Chapter 72 – Pushing Forward

Seki-kun and Amami-san left the classroom while being watched by the rest of the class.

After they left, a lot of people started following them while talking among themselves.

Only half of the class stayed behind.

Umi, I and surprisingly, Nitta-san were among the people who stayed behind.

Normally, Nitta-san would be the first person to jump on something like this.

"Huh? Nina, you aren't going?"

"Mm~ I would if the person involved is someone from another class or an upperclassman, but it's Seki, so I don't care much. Yuuchin's reaction to him will be predictable so it won't be interesting to see something like that. If Boyfriend-san over here was the one who did it, however, things will be more— No, I'm just kidding, please have mercy…"

I guess even someone like her has standards on what kind of people she would peep on. 

Well, she mentioned me, but in my case, the possibility of me being alone with Amami-san would be zero since Umi would always be there with me.

"Seriously… A-Also, Maehara, come here…"

"Ah, got it."

She told me to sit next to her so I did.

It was the first time I've shared a lunch together with Umi openly like this, but since the classroom was currently sparsely populated, I didn't feel too nervous about it.

"Was this what you were talking about with Seki yesterday?"

"Ah…"

"Oh, don't worry, Rep, I know about this matter too."

"You know about it, Nitta-san?"

"Actually, I was the one who saw Seki approaching you yesterday and then stuff happened, right, Girlfriend-san?"

"Stop making fun of me!"

"Not a chance~ This is the information fee~"

I see. So it was Nitta-san who told Umi about me and Seki-kun. Now that I think about it, I didn't see Nitta-san anywhere at that time. She must have been hiding in our blindspot.

And my guess was correct. She showed me a picture of Seki-kun with his arm over my shoulder while whispering something to me. 

As expected of a stalker.

"Sorry about her, Maehara…"

"It's fine. Well since she knows about the matter, I guess I can tell you both everything."

After telling them to not spread this around, I briefly told them about our conversation yesterday.

Halfway through my explanation, Nitta-san asked, 'That's all?' while looking disappointed.

"It's natural for you to refuse that kind of request… Rather, it would be crazy if you were to accept it."

"Right? Anyway, I see you in a different light now, Rep, you handled that situation like a champ!"

Since Seki-kun insisted on hiding his feelings, I didn't tell them in detail about it out of respect for him, but that made these two evaluate him rather harshly.

Their impression might change if I were to elaborate more, but I wanted to at least keep the matter of his feelings a secret.

Anyway, it had been a while since Amami-san and Seki-kun left the classroom. I wonder how things are going with both of them?

"Ah, Yuu is calling me."

I guess everything was already resolved as Amami-san called Umi over the phone.

"Yuu? …Mm, got it, I'll come over. Ah, where are you right now? …Okay."

After a brief exchange, Umi picked up Amami-san's lunchbox from her desk.

"Sorry, Maehara, I got to go. Please keep an eye on Nina for me."

"Take care… Well, the Princess has spoken, Nitta-san, gotta obey her, sorry."

"Jeez, I'm not a child… I can read the mood, you know?"

The fact that Umi left her behind with me meant that she wanted to speak with Amami-san alone.

Amami-san most likely had rejected Seki-kun.

The nosy classmates should be coming back soon to convey the news.

Rather, that'll be the only thing they'll talk about if they come back. We'll know about it even if we didn't want to.

'That was funny~'

Sure enough, after Umi went on her way to meet up with Amami-san, the onlookers came back to the class.

The group consisted of the people that Seki-kun usually hung out with.

'I was surprised when he suddenly called out to Amami-san like that. I wondered what's up, but he actually confessed to her, seriously, Nozomu, what's up with that?'

'He said he had a lot of female friends back in middle school, did he lie to us?'

'Obviously. If he is used to being around girls, he wouldn't do a virgin-like confession like that.'

'Well, whatever. On Christmas we can comfort him, so he won't feel as bad.'

'While bringing our girlfriends?'

'Pfft…'

As they started to laugh at him, I immediately stood up from my seat.

Sure, this was all on him. They laughed at him because of his rash actions and logically speaking, he deserved this… But that doesn't mean I enjoy listening to those people laughing at him.

"Wait, Rep, where're you going?"

"I wanna get some fresh air."

"Ah, I see. Well, I enjoy inhaling this kind of rotten air, so I'll be here. Don't worry about me, Rep, just have fun~"

"…Thank you."

"Bye~"

I gave Nitta-san a light bow as she sent me a light wave. Then I turned around and went through the sea of people to a certain place that came to my mind.

Seki-kun wasn't a loner, so he wouldn't know a good spot to be alone, that meant he would be in a secluded place that was familiar to him, behind the club building.

"…You're right, Umi… I'm an idiot…"

[Asanagi: Idiot.]

[Asanagi: Take care.]

I sent her a text on what I was going to do and she immediately replied.

I didn't reply back to her. She's right though, I am an idiot. Well, I don't mind being an idiot, it's still way better than being associated with people who would laugh at other people's feelings like those clowns back in class.

Seeing those asshats, I'm thankful that I'm blessed with great friends.