The Day He Noticed That Girl.

That day was right before the start of the exam week for the regular exams.

Just as the lunch break was about to end, I was in a hurry.

I managed to finish my mom’s handmade bento with heart marks all over it without anyone seeing. I barely escaped the sexual harassment from the chemistry teacher who caught me in the hallway. I somehow lost the female student who followed me 20 meters behind every day.

In doing so, I was almost late.

Despite being a public school, our high school has about a thousand students, so the school grounds and the building size are relatively large. During the break between classes that involve classroom changes, we have to account for the time needed to move between classrooms.

Being late for class is not an option. If I did such a thing, I don’t know what I would do to myself. At the very least, I’d be prepared to shave my head.

Because I am recognized as a perfect existence by those around me, and I have no intention of changing that. Wait, wouldn’t shaving my head be bad then?

However, it seems I had some leeway. When I arrived at the classroom, I had about two minutes to spare.

I sighed in relief and was about to step into the classroom when I heard cheerful voices from inside and looked up.

Sitting cross-legged on a desk with a fan in hand, speaking dramatically, was Saiga Naomichi, the class leader.

Around him were over ten audience members, starting with his close friends.

“Next is the story of the opening ceremony in second year of middle school. My aggressive friend invited the new transfer student who came that day to hang out. However, the venue was my place, as I had skipped the opening ceremony. So, I asked my friend if he was sane for bringing someone he just met to a stranger’s house──”

…I didn’t expect a comedy show to be happening when I returned to the classroom.

“My friend received a LINE message saying the transfer student had arrived at the meeting place. So, my friend, full of joy, went to pick him up. After a while, the transfer student he brought along seemed suspicious. Well, of course, he came to a stranger’s house. I had to do something to liven up the place.”

Blending into the captivated audience, I couldn’t help but listen.

Noticing my arrival, Saiga slightly raised an eyebrow but did not stop speaking.

He snapped the fan against the corner of the desk and surveyed the surroundings confidently.

“So, after playing for a while, my friend’s phone received another LINE message. Then my friend turned pale and said, ‘The transfer student has arrived at the meeting place,’ he said.”

What?

“So who the heck is this person eating my potato chips?!!”

Laughter erupted in the classroom. Saiga, confident that he had nailed the punchline, was pleased.

Still, it’s no wonder the person brought along wasn’t the transfer student──they were whisked away to a stranger’s house by Saiga’s friend without knowing anything.

At that moment.

“What are you doing? Please get off the desk.”

In an instant, the laughter froze.

The audience’s gaze fell on a girl who had entered the classroom, as if telling her to read the room.

Of course, her eyes were fixed on Saiga Naomichi, who was sitting cross-legged on the desk.

Saiga lightly responded, raising one eyebrow.

“Kinoshita, I’m at a good part right now. The big punchline is still to come.”

There’s still a big punchline? Now I’m curious.

“Rules are rules. Please follow them at least.”

“…Fine, fine. Alright, we’ll leave it at that. Thank you for listening.”

As Saiga jumped off the desk, the classroom was filled with sighs of disappointment resembling boos. In that completely hostile atmosphere, the girl──Kinoshita Minami proceeded straight to her seat and plopped her small body down.

…Hmm.

“Hey, the one who disappears during lunch break.”

As I was thinking, Saiga spoke to me.

He’s still a noticeable guy. His height over 180 cm, his confident expression, his sharp eyes, and his strong presence and charisma. He seems to divide the world into friends and foes like a bossy kid.

Still. The one who disappears during lunch break, huh.

“That’s not exactly a cool nickname.”

“Oh, you know chuunibyou stuff like nicknames? Surprising.”

“Kono told me that ‘chuunibyou is often ridiculed, but the actual works called chuunibyou are cool.’ It was interesting.” (tln : 8 Grade syndrom, google it)

“Kono? …Oh, the guy who mumbles.”

“Isn’t that because you act high and mighty?”

“Really? Well, if Ryoma says so, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Looking towards the corner of the classroom, Kono raised his hand modestly, so I returned the gesture. He’s a reliable source of information for me in certain areas.

“So, Saiga, do you need something?”

“Well, sort of.”

Saiga laughed happily and glanced back. Following his gaze, I saw Kinoshita preparing for the next class.

“There were tattletales in elementary school, but even at this age, it’s annoying.”

“From their perspective, standing on desks at this age is also questionable.”

“Are you siding with them? I was hoping Goda Ryoma-sama’s charming smile would win them over.”

“Isn’t that your specialty?”

His smile towards his friends is said to be addictive. I understand. The satisfaction of being recognized as an ally by a high-spec person everyone knows. When Saiga, a lion, pats a rabbit on the shoulder and says, “You’re amazing,” the rabbit is happy, and others envy it.

He’s aware of it and does it knowingly.

“…Maybe.”

Saiga understood my implication and laughed provocatively. Still, my answer was decided.

I glanced at the slender, serious girl’s back.

“…I believe I mentioned I don’t help others.”

“Really? I think you’d help if someone begged on their knees.”

…。

“Would you do it? Beg on your knees?”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

Saiga shrugged. As perceptive as ever.

“Still, Kinoshita-chan is a problem. If she were a stunning beauty… like Airi, I’d listen to her, but it’s Kinoshita-chan.”

That’s a roundabout way of saying it.

“I haven’t done anything and don’t plan to, but a lot of girls dislike her, so something might happen.”

Feigning innocence, Saiga spoke. He’s not planning to be the main instigator of bullying, but he clearly wants me to handle the potential future issues.

Looking at Kinoshita, who was waiting for class while staring straight at the blackboard, there were no friends around her, and I could faintly hear people whispering about her.

“…”

Seeing her slightly bite her lip, it wasn’t that she couldn’t hear.

I thought she was a serious, awkward child… but she has been more edgy lately.

In the first year, she only verbally warned about rule violations, but now she scolds people publicly.

There’s a sense of urgency and instability about her.

“But it’s none of my business.”

“As always, Ryoma. Well, I don’t like bullying in the class either.”

“Chuunibyou is when someone denies liking something while their words and actions don’t match. Isn’t it used incorrectly?”

“I’m using it right. Oops, class is starting.”

As the bell rang, Saiga waved his hand and returned to his seat.

I stopped him and asked.

“Saiga, what was the big punchline you mentioned?”

“…Oh, that. We enjoyed ourselves with the suspicious transfer student lookalike, but the next morning, I found out he was a third-year student.”

“That’s terrible.”

When I laughed, Saiga left, looking satisfied.