Koukando ga Mieru you ni natta n da ga, Heroine ga Count Stop shite iru Ken
I Can View Others’ Affinity Stats, But She Has Maxed Out The Affinity Meter!
Author: Komaki Ryousuke
First Symptom
4 – I wanna talk to her #2
Then, it was after school. According to the information I had gathered, Kujo-san was in the sixth class. As I finished getting ready to leave, I was so nervous that I ran to the bathroom.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and wondered if I should really talk to her. In order to get rid of such anxiety, I slapped my cheeks twice and tried to wear on a crisp and serious face.
A, alright! Let’s do this!
I took a deep breath and headed for the sixth class. When I arrived in front of the classroom, I saw Haruki there. And in front of Haruki, there was Kujou-san.
“Y, yo. Haruki! Wh, what are you doing here?”
“Oh, Touma. There’s something.”
In response to my unnatural behavior, Haruki gave a quick and natural reply.
Right, this is a tactical plan. Before Kujou-san leaves, have Haruki go ahead and stop her. And it is a terrible strategy to initially talk to Haruki and then ended up talking to Kujou-san.
As soon as Haruki turned to me with a fresh, handsome smile, Kujou-san also turned to me. However, she seemed to be having a bad day, and her mouth was tied shut. But she looked like she was flushed. It’s probably because of Haruki.
“Ah, Ku, Kujo-san! Th, thank you for helping me carry the printouts today! T, then have a good day!”
And then I started running. You’re daaammn too lame, me! You can’t just say what you want to say and leave immediately.
Regretting what I had done, I entered the classroom, the fourth class. Then I heard the sound of someone running behind me. I turned around to see who it was, and it was Kujou-san.
“Kirisaki-kun!”
“Y, yes!”
Kujou-san clutched the hem of her skirt tightly and tightened her mouth. I gulped hard, wondering what she was going to say to me.
“Th, that…… Thank you, I’ve always wanted to express my gratitude to you.”
Hmm? Gratitude? Did I do something?
“E, emmm. What do you mean, by thanking me?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. That is…… At the time of the entrance exam, you lent me your stationery.”
The exam…… stationery……. I searched my memory for the answer, trying to squeeze it out.
Ah! I remembered. I lent my mechanical pencil and eraser to the girl next to me when I took the entrance exam at this school! But wait a minute. I’m pretty sure the girl next to me at that time was a plain-looking girl with round glasses and a neatly coiffed haircut…….
“E, eeh, that time. Was that Kujou-san next to me?”
“Y, yes…… I look totally different, don’t I?”
“Y, yes, you do! A, anyway, I’m glad you got accepted!”
I started to remember clearly. On the day of the exam, as I was preparing for the exam, the girl next to me was hurriedly going through her bag. Her face was pale, and she looked like she was in trouble. She told me that she had forgotten her stationary. So I lent her the mechanical pencil and eraser I had brought.
Wait a minute. So that’s why the mechanical pencil and eraser had been missing since winter. That’s a relief!
I’ve solved the mystery, and I got Kujou-san’s gratitude! While being filled with such joy, Kujou-san continued.
“I’m glad that Kirisaki-kun was accepted too. Kirisaki-kun was working hard with a pencil and a little piece of eraser, so I was really worried about him.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that! They’d been my partners for many years! So I’m used to using them. Hahaha.”
When I said that in a playful way, Kujou-san gave a small laugh. She’s way too cute.
“Fufu, I’m really relieved.”
“You’re right!”
When I gave her a thumb-up, Kujou-san closed her mouth again. Then she grabbed the hem of her skirt, looking restless.
“U, umm…… the girl who was carrying the printouts with you today is…….”
“Pardon? Ah, you mean Miku? She’s my childhood friend.”
When I said that, Kujou-san’s expression brightened.
“So that was it. Thank goodness.”
“Thank goodness?”
“Ah, no!! If you’re willing……, Can I be your friend……. too.”
Kujou-san looked up at me. And b, be my friend! I’m being a friend to Kujou-san?! A flower garden spread in my brain. And they’re bright red blooming!
“O, of course! I mean, please let me be your friend!”
I was so happy that I bowed my head deeply. When I raised my face, I saw Kujou-san with the corners of her mouth raised, squirming.
“Th, then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Y, yes! I’ll see you tomorrow!”
As I said so, I raised my hand, and Kujou-san gave a small wave and left.
Even though I couldn’t see Kujou-san anymore, I couldn’t help but stare blankly at the corridor. I was immersed in the afterglow, or rather, I was asking myself if this was real. Then Haruki came over.
“You did it, Touma.”
“Y, yeah! Did you hear our exchanges?”
“Sorry about that, but I can’t believe you’ve met her when you were taking the entrance exam. It’s funny how fates work out.”
“You’re right. I didn’t expect she was actually Kujou-san.”
When I put my hand on my chin and said so with deep emotion, Haruki gave a small chuckle.
“Anyway, now that you two have become friends, it’s easier to talk to her.”
“Do you think it’s okay if I talk to her?”
“It’s obvious, right? Be more confident.”
Haruki smiled gently at me. Really, he may be too soft on me, as Miku said. He said the words I wanted to hear.
And I, in my best mood, start walking with Haruki. When we got to the entrance of the school, I found Miku waiting for us with her back against the shoe lockers.
“Yo~! Miku~!”
“Whoa, creep!”
I raised my hand vigorously, and Miku gave me a look of disdain. Then, with a sigh, she threw me a question.
“So, did the operation go well?”
“The answer is a yes~”
It went better than expected. When I told her that I had become friends with Kujo-san, she reacted with a not-so-surprised “Heeeeh”.
“What, you don’t react as you did at lunch?”
“Well, yeah. I saw Kujou-san just now, and she was passing by with a beaming smile on her face. I was wondering, “She can have such a face?”
“Huuh? You must have misjudged her. Kujou-san is graceful, and she has an elegant smile…… she is!”
The latter-part I said it smugly, and then Miku gave a big sigh.
“You, you only learned about Kujo-san yesterday, didn’t you? You’re a fool if you think you know her.”
“S, sorry.”
Haruki laughed leisurely when Miku’s righteous argument made him droop.
“Haha, you’re definitely getting carried away. It’s okay to be exuberant, though. See?”
“Sorry.”
Both of them told me to reflect on my actions, and I walked home with my shoulders slumped. The three of us walked home together. This feeling has not changed since I was a child. I feel as if only our bodies have grown.
Miku has grown in attitude, though.
If…… I and Kujou-san get to know each other better, can the four of us go home together? I hope we can.
Thinking about this, I looked at Miku and Haruki, who seemed to be enjoying their conversation.
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