Chapter 26

With the arrival of spring, I became a fifth-grader.

This year is a class change year.

Perhaps my fervent prayers were answered; once again, I ended up in a different class from the Daitoku and Enjo duo.

I'm scared of my own good luck.

In my heart, I had thought that with three class changes in elementary school, I might end up in the same class as one of them at least once. After all, there are only four classes.

But my luck in avoiding them is just incredible!

Ah, now I can live quietly until I graduate from elementary school.

By the time I became a fifth-grader, the number of younger students had increased, and so had the fans who idolized the Daitoku and Enjo duo.

The girls in my class who were close to them glared at the younger students, saying, "Don't you dare get too familiar with our Daitoku-sama and Enjo-sama just because you're younger!"

Especially the girls in the same class as them were very protective. They wouldn't let any brave younger students who came to see them outside the classroom get close. It was a truly impenetrable defense.

Watching these girls' defensive tactics, I wanted to tell them, "Don't be fooled by their looks!"

Fukuhara-san joined the cram school.

Although Aizawa-kun had explained a lot to her, it seems the suspicion towards me hasn't completely disappeared.

She's in an all-girls school, so she must be very worried about Aizawa-kun, who goes to a co-ed school. At least if he went to an all-boys school.

"Sakura. Since Kichijouji-san suggested that she join the cram school, try to get along with her."

"...Hello. Thank you for inviting me."

She grabbed the hem of Aizawa-kun's clothes and greeted her.

Hmm. A traditional Japanese beauty, this is the kind of cuteness that makes you want to protect her.

"Likewise. I'm glad I can spend more time with my beloved Aizawa-kun."

"Huh?"

"K-Kichijouji-san."

Fukuhara-san blushed at my words, and Aizawa-kun became flustered.

Give up, Aizawa-kun. With your kind heart, you won't be able to escape from this childhood friend.

If a cute childhood friend starts crying in front of you, you wouldn't be able to push her away, would you?

Most boys don't realize that girls who make them want to protect them are often tougher and more cunning than ordinary girls.

Most boys don't notice this.

In my past life, I was used and stepped on so many times...

No, I'm not saying that Fukuhara-san is that type.

Since that first day of greetings, Aizawa-kun and Fukuhara-san have been studying together, so I'm alone at the cram school now.

Aizawa-kun offered to sit with me, but I declined because I thought Fukuhara-san might not like it. I don't have the hobby of interfering with people's love lives.

So, I went to a convenience store for the first time in a while.

I bought some new snacks to try and, while I was at it, some natto rolls, which are a common food.

It was quite a good haul.

Since I had some time before the next class, I decided to go to the toilet. As I approached, I heard some girls gossiping.

"That girl with the pigtails, her boyfriend was taken by the new girl."

"Right, right. She got dumped and became a loner."

"Poor thing. Isn't it tough to be in the same cram school as the guy who dumped her and his new girlfriend?"

"Yeah."

"That girl with the pigtails seems to have a high pride."

"She's from Suiran, and she has pigtails, after all."

—What a surprise!

It seems I'm being seen as the girl who took someone's boyfriend and got dumped.

What a false accusation.

And apparently, I'm called "pigtails" behind my back...

Pigtails... I wish they would call me something like Rococo or Antoinette.

Pigtails sounds like the name of a bread.

Ugh, I'm so depressed.

I don't have a high pride, you know? I just have pigtails.

If I were Kichijouji Reika from a manga, I wouldn't tolerate such rumors, but I don't have the courage to confront them, so I just walked past the toilet and returned to the classroom.

When I got home, I ate a lot to feel better.

There's one more thing about the cram school.

Until now, I only attended the Japanese and math classes.

However, science and social studies have become more challenging, so I decided to attend those classes this year.

Actually, I've been struggling with science and social studies for a few years.

The content of the lessons seemed so different from what I remember from elementary school. Of course, they must have been taught, but I had completely forgotten.

The science I remember from elementary school is just about using magnets to pick up iron filings. I only remember the constellation Orion.

Useless...

As for social studies, the mergers of municipalities have been so drastic that I only recognize unfamiliar place names, and I don't know much about the specialties of prefectures. I'm not even sure about the locations of prefectures in the San'in region.

I don't know the names of rivers or plains.

I'm starting from scratch, just like the other kids.

The benefits of my past life's education are completely gone...

Useless... My past self was totally useless!

I spent my days eating snacks, reading shoujo manga, and laughing carelessly. What a fool!

I remember so many useless things but have completely forgotten my studies!

My brain only remembers that Shogun Iemitsu was a pervert. If that's all I can remember, I might as well forget everything!

Still, until now, I've managed with self-study and tutoring from my brother, but the lessons have become more difficult, and my brother is busy with his own exam preparation, so I decided to attend the cram school.

In the science and social studies classes I started attending, there were a few boys from Suiran, but none of them talked to me like Aizawa-kun.

They keep glancing at me, though.

Hmph, they're intimidated by the pigtails.

Looking back, Aizawa-kun was a rare gem.

I only realize how valuable he was after losing him.

I miss that friendly squirrel-like smile of his.

These days, I'm feeling a bit sentimental.