Chapter 79: Suspicion and invitation

JULY 21, 2021 4 COMMENTS

　As homeroom was coming to an end, we decided to split up for the day and go back to our seats since we had made a lot of progress in our discussion.

　As I was thinking about the cooking method and plates, I was suddenly approached by a voice.

“Hey, Ichijo, isn’t this the first time we’ve talked?”

　As I was thinking, I turned to the voice with a bit of surprise and saw that it was Mikitani-san sitting in front of me.

　I was a little surprised that Mikitani-san, who seemed to be watching me a lot today, suddenly called out to me.

“Y-yeah, I guess so.”

“Well, Ichijo, you’ve really changed your mood!”

　Mikitani-san laughs and continues to talk to me, probably enjoying my awkwardness due to my nervousness and shyness.

　I was wondering what I should do, but all I could do was smile affectionately.

“What? So Ichijo? Are you in love with me?”

“EEH?!”

　I was so nervous that I couldn’t help but raise my voice at the words of Mikitani-san, who smirked as if making fun of me while putting her hand over her mouth.

“Don’t be surprised, I can tell by looking at you! Ichijo, you like Saegusa-san, don’t you?”

　Mikitani-san, who was still smirking, got right to the point.

　When I was in a hurry, wondering how to reply, she said, “It seems like you even get her lunchbox, so you must be close.”

“No, well, I don’t know hahaha”

　I was determined to get out of this situation, so I decided to smile and cover it up for the time being.

　However, Mikitani-san still smirked at me and said.

“Ichijo, you’re too easy to understand! But it’s the other party’s fault, isn’t it?”

　When Mikitani-san gave me a slightly sympathetic look, I thought, “What?”

　She seemed to be aware of my feelings, but she didn’t seem to think that we were dating.

Since it was only me and Mikitani-san around the table, and Shi-chan was happily chatting with the other girls in charge of customer service, it seemed unlikely that anyone would have heard our conversation.

“Yeah, that’s right! I don’t think I can go out with Saegusa-san! And luch as a friend, hahaha!”

“Everyone knows that! But if you’re friends with someone who gives you lunch, that’s just too much!”

　I thought I could get away with it since I didn’t seem to be exposed at first, so I took advantage of the situation and continued to fool around.

　Mikitani-san laughed at me, I wondered if I was so disproportionate.
I was a little hurt, but I knew it was better than being exposed, so I cried inside, but smiled on the surface.

“But you know what, Ichijo, you’ve really changed, you weren’t bad before, but now you look like a normal good-looking guy, so you’ll be fine!”

“Eh?”

　Then Mikitani-san extended her thin hand to my shoulder and slapped me encouragingly.

　And when that happens, our faces inevitably get very close together.

　I knew that Mikitani-san is a beautiful woman, and anyone would be thrilled to have such a woman’s face in front of them.

　I turned my eyes to where the gaze was coming from, and sure enough, it was Shi-chan’s gaze.

　Surrounded by the girls, Shi-chan was staring at me with a clearly unhappy look on her face, and I turned pale and hurriedly pulled Mikitani-san away.

“What? Are you embarrassed? You’re so cute.”

“T-hat’s not it! Your face is too close! Don’t make fun of me so much!”

　I told her to stop, but she looked at me and laughed as if she was making fun of me.

　And then.

“I’m not making fun of you! I’m pretty much into Ichijo’s type!”

　Mikitani-san’s words came out of her mouth.

　As I was dumbfounded by her words, Mikitani-san winked and said, “Well, my seat is in front of you, so I’m looking forward to working with you.”

　The chime rang, and today’s homeroom came to an end.

　I was upset by Mikitani’s words, when I received a poke on my back from behind.

　The poke felt stronger than usual.

That’s right … I thought, and when I turned around, I saw Shi-chan, who was dissatisfied and puffed up.

“What were you talking about with …… Mikitani-san?”

“No, it’s nothing.
…… Really.”

　I’ve just been ridiculed by Mikitani-san for liking Shi-chan, and then for some reason she complimented me on my looks, so it’s really nothing and I’m not lying.

　I was feeling a bit frustrated because I couldn’t find the right words for this situation.

“Oh, Saegusa-san! I’d like to continue the conversation we had earlier, so if you don’t mind, I’d like to stay a little longer to discuss it.”

　Niijima-kun spoke to Shi-chan, who was puffed up.

　It seemed that the customer service staff was going to stay behind and discuss some more.

“Un, don’t worry, I understand.”

　Shi-chan, who instantly switched to idle mode, smiled and accepted the invitation.

　I see, so Shi-chan will have to stay today…….

　I have a part-time job today, so we’ll have to go home separately, I thought.
I stood up with my bag and whispered to Shi-chan, “Bye, good luck.”

To me, Shi-chan muttered a little lonely, “Ah …”, but she turned to the side because she was a little angry, so I left my feelings of being moody today.
Decided to go home alone quietly.

“Oh, you’re going home, Ichijo? Good work!”

　And then, in a moment of inopportune timing, Mikitani-san noticed me as I was leaving, patted me on the shoulder and greeted me as I left.

　Mikitani-san was just greeting me, so she didn’t do anything wrong, in fact I wanted to say thank you to her even though we had just become friends.

　But I thought it was bad timing, so I returned the greeting to Mikitani-san and then gently turned around.

　　Then there was Shi-chan, still puffed up with frustration, and when our eyes met again, she averted her gaze.