Chapter 148: An unexpected witness

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Translator: Soafp

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The bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch break.

As I walked through the bustling hallway, I could feel the stares from my juniors, seniors, and classmates alike.

“…”

Ever since the dance performance, I've been feeling it even more.

…It's embarrassing (otome feelings). It's gone beyond awkward to the point where I've become numb to it.

Finally, I made it back to the classroom. I pulled out my chair and sat down. Yep, the usual scene.

“Ah, Yumesaki-san…”

“Hm?”

“Sorry, never mind (said quickly).”

“Huh? What's up?”

Now that I think about it, it's been three months since I've sat next to her. 

Our class doesn't really do seat changes often.

If possible, I'd like to stay right here. 

Sitting next to her feels comforting. 

But it's inevitable there'll be a seat change in the second semester.

When that time comes, I'll accept it. 

…Though I'd rather not think about it too much.

“I'd really prefer to stay by the window seat in the back.”

“…Me too. No teachers call on us back here.”

“That's probably because I'm acting as a decoy (rainbow hair logic).”

“Hah, you got that right.”

“Aww, listening to you two is making me embarrassed!☆”

“!? What's up, Rio…”

Even the way Hiiragi-san interrupts us has become kind of endearing. 

Second semester, huh? I wonder if I'll make it to the end of this one in one piece.

…But, come on, even my family wouldn't take me back to America, right? HAHAHA (thoughts of an American).

“Hey, Toumachi… You good?”

“Oh, ah, yeah. Sorry, I'm fine.”

“You were staring off into the distance☆”

“N-no, really, I'm okay…”

“BOOM!☆”

“Whoa! (instantly wakes up)”

“What the heck, Rio!”

The shock from her slamming the desk jolts my body. 

Is this what they call a demon king's shout…?

“If Ichigo did that, Toumachi would literally die.”

“I'm scared…”

“Rio!! There's no way that'd happen!”

“Woah! (falls off chair)”

“Hahaha!”

Just the presence of Yumesaki-san's aura almost blew me away.

…Ah, maybe when I wake up, it'll already be summer break. 

The vast lands of Hokkaido… They're waiting for me…

“The more you worry, the faster you'll go bald☆”

“Oh… (suddenly concerned about hair dye damage to my scalp).”

“How about we hang out after school today☆”

“Eh?”

“Sounds good. Taking breaks is important.”

“When times like this hit, nothing beats singing it away☆”

…But it's only Monday, senpai (thoughts of a coward). 

Also, I've never really been to karaoke… 

Wait, actually, I did sing recently. Just to wreck my voice, though!

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[Momo PoV]

“I saw it, you know.”

In the clubroom. 

Before practice started, our point guard, Akari-chan, suddenly said that to me.

She whispered so quietly that no one else could hear.

“What's this all about?”

“…Oh? I think you know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?”

“Huh…”

“I've been waiting for Momo-senpai to come clean about it. But you've kept hiding it all this time…”

“W-what are you talking about?”

Akari-chan had a mischievous look on her face. 

She's a first-year, and quite short. 

Even so, she's a regular on our team, not just because of her athletic ability but—

“Like I said, I saw it. That time!”

Her instinct for the ball.

And apparently, it extends beyond just basketball… or so she claims.

…Did she really see it?

The other day, when I entered Icchi and Ayanon's house…!

“Th-that wasn't what it looked like at all! Ayanon was there too, so…”

“Huh?”

“Wha?”

“I'm talking about those awful OGs…”

“What?”

“T-that also sounds super interesting! But not right now!”

“O-okay…”

I don't get it. 

But she saw something… Ah.

“The guy who chased off those OGs… who is he?”

This might be even worse.

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“I saw it, you know. Even after you texted me that everything was fine, you were still lingering around.”

“And then, I don’t know, but that karaoke place just ‘smelled funny’ to me. So I checked it out, and this really tough-looking guy went in.”

“Not long after, he came out with you, Momo-senpai.”

Akari-chan saw everything, clear as day.

“And after that, the OGs came out looking like they were about to die… and holding onto, what, five thousand yen? It was weird.”

Thankfully, it looks like she didn't see what happened after that.

“So, since Momo-senpai seemed friendly with him, I just left it to him. It was hard to approach, you know? Yeah, that's it.”

I owe Icchi big time. 

If he hadn't been dressed like that, things could've gone really bad.

…But still. What should I do…?

“And don't tell me that guy told you not to say anything! Right? I know he did.”

H-he didn't say that, actually. 

But I still can't tell her that guy was Icchi.

…That outfit would leave a terrible impression. 

The secret boots, the sunglasses… Icchi's reputation is already a toss-up, and this wouldn't help.

But the real reason is—

“But! I can't stand it! I just have to thank him, or it'll bug me so much I won't be able to sleep in class!”

“…”

“So, let me meet him! The savior of the basketball team!”

“N-no… I was told not to… by him.”

He didn't tell me that. 

But I ended up saying it anyway.

“Well then! I'll just ask Toumachi-senpai!”

“!?”

“? I mean, that hair color—he's gotta be someone Toumachi-senpai knows, right?”

“Ah…”

“He's tall, stylish! Maybe he's a model, or an actor…”

Akari-chan's expression is suspicious. 

This is really bad…!

“Icchi… probably won't say anything, so it's pointless.”

“…Ugh.”

“—You two, practice is starting!”

“Ah, Fubuki.”

“Waa mou, I swear I'll get you to spill someday!”