Chapter 43: Standing Up Together

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Translator: Soafp

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The teacher who saw Sora left the homeroom duties to the class representative and took Sora to the staff room.

Before the first period started, a boy who had never spoken to Ginji approached them. According to Ginji's memory, he was a boy who was infatuated with Aika.

“Hey, Momoi. Is Sora-chan okay?”

Ginji glared at the boy calling Sora with the familiar honorific “-chan” using his usual sharp glare, while waving his hand dismissively.

“No need to worry.”

“I-I see. Hey, you're close with Sora-chan, right? Maybe you could introduce me or something…”

“Do it yourself.”

Ginji flatly rejected him, causing the boy to retreat dejectedly. For some reason, Ginji let out a frustrated sigh.

As he prepared his textbook, the announcement system rang.

“First year—Ginji Momoi. Please come to the staff room.”

It was the voice of the grade chief. Without a word, Ginji stood up, hands in his pockets, and headed to the staff room.

After knocking three times on the door in front of the staff room, he opened it.

“Excuse me—”

“…Ginji.”

Tearful, Sora approached, pushing both hands forward and clinging to Ginji's back like a barnacle, holding onto his clothes.

“…What happened?”

Ginji, confused and unsure of the situation, was met with equally confused expressions from the teachers.

The homeroom teacher, vice homeroom teacher, grade chief, and vice principal—four teachers—all looked at Ginji with troubled faces.

“Ah, I tried to ask what's going on, but she got scared… The female teacher who usually comes immediately isn't available today. Since Momoi here spends a lot of time with her, I thought he might know.”

“Um, can we talk alone for a bit?”

“Use the adjacent counseling room. For the first period, ask the teacher in charge to give her a worksheet and mark her attendance.”

“Understood.”

So, the two of them entered the next room. It was a simple room with just a desk and chairs, like an interrogation room. As they tried to sit, Sora wouldn't let go.

“Hey, Sora. We can't talk like this.”

Flustered by the citrus scent from her hair and the delicate feel of her body, Ginji finally pulled Sora away.

“…”

Sora silently moved the chair that faced Ginji and sat down beside him. It seemed she was indicating she wanted to sit next to him.

Though her behavior was very different from how she was at school, Ginji sat beside her.

Sora leaned gently against Ginji's shoulder just below his neck.

“You were fine in the classroom, weren't you?”

She had acted like she didn't care even when Aika entered the classroom. So why was she scared now, facing the teachers? Ginji wondered.

“Because… Ginji wasn't there.”

Trying to hide her embarrassment, Sora looked up at Ginji with a slightly sulky expression, pressing her cheek against his arm.

“…Huh?”

“Even if Aika-chan was there, it was okay as long as you were around. …But when I entered the staff room alone and faced the teachers, I suddenly got… scared. I was surprised myself…”

Ginji silently wrapped an arm around Sora's head and patted her. At the same time, he felt ashamed of his own mistake.

Sora has changed. She's still trying to change.

That was because of him. Because he promised to make her happy, Sora responded.

Sora in her girl form was brighter than ever, but also more fragile than when she was dressed as a boy. Ginji was ashamed of the irresponsibility that hesitated to fully accept that fact.

“Sorry. I said, ‘I'll make you happy.'”

“…Sorry.”

“That's not right.”

Smiling, Ginji reassured her, and Sora closed her eyes, leaning closer.

“Thank you.”

“Alright. Can you do this?”

The teachers were probably waiting beyond the door. There were many walls to overcome ahead.

It's not just ‘Sora' — it's ‘the two of us' facing it together.

Because he vowed to make her happy.

“Just a little more…”

“Can't help it then.”

In the dusty room, Ginji braced himself again.

A man—Ginji Momoi—doesn't say things twice.