CH 21

(Wait, a lot of people are gathering around me… could it be that I’m being treated as a suspicious person?)

I was waiting for Toma-kun’s arrival in front of the main gate, playing with my smartphone, and feeling anxious about that.

For some reason, students from South Public University are gathering near the gate.

And as the students pass through the gate to return home, I feel like they’re staring at my face…

(Ugh… I can’t calm down… I want to run away…)

But I can’t just run away from here just because I’m feeling anxious…

I made a promise with Toma-kun today to go home together…

If I can’t fulfill this promise, I’m willing to buy three… no, five of those bitter black coffees… That’s how determined I am to be here.

(Anyway, let’s confirm what happened today… The first mission of going home together seems to be cleared, so next is…)

I have “that strategy” that I discussed with Nanami written in the memo section of my smartphone. It’s best to spend the waiting time reviewing it until Toma-kun arrives.

According to Nanami, if I can execute this well, Toma-kun will start to notice me…

So I have to be perfect. I absolutely want to make it happen to achieve my goal…

“Yeah, I have to do my best…”

That’s when I pumped myself up.

I heard footsteps running towards me. “Tap-tap-tap.” I turned around in response to the sound.

“…Ah!”

Finally, the person I wanted to see had arrived.

“I-I’m sorry, Sasaki-san. Did I keep you waiting?”

“It’s… it’s fine.”

My heart pounded in my chest, and my breath caught in my throat. My hands trembled with nervousness. I looked away, trying to maintain my composure, thinking it would take me some time to recover if I met Toma-kun’s eyes right now. Then, at that moment…

“Huh…? T-the Nursing’s Angel…”

“Meeting a guy!?”

“No way…”

“Plus, one of our students…”

“Is that her boyfriend…?”

“…Maybe?”

“That’s big news…”

At this point, I heard some of the nearby South Public University students talking about me. “What?!,” I thought to myself.

(Toma-kun is my… my… boyfriend?)

I feel so embarrassed that my face is on fire. I can’t even face Toma-kun right now.

I instinctively lower my head.

“……Huh?”

For some reason, Toma-kun let out a dumbfounded voice.

“……”

“……Ah. Let’s just leave from here for now… because we’re getting a lot of attention.”

Nod

I agree with Toma-kun’s opinion and nod. I wanted to speak up, but I was worried that my emotions would make my voice tremble.

“Hey, Toma-kun.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Why were the students gathering near the main gate earlier? Did they see me as a suspicious person?”

After some time had passed, I regained my composure a little and asked Toma-kun why the Nanda students had gathered there.

“What, a suspicious person…? Sasaki-san?”

“Yes, that’s right. They were whispering and talking secretly, so I thought they might call the police…”

“Sasaki-san, that’s a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?”

“I don’t mean to say this in front of the person herself, but Sasaki-san  , you are known as the ‘Nursing’s Angel,’ right…?”

“….!!”

When I heard that word for the first time from Toma-kun’s mouth, I covered my mouth with my hand and widened my eyes. I never thought that Toma-kun knew about that embarrassing nickname.

“I just found out about it myself… When I was talking to you at the main gate, I heard the voice of another student saying it…”

“I see… Even if they saw me, there’s nothing interesting about it, right…? Wait, Toma-kun…”

I understand why they were gathered in front of the main gate, but it’s not really satisfying. There’s one more thing that bothers me. No, this is a complaint.

I call out to Toma with a voice that accuses him. I put my hands on my hips and squint my eyes, expressing my full dissatisfaction.

“Um, yes…?”

“…Private matters…”

Toma-kun, who is sharp in situations like this, should understand what I mean just by saying that. I think it’s wrong to force it. I also think I should leave it up to Toma’s pace.

(But…I want to be called by my name as much as possible by the person I like…)

I know I’m being spoiled. But I’ll take advantage of it because Toma doesn’t get angry even if I am.

“Oh, right, Mio-san…”

“T-tthat’s…better….”

(I wish he wouldn’t call me with that kind of smile…)

I turn my face awkwardly away from Toma-kun’s friendly gaze and immediately hide my profile by playing with my long hair.

I can’t let Toma-kun see my face like this to maintain my seniority. I’m not a shy three-year-old who feels… embarrassed just by being called by my name…

“What, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing…”

It’s nice to be called by name, but it’s embarrassing to just be called. It’s really inconvenient…

But I’ll get used to it eventually… That’s why I need to be called by name a lot.

And today, I can’t just keep getting done in by Toma-kun… Today is my turn to defeat Toma-kun…

“U-um, Toma-kun… Are you free after this…?”

“Free time? I don’t have work today, so yes.”

“…I-I’m also free at that time.”

“I see.”

“Um… I’m free too, but…”

“…”

“…”

A long silence ensues, and I feel like burying my head in a hole right away…

If only I had the courage to invite him, but I don’t…

(B-because if I make this invitation… it’s like saying, let’s go on a date…)

I know that this silence is because of my persistent pursuit. Even so, in order to spend time with Toma-kun…

“If it’s okay with you, would you like to stop somewhere…?”

“Nod!”

I nod vigorously at Toma-kun’s invitation.

(Yes!)

I’m so happy that my face relaxes and my body feels light enough to skip at any moment.

“But, do you have any place you want to go?”

“Well, today is my shopping day. So, I want you to come with me.”

“I understand. From here, I think TRIYL, which is open 24 hours, would be good…what do you think?”

“It’s fine…”

“Shall we go then?”

“Yes…”

And so, we walked together to TRIYL.

Even during that time, Toma-kun seemed quite at ease…

(Get ready, Toma-kun. I’ll definitely turn this situation around for you…)