Chapter 27: Mizuki Miyamoto’s Point of View

Translator: Soafp

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[Mizuki Miyamoto’s PoV] duh

“Well, then again, I didn’t realize Ishikawa was in first place. ……”

“It’s crazy amazing to have first and second place here, right?”

“……”

“Mizuki? What’s wrong?

“Oh, no, nothing.”

After placing our order, Ishikawa-kun went back to his part-time job.

　I was …… doubting myself, thinking that the scene earlier had been my hallucination.

　Earlier, when I had my hand on my forehead for a few moments, I could see Ishikawa-kun’s eyes, which I usually cannot see.

　I had been wondering what kind of face he had for a long time, since he had his bangs extended as if to hide them. When I actually looked at him, I could see that he had a well-defined face just by looking at him for a little while. It was good up to that point.

I can’t get that gentle, fluffy smile out of my head when he said, “I won’t lose the next time either”. …… hallucination? No, I don’t think my brain has the ability to produce a smile like that.

　Ishikawa-kun doesn’t usually smile much. So just seeing his mouth relaxed makes me a little happy. That’s why I think that he had a smile like that floating around under that hair. ……

“Mi-zu-ki!”

“Ue⁉”

“What’s going on with you really? …… Oh, were you that shocked that you lost to Ishikawa?”

That…… wasn’t so much a shock as it was just plain frustration. About that, I’ll do better in the next exam.

“No, I’m frustrated, but that’s not what this is about. I’m sorry. I just kind of spaced out.”

“Really?”

Didn’t Nanao see it ……? I know she can’t see this feeling. And if I could see, it wouldn’t be so normal.

　I wonder if Abe-kun has ever seen Ishikawa’s face?

　…….

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“See you at school.”

“Ou, see you.”

“See you later!”

“……”

　After paying the bill, Ishikawa, Nanao and Abe are saying goodbye to each other. …… now he …… isn’t smiling like he was earlier, but I wonder what expression is on his face under there?

“Miyamoto-san?”

“Oh, uhm,…… see you later.”

“Yes. See you tomorrow.”

　Ishikawa-kun seemed to be smiling a little as he said that.

I felt embarrassed as his face flashed through my mind, so I ran away and followed Nanao and Abe-kun out of the store.

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　It was normal because the three of us were walking to the station, but when I got on the train and was alone, I could see Ishikawa-kun’s smile earlier in my mind.

　……I guess Ishikawa-kun makes a face like that when he smiles. ……

　The first impression I had of Ishikawa was that he was a strange man. At the same time, I was wary of him. Most people would not pay attention to a stranger looking for something in the corner of the schoolyard. But if that were the case, they would be on the lookout for something.

　But I thought there would be no need to be vigilant that day. And I also thought he was weirder and kinder than I had expected. It’s not every day someone spends over an hour and a half looking for someone’s stuff. Besides, I was also surprised that when I felt I had to thank him for something, he quickly left.

Then I became friends with Ishikawa and Abe, and Nanao and them became friends as well, so the four of us spent a lot of time together. Then, during a ball game, I learned about the genesis of the rumor about Ishikawa-kun. I think it is a really terrible story. Even so……, Ishikawa-kun said he didn’t want me to do anything. Then, I thought what I can do is to spend time as a normal friend. It would be best to continue to spend time together as normal as ever.

…… maybe that’s why he hides his face with his bangs.

　And then I started going to …… that coffee shop. It’s a great place. The coffee is good, the atmosphere is relaxed, and it’s a really fun place to talk with Ishikawa and Makoto.

　…… So a week ago, we all went to karaoke together. It was a lot of fun, but there was one time when I couldn’t tell which was Ishikawa’s drink and which was mine. I still feel embarrassed when I recall it. …… Ishikawa-kun said we didn’t switch. …… Well, I did drink it after all,…….

　When I think back on it like this,…… we became very close in such a short period of time. …… I didn’t think my days would be this fun when I first started high school.

　Also, Ishikawa’s smile from earlier comes to mind.

“I’m not going to lose the next one either.” ……When I was asked if I was aiming for first place, I said that I wanted to get as good a score as possible, but I was very disappointed when I came in second. There is not much time left until the next exam. In one month, I will be taking the final exam for the first semester. I have to work harder and harder.

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