Chapter 79 - Volume 5 (1/2)

Volume 5, Chapter 8: I became an Elementary Schooler, Part 2

There was a bit of a commotion after I entered elementary school, but now that the seasons have changed and we’re wearing different uniforms.

I often play outside with Misa, who goes to a public elementary school, but at school I stay more with Kako, and a Kako who got more opportunities to speak with Kouki-kun was a happy Kako.

Still, this child, who talks to me often regarding Kouki-kun, is a bit of a problem, I think.

Speaking of problems, there’s several.

One thing is Misa. It’s that “Dad” thing.

It’s not because of the relationship with Kotone-chan. The thing about Kotone going over to the dad’s place, it seems like Father doesn’t make much comment, but the problem is that at the shopping street where the ramen shop where the dad works is, it seems that the number of the shops rolling up their shutters has increased.

The dad doesn’t say anything to Misa or me, but when I was playing with Misa, I overheard the name of “Kuon”.

……Just to make sure, he did resign from the Diet under the allegations of taking bribes, right? Kouki-kun’s grandfather.

There’s nothing we can do as children, but it’s a little lonely that we haven’t seen many children other than ourselves in the shopping area.

The other problem isn’t really a problem, but the atmosphere of the class has changed quite a bit.

As a result of that “ruffian” entering the school, the deficiencies in the school’s security were exposed and the gate was permanently closed, and the security guards patrolled about outside the fence.

Why is that a problem? Although you might think it wouldn’t be, it was a really big deal since they thought that it was me who had repelled that “ruffian”.

How could a first-grade elementary schooler do such a thing……?

Virtually all of the upper-graders didn’t believe it, but the first-and-second-graders thought ‘No way!’, and stopped approaching me.

Ah, that’s right. If I think about it, it’s just keeping the status quo.

It seems that people will continue to be scared by me.

“That’s right, at that time, Yuzu-sama caught me when I was scared of that evil ruffian…”

It’s because of you, Kako.

Also, I began to feel stares from one of the boys in the class.

That child is also a celebrity in a way. He was the child of a normal family, but his grades were excellent and he was in our class. Not to underestimate an elementary schooler’s grades, but he’d mastered English, German, and Chinese, and even in sixth-graders’ tests, he scored nearly full marks.

As a consequence he’s been cut off from the rest of the class, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

…… how adult-like.

His name was Shijima Yuuki-kun. He first looked at me after I got a lot of attention thanks to that incident, but when I first felt his gaze, I was really surprised.

It’s the dawn of my popular life! ……Totally not.

That look wasn’t that of a boy looking at a girl. He was looking at me with a certain amount of vigilance.

…… It’s become rather troublesome around here.

＊

Today, I headed towards the animal house as usual.

It’s not that I’m one of the keepers, but from all the times I went to the animal house because I was accompanying Kako, I got attached to the animals. And while Kako was busy with her training, I would feed them.

Since then, there haven’t been any more of those mysterious disappearances of the animals. …… It can’t be because of that brazier being broken from that time……?

It’s scary when I think about it.

“……?”

As I walked down my usual path, I heard a short shout from the back of the pet house.

The students who were assigned to raise things in this school were still as unserious as ever, and were hardly ever seen.

So who would be there…… when I peeked behind the shed, there was a boy who was taking a stance like in Kenpo.

…… Who’s that?

He slowly released his stance and thrust his hand forward.

“Hah…!”

He raised his voice spiritedly, and the empty can about a meter in front of him rattled.

“…Woah…”

“Who’s there!”

The boy spun around and took a pose as I unexpectedly spoke out.

…… Who is it? Well, because it’s a school, anyone involved would be from the school.

“Hello.”

“……you,”

Seeing me walking out unconcernedly and very normally, his eyes widened a little.

It was an upperclassman boy who had a somewhat wild feeling about him. The good uniforms that were painstakingly tailored had been lightly crumpled and wrinkled by him. It feels like I’ve seen him somewhere.

“Oh yeah, you’re from that time when you  beat up that strange high school student.”

“Aah~”

Finally, I remembered. At that time, he was the boy who threw the brazier.

Because I wanted to thank him at least once, I searched for him with both Kako and my parents, but as soon as he left, I couldn’t recognize him.

“Yo, did you get hurt at that time?”

“No. Thank you for that.”

He’s unexpectedly candid…… or rather, he has the feel of an ordinary boy. The boys in my class are stranger.

“Well, it’s natural for me to protect women as an ally of justice.”

I properly thanked him, and he said such a thing while looking shy.

“Uwaah, amazing~.”

While being praised I didn’t forget myself.

“I am Kaijima Onzada, a fourth year. Which year are you in?”

“I am Toukaki Yuzu, a first year.”

For now, a self-introduction is important.

“So what was the ‘Ally of Justice’ Onzada-san doing?”

“……I feel like something’s being implied by your words. Also, since I am three years your senior, you should call me ‘Onzada-senpai.’”

“It’s not you, it’s Yuzu.”