Chapter 783 - 'Friends'

With my suggestion of saving the activity for next week, Eguchi-sensei only had us do some light exercises before moving on to the lecture.

Because the lecture became ‘sit where you want to’, my girls, or specifically Aya and Satsuki, prepared a place for me to sit after Eguchi-sensei relieved me from my duty as her Student Assistant.

The two sat on the back while Chii, Nami, Hina and Saki were sitting in front. The way the latter four settled down on that spot was purely incidental though which made it less obvious that they crowded on where I would. Moreover, Chii’s gyaru friends, Kanzaki, Kikuchi became a wall that separated the girls from Sakuma, the three cowards in their circle as well as Fukuda along with his lackeys.

Well, to call them a wall was kinda rude but because of them, those hopeful idiots couldn’t even talk to the girls they wanted to talk to.

Ah. I guess Sakuma shouldn’t be lumped in their category anymore. The guy was already focused on how he would be able to turn the situation around concerning Setsuna. Satsuki would also try not to be too harsh on him anymore. There might still be few lingering feelings on his part because of the instances where he was unlucky enough to be in the vicinity on or before our intimate moments but that’s already negligible. He even ran away yesterday.

Considering I might be the one who topped that classroom-level popularity poll, I found their eyes following me when I walked over to take my place between Aya and Satsuki. Moreover, due to the resulting sitting arrangement, the not-so-obvious crowding of the girls in this particular corner became rather eye-catching to those who would care enough to observe. Although it didn’t appear as if I was placed inside a circle of pretty and cute girls, I was still surrounded by them.

Well, no one commented about that. At least, none of the girls in our class but the boys, as well as those from Class 3, were whispering among themselves while pointing in our direction.

We did act oblivious on the surface. However, because I would be making it up to the two for the lost chance earlier, we’re sitting closer than normal to sneakily be intimate outside of their prying eyes.

Fortunately, Eguchi-sensei soon started the lecture, releasing us from the pressure of doing everything covertly.

An hour later, the lecture was over. The students quickly piled out of the Gymnasium

As I didn’t want to disturb Eguchi-sensei’s lecture, I held off on giving the hairclip back to Satsuki. However, right when I did that, I caught Misaki looking in our direction. Or more specifically, to the girl to whom I returned the hairclip.

And while dragging the annoyed Itou with her, she quickly walked towards us. She’s beaming with an overly friendly and energetic smile but at the same time, she looked too innocent despite her refined gestures. Devoid of her sullen expression from earlier when I asked for the hairclip earlier, Misaki’s eyes only stopped at me for a second as it quickly focused on Satsuki.

“Uhm… G-greetings? I’m Minamoto Misaki.”

With her greeting and introduction sounding stiff, Satsuki raised an eyebrow.

Perhaps thinking the girl was frowning at her, Misaki almost let out a yelp as she tried to step back and turn around.

But before she could turn to Itou who was behind her, her eyes caught me.

The forehead girl quickly hid behind me while peering from the gap of my arm at Satsuki like a scared little child.

Seeing all that, Aya, who was silently watching the proceedings, giggled softly.

As for Satsuki, given that I became Misaki’s shield, she also raised an eyebrow at me which I could somehow read the intention, “Really? You’re going to shield her?”

That’s what she seemed to say. That’s why I quickly shook my head and pulled the girl to my front.

“Misaki, what are you scared of? She’s not going to bite you… Anyway, let me introduce you to each other.”

Although I sounded neutral there, Satsuki’s displeasure continued to rise. Nonetheless, I kept a smile on my lips as I acted as a mediator between them.

Reintroducing Misaki and in turn, introducing Satsuki.

Obviously, since Misaki’s perception of relationships only reached friends and family, she also asked me if Satsuki is my friend.

I answered with a wink which puzzled the forehead girl but Satsuki, upon seeing that we were the only ones left in the Gymnasium, stepped forward to pull me towards her. Following that, she had me face Misaki before slipping her arms from behind me, her chin anchoring on my shoulder.

And using a rather superior tone, she announced, “See this? I can be this close to him.”

Speechless at the sight of Satsuki hugging me, Misaki’s paper fan opened and covered her agape mouth.

“My, you two sure are close. How enviable.” It was a minute later before she could squeeze out that kind of response. But with her eyes alternating between Satsuki and me, I could glimpse some kind of desire to get the same treatment from me.

I acted oblivious to that though. It’s bad enough that I somehow favored her, as my only friend. If I hugged her that intimately then I would be doing my girls wrong.

From behind her, I saw the annoyed Itou biting her lips. Whatever’s going on in her mind, it’s clearly not elation. Besides, for her to be silent all this time, she either didn’t want to talk to me or she just didn’t know how to.

A while later, Satsuki, satisfied with Misaki’s reaction, released me and relaxed her expression. She put on a smile which made that forehead girl elated.

After the two somehow ended up becoming ‘friends’ as well, I also introduced the silent Aya. Since she’s here then there’s no way I would leave her out.

However, after that introduction, Aya stood in front of me. Her shoulders excitedly shook.

Well, it’s obvious, she wanted the same treatment. Unlike what Satsuki did, the girl wanted to be on the receiving end.

Due to that, right in front of Misaki’s eyes, she watched how Aya received what she’s trying to hint at me earlier.

If seeing Satsuki hugging me like that made her surprised that she needed a minute to recover, then seeing me hugging Aya intimately made the girl puff her rosy cheeks in envy. She even forgot to fix the fringes covering her forehead.

And once again, she stared at me with pleading eyes. Openly hoping for me to indulge her.

Unfortunately, although I didn’t act as oblivious as earlier, I intentionally interpreted it wrongly, I moved towards her and stroked her hair like earlier.

It was at this point that Itou finally decided to open her mouth, “Misa, let’s go.”

Looking at her retreating figure, the girl was trying her hardest not to put me in her eyes. Maybe because she thought she’d just be annoyed at my face. Or if there were other reasons, only that girl could say what it was.

“Eh? Maaya-sama, I’m n-not done yet.”

Misaki almost stuttered as she seemed to be in a dilemma on whether to follow Itou or remain here with me.

But to make her decide easily, I removed my hand from her head. “Mhm. You should go now, Misaki. Don’t let Itou wait.”

“…Uhm. I understand. See you soon, Ruki, Satsuki and Ayase. It has been a pleasure meeting and becoming friends with you two.”

Her voice was full of reluctance but still, she managed to show a refreshing smile before running towards Itou who glared at me one last time before leading the innocent forehead girl away.

A while later, I also escorted the two outside. Since I would be going home right after my duty at the Student Council, I was already planning to use this free time before the end of school hours to spend more time with them.

Uh… about Misaki… Honestly, it’s too obvious that with these two instances today, the girl had grown somewhat attached to me. I hope I was just overthinking things and that’s not what’s happening…

However, with all the clues she exhibited as well as the result of my own observations, it’s more than likely that the girl thought that hugging someone intimately like that was a sign of being close friends… Just that, she only witnessed it from me and the two girls. Let’s just hope it won't corrupt her mind…

Satsuki and Aya surely got jealous of my treatment of Misaki which resulted for the tsundere to show that. Fortunately, I got my wits on me not to do the same for the innocent girl. It’s a tempting thought but that would mean losing my only friend.. I mean, I would surely be more inclined to make her mine if that happened.