The Fourth Class Is Modern Chinese (Continued)

Although it felt like she still called Zaimokuza "Saizai-kun," setting that aside, as expected of you... After I said that half in admiration and half in fear, Yukino brushed back the hair resting on her shoulder and smiled proudly.

"That much is only natural. Hi... Hiki... Hiki-meow-kun..."

"Don't just gloss over it, seriously. You remembered it properly, right...? Huh? You did remember it, right?"

At my question, a delighted smile bloomed on Yukino's lips. Ah, well, if you were having fun, then whatever... No, that wasn't okay. Being vague about someone else's name was really rude, wasn't it? Remember people's names properly!

As I thought that, the people beside me began an even ruder conversation.

"I thought she was a first-year..."

"Ahh, yeah. I almost forgot to use honorifics."

Isshiki whispered into Komachi's ear, and Komachi readily agreed. Yeah, yeah, well, little Oto-tomi, trembling so timidly, really did look a bit young. She made people want to protect her.

But it wouldn't do to keep little Oto-tomi shrinking back like this.

Anyone visiting for the first time would surely feel pressured if they were surrounded by a line of people led by Yukino. It felt like a job interview. Thinking about it, there was not only a club president here, but even a student council president. It was like interviewing for a board director position.

"So, what brings you here?"

Then Yukino, who carried herself with more presence than anyone else, asked little Oto-tomi with a smile. Like a student being asked why she had applied during an interview, Oto-tomi abruptly straightened her back and answered with a stiff expression, "Y-yes!" But her voice gradually weakened, and her back slowly hunched over. Yeah, it really was like an interview.

"Um, I wanted to talk to Hikigaya-kun..."

Hmm, that was a