Chapter 52: A love letter?

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Translator: Soafp

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After the two finished their rather rich lunch and returned to the classroom, they found the usual crowd gathered around Aika.

“You're entering a painting for the summer art contest, right? I'm already looking forward to seeing it!”

Several girls from other classes were chatting with Aika. Apparently, she was planning to submit a piece for a summer competition. Aika responded with her usual bright smile.

“Thanks! I'll do my best and represent the school with pride.”

“Aika-sa… Aika-san, your design for the cultural festival signboard was really well-received!”

“Oh, the design? Ah, that. I'm glad it turned out well.”

A male student used the signboard topic as an excuse to talk to Aika.

“By the way, how should we handle the color specifications?”

“Ah, um… Could you turn it into an image and upload it to the student council folder later? I'll include the specifications.”

“Sure, that helps a lot.”

While getting ready for the next class, Ginji eavesdropped on the conversation. He remembered that Sora was actually the one who had done the signboard design on Aika's behalf. He began to wonder if Sora's absence in some areas was starting to show.

Meanwhile, Sora was still feeling a mix of embarrassment and joy over what she had done during lunch (sitting on Ginji's lap and leaning her head against him). She kept replaying the memory over and over in her head, paying no attention to Aika.

“……”

Mio, standing behind Aika, glared at Sora.

After school, Ginji and Sora headed to the storage room next to the student council office, as usual.

“What's the task for today?”

“Let's see… Today it's document binding. The tools are already in the storage room, so once we print things out, we can wrap it up quickly.”

“If we're not creating new documents, that's easy enough.”

As they talked, Sora inserted the key into the storage room door. Inside, they turned on the printer and printed out the requested number of copies from the computer. Working smoothly and in sync, the two finished the task as usual. But Sora was still flushed from lunch, and Ginji remained silent, so the atmosphere was a little tense.

“Hey, Sora.”

“Y-Yes?! Wh-What is it?”

Sora jumped, startled at being suddenly addressed.

“You don't have to be that surprised. I was just thinking maybe we should stop doing this job soon.”

“…Why? I don't mind it.”

Sora pouted slightly, feeling disappointed. She actually enjoyed the time spent doing tasks with Ginji.

“I think it's a good time to let Aika see just how much you've been doing. We've held back before, worried about her retaliation, but now that more people know the truth, we should be okay.”

“As long as I have you, Ginji, I'm fine… But I guess it's not just about that. Now that more people are around, they speak up when others badmouth me, and my stuff doesn't get hidden anymore. I realize now how important it is to be known and recognized.”

“I've always known how amazing you are. Once people know the truth, unfair treatment starts to disappear. Even this task—who in the student council would do it if not for you? You should be getting more recognition. If they're not letting you have that, then there's no point continuing.”

Ginji tapped the completed cultural festival documents with a sly grin.

“Still… I'm kind of scared to message Aika and tell her I'm quitting…”

That morning, Sora had said it on impulse. But now, the idea of formally refusing made her hesitate. The wedge Aika had driven into her still remained. Ginji scratched his head, thinking maybe he had rushed her. This wasn't something that could be fixed by pushing. He considered waiting and bringing it up again another day—when Sora grabbed the sleeve of his uniform.

“Sora?”

“I'm scared… so I want you to stay with me. If you're there, I think I'll be able to say it even if I'm afraid.”

Her hand trembled slightly, but her gaze was filled with strong resolve. Ginji gently placed his hand on her head.

“You're even more incredible than I thought.”

“You're a better guy than you think you are, Ginji.”

“That ‘maybe' was unnecessary!”

Ginji playfully messed up her hair, and Sora narrowed her eyes in delight.

Then, they placed the bound documents into a basket and carried them to the staff room.

“Let's just say it tomorrow, before homeroom.”

“Yeah. I'll do it. No turning back!”

“Haha, that's the spirit.”

After finishing their tasks, the two returned to Sora's home. Sora, ever the caregiver, gave Ginji a shoulder massage, and together they enjoyed using the H**lsio to cook to their hearts' content.

The next morning, as they arrived at school, the student council was once again greeting students.

They passed through the school entrance and headed for their lockers.

“Still can't manage the greetings… But I'm going to do my best with Aika today.”

“You're fired up. And greetings can be done on the way to class too. More familiar faces now, right? Huh?”

“What is it?”

As Ginji stood with his locker open, he paused with a suspicious look.

“There's something inside…”

What he pulled out was an envelope, sealed with cute masking tape.

Sora's jaw dropped.

“It's a love letter!”

“Seriously…? First one I've ever gotten.”

Sora completely forgot about Aika and her issues. Her head was now spinning with this sudden emergency.