Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/822139837192665438
Returning to Toka’s house, I scribble today’s points for reflection into my notebook.
Starting the second semester like this means a normal high school life is nothing but a pipe dream!
“Toka! Starting tomorrow, it’s practice for being a normal high school girl!”
“Okay!”
Toka sprawls on the bed, beaming with a huge smile.
Her motivation alone gets a perfect score.
“First off, normal girls don’t hold hands while walking to school.”
“Eh? But I might get hit by a car when crossing the street!”
“What alternate universe are you talking about!?”
Hearing that, I actually started to worry… I really am too soft on Toka.
“Then just holding sleeves is okay, right?”
“No, just sleeves?”
“Ei!”
“Now?!”
Tohka got out of bed and came over to me.
No, no. Don’t give in.
This is how I always end up letting her lead the dance.
This semester, I’m keeping things normal. I refuse to waste any more of my life in the staff room!
“Look, it’s fine at home, but what if a teacher sees us at school?”
“‘I was about to fall, so he helped me up,’”
“You really do have a knack for coming up with excuses!”
I knew Toka was clever, but her mind works surprisingly fast too! Come to think of it, back in April when I first talked to her, she was spouting nonsense like “I was summoned by a futon”! Even as a kid, she’d answer interviews confidently surrounded by adults… Damn it, how am I supposed to raise this high-spec girl?
“Ryo-kun, I love you.”
“I love you too, but…”
Seeing everyone’s reactions today, Toka’s reputation has definitely improved. Considering it’s only been a few months since she was called a ‘failed project,’ it’s truly amazing.
But that very improvement also brings fear…
Just like the girl once hailed as the nation’s most beautiful actress fell into disgrace as a ‘failed project,’ there’s a real possibility Toka’s current reputation could flip again.
As her boyfriend, I absolutely can’t overlook that risk. That’s why, while she’s in the spotlight now, I want her to avoid drawing attention.
With the commotion over Kagurazaka Kaede finally calming down, I think what’s needed now is a cooling-off period.
“Ryo-kun, just the sleeve isn’t enough.”
Just as I was secretly thinking that, Toka pressed herself tightly against my side.
“…Why are we zero distance now?”
“It’s cold if I move away.”
“Nah, it’s still barely summer.”
Toka stayed glued to me, not moving.
She tugged at the sleeve of my T-shirt, smiling softly like a child.
“Ryo-kun, you haven’t looked at me at all since earlier.”
“You’re the one who gets embarrassed if I do look.”
“That’s that, this is this.”
“That’s way too unreasonable.”
“Girls are unreasonable creatures.”
“Don’t just shrug it off!”
When Toka smiles like this, I can’t say anything back.
For now, I need to create an environment where Toka can have a normal school life. This isn’t the time to be worrying about her feeling left out in class!
…You know, I want Toka to have a normal high school life. Not as the former celebrity Asahina Toka, but as the ordinary girl Asahina Toka.
◇
“Today we’re finally doing the seat change!”
First period English class. The teacher’s voice echoed through the classroom!
Incidentally, English class is handled by our homeroom teacher. It seems they decided to use English class time to finally do the seat change today.
“Ryo-kun, they’re doing a seat change.”
“Oh, your reaction’s weak today.”
“I got written up in the disciplinary notebook too, so I’m keeping quiet today.”
Toka stared intently at the lottery box on the teacher’s desk. Her eyes were very serious.
No way… she’s seriously trying to draw the seat next to mine by herself…? Our class has forty students. With roughly equal numbers of boys and girls, she’d need to draw the one in twenty chance to end up next to me.
“Kuga-kun, Asahina-san!”
The teacher called our names. It seemed our turn to draw had come.
“Ryo-kun. See you later.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Celebrities seem to have this power to make things happen at moments like this…
Sometimes miracles happen that make you wonder if it’s staged for TV.
The teacher handed us the box. I reached in first and drew one slip. Toka followed and drew one too.
““One two…!””
The moment we opened our papers simultaneously—.
“Number forty.”
“Number one…”
Oh no. Toka got the front row seat by the hallway. I got the back row seat by the window. We ended up perfectly diagonally across from each other. Life just doesn’t work out that smoothly, does it…
“Alright, everyone, switch seats according to your numbers!”
Once everyone had drawn their numbers, the teacher gave the command.
“Well, can’t be helped.”
Toka was surprisingly nonchalant about it. That made me feel a little lonely.
“Ryo-kun. I’ve been thinking lately. Destiny is something you seize with your own strength!”
“C-cool!”
“I’m going to go get the person who ended up next to you to swap numbers with me!”
“Backroom deals are lame…”
Toka puffed out her chest with a smug “hehheh” and stood up triumphantly. Her goal, of course, was to find the girl who ended up next to me!
“…Ryo-kun”
“You’re back already?”
“I didn’t remember any of my classmates’ names.”
“I know.”
“Hey, anyone—did anyone sit next to Ryo-kun?!”
“YOUR VOICE IS SO LOUD!”
“If you talk to my Ryo-kun, I’ll get mad! Especially you girls!”
Toka was saying weird things again!
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