Chapter 108: Uninvited Party Poopers

On a fine Saturday morning, I made my way to the most popular cafe in the school.

Pallet Cafe was really a great source of beverages, this was something I had to admit. While the prices were a bit over the top, according to Hirata you could get one re-fill which in my opinion justified the price.

Ignoring the occasional stares I received I made my way towards the cafe after exiting the dorm. Ichinose should be waiting for me there already. 

But surprisingly the campus wasn't as crowded as it should be on a Saturday. Could it be because of the end-of-term exams?

If I'm correct after two weeks we'll have our exams and just after that would be the Island Exam disguised as a Cruise Vacation.

It'd be funny seeing the looks of despair on the faces of my classmates.

I should quickly wrap the matter up with Ichinose and her class.

Thinking of this I pushed the door to Pallet open and entered the cafe. After turning my head a bit I spotted the fair hand waving at me from afar.

The lock of cherry blonde hair was hard to not notice after all, despite Pallet almost being full.

There were a few people around Ichinose. I didn't recognise them but after seeing me they took a step back in apprehension.

"Looks like Yamamoto-kun's here everyone, we'll talk next time." Ichinose waved at the few students surrounding her.

"Alright, cya later Ichinose-san!"

They bid goodbye and left together as a group. I didn't pay them any attention and merely sat down in front of Ichinose.

An interesting thing to note was that one of the male students from earlier had discreetly taken a picture of me and Ichinose.

Why would he do that? What was the point of that photo when Ichinose and I were sitting in public?

Shaking my head I greeted Ichinose.

"I'm sorry for calling you out of the blue like this!" Ichinose spoke with a weary tone full of exhaustion and I finally noticed a few details.

Her face was pale and she had dark circles under her eyes.

"It's fine, I wanted to talk to you as well." I replied without much interest before revealing a reminiscent tone, "It's been quite a while since we've had coffee together, hasn't it?"

"Mmhm," Ichinose smiled sadly while humming in agreement. "Before we talk I'd like to apologise on behalf of Kanzaki-kun. He really didn't mean to say such hurtful things, he was probably just stressed out by the situation with Shibata-kun."

"Hmm? Are you referring to him insulting Suzune?"

I remember Kushida telling me about this.

Ichinose nodded before muttering, "Looks like both of you are really close to each other..."

"It's nothing special but Ichinose," Even I couldn't help but feel a little pity for her, "Why do you force yourself like this?"

"What do you mean Yamamoto-kun?" Ichinose tilted her head in confusion and at the same time, both of our coffees arrived.

Ichinose's eyes lit up and she wanted to grab her cup of coffee but hesitated before eyeing me. Rolling my eyes, I drank first, savouring the taste.

Seeing me enjoy the coffee Ichinose also picked up her cup and took a sip full of contentment. Her eyes practically lit up.

She really was in need of that coffee.

I guess being the guest she wanted me to have the first drink. Well, not that I was too familiar with Japanese customs.

"Why do you force yourself to be a leader Ichinose? You're not suited to be one."

I spoke bluntly but Ichinose wasn't mad, she lowered her head and gripped her coffee cup, silently listening to me rant.

"You don't have to take the burden of the class on your shoulders. You don't have to force yourself to feel responsible for your classmates. Look at you, you're looking like shit and what for?"

"Hehe," Ichinose giggled and I let out a sigh.

"It's somewhat cute how you're worrying about me, Yamamoto-kun." Ichinose shook her head with a smile, "It's true that I'm a bad leader. It's true that I'm not suited to lead the class. It's true that I don't have to force myself to accept this role but Yamamoto-kun..."

She raised her head and locked her gaze with mine.

"They trust me."

"The class wants me to be the leader. How can I break their trust so easily?" Ichinose's hands started trembling, "That's why... That's why I really really need help Yamamoto-kun. Please help me..."

The sheer sincerity in her voice made my heart help. It was admirable how much she was willing to bear for her classmates.

"You're asking me about the nightmares half your class is facing, right?"

Ichinose flinched, probably wondering why I knew this but a moment later happiness flickered in her eyes. My words had given her enough hope.

Since I knew the situation beforehand perhaps I also had a solution...

That was her train of thought.

"But what if I'm the cause of it? Wasn't that your suspicion after seeing Shibata's condition?" I smiled and asked.

Ichinose hesitated briefly before shaking her head with a bitter smile. "I'm sorry for accusing you like that. It was really rash of me... The rest of the students haven't said anything about you, instead, they keep telling me how all of them are repeatedly getting killed by monsters in their dreams... I'm so lost... I'm so lost... I just don't know how to deal with this situation."

"...I'm tired, Yamamoto-kun." Ichinose took another sip of her coffee and I contemplated her words.

"Why do you think I can help you? Getting killed in their dreams by monsters? That's a ridiculous thing to complain about, tsk." I clicked my tongue and drowned the rest of my coffee.

Ichinose stiffened from my response.

"I..." Ichinose sighed, "I guess I was just trying my luck."

Interesting.

Bam!

At the same time, a loud sound erupted from behind us. Someone had kicked the door of Pallet rather roughly causing all the students inside to jump in their seats.

Ichinose jerked in her seat, probably taken aback due to her drowsiness.

I turned my head and was met with an unexpected surprise.

A group of five students had brazenly entered and walked arrogantly across the cafe. It was a group consisting of two females and three males.

My lips twitched as I crossed gazes with the leader of the intruders.

"My my, If it isn't the Tyrant of Class D and the Angel of Class B. Don't tell me both of you are out on a date like this while both of your classes are in shambles? Wouldn't that be exciting news to tell?" A rather uncouth voice sounded.

The tall man with magenta-colored hair gestured with his finger and the large black muscular student wearing sunglasses behind him clicked a photo of me and Ichinose.

Another sigh escaped my lips as I muttered the name of the man that just entered the cafe.

"Ryuen..."

But if this wasn't enough there was another surprising guest.

Shiina Hiyori.

The corners of my lips inevitably rose.

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