"Miko-chan, this place is..."
"Um, that part is definitely..."
Since neither the other disciplinary committee members nor Ishigami were there today, Miko and I were the only ones in the disciplinary committee room. The cultural festival and final exams were over, and the only remaining event was the closing ceremony next week. As Miko and I were working on some light paperwork before the winter break, there was a knock on the door that echoed through the classroom.
"here you are."
As Miko gestured for the visitor to enter, the door slowly opened.
"Excuse me." *click*
"Um...and you?"
"You're Onodera Rei, Iino... and Daibutsu, right? I came because there's something I wanted to ask you."
"To us?"
"Is there anything you want to ask?"
Onodera Rei... I remember she's always in the top 50 in test results. She looks like a modern girl, but she's rarely reprimanded by the disciplinary committee during their patrols, so she stuck in my memory. A girl who enjoys fashion and student life within the rules... that's the impression I have of Onodera Rei.
"Yeah, Ishigami isn't here."
"They're not planning to come today, but..."
"No, actually, it's quite convenient."
When I answered Miko-chan that way, Onodera-san sat down in the seat opposite us.
"What do you mean by 'it's convenient that Ishigami isn't here'?"
I raised my guard slightly and questioned Onodera.
"Oh, please don't be so wary. I'm not planning on doing anything weird or anything. It's just that there's something I'm a little hesitant to ask in front of Ishigami..."
Something that's difficult to ask in front of Ishigami? I wonder... Miko and I waited for Onodera to continue.
"Do you think Ishigami has someone he likes?"
When Onodera-san said those words... I felt like my heart suddenly leaped.
"Y-yes, the person I like above!?"
...Apparently, Miko-chan is similar.
"Why... why would you do something like that to us?"
"Hmm, well, I thought that since they're together all the time, they might already know... and also, you know, I was hoping it would reduce their mental burden?"
"...Mental burden?"
"Haha... Don't worry about it."
(If Ishigami doesn't like Otomo... I suppose that would be a relief... I wouldn't have to see a tragic love story, but I can't say that for sure.)
"...I've never talked about anything like that with Ishigami. A student's primary duty is to focus on their studies. Getting distracted by romance in middle school is just..."
"I've never heard of that either."
"Hmm, I see... So what do you two think of Ishigami?"
"Hmmmm!?"
"W-What exactly are you talking about regarding Ishigami...?"
"Hmm, ahem..."
"That's why I'm asking if you like me or not."
"W-why do I have to tell you something like that!?"
"...I agree with Miko-chan."
"I see... Well then, can I ask you one last thing?"
"Well, if it's the last time..."
"...What exactly is it?"
"...What did you think after hearing that broadcast?"
"Huh!?"
Upon hearing that broadcast and those keywords, the same lines were swirling around in both of their minds.
I'll protect you.
Until the two are no longer in danger
I will... protect the two of them
Shame!! Three months have already passed since that embarrassing experience, but Iino Miko and Osaragi Kobachi still find themselves squirming in bed whenever they suddenly remember what happened!
"I-I don't really care what Ishigami said..."
"Huh?! Miko-chan!"
"Huh? I didn't intend to ask about what Ishigami said..."
I've been tricked...
"Ah, n, no... that was... ahh..." *collapses*
Iino Miko is defeated.
"Oh no... I think I went too far."
"...Mr. Onodera, what exactly are you thinking?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"That's why... I specifically chose a time when we were alone to ask you that question."
"Hmm... I haven't known Ishigami as long as the other two, but I think I've come to understand that he's a good guy over the past two or three months. Maybe that's why I wanted to ask the two of you who are with Ishigami all the time... what you think of him."
"Is that so...?"
"Yeah, well... I guess I didn't even need to ask."
"That is..."
"Hehe... sorry, sorry, I thought the Great Buddha was so beautiful that she seemed unapproachable, but when I actually talked to her, she wasn't like that at all."
"..."
"Since we're here, let's exchange contact information. If you need any advice on how to win over Ishigami, I can help."
"Oh, you're going to drop it..."
"If you're not careful, someone else might snatch her up. For now, why don't you try inviting her to the Hoshin Festival at the high school next week?"
"At the Hōshinsai festival..."
"Well, I'll be going now. Please say hello to Iino for me."
After saying only that, Onodera left the disciplinary committee room without looking back.
"Let's have Ishigami participate in the Hōshinsai festival..."
I woke up Miko-chan, who had fainted, and continued with my duties as a disciplinary committee member. While I was working, the conversation I had with Onodera-san earlier kept swirling around in my head.