CH 47

47 - The leeway from wife

As soon as I arrive at school and take my seat, Rinka, who is sitting in the front row, looks back at me.

Our eyes meet for a few seconds.

Without taking any particular action, she turns her head forward. And resumes her usual routine of reading.

Recently, we have been seeing each other less and less during breaks, and we don't spend our lunch break either.

Could it be that she is lonely?

The reason why Rinka hasn't said anything to me is probably that we almost got caught by the other students a few times.

Or maybe Kurumizaka-san or Kiyokawa have said something to her without my knowledge.

But I think this is unavoidable.

If we meet again and again like before, someone will really find out.

Rinka is a popular idol and stands out easily.

No matter where she goes, rumors will start, and just talking to a guy will be the topic of conversation among the students.

If I and Rinka are going to meet, we have to be very careful.

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~"

".......Mm." (Kazuto)

I feel a slight vibration in my pants pocket. It's from my smartphone. So, I take it out and check it.

[Kazuto-kun,  Can we go online tonight?] (Rinka)

It's from Rinka. She can't talk to me directly, so she has to use the smartphone to communicate with me.

Well, it's enough as long as I can get in touch with someone I like.

[Sure. Let's do.] (Kazuto)

[Thank you, Kazuto-kun. Also, can you please come to the back of the old school building for lunch today? Nana guarantees that no other students will ever come there.] (Rinka)

[Okay.] (Kazuto)

By the way, Kurumizakazaka-san said she would find a place where no one would find us.

She promised so the day I and Rinka hid in the locker.

I don't think she will actually go looking for one for us.......

[Nana will also be present....... Is that okay?] (Rinka)

[Of course.] (Kazuto)

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~"

Today, it seems that the three of us, Kurumizaka-san, Rinka, and I, will be spending lunch together.

It will be the first time the three of us having lunch together since the first time Kurumizaka-san and I had a conversation in the cafeteria.

The talk about lunch break is over, and Rinka continues to bring up some topics.

We exchanged some unremarkable chit-chat, like...... how a cockroach had appeared in her house yesterday and Nonoa-chan had happily tried to grab it with her hand, or how Kasumi had asked her about her progress with me.

[Senior Ayanokouji. I have a request.] (Ayane)

It's from Kiyokawa.

Normally it'll be a warning or a nagging, but this time is unusual.

Thus, I stop chatting with Rinka for a moment and reply to Kiyokawa.

[Okay. What's your request?] (Kazuto)

[Would you read the novel I wrote? It's a romance novel for women.] (Ayane)

[If it's a novel for women, it'll be better to ask Rinka and Kurumizaka-san, won't it?] (Kazuto)

[I've been getting feedback from Senior Nana and the others on a regular basis. So I'm hoping that Senior Ayanokouji, who is a man, can give me his opinion and feedback as well.......] (Ayane)

[I see.] (Kazuto)

If that's the case, I'll be glad to help her.

The fact that Kiyokawa asks me for my opinion on her novel is probably a sign that he accepted me as a friend.

[Am I a bother to you? Do I suddenly get too close? I'm very sorry. I may be a member of Star☆Mines, but I don't know how to interact with older male friends......] (Ayane)

[Don't worry, You're not bothering me at all.] (Kazuto)

Kiyokawa's writing exudes anxiety. That's exactly what a loner feels like.

I know exactly how Kiyokawa is feeling right now because I myself have a loner tendency.

[Are you sure I'm not a bother to you?] (Ayane)

[You're not a bother, so please rest assured. But I don't know if I can be of any help, though.] (Kazuto)

[I'd be more than grateful for your opinion and feedback.] (Ayane)

[Roger that. When do you want me to read it?] (Kazuto)

[May I visit Senior Ayanokouji's house after school today? Actually, I left my novel at home and I'd like to go back and get it.] (Ayane)

[Ah, sorry. My parents are at home today.] (Kazuto)

[In that case, how about you come to my house instead? It's just about a ten-minute walk from the school.] (Ayane)

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~"

You're inviting me to your house?

Kiyokawa trusts me more than I imagined. She seems to be the type of person who opens her heart to people she recognizes as friends.

However, what should I do?

As for me, I have no problem going to Kiyokawa's house.

I just wonder what Rinka will think.

That's what I'm worried about.

I'm somewhat anxious about going to her junior's house without telling her.

Well, it's not like I'm going to do anything wrong, but.......

"If I'm going to report this to Rinka, I need to tell her about my interactions with Kiyokawa." (Kazuto)

As for Kiyokawa, she maybe does not want to be reported to Rinka.

If I keep my mouth shut, it might not be a problem....... No, I must not.

I feel bad for Rinka.

But it'll be a shame to miss the chance to get to know Kiyokawa better.

After much deliberation, I decided to tell Kiyokawa about my concern.

[I have no problem going to Kiyokawa-san's house, but I can't keep it a secret from Rinka.] (Kazuto)

I receive a reply from Kiyokawa right away.

[I've already told Senior Rinka and Senior Nana about us.] (Ayane)

[What!?] (Kazuto)

[I told Senior Ayanokouji about my true self, didn't I? That day, I also told them about everything. Including the fact that I've been monitoring you.] (Ayane)

[......Did you not get scolded?] (Kazuto)

[I got a mild scolding. But Senior Rinka said to me, "I don't mind as long as Ayane acknowledges our relationship".] (Ayane)

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~"

I immediately take a glance at Rinka, who is reading.

She is still sitting with her back straight and her posture as graceful as ever.

[I've already received permission to invite Senior Ayanokouji to my home.] (Ayane)

[I haven't heard anything about it from Rinka.] (Kazuto)

[I don't have any idea about that. Maybe she decided she didn't need to say it?] (Ayane)

[Eeerm......] (Kazuto)

[Ah, but Senior Rinka said something like this. "It is natural for Ayane to be curious because Kazuto-kun is a wonderful boy. But I'm not worried, and I don't need to make a fuss about it. Because I am his wife. No matter how many girls there are, I will always be the number one."...... that is.] (Ayane)

......Those are the lines that I can afford to hear in my brain. And certainly sounds like something Rinka would say.

I also wonder what's up with that line, it sounds like she was approving of me and Kiyokawa having that kind of relationship.

Am I overthinking this ......?

[I don't think this is possible, but does Senior Ayanokouji have permission from Senior Rinka to go out with more than one girl?] (Ayane)

[Well, I've been told something like that a few times.] (Kazuto)

[I knew it, with Senior Nana, you has.......] (Ayane)

[I told you, I'm not a two-timing. The only one I love is Rinka, now and in the future.] (Kazuto)

[I am relieved to hear those words. So, I'll ask for your cooperation after school today. I'll send you my address.] (Ayane)

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~"

I receive Kiyokawa's address. It's an apartment not far from this school.

It'll only take about 10 minutes to get there by bike from my place.

[And I'm going to stop monitoring you from today. I apologize for the inconvenience I've caused you.] (Ayane)

I see. So the surveillance is finally over. The period is shorter than I thought.

...... I don't know why, but when it comes to an end, I feel a little sad.

[Hey Kiyokawa-san. If okay, why don't you spend lunch with us?] (Kazuto)

[Eh?] (Ayane)

[Today's lunch break, I, Kurumizaka-san, and Rinka, the three of us are planning to have lunch together. The place is located behind the old school building.] (Kazuto)

[Behind the old school building? ....... It's a long way from here, but it's the best place to make sure no one finds you.] (Ayane)

[Right?] (Kazuto)

It's a place that Kurumizaka-san found, though. But, for some reason, I was proud of it.

[......Am I not going to be an intrude for you guys?] (Ayane)

[No, you aren't. It's not like you and Rinka don't get along, right, Kiyokawa-san?] (Kazuto)

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~"

If it is just me and Rinka, she might have let out one of her complaints.

However, since Kurumizaka-san will be there as well, it will be a lively gathering with her friends, won't it?

[Yes, of course we are. I understand. I'll be joining.] (Ayane)

This is how the four of us will be spending lunch together today.

I casually invite them, but these three popular idols and I are going to spend lunch together.......

If the Star☆Mines' fans find out about this, I'm going to be beaten to a pulp.

[Kazuto-kun, what's wrong?] (Rinka)

Rinka asks, probably she's feeling anxious after the chat had stopped for quite some time.

[I invited Kiyokawa-san to lunch today, is it okay?] (Kazuto)

[Of course, it's fine. Nana will be there as well today.] (Rinka)

"This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~"

I'm relieved to get Rinka's approval.

If she said no, I'll have lost my face.

No, I have known that Rinka will willingly approve.

[But I wonder if Ayane will come. She seems to have a lot of friends, doesn't she? So, I think her lunch schedule is already fully booked.] (Rinka)

.......

Kiyokawa...... You didn't tell them you're an all-alone girl?

[And I'm going to her house today, is it okay?] (Kazuto)

[It's fine.] (Rinka)

[Does it not bother you?] (Kazuto)

[It bothers me a little, though. But...... you two are friends, right? It's fine then. I don't want to shackle Kazuto-kun's or Ayane's activities with something like this.] (Rinka)

[I understand. You put great faith in us, yes.] (Kazuto)

[Eee. This is just the leeway a wife can afford, okay.] (Rinka)

......It's the usual Rinka.