12 I Really Don’t Like Being Wrongfully Accused

After safely making it through PE and changing back into my uniform, I was walking down the hallway when I bumped into Chito-chan.

Maybe it was fate, or maybe she’d just been lurking around waiting for me to show up.

I decided to leave that mystery unsolved as we started walking side-by-side—until a voice called out to us.

"Excuse me, you two."

The person who stopped us was a woman in a white lab coat.

Her black hair was tied in a low ponytail, her makeup was minimal, and she wore a pair of glasses. She stood just under 160 centimeters—not exactly tall, which was a bit of a shame.

To be clear, that’s just my personal preference speaking; she wasn’t "unfortunate" as a person, and I wouldn’t want anyone to misunderstand. She had a sophisticated, intellectual air about her, so she was definitely in the zone.

"You there, the boy. Your class and name?"

"Class 1-1, Sora—as in ‘Sora’—Tochika-desu."

"And I’m—"

"You’re Naruse Chito-san, also from Class 1-1, correct?"

"...Am I famous?" Chito-chan asked, tilting her head.

"Seems you’re more famous than me," I noted.

Given her size, it wasn't surprising. Even the upperclassmen seemed to know who she was. Once you saw her, you didn't exactly forget her.

"I thought I’d checked out all the female staff, but I don’t recognize this one," I muttered.

"Tochika-kun, that is not something you say in front of people!"

"I am Amemori Chizuru. I’m the school counselor."

"Oh, so this school actually has a counselor? I had no idea."

Even with my thorough scouting, I’d managed to miss that.

"I’m only here twice a week. Very few schools have a permanent counselor on-site, so we usually split our time between multiple campuses."

Fair enough. Counselors aren't volunteers, and I doubt students are breaking down her door every single day. If a school had that many kids suffering from mental breakdowns, it would probably need a total systemic overhaul.

"My office is the ‘Student Consultation Room’ on the second floor, but I also do rounds. It’s important to see how students behave in their natural environment. For instance... you two were just talking about a bra or something, weren’t you?"

"Ugh."

Crap. She must have overheard our stupid banter from after PE. I hadn't felt anyone nearby, but Chito-chan does have a bit of a projection problem.

"Um, that was just me accidentally showing it to Tochika-kun! He’s not a bad guy—well, okay, he has zero filter and says too much, but he’s not a bad person!"

"That half-hearted backup actually hurts more than the accusation," I deadpanned.

Well, it was basically true, so it didn't really hurt.

"Hmm..."

Amamori-san scrutinized the two of us. I’d heard the title "Counselor" plenty of times, but I didn't really know what they actually did. Were they like mentalists or something?

The look she was giving us felt... loaded.

"Actually, I’ve been wanting to have a word with you, Naruse-san."

"Eh! W-Wait, I didn't do anything bad—"

"You did, though. You were skipping class on the hill the other day."

"Why are you ratting me out?! You were there too, Tochika-kun!"

Sheesh. I got dragged into that one fast.

"Hehe. I’m not a teacher, so I’m not going to lecture you about skipping."

"Let’s see... did we do anything else we could get in trouble for...?"

"Stop looking for more crimes, Tochika-kun!" Chito-chan hissed, glaring at me.

"The bell’s about to ring. Naruse-san, could you stop by the Consultation Room after school? It won’t take long."

"Can Tochika-kun come too?"

"Oh... Er... Yes, of course. That’s fine."

Did Amamori-san just look visibly annoyed? Whatever her deal was, she seemed in a hurry and disappeared down the hall.

"A counselor, huh? I think I could get used to the charm of an intellectual Onee-san."

"Tochika-kun, do you just have zero standards?"

How rude. My strike zone is plenty wide, but my preference is strictly limited to older women. There's a big difference.

School ended, and I found myself walking down the second-floor corridor with Chito-chan.

"Chito-chan, aren't you a little nervous about being called in by the counselor?"

"Really? She seemed nice enough."

"Well, if a counselor looked terrifying, they’d be out of a job pretty quick."

Still, the way Amamori-san had been probing us bothered me...

"After you, Chito-chan."

"Me? Honestly, fine. Excuse me~!"

Chito-chan knocked and entered the room. Amamori-san was sitting at a desk in the back, still in her white coat. The office was cramped—just the desk and a small table with four chairs.

"Welcome. Sorry for calling you here so late."

"It’s fine! Tochika-kun doesn't have a life anyway."

"Hey, I can hear you."

The fact that it was true was the saddest part. But then again, Chito-chan didn't exactly have plans outside of her part-time job either.

"Amamori-san, is this talk... about me being small?"

Whoa. Chito-chan went straight for the jugular.

"I’m sorry. I suppose it would come across that way, wouldn't it? How insensitive of me... and I’m supposed to be a counselor."

"Oh, it's okay. I’m pretty used to people being non-deli by now."

"That one stung a little, Chito-chan."

If my existence was helping her build up a tolerance to tactlessness, I guess I was doing some good.

"That’s exactly it. That’s the important part."

"Important? Uh, I mean... why is that important?" Chito-chan corrected her casual tone.

"Tochika-kun... he seems like a polite enough boy to me, but is he really that... non-deli? Does he lack a sense of delicacy?"

"Oh, well, it’s usually just us bickering. I mean, there are plenty of times where I think he has no filter, but I usually just snap back at him reflexively."

"Is that really it? Naruse-san, you seem like a very kind girl. Are you sure you aren't just trying to protect your classmate?"

"......"

Was it just me, or was there a hint of malice in Amamori-san’s voice? Chito-chan looked just as bewildered as I felt.

"Naruse-san, you didn't go to the same middle school as Tochika-kun, did you? You’ve only just met. Surely you aren't close enough to be telling each other everything yet?"

"Technically we met once before high school started... but yeah, we only became friends this term."

"Then, um... isn't it a bit early to be talking about... undergarments?"

Is there a specific schedule for that kind of thing?

Amamori-san’s face turned bright red as she looked at Chito-chan. She looked like a woman of a certain age, but maybe she was surprisingly pure-hearted.

"Regardless of whatever weird stuff Tochika-kun is thinking, I don't really mind it."

"No, that’s a lie."

Amamori-san leaned forward, shaking her head.

"Tell me the truth. I don't think there’s a woman alive who would be happy having a boy she barely knows talk to her about her underwear."

"I mean, I guess so. But Tochika-kun is..."

"You’ve known him for such a short time, and he isn't even your boyfriend, is he?"

".................."

Hold on. This conversation was going in a very weird direction. Actually—was I even supposed to be hearing this?

"Amamori-san, should I step out for a bit?"

"Yes, I think that would be for the—"

"N-No! It’s fine if Tochika-kun stays!"

Chito-chan cut in frantically. Amamori-san glared at me and let out a heavy sigh.

"Of course, if that’s what Naruse-san wants, I can’t refuse. However..."

"However what?" Chito-chan pressed, still looking lost.

"Then I’ll just come out and ask! Naruse-san—is Tochika-kun taking advantage of your small, fragile appearance to make sexual demands of you?!"

Amamori-san slammed her hands on the table and stood up. She was staring at Chito-chan with an intensity that was frankly a little terrifying.

"Um, Amamori-san, I—"

"Tochika-kun wouldn't do something like that! Even if he is a groper—"

"A groper?! Tochika-kun, have you groped someone before?! That changes everything!"

"W-Wait, Amamori-san, that’s not what she meant!"

Chito-chan started flailing her arms, looking to me for help. I had a feeling that anything I said right now would just be throwing gasoline on the fire.

"No, I understand. I know I’m overstepping as a counselor. But I simply cannot leave Naruse-san to her own devices."

Amamori-san seemed to regain some of her composure and sat back down.

"Naruse-san, you are small... and quite cute. I know I shouldn't comment on a student’s appearance, but..."

"Oh, I see. I don't really mind people talking about how I look. But more importantly, Tochika-kun—"

"Please, let me finish, Naruse-san."

Wait, she’s not going to let me talk? I guess she’s already committed to this bit. She clearly suspected I was doing something... inappropriate to the tiny Chito-chan.

"Are you truly alright, Naruse-san? Are you getting along with the boys?"

"I’m not that weak. I mean, sure, I get some weirdos approaching me sometimes."

"That’s exactly the problem! Naruse-san, you are... well, you’re an easy target!"

Amamori-san tapped on the tablet on her desk and turned the screen toward us. We both leaned in to look.

【High school boy brings local elementary school girl into home to take sexual photos...】

"Ugh, creepy."

Even the usually cheerful Chito-chan had a look of pure disgust on her face.

"And it’s in this city, too. I hadn't heard about this news."

"People often miss it. The perpetrator is a minor, so their name and face aren't released."

"I guess it’s the kind of thing that shocks you for a second, but then you forget about it because there are so many similar cases," I added.

It was a revolting story, but without a name or face—and since I couldn't wrap my head around the criminal’s logic anyway—it didn't really stick in my mind.

"Things like this happen all the time, unfortunately. Of course, Naruse-san isn't an elementary schooler, but..."

"So... you’re just worried about me, Amamori-san?"

"A counselor shouldn't just respond after something happens! We should act to prevent things when we see the warning signs!"

““......””

Chito-chan and I exchanged a look. This woman was a meddler, prone to jumping to conclusions, and definitely overstepping... but she’d clearly been keeping an eye on Chito-chan for a while. She’d been worried, and the moment she saw a boy bothering Chito-chan, she convinced herself her worst fears were coming true.

"So, Naruse-san. If you’re in trouble, tell me early. These cases are hard to prevent, but we have to take whatever steps we can."

"......"

It seemed Amamori-san was done with her lecture. She genuinely cared about Chito-chan and genuinely thought I was a creep. That "bra talk" she overheard wasn't a coincidence; she’d been following us while doing her "rounds."

"If anything, I’m the one being bothered here," I muttered.

"Right?"

Wait, Chito-chan, don't just nod along to that.

"Um, Amamori-san. I’ll be blunt: Tochika-kun is trustworthy. Even when he saw my bra or when I pressed my chest against him, he just shrugged it off."

"Naruse-san, that makes me want to counsel you for entirely different reasons."

"Let me say something too."

I raised my hand like I was in class.

"The truth is, I’m into mature, tall beauties. Chito-chan is the literal polar opposite of my type."

"...That’s a common excuse."

"Eh? I mean, it’s a bit niche, but it’s not that weird a hobby."

"That’s not what I mean. When someone’s true preferences are dangerous or socially unacceptable, they often claim to like the exact opposite to deceive the world."

"I am not nearly that sophisticated."

If you start doubting everything, there’s no end to it. That was exactly what Amamori-san was doing.

"The reason I’m so open about my type is because I figured if everyone knew, someone might eventually introduce me to a beautiful Onee-san."

"Tochika-kun, that’s why you’ve been blabbering about it?!"

"It’s nothing to be ashamed of."

I felt zero guilt about my preferences. Unlike what Amamori-san thought, I had absolutely no reason to hide it.

"Well, I guess you can't exactly go around telling people you like tiny, cute, loli-looking girls. Compared to that, Tochika-kun’s preference is way easier to talk about."

"Loli-looking...?"

Chito-chan, was that meant to be self-deprecation?

"B-But still! Even if those are Tochika-kun’s preferences, boys are creatures that can feel lust even if someone isn't exactly their type!"

"Amamori-san, do you have a bit of a prejudice against men?"

"...I will admit I went to an all-girls school."

She nodded at my jab. If anything, she seemed a bit too soft on girls. I wasn't sure if that was a great trait for a co-ed school counselor, but boys are simple creatures, so I guess it didn't matter.

"Actually, I kind of want Tochika-kun to feel a little lust for me..."

"Naruse-san!"

"J-Just kidding! But Tochika-kun is fine. He’s harmless. He’s so harmless it’s actually insulting to my womanhood."

Wow, Chito-chan. Am I really that rude?

"...But Naruse-san, you barely know Tochika-kun. It’s important to know your partner. You seem to like him, but even a love that lasts a hundred years can cool in an instant."

This woman was getting so worked up she was trying to tank my reputation for no reason.

"Hmph..."

"Hmm?"

Chito-chan was looking visibly annoyed now.

"Tochika-kun, do you have a curfew?"

"Curfew? Not really... as long as I’m home by ten, it’s usually fine."

My parents were serious people, but they trusted the son they’d raised.

"I can stay out until nine if I clear it with Onee. I’ve hung out with Nono that late before. That gives us... about five hours from now."

"Chito-chan, what are you talking about?"

"I’d be happy if you walked me home after. So..."

Chito-chan stood up and looked down at me. Even though I was sitting, it was a novel experience being looked down upon by her.

"Naruse-san, I haven't finished our talk yet..."

"No, I think I understand perfectly. Tochika-kun."

"Yeah?"

"Let’s go to a cafe or somewhere and talk. So we can get to know each other... for like, ten hours."

"What happened to the nine o'clock curfew?!"

Ten hours from now would blow right past any curfew... but why was Chito-chan so mad? Was it because she was being treated like a child? Or because the boy she (apparently) liked was being treated like a pervert?

Well, I figured I’d have ten hours to find out.