My Childhood Friend Seems to be the Main Heroine. - Chapter 16

　Knock- knock-

“Excuse me. Minazuki-kun and Machigane-san, how are you feeling…uh?”

　Chie enters the room to check on the students brought into the infirmary because they were feeling unwell and finds Saito smiling and patting Riri.

　It was just like a scene from a Manga.

　The gap between the usually lively and boisterous boy and the gentle and kind face he does not usually show is very attractive.

　This situation is too enviable for Chie, who still enjoys shoujo manga as an adult and longs to have an encounter like this one.

(I also want to be stroked like that by a man!)

　Her inner self cries out, but she can’t say it aloud.

　Because she is a teacher.

　She has to be a role model for her students and be admired by them.

　Chie, trying to warn herself, could not hide her envy, and Saito made an indescribable face at the sight of his teacher.

　Then, their gazes crossed, and Chie, who realized why Saito stared at her, panicked.

“S-sorry. I’m sorry for interrupting your lovemaking. I’ll be back later. Please take your time.”

“What are you misunderstanding? We’re just childhood friends. It’s not like that.”

“No, but, uh〜〜, Don’t you think it’s reasonable for Sensei to think like that under this circumstance?”

　In a tone of exasperation, Saito told Chie, who was about to leave quickly, that the relationship was not what Sensei thought it was.

　But in this situation, anyone would think the same thing as Chie.

　Chie told Saito that this excuse was not going to work.

“Isn’t patting your childhood friend on the head normal?”

“No, no, it’s not usual to pat the head of a childhood friend. And if it’s the opposite sex, it’s even more unusual. And especially if it’s to put them to sleep.”

“I don’t think so. It’s normal between us as best friends.”

“That’s because you guys are weird!”

“Shh. A sick girl is sleeping. Please be quiet. Sensei.”

　Chie speaks up and complains about Saito’s abnormality, but he just nods, not really understanding what she is talking about because he thinks this is normal.

　Even if they talk further, their opinions remain parallel and do not match.

　Sensing this, Saito forcefully ended the conversation by saying, “Well, I think we should stop talking about this.” and answered what Chie wanted to confirm when she came to this room.

“I’m fine now. I’ve been asleep for a long time and completely recovered. I’m back to normal. On the other hand, Riri just went to bed, so I’d like you to leave her alone for a while longer.”

“Sigh…I understand. For now, Minazuki-kun, please go get your luggage. I’ll show you to the room where your group will sleep. But are you sure you don’t mind? You’ll leave Machigane-san here alone. Aren’t you worried about your girlfr… precious childhood friend? “

“Well, yes, I’m worried. But not so much that I want to keep nursing her. I’m eager to get back to everyone as soon as possible.”

　Saying this, Saito gets up and walks over to Chie with his luggage in the corner of the room.

(…This kind of attitude, am I mistaken? No, but it’s perfect behavior for a lover. Ah, I don’t understand young people these days anymore! )

　Chie could not understand why Saito left Riri without any hesitation, and she ruffled and scratched her head.

* * *
　

　After that, Saito left the room where Riri was sleeping, put his luggage in the room with Chie’s guidance, and joined the group members who had finished the treasure hunt and were looking bored.

“I’m back.”

“Ah, Minazuki-kun, thank goodness. I see you’re all better now.”

“Minachi, welcome back. I’m glad you’re feeling better. So, how was Ririchi? I heard that she was brought to the infirmary in a very bad condition with a pale face.”

　As soon as he joined them, Akashi and Shuri congratulated Saito on his recovery and asked how Riri was doing.

“Is that so? She looked tired when she arrived there, but not as bad as you said. She could afford to make light talk. Maybe she’ll recover soon.”

“Oh, really. That’s great.”

“I was worried when I heard she was in a lot of pain, but if Minazuki-kun says so, I guess she’ll be okay.”

　The two are relieved to learn from Saito that Riri is not as seriously ill as they had thought.

　Similarly, the other group members and classmates who were listening to Saito’s conversation were also patting their chests or breathing a sigh of relief.

　Their reactions indicate that Riri must have been in a terrible state when she was brought to the hospital.

　It was worth coming back early, Saito thought.

“What are you doing now? “

“Resting. We’re returning to the dormitory for two hours of study in a little while.”

“Wow, that’s not a good time to come back.”

“I’m sorry. You can’t escape now, Minachi. You’re going to hell with us.”

　It’s not a good feeling to return and start studying immediately.

　He would have liked to return for the treasure hunt they had just been on.

　Saito’s shoulders drooped, and Akashi encouraged him with a wry smile.

　After the break, the students returned to their dormitories after the break, chatting and laughing. They were divided into classes in a large conference room to work on assignments prepared by their homeroom teachers.

　Our homeroom teacher, Chie Sensei, gave them assignments in modern and classical literature, English, and mathematics.

　However, since it is just after the start of high school, there are not so many difficult problems.

　It is like reviewing the lessons they have done so far.

“Ah, I’m done.”

　Saito solved the problems smoothly and finished the assignment earlier than the allotted time.

　As Ihe stretched his body and relaxed his stiffness, Shuri, who was sitting next to him, surprised him by saying, “That was fast,” and then asked him to show her his work, saying, “Neē, hey, let me see what I don’t understand.”

“I don’t mind, but I haven’t reviewed it yet, so there might be some mistakes. Is that okay? “

“Ah, it’s okay, it doesn’t matter. I’m just checking.”

　Saito had no reason to refuse, so he said the possibility that there might be some mistakes and handed it to Shuri.

　Shuri flipped through the booklet, found the page she wanted, and said, “Ah, I knew it. I knew there was something wrong with my answer,” she said and started to rework the problem.

　Saito, who became bored, said, “I’m going to the restroom,” and left the room.

　After leaving the conference room, he walked around the dormitory looking for a restroom and found a female student with a short bob looking around.

“What are you doing? “

“Oh, I was just going to the bathroom and got lost. Do you know where the conference room is? “

“Uh, yeah. The conference room is that way.”

“Is that so? Thank you very much.”

　The girl bows her head and thanks Saito for telling her the location of the conference room, and quickly leave the place.

　Saito felt something strange as he stared at the girl moving away from him, “I wonder who gets lost in a place like this.”

” Why is she walking like a man?”

　Her shoulders swayed, and her posture was weird for a girl.

　He felt uncomfortable about it, but he thought to himself, “Well, there are women who walk like a man in this world,” and continued to look for a restroom.

“I should have asked her where the restroom was.”

　Then, Saito regrets that he should have immediately asked the girl he had just talked to where the restroom was.