I Chose the Plain Girl Instead of the Class’s Top Three Beauties, and Somehow She Became the Heroine - 17

Chapter 17: Akira’s Support

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《Sora Mukei’s POV》

The chime for the mid-morning break rang, and the atmosphere in the classroom loosened a little. Akira tugged on my sleeve and whispered.

“Okay… I’m going. I just say ‘good morning’ and retreat, right?”

“Yeah. Forty-five degrees from the aisle side. Leave them an escape route, and drop your voice one level lower.”

“You’re like a tactician.”

“Morning greetings are everyone’s right. You got this.”

Mizuki Kiritani was in the front row by the window, gathering her printouts. Because she was also the class president, she sat in a seat where the teacher could easily ask her to do tasks. There was only one aisle. We could make it. Akira and I looped around. I tapped Akira’s slightly raised shoulder with my elbow to bring it down.

“Relax.”

“O-okay.”

We were just three steps away when a figure suddenly cut in from the side.

“Yo, Mizuki, about that modern Japanese class, the metaphor part, I was— huh?”

It was Kai Okabe. He leaned an elbow on the back of his chair and stuck his body out into the aisle. His voice was loud. The air tightened a notch. Akira’s feet stopped.

“What do you want?”

“No, it’s not really ‘want’ or anything, but—hey, you two. Mizuki isn’t good with guys, you know? If you’re gonna get close, be careful. Don’t scare her.”

His voice was so loud that the class’s attention slowly gathered toward us. I could tell Akira was about to back off for a moment. If he pulled back here, he probably wouldn’t get another chance. I stepped forward, not directly in front of Okabe but standing half-turned toward the aisle. Not blocking him.

“It’s just a greeting. We’re passing through.”

“No, I’m telling you, Mizuki—”

“She can decide things about herself. Don’t block the aisle, Okabe.”

My voice was low and short. Without pushing, just with my words, I nudged his shoulder enough to make him shift aside a little. Then a bright, breezy scent approached.

“Mizuki, those printouts? …Ah, it’s Mukei-kun.”

Yua Miura slipped in from the side. She turned toward us and smiled.

“Thanks for yesterday, Mukei-kun. Are you here for Mizuki?”

“Yeah. Thanks, Miura-san.”

With Miura-san showing up, the atmosphere softened just a little. Okabe raised an eyebrow like “huh?” but Hino-san came in to remove him.

“Don’t block the aisle, Kai. Move.”

She tapped his elbow with a finger—lightly—and made him step half a step aside. Not strong, but she knew exactly where to push. I nudged Akira in the ribs.

“K-Kiritani-san, good morning.”

“…Mm, good morning. Takatou-kun. And Mukei-kun too.”

“Ah, good morning, Kiritani-san.”

Mizuki Kiritani lifted her face. Her gaze turned toward Akira and me. Akira’s greeting had reached her.

“All right, retreat.”

“Don’t retreat. Next time talk about the weather or something.”

“One step at a time is enough. Break through one point and leave.”

When I whispered to stop him, Kiritani-san held out the printouts.

“Could you take these for me?”

“Eh, ah… Th-thanks.”

Akira’s voice went up a tone. Not bad.

“No no no, Mizuki is—!”

Just as Okabe tried to butt in again, Miura-san spun around and, still smiling, said to him.

“Kai, that ‘she’s bad with guys’ shield is outdated. What Mizuki is bad with is loud, overbearing hovering. She doesn’t hate greetings.”

“Who are you calling overbearing?”

“Watch your volume level. Come on, use your inside voice, okay?”

Hino-san put up a finger and added, “Yes, inside voice,” like talking to a kid. Okabe scowled and shut his mouth. His voice really did drop a level. He was surprisingly obedient. Kiritani-san gave a troubled smile and nodded.

“Thanks, Yua, Asuka. Takatou-kun, see you later.”

“Y-yeah! See you!”

Akira awkwardly waved his hand. Not missing his moment of “retreat,” I patted his shoulder and opened the aisle. Okabe clicked his tongue, but Hino-san stopped him with just a look.

“Kai, go home, step back. You’re crossing the line.”

“…Tch.”

The aisle returned to normal. So did the chatter. On the way back to my seat, Miura-san leaned close to my ear and spoke softly.

“Nice cover, Mukei-kun. Seeing that kind of friendship? Not bad.”

“…It’s not right to block someone from speaking for themselves.”

“Right? Mizuki isn’t bad with all boys. It depends on the situation and the person. Well then, I’ll thank you properly another time.”

Hino-san also bumped her fist lightly against mine.

“I like that about you, Mukei-kun.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Watching it made me feel all warm.”

Joking lightly, the two of them went back to their seats. When I sat down, Akira leaned back against his chair, looking up at the ceiling as he exhaled.

“…That wasn’t a dream, right?”

“It was reality. You greeted her, didn’t you?”

“Yeah… But man, the world feels kinda brighter. Crap, I could write a poem right now.”

“Don’t.”

Laughing, I looked forward again. By the window, Mizuki bundled her printouts, then glanced this way. Just for a moment. But that was enough. A tiny glint of morning light bounced off the lens. I felt like Anno-san’s gaze was following me too. Okabe still looked dissatisfied as he headed back to his seat. The moment his feet drifted into the aisle, the teacher’s voice shot out.

“Okabe, sit down. We’re starting the class.”

“…Yes.”

The chalk screeched lightly. The classroom returned to its usual class atmosphere. Under the desk, Akira made a tiny fist pump.

“Sora.”

“What.”

“Thanks. Seriously. I guess the highlight of my day has already ended.”

“Morning greetings are the beginning. Not the end. Next time talk to her again after school or have a normal conversation with her.”

I spun my pen and stopped it. Then I looked up at the blackboard. Out of the corner of my eye, the black hair clip by the window seemed to sparkle again.

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