Are we similar?
TL/ED: Bogdi
The school that Toru and his friends attend, Kobunkan is a preparatory school with a liberal school culture. That’s why we could go out of the school during our lunch break and buy something at a convenience store or eat at a restaurant.
On the other hand, there was also a reasonably luxurious school cafeteria, and there was always a line at the purchasing counter.
This is because there are 500 students per grade, and a total of 3,000 students in the six grades of junior high and high school.
So, if I wanted to go to lunch with Aino, I could go to the school cafeteria or even go out to eat.
Aino said she would buy me the most expensive meal in the cafeteria, but I don’t intend to get her to buy me anything, so there’s no need to go to the cafeteria.
By the way, Toru didn’t bring his own lunch. There’s no one to make it for him, and he doesn’t feel like making a bento for himself.
It was the same for Aino, who hadn’t brought a bento.
“So, which do you prefer, Luthi-san? Do you want to go out to eat or go to the school cafeteria?”
“You can choose whichever you like, Renjo-kun.”
Aino said, and nodded her head a little. Her flowing golden hair swayed gently.
I was about to stop and think that every gesture was so cute, when I came back to myself.
It was lunchtime. Toru and the two of them are in the hallway in front of the classroom. So they’ re going to have lunch.
Anyway, Aino stands out, so if she stops, she’ll be the center of attention.
It wasn’t until Toru started to walk faster that he realized that Aino was following him. Aino seemed to be struggling to keep up with Toru.
He was of average height for a boy, but Aino was on the smaller side among girls. So, if Toru walked fast, she would naturally not be able to keep up with him.
Cursing his own lack of thoughtfulness, Toru slowed down his pace. Aino noticed this too, and chuckled.
“I’m fine, you don’t need to look after me.”
“You don’t have to push yourself.”
“I’m not pushing myself!”
“Even if Luthi-san is calm and not pushing herself, I like to be cautious.”
“Hmm”
Aino was staring at Toru’s profile as he walked slowly, looking a little happy. I feel ticklish.
It’s not that Aino is a beautiful girl, but that’s not why he’s being cautious. He simply doesn’t like to insensitively make others adjust to his convenience.
If you think about it from Aino’s point of view, it’s obvious that if Toru doesn’t keep pace with her, she will be inconvenienced.
From that perspective, which would be better for Aino and …… yourself, going out to eat or going to the school cafeteria?
If you go to the cafeteria with her, you might have other students making a fuss or staring at you.
But if you go out to eat, there will be more rumors and suspicions.
(TLN: Toru is a sussy baka)
( I don’t want people to think we’re on a date. …… )
So, it would be better to have a quick meal together in the cafeteria.
I came to that conclusion in my mind. I think that will help Aino not be put in a troublesome position.
“Well, let’s go to the cafeteria.”
When Toru said that, Aino nodded obediently.
Aino was quiet and followed Toru closely.
Many people think that the reason why Aino doesn’t talk to anyone in the classroom is because she pretends to be lonely and has a cold attitude towards the people around her.
In fact, Toru used to think that Aino was so special that the classmates around her were of no interest to her.
Now, however, Toru has a slightly different view of Aino.
“Luthi-san is surprisingly …….”
“Surprisingly?”
“You’re a little shy, aren’t you?”
At Toru’s words, Aino’s face turned red.
And then she glared at Toru with her blue eyes.
“I’m not a shy, timid, cowardly, insecure little thing!”
“No one said anything about that. ……”
Aino’s desperation startled Toru. Aino was also taken aback and held her mouth with her hand, then her face reddened even further to her ears.
“Wow, you set me up in a …… trap!”
“Wasn’t that a self-destruct?”
“Yes, it might be, but ……”
Aino mumbled, almost in tears.
In any case, Toru was convinced that Aino was really a shy girl, and that she was just being tough and cold, but she was actually timid.
However, Toru did not mean to imply that this was a bad thing. He also regretted that he had asked a little too directly.
It wouldn’t be strange if Aino was offended.
For Toru, he doesn’t mind if Aino doesn’t like him (he’d rather keep his distance), but it’s not his intention to hurt Aino.
“I’m a shy person too. And I’m much more of a coward than you are, Luthi-san.”
This was not just a follow-up to Aino, but his true feelings.
Toru is not very good at socializing. Unlike Aino, he can get along with his classmates without hesitation on the surface. However, he’ s essentially shy and doesn’t reveal his true feelings to others.
This, Toru thought, was a bad thing about himself. And he knew very well that he could not change it.
And he was a coward. That’s why he lost his childhood friend Chika.
Aino mysteriously stares at Toru.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, yes. I’m a shy, cowardly, timid little man who can’t be honest. I’m probably a lot more shy than you are, Luthi-san.”
Aino chuckled at Toru’s words. It seems to have put her in a better mood.
“In other words … we are similar.”
Aino murmured in a small but happy voice.
