The mystery of why Natsukawa had reacted with such agonizing endearment was solved: my constant hovering had likely scared everyone else off, leaving her with a severely limited circle of daily conversational partners. Probably. Most likely.
...But that didn't necessarily mean it was a comfortable place for her to be.
People often stay in a place they don't truly like simply because they don't want to be alone, or because they don't want anyone to point and laugh at their solitude. They make it their home out of necessity. That was why I couldn't help but wonder if Natsukawa had been forced to care about me only because she had no other choice. If that wasn't the case, I couldn't make sense of her behavior.
"Still, dreaming is a waste of time."
That said, as I'd thought before, I didn't have a single doubt about Natsukawa's potential as an idol. I had loudly declared this to be a "production," but I figured that now that I was physically separated from her by the seat change, people would naturally start to gather around her again.
If that was the case, there was only one thing for me to do: fade into the background as much as possible so the other students wouldn't even think of me when they looked at Natsukawa.
"—I see. So that is how you think."
...Huh?
I was in the hallway near the shoe lockers, a place that should have been empty. A dignified voice reached me from directly ahead as I walked with my head down. For a split second, I thought it was a man, but as I started to look up, a glimpse of legs told me otherwise. Ah, black tights.
"Was it you who frightened my junior in this spot at this time yesterday?"
"It was me. I am terribly sorry."
Since I had a very clear idea of what she was talking about, I went straight into a ninety-degree bow. I hadn't seen her face yet and didn't know her year, but there was no doubt she was a senpai.
"Hah? ...Creep." (Exaggerated)
Wait, did she actually say that yesterday? I thought she was a more quiet, doll-like girl. The very picture of the "innocent and pure" archetype that's every guy's ideal... What? A closet sadist with that look? Seriously, that’s the best.
"I’m joking—wait, why are you apologizing? That girl was depressed because she felt she'd spurned your kindness."
"The problem was my own meddling. Only in shoujo manga is it acceptable to approach a vulnerable young girl in a deserted area. If I’d thought about it for even a second, I would've known I’d scare her."
"A vulnerable young girl...? She might look it, but she is your senior."
"Oh, is that so?"
She seemed to have realized I was a first-year from the color of my tie. The senpai looked at me with an exasperated expression. Her voice was like a Takarazuka performer's and she was so handsome that I felt a crushing sense of defeat.
...In truth, it didn't strictly have to be a shoujo manga. Even if his personality was a bit flawed, a handsome guy who looked kind could have helped her without scaring her. I had simply overstepped my bounds without knowing my place.
"Your actions at that time were something to be praised. You were by no means being meddlesome."
"...Is that so?"
Well, I suppose the Disciplinary Committee President would think so. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I hesitated to argue further.
The black tights stepped closer. If I kept my head down like this, I’d look like a pervert, so I looked up. Once I recognized the person I’d been talking to, a strange mix of joy and disappointment welled up, along with a feeling of "I knew it."
Shinomiya Rin. She was the school’s Disciplinary Committee President, highly popular among both boys and girls for her cool demeanor and refined features. That was exactly why I felt she wouldn't understand my way of thinking.
"Well then, if you'll excuse me."
"Wait."
"..."
I hadn't even eaten lunch yet... What exactly was lasagna bread anyway? It was my first time buying it. From the looks of it, it was packed with cheese, at least.
"'It’s a waste of time to dream,' was it? Hearing those words convinced me that you spoke to that girl without any ulterior motives. Someone with an agenda wouldn't mutter such realistic things to themselves."
"..."
It seemed she had been suspicious of the male student who spoke to that girl after all. You suspected me even while saying I should be praised? Which meant she was only praising the action itself and didn't actually believe in the intent behind it. Okay, that was reality for you.
"However, I don't think it’s good to be so pessimistic. The reason she reacted that way was because she has a certain aversion to men."
"With all due respect, Senpai, even if it had been a different female student carrying luggage in that place at that time, I probably would have gotten the same reaction. That’s just how an encounter with a strange man in a deserted place goes. If you’ll excuse me for asking, do you even interact with male students often?"
"N-mu..."
The Disciplinary Committee President, Shinomiya, likely pushed forward toward her ideals with a gallantry that brushed off any men around her. In that situation, she probably couldn't empathize with either me or that girl. In the first place, it felt like Shinomiya-senpai wouldn't even consider those boxes heavy. No, that was probably too rude to say, even for me.
"Well then, if you'll excuse m—"
"W-Wait!"
"Wait, hold on..."
Here I was, being desperately held back by the school’s number one cool beauty as she grabbed my arm. This must have been the peak of my popularity. If any students who didn't know the circumstances saw this, they’d definitely get the wrong idea. Should I just go with the flow—wait, hold on, she was surprisingly strong...
"I-I have something to consult with you about."
"Eh..."
Aren't Disciplinary Committee Presidents usually the ones people go to for advice? I never expected a mere first-year brat like me would be the one consulted. I didn't think I could solve the high-minded worries of someone as elite as her.
Leaving the courtyard benches behind, I was dragged into the Student Guidance Room near the faculty office. Seriously... wasn't there a better place? I was spotted by two or three students on the way. They definitely thought I'd done something wrong.
"Have a seat. You can eat that, too."
"Uh, okay then."
The Student Guidance Room was cramped, just enough for one long table that seated four. To be alone with the beautiful Disciplinary Committee President in such a small room... maybe I should have been happy. But since she was two years my senior and the head of discipline, it felt a bit like being with a teacher. Her behavior was just way too cool for me to treat her like a girl my own age.
I savored the lasagna bread—a mash of pasta (was that macaroni?), cheese, and tomato sauce—while I listened to her.
"You see... That girl you spoke to—her name is Inatomi Yuyu..."
"Oh."
The name sounded familiar. She was definitely a senpai in the Disciplinary Committee. I’d heard rumors that she was tiny and cute. So she really was Shinomiya-senpai’s direct junior. Given how fragile and charming she was, I could see why Shinomiya-senpai would look after her.
"She’s a very hard worker. She sees any task through to the end, and she takes great pride in being a member of the Disciplinary Committee. The same goes for the others."
"Is that so?"
That’s wonderful. With those looks, she probably grew up being doted on. It was rare for someone like that to not become selfish and instead work seriously while still a student. It’s usually those cute girls with high job skills who end up retiring early for marriage... probably.
"However, they occasionally say things that sound like they lack confidence. They become pessimistic. Each time, I try my best to encourage them, but some have even said they lost confidence specifically because of me."
"Even as a first-year, I’ve seen you on the podium a few times, Senpai. You’re really cool, and it feels like you’re truly protecting the school's discipline. Wouldn't anyone lose their confidence after seeing that?"
"W-Wait, don't praise me so directly. It’s embarrassing..."
Damn, that actually made my heart skip a beat. Don't go pulling that "gap moe" crap on me out of nowhere... She’s way too cute. Fine, keep it coming. I'll watch you from right here.
Hey, come on.