Chapter 172: End of Assessment

"You're here."

Shizu-senpai said when I entered the Student Council Room.

After the questions of Ishida-senpai, we separated. She went back to the club while I made my way here at the Student Council

Upon seeing me entering, Shizu-senpai stopped what she's doing and stood up to go to the long table with a box in her hand.

Cake?

Did she wait for me?

"Do you want tea to go with that, senpai?"

I asked her even though that's probably the case. But there's still a probability that she wanted water instead.

"Un. Make that two."

Shizu-senpai answered while she started to spread the box open and reveal 2 slices of cheesecakes.

She then stood up and went towards my direction, the cabinet where the plates are kept is next to me. Well, it's the Student Council, even some clubs have a refrigerator inside. Though if the Student Council found that, it will either be close the club or give the fridge to the Council to be disposed of. Club Budgets aren't meant for leisure after all.

I don't really know what happened to her but she's probably in a mood for a break.

Err… However, it's quite possible that she really wanted to eat it with me or someone's coming to visit.

Knowing her attitude towards other people, the latter seems impossible.

Shizu-senpai opened the cabinet but she couldn't reach the level where the plates were. Whoever arranged that would surely be nagged at by her.

After trying for a few times, she gave up and glanced at me. She was pouting and clearly upset that she couldn't reach it.

"Uhm. Do you need help, Shizu-senpai?"

I know that sounds sarcastic but I don't want her to flare up. Though I might've already passed her evaluation, I still want her to have a good impression of me.

"What do you think?"

Though she looked upset, the way she's acting right now is… adorable.

I smiled and shook my head before moving next to her.

"Which one?"

I asked since there were three plate designs that were arranged neatly on that level.

"That one with the yellow pattern."

I took what she pointed at and closed the dish cabinet. I only took one even though I already have an idea that the other one's for me.

"Huh? Why did you only take one?"

Shizu-senpai asked, confused.

"Ah. Will there be a visitor? My bad, that's why you asked me to prepare two cups."

"The other one's for you, blockhead."

Shizu-senpai pouted again and this time, there's no more hint of that scary Shizu-senpai mask she always put on.

I told her to open up to someone and it seems my guess from before was correct. She chose me.

"Err… Sorry. I didn't think it was for me."

"Just go get it and come to the table when the tea is prepared."

She turned around and walked back to the table and put one slice on her plate, she then stood up again since she forgot to get a fork.

So, she can act this cute sometimes.

Err... What am I thinking? 

Minutes passed and we're already at the table with the cake and tea in front of us.

Shizu-senpai was eating her cake while sipping her tea occasionally. Like this, no one was talking, or she just couldn't get herself to start a conversation.

I'm quietly observing her, trying to see if my guesses are right. At first, she appeared scary, she saw me with Satsuki and used that to threaten my relationship with Nami. When we revealed it to her, her view of me as a playboy was cemented but with one unexpected phrase from Nami, the wall she built up crumbled which led us to this time with her.

I got to know what she's hiding beneath that scary facade she put on herself and now…

"Senpai. Do you want to open up with me?"

Her type is someone you really don't need to beat around the bush and just straight up tell her your thoughts. She'll surely find that annoying like that Vice President. He's probably asking her out with a pretext made of excuses and not his real intention.

Hearing my words, her gaze fell upon me. She didn't answer immediately and just stared at my face just like how I was staring at her.

She and Nami really have that resemblance, even for a bit. Especially their long silky black hair. Shizu-senpai's eyes are kind of yellowish, unlike Nami's sky blue eyes.

"What did Nanami see in you that she chose you over Kazuo? He's more attractive and… kind."

With that kind of pause, she probably realized that those were the only redeeming features of Ogawa.

"You probably already asked Nami about that, senpai. What did she tell you?"

"… I still don't get it, it's not even a month and you replaced her at least two years of affection towards him."

"I will be honest with you, senpai. Isn't it because Ogawa is too indecisive? In truth, she only approached me to help her about Ogawa."

"I see. You took advantage of that."

"I did help her like she asked though. But since I liked her. I confessed to her and… look where we are now."

"I guess I'm getting it now. Nami will not really fall for you if not for your efforts to let her feel how serious you are to her. Onoda-kun. Promise you won't hurt her."

I see. This is probably the purpose of this tea time. This will be the last day of her assessment and my last day as her secretary.

"I promise. I love her, senpai."

I wouldn't make the same mistakes as before. I've hurt a lot of girls during middle school. That won't happen again. In fact, it might be my turn to get hurt if some of them decided to leave me in the future. However, as long as they're with me, even if it's already tiring, I'll always make them feel special. In my own way.

"Then. That's enough. I'll entrust Nanami to you. I will stop meddling with you and Nanami's affairs. You pas--"

Before she could finish what she's saying, I cut her off.

"Do you really want to end this here, senpai?"

"Un. I told you, I wouldn't be able to change my image anymore."

She nodded and though she kept a firm tone in her voice, I could feel that it was just her acting.

"Sorry senpai but that just sounds like you're giving up. That's not something someone strong will say."

This girl. She really didn't want to open up. She decided to continue like that.

"I know. You saw it, I'm not really that strong. I only pretend to be one."

Hearing that, I couldn't help but release a sigh.

"Haa. Nami will worry about you."

"She won't if she doesn't know."

"I already told her about it. I'm not keeping anything from her."

Well, except what I did to have Shio's husband back off.

"Why did you…"

"And I will also worry about you."

"Why? Do you like me?"

"It's not about liking you, Shizu-senpai. Sooner or later that mask you're wearing will crumble and the real you will be exposed. When that happens, how will you fight back?"

"T-that won't happen."

With her stuttering like that, she probably imagined what would happen.

"I see. If that's the case, I have nothing more to say."

I said and finished the last bite of the cake in front of me and downed the tea.

I stood up and took the plates and the cups and moved to the sink to wash it.

After what I said, Shizu-senpai was left at that table and didn't say anything more. Whatever it is she's thinking, no one else will know but her alone.

Honestly, I could've let her end the sentence and be done dealing with her but I didn't.

Have I grown to like her? Maybe… No. I really have.

I am using the excuse that she is Nami's cousin.

Ah. This is probably the same case as Aya. I wanted to help her. If it's still the me who hasn't realized anything, I will still help her to get out of her shell to let her have the courage to open up to people.

Haa… Now that I think of it. I went out of my way to try and understand her. In the first place, she will only try to convince Nami to leave me. She will not risk Nami's reputation to be tarnished because of her. All her words back then was just her trying to scare me. I could've confronted her one time and let Nami deal with her, which she wished for.

I looked back and I saw Shizu-senpai staring at my back. When she noticed my eyes on her, she turned around.

After putting the plates and cup to their place, I went back to the table and sat on the chair next to her and not in front of her.

"I just realized, senpai. About your question earlier, yes, I like you."

"E-eh?"

"I just want you to know. If this is where it ends and you still stick to your decision, I'll rely on Nami to help you. She will be happy to do that for sure."

If it's Nami, she could really help her. Even if I now admit that I like Shizu-senpai, I don't think it's right for me to force her on what she doesn't want to, and I don't think I have the time to make her like me too. Maybe if things calm down, I'll try again unless…

"… If. If I decided to trust you. How will you help me?"

In the lowest volume possible for her, Shizu-senpai whispered while her head was hung low.

I reached my hand to her face and lifted it by holding her chin. Though she trembled when she felt my hand on her face, she didn't resist.

Her eyes were shaking as if it could burst to cry at any moment.

I see. That was her real self talking.

"I don't really have a plan but I'll tell you to drop your strong and scary girl facade when we're alone. That way, I can interact with your real self and you'll see how I treat you despite showing me your weakness. Well, I can also help you to make this place lively and have you open up to more and more people."

"...That sounds like a dream that will never come true."

"True but dreams can be partly realized, right?"

I smiled at her and took my hand off her face.

"Well then, senpai. I have to go now."

As much as I want to stay here and put more blocks towards my relationship with her, I asked Satsuki to wait for me.

"Your secretary job. Can we make it permanent?"

When I stood up to leave, Shizu-senpai asked. I knew this would be coming, this girl…

"As long as it's not everyday. You see. I'm a busy man."

I can't always be here. There are the club and my girls who I will spend time with as well as working towards that future.

"Right. You have other girls waiting for you."

"Huh?"

"Do you think I only know about the basketball girl? You're really a busy man Onoda-kun."

With a sly grin on her face, Shizu-senpai exposed what she has on me. If I didn't work my way to make her change her impression of me, the others might really be bugged by her. Though I don't know who else she's talking about, I really need to be extra careful.

"Err… I guess, I was really seen through by you. They're all as special as Nami so please keep it a secret."

"Monday and Friday. Your secretary and… your promise to help me."

With that pause, her real self surfaced. If only she could keep at it. I'll draw that out.

"Understood, senpai."

I smiled and saluted at her before going out of the door.

I could hear her sigh of relief even from a distance. I know. I said I won't actively chase on her but… it just happened.