But I feel like he’s not usually this crazy…right?
“Hngh-hee.” Wakkuu let out a strange laugh and spun in place. “You noticed? Yeah, I’m super hyped up. You know why? I guess you don’t. That’s okay, I’ll tell you. The…reason…is…!”
Iori inexplicably put her hands over both ears and shut her mouth tight.
Wakkuu put a hand to his chest and looked at the class president. Even though he was wide awake, he was wearing the expression of one having a pleasant dream.
“It’s Tadeshina’s fault—or really, I should say it’s thanks to Tadeshina. When I’m near her, I always feel more energized. Ac-tu-ally. I was waiting for her outside the teachers’ room, but she managed to give me the slip. So of course my energy levels spiked when I came back to the classroom and Tadeshina was here, right?”
“…Hmm?” Asumi said, puffing her cheeks out. “What do you mean?”
“It kind of seems like an explanation, but not really.” It seemed it hadn’t really made sense to Moena, either.
“When you’re near the class president, your energy levels…” Sousei tried to make sense of Wakkuu’s words. “…Like a sacred power spot? Or something? No, that can’t be right. The president is a person, not a place…”
“Do you like the president, Wakkuu?” Yukisada asked, and before Wakkuu could answer, Iori let out a loud “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh…!” still blocking her ears.
“Right!” Wakkuu turned to face Yukisada and made a V sign with his fingers. “By the way, that’s ‘right’ as in ‘correct,’ not like ‘left and right.’ In other words…you got it!”
“He hasn’t ‘got it’!” Iori pointed at Wakkuu. Even her ears were bright red, and her glasses were slightly askew. “This scoundrel is simply amusing himself! He’s making fun of me! Even you should know that when it comes to this miscreant, anything goes as long as he finds it funny! That’s the kind of person he is! He makes people the butt of his jokes! It’s completely, extremely annoying! It’s outrageous!”
As soon as Iori said that, Wakkuu’s eyebrows turned down in a worried sort of way.
“No, no, no, you’ve got it all wrong, Tadeshina! I mean, it’s true I think everything’s better when it’s funny, but I never thought about making you the butt of a joke, not even a tiny bit! These feelings of love are true-blue jimami tofu!”
“Why are you randomly bringing up a local peanut dish from Okinawa and Kagoshima?! That sort of thing is exactly why I can’t take you at your word!”
“Because of that?! I don’t even have a comeback if that’s what’s bothering you! I’m serious, I really like you, Tadeshina! That was my way of subtly hinting we should go to Okinawa together and eat some authentic jimami tofu!”
“You’re kidding if you think I’ll go on some pre-wedding trip or whatever with you! You repulsive, dissolute pervert!”
“I’m sorryyyy! I just got carried away. Since it’s way too soon for a trip together, how about going on a little date with me this weekend? We could even start dating!”
“I refuse! I mean, I’ve already flat-out refused so many times already!”
“I don’t give up in the slightest, you know?! Because, as I said, I really like you, Tadeshina!” Wakkuu paused for a moment, then shouted, “I like you a lot!” Then, after another pause, “I love you!”
Asumi made a sound somewhere between “Uhhh…” and “Urgh…” Yukisada clapped three times, but his intent in doing so was unclear.
“Seriously…?” Moena said. She might have been asking Wakkuu or perhaps Iori. Maybe both of them.
“Of course I’m serious!” Wakkuu answered immediately and emphatically. He seemed a little offended.
“What is that supposed to mean?!” Iori said. She was more than just a little upset, but quite clearly outraged. “Are you trying to say I’m not worthy of being loved by someone, so it’s inconceivable that Wakuya would have feelings for me?! You are so rude, Hina!”
“I just wasn’t expecting it, is all…,” Moena said, struggling to get the words out. It was clear to see she was shaking quite a lot. “…Uhhhh, are you serious, Wakkuu? You like Tadecchi? Since when…?”
“Hmm.” Wakkuu counted off on his fingers. “Since about ten days ago? Maybe? It was love at first sight. Or I guess not. Of course, I knew Tadeshina already. What was it? It happened so fast. I thought, like, ‘Oh, she’s cute… I might like her…,’ you know? The love train suddenly pulled up, and once you get on, there’s no getting off. Since then, I’ve been fiercely pursuing her. Full steam ahead! It feels like no one can stop me. Even though I keep getting rejected. Even though I’ve been rejected every day. The first time did get me down. But then you know what? I gradually recovered. I’m amazing, aren’t I? Don’t you think I have a mindset of steel?”
“What should I do?!” Iori exclaimed. She hugged her shoulders with both hands and squirmed as if she couldn’t stand it. “I’ve said over and over again that I don’t plan to date anyone until the time comes! Why doesn’t he get that?!”
“…Ummm.” Sousei timidly raised a hand.
Iori instantly fixed her posture and readjusted the positioning of her glasses as she turned toward Sousei.
“Yes, Takarai? What is it?”
“…That’s we—”
“…We? We what?”
“No, it’s not that…” Sousei had been about to say, “That’s weird.”
She gives off the impression of being very serious and having good leadership skills, but Tadeshina is actually quite weird. I don’t mean that in a bad way, either. She’s sort of…interesting…in a good way…