Chapter 31: Changing daily life and mindset

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Translator: Soaf

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The next day, they went to school together. As usual, they greeted Ginji's acquaintances at the school gate—but something felt different.

“Yo, Takagi, morning.”

When Sora spotted Saito and tried to greet him, he greeted her first, throwing her off.

“Uh, g-good morning?”

“Why are you saying it like a question?”

Ginji chimed in. For Sora, being greeted first by anyone other than Ginji was a rare experience, and it flustered her.

“I saw the test scores. You got first place, huh? You're pretty smart.”

“Eh—ah—um, yeah. Ehehe.”

Though nervous, Sora gave a sheepish smile. Saito fell silent.

“…Well, I'll head to class.”

With that, Saito stiffly moved toward the shoe lockers, his arms and legs moving awkwardly in sync.

“What's up with him?”

“Maybe sore from club practice?”

They tilted their heads in confusion. After that, more boys came to compliment Sora on her test performance. Each time, she blushed and replied nervously. Some weren't even acquaintances of Ginji.

“They're really greeting people at the gate… You're Takagi, right? The one who scored first on the test?”

“Wh-Who are you? Ginji!?”

Faced with a stranger, Sora's awkwardness spiked. Ginji gave a wry smile.

“Never seen him. Probably just saw the test scores. I'm Ginji Momoi—nice to meet you.”

Despite his delinquent-like face, Ginji's smile was warm and approachable.

“Ah, I'm Yoshida from Class 3. I ranked second on the test. You really nailed Question 4. That was a geometry problem on par with a national university entrance exam.”

“I like math. Especially geometry… it's beautiful. It's kind of robotic in nature, I think.”

Still unable to meet anyone's eyes but Ginji's, Sora looked down as she spoke—but the fact that she could speak at all was a sign of her growth.

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“Haha, he's a weird one, huh? But I hope we get along.”

Ginji playfully ruffled Sora's hair. She narrowed her eyes and leaned into it contentedly, like a cat.

“Sorry… I'm not sure. I'm thinking of joining the student council next year…”

Yoshida vaguely hinted he was aligned with Aika, the vice president. Ginji didn't lose his smile.

“Thanks, man.”

“Eh?”

“For talking to us even though you’re in that position. You better go before the Idol and her group get here. If they complain later, you can say it was just a quick hello.”

“…You're a weird one too, Momoi.”

“Just call me Ginji.”

After seeing Yoshida off, Ginji turned to Sora.

“You're getting better at talking to people. You've changed a lot.”

“It's because you're here, Ginji.”

“Nah, you'll be fine on your own soon enough. I always knew you were capable.”

Sora looked up at Ginji.

“Even if I can do things on my own… will you still stay by my side?”

Her voice trembled slightly. The fear of change, of losing this bond, slipped into her words. But Ginji quickly blew that away.

“Of course. What, you were worried about that? You're my best friend.”

That was her limit. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she looked down to hide it.

“Restroom! I'm going ahead to class!”

“O-Oh. You were holding it?”

Without answering, she dashed off to the shared restroom next to the student council room.

“…Ginji, that's just not fair.”

The emotions she couldn't quite understand finally surfaced, slowly welling into tears that wouldn't stop.

This just isn't fair. He helped me when I was at my lowest. He's cool, kind, and helped me start walking forward again… That's too unfair.

“I can't bear just being his friend…”

That's what she thought. She had been so happy when he called her a best friend—but now she realized she wanted more.

The feelings inside her tightened and took shape.

“I love you, Ginji.”

The words were soft, fragile—but unmistakably real, echoing in her heart.