The Handsome Boy I Saved from Getting Beaten on the Train… Turned Out to Be the “Prince” of an All-Girls School - V1 Chapter 17: Uh… I Don’t Really Get It

Chapter 17: Uh… I Don’t Really Get It

“Mmhmm~♪ Saito~”

“You were just arguing with your mom this morning, and now you’re in such a good mood, huh, Rei?”

Inside the hired car.

Just like the private ride from Rinna’s family, the backseat was spacious and luxurious—

But today, it felt a bit cramped since Rei had scooted over and was now practically glued to my side.

“I only got mad because I thought they were gonna send me to school alone in the car.”

“Ah… so that’s what that was about.”

Still, this prince really couldn’t stand being lonely, huh?

I almost burst out laughing, suddenly remembering how Rinna had called her a “wimpy prince.”

“If you think about it calmly, being alone together in a car like this means we can do all sorts of things, unlike on a train… so honestly, this might be even better.”

“…Like what? Playing games on our phones?”

I mean, it’s not exactly just the two of us—the driver is still here, you know.

Granted, being a pro chauffeur for a luxury hire service, he probably knew better than to go blabbing about his clients’ private lives.

“Games are for after school. Right now, I just wanna be close to you like this. I need my morning dose of Saito or I won’t survive school.”

Yesterday, I’d kind of ghosted Rei for a long time and made her panic—

So today, as part of my apology, I’d been roped into spending the afternoon with her after school.

“That’s a pretty troublesome condition you’ve got.”

“Yup ♪ And it’s all your fault, Saito.”

…Sounds like it might seriously affect her daily life.

Still, better to have her clinging to me here in the car than in a crowded public train,

So I tried not to think too hard about it.

“Phew. I’m gonna lean the seat back a little, okay?”

Trying to get a bit more comfortable, I reached for the recline function and leaned back into the seat.

“…Saito. You’re oddly good at using the controls in this kind of car. Most people wouldn’t even know where to look the first time in a high-end car like this.”

“…Ah. It’s the same model as the one from Rinna’s house.”

“…Rinna-chan?”

Rei’s voice, which had been all sunshine and sparkles just a second ago, turned cold in an instant—

And I immediately regretted how carelessly I’d answered.

I should’ve dodged the question or made something up.

But I was so relaxed in the comfy reclined seat that I just let it slip without thinking.

Stupid. So stupid.

“I see… So I’m not the first girl you’ve taken on a ride like this.”

“No, wait—technically, ‘a ride’ means going somewhere alone together…”

And just like that, Rei started giving off a dark, gloomy aura in the seat beside me.

“Why were you riding in Rinna-chan’s car anyway? Was it a kidnapping attempt or something?”

“Why is that the first thing that pops into your head!? She just gave me a ride, that’s all. It was around the time that train video went viral online. She was worried about me getting swarmed, so she arranged a ride for safety.”

“Ugh… Using my incident as an excuse to move in like that… That Rinna-chan… She’s sneakier than I thought.”

Yeah…

Keeping quiet about Rinna visiting my place yesterday had definitely been the right call.

Even I could already picture it—

If I’d told her about it, Rei definitely would’ve said something like, “Then I’m coming over too!”

While I was lost in thought, the car pulled up in front of my school gate.

“Ah, we’re here. See you later, Rei. Looking forward to the ride home too.”

Suzune-san had made it very clear I should wait after school since a car would be coming to pick me up again.

And since I was planning to hang out at Rei’s place today, it actually worked out perfectly—

So I’d decided to just gratefully accept the offer.

“Wait a sec, Saito. I’m getting out too.”

She opened the door on the sidewalk side and hopped out right after me.

“You really don’t have to walk me in or anything.”

“I do. I need to see with my own eyes that you made it to school safe.”

“You’re way too overprotective, Rei. You’re starting to sound just like your mom, Suzune-san. I mean, technically, I should be the one worrying about you. You’re the girl here, after all.”

I thought if I teased Rei a bit, she’d get flustered and let go.

But nope—she clung to my arm without a hint of hesitation.

Yeah…

Let me just say this:

A fancy all-girls’ school uniform really does not blend in at our regular co-ed school.

She stood out like a sore thumb.

The stares from everyone around us were intense…

Back when I walked her to the front gate of her school, people stared like crazy too—

But this might actually be just as bad.

“Well, um… See you later, Rei.”

“Yeah. I’ll miss you, but I’ll hold back.”

Oh?

Honestly, I was bracing for her to throw a mini tantrum right in front of the gate,

Which would’ve drawn way more attention.

But she was being surprisingly cooperative today.

“Okay, bye-bye~ Hugggg~!”

And just like that, Rei wrapped her arms around me.

Yup. Even added a sound effect for extra flair.

“W-Wha!?”

Caught completely off guard, my body locked up on the spot.

“Now my scent’s all over you, Saito.”

Resting her head against my chest, Rei looked up at me with a bashful smile.

Her cheeks were flushed bright red.

Guess even she found it embarrassing to hug someone like that with an audience watching.

“Rei… You do realize what kind of hell you’ve just sentenced me to, right…?”

“Ehh~ I don’t know. But good luck, okay?”

With that, Rei dashed back to the car, her skirt fluttering behind her.

And me?

I walked to school under a barrage of glares filled with murderous intent—

Every step heavier than the last.

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