181 – Silent Request
Shiraishi looked strange that day.
She was always talkative and lively, but today she often found herself blankly staring into space.
Even when she was eating lunch, I saw her just moving her chopsticks without saying a word, and she made other people’s faces meet her.
‘What happened?’
Yuki quietly asked us, but no one knew.
Yesterday, we all had dinner together at Shiraishi Street.
Until then, Shiraishi was no different from usual. That means something has happened since we went back.
“Hmm. It’s delicious today too. “Elena’s cooking is always delicious.”
“Thank you. Miss.”
When I see you talking so casually, it just seems like nothing is happening. It also appears that he is only in slightly bad condition.
Hasn’t that happened to everyone?
There are cloudy days and clear days.
In Shiraishi’s case, she may feel strange because she always sees bright sunlight and only slightly hot weather.
Even she can have gloomy days.
Of course, I had seen Shiraishi like that, so I didn’t want to jump to conclusions about her.
It may simply be that you are not in a good mood. There is no reason.
No, even if there is a reason, it may not be something that can be easily told to anyone.
I looked back at everyone and nodded.
The girls and Yuuki, who recognized each other just by those signs without having to say anything, exchanged glances and then continued their conversation as usual.
The signal I sent here was ‘let’s just move on,’ and I think everyone’s reaction was to agree with that.
I don’t necessarily ask Shiraishi what’s going on.
Sometimes, just asking that question can make the other person feel like something happened.
“Hey. So is this year’s last competition? Cheer up, Sister Eri.”
“Yes. “Of course I intend to.”
“Can I cheer?”
“Of course.”
So, while they were talking as usual, Yuuki secretly looked at Shiraishi.
“Shiraishi will also come to support you, right? “I wish I could stop cheerleading.”
“…………….”
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As usual, Shiraishi would immediately answer with lightning speed, “Of course!” Although it is a situation where we have to shout.
She was silent, putting her chopsticks in her mouth.
It’s as if Yuuki’s words didn’t even reach his ears.
“…… “Um, Shiraishi?”
“Yes?”
She then realized that everyone’s eyes were on her, raised the corners of her mouth and said.
“Oh, I’m sorry. “You didn’t hear.”
“Yeah, really?”
Yuki was taken aback and asked again.
“Cheering for Eri’s competition.”
“Ah, ah… Of course! “I really want to see you too.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes… of course….”
The conversation that somehow continued was cut off and hovered in the air.
We continued eating while watching Shiraishi, who had become quiet again.
After lunch time and even after school, Shiraishi was in the same state.
The appearance of sitting blankly or looking at the window, looking lost in thought, was different from his usual appearance and was particularly noticeable, but it was difficult to approach.
Being quiet like that makes her look like a prim and proper young lady befitting the dignity of a famous family.
“You know, Haru-chan.”
“Why?”
“Shiraishi, is that really it?”
“You mean that?”
“Well, you know. Women’s Day….”
Yuuki waved his hand while receiving Haruna’s dumbfounded look.
“No, why! “Women are like that sometimes!”
“Yu-kun.”
“Huh?”
“It’s good manners not to mention such things.”
As if teaching a young boy, Haruna stretched out her index finger and pointed at Yuuki and said a word, then she turned around and came towards me.
“Minsu. See you tomorrow then.”
“Yes, goodbye Haruna. Yuuki too.”
“Minsu, aren’t you going?”
“I…” .”
After racking her brain for a moment she said:
“I’m going to stop by the library.”
“Oh, really?”
Yuuki waved his hand casually and turned around.
Haruna hurriedly packed her bag and said she had promised to go grocery shopping with her mom after school.
Shiraishi was sitting blankly at his desk, as if he didn’t even hear the after-school bell ring.
“Aki-chan~ See you tomorrow then.”
“…… Oh. Miss Haru.”
Shiraishi raised his head and looked at Haruna, as if he had just realized that it was after school.
“Yes. “See you tomorrow.”
“Shiraishi. Dinner last night was delicious. “Please invite me again next time.”
“Yes. “Of course.”
Yuki also went out of the classroom while talking again about yesterday.
The only ones left are me and Shiraishi.
I turned my head and looked out the window.
Colorful umbrellas were shaking and going out of the school gate.
“Oops.”
Did I say it would rain from the evening?
I didn’t bring an umbrella.
When I looked back, Shiraishi was watching me.
“Shiraishi?”
“Ah, ah… yes!”
For some reason, Shiraishi jumped up from his seat and shouted loudly.
“Is something wrong? “He didn’t go home and kept sitting.”
“Ah… no. “I’m going now.”
Shiraishi packed his bag and stood next to me.
“Minsu, you’re not going?”
“I want to go. “It’s raining.”
“Ah, ah… then….”
Shiraishi took out his cell phone and made a call.
“Elena? “Can you please bring me an umbrella?”
There is no need to go that far.
Shiraishi hung up the phone and looked at me with a smile.
“Then shall we go?”
She comes out of the classroom with her and slips through the gap between the students.
I told her to move on without asking her friends, but I was actually worried.
So, as I walked through the bustling campus, I asked quietly.
“Shiraishi. “Did something happen?”
“Yes?”
“It’s unusually quiet today. “I wonder if something happened.”
If I had to guess, would it be related to Itsuya Shiraishi?
That was the only clue.
However, there is a high probability that it will definitely be related to that.
The problems surrounding her are always about her family, her father, and her home.
What kind of problem did Itsuya, who suddenly appeared yesterday, bring? There was a high probability that Shiraishi would be in trouble because of that.
“…… “Nothing happened.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Just… Maybe I’m not feeling well today….”
She smiled, speaking in an uncharacteristically ambiguous tone.
Did you say that she never got tired and brought in another engagement?
Or are you saying she should transfer to another academy?
I made various guesses, but it wasn’t easy to guess.
If it was an engagement, such a problem arose in less than a few months. It seemed unlikely that Itsuya, a father who cared for her daughter even though they may have differences of opinion, would have suggested such a thing.
If you are transferring… Yesterday we had a rather friendly conversation with Itsuya Shiraishi.
She also seemed relieved that her daughter had friends like these.
While I was lost in thought, we came out to the school entrance.
Elena, who was waiting, handed us an umbrella.
Only one thing.
“Elena? “Aren’t there enough umbrellas?”
“I see.”
What is ‘I see’?
Elena, who was waiting with a black umbrella, handed Shiraishi one of her white umbrellas.
“I didn’t hear that there was a boy together. “I’ll get you another one now.”
When Elena lowered her head and turned her body
“Ah… no. “It’s okay!”
Shiraishi stopped her.
“Mi, Minsu? Come in here. “I can’t do it.”
Shiraishi opened his small umbrella and looked back at me.
“Ah… “Then please excuse me.”
I also naturally use her umbrella like her.
“Jo, it’s a bit of a small umbrella.”
The shoulders touch. Elena glanced at us and took her steps.
Elena’s umbrella was large enough for three people to use.
I’m sure it wasn’t like this on purpose.
We took a step forward, with one person holding an umbrella that barely blocked the rain.
“Shiraishi. “I will carry it.”
“No. “I can lift it.”
“No, but….”
They argued for a while and shook the umbrellas they were holding.
Shiraishi finally gave in, quietly let go of his hand, came towards me and lowered his head.
As her red hair swayed, I could smell the faint scent of roses in her comb.
This is somehow embarrassing.
Even so, the umbrella is too small.
The one shoulder that stuck out could not help but get wet from the rain.
“…… Mr. Minsu.”
“Huh?”
“What are you doing now? “There is no point in using an umbrella like this.”
She grabbed my hand holding her umbrella and pushed it to her side.
“Then Shiraishi is wet. Come here.”
“It’s okay. To me, Minsu getting caught in the rain is more….”
“No, I…” .”
“I am… !”
I wonder if I should have brought a large umbrella from the beginning.
With no meaning in such considerations, we argued again and pulled the umbrella.
“…… Miss.”
Elena looked at us like we were fools and said.
“Yes?”
“If you don’t like getting wet in the rain, how about this?”
Elena’s suggestion.
Shiraishi is on my back.
“Um, is this really going to happen?”
“Yes. Excellent.”
What is great?
Elena, who took our bags, looked at Shiraishi who was clinging to my back like a turtle and said calmly.
“Let’s go now.”
“Yes. Let’s go!”
Shiraishi put his hand on my shoulder and clung to me, and his snort touched my cheek.
“Ah, Mr. Minsu. Please go a little more slowly.”
“Sorry.”
But it is inconvenient.
I was more worried than carrying my bag.
“Shiraishi. “It’s not raining, right?”
“Oh, of course.”
Students pass by on both sides.
Is this okay? I had my doubts, but since I was wearing an umbrella, I didn’t think it would be that noticeable.
She slowly took a step forward, feeling Shiraishi’s warm breath on the back of her neck and the weight of her tightly holding both of her arms.
Perhaps because of her mood, her breathing seemed a little rough.
“Ha….”
The back of her neck tickles.
Moreover, every now and then, something would touch her back and press against her body.
“……… ….”
Of course, neither I nor Shiraishi said anything.
I barely got out of the school gate and stood in front of the car and let out a long sigh.
“…… Thank you for your effort.”
“What?”
As I watched Elena let out a soft sigh as she opened her car door for Shiraishi, I dropped her shoulder.
This person clearly intended….
Shiraishi got into her car and saw me.
“Minsu, are you going home?”
“I’m going to stop by the library.”
“Oh, I see. “As expected, Minsu is sincere.”
I’m not sincere, so I’m going to study now. I gave a wry smile and hesitated.
“I also need to follow Minsu’s example and learn harder.”
“No, there is no need to imitate me…” .”
However, even though Shiraishi entered, her car door did not close.
With the car door wide open, Shiraishi continued the conversation.
“That’s not true. Mr. Minsu is like a teacher who guided me.”
I glanced at Elena and saw that she was standing still without notice.
Why don’t you close it?
“When I first came to this academy, the person who accepted me was Minsu. So for me….”
I looked at Shiraishi and Elena talking in turns, not caring that the rain was falling inside the car and soaking the seats.
“Hey, Shiraishi.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to go to the library together?”
Shiraishi’s eyes widened.
“Of course! Come on in!”
She moved her body to her side and patted the empty space.
Only then did Elena pick me up and close the door.
Good. We might take this opportunity to find out what happened yesterday.
While heading to her library, Shiraishi, who seemed to be in a better mood, continued to listen to her story, and I looked at her in the driver’s seat.
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I thought something must have happened.
I could tell that this was Elena’s silent request.