Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 3: Daily Attacks In the Library

Act 1(1)

A few days later, my smartphone buzzed during class.

Although it was a rule to keep mobile devices turned off during class, only few students follow it. As long as they switched it to silent mode, did not make any loud noises, or become engrossed in operating their devices while the teacher was talking, they were not likely to be caught.

I took a glance at the teacher and took my smartphone out of my pocket. The notification on the lock screen was a chat from a messaging app.

The sender was Takinami Ruika.

I thought it was an unusual thing for her to do.

To begin with, she doesn’t put much emphasis on this kind of communication, at least not to me. The main reason was that she knew my schedule – in the classroom during the day, in the library after school, etc. – and she could catch me quickly. If she has an urgent business outside of school, she would call me. Thanks to this, there were not many logs in our convo.

It was also surprising that she, who goes by the attitude of an “honor student” on the surface, would not turn off her device during class and send me chats like this. I guess she was also a high school girl after all.

I opened the message.

[Are you going to the cafeteria for lunch today?]

It was such a short message.

Once I made sure that the teacher wasn’t looking, I quickly replied back.

[That’s the plan.]

Since I didn’t bring anything, I had no other choice. There was also the option of buying something at the store, but I didn’t really want to go there during lunchtime when students were swarming like zombies to buy bread and juice.

[Then, how about we eat together?]

Now comes the invitation.

[So, I should take Naoi with me?]

[I want to eat with the two of us alone.]

As expected.

Well, I don’t really mind.

[……]

I felt somewhat uncomfortable.

But, I decided to ignore it for now. It probably won’t result in an absurd situation. [T/N Famous last words]

[Alright.]

[Then, I’ll see you at lunch break. I’ll be waiting.]

End of the chat.

And I was astonished.

‘Having lunch together with Takinami-senpai? Gimme a break…’

I failed. I was distracted by something else and became a yes-man, missing the gravity of the situation.

For now, I put my phone that has served its job away in my pocket.

“Makabe, done messaging?”

And then the teacher’s voice came flying in.

He was our class teacher, Asaba Seijuro. The subject he taught was mathematics. It didn’t really fit, considering his name that sounded like it came out of a period drama.

He has a slight beard, unkempt hair, and a loose-fitting cutter shirt, but he doesn’t look messy. Perhaps, like his favorite subject, mathematics, he calculates his style.

“I’m sorry.”

“I know you have a lot going on in your home, but focus when you’re in class.”

It seems he knew what I was doing.

As a homeroom teacher, it was only natural that Asaba-sensei was one of the few people who knew about the family situation between me and Hasumi-senpai. Uncle visited the school and explained exactly what was going on.

That being said, he was not being conscientious about my complicated situation right now, but he was a man who can be reasoned with.

“Thank you for your consideration. I admit it’s quite hard, but I’m just having a chit-chat.”

“That’s even worse.”

When I responded like I didn’t do something wrong, Asaba-sensei let out a loud yell, and the classroom erupted in laughter.

“Good grief. What should I do with you… Next time I’ll confiscate it, you hear?”

“Understood.”

There probably won’t be a “next time” though.