My Overly Anxious and Devoted Girlfriend Never Gives Up on Me - Chapter 2.3

“I’m sorry, Aoto-kun. I was in the middle of talking with a friend.”

“No, it’s fine. If the timing was bad, I would’ve turned you down right there.”

“I see. Thank you.”

I’ve been in the same class as Mikura Yuzuri since last year.

Her deep black hair, almost navy blue, was long enough to reach her back.

Her sharp eyes and straight nose bridge emphasized her dignified image.

While she wasn’t quite on Yunagi-san’s level, I thought Mikura-san was quite beautiful herself.

In fact, according to Kazuma, she seemed to be pretty popular among the boys.

Serious, mature, and always composed, she had served as class representative in our previous class too.

Her composure beyond her years, excellent grades, plus her considerate personality.

Because of these qualities, Mikura-san was trusted not just by her classmates but by the teachers as well.

“So, what did you need help with?”

“Ah. We’re doing an experiment in fifth period science, so the teacher asked me to rearrange the desks beforehand.”

However, because of her personality, she had a tendency to take on troublesome or difficult tasks all by herself.

Even so, Mikura-san would complete everything without any problems, but it still made me uncomfortable.

“But even I have to admit this would be tough to do alone.”

“I bet. Okay, let’s do it together.”

“Thank you. You’re so kind, Aoto-kun.”

That’s why since last year, I’d been consciously trying to help her out whenever I could.

I’d carry half her load when moving things, help distribute materials to everyone, and when teachers asked her to do odd jobs, I’d end up getting roped into them too.

“Mikura-san tends to take on more than her fair share if you leave her alone. It’s not like these are supposed to be your responsibilities alone.”

“But you’re always helping me, Aoto-kun, even though you’re not the class representative.”

After doing this several times since last year, we’d naturally developed a friend-like relationship.

Well, it’s not like we spent much time together normally.

When we reached the science lab, we started moving the desks and chairs into the specified arrangement.

Individually they weren’t particularly heavy, but there were so many of them.

There was no way this was a job meant for one girl to handle.

“I don’t like seeing you taken advantage of. Plus, this is the least I can do to repay you for taking on the troublesome class representative role in the first place.”

“…Just hearing you say that makes me really happy.”

“Huh?”

The sound of desks and chairs clattering made it difficult to continue our conversation.

Oh well.

Let’s just finish this quickly and get back to the classroom.

“Aoto-kun.”

“What is it, Mikura-san?”

Her clear voice cut through the clattering noise.

This time, unlike before, I could hear her clearly.

“…I heard Naruse-san confessed to you.”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, I visibly flustered.

Why would Mikura-san know about that?

Just where does this information spread from?

“D-did she not?”

“No, well, that’s, I guess she did. Ahaha.”

“…I see.”

Even if I wasn’t exactly embarrassed, it still felt uncomfortable.

Having your friends know about your love life really does feel strange.

“…I heard you turned down dating her.”

“Y-yeah. Well, that’s right.”

“I-I see…”

An awkward silence followed.

Still, I never expected she’d know about my response too.

Is there even such a thing as privacy in high school life?

At this rate, there’s no telling when my relationship with Yunagi-san might come out too.

“…Why did you turn her down? From what I’d seen, I thought you and Naruse-san got along pretty well.”

“Well, we did get along.”

“S-so why then?”

Faced with further questioning from Mikura-san, I fell silent for a moment.

Somehow, I felt reluctant to answer honestly.

Saying I’m not interested in romance would just lead to a longer conversation I didn’t want.

“W-well, I just didn’t like her in that way.”

“I-I see. I understand.”

“Y-yeah.”

I wasn’t lying.

Plus, it should have been an answer she couldn’t really complain about.

But why would Mikura-san be interested in my love life anyway?

I’d always thought of her as someone who would listen to others’ problems but rarely inserted herself into other people’s business.

“…Um, well. It’s not like you have someone else you like, is it?”

“Huh? …No, that’s not it.”

“I-I see…”

When I answered, Mikura-san made an expression I couldn’t quite read – somewhere between smiling and looking sad.

But this was definitely strange.

For Mikura-san of all people to be asking these questions…

“U-um, Aoto-kun… if someone confessed to you right after you turned down another girl. Would you hate that…?”

“Th-that’s a strange question… well, I wouldn’t hate it, but it might be awkward.”

“I-I see…”

Hmm, Mikura-san really is acting weird today.

Maybe she’s having some romantic troubles of her own.

So, she’s using me, as someone of the opposite sex, as a reference to analyze something.

…Well, whatever.

Everyone has their own circumstances.

“Alright, I think the desks are good now.”

“…Yeah. Thank you, Aoto-kun.”

“No problem. Let’s head back then.”

“Ah!”

As I moved to leave the science lab, something suddenly tugged at my left hand.

When I turned around, somehow Mikura-san had grabbed my sleeve.

“Wh-what’s wrong? Mikura-san?”

“Ah, no… it’s just…”

“…Your face is red. Are you running a fever or something?”

“I-it’s nothing! Sorry!”

Mikura-san shouted that and then rushed past me, running down the hall.

…She really was acting strange.

If she seems unwell, I’ll check on her again later.