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 7

Chapter 7: An Overprotective Princess

In order for me to become the secretary, clearing Saeki’s assigned tasks became the foremost condition.

The deadline given was one week. Within that time, I must organize the records left behind by the former student council executives while also compile the achievements made by them in each academic year.

Even though I thought it wouldn’t be an easy, but when I actually took a look before starting, I understood the overwhelming amount of work that was presented before me.

The text files lack dates, there are multiple similar datasets from time to time, distinguishing official reports is heck of a pain, and to top it all off, there is a mountain of photo data as well—all in all, organizing these all is a daunting task.

Waking even late at night, I finally finished organizing the data present in the student council room. In doing so, already more than half of the week had already passed. With today being Friday, I had only three days left. In these three days, I have to go through the 10 years’ worth data and organize them, within this 3 days that is.

“As if that is even possible dumbo!”

My voice echoed emptily in the student council room illuminated by the setting sun.

I scratched my head vigorously and checked the wall clock. It was just about 6 P.M. It seemed I would have to be here late at night again tonight. Although March had begun and it was getting warmer, the nights were still chilly. Ideally, I wanted to go home as soon as possible.

Moreover, if I couldn’t finish by today, I would have to take the data home and somehow end the work by this weekend. The thought of all my precious days being wasted made like that made me feel even more disheartened.

“(Sigh) Why did I even decide to struggle so much over the work that I don’t even want in the first place?”

[TL: Cause you are a simp.]

If I had only wanted to explore how Katsuragi Minami had come to like me, I didn’t need to insist on the position of secretary.

However, I simply couldn’t betray her voice of trust.

And after making such a bold declaration, I really didn’t want to admit defeat, ‘I couldn’t do it as expected’. Just thinking about Saeki’s smug face annoyed me.

As defiance and anxiety wrestled within me, my stomach growled.

“…Maybe I should go buy something to eat now by now.”

Thinking of the nearest convenience store, I tightened my grip on my wallet and headed towards the door of the student council room. I slid open the door.

“Where are you going?”

There was a beautiful girl.

“Uwaaa!”

Because of hastily stepping back, I instead bumped into the pipe chair with full force.

My thighs hurt.

As I crouched down, a panicked voice echoed in my mind, “Kou-kun!?”

Furrowing her brows, Katsuragi Minami hurriedly approached.

“Are you alright, Saiga-kun?”

‘What should I do…! It’s because of me —he!’

While holding the sore spot, I forced a smile.

Since Katsuragi Minami started blamed herself, I needed it better to act fine like this.

“It’s just a light bump. Don’t worry.”

“You shouldn’t say that. Let’s go to the infirmary.”

“As I said, I’m fine. Besides, it’s closed already.”

“Ah… right, sorry.”

To make such an easy mistake, she seemed genuinely flustered. If I hadn’t been able to read her mind, her expression might have seemed rather cold on the contrary.

As expected on her second name, “The princess who never smiles”, but it’s a shame that even her emotional and unique aspects remain hidden because of her personality.

‘(Sigh) I’m so worried… you always act so tough.’

For a moment, the pain seemed to fade away.

“(Always? You say)”

I hadn’t spent that much time with for her to be described like that, nor do I recall acting any tough in front of her.

Could it be that Katsuragi Minami and I had met somewhere before?

While I was puzzled, Katsuragi Minami’s inner voice continued uninterrupted.

‘If the infirmary isn’t open, maybe I can start the treatment here forcefully. Even if he resists, we’re already alone. Ah, let’s lock the door just in case.’

Still facing me, Katsuragi Minami quietly moved backward and locked the door.

Umm, Moshi Moshi?

‘To treat bruises, first I have to cool the affected area and then apply a compress. I’m sure I had a disinfectant and gauze with me, but… I don’t think I have a compress here. It can’t be helped, but first I should cool down the affected area with a wet handkerchief, and then it might be better to use a compress, or perhaps a cooling spray be better. Should I shop that up right now.’

Despite her decision-making was calm, I couldn’t help but wonder about carrying disinfectant and gauze with her. I’d never heard of a high school girl keeping that with herself.

Katsuragi Minami took out her cell phone and started looking something up.

‘If it turns blue, fumu fumu, improving blood flow or using hot or cold therapies can make it disappear fast. First, let’s get some ointments and creams, and perhaps some herbal medicine.’

You like a pet owner trying their best to take care of their pet, you know that

Or rather, please don’t buy those stuff with similar effects in such large quantities.

‘If the pain still doesn’t go away with that… I–I don’t want to think about it but, —-there may be a chance of damage in the bone…! In such case, call an ambulance imme――”

“Ah! The pain’s already starting to go away! Woah such a relief! Ahh, such a relief!”

I quickly performed some stretching exercises to show that I was okay. To call an ambulance just because I hit my thigh, I never heard of this ever before. If she were to choose such an exaggerated option, I might become more worried about her head instead.

While I did squats, Katsuragi Minami watched me with a concerned look.

“Are you not enduring it?”

“N-No, I’m not.”

She continued to gaze at me intently. Since we were apart for a minute now, I couldn’t hear her inner voice anymore.

Katsuragi Minami sighed and unlocked the door, stepping out into the corridor.