Although She's a Beautiful Student Council President Who Maintains Her Coolness Towards Everyone, She Wants to Act Spoiled and Lovesick Around Him, Who is Misunderstood by Everyone as a Delinquent - Chapter 32: Approaching Crisis And Approaching Distance

“I’m home, Rin. I’m sorry I’m late.”

When Shizuku returned home, she immediately apologized. Now, the only ones in this big house are Rin and a few helpers. Her father and mother haven’t returned home due to work.

“It’s okay. More importantly… you came home holding hands with Riku-san, didn’t you, Shizuku-neesan?”

“…!?”

Rinka, who had been waiting for Shizuku’s return alone, showed a sly smile while sitting on the sofa.

“When I looked outside because you were late, I saw it… I’d like you to return my worry.”

“I apologize for making you worry, but you shouldn’t be peeking.”

“I think it’s Shizuku-neesan’s fault for coming home like that. Isn’t that like saying, “Please look”?”

Not only was her suspicion confirmed, but Rinka had seen the entire scene. There was no way to deceive her, and Shizuku’s feelings were still soaring.

Of course, she had been holding hands with her beloved person all this time.

“I wanted to hold hands with Riku-kun for a long time…”

“Shizuku-neesan, it’s fine to be lovey-dovey, but please do it when you’re alone… I’m starting to feel embarrassed…”

Her usual smugness came out in front of her sister, Rinka.

“It’s not because Rin says those things…”

“I understand, so it’s fine… But more importantly, when you come home, please wash your hands. It’s a house rule.”

“… (No)”

Shizuku showed silent resistance to Rinka, who used the house rule as a shield. Shizuku absolutely didn’t want to wash her hands right now.

She can’t find a reason to wash her hands, as she’s not going to eat dinner yet.

And the main reason was that the warmth of Riku’s hand still lingered…

“…Alright. I’ll let it go for now, but make sure to take a bath, okay?”

“I’ll take a bath…”

“I’m sure Shizuku-neesan has feelings of not wanting to wash off the hand that was connected with Riku-san with water.”

Rinka said confidently, as if she knew her statement was not wrong. She tilted her head slightly.

It was a remarkable thing, as it was true and proved that she understood her sister well.

“Even so, I’ll take a bath… I want to show Riku-kun a clean me…”

“…You’re so passionate, really. I’m rooting for you, Shizuku-neesan.”

“Thank you, Rin… Lately, Riku-kun has started facing my feelings.”

Shizuku reported the current situation to Rinka, blushing slightly. It was also a courtesy to those who supported her.

And it was something she said because she trusted her the most.

“He’s facing them, huh… Ufufu, that’s great.”

“…Rin? You didn’t tell Riku-kun anything, did you?”

While Rinka understood Shizuku, Shizuku also had a good understanding of Rinka. Seeing Rinka’s sly smile, she couldn’t help but think that way.

“I don’t remember doing that, but maybe I said something.”

“…You can’t. If you push Riku-kun like that…”

“Weren’t you happy? That Riku-san took the initiative.”

“Of course I’m happy… But, that’s a different story—”

“The rumors about Riku-san being a delinquent… have mostly disappeared in middle school.”

“Eh…?”

Rinka interrupted Shizuku’s words with her statement, which was more than enough to silence her.

As if to prove it, Shizuku’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened in a perfect circle.

“Today, you made Riku-san wait for you at the main gate, didn’t you?”

“… Yes, I asked him to wait there until my student council work was finished. But, how did you…?”

“I talked to Riku-san for a bit at the main gate. … How many girls do you think approached him and invited him to go home together during that time?”

The fact that Rinka asked this in a questioning manner implied that there were more than expected.

“… Maybe three?”

Shizuku said, guessing a number higher than she expected. … The number of girls who approached Riku while he was talking to Rinka. The number three was quite large by normal standards.

“… There were four girls who approached Riku-san. One girl invited him to go home together. All of them were middle school girls.”

“…!?”

“What’s concerning is that the girl who invited Riku-san to go home together is from the Tachibana financial conglomerate.”

“Tachibana… financial conglomerate”

Upon hearing Rinka’s report, Shizuku’s face contorted as if she had some inkling of the situation.

“It wouldn’t be surprising if someone from the Tachibana conglomerate held a grudge against us because of that incident. I’ll report it just in case. Please be careful, Shizuku-neesan.”

“Okay…”

However, Rinka didn’t say this just to make Shizuku anxious. It was natural for her to provide support from her own perspective.

“… One thing you can be relieved about is that everyone is approaching Riku-san with good intentions. It’s more accurate to say that they’re driven by curiosity, like ‘He’s not a delinquent, so what is he really like?'”

“Riku-kun didn’t mention anything like that…”

“Riku-san is quite dense, after all. He might not even realize he was being approached.”

“Right…”

It was sad that this “denseness” alone could explain everything. Shizuku, having experienced it firsthand, couldn’t argue otherwise.

“Ah, Shizuku-neesan, you have Riku-san’s contact information, right?”

“…………”

“Eh…”

Shizuku ignored the question and averted her gaze. Seeing this, Rinka understood everything.

“You don’t have it…!?”

“A year ago, when I changed my phone model, all the data was reset…”

“Even so, I think it’s normal to have the contact information of the person you’re pursuing… Please wait a moment.”

After saying this, Rinka stood up from the sofa, picked up her smartphone from the desk, and quickly typed on it without hesitation.

A few seconds later… “Piron” Shizuku’s smartphone received a notification.

“… A notification?”

Shizuku took her smartphone out of her bag on the floor and hurriedly tried to check the content by unlocking the screen – at that moment, her movement froze.

“That’s a nice reaction. That’s Riku-san’s contact information.”

“How… How does Rin have Riku-kun’s contact information…!? You should have changed your phone model with me…”

“I exchanged contact information with him today. I never thought it would come in handy like this.”

“… Thank you, Rin. I wonder if it’s okay to add his contact information without bothering him…”

“If you’re worried, I can tell Riku-san for you.”

“Can I ask you that?”

“Sure…while we’re at it, can you tell me something?”

“Wh-what is it?”

Rinka’s gaze was not on Shizuku, but on the smartphone screen in front of her. There was something she just couldn’t help but be curious about.

“I only caught a glimpse of it, but the photo set as your lock screen on your phone is of Riku-san, isn’t it?”

“…Wha?! You saw it?!”

“It is a side profile shot…so it’s kind of like you took it without permission.”

“It’s Riku-kun’s fault for letting his guard down. I was just teasing him…”

Regardless of whether she was just teasing him or not, what Shizuku did was definitely not right.

If her sister was doing something like this, Rinka knew she had to stop her. However, she also understood Shizuku’s feelings towards Riku. Because she understood, she couldn’t bring herself to be too forceful with her.

“So, you managed to take the picture and set it as your lock screen without getting caught… You should change it soon, or Riku-san might find out, you know?”

“I-I don’t want to change it…”

“…Sigh. You’re only stubborn when it comes to things like this, Shizuku-neesan…”

While showing an exasperated expression, Rinka operated her smartphone again and sent a message to Riku.

[Shizuku-neesan really wants to know Riku-san’s contact information]

A few minutes later, a reply came from Riku. It was a witty remark regarding the phrase “really wants to know” and his agreement to give her the information.