What If I Told Tomori-san, The Girl Who's Cold Only Towards Me, That I Knew Her Secret Account? - V1 Chapter 2.3

The Honor Student and the Troublemaker―Rain and Canned Coffee 3

“Sigh…”

An empty classroom with no one around.

Drinking tea instead of my favorite canned coffee (which Tomori also liked) since it was sold out, I let out a sigh.

Ten minutes had passed since then.

I couldn’t bring myself to return to the library and study until I sorted out my feelings.

“Look, look! The video from the other day!”

“Hey, isn’t that the one where Tomori-san helped out?”

I hear a conversation between a man and a woman I don’t know coming from the hallway.

“Yeah! It was the girls’ basketball practice game! Azusa-senpai made a three-point shot at the last moment and they won with a buzzer-beater against a strong school!”

“Seriously, she’s not even a member of the basketball team.”

“But honestly, she moves better than the regular players, and she understands all the tactics just by hearing them on the day of the game… Ah, I wish she would officially join!”

“It’s impossible, though. Tomori-san is good at both sports and studies, so she’s in high demand. Between you and me, there are rumors that there’s someone she likes.”

“Huh… Azusa-senpai?”

“Yes. That’s why she doesn’t join any clubs or the student council, and she even rejects confessions.”

“You seem to know a lot about this. Ah, do you also like Azusa-senpai too? “

“N-No, that is…!”

“I understand. She’s so easy to get along with that it’s easy to misunderstand and think, ‘Maybe we could be together.'”

“Geez, I know right? But she’s never had a boyfriend before!”

“Maybe she really likes someone.”

“…Damn. What kind of guy would make Tomori-san fall in love with?”

The boy’s voice is filled with envy.

I knew there were rumors like that, but I thought they were baseless gossip.

That is until I saw those tweets.

If her usual snappy remarks are just a front, and these tweets represent Tomori’s true feelings…

[K-kun, I’m still waiting for you…]

Unaware of my confusion, Tomori seemed to be unable to contain her excitement.

[I might never get another chance like this!]

[I stayed up all night watching all the episodes of Kimi Hana and studied!]

[Ah, but I’m a substitute for the tea ceremony club, so I might not be able to talk for a long time…]

“What does a substitute for the tea ceremony club even do?”

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I’m pretty sure the tea ceremony club is all girls.

Maybe they just want to call her as a substitute and have a girls’ talk with [Everyone’s friends].

“Well, that’s convenient.”

Since she had plans afterward, Tomori wouldn’t be able to stay long.

So, I spent time in the empty classroom, watching the rain that showed no signs of stopping.

Kimitaka Kagisaka had a rule that resembled a goal.

He wouldn’t form connections with others at the academy.

Naturally, romance was out of the question.

Of course, it was also because he wanted to focus on studying to become independent, but there were other reasons as well.

Especially, he couldn’t afford to get closer to Azusa Tomori.

That’s why he exchanged snappy remarks with her every day.

“Ah, isn’t Azusa-senpai like the vice-president in the same class? I heard they talk a lot.”

“Huh? No way. The story is that he’s an otaku, a socially awkward introvert who Tomori-san dislikes.”

My apologies for being a f*cking antisocial guy.

As I listened to their conversation in the hallway, I just kept waiting.

The hands of the clock indicate that 30 minutes have passed since I left the library.

（I guess she must have gotten tired of waiting and left.)

But, I couldn’t help but feel guilty.

Thinking back to the tweets filled with anticipation just a while ago, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with a sense of apology.

” ?! “

…are you serious?

As I peek inside the library, there she is——Tomori.

“No-no. What happened to be a substitute for the tea ceremony club?”

I mutter while hiding behind the door.

Oh well, I thought about killing some more time, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the scene I had seen for a moment.

Azusa Tomori stared at her red smartphone with a lonely expression.

Clearly, she looked anxious.

(No, don’t feel sorry for her.)

Remember the rules.

I just need to focus on my studies.

Even if I’m called an individualist or worse, as long as I maintain my top grades, it’s fine.

[…K-kun, what’s wrong? You’re not suddenly ill, are you?]

I wish she would just return to our usual banter, even for a moment.

However, what she wrote in her hidden account was her concern for an introverted guy like me.

“――You’re being too nice, Azusa Tomori.”

I mutter, then turn around and head back down the hallway.

I’m trying to remember. It wasn’t there earlier. If it can be found on campus, then――

***

“Sorry for keeping you waiting.”

After rushing back to the library, I apologize to Tomori.

” ….! …you’re too late!”

“Sorry.”

“Aren’t you going to thank me for my high level of patience? I wished a hundred times that you would end up in the hospital due to excessive hydration.”

No-no-no, you were really worried about me, and it showed. But, of course, I can’t say that. So I apologize.

“And why are you wet? Did you go out to play in the rain or something?”

“Not exactly, but at this point, feel free to say whatever you want as much as you want.”

“…Huh? What’s that supposed to mean? That’s not like you. Don’t tell me you’re feeling sorry.”

“Oh, yeah. That’s why, here.”

“? A can of coffee? “

“I’ll treat you. 130 yen is too cheap for an apology, though.”

That’s right. No matter what the motivation was, Tomori was looking forward to it.

To have a lively conversation with a shared topic.

To study all night an anime she usually wouldn’t watch.

Probably even canceling plans with her friends from the tea ceremony club she promised to meet.

(I thought you would “shower me with your verbal punches.”)

I did something that actually deserved a slap――

“――Only this time, as a special exception.”

Sighing, Tomori accepts my canned coffee.

“I have no choice but to forgive you.”

“Really?”

“Don’t get me wrong. If you keep apologizing, it will draw too much attention in the library. Besides, why did you choose coffee?”

“Well, you like it, don’t you?”

“Huh…?”

“You drink this brand of canned coffee a lot. And today, you looked…sleepy.”

I couldn’t tell her that she looked like she had pulled an all-nighter, so I tried to cover it up.

“But this coffee…ah! “

Tomori seems to have realized something as she looks at my wet school uniform.

“Don’t tell me you went out in the rain to buy it for me? “

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb. This brand is only sold in two places on campus. The vending machine is in the hallway just past the library and the one next to the gym. And the one in the hallway is currently sold out.”

“As expected of an honor student. You have a good memory. “

“It’s the same for you. But…went to buy it without an umbrella…”

“You’re really a fool, aren’t you?” Tomori said and stood up from her chair.

” ? Where are you going? “

“Because eating and drinking are prohibited in the library, I’ll drink it outside. Stay here until I come back. If you leave, I won’t forgive you. I’ll chase after you and use your head as target practice with the empty can.”

Tomori says those unexpectedly harsh words before leaving the library.

（Are you still mad at me?)

Even though it’s her favorite brand, I guess canned coffee still feels too cheap.

As I ponder this, I take a peek at her secret account.

[Yesss! You’re backkk!!!]

Ah, I’m glad.

Tomori didn’t seem to be mad at me.

[You came back, K-kun… You came back!]

[Omg. You apologized sincerely! What’s with this sudden dere mode? It’s so adorable I could die!]

[Also, You remembered my favorite coffee~!]

“Are you a loyal dog praised by its owner?”

She expresses her joy, like burying a toy received as a reward with excitement.

She narrates the details as if showing off.

It somehow makes me feel warm and smile just watching her.

“Here, I brought you a towel. It would be troublesome if you caught a cold because of me… Wait, why are you smiling by yourself?”

Five minutes later.

Tomori gives me a sharp glare, and I try to brush it off with a nonchalant “It’s nothing.”

“Oh, look at that!”

“Huh? That can’t be true. Why is Tomori with that guy…!”

The man and woman from earlier whisper from the entrance of the library.

I sense a mix of shock and envy from the whispers and their eyes, but unfortunately, I don’t have the energy to pay attention to them.

Because I’ve discovered the hidden account of [Everyone’s friend]

There are various other mysteries and problems, but for now, let’s enjoy our time talking about a common topic.

Although the library prohibits eating and drinking, and there’s also no cola or sweets available―

―For some reason, it feels like we can still have a pleasant time.