After I was confessed, the young lady looked strange. - Chapter 1.2
Class 1A, high school division of Tenjouin Academy.
This is the class where the young lady and I have been studying since this spring.
It’s been over a month since the entrance ceremony, and small groups have formed within the class. Among the academy students, those like the young lady and me who advanced from middle school to high school are called “internal students,” while those who passed the entrance exam from outside are called “external students.” The small groups are mainly divided into “internal students” and “external students.”
Since the “internal students” knew each other from middle school, it was natural for them to form groups. As a result, it’s difficult for “external students” to integrate into these established groups, so they inevitably create their own.
And this is one of the problems I’m facing.
(The young lady has no friends…)
Although it’s been over a month since entering high school, the young lady still doesn’t have anyone she can call a friend. This has been a problem that has given me headaches since middle school.
It’s not that people avoid her. It would be more accurate to say that she’s admired by everyone, and if someone starts a conversation, she responds normally. A few days ago, on the way home, some unfamiliar girls even struck up a conversation with her.
However, there are hardly any students close enough to be called friends.
For better or worse, it could be said that the young lady treats everyone equally. While this isn’t bad, and there’s no need to force oneself to make friends, I worry that her world might become too narrow. That’s my only concern.
“Why do you look so troubled, Eito? … Or could it be that you’re imagining the girls in the gym right now, sweating healthily in their gym uniforms? I understand. I get how you feel, Eito. Especially the image of Tendou in gym clothes, it’s so captivating it could make you numb…”
“If you continue talking, I’ll make you regret it, Yukimichi.”
“You’re still the same, getting irritated whenever Tendou is mentioned…”
Hair dyed brown, a bit long. A slim but well-proportioned body with moderate muscles. If I had to compare, perhaps like a friendly dog. His actions, like a small dog suddenly cuddling up to someone, bring a sense of comfort.
Usually, he wears his uniform casually, but now he’s in gym clothes with his hands up in surrender. His name is Kazami Yukimichi.
His parents… that is, the young lady’s parents and Yukimichi’s parents have a very good relationship, so the young lady and I have known him since childhood. His academic ability, though not as good as the young lady’s, is still considered quite good, and in a month he’s managed to get acquainted with most of the “external students.” His communication skills are so high that it’s hard to imagine from his frivolous appearance.
“The thing that’s worrying you to the point it’s visible on your face, must be related to Tendou, right?”
“… Your observation skills are as good as ever.”
He can’t help but be considered a friend of the young lady. At least it can be said that their relationship is quite good.
Currently, the young lady hardly has any students close enough to call friends. The “hardly” here includes him.
“You have a lot of friends, don’t you?”
“That’s right. Not to brag, but I’m confident I can collect the contact information of all the girls among the ‘external students.’ Just give me one more week.”
“That’s not something to be proud of.”
“Come on, if there’s something bothering you, just tell me. I’m probably the only one you can easily talk to, right?”
Though not an outstanding young man, his communication skills are truly not to be underestimated.
… It’s not like I can’t discuss this with him. If there’s any possibility of negatively affecting the young lady, I’ll be the one to filter it out.
“Actually —”
I tried to tell Yukimichi about the recent concerns in my heart, although it might not have been a good idea.
“… I see. Indeed, Tendou hardly has any female friends at school. For now, let’s not talk about those from the upper class.”
“Even within that class, it’s hard to imagine any family that could match the Tendou household…”
“But occasionally there are those who don’t know their own limits… Well, let’s put that aside. I understand your concern.”
“Do you really understand?”
“I do… I think it’s probably difficult. Especially recently, she’s been very cautious.”
“… What’s the reason?”
I didn’t think he would assert it was “difficult” without a reason.
“The reason is… first, I want to confirm a few things.”
“Go ahead. When it comes to matters related to the young lady, I basically know everything.”
“Well then, first. You’ve been confessed to by a girl before, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Did you tell Tendou about this?”
“I did.”
“I see. I completely understand now.”
“How can you understand anything from just these few words!?”
“I’ve never seen anyone as bad as you.”
“Really…!? Am I that bad…!?”
Damn it. I don’t understand… I don’t understand at all…!
What on earth have I done…!?
“That’s right, I heard a bit about your situation.”
“My situation? Not the young lady’s?”
“That’s right. Not Tendou Hoshine. But about Yagiri Eito. It’s you… Eito. Did you go alone through the square in front of the station before?”
“… Yes, I did. I remember I had some things to buy, so I went there.”
“At that time, did you see any girl being harassed by a group of men?”
“Ah, yes. I did see that.”
“… Did you rush in to help and get beaten up by those men?”
“Don’t underestimate me. Ordinary people without experience can’t beat me. Since they wouldn’t listen to me and wanted to use force, I just gently pushed them away.”
“…………………… I see.”
“… Why are you looking up at the sky like that?”
“No reason. I just feel sorry for Tendou for being your childhood friend… These days, she’ll still be on high alert.”
As I was about to ask Yukimichi about the meaning behind his words, the whistle of the PE teacher sounded.
“Next batter, quickly get into position —”
“Hey, it’s your turn, Eito. Hurry up.”
“Ah, yeah…”
Unfortunately, today’s PE class was baseball. I had to stand in the batting area.
The conversation was cut off midway. I missed the chance to hear Yukimichi’s detailed explanation.
☆
“Hey, hey. Tendou-san… can I bother you for a moment…?”
After PE class, when I had finished changing and stepped out of the changing room, a girl came to talk to me. She looked quite unfamiliar. Since I didn’t know her, she must be from another class… probably an “external student.”
Anyway… um, she was a cute girl like a small animal. She definitely didn’t seem to have a strong personality. It must have taken a lot of courage for her to approach a stranger like me.
“Um. Sure. What’s the matter?”
“I have something I want to give to Eito-kun…”
“… Something you want to give to him?”
Someone, please praise me for not panicking. Really, anyone… Anyone will do.
“Yes. Because before, he helped me…”
“… I’m sorry. I don’t understand what’s going on. Could you please explain in more detail?”
She then told me the details.
Walking in the square in front of the station, she was harassed by a group of boys.
She was forced to go out with them but was too scared to refuse.
At that time, Eito came and saved her.
Like a prince on a white horse… ah, this girl seems to be the dreamy type. So it’s this kind of person this time…
“Heeh———… Is that so… I didn’t know about this at all. Thank you for telling me.”
Well, I really didn’t know about this. Such an important thing, and I didn’t know anything about it.
“So, what do you want to give to Eito?”
“It’s… it’s this…”
The girl took out a small pink cute bag. This feeling… it’s baked goods. Cookies. Probably homemade cookies.
“This is… a thank-you gift for helping me… Could you please pass it to Eito-kun for me?”
“… Don’t you want to give it to him yourself?”
Once again, I tried not to freeze in such a situation. Really, anyone will do, come and praise me.
“Um… if I meet him directly, I’ll remember that scene, it’s very embarrassing… but, I just want the thank-you gift to reach him…”
“I see… alright, I’ll help you then.”
“Thank you very much…!”
☆
“Young lady, how was PE class?”
“It was normal… But more importantly, look at this. This is for you.”
“What’s this? Cookies…?”
“It’s a thank-you gift for helping someone at the square in front of the station. Eat them carefully, okay?”
“Ah, that incident…”
“… Eito. Today on the way home, you need to take a detour.”
“I don’t mind… but where are we going?”
“Where? How about the square in front of the station?”
“There probably isn’t anything new there…”
“Just listen to me. You have to go even if you don’t want to… there’s something I can’t afford to lose.”
She’s really flustered. If this continues, one day she might actually receive a notice saying “I already have a girlfriend,” which would make her faint. Even if it’s just a little, she needs to act quickly. But if she approaches it in a normal way, the result will be the same as before. If she doesn’t change her strategy, the chances of it all being in vain are very high. A change she hasn’t tried before… perhaps asking someone for help? If so, then from someone else’s perspective… not a girl like her, but a boy like Eito would be better. And this person needs to understand Eito well when she’s not around, like a friend. If there was such an assistant———
Storyteller Hanni's Words
Kinda a sweet story. Hope everyone likes this novel. Visit my Ko-fi if you wanna support me.
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