Chapter 38

It seems his late wife also said the same thing with me when she knew what kind of name he gave their daughter.

Anyway, after that I trained for a bit then I decided to head back home because it's already five in the evening. When I walk out of the dojo, Chika is waiting attentively for me.

"*sigh* I knew you are here for an hour... Why don't you just come inside and greet me?" I sighed and asked.

"There is no way I can disturb you when you are training seriously," Chika said with an understanding smile.

"..." I looked at her amazed.

"What happens? Izumi-san?" Chika tilted her head and asked.

"No... I just can't believe you can be that considerate..." I amazedly said.

"Wait! What kind of girl do you think I am, Izumi-san?!" Chika exasperatedly asked.

"Emm... Bubbly and can't read the atmosphere?"

"Uwaa! It must be Kaguya-san!"

"Wait wait, It's just a joke. Moreover, it's fine even if you can't read the atmosphere. Everyone has a different style to make friends after all. Rather I think Japan needs more people like you who would attack anytime. So, I think anyone who can be your friend is lucky." I gently smiled and said.

"..." Chika didn't say anything. She just looks at me with blush covered her face.

"Chika-chan?"

"This is the first time someone said something like that to me..." Chika in a low voice said.

"Hee, then they must be an idiot." I smilingly said.

"P-please stop, Izumi-san. E-even now your favorability in my mind already high...What do I do if it's become max..." Chika's voice gradually lowered every word she said while her cheek blushed.

"Heh... Even you can make that kind of expression huh..." I smirked and said.

"..." Chika looked away with her cheek still blushing.

"At any rate, where is the paper?" I asked to change the topic, so she won't be embarrassed.

"E-eh? Paper? Oh! Here the paper and pen, please sign here." Chika, who just remembers the purpose she came here said. Then she gave me a framed high-quality paper and a pen.

"Done. I even add, 'From Izumi to Chika-chan' there." I promptly showed her the paper and said.

"T-thank you very much! I will treasure it for the rest of my life." Chika carefully held the paper with both of her hands as she looked at me with an embarrassed yet happy smile.

"Ahaha... Even if you lose it, I can give it again you know." I smiled wryly and said.

"I won't let that happen!" Chika said with a thoughtful expression.

"Then please do it in moderation." I patted her head and smilingly said.

"I..." Chika lowered her head and said.

"I?" I tilted my head and said.

"I have something to do, so please excuse me, Izumi-sannnn!!" Chika instantly runs as she shouted. But I can see her reddened cheek even with her head lowered.

Before I head back home, I texted Kei asking if she has gone home or not. Because if she has not, I want to invite her to come home together as it seems our home was close.

Not long after that, Kei replied. She said she was about to complete her jobs as The student council's treasurer. So she can go home together with me. Next, I immediately went to the middle school section's student council room to look for Kei.

Because it was 5 pm, not many students left in the school. Looking at the middle school section instantly made me remember about Ishigami.

I didn't know when exactly his incident would happen but, I assumed it would be sometime after the summer holiday ends.

I assumed that because Ishigami was absent from the school for six months after that incident. And the school term in japan end in march, so the incident must be in September or October. I'm wondering what I should do about it.

While I genuinely want to help him before it happens, the incident itself also what made him the Ishigami that people like after all.

But yeah, I guess I would help him solving the incident before it gets big. Though, he still needs to know the girl he wanted to protect is just a foolish girl.

While thinking like that, I arrived at the student council's room.

*Knock Knock*

"Yes, wait a minute." A girl's voice said. Then the sounds of footsteps can be heard from inside.

"Anoo... w-who are you?" The girl asked with her face reddened after looking at my face.

"My name is Kitahara Izumi. Is Kei here?" I smiled then asked.

"Eh? Kei?" The girl looks surprised and loudly said. Suddenly the sounds of running footsteps can be heard coming towards me.

"Senpai? Why are you here?" Kei frantically asked.

"To pick you up of course. Aren't we going home together?" I tilted my head and said.

"F-fine, Wait here please" Kei immediately take her friend back to the room and gently closed the door. It seems they're talking about something while Kei prepares her stuff. Not long after, Kei came out from the room with her friend smirkingly looking at her.

"L-let's go, Senpai." Kei grasped my hand and walk hastily with an embarrassed face.

"O-ou!" I can only nod.

"Hehe... Have fun, Kei-chan." Her friend looking at us with a smirk from the door.

We silently walk with my hand held by Kei until we're outside the school.

"Anoo senpai... Could we just meet outside next time?" Kei shyly asked.

"Am I bothering you?" I lowered my face and said with a sad tone.

"No! Of course not! It's just... embarrassing." Kei denied it then she looked away with an embarrassed face.

'Okay, that's adorable.'

"Sure then. I will text you where to meet next time." I smilingly said.

"T-thanks..."

At that time we casually talked as we walk leisurely. Even though it's just a casual conversation without a specific topic, we pretty much enjoyed talking merrily with each other. Then suddenly, the topic of her brother appeared.

"Senpai, do you know what happens to my brother? Recently he seemed to be in a daze. Especially when he is not at his part-time work. He cleaned everything inside our house till there is not even spec of dust left, in a daze." Kei curiously asked.

"*Pff*" I looked away as I hold my laugh.

"Ahhh, you know something don't you senpai?"

"Hahaha... He is fine, Kei. You will see him normal again when you get back home." I laughed then assuredly said.

"Muu... You have not said what happen to him, though." Kei pouted and said.

"Sorry sorry. It's simple, he is in love." I said.

"Eh? That brother? With whom?!" Kei asked with a shocked face.

"Hmm, if you promise won't say anything to him or anyone I will tell you." I lift my hand and show my pinky finger and said.

"I promise!" She immediately answered as she also lifts her hand to make a pinky promise.

Then I told her about Shirogane's encounter with Maki.

"I see... so it was like that...should I do something for my brother?" Kei nodded thoughtfully and asked.

"Don't. A shy guy like him would be very embarrassed when you, his sister suddenly said you wanted to help his love problem." I explained understandingly.

"Eh? Then what should I do..."

"Just watch over him with warm eyes. I will be the one who helps him since I already know about it." I suggested.

"Understood!" Kei answered with a thoughtful expression.

Without realizing we have arrived at Kei's house because I decided to walk her home.

"Do you want to come in, Senpai?" Kei asked.

"Nah it's fine. Oh here are some souvenirs from England." I said subsequently I took two watches and some tea from my bag.

"Why two watches?" Kei curiously asked.

"One for your brother. Because he was in a daze until the school end, and run after counseling I missed the time to give it to him." I explained.

"I see. Thanks, senpai." Kei thanked me with a smile.

"Your welcome. I'm going home then, see you tomorrow Kei." I lightly patted her head and said.

"U-un, see you tomorrow senpai!" With her cheek reddened a bit, she said.