Volume 10 - CH 11

Sasaki Emi and Fukamori Misuzu

After the meeting is over, everyone decided to head home for the day.

The group is consisting of the people who want to become Hideyori-kun’s girlfriend but for some reason, we all get along really well.

If there are any conflicts to be had, they would only be things related to Hideyori-kun. Even Haruka and Yoru who recently joined the group are on good terms with each other.

Risa-chan also invited me to walk home with her earlier but since I have something to do, I alone separated from the group.

Right now, I’m walking down the hallway by myself.

In truth, it might be better if I bring the others with me but I don’t want to startle that person so I decided to go alone.

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“……..fuuuu.”

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Alright, I rallied up my spirit and entered the infirmary.

There’s no nurse waiting for me inside but that’s nothing out of the ordinary.

The person I have business with today is the student sleeping on one of the beds here.

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“Hey! Good Afternoon, Fukamori-san.”

“Sasaki-san…….”

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During the lunch break, I saw Fukamori Misuzu-san looking unwell so I brought her to the infirmary.

It’s partly because I’m a member of the public health committee but even if I’m just a normal student, I’d bring an ill person to the infirmary.

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“The school’s over. I thought you’d go back home already.”

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It’s been an hour since the meeting ended.

It wouldn’t be strange if Fukamori-san had gone home already.

But for some reason, I get the feeling that she was still here so I turned down Risa-chan and came here to check on her.

Glad that it wasn’t a waste of time, I sat down in a nearby chair.

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“……it’s not like I want to go home in the first place.”

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Saying so, Fukamori-san cast her gaze down.

I see, just like Towa, it seems that she also has some troubles with her family.

Hmm, what should I say to her in a time like this though?

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“…….I see. Why don’t we chat here for a bit longer then.”

“Eh?”

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Fukamori-san looked up and stared at me.

I don’t think I said anything strange but it seems that I took her by surprise.

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“I mean, Fukamori-san, you’re staying in the infirmary here because you don’t want to go home right? Since you’re free anyway, why don’t we talk a little!?”

“………”

“I’m Sasaki Emi. You don’t have to call me Sasaki-san, Emi is fine.”

“……..Emi?”

“Yup, nice to meet you, Misuzu. Since we’re in the same class, let’s get along!”

“Not interested.”

“………..eh?”

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A moody word of refusal came from Misuzu.

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“………..Stop pitying Misuzu already! Misuzu is ugly because of this weird crest on my face right!? It’s disgusting, isn’t it!? Deep inside, you’re actually laughing at Misuzu, aren’t you!? Misuzu can’t stand people like you…….”

“I don’t really mind it though.”

“Lie! Emi is also thinking of Misuzu like some kind of tumor right? Misuzu is fed up with it already…….”

“As I said, it doesn’t bother me.”

“……….”

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I pat Misuzu’s head.

It doesn’t matter if she has some weird mark on her face.

We’re in the same class so I want to be friends with her.

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“It must have been hard on you right? People probably said all kinds of things about you. But you see, I really don’t mind it at all.”

“Wh, What are you doing!?”

“………..”

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I touched the mark on Misuzu’s face.

Certainly, I can feel the heat from it.

If it’s always like this then I understand why she always grumbles about the burning feeling.

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“You’re so strong. You really are strong for bearing this kind of pain every day. …..if it was me, I’d have snapped already.”

“….”

“It’s okay, I’m Misuzu’s friend, so don’t be scared.”

“Emi…….”

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There’s no way I can think of someone who has to suffer from something like this as a tumor.

It hurts my heart to think that people around her, even her own family, might be treating her that way.

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“Well, it’s all right. For the time being, I’m satisfied that we’re close enough that we can call each other by name.”

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If I drag this on it will be late so let’s go home for the day.

If she wants to be alone then I don’t see the problem with that.

Thinking so, I got up from my chair.

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“Alright, see you later.”

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It was when I open the infirmary’s door.

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“…….see you later.”

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I heard a small whispering voice.

Is she being shy?

Misuzu’s so cute!

I waved back at her before I left the infirmary.

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“Yo, Emi.”

“Hi, Hideyori-kun!?”

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As though he was waiting to ambush me, Hideyori-kun was standing at the corner of the corridor.

With the meeting and my detour to chat with Misuzu, I thought that Hideyori-kun’d gone home already.

I never expect him to still be here.

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“Let’s go home, Hideyori-kun.”

“…..yeah, let’s.”

“………..?”

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I feel that Hideyori-kun’s voice is lower than usual.

……..it’s like he’s on edge.

But why?

Because of me?

Because of Misuzu?

Or something else?

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“A, Are you angry?”

“……yes.”

“Eh!? You are!?”

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Eh?

Why……

Did I do something……?

When I started to panic, Hideyori-kun casually continued.

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“……I went to the club today.”

“The, the club?”

“It was only me and Gainen-san today…….”

“……..right.”

“No one showed……..it was super awkward………”

“……..sorry.”

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I’m so sorry!

We left Gainen-san and Hideyori-kun to have that meeting!

I really did something bad to Hideyori-kun…….

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“It was really lonely…….”

“It’s okay! We’re going home together now right!?”

“Yeah……”

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While being healed by the sight of the dejected Hideyori-kun, we walked home together.

TLN: Eh, Emi’s the actual protagonist of this volume?