The new school year had begun, but there was nothing unusual about it.
It hadnāt been that long of a vacation to begin with. It was rare to see anything change. Well, as far I was concerned, there was so much going on recently that it seemed like a long time.
However, when I came into class, it was unusually lively inside. I pretended to be ignorant of the reason for the commotion, because I was involved in it, when someone called out to me.
[Hey hey, Tanaka]
[Hmm, whatās wrong?]
When I turned around, there was Kazuki Ichinose, the popular boy in my class.
[Do you know the rumors about Saito-san?]
[ā¦Yeah, well. Thatās because itās famous]
Yes, the rumor that was going around the class, or rather school, was a rumor about Saito. The rumor was that she apparently went to doĀ HatsumodeĀ with a man. Needless to say, the man was me.
I knew she was famous from the start, but in my mind, she was just a book lover. So when I heard the rumors, I realized once again how popular she was. At the same time, she seemed a bit distant, and I wondered if I could really like her. I felt a little uneasy.
I can understand why Ichinose, who loved to talk about such things, would make a fuss over a rumor, but what did it mean when he asked me if I knew? He often talks to me, and we talk to each other, but weāre not close enough to talk about these things.
I couldnāt help but give him a confused look at his strange behavior. He narrowed his shoulder at my gaze, and with a little spark in his eyes, he continued to talk in a quiet voice as if telling a secret.
[I thought that Saito-sanās partner is Tanaka, what do you think?]
[Eh!? ā¦What are you talking about?]
The words that came out from his mouth with a light tone was not something light at all, and I gulped. It was so sudden. And that was all I could do to not show my agitation.
I suppressed the urge to twitch and tightened my expression. I try to stay as calm as possible and act like I donāt care. I look at him to try and find out his intentions.
Then he grinned and moved closer to me.
[Well, there you have it. Just admit it]
The somewhat happy and excited face was strangely annoying.
[It wasnāt me. But why are you asking me that?]
[Eh? The schoolās number 1 beauty and famous Saito-sanās love talk, you have to hear about it. Sheās, well, sheās a little wary about the topic, so I thought Iād ask the rumored partner]
[I see. Well, itās not me]
I could understand what he was saying. But if I confessed about it, heād just make fun of me. In the first place, I already had someone to talk to, so there was no need.
[Why did you think it was me in the first place?]
[You might think youāre hiding it, but I saw you two together at the library before winter break. Actually, Tanaka is pretty close to Saito-san, right?]
āFufunā, he puffed somewhat proudly while presenting evidence.
[ā¦Just because of that, doesnāt mean we went toĀ HatsumodeĀ together]
I was surprised that he had seen me, but I knew heād find out at some point, and I canāt deny it. In fact, if I denied it, itāll make it more suspicious that the rumored one was me.
And I could guess there was no rumor about me because this guy hadnāt told anyone.
[Hmm, I guess thatās just my intuition after listening to a lot of different conversations over the years]
[I wouldnāt count on it at all. I stayed home all day that day]
[Eh? Donāt be so cautious. Iām still popular and I can give you relationship advice, you know?]
[What are you talking about? I donāt know who the one in the rumor is]
[Is that so? Well, if you need help, just let me know. Donāt worry, I wonāt tell anyone it was you]
The fact that he didnāt tell anyone Saito and I were together made me relieved, and I felt like I could trust his words.
Even when I denied it, he laughed without worrying about it, and shook his hand and left.
AN: We need more Saitoā¦(~Ļ~ļ¼)))
Translator here, and yes, I said I might put it this on hold, but might isnāt will soĀ ĀÆ_(ć)_/ĀÆ
Anyways, thanks for reading and give me feedback if you want anything changed.