Ichinose's Little Worry (Part 1)

(Ichinose)

It's been nearly a week since enrollment, and the atmosphere on campus is calm and cheerful.

My friends are getting along well, and my living expenses are quite generous—it feels like I'm living in a dream.

Studying is every student's duty, I suppose.

But even as I say that, I feel like I've been slacking off a little myself.

I guess this is what high school life is like after compulsory education—the teachers don't seem too concerned about classroom discipline.

There are students who keep up with the lessons, but they're definitely in the minority.

Chatting, sleeping, even showing up late or leaving early happen from time to time, and the teachers still turn a blind eye to it.

This doesn't seem to fit the school's system, or the rules of the classroom, does it?

But no one has any objections to it...

Even Hajima-kun doesn't seem to care, always sleeping in class.

Like a sloth that can't wake up, and when he does wake up, he always looks dazed and confused.

It might not be appropriate to gossip about other classmates like this in my head.

Ah... but he really does look like a little sloth.

When he wakes up, his bangs are always messy, and I get this strange urge to straighten them out for him.

It's just that the messiness makes him look a bit listless, nothing more than that.

It feels... a little weird.

Every time I think about something, my mind wanders off in strange directions...

"Ichinose-san, what's wrong?"

Shiranami-san looked over at me with concern.

"You've barely touched your chopsticks—do you have no appetite?"

"I ate a bit too much at breakfast, so I'm not really hungry."

"That won't do—you have to eat something, or your body won't hold up!"

"Well, I feel like I've gained a bit of weight lately, so skipping a meal or two is fine."

"No, no, no! Ichinose-san isn't fat at all."

"Eh... but I really can't eat anymore."

"Tonight, if you have an appetite tonight, make sure to eat a lot more."

"Mm."

Shiranami-san seems to care a lot about these things, always taking the initiative to look out for me in many ways.

A friend like this—I want to protect her no matter what.

I've been trusted by my teacher and classmates, so I need to perk up and live up to their expectations.

But still, I'm a little lost.

Teacher Hoshinomiya really wants me to lead the class, to get along well and study hard together.

Working hard together—that's something I'd be happy to see, of course.

But as a leader or something, I'm not really qualified, am I?

I'd be happy enough just not causing trouble, but acting like I'm in a position of authority, managing the class, making sure everyone behaves and doesn't cross the line...

I really can't put on that kind of attitude toward my classmates.

I kind of want to talk about how I'm feeling, but seeing Shiranami-san's smiling face, I can't bring myself to speak up.

It's not that I don't trust her or anything like that, but when I can't even find my own way out of this maze, I need a guiding light to show me the path forward.

On one hand, I don't want to let down Teacher Hoshinomiya's trust and expectations; on the other, I'm lost and powerless about moving forward.

Teacher Hoshinomiya said that during tomorrow's homeroom, we'll elect class officers, and she hopes I'll try to run for class president.

I'll do my best.

I said.

I just want to find someone to talk to—I don't know if Hajima-kun is the most suitable person.

But I'm really curious about Hajima-kun's attitude, about what kind of answer he'd give to the problems I'm facing.

"Ehh~, Ichinose-san hasn't noticed that school's already over?"

"You were staring so intently at someone just sleeping? And here you were distancing yourself at the start of enrollment."

"A social butterfly and a social outcast's school romance—those kinds of contrast love manga are really popular lately."

I was still spacing out over some things, and the moment class ended, I was surrounded by the girls.

Every time I try to muster the courage to deny that kind of topic, I feel like rushing to deny it would just make me look guilty instead.

I quietly glanced back and saw that Hajima seemed to have been woken up by the noisy commotion.

"We... let's go sit over there."

The suggestion I tentatively offered was accepted.

"Is Ichinose-san bothered by how loud we are, worried it'll disturb Hajima?"

"So biased..."

"It's not bias! I just don't want to disturb... the other students."

"Uu~ just a few days ago, it was fine being all around Ichinose-san, wasn't it?"

"Could it be because 'the other student' is sleeping today?"

"It's not that!"

Kohashi-san handed me a small mirror for some reason, and through its surface, I saw myself.

There's air conditioning in the classroom, isn't there...

Why is my face this red!?

I touched my cheek, and a scorching heat transferred to my palm.

My emotions felt all jumbled, and even trying to clearly separate each thread of thought felt difficult.

D-don't lose your composure now.

"I might have something I need to talk to Hajima about, so I probably can't hang out with everyone today."

"Don't worry, no one minds."

"Don't make that relieved face! It's not like I'm going on a date."

I decided to muster my courage and stood up.

Just as I was about to raise a smile and greet him, I saw a girl crouched beside his seat.

Under her short brown hair was a vibrant, energetic smile.

I think I'd seen her at the Zelkova Shopping Center before; Hamaguchi had mentioned her to me back then.

Kushida Kikyo, very popular in Class 1-D.

But at the time, it was just a passing mention, so I hadn't thought much of it.

She seemed to notice me, turned her head, and gave me a friendly smile.

I'd been beaten to it.