The Story of A Beautiful Girl I Rescued From An Attacker Who Became My Seatmate. - Chapter 23

“You guys, we have regular exams starting next week, so study hard during this holiday. Alright, let’s wrap up.”

The homeroom teacher conveyed the announcements at the end of the day with a sluggish tone. Most of the class was engaged in chatter with their neighbors, but without paying much attention to that, the teacher quickly ended the homeroom.

“Okay, bye-bye~”

“Bye-bye.”

Kirishima waved her hand as the girls bid farewell. If it were about a month ago, she would have left the classroom with them.

“…Well, I’ll wait for you ahead.”

“Got it.”

After whispering to Kirishima in a voice that wouldn’t be heard by others, I left the classroom and changed my shoes in the entranceway. Then, right after passing through the school gate, I stopped by a lamppost just around the corner.

I had twisted my head to find an answer that would reconcile protecting Kirishima’s safety and preventing misunderstandings from those around us. The solution I came up with was to meet up in a place where no one would notice.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“It’s fine, let’s go.”

I walked alongside Kirishima on the way back home. As I glanced at her, I noticed that she was walking with her head slightly down. It seemed that Kirishima was still feeling down. Throughout the day at school, there were moments where she clearly had a strained expression.

At times like this, there wasn’t much I could do other than try to bring up a topic that would cheer her up.

“By the way, Kirishima, do you like anyone?”

“What?!”

Kirishima’s face instantly turned red. It might have been inappropriate to ask such a question to a girl, especially since we were not of the same gender, but it could help change her mood from being down.

“H-Hey, why are you suddenly asking that?”

“Well… If you were to say something like, ‘I have someone I like!’ or something, I might have to change how I act towards you.”

“What do you mean by ‘change’?”

“Well, it’s not really good for a guy and a girl to live in the same house, you know.”

By the way, I intentionally brought up this topic with a slightly mischievous intention. Since we slept together yesterday, Kirishima’s reactions felt a bit off. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was something going on.

After that, Kirishima started mumbling something quietly. However, her voice was too low, and I couldn’t understand what she was saying at all.

“Well, I don’t often see you interacting with the guys in our class, Kirishima.”

“Because if I were to actively interact with them, they might misunderstand. If that happens, the other girls wouldn’t think kindly of it, I suppose.”

“That’s true. Also, the girls in our class seem to look at guys like they’re scrutinizing them.”

Those girls’ gazes were truly unpleasant. Moreover, I happened to overhear later on, but I was labeled as a typical “unpopular” guy. It made me quite angry to know that they were criticizing me without knowing my circumstances.

“Well, it can’t be helped. It’s that age, after all. But, K-Kouji, I think you’re kind and cool.”

“If I can be thought of that way, even by you alone, I’m grateful.”

Although I don’t really mind it now, I was truly grateful for her support.

As for Kirishima’s state of mind, it became rather complicated.

“I wonder how I should have answered when someone I like asked me something like this…”

Unfortunately, Kirishima’s thoughts didn’t reach anyone.

Today was Saturday, so we arrived home at 3 o’clock.

There wasn’t much to do, just killing time.

“…What are you doing?”

Instead of changing out of my uniform and lazing around on the sofa, Kirishima came downstairs in her casual clothes and entered the living room.

“Well, I was wondering why exams even exist.”

As I said that, Kirishima’s expression turned cold in an instant. Ah, I wonder if she’s angry. It’s been like this before, but it seems like Kirishima really wants to improve my academic performance.

“You said you were going to study at home. Are you going back on our promise to study together?”

“Huh? Did we promise to study together, Kirishima?”

“Don’t play dumb. Hurry up and change and come here.”

“Well… I don’t mind if you focus on your own studies.”

“…”

Kirishima pointed silently toward the door. Her expression was very stern, and it seemed like she wasn’t receptive to jokes.

Without saying a word, she drove me off the sofa as if it went without saying. I couldn’t help but feel like I was being pushed around, but maybe it’s just my imagination.

With a slight sense of unease about my future, I began preparing to study.