CH 30

“… Fuyuki-sama, Inamori-sama. I am very sorry to make this request from my position, but from tomorrow onwards, will you be with us at all times?”

“Eh?”

“Since Kosuke Kadokura has approached Inamori-sama, it would not be surprising if he attempts to contact him again. If the two of you are always in the same place, it will make it much easier for me to protect you.”

Even I, not an expert in protection, knew that what Hino-san said was correct.

If we were in different places, the manpower would need to spread out, and the process of communicating the situation would be one more unnecessary step. But for us to be together all the time, that would have to include being together at school.

We have to make our relationship clear to the people around us.

(… What’s wrong with that?)

If something of that magnitude would make you a little safer, it’s better to do it, no matter what you think.

Besides, by making people around you aware of it, even if temporarily, the number of eyes on Tojo-san may increase.

If that happens, it will be even harder to make a move.

“I wouldn’t wish for this trouble to happen, but what about you, Inamori-kun…?”

“I thought I… should take Hino-san’s suggestion too.”

“And not having to hide it from people anymore?”

“Yeah. I’d rather it be somewhat publicly recognized―”

Before I could finish my words, Tojo-san squeezed my hand from the side.

The feel of her soft hand made my mind go blank.

“I’m so happy. From tomorrow, we will be able to go to school together like this, won’t we?”

“Ah… yeah, I think so…”

“I’m glad… I was a bit concerned about Kadokura, but I was equally worried about Haruyuki-kun attracting insects to him. Now I can repel such insects myself.”

In front of Tojo-san, who smiled fearlessly, I felt a stronger chill than when I stood in front of Kadokura.

Well, going to school together sounds quite good, but there’s one thing I want to do on my side.

“Tojo-san, there’s something I’d like you to prepare for me…”

“What is it? I think I can be flexible as long as it’s something we can buy with some money.”

I am very grateful.

I asked Tojo-san for one thing that I might use in the future.

Perhaps because it was the first time I had expressed my greed in terms of materialistic desires, she seemed to be extremely happy when she heard the request.

As for me, I felt totally selfish and apologetic, feeling overwhelmed, but for now, being prepared means no worries.

If I don’t use it, I’ll just return it.

That’s how I’m going to get my hands on the tool of a new civilization later on―

◇◆◇

“♪~”

“…”

The next day.

Having had the car driven by Hino-san drop us off a little distance from the school, we walked hand in hand in a friendly manner.

Not surprisingly, or as expected, other students walking on the road were looking at us.

“We’re being watched, huh…”

“It’s okay if we are. Tojo Fuyuki and Haruyuki Inamori-kun are such good friends.”

Tojo-san looked happy the whole time, and at the end of the day, instead of just holding hands, she crossed her arms with me.

Her soft twin hills have been pressing against my arm since this morning, and I was mentally exhausted from pushing the thoughts away.

Incidentally, Hino-san followed us, hiding herself a little away from us.

It seemed that she had spoken with the school and would be waiting for us at the school parking lot while we were in the school.

That alone is very encouraging.

“I never thought I’d get to go to school with Haruyuki-kun so soon… It really is like a dream.”

“No, um… Is it something you’re that makes you really happy?”

“Aren’t you happy, Haruyuki-kun?”

I calmly analyze the situation of walking like this with her.

Next to me was an immensely beautiful girl that all the boys in the school admired.

And not only is she beautiful and pretty, but she is also a good cook, smart enough to run a company and rich.

―Just looking at the situation of going to school with such a girlfriend is so enviable that it makes you want to crawl out of your throat.

But it doesn’t matter.

I was on my way to school with a girl I liked.

Ah, I can only nod my head for those words.

“I understand. I feel so happy.”

“~~~!”

Looking increasingly happy, she hugged my arm.

(… Man, I’m so happy.)

It may not be something that a person who has only lived for seventeen years would say, and moreover, it may be too much of an exaggeration, but I softly thought so.

This time, now, is not something to be taken for granted.

I feel that I have strongly recognized it to be something that must be protected.

“… protect you.”

“Eh?”

“I’ll protect you from now on.”

The words ‘from now’ came out of my mouth unconsciously, but I have no intention of changing them.

As I was having a slightly embarrassing exchange with Tojo-san, I noticed that the number of eyes around me was increasing too much.

When I looked up, the school gate was already just around the corner.

Most eyes on us were from students flowing into the school gate.

They all looked as if they couldn’t believe their eyes, and some were even rubbing their eyes frantically.

“… Shall we go in quickly?”

“Yes, dear.”

“You’re a master at it… aren’t you?”

“Huh? I don’t know what you mean.”

I don’t want you to agitate around me too much―

Well, the sullen Tojo-san was cute, so I don’t mind.