Zannen Kei na Ojou-sama no Nichijou

22. Person Who Makes Things Complicated

​Noticing my gaze, Sumire nodded in all seriousness and entered the classroom for some reason. Following her was Hitomi who also made her way in. Although it’s rare for the two to come over, it’s not necessarily out of the norm given how I’ve yet to come over to the tea room.
 
The pale Akashi-san who turned back winced at the two. Covering her mouth with her hands still trembling a little, her tears began to form once again. To have the ‘Flower Princesses’ Sumire and Hitomi appear at such a circumstance, being scared is as natural as it can be.
 
Sumire handed Akashi-san a light purple handkerchief with a smile.
 
“Do wipe your tears”
“Su-Sumire-sama”
“The opponent is no devil, apologize with sincerity and I’m sure you’ll be forgiven”
 
A-re? Did Sumire know about the graffiti? And that, why does she know that Akashi-san’s the offender? Did she hear it from Tengengi I wonder? No, would Sumire even talk with guys?
 
“There’s no need to cry anymore”
 
Sumire took out a teddy bear keychain from her pocket. Holding it with both hands, she tilted her head.
 
“Ehh!?”
“Ufufu, isn’t it a cute teddy bear? This child is Sumire’s friend”
 
Saying a line that makes you what to retort whether she’s a primary kid or not with such way of comfort, she is in the end, forgiven for the cuteness. To put it simply, pleasing and sweet… that is Sumire. I repeat, this is that Sumire.
 
“It’s good that your tears stopped. Don’t cry anymore, okay? It’d be terribly if those eyes start to swell”
“Certainly, it’d be a waste to spoil such a cute face”
 
Sumire’s feign of naivete and Hitomi’s seduction combo attack warmed Akashi-san’s cheeks to a blush as she opened and closed her mouth in a daze.
 
“It’s alright now”
 
Sumire reached out, placing her hands on Akashi-san’s shoulders as she continued her speech in deep compassion.
 
“You’ve been reflecting and crying so much… She may look a bit formidable and scary, not getting any jokes but I’m sure you’ll be understood if you voice yourself”
 
Who in the world are you talking about?
 
“Sumire too was a bit scared at first, having a bit of trouble in raising one’s voice”
 
This is probably not about Asami-san… there seems to be an outrageous misunderstanding going on here.
 
“Maria, do forgive her”
 
Yes!? They were talking about me all along!?
 
I did have a slight idea but to think that’s how we looked... Well, I guess two people in a classroom with one crying and the other being me, it might look like no other situation than what they said.
 
“I-It’s not! Maria-sama did nothing wrong”
“It’s alright”
 
Sumire whispered to the Akashi-san who denied in a haste with “There’s no need to be scared”, completely turning the situation into another direction.
 
“Maria, Sumire can see through everything!”
 
You’re not seeing anything but.
 
“Sumire, just stop for a moment. Let’s listen in detail what the situation is first”
 
Upon Hitomi’s words, me and Akashi-san told them today’s events, untying the misunderstanding. Sumire’s face gradually turned pale as she hanged her head down as though trying to avoid my gaze.
 
Parting with Akashi-san in the classroom who promised to never harass Asami-kun again, the three of us headed towards the tea room.
 
“Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Sorrrrrryyyyyyy”
“Yes, yes”
“Uwaaaah, don’t be angry~ Mariaaannnn~”
“Marian… who’s might that be…”
 
I looked down on the Sumire who’s glued onto my arm, apologizing in tears and raised the corners of my mouth.
 
“To be formidable and scary”
“Uuuu”
“Doesn’t look like someone who can take a joke… was it?”
“Nooo! It was a joke!! Sumire Joke~!! Hey!”
 
The pleasant smile just then disappeared like a lie. Upon the terrible face with a dripping nose, Hitomi took out some tissue from her pocket and handed it to Sumire… like parent and child.
 
“Haa… I’m not angry or anything”
 
On top of adding weight onto me, there’s noise. I informed the fact that I wasn’t angry. Sumire opened her eyes and gave a delighted smile. She got away from my arm so the freed me was able to walk in ease without ado. Beside me was Hitomi; “Sorry for making things complicated” she said, looking apologetic.
 
The person who made things complicate was Sumire.