Chapter 7: Shoko Nishimiya's Kindness
Time ticked away bit by bit.
The people in the class were very curious about Shoko Nishimiya.
And why wouldn't they be?
A deaf girl was actually in their class, of course people were curious.
So, the first girl walked over.
It was Yui Yuigahama, the girl with big tits.
[Image : Yui Yuigahama]
She seemed a little shy, but she leaned in with a smile full of energy and greeted her.
"Hello, Nishimiya-san."
Shoko Nishimiya smiled and nodded, flipping to a page in her communication notebook: Hello.
Then she flipped to the next page: It is nice to meet you.
"Haha, I'm happy to meet you too..."
It had to be said—Yui Yuigahama's enthusiastic attitude made Shoko Nishimiya a little excited.
It felt like a barrier of communication had been broken.
The two of them chatted happily.
More and more people gathered around.
They chattered incessantly.
Talking about anime, pop music, favorite celebrities, cosmetics, which places had delicious food...
Shoko Nishimiya stopped flipping through her notebook. She just quietly watched them, the smile on her face unchanging.
Haruka sat to the side, quietly observing.
He knew that Shoko Nishimiya couldn't hear them clearly. Just like in class, their speaking speed was too fast.
One of the girls seemed to be mindful of Shoko Nishimiya—after all, Shoko hadn't spoken in a while—so she asked a token question. "Nishimiya-san, which celebrity do you like?"
Shoko Nishimiya didn't speak.
The chattering voices abruptly vanished.
The girl seemed a bit embarrassed.
Yui Yuigahama was very good at reading the room. Sensing the current situation, she immediately looked at Shoko Nishimiya and quickly said, "Nishimiya probably didn't hear it clearly. Nishimiya-san? Which celebrity do you like?"
She slowed down her speaking speed as she asked.
Shoko Nishimiya's eyes were full of confusion. She opened her mouth.
She didn't know what they were talking about.
She frantically flipped her communication notebook to a specific page: I am sorry, I did not hear clearly.
She was explaining.
But did the explanation matter?
The girl didn't say anything else.
The looks in the other girls' eyes became a bit strange too.
Gradually, in less than a moment, the crowd dispersed.
Only Yui Yuigahama and a precious few other girls remained.
At this time, Yumiko Miura returned. She didn't pay attention to this side of the room; she was busy focusing on the upcoming Home Economics class, seeing if she could partner up with Hayama. "Everyone get ready, we have Home Ec in a bit."
Yui Yuigahama, Hina Ebina, and the others followed her out.
Shoko Nishimiya looked at them blankly. She stood up hurriedly, wanting to write something on her notebook.
Haruka grabbed her.
"Ah? Ah... ah..."
Shoko Nishimiya looked at him in confusion, emitting urgent, raspy, and unpleasant sounds from her throat.
She wanted to chase after them.
She wanted to make friends.
She didn't want to be left behind.
She didn't want to be misunderstood.
!!!
Suddenly, as if realizing something, Shoko Nishimiya clamped her mouth shut. She covered her mouth with her hands and slumped back into her seat in defeat.
Smack!
The communication notebook fell onto the desk.
Haruka picked up the notebook and frowned. "I'm sorry' again? Is 'I'm sorry' the only thing you know how to say?"
Shoko Nishimiya acted like she didn't hear him, simply continuing to cover her mouth.
Haruka sighed helplessly. "A girl's feelings are hard to read. You didn't hear it, but in that atmosphere just now, you accidentally embarrassed her, and the mood instantly soured. The other girls are her friends, so naturally, it's awkward for them to joke around with you anymore. They all got swept up in it. Uh... do you understand?"
Shoko Nishimiya lowered her head and nodded.
Seeing her looking like she was used to keeping her head down, Haruka unconsciously furrowed his brows. "Lift your head up! Do you want to end up hunched over? Sit straight!"
?!
Shoko Nishimiya seemed to be startled. She hurriedly straightened her back and looked at Haruka, seemingly realizing something.
She took the notebook, flipped to a page with slightly jerky movements, and showed it to Haruka: Thank you.
"Thank you' again..."
At this moment, Haruka could feel the quiet insecurity Shoko carried deep inside.
"Let's go. We have Home Ec class first. You're with me."
Shoko Nishimiya's eyes widened. As if she had heard something incredible, she stood up abruptly again.
Thud!
"Ugh..."
Her knee slammed into the corner of the desk. Shoko Nishimiya rubbed it in pain while revealing a smile tinged with joy directed at Haruka.
Haruka didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
"Sit down first and rub it, otherwise it's going to swell up in a minute."
She was like a small animal. She didn't show the slightest resistance to Haruka's words, nodding obediently.
She sat down very compliantly.
However.
Neither of the two seemed to notice what was happening behind them.
A certain weak, pitiful, and helpless little Bocchi was shrinking behind her desk, silently watching their interaction.
'Ah.'
'Nishimiya-san is so gentle. Mm, Kasugano-san is really cool. Are they friends?'
'Ahhh, Hitori Gotoh, what are you thinking about?! It's Home Ec class next! Who am I going to find as a partner... Sob...'
The moment this little creature thought about the upcoming scene, she couldn't help but start shivering.
***
In Home Economics class.
Haruka rejected Hayama's invitation and, under the surprised gazes of some, walked to Shoko Nishimiya's side.
Seeing this.
A certain solitary "flower on a high peak" subtly retracted her foot and continued to stand alone to the side, resembling an iceberg with no one around her.
And in the corner, little Bocchi shrank into herself, looking at everyone with envy.
Hayama glanced at Yukino Yukinoshita, seeming to want to say something, but Yumiko Miura had already leaned in, extending an invitation to him with a fervent attitude.
In the blink of an eye, Yukino Yukinoshita was already standing alone in front of a cooking station.
It was clearly just one class, yet there was no shortage of drama. How interesting.
Haruka thought this as he helped out.
That's right.
Helping out.
In fact, Shoko Nishimiya's cooking skills were excellent—at least far better than a hack like Haruka. After realizing this, Haruka decisively gave up on the idea of leading and let her direct the show.
Shoko Nishimiya was very happy. One moment she pointed at the potatoes, the next she pointed at the carrots. The sharp kitchen knife turned into a cold flash of light in her hands.
Chop, chop, chop.
The crisp sound of the knife hitting the cutting board rang out.
Haruka followed orders from the side, acting as the assistant.
Before long, a dish with excellent color and presentation was fresh out of the pan.
"Mm, mm."
Shoko Nishimiya held the plate, gesturing for Haruka to eat. Her large eyes were filled with anticipation.
Haruka acted like a picky gourmet, slowly picking up his chopsticks, grabbing a piece, placing it in his mouth, and chewing carefully.
Accompanying Haruka's chewing, Shoko Nishimiya's expression changed constantly.
Expectation, doubt, worry, disappointment...
"..."
Seeing that she was about to lower her head again, Haruka suddenly spoke. "Mhm. It's delicious."
???
She tilted her head slightly.
In her large eyes, there was endless happiness, mixed with a trace of residual dejection.
It had a unique kind of moe charm.
----
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