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

The sound of rain falling softly blended into the quiet air of the library.

Only the turning of pages and the faint scratch of pencils against paper filled the space.

Now and then, a small whisper could be heard.

It was such a light sound that no one found it annoying. After all, it was exam season, and as long as no one spoke loudly, everyone focused on studying quietly and following the rules.

“Shiomi-kun, do you get this one?”

“I’m still working on it, but I should be able to solve it soon.”

“If you don’t understand, just tell me anytime. I’ll teach you everything I know.”

“Just teach me normally.”

Did I use that right?

No, maybe? It’s just that friends usually don’t say it that way when helping each other study, so it felt a little odd.

It was the library after school.

Today, I came here to study for the test with Sena-san.

As for Yukina, she was studying with her friends today. She looked a little disappointed that we couldn’t study together, but she had originally planned to study with them during exam period anyway.

I told her there was no need to change her plans for me, and she reluctantly decided to go with her original plan.

I’ll find out later why she’s so fixated on me.

For now, it’s just Sena-san and me, so studying is going smoothly. Nothing like yesterday happened.

Still, being alone with a girl is nerve-wracking.

It’s a different kind of tension from yesterday.

When I look at her, her perfect face catches my eye, making me feel a little embarrassed.

Other students are using the library too.

A lot of the people here seem to be couples, and the thought that we might look like one makes me squirm a little.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing.”

Sena-san noticed my gaze and smiled gently. I tried to stay calm so she wouldn’t notice what I was thinking.

Hmm, she really is just a normal and beautiful girl. But sometimes… The weight in her eyes can be intense.

Still, she’s amazing. She got in the top five in her grade during the last term’s test, right after transferring in.

She’s great at explaining things, too. Sometimes when I ask her for help, the part I’m stuck on is already neatly written in her notes. A little scary.

“This problem on the next page, I think it’s a part you’re a little weak at? I’ve written it in my notes in a way that should be easier for you to understand. Feel free to use it.”

I never told her I was weak there.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome!”

She had an amazing smile, but I couldn’t figure out what was hidden behind it.

“Hey, Sena-san. Can I ask you something? It’s not about studying…”

“Not about studying? Ah, are you asking if I’m a virgi─”

“Shhh!!!”

This is the library! What is she saying?

It was a little too late, but being asked that kind of question here put me in a tough spot. And talking too long would probably be annoying, so I suggested we move somewhere else. She nodded right away.

We went to the hall where the vending machines were.

Taking a short break, I bought a can of coffee and handed it to her.

For a moment, she looked like she might refuse it, but I reminded her of the time we hung out before, and she took it.

After thanking me, she hooked her finger on the tab and opened the can. She took a sip, let out a breath, and then asked again.

“What did you want to ask? Could it be your three sizes?”

“No, not that… I mean about Shindou.”

“Maggot?”

“No, Shindou.”

She was still calling him that? I couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for her.

“Are you over Shindou now?”

“You mean Shindou? What do you mean by that?”

“Do you remember why you started talking to me in the first place? The day you picked up the fried chicken?”

“…Oh, yeah. That was a long time ago. It’s kind of nostalgic.”

Well, it was only a few weeks ago but… blushing over that? Fine, whatever.

“Since that day, I think you started asking me for advice about Shindou… But are you over it now? I’m just wondering what that advice was really about in the first place.”

“…”

“I thought you liked Shindou, and that’s why you asked me for advice. But looking at you lately, I figured that’s not it. So then, what were those questions about?”

“…”

Sena-san’s eyes widened at my direct question, and she stayed silent.

I knew I was being bold.

It would normally make sense that she acted that way to get close to me, to build a connection.

But I couldn’t tell what was acting and what was real.

Dropping the fried chicken that day… me being there… Was it all a coincidence?

All the extra attention she gave Shindou… What was that about?

I wanted to hear it from her, straight from her mouth.

My heart beat a little faster as I waited for her answer.

“Hehe.”

Her bold laugh sent a shiver down my spine.

Had I asked something I shouldn’t have…?

A cold sweat ran down my back, and I couldn’t look at her. Then, she finally spoke.

“What I’ve done so far… You might be wondering about it. But I want you to understand. Everything I’ve done is for Shiomi-kun.”

“F-for me…?”

“Yeah. You might not believe me now, but I’ll explain everything properly someday. Until then, please just wait.”

How could that possibly be for my sake?

I had no idea. It felt like she was dodging the question, yet her honest eyes didn’t look like they were lying.

Even if there was a tiny hint of madness hidden deep inside.

“Alright.”

“Thank you.”

Sena-san’s expression softened, the heavy air lifting just a little.

If I end up being tricked, that’s on me. So far, no harm has come from it, and this was my choice. No regrets.

That’s the conclusion I could come to. I felt relieved that things hadn’t turned into the scary situation I had feared.

“I’m sorry for making things so heavy.”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t worry. But hey, when we go back, should we start English next? I made a full practice test for Shiomi-kun, based on the types of questions that usually come up! With this, you’re sure to get a top score!”

“Ah, yes.”

I could only nod at her sudden burst of energy.

I finished my coffee, the serious talk was over, and it was almost time to head back. But just then, I heard footsteps running down the hallway.

A boy appeared from the corridor, making a noise.

“What, Shiomi! Why are you here?! And Mizuki too…”

“Tch.”

“Sena-san, you just clicked your tongue… Hey, that’s my line. We were just taking a normal break. We’re heading back now.”

“Wait, Shindou. Don’t tell me you’re studying alone with Mizuki!?”

“So what? That’s none of your business.”

“You’re always bothering Yukina, aren’t you ashamed?! And you, you’re just playing with Mizuki!!”

“No, that’s…”

The words I once said to Shindou in the classroom were coming back at me.

I wasn’t bothering anyone.

Still, it was true that both of them were somehow targeting me.

I didn’t honestly know what to do until I understood their intentions.

And I never had any intention of stepping on her feelings.

I never thought of using her, not even a little.

“You’re speechless!! So that means it’s true!! Poor Mizuki, being brainwashed… I’ll wake you up from him now. You’re my precious childhood friend after all.”

Shindou spoke to Sena-san in an over-the-top and dramatic tone, like there should’ve been a sparkling effect in an anime.

Sena-san kept her head down with her shoulders shaking and said nothing.

“…Stop it.”

“…Huh?”

“I said enough already!!! You cockroach!!!”

“C-co…!?”

And she finally snapped.

“I like being with Shiomi-kun! Do you think I took care of that cockroach because I had to? I don’t need lowlife insects worrying about me. Having a cockroach as a childhood friend is seriously the last thing I need. Be grateful I don’t spray you with bug spray every day! And didn’t I already tell you? Never show up in front of me again. So why are you here? Why do you come to the same class every day? Why do you live next door?!”

“N-no, t-that’s…”

“Shut your mouth. Don’t talk. Don’t make me angry anymore. If you show up in front of me again, I won’t hesitate to spray you with insect repellent.”

“─”

“Shiomi-kun, let’s go! When we get home, I’ve got to set up cockroach traps.”

“Y-yeah.”

She was furious, more than I’d ever seen before. Her words left no room for mercy.

Sena-san grabbed my arm and tried to pull me away.

Shindou just stood there with his shoulders slumped and beaten by her relentless words.

─But.

“W-wait!!”

“Huh?”

“I-it’s not Mizuki! It’s Shiomi!”