Chapter 104: Father’s Coming

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Translator: Soafp

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“If you don't mind a mechanical design, I'd love to help out. It'd also support Ginji's part-time job, right?”

“No, I told you, you have to finish drawing your own stuff as Sora Takagi first… Wait, hold up—what's going on?”

“That's Aika-chan's car…”

That morning, Ginji and Sora were heading to school together, as usual. But something unusual made them stop in their tracks: the luxury car Aika always arrived in was parked halfway up the slope—before school had even started. They exchanged looks. Other students were clearly noticing too.

“Shiki's up early for once, maybe just killing time in the car?”

“If that's the case, the student council room would've been better. But, well, it's not really our problem. Let's just go to class and continue talking.”

“Yeah, good idea.”

Sora took Ginji's hand and began walking again, passing by the car—but the moment they did, the door opened with a click, and Aika stepped out.

“…Good morning, Sora. May I have a moment?”

“…Good morning, Aika-chan. Um, I'm kinda busy…”

Aika, tall and elegant, looked down at them from above. Sora looked up while still holding Ginji's arm, her voice trembling a little. Ginji smiled slightly, impressed that Sora hadn't hidden behind him.

“Yeah, what she said. Later, Shiki.”

“Wait. I have something to talk about… Momoi-kun can come too. Follow me.”

Blocking their path as they tried to leave, Aika stared at them firmly. Ginji sighed.

“…What do we do?”

“People are watching. We've got no choice…”

Students around them were watching the exchange with bated breath. Some of the younger students, vaguely aware of the tension between the two girls, looked uneasy. The older students, unaware of the backstory, seemed thrilled to see the school's two most admired girls walking together.

As if out of habit, Sora moved to walk a step behind Aika, but Ginji pushed her gently on the back.

“G-Ginji!?”

“It's fine. I'll be right here.”

“…You’re getting bonus affection points later for this.” [TL: Was that a punishment?]

Sora let go of Ginji's arm and stepped up to walk beside Aika. Under the bright summer sky, the two beautiful girls walking side by side looked like something out of a painting. Students, regardless of gender, stared in awe. And Ginji—who was watching closer than anyone—was now the subject of intense, jealous glares. But he paid no mind, keeping his eyes on Sora's back as she walked.

After changing shoes, they headed to the student council room. Aika opened the door with a key and sank into the sofa. It seemed she wanted the two of them to sit down as well. Ginji and Sora complied, a brief silence following.

“U-Um, should I make some tea?” Sora offered.

But Ginji stopped her.

“We were the ones called here. Shiki should be the one serving.”

“Why should I do something like that for you two… Anyway, I have a favor to ask.”

Ignoring Ginji's sarcasm, Aika fixed him with a sharp glare and spoke solemnly.

“Uh, what is it? I already said I'm not doing student council stuff anymore.”

“It's not about that. …My father is coming to school soon, and he might try to see you, Sora.”

“Uncle is? I mean, it makes sense if it's about donations or something, but why would he want to see me?”

Sora tilted her head, wary. Ginji tried to recall what he knew about Aika's father.

“Because you went back to dressing like a girl. I told Father that you were the one who said you didn't want to wear girls' clothes. If he sees you now, he might ask questions.”

“…So what do you want from me?”

“Keep up the lie. Say you changed your mind of your own will.”

That outrageous request made a vein bulge on Ginji's forehead. He'd meant to stay quiet, but Aika's arrogance and selfishness pushed him over the edge. He leaned forward, snapping at her.

“Hey! You forced her to dress like a boy, remember? Sora had bought a girls' uniform. She was planning to attend as a normal girl. If she hadn't had to hide her gender, maybe she would've made some friends. But you stomped all over that! And now that it's inconvenient for you, you're running away from it? How the hell do you think she felt wearing a male uniform and doing everyone's dirty work all alone? DON’T SCREW WITH ME!”

“…”

Aika turned her face away, unwilling to meet his eyes. Ginji tried to press further—but a clear voice cut in first.

“Ginji!”

Sora had grabbed the hem of his pants. Her lips were tightly pressed together, her eyes shimmering with tears. Seeing that, Ginji held his tongue and sat back down.

Sora, after lowering her head for a moment, looked up and met Aika's gaze directly. Aika flinched and looked away.

“It's fine. If Uncle comes and asks me about it, I'll say it was all my decision.”

“Sora, you don't have to—”

Sora placed her hand gently on top of Ginji's. She glanced at him, then turned back to Aika.

“But if he asks why I changed my mind, I'll tell the truth. …That I fell in love with someone. That's the one thing I won't lie about. …Let's go, Ginji. Class is about to start.”

Still holding Ginji's hand, Sora stood up. Aika remained on the sofa, hands clenched into fists on her lap, head bowed.

Outside the student council room, Sora marched ahead in silence.

“Sora, the classroom's that way.”

“…”

She stopped at the bottom of a quiet stairwell, just before class. Then, without warning, she turned and threw her arms around Ginji, burying her face in his chest. He gently stroked her head as she clung to him tightly.

“You did good.”

“…That part about maybe making friends was unnecessary.”

She mumbled into his shirt.

“…Yeah. Sorry.”

“Kidding. I'm glad you got mad for me.”

Sora rubbed her face against him like a cuddly cat. Ginji kept petting her head until the bell rang.

Then, when they got to class… every pair of eyes zeroed in on Ginji. Ignoring them, he headed to his seat—only to be grabbed hard by the shoulder. Turning around, he found Tanaka and a few other classmates glaring at him with furious expressions.

“Ginji-kun. Care to explain that mark on your shirt?”

“Don't say anything, Ginji… Just let me punch you once.”

“Huh? What the hell are you—oh!”

There was a faint mark on his white shirt—Sora's lightly tinted lip balm had transferred when she hugged him. It wasn't a strong color, but it stood out clearly on the pale fabric.

“Don't look like you know what it is!”

“This might fall under Special Conduct Rules. Armed intervention may be necessary.”

“You morons! It's not like that! Hey, class is starting!”

He frantically tried to wipe it off, but it was too late. Sora, hearing everything from behind, had turned bright red and buried her face in her desk.