Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622173887414064
“Damn, he really does nothing but do unnecessary things.”
I was walking up the stairs alone, swearing like that.
The reason was that the break had ended because I had been attending to Takagi’s demands.
The fourth period classics class has already started, and it is the worst.
In fact, at this time, five classes are mixed together and the classrooms are divided according to proficiency level, so I have to go in during a class for another proficiency level to get my textbook.
I end up being late to class and getting looked down upon by other classes.
If this is all calculated harassment, it’s quite a feat.
As expected from a brilliant person, Takagi Rio.
While thinking this nasty thought, I took a deep breath and stood in front of my classroom.
In terms of proficiency, the class I belong to is the top class.
Since classes are decided based on grades up until summer vacation, I’ve been assigned to a Grade 2 class, which isn’t here.
“Excuse me, I’m here to pick up my textbooks.”
“Nn. Hurry up.”
I excused myself from the grumpy teacher and went to my seat, where Nagisa was sitting.
Apparently, she was taking a class right at my seat.
I was relieved that she was not a total stranger.
“Sorry Amakusan san, let me take a look in your drawer for a sec.”
“Go ahead.”
I was truly grateful to Nagisa as she pulled out my chair for me with a smile, then I finished my business and left the classroom.
What a hassle.
The nasty smile of Takagi at the front of the classroom pissed me off even more.
I was also annoyed at the fact that he was the only one who was on time for class.
And so on and so forth, I finally join the class of my proficiency level.
I sit next to a girl in the back of the class.
“Oh, it’s Edano kun, isn’t it?
“……?”
As soon as I sit down, she speaks to me in a friendly manner.
In stark contrast to her somewhat country-like appearance with her ponytail and acne scars, she has a light-hearted, gal-like demeanor.
As I blinked my eyes, the girl, completely ignoring the class, introduced herself.
“I’m Nishiho Mika. I’m a friend of Reisa’s.”
“Oh, yeah, nice to meet you.”
“Nn. Nice to meet you.”
Mika laughed while spinning her pencil at high speed.
Even though class was in progress, she continued, not seeming to be interested in listening to what the teacher was saying.
“Wow, what an honor to be next to the talented student that everyone is talking about.”
“I just sat down because there was an empty seat.”
“Huh? Seriously? You’re not interested in me? That’s hilarious.”
I don’t know what’s so funny, but Mika seems to like it and laughs.
To be honest, I can’t get the hang of it and I’m confused.
What’s with this guy?
Why is she talking so much during class?
Of course, the teacher is still giving explanations as usual, and the writing on the board goes on and on.
I regretted early on that I had sat in the wrong seat.
Since there are other seats available, I should have sat there……
However, strangely enough, for some reason, this girl’s voice seems not to be heard by those around her.
Is she trying to appear as if she is speaking normally, but being careful not to disturb those around her?
No, no, no, then I shake my head and say that they should take into account that she is disturbing me.
Seriously, what’s with this guy?
No way, did Takagi send her?
Is she trying to lower my score by interrupting my weak subject?
I can’t help but think that she’s harassing me.
As I was thinking this, Mika asked me with a grin on her face.
“So, which one of them are you dating?”
“……Huh?”
The sudden question made the lesson I was half consciously listening to fly by.
Unlike Mika, I have a big voice, and I was immediately warned to stop talking to myself.
I can’t understand why the teacher is so unreasonable, but the problem is the girl next to me.
She seemed to find my reaction amusing and was quite pleased.
“You’re close with both Reisa and Nagisa, aren’t you? Isn’t that the kind of relationship you have?”
“…Of course. Don’t be so bold as to say that. This is no joke.”
I don’t want you to joke about it.
If such rumors were to spread, I would feel my life in danger.
The boys are already gasping at the fact that I’m getting along so well with Nagisa.
“Hmm. But you’d be happy if you can date either of them, right?”
“……What are you talking about?”
I honestly hadn’t thought about it.
The difference in our attractiveness as people is so great that I can’t even imagine interacting with them on an equal footing.
The fact that we’re friends now is not right in the first place.
They only started talking to me because I was good at studying, and they wouldn’t have any funny feelings toward me.
Mika widens her eyes in surprise at my straight-faced response.
“But you have preferences, right? Which one could be your favorite?”
“……What’s with you, really?
I was starting to get annoyed by the excessively demanding questions.
It’s also annoying that the class is constantly being disrupted.
Also, as for being friends with Reisa, I personally don’t like the way she makes fun of her.
I guess Mika must have noticed my anger, because she put her hands together and apologized.
“I’m sorry. I won’t bother you anymore.”
“Y-yeah. I’m sorry for getting angry too.”
“No, it’s okay now that I know you care about Reisa. I’m sorry for trying to trick you.”
Since then, Mika never spoke to me again.
During class, the only sound that sticks in my ears is the sound of students taking notes with their pens.
She is a strange woman.
She seemed to care about Reisa, so maybe that was just a move to make sure I wasn’t having any strange thoughts.
Maybe she was deliberately throwing the sickle to check whether or not I had ulterior motives.
It feels right when I think of it that way.
It’s a bother to me anyway.
◇
After class, I was in despair.
I was so concerned about what the girl next to me was saying that I could hardly concentrate on the class.
What should I do?
I could ask Nagisa after school, but since we were in different classes, I couldn’t suppress all the content of the class.
Then I guess I’ll have to go ask her, knowing that the teacher will be angry with me.
As I was thinking about it with a reluctant face, a loose-leaf paper was placed on my desk.
I looked at it and saw that it was a very useful notebook, with a lot of writing on the board and notes.
“I apologized for interrupting your class. I’ll give it to you, so study hard.”
“I can’t take such a valuable notebook.”
“No problem. If Edano kun’s grades drop because of this, I’ll feel guilty.”
I thought I was writing with my pen a lot, but that’s what I was thinking.
The two of us talked as we exited the classroom.
“Well then, I’ll take it without hesitation.”
“Here you go. ……Ah.”
Mika suddenly froze and I followed her gaze.
There stood Reisa.
There stood a returnee with her eyes wider and mouth agape than I had ever seen her before.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it.”
With that said, the two of them disappear somewhere, including Reisa.
“What was that guy…..?”
I tilted my head and looked down again at the loose-leaf paper I had received.
Nishiho Mika, huh?
To be honest, I’ve never seen her on the rankings list and this is the first time I’ve dealt with her as she’s in a different class, but she’s definitely one to watch out for.
Her ability to summarize the first half of the class in such a way that is almost to the point, I can’t help but be wary of her grade potential.
I’m sure if she aims for it, she’ll quickly rise to the top.
I thought about that as I looked at her loose-leaf book.
◇
[Reisa’s point of view.]
“Oh, oh, oh, what are you doing?”
“I was just taking a class and talking to Edano Tsukushi, who happened to be sitting next to me.”
“That’s what’s bothering me ! Why would a maid working in secret come out into the open !?”
“A maid in secret… Lady Reisa, I told you many times that watching anime late at night is bad for your skin, so please stop. Please spare me your chuunibyo.”
“Don’t divert the conversation !”
The less popular toilet next to the gymnasium.
I went in right after lunch break after class, bringing Mika with me.
Then I grabbed her shoulders and glared at her straight ahead.
“L-Lady Reisa… if you stare at me like that–“
“What? Are you excited?”
“Please stop jumping ahead. It’s boring.”
Mika sighed as she brushed my hand away.
“Lady Reisa told me to find out, didn’t she? ‘I wanna know who’s better between me and Nagisa in Tsukushi’s mind. Help me, Mikaemon～'”
“I definitely didn’t say that, so is your strangely broken speech a way of getting at me?”
“No way. It’s love. I love you.”
“Me too. That doesn’t matter !”
Since the conversation isn’t progressing, I force her to stay quiet.
Then, while playing with my hands, I let out a weak cry.
“D-did Tsukushi find out?”
“Lady Reisa is being too cowardly. Unlike when I stopped Amakusa Nagisa and Edano Tsukushi from contacting each other, this time I decided on my own. I’m sure they won’t find out.”
“What if Tsukushi tells Nagisa that Mika was probing him? She’s aware of our relationship, so that would be dangerous.”
“That’s fine too. He seems to care about the two of you a lot, so I don’t think he would bring up such a topic given his personality.”
“I-I believe you.”
“I’m Lady Reisa’s personal all-purpose maid. Please don’t worry.”
This girl is always somewhat joking.
Is it just me, or does it feel like I’m being made fun of?
That being said, it is true that she is extremely reliable.
I honestly wish she would have been a little more covert in confirming her feelings this time around.
I was told I was being timid, but maybe sometimes a more forceful push like this is necessary.
Love is so complicated.
“So, who does he like better, me or Nagisa?
“Fufu, why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“What’s the matter with you !”
I feel like I’m always being pushed around by the maid.
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