I’m a Telepath, but It’s Tough Because the Cool Beautiful Girl Next to Me Is Having Pink Thoughts - Chapter 10

(That was so awkward…)

At the school washbasin, I stared at the sink with such grumbling filling my chest.

In the end, there wasn’t any real conversation on the walk from school to the station either.

Even if there are any, they’re mostly just like a one-question-one-answer game of catch, not much more.

Was my communication ability really this bad…?

“Hey, if it isn’t Rei. Good morning!”

A carefree voice called out from behind me.

Without telepathy, I couldn’t sense someone appearing behind me, but the only person who could have a voice that sounds so thoughtless is that person.

“…Chihiro. Good morning.”

“What are you doing here? Did you get a stomachache?”

“No, it’s nothing like that.”

I casually brushed off the perfectly reasonable question from my only friend, Ichigo Chihiro.

There’s no way I could possibly mention Tatsuki.

If people found out I let her stay at my house, especially this person, I’d get torn to pieces.

Well, it’s not like Chihiro has any special interest in her, but still, we never know who might overhear.

“More importantly, we have gym first period today, right? You need to change quickly or you’ll be late.”

“Ah.”

When I quickly turned around, I could indeed see that Chihiro was wearing the school-issued gym uniform.

“Actually, maybe everyone’s already moved since the classroom is locked by now.”

This school doesn’t have a long homeroom except on Monday mornings and the one at the end of the week, so the first period starts right away.

I checked the clock, and it’s already five minutes before the start.

And right on cue, the bell chime rang out at just the right moment.

“Crap, my gym clothes are in the classroom.”

“Ugh, I knew it.”

Chihiro tossed something at me with a whap.

My slow reflexes failed me, and whatever it was smacked me and fell to the floor with a thud.

“It’s hot, but just bear with it in your tracksuit.”

The thing that was thrown was a large drawstring bag.

Indeed, when I opened it, there was a school-issued jersey with a rather bold design: blue fabric with red stripes.

It was already July. Long sleeves were stifling, but I didn’t have the luxury of complaining.

“Seriously, you’re a lifesaver.”

“Yes. Lunch is on you today.”

“…Kake udon?”

“That’s the cheapest thing on the menu!”

Chihiro flashed a bright grin.

Compared to being late or absent, skipping a meal or two during the day is nothing.

At least if it was just a bowl of udon (200 yen).

“Well, I’m not getting marked tardy, so I’m heading off.”

“Got it, see you later.”

Watching Chihiro’s back as he hurried away, I also quickly ran to the bathroom and started changing.

I was saved by that person this time.

It seems having friends is truly invaluable.

I don’t have many friends, though.

—

Squeak, squeak, the sound of the gym floor echoed under our shoes.

The building was old, so whenever several people ran hard at once, the whole gym seemed to tremble.

In gym class basketball, the students were divided into four teams and played games.

The first game was between the team with neon bibs and the team without.

“Hey, hey, pass, pass!”

“…!”

Even though I’m not used to it, I pass the ball in the direction of the shout.

My control is poor, so it veers slightly to the left, but the guy still managed to catch it perfectly.

“Got it!”

The one who received it was Chihiro.

He catches the ball and then dribbles past the defenders with ease.

And with a fluid motion, he scored a magnificent shot that made you want to add a swish sound effect.

And this guy isn’t even on the basketball team.

Rumor has it he once beat a senior in a one-on-one match. Honestly, he could be scouted, but I’ve heard the same stories about him in soccer and volleyball, too.

Fundamentally, that guy is a bundle of athletic talent.

“Alright!! Did you see that?!”

“Stop showing off, pretty boy!”

“Come on, man, you’re hogging the ball, pass it around more!”

Smiling as he accepted the warm jeering from his teammates, Chihiro returned to his own side.

It’s only been two or three months since the class started, but that guy has already established himself as the class favorite.

“Itsumi, nice pass!”

“O-oh.”

He stuck out his hand, probably for a high five.

But before I could even raise my palm, he just ruffled my hand around playfully and sprinted off again.

(…, He really shines.)

He’s got nothing but sunny energy.

It feels unreal that someone like him hangs out with me.

From what I’ve picked up with telepathy before, he really does think of me as a good friend, though.

—

(Damn, I have no stamina at all.)

The match ended in a draw, and after losing rock-paper-scissors, our team swapped out with the next.

I’m very grateful. My stamina is so low that I’m almost at my limit.

I’m leaning against the wall right now, huddled up alone.

“Nice fight, nice fight. Let’s go get a drink.”

As if nothing had happened after the dynamic match just now, Chihiro approached with a cheerful expression.

“Ugh, alright…”

“Man, your stamina really sucks, huh?”

“…Hey, there’s nothing I can do about this, is there?”

I want to say this machine has incredible reflexes, but it feels like that’s already a compliment, so I’ll stop.

The truth was simply that I was too out of shape.

After taking a breath, I slowly stood up.

“Hmm, there’s a crowd gathering.”

At Chihiro’s voice, I lift my head.

On the way to the water fountain outside the gymnasium, I saw a crowd of people gathering at the gymnasium in a separate building.

“Over there… isn’t that where the girls have gym class?”

“Haah, figures.”

Chihiro lets out a breath, sounding exasperated.

…Yeah, well.

It seems high school boys are also pink in their heads… or rather, pink all over.