Chapter 108: 1st year, 2nd semester start(2)

Fujimoto silently lowered his head and left the student council room. He hadn’t made a good first impression on me, but his retreating figure looked strangely forlorn.

Just how much did he not want to be here?
His grades were probably the only thing keeping him in the student council. But now, someone clearly superior had appeared and pushed him out.

I wasn’t going to waste any sympathy on him. That would only hurt him more. Unfortunately, I couldn’t be like a light novel protagonist who made everyone happy.

“…I’ll contact Fujimoto personally.”

Hiiragi-senpai said.
Kirihara Arisu. From now on, she would officially be a student council member in Fujimoto’s place.

I looked at Kirihara. She still had a slightly apathetic expression, but when our eyes met, a small smile touched her lips, and she slowly walked towards me.

Up close, Kirihara was definitely a beautiful girl, but…
She also had a distinctly androgynous aura. Not that she was a cross-dressing boy or anything… she wasn’t that kind of character.

She had the aura of a prince charming from a shoujo manga.
Of course, Takamari Academy wasn’t a girls’ school, and there were plenty of “princes” around.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kirihara Arisu from Class 2-1. Let’s introduce ourselves again.”
“Yeah… Nice to meet you. I’m Kurosawa Rina from Class 2-3.”

Kirihara stepped closer and studied my face.
Right. Kirihara had an aura, an aura that captivated girls. And… I flinched slightly, caught off guard by her clear, captivating gaze.

Kirihara smiled faintly, as if amused by my reaction.

“Kurosawa Rina, I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Eh… About me?”
“Yes. Nishizono-senpai talked about you quite a bit.”
“Nishizono-senpai…?”

Of all people, Nishizono-senpai?
I shuddered, remembering her intimidating presence.

“Ah, sorry if that made you uncomfortable. I just… wanted to meet you in person.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine.”

Kirihara smiled gently, her eyes fixed on me.

“Would it be okay if I called you Rina?”
“Uh… Yeah, sure. Then can I call you Arisu?”
“Of course.”

Kirihara… Arisu’s smile was relaxed and confident. There was a reason why she was described as having a “prince charming” aura. Not that I was interested in princes or anything… It was just her vibe!

I had Aya, who was more beautiful than any prince.

But there was something… a secret about Arisu… What was it?
Had it been half a year since I’d regained my memories? I was starting to forget the details of the novel. I made a mental note to reread my notes when I got back to the classroom.

“Kirihara-san, it’s good to see you again. I look forward to working with you.”

Aya, who had been standing next to me, gently tugged on my sleeve, interrupting my thoughts. She was looking at Arisu with a slightly tense expression, unusual for her.

“Yes, I look forward to working with you too, Yukikawa-san.”

A strange tension hung in the air between them. Aya’s unusual display of wariness made the atmosphere suddenly chilly. If Aya disliked her… then I, as her girlfriend, had no choice but to dislike her too.

Hiiragi-senpai, as if sensing the tension, clapped his hands.

“Alright, then Kirihara-san, it seems you’ll be taking on the role of secretary. That concludes today’s meeting. Those who need to return to their classrooms can go now, and Kirihara-san, please stay behind for a moment.”
“Yes.”

As the meeting ended, Aya tugged on my sleeve, and I followed her out into the hallway.

****

Aya’s expression was slightly clouded. What had happened in the novel? Between Aya and Arisu? I tried to recall, but nothing came to mind. I could only assume there was some history between them from their three years together on the middle school student council.

Mizuki emerged from the meeting room a moment later. As if sensing the tension, she asked Aya playfully,

“Aya-ring~! What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy to see an old friend?”
“…I don’t like her.”
“Huh? Why?”
“The way Arisu looks at Rina.”
“Ah…”

Mizuki looked at Aya, slightly surprised. Aya bit her lip and continued in a low voice,

“Well, Arisu was always like that. She was popular with the girls in middle school, and… Ah…!”

Mizuki covered her mouth, as if she’d realized something. I racked my brain, trying to remember what I’d forgotten from the novel. It was incredibly frustrating, knowing I’d forgotten something important, but not being able to recall what it was.

“Hmm, well… I’m sure Aya has her reasons! Now, now, let’s go back to the classroom! Lunch break is almost over.”
“Okay…”

Just as Mizuki was trying to lighten the mood,

“Rina.”
“Yes… Aya?”
“You only have me, right?”
“E-E-Eeeee…!”

My face burned crimson at Aya’s sudden question, and I waved my hands frantically.

“O-Of course! What are you talking about?!”
“Then promise me you won’t… get close to Kirihara.”
“Okay… If that’s what you want, Aya.”

Ah, so…
Aya was jealous.

****

Time passed, and it was finally the end of the school day.
Studying on the first day back was… torture.
As we were packing our bags, Mizuki suggested cheerfully,

“Rina, Aya! Want to stop by the convenience store?”
“Convenience store? Sure.”
“Yes!”

I nodded, and Aya agreed with a smile. The three of us headed towards our usual convenience store.

Summer was nearing its end, and the sky was beginning to glow with the colors of sunset as we arrived.

As we entered the convenience store and headed towards the snack aisle, I noticed a familiar figure.

Short, black hair, and a neatly pressed uniform.
It was Kirihara Arisu.

“…Oh.”

Of all places to meet…
Perhaps it was because of the incident in the hallway earlier, but I felt hesitant to approach her. I looked down, pretending to search for today’s yogurt pudding flavor…

I could feel Aya tense beside me. She gently grabbed my wrist.

“I know… Aya.”

I whispered, just loud enough for her to hear.

And… as I looked at Arisu again, the forgotten memory slowly resurfaced.

In the novel, Kirihara Arisu was incredibly popular with the girls. She was one of the contenders for the protagonist’s affections. But the reason why Arisu, despite her numerous charms, never became the protagonist’s “main girl”…

It was because Arisu liked girls—

‘Huh…?’

At that moment,

I tripped over a power cord on the floor.
“Ah…!”

I lost my balance and started to fall forward. Arisu turned around and saw me falling.

“Careful.”

A soft voice, and then I was in Arisu’s arms.
When I came to my senses, Arisu’s face was very close to mine.

“Are you alright, Rina?”
“Uh… Y-Yeah, thanks, Arisu…”

I mumbled, embarrassed. Arisu chuckled softly and helped me up.

“Be careful. Are you always this clumsy, Rina?”
“Yeah, I guess I am…”

I smiled awkwardly and pulled away from Arisu. Then, feeling a cold gaze, I turned around and saw Aya looking at me. She had a forced smile on her face, but her eyes were clearly filled with jealousy.

“Rina, are you okay?”
“Ah, yeah, I’m fine, Aya.”

Aya pulled me close, almost possessively, and said politely to Arisu,

“Thank you, Kirihara-san, for helping Rina.”
“…It was nothing.”

A strange tension hung in the air between them. Mizuki, who had been watching from the side, looked frozen. Arisu smiled gently and said,

“Well, I’ll see you at school tomorrow, Rina.”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow, Arisu…”

As I watched Arisu leave, I felt a strange flutter in my chest. But then I felt Aya’s grip tighten on my arm.

“Rina.”
“Yes, Aya?”
“Be more careful.”
“Uh… Okay…”

I felt like I was being scolded by Aya.

****

The three of us headed to the park.
As usual, it was our routine to eat the snacks we’d bought at the convenience store and dispose of the evidence.

We arrived at our usual bench and sat down, but Aya remained silent.
“Aya… I’m sorry…”

I looked at her apologetically, but she just held my hand and stroked it gently without saying a word. Mizuki, observing the awkward silence between us, pretended to think for a moment, then quickly stuffed the rest of her chocolate into her mouth and stood up.

“Aya-ring, Rina-tan, I… um… I need to make a phone call!”

Mizuki glanced at us and quickly disappeared towards the park entrance.

Silence fell between us.
The rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze sounded unusually loud.
I looked at Aya’s profile, feeling her hand in mine.

“Aya… Are you mad at me?”

I asked cautiously, and Aya finally turned to look at me. Her eyes looked unusually anxious.

“…I’m not mad, Rina.”

Aya said quietly, gently squeezing my hand.

“I’m just… worried.”
“Worried?”
“Yes… Arisu was always like that. Charming the girls like a prince… And I’ve seen how… everyone ends up falling for her.”

I shook my head, holding Aya’s hand tighter.

“Aya, I won’t fall for Arisu. I… already like you… you know?”

My face burned, but I spoke with as much sincerity as I could muster.
Aya’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Then she smiled gently, her usual soft smile.

“I know… but I can’t help but feel worried sometimes.”

Aya murmured softly, almost to herself. Finding her so adorable, and feeling guilty, I pulled her into a hug.

“…Rina?”
“I’ll do better. I won’t make you worry.”

I felt a slight tremble in Aya’s shoulders.
She slowly put her arms around me, hugging me tightly.

“Okay, Rina. I trust you.”

Aya’s voice was soft and gentle. Just then, we heard Mizuki’s playful voice in the distance.

“Hey, guys~! Can I come back now~?”

We burst out laughing and waved at Mizuki, still holding hands. Aya’s smiling face was truly the most beautiful sight.