Chapter 34: The Secret Behind Kazuma's Smile

That afternoon, the students were packing up their school supplies as usual and getting ready to go home. But not Kazuma. He looked very restless, so much so that he ignored his friends' invitation to play futsal.

"Kazuma-san, do you want to play futsal with us?" one of his friends asked.

"Sorry, I can't. I have something I have to do," Kazuma said, his voice sounding anxious.

His unusual behavior made me curious. Kazuma never usually turned down an invitation to play futsal. I just ignored it, choosing to go home.

As I was walking to the bus stop, I saw Kazuma across the street. He was smiling strangely at a small child who was eating ice cream at the bus stop.

"Gross!" I mumbled, immediately hiding behind a billboard. "Hey! Hey! Kazuma, after getting rejected so many times by girls, have you become a lolicon?!"

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind me. "Akira-kun, what are you doing—"

I quickly pulled Ayaka aside and covered her mouth. "I'm sorry, Ayaka," I whispered, my eyes still fixed on Kazuma. "But you won't believe what you're seeing."

One of my arms accidentally touched one of the "mountains" on her chest, which made her scream.

"Kyaaah!" A slapping sound rang out.

"I told you not to make a sound!" I said, rubbing my red cheek.

"Sorry! What are you hiding from, anyway?" she asked, her face red with embarrassment and curiosity.

I whispered to her what I had seen. "What? Kazuma's a lolicon? That's impossible! I'm sure you saw wrong, Akira-kun!"

Just as Ayaka said that, Kazuma once again gave that strange smile to the little child.

"He's right!" Ayaka exclaimed, then took out her phone. "Hello, Police? I want to report something—"

"Hey, don't call the police just yet!" I said, holding her phone. "Let's just see what he's planning first, and then we'll call the police!"

In the middle of the street, Reina saw the two of us stalking someone. "What are you two doing?" she asked, immediately getting pulled into our hiding spot by Ayaka. Ayaka explained the same thing I had told her.

"What? No way. Kazuma is a good person, even if he's a little clumsy. You must have seen wrong—" Reina said, not believing it.

As Reina said that, Kazuma once again smiled lecherously at a small child.

"Hello, Defense Forces? I want to report!" Reina immediately took out her phone.

"Wait, Reina-san! Why the Defense Forces?!" I said, trying to calm her down.

Suddenly, Mika arrived. She saw the three of us huddled together. "What are you three doing? Don't tell me you're cornering Akira without me?" she said, immediately thinking of strange things.

"Why are you joining in?" I asked. I was tired of explaining. I finally explained everything to Mika.

Mika immediately sighed. "Oh, so that's why..."

She started to explain. "A few days ago, Kazuma asked me for advice. He asked what kind of cake and ice cream was good for his sister. It turns out his sister is sick and broke her leg," Mika said in a gentle tone.

All of us were shocked. "Kazuma was looking at that little child because she looks like his sister. He just wanted to know what kids her age liked," Mika explained.

I and the others immediately felt very embarrassed. We all sighed in relief. We had accused our own friend just because of a misunderstanding. We felt stupid and guilty.

"I'll treat you all to ice cream!" I said, trying to make amends. Mika laughed, Reina smiled, and Ayaka immediately nodded with a happy face.