Chapter 40: Friendship Record of a Gal and a Loner
That's how I felt when I became a second-year, but not much has changed.
I'm not joining any committees, and there's nothing particularly special going on.
Club activities are tough but going smoothly. I'm just barely on the bench for the summer tournament.
Sotomachi is already a key player in the midfield and even gets to take free kicks. Really impressive.
I don't like him, but since it's unrelated to soccer, I can honestly admire him.
There aren't any major issues in class either. My current group, with two gals and two buff guys, treats me well, and despite not having many friends, it's a good class that's easy to get by in. Surprisingly, we talk a lot, and it's rare for a loner like me to fit in with a group. I kinda want to stay in this group forever.
I haven't been able to talk much with Kashii-san. Since she asked for distance last year, we've barely had any conversations.
Whenever it seems like I might get a chance to talk to Kashii-san, something always interrupts, so lately, I've kinda given up.
To begin with, unless it's related to class rep duties, we don't really have a relationship where we talk much. Unfortunately.
Seeing Sotomachi and Kashii-san talking a lot because of their roles makes my chest tighten a little.
Such is the ordinary spring of a chuunibyou second-year.
Surprisingly, there are people who get involved with me.
That's Narumi Shigezane-san, also known as Ise-san.
Ise-san is the epitome of ultra-positive thinking and a bit of an airhead.
She prioritizes looks over studying or sports and is quite the slacker.
But that's what's great about her!
She interprets everything in her own way, twists things to her convenience, and has a "just do your best casually" kind of attitude.
Surprisingly, she's deeply loyal, and because she never abandons her friends, she sometimes gets dragged into bullying herself, showing her strong sense of justice.
Anyway, she loves to chat and is always talking with Kita-san, but since I'm nearby, she often throws the conversation my way, so we've ended up talking about a lot of things in a short time.
We haven't known each other long, but I've taken a liking to Ise-san.
She's beautiful and has big breasts, but honestly, I'm not interested in that.
...I lied. There are times when my eyes are drawn to her breasts.
That determination to be strong even when she's weak,
That resolve to always protect her friends,
That commitment to live by her own principles makes me think, even though she's a girl, she's a real 'man.'
That's probably why she casually holds a leader position in her faction and has the support of the gals.
Ise-san's group boasts ironclad unity; they might fight among themselves, but no one ever leaves the group.
Surprisingly, she can read the room, and though she seems a bit silly, she understands others' pain.
For the first time, I've become interested in a girl other than Kashii-san.
One day after school, Ise-san invited me to walk home together.
Walking home with a girl! I tried to decline, but she pushed through with a "Come on!" It's been about a year since I last walked home with a girl, with Kashii-san.
Turns out Ise-san's house is pretty close to mine, so we walk in the same direction.
'Tachibana, sometimes you don't seem very energetic. Are you worried about something?'
'!‥Nah, not really.'
'You know, I was saved when the bullying stopped because of that incident with you and Aoi.'
On the way home, while walking together, Ise-san and Kita-san told me about how they were bullied by some senior girls a year above them.
Hearing that they were hit with a bamboo sword made me feel sick.
Lately, we've been talking a lot, right? But if you started staring at my breasts like those sleazy boys or got too familiar too fast, I was thinking I'd stop talking to you, you know?
But then she said with a bright, shining smile, 'But I can trust Tachibana, right?'
Honestly, I was happy.
(Though sometimes my eyes do wander to her breasts in the corner of my vision... sorry, Ise-san...)
'Tachibana, you're kinda like a warlord, aren't you?'
'Really?'
I bit at the comment. I'm aware I'm caught between my ideal self who wants to be a true 'man' and the useless reality of not being able to help my family.
'Sorry, I just said that randomly. I don't really know much about warlords!'
'That's way too random!'
'Well, I'm complimenting you. You really helped with the bullying thing. Thanks! Though I won't say it twice!'
'Which is it?!'
We laughed together.
'If anything comes up, help me out, okay, Tachibana? And if you've got something on your mind, I'll listen!'
'Got it, Shigezane-san.'
'I'm not Shigezane! Anyway, I need help right away. I'm broke, so treat me to a Black Thunder and a TOPPO at that cheap snack shop over there♡'
'Aren't both of those chocolate?'
Even a casual conversation with her feels refreshing. I thought maybe this girl is a different kind of sun compared to Acchan.
———————————————
Class rumors.
'Doesn't Ise-san kinda like Tachibana?'
'Yeah, I see them talking a lot.'
'He's pretty plain, though, lol.'
'Hilarious, lol. A gal and a loner! Otakus would love this!'
Aoi happened to pass by.
(Seriously?! I thought Tachibana liked Kashii! Well, that guy's pretty naggy anyway.)
Aoi decided to support Ise-san.