Real teaching, hypocritical gray life

Chapter 9: The Unseen Truth

(From the perspective of Shiina Hiyori)

While I was talking to Long Yuan, Luo Jun pretended to be indifferent and stared at the cover of "Distant Mountains and Pale Shadows".

However, I don't think he really just looked at the book covers so simply.

Luo Jun was as calm and composed as ever, very intelligent and looked like an adult. Although he often used [normal] words, his behavior was another matter.

The [ordinary] students in other classes would act as if they were facing a great enemy when they saw Ryuen-san, but Luo Jun felt as if he was just an ordinary person.

The so-called [nothing could be more normal] probably describes this situation.

When talking to other boys, they always give me a flustered feeling, and they use a lot of dirty words, so that I am often frightened. But Luo Jun has never done that, so I can listen to him at ease, even if I can't understand him immediately.

It is precisely because of this unusual yet ordinary attitude that Luo Jun has become someone I care about more.

(Rather than being interested in the opposite sex, it’s more about being interested in the person himself…)

Perhaps, his gaze passed through the book covers and saw the things on the bookshelf behind the seat - if the books and the bookshelves were made of transparent glass, I feel that he could see farther and more clearly, even everything inside.

In reality, this was not the case, so Luo Jun could only watch vaguely...

Having said that, this is just my personal opinion.

I'm not sure how far the vision of those pale gray eyes, which seem to have lost their life, is.

"I don't have the time to do this kind of thing. But since you are here, other things can be discussed."

After leaving behind this ambiguous statement, Ryuen-san turned around and left.

I was a little surprised that he didn't do anything to embarrass Luo Jun, but fortunately it was like this. Although it was done by Ryuen, the class leader, the class and Luo, my friend, are equally important to me.

I would also feel lost if things don’t end well and the other party dislikes me.

I cherish the moments like this when I get to talk about a book with someone.

I have always hoped that there would be students like this in Class C, or that there would be more friends around me who could make good friends with me.

"Um... Is Shiina okay?"

"Are you talking about me?"

It was not until Ryuuen-kun left the library that Luo-jun slowly turned his gaze to mine, and then moved to the lobby of the library, as if he was observing every trace left by Ryuuen-kun.

If it is really as I imagined, then Luo Jun is really a terrifying existence. In addition, for some reason, I actually feel a little bit of anticipation that it is the truth.

We who exist in the library occasionally have the idea of ​​a world key.

"Yeah. I feel like I'm interfering with your communication. For example, Ryuuen wants to discuss something with Shiina... Is it really okay to ignore him?"

"Thank you for your concern, Luo Jun. But Ryuen-san won't do anything excessive to me. Since Ryuen-san said so just now, he probably just wants to confirm my location. Otherwise, I think it's more convenient to contact me by cell phone."

"That's true............"

From his casual tone, I really couldn't sense what Luojun's real purpose was.

I'm not yet so excited that I can't suppress my desire to know the truth.

(When you think about it, asking someone for the truth outright is a pretty bad thing to do.)

Suddenly, I had this idea.

Maybe I just don't want to admit that I can't come to a conclusion.

Or maybe he was influenced by the atmosphere created by Ryuuen-san and the news that spread.

This is what I really meant.

Faced with straightforward questions, I will not give any answer.

At the same time, I don't want to be asked such questions.

Many people do not consider the other person's feelings when asking such questions. People who do not consider this have become incredibly dull. That is a reality that I dare not imagine.

But this is the way it is in this school surrounded by a competitive mechanism.

It is impossible to clearly define what is sinking in indifference.

Use language to downplay the importance of intangible things, even the process of reaching a conclusion.

Such absurd things probably only appear in novels.

Not only are things that are truly valuable unable to maintain a specific form, it is even difficult to define them.

At this moment, I guess Luo Jun must have similar thoughts in his mind.

I have determined that the way reality makes me feel is offensive.

"At least this matter hasn't involved everyone in Class A, so it won't cause trouble to Luo Jun, right? In fact, I don't want this matter to cause a problem for me to talk to Luo Jun."

"No, not really. Right now, Ryuuen's goal is indeed on Class D. Ichinose also hopes that I can have more exchanges with other students. Since there is no problem with Shiina, I don't have anything special to say."

"That's great. It would be really unpleasant if classmates would have conflicts over trivial matters like that. The best outcome is for everyone to get along well."

I unconsciously clapped my hands to express my inner joy.

"In fact, the library received a new batch of books a few days ago............"

I was so happy that I couldn't help but share this information with Luo Jun. Even though it sounded meaningless, the topic of books occupied almost all my time.

To explain this absolute feeling, I went back to the bookshelf and took out a book with quite interesting contents...

0

Shiina, who was talking excitedly, suddenly realized something. She looked up at the clock in the library, and her eyes showed reluctance and regret. I followed her gaze and also noticed the pointer on the clock.

The difference in angles is striking.

"Ah, I didn't expect it to be this late already. Time has been passing by while we were talking. I feel a little disappointed."

Shiina was not aware of the passage of time, except at certain special moments, when she was quite precise and concerned about controlling time.

"In that case, I think I should also............"

"Has Luojun made a lunch appointment with anyone? If not, could you accompany me to the school cafeteria?"

Just as I was preparing to give my speech and leave the library safely, Shiina unexpectedly invited me.

This development is even more incomprehensible to me than her approaching Ayanokouji.

"I didn't make any promises to anyone. I came to the library for Ichinose and to avoid the crowds in the front half of the school cafeteria."

"Then let's go."

Shiina put the extra books on the desk back to where they belonged, packed up her personal belongings, and urged me to move.

Unable to understand what was going on, the two of us moved to the student cafeteria.

More than thirty minutes had passed since the lunch break began, and since the break lasted an hour, there was enough time left for us to enjoy a delicious meal.

There were many students in the restaurant, and it was very lively. However, most of the students were eating or had just eaten, so it was normal for friends to chat with each other.

Because we arrived late, we avoided the large number of people in the queue, and there were almost no students queuing at the ticket machine. I chose a daily set meal with a relatively balanced nutritional supply. At first, I might be interested in the taste of each set meal, but then I simplified it and chose my own [exclusive set meal], but it took some time afterwards.

Shiina stood in front of the ticket machine, unable to make a decision. Her fingertips lightly slid across each button. Her fingers moved up and down and left and right in hesitation and panic, which made me recall my previous guess.

"Uh, please wait for me a moment............"

Shiina said so. So I watched him chew the tip of his left thumb and waited for two minutes. Finally, I made up my mind and chose the same set meal as mine.

"I hesitated just now. I'm so sorry."

"It doesn't matter. We're not in a hurry anyway. Fortunately, there's no one queuing behind us. That would make things more troublesome............"

Immediately afterwards, the counter prepared two sets of meals and brought them out.

At this time, I pointed out the strange behavior of the other party.

"This backpack can be carried on your back, right? Do you have to hold it in your hands? It would be difficult for Shiina to carry the tray with the food."

Shiina also walked into the student cafeteria with the school backpack he got from the library.

"It might be a little inconvenient to carry it on your back...but it's okay."

Regardless of whether I am good at perceiving the atmosphere or I really don't understand why Shiina is not comfortable doing this, I don't intend to continue asking. This kind of behavior filled with unimaginable things can be well covered up as long as you try to accept this fact.

I have more than ordinary feelings about this experience.

Almost everything I put into it.

"Then let me help. The backpack is in the way after all."

"No, I can't trouble you to do such a chore. It's not a difficult task for me either......"

"It would be worse to have to deal with a fall while holding a tray. It's a small possibility, but I'd like to eliminate it."

Although even if he did this, Shiina might still fall.

"Excuse me............"

Shiina accepted my kindness frankly, made an apologetic expression and handed over her backpack. The heavy feeling was the same as last time because of Ayanokouji's borrowing of books.

"It's heavy, isn't it? Thank you so much."

"You should relax during lunch break. It won't matter what happens after school in the afternoon."

"But I still want to seize the opportunity, just like what happened to Ayanokouji-san this afternoon. In fact, we have already agreed on a date to return the books. If we meet again then, I will invite Luo-kun along."

Would you like to exchange reading experiences with Ayanokouji?

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do that. Moreover, the sense of déjà vu from fantasy to reality was intrusive and terrifying...

[That kind of thing cannot be allowed to happen no matter what! ]

I guess Ayanokouji would have the same idea, after all, it's really strange.

While thinking about these things, Shiina and I tried to avoid crowded areas and sat down face to face in an empty seat at the side of the restaurant.

After placing Shiina's backpack on the seat to the left, the two of us slowly enjoyed our late lunch.

"The hesitation in front of the ticket machine just now... Could it be that Shiina has never been to the school cafeteria?"

"I was discovered. I usually buy lunch at the convenience store in the morning, and eat it in the classroom after returning from the library. Or I prepare a lunch box in the dormitory. So I can't make a quick decision in front of the ticket machine like Luo Jun. It seems that every set meal is delicious."

It’s hard for me to imagine that the second semester is almost over and I haven’t used the student cafeteria yet.

Shiina picked up the chopsticks and put the dish into his mouth properly.

When I see the other person's actions, I feel a sense of admiration. The whole story of how this happened has to start with Ichinose. Shiina's way of holding chopsticks is as beautiful as Ichinose's.

The action of chewing and swallowing also made me feel that it was Fan Bo who was sitting in front of me.

Although this is a bit disrespectful to Shiina......

"Hmm, I see... The set meals in the student cafeteria are really delicious. If possible, I'd like to come here to enjoy them later."

"I've always been interested in this place, but I didn't have any friends to come with me. Without the initial opportunity, it became difficult for me to enter the school cafeteria. This is a rare opportunity. I think I can come here as often as I want in the future."

"............I can understand this feeling a little. But this situation is really very rare."

"I think so myself. Personal belongings have a sense of being out of place compared to the public collection of the library."

Then, we quickly chatted about some topics other than books and ended our stay in the school cafeteria.

Because we arrived at the school cafeteria very late, most of the students in the restaurant had already evacuated by the time we finished eating. Although there were still a few students chatting enthusiastically, there were also some people who were enjoying themselves.

After we agreed to meet again next time, the bell rang, announcing the end of lunch break.

Chapter 10: Luo Jun, were you looking at breasts just now?

I feel like I'm almost reaching my limit......

After saying goodbye to Shiina and returning to Class A to see Ichinose again, a strange content suddenly popped up in my mind that could not be analyzed with the data collected so far.

Because we're both very busy... No, because of me alone, the time Ichinose and I spend together is constantly decreasing.

I felt like something was dying inside me.

I was instinctively afraid and half of my consciousness was trying to avoid Ichinose Honami.

Since November, we have had fewer opportunities to meet, and now it has been almost two months. The answer I want needs to be proven by time, and two months is not enough to tell.

However, I did get some unfamiliar content.

Maybe, it has reached its limit.