Veiled Secret.02: Decided to Believe

"Haaah... Seriously, what a weird-ass day..."

I'm Miyake Ramu.

Right now, a buncha stuff happened and I'm starin' up at the night sky from a park bench.

Just when I thought I was gettin' tailed by the Disciplinary Committee President, he suddenly apologizes and tells me, "I want you to believe in us." I don't think I've ever had a day make this little sense in my entire life.

That President guy went off to the convenience store sayin', "I'm gonna go buy some drinks," and hasn't come back yet.

So right now, it's just me, this girl named Mio-chan, and this girl named Fuyutsuki-san.

I know about Mio-chan 'cause she's famous even among the girls. Seein' her up close, she's ridiculously cute, totally gives off that pure and innocent vibe. Looks like she's got a good personality, too.

I don't really know the other girl, Fuyutsuki-san, but she gives off this aura that makes ya feel like ya gotta use "-san." She's a little scary. I got no clue what she's thinkin', but I figured she's a pretty girl too.

"Miyake-san, I really am so sorry, okay?"

Mio-chan bobbed her head down in another apology.

"Geez, how many times is that now? One apology is plenty, y'know."

Sayin' that, I let out a massive sigh.

...Well, I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't pissed.

I mean, ain't I right? Gettin' tailed without permission, suspected without permission, investigated without permission. And then hit with a "We believe in you" and "I want you to believe in us"—ain't that just messed up? That's what I'm sayin'.

But lookin' at this girl's face, I really can't go too hard on her.

She's all sparkly, her voice and the way she talks are so gentle, and her "good girl" aura is just off the charts.

"...But, thanks."

"Eh?"

"For actually comin' to apologize. Normally, people wouldn't go that far, yeah? It's way easier to just brush it off like, 'My bad, it was a misunderstanding~'."

As I spoke, I gave an exaggerated shrug.

"Ryo-chan is the one who decided we should go apologize."

"Ryo-chan? Oh, the President guy?"

"Yeah. He said he made you feel terrible, Miyake-san, so he wanted to apologize properly."

...Hmm, that guy, huh.

Well, I didn't think he was a bad person, but he's pretty earnest, huh. ...Even if he is a bit of a weirdo.

"Miyake-san."

Called out to, I turned my eyes to Fuyutsuki-san.

The whitish glow of the streetlight hit her profile, makin' her look pretty as a cosmetics poster. But she's got zero expression, so she's definitely still a bit scary.

"From me as well, once again—I apologize. Leave this matter to us."

The way she said it was just so typical of her, I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.

But those eyes of hers were properly lookin' at me. It wasn't from a high horse or lookin' down on me, just straight-on, head-to-head. I figured this girl must be a pretty serious person too.

"Additionally, Sawa-kun... the Disciplinary Committee President can be a bit too soft-hearted."

"I can totally see that."

"But when he said he 'decided to believe in you,' it was not just a pose."

"...How can ya say that for sure?"

At that moment, for some reason, Fuyutsuki-san giggled.

"Because he is the Disciplinary Committee President."

"? Huh..."

"I will not let him betray you."

"...Eh?"

"No. It is nothing."

Nah, I heard that loud and clear, and man, she really is a bit scary... What the heck does 'I will not let him betray you' mean?

"I believe Segawa-san knows him better than I do."

Mio-chan gave a firm nod. "Yeah!"

"Ryo-chan might not look it, but he's been super earnest since we were little. So if Ryo-chan says to leave it to him, it's totally safe to believe him! Oh, but you know—"

The light suddenly vanished from Mio-chan's eyes.

"—You absolutely can't fall in love with Ryo-chan, okay? Promise me right here, right now? ♡"

...Sc—aaary!

What was that just now!? A threat!? That was a threat, right...!? My whole impression of her just did a full 180!

No thanks, they're so scary... These two are definitely bad news if you piss 'em off...

Just who the heck is this President guy if he's got the trust of these two?

Is he actually a super terrifying person?

Ah, I feel like I'm startin' to get it...

He's the kind of guy who's the Disciplinary Committee President, so he's gotta be seriously scary on the inside. He might not look like much, but if you mess up public morals, does he beat the crap out of you in the shadows?

But he's cool with my blonde hair and stuff, so seriously, which one is he?

Also, these two have been glarin' daggers at each other for a hot minute now—

"You are his childhood friend, yet you can only evaluate Sawa-kun to that extent."

"Whatever, I can name a ton more of Ryo-chan's good points."

"For example."

"For example... he can drink canned juice without using his hands! And he's really good at doing back hip circles on the horizontal bar!"

"That is the bragging level of an elementary schooler. Is there nothing else."

"What else... Oh! He properly lines up his shoes after he takes them off!"

"That falls within the boundaries of common sense. It is only at the 'good job' level..."

Is this~... which one is it?

Are they arguin', or are they doin' a comedy routine... am I supposed to laugh here?

Fuyutsuki-san let out a massive sigh.

"At any rate, the Disciplinary Committee will take action for your sake, Miyake-san. If you face any trouble, consult us at any time."

"Y-Yeah..."

"? What is wrong."

"Er... I'm happy and all, but it's just, the Disciplinary Committee is really full of weirdos, huh..."

The moment I finished sayin' it, I gasped.

That might've been way too honest. Crap, what if they get pissed at me...?

Mio-chan and Fuyutsuki-san stared intently at each other's faces,

"True."

"Can't argue with that."

They agreed at the exact same time, and for some reason, giggled together.

When I saw those happy faces, I didn't completely understand it, but—I figured they might be people I could trust. Even if they argued, it seemed like they fundamentally understood each other.

That kinda relationship is... just a little bit, somethin' I'm jealous of.