After putting the last remnants of what I consider clutter, but are actually gymnasium equipment into the storage shed, I let out a much needed sigh of relief. It took us a good 20 or so minutes to complete this job, during which I’m pretty sure I pulled a muscle twice. As I stood, my hands on my knees for the second time today, I looked at Kurebayashi, who is resting underneath the solitary tree in this area of the school. She doesn’t seem the least bit tired despite having started working with Mr. Sawamura earlier than when I arrived at school. I wonder what it would actually take for her dignified and elegant demeanor to shatter even just a tiny bit.

Having said that, Kurebayashi closing her eyes and seemingly taking in the cool morning breeze is the only indication that she’s somewhat tired. Or maybe she’s just enjoying the last few moments before the school bell rings. I don’t know her well enough to come to a conclusion.

There’s only 10 more minutes before classes start, so there’s not much time left to do anything except rest for a while before heading back to class. Should I go to the bathroom for a bit or just head straight for the classroom and wait for class there?

Before I can even come to a decision, I see Kurebayashi, flashing her signature eye-catching smile, motioning for me to come sit with her . Gosh, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say that this could be the start of my coming-of-age love story. Alas, reality is a cruel mistress that I’m all too acquainted with.

I walk over to where she is, all the while trying to predict why she called me over. Most likely, she wants to thank me for my help today and that she’s looking forward to me helping out more in the coming days. It’s sad to know that she thinks I’m a willing volunteer that actually wants to help people out. Shouldn’t I tell her the truth? That this is all just an attempt by Mr. Hirasahi to get me to socialize and “enjoy my youth”. But how is a cruel truth any better than a gentle lie? Do I even need to tell her anything?

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I already know the answer, but refuse to acknowledge it. Apart from being a pedantic pessimist, I’m also a coward who prefers to avoid any confrontation. I take no shame in admitting to that fact.

Whatever. I’ll just leave it to future me to solve.

“Thank you once again for your help, Sugiyama-san. Because of your assistance, we were able to fulfill Mr. Sawamura’s request.”

She says as I take a seat a few distance beside her underneath the overgrown maple tree.

“No problem. Though I only helped carry some stuff inside. I think you still would have finished even without me.”

“No, that’s not true. I am incapable of lifting the things you carried, and I doubt if Mr. Sawamura would have fared any better with how bad his back has gotten. I’m honestly really thankful for your help. Which is why…”

Here it comes. Once she says that she’ll be looking forward to my help from now on, my fate is sealed. The moving finger will have writ. Hannibal will have crossed the Alps. If there’s ever a time to come clean and stop this madness, now would be it.

But I already know I can’t do that. It’s too bothersome to deal with the aftermath of telling the truth. And so, I keep a straight face on and prepare for what’s to come.

“Which is why I won’t force you to stay on as a volunteer.”