Chapter 131 – Class 2-11

Normally, when we (mostly Umi) didn’t have any urgent business to take care of, we would go home together. We would meet up at places that were far away from our classrooms, so before this, I’ve never stepped into Umi’s class.

According to her, she got along well with her classmates, the conversation they had back then was proof of this, but she never told me anything specific about her classmates.

I knew that she would tell me if she had any problems, but as her boyfriend I was still curious about it.

How were things going in her class? Did she become the center of the class again like last year? Did she get to be a normal student instead and enjoy a more relaxing school life?

Either way, as long as she was enjoying herself, everything would be fine, I guess.

“…Right, isn’t this my first time visiting another class like this?”

When school ended, I stood in front of class 2-11 instead of waiting at our usual meeting place.

I was a bit nervous since this was the first time I’d ever done something like this.

I peered into the classroom, the teacher was still talking while the class was silently listening. Umi was seated in the middle of the classroom, yawning while doing random things absent-mindedly.

I felt bad peeking at her like this, but at the same time I was happy to see this cute side of her.

Their class ended a few minutes later and they could finally go home. I scanned the classroom briefly and I saw that there were more girls than boys. There were twice the number of girls compared to boys.

Some may say that the boys’ position was enviable, but I couldn’t say I envied them. After all, I knew more girls than I knew boys.

Whoops, I went off on a tangent. Anyway, what I wanted to see was Umi’s life in class 2-11.

Most of the boys left the class quickly after they were dismissed, meanwhile the girls stuck around to chat with each other.

I overheard their conversations, they were mostly talking about the quizzes they’ve taken and the upcoming midterm exam. As expected of honor students, even when class was dismissed, they focused on their studies. That said, the atmosphere inside the class looked friendly and relaxed, contrary to my expectations.

I expected that the atmosphere would be a little bit more volatile and competitive since they were a preparatory class.

…Honestly, looking at them like this made me feel envious. I wish my class was this peaceful.

“Asanagi-chan, I don’t understand something on the English quiz… This question over here.”

“Hm? Ah, that part, yeah it has jumbled pronouns, it’s hard to translate that part.”

“You think so too? Seriously, the teacher is just bullying us at this point! Just because we’re a preparatory class doesn’t mean that they have to make us go through this!”

“I know right? By the way, you should try to translate the sentence from this part, then continue to this one over here…”

“Huh? I see! I didn’t notice that I could do that! Thank you, Asanagi-chan!”

“You’re welcome.”

It seemed like Umi was teaching her classmate something. Understandable, her grades were high even among the honor students, it was normal that they would rely on her.

Of course there were students who had higher grades than her, but she had her natural charm and friendliness, that was what attracted her classmates to her.

She was popular.

She kept apologizing to me since I had to wait for her whenever we went home together, but after seeing this scene, it wasn’t hard to understand why.

I loved it when she relied on me for something but I also loved it when a lot of people relied on her like this.

…How could I say it? It felt like I fell in love with her all over again.

Anyway, I achieved my goal, I should sneak away before she notices me.

I could enter the classroom if I wanted to since school was over for today, but I still felt uncomfortable visiting other people’s class like this. 

I wasn’t Amami-san who would just storm into the class as soon as they were dismissed. Besides, that girl could get away with a lot of things because she was cute. If I were to barge in, people would give me strange looks and I would rather avoid that.

That was why I decided to leave before anyone could notice me. I turned around… To see someone standing right behind me.

“Uh, can I have a moment?”

“Yes?”

She was a girl, most likely a member of class 2-11. The class’ location was quite isolated since it was at the very end of the hallway. Students from other classes wouldn’t be here for no reason.

The girl was tall. Tomoo-senpai was tall, but she was around the same height or possibly even taller than her.

She had long black hair and her black eyes, hiding behind a pair of glasses, were staring intently at me.

…The pressure she exuded was no joke.

“Uh, how can I help you?”

“Nothing, I just thought that I’ve seen you somewhere… Also, you’ve been staring at our class for a while now.”

“Ah, right. I don’t really have any business here today, so I’m going to leave, see you…”

“Wait.”

When I was about to leave, she grabbed my shoulders firmly, stopping me from taking another step.

Then she brought her face closer to mine.

“U-Um…”

“Ah, sorry. I swear your face is familiar… Where did I see you before?”

The girl let out a groan before clapping her hands. It seemed she remembered something.

“You, are you looking for Asanagi-chan?”

“Huh? Yeah…”

“Hehe I knew it, I saw your face on her phone…”

“Huh?!”

She then pushed me into the classroom.

“Everyone! I, Nakamura Mio, have captured Asanagi-chan’s boyfriend!”

“““?!”””

After she said that, everyone inside the classroom turned their gaze toward me. Their previously heartwarming gazes turned into surprised ones.

And at the center of all the girls was Umi.

“M-Maki?!”

“…Y-Yo Umi… Sorry…”

It was at that moment that I understood why Umi didn’t tell me much about her classmates. But I’m already past the point of no return.