Episode 5 – Signs of Dependency

Perhaps it is the haircut and manicure, but more and more girls are talking to Amamiya san.

Why am I not sure? Because even though I am often described as out of touch, I am not so out of touch as to eavesdrop on girls’ conversations.
I may look like this, but I know a lot. That’s why I’m well aware of shame.

“Amamiya san! See you tomorrow! I had fun today too, thank you.”

“Ah, ………………. Okay, bye-bye.”

She returned goodbye greetings, though a little awkwardly. I guess in another week, she’ll be playing with her friends.

Huh? I just noticed that she only greets me in the morning, right? Why? There must be other classmates besides me, so why only me?

Anyway, I guess I’ll try coming to school late tomorrow. I have a rough idea of when Amamiya-san will enter the classroom, so I’ll adjust my time so that I arrive about two minutes later than that. If I’m not there, she might have a conversation with another student.

Oh? I spotted what looked like Amamiya-san’s back on my way to school.
I see, if I leave at this time, I can get behind her without being noticed.

Hmmm……… there is a girl in the same class right next to her, but there is zero sign of conversation with her. I wonder why they don’t talk to each other, since they must have noticed each other.

But still, when I compare their backs like this, I notice that Amamiya’s skirt is much longer. It’s not that shorter is better, but since she cut her hair, shouldn’t it be a little shorter? With her previous haircut, I think the current length is the best.
No, but is it really weird for boys to mention skirt length? If it’s bad, it might be traumatizing.

While I was thinking such things, I arrived at the school. Near the shoe box, students were giving each other light greetings and talking to each other, but zero students were talking to Amamiya san.

If even I am being talked to by some students, why aren’t they talking to her? Is she too cute? Oh, it must be.

“…..?”

Amamiya-san enters the classroom and looks around with minimal movement. Is she feeling uneasy because I haven’t taken my seat?

…… Okay, I’ll just watch her some more. If you think about it, I’m usually the one who keeps blabbing on, so there’s no room for anyone else. If I’m not there, you’ll probably have a conversation with at least one person before homeroom. In fact, several people came to talk during recess.

…… No way, it’s zero. No one approached her, and it never occurred to me that Amamiya-san would talk to anyone. I couldn’t sense any intention to talk to her in the first place. Hey, hey, I was just treated as a suspicious person. I got a crazy amount of cold stares while I was observing Amamiya-san, what’s up with that? I was the only one who lost out.

“Good morning, Amamiya-san.”

“! Ah, Good morning.”

　
　
For a moment, she was a bit jumpy, but then she returned the greeting. Maybe it was my imagination, but didn’t she look happy for just a moment?

“You’re late today, aren’t you? Um, …… is something wrong?”

Was she worried about me?　Well, if someone who is always early in the morning sits down just before the chime, you might be worried, but that doesn’t mean you should have a relationship with him. But that would require a certain kind of relationship, right? In other words, am I considered a good friend by Ammiya? san. If so, I’m happy.
It’s the mindset of a new teacher who’s gotten to know his students.

“No? I was just kind of relaxing at home today.”

“Hee……? This late, this late?”

There’s a strange sharpness to it. Yes, it’s unnatural, but can’t you just let it slide? It might be a sensitive issue, like a stomach ache or something.

“Did you miss me? Just kidding.”

“If you’re not here………. Um”

“Hnn? What did you say?”

I think I heard something about a time off, but it was all in a very quiet voice.

“……, it’s nothing.”

I wonder what she was about to say. I’m curious, but I don’t want to dig too deep because I don’t think she’ll like it if I pry too deeply.

“Maybe I should start coming to school later.”

“Eh……?”

What?　Did you just overreact to my casual monologue?　I mean, what’s with that expression? Yes, it’s …… as if something unacceptable has happened.

“What’s wrong?　 like that expression too though.”

“Like……! Oh, no, I’m sorry …… what you said earlier. ……”

“What did you say earlier? about leaving the house late?”

“Why ……?”

Oh, did I just step on some kind of land mine? It shouldn’t hurt or itch for her if my time to get to school is off. ……

“I just thought I should make the most of the time.”

I mean it on this one. I get to school early because I don’t want to be late in case I’m not, but it would be more constructive to get more sleep or watch the morning news. Just because I get to school early doesn’t mean I get to go home early.

“……. I see. Talking to me is a waste of time. ……”

What’s with that paranoid interpretation? I never said anything like that, did I? Isn’t that as outrageous as a celebrity’s antics?

“No? It’s fun talking to you, Amamiya-san, isn’t it?”

“…… but it’s more …… effective to stay at home, right? Time ……”

I’m glad she’s willing to talk, but I’m at a loss for an answer because of the content. Why the sudden troublesome girlfriend-like nonsense ……?

I don’t know, but I have to clear up the misunderstanding anyway.

“That’s a misunderstanding. You and I have a conversation that is invaluable to me.”

On second thought, I get plenty of sleep and don’t bother watching the news on TV. I don’t even need to watch the news on TV. I just go to the Internet, to the sites that summarize the news, or to social networking sites. I can see the views of the general public there, so I am less likely to be influenced by biased reports from the media.

Therefore, it is much more meaningful to communicate with classmates who you can only talk with at this moment. After graduating from high school, we won’t see each other until the coming-of-age ceremony.

“Do you really …… think so? I have a small voice, I’m not a good speaker,…… and I’m not as pretty as you say, Hatoyama kun.”

”You have a small voice, no doubt, but it’s wrong to say you’re not pretty.”

“You say that to ……………… everyone, don’t you? That kind of thing.”

What a thing to say, this girl. That is nothing short of outrageous. I’m the kind of guy who can’t tell an ugly girl she’s pretty, even if I’m offered a lot of money. If I had to say she was pretty or I’d die, I might.

“I would only say it to a pretty girl.”

“…………”

What’s with the eyes?　Is it what is commonly known as a “jito-eye” look?　Is it suspicion or disdain? Either way, I don’t feel very good about it. But……

“I love the way you look at me.”

“Uuuu……. Really, Hatoyama kun, you’ll be …… doing that.”

“I don’t mean to be that, but let’s be realistic, it’s more fun to talk to a pretty girl. I can’t help it.”

“If soo……… other girl’s …..why I …uuu……”

She turns her face away and blurts out something, but I can’t hear her clearly over the sound of the chime. I’m not going to worry too much about it, since she doesn’t seem to be mad at me.

Let’s see. ……At any rate, I’ll start going to school as usual tomorrow. I can’t bear to deprive her of the opportunity to deepen her friendship with another girl, but as long as she wants to talk to me, I’ll oblige. I’m sure she’ll eventually expand her circle of friends if she gets used to it with me. If I can’t help her make friends right now, I can at least help her prepare to make friends. There’s no need to rush.

But why does she keep glancing at me from time to time? Is she bored in class?I remember that her grades were good, but she must be the type of person who makes more progress in self-study.

–

–

If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !

https://ko-fi.com/dasuitl

https://saweria.co/dasuitl