Shuhei and Daichi are still walking together.
Daichi ignored Shuhei and hurried to board the train as soon as they arrived at the station. He wondered if Shuhei would follow up as well.
But Shuhei just stood behind the guardrail and peered through the glass window at Daichi until the train door shut.
"What on earth is this guy doing?" Daichi moaned indignantly.
The train began to move, cutting off Shuhei and Daichi's visual contact.
•~•
A few days later, Daichi and Shuhei ended up in the same location due to an odd series of events. After school, they also got together and strolled hand in hand.
•~•
Daichi and Akira were able to return home together today after a prolonged period of time.
"Can you finally unwind now that you have been so busy at the football club these past few days?" Daichi enquired.
The two of them descended the stairs and entered the school building's lobby.
"Yes, that is so." Akira inhaled deeply. "Though I had to complete a game event assignment for my client, everything got messy because of club activities."
"It can't be helped, right?" Daichi added a comment.
"Mm."
Akira remembered something and cast a questioning glance at Daichi. "Dai-chan, I've heard that you and Shuhei Yoshimoto have been returning home together for the last few days. Is that true?"
Daichi replied, his expression remaining unchanged. "Why ask now when you have had so many chances to ask questions in class?"
"I forgot, haha." Their awkward laughter reverberated around Akira. "So, is that true?"
Daichi gave a nod. "Yes."
"Eeehh? Really?" Akira appeared genuinely shocked as his eyes grew wide.
Daichi didn't refute it, though.
Akira scowled even more, not listening to his friend's denial.
"So, is this news actually true?"
The dapper Nishiyama gave a loud snort. "That is accurate, yes."
"How could that be possible? You guys... well, that, shouldn't need to be explained any further, so why can you go home together?"
"But it can't be referred to as going home together. Well, let's just call it coincidence that the house is at the down of the hill."
Akira nodded, frowning still. "Ah, I see, yeah. and you seem to be fine with it?"
"There's nothing I can do to prevent him from returning home at the same time as me," Daichi shrugged in response.
Akira found it hard to keep protesting, even though it still felt pretty strange because Daichi didn't object. The young man just ended the conversation.
It was unimaginable that they would run into Shuhei in the lobby.
"Daichi, you're going home? What a coincident..." When Shuhei saw Daichi approaching, he grinned. However, his smile quickly faded as he looked at Akira, who was standing beside Daichi.
Shuhei's gaze on him gave Akira the impression that he was the third party in a relationship. Akira was even more shocked when Shuhei's call came through again.
"Daichi? He called him Daichi, instead of senpai?" Akira whispered.
Upon being greeted, Daichi didn't respond. He passed Shuhei on his way to change into his locker.
Daichi's locker is right next to Akira's.
Akira called out in a whisper, "Dai-chan," his eyes fixed on Shuhei, who was standing nearby and appeared to be waiting.
"What is it?"
"How come I've the impression Shuhei Yoshimoto is deliberately waiting for you?" Still whispering, Akira questioned.
"Maybe just your feelings." Daichi looked away. "You've done?"
"Eh? Ah, yes, that's it."
After the two left, Shuhei walked up to them casually, as though he was a friend.
"Daichi, how you're club activities going today?" Shuhei moved to put distance between Daichi and Akira as he asked. Akira who was suddenly pushed to the side, couldn't help but be stunned.
"This freaking brad ..!" Akira cursed quietly
However, Daichi was oblivious to the commotion next to him. He replied nonchalantly, "it's going as usual, nothing special," to Shuhei's query.
"Ah, I see. Do you want to go somewhere after this?"
"Nah."
"What a coincidence then. Come shopping with me, I want to buy some stuff."
"I don't want to."
"Don't worry, I'll treat you. You're free to choose whatever you want."
"I'm not interested."
"Eh, then..."
Shuhei appears to be occupied convincing Daichi, and so on.
The way the two interacted could only cause confusion for Akira, who was already lagging behind.
"Hold on, has this Yoshimoto boy known Daichi since when?" Akira gave Shuhei's back a quick glance before glancing over at him. "Why doesn't this Daichi look like his normal self as well? To the best of my knowledge, he despises Yoshimoto."
Akira was still contemplating this when she arrived at the station. Akira was relieved that Shuhei had not traveled on the same train as them.
He hurried to ask after the two had sat down.
"Dai-chan! I need you to explain this to me."
"Which explanation are you seeking?" Daichi asked. he took out earphones from his bag. After turning it on, he selected a song on his phone.
"Are you wearing earphones instead of paying attention to your friend who is standing right next to you?" Akira made a disgusted comment.
Daichi shot a pointed look. "The same with you, even though I'm right next to you, you are usually lost in your games."
"I play games to make money; it is not the same." Akira attempted self-defense.
Daichi gave an eye roll.
"Okay, okay, I admit—I was wrong about that. Now tell me why Yoshimoto, the first-year boy, knows you so well."
"Dunno."
"That's not a good answer at all!"
"So, Akiran, what response do you want me to give? I am not sure why he is behaving that way! You know, I'm in trouble too!"
Akira was quiet. He said something after a while. "I feel like there's something strange about this."
"I agree." Daichi concurs.
"Are you also feeling it? But, what exactly is that 'strange' thing?"
"I'm sorry, but I am too tired to give it much thought." With a yawn, Daichi reclined, prepared for slumber.
"How could that be. Consider this: Why do you think you're called by name by someone you don't know? He ought to address you as senpai! This call is making me feel weird—oi, Dai-chan!..."
Akira was going to chastise him at first, but Daichi nodded off so fast. Akira's shoulder was where his head finally rested after swaying.
Akira's head turned in reflex. He thought Daichi appeared even more adorable at this close range than before.
Akira's face was starting to flush, and his heart was pounding.
"Oh my goodness, what the hell is this!" Akira gave himself a rough face rub in an attempt to relax.
•~•
Daichi's plan was to watch a DVD he borrowed from the rental shop and unwind in his room after dinner. His mother called him from the living room just as he was pressing the power button.
"What's wrong, mom?" Daichi enquired. It was obvious from the expression on his face that he was reluctant.
"I just realized we don't have any glue. Mom need to glue this broken vase. Go buy it, please."
Daichi saw the beloved blue vase of his mother shattered in half. He sighed and nodded. "Alright."
Daichi walked out wearing a brown hoodie, sneakers, and long training pants.
•~•
At night, the convenience store is not very crowded. Daichi sauntered over to the section containing household equipment, needing only buy glue. He proceeded to the cashier with a box of adhesive.
Daichi approached and there was a small commotion. He watched as a plump middle-aged man chastised a young man wearing a cashier's apron.
"How reckless you were! In this case, you must make up for it!" The man in his middle age spoke loudly.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have any money. To make up for the losses, I'm ready to work for free."
"What? Hey, hear me out: you know, I don't want to hire you anymore! Make up for your losses quickly and leave this place, now!"
Daichi glanced several times. He gave the glue box to the other cashier who was working when he got to the cashier's desk.
"That... is there a problem?" Daichi inquired, his expression remaining mostly unchanged because he did not want to get involved. Just a casual question.
The cashier responded, "We have to make up for the loss because he lost several items while on duty."
"Ah, I see."
Daichi pulled cash out of his pocket. He turned around after paying. It was then that he clearly saw the young man's reproved expression.
"Shuhei Yoshimoto?"
"Daichi...."
The man who chastised Shuhei asked, "You know him?" Daichi was taken aback by the response right away.
"Yeah... a little bit,"
"What a perfect timing! Come on, help him pay the compensation!"
Daichi was shocked by the man's words. "What?"
•~•
In the end, Daichi paid half of the losses. The man who turned out to be the shop manager finally agreed after much pleading.
"Alright, just leave your identity card behind."
After Shuhei gave the store manager his student card, the two young men departed from the convenience store.
Daichi appeared to be in a bad mood, as evidenced by his stiff facial expression the entire way. When Shuhei tries to talk to him, the well-known Chunibyo boy turns him down.
till Daichi's face was hit by a chilly water drop.
"Eh, it's raining?"
As soon as Daichi completed his sentence, it began to pour rain, almost as if it had just come down from the sky.
"Come on, go to my home. It's not far from here."
"What? Don't want to! Eh—"
Shuhei, who was bigger and taller than Daichi, had grabbed his hand, so even though he refused, Daichi was unable to defend himself.
They reached a modest two-story apartment. Every floor has a total of 4 doors. Daichi was signaled to follow Shuhei up the side stairs.
"Came in, don't hesitate." Shuhei invited him inside, opening the door wide.
"Um."
"Are yours clothes wet?" Shuhei enquired.
"I don't think so. Only the hoodie a bit wet."
"Alright, remove it; I will assist you in drying it."
Obediently, Daichi removed his hoodie and handed it to Shuhei.
Shuhei gave instructions once more after obtaining the Hoodie. "Go to my room and bide your time. I'll make something edible..."
"Uh, no need, sitting in the living room is enough."
"The bedroom is the only room in this home that is warm. Don't worry, there's no need to hesitate," Shuhei said half-forcefully.
Shuhei's words had a strong tone for Daichi as well. He nodded at last.
"That's good. You go in first, and I will follow shortly."
Shuhei then walked into another room.
"He said it that way... Why doesn't it sound right?" Daichi muttered as he approached the closed door Shuhei had designated as his room.
Daichi gently pushed the door open. He could see everything in the room right away.
"Hmm, very neat." Daichi adds his thoughts.
Daichi began to dare to walk around after a few steps.
"Perhaps I can get a secret here, a disgrace to use against him, hehehe."
Daichi began exploring every corner of the room, hoping to find something to laugh at, no longer caring about the politeness of other people's privacy.
His gaze was drawn to a black-covered book on the study table by the corner of his eye.
"A photo album?"
Daichi approached.
"That's right. Maybe I will find his embarrassing little photo in the photo album! Hehehe. Prepare yourself, Yoshimoto!"
Daichi's naughty fingers opened the photo album. The photo displayed on the first page depicts the atmosphere of the ceremony welcoming new students. Then there are a few random photos of Sakuraoka High School students in the school yard, corridors, and cafeteria.
"Hm? Is this only for school-related activities?" Daichi mumbled. He was starting to get bored.
The photos that follow are not much different either. 
"It appears he enjoys going to school in Sakuraoka, as evidenced by his large collection of school photos like this."
Daichi was prepared to be let down. But the photo on the next page, on the other hand, caught him off guard.
The angle of the photo indicates that it was taken secretly. The face in the photo clearly scared Daichi, despite the fact that it was a little blurry due to the zoom effect.
“This… isn't this me?!” Daichi screamed in agony.
His heart was pounding and his hands, which were holding the album, were slightly trembling. The shaking in his body increased as he turned to the next page and so on, all of which showed photos of himself taken in secret.
"Why... why is there a lot photo of me in Yoshimoto's album?"
The last photo in the album is a clear shot of Daichi's sleeping face while camping on the back hill.
Daichi couldn't take the shock any longer. The album he was holding fell, thudded, and opened at his feet.
The bedroom door opened in tandem with the fall of the photo album. Daichi felt his blood rush when he heard Shuhei's voice behind him.
"I made instant noodles, Daichi. Let's eat while the noodles is still hot—"
Shuhei looked at Daichi, who had a shocked expression on his face, then at the photo album at Daichi's feet.
Shuhei's gentle expression changed. "Ah, you've found it, haven't you?"