Unveiling 4
He had been bombarded with questions during lunch break, and it was relentless during the fifth period as well.
His smartphone, set to silent mode, vibrated incessantly with incoming messages.
Annoyed by the constant notifications, he turned off his smartphone.
Just when he thought he could relax, notes made from scraps of paper were relayed by students in an extremely analog manner, piling up on Sōma’s desk.
Enduring the growing mountain of paper scraps for an hour, he thought that since the sixth period was physical education, he wouldn’t have to deal with smartphones or letters, but this estimate was too optimistic.
The rumors about Sōma and Chika had apparently spread to other classes, and he was questioned, nudged, bombarded with envious words, and even had pebbles thrown at him by the students of class 3-3 during the combined lesson.
“I’m exhausted, and various parts of my body hurt. That’s definitely bullying. I could sue and win for sure.”
“Well, I wonder. It would be nice if someone would testify for Sōma. On the other hand, there would be plenty of people willing to perjure themselves.”
He grumbled, but Shōhei just shrugged it off with a smile.
“That’s why wrongful convictions and unjust judgments happen in the world.”
“I understand how the boys feel, though. There must have been quite a few aiming for the ‘Angel of Peace.’ But Saito-san and the others kept blocking them perfectly, and not a single boy could get close to Satomi-san. Everyone could only watch the unattainable flower and console themselves, thinking it couldn’t be helped since everyone was in the same situation. But lo and behold, they find out someone has managed to slip past the ironclad defense and get close, and of course, they feel outsmarted and angry.”
“That’s an unreasonable grudge.”
“I don’t think so. For the boys who were aiming for her, it must feel like a kite snatching away their fried tofu. Think of it as the price for getting close to Satomi-san; you’ll just have to endure it.”
“Are you saying you’re not on my side?”
He glared at Shōhei as they walked down the corridor, but Shōhei just shrugged lightly.
“I don’t intend to be your enemy. By being friends with you, Sōma, it seems likely that through Satomi-san, I’ll also get to connect more with Saito-san. So, make sure to let me and Saito-san know when you plan something else.”
“You really think things through, don’t you?”
“Anyone would think of at least this much. Love is a strategic battle. Remember that, it’s a promise.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll let you know if there’s a chance.”
While brushing off Shōhei’s insistent reminder, he entered Classroom 1-4.
“Ah, Sōma-san, welcome backー”
Then, for some reason, Chika, who was sitting in Sōma’s seat, waved her hands energetically.
“What did you guys do in boys’ PE? We had volleyball in the gym for girls, but it hurts just to receive the ball at this time of year. It’s annoying. Look, my wrists have turned all red. I wish they’d let us play table tennis instead. No, I’m not good at chasing the tiny ping-pong balls either.”
“…”
He stared blankly at the cheerful, brown-haired girl chatting away.
“Is something wrong?”
“No, I was just thinking how you can talk to me so easily. Weren’t you bombarded with questions about me during the fifth and sixth periods?”
“I was asked a ton of questions.”
“I thought so.”
Even now, he could tell that everyone in the classroom was eavesdropping on their conversation.
“It was really amazing. I was questioned even by people from Class 3 who I’ve hardly ever spoken to. I’ve never been grilled with questions like that before, so it was a really fresh experience for me.”
It seems she had a similar experience to Sōma, but for her, who is usually doted upon, even that seemed to be a fun experience.
“To be able to brush off that ordeal with just one word ‘amazing’… I’m a bit envious of your mental strength.”
“…It’s nothing, I made up my mind for this.”
“What are you talking about?”
“No, just talking to myself.”
After Sōma overheard the small muttering, Chika hastily put on a forced smile and brushed it off, switching the topic somewhat forcefully.
“Anyway, what did you do in boys’ PE?”
“Today, we were made to run long distances.”
Lately, PE has been nothing but a rotation of soccer and long-distance running.
He wished they would let them play other sports, but it seemed the P.E. teacher, as the cold late autumn to winter approached, was set on making them run more to increase their physical activity.
Perhaps it was also in preparation for the marathon event in January, but for students who weren’t particularly fond of exercise, they couldn’t help but wish for more leisurely activities.
“We were made to run endlessly around the field, so I’m totally exhausted.”
“So, you must have sweated a lot?”
As Sōma showed his tired face, Chika began to glow with excitement, contrasting with him.
Then, like a cat-shaped robot, she pulled out several items from her uniform pocket.
“Sweat wipes, antiperspirant spray, and a comb!”
“Don’t tell me you want to try them on me.”
“Correct!”
That was the last thing he wanted to hear.
“I’ve always wanted to try doing this for Sōma-san at school. I’m always the one getting wiped down or sprayed by Miki-chan and the others after PE, and I’ve never been on the giving end.”
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She began shaking the spray can.
He had often seen her getting her hair combed or her uniform fixed after physical education, but he had never seen her do it for someone else. It wasn’t hard to understand why she might want to try.
However, he really wasn’t in the mood to agree.
“I get it, but can we do it some other time?”
He glanced around, noticing that classmates who had returned from the changing room were watching their interaction with bated breath.
Since today’s classes are over, these guys should just go home already…!
He thought to himself, but none of the classmates showed any sign of leaving.