Chapter 288. [Girl Off The Ring]

《…Haaah…》

《You sound really tired. Sorry, Iroha. You must be busy with work and school, and here I am, making you come along in your spare time.》

《Oh, no! Helping out at the lab is partly for my own benefit, too.》

I was chatting with the female engineer in the driver’s seat.

I was on my way back from assisting at the research lab.

Since high school started, I’ve reduced the frequency, but I still continue to assist with research. By the way, a glance in the rearview mirror showed a Secret Service car following us.

《Well, actually… I’m tired because of my personal life.》

Ever since the collaboration with Bancho, Mai and the others have been aggressively courting me.

Their words echo in my mind.

“Iroha-chan~ Mai is eagerly waiting for you~! Ahh, finally engaged to Iroha-chan~!”

“Iroha-chan! I’m so happy! Ehehe… I’ll prepare a present too!”

<To think my feelings finally reached you, Iroha-sama! Ah, I can’t believe my dream is coming true…!>

But why do Mai, Ah-nee, and Ilyena all assume they’re the ones who will get it!?

Even when I deny having a ring, they just say, “I know. It’s still a secret, right?”

《…Haaah…》

I sighed and held my head in my hands.

It’s not just Mai and the others; even Angu Ogu, who lives with me, thinks the same.

《Iroha, when you propose to me, I want to be prepared… so when the time comes, please give me a sign. But secretly preparing something like that, you’re quite the romantic!》

…Why are you fooled too!?

You should know I haven’t prepared anything, you’re always nearby!

《Ugh~!》

Does this mean I really have to prepare a ring?

And do I have to give it to someone?

Why has it come to this!?

Well, partly, it’s my own fault.

《Have you ever been proposed to, by the way?》

《Me? Oh, plenty of elite men have tried! But I’ve turned them all down! I always say, ‘I’ll consider it when you become more interesting than my research’. Hahaha!》

《I see》

This isn’t helpful at all.

I wish I could be as straightforward, but I can’t.

《By the way, Iroha-chan, can you introduce me to someone nice?》

《Huh!? That contradicts what you just said!?》

《Well, I don’t want a boyfriend, I need someone to help with work.》

《Oh, I see! You scared me. I was about to report you for asking a minor to introduce someone.》

《You’re quite harsh, Iroha-chan.》

《Are you short-staffed?》

《Yes, I’m offering compensation, so can you ask your friends? Unlike you, it’s just simple tasks, so I can’t pay much.》

《…I don’t have many friends.》

《Oh. Uh, look! We’re here! Thanks for today!》

《You don’t have to change the subject so obviously, it hurts.》

《Ahaha. Don’t worry about what I said earlier! Really! Only if you know someone!》

《Your follow-up is more painful!?》

Someone nice… someone nice?

Do I know anyone like that?

Actually, I do.

***

“…Oh, there you are”

“What, is it a problem if I’m here?”

“No, it’s nothing”

I arrived early at the next classroom, where Shitenno was.

And another girl, who usually sits next to me on the school bus, was also there.

《I’ve been seeing you two together a lot lately.》

《Huh!? No, it’s not like that, Iroha-chan! It’s not what you think!》

For some reason, the girl was flustered.

Her face said she was hiding something.

What exactly was “not like that”?

There was no one else in the classroom. Could it be!?

《You two were playing “Hako-Tsuku” multiplayer without me!? No fair! Let me join!》

《Don’t lump me in with you!?》

Shitenno immediately retorted.

For some reason, the girl stumbled.

《What’s wrong?》

《Ah, nothing. I was just sumo wrestling alone.》

《I see》

I was convinced.

Then, I leaned closer to the girl and whispered.

《You shouldn’t do that in public. In Japan, we call it ‘Chuunibyou’ and it’s embarrassing.》

Yeah, I get it.

I used to shadowbox for no reason.

《~~!? Y-Yeah, you’re right~》

After making a series of faces, the girl swallowed her words and agreed with me.

She must have realized the embarrassment, judging by her strained expression.

Ah, it feels good to do something nice!

I just prevented a new black history from being born in this world!

《…》

I felt a gaze of dissatisfaction from the girl, but it must be my imagination.