Chapter 35: Mature-headed
Ayaka had a thankful smile on her face when she heard those words from Nico. While the twin-tailed senpai said that anyone shouldn't interfere with the pair of the young couple's matter is true. However, Ayaka and Hanayo didn't think of it like that as both are pretty fine and don't mind it. After all, they openly told them about their relationship.
"Thank you, Nico-senpai!"
"Don't thank me. I don't do anything."
There was a faint blush on Nico's cheeks for the "thank you" she received from Ayaka. After that, the orange-haired first-year turned to Nozomi and Eli, nodded, and told them.
"And that's that, Nozomi-senpai, Eli-senpai. You can ask me about it, and I have no problem answering that. However, this is a really unexpected situation that could happen because of my carelessness. I didn't think it would be like this."
Ayaka said with a slight huff and troubled smile. Hanayo and others suddenly felt bad for it, especially Nozomi, who is cringed at that since she was the one who asked that question first without considering what she asked. The purple-haired student council vice president is thankful that Ayaka forgives her easily like that but still has some guilt.
The orange-haired first-year continued. Ayaka got the μ's attention fully focused on her.
'Honestly, I didn't mean to tell of that to everyone here this fast. Hana is the one that knows most, and I only gave Nico-senpai some hints. However, if I didn't tell you this, that would leave you hanging, and know that you would go so far as stalking me like what happened to Nico-senpai."
"I positively sure they would do that, Todokami."
Nico voiced what she thought and huffed in annoyance, causing Ayaka to chuckle and others to sweatdrop when they remembered that time. They couldn't deny the truth spoken by Nico and Ayaka. Maki and Umi felt embarrassed and ashamed that they just went along with them back then.
However, the ones who are ashamed this time are Nozomi and Eli. For Nozomi, because she did ask that question to Ayaka without adequately considering it, and for Eli, she felt responsible for her best friend's behavior. They are the older ones, senpai, and should not show something like that.
"Now, now, Nico-senpai. Don't guilt-trip them like that. I said that is okay, aren't I? It's unfortunate timing, but what's done is done, and I shouldn't be crying over spilled milk. I can't undo it, so that's fine, and I'm not against it."
"Hear that, you two? Todokami is kind enough to forgive you for that. You really have a good girlfriend, Hanayo, and she is pretty mature-minded for a first-year student. Maybe because of the fact you are living alone, right, Todokami?"
"Mhm… maybe, Nico-senpai. I have no one else and am forced to be mature somehow. But was I really mature? I know that living alone and doing things by yourself sometimes can be called mature and responsible, but is that true for me? I'm not even that good at cooking like Nico-senpai, Hana, or anyone here."
She wondered while cutely tilting her head, causing all μ's members to find it adorable, and their cheeks blushed faintly. Even though Ayaka lives by herself alone and no parents have supported her since she is an orphan, she still doubting about the part whether she is mature or not. However, some of her neighbor and friends, aside from μ's, has told her that Todokami Ayaka is quite mature-headed for someone her age.
And on behalf of everyone, Eli decided to voice her opinion of that.
"If I may interject, Todokami. You're already proven to be the most mature person among us. I don't know if you have self-doubt or something similar, but you're definitely mature despite your age. That happened maybe because of your current condition influence."
Eli's words truck Ayaka. She blinked in surprise and looked down, thinking carefully of what her blonde senpai said. Hanayo also agreed with Eli since she felt that way about Ayaka, even if she has similar traits to Honoka, but a big difference clearly distains them.
"…I see. I always thought the opposite, but to think I'm mature and people around thinking about me that way too… I don't know why but I felt happy when you said that, Eli-senpai. Thank you for caring that much about me despite having only been friends for several days, Eli-senpai."
Ayaka thanked her blonde-haired senpai with gratitude, and a warm, genuine smile flashed on her face, causing Eli's cheeks to be reddened than before as it instantly covered her whole face as she felt so embarrassed and happy at the same time. Her chest also felt the same familiar tingling sensation, making her flutter in happiness.
The orange-haired orphan then thanked the other girls too. She slashed the same smile that caused the same effect to everyone, even Umi was affected by that, and she was confused when she felt that suddenly ignited within her heart.
"And thank you to everyone, too, for thinking the same about me! I felt so grateful for that and sorry for hiding this from everyone. I don't want to bother everyone here about my circumstance. Having an unnecessary drama is the last thing I want to think about."
She said the last part in small huff, causing the chorus of chuckles from μ's that slowly started from Eli and spread over them, including Ayaka's girlfriend, Hanayo. Of course, this made Ayaka confused as to why they suddenly chuckled like that. It is a surprise for Ayaka to see Umi and Maki join the chuckle chorus like that.
And Nico then speaks up first to reply to Ayaka's words after stopping to chuckle.
"It is the same thing I have said to you yesterday, and I get your feeling. We better avoid causing something like that. It's hard to deal with when everything spreads quickly, and we realize it too late."
What Nico said caused everyone, except Ayaka, to slightly tilt their heads in curiosity when she mentioned yesterday.
"Yesterday? Did you and Ayachi meet each other somehow yesterday, Nico-chan?"
Nozomi asked curiously, and not only her who showed that, but everyone even Hanayo. However, the one who isn't showing any jealousy sign is only Hanayo, while everyone else does. This caused Nico to panic a little, realizing her mistake.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone