Please Do Something About Her!

It was on my way back to the classroom after my talk with Ashida that I felt a presence behind us. I looked at the reflection in the hallway's windows, only to see Natsukawa, walking at a snail's pace.

I wanted to talk to her, but it's as Ashida said. That's all I ever did. That was always my go to solution. Justifying myself to Natsukawa, that is.

My talk with Ashida made me realize something important. It flipped a switch in my brain that hadn't been touched since my first year in of Middle School, when I learned to be 'read the room' and 'act' in order to get along with everyone.

When I told Ashida that I would explain the situation to Natsukawa and make her understand the circumstances behind my injury, she gave me the harsh words "I don't think I'll help you this time".

The reason being that, according to her, explaining myself is all I've done in the past.

I sat down at my desk and continued analyzing the situation while waiting for the start of our Modern History class. As the leader of the Natsukawa cult, I prided myself on being able to understand her pretty well. But... Is that truly the case?

Looking at all the recent events, there are clear inconsistencies in her actions. The reason she was currently avoiding me was likely because she thought I was mad to inflict such an injury to myself. Originally, I thought I'd explain the situation to her... But that won't do. It wasn't me who needed to do the talking. That's what my conversation with Ashida made me realize.

My goal here is simple. Bring Natsukawa's smile back. No matter the cost. I started making a detailed mental plan of action in my head, the start date of which will be Natsukawa's birthday, the 31st of October... or in 11 days. Not counting the weekends, it meant I had to endure 7 days of this strained tension. Well... 6 days actually, since the 31st will be the day I put the plan in motion.

*

First period went by in a breeze. Probably because of how much note writing we had to do. Sensei would only give us a one minute break while he scanned the text book, before erasing the board and starting to fill it again. I looked at Natsukawa. Her head was down, staring at her desk. Looking at her made my heart ache. She didn't even say much to her new seat neighbour, Saito-san.

I held my phone with my right hand and opened my chat with Big Sis, sending a brief message.

"Onitsuki-senpai caused a scene yesterday in my class"

Aaand send. I heard back from her a few moments later.

"That girl."

Wait... That's it? Aren't you going to put her on a leash? Assert your dominance? Come on, do something about your friend!

"I'm in a tricky situation. Please deal with her"

There. Surely I can make this small request, after all the times I bought her steamed buns.

"Ok."

Um... alright. I received this succinct response from Big Sis, which didn't do much in the way of reassuring me. But I decided to be happy with that much for moment.

After resting my chin on my injured left hand 4 times, and scratching my head with it 3 times, lunch break arrived. I sipped some water, washing down my prescribed painkillers. For the first time ever, I was not looking forward to lunch break. This was because I feared that a certain individual would show up-

Before I even finished the thought, I saw a gal walk over to me, calling out to me melodically. It was Onitsuka-senpai, a girl who was still a few steps away from full recovery from gal syndrome.

"Ah, you've changed your seats!"

"What is it Onitsuka-senpai?"

"Why so cold? I'm just here to chat"

"And as you can see, I was about to head to the cafeteria"

"Great! Then lets head there together"

"Onitsuka-senpai, I'm awfully sorry, but time's up."

I said that because I had already asked for help from the strongest demon in Koetsu High. I just had to have faith that help would arrive... Hopefully?

"Wh- What do you mean?"

"This is really not a good time. And even if it was... Well, I told you that your way of doing things is fine but only if the other party shares your same values"

"I feel like you're overthinking this little brother."

"Well either way, I would appreciate it if you didn't invade my personal space"

"Okay fine"

I was pleasantly surprised to see that she actually understood me and agreed to give me some space, until she latched onto my arm.

Her citrus perfume was feminine and intoxicating. I could feel it filling up my lungs, as if attempting to drown me in lust and self-indulgence. Her softness pressed against my arm. But that wasn't the only thing I could feel, for my classmates were all looking at me. Their icy stares dug into my soul. Why are you looking at me like that?! Seriously what did I do? I'm the victim here!

"Anyway, let's go to the cafeter-"

"Tamao"

A voice rang out from the back of the classroom. A voice that I never thought I'd feel happy to hear. That's right. Get your cameras out. A wild Big Sis has appeared!

I joked to myself despite being down in the dumps. Or perhaps it was because I was so depressed from hurting Natsukawa that my brain was trying to relieve some of its stress.

"Eek!" Exclaimed Onistuka-senpai.

"Come along"

That's it. That's all she said. Big Sis threw that command then turned and walked away, Onitsuka-senpai following right behind her. Scary. Even her gal friends aren't immune to Big Sis. She's that strong.

With that out of the way, I stood up to go to the cafeteria. I glanced at Natsukawa's seat for an instant. She was, for the first time today, looking at me. However, the moment our eyes locked, she turned away. As for Ashida, she was sitting on the window sill next to Natsukawa, giving me a satisfied grin.

I bought my usual sweet bread and went to a particular bench that a certain trio always sat at. As expected, I found the Morals Committee Trio having lunch at a 4-seat table. When Shinomiya-senpai spotted me, she waved me over.

"I'm surprised you didn't resist this time around" said Shinomiya-senpai, after I properly greeted each of them in turn.

She was surprised and rightly so. I'd never sought out the Morals Committee on purpose before. I did so today because I needed to collect some information that will help me execute the Bring-Back-Natsukawa's-Smile plan.

"Don't say that senpai. I love talking to you"

"How cheeky. How's that left hand of yours? Kaede told me what happened"

She said so but... did Big Sis tell her what happened, or did she REALLY tell her what happened? On my first day back to school after my injury, Big Sis and I ran into Shinomiya-senpai at the school gate. She had me go on ahead, offering to explain the cause of my injury to senpai. I had no idea whether she told her the truth or not. She might've, considering they're pretty close.

Nonetheless, I decided to play it safe and not disclose any unnecessary details, especially with Inatomi-senpai and Mita-senpai listening in.

"Recovering well... I think. I keep subconsciously using it though."

"What a klutz" sighed Mita-senpai

"I hope you recover soon, Sajou-kun" offered Inatomi-senpai, her eyes full of genuine concern.

"Thank you, I hope so too. Say Shinomiya-senpai, if the soccer club accidentally kicked a ball really high and it ended up on the building's roof, who would they go to in order to get it back?"

"Huh? That came out of nowhere" said senpai, frowning and tilting her head.

"Ah, well. You know how the Sports Festival is coming up and everything so it's just a random question that popped up in my head"

A very vague and suspicious explanation. Nevertheless Shinomiya-senpai decided to humour me, which I was grateful for.

"Well, they'd probably need to ask the student council for a key to the roof. Why are you asking me this? You're the student council vice president's brother!"

Good observation, my dear senpai. But I'd rather not let Big Sis get a whiff of what I'm planning.

"Ah, no reason. Inatomi-senpai, are you looking forward to the sports festival?" Just like that, I changed the subject. My Deceit skill must've levelled up.

I spent the rest of my lunch break chatting with the Moral Committee members, then headed off to class.

*

The past few days have been miserable, to say the least. Although they past without incidents, Natsukawa still seemed crestfallen. Worst still, some girls in class seemed to have caught on to her mood and would occasionally give me weird looks. Why do my classmates blame me for everything?! Do they even know the whole story?! Right, I thought not.

Though to be fair, I was the reason Natsukawa was hurt, and I felt horrible about it. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces whenever I saw her meekly sitting at her desk, not saying much to the girls that have gathered around her. She was still holding conversations with them, but it was obvious it was a façade.

During break, I received a command from you-know-who.

"Student council office now."

"Why"

"Don't keep me waiting"

And with that, my fate was sealed; my break was going to get taken up by Big Sis. I made my way to the student council office. For once, I didn't see the Young Lady loitering around. Yuki-senpai's harsh words back at the hospital really must have put an end to things.

I knocked twice, then went in. Seeing as the student council usually only assembled after-school, only Big Sis was present. She pointed with her chin at the seat opposite her desk, motioning for me to sit.

"Why did you call for me?"

"Anything you want to tell me?"

"Thank you for taking care of Onitsuka-senpai" I sighed. I didn't see why I had to thank this tyrant. Onitsuka-senpai is a follower of yours, is she not?! If anything, she clung to me because of you!

"I told Tamao about Natsukawa. She'll be more careful around you in the future"

"...!"

Why?! Why would she disclose my personal details to her friend?! Was there really no other way to rein her in?

"What's her deal anyway?" I sighed.

"Don't ask questions about a girl's past. It's rude."

HUH?! So you tell her about my personal life, but not the other way around? Blatant discrimination. Also, what's this about a girl's past? Is that a cultural norm I'm not aware of?

"I would ask you to buy me a steamed bun after school, but it's best if you don't carry any extra stuff on your way home" she glanced at my left hand as she said that.

"Jeez, how considerate of you"

"Treat me after you've recovered"

And with that, she started fiddling around with her smartphone. I took that as a sign that she's said all she wanted to, so I started making my way back to class. Not wanting my break to get completely wasted, I started reviewing the plan of action in my head.

I have yet to buy Natsukawa a birthday present... though I've already decided that it would be a ring. Though Ashida seemed to think a ring was too 'heavy' of a present. Ah speak of the devil.

"Sajocchi, there you are!" Ashida was waiting for me right outside of the classroom.

"Oh no... I've been ambushed"

"Hey, don't call it an ambush! I was waiting for you" she said indignantly.

"Which makes it an ambush"

"Fine, I won't update you on Aichi's situation" she pouted and started turning back.

"Wait wait wait, I was joking, forgive my insolence Ashida-sama"

"That's more like it" she grinned at me.