Chapter 2 – The School Idol

Handing an umbrella to a junior. That’s about 50 good-looking points. If I could do it smartly, that is.

Yesterday I did and said some embarrassing things to a junior girl. After three hours of writhing in bed, I miraculously recovered.

I’m back on my feet, but that doesn’t mean I’m free of regret. From that junior girl’s point of view, I must’ve been like a suspicious person… I didn’t get reported, did I?

It’s a man’s nature to want to help a girl in trouble. That’s the reason for my action.

But even that is meaningless if it’s not done smartly.

“Hah~…”

I sighed again just like yesterday. The only thing that has changed is the reason for the sigh.

But life goes on. I have to go to school. It’s hard being a student.

I arrived at school as usual and quietly entered the classroom.

Nobody pays attention to me. That’s right. If you embarrass yourself where no one’s looking, no one will ever know. I’m really glad I was alone with the junior girl yesterday. She’s the only one who knows about my shame.

“Good morning, Aida-kun.”

“Eh!? Ah, good morning, F-Fujisaki-san!”

I let my guard down.

As I sat down, a greeting came from the seat next to me. Suddenly a pretty voice greeted me, and I felt awkward replying to it. So embarrassing…

The girl sitting next to me had an air of serenity about her. She was the only one in the class with a different presence.

Her large, clear, lovely eyes make you fall in love just by staring into them. She has such a magical eye. Many boys have actually fallen victim to her.

The bridge of her nose is so straight and her lips are so seductive that it makes you think of all the things you shouldn’t do.

Her long black hair is so shiny that it looks like she has achieved the perfect cuticle. In contrast, her skin is clear and white like snow. Her hair is black and her skin is white, both are making the most of each other.

Her style is so outstanding that you can see it through her uniform. You can’t help but stare at her with all your male instincts, but if you stare at her, you’ll be classified as an enemy of women. What a hard mode.

Her name is Fujisaki Ayane. She is the undisputed beauty of the school. In other words, she is the idol of the school.

I couldn’t reply properly even though Fujisaki-san spoke to me. I can’t regret it enough.

Perhaps she was taken aback by my stammering, but Fujisaki-san looked away as if she had lost interest.

Chance is a pinch, huh? Just like yesterday, today is no luck either.

I took my seat again. For a moment my head is pink, but it quickly reverts to blue. I think it’s cruel to raise and lower the bar.

“Um, is Aida Yuji-senpai here?”

I heard a voice calling me from the classroom entrance.

It’s unusual that someone wanted to see me. Wait a minute, isn’t it the first time? I turned my head and saw the flaxen twintails I saw not long ago.

It’s the junior girl I met yesterday.

I wondered why she was here, but the umbrella in her hand answered my question. It seems that she has come to return it to me.

“She’s calling you, Aida-kun. Go to her quickly.”

“Ah, yeah.”

Even though Fujisaki-san talked to me again, I wasted my chance. Well, I don’t think there’s any chance of a chance between me and Fujisaki-san.

I quickly got up and went to the junior girl. I felt the class staring at me.

“Oh, thanks for yesterday.”

“Don’t mind it.”

But I kind of get it. This junior girl is quite cute. A man could be transfixed for five seconds.

“How did you know my name? Did I tell you my name?”

“Um, it said ‘Aida’ on the umbrella.”

Oh, I didn’t know that my habit from primary school would come in handy here. It’s embarrassing to be known for writing names on things, but I’m glad that a cute girl is coming to see me like this.

“But… You called me by my full name, didn’t you?”

I don’t remember writing that much on the umbrella I lent her. And I don’t remember writing my grade or class.

“That’s because… I have an older sister who…told me that she remembers you because she’s in the same class as you, Aida-senpai.”

“Sister? Who is that?”

After a little bit of reluctance to say it, the junior girl told me.

“…She’s Fujisaki Ayane.”

Fujisaki Ayane… Eh, seriously!?

I turned around and looked at Fujisaki-san. She kept a cool face without looking at me.

I turned my face back to the junior girl. I think they look alike. If Fujisaki-san was a little younger and her hair was in twin-tails… When I imagined that, I was convinced they were sisters.

“I see. So you’re her little sister.”

“You really didn’t know?”

I don’t want her to be skeptical about that. I’ve only just found out that Fujisaki-san has a sister. I’m not a stalker who knows everything about her.

“You didn’t mean to be nice to me because I’m her sister?”

Just because this junior girl is Fujisaki-san’s sister? What’s the meaning there? She thinks I want to appeal to Fujisaki-san? What kind of roundabout appeal is that?

“I told you. I just wanted to get caught in the rain. That’s all I really wanted. You just happened to be there at the time, and it had nothing to do with Fujisaki-san’s sister or anything like that.”

Stop digging around. I don’t want to be slumped over in bed again tonight.

Perhaps it’s because of this that I’ve become so blunt in my speech. The junior girl, the younger Fujisaki, bowed her head.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Even though senpai was kind enough to lend me an umbrella… I’m really sorry.”

She said sorry twice. Even though she didn’t have to.

Also, please don’t bow your head. It makes me look like I’m picking on a junior girl. I feel like I’ve got my classmates’ eyes on my back.

Anyway, I should just get back my umbrella and head back to class. It’s almost time for the bell to chime.

“Thanks for taking the trouble to return the umbrella. Now be careful going back to class.”

“Y-Yes! Aida-senpai, thank you so much for helping me!”

Well, I don’t feel too bad about it because she’s a junior.

After I received the umbrella, she turned on her heel.

Now I’ve lost my connection with her. It feels like such a waste. She was cute.

“Ah, I forgot to ask her name.”

I don’t think we’ll get involved in the future, but I wish I had at least heard her name.

The younger sister of Fujisaki Ayane, the school idol, that was all I knew about the junior girl.