My Childhood Friend Seems to be the Main Heroine. - Chapter 7

“I would like to encourage all new students to challenge themselves not only in their studies but also in many other things. When I was in high school… “

　Chattering- chattering-

　A few minutes after the entrance ceremony, Saito was swaying his body back and forth.

　At first, he was excited about the prospect of high school life, but the spring weather and the sleep spell cast by Principal stories were too much to resist, and he was about to go into the world of dreams.

　Riri, sitting next to him, watches and remembers what Saito said in the past, that what he said during the summer vacation is true.

[ You know, what you hear the Principal say at assemblies and such. I’ve never heard the whole story because I always fall asleep halfway through.]

　As was mentioned a while ago, Riri and Saito went to elementary and junior high schools separately due to the distance of their homes from each other.

　So they basically only know each other’s school life through stories.

　Therefore, Riri only knew that Saito would fall asleep in such a situation, but this is the first time she has actually seen him do so.

　Since he’s rarely asleep most of the time when Riri is with him, Saito’s sleeping face is quite precious to her.

　She is tempted to take a picture of it, but alas, she does not have her smartphone right now.

　Riri is itchy to do so but continues to watch her adorable childhood friend’s sleeping face until they give the signal for the new student to stand up.

“───I think that’s all.”

“Saito, wake up.”

“Thank you very much, Principal. Now, all new students, please stand up.

” ………… “

　When the long talk of Principal finally came to an end, Riri shook Saito’s shoulders lightly to wake him up.

　Saito, however, was still sitting in his seat in a daze while the other students were standing up, probably because he had just woken up from sleep.

“…Come on, get up! “

“…uhh.”

“Attention, courtesy.”

　As if talking to a toddler, Riri urges Saito to stand up, and he does so slowly.

　At the signal to bow their head, Riri held Saito’s head and made him bow with her.

“Sit down.”

“Sighー. We managed somehow…”

“…yawn〜〜”

　As soon as they were seated, Riri felt relieved that she could make it in time for the ceremony instruction.

　However, beside her, Saito let out a big yawn as if he didn’t care about the hardship of such a girl.

(This kid〜! I’ll definitely ask you to pay for my food later.)

　Riri stared at Saito, who was rubbing his eyes sleepily and decided to ask him to buy her an expensive meal for lunch.

　The ceremony ended without any problems, and when they returned to the classroom, they were given their textbooks and self-introduction cards and dismissed for the day.

“Let’s get out of here quickly. You want to go out somewhere, don’t you? “

　Saito put away all the textbooks and was ready to go home, and he called out to Riri, who was sitting in front of him.

“Yeah. Ah, but first, your dad wants to take a picture of you at the front gate. I just got the message.”

“He’s here, and I guess that means they’re here too. Then, let’s meet up with them.”

　After checking the messages from their parents on their phones, they say to Kai, ” ” See you tomorrow ” ” and leave the classroom.

　As they left the school building, they thought it would be difficult to find them in the school because of the large number of parents in suits outside, but it was unexpectedly easy.

　The reason was that they were carrying a smartphone.

　This high school does not prohibit the use of smartphones except in class, and students are allowed to bring their own smartphones into the school.

　Therefore, there is no problem with using a cell phone in school.

　Riri asked her parents to send her a picture of their current location, which she used as the basis for her search, and within a minute, she was able to meet up with them.

“Hey. Papa! Here! “

“Oh, Riri! And you, Saito. It’s been a while. How are you? “

“Masanori-san, it’s been a while. Well, I haven’t had a cold recently, so I’ve been healthy.”

“Ha-ha-ha, that’s good to hear. Huh? You’ve grown taller again. The last time I saw you, you were about my height. You’re totally overtaken me.”

“You’re right. The last time I saw you was around Christmas, right? I’ve grown a lot.”

　The dandy with dark hair pulled back is Riri’s father, who reacts as if he were a relative’s child.

　His name is Machigane Masanori.

　He is an author and a very successful writer with several bestsellers to his works.

　He is usually confined to his room because he is busy with his manuscripts, and it is the first time since Christmas that Saito meets him.

　While Masanori and Saito were talking, a beautiful blonde woman who was standing behind them joined the conversation.

“Fufu, that’s true. Riri has grown taller, but not as tall as Saito. It’s amazing how boys grow up! “

“Ah, it’s been a while, Lucy-san.”

“Saito, it’s been a long time. You look so good in your school uniform. May I take one picture to commemorate the occasion? “

“No problem.”

“Yes! Then, let’s get started. Yes, turn around. Now, say cheese. Okay, good. Hm, put your hand on your chin. Look at the camera with a side glance! Ohhh, that’s great! Perfect! “

　She is Riri’s mother, Machigane Lucy, who is taking many, many pictures with her SLR, even though I said only one.

　She is a photographer by profession.

　She is the creator of Riri, although she usually shoots models and other people. She is taller and more stylish than Riri and sometimes works as a model herself.

　The eyes looking at them through the camera are not black but green.

　This is not because she wears colored contacts but because she was born with them. She is French, not Japanese.

　Saito does not think anything of it.

　Rather, he always thinks that emerald eyes are very beautiful and Saito likes them.

　Well, he never actually said such a thing because the dandy guy and his daughter next to him would stare at him if he did.

“Mom! I want to take pictures of Saito too.”

“Fufu, wait a minute. I’m in the middle of something. Uh, now sit on the step. Okay, cross your legs! “

“Saito, look at me.”

“And look at this mother, please.”

“Since Lucy-san is already taking many pictures, so why don’t you ask her for the pictures?”

　As Lucy was taking pictures of Saito, Riri, who was the star of the show, joined in, and for more than ten minutes, Saito was being photographed over and over.

Author’s Postscript

Lucy: “Oh, by the way, I have a picture of Saito who was sleeping during the ceremony. Riri, do you want it?

Riri: “Yes!”