”Ha? T-that is…”

Hmm? What’s going on, Karen? What’s with the sudden hardened look?

And what are you pointing your finger at..?

”Hmm, what’s wrong? Otsuka! Oh, could it be this?”

Then, Hirose, in front of me, made a big gesture of putting her hair over her ears ……?

As usual, she is a woman among women.

But there is something a little unnatural about how she did it… No, it’s just the usual.

I don’t mind either way.

”Hehe, isn’t this a nice pair of earrings! Kazama gave them to me for my birthday! On my birthday! Erika was so happy! It’s the first time in my life I got such a nice present. Thank you so much. Kazama! “

”Ah, you’re welcome. I’m glad you like it.”

I didn’t expect that you really wear it on a regular basis…

I thought it was just a compliment.

And for the first time in my life…… That’s too much of an exaggeration. Definitely a lie.

But I still don’t feel bad about it, even if it’s a lie. Yeah.

”H-hey…”

W-what is it?　Seriously, what’s going on? Karen.

What are you doing with your mouth open and closed repeatedly?

And Hirose, you seem to have a different attitude toward me than usual…

?

”What, why?”

”Well, seeing Kazama-kun’s face again made me happy. This is all I can do for now. I’ll repay you even more next time! “

No, what?

Now she’s also on my arm! ? Why …….

”You like this kind of thing, don’t you? Kazama.”

What’s more, she whispered in my ear…

I like this kind of thing?

Huh? I guess she’s referring to the scene with Karen just now.

But it’s too close.

What?

I notice that she whispers something more in my ear.

”What?”

”Huh, this is what I meant.”

Why, why…

She just whispered to me in a very low voice.

[I’ll help you, just talk to me.]

What does that mean?

That’s…?　

”What are you doing? Get away from him!”

I appreciate the intention, but why does she do that?

”What? Why? Otsuka isn’t dating Kazama, is she? Right! Isn’t that right, Kazama? Right?”

”Ah, that… is true, but…”

And then she went back to talking to her….

”See! And from Erika’s point of view. I don’t think it’s a good idea to be so attached to a boy you’re not dating.”

”Hey, I’m going to say that line right back at you! You’re the one being too close to him! Get away from him! “

”Hmm, Erika’s fine. It’s okay if it’s Erika. Right? Kazama! “

By the way, what you said earlier about helping me…

”It can’t be okay! And what’s more… That fake, intentional look! I don’t get it. Why are you doing this? Could you just please go away?”

”Ehhー. Huh, I think someone just did the same thing like me here…”

”Hey… No, just get away from us! “

No way? No, that’s not it…

Because she has nothing to do with this.

Absolutely not. She couldn’t possibly know.

But she said she’ll help me…

Why are those words coming from Hirose’s mouth…

Oh, wow…

Seriously now.

Before I knew it, students from our school were almost here.

”Hey, I’m sorry. I’m in a hurry.”

I gently remove Hirose’s hand from my arm and dash for the ticket gate.

I think it was a close call. It would be bad If only I’d realized it a little later.

No, no, but what Hirose-san said earlier…

What do you mean you’re going to help me?