The Day He Noticed That Girl.

Talking with Kisaragi took some time, but today’s priority is dealing with Kinoshita.

Well, it’s something I decided on my own… but seeing her so distressed to the point of tears is a fact.

Her earnest yet clumsy nature made her a target of irritation, which is the reality happening right in front of me, neither more nor less.

Why does she feel the need to try so hard? Why does she think she has to?

That desire to help if I can do something about it… might be my bad habit and a similarity to my loathsome father. Thinking too deeply about it makes me want to give up, but if I did that, I’d have to rip my nails off as punishment. No way I want that.

“…Well, if my guess is correct and I find her, I’ll see it through.”

On the fifth floor of the department store near the station. There she was in the reference book section of the large bookstore.

Just as I was about to pretend to run into her and call out, her bag nearly knocked over a stack of reference books.

“Whoa, watch your step.”

“…Huh?”

As I supported the reference books, she, who was looking down at the bookshelf, raised her face.

Her somewhat vacant eyes regained their light, and her small mouth let out a voice.

“Uh… Goda-san? Why are you here?”

“Well, I’m a student too, so when I have business at the bookstore… By the way, your bag nearly toppled this stack of books, and I’m at my limit holding it, so lend a hand.”

“Oh, s-sorry!”

Panicking, she used both hands to steady the stack of reference books that had started tilting like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

In the process, she dropped her own bag as if paying a price for her actions.

It was too much to let it hit the floor, so I slid my foot under it, but damn, her bag is so heavy it hurts like hell.

“What the heck is in your bag…!”

“What? Just the stuff needed for today’s subjects… Wait, did I drop it!? Oh, Goda-san, your foot is in the way! I’m sorry for the bad timing…!”

“It’s not bad timing; I sacrificed my foot to keep the bag off the floor, so I’d prefer thanks over apologies…!”

She kept bowing her head. While I thought she should just move her bag already, I reaffirmed that this kid is really clumsy. How many clumsy combos has she pulled just now?

From her actions, it seems she doesn’t even leave any books at school???

Normally, who brings all their textbooks home???

“Oh… I see. Sorry for not noticing… Ugh, heave…”

Timidly, Kinoshita lifted her bag with both hands.

“Thank you, Goda-san.”

With an apologetic look and a somewhat forced smile, she said.

Seeing her look so exhausted was probably due to all the extra information piling up in my head from today’s events.

Goda Ryoma is a perfect man, Goda Ryoma is a perfect man, I chanted inwardly, enduring the pain.

“Kinoshita, did you come to buy a reference book too?”

“Yes… But now that the midterms are almost here, I wonder if it was necessary.”

Starting tomorrow, our school enters the midterm exam period. Club activities are banned for two weeks, and students are expected to go home promptly. As Kinoshita said, it might be better to spend time studying rather than buying reference books.

“Did you realize that only after coming to the bookstore?”

“…Yes.”

When I asked with a smile, Kinoshita looked down weakly. Her dry, self-deprecating smile seemed intended to avoid making me uncomfortable, which only made it more painful to see.

Am I the only one who can’t stand to watch this? Her behavior shows the slowed thinking typical of someone feeling down, mixed with self-loathing.

It was written all over her face: Why can’t I even notice something like this?

“Hey, Kinoshita. Haven’t you been tired recently?”

“Huh? I don’t know. If it looks that way, maybe I am. But we haven’t talked that much, Goda-san.”

“From the seats at the back of the classroom, you can see the whole room. Even if it’s just your back.”

“Is that so…?”

Her puzzled gaze looked up at me… Well, it might be too much to push right now. Just getting to talk like this is enough for now.

“If you don’t mind, take this.”

“Huh?”

I handed her a piece of notebook paper. She looked slightly surprised at the writing on it.

“I’m not saying you have to, but if you ever need any help, feel free to contact me.”

“Y-Yes. Thank you.”

She nodded while gripping the piece of paper tightly.

Forcing my way to get her number today wouldn’t leave a good impression, considering we don’t know each other well.

It’s better if she registers my contact information on her own—Saiga’s advice. He said if the guy does all the initiating, it can come off as annoying.

I never thought his pickup strategies would come in handy.

I’ll get a notification if she adds me on LINE, and things will be smoother from there.

Glad I remembered his advice, after all.

“Alright, sorry for bothering you.”

“No, not at all… I was just surprised.”

“I get it. Apparently, it’s okay to talk to someone you know when you see them, even if you don’t have anything specific.”

“…?”

I remembered my conversation with Kisaragi and laughed.

“If you’re not buying a reference book, are you heading home, Kinoshita?”

“Yes. I was just going to stop by the bento shop on the lower floor.”

“I see. Well, see you tomorrow. Hope you get a good bento.”

As I waved and started to leave, unexpectedly, Kinoshita called out.

“…Goda-san, aren’t you buying a reference book?”

Since I claimed to have business at the bookstore and am now leaving, it’s reasonable for her to wonder.

Well, I don’t have money to spend for pretense anyway.

“I realized too after coming to the bookstore. Tomorrow is the start of the exam period.”

Kinoshita looked surprised and then smiled for the first time.

“Goda-san also forgets things sometimes.”

That pure, natural expression must be Kinoshita’s true self. Saiga might have compared her unfavorably to Kisaragi, but she’s just as charming when she smiles.

I want to see that smile at school too.

That’s probably… why I feel compelled to help her.

TLN : AAAAA SHE’S SO PRECIOUS