Chapter 8

The next day, despite being sleep-deprived, I made it to school without being late. I can't afford to be late since I'm a scholarship student.

Today, regular classes start.

As I did yesterday, I braided my hair and tied it up. The ends are all frayed, so I can't let it down. This is what happens when I cut my own hair.

I've never been to a beauty salon, so I don't know the going rate for haircuts. Until now, Fuki has been trimming my hair, so paying for a haircut feels very extravagant to me.

There's a barbershop near the station I use for commuting that advertises 1000 yen haircuts. This must be cheaper than the going rate, given that they specifically mention the price.

I was looking up the average cost of haircuts on my smartphone and was shocked.

What a surprise, it's almost as much as my monthly food budget! Just to have the ends trimmed with scissors?

"What's with that surprised look on your face?"

In front of me was Sara-sama, as always, with her beautiful vertical curls.

"Hmm, you were looking up beauty salons. You've gotten quite good at using your smartphone."

Sotoki-sama peered at the smartphone I was holding.

"Good morning. Thank you very much for yesterday."

I quickly turned the phone over and greeted her.

"You have slight bags under your eyes. You stayed up late last night, didn't you, Rei-chan?"

"… I'm sorry. The smartphone was so amazing, I just couldn't stop using it."

I might as well be declaring that I have no self-control, but I really did have none.

"No, in a house with no modern entertainment, it's natural to get absorbed."

Sotoki-sama laughed, but Sara-sama looked stern.

"It's not good for your beauty. If you keep staying up late, I'll limit the apps you can use. I can even restrict it to just communication."

Sara-sama is so mean. Don't take away the joy of my smartphone.

...

This smartphone was lent to me out of kindness. Using it for anything other than security is so low of me. I'm a beggar, as Mari-sama would say.

"I'm sorry. I used the borrowed phone for entertainment."

"No, that's not what I meant!"

I can understand a little of how Mari-sama felt, who didn't like to receive favors. Receiving a favor makes the relationship unequal. In Mari-sama's case, it was just a matter of pride.

While I was having this conversation with Sara-sama, Otori Ryo-sama, who gave the welcoming speech as the new student representative at yesterday's entrance ceremony, approached. And he said something outrageous right away.

"Hey, that's not what Sakurada said. Hongo is bullying the villainous lady, isn't she?"

Ah, this must be the work of the weirdo, Sakurada Yuria-sama, the so-called "target" Otori-sama. Before Sara-sama could counter, I spoke up.

"That's impolite! To take this scene out of context and claim that Sara-sama is bullying me. That's not the case. Sara-sama is only concerned for me. Don't make assumptions."

I looked straight at Otori-sama. He scratched his head and apologized.

"Sorry. I was just teasing. Hongo and the villainous lady, uh, sorry, I don't know your name, sorry."

I'm not a villainous lady but a poor villain, but it's too much trouble to correct him.

However, Sara-sama's anger didn't subside.

"Regardless of me, to call Rei-chan a villainous lady is impolite!"

Sara-sama frowned and stood with her arms crossed, ruining her cute face.

"Sara-chan, I'm fine with being the villain. Since Sara-chan calls me Rei-chan, I don't mind if others call me a villainous lady."

As soon as I said that, Sara-sama softened. So cute. I thought that was the end of it, but an intruder came in. The main event, Sakurada Yuria-sama.

"Otori-kun, don't be fooled! Even now, she's pretending to be bullied by Sara-sama, but it's all part of her plan. She's just acting innocent. She's a really cunning villainous lady."

Oh... It seems her condition is more serious than I thought. Well, it's still easier to deal with than Mari-sama.

Just then, Sotoki-sama stood in front of me and said to Sakurada Yuria-sama with a deep disdain.

"You're being noisy. Go back to your class quickly. Otori, you too. Rei-chan is my friend. If you do anything strange in the future, I'll take appropriate action."

Sakurada Yuria-sama held her breath at Sotoki-sama's terrifyingly cold attitude. However, as she left the room, she said with determination.

"I pray that Sotoki-sama's eyes will open soon."

It was a truly worried expression. Otori-sama and Sakurada Yuria-sama finally left the classroom.

"I'm so sorry. It's all because I was captivated by the charm of the smartphone you kindly lent me. I'm such a weak-willed person... Here, I'll return the smartphone. I'll buy security devices and install them at home today, so please rest assured."

Saying that, I returned the smartphone.

"No way! Not only your home, but the school is also dangerous. There are dangerous people around!"

"I agree with Sotoki. We're friends, right? We're worried about you."

I fell silent for a moment. I've never had close friends before. Sara-sama and the others are my first friends.

"I appreciate your concern. But can we really call it friendship if it's one-sided giving?"

I asked frankly. Sara-sama and Sotoki-sama live in a different world from me. This smartphone is probably not a big deal to them.

"I don't think of it as giving."

"Neither do I. What's wrong with protecting a dear friend? Besides, I enjoyed the wonderful performance you gave yesterday. That performance is more valuable than the smartphone."

I didn't know how to respond and looked down.

"I think giving involves pity. I can't feel that way about Rei-chan. I've never felt pity for anyone. I'm not interested in others. Of course, I do make donations. It's an obligation for someone in my position. But there's no emotion involved. So, this smartphone isn't a favor, but for my own sake. I don't want anything to happen to Rei-chan."

Why is he doing so much for me, someone he's only known for a day?

I have nothing. I'm a poor person with no value.

I felt a lump in my chest, and tears welled up in my eyes.

"If it bothers you, Rei-chan, I'll ask for something in return. How about that? As the granddaughter and only disciple of the pianist Shirasagi Mari, you can perform for us. At least once a week. But one smartphone won't be enough for that."

They are kind people. Like with the onigiri yesterday, they are reaching out to me so I don't feel burdened.

"Can my performance be considered a fair exchange?"

"Of course! You're the only disciple and granddaughter of the legendary Shirasagi Mari. No, even without that, your performance has value!"

Shirasagi Mari was Mari-sama's maiden name. She continued to perform as Shirasagi Mari even after marriage.

While I was troubled by her during her lifetime, I never imagined she would help me in this way after her death.

"When I told them about yesterday, my grandfather and grandmother wanted to hear your performance."

"... Thank you."

Tears finally overflowed.

I, who was alone and extremely poor, had such wonderful friends.

After Fuki left, I was really lonely. I wasn't okay at all.

I was lonely.

"Oh, don't cry! Look, people will think I'm bullying you again!"

"Yeah, it does look that way!"

"What? Sotoki!"

I laughed at the exchange between Sara-sama and Sotoki-sama, but the tears wouldn't stop.

I was lonely. I was lonely after Fuki left.

"I'm sorry. I can't stop crying..."

I pressed a handkerchief from my pocket to my eyes, but the tears wouldn't stop. It was no use; trying to stop them only made me sob.

Sara-sama gently patted my back. Her hand was warm.

"I'll take you to the infirmary."

I was led to the infirmary, crying embarrassingly. When Mr. Ichijo saw me crying, he asked if Sakurada Yuria-sama had done something, but I shook my head while crying.

"I want to see Fuki. I've been lonely all along."

Mr. Ichijo seemed confused, but I couldn't answer any other way. Mr. Ichijo didn't ask any more questions and just patted my back until I stopped crying.

By the time the first period ended, I had finally calmed down. My eyes were swollen, so I was advised to cool them until the second period. I felt bad about keeping Sara-sama waiting, so I stayed in the infirmary alone.

Mr. Ichijo asked me what had happened while I was cooling my eyes, complete with delicious tea and cookies. The aroma of the cookies tickled my nose. I told him what happened this morning and about Fuki.

"Are you worried about Sakurada Yuria-sama? This morning, I felt her sense of justice. If I can be the villain and everything works out, that's fine."

"No, but that would be hard on you."

These cookies are made with butter, not shortening! It's so luxurious! Oh, I'm so happy!

"It won't be hard on me, so please don't worry."

"But..."

"If it really becomes a problem, I'll come to you for advice."

I enjoyed the tea and cookies and left the infirmary.