Chapter 4

Writing in the library after school is part of my routine.

Today, I feel better than usual.

I've been writing for about an hour, and my fingers haven't paused once.

Because,

"Ahhh... Why did I press the send button back then... Ah, Nira-san..."

It's just an escape from reality.

The denser the reality I want to avoid, the more smoothly the work progresses.

I must have been quite shocked, as I ended up finishing the latest chapter that I didn't intend to write.

"Should I post it, or wait until tomorrow morning?"

I crossed my arms and stared at the dirty ceiling.

Usually, I would post without hesitation, but I was hesitating.

...What if Nira-san doesn't react?

After what happened during lunch break with that suspicious person, it's a real possibility.

Just thinking about it made me feel as if a blunt instrument was gouging out my chest.

I realized how much Nira-san's comments and words had helped my writing.

Ugh... I'm sorry, the work is innocent.

I'm sorry for being such an idiotic author who suddenly starts talking about childhood love in the first interaction with the biggest fan of the work.

Driven by a sense of atonement for my shallow thoughts and actions, I almost started searching for something like an exciting water-sprinkling tour in nature when,

"What's with that face, like it's the last day of summer vacation?"

I noticed that Rin was standing beside me.

She looked a bit unhappy, but that was just her usual sharp expression, nothing out of the ordinary.

Or so I thought, but something seemed a bit different.

"Why is your face a little red?"

"..."

"Rin?"

"It's probably because the heating is too high, right?"

"Ah, I see."

Indeed, the temperature setting might be a bit high.

"Whatever. So, what's up?"

"Stop acting like a high-paid civil servant, it's creepy."

"Your choice of words is impressive."

"Good point. Well... When you're done writing, would you like to go home together?"

"Huh?"

"Stop acting like an idiot, it's creepy."

"No, seriously, that's amazing!?"

I want that talent!

"Isn't it your day with Kousaka and the others?"

"Yumrin and Hiyorin went home earlier."

"Why so suddenly?"

When I asked out of genuine curiosity, Rin's eyes darted slightly before she answered.

"...Sometimes it's good, right? We are childhood friends, after all."

Rin's cheeks were slightly flushed.

I didn't think it was due to the heating.

I inwardly shrugged, thinking she's not being honest.

Rin's tone is sharp, but that's a sign of her trust in me. (Or so I think)

After 10 years of knowing each other, Rin has grown attached to me. (Or so I think)

She just finds it embarrassing to say it outright, so she chose these ambiguous words to invite me to go home together. (Or so I think)

What? You're curious about what's in the parentheses?

I don't like perceptive brats like you.

"You seem to be thinking something really creepy right now."

"Kino-said-so."

"Your voice is creepy, it sounds like it would be written in katakana in a text, so stop it."

"Really, you're amazing!"

So, I ended up going home with Rin.

To be honest, I was happy.

After imagining 'teaching Rin a lesson' at lunch, I felt like my mind had been blended in a mixer, leaving me with a queasy feeling.

I was actually, no, really, really looking forward to seeing her.

I decided to post the latest chapter tomorrow.