Please, listen to me... 19

"Class is over for today! See you, Nito."

 

 

 

"Yes."

 

 

 

I had another lesson with Sensei today, as usual.

 

 

 

For some reason, Sensei's workload was lighter today, so the lesson started early and ended early.

 

 

 

I was about to head home as usual when,

 

 

 

"Oh, right. Nito, wait a moment."

 

 

 

Sensei stopped me.

 

 

 

I was puzzled but stopped.

 

 

 

"What is it?"

 

 

 

Then Sensei said to me,

 

 

 

"Which high school will Nito go to next year?"

 

 

 

"Huh?"

 

 

 

An unexpected question came out.

 

 

 

What's with this question that sounds like something parents who just had a meeting with the homeroom teacher would ask a third-year middle school student.

 

 

 

"Well, you know... Nito, you'll be a high school student next year... I thought you should at least start thinking about it from this year..."

 

 

 

Are you my parent?

 

 

 

"Hmm... I haven't thought about it..."

 

 

 

"Oh... I see..."

 

 

 

Ah, come to think of it, tomorrow is the entrance ceremony and the first day of school.

 

 

 

Many students will be going to school with expectations and despair.

 

 

 

Oh, Momoi told me to come visit if I have time on the entrance ceremony day.

 

 

 

"Anyway, I'll be going now."

 

 

 

"See you."

 

 

 

I guess I'll think about tomorrow's plans when I get home.

 

 

 

I left the Schale building and arrived home.

 

 

 

I was about to relax at home when,

 

 

 

Buzz-!

 

 

 

-Nito, can we meet for a bit if you have time now?

6:46 PM

 

 

 

I got a Momotalk from the President.

 

 

 

She wants to meet suddenly...

She hasn't been contacting me much lately,

 

 

 

Is this proof that I'm getting used to using honorifics a bit?

 

 

 

I don't really want to get used to using honorifics with Sensei.

 

 

 

For now, I sent a Momotalk to the President to say I understood.

 

 

 

I'm not too tired today and don't have anything to do.

 

 

 

-Okay! Then come to this address right now!

6:47 PM

 

 

 

The President sent an address as if she was waiting for it.

 

 

 

I went outside in the clothes I was wearing.

 

 

 

I saw the scenery of the street with the setting sun.

I went to the address she sent while enjoying the scenery and saw a cafe.

 

 

 

It wasn't the Schale cafe I knew, just a regular street cafe.

 

 

 

"Nito! Over here!"

 

 

 

As I entered the cafe, I heard a voice that felt like I hadn't heard in a while.

 

 

But...

 

 

 

"Why are you dressed like that...?"

 

 

 

A mask, a hat, sunglasses... Are you some kind of celebrity?

 

 

 

"Ah, well, there's a reason for that..."

 

 

 

Well, it doesn't really matter.

 

 

 

"Anyway, why did you call me here?"

 

 

 

What I'm curious about is why she called me.

 

 

 

"The reason I called you is..."

 

 

 

The president explained the situation.

 

 

 

Apparently, she finished her usual work and was checking what I was doing, and she overheard the last conversation I had with Sensei.

 

 

 

I wish she wouldn't pay attention to what I'm doing.

 

 

 

Anyway, she said she had something to say, so she called me.

 

 

 

"So, what did you want to say?"

 

 

 

"Ah, well..."

 

 

 

The President hesitated.

It seems like it's something difficult to say.

 

 

 

"Haa..."

 

 

 

She even sighed.

I've rarely seen her so serious.

 

 

 

Then again, we haven't met that many times.

 

 

 

The president soon regained her composure and spoke.

 

 

 

"So, Nito... if you haven't decided on a high school yet-"

 

 

 

Huh...

Why...?

 

 

 

"-Could you do that?"

 

 

 

No, wait, why?

 

 

 

"I know you must have a lot of questions, but please, just this once, listen to me..."

 

 

 

I couldn't say anything.

 

 

 

The president smiled bitterly at my reaction.

 

 

 

"I'm sorry, Nito... It's been a while since I've shown my face, and this is what I'm talking about..."

 

 

 

Then she bowed her head and apologized.

 

 

 

Startled, I waved my hands and said,

 

 

 

"Ah, no, well... you don't have to bow your head..."

 

 

 

The president raised her head.

 

 

 

The awkward atmosphere was unbearable.

 

 

 

The sun was still setting, but it hadn't completely disappeared.

 

 

 

"I see... Well... I'll be going now."

 

 

 

"Already?"

 

 

 

"Yes, unfortunately, I have to."

 

 

 

The president stood up.

 

 

 

"Let's meet again with brighter faces next time, Nito."

 

 

 

It was a meeting that left me with a lot to think about.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

Ah.

What time is it now?

 

 

 

I slept in quite late today.

Maybe it's because I had a lot on my mind after yesterday.

 

 

 

For now, I should go see Momoi and Midori's entrance ceremony.

 

 

 

I headed to Millennium Science School.