<Cleaning Time>

While everyone was leaving after class, I was cleaning the classroom because it was my turn to clean this week.

While cleaning, everyone was talking about their test scores that came back today.

"Hey, hey, Chihiro. How was the test?"

Sakura-san, who was cleaning with me because she was also on cleaning duty, talked to me.

"Uh, it was normal."

"You can't tell just by saying normal. How was math? You're bad at math, aren't you, Chihiro?"

"This time, I studied, so I didn't get a failing grade."

I was really relieved that the math test scope wasn't that wide this time.

"I see. That's good. So, what score did you get?"

"60 points."

"Wow, Chihiro, you did well!"

Usually, I'm always on the verge of failing, but this time I easily avoided it.

"I got 90 points!"

"Amazing. As expected of you."

"Hehe. Hey, Chihiro, how about we have a test party? Let's go to karaoke and release all our stress!"

"Hmm, I'm good. I don't like being around a lot of people."

I've always hated things like parties with the whole class. I don't like being in noisy places with lots of people, and I don't know how to act in such a setting.

"I see. You've always liked being with a small group of people, haven't you?"

"Sorry."

"No, it's totally fine. So, how about we have a party just the two of us?"

"With Sakura-san?"

"Yeah. …Do you not want to?"

"No, it's fine."

"Really?! Yay! It's a promise!"

Sakura-san jumped up and down in joy.

She seemed so happy that she was happily cleaning with a humming tune, but she suddenly stopped.

"Speaking of which, Chihiro, do you like Mahima-senpai?"

"E… Ehhh!?"

I was startled by Sakura-san's sudden question.

"W-why?"

"Because you were walking to school happily with Mahima-senpai the other day, and a little while ago, I saw you approaching Mahima-senpai in the schoolyard and doing something."

Did Sakura-san see me doing the charm with the handkerchief on Mahima-senpai? I'm so embarrassed.

"I was just having a little chat with Mahima-senpai… Were we really that happy?"

"You were. So, do you like Mahima-senpai?"

"Y-you know, we're in the middle of cleaning time, so… I have to clean."

"…………Chihiro."

Sakura-san stared at me silently.

"I-I like Mahima-senpai as a person. I respect her, and I want to be like her."

"……………………That's all?"

"Eh?"

"Do you not have any romantic feelings?"

Sakura-san tightly gripped the broom she was holding.

" …It would be presumptuous of me to have such feelings for Mahima-senpai."

"Why?"

"Because Mahima-senpai has Miyacho-senpai."

Miyacho-senpai is cool, smart, and simply incomparable to me.

If Mahima-senpai were to date, she would definitely be better off with someone like Miyacho-senpai.

"Does that have anything to do with the fact that you don't have romantic feelings for Mahima-senpai?"

" …That's not true, but…"

"So, answer me without considering those things. Do you like Mahima-senpai romantically?"

"…………I've never seen Mahima-senpai as a romantic interest."

"Really?"

"…………Yeah. Right now."

"Right now? So, that means you might in the future?"

Sakura-san slowly closed in on me. I feel a certain pressure. As I step back, I'm cornered against the wall, and Sakura-san stands right in front of me.

"Y-you're too close, Sakura-san. Move away a little."

"No way. This is important, so I won't move until you give me a clear answer, Chihiro."

"W-we have to finish cleaning."

"It's almost done, anyway."

It's true that the cleaning is almost finished. Sakura-san has always been like this, once she's decided on something, she won't give up until she's satisfied. Sigh… I guess I have to say it.

"Come on, tell me. If there was a chance with Mahima-senpai in the future, would you want to date her?"

" …If there was a chance in the future…"

"Saki. Let's go home soon… What are you doing, you two?"

Just as I was about to give up, Fujii-kun, who had been waiting for Sakura-san to finish cleaning, came over and spoke to her.

Fujii-kun is a central figure among the boys in the class. He's close to Sakura-san, and I often see them going home together. According to Sakura-san, Fujii-kun is just a friend, and she'll never date him.

"I just wanted to ask Chihiro something."

Sakura-san turned her face towards Fujii-kun, and I took the opportunity to escape. Thank you, Fujii-kun, you saved me.

"W-well, I'll go ahead."

"Ehhh… Ah, wait, Chihiro. I haven't heard your answer yet…"

Ignoring Sakura-san's protests, I quickly put away the cleaning supplies and ran out of the classroom.

"What's with that guy? He left in a hurry."

"Hah…"

"What's wrong? You're sighing."

"……………Nothing."

"Oi, oi. What are you mad about?"