บท 70: Red Knuckles II

They were both alone on the roof.

Won't it be the perfect opportunity?

But words spread like wildfire in Orion High.

「  You can consider establishing trust through friendship. 」 

Azuma silently watched Rin, contemplating the suggestion as he tried to think of the best approach.

Rin felt like he would drown under that unflinching gaze as he clumsily picked up his mess. He decided to leave as soon as he had cleaned, but then, a shadow loomed over him.

"Hey," Azuma greeted, gazing down at those confused and scared eyes.

'Weird,' he thought, 'why does he look even more afraid than before?'

"A-Ah…" Rin hastily got up and bowed deeply, 'I am sorry to disturb you!" 

"Huh…?" Azuma dumbly blinked, but then he remembered that smiles often make people appear friendly and approachable.

He lifted his lips into a big smile, that clearly looked forced. The shadows under his eyes helped little.