When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

At Hekiryou High School, there’s a morning assembly in the gymnasium every Friday.

The content varies, including award ceremonies, announcements from committees, and long speeches from the principal.

However, there’s one thing that always happens.

That is a greeting from the student council.

Usually, the student council president would do it, but today, Akane, the vice president, was supposed to do it.

If she performs the greeting properly here, she can demonstrate her dignity and capability to all students.

On the other hand, if she fails here… there’s no need to say.

Well, I thought Akane would be able to handle this role splendidly.

Right now, I’m in the wings of the gymnasium stage with Akane.

“I want you to be with me in the wings until my greeting at the assembly begins.”

That was what Akane had asked of me.

Since the matter had been settled beforehand, no one around had any objections to me being in the wings.

… Why did she bring me here?

As I listen to the principal’s long speech, I look at Akane next to me.

However, Akane’s face is stiff and pale, her hands are shaking, her breathing is rough, and she looks visibly tense.

“Hey, Shinjo… Are you okay?”

“Eh!?”

When I whispered into Akane’s ear, she trembled and stared at me, covering her ear with a surprised look.

Her appearance seemed somewhat frightened.

That’s right. I remember now.

Shinjo Akane has stage fright.

I see… That’s why you…

The principal’s speech is coming to an end, and it’s almost time for Akane’s greeting.

“…ah.”

With an anxious face that seemed like she might start crying at any moment, Akane tightly pulled on my sleeve.

Her tearful eyes, staring at me, were pleading for help.

I understand. You don’t want to show your weakness to others, so you can’t openly ask for help.

This is your way of sending an SOS, isn’t it?

If I stand by silently without doing anything, I might witness an incredibly humiliating moment for Akane.

Some students might even start to ridicule and mock her.

However, that’s none of my business.

But

I don’t want to be the lame guy who does nothing while my childhood friend is asking for help in front of me.

Besides, doing such a thing would affect my reputation. No, that’s not it. It’s probably not about logic.

So

I tickled Akane’s body.

“Hyah!? Fufu!! Hey!! Ah!! Ahaha…!! Ah…!!”

Because she let out a slightly moaning-like voice, Akane put her hand over her mouth, desperately trying to suppress it.

I know all your weak spots, you know.

No matter how tense you are, if you give your body a strong stimulus, your consciousness will wake up whether you like it or not. Tickling has the effect of relieving stress and tension.

It’s a good thing nobody was around. From the side, it would look like some strange play.

“Hmph!”

“Ouch!”

I got carried away and Akane forcefully stepped on my foot.

Looking at Akane’s face, she’s still out of breath, her cheeks are red, and she’s glaring at me with teary eyes.

Yep. That’s the usual Shinjo Akane.

“Looks like your tension has eased.”

“…Ah.”

Akane seemed to suddenly realize and looked at her own hands. The trembling had stopped.

“Next, we have a greeting from the student council.”

It seemed like it was Akane’s turn. Hearing the host’s voice, Akane tensed up and pursed her lips.

Maybe she needs one more push.

“Don’t worry. You can definitely do this, Akane. I guarantee it.”

Saying that, I gently patted her head, like a parent comforting a child.

Apparently, having your head patted relaxes you.

In the end, when people are struggling and in pain, this is the best thing to do. By feeling someone’s touch, they can think that this person is on their side.

“Ah… Yeah.”

Akane nodded shyly, yet happily.

“Hey, a little harder.”

“…Alright, alright.”

Such a demanding childhood friend.

And so, I watched from the wings as Akane performed her greeting splendidly as the vice president of the student council.

“Itsuki~ It’s over~ I did it… Waaa!”

Having safely finished her greeting and with the tension released, she came over to me, looking exhausted.

She looked like a baby deer.

Her composure from just a moment ago was gone, and I couldn’t help but smile at the drastic change.

“Hey… don’t laugh.”

Oops. Did I upset her?

“Sorry, sorry… But you looked really cool just now, you know?”

“R-really? I looked cool? Me?”

Akane said, looking a little happy.

Ah, this pattern is the one where she gets carried away when I agree. To avoid her getting carried away and causing trouble… No.

“You were cool. You were amazing, Akane.”

I guess I should just honestly praise her at times like this.

“Right!? Ehehe~”

She didn’t try to hide her loosened expression, showing her full smile without any defense.

…Ugh, I can’t help but think she’s cute.

“Itsuki praised me~♪”

Well, anyone can see she’s in a great mood… Such a reaction just from a bit of praise.

Was she always this easy to please?

“Alright, alright. Now that we’ve settled that, Shinjo, let’s head back to the classroom.”

The moment I said that, for some reason, her light footsteps suddenly stopped.

“Hey! Why did you go back to calling me by my last name!? You were calling me Akane just a moment ago!”

As she shouted, she made an upset face and lunged at me with incredible force, grabbing me by the collar.

Why is she getting angry at that!? That sudden switch is way too scary! Is she emotionally unstable!?

“Hey!? Why!? Call me Akane!! Come on!?”

The more I interacted with Akane, the less I understood her.