So You’re Telling Me I’m in My Popular Phase!? - Chapter 22: An Unexpected Umeda-sensei!?

Chapter 22: An Unexpected Umeda-sensei!?

When I turned around, Umeda-sensei—our club adviser and also part of student affairs—was standing there.

I end up dealing with this teacher a lot, don’t I.

Since he’s part of the student affairs, that connects to student council stuff too, and he’s our club adviser as well…

And his “secret nickname” is Ashura.

He’s just flat-out scary.

“Ichikami! Club has already started—what are you doing?!”

This teacher always ends his sentences with an exclamation mark.

“I had something to talk about with Machida-san, so I ended up being late.”

“I see! Even so, get to club already!”

I think this teacher is around fifty.

He’s way too energetic.

“Yes, sir.”

I headed toward club again.

“Oh right—Ichikami!”

He called me again.

Just talking to this teacher is exhausting.

“What is it?”

“You were talking with Machida about student council matters, right?!”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Then fine!”

“I see.”

What did he think it was?

There’s basically nothing else I’d be talking with Machida-san about…

Well, whatever.

Ah—speaking of which.

“Umeda-sensei.”

Umeda-sensei turned toward me.

“What is it?!”

Normally that should be a question mark, not an exclamation mark!

“Machida-san said she has something she wants to tell you, and she was looking for you.”

It’s probably about Izumi and Tomoya.

Machida-san and Umeda-sensei… scary.

“Got it—thanks! Even so, get to club already!”

“Y-yes, sir.”

Yeah… I’m really not good with this teacher.

※

Just like that, I went to club.

I changed into my gym uniform and went outside.

First-years mostly do strength training and ball pickup, but sometimes they let us hit the ball.

But it’s still brutal either way.

“Kyaaa! Sakura-chan, amazing!”

I heard some high-pitched girls’ voices.

So damn loud.

And I’m embarrassed that I can’t say that out loud.

Huh?

Is that girl… looking at me?

When I glanced over at the girls, I felt like someone was watching.

…Probably my imagination.

“Hey, Ichikami—watch out!”

When I turned forward to see what it was—smack, the ball slammed right into my face.

“Ghk—!”

It hurts like hell.

It stings.

“Ichikami, don’t look away! This is what happens when you do!”

You’re the one who hit it at me!

Don’t get mad at me for it!

And I’m embarrassed that I can’t say that either.

“Sorry…”

After that, we kept practicing, and club finally ended.

“Finally, club’s over…”

“Ichikami, you really hate club, don’t you.”

A guy from the same club, Ishitaka, said that to me.

“Obviously. What’s even good about club?”

“It’s obvious: you get to work up a sweat and watch cute girls’ boobs bouncing!”

Creepy.

“There are no cute girls. The only cute girl is Aki!”

“Who’s Aki?”

“Not telling.”

After that, I finished changing and went home.

I’ll have Aki heal my club exhaustion.

“I’m home.”

“Oh—welcome back, Ryu.”

Mom was making dinner.

“Where’s Aki?”

“She’s having a sleepover at a friend’s house tonight.”

“I-is that so…”

That was totally monotone.

Aki isn’t here…

That’s a massive shock!

I went to my room and cried.