8 Come to our school! (1/2)
The words of the black-haired girl, Natsuya Yoruhana, the student council president, shocked the table into silence for a lengthy period of time.
”Erm... hi.” Seiji’s face twitched, ”I’d like to ask... what did you mean just now?”
”It was exactly what it sounded like.” Natsuya Yoruhana gazed searchingly at his face and smiled slightly: ”But that was something from a long time ago.”
Seiji’s mind was teeming with questions. He glanced at Mika beside him and discovered that she was still sitting there, stunned, with her mouth wide agape and eyes fully widened.
*Cough cough.*
He forced a coughing fit.
”Well… it looks like we should really have a good chat, mm... Miss Yoruhana, you and Mika should take a good look at the menu first and choose something to eat.”
He had finally alleviated the tense atmosphere. As the two high school girls looked at the menu, Seiji sighed inwardly.
This president sure didn’t act like how most ordinary people would.
”President, that drink is specially for a couple to drink together...”
”Eh? Couples together... in a public location... Hmph, how shameless!”
Natsuya’s thoughts were indeterminable as her cheeks flushed slightly red, and her clear, righteous expression suddenly became purer.
Just as Seiji was observing her with mild surprise, the black-haired girl’s expression instantly regained its indifference.
Perhaps she was one of those legendary ladies that never went out?
Seiji had never expected that he would meet such a character in real life.
Okay, maybe a sword-carrying lady’s appearance wasn’t all that strange in this world filled with 2-D elements?
After everyone had ordered some food, the table fell silent once more.
”Miss Yoruhana, don’t you intend to explain anything further?” Seiji broke the silence yet again.
”There’s really not much to say. Honestly, the incident was from a long time ago and doesn’t have much meaning towards your current self.” Natsuya took a deep look at him: ”Even though it was an unforgettable childhood memory for me, you’ve never even met me before, so we’ve never communicated. I admit that I spoke slightly too rashly, but it was just a venting of my emotions.”
”Oh...”
”If I surprised you, I apologize.” Natsuya smiled gently. ”This meeting today was because of my wish, so I appreciate that you accepted my invitation. Also, by meeting you here, in addition to giving my memory a face I can associate your name with, it is also an opportunity for me to thank you.”
”You risked your life and protected my classmate, Uehara-san, an important student of our school, so that deserves my gratitude as the student council president.”
Natsuya’s smile was replaced by a serious expression. ”Thank you very much, Seiji Haruta. You protected a high school girl and prevented a huge scandal at our school. Our school—Genhana High School, owes you a debt!”
She formally lowered her head in seriousness as she finished talking.
”President...” Watching this scene, Mika was rather moved.
”No need to be so polite; I just did what I should have.” Seiji smiled,
”Anyway, it’s President-san that done the bulk of the work. After all, you were the one who protected Mika. Otherwise, if that guy had made a move at school, I... would have been powerless.”
*Ding!* The system indicated that her favorability rating towards him had increased.
”I just did what the president should do... Ha, this is the exact same as what you were just saying.” Natsuya lifted her head, and she smiled again.
At this moment, their desserts arrived.
”This store’s sweets are quite delicious—you should have a taste.” As an employee, Seiji naturally gave them some recommendations.
Both Mika and Natsuya used their spoons to try a bite, and their eyes instantly lit up.
”It’s really delicious!”
”It seems good... I’ve never tasted this flavor before.”
The three of them happily ate together.
”Actually, Miss Yoruhana, I have something on my mind. Um... I heard that blondie’s family’s company suddenly went bankrupt, did... did you do that?”
”It wasn’t me. Although I had already made preparations to do that if he didn’t heed my warning. But without me moving a finger, that company suddenly went bankrupt.” Natsuya shook her head.
”So it was just a coincidence?”
”In my opinion, yes. Unfortunately, he focused all of his hatred on Uehara-san, which is why he ended up committing such a crime.”
Natsuya sighed deeply.
”And I actually didn’t expect... If it wasn’t for you, Haruta-kun, something truly regrettable may have happened.”
Actually, if it wasn’t for the fact that Seiji had the ability to save and load, everyone would be regretting what had happened.
So Seiji could understand the president’s frustrations, as something that she thought was already over had suddenly turned into a bad ending; those capricious twists of fate were difficult for anyone to accept.
”It’s all over now, and Mika’s safe; that’s enough for me.”
”Yeah, I’m so grateful to both of you. President, Seiji… because of you guys, I didn’t...” Mika thought back to the incident, and a teardrop formed in the corner of her eye.
The table fell quiet again, but this time there was a gentle atmosphere permeating throughout the silence.
”Haruta-kun, you’re currently living by yourself and you’ve dropped out of school. You need to work to support yourself, right?” Natsuya changed the topic of conversation.
Seiji smiled wryly and nodded.
”Our school is indebted to you—if it’s okay with you, I’d like to give you some assistance... If you can’t go back to your original school, why don’t you consider transferring schools to Genhana High School?”
”Eh?”