Too Many Losing Heroines! - Volume 5 - Chapter 4.3

Social Studies Data Room. This is a small room with books and materials stacked like mountains inside.

Shikiya-san is already headed to the next photo location. As for the four of us, we finished moving stuff and soon surrounded the table in the center of the room.

“Thanks for the help, everyone. Have some tea while you’re here. We have desserts as well.”

Amanatsu-sensei closed the fridge with her foot and slammed down a 2L plastic bottle.

“I’ll pour it for everyone.”

I observed Kaju as I distributed the tea cups to everyone.

Normally, Kaju would be the first one to do things like this. However, right now, she’s holding her paper cup while looking around nervously.

Gonto-san lowered her head and stayed completely still. As for Tachibana-kun, he seems to be super sensitive right now. He will probably shiver from other people touching him.

Eh, hold on. Based on the current situation, don’t tell me he’s going to confess right here. I think I chose a weird command.

Amanatsu-sensei doesn’t care about this dangerous atmosphere at all. She started handing out Western desserts- Pyrenees cakes.

Pyrenees are very common Western desserts in Toyohashi. There’s cream wrapped around in a layer of sponge.

Honestly, I’m overjoyed. It’s because this is delicious.

“No need to hold back. Eat as much as you like. This is specifically prepared for you guys.”

This teacher can’t read the room as usual, but it’s quite reliable for her to treat us…

Very well. I’m going to stop his confession right now. I’m a man of my word.

“Thank you very much. Did you bring these just for today?”

“Well, I will hand them out during the conference a little later, but nobody will know if you guys don’t say anything, right?”

With that, Amanatsu-sensei took a bite of the cake.

…She’s letting us eat these? Amanatsu-sensei shoved the cake into her mouth and destroyed the evidence. After that, she wiped the corner of her mouth and glanced at Kaju’s side.

“You three are wearing Monozono’s uniform, right? That means you guys are my kouhais.”

“Eh? Sensei, you’re our senpai?”

I couldn’t help but interrupt. Sensei nodded forcefully.

“Yeah, I studied in Aoki Elementary School. You too, Nukumizu?”

“Uh, my little sister and I didn’t, but the two of them-”

I looked at Tachibana-kun. He nodded.

“Ah, yes! I studied in Aoki as well.”

“Oh, I see. Perhaps we went to school together once. I’m joking. Hahaha.”

I ignored Amanatsu-sensei's unfunny joke. During this time-

“...Yes, I remember you, sensei.”

Tachibana-kun spoke up. His tone is very serious.

“Did you visit Aoki for an education internship 6 years ago?”

“Yeah, it’s been that long already.”

Sip. Amanatsu-sensei took a sip of tea.

…Eh, I don’t think we’re fast-forwarding to the special event.

“I’m Tachibana. You taught our class before. I don’t think you remember me, though.”

Amanatsu-sensei suddenly stopped upon hearing that.

“Ah- …yep, I remember you. I remember you.”

“Eh? Really!?”

Tachibana-kun leaned forward with sparkling eyes.

“Of course, …hmm, …well, I feel like…”

She gradually lowered her voice and looked downward. I bet this person doesn’t remember.

…But does this mean any event is going to happen?

Gonto-san and he should also be in the same elementary school if they are talking about this. Then, just as I wanted to see her reaction, Gonto-san broke her long silence by suddenly standing up.

“I’m going to the toilet.”

Gonto-san glanced at Tachibana-kun and hastily dashed out of the room.

…Huh, one of the characters left. Why did Gonto-san suddenly do that?

Amanatsu-sensei dropped her jaw as she watched her leave. She then cheered herself up and cleared her throat.

“Anyway, Tachibana-kun. Are you in any clubs? Hmm?”

“Yes, I’m in the Gardening Club.”

She’s clearly trying to change the topic, yet Tachibana-kun answered her honestly.

“I’ve always loved plants. I used to tend to the plants in the classroom, and I grew a flower in the vase as well. Other people always tease me for being girly since I’m on the shorter side-”

Tachibana-kun tilted his head slightly and smiled in embarrassment.

“But Amanatsu-sensei kept helping me. I’m really happy.”

“Oh, did something like that happen too…?”

“Yes, I think sensei was really cool at that time. The same goes for when you’re teaching. Even though you’re short, you look very manly and handsome. That’s outstanding.”

“Outstanding!? Me!? However, a teacher’s responsibility is to help students develop things they are good at, I guess. Fuhehe, everyone actually says that to me all the time. Fuhehe.”

She must not be used to being praised, right? Amanatsu-sensei’s chuckles are a bit terrifying. She then clapped her hands.

“...Ah, I remember someone always having a flower on his desk? Was that you?”

“It’s me! You really do remember me!”

Tachibana-kun’s smile blossomed.

“That flower always withers quickly, and it was kind of depressing. But I’m satisfied if someone’s willing to see my flower.”

“Yeah, I used to look at it every morning. It’s beautiful, after all. I wanted to put it on the altar in my house, …no, never mind.”

-I finally understood what was happening.

“And then, two years ago, I found sensei’s name on the newspaper’s teacher list. I heard that Nukumizu-san’s brother is studying at this school. That’s why I begged him to let me come here just to see sensei.”

“Ha, why are you going so far for me?”

Amanatsu-sensei is holding a mug with a stunned expression.

Eh, is she okay? This person should be able to figure out what’s happening right now, right?

Aside from me, Kaju, Tachibana-kun, and Amanatsu-sensei are present.

There’s no skip button in reality. Things will go once they start happening.

Tachibana-kun suddenly stood up. His face is filled with determination.

That’s right. He’s not confessing to Kaju-

“I’ve always admired you, and I’ve always loved you!”

It’s Amanatsu-sensei instead.

This confession is way too straightforward and clumsy. After hearing that, Amanatsu-sensei’s reply is:

“Ha.”

Her voice is powerless.

Silence came as if time had stopped. I couldn’t bear it, so I spoke carefully to sensei.

“Hey, sensei, you should say something, right?”

“Hmm…? Eh? Me!?”

Yes, you.

Sensei finally realized what happened after dazing out for a while.

She stood up and approached Tachibana-kun.

“Ah- …you should be Satoshi Tachibana-kun, right?”

“Yes.”

“I truly appreciate your feelings. However, I’m a teacher. I can’t answer your feelings.”

“Yes, I’m already satisfied with being able to confess my feelings.”

“I see. I’m sorry.”

Amanatsu-sensei smiled warmly. The same smile appeared on Tachibana-kun’s face as well.

-I witnessed a young man’s hopeless love ending within moments.

Rather than depression, I feel more like a burden has been taken off me.

Amanatsu-sensei gently put her hand on Tachibana-kun’s shoulder.

“Also, if you have a brother who’s several years older-

“Sensei!? Don’t you have to go to a conference later?”

I immediately interrupted her. This person is always up to something when she talks.

“Ah, yeah. I have to go to the small conference room. There are 4 levels of stairs too.”

Amanatsu-sensei sighed deflatedly.

“Well, I’ll be leaving. I’ll leave the rest to you, Nukumizu.”

“Eh? Ah, yes.”

Sensei patted Tachibana-kun’s shoulder before leaving. “14 years old, …4 years left…” She mumbled and headed out of the Data Room. It looks like she’s imagining what’s going to happen 4 years down the line.

I remained on the spot after she left. Tachibana-kun remained still, so I talked to him.

“Uh, …Tachibana-kun, are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m really sorry. I messed up the tour.”

“No worries. The other two know about this too, right?”

Tachibana-kun nodded silently.

The ever-shrouding uncomfortableness slowly disappeared.

He knows Amanatsu-sensei is my class teacher. He came to the open day to convey his feelings that had been hidden for many years.

He can’t get into Tsukabuki. This is perhaps his only method.

But new questions soon surfaced in my heart.

How did Kaju feel when she came here with him?

Also, why did Gonto-san leave before Tachibana-kun’s confession…?

Right, Kaju has been pretty quiet. I looked at her seat.

-Kaju disappeared.