CH 7

CHAPTER 7:

“Hey Ren, teach me how to study.”

“No, I don’t want to.”

“Eh?”

After school, leaving the classroom, I rejected Kyoya’s request, who was begging me desperately.

“Don’t go!”

“…Now, what is it?”

“It’s that…It’s really bad this time, I will really fail!” 

“Then study”

“I don’t know what to do and how!”

“Read the textbook”

“Don’t be unreasonable!”

“It’s not unreasonable.”

“Please!”

Kyoya grabbed my arm with both his hands while shouting and wasn’t letting go.

It is really annoying.

And I am in the hallway outside the class.

It’s as if I’m making Kyoya cry, so it stands out a lot.

For the time being, I dragged Kyoya back into the class and sat down on a nearby seat to speak with him.

If you go along with his flow, you will lose.

Anyway, about the test. It’s a term-end examination that will be held next week.

(TN: Interm exam, half-year exam, etc)

The club activities are also closed so that the students can go home and devote their time to studying instead.

“…Why don’t you ask Satsuki.”

“No, Satsuki is no better in studying than I am.”

“Seriously…?”

She looks like she’d be smart because she is Tachibana’s friend.

But if she is no better than Kyoya, then she’s in for a lot of trouble.

“You have so many friends, there has got to be someone who can help you”

“But you’re good at teaching. You have the best methods and you can do the exam in a record time.”

“…I’m going to go home and relax for today.”

“If you don’t have a plan, that’s good. You can help me out.”

“I have a plan to relax, it’s very important.”

“Your best friend’s dire request is much more important.”

“Shut up.”

It looks like he isn’t going to back down.

Well…

In the end, I don’t have any plans, and I will anyway be forced to accept his request whether I like it or not.

“Fine, I get it. You owe me a meal, got it?”

“OH! As expected,! I knew you’d accept in the end.”

“I’m serious, now I’m going home.”

“I’m Kidding! Just kidding! I owe you a meal, ok?”

Kyoya gave me a salute.

Well…He’s not a bad person.

“Well then, let’s join now!”   (Kyoya)

“What? What are you joining? (Ren)

“Kyoya! Are you there?” (Hinata)

As I was leaning my head to Kyoya’s mysterious words, Satsuki looked in from the hallway’s window.

There’s no point making a rumor, it’ll only be a shadow. Satsuki is usually looking for Kyoya.

“Oh. Satsuki, you’re back, how did it go?”

“It went good. I brought back both of them.”

She had a very proud posture.

As if to respond to that voice, two girls appeared out of the window across Hinata.

“The last test results, the second and seventh place arrive!”

Kyoya and Hinata started to make random excited noises.

It was Hinata’s friends, Tachibana Rika and Susami Chitose, who looked stunned at the 2 of them.

Susami was wearing the same glasses and ponytail as the other day, giving out a very mature aura.

As usual, Tachibana, with a strong atmosphere and a dignified presence, attracted the gaze of many people all around.

When Tachibana’s eyes reached me, she looked away for a moment and bowed to me.

Susami, on the other hand, smiled and shook her hand.

Anyway, these 2 were actually such high rankers?

I heard that Tachibana could study.

Well, Susami also seems to be smart.

“This guy here pulled in 9th place last time.”

“Yup! Kusuba can only study.”

“Hey! Don’t say “only””

Well, that’s true actually.

“Wow, Kusuba-san, you’re unexpectedly smart!” 

It was Susami who spoke first.

From what Hinata said, Susami came 2nd place.

I am not happy to be praised by such a person, but I’ll accept it for now.

“Hey, there are other things I can do too.”

“Oh, there are other good things about Kusuba-san too.” 

“Good things?”

“Oh Chitose, and Satsuki, let’s go now. We have to study, don’t we?”

Tachibana suddenly spoke to interrupt the conversation between me and Susami.

What’s up with Tachibana?

She’s acting strange today.

“I mean, it’s what it is.”

“Now that we have the best teacher, our test is safe. Isn’t it, Satsuki?” 

“That’s right! Aim and avoid the red dots.”

Hey, you have really low ambition.

In short, Kyoya and Hinata collaborated to gather the people who would help them to study for the test.

So, we’re going to have a study group.

As usual, this normie is really good at getting people involved with him.

“Well then, Let’s to the food court in front of the station.”

“Is that even allowed there?”

“Well, if you order something from there, then it’s fine. It looks like Satsuki will give us some ice-cream.”

“I don’t have Kusuba-san’s share though” 

“I’m fine because Kyoya will treat me”

This couple’s thought process is completely the same.

After that, the 5 of us left the classroom together,

Kyoya and the other seemed used to this, but it was my first time. So, I was having trouble finding my position in the group.

Do normies like him always walk the hallway like this?

“Kusuba-san”

“What?”

Tachibana, who was standing behind us all, came closer to me.

I might be talking to Tachibana for the first time after we went to watch the movie.

“You don’t usually study, do you?”

“What? Yeah, I don’t”

“…and you still came at 9th place. Say, you and Chitose don’t even know the efforts others make.”

Tachibana glared at me with a grudge-like expression.

Even if you say something like that.

Maybe God just adjusted my status to be smart but have a terrible personality.

Well, I was beaten by Kyoya before when I said this, so let’s not dare say it again.

“What? Doesn’t Susami study? She looks quite serious. Moreover, she also came 2nd place.”

“She’s amazing, not only study, she is really good at sports, moreover, she’s also beautiful, and her style is also good”

“…”

Hey, God, you made a mistake adjusting my status.

Aren’t you just giving Susami all my negative points?

“Well, if Chitose has a drawback”

“What is it?”

“…she’s mean”

(TN: Malicious, ill-tempered, etc)

“…I see.”

Even though I hadn’t talked a lot with Susami, that was quite convincing.

“Now then, both of you try these 8 exercises for now”

The study group advanced under the leadership of Susami.

Anyway, there is no need for 3 people to teach them, so I left early and read the textbook, memorizing the content.

“Ehhh~”

“Chitose, aren’t you making it tough?”

There were also 2 idiots complaining from the start.

It seems that Susami’s chosen problem was a fundamental part of the mathematics exam this time.

In other words, Susami is trying to grasp the degree of understanding the 2 had.

She may also be trying to measure their motivation for studying.

“In order to teach, it is better to first clarify what the student knows and what he does not know. There will be a visible difference or else.

It’s a convincing reason.

Tachibana also nodded.

However, the couple thought a bit differently.

“But it is hard to solve the problems so suddenly!”

“That’s right. We’re slow starters.”

“I am telling you; I am just here to help you improve your grades. I don’t remember speaking on the part that motivated you. If you’re not motivated, I’m going home.”

Susami said in a small quiet voice, with a chilling smile.

Suddenly, Kyoya and Hinata’s faces freeze, cold sweat blots go down their forehead.

No, even I was scared just now…

There was this cold, icy anger that cannot come from a mature adult aura.

Well, what Susami says is quite reasonable actually.

If you have asked someone to teach you, I think you should also have a certain attitude.

The motivation of the person is not important when your goal is to improve your grades.

However, neither of them would’ve guessed that Susami could be so scary.

When I looked over to Tachibana, she was completely silent.

“Well, you won’t be able to do it without any motivation, right? So, do you want to continue…you won’t do it?”

“Ah… I-I will do it…”

“Umm… I’ll do it too…”

“Alright then, solve the problem”

Susami briefly said so with a smile and took a sip of her milk tea.

I hold my head and sigh.

Despite their struggling, both of them started to solve the problems.

In the meantime, Tachibana and I calmly studied on our own, and Susami was watching the 2 solving her questions.

It seems like Susami is seriously trying to teach the 2 of them.

So maybe Tachibana and I won’t need to help.

“If you can’t solve it, don’t get frustrated. I’ll teach you little by little according to your current level. I won’t put an unnecessary burden on you.”

“Yes!”

“All right, sensei”

They had become completely tame.

Well, looking at the current performances of these 2, it would be better if she is a bit strict.

“I’m done!”

“I did it too!”

Both of them finished the question at the exact same time and presented them to Susami.

I take a quick glance at the sheet, but can’t understand what’s written.

Susami looked at the 2 sheets of paper and took a deep breath.

“…this is serious.”

You, it looked serious.

Well, that was to be expected.

“I’m tired…” (Kyoya)

“Me too…” (Hinata)

After being taught by Susami for about three hours, they finally found their guts to make a sound.

Kyoya slumped on the table as if he completely exhausted his energy.

However, both of them unexpectedly did their best.

I thought they’d quit long before.

“Good work. You both did a good job. Natsume-kun, please review your trigonometric functions. Satsuki, you solve the application-based problems of the number line given in the textbook and show them to me next time. Don’t see the answers”

“…Y-yes, sensei”

“I understand…”

Even though Kyoya and Hinata were exhausted, they obeyed obediently.

The two who were quite reluctant to study seemed to have considerably changed their personality in the past 3 hours.

Well, that was probably because of Susami.

After all, she is really good at teaching.

Not only is her explanations easy to understand, but also that she can immediately see where and why the other person is stuck or unable to comprehend.

Then she would scold, but praise as well.

The efficiency of teaching and the management of the motivation was perfect.

Even though Susami mentioned that she hasn’t really intended to motivate them, it was definitely due to Susami that they were able to study for so long.

In the end, Tachibana and I hardly helped, instead we spent our time studying and talking to each other.

To be honest, Susami did everything so perfectly that we didn’t need to help at all, whether we wanted to or not.

After that, we ate what we liked for dinner.

There is obviously no need to say that Kyoya bought me dinner.

Anyway, there was something else that happened…

The topic of conversation during the meal, very reluctantly, was about me.

“Kusuba is really dark, isn’t he? Won’t he have an influence on Rika?” (Hinata)

“Shut up.” (Tachibana)

“Nah, he won’t. Kusuba-san doesn’t have much of an influence.” (Kyoya)

“Hey, come one” (Ren)

“No, I mean, I’m happy that Ren can make friends with a girl, and that too with Tachibana-san” (Kyoya)

And, apparently, Kyoya actually became teary-eyed.

I really wish he could be happy or make fun of me instead.

“I thought Kusuba-kun was more of a “twisted person” because of what Satsuki had told me. But he’s unexpectedly normal.” (Susami)

“Yeah, Ren’s completely normal, just that he’s a bit dark.” (Kyoya)

“Stop it.” (Ren)

“He helped Rika out, and forgave Satsuki immediately, he’s got some good qualities.”  (Susami)

“That’s right. Kusuba-san is rather a good person” (Tachibana)

“Well… just don’t get carried away too much” (Hinata)

“I won’t get carried away, I’m always in my worst shape.” (Ren) —- ^

My demeaning response caused all of us, the normies and I, to suddenly start laughing.

Somehow, I felt a strange feeling of satisfaction.

There is a clear line of difference between making others laugh and being laughed at…this actually doesn’t feel bad.

“Speaking of which, I heard you had a fight with Satsuki, Kusuba-san.” (Susami)

“Chitose…that’s enough…” (Hinata)

A fight?

Oh, the time where Hinata apologized before.

“It wasn’t really a fight, it was something similar.” (Ren)

“Hey! Shut up, you!” (Hinata)

Hinata had blots of sweat going down her forehead.

It seems that she still cares about what happened at that time.

“Please forgive her. Satsuki is very close to Rika. So, she is just protective of boys approaching her.” (Susami)

“I know. That’s why I didn’t really mind. I already forgave her.”(Ren)

“Yes, I’m relieved. Thank you.”

Susami’s voice seemed to be thanking me from the bottom of her heart.

It’s not often that I hear someone speaking like this, so I felt somewhat weird.

“But Satsuki and Kusuba-kun have a complex relationship, don’t they?” (Susami)

“That’s because Ren and Satsuki have a cat-and-dog relationship” (Kyoya)

(TL: Actually, it’s dog and monkey, but in English, it becomes cat and dog.)

“If anything, I’m a frog and Hinata is a snake” (Ren)

I get scared when I’m glared at.

“Why do you hate him so much?” (Susami)

“…it’s not like I hate him…” (Hinata)

Is that so?

You even went through the trouble of giving Tachibana a message for me.

(TL: In previous chapters, when she apologizes, but later sends a message saying she still hates him)

“It’s just that I get really annoyed when I see you…”  (Hinata)

“Straight to the point.” (Susami)

“Even though you said you’ve given up everything, but in reality, you haven’t given up at all. You would be more desperate, but actually, you’re not. You’re impatient, aren’t you?” (Hinata)

After Hinata said that, she took a mouthful of pasta and stuffed it, looking embarrassed.

It was a bit surprising that she had thought like that, and that she said it so bluntly.

“Well…even I don’t know the circumstances, so, maybe, it’s not really that easy.” (Ren)

“…”

“But you know what, I don’t like the fact that I’m the only one who’s annoyed… But after all, it’s irritating… Agh, whatever, we’re done with this conversation!” (Hinata)

After shouting the end, Hinata sat down to eat her dinner.

Susami, who was next to her, smiled and stroked her head.

When I turned around as I felt a gaze upon me, Tachibana shrugged her shoulders with a surprised, but happy face.

As we were leaving, Kyoya called out to me.

“You and Satsuki get along surprisingly well.” 

“Don’t say something like that”

“I’m serious. By the way, you’re getting along pretty well with Tachibana, aren’t you?”

“Well…In a way”

“Gooood! I like it!”

“You should be friends with Hinata”

“I don’t care how many friends I have!”

Kyoya just laughed at my reply and ran up to Hinata, suddenly hugging her from behind.

They seemed quite a happy couple, even though Hinata was bright red while hitting Kyoya.

How can you do something like that without being embarrassed?

.

.

.

…It doesn’t really matter how many friends you have, right?

Well, that may be right.

If your friend accepts you properly, it’s, of course, better to have many friends.

But it doesn’t always work that way.

Or at least, not for me.

“Kusuba-san”

“Yes?”

When Tachibana called me, I suddenly raised my head which was facing downward.

“What are you doing, let’s go hoMe early”

Well…

“……” 

Maybe Tachibana and I have already become friends.

————————————————————————————————————————

—- ^ (TL: Basically, he is trying to say that he always thinks negative and won’t take advantage of the fact a few people think good of him

The study sessions continued day after day.

Apparently, Kyoya and Hinata were surprisingly motivated, calling the 3 of us on a daily basis. To be honest, I felt that Susami was enough to teach them, why did she need me and Tachibana for?

But she said, “If Rika and Kusuba-kun don’t come, I won’t either”

Because of what Susami said, Tachibana and I were also forced to participate.

Forcing me, a guy who himself says that he’s rather timid, to go along with them was just what I’d expect from a group of normies.

“Well then, both of you can do these at home.”

“Yes!”

“Alright!”

Kyoya and Hinata’s energetic reply concluded today’s study session. This is the fourth day of studying, for about 3 hours every day.

It’s going on unexpectedly well. Is it because of Susami’s teachings and motivation?

“Kyoya, do you want to exchange the fried chicken with Takoyaki?” (Hinata)

“Oh, that’s fine. The one without lemon, please” (Kyoya)

“Are Rika and Kusuba-kun eating the same thing again?” (Hinata)

“No, Tachibana is copying” (Kyoya)

“That’s rude. Kusuba-san must have copied her” (Hinata)

We all ordered something we liked and ate together on a table. This was a meal for normies but was now normal for me.

“There’s a student council meeting tomorrow, so you’ll have to do it without me tomorrow, I’m sorry.”

After everyone had finished eating, Susami told us.

“EH?! No…Sensei…” (Kyoya)

“Chitose…” (Hinata)

“It’s only for tomorrow, and Rika and Kusuba-kun will be there” (Susami)

Kyoya and Hinata were mourning over Susami’s words with tears.

It seems that they had become our students before we could even make out what happened.

“Anyway, are there any school activities before the test?”

“Thanks to the absence of club activities, everyone can study for the test instead. Though when the test is over, there will be a whole school assembly.”

A whole school assembly.

That reminds me, there was such a plan.

I would probably go to bed without listening to anything, but when I think of someone taking the time to prepare for all that, I feel a bit sad for them.

Well… that doesn’t mean I’ll seriously participate in something like that.

“But I’ve never seen Susumi-san speak at the assemblies, have you?”

“I am the secretary; I work behind the scenes. I leave the speeches to the people who are good at talking”

Susami replied, with a smile.

This girl definitely looks good enough to hold a microphone and speak on the stage.

I’m not sure if the student council is a group of people like Susami, though.

If that’s so, I wouldn’t want to be close to them.

After some time, after we all went to go home, I naturally ended up with Tachibana.

I had already gotten used to going home together with Tachibana.

“Both of you are doing great!” (Susami)

“More than I thought I will…” (Kyoya)

“It was the first time I’ve seen Satsuki studying so much” (Tachibana)

“Kyoya might not look like it, but he can actually get quite serious. He was also like that when he took the exam.” (Ren) 

“Exam?”

“We were in the same junior high school before we came to this school. I really wanted to enter this school so I asked him to Tutor me.” (Kyoya)

“You tutored him? Surprising.”  (Susami to Ren)

“I didn’t want to, of course. But he came to my house every day and was very persistent so I had no choice.”  (Ren)

“Because I had hope in you.” (Kyoya)

“I mean, he could’ve chosen anyone who studies well.” 

“A person with so many friends, choose you. There’s a good reason for that.” (Tachibana)

“…that again”

Tachibana had something similar before when I had a “fight” with Hinata.

I definitely understood what she was trying to say.

However, I was not convinced.

Kyoya might obviously have more reliable friends.

Why had he chosen me?

He obviously knew I didn’t want to tutor him.

“Kusuba-kun, do you consider Natsume-kun your friend?” (Tachibana)

“…What…so suddenly…”

“No, I’m just a little worried.”

Tachibana had a serious expression on her face as she said that.

Why do you even want to know that?

I thought of answering that, but looking at her, she probably won’t back down until she hears an answer.

“…I’m thinking about it.”

“Why?”

“Why…it’s a difficult question to answer…”

While answering, I started thinking.

The reason I think Kyoya is a friend.

I mean to say, what makes friends different from others who are not friends?

Although I had said it’s difficult to answer, the conclusion was surprisingly easy.

“…Because the sense of distance between us is appropriate” (Ren)

“…meaning?” (Tachibana)

“Ahh…no…I mean, He knows when not to go ahead. He knows precisely where the line is, and never crosses it. Like, if he knows I’ll get angry or irritated, he’ll never cross that line.”  (Ren)

“…Hmm”(Tachibana)

“And I know if I distance myself more, our relationship will break. That’s why I can’t cut him off, or to be more honest, I don’t want to either.”

After saying all that, I felt my face getting hotter.

I didn’t mean to speak so frankly.

That was unneeded.

When I looked over to Tachibana while these thoughts ran in my mind, contrary to my expectations, had her hand on her chin with a mysterious look.”

“…I think that’s a nice relationship. Natsume-san loves Kusuba-san and Kusuba-san loves Natsume-san just as much.” (Tachibana)

“…That’s hard to affirm, actually” (Ren)

That’s a very misleading way of saying it.

However, in the end, that’s probably right.

Otherwise, there is no way our relationship continued till this point.

For some reason, Tachibana was nodding with satisfaction.

What on earth was she so happy about?

I wonder if she’s teasing me.

“Tachibana is also loved a lot by 2 people, isn’t she?”

I spoke with an intention of getting back at her.

However, it’s true when you think about it.

In the past, where Susami approached me by herself.

Then Hinata, who is hostile towards me.

Both of them were very compassionate towards Tachibana.

She’s a bit straightforward & clumsy.

If you know how Tachibana actually is, you also know you just can’t leave her alone.

“No…it’s actually the opposite…”

“Opposite…?”

“I love them more than they do.”

Tachibana spoke in a small voice, strangely tickling me.

She nodded and seemed to be chewing on her own words.

(TL: They left the restaurant and are on their way home)

“Being such an inflexible, uncooperative, and selfish person. They can still be friends with me naturally. That’s why I truly love them both.”

“…is that so?”

“That’s how it is. Even though I’m not as bad as Kusuba-san in socializing, I’m not good at it. It’s just like that”

“Just like that, huh…”

She is hard to get along with and cold.

That is the first impression of Tachibana one might have.

She definitely is not the type of person who gets along with everyone.

To put it rudely, Tachibana disguises this fact with her beautiful appearance.

Well…obviously…it’s hard to tell, but she’s actually a naturally caring and honest person.

If she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be cared so much for by 2 people.

And they wouldn’t be friends with her either.

“So, I’m really grateful to them. And I’m sure that Natsume-san is the same way to you. Even though it might be a bit different.”

“…I see”

Tachibana gave a faint smile while I was slightly tilting my head.

“Well…It’s alright, you’ll come to understand it eventually.” 

“I hope so…”

Tachibana shakes his head from side to side.

I’ve already run out of shame I had today.

I’m sorry, but I’ll have to give up now.

“But, I’m glad that Kusuba-san seems to be enjoying the study group”

“W-what do you mean?”

“I expected you to look more bored as you said you don’t like socializing. I’m relieved”

“You don’t have to observe unnecessary things like that, you know?”

“But, wouldn’t it be nice to see everyone getting along with you?”

“…no, not really”

“humph…”

Tachibana, who pouted as if she was sulking, was as cute as ever.

Moreover, the sudden difference between the current face and the usual face makes it even cuter.

I forcefully turned my face away and faced forward.

“…But I’m not good with a large crowd”

“5 people is not a large crowd.”

“No, at least for me, it is”

This is just wrong.

I was having fun.

The five of us hanging out together and having fun was something really new to me, but it was surprisingly easy and fun, so I was a bit confused.

Is this progress?

Or is it just temporary?

I don’t know the answer.

…

But that was natural.

Because I have never felt such an experience before.

“Well…how many people do you prefer?”

“Alone”

“No, I mean…”

“Well then, 2 people. That’s the limit”

3, 4, or 5 is a too large number of people for me.

“…Then, shall we study together.”

“…eh?”

At that time, a car passed us while we were walking near the corner of the road.

I frowned at the deafening sound of the engine.

An awkward silence fell between me and Tachibana.

In the end, we didn’t say anything.

I didn’t ask her anything, neither did she continue the conversation.

We just walked towards our home in silence and spoke in a friendly tone when we were to part.

“See you tomorrow ”

“Yes. See you tomorrow”

The days of the daily study sessions with everyone was over like a flash, everyone passed the midterm exam easily.

(TL: It’s actually, “passed like a storm”)

The test format was the same as usual.

I think I did much better than usual as I had more time to study this time.

Susami, who was acting like a teacher, didn’t seem to care about her own results but was rather more concerned about her student’s results instead.

And, speaking of both of them…

“Heh…I feel good!”

“Really, it’s the best!”

“…shut up”

It was lunch break when all the papers were given back.

5 of us gathered in front of the bulletin board where the test results were posted.

The top 20 students with the best score, the failing red line, the average score, the distribution of the scores, were posted on the board.

I never realized how much data was presented there.

It was the first time I had seen it properly, so I was a little surprised.

Well, it is a reasonably advanced school after all.

“Above average score in all subjects, am I a genius?” (Kyoya)

“I’m more of a genius! My total score was higher than yours, Kyoya! Being the top of the grade is not a dream anymore!” (Hinata)

The two idiots were in a good mood.

Susami just smiled at them while Tachbana clapped admiringly.

To be honest, I think they worked really hard.

Well, I feel that Susami’s contribution is greater than those 2 themselves.

Both of them seemed to understand that somehow, as they thanked Susami many times.

“No, really, it’s all thanks to Susami, Thank you, sensei” (Kyoya)

“Thank you, Chitose”  (Hinata)

“You’re welcome. However, keep studying regularly, and don’t slack off. If you do, you’ll go back down again.

“…Yes…”

“…got it…”

It was a clear, feelingless reply.

Susami also seems to have seen through that and shrugged her should looking amazed.

“Wow, Chitose is 2nd place again. Nice!’ (Hinata) 

“As expected of Teacher…but there are people who have better grades than Susami-san.”

When I looked at the board, there was indeed Susami’s name in the list of outstanding grades.

The person in question had a small, wry smile and looked uncomfortable. I don’t know how she feels.

“It’s always the same person who comes in first, isn’t it? The school’s vice-president.” (Hinata)

“The student council is really smart” (Kyoya)

“…Also, Kusuba is 6th, and Tachibana is 8th” (Hinata)

“This…we were so happy about our grades…but now it’s so pitiful” (Kyoya) 

Kyoya and Hinata turned around and dropped their shoulders.

I don’t think I’ll start becoming pessimistic if my score has risen a little.

“It doesn’t mean anything to compare yourself with others. The 2 of you worked hard and got a good score. That’s what I see.”

“Teacher…” (Kyoya)

“Eh! I love you Chitose!”(Hinata)

Oh god, their emotions are going up and down.

“EHH? I have a make-up exam? NOOO”  (Kyoya)

“Haha, You’re out” (Hinata)

I got surprised as they started to shout.

After all, I am not good with a place where there are many people.

I’m going to go crazy with all this energy from the normies.

I decided to leave Kyoya and the others who were still making a fuss and went back to the classroom.

Going through the crowd, I finally went away from the bulletin board.

I felt as if I had escaped from a deep swamp.

“Ah, Kusuba-san” 

“…huh? where?”

As I turned towards the person who spoke, I saw Tachibana fixing her ruffled uniform.

Apparently, it seems that she also left early.

“I was suffocating, so I thought I’d come back.”

“You’re right.”

After we nodded to each other, we walked to the classroom together.

It was only a short distance, so it’d look unnatural to keep a distance from her here.

“See you later.”

“Alright, see you”

We spoke to each other as if we were normal friends.

It must have been a great progress to advance so much that I can have a normal conversation. 

◆ ◆ ◆

An event came as soon as the midterm test was over.

“Cultural Experience”

(TL: not the usual rom-com cultural fest)

It’s an extracurricular even where the whole class goes to a museum or art gallery by bus to experience a variety of cultures.

The whole day, the students can visit any place they want to visit first, in any order.

As you can see in this explanation, the event is for the normies who are completely satisfied with their lives.

The teachers seemed to treat it like a social gathering rather than a study session. The places you could visit include zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and other places that seemed to be more for going out.

We got off the bus, and for some reason, the 5 of us gathered together like it was normal.

To be more precise, Kyoya stopped me from quickly escaping the group and this is what happened.

“Let’s just have fun today!” (Kyoya)

“Yes!” (Hinata)

As soon as I joined the group, I saw Kyoya and Hinata shouting, not caring about their surroundings at all.

They then started to discuss where they would go and when while I was just in the background.

“Sure, but we have to report later, right?”

“That’s right. We have to go to at least one actual place.”

“If not, it would have been the best trip ever”

While we were talking like this, the students around started to scatter and go to their destinations.

A small group, a large one, and couples. Everyone was obviously going around with someone else

“Well…Sorry, but Satsuki and I will be going alone together.” 

“Sorry… Rika… Chitose”

“It’s alright. Please take your time.”

“Yes, have a nice time, see you later.”

“Bye Ren! Take care of Tachibana and the other.”

Kyoya took Hinata away while giving me a wink.

He was being selfish.

I’ve already decided to go around these events by myself.

“I’m going with the other group. Take care of Rika, Kusuba-kun.”

“C-chitose?!”

Tachibana reacted in a dissatisfied manner for some reason.

However, leaving such Tachibana behind, Susami also quickly joins the other group.

As expected of a normie. Even at such a time, she could go join so many other places.

(TL: He means that Chitose can easily join another group without any issues because she has many friends as a “normie”)

Tachibana and I were left back alone.

There were not many people around now.

We started at each other and nodded our heads at the same time.

“See you later.”

“Heh…Well then”

We turned our back to each other deliberately and started walking.

We shall go where we want to.

That’s our way. Even though we are friends, we won’t want to do things together that we don’t even want to do.

*(TL: One person wants to go to place “A”, other to place “B”. SO, there is no point going together to where one doesn’t want to.)

I quickly thought of deciding where to go without taking a look back.

“Wow! The whales are amazing!

“There’s also a dolphin show, let’s go!”

“Look, the tropical fish is so cute.

My destination, out of all the options, was the aquarium.

Out of so many options, this was the only place I wanted to go to.

While the other students from the school look at the bigger tanks, I gaze at the smaller ones on the wall.

I like aquariums.

To be precise, I like the fish tanks.

I’ve always liked to look at the rocks, seaweed, and sand in the tanks rather than the fishes swimming gracefully around.

It’s not only the layout but also the texture of the rocks with the color which is so realistically produced along with the algae that are growing there.

I can’t get the same feeling even from an actual ocean.

I like seeing the fishes lurking in the shadows of the tank, or hiding between the rocks. I preferred these to the actual fish swimming in plain sight.

Of course, I am the only one who thinks like that, I wouldn’t expect you to understand.

But that’s also the reason I wanted to come here by myself.

“…ah!”

An aquarium at the far end of the room caught my eye.

The interior of the tank was exceptionally well-built, looking as if it had been cut out from the bottom of the ocean.

However, all the fish in that tank were rather plain and I didn’t know which one were they.

Because of this, most of the people didn’t stop by here, just gave It a glace and walked past it.

I thought of staying here for a while.

I decided to stay here for a while. I bent down a bit and my face went closer to the tank.

The view was such that it could make you sigh.

The tank’s inside was small.

Obviously, there were tanks that are really big, but when compared to the ocean, they are so small that they become insignificant.

The fishes will live in such a world for the rest of their lives. But nothing seems to be the problem.

They will live contended and die as such.

I also want such a life.

The actual ocean is quite scary.

Knowing the big world outside will not be good for someone small like me.

That is the only way for me to live happily.

Recently, I feel like my world has expanded a little unexpectedly.

“Ahh…Kusuba-san”

“…too many deja vus…”

Before I knew it, Tachibana was standing right next to me.

Without being surprised at all, we just stood side by side and looked at the tank.

“You’re at the aquarium too?”

“I’m only here for one purpose. I want to see the aquarium.

“… Not the fish?”

“No, I like aquariums. It’s like a mini ocean, so I’m quite attracted to it.

“…I see.”

“Yes. Especially this tank. It’s a masterpiece.”

“…Yes”

“eh?”

I didn’t say anything else.

Even so, Tachibana seemed to have understood the current situation.

“…If you want to have a look around, you can. I’ll stay here.”

“I’m staying here. I like it here too.”

Exhaling a small breath, Tachibana slowly crouched beside me.

In the dim light inside the aquarium, Tachibana looked much more beautiful than usual.

The blue light drifted from the aquarium and dimly lit Tachibana’s face.

“Kusuba-san”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you one thing?”

Suddenly, all the noise around me mysteriously disappeared.

Somehow, it really seemed like the bottom of the ocean.

“…no”

“EH?! Why not?! I haven’t even said anything yet.” 

“Heh… alright, alright, what is it?”

“This…”

She’s really worth teasing.

“…Why can’t you make any friends?”

Tachibana again asked me this same question.

“I have told you before. It’s because I have a bad personality.”

“Yes. That’s exactly what you said last time. That you are not suitable for socializing.”

“…If you say so”

“Then, do you remember what I said at that time?”

Tachibana said so as she then slowly looked at me.

I know that it was from the time we were returning from the public bath together.

I started tracing my memory.

And I immediately found the correct answer.

That’s right, Tachibana was there at that time.

“I said, I do not think so” (Tachibana)

“…that’s right…and?” (Ren)

“My feelings have not changed even now. Kusuba-san is a kind person. I know that myself. But still, how did it turn out like this…? I want to know.”

Tachibana was unexpectedly serious.

I don’t know why I have to tell her that.

If it wasn’t Tachibana who asked me that, I would have probably responded that way.

However, it seems I have now come to trust her.

Even though she pushed me to this extent, I hardly felt uncomfortable.

“…Why are you even asking me that?”

“…I have told you before. I love Satsuki and Chitose.”

“So you did.”

“I’m really happy to be friends with them. I’m also happy to be friends with Kusuba-san.”

“…is that so.”

“Yes. And I’m sure you can also make such friends, Kusuba-san. Because you have a kind heart.” 

After Tachibana said all that, she again started at the Tank.

I can tell by looking at her that she was nervous.

It was the first time I saw a thoughtful expression.

“…Rather, what you’re saying is wrong. I am not saying that you can have many friends or have to, because that’s not what I meant…What I am trying to say is that…”

“…It’s okay, you don’t have to be so wordy.”

I won’t just get hurt from a few words.

Rather than that, I want to know what Tachibana’s thinking.

I just simply wanted to hear what my friend wanted to say to me.

“…I want you to have many more friends. You deserve to be loved more, Kusuba-san.”

“…what…that’s’…”

I could feel the back of my nose getting hotter. My eyes were starting to hurt and my eyelashes were a little wet.

Tachibana didn’t notice all this but instead stared at a single point in the tank.

“…I became like this in junior high school.”

“Huh…?”

I don’t know why.

But I wanted to tell Tachibana about myself.

No, rather, I wanted Tachibana to listen to my story.

“Even on a school trip in junior high school, I was watching the tanks by myself like this.”

“…is that so?”

“Then one of my friends, who I use to talk with relatively well…told me I was creepy, that I was disgusting.”

“…”

Tachibana doesn’t look at me.

She just listened to me, a little sad.

“I was stupid. Being an idiot, I tried to explain to him the good points of the aquarium. But he said, ‘I don’t get it’”.

His face had expressions of disgust and disdain.

The strangely distorted mouth, like you have found a traitor.

I had thought of them as my friends.

“Just because you don’t understand something, how does it become creepy? There are things that I don’t understand, but I don’t that way. But there are people who do think like that.” 

“…… That’s right”

“And this didn’t just happen once or twice either. If to make friends, I can’t do what I want to do and say what I want to say, then I don’t need friends. For me, I’m the most important person. If I have to care about what others think of me, then I don’t need friends.”

“…”

“…This is why I don’t make friends and can’t make friends. It’s simple. I got what I deserved, but that’s what I wanted, so it’s my fault.”

Tachibana touched the tank.

The water droplets were wiped away, and some flowed down.

There was a faint sound of breathing.

Then Tachibana spoke in a wet voice.

“…But I still want to be friends with Kusuba-san.”

The vision wavered.

I couldn’t see the tank’s interior anymore, and my teeth were trembling.

I felt as if some unknown feelings were coming up from deep within me.

“…how…?”

I was crying.

I started crying at the corner of the aquarium, trying to stifle my voice and cowering down.

“K-kusuba-san? Are you alright…?” 

“…No, it’s nothing, it’s nothing.”

“Nothing…?”

Tachibana stood up and came closer to me.

I felt a soft feeling on my head, slowly stroking my hair.

Every time she stroked my head, more tears would flow.

I kept wiping them away with the sleeves of my clothes, but they never stopped.

I have never talked to anyone like this before.

I had never been told that they wanted me to have friends, or wanted to be friends with me.

“…I just don’t believe that.”

“…Even if you can’t, it’s still true.”

“I’m fine with being alone…If you’re going to leave me one day, then I don’t want to do this.”

“I’m your friend right now. Even if I may leave, I’m still your friend who loves you the way you are.”

I just cried.

My shoulders trembling, not caring about shame or what was happening around me.

Embracing a girl, I just cried.

After the bus was dropped off at a roundabout in front of the station, and we went our own ways.

It was already quite dark, so not many students were planning to make a detour.

Some of them went to the station, some walked to their homes, and others went their own ways.

After parting my ways with Kyoya and the others, I started walking my way home.

There was someone next to me, whose house was close to mine.

Of course, it was Tachibana Rika.

“…”

“…”

We still haven’t spoken a word to each other ever since we left the aquarium.

Just how should I face her and talk to he?

I didn’t know what to say or how so I just kept silent.

I had put a solid line of precaution.

If I am to be rejected one day, I’d better stay away from the start.

If I am to be alone again, I would rather not make any friends.

That’s why I never looked for someone who even wanted to be my friend.

I thought that I was fine, that there was no one else other than Kyoya.

Even if there was someone like that, I didn’t want to bother looking.

Then, Rika Tachibana came.

And she spoke.

She said she wanted to be friends with me.

She said she wanted me to be loved more.

When she said all that, I cried.

I was just so happy that I cried.

That’s juts how simple I am.

In the end…I was just looking for someone like her.

I just wanted her to say that.

Even though this won’t change who I am, I’m just so happy to see that there is someone who would accept me for who I was.

Before I spoke of anything else, I wanted to thank her.

…For being beside me when I cried

…For the words you said to me

…And, for being beside me now.

““…Um…””

We spoke at the same time.

Tachibana looked at me with a somewhat relieve expression and shook her head, urging me to continue first.

“…I’m sorry about today”

“Why? you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“…Um… I mean, Did I embarrass you? I just started to cry like that…”

“It was a bit embarrassing, but I don’t it’s anything to apologize about. It was my decision to stay with you when you cried.”

“Well…even if you say that…”

Tachibana laughed as she looked at me at who was at loss of words.

“…Thank you, for various things.”

“Various things…?”

“Well, just various things…” 

“Eh?”

“No, not ‘Eh’”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Tachibana’s childish response, different from her usual self.

We laughed as we walked beside each other at the dead of night.

If someone saw us, it might have been a very creepy sight.

“…I’ve decided.”

“What did you decide?”

“I don’t care about the rumours or unwanted attention anymore. I’ll do what I want to do, and if someone wants something from me, I won’t reject them.” 

“…is that so”

“There will be more people who will just leave, but as long as I have Kyoya and Tachibana, I don’t care. It’s because of you both I am who I am today. So, everything will work out.”

“I see. I don’t know if that’s good or bad though.” 

But Tachibana seemed glad.

Seeing that reaction, even I started feeling the same.

“But I think it’s good. It’s nice to see you like this.” (Tachibana) 

“Well, it’s not such a big deal. It’s a small change in my personality.” 

“But I think the most important thing is the way you’re supposed to think.”

“You sound like some old lady.”

“…Sound like an old lady?! I don’t sound like an old lady!”

“No, I meant in a good way? An old woman in a good way.” 

“Do you think you can get away with anything by saying it in a nice way?”

“I meant it in a good way.”

“…Kusuba-san is sly in a bad way.”

Tachibana’s footsteps become smaller as if she’s sulking.

While glancing back a bit, I also slow down my speed.

“…I’m hungry.”

“Me too” (Kusuba Ren)

“I want to eat something delicious” (Tachibana Rika)

“Speaking of delicious food…”

“…Grilled meat?”

“No, I meant your cooking.”

“Eh? Why on such a day?” 

“Well…how about this be the return of the favour for the lightning day.”

“Eh…you getting too sly.” 

“Please, I want to eat today.”

“…Alright, I get it.”

And again, we walked slowly side by side.

Tachibana who had seemed to become unhappy, came back to the soft expression.

“Please help me with the shopping”

“Of course,”

“Any specific requests?”

“Eh. I can ask for a request?”

“Something I can make.”

“Really? I must give it a serious thought then.” 

“Don’t get your expectations too high.”

“Yes, I have to. The food last time was so good.” 

“This is too much pressure.”

“Pressure makes a person stronger.” 

“You don’t seem to be under a lot of pressure.”

“Hey, come one.”

My heart feels light.

I feel completely at ease.

It’s definitely because of Tachibana I’m able to feel this way.

“Tachibana”

“What is it?”

“Thank you, really”

“Again? You already thanked me.” 

“I don’t care how many times I say it. That’s how much I appreciate you.” 

“…is that so”

“Yes, so that’s why, Thank you.” 

“…No, we’re friends.”

“As expected of my friend.” 

“You’re getting too carried away.” 

Tachibana looked at me with a frown on her face.

To escape from her gaze, I quickly increased my walking pace as to not let her see the grin on my face.