Nanjo Rin Is Very Short

[You’re leaving way earlier than before, aren’t you.]

Nanjo Rin crossed her arms, her tone full of displeasure.

[Say it.

You’re doing this because you want to slack off, right.]

[Your club president is really pitiful.

She finally got a few members, and who would’ve thought they’d all be the type to leave early.]

She didn’t give us any chance to speak.

Her words poured out nonstop, like a motor running at full speed.

[Then why is Nanjo-san standing here?

Could it be that you’re also planning to leave early?]

Amayama Kaoru asked in confusion, and that finally stopped Nanjo Rin’s rapid-fire barrage.

Her expression clearly darkened.

[Eh—]

Kaoru, though she had a bit of an idiot tendency when it came to emotional intelligence, at least possessed the basic ability to read the room.

She covered her mouth at once.

[Did I say something wrong?]

At times like this, the best response was to stay silent and wait for her to explain herself, rather than provoking her further.

You still need to learn how to speak properly, Kaoru.

[You idiot, idiot, idiot!

Just as I thought, you’re a walnut-brained idiot.

So stupid it’s hopeless.

You speak without thinking.

The brainstem handles thinking, you know.

What kind of single-celled organism are you.

Stupid and dumb.]

[Eh—eh—eh, that’s so mean.

You should definitely be punished for talking like that.]

[Punished?

And who exactly could punish me.]

[For example, Hard-Boiled Pudding.

She hates people who spew dirty words.

She’d stuff pudding into your mouth so you couldn’t talk.]

[Hard-boiled pudding?

What even is that.

If pudding’s hard, can you still eat it?]

[Don’t say that about Hard-Boiled Pudding.

She’s an even stronger magical girl than Sweetheart Chocolate!]

[Magical girls?

You mean those childish things only little girls watch?]

That one sentence instantly ignited Kaoru’s fury.

[Don’t talk about magical girls like that!

They’re heroes who bring peace and happiness to the world, and they let the people who love them experience justice and love—]

[I can’t experience that, because I’m a mature high school girl!]

Nanjo Rin thrust out her completely flat chest and looked up at Kaoru.

[That’s not true at all.

You’re not a mature high school girl at all.

Hmph—Nanjo-san, cute cute cute.]

Kaoru seemed to think of something, puffed out her angry cheeks, and started repeating the words over and over.

And the effect was outstanding.

[Who are you calling cute, you idiot!

Idiot idiot idiot—]

[Cute cute cute—]

If we let them continue like this, they’d probably drag it out until club time ended.

And—

I noticed it.

Those barely perceptible gazes coming from afar.

Those people really were still “protecting” Nanjo Rin.

Then, this was perfect timing.

[It’s your turn now, Ichijou-kun.]

I whispered.

[Leave it to me, Touha-san.]

He whispered back, filled with confidence.

[Ahem.]

A single cough cut off the endless chanting between the two.

[Huh, it’s you again.

Looking to get scolded this time too?]

Nanjo Rin immediately abandoned Kaoru and turned her hostility toward Ichijou Rikou.

[Eh—]

Kaoru let out a dissatisfied sound at being ignored, and I gently tugged at her clothes.

[Kaoru, let’s listen to what Ichijou-kun wants to say to Nanjo-san.]

[Okay, Tsuki.]

As she said that, she still sent me a comforting look.

After all, in her eyes, I still had some indescribable feelings for Ichijou Rikou.

The pained expressions I’d deliberately shown these days, seeing him grow close to Nishimura Kiyoshi, must have caught her attention as well.

Really, an idiot who can’t see through acting.

I’m sorry.

Everything I’ve done was just to maintain the reactions Touha Tsuki should have.

So—

[It’s okay.

Trust Ichijou-kun.]

I gave her a reassuring look.

[We still haven’t settled what happened last time, you know.

You bastard actually dared to touch my hair with your filthy hand.

And you’re always surrounded by women.

Don’t tell me you’re the kind of scum who plays with girls’ feelings.

Yeah, I can tell just by looking.

You’re totally the type who treats girls lightly.

Grabbing my hand and touching my head proves it.]

[Someone like you must be hated by tons of girls.]

[And you’re together with Touha too.

Figures.

You’re both the same kind of trash.]

She still dragged me into it at a time like this.

But now, all I needed to do was smile.

For me, this wasn’t even worth paying attention to.

Rather—shouldn’t it be time for you to act, Ichijou-kun.

Faced with Nanjo Rin’s abuse, he still remained calm.

Just that level of endurance alone qualified him to be a galgame protagonist.

But what was needed now wasn’t endurance.

It was a more aggressive response.

[The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

You jerk.]

Nanjo Rin stretched out her hand, pointing at Ichijou Rikou, holding back her anger as if she was about to launch into another tirade.

And at that moment—

Ichijou Rikou moved.

He grabbed Nanjo Rin’s arm, clearly using some strength, making her cry out.

[What are you doing.

What do you think you’re doing, you bastard.]

Her small body trembled.

Pressed by Ichijou Rikou’s presence, a rare trace of panic appeared on her face.

[Ichijou-kun—]

I called out at the right moment, full of concern.

In response, he slightly shook his head.

[I’ll mind my strength.]

Well, at times like this, he really shouldn’t mind it at all.

Only by completely overpowering Nanjo Rin could he truly step into her situation.

Still—

I put on a relieved expression, trusting Ichijou Rikou’s actions.

[He won’t do anything too extreme, right.]

Kaoru looked worried.

[Believe in him.

Believe in Ichijou-kun.]

[Okay—]

[L-let go of me already.

If you don’t, I won’t hold back, you know.]

Nanjo Rin tried to sound fierce, but all her earlier arrogance was gone.

She was the type who got scared by forceful attitudes.

Before, people would go easy on her because she was a small girl.

But Ichijou Rikou, now with guidance, showed no sign of backing down.

[Amayama-san is right.

People who constantly say inappropriate things should be punished.]

His expression was stern, like a statue, frighteningly imposing.

[Good children shouldn’t be this rude, you know.]

How should I put this—

Why say something so gentle and completely non-threatening while wearing such a terrifying expression.

Ichijou Rikou looked incredibly strange standing there.

And somehow—

[Hehe—]

I found it extremely funny and couldn’t help but laugh quietly.

This must have been how he felt when he saw me imitate Nanjo Rin before.

That look really doesn’t suit you, Ichijou-kun.

[P-punishment?]

Nanjo Rin was still scared.

Her voice had grown much smaller.

[That’s right.

The punishment is—telling us why you were waiting outside earlier.]

[Hah?!

I wasn’t waiting outside early at all!]

Nanjo Rin flared up again like an angry kitten.

Her twin ponytails bristled slightly, making her look rather fierce.

[I was j-just following the club president’s instructions and waiting outside, because the next activity isn’t suitable, not suitable for people under one-point-four meters tall.]

Nanjo Rin’s height was under 1.4 meters.

More precisely, 1.39 meters—just one centimeter short.

[That’s elementary school height!]

An uninformed Kaoru cried out.

[W-what.

Elementary school kids aren’t that tall.

At least, at least it’s middle school height!]

But you’re a high school girl now.

Those words sounded like something that should make people laugh, even schadenfreude.

But unfortunately, they stirred nothing in me.

[That’s not right.

There aren’t any middle schoolers that short anymore.]

Kaoru’s words were a perfect follow-up blow.

Nanjo Rin’s anger shot up instantly.

Even Ichijou Rikou couldn’t hold it in.

The corner of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.

I noticed it.

Hold it in, Ichijou-kun.

Next, use the move you used on me the other day.

I’m sure she’ll be drawn in by your manliness.

I waited in anticipation—

Only to see hesitation appear in his eyes.

Though his hand was still gripping her arm, he didn’t take the next step.

[Alright, I’ve told you everything.

Let go already.

You’re hurting my arm.]

In the end, he let go.

[Nanjo-san, you should be more careful with what you say.

Otherwise, you’ll easily invite trouble.]

[L-like I care.]

Rubbing her arm, Nanjo Rin glared at Ichijou Rikou.

[Seriously, you’re way too much.

I’ll remember this.

You remember it too.]

Muttering curses, she walked away from us.

Along with her disappearance, several gazes vanished as well—clearly hostile.

[Ichijou-kun should be careful from now on.]

[I will.

Touha-san should be careful too.]

[Eh, Tsuki, what are you talking about.

What do we need to be careful about?]

Kaoru, caught in the middle, looked completely lost.

[Careful, careful about being dragged into manuscript reviewing by President Hisateru.]

I said cheerfully.

[Th-then maybe we should leave right now.]

Kaoru looked frightened.

If that’s the case—

[We’ll follow the publicity officer’s orders!]

[W-what, Tsuki, you’re teasing me again.]

[Pfft, hahaha.]

That false cheerfulness continued until it was just the two of us.

The earphones played soft music at just the right moment.

A new song.

I narrowed my eyes, letting myself sink into it slightly.

[It sounds nice, Ichijou-kun.]

Before he could ask, I said it quietly.

He fell silent, and then—

[I’m very sorry, Touha-san.]

[Hm—]

[In the end, I still didn’t treat her as roughly as you suggested.

I didn’t even use the moves we practiced.]

Ah, that again.

[It’s fine.]

[Heh, hahaha.]

I laughed.

[Why are you looking at me like you’ve really wronged me?

Just agreeing to help already makes me satisfied.

I’m not asking you to be perfect.

As long as you’re making an effort, that’s enough.]

[—Hah.

So I was the one taking it too seriously.]

He let out a long breath.

Just how much do you care about my feelings, Ichijou-kun.

[Ichijou-kun, you still can’t bring yourself to act against Nanjo-san, can you?]

[Yeah.]

[Then it looks like you’ll need more practice.

Mm, just like yesterday.]

My steps slowed.

He looked at me, his gaze flickering slightly.

Then—

He turned away.

[Alright, Touha-san.]

And me—

I slowly drew a smile across my face.

It gradually grew wider.

Maybe it was a strange smile.

But it wasn’t really worth worrying about.

[Hehe—]

He didn’t refuse.