Chapter 65

The girls who are fans of Tsubasa Tachibana don’t disrupt classes or engage in clearly troublesome behavior. They just come to the classroom during breaks and make a lot of noise. This is the same as what happened with Enjo last year.

However, Tachibana has a lower boiling point than Enjo, so they are being careful not to push him too far while they make a fuss like they are admiring an idol.

At first glance, it seems like just being noisy during breaks, and if you can tolerate it, you could live in peace. But as the classroom population density increases, some students are being inconvenienced, unable to use their own seats. There are timid students who can’t return to their seats and are suffering.

It’s a problem. If I keep warning them, I’ll become a very nagging person, but ignoring it isn’t good as a class representative.

How did Enjo handle it last year? I wasn’t a class representative, so I didn’t really pay attention to other students.

Besides, Enjo would sometimes gently remind them not to crowd the classroom too much.

At the beginning of the first semester, it was really noisy, but after a while, maybe they got used to it, and it seemed to reach a certain level of harmony.

But Tachibana wouldn’t manage her fans like that at all.

The little monk’s pleading eyes are painful. It’s impossible.

After all, there’s Manaka among Tachibana’s fans. If I say anything, it would cause too much trouble.

Ah, the silent plea from the victimized students...

There’s nothing I can do.

“Manaka-san, I’m sorry to interrupt, but the student who owns this seat can’t return. Could you please move?”

“Hmm. Whose seat is this?”

Manaka looked around the classroom with a challenging gaze.

The owner of the seat looked around nervously.

“Hey, is it okay if I sit here? Or do you need it?”

“A... go ahead. I’m not going to return for a while...”

Gah! I’ve been outmaneuvered!

That’s not fair. I came here reluctantly because the student was silently pleading.

“Is this okay, Kishuuin-san?”

Manaka smiled.

Ugh. But if there are no victims, I can’t say anything more.

“Alright. If the owner says it’s fine, I don’t mind. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”

“Being a class representative is tough, isn’t it?”

I tried to hide my strained face with a calm smile and left.

Damn it, I lost!

Seika and the others greeted me with dissatisfied faces. I’m sorry, I’m a coward!

This can’t go on. If this continues, it might turn into a factional battle with Manaka’s group, or I might be overthrown in this group.

It’s all Tachibana’s fault! If he would just handle it properly! Though that’s completely unfair!

Tachibana, however, was completely oblivious to the girls’ fuss and was enjoying a sports conversation with the boys.

He doesn’t know the trouble he’s causing... God, please let pigeon droppings fall on his head.

Maybe I should set up some folding chairs in the classroom and create a Tachibana viewing corner like a TV audience area.

---

Lately, I’ve been trying to avoid sweet snacks when I buy them at convenience stores.

I’m afraid of breakouts and gaining weight.

Instead, I reach for onigiri or sandwiches. These are more nutritious and better for the body than snacks, but the downside is that they don’t last long.

On weekdays, I can’t buy them every day because of the school pick-up and drop-off, but I sneak them home during breaks or on weekends.

The variety of onigiri available at convenience stores these days is impressive. But I still prefer grilled salmon the most.

When I get home, I try to forget all the troublesome things at school by focusing on trivial matters. I’m fully aware that this is complete escapism...

Today, I’m ranking convenience store onigiri.

In my opinion, 1st place is grilled salmon, 2nd place is mixed rice with chicken, and 3rd place is spicy cod roe. Oh, the omurice I had the other day was also delicious.

While munching on an onigiri and doing this, I got a call from Sakura.

“Sakura, what’s up? You’re calling out of the blue.”

“I have a question. Reika, are you eating something right now?”

“I was eating a fondant chocolate.”

“You’ll gain weight if you eat that at night.”

“...I’ll be careful. What’s the matter?”

“Yes! There was a girl who gave Taku a Valentine’s Day chocolate!”

Valentine’s Day? That was a while ago.

“Why are you bringing up Valentine’s Day now? Who was it?”

“It just came to light today. I heard it from Taku’s sister. The girl is a junior in the track and field club. Do you know her?”

She mentioned a name, but I didn’t know her.

“Maybe it was just a courtesy chocolate?”

“Reika, you’re underestimating Taku.”

No, no, not at all. I think Kusazawa-kun, who had a cute, squirrel-like face in elementary school, has become more rugged since joining the track and field club in middle school.

“Find out what kind of girl she is.”

“Hmm. I can take a look at her face, but I’m dealing with a lot right now.”

“What’s going on?”

I complained to Sakura about the troubles of being a class representative.

“Maybe you’re being taken for granted because you’re so quiet. You should give them a piece of your mind. Or you could go straight to the emperor.”

“No way, I can’t do either of those!”

“Then give up.”

“Ugh...”

Right now, it’s not that serious, and I want to avoid a direct confrontation.

“Reika, when you’re stressed, you tend to turn to food. Be careful. Why don’t you try yoga? I’m doing yoga at home.”

“Yoga?”

I only have the image of Indians doing acrobatic poses.

“Yoga can also help calm your mind.”

Sakura, you’re not calm at all. But I’m scared to say that.

I got the name of a yoga DVD recommended by Sakura, so I’ll try it out. I was getting bored with the hula hoop anyway.

Maybe it will open my third eye?

---

The next day, I went to see Kusazawa-kun’s junior in the track and field club as per Sakura’s instructions.

From the hallway, I peeked into the classroom and observed. She seemed to be an active, wheat-colored girl, the complete opposite of the Japanese beauty, Sakura. Now that I’ve seen her, what should I do next?

“Reika-san, what are you doing here?”

I was startled by a voice from behind and turned around to see Rina.

“Rina, what are you doing here?”

“What do you mean? This is my class. Do you have something to talk to me about?”

I didn’t realize this was Rina’s class. So that girl is in the same class as her.

“Hey, what’s that Torihama-san like?”

“Why are you asking about her?”

“Just curious.”

“She’s the type who’s full of energy, like a physical education committee member. I’m not that close to her yet. Do you know her?”

Rina asked her subordinates.

The quiet subordinates replied, “I think she’s in the track and field club,” and “She’s bright and has many friends.”

“I see. Thank you. And thank you for being friends with Rina. I hope we can continue to get along.”

“Why are you saying that, Reika-san! Don’t say unnecessary things!”

Rina blushed a little. Hmph. If your reputation falls, I’ll be affected too.

“Anyway, a little more...”

Rina grabbed my arm, and we moved away from her subordinates to the wall in the hallway.

“Recently, those seniors like Manaka have been acting more boldly than you. Is that okay?”

Even Rina can see it.

“It’s fine. They’re not related to us.”

“Be careful. If you fall, I’ll be affected too.”

We had the same thought.

This is getting more and more troublesome.

I sent a message to Sakura with the information I got from Rina.

Sakura replied, “I need more information.”

There’s no need to worry so much. It’s probably just a courtesy chocolate.

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