Since the cake theft incident by Iizuka, the correct information about Iizuka’s danger and that Suzumiya and Iizuka are not lovers, but rather Iizuka is stalking Suzumiya, has gradually spread in the class.
At this point, they’ve lost their initial appeal as observation subjects.
Originally, Iizuka was a loner, so even if everyone distances themselves from him now, nothing has really changed for him.
On the other hand, if Suzumiya doesn’t interact with Iizuka, I can’t see her blunt responses anymore. If the two don’t interact, there’s no point in observing them.
Well, I instructed her to ignore him to protect Suzumiya after all.
Rather, since it became known in class that Suzumiya and I are close friends after the incident, she’s started to openly interact with me in the classroom, as if she’s given up on hiding it.
Observing interesting people is fun when you do it secretly without them noticing, but when they’re so actively engaging with you, it’s beyond the level of observation.
So, I should probably back off here, but because I’ve gotten so involved with Suzumiya, I’ve found myself in a situation where I can’t back out.
Well, to be honest, I can’t abandon Suzumiya, who is my friend and fellow book lover.
We get along well, I don’t have to keep up appearances with her, and we have similar tastes in books, friends like this are valuable, don’t they? That’s why I want to cherish my relationship with Suzumiya.
As for Iizuka, he’s still as unpredictable as ever, but thanks to Suzumiya being on maximum alert, he can’t even get close to her.
After all, a socially awkward loner is really weak in these situations.
Well, I’ve never interacted with Iizuka, but from what I hear from Suzumiya, it’s his own fault.
Besides, I won’t forget the grudge for eating my cake!
And today, even though it’s not our library duty day, I’m walking home with Suzumiya after school.
When I casually told Suzumiya that I wanted to thank her for the cake the other day, she jumped at it with incredible enthusiasm.
「I want to go on an after-school date!!!」
『Well then, there’s a delicious sweet shop near my house, why don’t we go there for some oshiruko on the way home? Suzumiya-san, you like anko, right?』
「Yes! I love oshiruko! Let’s go!」
『Alright. Then, after school.』
And so, I ended up going on an after-school date with the high-tension Suzumiya.
Though it’s just eating oshiruko.
「Oshiruko at this time of year is unusual, isn’t it? Do you often go to eat oshiruko, Seiji-kun?」
『Mm, the shop we’re going to has cold oshiruko. I don’t go there very often, maybe 2-3 times a year?』
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
「Hoho~ I see~ Cold oshiruko, I’m looking forward to it!」
When we arrived at the shop and were guided to a table seat, Suzumiya and I sat facing each other and ordered two oshiruko and two hojicha teas.
Suzumiya, sitting across from me, was looking around the shop with sparkling eyes, still in high spirits as usual.
『By the way, Suzumiya-san. You used to have a more quiet image before, right? But recently you’ve become kand of brighter, or rather, unnecessarily high-spirited.』
「I-Is that so…? It must be thanks to Seiji-kun too♪」
『No, no, that’s what I mean! The previous Suzumiya-san was friendly, but not this over-the-top, you know?』
「U~n, even if you say that…」
『Well, well, I’m not criticizing you, I was worried because of all the stuff with Iizuka, but you’re so energetic that I’m thinking “Oi oi, is she alright?”』
「That’s because… Seiji-kun, I lo」
「Sorry for the wait~ Here’s your oshiruko and hojicha~”」
『Ahh, thank you very much~. Suzumiya-san, let’s eat!』
「Eh? Ah, y-yeah!」
Suzumiya had such a serious expression that made my heart skip a beat for a moment, but as soon as she saw the oshiruko brought by the waitress, her expression returned to one with sparkling eyes.
After eating the oshiruko, it was still early, so since my house was nearby, I decided to take Suzumiya to my place.
「Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no…」
『Oi, what’s wrong! You’re suddenly acting gloomy, Suzumiya-san!』
「I mean… it’s Seiji-kun’s house!? I’m not mentally prepared!」
『Why do you need to be mentally prepared? Suzumiya-san, what are you planning to do at my house!』
「No, but… if your family opposes it saying it’s too early for marriage, I don’t think I could recover…」
『Why are we talking about marriage!? Besides, my parents are probably not home at this time.』
「Eh!? If they’re not home, that means… gokuri.」
『Wait, wait, wait, wait! You’re imagining something indecent again, aren’t you!』
「I mean… I’m not wearing my lucky underwear today…」
『What kind of delusion are you having!』
And so, with this troublesome or interesting, I’m not sure which, exchange, I invited her into the house.