…
A few days later…
In a classroom at Itan High School…
A gloomy figure that resembled a small pink slug squirmed in her seat.
"It's already halfway through the week!"
"You've wasted almost half a week!"
"I'm such a useless waste!"
"But what can you expect when I barely have the courage to respond to the teachers… how do you expect a slug like me to go after that handsome guy…"
Ring
The sound of the bell seemed to wake the pink-haired girl from her deep thoughts.
Then, gathering all her courage, the girl stood up, left the classroom, and started walking.
…
Classroom 1-C
Hitori was standing in front of the boy's classroom.
She had heard through rumors that the young man was in the same class as Komi-Sama, so it was easy to find him.
Now standing in front of the classroom door with her phone in her hands, Hitori couldn't stop her autism from kicking in, and a feeling of dread overwhelmed her.
"…"
shaking
"No! I definitely can't do this!" thought the girl in panic, about to turn around and escape.
At that moment, the door opened.
Najimi: "Oh? Hitori-Chan, what are you doing here?" said a wild Najimi who emerged through the door.
"!!!"
Hitori: "Eh… Um… I… I was just…" the girl panicked as she began trembling.
In the middle of her transformation into a Picasso painting, Najimi in front of her saw what the girl was holding.
Najimi: "Oh? This is…" said the girl with some confusion.
Then she thought of something and smiled mischievously.
She took Hitori's hand and entered, using her most shrill voice to speak.
Najimi: "Tadano-Kuuuun～ a fan has come to confess to you!" she exclaimed as if she were a megaphone.
"C-Confess?!"
At that moment, Hitori's mind completely exploded.
In record time, everyone saw Hitori's drawing style change to that of an abstract painting.
Najimi couldn't help but burst out laughing at Hitori's reaction.
Bonk
Najimi: "That hurts, Tadano-Kun…" she said with some resentment.
Tadano: "Don't bully people, if you keep this up, I won't cover for you next time and I'll let Nene drag you to do the paperwork."
Najimi: "Hmph! D-Don't think that I-I'm scared!" she said in a trembling voice, trying to put on an arrogant front.
Tadano: "Oh? Then how about I stop letting you copy my homework?"
smack
Najimi: "Oh great lord! Please have mercy on this humble servant!" she exclaimed loudly while doing a full Dogeza.
Ignoring Najimi, Tadano approached the trembling Hitori.
Tadano: "So, tell me Pochi… Cough I mean, Gotou-San, what do you need…" said the young man with the gentlest smile he could muster.
When Hitori heard his voice, she reacted, but it seemed like she was dazzled by how bright the handsome boy in front of her looked.
Seeing how close he was, she couldn't contain herself, and at that moment, she was about to flee.
However…
grab
She felt the young man's hand take hers; she tried to pull away but couldn't escape.
With no other option, she turned her head and faced him.
Hitori: "Um… I-I… I came t-to give you this…" she said while handing over the phone with trembling hands.
Tadano looked at the phone and was surprised, then quickly took it.
Tadano: "This is great Po… I mean, this is great Gotou-San. As a thank you, how about we have lunch together…" he said with a big smile.
This was too much for Hitori, and her first instinct was to run, but then she remembered the firm hand holding hers, so she had to reconsider.
Hitori: "Um… I-I don't k-know if I'd be w-welcome…" she said shyly.
Tadano: "Nonsense… of course, you're welcome, right, guys?"
Everyone nodded.
Najimi: "Hehe, it's been a while since I hung out with Hitori-Chan. I hope you're not mad at me for it…" she said playfully.
Shinobino: "As long as the Shogun says so, this ninja accepts…" he said with a nod.
Charai: "Welcome… want a grape soda?" he said in a friendly tone.
Sonoda: "Get rid of that disgusting stuff! Obviously, she'd prefer a cola!" he said, pushing his friend aside.
Charai: "What did you say? Say it to my face!"
Sonoda: "Whenever you want!"
Both boys squared off like a pair of rabid dogs.
Bonk
Nene: "Sorry about that, ignore these two idiots and sit with us…" the girl apologized while giving both boys a hard hit on the head.
Kaede: Stare … "Yes… join us, you're welcome…" she said in her characteristic calm and slow tone.
Nakanaka: "It's always good to add new members to the Party!" she said with exaggerated gestures.
Yamai: Sigh "Please ignore that idiot… are you hungry? I can give you one of my Onigiris," she said kindly.
Nakanaka: "Who are you calling an idiot? Smelly Yamai!" said the girl in frustration.
Yamai: "Who are you calling smelly, four-eyed brat?" the young woman replied.
Both of them stared at each other like two cats about to jump into a big fight.
Inaka: "Want some omelet?" said the freckled girl, completely ignoring the fighting pair beside her.
Everyone welcomed Hitori, but the most excited was Shouko.
Her eyes sparkled like stars, and she couldn't help but let cat ears pop out from the excitement.
Shouko felt a kindred spirit in Hitori.
Hitori felt the same and slowly approached.
Not long after, Hitori was surrounded by the group, and they began chatting.
…
Meanwhile, Tadano smiled with amusement and excitement.
Kaede and Nene sat on either side of him.
Kaede: "So?"
Nene: "Are you going to tell us what it is about that girl that has you so excited?"
Tadano: "Haha, am I that obvious?"
They both nodded…
Tadano: "That girl is a musical prodigy, and I want her for my company."
Nene: "Really? She seems pretty normal to me…"
Kaede nodded in agreement with Nene.
Tadano: "By any chance, do you know the YouTube channel under the pseudonym 'GuitarHero'?" he asked with a mysterious tone.
Kaede: "Oh! So it's her?" said the girl as she cutely hit her palm with her fist.
Nene: "Now that you mention it, I remember seeing one of her videos doing a cover of your songs…"
Tadano: "Hehe, that girl is very shy by nature, but her talent is undeniable. If I can do the same with her that I did with Shouko, I'll have a precious diamond in the palm of my hand," he said with an arrogant smile.
This smile didn't sit well with either of the girls, who pulled at his cheeks.
Tadano: "That hurts, you know?" he said, rubbing his cheeks.
Kaede and Nene: "We don't care…"
Tadano: "…"
Then both girls went over to chat with the peculiar Hitori.
Author's note: "I know it took me longer than usual, but I've been a bit busy lately. Well, here's a chapter for you to enjoy. Remember to drink plenty of water, and I love you all. Sincerely, your favorite depressed author."
-------------------------- nwnr