I Want to Have a Girlfriend Too - Chapter 9

I feel like I’m getting closer to her.

　The sun is setting, and the students who are engaged in club activities are returning home.

　The noise outside has disappeared as if it were a lie, and the sounds inside the school echo loudly.

　In the midst of all this, Saijouin and I were meeting in the student council room.

“When I first saw you, it was like being struck by… lightning.”

“Lightning…?”

” …well, I’m just speaking figuratively. I mean, how could a person be so pretty and beautiful? “

” …!? “

　Saijouin is a little surprised at my words.

　The first time I saw Saijouin was at the opening ceremony when she gave a speech as a representative of new students.

　I was shocked when I saw her on the stage.

　Her silky blonde hair immediately caught my attention, and her well-groomed face made it even harder for me to take my eyes off her.

　I was elated from the bottom of my heart when I found out that I was in the same class as Saijouin.

“But as we were in the same class and I looked at you, I felt uncomfortable as to why you only had the same face at any given time.”

　Sure enough, Saijouin became popular in the class, and there were always crowds around her.

　Saijouin was there smiling, but always with the same face.

“When I saw that, I thought to myself, ーoh, she’s not showing herself to anyone.”

” …… “

“Sure, I wanted to get a girlfriend at this school, and I would confess my feelings as soon as I saw a pretty girl. But it’s never just because she looks cute.”

　I spin my words to Saijouin, who is silent, but I still speak firmly.

“For example, Yamabuki-san, a second-year student, is always cheerful and can lead everyone, and Sakakibara-san, a third-year student, is kind to everyone and can’t leave anyone alone when she sees someone in trouble. I confessed my love for these people because I like them both outside and what’s inside of them.”

　It is true that I may be an inconsiderate man to those around me.

　But I confessed my love for them after seeing what was inside them in my own way.

　I’m not lying about this, I’m serious.

“But I didn’t know what was inside of you. You always wore a mask for everyone, and it was somehow creepy. I didn’t like… people whom I could only see at the surface.”

” …… “

“So I’m not going to do anything to you. I don’t like you, and I’m not interested in you. You may be cute, but someone who distances themselves from people is not someone I can truly get along with no matter what, and that’s why I’m treating you like a normal girl.”

　Besides, I just decided to get a normal cute girl as a girlfriend…

　And my resolve is shaken just because she talked to me? Ha, no way.

　After we finished talking for a while, I looked at Saijouin.

　Saijouin was bowing her head down a bit with her eyes downcast.

　… Umm, was I saying too much?

“fufu, I knew Tokimori-San was different from others.”

　She smiled with a small, downcast face.

　However, her smile does not seem to be the usual stuck-up smile, it seems to be her natural smile.

” …You mean I’m not as attractive as the others?”

“No, I don’t know what other people think, but I think you’re at least more attractive than most people I’ve met. “

　She looks up and smiles at me as if she’s trying to tease me.

　I can’t help but feel a thrill when I see that expression on her face.

　Damn…my face is getting hot.

　Because of what Saijouin said to me, I can’t help but look away from her face with embarrassment, even though I haven’t been conscious of her until now.

　Saijouin was prettier than usual, including what she said just now. She is more charming now.

” …Can I get along with you now? “

　She asks, a little shyly.

　I have told her it was impossible before, but when I saw the Saijouin of today… I couldn’t reject her.

“I think I can try… to get along with this Saijouin now.”

” …I see.”

　Satisfied with my answer, she smiled happily and went back to her work.

( …I’ll go back to my work too… )

　I think I saw Saijouin’s real face for the first time today.

　I hope it’s not my conceit, but I think that Saijouin is not pretending and acting without any pretense just now.

　The silence that was awkward at first became comfortable now.

　ーThus, we were absorbed in our work again.

* * *

　The sun had set, and it was just before 20:00.

　I finally finished my work and straightened my back.

　My eyes are unusually tired from staring at the computer for so long.

　Today I will take a good rest. I’ll rest even if I’m late tomorrow.

( I wonder how I could finish my work at this hour. …… )

　Thudding into my desk, I looked at the documents on my desk and thought…

　I’m doing pretty well, aren’t I? I should pat myself on the back.

“I’m finally done! “

　Saijouin also stretched her back and relaxed her tired body.

　It seems that she has finished, too.

“Good work. It took longer than I thought.”

“No, I think this is pretty fast. This is the workload of eight members of the student council.”

“Hey, that’s the workload of four people for the two of us. That’s why I thought it was too much!? I should be paid for this!? Or should I say, give me money!? “

“Well, calm down, Tokimori-san… you’re working together with a beautiful girl like me. Consider yourself already paid.”

　Saijouin moves her face closer to me.

　…Close, too close, and cute!

“Did you call yourself a beautiful girl? “

　She turns her face away from me, trying hard not to reveal her reddened face.

“Ara, you said that to me before, didn’t you? “

“Ugh… I did say it, but…! “

　This girl is more annoying than ever!

　And I feel like we are suddenly getting closer!

“By the way, Tokimori-san, why don’t you join the student council? I’d appreciate it if you could join us, given the speed at which we’re working today… “

“I don’t owe you that much.”

“I thought it would be fun if Tokimori-san joined the student council… “

　Saijouin looks a little sad and dejected.

　What’s with that face!?

　Why do I feel like I did something wrong when I see that face?

　Hiiyo Saijouin… What a horrible girl!

“And anyway, it’s late. Let’s go home! “

“Fufu, I understand.”

　…Ah geez, I’m going crazy.

　I feel so tired after a day of work.

　Naturally, I’m tired because I was actually working, but I’m also mentally tired…

　However, I feel that I am getting closer to Saijouin now.

　Well, that doesn’t mean that something special will change from now on.

　But today, for some reason, today’s work was a time that I did not particularly dislike.