My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 10: Invitation to Walk Home

I became a middle school student and moved to a new class, but my only friend, Kousuke, is in a different class, so I'm a loner.

Since club activities haven't started yet, I can go home right after the end-of-day homeroom.

I could wait for Kousuke from the other class to walk home together, but since his house is just three doors down from the middle school, there's no point in walking together. We'd say bye less than a minute after leaving the gate.

If I linger in the classroom, I'll get picked on again, so I want to go home quickly.

I just want to hurry home and see my little brother, Hikaru. He's still like a baby, so we can't really communicate yet, but he's my only source of comfort.

'Tachibana-kun! Do you have a moment right now?'

Kashii-san spoke to me.

Kashii-san in her student uniform looked mature and beautiful.

The girl I admire spoke to me, but after what happened earlier with the popular kids, I feel pathetic for not being able to handle them without Kashii-san's help, and I can't even look her in the eye.

'Thanks for earlier, Kashii-san. Is there something you need?'

'It's about the class president duties! I wanted to discuss some things. Is that okay?'

It's definitely necessary, so we went over various items together. Things like managing meetings, giving commands at the start and end of classes, collecting assignments, and passing on announcements to everyone—pretty much that kind of stuff.

As we talked, our classmates kept staring at us. Kashii-san has always been cute, so she naturally draws attention, but I feel like she's become even more beautiful since starting middle school.

Plus, being with a popular person like Kashii-san makes me stand out too.

As we discussed the tasks and divided up roles, everyone else gradually left for home, and we ended up alone in the classroom as evening approached.

Somehow, we ran out of things to talk about, and the quiet classroom was bathed in the light of the setting sun.

In the silence, I became hyper-aware of her, and I couldn't look at Kashii-san's face. When I averted my eyes, they landed on her hands as she was taking notes.

'Kashii-san, what's with that ballpoint pen?'

'Oh! This ballpoint pen? I got it as a Christmas present from a boy.'

'Ahh. The guy who ate three servings of beef stew?'

How embarrassing. Kashii-san smiled as she gently stroked the thin pink ballpoint pen with silver decorations.

'You're still using it, huh?'

'Yeah, I love the design and color, so I've been using it all this time♪'

That makes me happy.

'I was glad to hear you picked it out thinking of me. It was a lottery gift, so there was a chance it wouldn't go to me, but still♪'

'This is so embarrassing...'

'Can I ask just one thing? After that, I saw four different colors of this pen at the department store, and while the other colors were nice too, this one's my favorite! Why did you choose this color?'

'Well, at the time, this was the only color they had.'

'Ugh, that ruins it! I didn't want to hear that!'

We both laughed.

'Since we're here, let's walk home together partway!'

'Sure.'

After finishing our discussion, at Kashii-san's suggestion, we walked home together partway.

Back in elementary school, we went in different directions, so this was the first time walking home together. Actually, it's the first time I've walked home with a girl.

Nothing special happened, but I was nervous. We only made small talk, but it was really fun.

As we parted ways, Kashii-san said,

'Tachibana-kun, you haven't changed, have you? You want to make the class better, right? I feel the same, so let's do our best as class presidents!'

Kashii-san is like an unattainable flower on a high peak, and an ordinary guy like me doesn't match up to her.

What if I were a man like the warriors I admire? Even if not to that extent...

If, just if, I can successfully complete my role as class president, would I earn the right to stand by Kashii-san's side?

The path ahead for the class is tough, but I swore to do my very best.

'Kashii-san, you've become more mature. I haven't changed, though.'

I muttered quietly.

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Kashii-san after parting ways with Sho

'He said I haven't changed, but Tachibana-kun has become more mature.'

Both of us had the same thought.