Chapter 6

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

I’m back with another chapter. It seems very far but my goal is to try to get to chapter 40 as soon a possible since the manga ends around there

Title: The Exemplary Notebook and the girl that sits next to me

Satou-san is running her pencil over her notebook. With a desperate look, she is writing the contents of the blackboard. Suddenly there was a faint crackling sound, and the lead of the pencil she was holding snapped off.

“Uh….”(S)

Satou-san is immediately perplexed.

Ticking her pencil, she tries hard to get back to work.

I watch the scene from the seat next to her. Or should I say, that I’m being kept waiting? It’s already break time. The previous class was Japanese history, and the teacher’s unique handwriting was lined up all over the blackboard. The teacher’s handwriting isn’t as hard to read. So why is Sato-san such a slow note-taker? She’s the only one who’s still scribbling what’s on the blackboard during the break. Everyone else is starting to get ready for the next class or enjoying a short chat in the classroom or hallway. I wonder how many minutes I’ve waited already. I was tempted to sigh, but I don’t because the cause is right next to me on my left.

“I’m sorry, Yamaguchi-kun.”(S)

An impatient voice could be heard from my left side. When I looked, I saw that Satou-san was refilling the pencil with her clumsy hands.

“Oh, no need to panic.”(Y)

I said it, but of course I didn’t mean it. Then Satou-san looks at me apologetically.

“But you can’t erase the chalkboard until I finish copying, can you?”(S)

“Yes”(Y)

Totally, I blurted inwardly. Why do they only give me such a hard time when I’m on the day shift? Of course, she’s always been brittle. But if you don’t do it quickly, the next class will start. On top of that, the next class is Classics, and teacher is the ever-bickering Mr. Murakami. I have to hurry because I’m sure he will complain if I don’t clean the blackboard. I was able to take notes during class time alone. I had so much time on my hands that I was able to observe Sato-san struggling next to me. I looked at her notes, wondering why it was taking so long. The small, round letters were so tightly lined up that I wondered if I would be able to read them back later. Well, it’s not my problem. It doesn’t matter, except for the fact that I have to work as a blackboard eraser for the day shift.

Eventually, I get up from my seat, numb, and tell Sato-san.

“We don’t have time for this. I’ll just erase the blackboard.”(Y)

“Um, yeah.”(S)

Sato-san looked down sadly. Inside, I felt irritated. I’m particularly bad at this aspect of Sato-san’s personality. If you’re dissatisfied, you should speak up, but she never tries to tell you not to erase the blackboard. I think it’s because she knows she’s at fault. Modesty is not a virtue. Instead, I was annoyed that she was begging for sympathy. It’s up to me whether or not to feel sorry for her. I don’t think it’s fair to let Sato-san’s words and actions dictate how I feel about her

So I’ll tell her.

“I’ll lend you my notebook.”(Y)

It took about five seconds for Sato-san to realize what I had said.

“What…? But, um,”(S)

I’m not good at getting a slow response. It’s disgusting. I didn’t wait for her to continue before I took out my Japanese history notebook from my desk. When I held it out to her, Satou-san asked in a timid manner.

“You don’t mind if I borrow it?”(S)

“I want it back by the end of the day. I have homework to do.”(Y)

I said, not daring to hand it to her, but tossed the notebook on the desk.

Then I hurried to the front of the noisy classroom to erase the blackboard.

“Oh, thank you, Yamaguchi-kun!”(Y)

When Sato-san shouted at my back, I felt like sticking my tongue out at her.I didn’t want to be openly thanked. If people heard that, they would misunderstand. It was nothing more than lending her my notebook.

After school, Sato-san returned the note to me as she promised.

“Thank you so much. After all the trouble I’ve caused you, and for lending me your notebook.”(S)

As usual, only the thank yous are loud.

“Yeah, no problem. I’m just glad you’re up to speed.”(Y)

“I’m sorry, but I’m so grateful.”(S)

And persistent. I’m saying it’s okay. I know you’re tired of scribbling notes today, but don’t even bother with me.

I watched her next to me. I watched her scribble down notes during her recess and lunch break after that. I know you were so absorbed in your work with a desperate look on your face, so please don’t thank me for every little thing. You don’t have to.

“And…”(S)

After giving me a notebook, Sato smiled and said,

“Yamaguchi’s notebook was very easy to read. That’s why it was even more helpful.”(S)

“I don’t know, I guess it’s just normal.”(Y)

“Yamaguchi-kun has a way of putting furigana to difficult words and kanji.”(S)

You’re a slow learner, but you’re perceptive in that way. I hurriedly looked away so that he wouldn’t realize I was upset.

“Well, yeah.”(Y)

“So I thought to myself, ‘Well, I’m impressed with your easy-to-read notebook. Maybe I’ll do the same from now on’.”(S)

I’m sure Sato-san only looked at today’s class page.That’s why you don’t notice that there are no furigana on the other pages. Because I had extra time in class. I knew that Ms. Sato was struggling to take notes. I was on shift and it was my turn to clear the blackboard. Even if I put all those reasons together, it may have been unnatural for me to mark my notes with furigana.I can read the words in Japanese history class without difficulty. What I couldn’t read was my own feelings, which sometimes made me want to be kind like this.

Notes:

When translating the line “I felt like sticking my tongue out at her” google translated it as “slap it”.

DeepL kept on translating erasing and wiping the blackboard to turning off the black board

Most of the time google translate and deepL keeps on translating Satou-san to Mr. Sato and gives her male nouns. This makes editing a pain. On the bright side some of the future chapter titles are very funny

Furigana is an aid to help pronounce difficult kanji

Please comment any suggestions or corrections

<- prev next->

Like this:Like Loading...

Related