Chapter 6: 6

 

Rumors

Friday was my first day of school in a long time.

 

Mai's fever has gone down and she is going to elementary school.

Last night she was sleeping with drool on her picture.

She must have had a lot of fun.

It was a picture of the three of us eating pudding around a chabudai (tea table), Shindo and Mai wearing dresses and I was in plain clothes. I have no objection.

 

Because I was absent from Monday to Thursday, this week was like a petit Golden Week.

 

If there were more of my best friends, there would be some kind of event, but unfortunately, even though there were acquaintances and schoolmates, there was only one person I know well, but we changed classes in the second year of school.

 

Therefore, there were no major changes except that I was lightly hit in the head by a female homeroom teacher who knew what was going on, and I went about my daily life as usual - or perhaps that's not quite right.

 

I had been assigned a seat at the very back of the window, like the main character in a comic book, and someone took the trouble to walk up to me.

 

"Good morning, ...Jin-kun."

"Oh?"

 

It was Shindo.

Although we had been in the same class since my second year, this was the first time we had exchanged words, let alone greetings, in the classroom.

 

I think she's expressionless... ...but it looks like she is kind of smiling.

 

Her white legs, stretched out from her skirt, which is too short for a young lady (ojou-sama), move forward and backward as if she has no place to go.

The eyelashes that adorn her slit eyes are the same walnut color as her hair.

It was the first time I to seen her this close-up in the classroom, and I could see why she was called the school's idol.

 

"Good morning, Shindo. It's been a while since yesterday."

"...Good morning, Jin-kun."

"Eh...? Good morning, Shindo."

 

What?

Did I just did the time leap?

 

Shindo lowered her gaze.

I also felt... ...that her lips are a little bit pointy.

Then she pouted.

 

"...The name."

"Eh? What? Ah."

 

I see.

I thought you said you didn't like your given name (first name).

 

"My bad. Good morning, Rei."

"Yeah, good morning."

 

Shindo nods cockily, as if satisfied.

 

Then, without speaking, she observed my face intently and waved her palm, which was only up to the waist, downward.

 

I don't think she meant to say goodbye.

It looks like an arm-stretching.

 

"See you later."

"Oh, yeah?"

 

Her hair, still beautiful as ever, floated softly, and she held up the goodbye note.

 

I'm thinking while watching her back as she leaves.

I knew Shindo was a girl who I didn't know better...

 

◇

 

During the middle break between second and third period, my best friend from the next class came over.

 

"Yo, Jin! Siscon vacation as usual?!"

"Shut up."

"Ha ha ha! It's just like you to not deny it."

"It's my duty as her Onii-chan."

"My little sister has never done that for me. Your little sister's love for you is greater."

 

My height is 173 centimeters rall.

That guy, "Akusa Ryouji," is 163 centimeters tall.

 

Although we have a height difference of 10 centimeters, I am always pushed aside because of my blonde hair, high tension, and my natural ability to be good-looking if only for my face.

 

By the way, I and Ryo have been childhood friends since elementary school.

We were best friends in our lives... ...and had the same first choice of high school as if we had shown it to each other.

 

Ryo held out both of his hands.

 

"Well, that's how it works. Textbooks?"

"Here we go again: ...What's in your bag...?"

"Dreams, I guess."

"Get rid of it."

"Oh, my God."

 

I don't know what's going on in the world, because this is how he has a solid and witty younger girlfriend.

 

After handing over his textbook, Ryo looked around.

Just about nobody was there.

 

In the distance, there are a few girls around the desk of Shindo. It seems that Shindo is also participating in the conversation.

 

I had never dared to observe it, but I was surprised that Shindo was sociable.

I had an image of her as more of a solitary figure.

 

I heard Ryo's voice.

 

"You're thinking naturally rude thoughts right now, aren't you? You have that kind of look on your face."

"I'm not. It's just, you know, Shindo is..., uh, over there."

"I know who Cinderella is."

"Cinderella?"

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"Huh? Don't you know anything about it? Our school idols have nicknames. Shindo Rei is Cinderella."

"Why?"

"I think it's just a similarity in wording. And maybe it's because you have a strict curfew?"

"That's a bad word."

"It's just the way it is when students are involved. No one but the students involved feel any ill will."

 

It sounds as if he is not a student himself, but since Ryo is a free spirit, he is probably not mistaken.

 

I said casually as I watched Shindo surrounded by female students.

 

"You're surprisingly sociable."

"I'm sure you're better than the rest of us."

"What? I'm fine--"

"I ain't doing so good! You are the Cinderella with a curfew. No one says bad things about you, but no one says good things about you either. You're like air."

"...Seriously?"

 

It's been a little over a year since I started high school.

It is true that until last year, I had to pick up Mai from her daycare and could never go out with my friends.

 

Even if there is an occasional chance, 5:00 p.m. is strictly observed.

Still, I thought I was being affable, but I didn't realize that... ...gave me that impression.

 

"I'm going to... ...this year because Mai went to school too. We'll do our best."

"I'm really glad to hear that, too. But what are your plans for today?"

"You mean ...? There's a supermarket sale today, so I'll be out of school in time for it."

"I understand. Enough. And let me ask you something."

"Hmm?"

"You, that Cinderella..., have you started dating Shindo Rei?"

"Dating? What?"

"You don't know what I'm talking about. I'm asking if you're in a relationship with her."

 

I pushed Ryo away with one hand when he came closer to my face.

 

"Of course not."

"But you guys were snippy with each other in the morning, weren't you?"

"I didn't. Where's you get that information?"

"There's a rumor going around the school."

 

Don't tell me you're talking about the morning greeting?

And it's only been a couple of hours.

 

"How come you're so quick on the uptake?"

 

Ryo held up his phone and shook it gently.

 

"Don't underestimate the power of a smartphone network."

"I have a phone."

"Correction. Don't you lick smartphone users who have friends?"

"...Yes."

 

I can't say it back.

 

"So, how's it going? Are you two in that kinda relationship? I bet on the dating side, you know."

"I don't know, and we're not dating."

"You're lying, right? Tell me it's a lie. My lunch money's on..."

"Rather, She just said hello to me in the morning, but what makes you think that?"

"Yeah, because--"

 

Unusually for Ryo, he seemed at a loss for words.

 

"--When I was with you, Shindo was often looking at you. I thought there was something."

"What do you mean?"

 

Don't tell me you're going to say something about bringing pudding as an apology.

 

"So it's like development in a romantic comedy story, I've heard that the gap between your maternal instincts and your motherly instincts is your weapon.

"I don't know. It's all just over self-consciousness."

 

I waved my hand gently.

As if that was a signal, the chime rang.

"Damn..., it seriously sounds like you two ain't dating... ...can we change our bets now...?"

"Don't cheat."

"It's my fault!"

"It's your fault."

"Damn!"

 

While mumbling, Ryo also withdrew.

 

"....Lot."

 

For the first time, I wondered if all high school students are that sensitive to people's rumors.

 

Or am I just insensitive?

 

I don't think it matters who is dating who.

No, I'm not even dating.

 

The idol of the school--Shindo--is also being put in a very difficult position.

 

Suddenly, I look at the seat of the Shindo in front of me.

 

"..."

 

Then our eyes met with Shindo's, who seemed to have been looking at us until she turned around.

From the other side, he quickly removed his gaze and looked forward.

 

"...?"

 

What the heck?

Don't tell me that the rumor is my fault?

I'm not sure, but we'll talk again later.

 

Besides, I should give you a thank you for yesterday's pudding...

 

I turned my attention to the baggage I couldn't fit into my bag.

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