IBAG Chapter 30: Problem Child

One week before the final test of the second semester. A certain teacher consulted me.

“And so that is why, Nakamura’s attendance is terrible.”

“When I asked her, she said she was fine.”

“Well, it is okay, but barely.”

“Barely?”

“Yes, she has barely enough attendance, I would like it if she had a bit more of a buffer.”

“Is that so?”

“So Tadeka-sensei, please help me persuade Nakamura to come to school.”

“Me?”

King kong kang (TN: School bell/chime.)

“Ah, the next classes are beginning! I will leave it to you!”

“Wait! Itou-sensei?”

Itou-sensei dashes to his next class.

He pushed it onto me. I guess it cannot be helped. I have classes right now so I will have to think about it later on.

“Tadeka-sensei’s lessons are fun.”

“You are always cheerful Amano. Don’t you have any troubles?”

“I am a high school flower you know? I have no troubles Ta-da.”

“Eh~. So, what would trouble you?”

“The trou-ble-s-of-l-o-v-e☆.” (TN: Best I could do.)

“Okay, I will be starting classes now.”

“Hey! Don’t ignore me.”

When Amano who was at the teacher’s desk and I brilliantly finished our conversation. I immediately started the lesson. When I look at Nakamura’s seat whom I had just been talking about, she was sitting there.

However.

In just the short time it took me to write up an example on the board, Nakamura was gone. That girl… she is good at sneaking and investigating. Amano spotted me breathing out a sigh.

“Takeda~.”

“Hmm?”

“Could I talk to you later?”

I first though she was just talking about my sigh, but then I saw the serious look on her face. I promised to talk at lunch after classes and told her to take the class diligently. After lessons Amano and I went straight to the student guidance room. We sat face to face with a table in between us.

“Are you alright?”

“Actually, it’s about Kae, her attendance is starting to get dangerously low.”

“Itou-sensei said something about her attendance being bad.”

“We normally go to school together in the morning, however recently she has been going home before lunch.”

“Have you talked to her about this.”

“I have talked to her about it, but she replies with, ‘It’s boring’”

Amano looked dejected.

This is more severe than I though. If Amano saying it has no effect, then how am I supposed to convince her.

“Why did she start to skip school so much?”

“She only started in high school saying that it was, ‘Boring’ and with that her early departures started increasing. Am I at fault?”

“It’s not Amano’s fault, you are worried about Nakamura and even said something to her. Do you have any ideas why this started?”

“Hmm…”

Amano didn’t seem to remember anything. I tried asking because I was worried.

“Is Nakamura not one to talk about her problems?”

“Kae? Now that you mention it she doesn’t discuss her problems often. I think that I have discussed my problems with her a lot though. Ehehe.”

It was as expected. It would be strange for Amano to be the type of person to listen to other’s stories.”

“I understand. I will also ask Nakamura the next time I see her, you should continue to be casually and frank with Nakamura while paying attention to her.”

“You sound like a detective.”

“You…”

After Amano and I left the student counselling room, I ate lunch in the staff room, after classes finished in the afternoon and I finished up a few things after school I went home as usual.

“I’m home.”

“Welcome back.”

“!?”

As usual I opened the front door and entered inside, but I heard a voice here that I should not have.

“Nakamura!? What are you doing in my house!?”

When I entered the back, I found Nakamura sitting next to Ruri-chan studying.

“Oh well, do not mind the small things.”

“This is not a small thing! It is serious!”

“Never mind that, do you mind if I stay the night?”

“What are you?”

“So, can I stay the night?”

“No, not in that sense.” (TN: Says no to her request and denies that she means it in a sexual sense.)

“It only has to be for one night, I am fine even if I don’t get a meal, so please!”

Nakamura pleads, with her hands vigorously pressed together.

I am weak to such things. Ruri-chan was looking between Nakamura and I alternatively with no idea what was going on.