I Chose the Plain Girl Instead of the Class’s Top Three Beauties, and Somehow She Became the Heroine - 38

Chapter 38: Naturally

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《Sora Mukei’s POV》

As I was about to enter the classroom, my gaze stopped. Annno-san and Miura-san were sitting across from each other with a desk between them. It was a sight I usually didn’t see, and it surprised me a little. I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. At first, my chest felt unsettled. There was my worry for Anno-san, and also the feeling that if it was Miura-san, it would be fine.

Their expressions were calm, and it was hard to read the atmosphere between them. Miura-san took out a small round case and handed it to Anno-san. Anno-san received it with a surprised expression, then nodded after thinking for a moment. The next moment, the two quietly put their hands together. Smiles. Only then did the tension leave my shoulders.

It seemed like everything was okay. Actually, it was good. It was the first time I had seen Anno-san talking to a girl for such a long time. But it was a good thing to make more friends. There were things a guy like me couldn’t notice, but maybe Miura-san could.

“Sora.”

When I turned at Akira’s voice from behind, his usual energetic face had just a hint of caution mixed in.

“Got a quick question. Today, I’m thinking of talking to Kiritani-san, but what do you think is the best timing?”

“Don’t overthink it. Keep it short. Just give her a simple ‘good morning’ and don’t linger.”

“…Maybe something about the upcoming culture festival?”

“That works. Keep the words short.”

“Got it. Alright, I’m going.”

The chime rang, and first period, then second period passed. During the break between the third and fourth period, the hallway near the staff room had fewer people than usual. Akira and I waited at the corner. One deep breath. Mizuki Kiritani-san came walking down the hall with a stack of prints in her arms. Her steps were steady. Akira stepped forward, keeping just the right distance.

“Kiritani-san, can I have just a moment!?”

Akira gathered his resolve and jumped out from the corner.

“Mm? Takatou-kun? What is it?”

Akira’s timing didn’t startle her, and neither his voice nor his distance were bad. Just when I thought everything was going smoothly, a fast-moving figure entered from the side.

“Mizuki! You’re taking those prints to the staff room, right? I’ll carry them.”

It was Kai Okabe. He swiftly took half the stack and naturally stepped into a position diagonally in front of Mizuki-san. The hallway wasn’t narrow, but his positioning was good. He placed himself in the perfect spot to interfere with Akira.

“The teacher said they’ve added the handouts for the next committee, too. Let’s take these along as well.”

“Ah, thanks. That really helps.”

Kiritani-san also looked surprised. Okabe was completely aware of Akira. His voice was as loud as usual, his tone light. But he moved in a precise manner. He gathered everything up and handled it all himself. Akira opened his mouth for a second, then closed it. I gave him a small shake of my head. If he forced his way in now, all three of them would struggle.

“Alright, let’s head to the staff room.”

“Yeah.”

Okabe and Kiritani-san began to walk. For just a moment, she glanced back at Akira. Our eyes met, and she gave a small bow. Akira returned the bow. They couldn’t talk, but it wasn’t a bad interaction. The flow of people returned and Akira exhaled.

“That was a distance-loss for me.”

“Yeah, Okabe got in your way. His task had higher priority. Next time, I’ll suggest you to offer to help carry the prints too!”

Akira hadn’t lost. In fact, my desire to support him grew even stronger.

“Damn it. Today’s a loss.”

“But your eyes met, right? Try again next time!”

Akira gave a wry smile and tossed a piece of candy into his mouth from his pocket.

“Sweetness heals my soul… I’ll look for another chance.”

“I think that’s a good mindset to have.”

“Got it. Thanks, Sora.”

Akira lightly tapped his fist against mine and headed back to the classroom. The two from earlier, Anno-san and Miura-san, were laughing again. During break time, Miura-san had talked to Anno-san, and they were growing closer. I returned to my desk and checked the class-duty box. As I copied the board notes, I thought about how to support Akira.

The important thing was not to rush. For guys like us, who weren’t exactly handsome, all we could do was work steadily, one step at a time and give everything we could within the little time we had…

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When the lunch bell rang, I took my bread and milk and headed for the usual spot under the camphor tree. On the way, I passed by Miura-san.

“Good morning, Mukei-kun!”

“Good morning, Miura-san.”

Just a light exchange. It felt like the flow of things happening in the classroom was gradually fitting together. Anno-san was sitting on the bench, waiting for me.

“Hey, Mukei-kun.”

“Yeah?”

Miura-san looked up at me with upturned eyes. Her face was cute, like a small animal.

“Anno-san’s been getting prettier lately, hasn’t she?”

“Yeah. I think she has been doing her best in her own way.”

“That’s right! That’s why I want to cheer her on!”

I thought Miura-san was a good person. She was someone who worked hard—for her family, for her friends, for many things.

“I think you’re someone who works hard too, Miura-san.”

“Me? I’m not at all.”

“Really? I think there are people who feel comforted by your thoughtfulness.”

“People comforted? Maybe Mukei-kun?”

Her slightly moist eyes were beautiful, almost mesmerizing.

“Yeah. I feel comforted too. Thank you.”

“Hehehe, thanks. Here’s some mint gum.”

“Thanks for that too.”

I took the gum from Miura-san and we parted ways. With those steps, I headed for the bench behind the school building. There, Anno-san was waiting for me.

“Did I keep you waiting?”

“No.”

I naturally sat down beside her. A quiet space for just the two of us flowed between us.

“Right… This morning, you were talking with Miura-san, right?”

“Yes. …We became friends.”

“Friends? That’s great.”

“Yes.”

Anno-san’s face relaxed happily. Just that alone made lunch taste different. It made me feel kind of happy too.

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