Lonely Me And The Lonely Caring Goddess - Chapter 201: Transfer Student.

Transfer Student.

Warmth, softness, a sense of security and happiness… Wrapped in such comfort, I drifted in a pleasant doze. If ever there was a word to describe this feeling, “dreamlike” would be the perfect choice.

However, I suddenly felt that comforting presence slowly, but unmistakably, trying to slip away.

Not wanting to let go, I instinctively reached out and hugged it closer… and once again, that warmth enveloped me, filling me with relief.

“Hehe… Kazunari-san, you really are such a spoiled one. Ah… you’re just too adorable… I really should get up to prepare breakfast and your lunchbox… but I just don’t want to leave your side…”

I thought I heard Sara-san’s voice, and my consciousness stirred just a little. Just a little… but still not fully awake.

“Mmm… Sara… san…?”

“Ah, did I wake you? It’s still early, so please… rest a little longer.”

She whispered gently into my ear, as if lulling me back to sleep, while softly stroking my head. I felt myself once again wrapped in that tender softness…

***

Monday.

Sara-san’s birthday had become a day I would never forget. It was a day so filled with joy and happiness that I never wanted it to end.

Our first kiss… the surprise gift plan I had put together had succeeded, and the birthday party ended without a hitch. There were a few moments where I’d fallen short, but even so, I felt like I had done well enough to give myself a passing grade.

And once it was all over, it felt as if I had woken from a dream, returning to the routine of everyday life.

Maybe that’s why… yeah, I guess I just let my guard down a little.

Meeting up with Natsumi-senpai at the convenience store, we exchanged greetings, and before long, the topic turned to last night.

“So, Sara stayed over again last night, right? Tell me… did you really sleep together?”

“Of course. But Kazunari-san seemed very tired, so he fell asleep right away. Fufu… he was so adorably spoiled this morning too, even before he was fully awake.”

“I see…”

Yes, even though I had been half-asleep, I had clung to her until the very last moment, not wanting to let go. But that was just because I had let my guard down, after exhausting myself and feeling the relief of having everything end well yesterday.

“‘Adorably spoiled,’ huh… I’m honestly afraid to ask just how much you’re spoiling him. Well, if Sara’s happy, I guess it’s not really my place to say anything. But honestly, Takanashi-kun… I can’t tell if you’re impressive or just hopeless…”

Natsumi-senpai muttered with a half-exasperated, half-amused expression. Of course, I understood what she meant, but I chose not to engage, since Sara-san herself didn’t realize the implication.

“Still, yesterday was fun. I don’t know why, but with that group, everything just feels right.”

“Yeah, I feel like anything we do together is enjoyable.”

“Indeed. For me too… it feels like I’m living a life I never thought possible.”

I hope everyone else feels the same way… no, I’m sure they do. At this point, I really want to plan that trip we talked about before. I should probably bring it up soon, since we’ll need to think about budgeting as well.

***

“Morning!”

When I entered the classroom, it felt more bustling than usual.

Ever since those guys quieted down, the class had become so peaceful that scenes like this now felt almost unusual.

“Morning, Takanashi!”

“Hey, Takanashi, did you hear?”

“No, I just got here. Hear what?”

“This idiot here said the same thing to us earlier.”

Apparently, among the three of them, Yamakawa was the only one excited about something. But what on earth could it be today?

“So? Yamakawa, what is it this time?”

“Seems like we’re getting a transfer student.”

“Hey! I wanted to say it!”

“Who says it doesn’t change anything, moron.”

I decided to ask for more details, and apparently, according to whoever saw it, our homeroom teacher had been seen entering the staff room with an unfamiliar girl. Thus, the rumor about a transfer student started spreading.

“Yeah, and apparently she’s really cute. That’s why Yamakawa’s all worked up.”

“Wait, but are we sure she’s a transfer student? Couldn’t it just be some random visitor?”

“Takanashi’s got a point. But rumors have already taken on a life of their own, and now the class is like this.”

I see.

Well, transfer students are rare, and if the rumor is that she’s cute, it makes sense people are getting excited.

Me? I already have Sara-san. Even if an idol transferred in, I wouldn’t care.

“Morning, Takanashi-kun.”

“Did you get any rest over the break?”

Judging by their comments, the two girls from Natsumi-senpai’s fan club seemed to have noticed something.

“Morning… Was it really that obvious?”

“You actually fell asleep during class, which is rare for you. So I figured as much.”

Kiiin, Kooon

Rattle rattle rattle…

“Morning, everyone. Take your seats~”

As the chime rang, our homeroom teacher entered alone… but there was a shadowy figure outside the frosted glass window.

“Alright then, let’s do our best today.”

“Yeah.”

The three idiots, along with Natsumi-senpai’s fan club girls, all returned to their seats. I sat down as well, waiting to hear what was going on.

Everyone seemed to have noticed the shadow in the hallway and was buzzing with anticipation, especially Yamakawa, who looked like a puppy desperately trying to obey a ‘stay’ command.

“Sensei!! Who’s that in the hallway!?”

Looks like Yamakawa didn’t have the patience after all. His earnest, energetic hand-raising was almost comical.

“You’re always quick to notice when it comes to girls. Well, since so many have already noticed, let’s get this over with. Hey, come on in.”

So it was confirmed to be a girl.

Not that it mattered to me, but…

Rattle rattle rattle…

As the door opened, what I saw was…

…Huh?

“Alright, introduce yourself.”

“I’m Hanasaki Riko. Nice to meet you.”

Ehhhhhhhh!?

“She’s heeeeereeeee!!!”

Yamakawa screamed so loudly it startled the entire class, the teacher, and even Hanako-san herself.

Now that I think about it, didn’t he once say Hanako-san was his type…?

No, wait, that’s not the point! Why is Hanako-san at this school!? And in this class!?

The murmuring in the class grew louder, mostly with boys whispering “She’s so cute…”

Meanwhile, I was so stunned that when our eyes met, I couldn’t react at all.

Grin…

Hanako-san’s fearless smile clearly told me she was targeting me.

“Now then, about Hanasaki’s seat…”

“Yes yes yes!! The seat next to me is open!!”

Yamakawa began his fierce appeal.

His seat was in the last row by the window – the classic prime spot. However, due to class numbers, he sat alone in that row.

“Yeah, that spot will wor—”

“Sensei, I want to sit next to Kazunari.”

“…Kazunari?”

“…Who’s Kazunari?”

“…Do you know?”

“…Who’s that first name supposed to be?”

“Kazunari… isn’t that Takanashi’s first name?”

“That’s right.”

“““““Ehhhhhhhh!?”””””

All eyes turned to me at once.

Please stop, Hanako-san!!

Wait, but… there’s already someone sitting next to me!?

“Oh? So you know Takanashi?”

“Fufu… it’s not such a simple relationship as just ‘knowing’ him.”

“““““Ehhhhhhhh!?”””””

Wouldn’t the class next door complain about this noise?

As I glanced sideways at my classmates who had suddenly become so loud and animated, I saw Hanako-san grinning at me… and Yamakawa was staring at me with almost the same intensity, his expression unreadable.

“S-Seriously? Well, I suppose if she knows someone here, it’ll be easier for her to settle in. Maeda, would you mind moving to the seat next to Yamakawa?”

“Sure~ I’ll move.”

Maeda cheerfully packed up her things, seemingly happy to score a seat close to the “best position” in class. Thus, the empty seat next to Yamakawa – which no one had used until now – was finally filled.

“Alright then, Hanasaki, you’ll sit next to Takanashi. Takanashi, help her out with anything she needs.”

“Okay.”

Hearing my reply, Hanako-san walked straight over and sat down beside me.

For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming, but no matter how I looked at her, it was definitely Hanako-san – her petite height, her… extremely childlike face, and her boldly styled twin-tails were all just as I remembered.

“Hanako-san, what’s going on…?”

“It’s hard to explain here. I’ll tell you the details later. But for now… starting today, let’s get along here at school too.”

“…Got it. Looking forward to it, Hanako-san.”

I was surprised, but honestly, having a close friend nearby made me happy. I’d gotten used to this class compared to before, and with Hanako-san here, it felt like school would become even more enjoyable.

“Are you happy that your ‘big sister’ is close by? If you’re that happy, then transferring here was worth it.”

Normally, she wore a blunt, expressionless face, but lately, she’d started showing me these smiles too.

I need to do whatever I can to help her fit in quickly with the class.

…But, come to think of it, maybe I really should ask her about it soon. Why does she always call herself my “big sister”…? Which would mean she sees me as her little brother. And today, she even called me by my first name without honorifics… I feel a bit guilty towards Sara-san…

“…Hey, what do you think their relationship is?”

“…They don’t look like just acquaintances, do they?”

“…Ah, I want to know – what is their relationship?”

“…Don’t tell me they’re dating?”

“…Didn’t she call herself his big sister?”

“…She’s so cute…”

I could hear whispers from everywhere around us. They were definitely talking about us…

***

Homeroom ended earlier than usual that morning.

I suppose the teacher wanted to give the classmates some time to talk with Hanako-san. Even that homeroom teacher does good things from time to time.

The moment he closed the classroom door, a crowd gathered around Hanako-san. Since I was sitting next to her, I was inevitably swallowed up in it as well.

Of course, the first ones to gather were the girls. I felt uncomfortable and wanted to slip away, but… I couldn’t just abandon Hanako-san like that.

“Nice to meet you, Hanasaki-san!”

“Wow, you’re even cuter up close!!”

“Looking forward to getting to know you!”

“Eh!? Um…”

Starting with greetings like these, everyone began talking over each other, saying whatever they wanted. I understood their desire to talk to the new transfer student, but even Prince Shōtoku couldn’t handle this many people at once. Let alone an ordinary girl like Hanako-san – naturally, she looked overwhelmed.

“Hey, come on, if you all talk at once, you’ll just confuse her. At least take turns.”

As soon as I said that, I thought Great, now I’ll get ostracized again, but I just couldn’t watch in silence. I braced myself for the girls’ reaction, but…

“Hanako-san?”

“Wait, so there is something going on between you two!?”

“Eh, eh, what’s your relationship!?”

“Earlier, didn’t she say it wasn’t just a ‘light relationship’!?”

“Idiot, more importantly, she called him by his first name!!”

Ugh… I think I just made things worse.

Now even I was getting dragged into their chaos, and it looked like things were going to get even more out of hand.

“Everyone, Takanashi-kun is right. Hanasaki-san looks overwhelmed.”

“Yeah, let’s calm down a bit.”

“Sorry for overwhelming you, Hanasaki-san.”

Then, from behind the crowd, voices rose to support me. The girls pushing through to stand by my side were the ones who often talked to me in this class.

Thanks to them, the atmosphere calmed down, and the other girls apologized to Hanako-san.

“No need to apologize. Anyway, nice to meet you.”

Though she spoke with her usual curt tone, because no one here knew her well, some of the girls looked worried, thinking she might be angry.

Seeing their anxious expressions, I decided to clarify.

“Don’t worry, Hanako-san isn’t mad. She always talks like this.”

“I do not always.”

“Well, yeah, but—”

“Hmm.”

“…Alright, you don’t always.”

“Good.”

This is strange… why am I the one being scolded when I was just trying to help…?

“Um… you two seem close, huh?”

“That’s right.”

““““Heeeehhh…””””

Without a doubt, everyone was misunderstanding something here.

I thought having her here would be fun, but it seemed her transfer was about to bring with it both excitement… and a fair bit of anxiety.