Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622171920993275/episodes/16818622171921119324
“A year ago…..it was not long after I entered this school.”
Takamine san began to speak quietly, looking out the window.
I silently listened to her words.
“I was still having a hard time adjusting to my new surroundings.”
It was unexpected.
Who would have thought that Takamine san, who is a cool beauty with both intelligence and beauty, would feel that way?
She seemed perfect from the very first day she entered the school.
“Everyone around me seemed to be having fun and making friends right away, but I didn’t know what to do….. I was especially bad at group work and stuff.”
Yeah, I think I kind of understand that.
I’m also socially awkward, so group work is hell for me.
“I was in a modern literature class when we had to do a research assignment. We had to work in pairs to research a topic and present our findings.”
Group of two……. For a shy person, this is the worst of the worst.
“I……was not able to pair up with anyone, as expected, and there was one person left……”
Takamine san looks down.
This is a weak side to the girl who always seems brimming with confidence.
“The teacher said, [Then you can do it by yourself, Takamine san] but that somehow made me feel really miserable…”
I understand. I understand that much.
It’s hard when people around you think, [Oh, he/she doesn’t have any friends.]
“I was alone in the library after school, looking for materials for an assignment. But I couldn’t find the books I needed…… I was at a loss in the huge library.”
Takamine san squeezed her hand as if recalling how discouraged she felt at the time.
“It was then that you approached me.”
“Eh? Me?”
Did I call out to Takamine san?
In the library a year ago?
……No, I don’t remember that…….
“You said, as I recall…. [Can I help you?] And then you helped me search for the book I was looking for.”
“I-I……did that?”
I don’t remember at all….!
No, but, now that you mention it…
I think I was a member of the library board back then.
If that’s the case, isn’t it part of my job to talk to help students…..?
“You worked so hard to find a book by an unknown author I was looking for. You said things like, [This author is interesting.]”
“Oh, I said that !?”
Oh no, my memory is completely missing !
I mean, could I have made such a social move !?
“Yeah. Thanks to you, I was able to find the book without incident. You said, [I’m glad you found it] with a little laugh…and then you went back to the counter.”
Takamine san stopped speaking there.
Her cheeks are slightly tinted red.
“…But what about that?”
When I asked, Takamine san looked away, looking a little embarrassed, and muttered.
“…You might not think it’s a big deal though.”
“Y-yeah.”
“But at that time, you looked so….shiny to me.”
“S-shiny !?”
Me !? The shady guy !?
No, no, no, that’s definitely not true ! You must be seeing things wrong !
“When I was alone and feeling lonely, you reached out to me. Maybe that’s all it was. But for me, it was a real joyous occasion.””
Takamine san’s voice was serious.
It didn’t sound like she was joking.
Is this why her likability was [98] from the beginning…..?
The small actions I took as a library committee member that I would simply forget were special memories for her…?
If so, this [100/100] number is not a bug, but…….
I was confused, but was struck by the unexpected purity of the cool beauty in front of me.
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