The Cheeky Junior Gal Becomes Too Cute When She Gets Attached to Me-Chapter 3Volume 1 .5 - A Polite But Sharp-Tongued Junior

A Polite But Sharp-Tongued Junior

“…Speaking of which, you call her by her first name?”

“Hmm?”

“That girl, Monaka.”

“Oh… she’s insistent about being called by that.”

It was embarrassing at first, but now I’m used to it.

Kawana turned away with a pout, muttering “I see.”

“Matsuri.”

“Wha!”

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“Do you want me to call you that?”

“Absolutely not! I’ll sue you for sexual harassment!”

“Just for calling you by your first name!?”

Kawana’s face flushed a faint red as she vehemently rejected the idea.

The threshold for sexual harassment is scarily low these days.

I’m worried that someone who only heard the latter part of our conversation might misunderstand, especially since it’s rare for her to raise her voice.

In the evening, in a corner of the library, the Student Council President is accused of harassing a junior… I swear it’s just a misunderstanding.

“Please reserve that kind of thing for people you’re close with. Like her.”

“I thought I was close with you too, Kawana.”

“To your disappointment, President, you are mistaken.”

Kawana’s cheeks are still tinged with red… oh, she’s embarrassed.

I shouldn’t tease her too much, or she might really start to dislike me.

That would indeed be harassment.

“…You came to get angry at me, right?”

Kawana glanced at my face from time to time, asking hesitantly.

“Why would I be angry? I came to talk to you.”

“That’s a lie. After all, I was so rude to you.”

“…Huh? You’re always cold to me, aren’t you?”

“It’s okay if it’s with you, President.”

No, it’s not okay. It genuinely hurts to be treated coldly by a junior.

“It’s about what I said to Ooba-san, the bad things. You know what I’m talking about.”

“You think you said something bad?”

“Still, I didn’t intend to say anything wrong.”

Kawana is quite strong-willed, too.

But it seemed she was reflecting on her own behavior.

Perhaps that was why she couldn’t concentrate on her studies.

“Is Monaka really that bad in class? Like, does she bully anyone, for example?”

I wanted to believe that she wouldn’t do such a thing. However, I only ever spoke with Monaka when it was just the two of us.

I had no way of knowing what she was like in class or with other groups.

When I tentatively asked, Kawana shook her head.

“No, I don’t think it’s like that… Rather, she seems to stand out on her own. I think she’s often by herself.”

“Really?”

That was surprising. I had assumed she was the type with many friends.

I had wondered a few times if she didn’t have friends to hang out with because she was always coming to the Student Council room.

“My class has a lot of quiet kids, so I guess they’re kind of scared of her…”

“Scared? I thought she was quite approachable.”

“She’s not like that in class. She’s always expressionless, and during breaks, she’s either sleeping or off somewhere… I’ve never seen her being friendly with anyone. That’s why I was surprised earlier. Her demeanor was completely different.”

The Monaka I knew was always bright and smiling.

“She hasn’t been like that recently, but before, she used to come in late almost every day… She was defiant towards the teachers and didn’t pay attention in class at all.”

Well, yeah. That’s definitely irresponsible.

There are a few of those types in every class.

Monaka might look the part, but I didn’t think she was the type to be feared.

After talking about Monaka’s behavior in the classroom for a while, Kawana seemed to feel guilty for speaking ill of her and awkwardly played with her hair.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to gossip unintentionally.”

“It’s okay, I’m the one who asked, and I’m glad you told me.”

“I don’t want to speak badly of her… Just now, I actually wanted to thank her for helping with the Student Council.”

“You’re too tsundere.”

I couldn’t help but retort, but Kawana looked even more downcast.

“But I just can’t help myself when I see her.”

“Can you tell me why that is?”

Kawana is a smart girl.

Not just in terms of academics, but I believe she’s someone who thinks and acts carefully.

I haven’t known her long enough to fully grasp her personality, but I trust her capabilities.

Kawana took a deep breath and then let it out.

Searching for the right words, she then looked out the window.

The bare zelkova trees, having lost their leaves, seemed to be watching over Kawana.

And then, still looking outside, she slowly began to speak.

“I think… it’s jealousy.”

I remained silent, waiting for her to continue.

“I envy her freedom… I don’t want to admit it, but…”

Kawana was still turned away.

Surely, she wasn’t speaking to me but rather trying to come to terms with her feelings internally.

“It’s just not fair, is it? While everyone else is keeping in order, she’s the only one who steps out of line. School life works because everyone follows the rules. Living as she pleases… I can’t forgive that. She probably doesn’t know any hardships or worries.”

She began to speak rapidly as if making excuses.

“Despite that, she has the nerve to occupy the Student Council room as if it’s her own? That’s supposed to be my place… Ah!”

Kawana hastily covered her mouth while looking flustered.

Suddenly, she started to pack her writing utensils into her pencil case with a clatter.

“Anyway, what I’m saying is that I can’t stand that girl!”

“It didn’t sound like that to me.”

“Shut up. Are you satisfied after prying into a girl’s heart? I’m busy with my studies, so I’m going home!”

Kawana shoved her notebooks and pencil case into her backpack, then grabbed her down jacket and backpack.

“Kawana, I’d appreciate it if you could try to get along with Monaka.”

“That depends on how she works.”

“Oh, so you’ll acknowledge her if she does a good job?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“No, I know Kawana is someone who actually pays attention to what people do. That’s why I want you to give her a chance.”

“I’ll think about it pessimistically.”

With a huff, she tilted her chin up and started walking away as if to escape.

“And hey… Kawana, you’re the Treasurer of the Student Council.”

“Why do you state the obvious?”

“It means your place hasn’t gone anywhere.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Still seated, I watched Kawana leave the library.

…Why do I feel like I’m always being left behind today?