The Issue With Her Arrow Pointing at Me Being Way Too Big
Class caste… there’s such a term.
It divides those who stand out from those who don’t, but simply put, it separates those with power from those without.
“So, yesterday, the girl I asked out—”
Sasuke, right beside me, recounting his heroic tale.
The gist was that over the break, he hooked up with a girl from another school… a girls’ school, no less. Apparently, he found quite the catch.
“So… are you even listening?”
“I’m listening. So?”
“So—”
Sorry, I wasn’t really paying attention.
Anyway, back to the term “school caste system.” Apparently, my standing is… well, higher up. “Apparently” being Sasuke’s word for it.
It’s not like I’m bragging or anything, and I’m not exactly leading everyone around.
Still, the reason people see me that way is mostly because I stand out with this look and because I’m close with Sasuke… If that’s what makes them nervous, it’s totally not what I intended.
“Looks matter, sure, but so does having a big heart. That’s what girls fall for.”
“Well, you do have a big heart, I’ll give you that.”
“Heh heh, cut it out.”
Don’t blush like that, it’s creepy…
Still, maybe it’s because he’s handsome, but it suits him… It’s just pitiful seeing those naive girls getting drawn in and flocking over to him.
…Well, anyway.
“But you still don’t make anyone special, right?”
“Huh? Of course not. Sure, I want someone special… but once you get into that kind of relationship, it’s not just about my feelings. I do hook girls, but I think about making sure they enjoy it without feeling uncomfortable.”
“…Shouldn’t you just be more upfront about that?”
“I’m aiming to be a mysterious guy. My inner self? As long as my best friend knows about it until the time comes, that’s good enough.”
Who cares about being mysterious? This guy actually knows how to draw the line.
I listened to the heroic tales he told after that, but the classroom entrance grew noisy. I looked over, and standing at the center of it all was Ayaka.
“…What is it?”
“Huh? Oh~ It’s Asumi.”
Ayaka looked down, and standing before her was Asumi Kana… As I mentioned earlier, she’s one of the girls high up in the class hierarchy, a tough-looking gal type.
“You’re looking down, so of course you bump into people. Seriously, you’re so gloomy and depressing, you know?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Huh? I didn’t hear you?”
I hadn’t been paying close attention, so I didn’t know the details, but at the very least, there was no need for such a conspicuous public shaming.
And it wasn’t just Asumi; her entourage was surrounding Ayaka.
I cut off my conversation with Sasuke and stood up, but my gaze drifted to Tokui sitting in front of me.
“…Ayaka.”
Tokui didn’t move, just watched.
What I thought about that… was surprisingly nothing—I quickly shifted my gaze to Ayaka and headed straight for her.
“Hey.”
“Huh?”
“…Ah.”
The classroom is quiet… but that doesn’t matter right now.
When I called out, Asumi spun around sharply, but upon realizing it was me, she took a step back… Am I really that scary…? Oh, I see.
“You didn’t need to go that far, did you? she didn’t mean any harm, so just show a little grace.”
“…Doesn’t that have nothing to do with you?”
“It is my business. It’s unacceptable for a group to single someone out like that… It makes me uncomfortable.”
Having said that, I put one of my teachings into practice—a light glare.
The other girls looked scared, but Asumi just glared right back at me.
“What? You’re interested in this plain girl?”
“Well… I am concerned, so I came here.”
“…Huh?”
Apparently not expecting such a blunt admission, Asumi’s eyes widened, but that seemed to completely deflate her momentum.
But for me, saying I’m concerned just meant I couldn’t ignore a girl I’m friendly with being in trouble… That’s why I told her I came here, but she might have gotten the wrong idea.
“Anyone would be concerned, right? Ayaka… Otonashi is a quiet girl. If someone like her was being harassed and you just ignored it, wouldn’t you feel bad too?”
“W-Well…”
“Besides, don’t you think you’d feel bad later too? Like, did it really need to be taken that far?”
“……………”
“All it takes is a simple ‘sorry’ from both sides. Hey, Asumi, you’re a popular girl with the seniors, right? Don’t let something like this drag down your self-worth.”
“Ah…”
So… could we just settle this already?
I was trembling inside, but Asumi looked down briefly… then lifted her face with force and nodded.
“Yeah… I don’t know why I got so worked up. Sorry, Otonashi. Thinking about it, I was distracted too.”
“Huh? Uh, no… it’s fine. I’m the one who should apologize.”
It seemed things had been smoothed over.
Since Asumi had settled this, her entourage probably wouldn’t say anything to Ayaka either.
Asumi left, and my gaze met Ayaka’s.
“See ya.”
“…Yeah.”
That exchange between me and Ayaka was all that was needed.
Returning to my seat, Sasuke opened his mouth, his eyes curious.
“That’s unusual. You actually saying something about that kind of thing.”
“It’s fine, isn’t it… You hate seeing that kind of thing too, right?”
“True. But man, Asumi was more straightforward than I expected.”
“Well, I did say things to flatter her.”
“The type who’s popular with older guys, huh? Yeah, that kind of thing probably hits home hardest with the prideful ones.”
Personally, I just wanted Ayaka to be okay.
Somehow, Tokui gave me a bit of a glare, but I just glared right back.
Why the hell didn’t you, her childhood friend, be the first to help her…?
“…Haaa.”
If you won’t move, I’ll help her myself.
▼▽
Lunchtime rolled around, and I was relaxing on the rooftop again.
And this time, she was already there… Ayaka was sitting next to me.
“…Thanks for today, Amato-kun.”
“I told you it’s fine. Seriously, you’re being persistent.”
Actually, she’d thanked me several times since coming here.
Each time, I’d told her it was fine, but I really did think she was persistent, so I gave her a light… really light flick on the forehead.
“Ouch…”
“…Haha.”
“Why are you laughing?!”
She puffed out her cheeks and lightly tapped my shoulder this time.
Her angry face staring at me up close wasn’t scary, but suddenly, a memory from when we went out flashed through my mind… the expression on Ayaka’s face when I touched her chest.
…It really had become an unforgettable, intense memory.
“Amato-kun? Amato-kun!”
“Huh? Ah, hey—”
Was this payback for the forehead flick? Ayaka pushed me down.
Some twist of fate meant that as I caught her, my outstretched hand landed right on her chest.
I felt that soft elasticity again, but I suddenly realized something unbelievable.
“Wh-what is this…!?”
“…Figured it out?”
Ayaka’s smiling face reminded me of that unforgettable female face.
“……………”
Ayaka… Could she be braless?
Maiasa