The Return! Futaba: Does This Even Count as a Best Friend?

After all, he had put in the effort too.

Oreki wiped his hands and did not return the handkerchief to her.

"Then let's go find Mr. Sojiro now."

"Mm." Takari nodded.

She actually cared a great deal. Or rather, she was interested in all seven of Oreki's paintings. Although each one was a little embarrassing, and each one had her in it, they were incredibly wondrous.

Every single painting was a priceless treasure to her.

She could not bear to put them down.

Considering Takari's withdrawn condition, Oreki went with her.

Sojiro was in the office.

Oreki and Takari carried the canvases and headed straight to the office.

Mr. Sojiro was there.

"..." It was clear that Takari became tense when she realized she had to return to the staff office.

But just as Oreki was about to remind her, she gritted her teeth and took a step forward.

She walked ahead of Oreki and reached the office door first.

Then she stepped inside.

There were five or six teachers in the office.

But it was now break time, and other teachers were also walking this way.

So those teachers' gazes fell on Takari as well.

She immediately felt ill at ease. Even so, she pressed on.

That was very good.

She had tried really hard.

Before her reputation changed, this school would still bring her pain.

Only...

"..."

The instant Takari entered the office, she seemed to turn mute.

She could not speak again.

Sure enough, making her communicate directly with this painful place and these people was too difficult.

Oreki closed his eyes, gathered himself for one second, then spoke in the curious and surprised tone of a latecomer who was still like a child.

"Mr. Sojiro, Mr. Sojiro..."

"Ms. Yukino brought some amazing paintings."

Sojiro,