A Kid You Can’t Leave Alone?

Today’s lunch was a character bento. It featured the electric mouse I liked as a kid. With “Do your best” written in seaweed, I resolved once again that this was definitely something I couldn’t let anyone see.

What does “Do your best” even mean… geez…

Unlike yesterday, I returned to the classroom with some time to spare and noticed some commotion in the back.

Wondering what was happening now, I glanced and made eye contact with Saiga, who was watching the scene from a distance.

He shook his head as if to say “not getting involved,” but his eyes seemed to ask, “What are you going to do, Ryoma?”

Ugh… I really don’t want to see this… what’s going on…?

“──I’m asking you to be more considerate of others.”

The discipline committee member’s reprimand was firm, though not particularly loud.

Facing her was a group of typically loud girls. Hey, aren’t those Saiga’s friends? You should deal with this…

“Is it really such a big deal? We just borrowed it for a bit, right?”

“Right?”

Three girls exchanged glances and sought agreement. Kinoshita was standing protectively in front of my manga buddy, Kono. Borrowed… oh, now I get it.

“But you should understand that using someone’s desk without permission would trouble Kono-san.”

In short, the girls had used Kono’s desk and chair during lunch without permission.

Indeed, two of them sat near Kono’s seat, and borrowing Kono’s chair made it convenient for the three of them to chat together. That was probably their reasoning.

“Really? Was it a problem? Really????”

“Uh, well… I… it wasn’t really…”

Kono looked like a frog being stared down by a snake. It was more of an intimidating form of questioning than genuine inquiry. Naturally, Kinoshita wouldn’t let that slide.

“See, he doesn’t mind.”

“It’s not about whether he minds or not. The fact remains that you used it without permission!”

“Well, Kinoshita-san, you did say it was a problem, right? But it’s not, right?”

“That…!”

Just as Kinoshita was at a loss for words, Kono mumbled from behind her.

“It’s okay, Kinoshita.”

“Huh…”

Kinoshita’s eyes, filled with disbelief, met Kono’s, who quickly looked away.

Kinoshita, feeling like she had been stabbed in the back by the very person she tried to protect, stood there stunned as the girls pressed to end the conversation.

“See, Kono-kun, right? He said it’s fine, so isn’t Kinoshita-san just meddling──”

…Dammit. Please do this when I’m not around.

“…What’s going on? It’s quite tense here.”

“──Oh, Ryoma-kun.”

The girls instantly switched to smiling as they saw me, and I smiled back.

“Goda-san…”

Kinoshita bit her lip, and Kono avoided my gaze.

Kono probably felt awkward or ashamed. His clenched fist said as much.

“Uh, Kinoshita-san was mad just because we borrowed Kono-kun’s desk.”

“I see.”

So, they’re playing the victim.

“Kinoshita.”

When I called her, she looked up at me with evident frustration.

“You look a bit unwell. Maybe you should visit the nurse before class.”

“Huh… really? Okay.”

Kinoshita nodded, looking doubtful. She was indeed feeling unwell.

She’s not some invincible girl who isn’t hurt by others’ malice. I already know that. I need to understand what drives her to step into such situations despite knowing the consequences.

Watching her unsteady steps as she left, I sighed.

“Then, maybe you should use Kisaragi’s desk next time.”

“Huh… Airi’s?”

“Yeah. It might be better than using Kono’s desk, considering Kisaragi is often absent.”

“No, that would be a bit… with Airi…”

Rather than about Kisaragi herself, it’s about appearing to disrespect her in front of others. It’s okay with Kono, but not with Kisaragi, huh? Clear enough.

“I’ll talk to her about it.”

“No, you don’t have to go that far! Thanks, Ryoma-kun!”

The girls quickly ended the conversation, clearly not wanting Kisaragi to hear about this.

With a light nod, I turned to find Saiga walking over with a smirk.

“Already tamed her? It’s the first time Kinoshita-chan backed down so easily.”

“That sounds terrible. I didn’t do anything.”

“Oh… maybe she’ll accidentally fall for you?”

Looking at the door Kinoshita went through, Saiga muttered nonsense, and I sighed.

Indeed, when dealing with someone’s problems, sometimes feelings develop on one side or the other, but it’s fleeting.

“I don’t want that to happen, and I don’t intend for it to. Even if Kinoshita develops feelings for me, they won’t last.”

I’m aware that my good looks can attract confessions from people I’ve never even spoken to. But such things are momentary. I don’t trust the heat of infatuation.

Being around me is exhausting and hard. I’ve heard that line countless times.

“Wow, Ryoma, you’re still the same. From the way you talk, it sounds like there’s a chance you could fall for Kinoshita-chan?”

“Ha, true. The future is uncertain, so it’s possible.”

I nodded to Saiga’s words while thinking. If I were to fall for Kinoshita… I might experience my first heartbreak.

Goda Ryoma: I’ll make up for it later.

During the conversation, I sent a quick message to Kinoshita.

She read it immediately, but there was no reply. I looked up and smiled at Saiga.

“More importantly, Saiga.”

“What?”

“Can you do something about the girls around you?”

Saiga’s eyes widened a bit, and then he frowned unpleasantly.

“I don’t want to deal with the girls I’ve dumped.”

Oh, really? Then it’s perfect. So all those girls have been dumped by Saiga, huh?

“Don’t push everything onto me. If you care about keeping the class atmosphere, do your part.”

“Tch. I’d rather not deal with boring girls who just follow orders. But it’s better than dealing with Kinoshita-chan.”

“Well, that’s debatable.”

I shrugged and began to ponder what to do after school.

Kinoshita, ever diligent, returned shortly after and attended the fifth period.