The Case of Liking the Most Beautiful Girl in the School Even After Being Told Not to Like Her - Chapter 19 - Rain

Chapter 19 – Rain

“I’m going home soon.”

I looked at the clock, remembered something, and rushed to put the things I had put out on my desk into my bag.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I completely forgot that today was the day I had a shift.”

“Are you putting in a shift before a test? You should at least take time off before the test…”

It’s true that Tachikawa is right, but I had already decided to take a part-time job, even if it was before the test…

“Ah, it’s still raining, so I’ll lend you a folding umbrella.”

Tachikawa rummaged through her bag and took out a folding umbrella and handed it over to me.

But if I use that…

“It might still be raining when Tachikawa leaves, I can’t take that.”

Saying this, I tried to return the umbrella, but Tachikawa refused to accept it.

“No, it’s fine. It’s supposed to stop raining by about five when I go home, so go ahead and use it.”

If I refrain here now, Tachikawa will probably keep saying it’s fine until I accept. Maybe it’s better to accept it gratefully.

“Thank you, Tachikawa. See you later.”

“Yes, do your best.”

Tachikawa waved me off, so I returned the wave and left the classroom.

＊＊＊

I was traveling to the café where I work part-time, using an umbrella borrowed from Mina-san. The rain was getting heavier and I was beginning to wonder if it was really a good idea to borrow it.

If it keeps raining, I’ll leave my part-time job early and pick up Mina-san.

While I was standing in the kitchen doing latte art, Shirai-senpai called out to me from behind.

“Asai-kun, isn’t it before the test week? Are you sure you don’t have to study?”

“Ah, yes. I think I’m doing well in my studies, so I think I’ll be…fine…”

I was not sure if I could say clearly that it was okay, so I slurred my words. Then, Shirai-senpai stood next to me and started doing what I was planning to do later.

“Part-time work is good, but if you don’t study hard, you’ll regret it later. Just like me.”

“Regret?”

“Yeah. I’m a university student, but I didn’t get into the university I wanted to go to. So, Asai-kun, you should study without regrets.”

She laughed as she talked, but I think Shirai-senpai is sending me a message not to be like her.

It’s true that it’s difficult to balance studying and working part-time, but when I think about my family, I feel like I have to do my bit…

“I understand. I will keep Shirai-senpai’s words firmly in my heart.”

“Yes. By the way, I’m going to give Asai-kun a reward for his hard work.”

“Reward? What is it?”

“Hmm~, it’s not the right place to say this, I’ll tell you when our shift is over. You finish at 6:00, right? I’m leaving at 6:00 today too, so why don’t we go home together? I’ll tell you what the reward is then.”

“At 6…? Okay.”

When I looked at the clock, it was 5pm and I thought it was time for Mina-san to leave school. I looked outside and saw it was still raining.

Mina-san, you don’t have an umbrella because you lent it to me…

I thought it would be better if I went to pick her up, but there were many customers who came to the store to take shelter from the rain, so it wasn’t really possible to leave.

I also don’t remember umbrellas being lent out at school.

For now, I should message Mina-san to ask her what she’s going to do.

“Shirai-senpai, I’ll be back in a moment, can I leave this place to you? I want to contact my family.”

“I don’t mind, but what’s wrong?”

“My sister doesn’t have an umbrella, so I’m going to contact her—”

“Why don’t you go and pick up your sister, Mina-chan? I can take care of this place. If the manager comes, I’ll do something about it. Hmm, but, Asai-kun, you came with a folding umbrella, right? If you want, you can use my umbrella to pick her up.”

“Eh, there’s no need…”

“Folding umbrellas are small, use mine.”

I felt bad about refusing her, so I decided to borrow it gratefully. I borrowed an umbrella from Shirai-senpai and hurried out of the café and headed for school.

＊＊＊

“It shows no sign of stopping…”

At 5 o’clock, the time for leaving school, I took my shoes out of my locker and left the school building to go home, but it was raining.

I would have to go home wet because I had lent my folding umbrella to Yuuto-kun. Thinking the weather forecast earlier had lied, I took my phone out of my bag to see when the rain would stop.

Seriously! This is the worst!

I sighed heavily when I was informed that it would be raining until 6 o’clock. Beside me, the students who had been studying on their own up until this time were walking home with umbrellas.

I have no choice but to run home…

All right!

I decided to go home wet, and as I was putting my phone in my bag, I was approached from behind.

“Mina? Didn’t you bring an umbrella?”

When I slowly turned around, there was Mori Takuya-kun from the same group as me. Mori-kun is a member of the soccer club and is popular with the girls. He is the type of guy who can do anything and is kind to everyone.

“Yeah, I forgot… I was just thinking about running home.”

Mori-kun held up an umbrella next to me when I smiled lightly.

“You’ll catch a cold if you come home wet. I’ll take you to your house, Mina.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yea, my friend is in trouble. If you don’t want to be with me, I’ll lend this umbrella to you.”

After he said all this, I got under the umbrella. I’m glad he’s taking me home, but it’s going to be a problem if he comes to my house.

“I’m sorry, but my house is really far. Please take me to the station.”

When I said that, Mori-kun laughed next to me.

“Why so formal? Well then, let’s go to the station.”

“Yes, thank you, Mori-kun.”