Chapter- 16

After that, nothing happened until after school. …I think I made eye contact with Rie-san a few times, but maybe I was being too conscious of it?

　"... Sugita-kun, I'm a little angry."

　"Huh?... Umm, why?"

　When I asked her if she wanted to go home with me, she puffed out her cheeks like a hamster. She was so cute. But no, no! I have no idea what she was talking about.

　"...Sugita said we were friends. ...Don't you get it yet?"

　"...? Yeah, sorry"

　"Mmmm, then talk to me more at class."

　"...I see. I'll try to talk to you starting tomorrow."

　"Yeah!"

　I wonder if Rie-san wanted to talk? If so, I'm glad.

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　"So, are you going home? Or do you have something to do? Club activities or something?"

　"...No."

　Rie-san looked away from me and said, "There must be something. Isn't she bad at hiding things?"

　But what should I do? If I have plans, I should prioritize them, and it would be a problem if Rie-san was left out of the group in club activities. I don't know if it will work, but I'll take a chance and try what I came up with.

　"...I see. Well then, are you going home? By the way, I don't like people who don't do things properly. I can't trust people who don't do what they have to do."

　"I'm sorry! Don't hate me!"

　"Yeah?"

　"I-I'm off to club activities..."

　"Have a nice trip. I'll be waiting for you at the library. Do your best."

　"...Wait for me, will you wait for me?"

　"Huh? Of course. You promised to come home with me, right?"

　"…Yeah! I'm off now!!"

　Rie-san said that and left the classroom cheerfully. …I never thought it would work out so easily. Is Rie-san a caring person for her friends? To think that she was prioritizing her promise to me over club activities.

　…I have to do my assignment in the library too. I ended up not finishing it yesterday, and I have to submit it in class tomorrow. After what I said to Rie, I have to do what I have to do properly.

　"...Sugita-kun, can I talk to you for a moment?"

　"Shita-san? What's wrong?"

　"...It's not really good here. I'd like to talk to you alone, is that okay?"

　It was Shita-san who spoke to me. She never spoke to me when Rie-san was around, right? Did something happen?

　"...I don't mind that, but are there any places where there aren't any people? The rooftop isn't open to the public, and there will probably be club members behind the gym, and you won't be able to talk in the library..."

　"...Hmm, what should we do? Ah! Then let's exchange contact information. Are you on RAIN?"

　"Oh, yeah, I'm doing it."

　So we exchanged RAIN's address. ...It was the first time I was able to exchange RAIN with a girl (excluding her mother). It was kind of nice.