The classrooms of class 2A and 2B were noisy. However, in front of our very own 2C classroom, absolutely silence reigned. Looking inside from the hallway, you could see most of our classmates already seated. In the center of that classroom, I spotted an unfamiliar back with their arms crossed.
However, the black ponytail hanging down the person's back was all too familiar to me, as I saw that just recently. It looked like a cute animal more than anything.
"Alright, forget about me, and just go on ahead, Ashida."
"No can do! I'm not letting you force me with some idiotic Ladies First principle!"
"Then, Natsu—"
"Huh?"
"Ah, I-I'm sorry…"
With Natsukawa giving me a 'Hurry up already' glare, I couldn't exactly force her to take the hit for me. I am your pet, thus order me whatever you please. As I was scouting out the situation inside the classroom, I happened to meet eyes with Senpai. Without wasting a breath, she immediately walked towards the exit of the classroom, opening the window in front of her.
"I thought you wouldn't come for the morning roll call."
"G-Good morning… Shinomiya-senpai."
"Yes, good morning…'Yamazaki'-kun." Smirk. "I was really surprised, you know? When I went to check out the first-year classrooms with Yuyu, I could only find a single boy called 'Yamazaki', see."
"No, you have the wrong idea about this, Senpai. He really exists. There is a phantom Yamazaki—"
"Sajou-kun."
"Yes."
"I'm waiting for you at the same place during lunch break."
"Yes."
With a frozen grin on her face, Shinomiya-senpai walked past me. Inatomi-senpai with her big red ribbon followed after. She showed me an apologetic expression, but stayed silent all the same. When I looked into the classroom, a monster fuelled by rage approached me.
"Sajouuuuu! You used me, you bastard!"
"Yamazaki…"
"Huuuh!? What do you want!?"
"Wasn't…Shinomiya-senpai your type?"
"Ah…? I mean…I guess she is, yeah…"
"…Did you talk to her?"
"I sure did, but…"
"Good for you, Yamazaki."
"…Yeah."
With skilled communicative talent, I had Yamazaki shut up, and made him return to this seat in silence. Natsukawa looked at me with a suspicious expression, but eventually let up, and went to her own seat. She must have been tired from all this ruckus in the early morning. However, the same couldn't be said about the girl next to me, looking at my face like I was the devil reincarnated.
"Sajocchi! Why was Rin-sama looking for you…!?"
"Some stuff happened, and she asked for my name…I thought that having the president of the public morals committee remember my name would be troublesome, so I just happened to blurt out a lie…"
"Moron! You already got a favor from her, and yet…!"
"What are you on about…"
Shinomiya Rin, the president of the public morals committee, is known as a cool beauty amassing skyrocketing popularity with boys and girls, but especially the female part of her fanbase is seeing her as a prince more than a girl. Seems like Ashida is one part of that, huh. Personally, I already have an idol that I'm satisfied with.
"Huh? That reminds me, you came with Aichi…?"
"Nah, we met in the hallway."
"Huh, I see."
I glanced over at Natsukawa, who already sat on her seat. She was resting her chin on her hands, seemingly out of energy. Alright, very cute. Also, sorry about my Sis and her folks.
That reminds me, besides me or Ashida, I rarely see Natsukawa talk and laugh together with someone else. Judging from the surroundings, there seem to be some students who are interested in talking to her, but…As long as I'm not with her, that should be resolved naturally.
*
"Pizza steamed bun…?"
"Bought it at the school store."
"You don't have any intention of apologizing, correct?"
"No no, I properly bought two of them. You must know what my intention is with this, right? Have one."
"Yuyu is sitting right next to me."
"Here you go, a spare triangular chocolate pie."
"Spare…"
This was the student guidance counselling room. Right at the beginning of my interrogation, Shinomiya-senpai gave me an annoyed look. If you look at me like that, with you right in front of me in such a narrow room, I might just end up like Ashida. At the same time, Inatomi-senpai gave me a bewildered glance. I guess I don't look like a proper human being in her eyes.
I forced my presents onto Shinomiya-senpai, who pointed at an empty chair in front of her.
"Whatever, have a seat."
"Understood, my queen."
"You don't need to be that humble about it…But, sure."
I sat down on the seat, and faced the two Senpais. This makes me feel like I'm participating in some job interview. Well, I'd probably be less nervous in that case.
"Now then, why did you lie to me, 'Sajou'."
Ohh, she's basically saying that I have no more chance of escaping. But, this'll be fine. Since Senpai has a straightforward and impulsive personality, I can figure out pretty much what she's going to say. That's why I'll be straightforward and honest with my own feelings as well.
"It felt like having the public morals committee president know my name would be nothing but trouble, so I reflexively blurted out my classmate's name instead."
"Wha…!? I-I appreciate the honesty. However, you were just pushing the trouble onto your classmate."
"It's fine, Yamazaki was happy."
"I-I see…No, I still don't get it! Why would you hate it, and he likes it!?"
I believe that would be quite embarrassing for Yamazaki if I had to say that. Well, whatever. In the end, he'll be happy about it either way, so heck it. Just when I was thinking that, I saw Inatomi-senpai showing an understanding nod.
"Seems like Inatomi-senpai knows what I'm talking about."
"Y-Yesh…!? U-Um…!"
"Hey now, no scaring Yuyu, okay."
"I'm terribly sorry."
"I was joking, so why do you immediately apologize…"
Because I felt disgusted at myself for scaring such a cute and adorable little animal. If I didn't apologize, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. I'm sorry for being a man. I'm sure that if I was a handsome guy, the reaction would be different. Reality is often disappointing.
"U-Um…! What should I even say…"
Her panicking is cute as well. I wonder who she'll choose as her partner in the future. After punching that lucky guy in the face, I want to push his back so that they get married already.
"U-Um…Just as you said, Sajou-kun, I'm sure that Yamazaki-kun would be happy because Rin-san is so beautiful."
"Wha…H-Hey! No need for awful jokes like that, Yuyu!"
"I-I'm not joking…"
"…I kind of feel bad now, Yamazaki."
It almost seems like I'm using Yamazaki's macho side in order to defuse Shinomiya-senpai's anger by praising her, which she is clearly not used to. I'm not doing anything, though.
"Mmmgh…! A-Anyway, you can't lie to others because of such a reason, Sajou."
"Alright…"
Since Shinomiya-senpai is beloved by many, a real normie you'd see everywhere, there's no way she would understand how a lonely student sitting in the corner of the classroom would feel…is what I selfishly assumed, but seeing all these thriving reactions and emotions from her, that might not have been the case after all.
I'm aware of my average potential. My way of thinking is about as generic as it can get. Surely, most other 'normal' students would choose a similar way of handling things. Just as I used a fake name for convenience, she must have been avoiding this idea the entire time. Not because she's the president of the public morals committee president, but rather because people who have no confidence in themselves genuinely fear direct contact with people greatly excelling them.
That's especially the case with girls. Add together a beautiful appearance together with a strong mind, that'll subconsciously create a wall towards the people around you, which is why less and less will deal with you.
Thinking that far, I can't help but sympathize with Shinomiya-senpai after all. She might just be going through a kind of sadness that I can't hope to understand.
"I'll be more careful from now on. I'm very sorry."
"Indeed, that you should."
"Yes. Then, if you would excuse me."
"Yeah, once another chance arises."
"Indeed."
"Eh…"
I'm honestly pretty grateful that I got to talk with a beauty like Shinomiya-senpai, but being in too much contact with the public morals committee will just get me too much attention from the outside. Rather than dealing with normies, people in power are much more bothersome. A peaceful daily life is the most important. And, I thought I had been doing a solid in that, and yet I'm sitting here in the student guidance counselling room.
Maybe using a different name was a misjudgement after all…Wait, why did they even figure out that I used a fake name?
"—W-Wait…Please wait…!"
"!"
I heard a faint and desperate voice reach my ears. That voice clearly didn't belong to Shinomiya-senpai either, so I arrived at a single conclusion. And, as I turned around—My, cute…A high school girl with a ribbon is something like an endangered species nowadays. I need to treasure this, and protect—Of course, just joking.
Turning around, I saw Inatomi-senpai, forming a small fist in front of her chest. Shinomiya-senpai sat next to her, looking at the girl in shock.
"…Ah, I forgot." The dear public morals committee president muttered.
"Senpai? I heard that just now." I subconsciously threw in a retort.
Inatomi-senpai gave Shinomiya-senpai an annoyed glance, making me assume that there must have been some other business here unrelated to the lecture I just got. Well, not like Inatomi-senpai would need to be here for that. Should have figured that they went around searching for me…Alright, I got it.
"Then, if you would excuse me."
"Now hold on a second!"
Right as I wanted to run away from the student guidance counselling room, Shinomiya-senpai grabbed onto me. Ehehe, I was caught. Then again, grabbing me instead of simply calling out to me is very much like Senpai.
"Hey…! Did you really try to walk away despite everything!?"
"Ehhh? Didn't you keep me here, Senpai~?"
"No! Lecturing you wasn't the main goal! Stop talking like that!"
I resigned myself after a half-baked joke attempt to run away, and sat down on my seat again. In response, Inatomi-senpai let out a relieved sigh. Ahh, I'm being healed just by watching her. Also, mental note. Jokes don't work well with Shinomiya-senpai.
"Not the main goal?"
"That's right, that's why Yuyu is here."
Because of Shinomiya-senpai's words, I glanced over at Inatomi-senpai. I thought she'd be scared again, but she actually properly looked me in the eyes, despite her body quivering ever so slightly.
"Yuyu was always hung up on not accepting your kindness before, so she properly wanted to thank you now."
"Thank me…? I didn't even help her though?"
"Don't be like that. Hear her out at least." Shinomiya-senpai shrugged her shoulders, and looked at Inatomi-senpai again.
She indeed is cute, and I already feel like I'm being healed just by looking at her, but receiving her full attention is still pretty tense. I could see how Inatomi-senpai was trying her best to muster up her courage, carefully thinking about which words to choose, which led my tense feelings to vanish as well. Still, I feel like watching her from afar is much more relaxing than this up close.
"U-Um…back then…I'm sorry that I so rudely rejected your kindness, Sajou-kun."
"Yep."
"A-And also…thanks for calling out to me like that…!"
"…Yeah, don't worry about it."
I was a bit at a loss with these sudden serious words coming from Inatomi-senpai. After I accepted her feelings and nodded along, she showed a clear and relieved expression. What kind of living being is this, are you trying to kill me with your cuteness? I feel like another urge besides watching her is slowly building up inside of me.
"I'll try my best to keep this pace going and fix my problem with boys!"
"..."
...Wat? I felt like a cold shiver running through my body. Even if that disposition can't be helped in any way, that way of phrasing it is a bit…you know? I feel like I've started seeing Senpai in a different light. That was dangerous, I almost blurted out what I was thinking. I don't want to say anything unnecessary here.
"…Yeah…this pace."
"Yes! …Eh...?"
"Thank you for telling me about this. If another chance arises, I will talk with you again. Now then, if you would excuse me."
"Why the rush? …And yeah, just make sure that I don't have to call you here again."
"Right. Then, see you."
Alright, time to head back to the classroom. And then, I'll enjoy watching Natsukawa's face to heal myself (*Hobby). Bend myself, compromise, and enjoy what I was given. The shell of being 'normal' I'll break once I find something I want to do. Until then, I don't feel like working for someone I don't even know. That's why, you all can do as you please.
*
Two girls stepped out of the entrance of the school, hit with the outside air. They were facing the school grounds. Turning left of that was the wall where Wataru had regained his senses. In order to be together with Natsukawa Aika, to still chase after her, Wataru started attending this Private Kouetsu High. It was a high-level school with a large gate and a prestigious flag.
The two girls stood in front of the ground, observing the school gate from the inside.
"It's already summer, isn't it. Weather's growing warmer as well, right, Yuyu."
"Yes…indeed."
"…Yuyu?"
These two girls had just finished their conversation with a certain junior. Shinomiya Rin and Inatomi Yuyu told the boy everything they needed to, and lunch break came to an end—or, that's how it should have been at least.
"What, trembling with excitement? It's true that you're bad at dealing with male students, but with that junior, it didn't explode, did it."
"Yes…comparing it to other boys, it wasn't as bad."
Just as Rin said, Sajou Wataru was a junior of theirs. When Yuyu was tormented because of her attitude towards him, and she found out that he was a junior, he made up her mind to apologize. Even after properly meeting him, and talking to him, witnessing his conversation with the public morals committee president Rin, Yuyu realized that he wasn't a bad person.
"But…I feel like I said something that made him angry…"
"Something that made him angry?" Rin narrowed her eyes, showing a dubious expression.
Since she felt no sense of discomfort during that entire situation, she couldn't help but be confused by Yuyu's words.
"I don't think you said anything odd, and it didn't seem like Sajou was particularly angry…"
"Is…that so. It might have looked that way to you, Rin-san."
"Hm…?"
Yuyu had trouble dealing with men, but she tried her best to be sincere, and keep eye contact. That's why, she couldn't help but think that he only accepted her apology and gratitude in order to get things over with.
"…I don't really know how to explain it, but…Sajou-kun…looked at me with absolute boredom."
"What…? That guy did?"
Of course, Yuyu didn't feel terrified at this lack of interest by any means, as this allowed for easier and more sterile conversation, creating a bare minimum of passion that made it much easier for her in the end. However, receiving this kind of gaze from him right after broadly stating her plan to fix her fear and attitude towards men felt terribly cold.
"Ah, well…I'm sure it must just be my misunderstanding. He got along with Rin-san after all."
"Hmm…"
This is only something Yuyu felt in her own subjective view. There's no guarantee that Sajou Wataru actually thought of her as boring. As for Rin herself, she was thankful for his advice, and didn't think of him as a bad student by any means. However, these words came from none other than Yuyu herself, so Rin couldn't just stay silent.
"Don't worry about it, Yuyu, you are cute."
"W-Where did that come from…"
Rin embraced Yuyu from behind, gently caressing her head. She executed this new method she had learned just recently, doing it to those who looked up at her. Just pull them along, as Wataru said. And after that, leave it to her reliable partners. After a short time, a smile returned to Yuyu's expression.
*
He who first suggests it should be the first to do it—Just like someone in the past had said, there's something more important that I should direct my attention towards right now.
I disregarded my own position, and directed my heart towards something that would forever be out of my reach. I don't think that this was a mistake, at least if it helped me arrange the environment I found myself in.
I'm sure that, even now, I'm reaching out for something that might be in my reach, but definitely isn't.
"…Ah! Sajocchi Sajocchi!"
"…?"
When I entered the classroom, Ashida beckoned me over with a quiet voice. I didn't know what she was on about, but I didn't hesitate and walked over.
"Look, look at that…!"
"? ...Wait, what…!?"
Ashida pointed at a single direction. There, I could see Natsukawa talk with a few female students. Not to mention that they weren't the crude type of girls who just acted as they pleased. They were all normal, and cute girls. Do I need to bring out the red rice to celebrate today?
"Phew…Not bad, Natsukawa."
"Why do you sound like her dad? Ah…Zakki joined in as well."
"I'll kill you, Yamazaki."
"I don't think you're in any position to complain there, Sajocchi."
Grrrr…it can't be helped. There's a few other girls around, so Yamazaki wouldn't act like the typical basketball player (*bias) and try to hit on Natsukawa. I'll overlook this, as the producer of Natsukawa…! Then again, not like I was doing anything…
"Oh yeah, did you not eat lunch with Natsukawa, Ashida?"
"Tried to. But, I gave her a wink, and let her take care of things."
"Huh~"
I can already imagine the annoyed expression of Natsukawa when that happened. Personally, I feel like it'd be better to have Ashida next to Natsukawa as well…Would make it easier for the people around to start a conversation. Still, this is about what I expected. Natsukawa should really be in the center of people. I should have known, but she really isn't made out to be the person who would bother with someone like me…
"Why not join in as well, Ashida? I'll be on guard here."
"What are you protecting…"
Ashida complained, but eventually still joined the group of people around Natsukawa. Thanks to that, everyone including Natsukawa smiled, and a comfortable atmosphere filled the classroom. I feel blessed being her manager. I can surely go for seconds tonight (*Average appetite).
I watched the scenery from the corner of the classroom, as the scenery in the classroom changed to something more peaceful. Just with that, the sweet bread I had with me was much more delicious. Indeed, I'm eating my lunch late as well.
Even to me, from further away, I could tell how the corner with Natsukawa was much more happy-go-lucky and fluffy. Would I have felt the same if I stayed there, or would it have been an uncomfortable sensation like when I was in the middle of Big Sis' group this morning?
Either way, this is the sight of Natsukawa that I wished for. Just by watching her from afar, I felt all the barriers inside of me, which kept me on edge, slowly breaking down.