Chapter 244 – Unexpected Help (3)

I was aware of Takizawa-kun's existence. He had been a topic of conversation in our group (thanks to Nitta-san) and since he was especially close to Nakamura-san, I wouldn't be surprised if we were to meet soon. I didn't expect him to approach me first though.

"Uh, hello… Nice to meet you too, vice-prez."

"Just call me Takizawa, Maehara-senpai. Sure, I may be the vice-president, but I'm still just a first year who has barely been in this school for six months."

Takizawa-kun grinned.

I knew that he was a good looking guy when I first saw his picture on Nakamura-san's homescreen, but the real thing looked way better than the picture.

It was no surprise that Nitta-san would fall head over heels for him.

"Uh, sorry to ask, but is there something you need me for? It seems like you're looking for me instead of Umi, but…"

"Yes. Actually, the president told me to check up on everyone. Also, if you're having trouble looking for a place to eat lunch, you could come over to the student council office."

The student council office. Surely, if it was there, no one would disturb us.

"I see… But, is it okay for everyone to go there? I think inviting five people at once to eat there is a little too much…"

"Of course it's okay, the room isn't reserved for the student council members or anything. The president and I would be using the room today, but everyone can enter whenever as long as you ask."

If he said so then we didn't need to hold back.

"Student council room, ugh. I only have bad memories there because of my sister… Well, I don't mind going there I guess…"

"I don't mind either. I will never turn down your suggestion, Takizawa-kun!"

"Me too. It'll be my first time eating my lunch inside the student council room! I'm looking forward to it!"

Nozomu, Nitta-san and Amami-san all said that they didn't mind.

"I'll follow you wherever you go, Maki."

And Umi obviously wouldn't mind. With that, it was decided that we'd be going to the student council room.

Since we'll be intruding on them, it was inevitable that Nakamura-san and Takizawa-kun would be able to hear about what we were talking about, but honestly, I didn't mind it that much. Besides, the AC in the room should be working properly, that was a fair exchange.

"Senpai, I brought Maehara-san."

"Good job, my dear kouhai. Thank you for your hard work. Alright you all, sit down and have some tea if you may."

When Takizawa-kun led us inside, Nakamura-san greeted us. It seemed like both of them were also about to eat their lunches since they had them spread around the table.

"Uh, thank you, Nakamura-san… Also, sorry, we– no, I mean, it was mostly my fault that I ended up intruding on you like this…"

"Hehe, don't mind it. Asanagi-chan has been helping me lately and you're my friend, so this much is nothing. Also, though it isn't what I intended, the rumor helped us hide our relationship for the time being, right, my dear kouhai?"

"…Ahaha, don't mind her, Maehara-senpai. She said all that, but she really was trying to help you. She is really kind, after all."

"Don't worry, I know what kind of person Nakamura-san is."

She went out of her way to invite us here even though that would reduce her time together with Takizawa-san. Though, one could say that she was trying to make up for the time when she took my time together with Umi.

"Still, you really went through a lot of trouble, senpai. The sports festival is about to start and you have to deal with people spreading bad rumors about you… It really sucks, I understand that feeling."

"You seem to have gone through your fair share of trouble, Takizawa-kun."

"That I did. Well, it's all over now and I'm here living my school life happily with my senpai. Back when she graduated, I had no one else to talk to since she cut all contact with me, it was quite the struggle…"

Then Takizawa-kun proceeded to tell me about himself. About how he started to have a difficult time dealing with girls as he got older and taller.

The girls around him who were into him would deliberately spread rumors that he went out with them to make sure that other girls wouldn't dare to involve themselves with him. After hearing that, it felt like he went through a lot more trouble than us.

It was amazing that he didn't grow to be a gynophobe because of it. I guess it was thanks to Nakamura-san who always stood by his side whenever he needed her.

Nakamura-san normally looked aloof and it was hard to tell what she was thinking. But, if troubles were to appear, she would show her strength to handle them, both mentally and physically. In other words, she was a dependable person.

As a senpai and as a girlfriend, she was the perfect person for Takizawa-kun.

I genuinely thought that they made a perfect couple.

"In any case, feel free to use the room whenever you like, just notify us. Also, whenever I see any of you senpais, I'll do my best to actively talk with you all."

"Eh, really?! You'll talk with me too? Alright, let's exchange numbers! We can start as friends— Ouch!"

"…Calm down, Nina."

"You can't do that Ninacchi, jeez!"

Amami-san and Umi dragged Nitta-san away from Takizawa-kun. She seemed to have forgotten that his girlfriend was right in front of her.

I wanted to believe that this was one of her usual jokes again, but… Yeah, no, she was serious about this, wasn't she?

Nakamura-san was only watching the situation with a smile, but I had a feeling that she was ready for war if the situation called for it.

I should take a mental note to not make enemies out of a smart and beautiful girl like her and Umi.

"Give me your number, Takizawa-kun. Also, can you tell me if my sister has any weakness I can exploit?"

"Your sister is the former student council president, Tomoo-senpai, right? She still visits here occasionally. I'll try to help you whenever I can, senpai, but don't count on it…"

"Ah, that's unfair, Seki! Cutting in line like that! Takizawa-kun, give me your number too!"

"Yes, please take care of me, Nitta-senpai."

Thus a new contact was added to my list, Takizawa-kun.

It had been a while since I got to know another guy, the fact that he was a year younger than me was a bonus. 

Honestly, it was the first time in my life that I had ever been called 'senpai' by anyone. I felt moved.

I hope that my relationship with him would grow deep enough that we could one day refer to each other as friends.

In any case, we gained a reliable ally in him.