COTE V10 SS2 - Apparent Difficulty

Apparent Difficulty

At a location a short distance from the dormitory. I stood next to one vending machines’ shadow and exhaled a white breath.
“It’s still so cold〜”
Right now is an early morning hour to go to school. A freezing cold early morning is greeting the early spring in March.
Since I really wanted to chat with a certain person in this morning, so I decided to wait here until I saw his back.
It would be a bit warmer to wait in the lobby, but I thought it was quite awkward that I waited to ambush him, so in the end I made a move like hiding.
“……If I was being called out by other friends, that a bit.”
Saying something similar to an excuse, I had already waited for about 10 minutes.
Can he come out faster?
I thought that way, and I felt that my heartbeat gradually accelerated along with the time.
Uh── If I knew sooner the situation would become like this; I should have contacted him at the beginning and made an appointment to meet.
The idea of pretending to make a conversation with him by coincidence is a failure, I reflected so.
Perhaps I shouldn’t wait to ambush him, and I should be a bit normal. If that so, when should I call to stop him?
However…… Anyway, I wanted to meet him today, and chat with him.
Recalling the deal with Nagumo-senpai yesterday, I wanted to conceal the memory to certain extent.
Then in the corner of my eyesight, I saw the person who I have been waiting for is walking out. He is Ayanokōji-kun.
“Morning, Ayanokōji-kun.”
I looked at the situation, then approached to his side and greeted him.
“Um, good morning Ichinose.”
He heard my voice, so he looked back and replied me.
Seeing his expressionless face but just as usual, I…… I froze.
“Um?”
Yahoo──! I froze and maintained the greeting posture. I remembered that I still haven’t thought yet what I wanted to talk about.
After all, when I talked with friends, I basically acted according to the atmosphere and mood at that time. But today only, I wanted to decide at least one topic in advance.
However, it’s already too late now. I have already talked to him; I have to say something now.
“What’s wrong?”
Seeing me as if petrified, Ayanokōji-kun revealed some concern and said to me like that.
In order to get rid of a curse alike condition, I decided to start with a routine that I use often.
“Ugh, eh, it’s still so cold today.”
The topic started from the recent weather, after all, obviously it’s already in March but it’s abnormally cold.
“That’s right.”
The weather is a bit abnormal, and it made people created a kind of illusion as living in a snow country.
“Do you have an appointment with someone to go to school together?”
For the moment, I asked him with the idea of confirming it first.
“No, I don’t. I’m usually alone in the morning.”
Then I’m already relieved. If it turned out that other people appeared at this time, Ayanokōji-kun probably will be troubled.
“Then…… can we go together?”
After listening to my question, Ayanokōji-kun nodded without hesitation.
Um, that’s great.
“……”
Eh…… it’s good, but…… I can’t think of the next topic!
He noticed how I wasn’t like usual, and his expression looked quite confused.
I felt that our usual conversation has become difficult. Some strange changes have happened within me.
I was panicked and desperately sought a topic in my mind.
In the process, I felt that my troubles have become lighter to some extent.
Indeed, chatting with Ayanokōji-kun may be the right choice.
I was so deeply regretted, and walked closer beside him.