Episode 201: The Transfer Student

Warmth, softness, a sense of security and bliss… I’m drifting in and out of sleep, wrapped in such comfort. I think the word「dreamlike」was invented specifically for this feeling.

But suddenly, I felt that presence slowly, but surely, start to move away.

Unable to bear the thought of letting go, I reached out almost unconsciously and hugged it… and that comfort enveloped me once again, putting me at ease.

「Fufu, honestly, Kazunari-san, you’re such a pampered baby. Sigh… you’re really cute. I have to get up soon and prepare breakfast and the bentos… but I don’t want to leave your side either…」

I thought I heard Sara-san’s voice, and my consciousness stirred just a little. Just a little… though.

「Nn… Sara… san…?」

「Ah, did I wake you? We still have time, so please rest for a bit longer…」

As she whispered that in my ear, she slowly stroked my head as if trying to lull me back to sleep, and I was enveloped by a soft sensation… the feeling…

Monday.

Sara-san’s birthday was a day that will remain a lifelong memory for me as well. Fun, happy, unforgettable, a day I never want to forget.

The first kiss with Sara-san, the success of the surprise present operation, and the birthday party ending safely. There were some parts where my execution was a bit lacking, but even so, I think I can give myself a passing grade.

And then it ended, and just like waking up from a dream, I returned to my usual daily routine.

Maybe that’s why… yeah, I’m sure I just let my guard down.

After meeting up with Natsumi-senpai at the convenience store and exchanging greetings, the conversation immediately turned to last night.

「So, Sara stayed over again yesterday, right? Hey… did you guys really sleep together?」

「Of course. But Kazunari-san seemed exhausted, so he fell asleep right away. Fufu… this morning, Kazunari-san was a total pampered baby even before he woke up.」

「No…」

Yes, even though I was half-asleep, I didn’t want to let go and pampered myself with Sara-san until the very last second. This was just a result of yesterday’s fatigue and the relief of finishing everything safely making me go soft.

「A pampered baby… I’m scared to ask just how much you’re spoiling him. Well, if Sara’s happy, it’s not my place to say anything. But I honestly can’t tell if Takanashi-kun is amazing or not…」

Natsumi-senpai said something meaningful with a half-exasperated look. Of course, I know what she means, but I chose not to play along. It’s because Sara-san doesn’t understand the implication.

「Still, yesterday was fun. For some reason, that group just fits together really well.」

「True, I feel like I could enjoy anything if it’s with that group.」

「Yes. For me, it feels so fun that it’s like my past self was a lie.」

It would make me happy if everyone else felt the same way… no, I’m sure they do. If that’s the case, I really want to plan that trip we talked about before…

I should probably bring it up early since we need to consider the budget.

「Morning.」

When I entered the classroom, I got the impression that it was generally noisier than usual.

Ever since those guys settled down, this class has been surprisingly peaceful, so this state of affairs felt rare.

「Morning, Takanashi!」

「Yo, Takanashi, did you hear?」

「No, I just got here, so I haven’t heard anything…」

「This guy’s an idiot, so he said the same thing to us.」

It seems Yamakawa is the only one getting hyped up among the three, but I wonder what the topic is today.

「So? What are you trying to say, Yamakawa?」

「Apparently, a transfer student is coming.」

「Hey, I was going to say that!」

「The result is the same no matter who says it.」

When I asked for more details, the source claimed our homeroom teacher entered the staff room with a girl they’d never seen before. That’s why the rumor started that she might be a transfer student.

「He said she’s super cute, so Yamakawa is all fired up.」

「I mean, is it really a transfer student? Couldn’t it be a coincidence?」

「Takanashi is right. But the rumor has taken on a life of its own, and the classroom is in the state you see now.」

I see.

Well, a transfer student is rare, and if rumors spread that she’s cute, it’s only natural for some guys to get their hopes up.

Me? Since I have Sara-san, I wouldn’t be interested even if an idol transferred in.

「Morning, Takanashi-kun.」

「Were you able to rest a bit over the break?」

Judging by that comment, it seems the two members of the Natsumi-senpai Fan Club noticed my condition.

「Morning. …Was I really that easy to read?」

「You were unusually dozing off during class, after all. I just kind of thought so.」

Ding, dong. Rattle.

「Morning. Everyone, take your seats.」

The only one who entered the classroom with the chime was the homeroom teacher… but I could see a figure through the frosted glass.

「Well, let’s do our best today too.」

「Yeah.」

The trio and the two from the Natsumi-senpai Fan Club returned to their seats, and I sat down to wait for the announcement.

Everyone was restless, having noticed the figure in the hallway. Yamakawa in particular looked like a puppy desperately trying to obey a「stay」command.

「Sensei!! Who is the person in the hallway!?」

Apparently, Yamakawa didn’t have the patience to stay.

The sight of him raising his right hand so dutifully and energetically to ask the question looked somewhat comical.

「You’re sharp when it comes to girls, aren’t you? Well, it looks like a lot of you have noticed, so I’ll introduce her quickly. Hey, come on in.」

It seems the fact that it’s a girl has been confirmed.

Well, I don’t really…

Rattle

The classroom door opened again, and the figure that walked in was…

………Huh?

「Alright, introduce yourself.」

「Hanasaki Riko. Nice to meet you.」

Whaaaaaaaaaat!?

「SHE’S HEREEEEEEE!!!!!!」

At Yamakawa’s sudden loud shout, which could only be described as a scream, the classmates, the teacher, and Hanako-san all jumped in surprise.

Come to think of it, I feel like that guy mentioned Hanako-san was his type…

Wait, that’s not it!

Why is Hanako-san at this school!?

Better yet, why this class!?

The classroom chatter grew louder, and I could hear the word「cute」mostly from the guys.

As for me, while I was staring blankly in shock, I made perfect eye contact with Hanako-san, who was staring right at me.

Grin…

Wearing a fearless smile, Hanako-san was clearly targeting me.

「Now, as for Hanasaki’s seat…」

「Yes, yes, yes!! The seat next to me is open!!」

Yamakawa started his fierce appeal.

He sits at the very end of the back row, and right by the window, in a sense, the perfect seat.

However, due to the number of students, he’s the only one in that row…

「Let’s see, over there…」

「Sensei, I want the seat next to Kazunari.」

「…Kazunari?」

「…Who’s Kazunari?」

「…Do you know him?」

「…I don’t know who that is by a first name.」

「Is Kazunari… Takanashi?」

「Yes.」

「「「「「 Whaaaaaaaaaat!? 」」」」」

Every eye in the room turned to me at once.

Hanako-san, stop it!!

I mean, there’s already someone in the seat next to me!?

「Hm? What, do you know Takanashi?」

「Heh… our relationship isn’t something light like that.」

「「「「「 Whaaaaaaaaaat!? 」」」」」

Is the next classroom going to complain about the noise?

Ignoring my classmates who had suddenly become rowdy, Hanako-san looked at me with a smirk, and Yamakawa was looking at me with an equally intense… and indescribable expression.

「I-is that so? Well, if you have someone you know nearby, you might settle in faster, so it might be for the best. Maeda, is it okay if you move next to Yamakawa?」

「Sure~. I’ll move then~」

Maeda-san, with the vibe of someone who just got lucky by landing a seat near the best position, gathered her things and moved enthusiastically.

The seat next to Yamakawa, which no one had used until now, was finally filled.

「Alright, then Hanasaki is next to Takanashi. Takanashi, show her the ropes.」

「Okay~」

Hearing my reply, Hanako-san came straight to the seat next to mine and sat down.

For a moment I thought it was a dream, but no matter how I look at her, it’s definitely Hanako-san. Her short stature, her lo… very baby-faced features, and her assertive twin-tails are all exactly the same.

「Hanako-san, what is going…」

「It’s hard to talk here, so I’ll tell you the details later. For now, I’ll be in your care at school too starting today.」

「…Got it. Nice to have you here, Hanako-san.」

I was surprised, but I’m honestly happy to have a close friend nearby. I’ve settled into this class better than before, and it looks like it’ll get even more fun thanks to Hanako-san coming here.

「Are you happy that Onee-chan is nearby? If you’re that glad, then transferring here was worth it.」

She usually has a blunt expression, but lately, she’s been showing me smiles like this.

I have to help Hanako-san fit into the class quickly.

…By the way, should I really ask her soon? Why does she always call herself my Onee-chan… conversely, that means she thinks of me as a little brother. Plus, she called me by my first name without an honorific today… I feel bad for Sara-san…

「…Hey, what do you think their relationship is?」

「…It doesn’t feel like they’re just acquaintances.」

「…Man, I’m curious. What is their deal?」

「…She’s not his girlfriend, right?」

「…Didn’t she say Onee-chan?」

「…Sh-she’s cute…」

I can hear whispers from all over, but everyone must be talking about us…

Morning HR ended earlier than usual.

I suspect the homeroom teacher made time for the classmates to talk to Hanako-san. Even that teacher does something good once in a while.

The moment the teacher closed the classroom door, a crowd formed around Hanako-san all at once. Sitting in the seat next to her, I was swallowed up as well.

As expected, the initial crowd was mostly girls, and the discomfort made me want to run away… but I couldn’t abandon Hanako-san.

「Hanasaki-san, nice to meet you!」

「Wow, you’re really cute up close!!」

「Let’s get along!」

「Eh!? Um…」

Starting with those openers, each of them began talking as they pleased. I understand the desire to talk to a transfer student, but even Prince Shotoku couldn’t handle all of this at once. Naturally, Hanako-san, being an ordinary person, was overwhelmed and struggling to respond.

「Listen, Hanako-san is going to be overwhelmed if you all talk at once. At least take turns.」

I thought I might get shunned again for saying that, but I couldn’t just stand by and watch. I wondered how the girls would react…

「Hanako-san?」

「Whoa, so there really is something between you and Takanashi-kun!?」

「Wait, wait, what kind of relationship!?」

「You said it wasn’t a light relationship earlier, right?」

「Idiot, more importantly, he called her by her first name!」

Ugh… it feels like it just got worse.

Now I’m included in the mess, and it’s getting even harder to manage.

「Everyone, Takanashi-kun is right. Hanasaki-san is struggling.」

「Yeah, let’s calm down a bit.」

「Sorry for being so loud, Hanasaki-san.」

Just then, voices of support for me came from behind the crowd. The ones who pushed their way through were the members who often talk to me in this class.

Maybe because they regained their composure upon the arrival of those girls, the girls who had gathered also offered apologies.

「You don’t need to apologize. Again, nice to meet you.」

It was her usual slightly blunt sentence, but since the others didn’t know her, they misunderstood and thought Hanako-san was angry.

Since some of the girls looked troubled, I decided to follow up.

「Hanako-san isn’t angry, so don’t worry about it. She’s always like this.」

「I’m not always like this.」

「No, but…」

「Moo.」

「…Right, you aren’t always like this…」

「Good.」

That’s weird, why am I the one getting scolded when I’m the one following up…

「Um, so you’re close with Takanashi-kun?」

「Yes.」

「「「「 Heeeeeh. 」」」」

I’m certain we’re being misunderstood.

I thought things would become fun, but apparently, it’s not going to be just that. Hanako-san’s transfer drama was a mix of expectation and anxiety…