Chapter 27

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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After school, I waited for Shizuno in a secluded hallway along the path to the student council room.

We hadn't made any plans to meet, but if she really was going there every day, she was bound to pass through here.

After a few minutes of waiting, just as expected, Shizuno appeared.

“Oh… Reita, what are you doing in a place like this?”

“Hey. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

After a brief greeting with the slightly puzzled Shizuno, I got straight to the point.

“Lately, it feels like something's off with you. Did something happen?”

“…Not really. I'm the same as always.”

“No, even Maaya and the others are saying the same thing. Something must've happened.”

“Well, I won't say nothing's wrong… but it's just something minor.”

She said it like it was nothing, but her words lacked their usual sharpness.

Honestly, I expected her not to tell me outright, so I decided to press her a bit.

“Heh… don't tell me you've got a boyfriend or something?”

I smirked, teasing her.

“Hehe, that's a pretty boring joke coming from you.”

“So I'm wrong? Well, I guess that makes sense. Apparently you ranked number one on the ‘girls who definitely don't have a boyfriend' list.”

“…What kind of list is that? That's in poor taste.”

Shizuno frowned like she'd just seen something unpleasant.

Yeah… definitely the type to hate stuff like that.

For the record, that list doesn't exist. I just made it up on the spot.

“I'm still a young woman, you know. Of course I'd fall in love at least once.”

Good, she took the bait just like I expected.

“Oh yeah?”

“What? You doubt me?”

“Of course I do. You were ranked number one, after all.”

She was the one who said she had no interest in romance in the first place. Of course, I couldn't bring that up while hiding the fact that my memories had returned.

“Whoever made that list clearly has no eye for people.”

“So, are you in love right now?”

“…Not right now.”

“So you have been before.”

“Yes, I have.”

“Oh? What kind of guy was it?”

“You.”

“Wha—!?”

Her sudden confession made me blurt out a completely ridiculous sound.

“Just kidding. Of course it was a joke.”

“W-What the hell… you scared me.”

My heart nearly stopped, but it turned out to be a lie.

She got me good…

“Did you actually believe me?”

“As if.”

“You're no fun. You used to get flustered so easily.”

“I told you, I don't remember that stuff.”

“Hehe, right. That's true.”

Watching me get slightly worked up, Shizuno laughed mischievously.

Yeah… she's probably already figured out that my memories have come back.

Honestly, it feels like she not only knows, but also understands why I haven't said anything.

She's really not an easy person to deal with.

“I don't know if you're trying to pry into my life… but I'll just say this—this has nothing to do with romance.”

She stated it clearly.

From the look in her eyes, I couldn't sense any lie.

“Then why are you acting strange?”

“That's—”

And just then—

“…I told you not to get involved with Shizuno, didn't I?”

A low voice suddenly echoed from behind me.

When I turned around, there stood Student Council President Yokomizo, glaring at me.

…This guy again.

He really shows up everywhere.

Well, I guess he was on his way to the student council room, but still—whenever I talk to Shizuno at school, he always seems to appear.

“…Yeah, yeah. Sorry about that.”

“That's not something you can just brush off with an apology. What if this turns into some kind of rumor? Can you take responsibility for that?”

Yokomizo looked genuinely displeased at my half-hearted apology.

And to be fair, he had a point.

I thought I picked a spot where no one would see us, but I guess I was a bit careless.

“And you too, Shizuno. Don't forget your position.”

“…Yes. I'm sorry.”

Shizuno quietly apologized under his reprimand.

That's… not like her at all.

I don't know what kind of relationship they have, but it's rare to see her act this submissive.

“So, with that said, could you stay away from Shizuno from now on?”

…I didn't answer.

That's not a promise I can make.

Still, maybe it's better to keep my distance for a while.

Shizuno didn't seem like she wanted me digging any deeper anyway, and I've got my own things to take care of before I can properly stand up to Yokomizo.

In the end, I didn't learn anything about why Shizuno has been acting strange.

But knowing her… she'll probably handle it on her own.

Thinking that, I watched the two of them walk away.