What If I Told Tomori-san, The Girl Who's Cold Only Towards Me, That I Knew Her Secret Account? - V1 Chapter 6.3

Events on a Snowy Day ① 3

I remember it vividly.

It happened about a year and a half ago on a very cold winter day.

It was the day of an entrance exam to enter the high school.

“Ah, it’s starting to snow.”

I muttered to myself while watching the snowflakes falling from the sky.

On the sidewalk, there were students wearing the same gray uniforms as me, bundled up in coats.

(I hope no one slips and gets hurt in the snow.)

I couldn’t help but worry about such troubles.

Resolving troubles at the academy had become a sort of life work for me.

It all started when a friend of mine was being bullied in a nearby park during our elementary school days.

The girl came from a musical family and was very talented at playing the piano, but she was often teased due to her timid nature.

So, I helped her.

The bullies came in a group, and I was on the verge of losing the fight, but a peer around the same age who happened to pass by came to our aid, and we somehow emerged victorious.

Looking back, it was quite a rough episode, but I couldn’t forget the words the girl I helped spoke: [You’re like a hero, an ally of justice.]

From then on, I started to resolve other people’s problems and troubles.

(Oddly enough, I had some ability.)

I had always been capable of handling various things to some extent.

Furthermore, I believe that someone with such abilities should naturally act for the sake of others.

(That’s why I ended up idolizing heroes, perhaps.)

And fueled by that admiration, I continued to grow, eventually earning the nickname of [Everyone’s friend]. But——

On that day, I encountered a trouble that truly surprised me.

“Whoa, that kid is dangerous!”

A girl walking in front of me shouted.

The sound of a loud car horn.

On the way to school, at an intersection.

Despite the traffic light being green, several cars were stuck there.

And blocking their path was…

(What are you doing there?!)

A big Golden Retriever was barking fiercely.

It’s likely a pet dog since she’s wearing a collar.

It might have gotten separated from its owner while out for a walk.

The Retriever was being honked at repeatedly.

(Is everyone ignoring that…?!)

I look around, but there’s no one that tries to help.

The girl who shouted earlier pretends not to see anything and continues walking.

That’s only natural.

Today is the day of the entrance exam, where our future education is at stake.

Unless there’s a reason like sudden illness or an accident that the teachers find acceptable, being late for the exam is not allowed, and that would mean not being able to pursue further education.

That’s why everyone is ignoring the Retriever.

“———”

In that moment of realization, I abandoned the red umbrella I was holding and ran into the middle of the intersection.

I didn’t seek help from anyone.

I didn’t know if they would cooperate even if I asked for help, and I had confidence in myself.

(I’ve resolved numerous troubles on my own before.)

So, even today…!

“Don’t worry! I’m here!”

While soothing the Retriever, barking fiercely, I grabbed the fallen leash on the ground.

I forcefully pulled the Retriever towards the sidewalk.

(Ah, thank goodness.)

For now, I can be relieved and—

“Grrrr!”

—Oops, I let my guard down.

Startled by the sudden tugging of the leash, the Retriever exposed its sharp teeth and barked.

Then, it leaped towards me—

“Kyaa?!”

In an instant—I was pushed aside by someone.

Struggling to maintain my balance, I manage to regain my posture and not fall.

Then quickly checking the situation, I turned my attention to the person who pushed me.

“Calm down. It’s okay now.”

A calm and gentle voice. That someone… a boy with a red scarf around his neck, held the Retriever’s collar firmly.

(An unfamiliar uniform, an external student?)

Today’s entrance exam included students from outside the school, so he might have been there by chance.

“Did you get separated from your owner? I see, you must have been scared.”

He calmly spoke to the Retriever, even as blood flowed from his right wrist, presumably from being bitten while protecting me.

His composure seemed to have a calming effect as the fierce growls gradually subsided.

“Yosh. Good boy.”

He let out a sigh and held onto the leash that was hanging on the ground.

(…Amazing. You easily subdued a large dog.)

As if the earlier rampage had been a lie, the Retriever sat obediently on the sidewalk…

No, this is not the time to be impressed!

“Are you ok——”

I hurriedly approached.

The snow falling on the road was dyed red by the blood flowing from his arm.

The wound might be deep…!

“Are you okay?”

However, he didn’t seem to be concerned about his own injury at all.

“Sorry for pushing you so suddenly.”

“Uh, well… I’m fine! But more importantly—”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of him. You came to take the exam, right? You’d better get going.”

“But what about you…?”

“It’s okay. Even if I don’t pass, it doesn’t matter.” He said, “As proof, here. Take it.”

He handed me a small something. A talisman with the words [Academic Succes] written on it.

It had a cute design that looked like a girl made it rather than something bought at a shrine.

“I’ll search for the owner alone.”

“No! You go ahead, and I’ll search for them!”

“Why?”

“Because you’re trying to make sure I’m not late for the exam, aren’t you? “

[Even if I don’t pass, it doesn’t matter.]

That’s probably a lie. No one who isn’t aiming to pass would be here.