CH 5

“And that means–“

In the morning, I was being taught again. But Shinonome’s expression seemed to be stiffer than usual.

I knew it, I made her angry yesterday. Do I…..apologize? No, repeating apologies more than necessary will only cause the other person to suffer.

It’s not good. I have too few friends to know what to do.

“……Is there something wrong?”

Perhaps noticing me, Shinonome looked into my face. She’s pretty as usual.

“N-no. Nothing.”

I shook my head. I remembered something.

Something I’d been meaning to ask, but hadn’t been able. After all, I had forgotten to ask.

“By the way, Shinonome. Are you going to be okay on your way home? If you don’t mind, I can go home with you.” “Is it okay !?”

Shinonome was biting at my words, o-or rather.

“C-calm down. You’re too close.”

Her face came right in front of me. ….And her chest was also hitting my arms.

The softest feeling I’ve ever felt. My heart made a strange sound.

“Ah, I-I’m sorry.”

Luckily, Shinonome immediately noticed and moved her body away. Even if she moved away, there’s a lot of people on the train, so it’s only a distance where our shoulders barely touch each other.

“…… No. Let’s get back to the story. I thought about it yesterday, but you’re taking the train home too, right? Was everything okay until now?”

Shinonome trembled when I asked her that.

“……S-somehow. I went to the place with lots of women.”

“Luckily, you found such a place.”

“Yes. I knew someday that I wouldn’t be able to do that. I’ll figure it out then.”

“…..You’re pretty clumsy sometimes.”

It’s really far from her image when I first saw her. …… Well, it’s a human-like gap. I can’t help but think it’s adorable.

“Hm……I can’t deny it.”

“Let me tell you. I don’t mean that in a bad way.”

I told her as her cheeks puffed and smiled bitterly. …..If anything, I’m glad to see that her expression has come back.

“But, I don’t know what time you’re getting in. Can you just tell me?”

“Ah, yes. I’ll be on the train at exactly 4:30.”

“Got it. I’ll be there at that time too.”

Saying that, Shinonome looked at me and lightly lowered her head. 

“…..Thank you very much.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m basically free after school.”

Actually, I have a lot of free time these days. I only hang out with Eiji and others from time to time and spend the rest of the time on my hobbies and studies.

I live alone, so I don’t have a curfew.

“Look, it’s about time.”

“Oh, right. I’ll see you on my way home.”

“Yeah. See you later.”

Shinonome waved her hand a little, and I also waved back.

…..As expected. It doesn’t look like she was angry.

I patted my chest and headed to school.

◆◆◆

“Hey. Please teach me !”

“It’s still morning, what’s wrong with you? …..Is it that bad?”

Eiji had been slumped over since this morning.  I was worried about Eiji who was down on his desk, so I asked. Then he got up.

“It’s more than bad. I’m going to get a red mark too if this keeps up.”

“…….That bad, huh.”

I still indebted to Eiji. About clothes and all of that.

…Or rather, Eiji’s sister. By the looks of it, I guess Eiji didn’t tell her. I’m sure he was scared of her.

‘Weekend. One of my schedules is full, but I think I can help with the other day.”

“Really !?”

“Too close.”

I pushed Eiji away as he came close to my face.

“Well, ……just like I said, I still don’t know which one will be open between Saturday or Sunday.”

“It’s fine ! It’s a study session anyway ! You’re a lifesaver ! Seriously !”

“Y-yeah……that’s good then?”

With that, both of my days off were unusually full. I’ll ask Shinonome later.

“I mean, the test is next week. We don’t have much time.”

“Well…..I can only say good luck. I’ll see how much I can teach you on that day.”

“Oh, I’m counting on you !”

The expectations are very heavy, but……I’ll try my best. It would be nice if Shinonome can teach him.

We continued to chat after that. …Suddenly, Eiji began to fidget.

“What’s wrong? Toilet?”

N-no, I just remembered something….I won’t tell. Absolutely. You’ll be 100% depressed.”

He shook his head when I asked….it’s making me more uneasy if you say it like that.

“M-my bad. Forget what I just said.”

“Even if you say so. I’m not angry with you, and I might find out at another time. anyway,  I’d like you to tell me now anyway.”

When I pleaded with him,……,he let out a sigh and looked at me. 

“…..The Ice Princess next door. There are rumors that she has a boyfriend.”

At those words–my heart was shaken.

However, a question immediately grew in my mind.

If it’s her. I was sure she would report back to me if she had a boyfriend. ….If she found a boyfriend, she wouldn’t need my presence. 

Could it be.

“For now, the reason. Can you tell me the reason where the rumors came from?”

I had a bad feeling about this, but I asked him. Eiji told me, 

“Whatever it is, it was yesterday. The Ice Princess was in this area yesterday. In front of the station. And at that time. I heard that…..she was with a guy. Moreover, he went to our high school.

“……Don’t you know who he is?”

“I don’t know at this point. There are rumors that he was a freshman because there were a lot of seniors, but I’m not sure.”

“I-I see.”

That. That might be me, I guess. When he said it was in front of the station yesterday, there’s no doubt about it……I’m sure.

“Hm? …..What the hell. Are you not that shocked?”

“N-no……well. You see, I told you before, right? Those idols and actresses you see on TV.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right. So I guess you don’t have to worry about it.”

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

I’m glad he didn’t find out. I was relieved to hear that. 

……I felt uneasy wondering if Shinonome was being teased for the same thing.

◆◇◆

“Shinonome chan, is it true that you were with your boyfriend yesterday?”

At school. The first time I’ve been approached out of the blue.

The person who spoke to me was – Hayama san. Hayama Hikaru san.

The school’s newest student is a blonde, which is rare in this school. …..More or less, our school allowed students to dye their hair. Few of them actually do it.

Hayama san is–a cheerful person who gets along with everyone. You could say she’s the complete opposite of me.

having someone like that talk to me–made me flustered. Hayama san clasped her hands together and made an apologetic face.

“Ah, I’m sorry for talking to you out of the blue,” she said. But I heard about you from a friend and I was really curious.”

“…… No, it’s okay. I’m fine. No need to apologize.”

For now. I think about how I should respond. No, there’s no need to think.

“He was a friend of mine yesterday. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Eh? But I heard that you were close, or rather, you had an expression on your face that I had never seen before.”

At those words. I couldn’t help but keep silent.

Hayama san, who looked at me like that, let out a voice.

“Sorry, sorry. I don’t want to be prying too much into your relationship. It’s okay.”

“….Yes. But it’s true that he’s my friend.”

“Okay. If someone asked, should I deny it like that?”

I ponder again for a few moments. Hayama san is a highly influential person. If she said so, the words would spread quickly.

“Please.”

“Okay, okay. See you later.”

It was the first time I had ever heard anyone other than him say the words ‘see you later.’

….I’m a little happy.

“Ah, that’s right. Shinonome chan.”

“Y-yes. What is it?”

Just when I thought it was over, she suddenly called my name and I panicked. Hayama san smiled at me and said……

“During class. Sometimes, I wonder if you’re thinking about something else because your face is loosened.  You should be careful, okay?”

“Wha……:

“Well, personally, I would prefer that way. Well then.”

Hayama san said so, and left. I could feel that my face was getting hotter and hotter…….

In the end, until the next class started. The burning sensation on my face didn’t disappear.