When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 70: Surprisingly, It Was Accepted Easily.

Surprisingly, It Was Accepted Easily.

“Though I thought it was different, this feels foolish.”

What exactly is different, and what feels foolish?

As I watched, confused by Sajou-san’s self-mocking tone, her dark eyes, previously cast downward, suddenly locked onto mine. My heart skipped a beat.

“So, why?”

“Why, you ask?”

As I choked out the words, her already half-closed eyelids drooped further, and her black eyes sharpened, becoming piercingly clear. Her gaze seemed to say she wouldn’t tolerate any lies—sharp and unyielding, like a knife held to my throat.

“…Don’t ask questions to which you already know the answer.”

Or do you want to hear it from my mouth? The pressure of her gaze intensified, and my upper body instinctively recoiled.

If I had to say whether I understood or not, well, it’s only natural that I do. Why I want her to attend the three-way meeting, why I want her to meet Sajou-san’s mother…

I really don’t want to say it.

I bit my lower lip lightly. If I explained, she’d probably find out that I’d secretly met her mother, too. The thought of her reaction scared me—would she let me off with just a slap? Knowing Sajou-san, a punch wouldn’t be out of the question.

But…

It’s obvious that hiding it at this point isn’t an option. Keeping silent would undoubtedly worsen her mood. If I’m going to be scolded either way, I might as well just say it. I licked my dry lips to moisten them.

“The teacher asked me to discuss the parent teacher meeting with you.”

“There are already a lot of issues with that, but go on,” she urged me to continue.

“I tried to bring it up with you, but, um… I couldn’t find the right moment, or I wasn’t sure if I should. As I was contemplating this, I happened to meet your mother by chance. She mentioned wanting to talk with you, so I arranged for that opportunity.”

“By chance, huh…”

Her words made my heart shrink. I nervously observed her reaction, but she seemed incredibly detached, not showing any signs of anger. However, only she knows what emotions are truly swirling inside.

Being together, just that, was enough. It felt comfortable, and it was an unspoken agreement not to delve into each other’s personal matters that had kept our relationship stable—an agreement I had now breached.

I believe this is necessary.

Of course, there’s a significant part of me that wishes they would just talk directly without involving me. Quite a significant part, actually. However, if asked whether I disrupted our peaceful relationship solely for that reason, I would have to deny it.

For Sajou-san, this house must have been a kind of refuge. A place to escape from her mother, her home environment, and all the entanglements that came with it. That’s why she never spoke about herself, nor did she pry into my matters.

This is selfish.

I believe this is for Sajou-san’s benefit. I hope so. But it’s also an imposition, something she never asked for. It’s like trampling and destroying the sanctuary she finally found. What kind of emotions will she direct at me for doing such a thing?

Disappointment? Rejection?

I was prepared for the worst, even to be hit, but Sajou-san’s reaction remained calm and composed, to the point where it surprised me more than her.

“…It can’t be helped, I guess…”

What did that shallow sigh signify? After briefly lowering her eyes, Sajou-san looked up.

“Okay.”

“…Really?”

I never expected things to go as predicted from the beginning, but her lack of anger left me at a loss. It felt like lighting a fuse only for it to fizzle out, or pulling the trigger of a loaded gun only for it to jam.

I must have looked incredibly surprised.

With her elbow on the table and her cheek resting on her hand, Sajou-san pouted.

“What’s with that reaction?”

“Ah, well… I mean…”

“You’re annoying.”

Her straightforward irritation left me speechless.

“Aren’t you going?”

“No, no, no! Please, go!”

I leaned over the table in a rush, pleading with her. “You should have just said so from the start,” she retorted.

Well, yes.

That’s true. But her acceptance was so unexpected that it left me stunned, doubting if this was really the Sajou-san I knew.

As I nervously glanced around, Sajou-san sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time today, clearly exasperated.

“I understand that you’re being considerate, Rihito-kun. It’s only natural to think I might get angry if you told me.”

“Right?”

Good. She understands. I felt a rush of relief, like exhaling after holding my breath for too long. It seemed as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders, but it was too soon to relax.

“However—”

Sajou-san’s sharp glare made me freeze. She then slid something across the table, and I felt a wave of dizziness as I looked at it.

“—being sneaky about it is infuriating.”

It was a small note in the shape of a rabbit. It was the note detailing the meeting with her mother, a piece of evidence that the ordeal was far from over.