Episode 61: The Fan Club

Rattle rattle rattle

All eyes were on me.

…What is it, I only took one day off on Friday.

As I thought that and took my seat, two girls approached me.

「Good morning, Takanashi-kun.」

「I heard you caught a cold, are you okay now?」

These two have really been talking to me a lot lately.

It’s not like it’s a nuisance, but why?

「Yeah, I spent the whole weekend sleeping.」

「I see. That’s good then.」

「If her friend stayed sick, the kind Natsumi-senpai would be sad, after all.」

…I wondered why they were being so friendly… could these two be part of the rumored Yuzuki Natsumi Fan Club?

「Hey… by any chance, are you two in Natsumi-senpai’s fan club?」

「That’s right~」

「You finally took an interest. Let’s be friends, because Natsumi-senpai’s friends are our friends.」

It clicked… so that’s what it was.

But wouldn’t that make them see me as a pest hanging around Natsumi-senpai?

「In terms of the fan club, don’t you think I’m in the way?」

「Not at all. It’s just that while Natsumi-senpai is popular because she’s friendly and takes good care of her juniors, she doesn’t have many people who feel like actual friends. So while many people are probably jealous, the ironclad rule is “cherish Natsumi-senpai’s friends.”」

「Since making a move behind everyone’s back is forbidden, it would be a different story if you were aiming for Natsumi-senpai even as a friend… but since you’re with Satsukawa-senpai, Takanashi-kun, everyone is relieved.」

「Huh!?」

Wait, what, me and Sara-senpai…

「Eh? All the fan club members know, you know? It’s pretty obvious.」

「Satsukawa-senpai clearly treats only you specially, Takanashi-kun.」

……No way… well, even so, if that’s the case they could have said something…

「If you have any trouble with Satsukawa-senpai’s fan club, we’ll help you out too.」

「Even though those guys are gross, their solidarity is incredible… which is also gross.」

As of now, I don’t recall anything being done to me…

「Since they’re just a bunch of wimps who can’t do anything in front of Satsukawa-senpai, I think you’re safe as long as you’re with her.」

「We’re hostile toward them because they do things that cause trouble for Natsumi-senpai too. We’re on your side, Takanashi-kun, so if anything happens, come talk to us.」

「Um, thank you?」

The first bell rang.

「Well then, it’ll be tough since you’re just recovering, but do your best.」

「Thanks…」

Hmm, I’m convinced, but a fan club, huh…

Or rather, is there a fan club for Sara-senpai too… I wonder what she thinks of its existence…

It became lunch break, and I headed to the flowerbed.

Until yesterday, I was on recovery food, I guess? So it feels like it’s been a while since I’ve had a normal meal.

At the flowerbed, the preparations seemed to be finished already.

Location-wise, the second-year students would get here faster, but isn’t this still too fast…?

「Sorry to keep you waiting!」

「Hello, Takanashi-san. We just arrived ourselves, so it’s quite alright.」

「Hello, Takanashi-kun.」

「Hello, both of you.」

When Senpai stood up, she approached me.

Ah, I knew you were going to check…

「There seems to be no change compared to this morning.」

She placed her hand on my forehead and firmly confirmed the temperature of my neck before stepping away from me.

「…………」

Natsumi-senpai was just standing there with her mouth agape…

「Y-yes. Physically, I feel fine too.」

「You seem to be okay. But I will be checking on you after school as well, alright?」

What am I supposed to do after school?

She’s not going to tell me to come to the student council room, is she…?

「Well then, shall we eat?」

「Yes, I’m a bit hungry…」

「…Why is it like nothing happened… do they think that much is normal…」

「Natsumi? Aren’t you going to eat?」

「I’m eating, I’m just troubled because I’m already full from the morning.」

「Be careful not to overeat, okay?」

「……」

Why am I the one being glared at?

Afternoon homeroom finished.

My condition hasn’t worsened, but since I’m just recovering and probably have a slight fever, I definitely feel tired… I want to go home and lie down soon.

「Are you okay, Takanashi-kun?」

「Your complexion isn’t exactly bad… but you look like you’re having a rough time?」

It’s been a while since a classmate talked to me so honestly like this… it’s a little nice.

「Actually, I’m a bit tired. I might want to go home and lie down…」

I told him I would check his condition after school, but is Takanashi-san still in his classroom?

He’s just recovering, and he still has a slight fever after all…

Even though it’s for a short time today, I have a meeting with the student council, so I can’t exactly be absent…

Honestly, I want to accompany him all the way to his house.

Based on how he was during lunch break I think he’s okay, but I mustn’t let my guard down.

It seems homeroom for Takanashi-san’s class is over, as there are students coming out of the classroom.

Rattle rattle rattle

「Excuse me.」

It seems Takanashi-san is still here… isn’t… he?

………What is this…… those two…

Hah!

Takanashi-san is just talking to his classmates.

What am I doing… this won’t do.

What should I do, wait for the conversation to end…

……Isn’t the distance between them a little close and overly familiar?