Chapter- 35

　I heard the rumors from the girls around me. …Yes, I'm surrounded by them, just like Rie-san. Thanks to that, I don't feel any jealousy from the boys, but I am exposed to curious looks from the girls.

　"Even if it's just a rumor, is it that Nizuma-san broke up with him not-so-good boyfriend and has become cheerful?"

　"I heard that Rie-chan, who was cheated on, was saved by her destined partner who treated her kindly!"

　…Whether or not I'm her soul mate is aside, it's pretty much true.

　"...Yeah, it's true. I'm happy right now thanks to you, Mamoru."

　"…I see. I also enjoy being with you, Rie-san."

　"~! Yes! Thank you, Mamoru!!"

　It was when Rie-san stood up, as if overcome with emotion, that the time was up.

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　"Take your seats, class is about to begin."

　"…yes"

　Rie-san let her arms hang limply and obediently sit on her seat.

　"Well, see you after class."

　"…Yeah"

　Then I returned to my seat. I wanted to cheer up Rie who was obviously feeling down, but I had to attend class properly.

　After that, I spent every break with Rie-san. … Or rather, I was dragged away by the girls. I didn't mind it myself, so it was fine. Thanks to that, the boys didn't bother me.

　Then came lunch break. I felt bad for the girl who called out to me again, but I had to decline because I had other things to do. I also had to water the flowers.

　"Mamoru-kun, wait!"

　"Eh? Rie-san?"

　"Yes! Um... can I come along?"

　"I don't mind, but it'll take some time."

　"Are you okay!"

　"...I see. Then I'll ask you to do it."

　"Let me!"

　Rie-san followed behind me with a watering can. I was happy that she seemed to know what I was doing.

　"...Mamoru-kun is also kind to flowers."

　"That's not true though..."

　"That happens. Today, even yesterday, and even before that you've been doing it without me noticing. It's amazing!"

　Rie-san said that and praised me. But it's not like that at all. Because in the end, it's for my own sake.

　"...I'm not amazing at all. It's only natural to give them water. It's hard for me and Rie to go without food for so long, isn't it? I don't want the flowers to have to go through that kind of pain."

　"Um?"

　“These flowers also originally lived in a certain environment, but they were moved there for the selfish reason that they thought they were pretty and cute, right?”

　"…it is"

　"Yeah. It doesn't have anything to do with us, right? But we are the ones who owe it the most, so we want to at least make sure they can live a good life."

　"...Yeah, that's right. I think so too!"

　Rie-san was so happy watering the plants that she almost started humming. Watering the plants today was more fun than usual.