Chapter 8: CH 8

Leading Around by the Nose

The last class of the morning was PE. Thanks to the teacher’s early dismissal, we had plenty of time to eat in the cafeteria before lunchtime was over.

I saw Takane-san in the cafeteria. She was chatting with a group of girls.

Thanks to Ogishima’s blocking of Takadera’s attempts to mess with me, it didn’t give me any trouble.

“Senda, you want to talk to Takane-san? You seemed concerned about something.”

“Eh, really?”

However, Takadera seemed to have a slight regret and said something like that on the way to the classroom.

Asatani-san, some of her friends, and some of my classmates knew that Takane-san and I came to class together this morning. I expected that to happen so I subtly shifted my timing when entering the classroom. But, since I accepted Takane-san’s invitation, I couldn’t ask her that we line up vertically back when we were walking in the hallway.

“Not only the shiny type girl like Asatani-san, but also the lady-like Takane-san is within your radar.”

I was about to tell Ogishima, who was laughing so briskly, not to talk about people without moderation, but I was at a loss for words.

“Just being able to get along with ‘Kiritani Noa’ is already amazing. But now, you’re also getting along with Takane-san, the ‘unattainable flower’ of our school.”

I thought that this would make a dent at our friendship, but that didn’t seem to be the case at all.

“What the h**l did I even come to high school for? I mean… I should at least be able to talk to girls.”

“Aren’t you supposed to study in high school? Oh, don’t look so frightened.”

“It’s good that you can talk to girls naturally. I’ve heard people say that I have a scary face. There aren’t many people who are as good at talking to themselves as I am.”

“Don’t worry, I’ve had some pretty horrible things said to me by girls too.”

“You were pretty fast in your run today. Being fast is a high point for girls.”

“You’re the type of person who does things when you have to, aren’t you, Senda? You’re always calm even when you’re called in class.”

The truth was that it was because there was someone I couldn’t show my uncool side to.

It took me more than a day to stop thinking about Asatani-san. I was still curious about why she called me. Although if she didn’t want to tell me why, that was fine too, I can’t pester her.

And it was obviously self-conscious of me to think this, though I felt weird about it myself.

I also suddenly began to pay attention to Takane-san, who was sitting diagonally in front of me on the left. My eyes had been drawn to her since yesterday’s seat change, but today was different.

(It’s better to be able to contact Takane-san at any time in case things like yesterday happen again. That way I can always be there to help….. No, it would be better if the tennis club fully retreats after what happened this morning, and wouldn’t she think I have ulterior motives if I wanted to exchange contact information just to keep in touch?)

If she sensed that I had even the slightest impure thought, Takane-san wouldn’t think well of me.

‘I don’t pay attention to what people say.’

When Takane-san said that to me, she didn’t look at me, but kept walking forward.

At that moment, I forgot about how people would see me and just listened to her words.

‘Senda-kun is a very kind person.’

Those words helped me, and I felt that she was like an angel just for talking to a guy like me. I never wanted to betray the trust of someone like that.

“Ehh….?”

“What’s wrong, Takadera?”

As we were about to enter the classroom, Takadera suddenly made a strange noise. When Ogishima looked in the direction of my seat, he rolled his eyes.

“Noa… Kiri-chan, Look at this. This was taken yesterday.”

“Ah, I see, you’re not going to post it on social media?”

“No, no, this is just for us. If we could get a clear shot of Kiri-chan, it would be a buzz. Just the presence of you there is going to generate a lot of attention.”

“I think Yamaguchi-san’s video is cute and good. I want to try it too.”

“Really? I’m so happy. I’ll ask you out again sometime.”

I could only hear bits and pieces of the story, but it seemed that yesterday Asatani-san’s group went out to play after visiting the club activities yesterday. Then, Asatani-san separated halfway through.

Yamaguchi-san’s hair was brightly colored, and I was not sure if she was making her high school debut or not, but she had the image of a so-called ‘gyaru’ girl. She was in a different junior high school from me and Asatani-san, so it was only after high school that she became friends with Asatani-san, but I wondered if she had always admired her.

She could easily get along with any person, and that was the image I had of Asatani-san in middle school. Even among the girls who stood out, she had a distinct presence and was always the central figure.

Being liked by many people meant that you had a certain charm. Even now, I could see that some of the guys in my class were looking for an opportunity to talk to Asatani-san at any moment.

“Well, it’s an honor to give up my seat to the school’s idol.”

“She’s not an idol. She’s an actress. She appears in variety shows from time to time, so I guess you could call her ‘multi-talented’ .”

(…. Ehh?)

Takadera and Ogishima were seated near each other at the front of the classroom, so they went off together.

I felt uncomfortable approaching Asatani-san’s group, but the reason I was still looking at them from a distance was because Asatani-san was sitting in my seat. When we entered the classroom, Takadera made a strange noise, probably in response to the fact that Asatani-san was sitting there.

Three girls were gathered around Watanabe-san, who was sitting next to me on the left, and Asatani-san was one of them. There was nothing strange about sitting in my seat to talk with Watanabe-san, but I wondered if it was because I was a timid person.

“So, what are you going to do about the club?”

“Kiri-chan was eagerly asked to join the drama club, but she has put it on hold. Is it because you’re too busy?”

“I’m interested, but for now I’m thinking of joining the light music club.”

“You play the guitar at home, right Kiri-chan? The number of views on the video of you playing the guitar was huge, wasn’t it?”

“You were really good, Asatani-san. It’s a waste to just upload it on your Instagram stories, you should definitely make a major debut.”

“Hahaha …… Nabeyuka, you’re the second person to praise my singing in person.”

“Well, the way you put it, I’m really curious about the first one.”

I was pretty sure Nabeyuka was Watanabe-san. I believe her first name was Yukari, and if she knew Asatani-san’s Instagram which was under the name Kiritani Noa, she must also be a fan.

“Oh no… I’ve got to get ready for the fifth period communal English presentation, Kiri-chan.”

“Hmm? I’m pretty much clueless when it comes to English. Are you good at it, Inagawa-san?”

“Not really. I figured I’d just take it slow until I get used to it.”

We had to present a speech in our communicative English class, and Yamaguchi-san, who had been assigned the task in advance, seemed a little unsure of herself.

I hoped her presentation went well, as it was inevitable until she got used to the lesson, but even if it didn’t, I would like to think that the teacher would be lenient since it was her first time.

But then Asatani-san turned around, as if she suddenly noticed something.

My eyes melet Asatani-san’s. I remembered her eyes from this morning – but now Asatani-san looked like a different person, full of expression and with a cheerful smile.

Asatani-san had said that she might need to rely on me in the future to help her with her studies. That was probably why she tried to call out to me when she noticed I was here. That was the thought that passed through my mind.

“Oh… I know, why don’t you ask Takane-san to teach you?”

When Yamaguchi-san mentioned the name, Asatani-san looked forward again, as if nothing had happened, even though she made eye contact with me.

“That might be a good idea. Takane-san, you have the best grades of all the first-year students.”

Asatani-san’s voice was the same as usual as she spoke.

There was no reason for any change, so it was only natural. This morning, Takane-san and I were seen together, but I didn’t think Asatani-san would mind that.

–I couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe.

I wondered what Asatani-san felt when she saw me getting close to another girl the next day after being dumped.

“It was just a small errand, don’t worry about it. You’ve been busy, haven’t you Nagi-kun?”

As far as that text was concerned, Asatani-san was the same as usual.

She was not the kind of person who cared about her ‘friend’ walking around with other girls. At the very least, that was the Asatani-san I knew.

(…… What the h**l do I know? I don’t know anything about her. That’s why I’m in this situation.)

Even now, I was just waiting for her to get up from her seat to talk to me.

I couldn’t even try to talk to her in front of everyone in the classroom.

Asatani-san and I were much more distant than friends. The fact that she said I was her ‘friend’ probably brought us closer.

It was just self-deprecation. Rather than stand there and make things awkward when those girls notice my presence, I should pretend to do something and wait for some time outside.

Just as I was about to turn on my heel…

A tall female student, Takane-san, came into the classroom, walked past me and approached Asatani-san and the others.

“Oh, Takane-san. I’m sorry, Are you ready for the next Communal English?”

It was Asatani-san who spoke to her. Asatani-san, who was seated, looked up and faced Takane-san.

“I don’t have a presentation, but I’ve been doing some prep work. Would you like to see my notes?”

“Ahh… I….”

Yamaguchi-san seemed to think that Takane-san had heard what she had said earlier and she didn’t feel comfortable asking the person she had been gossiping about to show her notes.

“I’d like to take a seat too, so can I ask you to see my notes at your seat?”

“Uh, yeah… Sorry, Takane-san. Thanks.”

Yamaguchi-san and the other girl, Inagawa-san, received Takane-san’s notebook and went back to their seats.

Takane-san tried to go back to her seat, but she was called out.

“Hey, Takane-san. What’s your favorite drink?”

Asatani-san asked a question that was completely unexpected. Even if it was small talk, it seemed like an abrupt turn of events.

“…… If I have to say, I think I like black tea.”

“Hahaha… You’re so serious when it comes to your preference, Takane-san.”

Listening to the conversation between Asatani-san and Takane-san, the two beautiful girls were about to make plans to go out for tea. That was how my classmates interpreted it.

I wanted to get on board with that interpretation. But from where I stood, I didn’t think that was the case.

“What kind of drinks do you like, Asatani-san?”

Asatani-san had once mentioned on social media that she drank water before going to bed. This was one of the ways that models and actresses often did to keep their bodies in shape.

She didn’t drink any kind of juice, tea, or other beverages on a regular basis.

–No. She’s not supposed to.

“I like coffee a lot.”

I rarely drank coffee because it made it hard to sleep. Asatani-san had once said so.

(Does that mean you like it just because it makes you hard to fall asleep? Is there a purpose to the sudden mention of drinks itself?)

I couldn’t just stand there and listen. However, Asatani-san got up from my seat before I could leave the room.

“Thank you for lending Sayu-chan your notebook. Takane-san, let’s do the fitness test together tomorrow. I want to talk to you more.”

“I understand. I look forward to tomorrow.”

After happily responding to Takane-san’s answer, Asatani-san returned to her seat, which was the one at the front of the hallway. There was no need for her to come close towards me who was standing at the back of the classroom.

But she walked up to me and said,

“I’m sorry. I borrowed your seat.”

“No… That’s totally…”

(Don’t worry about it or something like that. Why can’t I say anything calmly at all? Why do I keep regressing instead of growing in front of Asatani-san like this?)

Not knowing what I was thinking, Asatani-san passed by me and said in a whisper,

“Nagi-kun, your chair was very comfortable.”

“……”

I was trying not to be conscious of it, but now, there was no way I could be anything but conscious.

“Hey, didn’t Asatani-san just call Senda something else?”

“Well… she probably has a nickname for him. They were from the same middle school.”

I heard a voice say, and I realized it too late. It was not good to be called by a nickname in front of everyone. Even Asatani-san used to say ‘Senda-kun’ in public.

“…………”

Takane-san was looking at me. Her gaze was not cold, but it was the kind that made you uncomfortable when you were being watched.

After she took her seat, I went to my own seat. I casually reached into my desk to prepare for class – there was a folded piece of paper in there.

“Do you like your new seat? If Watanabe-san has trouble seeing the blackboard, please help her if you can. She’s a quiet girl, so she might be reserved about such things.”

She told me in a note, maybe this was what she called me about?

As a petite girl, Watanabe-san seemed to have difficulty seeing the board in front of the class. That was probably the reason why she wanted to talk to Takane-san who sat right in front of her.

“……”

As I looked diagonally in front of me to see if I could talk to Takane-san, our eyes met.

Before I could speak to her, she turned her head forward. In the meantime, the bell rang, and I completely missed my chance to speak to her.

And I couldn’t talk to Takane-san during the next break either, so I had to pin my hopes on after school.

I never thought I’d be sitting this closely from her and wishing so much that I could contact her on my phone. I felt bad that I had to watch Takane-san’s back, who had stopped looking back at all. It was frustrating how slowly each minute went by.