Real teaching, hypocritical gray life

After getting a positive answer, Kanzaki nodded and returned to his seat as if nothing had happened. I also sat down next to him a little later, and Ichinose sat sideways in front of me, and then our eyes met.

Ichinose's azure eyes were so clear that they could accommodate my reflection, and I could even look myself in the eyes easily, which made me think.

What kind of person am I in Ichinose's eyes?

As the saying goes, eyes are the windows to the soul.

But I was unable to truly feel and understand. I had never seen the world seen through other people's eyes, and I could not empathize with them.

The two of us looked into each other's eyes without avoiding each other because of shyness, but if this continues, I might not be able to face it.

So I chose to end this battle in order to reach a settlement. Fortunately, I have the [Absolute Weapon] in my hand to determine who is superior and who is inferior.

I picked up the shopping bag that had been waiting in my right hand for a long time and took out the blister box containing the [Grilled Eel Rice Bento]. As for the red bean soup, I hesitated for a moment, and finally chose to hide it after looking at the other person's eyes.

"Sorry for the long wait. This is the only eel rice bento in the convenience store. I think this is what Ichinose wants."

"Well, that's probably it. Thank you."

Probably............?

Ichinose took the lunch box I handed over nonchalantly, without confirming whether the lunch box in the blister box was what he wanted. He casually glanced at the shopping bag I put aside, and I deliberately shifted my angle.

"What are you planning to eat for lunch?"

"If nothing unexpected happens, it should be fried noodles and bread. It looks quite appetizing."

"Has Luo never eaten this before? This would be very convenient for lunch."

"............I have eaten them separately. But I have never tried them together because they seem a little strange. Also, I didn't expect the portion to be smaller than I thought."

Something like a piece of bread that can hold a plate of fried noodles is definitely a burden that I cannot bear alone.

"I see......"

He said this as if he had suddenly realized something, and then Ichinose lowered his head to look at the lunch box in his hand. However, he remained silent for a long time, which made me worried.

“Did I buy the wrong one?”

"Hmm, no, this is what I want Luojun to buy... I seemed to have told Luojun that I only wanted this one, right?"

"Yes, that's what Ichinose said."

"Then there is no other way............"

What do you mean?

Is he now regretting what he said because he wants me to bring something else? If so, what would it be? A drink?

I glanced at the extra red bean soup lying quietly in my shopping bag and decided to make sure again.

"Ichinose, is there anything else you want to buy? If so, just let me know and I'll help you."

Ichinose raised his head and shook it sympathetically.

"That would require me to trouble you to go to the convenience store again. No."

"If it's just a hassle like this, I'm still willing to help."

"Is it because I have a lot of study tasks recently, so you don't want me to waste time?"

Ichinose folded her hands on my desk, resting her chin on her arms, lowering her eyebrows. From my angle, she looked quite cute and obedient like a fox. Perhaps I could appreciate this beauty from any angle, and it wasn't just because of my special perspective.

"Even without that, I would still help. After all, I promised Ichinose that I would help."

"............If my request is very self-willed, and it is no longer just a minor inconvenience, will Luo Jun still help me?"

Ichinose opened his eyes, leaned forward slightly and stared at me, waiting for my answer.

"I think so."

"why?"

Ah, if you ask why... it's impossible to refuse with this kind of expression.

I tried to squeeze the distance between myself and the back of the chair, while turning my head slightly away.

"Because Ichinose is the one who's causing trouble, you won't make things difficult for me no matter how willful your request is."

"Wouldn't it be the same if it was someone else?"

Although I don't know why Ichinose is obsessed with this question, my response deviated from the expected effect and for a while I gave up the pursuit of the answer.

"Ichinose is the only person who needs help. I don't want to make my life difficult...at least within the three years I promised Ichinose. I won't change my mind."

"It would be nice if it always stayed like this............"

"I'm sorry, what did Ichinose just say?"

"No, nothing."

"is it?"

"Yes, it is like that."

Ichinose patted his cheeks and exhaled slowly.

Whether it's the sound or the breath I feel when I exhale, it seems like I'm using a lot of effort.

There is no way I can turn a blind eye.

"But I have to thank Ichinose for what happened just now."

"Hey, what?"

"It's just to make everyone in the class believe me or something."

"Even if I didn't say that, no one in the class would think it was you. I just expressed everyone's thoughts."

"Even so, I want to thank Ichinose for his trust."

"Well, after all, Luo can't possibly do such a thing, right............"

I don't know which one that thing refers to, so I can't just be perfunctory about it.

"If I want to do this, I have to have the opportunity to encounter the test questions."

"That's what I said, but......"

"only?"

Ichinose looked at me with some hesitation, opened his eyes and found it difficult to say it, but in the end he said it with an unhappy mood.

"It's just that I still really care about Sakayanagi-san's attitude towards Luo Jun... Ah, no, please don't take this to heart, Luo Jun. No, please pretend that you didn't hear this!"

Although I couldn't figure out the reason for the sudden turn, I could tell from the expression on Ichinose's face that he wasn't joking, so I had no choice but to follow his lead and stare blankly at Ichinose in front of me.

However, Ichinose pursed his lips, seemingly unable to ignore the fact that I heard those words.

"............Come to think of it, did Luo-kun come back with Xiaoxue? It seemed like Ji Ye-san was staying by Luo's side just now."

"Yeah. I bumped into him by chance when I was choosing lunch. Himeno, like Ichinose, suddenly didn't want to eat lunch in the school cafeteria."

"It's better to say that it's the same as Luo............"

Ichinose was slightly dissatisfied with what I said, and added with a pout.

In other words, Ichinose didn't have the idea of ​​using bento for lunch at first, was it because of me?

“Well, that’s not wrong.”

"..............What about Kanzaki-san?"

"As for Kanzaki, I'm not sure. But he said he just came back from the toilet. The three of us just happened to see this after we came back."

"......"

"what happened?"

"Luo-kun has also slowly established connections with everyone in the class, which is a good thing. Yeah, just like what I wanted."

Ichinose's mood changed slightly, although he still looked happy.

"I have put in some effort for this, and I can't just let Ichinose see the results forever."

After receiving a compliment, most people would feel a little smug, and I did that too.

Ichinose took his hands off my desk and lowered his head.

"......"

There are still some things that have not been said.

I can only make such a conclusion from Ichinose's profile.

I want to understand that point more clearly. Although the effect will be weakened for a while, I will regard it as a selfish act. Not all events can go according to plan, right? There are definitely influencing factors that interfere.

Just calculate up to that point......

I reached out and smoothed the messy hair that fell on the side of Ichinose's face. She was frightened by my sudden action and covered her chest in panic.

"What, what's wrong?"

"It's a little messy... Anyway, I'm wearing a high ponytail today."

"Ah, well, Luo Jun noticed it."

"I noticed it right after I entered the classroom, but I seemed to be a little grumpy at the time so I didn't ask."

"Did you find out right after you entered the classroom......?"

"That's for sure. After all, Ichinose easily attracts my attention."

"Um, ah, it's still okay, right?"

"If you mean hairstyle, I answered Ichinose at the swimming pool during summer vacation, have you forgotten? If it's Ichinose, I think she'll look good in any hairstyle. After all, she's already very cute-"

"I remember, so... don't repeat it..."

Finally, he lowered his head again......

After suppressing his active emotions, Ichinose held his chest and exhaled.

"Is this how it should be...so weird..."

A soft murmur reached my ears.

But Ichinose probably just said this unconsciously, so I am embarrassed to take it as the truth.

The court meeting is about to begin, perhaps things will develop to that point.

As I expected, Ichinose spoke.

"Um, lunch...can we have it together?"

Is this the first thing you ask for? This is a bit troubling to me.

I had just made an appointment with Ji Ye, but now I am going to lose the chance to meet her the next moment?

I'm in a bit of a dilemma.

Ichinose noticed my hesitation and spoke cautiously.

"Lord Luo, you're not free at noon, are you?"

"Not really, I just made an appointment with Ji Ye to eat together."

"I-I see... Come to think of it, Luo-jun will also have tutoring with Xiaoxue after school this afternoon."

"Does Ichinose know this too?"

"Of course, this is not certain... Sorry, I was too abrupt. It doesn't seem right to join in rashly. Then Luo Jun and Xiaoxue should enjoy lunch. Haha."

Ichinose laughed dryly.

"I'll go study first—"

"Then let's eat together at noon."

"............What did Luo Jun just say?"

"Having lunch together is no problem."

Ichinose opened her mouth, but I didn't give her a chance. If she were to say that, as a girl, she might be embarrassed.

"I'll tell Ji Ye about that. So it's just the two of us."

"............Is everything okay? Xiaoxue...will I disturb you?"