Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 5: Makabe Shizuru Is Not Cut Out For Romance

Act 1(1)

『Makabe Shizuru is stalking Takinami Ruika.』

Such rumors were being spread.

More precisely, Makabe Shizuru is following her around, taking advantage of the fact that he’s a member of the library committee, and getting close to Takinami Ruika.

A guy in my class was kind enough to tell me. He also gave me advice, “Stop with the stalking.” 

They have no trust if I do say so myself.

***

“But interestingly, there was no damage done.”

During the lunch break, after finishing my lunch, I looked around the classroom and said to Karube Kagemitsu.

According to a classmate of mine, rumors started circulating during yesterday’s lunch break and have spread quite a lot.

But unfortunately, my name doesn’t ring any bells, so it halved the effectiveness of the rumor. After all, when someone hears that rumor, the first thing they would think of is who that guy is. In fact, when I went to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee a few minutes ago, I didn’t hear anyone whispering anything to each other or blatantly pointing their finger behind my back when they saw my face.

“Rumors are more interesting the more famous the subjects are.”

“That’s how it is.”

Karube stated nonchalantly, and I nodded in return.

That’s why, rather than such half-baked rumors, the fact that Masaru-sensei used to be an aspiring opera singer is much more interesting. Masaru-sensei is a large man with a loud voice, and even when the doors and windows are closed, one can hear him speaking from the classroom next door. When I heard this story, I was deeply convinced.

“Who do you think is the source of the rumors?”

“Naoi.”

Karube responded immediately.

Ahead of his gaze, Naoi’s group was happily making noise. There were less than ten people in the group, including several girls.

“It’s possible.”

I had an argument with him just yesterday morning. That was enough to make him angry and give my name a bad stigma.

“But Naoi would never do such a thing.”

But the timing is just too good. If it really was Naoi’s work, I have to say that it was shortsighted.

“I don’t understand why you regard Naoi so highly.”

“Half of it is just my ideals.”

Ideal that this is how Naoi is supposed to be. I’m just imposing that ideal on him.

“If it’s not Naoi, then…”

Karube then still looked at Naoi’s group.

“Well, who cares who did it? It will disappear soon. Especially since it’s not that interesting.”

Rumor has a short shelf life.

§§§

At the library after school that day.

I was at the check-out counter with my textbooks spread out.

“Oh my, found the delinquent librarian.”

Suddenly, I was called by such a nickname.

I looked up and saw a beautiful senior student there.

“What’s more, a stalker.”

She giggles.

“Did you hear about the rumors?”

“Yes. How did that happen?”

When Takinami-senpai answered in this way, rather than tilting her head at the inexplicable, she seemed to be dismayed by the rumor.

Of course, she has a good idea of where it came from.

“That said, if my stalker is Makabe-kun, I would welcome it with open arms.”

“I don’t think you should say that anywhere but here. You never know if some guy will misunderstand.”

I reminded her, who was saying stuff in a playful manner.

She shrugged her shoulders.

“I guess so. I’ll be careful. By the way, are you studying?”

“Yes, I was having a hard time understanding something in class today.”

So, taking advantage of the lack of students coming to the counter, I was reviewing the textbooks here instead of doing it at home.

“Well, but I’ll do the rest when I get home.”

I close the textbook.

I have come to some understanding. The bigger problem is that my work as a member of the library committee might be neglected. Just like now, I was unaware of Takininami-senpai’s presence. I had assumed that I would be able to tell when a person would approach, but it seems that I was inadvertently absorbed in what I was doing.

“Why? Why not just do it here?”

“Un?”

“I mean, you have a great teacher just in front of you.”

I was looking only at Takinami-senpai, who was strangely cute and good at what she was doing.

“Are you implying that you’re going to teach me?”

“Yes. I’m quite good at academics if I do say so myself. Shall we go to the reading table?”

Takinami-senpai said that and walked toward the reading tables.

While I was wondering what to do, she put her bag on the table by the window. She seemed to be sitting with her back to the counter. This would mean that I would be sitting with my back to the window, looking towards the counter. If someone comes in, they would be in my line of sight. If they are regulars, they might call out directly to me.

I decided to take advantage of her kindness and quickly put a message on the counter, “Currently away.”

We sat across from each other at the table. I spread out the textbook between us.

“Then, please do.”

“Sure.”

Takinami-senpai smiles.

“Ah, wait a second.”

She seemed to have remembered something. Then she took an eyeglass case out of her bag. Naturally, there were glasses inside. They were slender and square-shaped, much like the ones I had seen at the store the other day.

“Did you buy one?”

“Yes. Of course, it’s just for show though. I never thought I would be able to use it so soon.”

Takinami-senpai smiled innocently as she spoke.

It must not have been a cheap purchase, but she bought it for a performance she never knows when will happen. Well, I guess she was going to make this development happen somehow though.

“Then―”

Takinami-senpai unbuttoned the top button of her blouse.

“Sorry for the wait. Here, go ahead.”

“No, wait a minute.”

Takinami-senpai stopped moving while leaning to look over the textbook. I can almost see something beyond her wide-open collar.

“What?”

“What do you mean, what?”

What if someone sees? Thinking so, I checked my surroundings and then realized. I realized that all the remaining students in the library were on the other side of the room. They could only see her backside even if they turned their head this way. I was the only one facing her from the front.

“Oh, this?”

Takinami-senpai looks at her own chest.

“I thought it would motivate you. Being a serious yet alluring teacher.”

“Of course not…”

On the contrary, I’m so concerned about it that what I would be taught is bound to pass from my right ear to my left ear.

“Really? Don’t you expect a reward afterward? Like, ‘Well done, alright, it’s time for the reward you’ve been waiting for.’”

She then smiled meaningfully.

But soon, her face turns serious.

“Come on, get to it. Are you really motivated to do this?”

“That’s my line.”

Even if I were to refuse the reward, I would not be able to focus with her giving a lecture dressed like that.

“Let’s see. I’ve done this once before, so you will get bored. I’ll think of a new situation.”

“……”

That’s not the issue, though.

While I sigh inwardly in disgust, Takinami-senpai asks me while buttoning up her blouse.

“By the way, Shizuru. Where was the ‘Name of the Rose?’”

“I can tell you, but I won’t come to pick you up even if you’re starving.”

According to what I had heard before, Takinami Ruika had maintained excellent grades through hard work and was therefore very good at teaching.

When that was over, it was just time to close the library, so Takinami-senpai also left. I closed the library as usual and returned the key to the staff room before leaving school.

And so it was when I came down to the entrance.

“Takinami-san, maybe you shouldn’t go to the library so often.”

“Oh, why is that?”

The voice came unexpectedly, and I quickly hid myself behind the stairs.

The one who answered was, of course, Takinami-senpai. Even if her name had not been mentioned, I would have recognized her just by hearing her voice. But who was the other person? At least it was not Takajou-senpai’s calm, sweet voice.

“Because, you know, that rumor.”

“Rumor?”

Takinami-senpai asks back.

It was a topic we had discussed just a few minutes before. There was no way she could have not known. But I guess she dared to ask back.

“The librarian is stalking you, Takinami-san.”

“Oh, that thing. It’s alright. He’s not the type of person who would do such a thing.”

She smoothly said.

“But it’s also possible that he’ll misunderstand your intentions.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

It appears that there are several people advising Takinami-senpai. Her classmates, probably.

I heard that after school, Takinami-senpai passes the time by chatting with her friends in the classroom and guiding them in their studies. I guess she came to the library after doing so today and rejoined the girls on her way home. I don’t know if it was by chance or by appointment.

“Besides, I don’t think it’s Takinami-san’s image to bother with a guy like that…”

“I-Is it…?”

Takinami-senpai responded with a puzzled look on her face.

I think they’re saying the most reasonable things. I’m sure that they’re one of those who hold the ideal image of Takinami Ruika.

“It doesn’t suit her image, huh…”

I mumbled to myself.

I silently turned on my feet.

I’ll tell the teacher I forgot something in the library, borrow the key, spend a little time there, and then leave.