General 8.3

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Chapter 8.3. Is the School Director My Former Boss And Now My Subordinate?

"Are you disrespecting me?"

"Suo-kun, that's enough. What Yuu-kun, I mean, Kamiya-kun, is saying makes sense."

Mina intervened as the atmosphere grew tense.

"Challenging a first-year like this won't look good on you. Suo-kun, aren't you the top candidate? Shouldn't you withdraw yourself if you're going to treat underclassmen so weakly just because you know them?"

"You're always going on about being the top candidate. Despite being from a civilian background, you're quite obsessed with hierarchy and titles, aren't you?"

Mina, tall for a high school girl but still smaller than Suo-senpai, didn't back down in the slightest. She looked pretty cool.

"In any case, I'm looking forward to the opening ceremony where the top candidate will be chosen. If I become the top candidate, I'll tighten the reins even more, so be prepared."

With that parting shot, Senpai Suo left.

"Sorry, Yuu-kun. Getting you involved with someone strange like that."

"No, Mina, it's not your fault. Thanks for standing up for me."

"I just wanted to set an example for Yuu-kun."

"An example? Me?"

"Yeah. During the World War, when I was getting bullied for being a mixed-race child of an enemy country, you, Yuu-kun, attacked the upperclassmen, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I got beaten up pretty bad back then."

When I was still in elementary school right after the war started, I got bullied because Mina became a citizen of the enemy country due to her mixed heritage. Children have no mercy for what they consider evil, so it was tough back then.

"So, what's up with that senpai?"

"Suo-kun and I have had similar grades since the first year, and he often picks fights with me. From the second year, there's a position called 'class top' announced on the day of the entrance ceremony. He seems to be worried whether he'll be chosen."

"Oh, I thought 'class top' was just about grades."

"It's complicated because of the backing from civilian companies or military factions. It's a hassle."

With a sigh, Mina glanced in the direction Suo had left.

"Does Mina have that kind of backing?"

"Fortunately, I come from an ordinary family, and with my mixed heritage, I didn't become a target."

"Don't people with backing have a higher status within the academy?"

"Suo-kun is a typical example. He can swagger around the school, and everyone bows to him, but in reality, he's just a puppet."

"I see. It's tough even with backing."

"Yeah... If he becomes the class top, he'll naturally try to assert dominance over me, and if I become the class top, he'll probably pick on me constantly. It's depressing either way..."

"You're amazing, Mina. I'm proud to have you as a childhood friend."

"Hehe, I don't mind hearing that from you, Yu-kun."

"In school, I guess I should call you 'Class Top Suo' then."

"I haven't been chosen as the class top yet, though. Oh! If we keep talking about this annoying stuff, the crepe shop's opening hours will start soon! Let's run, Yu-kun!"

"Got it."

Finally freed from the situation with Suo, Mina remembered her original goal and dashed off.

"Here you go. Chocolate brownie ice cream crepe and strawberry cream crepe."

"Thank you."

I took the crepes for both of us at the counter and headed towards Mina, who was waiting outside the shop.

"Here's yours, Mina. Strawberry."

"Thanks."

"There's a park nearby. Let's eat on the bench there."

"Sounds good."

As the sun was setting, Mina and I jogged to the park and sat on a bench.

"Oh no..."

"What's wrong, Yuu-kun?"

"My crepe has ice cream in it, so it's starting to melt."

Today was warmer than usual for spring, so the vanilla ice cream on the crepe was melting faster than I thought.

"We better eat it quickly then."

"Yeah, here, Mina. Open wide."

"Huh, what? Why are you giving it to me?"

"You didn't want ice cream because you thought it was my treat, right, Mina?"

"Well... that's..."

"I can't use the spoon until you're done, or it'll get dirty, so hurry up and eat."

"Wait... so you're going to use the spoon after I've been fed?!"

"I don't mind, but..."

"I do mind!!"

Oh, while we were arguing, the vanilla ice cream was melting even more, and the white liquid was about to drip.

"Here!"

I anticipated Mina's attempt to argue and shoved the spoon into her mouth.

"Mmmph...!"

Taken aback by the sudden spoon thrust, Mina made an indescribable sound.

Her face seemed to melt as the sweetness of the vanilla ice cream seeped into her tired brain.

"Yu-kun, you're so forceful..."

"Do you still want some?"

"Yes, please♪ I'll give you some of my strawberries♪"

"Moments like these after school... Ugh!"

As I was reminiscing, Mina stuffed a strawberry she pinched with her fingers into my mouth as if in retaliation.

At that moment, if I accidentally sucked on Mina's fingers, she turned bright red and dashed off to the park restroom.

Sorry, Mina.