Chapter 3 Koishite Sensei

"What are you peeking at Ryu-san?"

Curious about Ryuji's crossed expression, Hiromu leaned his head towards blue buster's view. He saw Youko at the EMC's garden, discussing math problems with a boy from cram school.

"Let's hear what they're discussing about" Ryuji suggested

"Obviously it's homework. There are two objective evidences, the workbook and the uniform." Hiromu pointed the two evidences using his index finger.

Ryuji shook his head in utter disappointment. Truly, Hiromu has no wisdom on love. He patted the shoulder of the red buster sympathetically and motioned closer to the window opposite the backs of the cram school students. Hiromu trailed after with a quizzical look in his face.

"See, I told you Usami-san, I have the better shortcut of dealing with those kind of problems." the boy's name was Jinno Masato, a relative of Jin-san. He was tad different from Jin-san's eccentricity.

Youko replied with restraint, "Are you saying my mentors aren't good? Why, I have famous engineer Iwasaki Ryuji and Usada. And count that guy Sakurada Hiromu too."

"Sakurada Hiromu, you say?" Jinno's right hand began caressing his chin in wonder, "I heard he's the best pilot in EMC. His presentation in energy science is exceptional too. But I guess that's all about him. Because if he's the best in Japan then he should have the best shortcut formulas in math too."

Ryuji sighed, "Pretty cocky isn't he? And I've wondered why Youko-chan likes confident ones…Oh! A cocky one like Hiromu." The last sentence was too low to be heard by Hiromu.

"What did you say Ryu-san?"

"Nothing!" Ryuji disguised a fit of coughs and giggles to distract Hiromu from frowning at him.

For five minutes they listened to Jinno's stories how he formulated the shortcuts himself until Youko appended that she had to take a snack to boost her inner battery. Melancholic about his conversation partner's invitation to depart, he suddenly fished the idea, "How about I treat you to something today?"

"CHOTTO!"

Ryuji looked like Usada with white fumes coming out from his ears. He thought Jinno was too confident to even bypass authorities like himself. Hiromu followed to Youko's amazement. Jinno stood from his position and bowed low to the recognition of his senpais. He also explained that he was no stranger since he was a relative of Jin-san and he planned to work at the EMC in the coming future too.

"I would just like to extend our Usami-san's conversation about our future." Jinno said with a smile. "Perhaps in a nearer café."

Our future? Ryuji looked as if he's about to outburst. "I'll go with you then and discuss this future that you're saying" He said, disguising his clenched teeth with the same beam.

"Ryu-san!" Youko remarked. Ryuji had always been like this, tormenting Youko's potential suitors.

To Ryuji's disappointment, his electronic device rang. He would have to attend to EMC's urgent matters first before he could go for leisure. Jinno smiled a sign of victory, not until Hiromu laid a hand on Ryuji's shoulder—signaling that he'll go in his place. "When it comes to looking forward, I am the senpai,"

Hiromu went to wash his hands at the men's room, to which Jinno had followed thereafter. Knowing that there weren't people around but themselves, Jinno uttered, "I like Usami-san, but I don't know how to tell her. Could you help me, senpai?"

"Mochiron," Hiromu replied confidently, "I know what she likes" Instantly he remembered when he first arrived at EMC after two years of study abroad. He mentioned to Youko, to his surprise, that any suitor would need to be checked by him first. Did I say that? He suddenly asked himself in his thoughts.

"Really? Could you tell me?" an eager Jinno asked helplessly.

Hiromu stared at the ceiling while placing his hands at his sides, "For beginners, Youko likes sweets. So you're in for a good start. She likes anything yellow too, but I guess you know that one already." He thought the many times that Youko would choose yellow over any other colors—to the point that they've become redundant.

"Arigato senpai!" Jinno bowed and head to back to the café counter. He placed his orders on anything yellow and sweet like chiffon cake, mango cream yoghurt and yellow colored bonbons. Hiromu on the other hand opted for plain coffee. As they settled back in their seats, Youko made a disgusted face at Hiromu's plain coffee and delight in Jinno's treats. Hiromu took a sip from his plain cup of coffee quietly at a near table while the two continued their discussion about the universities that they would want to apply in the near future.

"It's always a priority to choose schools that are best in your fields of specialization." Hiromu interrupted, to which Jinno replied with a nod. "Overseas is not so bad either."

Youko's delightful mood seemed to disintegrate after hearing the word, overseas. It was not a matter of question though, since her confession to Hiromu was rejected in a foreign territory, precisely in a university to which Hiromu attended. Baka, baka, baka, why are you thinking about that now? It should not matter anymore! She quickly masked her reaction by shoving a large piece of cake in her mouth.

"You're funny, Usami-san" Jinno remarked gleefully

"Youko would do, Jinno" Youko said, dropping the honorifics

"Okay then. You're funny, Youko. But isn't that un-lady like?"

"I like it" Hiromu uttered quickly, bewildered at himself for interrupting in their conversation. He waved a hand signaling, don't mind me when Jinno started to show little signs of frustration. Youko on the other hand was hitting her head with a purse.

"daijobou,, Youko? Is there a bug in your head?" Jinno asked worriedly

"You like bugs?" Youko's face glowed as if she had hit a jackpot in a raffle.

"Yes, I have a collection. Would you like to see them?"

"Sure!"

Tinggg! Hiromu's cup of coffee slipped from his hand. Drops of hot coffee touched his sensitive skin. Youko hurried by kneeling to his side and wiped the coffee from his hand. Seeing that there were first degree burns, Youko scooped a handful of ice from a bucket and damped the burned spots. Hiromu winced just a little. It was nothing compared to the cuts and bruises he received from fighting Vaglass. Youko placed her hands—one on top, holding the ice and the other below supporting both their hands. Hiromu glanced at her while she was not looking, while her long locks fell from the grip of her ear. He clipped them with his free hand, and again was surprised for what he did. His eyes widened as Youko stared at him in surprise.

They remained in that position for a while until Jinno interrupted with a cough.

"I do not mean to interrupt, but Youko, you have better chances of going home early if you go with me now to see my collection."

"Gomen, Jinno, you see my comrade is—"

"You should go" Hiromu said while gently removing his injured hand from hers. He smiled at her to assure that he's okay.

Nick was waiting at the back entrance of the café. He was later joined by Hiromu. They watched as Jinno and Youko walked for more blocks to see his collection. Hiromu needed not to come since Jinno promised to return Youko home before the sunset. The day was still young and cold, thanks to Spring.

"Nick, I realized something today." Hiromu uttered. Nick noticed something distinct from his tone. Hurt? Anger? Disappointment?

"What is it Hiromu?" Nick asked in his usual worried tone

"I've lost my straightforwardness."

Nick needed not to know more, seeing Hiromu's expression turning into a frown was a give away. He laid a hand in Hiromu's trembling shoulders as the latter broke into fits of chuckles and tears.