The classroom was the same as always today, filled with the usual racket from the idiots.
The class was currently split into two distinct camps: the Non-interference Faction, who had resolved to ignore the fools, and the Entourage Group that joined in their noise.
Even the members of the Non-interference Faction weren't necessarily alone; they formed their own small groups or interacted with other solitary students.
In other words, I was the only one who was truly, completely isolated.
The chime for lunch break rang.
I grabbed the rice balls I’d bought at a convenience store on my way to school and headed out of the classroom.
Now, where should I eat?
Nothing specific came to mind, so I ultimately decided to head to the flowerbed behind the school building where I usually did the watering. There was a bench nearby, and since the area was typically deserted, I figured it was the perfect spot.
I finished my lunch, but I had nothing else to do.
I thought about killing time on my phone, but since I was already here, it occurred to me that if I watered the plants now, I wouldn't have to come back after school.
I started by pulling out the more noticeable weeds, then I hooked up the hose with the spray attachment and began to water the soil.
Just then, I noticed someone approaching.
"Oh? You're early today, I see."
"Satsukawa-senpai..."
It was the Goddess herself.
She looked at me, then shifted her gaze to the flowerbed. She noted the pile of pulled weeds before looking back at me again.
"I've often seen you here after school, but this is the first time I've run into you at lunch."
"Yeah... I knew someone else was tending to the flowerbed, but I never imagined it was you, Satsukawa-senpai. I assumed it was one of the teachers."
"I always come at this time. I often saw you taking care of things in the afternoon, so I was aware of you."
"Is that so..."
I had no idea the Goddess had been watching me.
But more than that, I was shocked to learn that the mystery gardener was actually her. One thing that struck me was that I didn't feel the same "sternness" or "sharpness" I'd sensed during our encounter on the rooftop yesterday.
Since she seemed approachable, I decided to try and keep the conversation going a little longer.
"I'm sorry about yesterday..."
"Don't be. The Student Council received a report that someone was on the rooftop, so I simply went to investigate. Besides... it was clear you were just caught up in the antics of those idiotic, childish pseudo-elementary schoolers."
She was breathtakingly beautiful, but her words were razor-sharp. So she really had heard the entire exchange.
To be honest, the combination of misery and shame at having been seen in such a state made me want to vanish from the spot immediately.
"Um..."
Satsukawa-senpai looked as though she wanted to say something more, but I couldn't find a way to break the silence. Then, it hit me.
"Sorry, I realized I never introduced myself. I'm Kazunari Takanashi. A first-year—"
"Vice President! Excuse me, regarding these documents..."
A female student—likely a Student Council Officer, judging by the title she used—came running toward us.
"It's about the paperwork from yesterday..."
In an instant, the Goddess's expression shifted into something entirely different.
"Can this not wait until the Student Council meeting after school?"
The approachable atmosphere she’d shared with me moments ago vanished, replaced by a cold, prickly tension. The words she directed at the girl were sharp enough to vividly remind me of her severity on the rooftop.
If I were the one on the receiving end of that tone, I think I'd be too terrified to speak.
"Eh? No, well..."
"Is this something that absolutely must be confirmed right here and now, or it will be too late?"
"…I’m sorry. After school is fine."
"Then please wait until then."
As if she had no further business with the girl, Satsukawa-senpai turned her back on her. This meant she was now facing me again.
"I'm sorry for the interruption—"
"No, excuse me! I’m actually running out of time, so I’ll be going now!"
"Ah..."
The shame of her witnessing that scene on the rooftop rushed back, and I lost any desire to continue the conversation. Without waiting for a response, I hurried away.