Although it is a private hospital ward, the interior decoration is exactly the same as that of single apartments commonly seen in the outside world.

Home appliances, kitchenware, separate bathroom, and sofas for entertaining guests.

Only in the central area, against the wall, was a single bed covered with white sheets and neatly folded quilts.

There is no smell of disinfectant, and if there is no nurse knocking on the door to enter and closing the door, the thought of "this is a hospital" will be isolated from this small space along with the gentle bumping of students.

"Huh?" Shiraishi Mai looked very surprised. She covered her lips with her hands and stared at him sitting opposite with her big eyes.

"Um...you helped me?"

"Hmm~~This should be... considered our second meeting."

Regarding the girl's undisguised surprise and the latent joy in her eyes, Takiichi had no urge to show it on her surface.

"Teacher Shinohara mentioned to me before that one of her students will come over at noon and ask me to prepare an extra meal for one person."

It didn't take long for Shiraishi Mai to learn his name from the conversation, which was just like the handwriting engraved on the garrison that was tied to the schoolbag on the boy's shoulder.

Takiichi Hirai, transferred from Tokyo.

Speaking of which, in recent times, there have been many versions of rumors in the school about "a very powerful boy who transferred from Tokyo" among the students.

Mai Shiraishi didn't care how the boys passed the news, but the girls in her class seemed to be taking the rumors in an "outrageous" direction.

For example, "A rich man escaped from marriage and moved from Tokyo to Gunma to relax", or "He was seriously injured and used this place as a place to heal"...

However, rumors like "she looks good", "seems to study well", "seems to have skipped a grade and transferred to another school", "I heard that when other schools conducted entrance exams, she passed all subjects with full marks", etc.

Passing words back and forth in his mouth.

"Yeah... So why would such an outstanding child... choose to come to Gunma instead of staying in a good teaching environment like Tokyo?"

"Well...who knows...but there are rumors that due to parents' work issues, they have to conduct inspections around Gunma Prefecture.

So I came along. When contacting the school, I also asked if I could help solve the accommodation problem.

Of course, they will pay the necessary money together."

"Huh?? That's strange. This should be considered a child from a very rich family, right?"

Of course, these conversations did not pass through the walls where teachers worked and drift into the ears of students.

In today's society with a low birthrate, it is not uncommon for students to change schools.

But...if it wasn't because of poor grades, or unforgivable mistakes, etc., this would seem too unbelievable.

That boy... what kind of person is he?

Before Takiichi arrived in Gunma County, he had already become a famous figure in that school.

Many people knew about him through rumors and began to become curious about him.

Even... if the appearance is not unacceptable, maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing to date a boy from Tokyo. This idea is spreading crazily in the hearts of many girls.

Really...

How many shoujo comics have these idiots read? Would such an outrageous plot happen in reality?

Then, in order to quickly integrate into the life of the new class in the new school, during the conversation, he began to get rid of himself and repeat the names of his classmates to himself.

"If there is a roster, or photos... In short, if I prepare in advance, maybe I can quickly break their barriers and prejudices against me."

When talking about how to quickly integrate into the new transfer environment, his face did not show any timidity or shyness.

This seems to have a certain connection with his previous life experience of frequently transferring schools elsewhere in RB.

Until now, Mai Shiraishi has had a yearning and curiosity about Tokyo and the people living in Tokyo.

Dreaming of joining Tokyo, dreaming of taking root in Tokyo in the future, this is a dream shared by everyone who is born outside Tokyo.

There is an indescribable attraction there.

Also, there must be some differences between boys from Tokyo and boys from other places.

Some girls in the same class who claim to have gone to Beijing will praise boys from Tokyo to the extreme, saying that they are gentle and elegant and come from well-off families.

The smooth spoken Mandarin makes them feel at ease just like the actors on TV.

"For the roster, you may have to ask Mr. Shinohara or the monitor."

Shiraishi Mai lowered her head in embarrassment.

In fact, in the new semester, although the classmates in the class are still the same as before, there is no change at all.

However, unpleasant experiences in the past often prompt girls to reject campus life, so that... the experience of skipping classes often occurs.

As a result, the number of times I interact with my classmates is very rare.

In the end, the number of names and faces that could be clearly remembered was within two hands.

I and those people hate each other deep down.

"Really?" Takichi was surprised that the girl in front of him kept silent about the eye-catching classmates in the class.

"When Mr. Shinohara solemnly recommended you to me, I thought you held the position of monitor in the class."

The position of monitor is always held by the most capable student among a group of students.

At least, when talking to herself, although Shiraishi Mai was a little shy, she didn't show too much stiffness or unnaturalness.

This probably stems from the unfamiliarity between the two parties and is based on a fear of contact with unknown things.

After that, he noticed a subtle change in the girl's face. Gu

To be precise, it is reluctance and a touch of loss.

"I...is actually not as popular as I thought."

The white and tender finger bones lingered on both ends of the porcelain bowl, and the hot temperature quickly flowed throughout the body through the nails.

Gunma Prefecture in autumn is the same as spring, but it goes against the word "hot".

Then...the warmth coming from the miso soup gradually opened the door to Mai Shiraishi's heart like a shaved golden key.

Things that others cannot mention.

The anguish of not being able to talk to my family.

There is an inner world outside of learning that even teachers find difficult to talk about.

It's all natural at this moment, flowing out from the little mouth covered with pink lipstick.

"They all said that I am so beautiful that people are jealous of me.

For a long time, I tried to blend in with them.

Friends and good sisters are the things I once longed for.

But... I saw a mouse in the cabinet after school, and the paper with "ugly girl" written all over it was stuffed under the desk like garbage...

Since when did I start not knowing how to strike up conversations with people around me?

There is a girl who I hate very much and who also hates me very much. She told me that no matter what I do, she always stands out.

Even if my grades are considered poor in the class, as soon as I leave the classroom or go to a crowded place, everyone's eyes will always be on me, and my subsequent gaffes will also develop in a bad direction."

"Is it because you haven't found a topic to strike up a conversation with?"

He waited until he finished speaking before he spoke slowly.

Mai Shiraishi raised her head.

In his field of vision, his eyes were clear and pure, and there was no hint of impatience, ridicule, or gloating at hearing that he had said too much.

These scenes that you would see in others... were not reflected at all in him.

"They are jealous of you because you are too outstanding in a certain way.

And when you want to show your negative side, they will show great interest on the one hand, and they will constantly urge you to show them the more unsightly side of yourself. Just like, onion

Same."

He turned around and went to where the soup was being made, and picked up a whole onion from the cutting board, with just the skin peeled off.

"Everyone has their own tired side, and everyone also wants to create a perfect image of 'I'm fine' to the outside world, leaving no room for others to attack.

But...on the other hand, their behavior just exposed their most selfish side.

Because if you are happier than them, they will suffer more. On the contrary, your pain and embarrassment are also based on their happiness."

After saying that, he used a fruit knife with one hand to peel off the intact onion bit by bit, with the tip of the knife facing the cracked onion.

There is a hint of pungent smell in the air.

Those things began to invade the eyes with the flow of air.

At that moment, he suddenly raised the hand that had not touched the onion and put it in front of his eyes.

I just wrinkled the tip of my nose, and it seemed that I could no longer smell the spicy smell of onions.

Instead, there was a faint fragrance.

What exactly does it taste like?
To be continued...