Chapter 23 - The Goddess is Absorbed in What? (リア神が夢中になるものとは)

After the unusual morning of me biking with a beautiful girl, Wakamiya and I arrived in front of the classroom.

By the way, the corridor was crowded with students. Some of them were chatting with their friends. Some of them were studying for the vocabulary test. Some of them lie their face down on their desks and sleep.

In the midst of that, the Social Goddess was attracting the eyes of many. But today, those favorable gazes turning into one full of envy. Not only that. They were directed at me. I could also feel angry glares among them.

I know why they were angry.

You might think that I could just solve the problem since I know the reason.

Right. The easiest solution was to stay away from her.

But I couldn't do that. I understood that it was useless yesterday. Or rather, she made me understand that. If I tried to solve the misunderstandings by doing the same thing today, the Goddess would prevent that. And she would do yesterday's public execution.

What's scary was that I could see it happening in the future.

"Tokiwagi-san, what happened?"

"No, nothing. I just think Wakamiya-san sure is having it hard."

"What do you mean?"

Wakamiya tilted her head, puzzled. I was surprised at her cute gesture.

"I mean, everyone is looking at us so much, right? It should be hard for you to receive this kind of attention all the time."

"Hmmm, I guess so. There are times when I'm bothered by it, but... I don't really care about it that much now."

"Ah, I guess you'll get used to it."

Wakamiya was really famous as I expected. The gaze from her surroundings focused on her so much that she had gotten used to all of the attention.

If I was in the same position as her, I was confident that I would seclude myself. Or maybe even say, "Your gazes are scary!" "Don't look at meeeee!!!"...

So I couldn't imagine her hardships to get used to it.

Thinking about this made me feel a bit sad...

"No, I'm not used to it. Having other people making rumors about me isn't pleasant... There's no one in this world who won't feel bothered when someone points a finger and them and whispers something to another person."

"That's true..."

"But when I get absorbed in something else, I surprisingly don't feel that bothered anymore."

"Ahh, I see. I guess you're right."

Certainly, I didn't mind the noise around me at all when I concentrated on something. For an athlete, it might be when they ented the so-called 'zone' during a competition.

Before, Wakamiya told me, "I can control my mood." That probably meant that her speciality was to adjust her focus.

"In my case, I have been thinking so much recently. So nothing else enters my mind."

"Hee~ I wonder what makes Wakamiya-san that absorbed? The donuts?"

"I-I'm not that much of a glutton! But well... I love the donuts..."

Wakamiya's face was faintly flushed, a slight embarrassment crossing her face. Just by looking at that, the gap from her usual expressionless face also made me embarrassed...

"Umm, then what else are you absorbed in?"

"Currently, it's about 'how can I improve Tokiwagi-san's grades'."

"You completely sound like a teacher."

"Other than that are about 'providing a well-balanced meal.' I'm also interested in 'how to discipline a bad child.' There are many things I want to learn."

"Hey, why are you looking at me when you said those things..."

Her eyes were very determined, though... I don't think she had to be that enthusiastic.

"I promised that you can rely on me for that."

"It's true that I said that, but... you're being serious?"

"Of course."

"You don't have to force yourself to carry out that promise, okay? I can't study well, and I think it can't be helped that I can't do what I can't do."

"I naturally have to keep my promise. I will show you that I can accomplish it no matter what."

Wakamiya clenched her fist in front of her chest, brimming with motivation.

"Anyway, don't be too eager. I'll try to not to become a bad student. Only in moderation, though."

"Fufu."

"...Did I say anything that's laughable?"

"Tokiwagi-san said, 'you'll try in moderation.' I thought that was a little funny."

"Hm?"

"Tokiwagi-san, you often look down on yourself, but you always properly do the tasks I gave. I can also see your efforts to understand what you have learned in your notebooks. That's why I think your hard work is no longer 'in moderation'."

"...Shut up. That's all is just in moderation..."

"Fufu. I guess we leave it at that."

I looked away and watched the students walking into the school outside the window. Some of them were running in a hurry, so it should be almost time the class would start.

"Then I'll enter the classroom now."

Surprised, Wakamiya looked at the clock. Then she sighed. "Right. It's already time."

"Mhm."

"I will go to my classroom as well. Tokiwagi-san, you shouldn't sleep during class, alright?"

"I know. See you later."

"Yes. Excuse me."

Wakamiya bowed politely and walked away.

I entered the classroom without seeing her off until the end.

As soon as I entered, the classroom became silent. Seems like everyone was peeping at us.

Meanwhile, my bad friend was sitting in my seat with a grin, like he had been waiting for me.

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