Chapter 34: The Distance Between Two People [Side: Rena Kashii]
I believe I am the type of person who prioritizes others, or rather, the whole, over myself, unless there's a very good reason not to. Even as a class representative, I know that if everyone insists on their own way, nothing gets decided, so I honestly can't imagine how complicated it would get if it were a town, a city, a prefecture, or a country.
Therefore, I think it's easier and more efficient to prioritize the whole unless there are significant disadvantages.
The day after Tachibana-kun and Aoi-kun clashed, I had to lecture them both before morning homeroom. I didn't really want to, but as Tachibana-kun said, I think it's certainly good to firmly stop teasing and bullying in the class here and now.
In the morning, when I entered the classroom, Tachibana-kun was already there.
(!!)
His cheek was terribly swollen! It was already swollen when he fought Aoi-kun once last week, but the spot where he was hit yesterday was even more severely swollen.
(I didn't realize yesterday because it was evening to night! I was so excited that I didn't notice.)
When I was listening to Tachibana-kun and Aoi-kun's story with my mask on, Tachibana-kun was asked, "Why are you doing this?" and he immediately replied, "For myself and because Kashii-san is worried!"
(I thought it was a serious matter, but it was a fight that caused such bruises...)
I scolded them both, telling them that freedom is not doing whatever you please, that violence is wrong, that I want everyone to have compassion, and that because I like everyone, I don't want to see them hurting each other. So, teasing, bullying, and violence are absolutely unforgivable! I gave a speech saying that if anything happens, they should tell me.
It was less coherent than usual. I think it's because my heart wasn't calm seeing the two of them with injuries on their faces.
I assigned them two months of trash duty. I initially told them one month, but if two people are doing it, then Tachibana-kun gets one month's worth. The trash disposal area is in a separate building and takes time, so no one wants to do it, but once things settle down, I can sometimes help with trash duty with them too. I should be able to walk with Tachibana-kun legally!
Just as I was including a bit of selfishness, Aoi-kun confessed to bullying.
He apologized to Tachibana-kun and Tanaka-kun individually, bowing deeply.
Naturally, it became a huge problem.
The first period became self-study, and Aoi-kun, Tachibana-kun, and the three timid ones were being questioned.
Aoi-kun said it was all him, so the kids involved in the bullying were relieved and said things like, "Aoi is messed up," which honestly angered me.
They truly understood each other in yesterday's fight. I honestly underestimated them.
I thought that today, they might change their minds and even attack me in the morning.
When it started, Tachibana-kun, who was lectured together under the "both sides are at fault" principle, responded to that sentiment by confessing his sins and apologizing in front of everyone, which was honestly admirable.
Of course, bullying is bad, and what was done cannot be undone.
Still, it was admirable. I was a little moved.
When I first heard Tachibana-kun's plan, I wondered if it would be okay, but it was quite well thought out. However, when I heard that they chose to punch each other at the last minute, I was honestly angry. What are you doing?!
In the end, Tachibana-kun solved everything. My judgment was correct.
Tachibana-kun is an amazing boy!
After school, Tachibana-kun went to talk to the boys in the class, and I went to talk to the Girls.
Following this incident, the trend was that everyone felt bullying was bad, so persuading the class to cooperate to prevent teasing and bullying was easy, and they said things like, "I actually hated that atmosphere."
Even though they thought that, only Tachibana-kun took action. I said,
'That's right—I thought so too, XX-chan!'
I just went along with it. It was necessary.
Girls can often turn into enemies quickly if something emotional happens, so I watch their movements without letting my guard down. In that respect, boys are easier to understand, which I envy.
This incident spread throughout the school in an instant, and the school also took it seriously, leading to a sudden shift in monitoring systems and awareness, causing teasing and bullying to disappear from this school all at once.
Of course, I don't think it will be completely eradicated
Still, just having it gone lightens my heart, and fewer people suffer, so I was a little elated, having no worries for the first time in a while.
Preparations for the sports festival have begun in earnest.
Two people from each class become members of the sports festival executive committee and the sports festival class committee, and I'm busy supporting them. The executive committee handles headquarters work like creating posters, greeting neighboring households, deciding on competitions, relaying information to their respective classes, arranging supplies, and preparing, executing, and cleaning up the sports festival with the student council. The sports festival class committee decides who participates in which competitions for the class, allocates tasks like cheer practice, panels, and props according to the third-year students' instructions, and executes various class-related matters.
This is quite tough, and both committees need support, so I'm incredibly busy assigning and coordinating requested roles, and asking classmates for help because we need manpower.
During this preparation period, club activities also have fewer days. Tachibana-kun was exempted from club activities and cheer practice due to his injury, but he diligently helped only with the task of making artificial flowers.
I was incredibly busy, but I had something to look forward to.
'Tachibana-kun! Look this way!'
Every day after work, I treat Tachibana-kun's facial injuries, or rather, his bruises, in the nurse's office.
'That's enough.'
'No! It's so swollen!'
I carefully rub the ointment onto the affected area with my finger.
I can legally touch Tachibana-kun's cheek! And at close range!
I'm a little nervous while treating him, but Tachibana-kun is too shy to look at me!
I want to thank Tachibana-kun for putting his body on the line for me, so I subtly ask him things like, "Will you eat the bento I made for you?" or "As a thank you, do you want to go out and play somewhere together?" but I only get vague replies.
I'm not saying this to just anyone, you know? I try to be very careful with boys because if I act suggestive, they fall for me quickly. I show affection and friendship, but I try to handle boys with a business-like attitude, like a friendly receptionist.
But Tachibana-kun is a little special. I was already concerned about him, but perhaps influenced by Tachibana-kun's "passion" this time, my feelings changed from "I hope we can become good friends" to "We will become good friends!"
That's why I was appealing with all my heart, saying, 'Tell me anything!' every day during his treatment in the nurse's office, you know?
(But I'd be troubled if it was something perverted, wouldn't I? Well, Tachibana-kun is a child, so he'd definitely not ask for something like that!)
On the third day of that, Tachibana-kun finally asked me for something, sounding a bit awkward!
'Kashii-san, um...'
'Yes! Okay!'
(Oops, I got ahead of myself.)
Tachibana-kun said with a troubled expression,
'I have a request for you, Kashii-san...'
'Yes! Okay!'
I intend to approve most things (except perverted ones), so my reply was a bit too eager.
I felt like Tachibana-kun was looking at me with the eyes of someone watching a disappointing creature.
(How rude, but you're right, aren't you? Properly cute!)
I gaze at Tachibana-kun with a slightly cunning, teary-eyed upward glance.
Tachibana-kun seems too shy to look into my eyes? Did I overdo it?
I want him to look me in the eye when he tells me something important.
Just the two of us in the nurse's office, bathed in the setting sun—this situation has happened several times.
The bustling school building and the voices of students gradually returning home can be heard in the distance.
(Well, he won't confess... will he?)
I understand, of course; Tachibana-kun is still a child, though I'm in the same year.
But I want to give him something in return, if he asks me for something, I want him to ask for something that would shorten the distance between us.
With a slightly nervous expression, Tachibana-kun opened his mouth.
'Kashii-san, I want you to keep your distance from me. If possible, I want you to treat me strictly.'
'Huh? I don't quite understand what you're saying.'
(Huh? Wh-wh-what do you mean?!)
'That's the Sandwichman thing I often use!'
Tachibana-kun's witty comeback, it's been a while!
(No, this isn't the time for that?! Why?! Didn't our distance shrink with all this?!)
I couldn't help but get angry! And I felt like crying.
'Why! Why would you say that?!'
(Do you hate me?!)
Tachibana-kun explained from the beginning.
How he's been getting attention since the Aoi-kun incident.
There are various rumors, but because violence was involved, the bad reputation seems strong; he said with a pained expression that it's also being said that "a quiet person who snaps is the scariest."
Generally, the reputation seems to be in the order of dangerous, scary, no friends, strong, amazing.
Apparently, the rumor is that the bullying was resolved this time by my loving lecture and Tachibana's physical language (?), which led Aoi-kun to repent.
Tachibana-kun said that rumors are spreading that he's a really dangerous guy, and it's super scary when scary Senpais come to see him during lunch break.
Tachibana-kun said,
If someone like that is by Kashii-san's side, bad rumors will follow Kashii-san too, and besides, being near Kashii-san makes him stand out, and if they're close, it'll invite jealousy.
Also, if the recent public lecture (match pump) is exposed, it will become a huge scandal, Kashii-san's support will drop, and it will cause the class to become chaotic again.
So, it's better to keep our distance.
he said.
'No!'
I threw a tantrum.
'But that's what's best for Kashii-san and for everyone!'
I immediately understood the benefits of what Tachibana-kun was saying. Indeed, it does make sense—for everyone, for me, for Aoi-kun, it would settle things more smoothly. But Tachibana-kun is the only one losing out!
'What about 'tell me anything'...? '
Tachibana-kun muttered, probably surprised by how stubborn I was being.
Tachibana-kun said,
Anyway, for the sake of Aoi, who's coming back, both he and I should act like we've reflected on our actions under Kashii-san's guidance, accept our penalties, and Kashii-san should maintain a fair stance, dealing firmly with bad behavior, or else bullying or something similar might resurface in a different form.
Sure, Aoi was wrong for bullying, but to honor the courage and guts he showed by confessing and apologizing in front of everyone, he asked me once more to treat him with a firm attitude as well.
If things are half-baked, Aoi will be excluded or bullied this time!
'Please, Kashii-san, I beg you.'
(What am I doing, making Tachibana-kun—who worked so hard and put himself on the line for me—bow his head?)
I accepted.
That day, I couldn't help but feel angry at my own powerlessness.
I swore that I would definitely uphold what Tachibana-kun protected and fulfill this term safely.
Because that was all I could do.
But let's laugh together and do something again, okay?