Today was another day of feeling absolutely miserable.
The fools in my class were running wild, and as more people joined their antics, the atmosphere had devolved to a level so pathetic I could hardly believe they were high schoolers. I was utterly disgusted.
Refusing to engage with them, I headed for the flowerbeds as soon as lunch break began, desperate for a moment of solitude.
As I looked toward the garden to calm my nerves, I couldn't help but notice how the heat was picking up lately. I found myself wondering if I should start watering the plants more frequently.
I wasn't a member of the Gardening Club, nor did I have any actual responsibility here. I almost laughed at how seriously I was taking it.
Still... deep down, a part of me hoped I might run into Satsukawa-senpai. I was painfully aware of how I’d practically fled during our last encounter, and I wanted to apologize for being so rude.
"Hello."
Satsukawa-senpai was already there, tending to the flowerbeds.
The mist from the water caught the sunlight, sparkling brilliantly. With the light framing her, she looked every bit like a true Goddess.
I stood there, momentarily captivated, completely losing my voice.
"……"
"Takanashi-san? Is something the matter?"
Senpai called out my name.
I was honestly touched that she actually remembered it. The realization snapped me back to my senses.
"Sorry, I was spacing out for a second. Once again—hello, Senpai."
"Hello. What brings you here today?"
Talking to her now, I didn't feel that cold or intimidating aura from before. I wondered what had caused that shift the other day, but for now, I was just glad we could actually talk.
Since it was on my mind, I decided to share my thoughts from earlier.
"It’s been getting hotter lately, so I came by to see if we needed to increase the watering schedule."
"I see. To be honest, I was thinking the same thing."
Senpai released the handle of the hose, cutting off the water before turning toward me. Her eyes fell on the bag I was holding.
"By the way, have you had your lunch yet?"
"Oh, no, not yet."
"In that case, please leave the care of these little ones to me. Go ahead and eat."
"Thank you. I’ll do that, then."
I sat down on our usual bench and unpacked my lunch.
Was Senpai in a particularly good mood today? Comparing her current demeanor to the sharpness she'd shown last time, the difference was night and day.
"If you find yourself needing a drink, please feel free to have some of that bottled water. There are disposable cups right there as well..."
"Eh? Oh, thank you very much!"
"Not at all. Please, take your time..."
I was stunned. I hadn't expected that kind of consideration from her.
When I looked at her face, she wasn't exactly smiling—she was as expressionless as ever—but she didn't seem displeased, either. Regardless, her kindness was genuine, and it made me feel a quiet sense of joy.
As if she had been waiting for me to finish eating and settle down, Senpai spoke up again.
"Until now, we’ve just been alternating shifts whenever we happened to be here, but with the summer heat approaching, it might be better to set a proper schedule."
"I agree. That's probably for the best."
It seemed we were on the same page.
She looked like she was about to say more, but she suddenly paused as if a realization had struck her. A flicker of what looked like flustered concern crossed her face.
"My apologies... I should have confirmed this first. Takanashi-san, you’ve been helping with these little ones out of pure kindness, haven't you? May I assume you intend to continue helping in the future?"
I see. She was worried about overstepping.
Since there was no official obligation, I was technically free to stop whenever I wanted. But I already considered this garden one of my few true sanctuaries. I didn't like the idea of walking away from something I’d started.
And... if I were being honest, I was also interested in Senpai herself.
"Of course. I started this because I wanted to, so I have no reason to stop now."
"Thank you. In that case, I look forward to your continued help."
Senpai gave me a small, polite bow.
Between the strictness she showed to others and the various rumors surrounding "The Aloof Goddess," I had expected her to be a harsh, difficult person to deal with.
But rumors are just rumors.
She didn't seem like that at all; her manner was nothing but polite. Whenever I spoke to her, she gave me thoughtful replies, and she even initiated conversation herself.
"To continue our discussion, then... would it be acceptable if we simply alternated days?"
"That works for me. But... if it's not a bother, would it be okay if I still came here during lunch breaks?"
"I don't mind, but... are you sure you want to?"
I came here specifically to avoid the classroom, and I wanted to keep doing that. I didn't think I’d said anything odd, but Senpai looked slightly bewildered.
I wondered why.
"As you are likely aware... I am not exactly known for being approachable."
I see. So that was it.
That wasn't a problem for me at all. In fact, I didn't see her that way at all.
"No, it's not that. To be honest, I just don't feel comfortable in my classroom. As I kept coming here, I started to feel like this was somewhere I actually belonged."
When I voiced my honest feelings, Senpai nodded as if something had clicked.
Looking at her closely, I realized that while she appeared expressionless, her features were actually quite expressive in their own subtle way.
"Is that so... I think I understand that feeling a little."
"You do?"
Her answer was unexpected, but it made me feel like she truly accepted my presence here.
"Yes. Then, as before, I will also come here during lunch whenever I can. However, if there’s a day where neither of us can make it, these little ones will suffer. Just in case, would you be open to exchanging contact information?"
This caught me completely off guard.
It made sense logically, but I never imagined I’d end up exchanging contact info with her.
"Y-Yes. Then, Senpai, is RAIN alright?"
I suggested the most common messaging app to keep things simple. I pulled my phone from my pocket and opened the app. I displayed my barcode, and Senpai scanned it with her own phone.
"……I’ve added you. How about on your end, Takanashi-san?"
"Yes, I’ve got you registered as well."
This was the first time I had exchanged contact info with anyone at this school. To think my first contact would be the legendary Goddess herself... it felt surreal.
As Senpai looked down at her phone, she murmured softly.
"Come to think of it... this is the first time I’ve ever added a man’s contact information to my RAIN. It feels... a bit strange."
It seemed she was feeling the same way I was.
Judging by her expression, it didn't seem like a negative feeling, but I had to be sure.
"Ah, was that a problem?"
"No, it's not that. I have male classmates and fellow Student Council Officers around me, of course... but it just felt a bit strange that you were the first, rather than any of them."
That made sense.
Normally, there should have been plenty of people she would have exchanged info with. For a guy in such an ambiguous position like me to be the first... I could see why she’d find it peculiar.
"Actually, I'm in the same boat. I haven't exchanged info with a single classmate since I started here. Having the Student Council Vice President as my first contact is a bit of a strange feeling for me too."
Upon hearing that, a flash of anxiety crossed Senpai’s face.
"That... isn't meant in a bad way, is it?"
"Of course not. I'm honestly happy about it. It makes me feel like I might accidentally send you a message about something other than the garden."
I tried a small joke, though I realized I actually did want to talk to her more.
"That is what the app is for, after all... if you have something you wish to discuss, please feel free."
Just as I received that polite, diplomatic response from Senpai, the preliminary bell rang, signaling the end of lunch.
"Ah, I have to clean up quickly..."
"I'll help."
"Thank you, I appreciate it."
We detached the nozzle and wound the hose back onto the reel. Since we’d only done the watering today, the cleanup was finished in no time. We had plenty of time to get back to class.
"Well then, see you tomorrow."
"Yes. Good work today."
Even if it was just a practical necessity, I had actually exchanged RAIN info with Senpai.
That small spark of happiness felt like enough to carry me through whatever unpleasantness the afternoon had in store.