Chapter 21: The Type I Like

Tetsurou Kuroo’s setback in volleyball could be set aside for now; there was something more important at hand.

That was deciding the groups for the upcoming field trip.

After the teacher explained the requirement of forming groups of three to five people, the stage was left to the students to finalize their lists and report them to the Class Representative.

Yoriko Arisu looked at Namazawa Misaki sitting next to her and poked her arm.

“Misaki, do you want to be in my group?”

Once again, Misaki, who was the Class Representative, smiled slightly.

“Sure.”

Ryouta Kise popped his head over their shoulders.

“Mind if I join you?”

Yoriko Arisu: “Of course. Kenma, what do you think?”

Kenma Kotsume lifted his eyes and stared at Ryouta with an unreadable expression for a while, leaving him utterly confused, before finally saying flatly, “I’m fine with anything.”

Ryouta Kise: No, that doesn’t sound like “I’m fine” at all!

Had he ever done anything to offend this guy?

Namazawa Misaki: “Then I’ll write down the names.”

Yoriko Arisu looked at the four names closely grouped together and smiled.

“What a coincidence—they’re all from the original Class 1-2.”

Ryouta Kise flipped through the Handbook with a rustling sound.

“We’re going to the Astronomy Museum this time. Just thinking about having to write a report already kills my motivation.”

Although field trips were fun, the fact that they came with assignments made them less enjoyable.

Yoriko Arisu deflated a bit at that thought and sighed heavily.

“I definitely don’t want to be in charge of paperwork from now on.”

It’s way too mentally taxing.

Ryouta Kise: “Agreed. Class Representative, we’re counting on you this time!”

Namazawa Misaki sighed.

“You wouldn’t happen to have joined our group just for that reason, would you?”

Ryouta Kise said earnestly, “No way! Yoriko and I are good friends. I just want to be in a group with my friend.”

Yoriko Arisu nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, yeah, Ryouta is a great guy.”

The annual reshuffling of classes disrupted existing relationships, but fortunately, each time they managed to be with one or two familiar faces, so it wasn’t too overwhelming.

After Ryouta had carried her to the infirmary once, the two had grown close.

Especially since they had twice ended up in the same class and sat together as deskmates, sharing notes and covering for each other during class, their friendship had blossomed rapidly.

Ryouta Kise: Strange, why do I feel like something’s crawling on my back?

Following his gaze, he saw only Kenma Kotsume pretending to look at the scenery.

That guy…

Ryouta squinted his eyes.

He felt like he had just discovered something.

Namazawa Misaki accepted the explanation for now.

“I remember Ryouta is pretty good at sports, right? The Sports Tournament is coming up next month, so make sure to take care of yourself during this period.”

This time, their class had fewer people good at sports, so they had to hold on tight to their few talented ones.

In the neighboring Baseball Club, someone had twisted their ankle going down the stairs, losing a key player.

Ryouta stuck his tongue out.

“Got it. As expected of our Class Representative, already scouting for strong players this early.”

Namazawa Misaki pointed at the class list.

“Too bad Kudō is in another class this time; he can only be our rival.”

Yoriko Arisu: “And Ran Mōri, she’s also really athletic. She’s been in the same class as Kudō for years—such good luck, right, Kenma?”

Being childhood friends herself, Yoriko thought their luck was a bit worse.

This was only their second year in the same class.

She and Namazawa Misaki had the best luck, having been classmates for five years!

Kenma Kotsume looked up at the ceiling thoughtfully and slowly said, “Better than Kuroo.”

After all, Kuroo was a grade above them—it was impossible to be in the same class.

Yoriko Arisu: snort

On the way home from school, the two exchanged their destinations with Kuroo, who was a grade older.

Tetsurou Kuroo said, “We’re going to the zoo this time.”

Yoriko Arisu envied him.

“That’s nice. I want to go to the zoo too. I want to see the little animals.”

Kenma Kotsume: “You’ll get to go next year.”

Each grade had fixed destinations for their field trips, so they could reference the seniors’ itineraries.

“Speaking of the zoo, the animal we have to observe this time is the Koala,” Kuroo said.

“Feels a bit like Yoriko, don’t you think?”

Yoriko Arisu widened her eyes. “How is that?”

Kenma Kotsume: “Probably because you both like to sleep.”

Yoriko Arisu freaked out.

“Don’t just assume I’m like that because I like to sleep! At least pick a cuter animal!”

Kuroo propped his chin up.

“Koalas are pretty cute, though. When they sleep, they secretly hug tree trunks, just like you hugging stuff while sleeping. You’re both adorable.”

Being called cute suddenly quieted Yoriko.

She thought for a moment.

“Really? Then make sure to take lots of pictures for me.”

“I’ve got it covered!”

Kenma Kotsume: Still so easy to please.

On the way, they ran into some juniors from the Volleyball Club, and Kuroo seemed to hit some kind of button—he instantly became steady and reliable, completely different from how he was around them.

Yoriko Arisu and Kenma Kotsume whispered nearby.

“So that’s how Kuroo is around his club members.”

He looks so mature, like a proper adult now.

Kenma Kotsume studied his childhood friend’s expression for a while.

“Has Kuroo changed a bit recently?”

It had been some time since he lost his baby tooth.

Kuroo hadn’t gone back to his previous lively and cheerful self; instead, he had become even more serious.

He seemed a bit aloof, which actually suited him.

According to Kuroo’s Grandma, this was just what growing up looked like.

Kenma Kotsume said sharply, “He just thinks it makes him look cool.”

Just then Kuroo walked back and snorted at that.

He self-consciously ran a hand through his hair, and the cold aura instantly vanished.

“Don’t you think this gives me a senior’s presence?”

He declared with ambition, “After all, I’m a senior and the Club President. I have to leave a reliable impression on the juniors!”

Yoriko Arisu blinked.

“Since when did Kuroo start caring about senior responsibilities?”

“It’s not exactly a responsibility; I just have some thoughts.” Kuroo explained, “Junior high is coming up soon, so I’m thinking about changing my image.”

He wiped his face and stretched his mouth into a straight line with a slight smirk.

“How’s this?”

Yoriko looked at Kuroo’s smile.

Before, when he smiled, he would open his mouth wide and show his white teeth, but now…

Kenma Kotsume sharply commented, “Looks kind of sinister.”

“Ah—how did that happen! I practiced in front of the mirror so many times!”

Kuroo held his head and groaned.

Kenma Kotsume thoughtfully said, “That smile of yours looked familiar.”

Yoriko Arisu also fell into thought.

“Now that you mention it, it kind of does…”

Kuroo started sweating and tried to interrupt them.

“You don’t have to think about it so seriously, right?”

“It’s Shinichi Kudo.”

The two said simultaneously, their faces lighting up in realization.

Kuroo: “…”

He covered his face.

Kenma Kotsume rubbed his arm and frowned.

“Kuroo, why do you want to imitate that arrogant guy?”

Kuroo explained, “Isn’t he pretty popular? He’s the backbone of the Football Club, really smart, and often helps the Police.”

Yoriko Arisu: “So Kuroo wants to become popular?”

Kuroo sneaked a glance at her expression and stammered, “Not really… I just think he’s quite popular with the girls.”

Kenma Kotsume: “But Yoriko’s not into that kind of thing.”

More like she has other people she cares about—Kuroo is such an idiot.

Kuroo looked surprised.

“Huh? Is that so?”

Being stared at in unison, Yoriko thought for a moment.

“Kudo is really impressive. He knows a lot, thinks fast, like…”

A lightbulb appeared over her head.

“Like a walking Encyclopedia!”

“Ha…?”

Kuroo’s eyes turned into little dots.

Kenma Kotsume: “Basically, that means he’s not human.”

Yoriko Arisu: “I didn’t say it like that!”

Kuroo: “Oh, really?”

Yoriko Arisu: “Don’t ignore what I said!”

Kuroo: “Then what kind of type do you like, Yoriko?”

“Ask me? I think Kuroo’s original self is great.”

Yoriko tilted her head, lost in thought.

She thought they were still talking about the smile.

“I really like Kuroo’s original smile. It looks so happy and contagious. You have your own style; there’s no need to copy others.”

“Is—is that so?”

Kuroo’s head was surrounded by little flowers as he scratched his head with a silly grin.

“Haha, I’m actually a bit embarrassed.”

Kenma Kotsume: “You’re already laughing like a fool.”

Kuroo’s smile froze, and his expression immediately turned into one of gritted teeth.

He instantly teleported behind his childhood friend and ruffled his hair hard.

“Hey, Kenma, I’ve been meaning to say this—today you’ve been picking on me nonstop. Do you have something against me?”

“Because you’re an idiot… Stop touching my head! It hurts!”