When I looked back on our time together, Natsukawa’s face was the first thing that came to mind—usually wearing an expression that practically screamed for me to give it a rest. It wasn't so much that she was angry as she was just completely fed up. I guess I really was that much of a nuisance to her. Whenever I thought of an emotional Natsukawa, that was the image that flashed before my eyes.
But the Natsukawa I’d seen today felt different. Her angry shouts, directed at me with more bluntness than ever before, had somehow come full circle and felt almost like a detox. Oh my... is this the real me?
"Well, you’ve got a point. I did think something was a bit off. Like that thing at lunch—what was that all about?"
"……"
"A-Ah... man, my back really hurts..."
"Ugh...!"
Judging by the awkward look on Natsukawa's face, there really was some sort of story behind it. And it smelled like the kind of thing she didn’t want to talk to me about. I could smell it; it was pungent. Come on, let me in on the secret.
"Ah—um, okay? Sajocchi."
"W-Wait a second!"
Natsukawa hurriedly cut Ashida off just as she was about to speak. Eh? Is it really that big of a deal? If it was something she didn't want to talk about that badly, she didn't have to force herself. It wasn't like I was a monster. As long as it didn’t cause Natsukawa any trouble, I was fine not knowing... although if she wanted to trouble me with it, she was more than welcome. Bring it on!
"It's no use, Aichi. Honestly, what you did today was a bit much to overlook."
"I-I know I was in the wrong...! B-But..."
I was glad Ashida was taking my side, but if Natsukawa was this hesitant to speak, was it really that much of a headache? Whether it was Nee-chan or Natsukawa, I didn't quite understand their logic, but it wasn't like I was actually mad. Okay, time for an adult solution: I’d settle the situation by gracefully bowing out.
"Um, you don't really have to tell me, you know?"
"……Eh?"
"It’s hard to say, right? It’s fine. As long as I don’t talk about vulgar stuff with Koga and Murata, and don't talk back to Nee-chan, everything will be fine, right?"
In the first place, I had no intention of approaching those extra-dimensional rowdies ever again, and unless something extreme happened, I wouldn't dream of talking back to Nee-chan anyway. Even putting Natsukawa aside, today had already ground my body and soul into a fine powder. I doubted anything like that would ever happen again.
Like Yuuki-senpai said, if the cause of all this lay in the way I carried myself, then these were just the aftershocks. Things were probably in the middle of changing for the better. It wasn't something that would drag on forever. Natsukawa was close to me in several ways, so she probably just got irritated because something in her daily routine had shifted.
Yes, that was why, in such situations, I needed to be flexible like a cushion—
"—It, it won't be fine!"
"!?"
Wait, whoa!
Did she just snap? She was actually mad? Both Ashida and I reflexively recoiled. This looked bad. I never thought the day would come when Natsukawa would be the one to double down on me. Usually, she couldn't wait to get away. Fine then, if you’re going to be that way, I’ll stick with you until you’re sick of me... I guess thinking stuff like that is why people hate me.
Ashida gave Natsukawa a rebuking look. Natsukawa’s expression shifted to one of pure awkwardness, and then she spoke in a small, sulky voice.
"B-Because... if I leave you alone, you'll just do something weird again..."
"How cute—no, I won't."
"Sajocchi, your true feelings. You're not hiding them at all. Why are you even trying to act calm now...?"
Was she a Goddess? An angel? No, she was definitely a Goddess. What was with this adorable reaction? What did she want from me? Should I spin around three times and bark? I’d do it. I’d pay her for the privilege.
"What do you mean by 'something weird'? Like what? What would I have to do to make Natsukawa angry?"
"T-That’s..."
"No, if it’s hard to say, forget it."
"Wh—Wait, just...! What is it with you lately! Show a little interest!"
"Oh, I've got plenty of interest... in you, Natsukawa."
"Wh-Wha..."
"O-Oh... it's been a while since I heard Sajocchi say something like that."
Crap, my true feelings slipped out again.
There was no way a habit ingrained in my very bones over years was going to disappear that easily. Flirting with Natsukawa was basically a Pavlovian response at this point. In that sense, maybe I really should keep my distance... but I didn't want us to become total strangers, either. Knowing when to pull back was surprisingly difficult. As it stood, I wasn't being very modest at all, was I? Even though I tried to step back from Inatomi-senpai, I ended up talking to her a lot anyway. I’m such a troubled soul.
Accepting that I’d messed up, I braced myself for the usual verbal abuse. Well, when it came to Natsukawa, I was the one in the wrong to begin with...
"Th-Then—"
"Heh...?"
Wait... what? Something felt different. Wasn't she going to look disgusted, call me gross a dozen times, and then pretend to wash her hands to scrub the "creepiness" off? Why did she have a look on her face like she was about to charge into battle?
"—Then... c-come to my house!!"
"…………"
...Eh?
………….
………—!!??? (Incoherent internal screaming)
"A-Aichi... are you trying to kill Sajocchi...?"
"……? Ah...!? Oh my god—!!!"
"Hey...! Can you both stop writhing around!? As the person sitting with you, I’m the one who's embarrassed! Hey, come on!! Stop it!!!"
◆
Begone, thou impure temptations that gnaw at my soul! Vanish from this vessel with these words of truth! Haaaah!
National Language, Math, English, Physics, Chemistry, History, Contemporary Society, Politics and Economy, Ethics—
"...Alright, neutralized."
"What was?"
By focusing my consciousness entirely on the cold hard facts of reality, I managed to bring my skyrocketing tension back down to earth. For a veteran like me, this was child's play. I’d be fine now. No matter what Natsukawa said, I could endure—ah, crap, I’m remembering it again—
".........Hehehe."
"Uwa, gross..."
"……"
In a local family restaurant at night, the theory of shock therapy being the ultimate cure was born. The most effective version: insults from a female classmate. No matter how far my mind drifted, I was pulled back to reality with incredible speed. The only cost was a few drops of moisture from the corners of my eyes. Sniff.
"No, no, my bad. I thought I heard a hallucination or something."
"Well, I guess I can't blame you... Aichi did say something pretty misleading."
"So, what was that all about? Even now, I feel like letting out a primal scream."
"That would be a public nuisance, so absolutely do not do that."
Ughhhhhhh...!
I thought I was going to shout, but it came out as a muffled death growl. Even if I didn't make a sound, I couldn't suppress the urge unless I let it out somehow. Even if those words from Natsukawa had no special meaning, just the fact that she said them was... such a blessing. Pure happiness.
"Anyway, Sajocchi. About today."
"Eh, we’re still doing this? Natsukawa has her face hidden and is totally slumped over, though."
"It’s fine, Aichi's reached her limit. We won't get anywhere if we wait for her."
Wait, what? Did she have some kind of mental blockage? As a fan of Natsukawa, it was heart-wrenching to see her like this and not do anything. Can't I pat her head? No? You’re a demon, Ashida.
"To put it simply, Aichi wants to introduce Sajocchi to Ai-chan."
"Heh... wait, what?"
Who...? Ah, Natsukawa's younger sister? Their names were so similar I didn't catch it for a second. What was with Ashida’s naming sense? It almost completely overlapped with her nickname for Natsukawa. It was Airi-chan, right? Airi-chan... It sounded like the name of a famous soccer player’s wife. Right.
...Wait, what?
"Eh, why? Wasn't the plan to keep someone gross like me, who might be a bad influence, as far away from her as possible?"
"Jeez! There's no way Aichi seriously thinks that!"
"Eh? So I'm not gross?"
"Whether that's actually true is a separate matter!"
"Ugh, what is this feeling?"
Why wouldn't she just flat-out deny it? I didn't know whether to be happy or sad. I mean, I’m a normal person, right? I hold my rice bowl properly. I tear off the toilet paper using the lid on the holder like a civilized human being. After I wash my hands, I even use the hand dryer until it goes 'whoosh.' I'm a catch, dammit!