CH 7

"Hey, have you changed a bit, Rintaro?" (Yukio)

"Huh?" (Rintaro)

As I was changing for my first period PE, Yukio suddenly asked me that question.

He tilted his head, it seems the look of confusion on my face was a surprise to him.

"You do not realize it? It seems like you are more leisure." (Yukio)

"...... more leisure, huh?" (Rintaro)

I wondered if it was because my standard of living had risen significantly. Maybe, It's because that I was living a more relaxed life than before.

"Maybe you got a...... girlfriend or something?" (Yukio)

"No, there's no way it happens. When I get a girlfriend, it will be when I find someone who can provide for me for the rest of my life. Well, I'm not going to be looking for a partner until I graduate from college." (Rintaro)

"That's right......! It's just my misunderstanding then!" (Yukio)

Why does this guy seem so happy that I don't have a girlfriend?

Don't tell me, he's the type of guy who can't tolerate other people's happiness while he himself is popular?

"By the way, what happened to the girl who confessed her love to you before. Didn't she say she was a pretty good girl?" (Rintaro)

"Well...... But it's different from having a relationship or anything like that. I couldn't bring myself to like her as a person of the opposite sex....... If it was a friendship, it would be no problem at all, in fact, I would welcome her." (Yukio)

Yukio, a handsome guy with a rather cute face, has been relatively popular since he was in middle school.

With a good face and a good personality, he will inevitably be popular.

However, there was a downside, as he was once victimized by a stalker-like girl who had been rejected by him. At that time, I went home with him every day to take care of him, and finally, when he entered high school, he moved out with her family and got rid of the problem.

His father had originally been planning on buying a house, so it was not inconvenient.

"There's no obligation to return a favor if someone likes you, and there's no need for you to worry about it. You can just wait until you fall in love with someone yourself." (Rintaro)

"Yeah, ......, that's right. I'll do that!" (Yukio)

For some reason, Yukio's voice suddenly became cheerful, and he looked at me with eyes that seemed to have been blown away.

It seems that his problem has been solved. Well, it feels good to be able to help my best friend.

After we finished changing, we went straight to the gym.

To be honest, about half of high school PE is just playing, and as long as you don't stray from the designated games, it's rather free time. Especially on volleyball days like today, half of the students always had to rest by the wall due to the number of courts.

"Oioi, look, look at Otosaki-san."

"Whoa, she's amazing as ever."

While I was waiting in line with Yukio for my turn, the boys nearby were ogling at Rei as she moved about the court.

Perhaps it was because she was athletic to begin with, but Rei's performance was on par with the volleyball team. The speed of her spikes was such that even the boys weren't sure if they could handle them.

But when she moves around like that, she naturally attracts the attention of boys.

In particular, she has————a body that, for lack of a better word, does not look like a high school student.

You can't blame the boys for ogling at her because of the presence of "a certain" part of her body that made me upset this morning.　

So I can't blame the boys for having such lecherous sights.

"Rintaro, what's wrong? You suddenly gazing around." (Yukio)

"No, it's just that I feel more refreshed knowing that there are people who are more vulgar than me." (Rintaro)

"Really refreshing to you, yes?" (Yukio)

For some reason, Yukio is looking at me with pity.

It feels strange, though I was just speaking about what I really feel.

――Huh? Then it means I'm not so different from those boys?

"......"

Well, whatever. I better stop thinking about it before I come to realize that I feel disgusted.

Time passed and it was lunchtime.

I was face to face with Yukio, spreading out our lunchboxes.

Incidentally, the contents of my lunch were half different from Rei's.

Hers was mostly homemade, while mine was about half of it was frozen foods.

Of course, the reason for this was to prevent people from getting the wrong idea about the ingredients in our lunches.

"There are several things I admire about Rintaro, but one of them is definitely the fact that he makes his lunch every day. I could never do that." (Yukio)

"It took me a while to get used to it, though. But it's also for the future." (Rintaro)

"It's really like you to be stoic for not wanting to work, yea......" (Yukio)

I put the food in my mouth. Mm, it's delicious even when it's cold.

The majority of the homemade items in my lunchbox are meat and potatoes.

The carrots and potatoes were well cooked and sweet, probably because they had been boiled yesterday and soaked up the flavor overnight. Needless to say, the meat and onions were also well done.

"Whoaa! Otosaki-san's lunchbox is so beautiful!"

Such a voice suddenly rose from the girls who surrounded Rei.

She's usually surrounded by people, but today there were many.

The reason seems to be the lunchbox I made for her.

~"(This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~)"~

"Did your mother prepare this?"

"Ee....no, she didn't." (Rei)

"Eh⁉ Then, maybe you make it...... by yourself⁉"

"Y――yup, I did." (Rei)

"Wow! It's awesome! Aren't you busy every day⁉"

"I'm, but...... nutrition is important." (Rei)

Rei's answer caused the people around her to shout in admiration.

She seemed somewhat apologetic, probably because she said she made it herself.

I'd rather praise her for doing so because it was a good job.

"Hee, being an idol is amazing, but you cook your own meals. That's fantastic."

"Indeed. I really can't believe you're the same age as me."

"Hmm? Rintaro, what are you smiling about?" (Yukio)

"Ah, it's the meat and potatoes I made were just too good." (Rintaro)

"That much? Can I have some?" (Yukio)

"Sure. Here, I'll put some on top of the rice." (Rintaro)

It felt good to be praised for something I had made, even if it was indirectly.

I handed the side dish to Yukio in a good mood and felt a little satisfied.

~"(This is a Translation Content of pemudatunawisata[dot]my[dot]id. so, read only on there, kay~)"~

◇◆◇

"Sorry, Rintaro." (Rei)

"What? What's up all of a sudden?" (Rintaro)

When Rei came back to my house after her idol lesson, she bowed to me as soon as she entered my room.

"I'm sorry, I took the credit...... for the lunch Rintaro made for me." (Rei)

"Ah, just that." (Rintaro)

Thinking back, she looked terribly apologetic when she told her classmates that she made her own lunch.

I was grateful that she respected me, but it seemed like she cared a little too much.

"I don't mind. Rather, you made it look natural because you made it look like you made it. Lowering the risk is a good thing, you know." (Rintaro)

"...... It makes me feel a little better, to hear you say that." (Rei)

"Anyway! Don't ever talk about me to the outside world. Anything is fine, as long as you keep that to protect yourself." (Rintaro)

"Understood....... I will do that." (Rei)

Rei is a good girl. Although she sometimes goes out of control, but she is straightforward, considerate, and has convictions.

When she first said she was selfish, I thought she was nuts, but now that impression has disappeared.