Report 17

Plot
Annoyed by Chizuru apparently remembering him solely for the cigarette incident and wondering how someone so intelligent cannot remember his name from the round of introductions, Arata introduces himself again. Chizuru on the other had wonders how someone so stupid does remember her name. Despite his growing annoyance, Arata remembers that he also judged Kazuomi earlier based on his first impression of him, and changes the subject by asking what she was doing in the staff room.

Chizuru tells him she wanted to clarify something she did not understand about the tests, prompting Arata to note how serious she is. This gets her wondering if he thinks she is boring, as people have been talking about her as serious and formal since she was young. She tells him that she never saw not having close friends due to her shyness as a problem, but that needing help from a stranger* in the cafeteria earlier influenced her to want to change, yet she does not know how.

She asks Arata if he finds her annoying. He sincerely answers that she is kind of a pain, hurting her with his directness – to his surprise, as she herself has been extremely blunt. However, Arata continues that he also finds her an interesting person, and suggests that she try smiling a bit more. She tries it right then and there, showing him something completely different from the beautiful genuine smile earlier in the cafeteria: a smirk that looks both smug and unnatural.

*Arata

Trivia

 * The events in this chapter took place on April 8th, 2013.