Title: Water, Soil, and Pots.

As a result, my English scores improved from last year.

Other subjects were so-so, but I’m proud of my English performance.

I can’t help but be impressed by the change with just one way of studying. I’ve always had a vague way of thinking. I’d like to thank Arina for helping me out.

The hallway was buzzing with activity, so I was curious and looked at the grades posted.

The top 20 students were listen in order of academic excellence, and Arina was fourth. How smart is she?

In first place was Niwatari Tsuru.

Niwatari Tsuru was famous for being an mysterious woman. Arina was famous in a bad way, but Tsuru was known for her talent. The name itself has an old-fashioned feel to it, but she was more like a natural gyaru. I don’t know anything about gyaru, so I don’t understand.

[T/N: A gyaru is basically the equivalent of a gal]

I had never talked to her.

Bottom line, it was none of my business.

I used my lunch break to visit Akakusa-sensei.

I’ll say it again, Akakusa-sensei is beautiful. Not only is she popular among the teachers, but also among the male students.

“Hello, sensei.”

“Ara, what’s up, Sui?”

Your beautiful voice makes me thrilled!

“I’m here about Arina.”

“I see. Have you noticed any changes with her?”

“Yes, I can’t help but feel that things have changed somewhat. At first, she rejected me again and again, but recently the amount of times I’ve been able to have a decent conversation with her has increased. Surprisingly, she doesn’t talk much, does she?”

“Yes. It’s good to hear that you’ve made progress. Keep up the good work.”

“Of course. Ah, but sensei.”

“What?”

I asked the question I’d always wondered about.

“Can you tell me when and under what conditions that this activity will no longer be needed?”

I wanted to ask her this.

I don’t know where this was going to end. I mean, “rehabilitate Arina” was an abstract mission. This will eventually lead to negligence and confusion for Arina. She won’t even be able to answer the question of why she’s here.

If you don’t establish a solid plan at all costs, it will eventually collapse. A typical club activity has competition and other goals set, and it has a realistic sense of purpose.

Maybe what we’re doing is just passing time. We may be leaving our original purpose of existence behind. I can’t help but feel that we’re only gathering for ‘something’.

“Honestly, I was just going to use my own judgement…”

“That would be a problem. Without a clear goal I may continue to do useless things with Arina without her realizing it. I don’t want that to happen, and I don’t want to waste her time either.”

I regretted saying that a little too strongly. Akakusa-sensei is looking troubled!! What have I done…

“I’m sorry. My request is for Arina-san to develop a friendship with you.”

Nope.

That’s like telling me to be arrogant and selfish. I don’t want to stir up people’s relationships, and it’s silly to let them do that when they don’t want to.

It’s annoying to say, “You don’t have any friends, let’s make them.” Arina would feel even more so.

Why should I be pitied, you say. It’s too arrogant to treat people like that.

“Sensei, I don’t agree with you on that. Or are you trying to indirectly communicate something to me?”

Sensei flushed out a vague “no”. There was definitely something going on.

I want to get to the hear tof it. I’m sure that’s the big problem she’s facing. But I also know that it’s not an area that I can easily step into.

I have no right to do so. I’ve known that from the beginning.

“Okay. I’ll support Arina any way I can.”

“Thank you. Really.”

When I returned to the classroom, I didn’t know what was going on, but I realized that deep down, I felt defeated. It wasn’t like I was competing against Akakusa-sensei, but I felt defeated.

I went to Makoto’s seat.

“Hey, Makoto. How would you feel if you said, ‘I’ll make you a friend’ to someone who doesn’t have any friends?”

“You’re always sudden.”

“Sorry. So, what do you think?”

“Wouldn’t that make them feel bad? I feel like I’m just being disrespectful. That’s justs my opinion. I’m sure there are some people who would accept it gratefully.”

“Yep. I knew it.”

“What is it?”

“Nothing. I was just wondering if I was sane.”

Makoto tilted his head. Well, it can’t be helped. If I was told this kind of thing, I would think there was a hidden agenda.

Midterms are over, so we’re back in action today, but I don’t know if Arina will come. I have a feeling that she’ll fade away after the midterms.

In that case, it would take some time to convince her, but I would like Arina to come by all means. But if the she doesn’t like it, it may be unnecessary. She would just feel annoyed rather than thankful.

After school, I stopped at the concession stand before going to the Rose Garden.

I had one thing in mind. Cream bread.

But as good as they are, of course they would be in high demand. Quickness is the key to victory. I knew this by heart, so I went there at lightning speed.

But the store had already turned into a battlefield. The women’s club members, who looked like soldiers jumping out of trenches and running for the enemy’s heart, grabbed their money and lined up at the register. That’s why Uncle Jam should quickly move on here. It’s a lot better than making an Anko creature. [T/N: Once again, I have no idea what kind of reference this is, if someone knows, let me know, だからさっさとジャムおじさんはここに転職すべきなんだ。あんこのクリーチャーを作るよりはだいぶマシだ。]

That’s why I reached for it. I can no longer see the bread. I’m sure the girls would treat me like a molester. But I still fought. I wanted to get that bread. This is all I can do.

“Hey, you!”

I thought it was the police, because of the tone of voice, so I quickly pulled my hand back and stood upright.

A blushing schoolgirl stood in front of me.

“Hey, you just touched me! Again!”

“What I touched was bread. It’s a lump of carbohydrates that the Japanese love. I didn’t do anything. It’s true. I’m sorry.”

“Well, it’s fine if it wasn’t intentional. Ah, it was you, Sakaki?”

“Eh?”

“I’m in the same class as you. Come to think of it, we’ve never talked.”

Niwatari Tsuru, who was the smartest in our year, was there.