Side Story: A Battlefield Erupts, So I Decide to Stay on the Sidelines

Friday, Sixth Period.

Once this class ends, freedom awaits—the weekend.

Normally, this would be a time brimming with hope, but…

"……"
"……"
"Um……"

Before me—Hagino Yoshihiro—stand two girls with icy glares and one fidgeting nervously. The four of us sit at a pushed-together desk, facing each other in this awkward situation.

Yeah… this is uncomfortable.

How did it even come to this…?

"For this session, you’ll be doing group work. Form teams of four or five with whoever you like. Presentations will be next—let’s say Tuesday."

As the burly modern society teacher announced this, the classroom buzzed with energy.

In situations like these, students generally fall into three categories:

—Those who group up with same-gender friends.
—Those who sneak glances at the opposite gender they’re interested in.
—Those who don’t move at all—the ultra-independent types.

As for me… I’m definitely the first. Right now, there’s no girl I’m particularly hung up on.

Honestly, I’ve felt kind of empty for the past six months. It’s like my longtime partner-in-crime has gone missing… that’s the vibe. The only time I feel close to that old dynamic is when I’m hanging out with Haruto…

But anyway.

"Hey, Haruto. Let’s team up."

The tall guy in front of me is the third type. He probably won’t move a muscle until the teacher scolds him.

"Got it."
"So we need at least two more?"
"Nah, just one."

Defying my expectations, a silver-haired beauty sits beside Haruto—Luna.

Since the third term, her usual stern expression has softened slightly during class. Some guys in our class seem drawn to that, but—her warmth is reserved for just one person.

No chance for anyone else. Zero.

And yet, they’re still not dating. It’s painful to watch. Haruto’s not a bad guy, just hopelessly dense.

"Bon appétit," I mutter under my breath, making sure they don’t hear.

Just as I’m about to scan the room—

"U-um… can I join you guys?"

A soft, bell-like voice stops us. My gaze drops to see—Akashi Minami. A petite girl who gives off hamster or squirrel vibes—the kind you instinctively want to call by a cutesy honorific.

We’re not especially close. Same with Haruto. She’s shy, and compared to Luna, she’s way behind… but she probably hasn’t realized it yet. Hell, I wouldn’t have noticed either without some inside info.

So she came here as the second type.

"I don’t mind."
"Same."

Haruto, completely oblivious, answers instantly, so I follow suit. But only Luna remains silent, her expression conflicted. After a nudge from Haruto, she finally grits out:

"…Do whatever you want."

Our assigned topic?

Japan’s Population Decline in the Modern Era.
As long as we stick to the general theme, anything goes. The teacher even provided reference sites.

…But it’s such a generic topic that my brain just draws a blank.

We need to narrow it down, but the discussion’s going nowhere. Mostly because Haruto and Luna have zero teamwork. Meanwhile, Minami just agrees with everything.

Eventually, we settle on summarizing the reference sites individually and compiling the data.

"Done, Yoshihiro."

"Whoa! It’s only been thirty minutes!"

Haruto hands me a few report pages like it’s nothing. The reference material is packed with dense academic jargon—enough to give me a headache. I’d probably need a whole night to digest it.

Yet he breezes through it like it’s nothing. Terrifying. …Haruto’s grades suck, but his processing speed is unreal.

"Still, with this many people, it’s more than enough."

"That’s… not the point of the assignment?"

But his conclusion proves he’s still a lost cause.

"Finished." Luna, sitting beside Haruto (of course), shoves her papers forward like she’s done a favor.

"…This isn’t working. Youta, help Minami. I’ll assist Yoshihiro." Haruto frowns.

For the record, it’s not that Minami and I are slow—these two are just freakishly fast. A quick glance around the room confirms it.

"…Me?" Luna doesn’t bother hiding her displeasure, but after a look from Haruto, she nods like she’s biting into something bitter.

—Honestly, I’d prefer the opposite arrangement.

Not that I can joke about it now.

"U-um, nice working with you, Luna-chan."

"…Yeah."

Luna’s hostility is palpable.

"I’ll handle three-fourths—starting from Chapter 4. Minami, take everything up to that point."

"Okay…"

After coldly delegating, Luna focuses on her phone. The two work in silence, pencils scratching paper.

Well, Minami keeps fidgeting like she wants to say something, but Luna’s aura shuts her down. The tension is so thick even I feel it from the sidelines.

From what I remember, these two weren’t just friends—they were practically inseparable childhood besties. But six months ago, Luna started giving Minami the silent treatment.

As the guy who originally helped them bond, this is beyond awkward. …Wait, huh? If they’re childhood friends, why did I have to mediate in the first place?

…Whatever.

Their recent fallout is probably some love-triangle drama.

Might be entertaining from a distance, but up close? Exhausting.

I wanna tell Haruto, "Fix this," but… yeah, he’s useless here.

"U-um, Luna-chan…"

Minami finally speaks up—right as the bell rings, drowning out her fragile voice.