Chapter 119: United Against a Common Enemy [side Yukari Tomonaga]
During lunch break, I head to the home economics room designated by Osada-san, bringing Satsuki along.
Satsuki seems reluctant and keeps saying,
Satsuki "...Hey? Yukari, Osada definitely hates us, right? This is impossible, isn't it?"
She says that, but when I ask if she wants to repeat first year again, she shuts up.
I'm anxious too, you know!
But I feel like just teaching each other might be cutting it close... maybe even just over the line.
It's not just about grades—I've been suspended before, and Satsuki had a lot of absences around New Year's due to the Pig Motor incident, so she's far from perfect attendance.
While thinking about all this, we arrive at the home economics room.
Satsuki is nervous too.
Steeling myself, I knock and enter...!
There are three people in the room.
Osada-san, an honor student girl, and a gal, huh...
Gal "...Mishima actually showed up?"
Honor Student "...I'm surprised..."
Osada-san looks at us curiously and says,
Osada "Before we talk? Mishima-san, isn't it a bit too convenient to ask for help when you lost a bet and won't even speak to me?"
Satsuki, beside me, tenses up.
...Because she lost a bet, Satsuki has to use polite language with Osada-san until the new school year... but she hates it so much that she's been thorough about not saying a single word in front of Osada-san.
...Oh, right, that's how it was...
Satsuki, looking frustrated, gives a slight bow and says,
Satsuki "...I'm sorry."
Then she turns her face away with a huff.
The three of them look surprised, shocked even, like, "Mishima, really?!"
On top of that,
Osada "...So? What is it?"
Osada-san gets straight to the point.
I explain the current situation—how Satsuki and I are in a precarious spot, and depending on our grades, we might even be held back.
Satsuki looks displeased.
She doesn't like showing her weaknesses, this girl.
...I'm fine with it. If I can't handle it on my own, I have to rely on others.
If I've realized I can't do it alone, then I have no choice but to honestly ask for help... or rather, cling to it!
Osada-san listens quietly, then says,
Osada "Why do I have to look after you guys?"
I put on a forced smile and say,
"Haha, right, I get it. I know, but Osada-san is the only one I can rely on. Besides, the only other smart person I can think of is Kousuke-kun, but... I can't trouble him anymore..."
Satsuki "...I said we should just have Kousuke teach us, but... Yukari insisted on Osada. If you hate me, then... at least look after Yukari, please..."
Satsuki, remembering at the last moment to use polite language.
Osada-san sighs and says,
Osada "...You're still planning to burden Saito-kun (Kousuke)? I'm amazed... Tomonaga, I'm glad you stayed behind. ...But Mishima, huh?"
Osada-san tells us that, as an apology for the beauty contest incident with the film club, she made a promise at the time,
to keep an eye on me and make sure I don't trouble Kousuke-kun.
Osada "So? Absolutely no burdening Saito-kun."
Osada-san says this intimidatingly. Scary.
The two followers nod in agreement.
Osada-san then says to Satsuki and me,
Osada "So? In return? Make a promise, okay?"
Osada-san will let us join a study group that was originally planned for her own group.
She'll let us copy her notes.
Since many in Osada's faction dislike Satsuki and me, we have to act humble and submissive.
Absolutely no troubling Kousuke-kun.
Satsuki must retract her past rude remarks to Osada and apologize.
If we can agree to that, she won't guarantee anything, but she'll back us up.
That's what Osada-san said! Yes!
By the way, Satsuki?
What rude thing did you say to Osada-san?
Satsuki "...I badmouthed her boyfriend..."
"Oh no... That's the worst... Apologize."
Satsuki "Do I have to apologize?"
"You do."
Sighing, Satsuki turns to Osada-san and says,
Satsuki "At the end of the first semester, I got into a bit of a fight with Osada and said things about her boyfriend, Ryo-kun, like 'Musclehead!' and 'Cheerful Musclehead!'"
I take it back. I'm really sorry.
She looks like she has no choice, but Osada-san and the others are surprised to see her bow her head.
In a quiet voice,
Osada "...Tomonaga, how do you get Mishima to listen to you?"
"Even I... don't really know...?"
Osada "Why did you become friends with her?"
"She was looking at us like she wanted to be friends?"
Osada "Becoming friends like that, aren't you some kind of monster?"
Osada-san sets up a schedule for the final exams in two weeks.
And as the conversation wraps up, Osada-san, with a serious face, says,
Osada "...Once the finals are over safely and your worries are reduced, let's talk a bit about Kuzu-kun, okay?"
"...Yes..."
First, it's the final exams, right?
The battle for Satsuki and me to advance to the next grade has begun.
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※ The conflict between Mishima Satsuki and Osada Ai was caused by Satsuki dissing Ryo-kun lol