Just as a senior

TL/ED/Proofreader: NaCl

“Oh, Rika.”

　I had lunch with Ren and the others in the courtyard after school that day.

　As soon as the chime for the end of the school day rang, Satsuki came to me.

　Perhaps it was because there were no club activities from today onwards, but there were many people who didn’t want to go home, and the classroom was more lively than usual.

“Satsuki, what’s wrong?”

“I have something to do in the clubroom, so why don’t you go ahead and meet up with Kyoya and the others?”

“I see. I’m sorry.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Kusuba will probably stop by the student council office too, so can we meet at the entrance?

“Yes. Then that’s what I’ll do.

“Thanks. Thank you.

　Satsuki said and quickly walked out of the classroom.

　I also took my bag and headed to Ren’s class.

“Oh, Tachibana-san, welcome.”

　As I went through the door, Natsume-san, who was seated right next to me, fluttered over and waved at me.

　I wondered if they were in the same club.

　She seemed to be chatting with some boys.

　I gave a small nod as I felt their eyes focused on me.

“Where’s Satsuki?”

“She’s going straight to the entrance after finishing her business.”

“I see. I see.”

　Natsume said, and after calling out to her friends who were leaving together, she stuffed her textbooks into her bag.

“Well, I wonder if Ren is done…”

“I remember, he was going to rewrite the materials for the school trip.”

　Or, more precisely, filling in the missing information and resubmitting it.

　When I looked, Ren was still sitting in his seat, writing something on the paper he had spread out.

“Hey, Re–

“Kusuba-kun. What are you doing?”

　Just as Natsume-san raised her hand toward Ren-san.

　One of the girls sat down in the seat in front of Ren-san.

　We somehow lost our timing and nodded to each other before sitting down in the nearest chair.

“Huh? Isn’t that the one you sent out yesterday?”

“They forgot to write it down. I’m going to fill it in now and give it to the student council.”

　Ren answered in a surprisingly familiar manner.

　I guessed that she was the other member of the school trip committee of this class.

　I hate to say this, but if it weren’t for that, it would be rare for anyone to talk to Ren-san like that.

“What? Really! And that’s where I was supposed to write!”

　She was a cute girl.

　And her bright, friendly smile was impressive.

“Sorry!　I was careless. ……”

“Never mind. I’ve already started writing and I’ll get it out.”

“Oh no, no, no!　I’ll do it!

“No, no, no, I’ll do it! I told Oki that I would be there.”

　While talking to him, Ren did not stop moving his hands.

　He was still as brusque as ever, or whatever you call it.

“Ren is surprisingly serious about his work, isn’t he?”

“It seems so.”

“Yeah. He’s also talking to Sayano-san pretty well.”

“…… I see.”

“Well, he’s grown up. I’m happy for him, Ren.”

　Apparently, she was Sayano-san.

　Sayano-san’s expression changed several times in a short period of time.

　She was a girl who was like the opposite of me, I wondered why I thought that.

“Hmm. Then, let’s go together.”

“…… why?”

“Because it’s my fault and I don’t want to go home first. Besides, I want to apologize to Kusuba-kun.”

“…… haa…”

“Hey! Don’t sigh!”

　Sayano-san said angrily, yet happily, and slapped Ren-san’s arm on the desk.

“Ah, …….”

　Against my will, a short voice escaped my mouth.

“…… still a little longer, until you can write.”

“Yeah. I’ll wait.”

“Sayano waits, and I’m the one who writes it?”

“Because Kusuba-kun won’t let me do it.”

　Ren-san had his usual languid expression.

　He was just looking at the paper in his hand and Sayano-san alternately, as if he was annoyed.

　I felt as if Ren-san’s appearance calmed my almost disordered mind a little.

“Should we go to the entrance first?”

“……, I guess so.”

　Natsume-san offered, and we left the classroom together.

　As we left, I caught a glimpse of Ren’s profile, he seemed to be smiling faintly.

“…… huh.”

“Tachibana-san.”

“Yes……. What’s wrong ……?”

“Well, that’s just the way it is and will be.”

“What do you mean ……?”

“No, it’s just that I’m a senior. I’m not sure what you mean by that.

　I wonder if that’s how it is. ……

　I had neither the proper experience nor the tolerance for it, but I still didn’t think so.

　I’m going to have a nice meal alone today. ……