Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093092067930254/episodes/16818622172708796811
“What’s wrong with your face?”
Mao’s first words out of her mouth were words of bewilderment.
I had been chased around by the chairman, who did not hide her murderous intent after a long sermon, and I had fled to this infirmary. As expected, I thought I had gone too far with my behavior this time. But it’s not the same as chasing around. Thanks to that, she looked at me funny.
“Hiiragi-sensei, please hide me.”
“I’m not sure, but I understand. Come here.”
When I ran into the bed, Mao quickly closed the curtains. Then came the silence as if nothing had happened, and soon after, I heard the sound of heavy footsteps.
On the other side of the wildly opened door, a familiar blue shadow was swaying.
“‘Excuse me, ……. Hiiragi-sensei, did Reito come here?”
“If it is Reito-kun, he stopped by once and immediately went somewhere else, didn’t he?”
“…… Hee. I’m going to ask you one more thing, is there a bed in use?”
“…… what is it?”
I saw a blue shadow approaching through the curtains. I quickly wrapped myself in my futon. I could only pray that Mao would do something about it.
The curtains are opened. And a moment after the chairman’s hand reached out, I closed my eyes. It’s over. I’m sure I’m going to be late getting home from the party. And then I’ll be forced to put on that horrible bunny suit…
But my futon was not peeled off. Mao grabbed the chairman’s arm and stopped her
You’re taking it too far, Uryu-san. Even the student council president has no right to wake up a student who is not feeling well.”
“Then who is sleeping here? Isn’t there only a limited number of people who use the beds in the infirmary after school when this class is over?”
“It’s true that the sports clubs aren’t active today and the nurse’s office is closed, but the Minazuki Festival is coming up soon. You can’t say there’s no chance of him getting injured during the preparations, can you? He’s tired and has fallen asleep right now.”
“Then, what is this student’s name?”
“…… Hiiragi Ryusei.”
“…Hee??”
“Ryusei is my son. …Just between you and me, I have a slight crush on him because we’re blood relatives. We don’t talk much at home…The only time we spend together is here in the nurse’s office. It’s a secret, okay?”
“What, Hi, Hiiragi-sensei, you’re married…?! I’m sorry about this. B-bye then …….”
Mao, who has little change in facial expression, somehow managed to overcome the crisis with a convincing performance. I pushed the futon aside, letting out the breath I had been holding.
“I’ve managed to do it. She looked …… pretty angry, what happened?”
“…… all kinds of things. If she catch me, she’ll make me wear a bunny suit.”
“Bunny suits……? Is that a hobby of yours, Chairman?”
“I don’t know.”
“How have things been going since that ……? How have things been going with everyone?”
Mao asks gently. The voice is somewhat maternal and at the same time reminds me of my mother.
“Thanks to you… the other day. Thanks to Hiiragi-sensei, I feel a little better now.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ll be your watchdog, Reito-kun, and also your personal maid. If you’re ever in trouble, please let me know. I’ll do anything, from housework to kidnapping.”
“That’s very reassuring. I wish you’d be a bit more restrained, though.”
“That’s up to you, master. So, what are you worried about this time?”
It seemed like Mao had already seen through my heart. It was probably because of our long-standing friendship and her deep love for me. I think the reason I was reminded of my mother when I was with her was because she had become like a mother to me.
“So you’re saying you can see right through me?”
“I can tell by watching you. I have to report every change you make to Junka-sama.”
“Is hiding it useless? ……”
I confided my worries to her. As always, she was expressionless as she quietly listened to me. Even though she had a cold expression, I felt a warmth in her, which was due to the trust we had built.
“Hm, it’s a troubling problem, isn’t it? Whomever you choose, it will be heaven and hell. You have to choose one of the three goddesses. It’s a problem.”
“…… how can I be right?”
Mao put her index finger on her chin and thought for a bit before saying.
“Reito-kun. There will be no correct answer to any of the choices in this problem. If, in your mind, ‘creating sacrifices’ is a failure, then there is nothing you can do about it. No matter how hard you work, no matter how hard you struggle, sacrifices will be made. However, those three people will not begrudge you your choice. It is the result of a well-thought-out decision by the beloved ones.”
“I’m sure you’re right, but ……”
“You can’t accept it, can you? That’s inevitable. You’re not one to give up easily, after all. …It doesn’t matter how much you worry about it. In the end, you may end up making a choice that will lead everyone to ruin. Even so, please at least understand that the feelings of the three of them will not change. No matter how shunned they are by the world”
Mao’s words seemed to carry a sense of caring for me and the three of them. Mao is always serious about my problems.
Mao’s words seemed to give me a push, and the vague feelings that had been building up in my chest quickly disappeared.
“Of course, I would be happy if you could understand my feelings as well.”
“I’ll think about it… Thanks to you, I feel a little better. Thank you, Mao.”
“For the master’s sake, anything.”
I gently hold Mao’s hand and we look into each other’s eyes. To an outsider, our expressions probably look cold. But I can tell. Mao is smiling with a bit of happiness right now.
“I’ll be off now. If anything else comes up, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes. I’ll do my best. Are you leaving after this ……? Would you like a home-cooked meal from me, if you don’t mind?”
“…… that’s not a bad idea.”
Mao’s home cooking was very warm.
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