Kaiwa mo shinai tsurekko no imouto ga, naganen issho ni baka yatte-kita Netoge no friend datta

“If you have a follow-up exam, go to the designated classroom. Also, the top scorers of the proficiency test will be posted there~.”

With these words from the home-room teacher, the classroom was filled with an after-school bustle. Some students who were subjected to a supplementary exam voiced their resentment, saying things like, “Ugh,” and “I didn’t prepare for that.”

Since Koutora has a supplementary exam marked for all subjects, he didn’t have anyone to accompany him in this ordeal.

I’m a little concerned about Hiyori, but … more importantly, the problem is how Nanjo Rin asked me to meet her. Since I planned to pretend that I didn’t notice it, I might as well go home early. I don’t want any sort of trouble.

With that in mind, I went out to the hallway and found a crowd of people gathered in front of the posted grade reports.

It seems that onlookers had already flocked in there to talk about it. 

“Nanjo-san is number one once again?”

“Rin-chan, so cool! Teach me before the next midterms!”

“Damn, even I want to be taught too!”

“Hahaha, I’m not doing anything special though~.”

Among them, there was one group that stood out from the rest. It was the group centered around Nanjo Rin.

However, it was not a group consisting of only girls, as I could see even boys from our class among them. Apparently, they wanted to get close to her by using this poster as an excuse.

At first glance, Nanjo Rin appeared seemingly like a school idol who was pampered by her surroundings, but there was not a hint of happiness nor embarrassment on her face. Also, if you look closely, you can sense that there was some kind of fatigue in her expression. I guess she got tired… Wearing a cat’s disguise on herself constantly really took a toll, huh?

However, it seems that the people who followed her refused to let go of her.

Seeing that, I unknowingly stretched my hand to the part of the locker, the bag where the letter was kept. 

I won’t deny that I felt an urge to back her up a bit. But it was also the perfect time to take my leave.

“Kurai-kun is at the thirtieth place this time as well. Every time your name barely makes it on the list, heh.”

“—!?”

But before I knew it, Nanjo Rin was already standing right before me.

Perhaps it was a gift from her unnecessarily highly talented athletic reflexes. It was a movement that did not make the surroundings feel at all unnatural.

[TL note: compared to the soccer scene?]

“If you’re on the edge of the list almost every time, you’re going to stand out quite good, aren’t you?”

“You—You think so.”

She smiled gently as her hair fluttered in the wind, as she turned her big eyes and peered into mine. Her eyes were indeed laughing but clearly filled with the color of protest.

—Doki, I felt it happen.

Probably partly because I felt guilty, my heart was beating fast. I’m sure everyone around me saw me as someone who gets nervous and fidgety just like everyone else who were suddenly talked to by the most beautiful girl in school.

“(You … tried to leave just now, didn’t you)?”

“(That’s absolutely untrue.).”

“(Liar).”

“(… I’m sorry.).”

Nanjo Rin has a friendly personality. I’m sure that no one would question her for talking to me, even if it was out of the blue. 

That’s why no one would also think she would be stomping on my foot while complaining and intimidating me with a wide smile.

“(Just wait at the place I told you about. I’ll be right there.).”

“(What if I refuse?)”

“(Shall I yell that I had my chest felt here and now? Or would it be better if I just break your form and have you fall over and hug me like it was a natural phenomenon)?”

“(… Give me a break.).”

“(An immediate answer… A person like you… Ah, well.).”

Those eyes were dead serious. I couldn’t help but flinch after being exposed to that piercing gaze her eyes had. Moreover, it had this kind of erotic charm that could probably make any arrow or shield useless.

… It would be a wise decision to not go against her.

“Come to think of it, Rin chan’s notes can be comprehended so easily.”

“Eh, what do you mean~? Show us, show us as well!”

“Nanjo-san’s notebook… *gulp*.”

“Ahaha, I might have a lot of personal interpretation in it.”

Keeping aside myself who was nodding softly, she returned to the topic the group was discussing with a body that has lost all interest whatsoever. 

She didn’t even forget to give me a warning about what would happen if I were to escape by pinching my arm. Doing even that so skillfully. Really, such a scary girl.

This forcefulness was also somehow similar to the Philia-san when she invited me to hu—. … No, perhaps not.

Certainly, Nanjo Rin and Philia-san have many similarities among them. But somehow, at their root, I feel like they can never overlap with each other no matter what.

It was as if I was seeing someone role-playing… But since I couldn’t be sure about that, I became a bit gloomy. Thus, I shook my head to expel such thoughts from my head.

I leaned against the fire exit’s wall and waited for Nanjo Rin.

I wanted to leave as soon as my business was done so I didn’t even put my bag down on the floor, leaving it over my shoulder.

“Haaa…”

A sigh escaped my lips.

Although I was about to meet a beautiful girl of a level rarely seen, my heart was not excited even a little. Why in the world did she even call me here? Only an unpleasant premonition grew within me.

“Damnit, My notebook is not an exhibition piece! …Whoa, aren’t you as bitter as always?”

“Mind your own business, thick make-up girl.”

“Ah, really now!”

“You can’t even hide that thing under your eyes.”

“Gununu…!”