My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 16: The Strange Kid Next to Me [Side: Rena Kashii]

I, Rena Kashii, was a kid who could do anything.

With a little effort, I could handle most things.

If I tried hard, I could score 100 on tests, and no one could beat me in sports.

I'm probably pretty cute.

My older sister is even cuter, smarter, and better at sports. When I said I wanted to be more like her, she taught me all sorts of tips.

But if you're too good at everything, other girls get jealous and try to drag you down, so I usually keep my feelings hidden.

If you're cute, good at studies, and great at sports, but maintain an "I'm doing this for everyone!" attitude, it doesn't stir up too much trouble.

Naturally, I end up in a central position in the class.

Being at the center is fun. Everyone gathers around, I'm never lonely, and everyone looks at me.

That's what I thought at first. But while being at the center, I realized something.

It makes me happy when everyone has fun because of something I intended.

It feels good when things fit together perfectly like a puzzle.

Of course, since everyone moves on their own, things often don't go well, but when I adjust things and the atmosphere improves or a fight gets resolved, it makes me happy.

I can't say funny things, but I thought maybe I could make the class better.

For that, I thought the shortcut was to become friends with everyone.

If they empathize with me, they'll cooperate with me.

If we're friends, they'll put up with a little inconvenience.

If we understand each other, fights will disappear.

So, I decided to first get along with the kid next to me.

It's pretty easy since everyone talks to me, and if I listen with a smile and affirm what they say, they usually become my fan, thinking "Kashii-san understands me!" Then they'll act together with me in my group.

Boys are even easier. They're already super interested in me before we even talk, and if they sit next to me, they become fans right away.

My older sister said I could be a femme fatale who plays with boys' hearts. I don't want to be like that.

One day, we had a seat change, and the person next to me changed. On my right was Koishi-kun, and on my left was a boy named Tachibana-kun.

Koishi-kun was already my fan, so I thought it'd be fine to just talk to him occasionally.

It was my first time being in the same class as Tachibana-kun.

I waited for him to talk to me from my most confident angle, but he didn't approach me.

During break time, everyone gathers around me, so I thought maybe there's no chance to talk, and I waited a bit, but he didn't even look my way.

Feeling a little annoyed, I decided to talk to him once.

Tachibana-kun is close with Atsuki-kun from our class and is always with him. I often heard the word "warlord" in their conversations, so I thought maybe he likes Sengoku warlords or something.

'Do you like warlords, Tachibana-kun?'

Then it all came pouring out, stories about warlords. I thought he didn't talk much, so I was surprised.

'So, tell me about yourself, Kashii-san?'

Everyone wants me to listen to their stories, but they don't often listen to mine, so I talked about playing the piano and how I recently learned to make cakes.

Tachibana-kun listened intently, reacting with surprise or admiration to every little thing, and I ended up talking more than I expected.

'Since we're sitting next to each other, let's talk a little every day, okay?'

When I said that, he agreed with a shy look.

Talking a little every day, I learned that Tachibana-kun is straightforward, hates teasing or bullying, and wants to be a true man.

Every day, he teaches me trivia about various warlords and what it means to be a man. Also, it seems he likes books.

I asked him.

'What's a book you read recently that moved you?'

'The Red Ogre Who Cried'

Huh? I know it, but a fairy tale?

'I got emotional while reading the picture book aloud. The Red Ogre wanted to be friends with the people in the nearby village, but they were scared of him, and it didn't work out. He consulted his friend, the Blue Ogre, who suggested that if he caused trouble in the village, and the Red Ogre stopped him, the villagers would accept the Red Ogre. So, the Blue Ogre wreaked havoc, and the Red Ogre defeated him. The villagers thanked the Red Ogre, and every day they came to play with him, making the Red Ogre happy. But one day, he remembered the Blue Ogre and went to see him, only to find he wasn't home, and there was a letter addressed to the Red Ogre.'

'Yeah.'

'The letter said that if the villagers found out, it would ruin everything, so he went on a journey, and it also expressed care for the Red Ogre. Reading it, the Red Ogre cried over their friendship and the Blue Ogre's sacrifice. The Blue Ogre is a true man. I think that's what friends are about.'

Tachibana-kun was moved. I thought that while the Blue Ogre must have been in pain, the Red Ogre must have felt pain too when thinking about the Red Ogre's feelings.

Tachibana-kun has few friends. I have lots of friends. We ended up talking about how there are different stances on friendship.

'Isn't it okay to think about it more simply? Just being close and playing together can make you friends, right?'

In my favorite manga, Hanano Keiji, when a friend had to go to a disadvantageous battle, he said to his lover, "If Kanetsugu dies, I have no choice but to die with him."

Of course, something like that doesn't happen in Japan today, right? But I think if it's not at that level, they're not true friends.

Of course, I think your way of thinking is correct too, Kashii-san.

'So, are Atsuki-kun and Kousuke-kun your only friends?'

'I can't risk my life for just anyone, you know.'

Feeling a little mischievous, I explained a lighter stance on being friends with everyone,

how it can prevent teasing or bullying, create a sense of unity in the class, and make everyone happier.

Tachibana-kun was incredibly impressed and praised me a lot. It felt kind of nice.

What a strange kid, but so straightforward and passionate.

That was my impression of Sho Tachibana-kun.