I Accidentally Said “I Want a S○x Partner” in the Class Group on LINE, and the School Idol Responded - Chapter 13

It had been 20 minutes since I started looking for Shinozaki.

I had gone back along the path we came, and I noticed some footprints leading into a side path. I didn’t know for sure if they were Shinozaki’s, but they looked fairly new, so I had a little hope.

…I needed to find her quickly. If I didn’t, things could get complicated. For example, if we got back late, someone might call Shinozaki’s home or mine. Neither of our families was normal, so I had to avoid causing extra trouble.

So… maybe I should act first.

I started using Ichihara-san’s phone.

What I planned to do was simple. I would send a message to the teachers pretending I had already found Shinozaki. If they knew she was safe early on, the school wouldn’t make a big deal, and they probably wouldn’t call our homes.

Of course, I hadn’t actually found her yet, so this message was just buying time. I would tell them we were returning carefully because it was dark, so a little delay wouldn’t matter, but if it took more than 30 minutes, they might get suspicious.

After sending the message, I would have to find Shinozaki as fast as possible. If I failed, things would get messy, but this was the only way to avoid our families being contacted for now.

I used Ichihara-sensei’s phone to message Takahashi-sensei, the head teacher for our grade.

[Oh, I see. I’m glad you’re safe. I was planning to take action if I didn’t hear from you in 30 minutes.]

That meant they hadn’t done anything yet. My plan to buy time has worked for now.

“Takahashi-sensei, it’s dark, so we’ll return carefully. I’ll send a call every ten minutes. Please take that as a sign we’re okay.”

[Understood. Just make sure you get back safely to the nature house.]

“Got it.”

The call ended.

I quickly went back to following the footprints.

“―Shinozaki! If you’re there, answer me! Even shining a flashlight is fine!”

I shouted as I moved along the path. Then I heard her,

“―Hashiguchi-kun!”

Shinozaki’s voice came from somewhere!

“Where are you? Don’t move and call out again!”

“Over here!”

Her voice came from below, off to the side of the path. I shone my phone light and saw her sitting about three meters down.

“Did you slip!? Are you hurt!?”

“I’m not hurt… but my flashlight broke, so it’s too dark to move…”

“Got it… Stay there, I’m coming.”

The slope was a little steep, but I could get down safely if I was careful.

“I’m glad I found you… But why were you on this side path?”

“I’m sorry… I thought this was the right way.”

…So she really was bad with directions.

Anyway, I was just happy she was safe.

“You really aren’t hurt, right?”

“…I’m fine. There are no injuries.”

She didn’t look like she was in pain, so I could trust that she was really okay.

“Alright… let’s head back.”

—Plop.

A cold drop of water suddenly hit my cheek right after I said that.

“…Rain?”

Shinozaki seemed to feel it too.

Plop, plop, the raindrops started slowly, just a few drops, but quickly grew heavier, turning into a proper downpour. Thunder began to rumble as well.

“Damn, this is the worst…!”

“Hashiguchi-kun, over there!”

Shinozaki pointed ahead, where a small hut appeared, lit only by flashes of lightning. There were no lights on. It looked like a small storage shed. When we got closer and peeked through a broken window, it was empty… probably an unused shed.

…It didn’t matter. We couldn’t make it back to the nature house in this storm. Our gym clothes were already getting soaked. We’d stay in this shed until the rain stopped.

The door wasn’t locked. It’s probably abandoned. The broken window showed its empty state. We stepped inside.

“…Do we have anything to contact the teachers?”

“Yes. That’s why we can come in now.”

It was probably pouring at the nature house too, and if we didn’t report we were safe, someone might call our homes.

I took out my phone and called Takahashi-sensei again.

[—You’re taking shelter in a forest hut? You two are both safe, right?]

“We’re fine.”

After that, I let Shinozaki speak so he could hear her voice and feel reassured.

[Good. I’m relieved.]

“But with this rain, we might stay here tonight and rest instead of trying to go back. For now, we’re really safe, so the teachers can just carry on as usual.”

[Understood. In that case, don’t push yourselves. Come back to the nature house when it’s daylight. Contact me immediately if anything happens. Alright, bye.]

The call ended like that.

As I put my phone away, Shinozaki said softly, “…I’m sorry.”

“This is all my fault, causing all this…”

“Don’t worry about it. Honestly, it’s kind of fun, isn’t it?”

Even though the situation was tough, I felt a little excited. It’s probably because it was so different from a study-filled routine.

“Let’s sit and rest for now. It’s cold from the rain, and we should save our energy.”

“You’re right… Thank you.”

Her quiet thanks seemed like it was for not blaming her.

I replied, “You’re welcome,” and we both sat down together.