Chapter 48: You know too much!

Seiji returned home, washed up, changed clothes, and headed for school .

Even though he hadn't slept all night, he wasn't all that fatigued—a one-time all-nighter had little impact on his vastly strengthened body .

As he headed downstairs, he found Mika waiting at the landing for him .

"Good morning . " Mika smiled and handed him a lunchbox, "Here you go . "

"Good morning . Thanks for preparing my lunch today as well . " As usual, Seiji accepted the favor from the Uehara family .

After greeting each other, the two of them spoke no further and exchanged a smile before heading together towards school .

"I considered many things last night . " Only after walking a while did Mika slowly begin speaking while keeping her gaze fixed on Seiji .

"If you're wondering if I was shaken . . . I was definitely shaken to some extent, but not because I doubted you or anything . You had your reasons for saying what you did towards those twins, and I believe in you . " A resolute light shone in Mika's eyes as she continued: "I believed you . . . but I was still shaken, not because of doubts, but rather . . . because I wasn't able to comprehend . Chiaki wasn't shaken at all . Although she told me she was rather surprised, she trusted in you and was able to understand you . But as for me, I wasn't able to understand your way of thinking . . . or hers . That's the true reason why I was shaken and disappointed . " Mika lowered her head .

"I . . . felt a distance between us . Even though I already felt that there were some differences between me and Chiaki, I felt it even more strongly with you this time, that's why . . . "

'That's why I felt so pained .

'My chest hurt, like there was something congested .

'Even though one is my best friend, and the other is the person I like... Even though they're right beside me, I can't follow their way of thinking . '

Mika Uehara felt melancholy about it all .

"Hey, Seiji, what should I do? Just how can I understand you and Chiaki better?"

Seiji looked directly into her eyes and smiled . He raised his hand and patted her head .

Mika was surprised at the sudden contact, but her face began to turn red at the warm and comforting feeling .

"Just take things slowly, and if you meet any problems, simply ask or think, and you'll be able to understand . There are some things that you still can't notice yet, Mika, or maybe you won't think of them . It's not because you're an idiot—it's because you're still inexperienced . Being the way you are isn't a bad thing . I suspect Chiaki befriended you precisely due to your innocent nature, and I . . . I think that you're cute like this . "

'C . . . cute?' Mika's face burned up even more .

'Hey, isn't this the first time Seiji's praising me as cute!? Ahh—how embarrassing!'

"Chiaki and I aren't quite as simplistic . You already know about me, and as for Chiaki... she probably has her own circumstances as well . " Seiji failed to notice her embarrassment as he continued .

"You're the simplest one among us, and that's exactly why you bring us . . . relaxation? I don't know how to put it into words, but regardless, you're an important friend of ours, and that won't change . It doesn't matter if you completely understand our way of thinking or not; you're still our friend, so you don't need to feel anxious . Just do as you like . "

He retracted his hand upon finishing his speech .

Mika instantly felt disappointed that he was no longer patting her head, but she didn't allow the disappointment to appear on her face .

"You could have patted me a little longer . . . " She muttered under her breath .

"Hm?" Seiji didn't hear her clearly .

"Er . . . nothing!" Mika twisted her head away in embarrassment . "I get what you're saying!"

"Oh, that's good then . " Seiji smiled .

That's good .

As always, sunlight shone down brilliantly as they walked down the familiar street together .

. . .

At school, Seiji discovered another two love letters in his shoe locker, so he placed them into his bookbag .

Next, he saw Takashi Kobayashi and Kahei Watari in class .

The two delinquents acted just like they always did; they greeted Seiji by nodding slightly when they noticed him .

'It seems like they've decided to completely avoid any contact with me at school in order to avoid affecting my reputation,' Seiji thought .

Well, if that was their choice, Seiji decided to go along with it .

During class time .

While Seiji was on his way to the restroom, he stopped in the hallway and made a call with his cell phone .

While Seiji was on his way to the restroom, he stopped in the hallway and made a call with his cell phone .

"Hey, it's me . There's something important I'd like to tell you in person . It's not urgent, however . Lunch break . . . okay, I'll head over at that time . "

After he hung up, he looked out the window with a serious expression on his face .

"Were you just talking to some secret organization?" A voice suddenly sounded out from behind him .

It was Chiaki .

"Why are your footsteps so cat-like?"

"Heh heh, this is the proper cat-style footwork," Chiaki stated pridefully .

"There's no such cat-style footwork like this!" Seiji responded reflexively .

They exchanged glances .

"I just wanted to scare you, but it sounded like I overheard something incredible, plus your expression just now . . . Will I be killed off in order to protect your secret?" Chiaki pretended to act frightened .

"Ha, you're right—you know more than what's good for you!" Seiji tilted his head forty-five degrees and also acted the part of the villain .

After a few seconds of silence, both of them broke out into laughter .

"I was just on the phone with President Yoruhana . I wanted to inform her about something, but she won't have any spare time until lunch break, so I'm heading to the student council room . " Seiji put away his cell phone and continued, "As for what it's about . . . that's private, I apologize . "

"A secret discussion with the beautiful and brilliant president? Sounds immoral~" Chiaki pressed her index against her lips in a shushing pose .

"How is it immoral!?"

"Is it pure love then?"

"It has nothing to do with love, okay!?" Seiji commented forcefully .

Thanks to Chiaki's joking around, the serious atmosphere from the previous phone call had completely vanished .

"You're commenting as forcefully as always! That's the Seiji I know!" Chiaki chuckled .

"I've always been like this . "

"I've always been like this . "

"But just earlier, you appeared so uncharacteristically serious . " Chiaki retracted her playful smile, "Since you said it was private, I won't pry . Just . . . if there's anything I can help you with, you must let me know . "

'Well, she probably just wanted to tell me that she's here for me . ' Seiji smiled at his friend .

"But of course! How can I not take advantage and use such a good friend by my side?"

Chiaki sighed . "Treating people as objects... How terrible!"

"Hmph, I'm an ice-cold man who'll stoop to any means—did you finally notice?"

They continued joking as they walked off together .

"Mika's already calmed down completely—did you do anything to her last night?"

"Nothing at all . "

"Tsk, how boring . . . " Chiaki pouted .

"What did you expect me to do to her!?"

"A haughty princess like Mika is actually quite easy to conquer . All you need to do is hug her gently, whisper sweet things to her while she's feeling anxious, kiss her, and then . . . "

"Halt your words! It'll get R-rated if you say anything more!" Seiji stopped her decisively .

"What an excellent chance you had... You failed to even take advantage of it—how disappointing . " Chiaki shook her head and shrugged smugly .

"It would have been a problem if I took advantage of her!"

'Whenever Mika's not with us, I suppose this is how it'll be like between Chiaki and me . ' Seiji suddenly thought in between their joking .

Right before Seiji arrived at the restroom, Chiaki seemed to suddenly recall something .

"By the way, Seigo, do you need me to keep your secret date with the president a secret from Mika?"

"I already said it's nothing like that!"

'Yep, in summary, I can have fun chatting with her, but she's definitely a good friend that will occasionally give me headaches . '

. . .

'Yep, in summary, I can have fun chatting with her, but she's definitely a good friend that will occasionally give me headaches . '

. . .

Lunch break time .

"You're going to the student council room again?" Mika asked in surprise . "Why?"

"Mika, boys always have one or two secret da-, er . . . secrets . You should just smile, accept it, and let him leave . " Chiaki extended her hands and wore same smug expression from earlier .

Mika and Seiji were rendered speechless by Chiaki's words .

There was something odd about what Chiaki just said .

For differing reasons, they each felt like objecting to her statement .

"Stop joking around—I just have some personal matters to take care of . " Seiji sighed . "So let's get going . . . Chauffeur, begin driving . "

"Who're you calling your chauffeur!? And we're not even in a car!"

Kazufuru Ooike, who had been captured by Seiji, couldn't help but retort .

"Besides, don't you already know where the student council room is? Why do you still need me to show you the way!?"

"I forgot . " Seiji pretended to be self-righteous about it .

"You're lying! You're definitely lying!"

"If I say I forgot, I forgot, so let's go . Secretary Ooike-sama, we can improve our friendship while on the way . " Seiji began dragging Kazufuru away with a vice-like grip on his neck .

"I'm not your friend! Let go of me—!" Kazufuru made a fruitless attempt to struggle free, but Seiji's iron grip was too strong to break free from .

Mika was stupefied as she watched them leave, while Chiaki remained cool and collected .

"Mika, I'm thinking . . . "

"Hmm?"

"Seigo . . . perhaps he's secretly actually a bit of a demon?"

Mika was lost for words upon hearing this .