This Japanese Slice-of-Life Isn’t Lame - Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Kitagawa Tera

“Good afternoon, President Chinatsu.”

“Hello.”

“Good afternoon, President Chinatsu.”

“Hello…”

Chinatsu Chiyuki greeted the respectful students calmly as she walked slowly toward Class 1-1.

Her purpose was simple—meet Kitagawa Tera directly, persuade him to join the student council, and apologize on behalf of the student council.

Chinatsu Chiyuki never fought a battle she was not confident about. Before coming, she had studied Kitagawa Tera’s background. Ignoring useless information such as his name and gender, the most striking thing about Kitagawa Tera was probably his results.

Kitagawa Tera did not enter Kyokuboku as a borderline student like Chinatsu Chiyuki thought.

On the contrary, his results previously were considered good.

However, after the underwear incident, Kitagawa Tera’s ranking fell more than fifty places in a monthly test, landing at an average spot. It was apparent from this that the underwear theft incident had impacted Kitagawa Tera greatly.

This idea made Chinatsu Chiyuki continue moving forward and hold on to her intentions no matter what kind of insults he hurled at her.

As for fighting…

Chinatsu Chiyuki felt apprehensive when she recalled how fierce Kitagawa Tera was when he was teaching them a lesson.

Kitagawa Tera probably won’t hit a girl, right? Chinatsu Chiyuki was a little uncertain.

However, she was already here, and it would not make any sense to withdraw now. Moreover, Kitagawa Tera’s words in the toilet inclined her to believe that he was someone with a heart of justice.

However…

Chinatsu Chiyuki thought indecisively, He hit them rather hard…

While thinking, Chinatsu Chiyuki reached Class 1-1.

Without hesitation, she turned to look at the male student laughing and joking in the corridor. “Hello. Excuse me, I’m looking for Kitagawa Tera-san. Could you call him out for me, please?”

“Aren’t you President Chinatsu?” The male student she was called out was stunned before exclaiming in surprise.

He was just ranking the school beauties with his friend, and then one of them called out to him. How could he not be flattered?

Chinatsu Chiyuki was used to these kinds of reactions. She remained calm and asked again politely, “Could you please help me call out Kitagawa Tera-san?”

“Ah… okay. I’ll take a look.” The male student nodded anxiously while glancing at Chinatsu Chiyuki, feeling a little puzzled.

Why are so many beauties looking for Kitagawa Tera recently?

He brought his doubt with him as he went in to get Kitagawa Tera.

The male student emerged after a short while and said apologetically, “Sorry, President Chinatsu. I don’t know where Kitagawa is. He disappeared during lunch break.”

“He disappeared during lunch break?” Chinatsu Chiyuki repeated before asking, “Then, do you know where he usually is? I have something urgent to discuss with him.”

“… Kitagawa is usually alone. Even if you ask me, President…” The male student smiled bitterly, not knowing what to say.

In the past, after eating lunch, Kitagawa Tera would just lie on his desk for a nap, but he had been disappearing during lunch break the past two days.

Even Kamiya Mirai and President Chinatsu look for him…

To be honest, this male student was a little envious of Kitagawa Tera now.

“I see… I’m very sorry to have bothered you.” Chinatsu Chiyuki bowed deeply. She had some regrets in her heart but also a sense of relaxation that she ‘would not be beaten up’.

Chinatsu Chiyuki was about to leave when a weak voice stopped her in the next moment.

“Erm… President Chinatsu, I accidentally overheard… You’re looking for Kitagawa-san, right?” The voice was soft and delicate. She immediately knew that it was a girl.

Chinatsu Chiyuki turned around to find a girl with only one eye exposed while bangs covered the other eye. She looked particularly gloomy.

It was Asamiya Hitomi.

…

Afternoon, at the long courtyard corridor of Kyokuboku High School.

Chinatsu Chiyuki finally understood the general situation from this gloomy girl.

This female student was Asamiya Hitomi and Kitagawa Tera’s deskmate. Although she looked like someone with a gloomy personality, she was very easy to talk to. However, she seemed to be a little afraid and stuttered when answering Chinatsu Chiyuki’s questions, seemingly afraid of offending her.

“K-Kitagawa-san took me out for a walk in the courtyard after lunch. He said that sunbathing is good for digestion and also is good for improving my physique. I bumped into you right after I came back, so Kitagawa-san should still be in the courtyard.”

“Kitagawa-san likes to take walks?” Chinatsu Chiyuki asked suspiciously.

After hearing Chinatsu Chiyuki’s question, Asamiya Hitomi showed a thoughtful expression and replied in an uncertain tone, “Kitagawa-san wasn’t like this previously… He’s been a little weird since we returned from winter break… Ah, sorry. Would it be better for President Chinatsu to ask Kitagawa-san directly? I shouldn’t say too much.”

She reacted and apologized profusely to Chinatsu Chiyuki.

Asamiya Hitomi’s reaction made Chinatsu Chiyuki feel she was somewhat funny. She said in a serious tone, “Asamiya-san, you don’t have to be like this. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Asamiya Hitomi reddened. Her pale lips moved but could not say a word.

Chinatsu Chiyuki wanted to tease her further, but she heard Asamiya Hitomi’s gentle ‘Ah’.

Asamiya Hitomi pointed in a direction and reminded quietly, “That is Kitagawa-san.”

Chinatsu Chiyuki looked at where she was pointing.

A young man with a straight back in the Kyokuboku High School uniform entered her line of sight.

He had deep features and contours, and his expressionless face looked inexplicably cold.

He has good looks and temperament. Would someone like this really steal underwear? To put it bluntly, he should be able to find a good-looking girlfriend with his looks.

Chinatsu Chiyuki started seriously doubting the underwear incident.

Kitagawa Tera obviously saw her and Asamiya Hitomi a long time ago, so he purposely stopped and waited.

Chinatsu Chiyuki could feel that his gaze was mostly on her.

For some unknown reason, this gaze from someone of the same age gave her an indescribable sense of oppression.

Kitagawa Tera quickly lost interest in her and turned toward Asamiya Hitomi. “Asamiya-san, didn’t you return to class? Why are you back here?”

“P-President Chinatsu was looking for Kitagawa-san, so I brought her over.”

“Is that so?” Kitagawa Tera pulled his line of sight away from Asamiya Hitomi in surprise and looked at Chinatsu Chiyuki. He said without hesitation, “My food is about digested as well. Let’s sit and talk.”

He pointed to the long bench not far away from them.