My Classmate Whom I Helped Seems to Be Mentally Sick, So I've Been Trying My Best to Hide My True Identity, But It Seems Like I've Been Found Out - Chapter 16

I Know

The after-school hours weighed heavily upon me.

With heavy steps, I made my way to the clubroom.

I knew I had to, or my own safety would be at risk.

However, upon entering the home economics preparation room which served as our clubroom, I was met with a sight I could not have imagined.

“Who are you?”

“I’m Saki Mifune. I want to join the club; is that okay?”

“We’re not recruiting any more members, so please leave.”

“But I heard that cultural clubs are obligated to accept up to five prospective members.”

“I don’t know about that; we’re already full.”

In the center of the clubroom, Sumire Murasaki and Mifune were engaged in a heated argument.

When both of them noticed my entrance, their attention turned in unison toward me.

And first, Sumire Murasaki came over to me.

“Takizawa-kun? Hey, this girl is persistent. Can you get rid of her?”

“O-oh, get rid of her?”

“Do you want her to stay?”

“T-that’s not it… but, what Mifune-san said earlier is true.”

Our school regulations are known for being somewhat complicated and painstakingly detailed.

They are strict about how uniforms are worn, hairstyles, and even the operational hours of club activities, mandating at least one day off per week and requiring reporting of any changes in club membership; in short, it’s troublesome.

Although now a relatively advanced school, it had a lower deviation value in the past.

Back then, there were numerous cases of bullying and misappropriation of club funds.

I had heard that the strict school rules established at that time had been handed down as is.

Well, leaving such stories aside.

“Murasaki-san, maybe we should listen to her a bit more? Like, her reasons for wanting to join our club?”

“Do you want her to join, Takizawa-kun?”

“N-no, it’s not like that. But, if we’re going to refuse, we need to do it properly; it would be problematic if this turns into a trouble.”

It was a bad excuse, but it was all I could muster.

Hoping that Murasaki would understand, I waited for her reaction, and after a slight pause, she said, ‘I’m going to the restroom,’ and tried to leave the room.

As she closed the door, she said in a low voice, ‘Please settle this by the time I get back,’ and snapped the door shut.

“…This is bad.”

It was clear that Murasaki was angry, but perhaps she held back from venting it on me because Mifune was here.

Anyway, I have to persuade Mifune and get her to leave before Murasaki returns.

“Um, Mifune-san.”

I regain my composure and immediately turn to persuade Mifune-san.

When I look at her, she was also staring at me.

“So, you are under Sumire Murasaki’s thumb.”

“U-under her thumb… It’s not like that, but I don’t want to upset her. So, unless there is a special reason, could you please give up on joining the club?”

“Hmm, so you are indeed on Sumire Murasaki’s side.”

“Side… Um, why do you want to join a reading club?”

A whim, or maybe a tease.

Or perhaps she dislikes Sumire Murasaki and intends this as a form of harassment towards her.

I made various assumptions, but the words that came back from her betrayed my expectations in a different way.

“If you reject me, I’ll reveal your true identity, Momo-nyan-kun.”