"Who agrees? Who opposes?" Hiratsuka Shizuka said with a smile.
"Saiki for study committee? Yeah, no question about it. His grades really are number one."
"Exactly, and no one else wants to be study committee member anyway, so this is probably for the best."
"Right, I believe Saiki-kun can definitely handle it."
"If it's about studies, I'm picking Saiki. He's the one everyone expects."
"Saiki, Saiki..."
The whole class was buzzing with supportive voices. It was as if they were happier about Saiki getting picked than if they had been chosen themselves.
...
(Yare yare, sure enough, the only time classmates unite like this is for something like that.)
(Using grades as the reason, huh? Well, there's no helping it then. There are a few top students in the grade. Two are in our class, and there's one more... what was her name? Yukinoshita Yukino or something. Too bad she's not in our class. Otherwise, I might've been able to struggle a bit more.)
(By the way, this school has a lot of first-place students, huh.)
[No helping it then. Since that's the case, I'll take it on temporarily for now. I hope someone more suitable comes along later.]
"Of course." Hiratsuka Shizuka said with a smile.
At that moment, Shikimori dazedly watched the "popular" Saiki. [That's great, Saiki-kun became the study committee member. You've taken another step forward toward your goal. Your heart must be really happy right now.]
(Ah, yeah, super happy ←_←)
"Hey, Shikimori, Shikimori. Hey hey hey, what are you spacing out about? You've been staring off into space since earlier."
Sitting next to her, Kitagawa Marin waved her hand in front of Shikimori's face and asked. She had waist-length golden hair with coral-colored tips, slender fingers adorned with square-shaped long nails, and a black choker around her neck—fully embodying a spicy, alluring beauty vibe that was incredibly captivating.
Then, following Shikimori's line of sight, she looked over at Saiki Kusuo and laughed teasingly. "Oh, I get it. So our big beauty is starting to have her first crush? You're that interested in Saiki-kun, huh?"
"Well! You were sitting next to him before, and he's super smart. If you look closely, he's pretty handsome too. I approve, go for it ε٩(๑＞ ₃ ＜)۶з."
"N... No, it's not like that. I don't... You don't have to say weird things. Saiki-kun and I only just met recently. He just sees me as a friend." Shikimori's face turned bright red as she shook her head in explanation.
For this boy who could so easily see through her inner thoughts, Shikimori felt like she definitely didn't have that kind of strange feeling toward him!
"Alright, for the next few days, go around the school and see if there are any clubs you want to join to develop yourselves. If you find one that fits, just sign up. If you're unsure, come talk to me."
After Hiratsuka Shizuka finished speaking, she turned and left, somehow feeling like things might get really tough from here on out.
When school let out, Saiki Kusuo was getting ready to head home.
The daily schedule for Japanese high schools differs from that in some other places. Overall, Japanese high schools generally start around 7:30 in the morning and end around 3:00 in the afternoon.
Different schools have slightly different specific schedules, but it's usually something like this: 1. Monday to Friday mornings: 8:30–12:30. 2. Monday to Friday afternoons: 13:30–16:30. During exam weeks or special activity days, study time might be extended.
Additionally, many schools have optional self-study sessions in the evening, usually between 19:00 and 20:00. Saturdays and Sundays are rest days.
All in all, there's quite a bit of free time.
Saiki Kusuo stood up and was about to leave the classroom when someone called out to him. "Um, Saiki-kun, please wait."
A boy with purple hair on top of his head, eyes sparkling with highlights that made them especially bright, his face slightly flushed and looking extremely kawaii, spoke nervously.
[Is something the matter?] Saiki Kusuo turned around and looked at the boy in front of him expressionlessly.
Then Izumi Yuu took a step forward, bowed at a perfect 90 degrees, and raised his right hand. "My name is Izumi Yuu. Please become my friend."
...
(Yare yare, it's just making friends! The way you're doing it makes it look like a confession.)
[Ah, so nervous. First time talking to someone on the first day of high school. Please don't reject me when I'm trying to make a friend.] Izumi Yuu was extremely tense inside.
[Well, whatever. But I'm heading home now.] Then Saiki Kusuo turned and started walking.
Izumi Yuu froze for a second, then chased after him. "Then, can I walk home with you?"
(That phrasing is really easy for readers to misunderstand.)
[Whatever.]
In the end, Saiki Kusuo and Izumi Yuu were walking leisurely on the way home. Saiki Kusuo glanced behind him and noticed a sneaky figure tailing them like a ghost.
Shikimori [Ahh! I was planning to explain what happened this morning to Saiki-kun after school, then invite him to grab something to eat outside and walk home together. Of course, this is to apologize for the morning and from the perspective of a friend, yeah, that's right. I didn't expect someone to beat me to inviting him. Did I come too late?]
Hiding behind a utility pole with half her head peeking out, Shikimori bit her lip and stared intently at Izumi Yuu in front of her.
The latter suddenly felt a chill down his back, turned to look, but saw nothing.
[What's wrong?]
"Nothing, just... I feel like something scary is staring at me. My back feels cold."
Saiki Kusuo smiled. [Then you'd better be careful. Once something scary has you in its sights, it's hard to shake off.]
Hiding behind him, Shikimori pouted and muttered softly, "I'm not scary at all. I'm obviously pretty gentle, you know."
Izumi Yuu didn't pay attention to what Saiki said and spoke in a concise, rapid tone. "Saiki-kun, the truth is I'm really unlucky. Before this, hardly anyone wanted to be my friend. Probably because they were afraid they'd catch my bad luck if they hung around me. Even so, will you still be my friend?"
[How could something like that be true? Even if it were, I wouldn't mind.]
"But it's real. I'm seriously unlucky. Just take today from the morning onward."
Izumi Yuu walked beside Saiki Kusuo, explaining as he recalled what had happened today.
Right after stepping out the door, he tripped over a rock and fell. On the way to school, he got a face full of car exhaust.
Then a crow pooped on him from above. Even though he dodged it, he stepped on another rock, tripped over a rope, and fell again... Passing through the streets, a neighbor upstairs just happened to dump water out the window right as he walked by, and afterward he stepped in dog poop.
(Yare yare, are you an unlucky esper or did you get targeted by some dean?)
Although the plot felt a bit familiar, it reminded him of a certain someone in clothes.
Still, he wouldn't take it to heart. After all, it was just a bit of bad luck. It wouldn't affect his superpowers in the slightest.
As they were talking, a car came speeding toward Izumi's direction from the roadside. Just as it was about to reach Izumi Yuu, who was chatting with Saiki Kusuo,
Saiki Kusuo casually reached out, yanked Izumi over, and pinned him against the wall. [Watch out.]
Yeah, the wind from the car that passed right by blew up, constantly tousling Saiki Kusuo's hair. The afternoon sun shone from behind him. From Izumi Yuu's perspective, Saiki Kusuo looked just like a divine being. [So... so cool.]
=====
New Story posted:
Transmigrated as Furina, in the Naruto world