My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 5: The Seat Next to Rena Kashii

Summer break in fifth grade ended, and the second term started.

There was a seat change, and I ended up next to Kashii-san.

I thought, what should I do?

Kashii-san is cute and popular, so people gather around her right away.

During break time, she's always surrounded by her girl friends, and lots of boys come up with excuses to talk to her, so there was no chance to approach her.

I'm also busy playing with Acchan and his friends during break time.

I thought it might be fine not to force a conversation.

About a week after the seat change.

Kashii-san spoke to me.

'Tachibana-kun, do you like warlords?'

I passionately explained the greatness of warlords. Since a boy who doesn't talk much responded so eagerly, she must have been surprised.

Since I spoke so much, I felt I had to listen just as much, so I listened to Kashii-san's stories.

Kashii-san started by saying she didn't have much to talk about herself, but then told me that her mom runs a piano school, so she's learning piano from her mom, and recently she learned how to make cakes.

Kashii-san is very easy to talk to and has a good conversational rhythm, so talking with her was really enjoyable, and I felt I understood why she's so popular.

I thought she's elegant, smart, cute, and kind of like a young lady.

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

I shyly agreed. I used to think talking to girls was kind of unmanly or not cool, but she had an irresistible charm.

"Sho, who always comes to me first during break time, has been so late ever since he started sitting next to Kashii-san!"

Acchan teased me a lot about it.

After that, I talked with Kashii-san a little every day about all sorts of things. I told her I want to be a real man, and I can't stand teasing or bullying.

I didn't know it, but Kashii-san told me she often mediates between the girls and prevents things like bullying.

I was moved to learn that not just me or Acchan, but Kashii-san also thought that way.

After a while, Kashii-san started sharing more of her thoughts and various things with me. Though she's at the center of the girls, she often ends up as the listener, which seems tough for her.

I'm not good at saying clever things, but I listened seriously. I learned she's always paying attention to everyone in the class.

On a certain day in early December, Acchan suddenly said to me.

"On the 22nd, there's the closing ceremony, and the next day, the 23rd, there's a Christmas party from lunch until evening."

After saying that, Acchan took out a handwritten invitation.

A Christmas party is real! I thought, being the kid I am.

Acchan continued.

"It's an invitation from the girls in our class. Kousuke and I are definitely going, and with this invitation, two more people can come. Kousuke said it's fine to invite Sho since we're friends, so Sho, are you coming?"

Kousuke is my only other friend besides Acchan, a quiet type, but very reliable. Kousuke also likes warlords!

A party people gathering, right? Even with Acchan and Kousuke there, it feels like a high barrier to cross.

"Then it's settled! There's a gift exchange, so just prepare for that!"

While I was hesitating, Acchan made the decision for me.

There were no details explained about the Christmas party. I daydreamed about it, imagining a shiny place where we'd toast or something.

The next day, I asked Kousuke.

"Yeah, that's right. Let's go together, Sho."

As usual, Kousuke doesn't talk unless it's necessary. It was the first time he invited me, so I felt kinda happy.

A few days passed, back to the usual routine.

Every day, I'm busy with club activities or playing. I talk a little with Kashii-san daily, but she seemed like she wanted to say something and was hesitant, so I asked her.

'Kashii-san, is something up?'

'Did you hear about the Christmas party?'

'Yeah! Acchan told me last week! Are you coming too, Kashii-san?'

'You didn't hear? It's at my place. I gave out the invitations, but since I didn't get a response, I wanted to ask what's going on.'

I told her I hadn't heard anything. I only knew the date, time, and about the gift exchange.

Kashii-san, a little annoyed, said she'd explain the details.

Nosy Koishi overheard that and barged into the conversation, insisting he wanted to go, really wanted to go!

Kashii-san looked troubled and told Koishi that the number of people was fixed, the invitations were given to Kanzaki-kun (Acchan), and since it would become a big deal if everyone found out, she asked him to keep it a secret.

Koishi went to Acchan to push his way into getting invited to the party.

'This time, there's a plan I can't talk about too loudly!'

According to Kashii-san, one of her friends likes Kousuke and wants to support that, and another close friend of hers wants to get closer to Acchan, so the party was planned for these two purposes.

I was surprised since I was just a kid; everyone is so advanced!

Then why not just invite two people? I said.

'That would be too obvious! Two-on-two might not work out, but in a group, we can support each other, right? Since you've heard about it, I'd like your help too, Tachibana-kun♪'

Apparently, she gave the invitation to Acchan while explaining the plan to get Kousuke and her friend closer, and told Kousuke she gave the invitation to Acchan with the plan to get Acchan and her best friend closer. Both Acchan and Kousuke casually agreed to support each other. Kashii-san is quite the strategist!

I nodded, though I wasn't sure what to do. Girls really do love romance, huh.

More than that, I was overwhelmed by the thought of going to Kashii-san's house?!

I've never been to a girl's house before.

While preparing various things, the day of the party arrived in no time.

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Conversation between Acchan and Kousuke.

'Sho seems to like Kashii-san, so help out at the Christmas party, okay?'

'Got it.'