CH 47

A Heavy Popsicle

Translated by HamletJr

Edited by

―One week after Shiorin and her friends were lent the studio.

Hasumi and I were on our way to the studio to see how they were doing, carrying some food to give them while we’re at it.

Rinka was also supposed to be coming with us, but her test scores were in the red and she was caught up in supplementary lessons.

Thank goodness for that, because if she was even capable of getting amazing test scores, it’d further amplify her image as a gang leader.

Wait, no, getting bad scores is still not good though.

“I feel bad for Rinka-san. If only I could share some of my marks with her…”

“Don’t, that wouldn’t be good for Rinka at all.”

I retorted at Hasumi, who had completely disregarded the meaning of tests. Hasumi then heaved a sigh.

“But you know, I was really caught off guard. I had no idea that you and Rinka-san actually knew each other… There were rumors that Rinka-san liked Fujimiya-kun from the soccer team, so I thought she chose her friends based on their looks.”

“That rumor is a sad lie. I say that because I know she is a good person at heart. She has no qualms about associating with even an ugly, gloomy introvert like me.”

When I said this, Hasumi hurriedly shook her head in response.

“T-That’s not true! Calling you an introvert, a siscon, ugly, gloomy, a nerd, and a socially inept person would be going too far!”

“Hasumi, I’m pretty sure that’s definitely going too far…”

I say that, but I know it’s all true, so I quietly cried in my heart.

“But I’ve never really looked at your face before, Ritsuki. Can you try taking off your glasses?”

“No thanks. Not even I want to take a good look at my face.”

When Hasumi wanted to see my true face, which she could use to connect me with Shion, I panicked internally and refused.

Hasumi sighed, apparently feeling slightly disappointed.

“For me, I don’t really care about one’s appearances when I make friends… As long as they’re nice and have the same otaku hobbies as me…”

“Hasumi, I know you might find that difficult right now, but once you move on to college, I’m sure you’ll find many people that fit that description.”

“Y-You’re one of them too, Ritsuki… After all, you’re the one who understands my feelings best.”

“Yeah, well, we’re both birds of a feather, right?”

“You don’t understand the feelings I want you to understand the most, though…”

“Hasumi… you…”

I grabbed the bag of supplies we had just bought at the convenience store from Hasumi.

“If you wanted me to carry the bag for you, you should’ve just told me so. No, wait, it’s the man’s job to notice such things, isn’t it…”

“…Fufu, you really are hopeless after all, Ritsuki.”

Hasumi heaved a sigh and laughed.

“You darn rascal; you did this on purpose, didn’t you? If you don’t carry a load like this every once in a while, how will you ever build up your muscle strength?”

“…Haaah~, what a load off my back.”

“You little…”

She even made a show out of rubbing and massaging her shoulders, which made me laugh.

Anyways, the only items inside the bag were some popsicles I myself had picked out; there’s no way they could’ve been that heavy.