A Silent Voice: My First Kiss Was with Nishimiya Shouko

"What's wrong?"

Shouko asked curiously as soon as Akira returned to his seat after packing up.

He shook his head slightly. "Nothing much—just the folding umbrella I borrowed earlier."

He calmly explained, then proceeded to stuff the textbooks Ishida Shouya had taken out back into his desk, except for one: his sixth-grade Japanese textbook, which had been slightly wrinkled from Shouya's grip.

"Shouko, wait here for a bit."

"Okay."

Shouko nodded sweetly, not asking any further. She trusted that he would tell her in his own time.

Akira stood up, textbook in hand, and walked toward the back row where Shouya's seat was.

Hirose Keisuke, who had been chatting with Shimada Ikki, noticed him crouching in front of Shouya's desk and immediately called out, "Hey! What do you think you're doing?"

His voice attracted attention from nearby students.

At the front of the classroom, Kawai Miki and Ueno Naoka had just returned from rinsing their lunchboxes. Kawai, always quick to spot trouble, pointed toward the commotion in the back. "Naoka, look! I think Miyamura is digging through Ishida's desk."

Ueno followed her gaze but didn't see Shouya anywhere. Confirming he wasn't in the classroom, she turned back to watch.

"Obviously, I'm just exchanging books," Akira replied calmly, completely unfazed. He took out a brand-new Japanese textbook from Shouya's desk—untouched, no name written inside—then replaced it with his slightly wrinkled one.

After making the swap, Akira stood up and looked at Hirose. "That hedgehog-head didn't pay me back for the damage. My book got creased for no reason, so I'm taking his. Problem?"

Hirose was speechless.

"Or," Akira added casually, "you want to be a good bro and switch yours with mine?"

"…Forget it." Hirose shut his mouth and sat down. He glanced at Shimada Ikki beside him. "Ikki, why didn't you say anything?"

Shimada didn't answer. He just silently watched Akira's back as he returned to his seat.

Akira calmly packed all his textbooks into his bag and turned to Shouko.

"Let's go."

"Okay!"

"Shouko! Where'd you rush off to just now?"

Matsuoka Miu looked up from the bench where she'd been waiting, eyebrows raised.

Ito Chika, sitting beside her, noticed the schoolbags slung over the pair's backs. Based on past experience, she immediately guessed, "Did Akira get into trouble again and earn early dismissal?"

Before Shouko could answer, Miu cut in dramatically, "Don't tell me you're leaving early with your schoolbags?"

Shouko nodded, then stepped forward to pick up the untouched bento boxes left on the bench. She handed one to Akira before turning to the two girls and explaining the situation.

"That little brat is way out of line! And the name… Ishida Shouya? Sounds familiar."

Miu's expression scrunched up as she tried to remember.

Ito Chika tilted her head. "Really? I don't recall it at all."

She squinted, trying to jog her memory. "If it stood out to you, I should've remembered it too."

Akira chuckled. "Give it up, Chika. You're not gonna remember. Miu probably remembers his name because all three of us are regulars in the teacher's office. She's heard it more than once."

"Hey! I'm a model student!" Miu huffed, patting her chest proudly in denial—though deep down, she knew he was right. Still, she refused to admit it.

"Sure, sure, you're a model student," Akira said dryly.

If memory served him right, this twin-tailed troublemaker had been called to the office even more than he had—maybe even more than Ishida Shouya. But her offenses were usually minor, and her parents were rarely summoned.

Just then, Shouko let out a small gasp.

"Huh?!"

The trio turned to her at once.

"I just remembered—I forgot to tell Yuzuru that we're leaving early!"

She lightly smacked her forehead and turned around, ready to run off again.

"Hey, hey, hey—" Akira quickly reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Shouko turned back, confused by his reaction.

He exhaled slowly and offered a gentler solution.

"How about we have Miu and Chika tell her after school? No need to rush back."

Shouko thought about it and nodded. Auntie Miyamura was still waiting at the gate, after all.

She turned to Chika with her hands together in mock prayer. "Chika, can I trouble you to tell Yuzuru for me? Arigatou~!"

Before Chika could answer, Miu immediately jumped in, pointing dramatically at herself.

"Wait, what about me?! What about me?!"

"Right, right! You too, Miu~ Arigatou~!" Shouko giggled.

Miu puffed out her chest with pride. "Haha, don't worry! It's nothing. Yuzuru is like a little sister to me—I'll shower her with the big sister love she missed this afternoon!"

Akira quietly watched them with amusement. Just then, his watch vibrated.

He glanced down and saw the contact ID: Most Most Most Beautiful Mother.

"Time to go," he said, showing Shouko the screen.

"Miu, Chika, we're heading out. I'll leave Yuzuru to you."

"See you tomorrow!"

"Bye-bye!"

After the two walked off, Miu shivered dramatically.

"Chika, did you see that? Akira actually has his mom saved as 'Most Most Most Beautiful Mother' on his watch. That's so cheesy!"

Chika just nodded quietly.

…She figured Auntie Miyamura probably made him set it that way.

Later that day...

After school, Matsuoka Miu had completely forgotten her promise to Shouko. She was too busy chasing Yuzuru around, teasing her nonstop. It wasn't until they both ran out of energy that Ito Chika calmly stepped in and explained everything.

Miu blinked.

"…Ah. Right."

She slapped her forehead and finally remembered.

-------------------

POWER STONE!!!

Support me at patréon com/Lukas25