E.2
“It seems like you're being quite ostentatious early in the new year.”
As we were about to arrive at Keyaki Mall, a female student who found us discussing typical library experiences called out to us. It was Kamuro Masumi, who we didn't usually interact with much.
For some reason, she seemed to be looking at us with a disgusted expression.
As Kamuro approached, Hiyori slightly bowed her head in greeting, but was ignored, as Kamuro unilaterally started talking to us.
“I just saw you on a date with Karuizawa at the end of the year. Did you start going out with a different girl as soon as the new year began?”
Apparently, the gaze directed at me was one of contempt.
If you only saw this scene, it might’ve been unavoidable to be perceived that way.
“They’re totally different types of girls. What were you thinking?”
“Um, good morning, Kamuro-san.”
“Shiina, right? I didn't think you and Ayanokōji were this close.”
Unless we explained the reason properly, the misunderstanding would continue indefinitely.
“Today, he invited me to hang out as a friend.”
“I also got permission from Kei.”
I thought this would persuade her a little, but her expression remained stern.
“Even if that's true, it doesn't change the fact that it looks abnormal from the outside.”
Since the circumstances weren’t clear from an outside perspective, that statement was also valid.
“But if that's the case, wouldn’t it be impossible for boys and girls to hang out together?”
“There’s an atmosphere, you know. Even if you look from afar, you can feel that it isn’t normal.”
That interpretation might’ve been Kamuro's own thoughts, but it wasn’t necessarily wrong.
Among the female students, Hiyori was highly evaluated by me.
Although she didn't show it much, she was knowledgeable, shared the same reading hobby, and wasn’t very talkative. In other words, she was one of the people with whom I could easily connect with.
On the other hand, it was also predictable that Hiyori saw me in a similar light.
If that was the case, it was natural to assume that our relationship went deeper than a normal friendship.
“I'll do my best to be careful not to cause any misunderstandings.”
“That would be wise.”
“Did you come all the way here just to warn us about that?”
“I’ll get to the point now. There’s something else I want to confirm with you.”
Without even offering a New Year's greeting, Kamuro closed the distance even further.
“It's a bit of an intrusive conversation, is that okay?”
Just in case, she asked if it was okay to continue in Hiyori's presence through eye contact.
Hiyori didn't seem to mind, so I let her proceed with the conversation.
“It's fine. If you have something to say, say it.”
“Well then, I’ll ask without holding back. What was your intention with your recent actions?”
“Actions? What are you talking about?”
“Don't play dumb. I'm aware that you've been snooping around Class A recently.”
“Me, snooping around Class A?”
I had no recollection of that. Snooping around Class A?
I genuinely felt puzzled, but one interaction came to mind that could be interpreted that way.
“Could it be about Morishita?”
“Oh, so you do remember? Someone saw you and Morishita deep in conversation.”
In that case, it might’ve been the moment when I was just called out.
It wouldn't be surprising if someone had witnessed that from afar.
“Morishita-san?”
Not recognizing the name, Hiyori muttered curiously beside me.
She might not even realize that Morishita was in the same year.
“You didn’t know? There's a student named Morishita Ai in Class A.”
“I think I've heard the name before, but I've never spoken to her.”
“She doesn't usually talk to people outside her class. Suspicious, right?”
“Is that so? I didn't notice...”
She said that she talked to Sudō and Kōenji, among others.
Although her use of my full name without honorifics bothered me a bit, she didn't seem shy.
“You weren't trying to probe Class A?”
“I didn't intend to. You're free to believe me or not.”
Without trying to hide it, Kamuro stated outright that she didn't easily believe me.
“I never thought Kamuro would be the type to act in Class A’s interests.”
“If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't care that much.”
“Really?”
“You're the only one who can influence Sakayanagi.”
I couldn't have imagined such a claim back when I first met Kamuro. I always thought she hated Sakayanagi.
She had discovered her shoplifting and, using it as leverage, made Kamuro her pawn.
Initially, she should’ve been irritated with Sakayanagi's approach.
There was a gap in the image I had of her.
“Eating from the same pot for a year changes things, huh?”
“Don't make assumptions. I still don't like Sakayanagi, but I have to think about the class at least. If your existence has a positive effect, I'll leave it be, but if it doesn't, I'll need to take action.”
It was fair to say that she had developed some degree of camaraderie.
“Speaking of which, you seem to know quite a bit, Shiina.”
“What do you mean?”
“You listened to my conversation with Ayanokōji without a change in your expression, right?”
“What was it? Sorry, I wasn't listening too seriously.”
“...Huh?”
“It's a conversation between you and Ayanokōji-kun, so I was just spacing out while looking at the scenery. Did you guys talk about anything special?”
As Hiyori tilted her head curiously, Kamuro sighed in exasperation.
“Not really. It's nothing.”
She must’ve judged that it was an excessive reaction and that she was overthinking.
Perhaps she had intended to purposely lead the conversation in that direction to probe Shiina's response, but it seemed her assumption was off.
Hiyori, who was right next to her, should’ve heard the conversation properly and understood the situation.
However, she was a person who could put on a natural display without letting the other person realize it.
“I know you're not normal.”
“That's a rough way to say it.”
“It's the truth, isn't it? Otherwise, you wouldn't have made that girl Sakura drop out of school without a second thought.”
It seemed she was also talking about the unanimous special exam we had taken. Kamuro seemed to possess information that only the people within the class were supposed to know.
“Today, I'm going to ask you—”
As she began to say that, Kamuro's gaze shifted for a moment.
“Oh, look. What an unusual pair~”
Just when her persistent interrogation was about to begin, Hashimoto appeared with a carefree attitude, alongside Kitō, who lined up next to him.
I didn't miss the sudden change in Kamuro's expression.
It was like the face you’d make when you've run into someone you didn't like.
However, if she was going to question me continuously in such a public setting, she should’ve taken into account the possibility of running into Hashimoto.
In that case, there might’ve been another meaning behind the momentary change of expression, but more than that, my eyes were drawn to Kitō's flashy, full-fledged outfit.
As he declared that he aspired to be a fashion designer, his sense of style was different from that of the general public.
I couldn't tell whether that was a good or a bad thing since I had no confidence in my own sense of fashion.
“When I saw Ayanokōji surrounded by beautiful women, the flames of jealousy just ignited.”
“Are you kidding me?”
Kamuro, clearly angry, stepped up to confront Hashimoto.
“Both Shiina-chan and Kamuro-chan, huh? Ayanokōji has quite the discerning eye. Right, Kitō?”
Though he asked Kitō for his agreement, Kitō didn't show any reaction.
“Us two guys were just about to go out by ourselves, but would you mind if we join you?”
“Who would? I'm going home.”
Kamuro, enraged, tried to leave the scene, but was stopped by Hashimoto as he grabbed her arm and whispered something in her ear.
She immediately pushed him away to create some distance between them, but she didn't move her feet.
“It's not like you two are on a date, right? Ayanokōji has a girlfriend.”
I nodded, thinking that it couldn't be helped. The conversation would inevitably develop in a similar way to the one with Kamuro.
“Then there's no problem with us joining and making a group of five, right?”
“I don't have a particular reason to object if Hiyori’s okay with it.”
“It sounds fun. I've hardly ever spoken with Kamuro-san and the others.”
Without showing any signs of reluctance, Hiyori answered.
I wasn't the type to actively start conversations, but I thought it wasn't bad to have fun with a large group like this.
I wasn't particularly close friends with Hashimoto and the others, but it wouldn't be bad to build a bond with such diverse students.
“Since we didn't have any specific plans, should we leave it up to Hashimoto?”
“If you'll leave it to me, I can decide.”
Hashimoto readily agreed, perhaps used to leading a group.
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