After I Picked up a Notebook Filled With Intense Emotions, the Girls Started Acting Strange - Chapter 45

“Is this a class notebook? Why did he even bring a notebook on a field trip?”

I tilted my head.

Was he stupid for bringing study stuff on a trip? I couldn’t help but think Yuu was a little ridiculous. But I also wondered why only this notebook was here.

I rummaged through the backpack again, but there were no other notebooks inside.

“Huh?”

The strange feeling bothered me a little, so I flipped through the notebook lightly.

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[April 7, 202◇]

Wait. We’re in the same class.

I feel like I’m going crazy. I don’t know if I can hold back.

I like him.

I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him I like him.

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“W-what the─”

“The bathroom is way too crowded. I was gonna hide in there and use my towel.”

“Yuki-chan? Use, what?”

“I-It’s nothing!”

“!!?”

Hearing the girls’ voices, I quickly put the notebook back and hid.

Luckily, there was a big tree nearby. I let out a small breath and am a bit sweaty inside.

The two shadows, Yukina and Mizuki, climbed onto the picnic sheet without noticing me.

“Huh? The backpack…”

“What’s wrong, Mizuki-chan?”

“Did you touch the backpack? Its position seems different from before.”

“Of course I didn’t. Did something go missing!? Didn’t you have anything valuable in there!?”

“No, it’s not that…”

I looked down at my sweaty hands.

Someone’s feelings were written inside. I only glimpsed a little, but it was intense. And almost crazy.

“Could it be something really important…? Like a secret notebook that, if seen… might make someone really die?”

“N-no. A notebook? What’s that? There’s no way I’d have something like that? Well, if I did, and someone saw it, I’d definitely.”

“Haah…”

The stifled the sound that almost escaped my mouth.

This was bad. A really bad conversation was happening right in front of me.

Whether or not the notebook I saw earlier was the same important thing they were talking about, if they found out I had been snooping through someone’s stuff… I shivered at the thought.

Lately, Mizuki and Yukina had this intimidating edge, and I could never tell what they might do. While feeling it now, my body trembled.

The notebook… Was it the one in Shiomi’s backpack? Why were these two talking about it…?

The more I thought, the more questions came to mind about the “Ethics” of it.

“By the way, where’s Yuu-kun?”

“He hasn’t come back yet. Do you want to go look for him?”

“Yeah. Maybe he knows something!”

Their footsteps grew distant.

I was relieved as I placed a hand on my chest and let out a deep breath.

My heart was racing like never before.

“Haa, they’re gone. That notebook earlier was strange. Never mind, I’m curious, but I’d better get out of here before they come back!”

I left the spot and hurried back to the bench where Rei was waiting.

When I returned to the bench, Rei was already back.

She had gone to look for some food, but in the end, it hadn’t been able to fill our stomachs.

If we had some snacks, it might have been different, but I hadn’t brought any.

Ever since Mizuki had transferred, I had left everything about my daily life to her. Naturally, I had assumed that Rei, being my girlfriend, would handle the preparations.

Before that, I had been spoiled so much by Mizuki that I couldn’t even manage things on my own anymore.

By the way, my house is currently a total mess. It was completely untidy.

My stomach growled, but I shook my head and tried to focus. After all, I was about to spend time with Rei.

As a couple, we hadn’t even gone on a proper date yet, and just thinking about it made me excited.

We were going to a place known as a lover’s sanctuary, the rumored “Ring of Light.” I imagined being there with Rei…

“Hehe.”

I tried to stifle the laugh that threatened to escape as my mind wandered.

I remembered the promise we had made back in the flower field.

─Then, if you find the “Ring of Light,” we’ll do something special there.

The thought whispered sweetly in my mind, and my imagination… or maybe my daydreams kept growing.

Grrr…

But my stomach was hungry.

“Shindou-kun. I guess that wasn’t enough.”

“Of course not! One rice ball isn’t nearly enough!”

“I’m sorry about that. I’m on a diet, just so you know. But if you want, I have some boiled chicken breast.”

“I-I can have some!?”

“Yeah. As long as you don’t mind it plain, with no seasoning.”

Well, it wasn’t tasty, but as long as it filled my stomach, I wasn’t going to complain.

Still… why hadn’t she given it to me with the earlier meal? And why chicken breast?

I took the long, thin piece from the container and shoved it into my mouth like a snack, thinking about it.

“Maybe it’s because you’re dieting? You’re really disciplined.”

“Ah. That’s actually for my pet dog.”

“Huh?”

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By chance, Kazuma’s class was at the same spot today.

I had heard about it in the chat the day before, but we hadn’t run into each other since leaving.

Well… maybe it’s more accurate to say there hadn’t been a chance to meet.

When I went to the restroom for a moment, I ran into Kazuma and Kanda, a couple enjoying the view. They called out to me, and a short conversation followed.

“So, Homewrecker-kun. Are you having fun?”

Kazuma leaned against the railing with the scenery behind me and was teasing me. I frowned at his words.

“What do you mean? I didn’t steal anyone.”

“Alright, alright. That was too much of a joke.”

“But it’s true that you’ve got Sena-san and Orihara-san on each arm, right?”

“Yeah. So, have you decided which one you’re going out with?”

“Going out… why would it even come to that?”

“Well… you know?”

“Right?”

They looked at each other and then back at me. I understood what they meant but still.

“No one’s confessed to me yet. I can feel they like me but…”

“I don’t get it either. How did it get to this point?”

“Yeah, I have no idea.”

We had talked about this before, maybe at lunch. And the answer still wasn’t clear.

“Shiomi-kun, you should be careful?”

“…About what?”

“What if they have some reason for getting close to you? Like a honey trap or something.”

“A honey trap…”

Come on, that’s exaggerated.

What would I even gain from a honey trap? I don’t have any money.

“It’s just a possibility. Not just about money, it’s just that if their behavior seems sudden, there might be another reason behind it.”

“Yeah, from what I’ve seen, I don’t think their feelings for you are fake. But still, it’s smart to think about it carefully. I agree with that.”

“…”

They made sense. I was running away and tried to avoid facing their feelings even though I noticed them.

I had told them about my past. About how someone I thought liked me actually liked Shindou instead. That’s probably why they were warning me.

“I get it.”

Including the notebook situation.

I had to check it properly.

“Then, I’d better head back.”

“Alright, just don’t get stabbed or anything.”

Don’t say such unlucky stuff.

When I returned to the picnic sheet, the two of them were already sitting and waiting.

It seemed I had talked for longer than I expected.

“Ah, Yuu-kun. Welcome back.”

“Welcome back. You were late?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I ran into Kazuma and the others and ended up talking for a bit.”

“I see. Hey, we were just talking about what to do next…”

“How about this, Mizuki-chan and I take turns? Each of us goes on a little one-on-one date with you?”

“A date?”

Wait, seriously?

“Yeah. I mean, three of us together is fun, but if we can, it’s better just the two of us! Don’t think too much about the word date. We’re just gonna hang out, just the two of us.”

“Yeah. I think that makes it easier too.”

Mizuki’s voice betrayed her thoughts.

“Well, if you two want it that way, that’s fine…”

“Then it’s decided! Let’s start with me for the first round!”

“Have fun. I’ll be with my friends, so just text me when it’s my turn!”

Had they planned this ahead of time?

Everything seemed to fall into place far too smoothly.

…But this was perfect. It was just the right moment to face the two of them.

“Alright then, I’ll tidy up a bit, so wait here.”

“W-we’ll help too!”

Together, Yukina and I folded the picnic sheets and packed them into our backpacks.

That’s when I noticed something strange.

“Why…?”

I opened my backpack.

Inside was the familiar notebook with the word “Ethics” written on it.