“Satsukawa-senpai, please come with me after school today.”
As soon as our morning greetings were out of the way, I got straight to the point.
Based on how she had been acting yesterday, I was certain Satsukawa-senpai was troubled by something.
I had left the situation in Natsumi-senpai's hands for the time being, but the memory of Senpai’s forced smile remained stuck in my head. I’d grown impatient to talk to her as soon as possible.
Maybe my wording was a bit too forceful...
“Y-Yes. Certainly. I will go with you.”
Senpai seemed a little taken aback by my sudden request.
Yeah, I definitely came on too strong...
I wonder what he wants to see me about...
Takanashi-san’s demeanor was different than usual.
To be honest... I’m scared.
“Sara, you’re overthinking things again, aren’t you?”
“Natsumi... No, not really.”
“Liar. You were staring off into space during the whole lesson. Do you even remember what the teacher said?”
Ugh...
Now that she mentioned it, I couldn't recall a single word from class...
“Be honest with me. It’s no good to keep it all bottled up.”
Natsumi pressed me with a serious expression.
Since we had talked so extensively yesterday, there was no point in trying to hide it now.
“Actually...”
Since Natsumi hadn't been with me this morning, I explained that Takanashi-san had asked me to meet him after school.
“I see... Right, right. Sara, if Takanashi-kun asks you something, tell him the truth. You need to tell him everything you’re feeling without hiding a thing, okay?”
“Everything... you say? Um, Natsumi, do you know why Takanashi-san wants to talk? If you do, please tell me...”
Natsumi had an air of knowing exactly what was going on.
Of course, there was a chance it was happy or pleasant news, but judging by Takanashi-san’s mood this morning, it didn't seem like that kind of matter.
Suppose we do talk—if he finds out I'm a person as jealous as this... Yes, I know. This is jealousy, isn’t it? Now I understand how the heroines in novels feel.
To think it would be this painful... But I am surely far more possessive than any of those heroines.
What a loathsome woman I am...
There is no way I could ever tell Takanashi-san that I harbor such feelings...
It happened during PE class.
Sigh... I’m so nervous.
Even though I’d decided to talk to her after school, I still didn't quite understand what was bothering Satsukawa-senpai.
Under normal circumstances, Satsukawa-senpai wasn't the type to blatantly hide something she wanted to say or was concerned about. That meant she was carrying a burden that was incredibly difficult to voice...
At that moment, I felt a sudden sensation of weightlessness, as if the ground had vanished from beneath my feet.
I had been far too deep in thought, but now was not the time for self-reflection!
Before I knew it, I had slammed my backside hard onto the ground and twisted my wrist as I tried to brace my fall.
“Ow, ow, owwwww!”
“Takanashi!?”
“Issei!?”
Following the PE teacher, Hayato, who was in the joint class with us, came running over.
I hadn't even hit my chest, yet I couldn't breathe properly. I started to panic, but after a few moments, my breath returned. Once the relief set in, the pain followed...
“Can you make it to the infirmary?”
“I’ll take him there.”
Hayato volunteered immediately.
“Sorry, Hayato...”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s get you to the infirmary.”
I made my way to the infirmary while leaning on Hayato for support.
Naturally, rubbing my wrist didn't do a thing to dull the ache.
This pain is actually pretty bad...
“You’ve been in a daze all day... I bet it’s about Satsukawa-senpai, but seriously, doing that during PE is dangerous.”
Apparently, my brooding had been visible to everyone.
Hayato scolded me with a look of genuine concern.
“...I guess I was overthinking things a bit.”
“If something’s bothering you, I’m happy to listen. For now, let’s just get you seen to.”
Once we reached the infirmary, Hayato explained the situation to the school nurse on my behalf.
Because I had briefly experienced difficulty breathing, she ordered me to stay still and rest until the end of the lunch break.
This is not good...
“I’ll take over from here, so Yokogawa-kun, please head back to class. Thank you for your help.”
“Right, I’m heading back then. I’ll let the senpais know what happened. I’ll bring your smartphone over later!”
“Sorry, Hayato. I owe you one.”
“Now then, Takanashi-kun, please lie down. I need to examine that wrist.”
I’m supposed to talk to Satsukawa-senpai after school today; what am I going to do if they tell me I have to go home early...?
Huh? Yokogawa-kun?
Just as the morning classes ended and I stepped into the hallway with Sara, I saw Yokogawa-kun jogging toward us.
“It’s a good thing both of you are here.”
Does he have business with us?
He seemed to be in quite a hurry.
“What’s wrong? You look flustered.”
Sara probably wouldn't initiate the conversation herself.
He was Takanashi-kun’s friend, but she likely had almost no personal acquaintance with him.
“Issei fell during PE class just now and is in the infir—”
Sara was already off and running—wow, she’s fast!
“Sorry, thanks for telling us. I’ll go check on him too.”
Honestly, the last thing Sara needs right now is more reason to worry.
“Takanashi-kun, I’m going to go have a word with your homeroom teacher, so stay put and keep resting.”
“Yes, ma'am. Sorry for the trouble...”
Rattle-clatter!
“Takanashi-san!!”
That voice belonged to Satsukawa-senpai.
She had burst into the infirmary with such force that even the school nurse jumped in surprise.
Though, to be fair, I was just as startled as she was...