Afternoon.
Suzumiya Chisato glanced to his left, where the seat next to him was empty.
The cold, aloof girl who always wore a 'stay away' expression was absent from class.
Her books were on the desk, and her bag was hanging beside it, so it didn't seem like she had left school during lunch like yesterday.
"If it's Touma-san, she's probably resting somewhere again." After class, Satoshi, who had turned around, commented.
Chisato, while organizing his notes, gave him a curious look.
"Why are you suddenly telling me this?"
"Because you seem really concerned about her. You kept glancing at the empty seat during class."
"Are you a moth or something? Eyes in the back of your head?"
Satoshi laughed and held up his pen. The silver cap of the pen reflected the surroundings like a mirror.
Chisato put away his notebook and took out the book for the next class.
"I just found the class boring and was looking out the window to relax."
"Math is pretty dull, so this is the perfect time for a pick-me-up."
Satoshi pulled out a can of soda from his desk and handed it to Chisato.
"You were drinking this yesterday, right?"
"You even remembered that?"
"Don't get too emotional."
'No... when a guy does something like this, it just makes me feel a bit uneasy.'
'But since he's being nice, I can't say something so rude.'
"Thanks." Chisato took the drink and had a sip.
"But are you really okay with this?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about Touma-san, of course."
"..." Chisato quietly drank his soda.
"Skipping class and being late is pretty common for her, but you never know—she might have had an accident, or maybe she's in the nurse's office with a stomach ache or an injury."
Satoshi spoke seriously.
Chisato leaned back in his chair and casually brushed his bangs aside. "Aren't you afraid Touma will find out and kick you where it hurts for saying that?"
"I'm only telling you."
"I only told you, didn't I?"
Looking at the class president who had been smiling the whole time, his eyes narrowed into slits, Chisato bit lightly on the edge of the can, half-smiling at him.
Satoshi propped his elbows on the desk, resting his chin on his palms, a worried expression on his face.
"Even though this is just a sudden and baseless assumption, if Touma Kazusa is really lying in the school's infirmary right now, all alone with no one to care for her, don't you think that's kind of sad?"
"Riddlers should leave Gotham City. In movies, people who talk in riddles either get stabbed to death or die in some forgotten garbage dump."
"Haha, no need to be so harsh."
"Is Touma injured?" Chisato asked for confirmation.
"I'm not sure, but we could check it out and find out."
Satoshi practically admitted it. He glanced at his watch.
"The bell rings in seven minutes. What's your plan?"
"...Aren't you the class president?"
"If being class president were that useful, I would have made everyone in the class get along by now."
He sighed dramatically, "When you're not feeling well, it's always better to have a friend by your side, right?"
What's up with this guy? Is he really the essential sidekick character from a dating sim?
He was just joking around in his head, but now it's actually happening!
Chisato put his unfinished drink on the desk and walked out of the classroom without looking back.
"Good luck!" Satoshi waved, still smiling as he watched Chisato leave.
Chisato quickened his pace and headed to the infirmary. The gentle and kind school nurse greeted him with a smile.
"Well, well, if it isn't the gentleman."
This was the nickname she had given him yesterday when he brought Gotoh Hitori here.
Even though Chisato wasn't fond of this embarrassing title, he couldn't change the nurse's quirky sense of humor.
"Is there something wrong with you this time?"
Nurse Karikawa motioned for him to sit on the small stool in front of her so she could check his condition.
Chisato walked over slowly, bent down slightly, but didn't sit.
"Sensei, I'm not feeling unwell."
"So, you're here to see a classmate, then."
Nurse Karikawa noticed how his gaze kept drifting towards the bed with the curtains drawn around it. She lowered her voice, a knowing smile on her face.
"Ah, youth. Touma-san will be happy to have a visit from you, Mr. Gentleman. Don't worry, I won't tell Goto-san."
"...Sensei, it's fine if you tell her, and my name is Suzumiya Chisato."
"Yes, I know, Mr. Gentleman."
"..."
'Fine, whatever makes you happy.'
He then asked about Touma Kazusa's condition.
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. Touma-san just lost her footing and fell down the stairs."
Nurse Karikawa described what sounded like a serious incident in the most casual tone.
"Did she sprained her ankle?"
"No, she hurt her... bottom."
"???"
Nurse Karikawa didn't want to explain further.
"You can ask Touma-san about the details yourself."
"Thank you, Sensei." Chisato walked over to the curtained bed but didn't pull it open immediately.
"Touma-san?"
"..."
There was no response from the other side, but he could hear the sound of a blanket being dragged across the bed.
"What?" After a moment, Touma Kazusa answered curtly, her tone emotionless.
Chisato pulled the curtain aside and stepped in.
"Hey!" Touma Kazusa, lying face down on the bed with a pillow hugged to her chest, glared at him with a deeply dissatisfied expression.
Chisato drew the curtain closed again and sat down at the edge of the bed, his gaze shifting downward to where her bottom was covered by the thin blanket.
"What are you looking at?!"
This time, her dissatisfaction was mixed with genuine anger.
"Don't be so distant with a classmate who came all the way to visit you."
Chisato easily caught the pillow she tossed at him, trying to calm her down.
"Who asked you to come?! Go back!"
Seeing a notification pop up in front of him indicating an increase in affection points, Chisato shook his head.
"The next class is PE. You can skip it. The teacher asked me to stay here and take care of you."
"What nonsense are you talking about? The next class is World History!"
Chisato looked at her in surprise.
"…You actually remember the class schedule."
Touma Kazusa was momentarily speechless, her cheeks flushing slightly. She seemed embarrassed that he noticed this fact.
She turned her face away and lay back down on the bed, refusing to speak. But then, an untimely "growl" echoed from her stomach.
"Didn't have lunch?"
"…It's none of your business! Just go back already!"
"Alright…"
Chisato nodded lightly and stood up.
"Wait here. I'll go get you something to eat."
"I told you to leave! Don't you understand the words?!"
"Don't shout in the infirmary. You'll bother the teacher."
"And whose fault do you think that is?!"
"I'll be right back. Don't run off… Oh, right, I forgot. You're injured now, so you couldn't run even if you wanted to."
"!!!"
Ignoring the girl who, with her target gone, could only pound the bed in frustration, Chisato walked toward the school shop, watching as more affection points notifications popped up in front of him.
What's this? Even though she's been putting up a front, deep down, she's being pretty honest with herself.
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