HGJM 36

Chapter 36…

Strict with Boys?!

After retaking the photo multiple times, somehow one of the shots ended up looking extremely intimate, and I was shocked when Naoya said he wanted to set it as his phone’s wallpaper.

Even as it is, a completely unfounded rumor calling me a “slut” is already spreading throughout the school, and now… that would probably make it impossible for me to make any friends. But of course, I couldn’t say that.

“Hey, really, no way!”
“Come on, it’s fine. I like it.”

We were arguing over the phone when the door opened, and Ryuka walked into the hospital room looking incredibly annoyed.

“What are you two doing?”

“…Ah…”
Naoya whispered softly and put some distance between himself and Risa.

“Ryuka, why are you here…?”
“Huh? I came to visit.”

Ryuka answered with an expression that said even explaining it was a hassle.
“How did you even know I was brought to the hospital…? I mean, what happened? Are you okay?”

Even though I asked out of genuine worry,
“Nothing.”

She said gruffly and pulled up a chair beside the bed to sit.

“Ah… that’s Naoya’s…”

The moment I said that, Ryuka glared at both Naoya and me.

“Huh? Who’s Naoya?”

“Um… this is Naoya. He’s apparently returning to the same high school as us. He was the one who brought me to the hospital today.”
“Hmm…”

Seeing Ryuka glare, Naoya gave a faint, amused smile and said,
“You’re Ryuka from the former i3, right? I’m a huge fan! Can we shake hands?”

He looked up at her like a puppy, eyes sparkling.

I thought Ryuka would switch back to her idol persona seeing Naoya like that, but instead she said,
“I’m off-duty right now, so no handshakes. And don’t call me ‘-chan,’ that’s gross.”

She usually smiles at the giggly girls all the time! What is this, strict-with-boys mode?!

While I was confused, Naoya said with a dazzling smile,
“It’s a shame we couldn’t shake hands, but I’m thrilled to meet you, Ryuka! And Risa, you became my very first friend!”