Chapter 753 - I Care For You

Izumi-senpai leaned back on the table as she watched me turn my chair around to face her.

At the moment, she appeared to be looking for an answer or better yet, confirmation. Nonetheless, her eyes were partly shining with her resolve to continue rooting towards her success on Ogawa and partly darkened by her realization that even though a long time had already passed, she failed to make any kind of progress. Until now, that cowardly idiot was only seeing her as the senior who likes him. It’s the same case as how he treated Hina. Hina as a childhood friend while Izumi-senpai as just a close senior.

No matter how forward this girl became with her infatuation towards him, he couldn’t step away from his obsession with Nami.

Well, that’s just my observation. I had no idea what was exactly in her mind or what kind of answer she wanted to hear from me.

That’s why I have to clear that up first.

“Let me get this clear, senpai. Are you going to continue chasing after that hopeless nutcase?”

Will I steal her? Honestly, I don’t know. If this was before, I guess she’d be someone who could ignite and fill my desire every step of the way. At the moment, however, I couldn’t be that invested in that. It’s enough that I get her off our case and help her open her eyes, I guess?

Well, the last part was clearly presumptuous of me. I’m well aware of that.

I definitely had no right to dictate who she had to like. If she wanted to keep chasing after him then so be it. Sooner or later, she also had to open her eyes to reality, unless she wanted to join him in his delusional reality.

Ah. I really wish Arisa-senpai is here. That way, she could help me with this or if not that, stop me from doing what I was doing.

Putting her under my gaze this time caused her to be a little giddy as if she lost all of her earlier confidence.

“… I am.” Izumi-senpai answered in difficulty. She couldn’t even say that straight up.

“Look me in the eye and say that again in full confidence, senpai. I can easily see that you’re struggling.”

I sighed and leaned forward a bit for me to clearly observe her facial expressions as well as her bodily movements.

I’d already shaken the core of her affection for that guy. Surely, if she failed to convince herself this time, her own perception of what she thinks about Ogawa would slowly crumble.

Just like this, the remaining time of the Mentor Program was spent with me continuing to push her buttons and Izumi-senpai trying to defend based on her own self-convincing logic.

I never made a move on her again. I remained by my seat, watching her while she remained leaning on the table. At times she would try to step back only to find her path blocked. She would tense up, she would shake. In the end, she appeared too miserable.

Everything she’s trying to hold onto concerning Ogawa has been shot down one by one. Furthermore, she couldn’t retort to any of it or if she did, it’s too weak to even become a counterargument.

“Senpai, if after today you still want to continue on that… hopeless endeavor of yours, I’ll admit my defeat. You’re a fine girl. I mean, I admire your persistence as well as your unyielding stance when it comes to your friendship with Arisa-senpai. I feel like you two will be inseparable whatever problems may rise…”

There’s still half an hour before the end of this Mentor Program. But it’s better to put an end to this than push her over the edge where she would break down in tears once more.

No matter what, she’s still Arisa-senpai’s precious best friend. Confronting her like this was already overreaching. Still, Arisa-senpai could continue being the supportive friend while I’d take up that role of a villain, smashing her beliefs to smithereens.

“If you ever feel like giving up or just want someone to lean on, come here. I’ll comfort you in my own way.” I stretched out my hand to her.

Izumi-senpai’s eyes rested for a few minutes on my opened palm before looking straight at me.

A while later she closed her eyes and placed her hand on top of it. Gripping that hand, I pulled her towards me. Having decided to take my hand, Izumi-senpai didn’t offer any resistance anymore, she willingly took a few steps while keeping her eyes closed.

The same as what happened the last time I confronted her in this very room, I put her on my lap. Naturally, not in a straddle.

Letting go of her hand, I wrapped my arms around her body before pushing her head to lean on my chest.

Izumi-senpai was at first stiff, tense and nervous. But when I started stroking her hair and back, she gradually eased up and began to make herself comfortable in my embrace.

I didn’t say anything else. Like I said, this was just me comforting her in my own way.

Whether I came out sincere or not, I have no idea. I mean, I’m the one who reduced her to become this pitiful. I partly felt responsible. Moreover, there’s no point in repeating everything to her. The fact that she got shaken by our conversation was enough indication that she’s not as deluded as that guy she adored.

In less than five minutes, Izumi-senpai’s grip on my uniform loosened slightly as her body completely relaxed in my embrace. Following that, her peaceful snoozing reached my ears.

She fell asleep. She kept her eyes closed ever since deciding to take my hand and that eventually led her to fall asleep like this.

For her to afford to be this defenseless around the guy who berated her choices and someone she was just begging earlier, she’s either thoroughly emotionally exhausted or it’s just truly felt comfortable.

Well, my girls always love snuggling in my embrace, especially my adorable koala-senpai. Even the hateful Miyako, the prideful Miho, the confident Mizuki and the studious Shizu always melted in it.

Anyway, I didn’t wake her up and just let her rest while continuing to comfort her by stroking her hair.

If that coward saw this scene, would he rage? Probably not. But if Arisa-senpai saw this, I’ll be in for another lecture from her.

Time quickly passed and by the time Izumi-senpai woke up, it was a few minutes before the bell rang for the end of the 7th period.

When she opened her eyes and saw me staring at her, she panicked first but then perhaps remembering that she willingly took my hand, Izumi-senpai reddened as she tried to stand up.

“I’m surprised you’re not saying something like ‘Did you take advantage of me?’” I commented. At this point, my hold on her already loosened to the point that she could easily get up. Nonetheless, she’s still struggling to do so because of her tenseness.

When Izumi-senpai heard that, she fell back down and groaned, “I-I’m not that ungrateful. I would’ve noticed if you did take advantage of me while I was unconscious…”

“I see. Good for us then.” I smiled at her which actually made her flustered. It’s a great chance to tease her but given that there’s no urge, I just let it pass. “Here, let me help you.”

Without mentioning what happened before this, I helped her stand up by supporting her waist and holding her hand.

“H-how did this happen…?” Izumi-senpai muttered in as low a voice as possible at the same time as the ringing of the school bell.

The question was clearly directed to herself. What happened went beyond her expectations. Most likely, she only came here to beg for Arisa-senpai and leave after I accepted. However, we went through talking about her own circumstances and eventually ended up with her closely clinging to me.

I stood up from my seat and placed my hands on her shoulders, she didn’t have any strong reaction to it, in fact, she’s more relaxed than before. My hands then slid down her side and eventually enclosed around her navel. I then pushed my lips next to her ears and whispered something. I carefully chose my words to not agitate her and ruin everything.

It’s short and simple.. “I care for you, senpai.”