The bell signaling the end of the period rang and the students eased and started making a racket.
"Wait for me here. I will finish my tour and come back as fast as possible."
I said to the black-haired beauty beside me. Because of that injury, she couldn't walk by herself so I had decided to help her commute to and from school. Since I had this club visit that meant she had to wait for me. If she said she had some work and wanted to go back home earlier, I would have postponed my club visit for some other day.
"Thank you for saying that, but you don't need to worry. Sakura-san and Yanagi-san will be helping me get home."
Just as she finished saying that, two girls approached her seat. I recognized them immediately. Those two were the ones I met in the morning. I was thankful to them since I didn't have to worry about her now. But, damn, why was I even worrying about her in the first place?
Annoyed a little bit with myself, I started packing my bag when I noticed a certain boy glaring.
He was not glaring at me. He was glaring at the two girls talking with Ichinose.
That guy had feelings for Ichinose. He probably had wanted to help her reach home, but since those two girls beat him to the punch, he was frustrated that he missed this golden opportunity.
"Kobayashi-kun."
"Yes."
When Fujiki-sensei called me, I rose from my seat. Giving a short glance to Ichinose I made my way towards us.
We went downstairs and exited the building. Although the school was a bit small in comparison to my previous high school, it was fairly big. The school boasted about four large buildings with a fairly big playground. One building was for the classrooms, which we just exited. One was for the administrative activities including the Student Council. One was a gymnasium and the other was for club activities. A sort of passage connected the four buildings.
"Let's make this quick. I have some work to do after this as well. "
I just nodded to the statement by Fujiki-sensei. I just wanted to check how the clubs here were. I had no plans on spending much time.
We entered the building which was made solely for club activities.
The interior design was the same as the building where our classes were. The only difference was that the rooms were big. Signboards were placed at the front of the door informing which club the room belonged to.
The first one we visited was the Science Club. Few students were inside, but I knew none of them. They were either from different classes or from different years.
Upon seeing us, a boy was about to make his way towards us. Seeing that, Fujiki-sensei spoke to stop him.
"We are here just to visit the clubs. It's nothing important. You can continue what you were doing."
The boy stopped and nodded and looked at me.
"He's a transfer student, transferred just yesterday. He wanted to visit the clubs once, so I'm accompanying him."
"Oh. Okay. You can visit anytime you want."
With that bright statement, the boy resumed his activities.
They were trying to do something with the chemicals. After a while, I decided to leave.
After that, I visited other clubs like Art Club, Mathematics Club, Calligraphy Club, etc.
We then headed towards the gymnasium where sports-related club activities were ongoing.
We continued to visit all the clubs while Fujiki-sensei kept briefing me about them.
There were clubs like judo, kendo, tennis, etc.
While visiting from club to club, we arrived in front of the Kyūdō Club.
When we arrived there all the eyes were focused on a single person.
She was holding her bow with a magnificent stance. Her black hair was tied behind her head.
The arrow left her bow with an amazing speed and bullseye. She hit the dead center of the target.
The students who were watching started clapping and shouting in admiration.
She smiled at them in return. I could also see some boys salivating at her mere sight. The girl shook her head and untied her long black hair which reached up to her hip.
"She is the President of the Kyūdō Club. She has won ma- "
"I think that's enough. I will return home now. You also said that you had some work after this. Thank you for showing me around."
When Fujiki-sensei started telling me about the club president, I cut her short.
Although I hadn't intended, my voice was a bit loud and a bit commanding.
"What happened?"
Fujiki-sensei, sensing my change in tone asked me, concern clear in her voice.
"It's nothing. My head suddenly started aching. So, I think I should head back home."
That was a lie. And there was no way she was convinced but she decided not to pursue it any further.
"Is that so? Then, it's fine."
I left the building with quick steps.
While I was engrossed in my internal conflict, I hadn't noticed that it was raining outside.
I exited the school and made my way home. I had no umbrella and was soaking in the rain.
The reason I wanted to leave that place was because that girl reminded me of 'her'. It's not like I hated 'her'. I loved 'her' instead. Or rather, I used to love 'her'. All until 'that' incident. When I watched that girl, it reminded me of 'her' and I didn't want to remember about 'her' or about what had happened back then. So, I decided to leave as quickly as possible.
The rain was getting heavier by the time.
"Did she reach home safely?"
That thought suddenly crossed my mind. Why the hell that thought occur to me right now? I was frustrated at myself that I was worried about her. I had resolved myself that I won't involve myself with other people. Before, coming here I had promised myself that I won't involve with people unnecessarily. Because of 'that' incident at my previous school, I didn't want to make any friends. I just helped her because I didn't want to have any guilty feelings. That was the only reason. But now I was being concerned about her.
While having those thoughts I didn't realize that I was already approaching my apartment.
As usual, I didn't board the elevator and took the stairs instead. When I finally reached my floor, I spotted the familiar-looking girl.
She was in front of her door. Her breathing was ragged and was having a hard time inserting the key to her door. Her face was a bit red as well and clearly, she was wet from head to toe.
While I approached her, she didn't even notice. She was almost about to fall when I firmly took hold of her arms and hauled her back upright.
She had a confused look in her eyes and was trying to make sense of the situation but soon gave up. Before she understood what had happened, I propped up her limp body and opened the door to her apartment.
"There's no other way. I'm going to help you inside, so please forgive the intrusion."
Yes. There really was no other way. She had fallen unconscious before my very eyes and there was nobody else around. So, even though I didn't want, I had no choice but to do what the situation demanded.
Because I didn't want to feel guilty. But was that really the case? I began to question myself. But shook my head since there's no point in probing further.
What I had to do was get over this situation as fast as possible.
With that thought, I entered her room, reluctant as I was.