The next day.
“Hmm,” I hummed, crossing my arms as I walked to school.
Erina-san’s behavior yesterday was definitely strange.
She seemed very frantic, and her words weren’t very organized.
Even so, this operation is a secret between Erina-san and me, so I wonder what I should do...
While I was agonizing over it,
“Morning, Konuma.”
Someone tapped me on the shoulder.
I turned around and saw a real-life normie, Azuma-neesan, carrying her bass on her back.
To me, it looked like there was a halo shining behind her.
“I see, I should just talk to Azuma!”
I mean, Azuma was standing on the east side, so there really was a light shining from behind her.
“Huh?”
“What are you talking about?” she asked, frowning at me.
“I mean, I said good morning. Say it back.”
She even scolded me for not returning the greeting.
I’m sorry... Azuma-neesan, an acquired normie, is strict about communication.
“Yes, good morning...!”
“Good.”
Since she was scary, I obediently returned the greeting, and she nodded with a satisfied smile.
“So, what about me?”
“Oh, right. There’s something I wanted to consult with you about...”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
Just as I was about to say it was about Erina-san...
“Yuri, morning.”
Hazama called out as he passed us, holding his bag behind his back.
Wow, the normies are outnumbering me...!
Out of habit, I was about to activate my skill 《Stealth》, but...
“Morning to you too, Konuma. You guys really are close. It feels like it happened out of nowhere...”
Wait, did he just greet me? Is Hazama actually a really nice guy...?
“Kenji, morning~”
Azuma replied cheerfully, waving with her left hand. Then, she slapped my butt with her right hand from behind.
“Ouch!”
The voice leaked out involuntarily.
“?”
Hazama tilted his head.
No, I understand what Azuma-neesan is trying to say.
“Morning, Hazama... kun.”
“Yeah, morning.”
Oh, he replied. I’m happy.
“By the way, there’s a study session next week, right? Erina invited me yesterday. I’ll be joining you guys, looking forward to it.”
“Oh, Kenji’s coming too. Looking forward to it~”
While the two normies were having a normie conversation like that, we reached a normie fork in the normie hallway.
Classes 1, 2, and 3 are to the left; 4, 5, and 6 are to the right.
Since he’s heading left, Hazama must be in Class 1, 2, or 3.
Azuma from Class 4 and I from Class 6 headed to the right.
“Well, see ya.”
“Later.”
“...See yaaa.”
This time, I managed to say it before Azuma slapped my butt, but since I wasn’t used to saying it, I ended up sounding like a rice cooker.
Hazama entered the Class 3 classroom.
Hazama is in Class 3. Got it.
“Well, conversation is hard, isn’t it?”
Azuma said to me comfortingly.
“So, you had something to consult about?”
I was asked that, but we were already in front of the Class 4 classroom after turning the corner.
The bell would probably ring soon.
What should I do... I thought for a moment and had an idea.
That’s right, today is Wednesday.
“Azuma, are you free after school today?”
She said that Wednesday is a self-practice day for the Instrumental Music Club.
“Ah— sorry, I have work.”
That’s right, Azuma-neesan has a part-time job. But in that case.
“Your job is at the FamilyMart on the way home, right? Then, could you walk home with me until then?”
If I can talk to her during that time, I’m sure I’ll figure something out.
Just as I thought it was a great idea, Azuma looked blankly at me.
“Huh? With me?”
“Uh, yeah...”
Wait? Did she hate the idea? She said we were close, but was that just her being polite while she actually thought I was creepy?
The blood drained from my face.
Maybe I closed the distance too suddenly.
“Ah, no, no, sorry, you’re in negative mode again, aren’t you? I’m not bothered by what you’re thinking about.”
Azuma hurriedly waved her hands in front of her face.
How did she know what I was thinking?
“I can tell because your face went so pale. Sorry, sorry for scaring you.”
Oh, I see. My face turned pale.
...Wait, how did she know I was thinking, ‘How did she know what I was thinking?’
“I used to spend all my time reading people’s expressions, so it seems I’ve acquired that kind of ability,” she told me in a low voice.
Azuma-neesan’s acquired normie skill: 《Mind Reading》...! Amazing...!
“I don’t mind walking home together, but are you okay with everything, Konuma?”
“Me? I’m the one asking, so of course I’m fine.”
Azuma tilted her head and looked up.
“Hmm, well, maybe I’m overthinking it. Okay, let’s walk home together today.”
I wonder what she’s worried about?
But with this, it looks like I’ll be able to consult her about Erina-san.
“Thanks, Azuma.”
“No problem. Well, see you later.”
With that, Azuma went into the Class 4 classroom.
I thought to myself that this might be the first time I’ve ever made a promise to walk home with someone.