READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 32 - Saint and the Shared Umbrella
“…The rain is falling quite hard, isn’t it?”
“Yeah… the forecast said it would be sunny.”
“I was completely off guard because the weather forecast I always check said it would be sunny.”
“I had the impression that Fumiko always carried a folding umbrella.”
“I didn’t have it in my bag today, just for once. Initially, I thought I would buy one at a convenience store on my way home, but a friend told me that ‘men are happy when girls rely on them,’ which was written in a book. So, I thought it might be okay to rely on you, and I ended up taking advantage of you.”
“I see… Well, I can’t deny that it feels good to be relied on by a girl.”
“Is that how it is?”
While having such small talk and sharing an umbrella with Fumiko, I was thinking about something.
Why are we sharing an umbrella on the way home…?
Somehow, I had quickly agreed to it because of the lucky item thing and the atmosphere, but isn’t this situation not very good?
This would definitely lead to misunderstandings.
And then it would become a rumor… oh no. I can only see a future where I get stabbed.
“Um, Fumiko-san. Since you have an umbrella, isn’t there really no need for us to share one?”
“Hmm?”
Oh no, that’s bad. Her ‘Hmm?’ is flat but somehow scary.
“I mean, we should stop because it might cause misunderstandings.”
“Stop being noisy.”
“………………”
“There’s no problem, right?”
“…Yes.”
I should stop talking about this anymore.
My danger detection sensor is reacting violently.
“…Your campaign speech was wonderful. I was impressed, despite being your opponent.”
Maybe to change the subject, Fumiko started talking about the campaign speech.
“Really? Anyone could do that much. Of course, Fumiko too.”
When I said that, Fumiko smiled awkwardly and didn’t say anything.
“…The candidate speeches are coming up soon.”
Feeling awkward in the silence, I changed the subject.
“Yes, I need to get myself pumped up. The updated student council election support poll has been reversed in favor of Vice President Shinjo.”
“Even if it’s reversed, it’s just a small gap, right? That can be overturned with the candidate speeches.”
That’s right, the poll is just a prediction. It can be a reference but can’t be taken as gospel. There’s no time to be complacent.
“Um… if… my… no, never mind.”
Fumiko didn’t say anything more.
It felt as if she was afraid to hear the answer.
“Right. This is just a hypothetical, but if I were in the position of supporting Fumiko and we were in an overwhelmingly disadvantageous position like this time, I would do the same thing.”
“…Really?”
When I said that, Fumiko seemed pleased, and she smiled as if she was relieved.
However, she seemed a little down.
Maybe it’s the tension from the upcoming candidate speeches, or the anxiety and impatience from the reversal of her ranking in the support rate just before the election.
Fumiko is also carrying a lot of expectations and burdens from those around her.
There’s no way she wouldn’t be anxious.
There’s no way she wouldn’t be nervous.
The pressure must be significant.
Perhaps, the rare outing today was to refresh her mind from all of that.
“To be honest, I have conflicting thoughts.”
“Conflicting thoughts?”
“Yes, I want to see the student council that Shinjo would make, but at the same time…”
I stop and look directly into Fumiko’s eyes.
“I want to see you as the student council president.”
I don’t take my eyes off Fumiko’s eyes. I will never let go until the fading light returns to them.
The only sound I can hear is the rain.
“…………”
A light of determination ignited in the depths of Fumiko’s eyes.
“…It’s fine. I don’t have the slightest intention of losing.”
Fumiko nudges me hard in the side.
“It’s a Hiyori chop.”
She said, laughing.
“Um… senpai. Thank you. For cheering me up.”
Fumiko mumbled, looking up at me and looking somewhat embarrassed.
“…Please keep it a secret from Shinjo.”
She said, and then laughed again.