Chapter 15
"How was Japanese history?"
After the first period ended, I asked Lily.
The content must have been unfamiliar to her, being from England, and quite difficult.
I wonder if she understood it?
"It was interesting."
Lily answered with her usual cool composure.
She seemed to be in a slightly better mood, so she must have found it truly interesting.
From her demeanor, it seems she was able to follow the lesson.
Her notes were written in English.
"There are some parts that I find hard to understand, so let me discuss with you tonight."
"Ah, yeah. That's fine."
Tonight, huh...
It's tough being approached by her in that outfit every day.
I can't say I dislike it, though.
"The next period is English, but... you have a different class, right?"
Preaching to the choir.
I can't imagine Lily has anything left to learn in English.
If I remember correctly, exchange students have separate Japanese lessons.
"I have Japanese... Do you know where that classroom is?"
"It's on the third floor. Shall I show you?"
"Please do."
I escorted Lily to the designated classroom.
Along the way...
"(Is that the rumored beautiful exchange student?)"
"(Wow, she's super cute.)"
"(She's got a great figure. Look at those long legs...)"
"(They say she's a noble. She definitely has a different aura... somehow.)"
"(Is that silver hair natural? Amazing!)"
"(Does she have a boyfriend?)"
"(Rumor has it, she came to Japan chasing after her lover.)"
"(Isn't that the guy next to her?)"
It seems Lily is already the talk of the school.
She was receiving a lot of attention from everyone around.
"Um, Sota?"
"Yeah? What's up?"
"I feel like we're being watched."
Lily said in a low voice, looking uncomfortable.
Her cheeks were faintly red.
...Was she the type to get embarrassed by attention? I thought she was more indifferent.
"Is my skirt... weird after all?"
Lily fidgeted with her legs and tugged at her skirt's hem.
It seems she misunderstood that her skirt length was drawing attention.
"It's not that, you're fine."
"...Then what is it?"
"It's like, 'Is that the rumored beautiful exchange student?' kind of thing."
"Hmm, I see."
Lily's expression seemed somewhat pleased by my words.
By the time we reached the classroom...
"See you next period."
"Yeah."
I parted ways with Lily and returned to my own classroom.
Sixty-five minutes passed, and the second period ended.
Next is chemistry. The location is the science room.
"Should I go pick her up?"
I headed to the classroom where Lily should be.
But I couldn't see her.
Did we miss each other?
Just as I thought that, I heard Lily's voice.
"No, thank you. I'm not interested."
"Football, the football club. Being a manager is..."
I found Lily not too far away.
There were about three boys near her.
One of them looked familiar.
He must be from the football club.
From the context and situation, it seems the football club is trying to recruit Lily as a manager.
And she's turning them down.
Football... well, she probably isn't interested. Maybe rugby, but not football.
Besides, Lily doesn't seem like the manager type.
"Hmm, is she not getting it..."
The football club member tilted his head.
Probably, it's not his Japanese that's not getting through, but Lily's English.
"I'm not interested."
"Wait. We're not done talking."
The football club member grabbed Lily's arm as she tried to leave.
Lily brushed his hand away.
The atmosphere turned hostile.
"Sorry, Lily. I made you wait."
I intervened between the two and said that.
Then I lightly grabbed Lily's sleeve, trying to leave the scene...
"Hey, wait. Don't interfere with the recruitment."
I was glared at.
Recruitment is supposed to be prohibited during break time... but arguing with reason probably won't stop him.
"She's already a member of the tennis club."
As I said that, the football club member's expression twisted in frustration.
Is the football club that short on people?
"Hey, why don't you become the football club's manager? It's more fun than tennis. There are lots of girls, too."
He persisted in recruiting Lily.
It seems he doesn't just want a manager; he wants Lily.
With a hopeful attitude.
"That's why..."
"Lily."
"Eh, ah, wait a moment..."
I pulled Lily close to me, who seemed ready to snap.
Lily looked confused.
Ignoring her, I smiled at the football club member.
"She's my girl."
The air froze... Maybe that was too cheesy.
Either way, the football club member was petrified.
"Let's go, Lily."
"Yes..."
I nudged the frozen Lily and we left the scene.
If we cross the stairs, they probably won't follow, right?
"Um, Sota. Please, let go."
"Ah, sorry."
I quickly removed my hand from Lily's shoulder.
Her face was bright red.
"You helped me. Thank you. But, that..."
Lily looked down, embarrassed.
"Can you not say 'my girl' in front of others?"
I might have gone too far.
Even if it was an act, I started to feel a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry. I thought it would resolve things faster."
"I understand. What did you come here for?"
"Oh, next period. It's in the science room. I thought I'd show you."
"Is that so. Then, please."
Lily said that, but for some reason, she wouldn't meet my eyes.
...Did I make her angry?