CH 5

Episode 5 – Rumor and Truth

Translator: Hayashi

Editor: Ryubii

Today was another bad day for me.

The number of morons in the class has increased because there were more people who joined them. The fact that the class standard has become too low to even consider this a senior high class made me feel disgusted.

I decided to ignore them, and when lunchtime came, I headed to the flowerbed early because I wanted to be alone.

As I tried to calm myself down in the flowerbed, I wondered if I should increase the frequency of watering now that it was getting hotter.

Why am I thinking such a thing when I’m not even in the gardening club, nor am I responsible for it?… I almost laughed at myself while thinking about it.

However… I passingly thought that I might be able to meet Satsukawa-senpai… whom I had parted ways with the other day. I was aware that I had been rude, so I wanted to apologize.

“Hello.”

When I arrived at the flower bed, Satsukawa-senpai was already watering the flowers.

The reflected sunlight that illuminated senpai made by the scattered water glittered, making me believe that she was truly a goddess.

I was so mesmerized that I became speechless.

“…”

“Takanashi-san? What’s the matter?”

I heard senpai calling my name.

I didn’t think she would remember my name…

It honestly made me happy.

But then, that question brought me back to reality.

“I’m sorry, I spaced out for a moment. Once again, it’s nice to meet you senpai.”

“Hello, what are you here for today?”

Today, I don’t feel any particular fear or coldness when I talk to her.

What was that about, the other day…?

Nevertheless, I guess it’s a good time for a conversation.

Accordingly, I decided to share with her what I had been worrying about earlier.

“Lately it’s been getting hotter, so I thought I’d come and see if I needed to increase the watering.”

“Indeed, that was the case. I was thinking the same exact thing.”

Senpai released her fingers from the grip of the hose, turned off the water and faced me.

Then she noticed the handbag I was holding.

“By the way, have you finished your lunch yet?”

“Ah, no, not yet.”

“Is that so? Then let me take care of the flowerbed for you. Please eat.”

“Sorry, I’ll excuse myself then.”

I sat down on the usual bench and took out the contents of the bag.

Is senpai in a good mood today?

Compared to the first time I met her and the last time I saw how strict she was, there seemed to be a considerable difference.

“If you don’t have enough to drink, you can drink from that plastic bottle. You’ll find disposable cups there…”

“Eh? Thank you very much!?”

“It’s no problem, enjoy your meal…”

I was surprised because I hadn’t expected her to say that.

When I looked at senior’s face, she wasn’t smiling… her expression was as expressionless as ever, but she wasn’t grumpy either.

To know that she was being nice to me, regardless of what it was, made me honestly happy.

After I finished eating, Senpai spoke to me as I began to settle down.

“Up until now, we’ve been watering the plants in shifts, but considering that it’s going to get hotter in the future, we might as well make a schedule.”

“Yes, that might be a good idea.”

As expected, senpai seemed to be thinking the same way.

As she was about to continue, senpai suddenly realized something and showed a slightly troubled expression… was probably only what I felt.

“My apologies, I should have confirmed this earlier, but… Takanashi-san is kind enough to take care of these children in the first place, right? Am I correct to assume that you will continue to provide assistance?”

I see, so that’s what she realized.

Certainly there were no set rules, and it’s up to me to decide whether or not to do it.

However, I already felt like this was one of the few places I belong in. And I don’t want to stop halfway through something that I’ve started.

And besides… it looked like senpai was honestly concerned for some reason.

“Of course. I started this on my own accord, so there’s no reason to stop.”

“Thank you very much. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Senpai bowed her head slightly.

The strictness she showed when talking to other people and the rumors I had heard about the “lonely goddess” made me think that she would be harder and more difficult to deal with.

But I guess rumors were just rumors.

Her demeanor was polite and she doesn’t appear that way.

If I speak to her, she will give a reply, speaking back to me.

“So, I’d like to continue this conversation… Basically, I’d like to have Takanashi-san and I take turns in watering the flowerbed. Is that okay with you?”

“I’m fine with that… but if you don’t mind, can I continue to come here during my lunch break?”

“I really don’t mind… but are you okay here?”

I came here because I wanted to stay out of the classroom as much as possible, and if possible, I would continue to do so.

I had not meant to say it in a particularly strange way, but senpai looked a little perplexed.

Why is that?

“As you probably noticed… if I do say so myself, I’m not a people person.”

So, I made such an excuse.

However, personally, I don’t see anything wrong with that.

To begin with, I just feel that way.

“To be honest, I don’t really want to stay in the classroom… but after coming here a few times, I feel like this place has somehow become my comfort zone.”

When I told her my true feelings, Senpai nodded, slightly convinced.

Looking at her closely, her face still looked blank, but her expression was also changed slightly…

“Is that so…? I understand that feeling a little too.”

Her reply was unexpected, but she agreed, so I guess it was okay.

“Yes. I will come at noon if I can, as I have done in the past. However, if both Takanashi-san and I can’t come, these children will be in trouble, so can we exchange contact information just in case?”

This was unexpected.

Certainly that’s a possibility, but to think that I’d be exchanging contact information with senpai…

“O-okay. Then, Senpai, is LINE okay?”

I chose to play it safe and picked the most popular free calling app.

I pulled my smartphone out of my pants pocket and launched LINE.

My barcode was shown, and senpai scanned it with her phone.

“… I’ve successfully registered your LINE account… how about you, Takanashi-san?”

“Yes, yours is registered here too.”

This was the first time I had exchanged contact information since entering this high school, and I honestly couldn’t believe it was with the goddess.

Senpai stared at her phone.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time I’ve registered a male contact on LINE… it feels a bit… strange.”

It seems that senpai was thinking of something similar.

For the time being, from the look on senpai’s face, I don’t think there’s any sign of a negative impression…

“Ah, was it a bad thing?”

“No, it’s not that. There are men around me, such as classmates and student council members, but the fact that you were the first man I registered, and not with any of them… it just felt a little strange.”

I see.

Certainly, for others, it would not have been surprising to exchange LINE.

However, if she didn’t exchange with any of them, and I was the first guy she registered in a unique situation… I guess she would have felt strange.

“In reality, I felt the same. I haven’t traded with any of my classmates since I entered this high school, so it’s strange that the vice president of the student council is my first one.”

When Senpai heard my statement, she looked a little uneasy… that’s what I seemed to have felt.

“That… isn’t anything bad, right?”

“Of course. I’m honestly happy. I’m sure I’ll send you a message other than contacting you.”

I tried to joke around a bit, but I felt like actually sending it.

“In the first place, it’s that kind of app, so… if there’s anything you want to talk about, please do.”

After receiving a socially acceptable reply from senpai, I heard the bell that signaled that lunch break was almost over.

“Ah, I need to hurry and finish this up…”

“Let me help you too.”

“Sorry and thank you for the help.”

I removed the sprinkler part and reeled in the hose.

Today we only had to water the plants, so the cleanup went quickly.

So we should be able to finish in time.

“Then, see you tomorrow.”

“Yes, thank you for your hard work.”

Despite that type of conversation, I was able to exchange LINE with senpai.

That made me a little happy, and I felt like I could get through this bad afternoon.