Chapter 101: She is changing

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Translator: Soafp

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I burst out of the library with a vibrant step (though now's not the time to be saying that).

There are 9 minutes left in the break.

If I reach the cafeteria, it'll be down to 7 minutes. That's a nice match with my hair color (I'm just saying).

And she wasn't there. If she's not in the library or the cafeteria… then it must be the classroom.

“Uh, Momiji-san——”

The reason I'm so desperate about this is simple.

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48: Username: Anonymous in Love
It seems the girl I'm targeting has been sleeping for the past week. Is she okay…?

49: Username: Anonymous in Love
I feel like I won't get a reply for the next 100 years.

50: Username: Anonymous in Love
Must be cold sleep.

51: Username: Anonymous in Love
Girls tend to sleep a lot.

52: Username: Anonymous in Love
I knew a girl who only woke up on her birthday.

53: Username: Anonymous in Love
Like Orihime and Hikoboshi; that's wonderful.

54: Username: Anonymous in Love
Are you free today? The rate of “woke up the next day” or “sorry, I didn't see it” is ridiculous.

55: Username: Anonymous in Love
I'm starting to feel sad…

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Yeah.

It feels like I'd be making it seem like I didn't want to talk to her during lunch.

…I might be overthinking this.

So after a full-on power walk (running in the hallway is prohibited), I entered the classroom just as the bell signaled 5 minutes until class starts.

“–Oh, Shiori-chan is from the student council.”

“Y-Yes…”

“The bell's already rung—let's talk about it more together later!”

There, talking to Momiji-san, was a girl I'd never seen in class before… another student from a different class.

…I felt relieved. But alongside that, I was surprised to see her not alone.

She never really talked to anyone in class.

[——”I wanted to be like Toumachi-kun.”——]

Her eyes, which she had said that while cutting her hair, sparkled more than before.

No, even before that… since we came back from playing in the mountains.

Momiji-san is changing too.

If even a little of that is thanks to me, then…

I feel proud.

But somewhere—no, never mind.

Hajime Toumachi: “Sorry! I wasn't looking at my phone!”

Hajime Toumachi: “If you'd like, I can listen to you today.”

As soon as I sent it, her body jolted in surprise.

Like a startled small animal.

Some things about her haven't changed.

Shiori: “Ah, thank you! But I have work from right after I get home until 6 PM.”

Hajime Toumachi: “I see. You could talk to me on LINE if you want.”

Shiori: “I'm sorry, but I'd prefer to meet and talk.”

After the fifth period, I took out my phone during the break to check my messages.

…I can't shake the feeling that Momiji-san seems to be really troubled. It's just a hunch.

My rainbow sense is whispering to me (rainbows don't come from my hands).

Hajime Toumachi: “A call is fine too.”

Shiori: “Huh?”

Shiori: “I'm sorry, it's just that… I'm sorry, excuse me for a moment.”

…I realize it was a mistake.

I guess calling out of the blue is pretty creepy. Hatsune-san is just too nice.

When I think about it, slipping a note with my phone number into the shoe box was pretty weird too… (double damage).

Hajime Toumachi: “I'm sorry too. I'll wait until your shift ends.”

Shiori: “Oh, that's really kind of you.”

Hajime Toumachi: “Actually, I had something to do until around then too. So don't worry about it.”

Shiori: “Is that so? Then I'd like to ask you to do that.”

Hajime Toumachi: “Got it. Well, that's settled then.”

…Phew. I was a bit hurt by the phone situation, but I managed to handle it.

I also thought about chatting on the way home from school, but… I'm curious about that classmate who was talking with Momiji-san.

If they're walking to the station together, I would just be interrupting, so I decided to skip it.

I'll read the atmosphere and head home alone (the introverted way).

“Toumachi is desperately typing something! Is it a date invitation?☆ Desperate guys are disliked☆”

“D-D-D (lost for words from shock)”

“Well, it's not like that☆”

“Uh, uh… (huh?)”

“It's not like that☆?”

“Why did you say it twice? (Why did you say it twice?)”

“Fuhahahaha!”

“You guys… Hey, class is about to start, so put your phones away.”

“Yeah☆”

“Okay…”

Among the three of them, it's definitely Yumesaki-san who is the most serious.

After all, one should not judge others by their appearance (a word of caution).

Just as I was thinking that, a rainbow-colored sight caught my eye.

…Maybe it's okay to judge a little after all.