Chapter- 34

　We hurried over and arrived just before 8:25. It was a very close call, but we managed to avoid being late. …However, we did stand out a bit, probably because we were two boys and a girl rushing into the classroom at such a late hour.

　Morning homeroom began soon after, and after it ended, the girls in Rie's class gathered around her.

　"Hey, were Rie-chan and Sugita-kun good friends?"

　"Maybe they're already dating?!"

　"Now that I think about it, you've been having fun lately."

　"Ah, so those rumors were true after all."

　"Rumors?"

　That's what Rie-san, who had been smiling in the center up until then, had heard. That's true, I don't know that either. I hope it's not a negative thing for Rie-san...

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　"...Ah, well, that's..."

　But she seemed to hesitate and hesitated. Is it possible to convey that other people are looking away too?

　"...Then let me ask you just one thing. Is there a negative rumor about you, Rie-san?"

　"Well, I guess it's probably a plus."

　"I see. Then I won't hear any more about those rumors. Is that okay with you, Rie?"

　"It's still not enough!... For you, Mamoru?"

　"That's bound to be a positive."

　"...Yeah, I believe you. I won't ask anymore."

　…Rie-san is really kind. She even went out of her way to check about me. From the original story, there's no doubt that the rumor was centered around Rie-san. But I wasn't that worried from the beginning. Everyone is concerned about Rie-san.

　"...But even so, the first thing you thought of was worrying about Rie. Sugita-kun, maybe..."

　But she started to take an interest in me. I wonder if she noticed my feelings? I don't think I can hide it, so it can't be helped.

　"Are you a nice guy?"

　...She didn't notice! What's the correct way to respond to this? I'm not the kind of person who can say yes, but if I deny it, it will seem like I'm saying that Rie is special... It's just a normal thing for me.

　"Ahahaha, Sugita-kun is in trouble, isn't he?"

　It was Shita-san who came to my rescue. Then Shita-san made a shocking statement.

　"Besides, if you're curious about the rumors, I'll tell you about them... I mean, I was the one who started them!"

　"Huh!?"

　"…Huh?"

　I was surprised and looked at Shita-san, but her face hadn't changed at all. …No, on the contrary, she had a smug look on her face, as if she wanted to be praised. Was it safe to say that the person we are talking to was Shita-san, Rie-san's best friend?

　This was the first time in my life that the person who started the rumor showed up, so I didn't know how to react.