“So, I have a question for you. I haven’t told this to Rie-san yet, but if it’s okay with you two, would it be okay if I came over tomorrow to check on you?”

　"...How things are going? What do you mean?"

　"I want to come in the morning to see if they're doing well. If they can come to school, I'd like to walk them to and from school with them. If they don't want to go to school, I'd like to come after school to hand out some materials and help teach them the lesson."

　I declared, looking Rika in the eye. I had been thinking about it for a long time. Why did Nizuma have to be so driven to the point of trying to commit suicide? Is she really okay with living such a hopeless life?

　…I guess I'm being too intrusive. I'm being too intrusive with someone I only just spoke to today for the first time. …But I...

　"...Sugita-kun, why are you going to such lengths?"

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　"I mean, I haven't done anything wrong. And yet, I was hurt so unreasonably. There's no way I can just let something like that happen."

　"...I see. Sugita-kun is a kind person. I wish my boyfriend was like Sugita-kun."

　I was taken aback by Niizuma-san's words for a moment, but then I saw how sad she looked and changed my mind. ...I guess she's still hung up on her ex-boyfriend after all.

　"...Finally, please tell me the most important thing. Mamoru-san... do you have a girlfriend?"

　"Huh?... No, no, she's not here."

　"Then it'll be fine! If it's okay with you, Mamoru, please take good care of my daughter."

　It seems that Rika-san has accepted me. I guess she was afraid of jealousy because she asked me if I had a girlfriend? There's no one who would be jealous just because I'm with a girl. ...It makes me sad to think about it, but I'll just ignore her! I just hope Niizuma-san says it's okay...

　"...What about you, Rie? Do you find it annoying to be with me?"

　"That's not true!... Can I ask you a favor?"

　"Of course! I'm asking you to."

　"…Yeah!"

　Niizuma-san nodded. Now I can come and check on her without any problems from tomorrow. I want to be by her side as much as possible, at least until the wounds she received from her ex-boyfriend heal. I don't want her to want to die anymore.

　"Well, we need to thank Mamoru properly. Rie, how about you give him a thank you?"

　"Huh?... Wh, what are you talking about, Mom?!"

　In the midst of all this, Rika-san's bombshell statement exploded. As expected, Niizuma-san turned red and confronted Rika-san.