Episode 68: Trouble In Class

Rattle rattle rattle

「Mornin’~」

「Yo.」

The situation in class has changed lately.

The idiots being noisy was the same as always, but the fact that it spread through the class that「Takanashi seems to be close with Satsukawa-senpai」was a problem.

Lately, talk that I’m「also close with Natsumi-senpai」was added to that, and it’s gotten even worse.

「Hey, Takanashi-chan~ let’s go hang out soon~」

「I’ve got a seriously recommended spot, it’d be the best if you brought some girls.」

「The Senpais would definitely be happy if you brought them.」

It’s bad enough that they’re irritating just to look at, but even the way they talk is irritating.

The reason I didn’t get involved with the class was because people like this were acting like they owned the place.

Since I’ve been avoiding them, they might have misunderstood me for a timid character, but I’m not actually afraid or timid or anything like that.

Honestly, I have a track record(?) of getting physical when I lose my temper.

In other words, what I’m trying to say is that even I can snap.

「Hey… I know you guys are talking to me because you’re aiming for the Senpais, but you’re being annoying, you know?」

「…Huh?」

「What’s with this guy…」

Of course they’d react like that.

Small fry who can’t act tough unless they’re in a pack.

「Try calling out to them yourselves. Well, I just hope you don’t end up in a situation where you have to voluntarily withdraw from school like certain people did.」

Actually, after that incident on the rooftop, all the guys involved had either voluntarily withdrawn or transferred schools.

Besides the things said by people around them, they were apparently treated like criminals and had their real names and photos exposed on the internet.

I didn’t really understand it back then, but maybe the fan club was involved.

「Hey, we don’t intend to let people like you get close to Natsumi-senpai, though?」

「Do you really think you’d even be considered?」

Two members of the Yuzuki Natsumi fan club joined the fray.

Being playboys, they apparently didn’t want to deal with girls.

「…Tch.」

「Another girl.」

They backed off after saying just that.

The atmosphere had turned pretty sour… but it’s a bit late for that.

As I always think, I don’t care about this class.

…But I’ll make sure to thank the two who helped me out later.

There’s no student council today, but it seems the President and Sara-senpai have things to discuss with the teachers, so I ended up going home first.

Since I snapped for the first time in a while, I thought I’d visit the shrine and calm my nerves.

I climbed the stone steps and arrived at the small shrine.

I wonder if I should say hello to Sachie-san on my way back…

As I was thinking that—

「Bam!」

「Whoa!?」

There was an impact from behind that startled me.

I didn’t fall, but since I’d completely let my guard down, I stumbled a bit.

「Hey, it’s Mio-chan~」

Exaggerating my reaction, I turned around to see Mio-chan looking up at me with her usual smile.

「Onii-chan, carry me!!」

Adorable as ever, she reached out both hands toward me, begging to be held.

Of course, I had no reason to refuse, so I picked her up as she was.

「Mio-chan, what’s up today? Where’s your mother?」

「Hmm, today I’m with Onee-chan~」

Onee-chan?

If it were Sara-senpai, she’d say「Sara-onee-chan」, so is it someone else…?

As I was thinking, someone came up the stone steps.

They seemed to have been running and were out of breath.

「Haa… haa… Sorry to keep you waiting, Mio-chan…?」

When her eyes met mine, she looked surprised for a moment, then narrowed her eyes and spoke with a cautious tone.

「Um, that child is my…」

「Onii-chan, play with us too?」

Mio-chan spoke to me, completely ignoring the tension.

She’s probably the person Mio-chan called「Onee-chan」.

At first glance, she looks like a woman in middle or high school, with semi-long black hair and a serious appearance.

As someone who dislikes modern trends, that alone gave me a good impression.

「Onii-chan?」

「Hey, Mio-chan, is this person the Onee-chan you were talking about?」

「Yeah, it’s Marina-onee-chan!」

Apparently, she came with this person today. Considering her mother isn’t here, she must be family or someone close.

In that case, I should introduce myself properly so there’s no misunderstanding.

「Sorry for the late introduction, I’m Takanashi Kazunari. Mio-chan and I have known each other for a while, and we play together like this sometimes. If you ask Mio-chan’s mother, she’ll know who I am.」

I intended to introduce myself politely, but her expression turned to shock halfway through.

Did I say something bad?

「…Takanashi, Kazunari… the same name? No, such a coincidence…」

?

What is she mumbling?

Noticing my suspicious look, she seemed to snap out of it and regained her composure.

「My apologies. I am Todo Marina. I’m Mio-chan’s cousin.」

Cousin?

Well, that isn’t strange or anything, but more importantly, I’m worried that she hasn’t dropped her guard at all.

Do I look that suspicious…?