After I Picked up a Notebook Filled With Intense Emotions, the Girls Started Acting Strange - Chapter 10

“Ah, Shiomi-kun. Are you heading home now?”

“…Sena-san. No, I’m on duty today, and sensei asked me to carry some materials.”

After school.

I was about to go to the staff room when Sena-san spoke to me. I got a little tense because of what she said last time about not looking for the notebook.

“By yourself? What about the other person?”

“They disappeared before I noticed.”

Normally, there are two people on duty, but the other person had rushed home the moment class ended.

Of course, it was Orihara-san.

…Did she dump this on me?

Well, I’m free after school anyway, so it’s fine.

“Eh!? Really? That’s tough. Do you want me to help?”

“No, it doesn’t seem like a lot, so it’s okay. By the way, Sena-san… have you asked him out yet?”

“Huh? Um… not yet…”

Despite all the heavy feelings she seems to have, she’s kind of shy.

She still hasn’t invited Shindou to hang out. Since they’re childhood friends, it feels like she should’ve asked him out a bunch of times already…

I looked at Shindou’s seat, but he was already gone.

Looks like he went to club activities.

“Ah, but don’t worry! I’m planning to ask him today!”

“Is that so? Well, good luck!”

“Yeah. I have to go home and get ready, so I’ll be leaving now.”

“Ah. I’ll head to the staff room then.”

…Get ready for what, I wonder.

After saying goodbye to Sena-san, I headed to the staff room.

◆

“Excuse me.”

I had received the materials from our homeroom teacher, Gozen-sensei, a few times in the staff room.

Finally, all the materials were carried to the storage room.

It took more time than I expected. I guess the teacher had planned to leave it to two students because there was a fair amount.

“Alright, time to go home.”

I left the staff room and was heading back to grab my backpack from the classroom when I stopped.

Someone was panting at the school entrance.

“─…Haa, haa, haa.”

“…”

Of course, it was Orihara-san.

She had a plastic bag in her hand, and her school bag was still on her shoulder. Looks like she had gone home once and came back.

“Ah!”

“──!”

“I’m sorry!”

She looked up, saw me, and ran straight over. Up close again, just like last time. She grabbed my arm and apologized.

“Huh?”

“You were on duty today, right!? Sensei asked you to do something, and I totally forgot and went home!!”

Looks like she remembered and came back.

“Is it already done…?”

“I just finished.”

“I’m really sorry!”

“It’s fine… but can you let go of my arm for a moment?”

“Ah!”

Orihara-san realized she was holding onto my arm and hurriedly let go. Her cheeks were a little red, probably from running.

“Can I do something to make it up to you?”

“There’s no need. It wasn’t a big deal. Just remembering and coming back was enough.”

“But…”

She didn’t seem satisfied.

I didn’t expect her to be so serious about apologizing.

Ever since the last incident, it had felt a little awkward. She usually seems loud and lively, but I’ve seen her be bright and friendly to everyone. She really is a kind girl at heart.

“Ah, then I’ll give you this!”

Orihara-san reached into her bag and handed me something.

I looked down at my hand to see what it was.

“A ballpoint pen.”

“Yeah! It’s an apology!”

Why a pen?

It wasn’t expensive or anything, just something I could buy anywhere. If anything, it looked like a recently released model.

Her bag still had a bunch more of the same pens.

Is she planning a pen party or something? What even is a pen party?

“Did you buy all of these? Isn’t that a lot?”

“No~, that. Shi-do-kun recently got a new one, and it looked really easy to use so…”

“He got a new one…?”

Still, she bought way too many. How many of the same pen does she need?

A line from the notebook suddenly came to my mind.

─I bought the same thing he had and secretly swapped it. Now I can feel him anytime…

“…”

Ah, so that’s it. Somehow, it made sense.

Even so… does she really need that many?

If it’s just for swapping, one pen should be enough. There must be some reason.

“Alright then, I’ll be going now.”

“Ah. Thank you for the pen.”

“You’re welcome!”

Orihara-san smiled brightly and started walking… not outside, but toward the classroom.

“…You’re going back to the classroom?”

“──!”

She turned around and was surprised when I spoke.

That expression… It’s the same as when someone sees something they’re not supposed to.

“I-I just… forgot something.”

“I see. I’m going back for my bag too…”

“Ah, r-really? Oh, never mind. My bag had it all along. Bye!”

When she heard me, she looked clearly flustered. She rummaged through her bag and then rushed off like the wind.

…What exactly was she planning to do in the classroom?

The classroom was empty.

After seeing that side of her, leaving Orihara-san alone here felt a little dangerous.

Well, only Shindou would really be affected, so it’s not a big deal.

Still, I don’t know whose notebook this is, but why does everyone act in ways that link to the episodes inside it?

It looks like the search for the notebook isn’t over yet.

After a little hassle with Orihara-san, I returned to the classroom while still holding the pen she gave me.

It might be over the top, but I’d gladly make use of it.

Still, everyone really seems to like Shindou. He’s definitely good-looking but…

What stands out more is my impression of him back in middle school.

We were in the same club, so we talked quite a bit. Back then, Shindou was getting really good at both studies and sports.

As for me…

“No, that was just self-destruction.”

After what happened back then, I started avoiding Shindou. I couldn’t put effort into anything, while he secured his place effortlessly.

“Everyone’s favorite guy…”

If possible, I hope we can reach an ending that makes everyone satisfied. Maybe even the notebook’s owner. Is thinking something that convenient too naive?

“Was it okay not to go home together? Today the club’s off, right?”

“It’s fine. I need a break sometimes, too. Being together all the time can be tiring, right?”

“…!”

Just as I thought that, I reached the classroom door and placed my hand on the sliding door. From inside, I heard a boy’s voice.

Since I’ve been paying more attention lately, I immediately recognized whose voice it was.

I peeked through the slightly open gap. Shindou was leaning on his desk and was smiling.

“Don’t slack off and get me fed up, you hear?”

“Don’t worry. Mizuki’s been head over heels for me since forever.”

He said it lightly, almost like exhaling.

Next to him, his friend Imaoka frowned in concern.

“But, Arata. Mizuki-chan’s been trying so hard every day, right? She even makes lunch. Things have calmed down recently. You could pay a little more attention to her.”

“It’s fine like this. She’s better now, but if I fuss too much, it’ll get annoying again, right?”

Imaoka was left speechless and just forced a bitter smile.

Maybe he doesn’t mean any harm. But there was no need to say it like that.

Hearing that by accident stirred something inside me, and my grip on the pen tightened naturally.

“And Mizuki does it because she likes me. So a casual attitude is actually just right. These days, she doesn’t cause me any loss. Besides, I have someone else I’m a little interested in. If I ever date someone, I’ll decide carefully first.”

Hearing that sent an uncomfortable and gritty feeling deep in my chest.

Sena-san had been pouring her heart out. Sometimes she might have gone a little too far, but…

She was really serious.

And now… she’s being treated like this.

“…So that means you’re keeping her around?”

“That sounds bad when you put it like that.”

Shindou answered Imaoka with a laugh.

Before I knew it, my feet had started moving on their own.