When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 69: The Neighbor Who Isn't Interested In The Tripartite Meeting.

The Neighbor Who Isn’t Interested In The Tripartite Meeting.

“It’s time for the parent teacher conference schedule distribution. Everyone, please confirm with your parents.”

In the homeroom.

The teacher, leaning on the desk, immediately announced the tripartite conference arrangements.

A schedule sheet passed smoothly from the front seat. I unconsciously grabbed it with such force that wrinkles formed from the grasp. However, such trivial matters didn’t concern me as my eyes skimmed over the print, searching for the name “Sajou.”

And there it was.

Early November. The first day of the conference. Although it wasn’t the top spot, it might as well have been, the difference was negligible.

Huh…. A sigh escaped my throat.

It’s still October. There’s plenty of time, no need to rush.

But somehow, I felt it would have been better later, akin to wanting homework deadlines to stretch out a bit. Long deadlines only make me procrastinate more, but… Well, I’ll be fine. There’s time.

I nodded to reassure myself, then glanced sideways.

“…”

Next to me, Sajou-san sat, peering down at the schedule printout with a bored expression.

Eyes are said to speak louder than words, and her dark, indifferent pupils told the whole story of her lack of interest in the tripartite conference. Ah, she tossed it on the desk.

With that attitude.

It would be a miracle if she knew about her mother attending the meeting. Less than a 1% chance. Even if I asked a hundred times, the answer wouldn’t change. Yet still, confirmation is essential.

Hoping against hope… albeit resigned.

To avoid the teacher’s notice when informing the class about the tripartite conference, I discreetly asked Sajou-san.

“(Is the schedule okay?)”

“…?”

In response to my question, she turned her face slowly, skeptical eyes narrowing as if to ask what I meant.

“(What do you mean?)”

“(Uh, well… Doesn’t it overlap with your part-time job or something, so you can’t attend the conference?)”

I purposely omitted “tripartite” to keep her from suspecting anything about her mother.

In fact, such an attitude might arouse her suspicions.

I thought I had messed up after saying it, but fortunately, Sajou-san didn’t seem bothered.

For a moment, she glanced down. Her gaze landed on the tripartite conference schedule. However, it was brief; she lifted her head and faced forward.

“(Not interested.)”

Just that. Concisely stated.

“(…I see.)”

Did her lack of interest only pertain to the tripartite conference?

Or did it also include her mother attending?

In the end, I couldn’t tell whether Sajou-san knew or not from her response alone.

Anyway, I have to talk to her at some point, but it’s just… ugh.

It feels like a part of my brain is always occupied.

Like having a mobile game running in the background.

Does she know? Does she not know?

Thinking about it is useless. Even though I understand it’s pointless, these thoughts that occupy my brain make my head feel heavy.

I hate this feeling.

It’s exhausting for no reason.

I need to stop thinking about it—oh, my head feels hot, rubbing my forehead with my fingertips when,

“…I’m not planning to go. I have work.”

For some reason, Sajou-san provides additional information.

“Oh, is that so?”

Unexpectedly, those words just slip out unconsciously.

Was I that obvious?

Rubbing my face with both hands’ fingers to check my expression, but I couldn’t quite tell.

Well, at least I managed to ask if she’ll attend or not.

No, it’s not good at all if she doesn’t go, though.

Sajou-san won’t attend the tripartite conference.

She doesn’t know her mother will attend.

With this assumption… What should I do?

Internally, I’m troubled.

I suggested discussing it with Sajou-san and then presented the tripartite conference.

But if Sajou-san doesn’t go in the first place, it’s more than just awkward.

Every time I pass by Sajou-san’s mother in the hallway of the apartment building from now on, how should I act?

Should I smile? I think, but depending on how it’s received, wouldn’t I just seem like a jerk?

“Let’s finish homeroom. Now, let’s start the lesson.”

The classmates complain, “Aww, already!?” as the class transitions without much of a break, but the teacher casually brushes it off with “Okay, okay. Take out your textbooks.”

I can’t think of a good solution.

I continued to ponder so much that I couldn’t even focus on the lesson content, but even after school, I couldn’t come up with a good plan.

“Well then, I’m off to work.”

Waving quietly to see off Sajou-san, I confirm her departure and cover both eyes with my hands.

Ah… What am I going to do?