CH 6

Touma-kun Situation

Translated by AmaLynne

When I woke up in the morning, I was in tears…

I know why…

It was because I had a dream about my mother just before she passed away…

When I was a child, I was not what you would call a nerd.

When I was little, I was more of an active boy, the type who was at the center of the class.

I looked normal, but I was athletic and strong-willed.

Sometimes annoying, but a family-oriented father who works for his family.

A family-oriented mother who always wrapped us in her arms with a smile and a calm demeanor.

Marina, my little sister, who is always cheerful and makes our family happy.

Mother was born with a weak constitution and could not travel or go out much.

She also helped out with the day-to-day living of the family.

Even so, we were a happy family.

But that happiness was almost broken once.

It was because my mother died.

I was 12 years old and my sister was 9.

She was born with a weak body and could not live for a long time.

Mother was weakening, but she was still smiling.

I asked…How can you keep smiling!?

Mother said…It’s because I’m happy.

Of course, I don’t want to die, but I met your father and spent time with you guys, and it was truly a happy day, thank you, she said.

The three of us cried…and cried and cried until our tears dried up.

After that, she wanted to talk to each of us one by one, so we did.

By the way, we still don’t know what each of us is about.

Well, it’s not that I don’t need to tell you.

Because you kind of know what I’m talking about.

But each of us may be keeping our last memories of our mothers in our hearts.

My mother told me this.

「Touma, don’t cry…」

「……I know, I won’t cry……!」

「Touma is a strong boy. I was so happy when you were born. I didn’t think I would be able to have a child. Besides, you grew up to be a healthy and family-friendly child. But mother wishes you would turn that kindness to other people. So, Touma…if you see someone in trouble, help them as much as you can, okay? You are a pain in the ass, and as your mother, I command you to do so…!」

「Mother…you know me so well. All right, I promise as much as I can.」

「Fufufu, I’m sorry. I think you have the power to do that. Can I ask you to take care of your father and Marina for me later?」

「Yes, of course. I’m the eldest son.」

「Fufufu, I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful son…」

Thus ended our private conversation.

I broke my mother’s promise after that, but that’s a long story for another time.

◆◇◆◇◆

Now, it’s back to school.

My school is a public high school.

It has a high standard in the prefecture, but the school rules are loose, so it’s a popular school.

It takes 30~40 minutes from my house, so I took the entrance examination.

There are many reasons, but these are the main ones.

The high ratio of students means that you will not know many people from the same middle school.

The school rules are loose, so students can bring their smartphones and have part-time jobs.

The school is close to my home, so I can go to and from the school in a short time and have time for myself.

However, there is one thing that is troubling me.

I have to keep quiet about the few junior high school students I know.

I’ve told them that if they tell anyone about me, they won’t get a free pass.

But there is one person who ignores me.

His name is Akito Kanzaki.

His nickname is「Akki」or something like that.

He is handsome, smart, athletic, and has a good personality.

Naturally, he is one of the top students in the school caste.

This guy is trying to get involved with me, a guy who wants to live a simple life.

We used to hang out together in middle school, so why? I can understand why from his point of view.

So I can’t say anything strongly.

I can’t say…but that’s not the same thing as this.

I’m now being interrupted from reading on my morning commute to school.

「Hey, Touma. Are you listening?」

「No, I’m not listening. I mean, I don’t know you. You must be mistaking me for someone else.」

「Oh, come on, that’s terrible. We’re best friends, right? We are.」

「I don’t have a best friend at the top of the caste. I’m just a B-kun student.」

「Hahaha! You’re humble, that’s hilarious! Well, you’re good like that, too.」

「Aki? Do you know what I want to do to you now?」

「Oh, I’m scared. All right, I’ll leave it at that. I’ll see you later.」

With that, he went to be surrounded by a group of girls.

Huh…because he’s not a bad guy, I’m having a hard time dealing with him.

We actually get along well.

It’s a win-win kind of relationship.

Then I arrived at the station where I get off and headed for school.

By the way, I never walk while using my phone.

No matter how much I like web novels and games, I always keep this to myself.

It is a nuisance to other people, and I feel sorry for the other person if I get into an accident.

It’s only a 10-minute walk to the school, so I got there in no time.

As usual, I get to my seat without being greeted by anyone.

Hmmm……If they don’t greet me, I don’t have to return the greeting.

This is what I call a low-presence.

I open the web novel as usual until the teacher arrives.

Even just for the sake of it, I’ve been interrupted today…

I spend the train ride and this time looking at rankings, finding new releases, and following along.

Well, what’s it like today? I thought to myself, and then the classroom came to a ruckus.

It was probably that girl, the school’s madonna, entering the classroom.

I’ll make a conscious effort to eliminate my presence.

Shoo! Whoo! Think like a cartoon!

I don’t expect her to notice, but just in case she does…it’s not a gag, okay?

And just like that, the teacher came without incident and homeroom began.

Thank goodness…she didn’t find out.

Well, of course, now way she found out, but I was still worried.

But now I’m relieved.

◆◇◆◇◆

After that, the class was over and it was time for lunch break.

I always go into the multipurpose classroom where I eat my lunch.

Learn more

Of course, I had the teacher’s permission.

And just as I was about to move on, the classroom started to make a commotion.

I thought, What’s going on? I looked in that direction and saw Aya Shimizu walking straight toward me.

Then, she came right in front of me and opened her mouth.

「Yo, Yoshino-kun! Can I talk to you for a minute…?」

The Madonna of the school said this with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Haahh…even though I want to spend my time quietly…

Apparently, that’s not going to be the case.