As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Chapter 3.4

Leave That Culture in the Heisei Era 4

Kujo’s PoV

“Ah, but I’ve never seen Miyashiro-kun’s paintings yet.”

“No way! You’re missing out! You absolutely have to see them!”

This time, it was Girl γ who suddenly raised her voice with enthusiasm.

“They’re amazing! Like, really amazing, and so good! I even cried a little when I first saw them!”

“Huh, what’s with that energy… What happened?”

“It’s not ‘what happened’! I’m telling you to go see them! They’re really, really good! There are a few in the art prep room, so go see them! After school, when Miyashiro is painting in the art room, the prep room is also open, so go see them!”

“Ruuchan, how do you know all that?”

Faced with Girl α’s question, Girl γ fell silent for a moment with a “Ugh,” before conceding.

“Well, …before the volleyball tournament, I always go to see them. When I’m feeling anxious before a match, it somehow calms me down, looking at Miyashiro’s paintings…”

“Wow~!”

“Seriously~? You’re a real fan then.”

“Shut up, I am a fan! But it’s not just me, okay! There are others, like from different sports clubs and stuff, who come to see them too! It’s not just me!”

“Just go see them!” With that, Girl γ fell silent.

“But, doesn’t Miyashiro-kun already have someone he’s dating? You know, that first-year, Ado-chan. She’s super cute and has a big chest. They often go home together, right?”

“Nah, that girl isn’t his girlfriend. I talk quite a bit with her… Suika-chan, and they’re childhood friends. Well, it’s hard to approach him with such a cute, high-spec girl around~. Sacchan was having trouble too.”

…

Ado-chan, Suika-chan──Ado Suika, huh.

When I watch Miyashiro-kun, I naturally end up seeing her quite often too. That’s how much he’s with Ado-san.

At first, I really thought they were dating. I was so shocked I practically spent three days in bed.

But in reality, as Girl α said, they seem to be childhood friends.

…I’m not sure if I should just consider them “just childhood friends” since they’re close enough to go cheer for each other at matches on holidays.

However, the immediate threat isn’t Ado-san.

──Lunch break, …alright, still about fifteen minutes left.

After checking the time, I stood up and quickly left the classroom.

“Here…”

The third floor’s multipurpose room. The place Girl α mentioned for the meeting.

I try to enter by pulling the door, but it’s locked. Of course, it would be.

But that doesn’t matter to me.

“Ta-da~”

I pulled out a key made of acrylic resin, which I announced with a lonely sound effect. It slides smoothly into the keyhole.

Twisting it, I unlocked the door’s latch.

The key I used, of course, isn’t the room’s official one──it’s an illegal duplicate. Moreover, it’s a copy of a master key (a key that can open any room in the building).

That was back in my first year.

I was tasked with collecting prints placed on the lecturers’ desks in each classroom.

And then, the teacher said, “It’s troublesome to bring out all the keys for each classroom,” and incredibly handed me the master key.

Unbelievable!

I was outraged. What do they think about security! What if it was misused!

While angry, I went around the classrooms, collected the prints, and also measured and took several photos of the master key.

Then, I went home, created a 3D model from the measurements and photos, and printed it with a 3D printer.

And thus, the duplicate was made.

This is why, in today’s age where 3D printers are common, important keys should never be handed or shown to anyone other than the manager.

…My motive was, simply, I was curious if “a school’s master key could be duplicated with a 3D printer.”

After confirming the key could indeed unlock doors, I carelessly stored it at the bottom of a drawer at home.

However, now, thinking it might come in handy for my stalker life, I carry it daily, and here I am using it, so I’m definitely guilty.

“…”

Feeling a heavy sense of self-loathing, I opened the door cautiously and sneaked into the room filled with desks.

Then, I tossed one of my smartphones into a desk in the middle of the room (as a true gadget nerd, I own about eight of the latest smartphone models from various manufacturers and always carry three to school).

The phone I tossed had an external microphone attached. Why I have such a thing can only be due to a stalker’s hobby.

Now everything is prepared.

“Alright…”

LHR time. (tln : long homeroom class)

I was at my seat near the classroom window, earphones connected to my smartphone plugged into my ears.

Then, I remotely activated the smartphone in the multipurpose room to start recording. This way, I could listen to the conversations in that room.

It might not be crystal clear, but as long as I can make out the words.

If I can make out the words──not that anything can be done about it.

All I can do is just listen… Honestly, I know it’s meaningless. It won’t stop those girls from approaching Miyashiro-kun, nor will it allow me to appeal to him.

But knowing what I know, I couldn’t just leave it unheard.

“…Hmm.”

I heard the sound of the door opening. And then.

“Being a committee member, huh… so boring.”

“Right? But it’s better than doing it for the cultural festival or school trip, right?”

“True that.”

I couldn’t tell whose voices they were, but such conversations started to fill the room. It seems students were gathering.

Soon after, that voice sounded.

“Kuuya, what’s the seating arrangement again?”

“Seems like it’s by grade from the window side; first, second, third years. Front or back… probably in class number order.”

“…”

Yūji Hatsuse’s clear voice, followed by Miyashiro-kun’s soft voice, which I could replay in my brain with ease.

Their presence seemed to grow closer.

“Since we’re class four, should be around the middle here? Here?”

Miyashiro-kun’s words and the sound of a chair being pulled out were quite clear.

It seems they sat near or exactly where I left the smartphone with the microphone.

Miyashiro-kun and Yūji Hatsuse continued their casual chatter, and then another new voice was heard.