Chapter 35

As winter approached, my brother's exam preparation entered its final sprint.

The department he wanted to enter had a small internal recommendation quota, making it very competitive.

It seemed tough, but he didn't show any signs of being overwhelmed. As expected of my brother.

I thought about what I could do for my brother and decided to make a midnight snack, but the maids told me it would disrupt his exam preparation routine and advised that praying for him would be best.

Pray, huh? Hmm, maybe I should do a hundred prostrations.

As usual, when I went to the cram school for my Japanese and math classes, I noticed that Aizawa-kun, who usually sat next to me, was absent, and Fukuhara-san was sitting alone.

Hmm? What happened?

Noticing me, Fukuhara-san gave a small bow, so I returned the bow and went over to her.

"Good afternoon, Fukuhara-san. Aizawa-kun isn't with us today?"

"Good afternoon. Shou has a cold and is taking the day off. He has a fever and is bedridden. He should be absent from school too, didn't you know?"

"I didn't know he was absent. He's in a different class from me. Is it just a cold? When did it start?"

"It started the day before yesterday and has been getting worse. It's not the flu, though. Oh, please, have a seat."

Fukuhara-san offered me the seat next to her, so I sat down.

Is it okay for me to study here next to her today?

"Aizawa-kun is about to have winter break, so it must be tough for him. In my class, a few people are absent due to colds and the flu."

"Same in my class."

As we chatted about our classes, Fukuhara-san fell silent for a moment.

"...Um, sorry."

"Huh?"

What for?

"Um, what do you mean?"

"...I was mean because I didn't want to lose Shou. Even though we usually sat next to each other at the cram school, I took the seat, and you had to sit alone. Shou wanted to sit with you, but I made a face..."

Ah, that's what it was about.

"I didn't really mind."

It's true.

At first, I felt a bit lonely, but I got used to it quickly. I would secretly buy snacks at the convenience store and so on.

Basically, I don't hold grudges for long, except when it comes to food.

I wasn't angry with Fukuhara-san from the beginning, though. She just seemed a bit scary.

"Shou explained that you were his friend at the cram school, but the thought of you knowing Shou at school, which I didn't know, made me... Sorry. Today, without Shou, I felt really lonely. I realized you must have felt this way all along."

No, I didn't really feel lonely...

"Really, don't worry about it. I'm usually fine being alone."

"You're so strong, Koushouin-san."

Fukuhara-san looked at me with admiration.

It's embarrassing when a traditional beauty looks at you like that.

"I was worried that Shou might fall for you someday. Well, I'm still a bit worried. Because, you know, you're cute."

What, I'm cute?!

No, I don't think so. Hehe.

"I don't think Aizawa-kun will ever like me."

"Really?"

"Yes. I've never thought of Aizawa-kun as more than a friend."

Aizawa-kun is a really good person, though. He's kind.

But I've never had a heart-fluttering moment with him.

Thinking about it, he's quite close to my ideal, but why? Maybe ideals and reality are different.

"Really, you don't like him?"

"Yes."

Fukuhara-san smiled with relief.

She's so worried. They say a jealous wife is a sign of a charming husband.

No, I'm not saying Aizawa-kun isn't charming. He has a cute, squirrel-like face. Yes.

"Does Shou have any close girl friends at school?"

"I don't know. We're not in the same class. When I see him in the hallway, he's usually with his male friends. I've never heard any rumors about him or anyone saying they like him."

"Really..."

She seems relieved. That's good.

"Besides, in our grade, there are two guys who are incredibly popular. Most of the girls don't pay attention to other guys."

"Oh, I've heard about them from Shou. I've even heard rumors at my school. They're really handsome, right?"

"Right."

The rumors have spread to other schools. That's impressive.

Fukuhara-san's school, Yurimi Girls' Academy, is a Catholic school, but it's famous as a girls' school, so it might be connected through the upper-class social network. We're "good afternoon" friends, after all.

"By the way, do you like one of those two?"

Fukuhara-san asked with excitement.

A girl in love is interested in others' love stories too.

"Not really. I don't have a crush on anyone."

Fukuhara-san looked a bit disappointed.

I'm sorry I couldn't meet your expectations.

But not everyone has a crush, you know.

"Even though you go to a co-ed school..."

"Hmm."

Even in a co-ed school, some people remain distant.

Like me in my past life.

Oh, tears...

"Hehe, you're different from my first impression, Koushouin-san."

"Really?"

"Yes. When I saw you at the recital, you seemed more distant. Like a true Ruiyan lady, and I was worried I'd lose Shou to you."

"Seemed distant... Maybe it's because of my hairstyle?"

"More like your overall aura. There are girls like you at Yurimi too. But talking to you, I realized you're different. I think Shou could be friends with you. ...Hey, can we be friends too?"

What?! A friend request?!

But you probably want to use me as an information source.

I've retired from being a spy, though.

"Um... I'm really in a different class from Aizawa-kun, so I don't know much about the school."

"Are you thinking I want to use you? That's not it. I just want to talk to you more. I'd be happy if you could tell me things, but hehe."

"Really?"

"Yes."

If that's the case, I can be friends.

I'd rather be friends than be seen as an enemy.

"Okay, let's be friends."

"Really? Great!"

Fukuhara-san, clapping her hands in front of her chest, looked like a traditional beauty I wanted to protect. She's cute. I should learn from her.

After that, we talked about our schools and Aizawa-kun.

Aizawa-kun and I live in the same neighborhood, and our parents are close friends. We've been together since our baby days, even before we had memories. He always took my hand and led me to play, and I fell in love with him in kindergarten.

But Aizawa-kun never noticed my feelings. "Shou is so dense," she said. I thought so too.

But that density is the classic trope in childhood friend stories.

I didn't want to be separated from Aizawa-kun, so I wanted to go to Ruiyan too, but I had to go to Yurimi, my mother's alma mater, and I cried in front of Aizawa-kun.

Yurimi is a Catholic school, but my family has been Buddhist for generations, so I felt like a hidden Christian.

When I first enrolled, I was worried I might be put on trial as a witch if I was found out.

Kuizono-chan and I are completely different types, but I've made a new friend.