Ichijō Riku Is Unexpected

Really, really?!

Shimizu Mima couldn’t believe it.

Did Amano-senpai really confess to Yuki?

Aside from when she gets to spar with Yuzuki, it’s rare to see Shimizu Mima this excited.

That’s right.

Just yesterday, in front of so many people, when everyone was watching, the president bravely confessed to Yuki.

Yuzuki spoke enthusiastically while recalling it.

For them, this was a rare chance to talk about romance.

As for why they deliberately talked about it in front of me, I didn’t know.

I remember they’re in the same class, right.

If so, they should’ve talked about it long ago.

Now, doing it like this instead, it felt like they wanted to see my reaction.

I didn’t disappoint the two of them.

Eh, you don’t have to say it that loudly.

My cheeks flushed slightly, and I looked a bit embarrassed in front of them.

Of course, this was just an act deliberately put on by this fake me.

It’s a good thing, you know.

The president is a really good man, Yuki can tell that too, right.

Yuzuki showed no intention of stopping, continuing to say idle things.

Yesterday too, it was thanks to the president.

Otherwise, I don’t even know what kind of danger Riku-niisan would’ve run into.

But I also trained hard in kendo and protected Riku-niisan.

That’s amazing, Yuki.

Shimizu Mima waved her hand in support as a friend.

That’s incredible.

Hehe, I already have the power to protect Riku-niisan now.

You really are amazing, Yuki.

Compared to Hazuki’s body, which faces no danger at all, Yuzuki already has strength comparable to an ordinary man.

And later in the story, she’ll gain a rather exaggerated form, with terrifying values in punching and kicking power.

Of course, that’s something for later.

By the way, Ichijō-kun is fine, right?

That was a topic that did catch my attention a little.

Ichijō Riku’s physical condition was something we couldn’t check yesterday.

After all, it was a strange situation where it was hard to ask him anything.

Though last night, he seemed able to talk fairly casually.

As for Riku-niisan, he had such a big bruise on his back and didn’t say a word, probably because he was afraid I’d worry.

She complained about his injuries from being hit with a stick.

Other than that, there was nothing else.

An injury that was only meant to be known by a few still ended up being exposed.

But—

There wasn’t really anything to regret about it.

I thought it would be worse.

After all, Riku-niisan’s complexion looked really strange.

Strange?

They gradually ignored my presence.

That happens often, actually.

If anything, it lets me rest a little.

Now, I could also listen to their conversation while resting.

He’s been strange since last night.

Especially when it comes to things he’s interested in.

That indescribable feeling.

It’s not exactly anticipation, more like he’s thinking about something.

Anyway, it’s just strange.

Uehara Yuzuki thought for a long time, but still couldn’t fully describe his state.

What kind of feeling would that be?

Would it be painful?

After all, it should be someone she was going to claim for herself, yet he’s starting to accept another man’s affection.

That kind of psychology isn’t hard to infer.

As for me, no, as for the body named Higashi Hazuki, Ichijō Riku did say he had some feelings.

And it didn’t seem like he was lying.

That’s also why, after not completely rejecting Amano Sora, I felt especially guilty.

Compared to Amano Sora, who confessed sincerely but couldn’t stir even the slightest reaction in me, what Ichijō Riku thinks is what draws my attention more.

So yes, it really does feel quite painful, Ichijō-kun.

Thinking that, there was still an indescribable feeling.

It even made my heart, which should have long been dead, stir a little.

I found myself hoping time would pass faster, looking forward to meeting him at noon, while also feeling a bit afraid.

Well, that doesn’t seem like me.

Having such complex emotions.

Is this really still that hopelessly rotten heart from before?

Maybe I’m caring too much about what Ichijō Riku thinks.

Why am I spacing out?

What am I thinking about, Yuki?

I showed behavior slightly different from usual.

But it was easy enough to brush it off.

I was thinking about how to get along with Sora-senpai.

After all—

He just confessed to me.

That?

What’s so difficult about that?

They enthusiastically offered advice.

Perhaps they already saw me and Amano Sora as a pair.

Many of their ideas clearly came from shōjo manga, sounding quite romantic.

For me, it was basically just background noise to pass the next break.

As expected, it’s still pretty boring.

For someone like me, who should just rot away at home, getting tangled up in so many things is really unbearable.

The school sports festival is starting soon, you know.

Have you prepared?

That was another topic worth noting.

Yeah, we’re prepared.

The slight weakness caused by physical training in PE lasted until noon, finally dissipating when the meal was handed to me.

Thank you, Ichijō-kun.

If you like it, that’s the greatest affirmation for me, Higashi-san.

Is that so—

I bit into the cutlet, and as the juice seeped out, filling me with overwhelming happiness, I squinted my eyes.

Is it good?

He looked happy too.

Well, that’s how it’s supposed to be, isn’t it.

It’s really good, Ichijō-kun.

Mm—

He opened his own lunchbox as well.

It looked the same as before, both of us quietly eating.

But in truth, something had changed.

At times like this, bringing it up myself was the best choice.

You’re still bothered by it, aren’t you, Ichijō-kun?

Eh—

He looked up.

About how I didn’t completely reject Amano-senpai’s confession yesterday, and—

About that—

He stayed silent for a long time, then honestly nodded.

I am bothered by it.

Just as I thought.

I’m sorry, Ichijō-kun.

Why are you apologizing to me—

He looked surprised.

According to my plan, Ichijō-kun was the most suitable person to stay by Higashi Hazuki’s side.

Because I understand you, and I believe there’s no man better than you who could make the original Higashi Hazuki happy.

He looked at me, clearly moved by my words, his gaze wavering.

But all of that was ruined by my mistake.

I set down my lunchbox.

I was apologizing seriously, and explaining the reasons back then.

I didn’t expect someone among them to deliberately approach me.

I didn’t expect them to keep trying to seize the initiative.

And I didn’t expect Sora-senpai to get involved, and to such an extent.

By the time I realized it, it was already too late.

Even so, there was no need to say those things, Higashi-san.

He replied.

I can tell that you don’t have those kinds of feelings for Sora-senpai.

You said it yourself.

Don’t force yourself too much.

He looked at me with a bit of concern.

So—

What he meant by being bothered.

Was that he didn’t want to see me forcing myself?

Haa—

A protagonist who isn’t the “proper” one really does exceed my expectations.

And his gentleness hasn’t changed.

My previous analysis of normal people doesn’t apply to him.

Of course, I’m not saying you’re not normal, Ichijō-kun.

It’s just that, for some reason, that lingering confusion settled into a sense of stability, as if my feet were back on the ground.

If I don’t force myself, I can’t get anything done, Ichijō-kun.

I picked up my lunchbox and smiled faintly at him.

Besides, Sora-senpai already forced me to make a choice.

Either save you and resolve the trouble, or keep playing mind games with them.

If I rejected him, you might even become a thorn in Sora-senpai’s side.

In the end, all this trouble was something I stirred up myself.

Letting you bear it would be far too cruel.

I don’t want to see you get hurt for my sake again.

Even though I spoke lightly, Ichijō Riku didn’t relax.

I shifted a little closer to him.

Ichijō-kun.

I spoke almost right next to his ear.

I promise you.

I won’t let Sora-senpai touch this body.

Just those few words made Ichijō Riku tense up.

As expected, he does have feelings for Higashi-san.

There’s no denying that.

I smiled rather maliciously.

Hehe—

Of course, before I leave, I won’t let anyone touch me too much either.

I squinted my eyes and laughed softly.

And—

It doesn’t really count as forcing myself.

I’ve actually found a source of enjoyment.

Eh—

While he was confused, I took out my phone.

On it was a message from Amano Sora.

It was probably an invitation to have lunch together.

I turned it down with some casual excuse.

Ichijō-kun, right now you’re eating with me, someone Sora-senpai likes.

And if you wanted, you could even do it here.

If it’s with someone Sora-senpai likes, it might feel exciting.

You might even put more strength into it—

Stop, stop, Higashi-san.

That kind of joke is going too far.

He didn’t seem able to enjoy that strange pleasure.

After all, he’s not rotten like me.

Even so, I happily squinted my eyes.

Let’s eat.

You still need to apply medicine later, right?

Mm-hm.

Ichijō-kun, do you want to know what color it is today?

That—

You’ll find out later, won’t you—

Looks like you’ve gotten used to it.

But you still don’t know the color underneath.

Alright, alright, Higashi-san.

Eat your meal.

Hehehe.

The pleasant atmosphere from before had returned.

Ah, right, Higashi-san.

Hm?

Last night, Yuki was watching too closely, so I couldn’t come see you.

Sorry.

About that—

It’s okay, Ichijō-kun.