CH 1

Chapter 1 — The Saint of Our Class

It has already been a month since I’ve entered high school.

I had gotten fairly used to the new environment and had already made quite a few friends in class.

I could now nonchalantly walk through the school gates, which I previously walked through with nervousness and anxiety. Moreover, the classroom door, which had previously felt heavy, now felt light.

And when I—Kisaragi Manaka—entered that very same classroom, feelings of jealousy started to gush out from deep inside me all at once.

“Fufu, Souta really is kind~♡”

“Not at all~”

Indeed, what greeted me was the sight of my best friend, a beautiful girl with semi-long brown hair, a well-rounded face, and smooth, clear skin was next to him, sitting on top of his lap. They were flirting, and at the same time, radiating a lovey-dovey atmosphere.

If the saying, “Other people’s misfortune tastes like honey,” had an antonym, it would surely be, “Other people’s fortune tastes like poison,” no?

As proof of this, I could feel my mind starting to have impure thoughts.

“Hey, wanna go home together today as usual?”

“Yeah, of course. Let’s go home together, hand-in-hand, like we always do.”

“Yay♪”

What do I feel whenever I see this usual flirty act of them?

Envy? Jealousy? Or perhaps bitterness?

—No, it’s something different.

“Begone, evil creatures!”

It was all—a mixture of those feelings.

Who deserves to see such a scene this early in the morning!?

Seeing such a sweet, sugary scene made us on the verge of vomiting blood! Normies are, to us non-normies, nothing more than outside invaders! Come, yes! Now is the time to cleanse the world of these accursed normies! Everyone, sprinkle the salt!

After monologuing as such, I took out a handful of salt from my pocket, aimed it at such accursed creatures, and was about to throw it. Just then, the semi-long brown haired girl flirting with my best friend just a moment ago stood up, walked over to my direction and—

“Stop it already!”

—slapped me as hard as she could.

♦♦♦

“Good morning, Manaka.”

“Yeah, morning.”

Rubbing my swollen cheeks as I sat down on my seat, my best friend since middle school, Sakuragi Souta, then greeted me.

A brown-haired, refreshingly handsome man. Such were the words that completely described Souta, as much as I hate to admit. He had enviable well-chiselled features and a false-sounding kind personality. Combined with his cheat-like athletic abilities, he was popular among the girls in school even though it had only been a month since he enrolled.

However, no girls had confessed to Souta since he entered the school.

—And why is that?

“Good grief… Don’t do such stupid things so early in the morning.”

This is because Souta already had an existence called a girlfriend.

Indeed, the girl who made the remark with a sigh just now is his beloved girlfriend. The very same semi-long brown-haired girl who had been flirting with him just moments before. Her name is Toudou Miyuki, and her seat is just next to Souta.

“No, on the contrary, I think you’re the stupid one here. Slapping me heavily on the cheek after showing us such a flirty scene so early in the morning.”

“So? What we’re doing, and where we are doing it; that’s none of your business, right?”

Yep, tyranny at its most heinous.

“Now, now, you can’t do that. I don’t think slapping someone is a very good idea.”

“Okay, sorry, Souta. ♪”

As Souta warned her, Toudou apologized in a gentle tone, in contrast to the harsh tone she had used with me earlier.

I couldn’t help but tear up… seeing our disparity in enthusiasm…

“…Hah. I don’t mind you guys flirting with each other, but can you please at least think about the place? If you don’t, the value of my jealousy will reach past the breaking point.”

“Alright.”

Souta, having consented to my condition, then patted Toudou’s head.

What do you mean “alright”? Aren’t you flirting with each other even now? You f*ckt*rd.

“If you’re that jealous, why don’t you just get a girlfriend yourself?”

“You’re saying as if it’s that easy to get one.”

If it was, then all of the boys around the world who didn’t manage to have one wouldn’t have glared with their eyes full of jealousy towards normies like you, you know?

Have you gone nuts? You normie bastard.

“But, if it’s you, Manaka, I’m pretty sure you’d be able to get one easily.”

“Yep. You’re uselessly high-spec, so if you felt like it, you could get ten—no, maybe even twenty girlfriends.”

“That’s too many.”

If I had that many girlfriends, it would be too immoral of me. Or rather, I don’t even want one.

“Well, no… even if you say that, I don’t really want to have a girlfriend.”

“Yet, you’ve been sprinkling salt all over us…”

“This and that are different.”

Though I said I didn’t want to have a girlfriend, seeing my best friend flirt happily with his girlfriend in front of me makes me want to vomit.

“Sheesh…you. You still can’t forget that?”

Toudou said, looking at me before snorting.

“Can’t forget—well, yes. I still can’t forget about that, and I can’t bring myself to throw it away.”

I said, as I leaned against the back of my chair before turning my gaze up at the ceiling.

I can’t forget those emotions.

And those feelings I had felt for the first time.

Even after a year passed, I just can’t throw all of those away.

“Still, if you continue to pursue that first love of yours, no matter how much time passes, you won’t be able to get a girlfriend, you know?”

“…I already know that much.”

In reality, forgetting about my first love would be for the best.

If it was a first love that could have been realized, that would be wonderful; unfortunately, it appeared that she was still dating that guy even now, thus this first love of mine would bring no fruit.

That’s why, it’d certainly be better if I let go of this first love and move on to a new one.

However—

“Hah… In a word, you, having to forget that first love of yours would be for the best, right?”

Toudou said as she let out a small sigh. Then, slowly, as if there was something from her locker, she slipped her hand inside and took out a metal bat—

“Wait, wait, wait! You! What are you planning to do to me?”

“Eh? Well, I just thought that if I’d beat you half-dead, you’d be able to forget, see.”

“Forget my first love, I might even lose all of my memories, you know!”

What the hell is this girl thinking? Aren’t her ideas too bizarre?

I’m really curious just how much this girl influences Souta. I mean, such drastic methods should have a limit, don’t you think? At the same time, I’m having doubtful questions as to why a metal bat is sleeping inside a high-school girl’s locker.

“But you know, I really, really want you to have a girlfriend…”

“That… but, why?”

Hearing my question, Toudou then put the blunt instrument inside her desk, and muttered in a slightly embarrassed way;

“Because I’m grateful to you… so I earnestly wish for you to be happy.”

“…Is that so?”

I felt happy with her words, however, there was some part of me that wasn’t sure if I would be able to follow through with her earnest wish—to be happy.

It was only once, but after I experienced these feelings of love, I couldn’t feel my heart thumping loudly anymore whenever I spoke to the other girls other than that time, and I felt somewhat empty.

Will I ever meet someone who can make my heart thump even louder than it did then?

“Such a complicated request, don’t you think…?”

Looking up at the ceiling, I muttered as if it were somebody else’s problem.

♦♦♦

“Good morning, everyone.”

As we were talking about such things, the classroom door suddenly opened, revealing the figure of a girl as she walked in.

“Good morning, Stella-chan!”

“Yes, good morning.”

The girl smiled and returned the other girls’ greetings before settling in her chair, which made her beautiful blonde hair sway in the air.

Then, in the blink of an eye, the other classmates formed a crowd around her seat.

“Good morning, Hiiragi-san!”

“Stella-chan, did you change your shampoo?”

“As expected of the Saint… she’s cute today too…”

The crowd surrounding her was irrespective of gender. They were scrambling to be the first to talk to her as they came from all directions at once.

…Do you guys really hate the thought of being the last one that much?

“Haha, the “Saint” is still as popular as ever, don’t you agree?”

“Yep. Whenever she goes to school in the morning, this always ends up happening.”

Those were the words that leaked out of Toudou and Souta’s mouths as they both witnessed such a sight unfolding in front of their eyes.

…Certainly, no matter how many times I’ve seen this sight, it never ceases to amaze me.

“Fufu, thank you very much, everyone.”

Within the center of that crowd, a voice escaped out of the beautiful blonde-haired girl, showing them a smile.

Her name is Hiiragi Stella. [EDN: Last, First]

She had sleek, waist-length blonde hair, blue eyes, a small, petite figure, and a lovely child-like face. Her gentle personality and kindness to everyone made her popular, not only in the class but also in the whole school.

Rumor has it that she’s a daughter between a British and a Japanese person. Considering that, it would then make sense why she has Nordic features. Consequently, while she indeed has good looks, I’m pretty sure she doesn’t stand out only because of that, but also for another facet of her personality.

Thus, the nickname “Saint” had been granted to her by many and has stuck since then.

It is said that those who’ve spoken to the Saint were immediately held prisoner by her magnanimity and tenderness.

I’ve also heard that ever since her enrollment, the number of boys and girls who’ve confessed their love for her seems to have surpassed fifty.

…???

…Oi, even women have confessed to you, huh. Don’t make me inwardly tsukkomi you.

“Certainly, no matter how many times I see her, she’d just make me go amazed.”

Having witnessed such a sight happen in front of me, words of amazement leaked out of my mouth as well.

“Ara? You’re now aiming for her too, huh? Even though you said you couldn’t forget your first love.”

“As if. I’ve never even interacted with her once.”

I replied, shrugging my shoulders at her remarks.

Aiming for her? What nonsense.

Ever since enrolling in this school and becoming classmates with her, even once, I’ve never interacted with her. Well, half of the reason why is because I just can’t seem to slip in with that crowd, while the other half is because she’s a woman way waaaay out of my league, and I can’t help but feel small.

In addition—

“There’s something about her that makes me displeased.”

“Ara? What a coincidence. I also feel the same.”

“Oh? You too?”

“Yes.”

That’s unexpected. I had no idea Toudou felt the same way.

I thought that it was only me who had this uncomfortable feeling; I never thought that there was someone who could relate.

“She’s cuter than me, and I don’t like it.”

That’s just jealousy, goddammit.

“Don’t worry about such trivial things. To me, you are the number one cutest, Miyuki.”

“…Souta (blush >///<)”

For f*ck’s sake, stop flirting so openly like that.

Can you please think about how I might feel watching both of you flirt so close in front of me while holding hands? I’ll die of diabetes, you know?

“Hey, why don’t we go to karaoke on our way home today?”

“Good idea! You can come with us too, Stella-chan!”

“I’m very sorry, but I already have plans after school today…”

Even as I was continuously being bombarded by sweetness, the conversation surrounding the saint was getting more and more heated.

…I think.. it’s better for me to go and join the crowd rather than staying here, watching both of these normies flirt, no…?

♦♦♦

After school.

As a result of having slept like a log in the middle of one of our classes, I had been given a special mission by sensei.

“As punishment, you will be required to clean the classroom after school, alone.”

Goddammit! Sensei’s such a jerk! I mean, our grade-school sensei taught us that we should clean together, so why doesn’t she, our high-school sensei understand such a basic concept!?

Good grief… I wish she’d do a do-over starting from grade school.

And while she’s at it, I wish she’d also learn to be tolerant of students who’ve been attacked by the legendary beast called sleep.

In any case, since cleaning the whole classroom alone would surely take me some time, I asked Souta and Miyuki for help, but—

“Sorry, we’d love to lend you a hand, but we made a promise to go on a date today.”

—they ditched me.

Really, normies should just go extinct. That said, I can’t really complain since it’s all my fault, to begin with.

…Hey, did you know, sensei? Toudou was also sleeping stealthily, you know?

Thinking about such things, I started cleaning.

After sweeping all the trash into the dustpan, I went to the trash can to throw it away.

“Oh? It’s already full, huh.”

However, as I was about to throw all the trash in, what met my eyes after I opened the trash can’s lid was an already-filled trash bag.

It’s not like throwing all the salt in would make any difference, but—

“…Welp, let’s properly dispose of it then.”

I’d definitely feel ashamed, feigning ignorance about this.

So, I took the trash bag out of the trash can, tied it shut, and left the classroom with it in hand.

If I remember correctly, the garbage dump should be behind the school building. Alrighty then, let’s hurry and throw this sh*t out so we can go home.

♦♦♦

“Hey, wanna hang out with us?”

“Come on, you won’t be bored with us.”

“L-let go of me, p-please!”

Under the setting sun, I arrived behind the school building carrying a heavy trash bag, when suddenly, a person’s voice entered my ears.

“…There are still students here, huh?”

There shouldn’t be anyone left in the school building, and if there were, they should be those students doing their respective club activities.

I didn’t think anyone would still be at school.

I got a little curious about that voice, so I went to the source.

It came from the other side of the garbage dump, a place normally hidden from view.

When I arrived at the source, I slowly peered into the place from the corner.

“Why not~? Even though we’ve invited you this much already?”

“Perhaps, you hate talking to us? Then, I guess we’d be using force instead~.”

There were two male students and one female student.

The female student looked extremely frightened as her arms were grabbed by one of the male students, making her unable to run away.

“…What a sickening sight to see.”

I said, as I felt a disgusting feeling swelled up inside my chest.

It’s most likely that those male students are senpais and are forcibly trying to drag the girl along to hang out with them.

I was surprised to see that there were still men doing these kinds of things nowadays, but more than that, I was more concerned about the fact that the frightened girl looked familiar.

A girl with silky blonde hair, a voice I’ve sure heard of before, and a small, petite shivering figure—

“…Isn’t that Hiiragi?”

The girl that was being held by one of the male students was, to my surprise, the saint of our class.

What are you doing here? And how the hell did you end up getting involved with those men?

Such questions popped up inside my mind.

However, the moment I saw tears welling up in her eyes, those questions didn’t matter anymore. I knew that I had to make a move here.

I’ve never talked to her once, nor have I ever gotten involved with her before.

It may be less troublesome if I’d just turn a blind eye here and walk away.

However—

“Well, well, Saint. Looks like you’re in a pinch here.”

I came out from where I was hiding and called out to them as if I was asserting myself to the male students.

In the end, we can’t just ignore it if we see someone in trouble, can we?

“Huh? And who the hell are you?”

As I placed the trash bag down and went to where the Saint was, one of the roughnecks then noticed me.

The other one also noticed me and faced towards my direction, although still not letting go of the Saint’s hand.

…Uoh, scary.

Please don’t glare at me like that so much. Will you take responsibility if I wet myself?

“Y-you are…”

Muttered the Saint, seemingly having noticed me, albeit a bit later than that of the glaring roughneck.

“‘Nice to meet you’? No, that seems kind of wrong. ‘It’s been a while? No, that’s not it either.”

Just what would be the best thing to say here?

Even though I think I appeared in such a cool way, I’ve got no clue about what lines I should say next.

…Hm, looks like I don’t have the traits of a Hero.

“Oi, why are you here? You’re a first-year, aren’t you?”

“Indeed, it’s-a-me, Kisaragi Manaka, a first-year student. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“Never asked for your name. You taking me for a fool?”

Oya? Then what were you expecting to hear? I thought, involuntarily tilting my head in the process.

“Go scram, first-year. We’re in the middle of something right now.”

“Even if you tell me that, I also have some business with the Saint over there…”

I said, before taking a slight glance to the side.

What met my eyes was the Saint, a bewildered look on her face, presumably because of my sudden appearance. Nonetheless, she was still trembling, and tears were present in her eyes.

“Shut up, brat. Go scram now unless you want to get hurt.”

After saying so, one of the roughnecks walked in my direction.

Uwah… Mom, come pick me up, I’m scared. A run-of-the-mill delinquent-like line was used to threaten me, I’m so scaaared.

“I understand. The Saint and I are going to disappear from your sights now, so can you please let her go?”

“This girl is going to hang out with us after this, there’s no way I’d let her go.”

“Right…”

I said before letting out a small sigh. Now then, while I really did feel disgusted by their actions and appeared in front of them like this, I did so naturally by impulse, thus I have no plans prepared at all.

And, even if I did have precautions, the chance of them backing off is pretty much 0%… Oh, wait! That! Let’s do that!

“Sensei! There are roughnecks here bullying a student a year lower than them!”

I looked behind and shouted as hard as I could.

However, was it because of my sentiments that didn’t manage to reach them? There wasn’t anyone who showed up.

“Did you just forget that we’re currently behind the school building? There’s no way teachers would come here.”

“O-of course, right…”

Strange, isn’t it? If this was an anime or manga, that would be enough to make them back off while saying, “Tsk, he’s calling sensei!” or “Oi, time to skedaddle.” Was my calculations off? I thought it would work seeing that they look like run-of-the-mill delinquent characters.

Sasuga upperclassmen, they don’t seem to be idiots.

“Hey, you. You’ve been taking us for fools right from the beginning, haven’t you? Looks like we’ve got a masochist here looking for some pleasure.”

Then, a roughneck senpai grabbed me by my collar.

“T-this is bad! Please run away!”

The saint shouted as such towards me.

Good grief, if you were gonna say that, say so a little sooner, won’t you? I’m already grabbed by my collar, there’s no way I could run away now. But well, I’m happy that you’re worried about me, though.

“If I’m gonna run anyway, wouldn’t it be better if we run away together?”

Thud.

Saying so, I started with shoving the collar-grabbing senpai first before grabbing the Saint’s hand and running away from the place.

“Eh?”

A look of surprise came over the Saint’s face because of the abruptness of the situation but soon started running on her own as she was pulled along.

I heard a loud angry roar from behind, but they didn’t seem to be chasing after us. Was it because the other guy got concerned about the collar-grabbing guy I shoved down? Or was it because relentlessly pursuing us would cause a commotion?

I had no clue which was the real reason, but for now, let’s just think about escaping.

♦♦♦

“Phew… What a tiresome day.”

I said as I wiped the little bit of sweat from my forehead using my arm.

We were currently at the opposite end of a school building, specifically at the back of another school building which is directly opposite the garbage dump.

Really, man… I had to be beaten up by Toudou, I also had to run away from some skirt-chasers. What a real mess of a day.

“…”

And, even the Saint was, for some reason, staring blankly at me.

What? Is there something on my face or anything? …Well, not that it matters.

I thought, before letting go of her hands.

“Are you alright?”

“Yes… Thank you very much.”

The saint was clearly befuddled, but she still managed to reply.

“At any rate, that was a real disaster. Getting tangled up with such men.”

“Yes, while I don’t think they’re really bad people, that just now was a little bit troubling.”

Such kindness, she’s a saint indeed.

Despite what those men did to her, she didn’t even blame or criticize them, and she even went on saying that they’re not bad people.

—Even though her body is still shaking even now.

I’m nonplussed…

This is definitely why I can’t stomach her.

“Still, you’re really light on your feet, aren’t you, Kisaragi-san? …I, on the other hand… am already out of breath.”

The saint said while catching her breath.

“Hm? Well, sort of.”

I used to run like crazy for the sake of my first love, you see. I never imagined for it to become useful in a situation like this. I wouldn’t have worked out like that if it hadn’t been for someone saying they liked fast runners.

We never really know what the world has in store for us.

“Hm? Which reminds me, how did you know my name?”

“You made a self-introduction a moment ago, didn’t you, Kisaragi-san? Besides, I remember all of my classmates’ names, you know?”

Saying so, the saint then smiled.

Her smile, which was illuminated by the setting sun, was so radiant that it made my heart involuntarily skip a beat.

…This. I guess I can see why people say they were held captive by her beauty.

“Well, at any rate, I’m glad you’re alright. Gotta go now, I still have to take out the trash.”

I said, before turning my back to the saint.

I have to hurry up and finish cleaning, I still have to write a written apology after all. Dilly-dallying now would just make me go home late.

We won’t run into each other if I go home now, will we? I mean, she should’ve gone home then, no? …Well, let’s just keep an eye when we go home later.

“P-please wait a moment!”

The Saint said, grabbing my arm as I was about to take my leave.

“U-uhm! Thank you very much for helping me, and uhm… I-if it’s okay with you, I’d like to somehow repay the favor…”

Just as I was thinking what she was about to say, to think it’s about repaying the favor…

“Don’t mind it. I just did it because it didn’t sit well with me.”

“Still! I want to repay this favor I owe you!”

“…Haah.”

Hearing the Saint’s reply, I let out a small sigh.

She really is having the wrong idea here.

I was just pissed off at a sight I didn’t want to see, so I wedged my way in. Plus, I did so appear with no other intentions such as having her owe me a favor.

—And,

“Listen, Saint. Since I now have the chance, I wanna make something very clear.”

I turned around and set my gaze on the Saint’s lovely face before opening my mouth.

“I want to have as little to do with you as possible. Frankly speaking, whenever I see that forced expression you make whenever you face anyone, it makes me annoyed. I mean, you might be a good person deep inside, but whenever I see you give everyone that friendly grin as if you’re disguising your real feelings… I just—I simply can’t stomach it.”

“—!?”

“I don’t know, I may be wrong, but that’s still what I feel whenever I see you. So, don’t feel obligated to thank me for what I did this time, and while you’re at it, please don’t get too involved with me in the future.”

Such cold remarks were spoken bluntly to such a passive girl.

Hearing such remarks, the Saint was speechless from shock.

…Still, it’s not like I think there’s anything wrong with only showing everyone your outward personality or anything.

If you and the people around you are satisfied with it and are happy, that may be fine. But, not me. I don’t like that.

You see, when I interact with others, I want them to express themselves honestly, and I want to get along with them on that basis.

Meh, it’s just me and my selfish arguments. I believe it’s very wrong to foist it upon the Saint.

The saint has her way of living her life. Like the adage “to each their own,” the Saint is free to make her own decisions, with no need for others to meddle or tell her what to do. This is true not only for the saint but for everyone.

Maybe I was just venting out on her. Perhaps the irritation I felt from having seen such a disgusting sight was still lurking somewhere inside me.

…Even though she did absolutely nothing wrong…

“Sorry, I was out of line. And, uhm… just like I said before, don’t feel obligated to thank me or anything; just carry on as usual.”

I felt feelings of guilt gushing deep inside me as I saw the distressed look painted all over the saint’s face, and I walked away as if running.

The saint was frozen solid on that spot, she was as silent as a tree.

“Really, it’s not like me to say stuff like that…”

I’ve never felt this way before, so why did I even say things like that?

Feeling a slight prick in my chest, I turned my back to the Saint and walked away from the scene.

♦♦♦

“Say, Souta.”

“What’s up? Also, why are you making such a serious face, Manaka?”

I somehow managed to finish cleaning and making a written apology yesterday, and it’s currently the day after, right before our morning homeroom starts.

Seated in front of me was my best friend, Souta, and I, with a serious expression, was staring at him.

Inside the classroom, a cacophony of cute voices and sordid bellows can be heard echoing about as usual. Both from girls and boys, respectively.

“Nothing really… I was only wondering how long until you’d be able to understand my feelings.”

“…Understand your feelings?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“You say that, but I don’t have any clue on what you’re going on about, though?”

Oblivious to the seriousness of our talk, Souta tilted his head.

…Ugh! How come you don’t have any clue!? How many years do you think we’ve been best friends for, huh!?

“…If you’re playing dumb, then let me get this straight.”

“I’m not playing dumb, though?”

Shut up! Stop interjecting every time I say something!

“Listen, what I’m trying to tell you is—”

I said, before taking a deep breath.

“You are a real eyesore, so—”

“Ah, Souta♪, there’s something on your hair.♪”

“—STOP INTERJECTING ME WHEN I’M TALKING YOU IDIOT!”

“The hell? Why are you so loud this early in the morning?”

Toudou, who interrupted the words I was wanting to say, looked at me as if she was looking at trash.

“Huh? It’s because you interrupted me when I was in the middle of talking.”

“Hah! Even if you’re talking, that doesn’t give enough reason why I shouldn’t talk too!”

“—Kkh!”

I couldn’t help but choke up at Toudou’s self-assertive attitude.

…Although you may have a valid argument, couldn’t you have chosen a better timing?

I just wanted you to read the mood and not interrupt me as I was talking with Souta, you know…

“…Somehow, I’m sorry.”

I became so frightened with Toudou’s eyes that words of apology naturally leaked out from me.

Really, what a scary girl. I didn’t know until now that people could make eyes like that. I guess… is it time for me to stop hanging out with these guys?

“So? What were you trying to say just now again, Manaka?”

“Hm? …Ah, that. Nothing, I just wanted to say that you’re a real eyesore, so please get the hell out of my sight. Don’t mind it.”

“Of course I would mind it! What the hell!?”

Shut the f*ck up, you normie.

Bruh, look at this dude. He thinks he’s not an eyesore when he’s here in front of me, mind you, flirting with Toudou who’s sitting on top of his lap like usual. I mean, it’s already too late for him to be minding such things.

“Good morning, everyone.”

I just gave up and shrugged my shoulders at them. Just then, the door opened, and a voice that could leave a strong impression echoed throughout the classroom.

“Good morning, Stella-chan!”

“Good morning, Saint-sama!”

“Aah… She’s looking cute as usual…”

What followed the usual greetings of the other classmates was a creepy voice of a guy.

Haah… Sure enough, just by the Saint’s simple appearance, the classroom’s atmosphere changed a whole lot.

The people who’d been happily talking with each other a moment ago, as soon as the saint appeared, stopped their conversations and greeted her.

…What? Is this a kind of religious activity?

“Fufu, good morning.”

The saint returned the greetings and went to her seat, over to our direction—wait, huh? Isn’t her seat over there? Why is she coming here, then?

“Good morning, Kisaragi-san.”

“…Huh?”

And, for some reason, she came to a halt just next to my seat and greeted me in a composed manner.

I couldn’t help but let out a squeak of surprise at her unexpected greeting.

“O-oi! The saint’s greeting that trash of a b*st*rd!?”

“Maybe… he’s got the saint’s weakness and is using it to blackmail her?”

Bruh, I just got greeted and trash-talked at the same time. You guys sure that we’re comrades of the same class?

“That’s pretty unusual, don’t you think? Having the saint greet such an existence that’s no better than a frog.”

“You’re just the same, you b*st*rd.”

Why the h*ll is she leaving a follow-up insult as well? Even though this glass heart of mine has already been broken into several pieces…

“Yes, we happened to have the chance to talk yesterday, and we surprisingly got along well.”

“Hmm, is that so…?”

The saint was unfazed with Toudou’s sharp glare and just made her usual saintly smile.

Seeing that, Toudou snorted as if looking at something boring before turning her head away.

“…So? What do you need?”

Letting out a small sigh, I asked the saint what her deal was without looking at her face.

…There’s no way she doesn’t remember what I just told her yesterday. And yet, for her to go out of her way to come and get involved with me—just what in the world is her goal?

“Nothing really, I just wanted to get along with my classmates.”

“…I see.”

Then let’s get along…shall we?

Dammit, even though I gave her such a cold shoulder yesterday, to think that she’d say something like this…

As expected of the Saint… is definitely the right reaction, no? What a strong-willed girl.

“Plus—”

The saint said, stopping midway before closing in her lovely face close to my ears and whispered in a soft voice.

“I’m quite interested in you, Kisaragi-san. Also, I have yet to repay the favor I owe you for yesterday. And I’d be pretty happy if we continue to get along from now on.”

Then, she smiled at me one last time before returning to her seat.

Eh…? Why… did she whisper in my ears…?

I felt my face turn hot for a little and watched the saint’s retreating figure in a daze.

“…You, just when did you get along with that girl?”

“Indeed, even though both of you just started talking yesterday.”

The flirty couple said, but I couldn’t find any words to return to them. I was speechless.

Both by the fact that despite giving her the cold shoulder yesterday, she still talked to me and the fact that she just whispered in my ear.

I had so many mixed emotions that all I could do was to stare dumbfoundedly.