In order to save the villainous twin sisters from falling into darkness, the mob character worked hard, and as a result, ended up being doted on by both of them.
“Do Saki and Soyoka seem to have changed…?”
I repeated myself, but I asked the protagonist, Tsugumi Aizawa, who was sitting next to me, once again.
Currently, there wasn’t an atmosphere in the class that would readily accept the Futami sisters. There was a tense undercurrent lurking beneath the surface.
In this situation, it could be a very positive factor if Tsugumi Aizawa, who was likely to become a central figure in the class, had a favorable impression of them.
“Yes, though it’s my own assumption, I got that impression. It was the first time I saw the Futami sisters showing concern for someone, like you did earlier with Shirahane-san.”
In the original story, the Futami sisters were portrayed as focusing their hostility on Tsugumi Aizawa, with no depiction of them showing any consideration for others.
When their hate reached its peak, the heroine would rise up, and the classmates, in response, would start holding the sisters accountable for their past misdeeds.
The Futami sisters would try to argue for their righteousness, but being outnumbered, they stood no chance.
And then they disappeared… That was how things unfolded in the original storyline.
This time, they’ve made a comeback and are now here.
“Um, Aizawa-san… what do you think about the Futami sisters?”
To begin with, the root cause of the rift between the class and the sisters was their rude behavior toward Aizawa-san.
So, after over a month, what does the instigator think now?
“The two of them have given me a lot of feedback. I’m trying to take it to heart deeply because there are many areas where I still fall short.”
Yes… this protagonist is just incredibly mature.
Her saint-like composure captivates the heroines’ side, but seeing her like this reaffirms that her tolerance is genuine.
Personally, I sometimes wonder if being “right” all the time really equates to being correct.
But still, this answer is perfect… as expected.
“Uh… excuse me?”
“Yes?”
“Aizawa-san… are you really the same age as us?”
Her personality is so polished, it almost feels fake.
It’d be easier to believe she’s lying about her age.
“Hehe, compared to everyone else, I’m probably still quite childish, right?”
“N-no, actually, it’s the opposite…”
On top of that, there’s something a bit airheaded about her…
This carefree nature must be rare among the students at Shizubaji Girls’ Academy.
At this academy, there’s a strong sense of hierarchy among the young ladies.
Her standing apart from that framework must be what makes the heroines view her favorably.
Anyway, if there’s no issue with Aizawa-san’s likability, then there should definitely be a chance to mend the rift with the class.
Just knowing that has already lifted some weight off my shoulders.
“H-hey, don’t you realize that Touko just got back to the academy and is tired?”
“Are you planning to bother Touko-chan when she’s just recovered? I can’t allow that.”
“Eh…?”
My relief was short-lived, as the Futami sisters suddenly loomed over Tsugumi Aizawa.
Their sharp gazes looked down on her with palpable hostility.
Both of them?
What are they doing?
“It’s been a while, Futami-san. I heard you were absent for a while, so I’m glad to see you’re well.”
“We were taking care of Touko, so obviously we’re fine.”
“So there’s no need to worry about us, alright?”
Both of them?
They’re really going all out fresh off their break?
The whole class’s attention focused on them, and at this rate, there was a real danger of the heroine stepping in.
If that happened, things would get even more complicated…
I needed to stop them.
“Saki? Soyoka? Aizawa-san was just greeting you, and I’m fine, okay?”
I stood up from my seat and placed my hands on their shoulders, intending to stop them from pressing further.
Or so I thought.
“Touko! You shouldn’t stand without your cane!”
“Seriously, what if your sprain gets worse?”
“Eh, w-wait…”
But now Saki and Soyoka were panicking.
Simultaneously, they slid their bodies close to me, offering their shoulders for support.
I guess they were substituting themselves for my cane.
“T-Touko’s body is so warm…”
“And Touko-chan smells so nice…”
“…Huh?”
Something seemed off about the Futami sisters, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.
“I told you, I’m fine walking short distances without my cane by now!”
“That’s only true for familiar spaces like home. What if you trip in this cramped classroom?”
“If your sprain worsens, it won’t be funny!”
For some reason, I ended up being the one consoled and forced to sit back down.
No matter how much I insisted I was better, they were way too overprotective…
Talking to them didn’t help either.
“This is truly heartwarming.”
Aizawa-san watched with a gentle gaze, smiling warmly.
You’re too perfect yourself.
“Taking care of Touko is only natural.”
“Not to mention, whose fault is it that Touko-chan’s in danger? Should we explain it to you? Maybe behind the school building?”
“Oh?”
Once again, the Futami sisters cornered Aizawa-san, who tilted her head with a hand on her cheek.
“Getting this close will only make Aizawa-san uncomfortable. And what exactly do you plan to do behind the school building anyway?”
That’s a place where things never end in just conversation!
This is bad. I can’t leave them alone.
I tried to stand up again—
“Touko, didn’t I tell you not to stand suddenly?! The teacher said it puts too much strain on your leg! You need to use something for support!”
“When you stand, your legs bear all the weight, right? There’s a risk of worsening the pain!”
“—!?”
Before I knew it, the Futami sisters had pushed me back into my seat with lightning speed.
While they glared at Aizawa-san with anger, they looked at me with deep concern.
What’s with this difference?
“Hey, Touko’s shoulders are so delicate…”
“B-but they’re also soft, which suits Touko-chan…”
“…Hmm?”
I felt them pressing on my shoulders longer than necessary.
I wasn’t trying to stand anymore… Do they really think I’m that unruly?
“With such caring classmates, Shirahane-san can rest assured and focus on recovery.”
Once again, Aizawa-san watched with a warm gaze.
Um, I appreciate it, but please don’t join in too…
Otherwise…
“I hope you notice the person who’s interfering with her recovery.”
“Isn’t universal love just another way of saying you don’t truly love anyone?”
“Oh?”
How many times are they going to pull this routine?
If they keep engaging with Aizawa-san like this, the heroine will step in, and things will get messy.
As I glanced away, sure enough, the heroine was about to stand up.
This is bad! If things continue like this, there’s no way we’ll repair our relationships!
“Alright, let’s start homeroom.”
…Thank goodness.
The teacher had arrived just in time.
“Hmph, I’ll let it slide this time for Touko’s sake.”
“If you burden Touko-chan again… you know what’ll happen, right?”
Saki and Soyoka returned to their seats, leaving traces of hostility behind.
W-we managed to avoid a major disaster…
“Shirahane-san, wouldn’t you like to talk with me?”
N-no, um… I’m sure it feels unfair to you, Aizawa-san.
But now you understand that if you talk to me directly, the Futami sisters will get upset, right?
Look, the two of them are glaring at us from their seats.
“…Ahaha, no, it’s not like that, right?”
I could only force a smile, hoping she’d understand.
And this was just the morning homeroom on the first day.
With such a rocky start, I buried my face in my hands, feeling overwhelmed.