After that, Kotori continued to handle the day duty tasks with Toba without any particular issues.
As they had decided beforehand, Kotori would initiate the conversation with formulaic phrases. They were strictly divided into left and right for blackboard erasing, and they went together to open and close the door for moving to the physics classroom. Kotori was serious about achieving her initial goal.
From Takumi's perspective, there were a few moments that made him anxious, but Kotori seemed to be trying hard.
However, their classmates didn't see it that way.
Every time Kotori performed a day duty task with Toba, he could hear whispers like, "See, they're together again," "Wow, that's surprising," and "It's obvious if you've been watching Nabata-san lately."
Apparently, everyone thought Kotori was interested in Toba.
He tried to objectively recall recent events.
Indeed, Kotori, who usually avoided contact with anyone, had suddenly started actively engaging with a specific boy—Toba—since that day. When he thought about it, there was no need for both of them to change the water in the flower vase, erase the blackboard, or unlock the door for the moving classroom. They could simply alternate or divide the roles.
Yet, Kotori was the one suggesting they do the day duty tasks together as much as possible. No wonder it looked like Kotori was making a move on Toba.
Kotori was desperate to achieve her own goal and hadn't thought about what Toba or the people around them might think.
As for Toba, he was completely smitten.
If Takumi observed closely, he could see Toba lightly placing his hand on Kotori's shoulder or arm while talking brightly. He was even trying to put his arm around her waist sometimes, clearly using the close distance one would use with a romantic partner or someone close.
Kotori, meanwhile, showed no signs of rejection. She simply carried out the day duty tasks with her usual sullen expression, which only encouraged Toba and led him to show off to the people around them.
Takumi knew that Kotori was just desperate to achieve her initial goal, but the others wouldn't see it that way.
This time, Takumi felt anxious for a different reason.
Toba was a cheerful joker, and he was proactive. There was no telling what he might do to Kotori, given his misconception.
Then came lunch break.
The day duty task assigned was to return the models of Jomon period life and hunting tools, such as pottery, which had been used in the Japanese history class just before, to the materials room.
"Nabata, let's get this done quickly."
"Mm."
With that, Toba easily lifted the wooden box containing the teaching materials and urged Kotori forward. Kotori nodded as usual and went into the hallway with Toba, who wore a goofy, careless grin.
Since it was lunchtime, the classmates were prioritizing their own meals over the movements of Kotori and Toba. Takumi knew anything could happen once they were out of the public eye.
Unable to sit still, Takumi suppressed his presence and secretly followed the two.
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