Chapter 23: Daily Life in the Rain

The number of times I see Minazuki-senpai has decreased, and peaceful days continue. I was changing shoes at the shoe lockers, planning to go home with Shigure as usual.

「I'm tired today too... Hey, did you see that? The one about wanting more sweets in the school store. Apparently that's going to be approved.」

「My, really? Good. It was worth filing that petition.」

「So that was you...」

Having casual conversation while going home with Shigure. Shigure has already become part of my daily life.

Going outside, I could see glittering particles falling from the sky drop by drop. Today's forecast seems to be wrong.

「Huh, rain... Shigure, do you have an umbrella?」

「I have one. ...But.」

Shigure put her folding umbrella away in her bag and stood next to me.

「Let me in.」

「I figured you'd say that... It's a compact one, so it'll be cramped.」

「I accept that.」

Under the small folding umbrella, we start walking with our shoulders pressed together.

We have two umbrellas, yet we're deliberately huddling together under one umbrella. From others' perspectives, we probably look like quite the lovey-dovey couple.

Still, there's a part of me that thinks this kind of situation isn't bad. Strangely, it didn't make me feel unpleasant.

「It's cramped.」

「I told you that earlier. Bear with it.」

「Fufu... We're like a couple, aren't we?」

「We are a couple. Right now.」

「That's right. Right now, we were a couple.」

This relationship is a fragile, temporary one. Once the problem with Minazuki-senpai is resolved, it'll be over. Shigure and I will return to being complete strangers as before.

When that happens, it'll probably cause some commotion, and a barrage of troublesome questions from Sena awaits.

While I think it'll be troublesome, there's a part of me that feels reluctant to let go. If we return to our original relationship, we won't eat lunch together during break or walk home together while complaining about teachers like this.

A little while ago, I was thinking I wanted to throw away this kind of relationship quickly. Thinking about it, the change in my feelings recently is unbelievable even to me.

「...What's wrong? Did you fall in love with my face?」

「Well, something like that.」

「My, you're being unusually honest. ...Do you like me?」

Shigure leans forward slightly and peers at me. She might be forgetting, but Shigure is one of the top beauties in the academy. She definitely has more refined features than other students.

On top of that, this figure. This proportion that wouldn't be questioned if she were called a model must be natural talent.

「I wonder.」

「My, you're not being honest. I like you a normal amount, you know?」

Saying that, Shigure shows a devilish smile. Seeing that gesture she's probably doing unconsciously, I understood a bit of the feelings of guys who confess to her and get crushed.

「Being liked by a popular person is troublesome. Even today I had something said to me by one of your fans.」

「...What's that? This is the first I'm hearing of it.」

「Some guy claiming to be your fan was making complaints, saying I don't match you, that he'd be more suitable. Those types are usually full of lies.」

「...Why?」

Shigure furrowed her brow and brought her face close to mine. Confused by the sudden approach, I'm caught off guard. Taking advantage of that opening, Shigure cornered me against the roadside guardrail.

「N-No, I just thought it wasn't really worth mentioning...」

「You should mention things like that. What an outrageous person. To insult my boyfriend...」

「...Are you angry?」

「That's right. Insulting the partner I chose is unforgivable! That's just some idiot who wants to attack people under the pretense of being my fan. Just the nonsense of a fool who's gotten carried away because I haven't said anything.」

Seeing Shigure unexpectedly angry, I froze.

It's the first time I ever seen Shigure angry on someone's behalf before, even indirectly. And if it's for my sake, I can't help but be surprised.

「It doesn't really bother me that much, so you don't need to get so angry...」

「...Having the benefactor who protected me insulted doesn't sit well with me. Even if it's fake, you're my boyfriend. I can't forgive people who insult my partner.」

Looking at Shigure crossing her arms with displeasure, I couldn't help but smile.

I don't really understand why I smiled. But thinking that Shigure was angry for my sake, somehow the area around my chest felt warm.

「...Haha.」

「W-what...」

「Well, I was thinking we make a pretty good team.」

Shigure tilted her head curiously. These current feelings probably shouldn't reach her. It would be painful when we break up.

「...Well, that's certainly true. I deceive with lies, and Tsukishiro-kun makes them true. A good team.」

「A pretty reckless team though.」

Just as we were about to get back under the umbrella and start walking again. I could see a light truck coming from across the road. On Shigure's side is a puddle. Probably if things continued like this──

My body moved on its own.

「Look out!」

「Kyah!」

I was hit by a cold splash.

There was no lucky avoidance, and my body got soaked. ...Should have used the umbrella.

「Tsukishiro-kun, are you okay!?」

「Yeah. As long as you didn't get wet, no problem. ...Achoo.」

「It's not good for your body to get cold. From here... let's go to my house. I can at least lend you a shower.」

「No, if I go a bit further it's my place...」

「You ended up like this because you protected me, right? Then at least let me thank you.」

I was pulled by Shigure's hand and headed to her house.