CH 41

We left the school without Ishiyama-san and headed toward the front of the station.

All eyes were on our group and we were the center of attention. That’s no wonder, since Takai has changed her look, all the girls except for me are beautiful girls.

Chihiro is a guy, but his face can be put in the category of a beautiful girl.

「Is this café just fine?」

As we neared the station, we stopped in front of a café in one of the many stores lining the street and Aizawa-san asked me about it.

We entered the café without any objections from the other customers.

It was interesting to see the reaction of the customers and the wait staff the moment we entered the restaurant. Three beautiful girls suddenly entered the store, attracting the eyes of both men and women alike.

After placing our orders appropriately, we brought the missing chairs to the wide sofa seats and sat down.

「The reason I asked everyone to come all the way out here today is because I wanted to talk to you about Ishiyama-san.」

Hearing Aizawa-san’s outburst, Uehara-san and Chihiro, including myself, seemed surprised.

Takai has the same blank expression on her face as usual.

「Aizawa-san, what does that mean?」

I was curious about Ishiyama-san, with whom I have been getting along relatively well lately, and was quick to respond to Aizawa-san’s story.

「In a word, Ishiyama-san is suspicious. The fact that she approached us also means that there is a possibility that Tōyama and you are her objective.」

Ishiyama-san’s objective is me?

「How do you know it was me?」

「I’ve been asking around among my classmates, and it seems that Ishiyama-san is dating Kurashima.」

Eh? I’ve never heard of that guy having a particular girlfriend right now.

「However, they’re not dating outwardly, but… uhm, I heard they have a saffle-like relationship. It’s just a rumor.」

Sex-friends… When I heard those words, I almost involuntarily turned my attention to Takai.

How did Takai react? I don’t know now that I’m trying not to look at her.

「Does that mean that the recent sudden approach to Tōyama might have something to do with Kurashima?」

Uehara-san asked Aizawa-san in a concerned voice.

If the rumor is true, the thickest line is that he has a grudge against me and is up to something.

「If the rumors are true. Kurashima still seems to be leaking stories to those around him about how he still holds a grudge against Tōyama.」

Ehh… That was annoying to me.

According to Aizawa-san’s overall story, Kurashima is plotting something with Ishiyama-san about me.

Is it something like this? It’s annoying.

「Yuuki has been spotted by a very serious person, hasn’t he?」

Chihiro looked into my face with concern.

「…Chihiro has a beautiful face, doesn’t he?」

「Y–Yuuki!? W–What are you saying! In this situation too.」

In spite of this situation, when I saw Chihiro’s face, I couldn’t help but have real feelings.

「Tōyama, you… you’re too nervous, aren’t you? You do realize that Kurashima might have a grudge against you and be targeting you, don’t you? Good grief… haah…」

Aizawa-san let out a sigh of dismay.

「Anyway, Tōyama, of course, but also Marika, Yumi, and Okita, please be careful.」

Aizawa-san gave us a heads-up.

「Especially Tōyama, keep your sides tight and don’t let your weakness get the better of you. Moreover if you are photographed alone with a woman or something like that that might leave evidence.」

Hearing Aizawa-san’s specific warning reminded me of the other day.

It was when I hugged Nakamura-san.

…Isn’t that pretty bad?

I can feel the sweat coming out of my back.

「Tōyama? You look a little pale, are you okay?」

Aizawa-san looked into my face with concern.

Should I tell Aizawa-san about this?　No… I should probably talk it to her.

「Aizawa-san, I’d like to talk to you alone for a moment.」

「What? What’s the matter to talk this with only the two of us?」

「Well… there’s a little bit of issue.」

Aizawa-san looked at me with a doubtful face.

「I see… Well, let’s talk over there for a minute, shall we?」

With that said, Aizawa-san and I moved to a seat a little farther away from them.

「What the hell!」

When I honestly told about how Nakamura-san had hugged me, Aizawa-san’s voice was so high pitched that it resonated in my eardrums, and I was astonished.

「Aizawa-san, a little quieter! We’ll get ourselves into trouble.」

Aizawa-san suddenly shouted so loudly that the attention of the surrounding customers was focused on me and her.

「Toyama… you… you too will need to be alert after all that’s happened to you!」

「No, I’m sorry…」

I reflected that maybe I was not thinking straight.

「But I think it’s strange that we have to be so suspicious of our classmates. It’s not normal to get used to going through school constantly on the lookout for classmates.」

If I doubt everything, there is no end to it. If I start to value my relationships with people, but I doubt everything, I will be in a worse situation than before.

If I were to doubt Nakamura-san from the beginning and not listen to her, it would be disrespectful and hurtful to her who really liked me and approached me. So at that time, I wanted to face Nakamura-san with sincerity.

「Well, I see what you mean… But as long as there might be people with bad intentions, it’s natural to be wary.」

I think Aizawa’s point is also valid.

「In any case, that matter is now in the past, and let’s hope there is nothing to be done about Nakamura-san’s matter. So, Tōyama, be more vigilant from now on. And I will look into Nakamura-san.」

「Yeah, thank you.」

We then returned to the table where the three of them were waiting and told Uehara-san, Takai and Chihiro honestly and they understood.

I carefully explained to Nakamura-san that I had no special feelings for her. Because I was afraid of Uehara-san’s eyes if I didn’t.

◇　◇　◇

The day after my discussion with Aizawa-san and the others at the café, I was standing at the counter on after-school book club duties.

「Hello, Tōyama-kun. We haven’t talked since that time.」

When I saw the unusual figure who appeared in the library, I was alarmed, remembering Aizawa-san’s story from the other day.

「That’s unusual, Nakamura-san. Did you come to borrow any books today?」

The person who appeared was Nakamura-san, who had confessed to me the other day and demanded a hug.

I had not seen Nakamura-san in the library since I started working as a member of the library committee, and remembering Aizawa-san’s words, I became more wary of her.

「No, I came here today to have an important talk with Tōyama-kun.」

I could sense from Nakamura-san’s expression that it was not a good story, and I could not hide my unease.