LMLCG – Episode 6 – The Cooper…

Some time had passed since then.

The class was still a mess. The idiots continued to dominate, and it was in such a terrible state that no one would be surprised if it were mistaken for an elementary school classroom.

During breaks, a language that barely resembled Japanese flew through the air, and loud, unpleasant voices echoed all the way into the hallway.

I didn’t want to spend a single second in that classroom outside of class.

The flower bed had become my place.

On days when Senpai came, she did the watering while I took care of weeds or spread fertilizer.

On days when she didn’t come, I did the watering myself.

It wasn’t something we decided on, but since I was there every day, that’s just how it turned out.

Senpai probably noticed that I wasn’t fitting in with the class.

I came here every day, and she knew what had happened on the rooftop in the first place.

Even so, I was grateful that she didn’t say anything about it.

We didn’t have any meaningful conversations, just light small talk.

But it didn’t feel awkward… or at least, I thought so.

What surprised me a bit was when I happened to see Senpai in the hallway after school.

She was walking with a few others, and I hesitated to call out to her, but then I heard part of their conversation.

“You should be able to judge and act on your own. How long do you plan to stay stuck in a middle school mindset?”

“Y-Yes, I’m sorry…”

“This document is way too sloppy. Haven’t you done this task multiple times? Think about how to summarize it more efficiently.”

“I’ll be more careful… I’ll try referencing other materials.”

She wasn’t saying anything wrong, but man she was harsh… especially her tone.

It wasn’t just correcting someone, it felt like her strictness had a deeper reason behind it.

She had never spoken to me like that, but… if she did, how would I even react?

The highlight was when that flashy guy blocked Senpai’s path as she walked by.

“Satsukawa-san, heyy~”

“…………”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“…I don’t have time to deal with children, you know?”

“Huh?”

That cold glare… was intense.

It wasn’t just her words. That was clearly someone who honestly believed the other person wasn’t even worth engaging with.

“You’re acting awfully familiar with me. I don’t even know who you are.”

Said so plainly, the flashy guy froze.

I don’t know whether they actually knew each other or not, but he clearly approached her assuming she’d know him.

…As expected of the lonely goddess.

…Still harsh as ever.

…And people still follow her, huh?

…Well, she has actual results. She’s not all talk, so lots of people admire her.

…Maybe it’s the beauty and that cold aura that people like.

…Ever since she became vice president, the vending machines, school rules, all kinds of things have improved.

I could hear the whispers of those nearby.

Honestly, with that attitude, I figured she’d just make enemies…

But the people around her didn’t seem all that bothered, even as they were being scolded.

Was there some reason for it?

If they’re okay with it, then maybe it’s fine?

While I was thinking about that, before I knew it, Senpai and her group had moved closer.

I was leaning against the wall, lost in thought, so I didn’t realize Senpai was looking at me.

“Good afternoon, Takanashi-san.”

“!? G-Good afternoon, Senpai.”

I didn’t expect her to speak to me here.

From the mood, I thought she would just pass by without saying anything.

But the harshness from earlier was completely gone, it sounded like her usual voice.

For some reason, it felt like the surrounding voices all disappeared.

“So, Takanashi-san, heading home already?”

“Yeah, um… I didn’t feel like staying in the classroom…”

“Ah, I see… Well, unfortunately, immature people exist everywhere.”

She lowered her voice partway, so I couldn’t catch everything she said.

“My apologies, I have somewhere I need to be. I’ll take my leave now. See you tomorrow…”

“Y-Yes. See you…”

She left quickly, taking what were probably student council members with her.

As she passed, they looked at me like, “Who the hell is that?”

…Who was that guy?

…He just had a normal conversation with the goddess.

…Didn’t she seem kinda different?

…Who gave him permission to get close to her?

I was still deep in thought, so those reactions didn’t really bother me.

I had some idea of her strict demeanor, but seeing it in person was still a shock.

If that’s her standard way of dealing with people, will the day come when she treats me like that too…?

If that happens, I probably won’t be able to talk to her the way I do now. That thought scared me.

Why does she speak so politely to me?

From what I’ve heard, it doesn’t seem like she does that with others.

As I walked home, all kinds of thoughts went through my head, and before I knew it, I had arrived.

Today, I came to my usual shrine for a visit.

Calling it a visit might sound too formal… I just put my hands together and made a wish.

…My situation might be something that only a prayer to the gods can fix now.

When I finished and turned around, an old woman was standing there. I hadn’t noticed her until now.

“Oh my, oh my! I’m glad I finally meet you again.”

It was the old lady I had helped carry some bags before.

“Ah, hello. How have you been?”

“Thanks to you, I’m well. I’m sorry I didn’t get the chance to thank you last time.”

“No, I was in a rush that time too.”

I only carried some bags. It wasn’t anything that warranted thanks.

I helped her out mostly out of an awkward sense of obligation.

“I’d like to thank you somehow—”

“No, really, I just carried some bags. Don’t worry about it.”

“But still…”

Crunch, crunch…

I heard footsteps on gravel approaching.

“Obaa-chan, there you are.”

That voice…

“Sara-chan, welcome.”

“Yes. Ah, I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation…”

Her voice seemed to shift toward my back halfway through, she was probably apologizing to me.

“Sara-chan, this young man is the one who helped me carry my bags the other day.”

“I see. Thank you so much for helping my grandmother at that time… Truly, thank you.”

When I turned around, Senpai was bowing deeply, her head lowered.

“Umm, Senpai…”

When she heard my voice, Senpai quickly lifted her head.

“Eh! Takanashi-san!?”

It was the first time I’d seen such a clearly surprised expression from Senpai.

Honestly, I was just as shocked.

What are the odds of something like this happening?

“Yeah… Um, she’s your grandmother, Senpai?”

“Yes, she’s my grandmother. I had heard from her that a kind young man helped her, but I never imagined it was you, Takanashi-san…”

I was surprised too.

As cliché as it sounds, I found myself thinking, “The world sure is small.”

At that moment, her grandmother, who had been listening to our conversation, responded.

“Oh? Are you a friend of Sara-chan?”

“Takanashi-san has been very kind to me.”

“Senpai has been kind to me as well.”

…Our lines and timing overlapped.

Her grandmother chuckled a little.

“I see, I see. This is the first time I’ve met one of Sara-chan’s boyfriends. Why don’t you stay for some tea?” (TL Note: she actually said bōifurendo here.)

Boyfriend… Honestly, we weren’t close enough for her to say that.

Even if it’s okay for me, I figured Senpai would feel awkward about it.

“Uh…”

“I’m sorry, Takanashi-san. I’d like to properly thank you, so could I have just a bit of your time?”

Senpai didn’t seem particularly concernd and asked me in her usual tone and expression.

With her asking like that, I couldn’t really turn her down.

“Alright, just for a bit…”

“Thank you. Right this way…”

Guided by Senpai, I ended up entering the main house next to the shrine.