The reason why this genius little girl who doesn't get along with anyone, wants to be only spoiled by me

Episode 22: Ignorance Is Not an Option

Come to think of it, I don’t know much about the Hoshimiya siblings.

What I do know is just the kind of surface-level information that any student at this school would know… No, actually, I’m not even sure that I’ve got even that right.

I know that Hime is a prodigy who skipped a grade.

And that her elder sister, Sei-san, is a member of the student council and very popular one at that.

Now that I think about it calmly, that’s about all I know.

Well, I suppose that’s only natural.

After all, up until now, I never even thought about wanting to know more. I knew it would be pointless to someone like me, knowing anything about them, who is living the life of a background character, a mob.

But perhaps… my ignorance might have actually worked in Hime’s favour in a way.

Unlike everyone else, I treated her like a normal kid. Which she seemed to find more comfortable with, and probably why she grew attached to me.

Still, given how here I am, fortunate enough to have this special connection with the Hoshimiya siblings.

In other words… it means, I’ve started wanting to know more about both of them now ――.

—

**[Message from Hime]**

*“Yohei-kun, I have to head straight home for today. I’m sorry, Because, I have a research meeting to attend. Truly, it’s so disappointing, really, I wanted to chat so much more, but… See you tomorrow, Bye-bye, Yohei-kun!”*

And so, after school…

After waving goodbye to Hime, who had hurriedly left the classroom, as I was just about to pack up and head home myself.

“Um, excuse me, can I talk to you for a sec?”

I suddenly heard a voice behind me.

“Eh? Ah, uh, sure?”

Living a life where no one usually pays me any attention, I got caught off guard by someone who actually went and addressed me to talk to.

Turning around, I saw a lively-looking girl standing there.

A fellow girl student with a distinctive chestnut-colored wavy hair. A first-year, …maybe? Somehow, she gave off a bit of a junior vibe.

“Nice to meet you. Are you Oosawa-senpai?”

“…Nope, I’m Oozora, so I don’t think that’s me.”

“O-Oozora…? Uh, well, I think that’s probably what I wanted to mean!”

What’s with this girl? Kind of rude, isn’t she?

Then again, even my homeroom teacher doesn’t remember my name, so if she even knows a part of it, maybe that’s not much rude in fact on contrary.

…Well, given how I’m already used to people not remembering my name, so I don’t mind, actually.

Anyway, she seemed to have some business with me, so I decided to hear her out.

“Sorry about that! I’m Haine Kumori, a first-year and a member of the newspaper club!”

“…Do you need something from me?”

Or so, I did ask, but… I had a pretty good idea of what she wanted.

Given she’s from the newspaper club, then—

“Yes! I’d like to hear about Hoshimiya-san from you, Senpai!”

—She wants to know about Hime.

Well, given how she’s approached me out of nowhere, it can only be about her.

*(Hime doesn’t seem to like standing out too much, though…)*

Honestly, I don’t really want to go spreading stories about her.

But even if I refuse, there’s no guarantee that Kumori-san will back off. On the contrary, she might escalate things, like trying to interview Hime directly or conducting some kind of intense investigation to get some info one way or another.

That could make Hime uncomfortable.

*(Besides, she’s in the newspaper club… She’s probably well-informed about gossips and rumors, right?)*

It was about time, even I started getting curious about the Hoshimiya siblings myself.

“…I don’t really have much to tell, though.”

“No worries, no worries at all! Even the smallest thing is fine, so please share whatever you can!”

This was a great chance to gather information while observing her intentions and reactions.

After weighing my options, I decided not to outright refuse and instead step into her circle and learn whatever I can in return――.

—