After school arrived.
“Takuto-kun, see you later.”
Erina-san whispered to me as she passed by my seat, which was close to the door, and left the classroom.
“Yeah...”
As I replied, I shifted my gaze to the window seat.
And then, even though I was the one who looked, I found myself captivated by the sight as if taken by surprise.
Ichikawa was just putting her textbooks into her bag, yet the scene was so soft and beautiful that I couldn’t help but think all the loveliest parts of the sunlight streaming through the window were being poured onto her uniformed figure alone.
...No, no, this is no time for such positive escapism.
In the end, I had spent the lunch break resolving the mysterious entanglement of the new pairing ‘Eri-Tsuba’ (Erina-san x Taira-chan), so I hadn’t been able to talk to Ichikawa. Since I had different classes during the breaks between the fifth and sixth periods, I hadn't had a chance to speak with her either. I would have to ask for her permission for this after-school plan now.
As the classroom emptied out, I slowly made my way toward the window seat.
“Hey, Ichikawa...”
“Hm? What’s up?”
Ichikawa looked up at me with a smile, and after seeing my expression—
“...Ah.”
She seemed to sense something and frowned slightly.
“...That face. That’s the face of someone coming to ask for permission to go out with a girl, isn't it?”
“Oh, wow...”
When did Ichikawa learn some of Azuma’s skills? I was so impressed that I accidentally let out a voice of admiration.
“No, this isn't the time to be impressed... I’ve just come to recognize it because Konuma-kun always makes that same face when he comes to ask me for a favor. I wonder how many times this has been now?”
Ichikawa laughed as if exasperated.
I wondered how many times it had been and counted on my fingers in my head... The fact that I had to count made me realize it was quite a significant number.
“Well, whatever... So, what is it specifically?”
Ichikawa prompted me to continue.
“Well, actually, it seems Sako hasn't been able to sleep much at night lately.”
“Eh, really? I didn't notice at all...”
Since we had spent a lot of time together over the last few days, she was likely more than a little shocked that she hadn't noticed. Ichikawa pressed a finger to her lip.
“Well, even I didn't notice, so...”
“The fact that you can say that so naturally is a bit unsettling...”
I ignored Ichikawa as she puffed out her cheeks slightly and moved the conversation along.
“...Anyway, the cause seems to be that she hasn't properly made up with Erina-san.”
“I see... They’re in the same club, but they couldn't talk?”
“Apparently, even if she tries to talk, Erina-san leaves quickly. Sako also wondered if it was okay to chase her when she was being avoided. But on the way back from staying at your house the other day, on Tuesday... well, today, she decided she was going to talk to her no matter what.”
“I see... So, how does that lead to Konuma-kun asking me for permission to go on a date with a girl?”
She wasn't saying it to be sarcastic; she just tilted her head with a look of pure curiosity.
“I didn't say it was a date... It just so happens that during lunch break today, Erina-san invited me to 'go to Mac together after club activities.'”
“Mac again... Hmph...”
“T-That’s why. My plan is to call Sako to the meeting place as well and have the two of them run into each other...”
“I see, I see,” Ichikawa nodded with her arms crossed.
“That certainly is a very easy-to-understand plan. ...But in that case, couldn't Konuma-kun just tell her the meeting place and then go home?”
“Well, yeah, that’s true, but...”
I scratched my cheek as Ichikawa tilted her head.
“Why aren't you doing that?”
Even as she asked, she likely already had an idea of the answer and the reason. Expectantly, testingly, and looking somewhat happy, Ichikawa peered into my face.
“If I’m not actually there, then my promise to Erina-san would become a lie... So, I want it to look like Sako just happened to pass by before I did.”
“...I see.”
She replied in a soft voice.
It seemed Ichikawa understood. There was no other reason why I was so particular about not lying.
“See, Ichikawa... you hate lies, don’t you?”
“...That’s true.”
Ichikawa mimicked someone’s verbal habit and then gave a little chuckle.
“...Well, if I were asked, ‘Which do you hate more, Konuma-kun meeting another girl or Konuma-kun telling a lie?’ it would be a close call, though?”
“Eh, really?”
I thought telling a lie would be much worse...
“Just kidding. I’m lying. I’m happy that Konuma-kun is an honest person.”
She smiled softly. I felt like Ichikawa herself just said “lying” though...
“...And more than that, I’m happy that it’s for my sake.”
I was making retorts in my head, but I was so captivated by the smile she wore when she said that, that for a moment, I lost my voice.
“If things don’t go well between Sako-san and Erina-chan, Konuma-kun will have to step in to follow up, won't you?”
I snapped back to reality at the sudden mention of such a heavy mission and scratched my head.
“I wonder if I can really do something like that...”
“No, it’s okay. It’s fine if you can’t do it well. Even if you can’t do something like that,”
Ichikawa smiled and gave my finger a tight squeeze.
“There are people who are saved just by Konuma-kun being there.”
“O-Oh...”
“Good luck, Konuma-kun.”
“Yeah...!”
Since we had reached an agreement, I took out my smartphone and opened LINE.
Takuto Konuma: [I ended up going to Mac with Erina-san after club. We’re supposed to meet at the school bus stop once club is over.]
Sako Hasu: [Got it. Then I’ll just happen to pass by there.]
“Mm, you’re perfectly in sync, aren't you...?”
“...Could you please not look at other people’s smartphones so naturally?”