"Iris! What are you doing?"

  All of a sudden, a female cssmate of mine came to my side and said that to my ears. I was surprised so I ended up flinching.

  "H-Huh...?! O-Oh...Uhm, As you can see..."

  I showed them the cover of the book I was reading.

  "I-Its about magical girls."

  It was embarassing to show it but the cover was not the usual pink-haired girl you'd expect. She had green hair. That was it.

  In this cssroom, i was probably the only one who read books out in the open. The rest of my cssmates always used their phone pying music, chatting, or pying with each other.

  Even though I was in highschool, my parents didnt let me have a phone. Apparently, it was to make sure I dont get addicted and hurt my eyes since I wore gsses too.

  I believed them but its not like I could never use one. Only when I needed it for school was I allowed. I borrowed my parents phones and sometimes my father even let me borrowed his ptop though...it was hard to use.

  "I see. Magical girls, huh?"

  My cssmates voice had that humming tone to it. She was one of the more fashionable girls so her talking was a little uncomfortable.

  "Hey, Iris..."

  Her whispered words to my ear instantly made my cheeks turn red as I looked at her with my hands filing. My eyes widening.

  "...H-Huh??!"

  "What an innocent reaction~ even though you have "those" that can— Well see ya ter."

  She left the cssroom.

  I looked at the clock and it showed 10 minutes before css started.

  What she had said to my ears caused me to hang my head lower then pced both hands to my cheeks.

  They were really warm almost like a warm tomato. Really warm to the touch.

  Why did she have to say that to me. Because of her, talking about...S-Sex...aaaah.... Just saying it made me blush even harder.

  She did tell me she had multiple boyfriends before...but even so, at this age...I-Isnt that kinda inappropriate? After all...its like you are—

  I decided to stop thinking such bad thoughts.

  I knew very well we lived different lives. I was content with mine and she was probably too.

  And so, I buried those thoughts away.

  School came to an end retively quickly. As long as you payed attention and gave effort in css, an hour would feel like 10 minutes...No, around half an hour. Probably something like that.

  I began to pack my things starting with my books then pencil case.

  I felt a presence behind me but before I could look back, something id on top of my head. It felt pointy or boney?

  "H-Huh?!"

  Either way, due to sheer surprise and out of reflex, both of my hands shot up above my head to repel it in a cpping motion.

  My hands made contact with two springy texture.

  "I-Im sorry!"

  "...Ow...Haha, that was my fault..."

  It was her again from recess who was now covering and rubbing both her cheeks that was slightly reddened.

  Seeing it clearer made me feel even more guilty and I apologized again. It's fine, she repeated.

  As soon as we left the school gate together, the sunset was visible in the sky and bathed us in its orange glow.

  My cssmate had wanted to leave school together with me which was why she did that to me earlier. She didnt really have to do that though.

  "You sure its fine to leave with me? What about your...b-boyfriend?"

  I asked her since this came a bit of a surprise to me.

  "Hmm...You're really sheltered Iris. Anyone can see that."

  Huh? Was I, really? I think I'm normal.

  But she wasnt done speaking and I didn't know what she was getting at.

  She increased her pace until she was a few pace away from me then stopped to turn around.

  "Actually...I think I like you...I know it's weird but I dont know why...I thought everything was alright when I had boyfriends—"

  My ears stopped listening after a while.

  The orange light that bathed us both was still there. Our shadows extending long on the ground.

  I like you. In what way? As friends? A percetange of getting closer? Or...

  "Like as in..." judging from my tone, she knew that I had struck it and so, she didnt say anything and looked at the ground.

  My understanding of love had shifted. I always thought it was between a boy and girl. Never had it occured that two girls can share the same feelign with each to other. That was to say, I didnt. And so, I felt it to be weird and uncomfortable.

  "I-I see...Uhm..."

  Having been confessed like that gor the first time in my life. How could I possibly know what to say? It was all too sudden.

  "M-My home is that way so—!"

  She turned on her heel and immediately made a dash for it.

  I tried to stop her with an outstretched hand.

  My cssmate wasnt looking as she stepped onto the road.

  I felt something wet struck my cheek then my eyes saw the car that was about to hit her. Right in front of me.

  In that moment, however, I wasn't thinking.

  I was stupid and as a result... I paid a price for it.