Several days passed.
I hadn’t been with Sophia since then, and I felt like I had messed up.
Should I apologize to her again somewhere?
But I already apologized at that time, and Sophia forgave me.
Excessive apologies can diminish the value of the apology itself.
What should I do?
I pass Sophia in the classroom, but we only exchange greetings as classmates, as usual.
Does she hate me now?
I didn’t think I was the type of person people would like, but it’s still lonely to be hated.
Lunch break arrives, and I eat the sweet bun I brought while reading a book in the classroom.
My mother sometimes makes me a bento, but pastries can be eaten with one hand, so I can do various things during the precious lunch break.
It’s not good manners, but lunch breaks are short, so I want to save as much time as possible.
Sophia and the others are setting up their lunches at a nearby table.
Some have bento boxes, while others have what appear to be convenience store purchases.
The four of them move their desks together and start eating.
As Sophia was eating her rice ball, Totsuka said, “Jaan!” and took out a magazine.
On the cover was someone who looked like Sophia. …I wonder if it’s Sophia, but she’s incredibly beautiful. Is it the makeup, the clothes, or perhaps the photography techniques… She’s so beautiful that she looks like a different person.
I had heard that Sophia works as a model, but I had never actually seen her in a magazine or anything, so it’s a bit refreshing.
Wait, no, I shouldn’t. If I stare too much, she might hate me even more.
But I can’t help but be curious, so I watch from the corner of my eye.
「Ah, that’s…」
Sophia mutters, and Totsuka opens the magazine with a smile.
「I got Sophia’s photobookー!」
「…It’s not my photobook, it’s a fashion feature in a magazine. Besides, I don’t have that many pages, do I?」
「But you’re on the cover, that’s amazing! Look, this outfit is super cute! And as always, you wear such luxurious things!」
Totsuka seems to be patting the chest area of the magazine she placed on the desk with a smile.
Indeed… During the omiai, her chest was a size bigger than when she was in her uniform.
She must be the type who looks slimmer in clothes.
「It was really good. You’re amazing, just like your mother. My family said you were cute too!」
When Totsuka says this, the other girls──Shiraoka and Hasuda, was it? They also seem to get excited and raise their voices.
「That’s so nice… You’re auditioning for dramas now, right?」
「You’re really amazing! And you’re keeping up with your studies unlike the performing arts students. You’re a genius!」
A genius, huh. She certainly is. She gets above-average grades and still manages to keep up with her entertainment activities.
I’m sure there are other people who can do it, but the number must be overwhelmingly small.
Sophia responded to her friends’ voices with a wry smile.
「…I got an offer. But there are so many people who are more amazing than me. I’m a little worried about whether I can make it or not.」
「What are you saying?! You’re not losing to anyone, Sophia!」
When Totsuka said this encouragingly, Sophia slowly nodded and smiled.
But the smile she showed at that moment was a little concerning.
It was like the weak smile she showed when she left the library that day.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
A slightly hesitant smile, different from the ones she usually shows.
…It might not be my place to worry, but it bothered me a little.
But in the classroom, she and I are just classmates whose seats are close.
If I suddenly talk to her here, she’ll probably find it creepy.
But once I start worrying about something, my attention is drawn to Sophia in the corner of my eye.
Unn… What should I do?
The way she’s responding is clearly less energetic than usual. …Maybe my remarks in the library the other day are still affecting her. If so, I’m really sorry.
As I cross my arms and worry, lunch break is nearing its end.
When the pre-bell rings, the classroom becomes noisy with people moving their desks back to their original positions and rushing to the restroom.
In contrast to the bustling classroom, Sophia sits alone at her desk, sighing.
…If only I were sitting next to her, I could have talked to her without it being weird, but it’s frustrating that we’re a little far apart.
Maybe it’s because I was thinking that.
Sophia glanced at me. …Ah, our eyes completely met just now.
Since Sophia was staring at me, I tried to… move my mouth.
『You look downcast? What’s wrong?』
No, she probably can’t read that.
As expected, Sophia tilted her head and then chuckled, taking out her smartphone.
『I can’t read lips, you know.』
『…Sorry. I was just wondering if you were okay because you looked downcast.』
『Did I looked downcast?』
She says this with a smile.
But… compared to usual, she still seems to lack energy.
Is it because I want to think that way?
…I don’t think so. I observe my classmates quite a bit, so I notice even small changes.
Like if someone got a haircut or is wearing their uniform differently.
I’m creepy, aren’t I?
No, no, observing people closely is a habit from my martial arts training. Of course, there’s the aspect of learning by watching, but it’s also important to observe your opponent and gather information.
『Sorry if I was mistaken.』
When I send this message, Sophia seems to think for a moment.
Was I just being overly anxious? But either way, she’s replying normally, so I’m relieved.
Unless she’s a ridiculously good actress, it doesn’t seem like she hates me.
…Sophia is a good actress.
She’s acted embarrassed a few times, and there’s a possibility that everything now is also an act, which worried me, but I can’t keep thinking about that.
For now, let’s assume she’s okay.
Just as I was about to put my phone away,
『I want to talk to you alone for a bit. Can we go to the clubroom?』
I immediately replied.
『Then, how about we meet on the third floor of the club building?』
After reading my message, Sophia stood up, looked at me, and nodded.
…I guess I can consider it an appointment settled.