Chapter 18

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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After school, I finished my cleaning duty properly before leaving the classroom.

Once I get home, it's time to study. My grades were barely passing last year, so I need to catch up.

By sitting down and facing my desk, not only can I improve my grades, but I can also build things I lack right now—like focus and perseverance.

It's going to be a tough road for someone like me, who's been far removed from studying for a while. But I remember my past self thinking that making it a habit is what matters most, so I want to keep at it without giving up.

Thinking about that, I head down the stairs.

Then, as I reach the entrance, a familiar sight comes into view again.

“—You just littered, didn't you? Pick it up right now.”

Shizuno was confronting a male student.

She's really at it every single day.

“Tch… yeah, yeah, I got it…”

The guy reluctantly picked up the paper drink carton he had thrown away.

Lately, whenever I see scenes like this, I can't help but feel tense, like it might turn into a fight.

Given Shizuno's personality, she'd probably confront anyone regardless of the situation.

There are plenty of people in this world who don't respond to common sense—that's something I know from experience.

People who resort to violence, make threats… when she runs into someone like that, how will she handle it?

After the guy leaves, I decide to call out to her.

“Yo. Still at it, I see.”

“…Oh, Reita. Did you come here hoping to get scolded too?”

She smirks the moment she sees me.

“Who the hell would want that?”

“Oh? You used to enjoy it a little when I scolded you as a kid.”

“…Sorry, but I don't remember that.”

She just casually exposed my embarrassing past.

Good thing no one else heard—that's the kind of thing I'd never want getting out.

“Well, putting that aside, it looks like you've been trying.”

“…Yeah. Thanks to you.”

“I'm glad it seems like you've found your direction.”

If it weren't for my conversation with Shizuno, I might still be lost.

I'm grateful to her. Not just for what she said, but for the fact that I could talk to my childhood friend normally—it gave me hope.

“If anything troubles you, feel free to come to me anytime. If it's about turning over a new leaf, I'll gladly help.”

She smiles gently as she says that.

She usually gives off a strict impression, but as long as you're not doing anything wrong, she's actually quite approachable.

Even back when we were kids, I never had a bad impression of her.

If anything, I—

…No, never mind.

“You too… don't go carrying everything on your own again.”

“Oh? Are you worried about me?”

“You've seemed more on edge than usual lately.”

“Really? I feel the same as always.”

She puts on a composed face, but…

I can tell she's forcing herself a bit. She's usually more at ease, more composed—now she seems a little tense.

Maybe it's just my imagination, though.

“More importantly… you—your memories, have they—”

Just as Shizuno was about to say something—

“…Hey, you. Mind not bothering my adorable junior?”

A voice came from behind us.

When I turned around, a tall man with glasses was standing there.

It was the student council president, Daiki Yokomizo.

“What are you talking about? We were just talking.”

“That's what I mean by ‘bothering.'”

“No, that doesn't even make sense.”

Who does this guy think he is, showing up out of nowhere?

“Your reputation has spread even to other grades. I'd prefer someone like you not associate with Shizuno-chan.”

“It's fine just to talk, isn't it?”

“No, it's not. It'll be too late once rumors start spreading.”

“… ”

I almost clicked my tongue, but held it back.

Annoying as it is, he's right.

Just walking to school together or going to the infirmary with Maaya already became rumors—so even talking could end up causing trouble for her.

At least right now, I can't argue back.

“President, I'm fine.”

“No. You already stand out for enforcing justice. If it spreads that you're associating with a delinquent, people will start to resent you.”

“…You're right…”

Shizuno immediately tried to defend me, but the president countered her, and she ended up agreeing.

…That's not like her.

She's the type who doesn't back down from her beliefs.

For her to accept that so easily feels off.

If she were going to agree so easily, she wouldn't have talked to me in the first place.

She's not the kind of person who wouldn't notice that contradiction.

Maybe she's just holding back because he's the student council president…

But even that doesn't quite feel like her.

“So, could you head home now?”

“Yeah, yeah, I'll get lost.”

“I recommend you use proper language with your seniors, Kawakami-kun.”

“…Understood.”

Honestly, I don't like it—but everything Yokomizo said is correct.

If I push back here, I'd only lower myself. Since I've decided to change, it's better to just go along with it.

Holding back my irritation, I turn my back to them and change from my indoor shoes into my regular ones.

“Well then, I'll be heading home too.”

“Ah, wait a moment, Shizuno-chan.”

“Yes?”

“There's something I'd like your help with.”

“Student council work?”

“Yeah.”

“Understood. I'll help.”

Just as I'm about to leave the entrance, their conversation catches my ear, and I stop without thinking.

“Then, will you come with me?”

“Yes. Ah, President, I'll carry your bag.”

“No, no, that's fine.”

“No, I'll carry it. It's my way of thanking you for treating me the other day.”

“I see. You're kind, Shizuno-chan.”

“Not at all.”

“That humility of yours is wonderful too.”

“Flattery won't get you anything.”

…

Something about listening to that didn't sit right with me, so I stopped eavesdropping and headed home.

Shizuno… she seemed unusually close to the student council president.

Maybe, for someone like her—a model student—someone upright and reliable like him is her type.

That's not what surprised me, though.

What surprised me was seeing her involved in something like romance at all.

Back then, she used to say she had absolutely no interest in love.

Well, that was four years ago, so it's not strange if her way of thinking has changed.

“… ”

On the way home, for some reason, I felt a sense of sadness.