Mob Character Reincarnation Loner: As a Result of Supporting the Heroine Who Had Been Rejected, I Ended up Being the Recipient of Her Heavy Emotions…
“Oh, wait, the uniform. I think we switched to summer uniforms today…”
Right after putting on the long-sleeved uniform, it suddenly hit me.
I think Tsukimi-san mentioned something yesterday… But I already put the uniform on, so…
“Hmm. The AC will be on once I get to class. Tsukimi-san told me to wear the summer uniform, but it’s not like the teacher will scold me. I’ll just stick with this for today.”
“Of course it’s not fine.”
“Eek!?”
A calm retort came from behind, making me let out a weird yelp.
Tentatively turning around, I saw Tsukimi-san in her summer uniform staring at me with a deadpan look, clearly exasperated.
For a second, I wondered why Tsukimi-san was even here, but knowing her, she must have come to check if I was wearing the summer uniform properly.
How careless of me. I shouldn’t have said, “Tsukimi-san told me, but I’m fine like this~”!
“…………”
Tsukimi-san’s glare felt about 30% sharper than usual… I’d completely screwed up.
“…………Kyaa! Tsukki, you pervert! Ouch!”
“Hurry up and change.”
“…………Yes.”
She handed me the short-sleeved uniform with a cold stare, and I changed right there. After that, she ate breakfast with me and went to school ahead of me.
She could have just left with me. Thinking that, I put on my shoes and left the room.
The summer sunlight was stronger than I expected. I was just walking normally, but sweat was already forming. Wiping my damp forehead, I looked up at the summer sky, which seemed somehow dazzling.
Tsukimi-san was right—switching to the summer uniform was a good idea.
“Morning! Bun-kun! What a coincidence!”
“Morning. What a coincidence.”
The familiar voice belonged to Hiyori, who pulled up beside me in her summer uniform. She said it was a coincidence, but lately, it felt like we bumped into each other every single day on the way to school.
Well, since Hiyori insists it’s a coincidence, I guess it all is just coincidence, just chance.
…Probably.
“Did you make plans to walk to school with Mii-chan today?”
“Nah, not really.”
“Oh, okay… Then… Can I walk with you?”
“Sure.”
When I answered that, Hiyori nodded with a huge smile.
This exchange was becoming a regular thing.
“W-Wait, Bun-kun. You’re in your summer uniform!”
Hiyori bumped into my shoulder as she said this. In that instant, a faint soapy scent wafted over me, and I instinctively stepped back from Hiyori, who had moved closer.
I was sweating now, and I might smell sweaty… It was an action born from that kind of girlish thought…
“…Huh?”
Hiyori paled instantly, probably shocked by the sudden distance.
Oh, crap.
“Ah, no… that’s not what I meant! See, I might smell sweaty! It’s embarrassing!”
My desperate explanation seemed to get through, as the missing sparkle in Hiyori’s eyes returned.
“Oh, that’s what it was. I don’t mind that at all… Oh, wait!”
Hiyori rummaged through her backpack with an expression that seemed to say she’d hit upon a brilliant idea.
“Try using this.”
She handed me a Sea Breeze sweat wipe with a smile.
“Huh? Is that okay?”
“Yeah. It feels refreshing the moment you wipe, and I really like the soap scent.”
Ah, I see. So this is the soap scent Hiyori mentioned.
…I’m a bit grossed out by the sweat and the smell bothers me, so I’m sorry, but I’ll take you up on your kindness here.
“Well then, I’ll take you up on that.”
“Okay. Oh, should I wipe it for you?”
“N-no, that’s okay.”
“…Cheee.”
The moment I slid the sweat wipe Hiyori gave me across my skin, a cool, refreshing sensation wiped away the stickiness.
…The scent seems stronger than I expected. Oh well. It’s definitely better than smelling sweaty.
As I entered the classroom chatting with Hiyori, Misuzu was sitting on my desk with a smug look on her face.
“Good morning, Bungaku. It’s hot today, isn’t it?”
“Good morning, Misuzu-san. It got hot all at once, didn’t it?”
“Good morning, Bungaku. It’s hot again today, isn’t it?”
Huh? Wait, did something start looping? Is this a game glitch?
“Um… Misuzu-san? I just heard that a moment ago.”
“Good morning, Bungaku. It’s hot today, isn’t it?”
…Ah, I see. This is it. The kind where the story won’t progress unless you give Misuzu a satisfying response.
I know this because I’ve played those cute girl games before.
“Um…”
As I pondered what to say, Tsukimi-san behind Misuzu gave me a glare while tugging at her summer uniform.
Got it. Misuzu changed into her summer uniform, so she wants to be complimented on it?
…With my crappy vocabulary?
N-no. I’ve had more chances to talk to girls lately. I should be able to come up with better words than before!
Here I go!! Communication skills MAX!!
“Misuzu in your summer uniform. You’re so beautiful I can’t look directly at you. Yeah, just like a summer Venus… right?”
“That’s kinda creepy. Try again.”
No way…
“Bun-kun. Maybe simpler words are better in situations like this?”
Hiyori taps my shoulder and offers advice, resting her chin on it. Lately, I feel like Hiyori’s distance towards me is bugged.
Ah, bad. Misuzu looks annoyed. H-I need to compliment her nicely, fast.
“Um, summer uniform. It suits you. I think… you’re cute.”
“More literary.”
“Misuzu in her summer uniform. So sexy.”
“Mm. Satisfied.”
What does this girl think I am…?
Or rather, is this really okay?
“Huh. Bun -kun. So that’s what you were thinking when you saw Mi-chan’s summer uniform—huh.”
“…Creepy.”
Hiyori and Tsukimi’s stares pierce me. I feel like I’ve lost something in exchange for Misuzu’s good mood, but it can’t be helped.
“Hm? Bun-kun smells kinda nice today…”
“Bun-kun and Hiyori… they smell the same. Could it be… cheating…?”
“No, no! I just got some sweat wipes from her.”
“That’s right! Mii-chan! There’s absolutely nothing shady going on! …Right now.”
Hiyori-san!? What do you mean “right now”!?
“R-right now. W-whoa…”
Oh no, Misuzu-san looks like her brain’s been fried…!!
“You… you piece of trash…”
Tsukimi-san’s murderous glare and Misuzu with her fried brain. Hiyori smiling sweetly, her thoughts completely unreadable. And our classmates staring at us with eyes full of disbelief.
Faced with this hellish situation first thing in the morning, I couldn’t help but stare up at the ceiling.