Chapter 59: Before the Warning Bell Rang

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

When they arrived at school, the student council’s morning greeting activity was underway as usual.

“What a hassle… Huh? I don't see Shiki.”

“Yeah… maybe she overslept. Ah, good morning, Murakami-kun.”

“O-oh, good morning, Takagi-chan.”

As they passed by some boys from their class, Sora nodded politely. Ginji looked puzzled—he found it strange that Aika, known for her exemplary behavior, would oversleep.

“You've gotten used to greeting people, huh… Still, Shiki oversleeping is kind of unexpected.”

“Yeah… I used to be the one waking her up and helping with her morning routine. She might still be able to get someone to wake her, but maybe she's struggling with her grooming and schedule now.”

“What do you mean by schedule?”

“Aika-chan does a lot of extracurriculars and meets with people often, so she has to manage her schedule to avoid double-booking. That said, as long as you memorize about three weeks’ worth of plans, it's not too hard.”

You're the only one who can do that, Ginji retorted internally. Sora, who had taken on everything from student council tasks to filling in for art duties, was just an outlier.

It had been two weeks since Sora stepped back from everything, and now it seemed like the school idol's gears were starting to misalign—at least that's what Ginji was starting to think.

Just then, one of the boys participating in the greeting activity approached them.

“…Uh, I think he's the second-year secretary.”

Sora, clearly not used to the unfamiliar face, instinctively hid behind Ginji.

“Sorry. Um, I'd like to talk to the girl behind you.”

“She's a first-year, Momoi. What do you want with Takagi?”

Ginji stepped forward protectively. The secretary boy seemed caught off guard by Ginji's reaction.

“N-no, it's just… we wanted to ask for help with additional work on the student council newsletter. Shiki-san said she had asked her for help.”

Now that he mentioned it, the two remembered Sora had helped out the day before yesterday and then went straight home yesterday.

They had actually planned for that to be Sora's last student council task—afterward, she would tell Aika she wouldn't be doing any more miscellaneous duties.

Silently, a smartphone was handed to Ginji from behind. He took it and looked.

“Ah, I see.”

It displayed the details of the additional student council work.

Ginji stepped aside and nudged Sora forward.

“Wah—Ginji!”

“This is something you need to handle yourself. I really should've told Shiki first, but…”

Suddenly pushed to the front, Sora tensed a little. But looking at Ginji, she pressed her lips together firmly and gathered her courage.

“Um, I'm sorry. I've decided not to do any more miscellaneous tasks. I was never officially part of the student council anyway. I'll tell Aika-chan that myself.”

She said it all in one breath, her face turning bright red as she grabbed Ginji's hand and pulled him away.

“…So that's how it is.”

Ginji bowed his head as Sora dragged him off.

“Wait! That's a problem! We still need help preparing snacks for the guests—hey, you guys!”

Before he could finish, a group of first-year boys stepped between them—each one mysteriously holding a can of black coffee. The sudden appearance of this odd little gang overwhelmed the secretary, making it impossible for him to give chase.

Sora and Ginji changed into their indoor shoes at the lockers, then briskly made their way through the school until they stopped in the quiet space next to the staircase at the far end of the first floor building.

“Th-that was scary…”

“Really? I thought you handled it great. I'm impressed.”

Ginji flashed her a wide grin, and Sora leaned her head against his chest.

She wanted to say that she'd only been able to speak up because Ginji was there—but her heart, full of affection, wanted just a little more than that.

“Then… praise me.”

This time, it was Ginji's turn to panic. He looked around—but thankfully, there was no one in sight. Most students used the stairs near the entrance to get to the second floor, so this staircase was usually only used by teachers or students who had finished morning practice.

Still, someone might pass by. Being this close in public wasn't exactly ideal.

“H-hey, Sora. Someone might come.”

“I'll keep watch on the hallway, so… pet me.”

Still clinging to him, Sora looked up, now facing him directly. Ginji felt a soft pressure against his stomach and instinctively tried to pull away, but Sora held on to his clothes like a burr.

With a sigh, he placed a hand on her head.

“Just for a bit, okay? If I hear footsteps, we stop.”

“Okay…”

Sora closed her eyes in delight.

“Wait—if you close your eyes, you can't keep watch!”

“Don't stop.”

“Geez… well, you did great, so…”

In the end, Ginji kept patting Sora's head right up until the homeroom bell rang.