Chapter 43: The Timid Girl Who Joined the Group

After leaving the hallway and walking a short distance, I was suddenly pulled along forcefully by Sora-chan.

W-why…? I wondered, but then I heard that Iijima-san had asked for me to be temporarily added as a member of the team.

I think I was spacing out a bit, too.

Sora-chan is in her Abaddon state. That’s a route that didn’t exist in the original story.

Which is exactly why I want her to be happy.

And if that’s the case, then I want to do my best too.

That’s what I thought when I tried explaining things to Shinozaki Nagisa—the protagonist—but I ran out of energy halfway through.

As expected, I don’t really want to talk to boys for too long.

Back in middle school, I messed up how I handled things, and it turned into a disaster. I was mocked, called easy, and had my body pinned down… I never want to experience that feeling again.

I just wanted to make friends.

…This is bad. I have a gloomy personality, so when I space out, I start thinking about unnecessary things.

Shishiba Hohana and Kurokawa Kisa arrived shortly after. Apparently, they had been at the training grounds.

They’ve got motivation… I’m not good with that kind of thing.

"Hmm, so you’re taking this girl, Mahiro, out on a mission with you. Well, fine. We fought together during that mixed-type incident last time."

"Nice to meet you, Mahhi!"

"Y-yesh!"

…And I bit my tongue pretty badly.

All I did was try to respond after they reintroduced themselves to me.

Ugh, why am I like this…?

Looking around again, everyone is in the room, including Sora-chan.

Sora-chan is sitting neatly on a chair. She’s cute.

Shinozaki Nagisa… well, I don’t really have anything to say about him. He’s talking with Kotozuka Reina.

Kotozuka Reina is writing something in a notebook while listening. Even though she’s not looking at me, there’s an intimidating aura about her. …She’s beautiful, so I admire her in a different way. I wish I could’ve been born like that.

Kurokawa Kisa is resting her cheek on her hand at the desk. I remember being dragged around by her before, so she’s a bit scary.

Shishiba Hohana is sitting with her legs crossed. The glimpse of her bare legs is beautiful.

Is it really okay for me to be among them? Iijima-san should be the one here, not me.

Even sitting in the chair, I can’t relax. I end up fiddling with the ends of my hair.

Maybe that’s why my hair never stays straight…

"Aren’t you hot?"

"Y-yes—uh… I mean, yes, it’s hot."

Shishiba Hohana came over and stood next to me. It startled me since it was so sudden.

Even though it’s summer, I’m wearing long sleeves, so maybe she found it strange.

"Why don’t you take it off?"

"Um, well… my skin’s not very strong, and if I get sunburned, it gets really bad."

…That’s just an excuse. The truth is, under these long sleeves are bandaged wrists, and I don’t want anyone to see. The marks just won’t fade.

"I see."

Good. She doesn’t seem too interested. It’s the kind of thing that would ruin the mood, after all.

"By the way, what kind of person is Iijima Kanon?"

As if remembering something, Shishiba Hohana continued. What kind of person… hmm.

"Iijima-san is energetic and cheerful… kind of pushy, and, um… someone who pays close attention, I think."

"Pays close attention?"

"Like… she notices quickly when I’m feeling down. Things like that."

Yeah. It’s like she has an incredible sense for reading the atmosphere.

Not just me—she’s good at picking up on other people’s subtle feelings, too.

That’s probably why even someone like me can talk to her.

"…Sounds like she might’ve done something about Akegami earlier, too."

That quiet mutter caught my attention.

Huh? Did Iijima-san maybe do something to Sora-chan?

A long time ago, someone forcibly tried to brighten my mood, and it felt so awful that I ended up lashing out… Sometimes she ignores people’s feelings, so it wouldn’t be strange if she did something.

B-but… it should be fine. In the original story, Iijima-san is the one who participates, after all.

"Well, whatever. If something happens, go talk to that Kotozuka Reina over there."

"Eh, o-okay…?"

"She’s probably the best among us at listening."

Wait, that’s kind of nice.

Shishiba Hohana readjusted her crossed legs and, for some reason, looked away.

"Um, can’t I ask you, Shishiba-san?"

"Why me?"

When she turned back toward me, she lowered her eyebrows slightly, looking troubled.

"Um, because… you talked to me just now?"

"Well, I don’t mind."

She let out a small sigh and looked away again. …Is she embarrassed?

"What?"

"N-no, it’s nothing…"

When I kept staring at her, she shot me a sharp glance, and it scared me a little.

I mean, she just has a slightly sharp gaze, but still… reflexively.

B-but… I can ask her for advice.

Kotozuka Reina feels too intimidating to approach…

Yeah, maybe… just maybe, I can manage being on this team.

…I’ll do my best.

And so, even though I made that resolution, there’s nothing to do, so I stay quietly in the corner.

Honestly, this is easier, and even someone as out of place as me won’t cause any problems.

Besides, I only need to do my best during missions, so there’s no need to get close to anyone… right?

S-so I’ll just stay quietly in the corner. Completely still.

"Nishizono-san."

"Hyaah!?"

"Are you okay?"

"Y-yesh!"

Ugh, I reacted weirdly because I was suddenly spoken to.

When I look up, Shinozaki Nagisa is standing there.

"Sorry for talking to you out of nowhere."

"N-no, it’s fine."

"That’s good. From now on, you’re part of the team too, Nishizono-san. Let’s get along."

He held out his hand.

…Um.

Oh, right. A handshake. Iijima-san usually just forcefully breaks down emotional barriers, so I forgot about things like this.

…And then I felt a gaze.

A prickling sensation on my right cheek, like someone’s stare was piercing into it.

When I glanced over, Sora-chan was staring at me.

Her cheeks were puffed slightly, looking a bit dissatisfied. …What is that?

When our eyes met, she quickly looked away.

W-what is that…? There are too many people in this team who express themselves through attitude—it’s hard to understand.

This is way too difficult for me.

"Nishizono-san?"

"S-sorry. Nice to meet you…"

Hesitantly, I reached out and took Shinozaki Nagisa’s hand.

It was rough—a boy’s hand. But strangely, it didn’t scare me.

Hmph. In the game, that hand charmed several girls, but I’m not falling for it.

…Pretending I was just playing the role of a heroine, I somehow endured the contact. Still, being touched by a boy is scary.

I was worried my trauma might flash back, but I’m safe.

Just having our hands separate makes the heavy feeling in my chest lighten.

But what was that look from Sora-chan about?

Was it… jealousy?

I don’t really get it.

…I’ll defeat the Fourth Abyssal Calamity properly, but staying on this team until then still feels a little painful.

Ugh, I have to do my best in Iijima-san’s place.

As a substitute, I took a deep breath and somehow calmed my heart.