Chapter 7: My Oshi is So Cute, Look Over Here!

Author Note:

This is the first time the protagonist's last name has been mentioned, but you don't really need to remember it. Basically, almost all characters will call her Yuri anyway.

My Oshi is So Cute, Look Over Here!

"Sensei, I'll leave it here, okay?"　

"Thanks~, I'm really indebted to Tachibana-san~"　

"No, no, this is nothing!"　

Smiling brightly, trying to be as likable as possible, I placed the pile of notebooks I was holding in both hands in the corner of her desk.

It was time to collect the math assignments that were due today.　

I set an image color for each subject and use a notebook in that color, but I wonder if other people do the same. I imagine math as light blue, and of course my notebook is light blue too.

Looking at the pile I just placed, I noticed that there seemed to be a little too much light blue in my vision, so I thought maybe there were other people in my class who were doing the same thing.

"Oh man, you've really helped me out, Tachibana-san. Even though you're not the class representatives."

"If it's something like this, I'll help you anytime, so please don't hesitate to ask!"　

"Uuh, your kindness really touches my heart..."　

The petite young woman in front of me muttered, slightly overreacting to her emotions, but her words seemed genuine and heartfelt.　

She seems to be very tired. That must be tough. Even though it's not my business, I feel a little pity for her.　

This small, groggy girl was none other than our homeroom teacher and math teacher, Kamitsure Sumire-san.　

With her petite appearance and age of mid-twenties, she is close to the students, which can be said in a positive way, but in a negative way, they look down on her. When you consider that most of the class calls her Sumire-chan, you can see how much they look down on her.　

Such a close relationship between students and teachers can be a positive thing in terms of mental health, as it makes it easier to talk to them about things, but when it comes to practical matters and work, being looked down upon tends to have a negative effect.　

In fact, there is someone else in charge of collecting the math notebooks that I'm doing right now, but perhaps because she herself looked down on her, the job is rarely done properly.

In fact, there is absolutely no such thing as respect for her.

"I know you're a kind teacher, but why don't you try being a little more assertive?"　

"Uh, that's true. I know I shouldn't say this as a teacher, but... it's scary."　

See? She glances my way as if to say, "You already know without me having to say anything more."　

Each of her actions reminds me of a small animal and is so cute. It feels like my slightly polluted heart is being washed away. Is this animal therapy?　

Well, I understand what the teacher is trying to say.　

Because, let's just be real here, that math student is our Oshi, Karen-chan.　

I said that if she scolded her a little more forcefully, it would probably happen, but I was also confident that this would never happen. I have become quite acquainted with Sumire-chan, otherwise known as Kamitsure-sensei, through these kinds of help-outs, so I kind of know what kind of person she is.　

She is like a small animal from head to toe, and has difficulty standing up to others. That's why she wants to avoid confrontation with the strong-willed Karen-chan, and she quickly becomes dependent on people who help her, like me.　

I'm sure she doesn't really want Karen to seriously bring her notebook herself.　

It's not that she doesn't want Karen to reform, but she probably thinks it would be unpleasant because if that were to happen, it would mean that she would definitely have to come into contact with Karen, who she doesn't get along with. I think she would be happy if Karen really did become serious.　

Sumire-chan possesses that kind of human kindness combined with the qualities of a small animal.　

So I guess she's thinking that as long as I, Tachibana-san, the one she doesn't particularly dislike, help her out, then it's fine the way it is.　

"Well then, Kamitsure-sensei, this is all for me..."

"Oh, thanks!"　

I don't mind that either. Sumire is a very pleasant sight to watch, and it's easier for me to do things when the teacher has a good impression of me. Like carrying the notebooks. Or helping with preparations before class. It might be different for other subjects, but for math, which doesn't have much work to do, the performance outweighs the cost.

With a jerk, I turned around and headed back to the classroom. The next class was Classics, and it was about to start in about two minutes, so I had to hurry...　

"Ah, Tachibana-san..."　

Just as I was about to head out, I heard the voices of the people I had been talking to from behind me. Wondering what was going on, I turned around and tilted my head to the side.

However, no follow-up words came out from the voice calling out to me. What on earth happened? She just sat in the chair provided, darting her eyes back and forth, panicked.　

I think it's cute, but right now I'm afraid I'll be late for class, so I'd really like her to hurry up and get to the matters.　

However, no matter how long I waited, she still wouldn't say what she wanted, so I began to think that maybe I should just make the first move.　

"...I'm sorry, it's nothing after all."　

She said something that was surely not nothing.

Normally I would have interrupted her and asked for more details, but unfortunately, as I said before, I don't have much time and I don't have any choice.　

"I see," I replied simply, and then returned to the classroom.　

"Yuri, you haven't been getting along with me lately."

"Really? We're playing together like this today too, you know?"　

After school, Karen and I came to hang out. We didn't have any particular purpose, but we killed time by wandering around and window shopping, and when we got hungry, we'd go into a random restaurant or even go to karaoke, and then go home when we felt like it.

It's always the same.　

"That's true, but doesn't it seem a bit off? You turned me down when I invited you to karaoke the other day!"

"I had to take care of something urgent, so I'm really sorry."　

"You kept saying you had something to do recently! I'm the one inviting you, so please come even if you have to cancel others at the last minute, make me your top priority!!"　

Yeah, it's great, isn't it?　

This is it. I've been trying to make a generic Karen using Suiren lately, but it just can't beat the natural flavor of the original.

Farmed fish are just farmed after all.

In reality, there are many farmed fish that taste better, aren't there?

But for some reason, we, Japanese have a tendency to bow our heads when we hear the word "wild."

"As punishment, you'll buy me a hamburger later! The full sets!"　

"If you're willing to forgive me with that, then it's totally fine."

"Yay! And then we can have crepes afterwards!"

Karen is always in good spirits.　

After opening her mouth and saying "put me first," she immediately followed up with a blow aimed at someone else's wallet. And it even came with a luxurious dessert. The original is definitely different, it has more weight to it.

Maybe she thinks of my wallet as her sub-wallet. Or maybe I'm just an all-affirming bot and ATM. Either way, it's the best kind of garbage thinking.　

A girl like this definitely doesn't belong in society ♡

When I imagine her current god-like behavior and her inevitable downfall in the future, it's doubly delicious and a bargain.　

"Ah, isn't that cute!?"

Karen-chan runs straight ahead with a sparkle in her eyes, her eyes fixed on a row of expensive-looking bags on display in a certain store.

In a store filled with such high-end products, she sprints towards the store without any regard for the eyes of those around her, with a look on her face that shows she is completely unaware of the inconvenience.

She is truly a monster. Her behavior is like sharp claws that cut through the atmosphere in an instant, and I can only smile and give her a 100 points.

I followed her, whispering things I hadn't even thought about, like "It's dangerous to run." She had arrived first and was looking at the products with a sparkling, yearning look, like a child looking at a Christmas present.　

"Hey, Yuri! Isn't this super cute?!"　

Karen points her finger and speaks excitedly.

I really want to tell her that she's the cutest.　

Jokes aside, I followed her urging and turned my attention to the product she was pointing at.

(Ohhh...)　

In my heart, I let out an exclamation of admiration.　

It was a small black shoulder bag. The rich color suggested the quality of the leather, and the metallic brand mark, while a classic combination of black and silver, exuded a certain elegance that made it a staple.　

But I wasn't astonished by the design.　

While she gazes intently at the bag, I gaze at the white piece of paper casually displayed in the corner. A spectacular sight, with several zeros lined up in a row, seemingly out of proportion to the small surface area.　

People called it a price tag.　

(That's expensive...)　

To be honest, I don't understand the concept of brand. It's a meaningless concept, as it determines the price much more than which company made it or the quality of the materials or the product.　

Of course, I understand that the company has established a brand through large investments in advertising and market expansion in order to gain fame, but I still recognize that it is a rip-off.　

Even if it's the same high-end product, I can accept it if it's rice. It's not that if you pay twice the price it's twice as delicious, but the more you pay the higher the quality tends to be. If I have the money, I can accept paying twice the price for 10% more deliciousness.　

When I glanced over at the person next to me it seemed that Karen was completely absorbed in the product.

"That's nice, I want it..."　

Karen muttered this while glancing at me from time to time.

I felt like a boyfriend who gives money to his girlfriend. I kept my cute girlfriend tied to me with the power of money.

But I'm just an ordinary high school girl. And it's not like I'm looking at her as a girlfriend either.

Do you really think that I'd be able to buy such an expensive product? I've been pampering and giving you positive feedback all this time. Did the loosened screws in your head give you the go-ahead for this behavior? I see...　

"...fufu ♡"

Ah, how shameless. I couldn't help but smile.　

But there's nothing I can do about it.　

Karen is so clumsy, vulgar and rude, yet so cute!

Would I buy such an expensive item?　

Yes, yes! Of course I'll buy it! I'll give it to Karen as a present!　

What do you think made me so polite and affable in this life? Every New Year, parents, grandparents, relatives!　

I do this just to get as much New Year's money and pocket money as I can for my oshi!!

That's why I was constantly expanding my network of relatives, playing the role of the ideal grandchild to my grandparents, and being an excellent child who doesn't require much attention from my parents. I thought of this as soon as I met her, Karen.　

I knew that money would be the most important thing when it came to spoiling her. I considered getting a part-time job to earn more money, but I wanted to spend as much time as possible on adjusting to Karen. That's why I decided to make a huge buck right at the start of the new year.

Thanks to this, I have enough savings in my bank account that I can buy a bag like this without any problems ♡

However, there are problems with just giving something this expensive. It would just be an extension of the usual gifts, and it would not lead to growth that is worth the money.　

So what should I do?　

Let's create something special ♪　

"Karen-chan?"　

"Huh, what is it?!"　

Karen suddenly turned towards me and gave me an expectant look. Her attitude made it seem like she was already half-sure that I would buy it. I'm glad I planned the scene after all. Even if I had said I'd buy it for her then, it probably wouldn't have had much of an impact on her.　

"Karen-chan has been a very good girl this year, hasn't she?"　

"Eh, what's going on all of a sudden...?"　

"She was honest, kind, and worked hard. She was a really good girl, or at least that's what I think."　

Just kidding. Where are you, that disgusting, boring Karen? Bring them over and I'll train them all.

Karen, with a question mark on her face at the sudden question, answered with a slightly dissatisfied look on her face, "I did, but..."

Perhaps she was dissatisfied because I didn't say I'd buy it for her right away.　

The way she expects an answer that should never exist, and then becomes disappointed and dissatisfied, and the way she is completely unable to look at herself objectively and can answer without any hesitation that she has been a good girl, are all very Karen-like.

It's so cute it's driving me crazy. I'm glad I decided to add some extra detail rather than just buying it straight away.　

"Do you think you've been a good girl, Karen-chan? That's a good thing♪"　

"What's going on all of a sudden...?"　

However, if I continue to confuse Karen, the impact will be lessened. The confusion will act as a cushion. Timing is important.　

So, now let's talk about what we are certain of.

"If you're a good kid, I'm sure... yes. Yes, I'm sure. You'll probably get a present, right? There'll be an event like that soon, right?"　

"...!!"　

Today is the 13th of December. We are nearing the end of the year, but for children, an event with far greater meaning than the end of the year awaits.　

There are probably very few people who don't know of this old man whose distinctive red outfit and long white beard are a trend.　

Of course, Karen knows about him too.

We've been to lots of parties together, right?

And of course you know about his big once-a-year job.　

As proof of this, her face quickly changes from unhappy to happy. She looks so happy, like she could scream at any second, and it's so adorable that I just want to give her a big hug.

"That's right, I've been a good girl this year so I'm sure good things will happen!"　

"Yes, I'm sure ♪ I've been watching Karen-chan's hard work from the closest position, so I know it very well ♡"

"I see... I see!"　

Karen looked so happy she looked like she was about to jump for joy, and she looked the happiest I've seen her in years.　

I'm really glad that I got to perform it. I truly believe that.　

"I'm getting hungry now, I think we should go now. What do you think, Karen-chan?"　

"That's right, let's go, Yuri!"　　

What would happen if I suddenly told her that I hadn't prepared a present for her? I'm sure she would be very upset and would even get angry.

I would like to see her like that, but since that wasn't my main desire, I decided to reject the idea and stop by the shop later when I had some free time.

If I don't buy one soon this season, it will likely be bought as a gift by someone else.　

Author Note:

Even though she's nothing but trash and has a small presence, I intend to insist that Karen is the main heroine.

I have no intention of treating her as a heroine, but that being said, the new character's setting is this time, thin-eyed Kamitsure Sumire.

She's a young teacher who is looked down upon by the students because of her small appearance. This, combined with her own personality, makes it difficult for her to give instructions, which makes the class noisy.

Yuri is the only one in the class who helps her, so she likes her. However, because she is timid, she ends up relying on Yuri for many of the tasks that require her help. In fact, she also loves alcohol, and as soon as she gets home, she takes a can out of the fridge and opens the pull tab.