Volume 9, Chapter 5: Spreading Rumors Part 3

5 oclock. I made contact with Kei, calling her out to a place a short distance away from the dorms.

Despite the destination being relatively unpopular, it wasnt the type of place absolutely nobody visited at all.

Ah, its chilly. Why are we meeting up at a place like this? There are other options, you know?

But the lobby doesnt work for you, does it? Strange rumors might start to spread if were seen together like this. That would be a problem for you, wouldnt it?

Well, sorta But meeting covertly like this doesnt it stand out in its own way? If were seen carelessly, I feel like itll produce rumors anyway

Dont worry about it.

Im getting the feeling that you havent been cautious enough about this but whatever.

Thats fine. After all, the man whos been following me has to put up with it for a while as well.

Even so, its too cold. I wish summer would come sooner.

In the summer, wouldnt you just end up saying that you wish winter would come sooner?

After I asked this, she pondered the question for a bit.

Thats just how maidens are, okay?

Karuizawa pouted.

Come to think of it, I wonder if there isnt going to be a special exam this month.

The training camp only just ended, so that wouldnt be surprising.

Then, we can take it easy?

Are you all set for the end-of-year exams? It seems like theyll be quite difficult.

As I said this, I noticed Keis movements stiffen up.

Eh Really?

Until now, Kei had managed to get through one way or another, but she wasnt in a position where she could start to be negligent with her studies.

Could you help me study?

Ask Hirata. It would be difficult for you, but not impossible, right?

Kei shouldve been brazen enough to ask him for his help, even immediately after parting ways with him, but she didnt seem very eager about it. She stared at me.

The simplest solution would be to have Keisei tutor her, but that just wasnt realistic.

If she was to be tossed into my group all of a sudden, there would definitely be problems.

It would have to be in the middle of the night. Is that okay?

Its much better than dropping out I suppose.

Exactly.

Well, Ill put together a schedule.

Alright.

However, even if she passes the end-of-term exams, a new problem was going to show up shortly afterward.

This upcoming March. In all likelihood, a large special exam was waiting just around the corner.

It seems like shed only be safe after overcoming what remains in the 1st year curriculum.

We wouldnt be able to relax until this battle reaches the bitter end.

Anyway, uh, what do you need from me?

She asked, looking nervous for some reason.

Whats wrong?

Nothing. I just thought that you urgently wanted to meet up with me today.

Its nothing that has to be done today, but Id like to have it checked out ahead of time.

Hmph.

She scoffed, a look of suspicion filling her eyes.

I decided to disregard it, instead focusing on the issue at hand.

Do you know anything about this number?

I showed her the unregistered phone number that called me a few days earlier.

Eh? Who is this? What, are you getting calls from strangers?

Something like that.

Kei pressed down on the dial button on her phone and manually entered the number into the virtual keypad.

If the number was registered on her phone, a contact would appear after the number has been typed in.

It doesnt seem like you have anything.

I do have more contacts than the average girl, but I dont know pretty much any of the seniors.

I had wanted to see if she would have the number registered, but, as I expected, it was just a slim hope at best.

Why not just try and call them back?

Ive tried doing that a couple of times, but the other side has always been turned off.

Really? If its that important, why not have me check it out for you?

Yeah. Thats why I called you out here today. But, dont be careless with how you go about it.

With a nod, Kei took note of the phone number.

Is that everything?

Yeah. See you.

I tried to end our conversation there, but Kei called out to me in a hurry.

Oh, uh, by the way, theres this small something Id like to talk about. Can I ask you something?

As I was taking my leave, Kei stopped me with an obscure question.

Do you know what day it is today? Come on. 5 4 3-

This is an easier question than I imagined. So much so that I feel like Im being tricked into giving a wrong answer.

Dont overthink it, just give it to me straight.

Valen-

Yeah yeah yeah.

She lightly tapped a small box on my head.

Youre giving me this?

I was originally going to give it to Yousuke-kun, but theres no reason for me to do that anymore.

For Hirata, is it?

Oh, so you dont like it?

No, I was just thinking about how long in advance you must have been preparing for Valentines day.

It had been over a month since Kei had resolved herself to break up with Hirata.

I-I make careful preparations ahead of time, okay? Even though I had already decided to break up with him, there was still a chance I would need to have it, you know? Well, I guess its nothing I should expect someone so inexperienced with romance to be able to understand.

That could be true.

I just thought that you wanted to see me today hoping for me to give you something like this.

Sorry. It never crossed my mind.

Kei briefly had a slightly irritated expression on her face, but she quickly recovered.

Anyways, did you get something from any other girls?

Kei changed the subject ever so slightly. It was as if she was trying to avoid talking about it.

No, nothing at all.

ILLUSTRATION: https://imgur.com/U9s9IXa

I decided to respond like this, regardless of whether or not I had actually received anything from somebody else.

Serves you right. A man absolutely unsuitable for others~

She began to make fun of me without hesitation.

But are you okay with that? If you give this to me, I wont be unsuitable anymore, you know?

That makes you that much more pitiful. It just means that youll have to look to me for salvation.

She was really looking down on me.

Oh yeah, and you can thank me by returning the favor 1000 times over.

She continued spouting unreasonable nonsense.

By the way, uh-

Kei attempted to change the topic yet again.

However, she swallowed her words as soon as she looked into my eyes.

Standing a short distance apart, we stared at one another.

I slowly shifted my gaze in the direction of the dormitory.

Well then, Im heading back to my room.

Yeah. Later.

With that, Kei was ready to quickly return to the dorms.

I immediately put her present into my bag.

(Chapter 5 End)