Well, what can I say? If the girls had come to their senses a little earlier, they might have been knocked off. But the guys saw through the situation first. And as a result — the draw (after all!) among only girls. I don't know who was having more fun at that hour, the teacher or the students. But I know one important detail — no one can force you to be either a prefect or an assistant. It is not prescribed in any Japanese school. Always and everywhere these two school positions are voluntary. But year after year, students either forget about it, or they don't notice it on purpose. However, it doesn't matter to me. They never tried to get me anywhere. And that's bread.
The next morning, when I was meditating over the water boiling in the kettle, the doorbell rang, behind which I was surprised to see a crumpled Tire dressed in a tracksuit.
— Good morning, Shinji.
"Good morning," I replied, still surprised. It was too painful for the girl to look unusual, or more precisely, uncertain. I don't see this very often.
—And I see you're almost ready for a run," she said, looking me up and down.
I also looked at my shorts and bare torso.
— Yes... almost. — We look at each other, we are silent. — Come on, what's on the threshold to stand.
He stepped aside to make way for her and, closing the door, followed her into the living room.
— Tea, coffee? I blurted out, just to fill the silence. She doesn't look like herself. I saw her like this the last time... when was it? Well, yes, about three years ago. She used to be embarrassed in my presence back then.
— Come on, if you don't mind, I'd rather make tea myself.
Aha-a-a! That's the thing. The great Teacher Shin-san has come to apologize! And judging by the fact that she is embarrassed, not annoyed, Kagami was still able to hammer into her head an understanding of what she was doing at my house. Wow, how the hint of the keys turned out.
— I don't mind. You know more about tea than I do.
Blushing for some reason after my words, the girl disappeared into the kitchen. Looking at Sheena carrying a tray of tea, I thought that now she looks very homely and appropriate. Despite the tracksuit, which did not fit into this picture. Maybe it's because of my lack of empathy? Of course, I don't feel anything concrete, but maybe the general emotional background? Usually, the tire is annoyed about something, but now ... no, it's unlikely. It's all nonsense. If that were the case, I would have noticed long ago.
Putting the tray on the table, she put one of the cups in front of me. I put the second cup opposite, and a small teapot in the middle. Taking the tray, she went back to the kitchen. When she returned, she sat down opposite me.
— Here, — she began the conversation after a couple of minutes, putting a bunch of keys on the table. — Mom asked me to tell you that no one else has copies.
Mm, how interesting. And why did they need as many as five copies of my keys? For every member of the family, or what? But what is there to ask now? Especially at the Tire. Unable to resist, he grinned, imagining Kagami kicking the imperturbable old man, demanding to give her the key.
- what? — Sheena reacted to my chuckle. Embarrassed and indignant at the same time.
— Yes, I imagined how your mother takes the key from your grandfather.
—That's right," she smiled back. "Especially considering she's had a key all along." My father has another one, I have one, and Uesugi-san has one.
— Who?
— Uesugi Saburo is the head of the security of the quarter.
— Clearly.
By the way, Kagami said that no one else has the keys, but she did not say that this will continue. And she understands that I understand. I wonder if Sheena realizes she's a scapegoat? They just handed it over to me along with apologies, which, by the way, I haven't heard yet.
After looking at the keys, he looked up at the girl:
— And? What's next?
"I'm sorry, Shinji. "Why didn't you brainwash her for the first time, Kagami—san?" Or did something interfere? — I really went too far.
No, well, that's a parasite, isn't it? Like I did everything right, I just went too far that time. And I rolled out my lip. And most importantly, she believes in her own words. Nah, she's incorrigible after all.
I wasn't even offended by her words, a tire is a tire. If you want justice, stay away from her.
— Oh, baby, what are you all the same ... a-a-a, — I waved my hand at her, smiling. — Let's go for a run.
— What is it? What else don't you like?
Today I had to wait for Raydon at the gate. Not that we had any agreement on this, but I thought that there was still time before lessons, so if I made a mistake and he is sitting in class now, then I will not lose anything from this. And if I'm right, it will strengthen our budding friendship a little more. Although I'm being stupid again, I can call him. Eh, times are beggarly, I was trembling over every penny on the phone then. Here, it seems, and aukaetsya. Just as I was about to dial Raydon's number, I saw him right there. He was walking from the parking lot, with a briefcase slung over his shoulder, in the company of some girl, judging by the color of the bow - the second year of study. Sister, it seems.
— Hi, Shinji. Let me introduce you to my sister, Ohayashi Aneko. — An older sister named "older sister". Cool. — And this, little sister, is the same Sakurai Shinji.
—Ohayashi-san," I bowed.
—Sakurai-san," she replied with her bow.
What can you say about Raydon's sister? Damn attractive person. Feminine, despite her seventeen teenage years, with long eyelashes, honey-colored hair and a strong-willed, without rigidity, face. That's really the big sister. She reminded me of Kagami in some way.
— Let me point out that one can only sympathize with your brother. Looking after such a beautiful older sister is not the easiest thing," I said, putting on a half—smile on my face.
Here's a tire, for example, would answer something like: Aneko just smiled, slightly closing her eyes and tilting her head. I think I passed the lice check. We can say goodbye for today.
"Well, I think I'll go, Raydon. Don't be late for lessons.
— And he says it every time. Since high school. As if I'm an avid truant," the guy muttered as soon as his sister moved away.
"You're lucky to have her, Ray, I'll tell you what.
"I don't know. We'd better go, it'll be a joke if we're really late.
The joke happened when we almost collided in the doorway with the girl from the day before, who again froze in front of us. What a kawaii she is after all. But it was difficult to pass by her this time, because she froze right in the doorway.
— You know, in my opinion, she's still offended by you.
— A girl… Oh-ho-ho. What have I done to you?
— Maybe we should go somewhere? It's kind of scary to push it away. What if he screams?
— Ha, from resentment, right?
— No, but you have to admit, her face doesn't pull at fear either.
Glancing behind the girl, I saw the class watching us curiously.
— If you act, then decisively, — and with these words carefully closed the door in front of the girl's nose. — Everyone, retreat. Where are you going? In the direction of the men's room, we retreat.
Quickly rushing to the toilet, they took an observation position there. For three whole minutes the door remained closed. But now she moved aside, and the black-haired little girl, taking a step outside, abruptly turned around and stared at the classroom with an angry expression. After waiting a couple of moments, she turned up her nose and went about her business.
— Phew, what was she doing in our class anyway? Raydon asked rhetorically.
— Let's go better, at the same time and find out the answer to your question.
We got to our desks under the crossfire of many glances. And after sitting down and putting things out, they were attacked by Aketi Kame-ko — another cutie with black hair. Standing in front of our desks and putting her hands on her hips, she asked:
"What did you do to my sister?"
"You should take it easy with your words, Akechi-san. It sounds too ambiguous," I replied.
Sister, then. So we found out who she is.
— And? And... ahem... what did you do to her?
—Nothing, Akechi-chan,— Raydon chimed in. "We didn't know who she was until that moment.
— You're lying, sis wouldn't... she… You're lying! This behavior is uncharacteristic for her. She wouldn't freeze for no reason. No one would.
"And we completely agree with you, Akechi—san. But we really don't know.
In response to my words, she grimaced:
— I don't like being addressed as "you".
"To be honest, we ourselves would like to know the reasons for your sister's similar behavior," I continued. — You could see for yourself that this creates problems for us. But we really don't know. We can't even apologize if we're guilty of something.
Kameko's face took on a puzzled expression, and Raydon clearly wanted to say something to my last words. Apparently, the fact that the girl reacts so to me, and not to us. But he kept silent.
"But... okay, I'll find out anyway. And if you are guilty of something, you will regret it very much.
"Have it your way, Akechi—chan. I hope if we're really guilty of something, you'll let us know before... you start making us feel sorry? To know that you need to apologize.
— Absolutely. You'll be one of the first to know," she finished. And with a still frowning face, she went to her desk.
And at the next break, Raydon enlightened me a little about the Akechi clan.
Like any clan, it does different things, but it has risen on the sale of tea, and is famous for this. It competes quite successfully with such tea magnates as the Indian Mirasi Khel clan and the Chinese Ai Lao. It turns out that Gyokuro hogioku tea, which Kagami supplies me with, is very expensive, and we owe its appearance to the Akechi clan. And there are some very elite varieties that are not even sold and that can only be received as a gift. Military strength is average, influence is slightly above average, fame is high. An old clan with relatively few clans. He is a member of the council of clans under the emperor, in which there are only twelve seats. Considering that there are a little more than a hundred clans in Japan, this is a very bad achievement. Although membership in the council does not give anything, in fact. Like a class leader at school.