanagi: Maki, are you an alien? Be honest.]

[Maehara: God, I wish.]

Rather, she was more fitting to be an alien than me. I mean, turning chocolate into charcoal isnt a feat that a normal human is capable of. I wouldnt say it to her face though, she would definitely hit me if I did.

[Asanagi: Makis handmade cake huh~ Too bad I got a prior appointment that day]

[Maehara: Huh? You do?]

[Asanagi: Yep, you know, that thing]

[Asanagi: Wait a second, Maki, dont you know about the Christmas Party?]

Party?

I was about to reply before I stopped myself.