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 9

You Know That, Right?

“Takizawa, can you come to the staff room after school?”

After finishing a delightful lunch meeting with Sumire Murasaki and having a bit of a chat, I, who left the home economics preparation room first, bumped into my homeroom teacher in the hallway and was told that.

Yamada-sensei, the female teacher, is a popular, young, and attractive teacher who is turning twenty-eight this year.

She has a good style, so she is popular among the students.

However, I find her difficult because she is quite a fearless type and has a personality that always sharply says what needs to be said.

That’s probably why she’s still single, I want to complain, but making such a remark is like adding fuel to the fire, so I don’t say it.

“…What is this about?”

“It’s about the club activities. Just make time after school.”

“…Understood.”

I couldn’t say no to the teacher’s imposing atmosphere.

However, I know the conclusion will be her nagging at me again to join a club, so it weighs on me.

I guess it’s about time to give in and decide on a suitable club, and perhaps I could become a ghost member.

As soon as I returned to the classroom, the chime sounded to signal the end of lunch break, and while I was sighing and looking out the window, Yamada-sensei, whom I had just bumped into, entered the classroom, and the afternoon homeroom began.

***

After school.

I headed straight to the staff room.

Sneaking home would only result in a severe scolding the next day because I realized there was no escape as the teacher had emphasized ‘the importance of club activities’ during homeroom while looking at me all the time as if to make a point.

Which club should I join?

Perhaps the calligraphy club seems the easiest.

But, I’m not good at writing.

I have neither talents nor particular interests, so I was pondering what I should do when I found myself in front of the staff room.

I hesitated again there, but resolving that resisting was futile, I entered.

“Excuse me. Is Yamada-sensei… Ah, good afternoon.”

“Takizawa? You’re early.”

“Yes, well. So, about the club matter…”

“For now, sit down.”

I sit on a pipe chair next to Ms. Yamada’s seat near the entrance of the staff room.

Then, the teacher handed me a sheet of paper.

“There is a plan to establish a reading club. Are you interested in joining?”

“A reading club?”

“Yes, this morning, a student applied to create a reading club. I thought it would be perfect since you, Takizawa, had mentioned before that you were engaged in reading activities on your own.”

“Uh, umm… By the way, who is trying to create such a club?”

“It’s Sumire Murasaki from the same grade. Do you know her?”

“…Yes.”

I had a bad feeling that this was going to happen, and it seemed to have come true.

It seems that Sumire Murasaki had submitted the application to establish a reading club to the school today.

This can’t be a coincidence.

It’s natural to think that she deliberately created a club that she thought I would likely join, trying to make me join.

I’m still under suspicion, after all…

“What’s the matter? You look pale.”

“No, it’s nothing… Um, do I have the option not to join?”

“What, is it awkward because it’s just you and a girl?”

“Well, there’s that too.”

“Then rest assured. I’ll be the advisor and will be present.”

“But being in a club means longer hours and reporting activities seems troublesome.”

“Cultural club activities are a maximum of two hours, and there are basically no activities on holidays, so it’s easy, I think? Also, since Murasaki, the founder, is going to be the head of the club, she will handle any activity reports.”

The teacher kept saying good things to try to get me to join the club.

I resisted, but in the end, I was handed the club joining form and signed it as I was overruled.

“…Um, can I ask one thing?”

“What is it? I’ve already accepted the membership form, so suddenly quitting is not allowed.”

“I won’t do that… but when do the activities start?”

“It starts today immediately. Unfortunately, I have a staff meeting after this and can’t go, but you should go discuss with Murasaki and decide what you’re going to do.”

“Starting today… how about the clubroom?”

“For now, I have allocated the unused home economics preparation room. Do you know the place?”

“…Yes.”

After all, I had just been to that room during lunch break, so I of course knew the location.

Did Murasaki know this would happen and deliberately invite me to the home economics preparation room during lunch break?

I really want to believe that it was just a coincidence.

No, I hope the establishment of the reading club was also just a coincidence.

While contemplating things that might hopeless even to wish for, I left the staff room and headed to the home economics preparation room.