**[Mocha's POV]**
On the way home, after everyone split at their respective corners. I was left alone with Master Yukiya-kun, as we hadn't reached our intersections yet.
Thinking back to Tanaka-kun's strange request. "How to become less popular?" he asked. I'm not sure how to answer him, but master Yukiya-kun might have had an idea on how to solve it.
Going back to the present, I realized that *No one has spoken for a while now...* I thought to myself, thinking it was too quiet.
Usually, Master Yukiya-kun was the one leading the conversation, but maybe it's my time to be on the offensive side?
"T, the English class today was hard. I couldn't tell the difference between 'there,' 'they're,' and 'their,'" I complained, laughing at my own shortcomings to open the conversation.
However, I didn't get much of a reaction.
"Yukiya-sama?" I tilted my head, wondering what it is he's thinking so deeply about.
Hearing his name called, "Oh. Ah. Yeah ...It was." He replied, still seemingly lost in thought, but seemed to have heard what it was I had inquired the first time.
I wonder, what could it be he's thinking so hard about? And so I asked,
"I, I noticed you've been spacing out a lot recently. M-mind sharing what's occupying your mind. Ah- if it's alright with you, of course. If not, t-that's okay. W-who am I to share your worries with?" I awkwardly but mindfully inquired, as I'm not too confident in my skills to confide in people.
As if thinking about it for a moment, "Sure," he agreed. "It's a concern that my friend has."
*Hm. He's usually more secretive ...My sincerity must have reached him.* I thought to myself, happy to think that Master Yukiya-kun may have started opening up to me.
"You see. My friend had discovered something shocking about his female friend. And he doesn't know how to act around her anymore." He told me his worries, unaware he was actually referring to Haruka-san.
So, for me, who doesn't have the full context of his worries. I assumed, *I see. So this is about Shiori-senpai*
Shiori-senpai had been coming a lot to our clubroom lately. Like a child requesting attention, it was clear as day what she was after. Specifically requesting Yukiya-kun for her trivial request that can barely be called important. That would also explain his distant expression, unable to make up his mind how to act around Shiori-senpai, who holds affection for him.
"That's ...really something hard to think about." I empathize, then tried emulating what Hitomi-san explained in that one conversation.
"F-Friendship is built on trust, so people are afraid to break it." I continued, not even sure where this conversation is heading.
"I know," he responded, looking a little distant.
His tone seemed a bit down. Did I perhaps step into a landmine?! And so I tried my best to correct it.
"Ah! B-But that doesn't necessarily mean you can't be friends anymore. Maybe he should try looking at the other person's perspective?" I suggested. Thinking, *What am I even saying anymore?!*
"A-Any way. What should we do about Tanaka-kun's request?" I inquired, trying to change the subject before I dug my grave any deeper.
Master Yukiya-kun let out a heavy sigh, "That's another matter to think about." He complained.
As if trying to look strong, "Don't worry. The answer will reveal itself in due time." He said.
That's what he said, but I'm not sure how or where he would get that answer from...