Kurusu-san Who Does Not Speak, is Full of Love in Her Heart Volume 3 Chapter 2

Chapter 2: My Friend's Sense of Distance is Bugged 2

Regarding the Matter of Their Strange Distance


"Doesn't it feel a bit chilly?"

With the long holiday just around the corner, the gentle warmth of spring is gradually shifting into a climate where one might start to sweat slightly.

Despite the nice weather, Suzune, sitting beside me, suddenly said that.

...I don’t think it’s that cold, though.

The meeting spot is always in the shade—pretty cold in winter, but not to the extent that you'd need a school uniform jacket in summer.

If anything, it feels just right, almost like a summer retreat for me.

I tilted my head and listened to the voice in her heart.

(...How)

I thought I heard something faintly, but unfortunately, I couldn’t grasp the intent.

"Uh... is it really that cold today?"

"Well, for me, yeah?"

Suzune gave a vague smile and scratched her cheek with her index finger.

Up until a little while ago, I could hear her inner thoughts, but ever since that day, they haven't been coming through as much.

Unlike Hinamori, who expresses herself more, Suzune’s voice is harder to hear.

So, I can’t help but worry—is she holding something in again?—but at least for now, she doesn’t seem that way.

If anything, she’s been brighter lately. That cold, irritable aura from before is gone.

Well... if I start hearing her inner voice again, I’ll just do what I can.

That aside... seeing her with a refreshed expression is a welcome change.

Back in middle school, she was so prickly.

I recalled that and let out a wry smile.

"What’s with that smirk?"

"Nah, I was just thinking... You used to be like a hedgehog, but you’ve really softened up."

"Well, that's because someone changed me. Both in body and mind..."

"Hey, the way you said that could be seriously misleading."

"But it’s the truth, isn’t it?"

"Mentally, maybe. But physically... that’s a stretch, isn’t it?"

"Hmmm..."

When I questioned her, she gave me a long, deadpan stare.

That kind of look makes me anxious... Did I actually do something?

Even when I think back, I have no clue.

But her gaze tells me something happened.

"Look, here."

Saying that, Suzune casually brushed her hair aside.

Then, with a mischievous expression, she smiled like a child who had just pulled off a prank.

"You're totally panicking. I used to have long hair, but I cut it, right?"

"You were talking about your hair!? Don’t say it in such a misleading way!"

"Hair is a part of the body, so I’m not wrong, am I?"

"...Well, technically, yeah."

"Oh? Ritsu, were you imagining something else~?"

"Tch. You’re blatantly trying to provoke me..."

"Ahaha!"

Suzune laughed heartily and playfully smacked my shoulder.

"I cut my hair because I wanted a fresh start, though."

"A fresh start, huh? Like a high school debut kind of thing?"

"I had a breakup."

"Pfft!?"

I nearly spit out my breath, and she grinned at me again.

...She’s not even trying to hide it.

Being on the receiving end of affection is nice and all, but...

When someone comes at me this directly, it’s seriously bad for my heart.

"So, what do you think was the real reason I said it was cold?"

Suzune kept pushing, firing the question at me.

When I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, our gazes met. She stared straight at me, as if waiting for something.

"Ahaha, sorry, but I don’t have a jacket to lend you."

"............Hmm."

"What? What’s with that look?"

"Nothing~. I was just thinking about something."

"Thinking about what?"

"Well... (If that's how you're going to play it, I don’t mind.)"

With that, Suzune pressed her body right up against my shoulder.

"Uh, um... Suzune?"

"I figured I'd warm up this way since I'm cold."

"Wait, can you even get warmer like that?"

"Oh? Are you saying we should get even closer?"

"That’s not what I—"

"Ritsu, you’re such a perv."

"Haaah... Seriously."

With that usual smug smile, she was clearly having way too much fun messing with me.

(I-Is this okay…? My face isn’t red, right? Stay calm… just stay calm…)

…Huh?

Did I just hear something?

I turned to look at Suzune again.

She still looked as composed as ever, but…

(…Stay calm, stay calm. If he notices I’m flustered, I’ll die of embarrassment!)

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle.

Her inner emotions were completely exposed to me.

She was trying so hard not to let it show, but because of that, the contrast between what I saw and what I heard made it hit even harder.

"Hm? What’s wrong, Ritsu? Your face is kinda red."

"…Nothing. But, uh, don’t you think you’re sticking a little too close?"

"Come on, come on. Humans naturally crave warmth sometimes, you know? Just being like this helps me relax."

"Relax, huh…? Can’t say it’s having the same effect on me…"

"Ahaha! You’re just too aware of it!"

"Can you blame me…?"

"But don’t you think spending time like this isn’t so bad? Just take a deep breath and listen. It’s surprisingly refreshing. Try it—you might be surprised."

Following her suggestion, I took a deep breath.

Closing my eyes, I heard nothing but the faint rustling of leaves.

Even her inner voice was silent, making this a rare moment of true quiet for me.

This place was naturally peaceful, but more than that, the absence of voices in my head made it feel even more still.

Instead, I could clearly feel the warmth coming from her.

"…Yeah, I guess you’re right. It’s not bad."

"See? Ritsu, you’ve got this old-man vibe sometimes, so this suits you perfectly~"

"That was one word too many."

We both fell silent, gazing up at the sky.

After a moment, Suzune spoke up again.

"Oh yeah, Ritsu, you’re pretty good at cooking, right?"

"Well, yeah. I’d say I’m decent. I cook for myself all the time."

"I see. Then, I have a favor to ask."

"If it’s something I can do, sure."

"Thanks."

Suzune leaned in slightly, peering into my face.

"Then… would you try the bento I make next time?"

"Wait, Suzune, you can cook?"

"What? You think I can't?"

"Whoa, your glare is intense! L-Look, it’s just that you usually eat store-bought bread instead of a bento, right? So I just assumed you didn’t really cook…"

"…………"

She stared at me in silence, her unspoken pressure making me break into an awkward smile.

Seeing my reaction, Suzune sighed, puffing out her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

"I actually have quite a bit of confidence in my cooking, you know? Is that really how you see me~?"

"Alright, alright, my bad. But when did you even practice cooking?"

"Well, I figured it’d be necessary in the future, so I’ve been practicing. My parents are busy with work, so I end up doing most of the housework."

"I see. That makes sense."

"Right? Plus, I wanted to get better at cooking, so I studied quite a bit."

"Huh~. So maybe you wanted to be able to cook for your future husband or something?"

Since she’d been teasing me this whole time, I thought I’d finally get one back at her with that comment.

I was expecting her to brush it off, but…

Suzune’s face turned bright red, as if steam might start rising from her head.

"W-Wait, no, that’s not it!"

"Oh? Hit the mark, did I?"

"N-No, it’s just… You know, doesn’t the idea of a warm, homey atmosphere sound nice? Like serving a meal to your husband and seeing him smile happily…?"

"…Suzune, you actually have a pretty cute dream, huh?"

"Ahhh, shut up! What’s wrong with that!?"

"Ow, stop poking my side."

She kept jabbing me in the ribs to hide her embarrassment.

I’d never seen her like this before, and honestly, it was kind of adorable.

After clearing her throat, Suzune pressed a finger against my chest.

"Anyway! Just try my cooking next time, okay? I’ll make something so good your cheeks will melt."

"Well, if you’re offering, I won’t say no… but are you sure?"

"I don’t like being underestimated, and besides, I want to do this, so it’s fine. If you want, I could even give you a massage or whatever else you need."

"You sound like you’re training to turn someone into a total slob in the future."

"Huh? How’s that?"

"I mean, you’d probably end up doing everything for them. Like, if I asked you to wake me up every morning, you’d probably do it, right?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, don’t you want to do everything you can for the person you love?"

"…Huh?"

The moment I echoed her words back at her, Suzune’s face turned crimson. She immediately clapped a hand over her mouth.

At the same time, her thoughts came pouring out.

(I just blew it. I haven’t even properly confessed my feelings yet… This is way too soon! But I don’t know anything about love tactics—ugh, seriously! I should’ve learned from Sakura first. What do I do if he starts avoiding me because of this…?)

Regret and panic radiated from her, along with a clear sense of affection.

I couldn’t deny that hearing it made me happy.

But at the same time, I felt unsure.

…The worst thing I could do now was make things awkward.

That was the last thing Suzune wanted, too.

So, my best move here was—

"…Huh? Did you say something just now?"

—To play dumb like some clueless protagonist.

If she let it slide, then everything would stay normal.

That was my plan.

I glanced at Suzune, waiting for her reaction.

But instead of letting it go, she puffed up her cheeks in frustration—then suddenly reached out and pulled on both of mine.

"We’re this close and you expect me to believe you didn’t hear that!? Pretending you didn’t only makes it worse!!"

"Ow—thath hurth!"

"Argh! I’m such an idiot!"

She let go of my cheeks, then smacked her own face twice with her hands.

Slap slap.

With a deep breath, she seemed to shake off her hesitation.

"You know what? I was overthinking it. I don’t need to tiptoe around this. More than anything, I forgot something important—I can’t back down with you. That never works."

She grabbed my shoulders, locking eyes with me.

I tried to turn away, but she cupped my face, making escape impossible.

"If you don’t like it, then push me away with all your strength. But just so you know, I’ll completely ignore it."

"…Doesn’t that make the whole thing pointless?"

"Wow, quick on the uptake. Exactly. No matter how much you try, you won’t get away. Never underestimate a determined girl."

She stuck out her tongue, her eyes gleaming with a challenge.

"I don’t know why you think things have to go the way you want, but just so you know—you shouldn’t expect me to play along. If anything, I will defy those expectations."

Her expression was brimming with confidence.

(If he tries to run, I’ll just hold on even tighter!!)

Even her inner thoughts were crystal clear this time.

"You’re really something else."

"Ahaha! Of course I am. Anyway, I’m borrowing your shoulder until it’s time to go. Thanks in advance~."

With that, Suzune rested her head against me.

I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye.

Our gazes met.

She chuckled.

…Honestly, I felt like she had me wrapped around her finger.

But strangely enough, thanks to her pushy yet sincere nature—

The fog in my heart had finally cleared.

*

After School.

Rurina and I were studying together.

Originally, the plan was for the three of us, but Suzune had something to do and went home early.

That left just me and Rurina, quietly scribbling away at our notebooks.

We weren’t chatting, so aside from the sound of writing, the room was silent.

The only voice I could hear from her mind was something like, "Hmm… this problem is tricky…"

Well, of course, I was the only one who could hear that. From an outsider’s perspective, this was probably the ideal study environment.

But for some reason, I found it surprisingly hard to focus.

I set my pen down and spoke to her.

"Hey, Rurina."

【What? (…He looks curious.)】

"Is there a reason we have to sit next to each other?"

At that, Rurina tilted her head and glanced around.

Then, she held up a small whiteboard with a simple message:

【I’m not bothering anyone.】

Well, that was true… but—

For some reason, today, she wasn’t sitting across from me like usual—she had taken the seat right next to me.

Our elbows would sometimes bump, and honestly, it was kind of hard to write like this. But apparently, she preferred it.

Even if I tried to shift away a little, she would scoot right back next to me.

…Her sense of personal space was definitely broken.

But then again, that was nothing new.

"By the way, you’ve been getting better at interacting with the class lately."

【Thanks to you.】

"Nah, nah. No matter how it started, you’re the one who put in the effort."

【Thanks to you. (…A good start is important.)】

"Don’t be so modest. Advice is only useful if the person acts on it. In the end, the one who put in the work deserves the credit."

【You. (I wouldn’t have done it alone.)】

"Rurina, come on."

We both fell silent.

…What was this? Some kind of weird politeness contest?

"Anyway, I’m glad to see all your hard work paying off."

【A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. (There’s still a long way to go… I’ve got a lot to do.)】

"Make sure you take breaks, alright?"

【You too. (You’re one to talk.)】

"Well, fair enough. But I’ve got more stamina than you."

【For now. (Hehe, take that~ …Just kidding.)】

"You’re way more expressive around me now."

Her triumphant little smile was honestly kind of cute.

Considering how she used to always have a sharp gaze and an unreadable expression, this change made me unexpectedly happy.

“…Now, if you can do this anywhere, it’ll be perfect.”

"Alright, shall we continue studying?"

I picked up my pen and opened my notebook, trying to focus on my studies.

Just as I was about to begin, Rurina suddenly rested her head on my shoulder—then slowly shifted down to my chest.

"Uh… Rurina?"

【Physical contact is important. (Hinamori-san understands that, so… no irregularities in my pulse… and besides—)】

"Wait, am I… being given a health check or something…?"

Despite my confusion, Rurina showed no particular concern. Her expression remained as usual.

She was probably acting based on some kind of thought process.

She started speaking rather quickly, so I couldn't quite catch what she was saying.

Hinamori tends to have a loud voice, making her easier to understand, but Rurina today was speaking in a small voice and even faster than usual, making it hard to hear.

If she were expressing some overflowing emotion, I might be able to hear her clearly, but…

I glanced at Rurina.

For some reason, she was pressing on her own wrist.

(…Ninety? Ritsu’s might be higher and faster than mine?)

“H-Hey, if it’s a health check, I don’t really need one. I’ve been taking care of myself lately…”

(…No change in me…? If I get even closer, will it change?)

"Hey… are you listening?"

【Be quiet.】

"Ah, okay…"

(Yeah… Listening to Ritsu’s heartbeat like this makes me feel at ease.)

Rurina pressed her face against my chest and closed her eyes.

No matter how you looked at it, the distance between us made it seem like we were a couple being affectionate.

But from what she was saying, it seemed like she was simply listening to my heartbeat.

I had no idea what her true intention was.

Still, she had fallen asleep from exhaustion before, so maybe this was just her way of being mindful of health.

Well, either way…

Having someone listen to my heartbeat like this is seriously embarrassing…

There’s no way I can stay calm with her this close. And even if I try to relax, her warmth and softness keep shaking my heart.

Trying to calm myself down, I spoke to Rurina once more.

“For now, Rurina… can you at least tell me the reason?”

At my question, Rurina hesitated for a moment before showing me her tablet screen.

【I want to confirm something. (…Hinamori-san told me. I still don’t understand, but….)】

“You want to confirm something… huh.”

…Hinamori told her?

Hearing that makes me a little uneasy.

She must have talked to her about something and reached this conclusion.

Maybe it was something like, "Ritsu hasn’t been looking well lately. What should I do?"

If that were the case, then it would make sense why she’s trying to check my pulse.

But still, having her stick this close to me is making my heart race.

"Can you let go soon?"

【No way! (…I want to stay like this.)】

"Wow, that’s a strong rejection. You don’t have to cling so tightly…"

As I sighed and said that, Rurina lifted her face and stared at me.

(…Lately, you’ve been getting along with Suzune. That makes me happy, but… is it selfish of me to want the same?)

I suddenly heard Rurina’s inner thoughts.

Hearing such a lonely-sounding whisper, combined with her looking up at me like that…

“…Alright. Stay like this as long as you want.”

There was no way I could refuse.

At my words, Rurina smiled happily and showed me her tablet with a simple 【Thank you】.

The position was awkward and a bit uncomfortable, but she seemed to be in a really good mood.

…Can’t we do something about this lack of personal space?

I let out a small, amused sigh and decided to continue studying as best as I could despite the situation.


About thirty minutes passed since Rurina clung to me.

She rubbed her eyes a few times and repeatedly opened and closed her hands.

Then, she let out a small, adorable yawn.

"Are you sleepy?"

【No problem. (…Even though I finally get to be with Ritsu, I’m starting to feel sleepy….)】

“No, no, it looks like a huge problem to me? Besides, you’ve been pushing yourself a lot, so it’s only natural to get tired.”

【You too, Ritsu. (…I really don’t have much stamina, huh.)】

“Well, yeah. But in my case, I’m used to it, so I’m still fine for now.”

【Really? (…But Ritsu always overdoes it, so I get worried. That’s why I have to stay awake too, but….)】

"Well, when people get warm, they naturally get sleepy. If you want to shake off the drowsiness, standing up and stretching might help."

(…No. Even if I’m sleepy, I want to stay like this.)

"You're shaking your head way too strongly…"

Rurina was acting tough, but it was obvious that she was already at her limit.

Still, even after my suggestion, she showed no intention of moving. If anything, she pressed even closer to me.

The warmth coming from her made my heartbeat quicken.

This closeness was probably a sign of how much she trusted me, but… she’s been getting closer day by day, and that worries me.

"You can sleep if you want."

【No. (…I don’t want to sleep.)】

"You're struggling to even write, aren’t you?"

【Still…】

"Don't try to convey everything with a single character. No one but me would understand that."

(…Only Ritsu understands… that makes me happy.)

As we kept exchanging words, she began nodding off, her body gradually giving in and leaning against me.

Even though she was thin, her surprisingly well-proportioned frame carried a softness that made my heart race.

【Just a little. (…I'll lie down for a bit…)】

"Hey, wait. That’s a death flag."

【Just a little. (…I’ll borrow your chest. Ritsu is bigger than me, so it seems just right… and your heartbeat is really comforting….)】

That’s not solving anything, is it!?

I screamed in my head, but Rurina kept shifting, adjusting herself to lean fully against my chest.

It was almost like the posture of lovers embracing each other.

"This is… I mean… I’m still a guy, you know…?"

(If it’s Ritsu… it’s fine. It’s okay.)

“No, no, it’s not fine. There are a lot of problems with this—”

Suu… suu…

A soft, adorable sleeping breath reached my ears.

She must’ve fallen asleep instantly. I was left utterly speechless, unable to even react.

Before I even realized it, I had instinctively responded to her…

Even though she wasn’t looking at her tablet.

I glanced at Rurina’s face.

She looked completely at peace, her expression innocent and relaxed.

“…Haha. Every time we meet, one of us always ends up falling asleep, huh?”

That thought made me chuckle.

Maybe that’s just how comfortable we felt around each other.

We both let our guard down too much.

I let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling.

…Spare a thought for the one who has to endure this.

Of course, my silent plea went unheard, as Rurina remained fast asleep.

Feeling the weight of her body against me, I lowered my gaze—where a faint, sweet scent drifted into my nose, tickling my senses.

Her soft, rhythmic breathing remained as adorable as ever, and every now and then, she would shift slightly, making it incredibly ticklish. Every time I looked at her, my heart skipped a beat.

Seriously… just stay still.

I tried to calm myself down, but my racing heartbeat showed no signs of settling.

She had been listening to my heartbeat this whole time—she must have noticed just how fast it was.

Rurina had always been physically close, but she had never clung to me this much before.

On top of that, our current position was… dangerously intimate, to say the least.

The moment I became aware of it, the warmth and softness I felt from her sent waves through my emotions.

“What should I do…”

…It was currently around six o’clock.

The final school departure time was at eight, meaning that if I didn’t do something, I could be stuck like this for another two hours.

If my sister found us like this, I’d definitely get scolded, and if other students saw us… that would be a disaster.

"I guess I should wake her up. I’d feel bad, but… huh?"

When I looked at Rurina’s face, I noticed faint dark circles under her eyes.

…She’s just like me in this way.

Whenever she has a goal in mind, she pushes herself to the limit, ignoring her own health.

But humans can’t keep that up forever—eventually, their bodies will start to break down.

And when that happens, they’ll end up like Rurina now, with no energy left to fight off sleep.

I knew that feeling all too well.

After all, that was the first time we really talked… back then.

It’s hard to believe it’s only been a few months since then.

“…Well, I guess I’ll just stay like this. Time to clear my mind.”

Muttering to myself, I glanced at her peaceful, sleeping face.

She was completely defenseless, so close that if I so much as moved my hand, I could touch her.

That’s why I forced myself to empty my thoughts—to avoid even thinking about it.

"Well, good work today."

With that, I gently placed a towel over Rurina’s body.


Needless to say, when she woke up later, she was adamant about 【I’ll repay you next time!】 and refused to back down.



Two of a Kind


"That, I'll file it later, so please leave it there."

One afternoon after school.

As usual, after helping the teacher, I spotted Hinamori in the middle of student council work. Naturally, I ended up helping her with her tasks.

What we were mainly doing was reviewing and summarizing the reports submitted by various clubs and committees.

However, the sheer volume of documents meant it was taking quite a bit of time to process.

Normally, this should be handled by several people, but for some reason, it was just the two of us—Hinamori and me.

"Hey, aren't the other student council members coming?"

"They're not coming. It's just me."

"I see. You always seem to handle these tedious tasks."

"That's right. Well, it's faster if I do it myself, and these kinds of things are the job of the underlings. (Since I do everything perfectly, that makes me amazing. And handling even the unpleasant tasks without complaining scores me some major points! Stepping up to do the tough jobs... that just makes me a good person!)"

She really is calculating.

Her mind is as lively as ever.

Well, I have to respect the effort she puts in to make all that calculation work in her favor…

I let out a deep sigh in front of the growing pile of papers.

"Kaburagi-san, sighing makes happiness escape, you know?"

"Moderate sighing actually helps reduce stress. Don’t tell me you didn’t know that, Hinamori?"

"O-Of course I knew that!! (I totally didn’t...)”

"Oh?"

"Ugh, that look—you're doubting me, aren't you?! As if I wouldn’t know something like that! That reaction just now was me testing you to see if you were knowledgeable, Kaburagi-san."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Mmm~ (He's totally looking down on me... Maybe I should act all serious and competent with my work to show him how capable I am... Or should I just pout and sulk? Or maybe even go full-on cute and clingy…? Hmm, decisions, decisions. Well, for now, let’s go with the classic ‘stare attack.’)"

With that thought, Hinamori puffed out her cheeks adorably and stared at me.

She was even throwing in a slight upward glance—clearly a calculated move.

She really never misses an opportunity.

Still, I have to admit, her unwavering determination is impressive.

I ignored Hinamori’s gaze and continued working on my own pile of documents.

Even as I organized the stacks of paper, the end was nowhere in sight.

"Hinamori—"

"What is it?"

"This is quite a lot. Wouldn't it have been better to get some help?"

When I said that, Hinamori shrugged and replied, "You just don’t get it~."

"I don’t get it?"

"Exactly. Changing something that’s become the norm is difficult. If I didn’t do it, I’d just end up being blamed, and the atmosphere would turn awkward—it’s easy to imagine."

"…I see. You’ve got it tough, huh."

"Right? But, well, today’s actually kinda fun."

"That’s because you’ve got someone to talk to today—me."

"Hehe, exactly! Since our kind-hearted guest has come to help, I’m really saved~!"

She looked at me and smiled—a carefully calculated, captivating smile.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, as if… as if she had feelings for me.

(...Hmm. As expected, this doesn’t work on me. But precisely because he’s such a tough opponent, it fires me up!!)

If I couldn’t hear her inner thoughts, I probably would’ve been completely taken in by that expression.

...She’s as lively as ever, seriously.

"So, Kaburagi-san, why did you come to help?"

"I just happened to be passing by."

"No, no~. That timing was way too perfect."

"……"

"Silence is as good as confirmation, huh? (Fufufu~! You can’t fool my eyes! I’ve already figured out your behavior patterns, Kaburagi-san!)"

Seeing my reaction, Hinamori gave a triumphant grin.

I thought I had walked by as naturally as possible... but realizing she had noticed was honestly embarrassing.

"Well, think of it as a thank-you. …Hinamori, thanks for everything."

"Eh, uh… (Why the sudden gratitude?? Don’t tell me… is this his dere phase!?!? Could this be the result of my efforts paying off~!?)"

"……"

"Kaburagi-san? Could you not suddenly go silent? (Why do I feel like he’s looking at me like I’m some kind of weirdo…? No, no, it must be my imagination! He’s definitely just flustered by my cuteness!)"

"Ah, sorry. Just had something on my mind."

"I see? If something’s bothering you, it’s better to let it out, you know? (…This gentle and caring aura… fufufu.)"

"Haha…"

She’s really on a roll today.

Seriously, if I took her reactions at face value, I’d probably fall into a trap.

At this rate, I’d just get swept up in her pace, so before that happened, I needed to say it properly.

With a wry smile, I looked at Hinamori.

"Look, you’ve been looking out for us in a lot of ways lately, haven’t you? Like coming to check on Suzune in the mornings and all."

"Ah… so you noticed that, huh. (Uwah. He really picked up on it…)"

"That's why I wanted to thank you for that."

When I said that, Hinamori furrowed her brows.

She gave a somewhat awkward, wry smile.

"Not satisfied with that answer?"

"No, it's just... how should I put it? It's not really something worth being praised for. So there's no need for you to thank me."

"Is that so? I think if the person on the receiving end feels grateful, then it's only right to say it."

"Hehe. You're so serious. So serious that you might be overthinking things."

Hinamori said teasingly, her tone playful.

I sighed at her response.

"Kaburagi-san, you're the kind of person who can't ignore someone in trouble, aren't you?"

"Where'd that come from all of a sudden...?"

"I just wanted to make it clear that I’m different."

"Different?"

"I figured you already knew, but everything I do is calculated. It’s nothing more than actions to protect my own reputation."

"I see."

"Yes. So, since you’re already aware of that, there’s no need for you to say anything. Just think, ‘Wow, there she goes again, earning points for herself.’ That should be enough."

"...In that case, I want to thank you even more."

When I said that, Hinamori gave me an exasperated look.

Then, she stared at me with a deadpan expression.

"...Were you even listening to me?"

"I get that your personality leans in a weird direction. But not everything you do is purely calculated, right? At the very least, worrying about Rurina and Suzune, checking on them in secret—that's different. I can tell that running into you outside that morning wasn’t just a coincidence either."

"……"

"I just think you’re not used to accepting compliments, so you act all twisted about it instead. Am I wrong?"

"Kaburagi-san, you always do this. (…Why does he see through everything...? Ugh, this is so embarrassing. And just when I thought I had the upper hand, he completely turned the tables on me!!)"

Not that I was trying to one-up her or anything...

I really just wanted to thank her.

But, man, she looks seriously frustrated.

"...Alright, then. I’ll call this even. But I haven’t lost yet."

"What even is this competition?"

"It’s a battle for my pride and dignity."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Hey! That was way too dismissive!"

Hinamori pouted, looking at me in dissatisfaction.

Ignoring her gaze, I continued with my work.

(...Ignoring me is pretty cruel, don’t you think? I’m looking right at you!)

But since she was practically screaming ‘Look at me!’ in her head, I gave up and turned my gaze toward her.

"Finally, you’re looking at me."

"You were sulking like a kid who wanted attention."

"Hmph. Whatever... Oh, right, I had something I wanted to say to you, Kaburagi-san."

"Something you wanted to say?"

"That's right! How should I put this… Kaburagi-san, I think you should be a little more mindful of your own actions."

"My actions? I don’t think I’m doing anything that problematic."

"Not realizing it is a serious issue. The way you interact with people, the way you unconsciously raise flags—if you keep this up, one day you’re going to get stabbed in a dark alley."

"Don’t say scary things like that…"

"It’s the truth~. Girls are weak to hero or prince-like figures, and if they get too obsessed, it’s terrifying."

"I see…"

"So, I really think you should stop being such a good person."

"I don’t intend to be one. Besides, being a good person is just a vague label that depends on who’s looking. Everything I do is ultimately just self-righteousness and self-satisfaction."

Hinamori let out a small "Ehh…" and made a slightly put-off expression.

She gave me a deadpan look, clearly exasperated.

"Sigh... Kaburagi-san, you’re actually pretty twisted, aren’t you?"

"No way, you’ve got me beat there."

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Congrats. Isn’t this your first victory?"

"That doesn’t make me happy at all~."

"Haha. Well, anyway, I’ll take your advice to heart."

"Is that so? Then I suppose that’s good…"

"Though just because I take it, doesn’t mean I’ll change anything."

"Ehh…"

Hinamori looked at me with a mix of disappointment and frustration.

Then, as if she wanted to voice her complaints, she poked me in the chest a few times.

The way she was trying to get me to listen, like a child seeking attention, made me chuckle—causing her to pout in irritation.

"Hey, don’t get mad."

"…I’m not mad, though?"

"That’s exactly how someone who is mad would act… Then let me ask you this—do you think you could easily change the way you live now?"

"Hmm. Well… Now that you mention it, I can’t really picture it."

"Same here. That’s why I can’t just change easily—it’s just how I am."

A voice in the heart is a voice of conviction.

If someone cries out for help in their heart, it often turns into a loud voice—one that I inevitably pick up.

Amidst the countless murmurs of inner thoughts, such a loud sound always stands out clearly.

And once I hear it, I can’t just ignore it. The result? The same as always.

I’m only doing this for my own peace of mind.

Perhaps realizing that further argument was pointless, Hinamori sighed, saying, “Well, it can’t be helped.”

She still gave me a look that suggested she had more to say, but all I could do was give her a wry smile in response.

“Well, I’ve given my warning. If I ever get interviewed about it, I’ll say, ‘I always knew this would happen.’”

“I’ll be careful so it doesn’t.”

“Please do.”

Hinamori tapped a stack of papers against the desk to align them, then placed them in front of me.

“By the way, you never bother putting on a façade around me, do you?”

“Hmm. I suppose you could call it a shift in approach. But only for you. (Of course, my ‘You’re the only special one’ strategy is still in full effect!)”

“You’re really consistent in that.”

“Obviously. If I suddenly started acting like this around everyone, people would be completely baffled. I can’t afford to shatter my image as the pure, innocent, angelic goddess they all adore.”

“So you are being considerate.”

“Of course I am. I mean, is there anyone who isn’t?”

“There probably are. The type of people who are accepted no matter what they do.”

“Oh, come on~. That’s just because they don’t realize it. You should know that better than anyone.”

When I fell silent, Hinamori chuckled softly.

“No matter how well-liked someone is, no matter how highly they’re regarded, there will always be people who don’t think well of them. People can’t help but feel jealousy.”

After saying that, she turned toward the window and let out a quiet sigh.

The way she spoke, it was clear she had experienced it countless times before.

The faint smile on her face was somehow striking—almost sorrowful.

"So, the only thing I can do myself is to make such negative opinions an overwhelming minority."

"You’ve got a lot going on, huh…? I guess I should reassess my opinion of you, Hinamori—"

"Well, of course! It feels great to receive praise as a result of my actions. Having more people admire and praise me is the best! So, I’ll do my best to increase my fanbase! (Being called beautiful by everyone and receiving envious gazes is truly a delight~ Guhehe.)"

"Hey, give me back that fleeting moment of sympathy I just had for you."

Seriously, she’s just a villain completely consumed by greed.

And besides, she’s basically saying most of her inner thoughts out loud.

"Anyway, back to the topic... For now, don’t be too kind to everyone. Prioritize thinking, ‘My girlfriend comes first!’ Okay?? (If something happens, it’ll be too late… I really worry about you.)"

There was a hint of anger in her voice, but mixed within it was genuine concern for me.

That was her kindness—probably something similar to the part of me that can’t just ignore people in need.

"Got it. Thanks for worrying about me. It really helps that you’re looking out for me."

I thanked her honestly and gave her a smile.

For some reason, she puffed up her cheeks in dissatisfaction.

Then, she suddenly pointed her index finger sharply at me.

"Even if you’re trying to raise your favorability like this, I won’t fall for it that easily!"

"No, that’s not my intention. But with that reaction, people are definitely going to call you easy, you know?"

"What’s that supposed to mean?! A-anyway! I will absolutely never be part of Kaburagi’s harem! That is an absolute no!"

"Kaburagi’s harem? Seriously…?"

"Don’t think you can understand me that easily! A maiden’s heart is deeper and more complex than the ocean! Kaburagi-san, you’re still too naive!!"

"H-hey! Where are you going, leaving the documents here?"

"Just going for a little walk! The weather is nice, after all."

"No, the sun’s already set..."

"I’m observing the streetlights!!"

Hinamori made that mysterious rebuttal and left the classroom.

Left alone, I continued working.

Her liveliness somehow made me feel a little more energized.



Chapter 2 END