When I read the heart of the never-smiling princess, for some reason she had already fallen head over heels in love for me. - v1 Chapter 28

Chapter 28 : The Princess Who Puts Up a Myu-chan Barrier

Having finished Fuyuko sensei’s errand, Hoshino and I returned to the student council room.

“We’re back. The documents have been submitted.”

As I slid the door open, a single “Good work” greeted us.

Only Minami-san, alone was present in the student council room,

She had her arms crossed, staring intently at something on the desk.

“Arre? Where are Saeki and Jiro?”

“Nozomi has a special cram school session, while Jiro-san just mentioned that he got some personal business.”

Even as she answered, her gaze remained fixed on the desk. What could she be focusing on so intensely?

“Btw, what’s Minami-san doing?”

“I’m choosing photos for the upcoming month’s school newsletter. They’re all so good, so I’m having a hard time deciding.”

“Heh? Let me see too.”

It’s really rare for her to falter on something. Are the photos beautifully shot, or do they make a perfect composition together. Being in the part of the newsletter’s editorial staff, I was curious.

I approached just close enough to avoid triggering my ability and peeked over.

There, three photos were laid out.

All of them had my face in them.

“Just what are you choosing from!?”

“Photos for the newsletter, obviously?”

“Just what is there in my face worth publishing!”

“More than I can count.”

Minami-san declared confidently, lifting her head with an attitude that screamed self-assurance.

“This is you working hard on greetings. While this is you striking a pose for the chuunibyou special greeting. By the way this is you laughing with another student. Each one is a wonderful photo, essential for showcasing the greeting campaign’s impact.”

“Sorry to interrupt your passionate speech, but there is nothing apart from me in that explanation! Also, when were these even taken?”

I’m in charge of taking photos for the newsletter. Even during the greeting campaign, I was snapping shots of the student council members whenever I got the chance, so there shouldn’t be any photos of me taken.

Then Minami-san replied breezily, “I took them myself, personally, obviously.”

“You photographed the other members, but then there were no photos of you, who is the key figure. I wanted everyone included, so I prepared some of you too.”

“Just… When did you…?”

During the greeting campaign, there was practically a line of girls always in front of Minami-san. I’m surprised she managed to sneak in these shots entertaining them.

“But this is so disheartening. I just can’t decide between them.”

“You could just give up on them, you know.”

“Got it. So I should lay every one of them in, understood.”

“Just what part of that was ‘got it’!? Rather, please don’t fill up the newsletter with only my face. Even Saeki would get mad.”

“Would she?”

“Yes, she would.”

Muu, pouting, Minami-san turned to Hoshino, who had been silently watching us.

“Myu-chan, which photo do you think is best?”

“Fweh? …W-which one is the bes–sht is it? They’re all nice, I think.”

“So you mean, all three are approved.”

“Don’t twist her words!”

This girl’s hopeless. We need to do something fast.

“Y-yeah, come to think of… Saiga-kun has a great smile. Even in the third one, the other student looks so happy too—”

“Myu-chan.”

With a loud clatter, Minami-san stood up.

Hoshino’s shoulders flinched as Minami-san strode toward her.

“I think so too. They’re just too precious, right.”

Minami-san grabbed Hoshino’s hand and squeezed it tightly. Bewildered, Hoshino just nodded along. Just what is with this exchange?

Also, please don’t call it “precious” in front of her—it’s embarrassing, just stop! Like really!

“C–come to think of it, Minami-san, about the inspection report and budget plan…”

I changed the subject. The thought of having this atmosphere go one forever was getting me uncomfortable.

At the same time, I decided to test something.

“That’s right, good work, both of you. There weren’t any issues, were there? Takaaki-kun’s report was just perfect, and Myu-chan thoroughly checked the budget plan as well.”

(It is exactly as you said. I’m proud that you saw through this talent in me. Somehow I’ve realized just how big of a person you are.)

Silence followed.

Minami-san and Hoshino tilted their heads at my sudden quietness.

I pretended to rub my nose and looked away.

(Cringe! So cringe!)

I writhed internally.

If Minami-san had the ability to read minds, she would definitely react to my thoughts. So, I conjured up the most embarrassing, cheesy lines which I could think of to make her blush. But recognizing myself spouting such chuunibyou nonsense dealt me double damage.

And Minami-san? No reaction. What a waste. Stop piling debuffs on me.

(…Still, does this mean she’s not an ability user?)

Calming myself, I stared at Minami-san. Her expression hadn’t changed even little.

It is just common sense. Normal people can’t hear inner voices.

But my instincts warned me not to jump to conclusions.

Abilities have activation conditions. It could be distance, like mine, or something else entirely for someone else. Just because she can’t read me now doesn’t mean she can’t in other situations.

Alright, time for a different approach.

“What’s wrong?”

“Sorry, nothing. Both documents were fine. But there’s something I really need to talk about.”

As I spoke, I walked straight toward Minami-san.

“While talking with Hoshino earlier, something hit in my head. Could you tell me more about why you chose us as competent personnel for the student council?”

Asking like this forces her to think about it, whether she wants to or not. Even if she stays silent, it’s futile.

Originally, I planned to use this kind of leading question to probe her feelings for me. But since it’s a delicate topic, and if I go about it awkwardly, it could have made me bring up a love story to back it up instead, so I just hadn’t found the right timing to do it.

Still, to investigate whether she has an ability or not, there are plenty of ways to ask.

I was almost within ability range.

Just then—a faint “Kya!” echoed.

Minami-san had sat down in a nearby chair.

With Hoshino on her lap, hugging her tightly.

‘Hawawawawawa, whatwhatwhat!? W-w-w-so soft, squishy, kyaaa, don’t touch, don’t sniff!’

I froze up inadvertently. Hoshino’s panicked, red-faced, as her near-tearful inner voice flooded my mind.

My ability had activated on Hoshino, instead of Minami-san.

If I stepped closer, Minami-san would be in range too, but because of Hoshino’s presence I couldn’t close the distance no matter what.

“…What are you doing?”

“Hugging Myu-chu~.”

“Why right now?”

“I felt like it.”

• • • • Felt like it?* That’s way too sudden.

“By the way,” Minami-san continued as if nothing happened.

“The student council will join an extracurricular volunteer activity next month. We’ll be cleaning a park together with Grade school kids, so let’s discuss the arrangements now.”

“Nope, I have something to ask you before that.”

“If it’s personal, please save it for later. The meeting comes first.”

Peeking over from Hoshino’s nape, Minami-san gave me a look that seemed like sizing me up.

Suspicious. Incredibly suspicious.

It’s almost like she’s using Hoshino as a shield to keep me from reading her mind.

(If I circle behind Minami-san, I might get in range and use my ability… although Hoshino’s inner voice would interfere.)

Hoshino’s machine-gun-like panic was still blaring inside my head. Even if I were to hear Minami-san’s voice, it’d be drowned out.

I don’t want to think about it, but, no way she planned the execution of this beforehand… right?

“Not happy with that?”

“No… fine. Let’s move on with the meeting.”

I had no option but to back off. With Hoshino like this, pressing further would be pointless.

It seems unraveling her mystery will require a more careful plan.

As I stepped back, Hoshino was finally released. She slumped over the desk *fu~nya~* like a spineless creature.