Dullard Buddy-kun: Heading Reluctantly to School Again Today - Episode 62

Somehow, another long day at school had finally ended.

For a loner, the first day back after a break always felt especially heavy—not just on the body but deep in the heart as well.

Now that I think about it, Yamamoto-san was absent today…
Could it be that she’s feeling unwell? I hope she’s okay.

Since it’s my turn for cleaning duty this week, I couldn’t make my usual quick escape right after class. Instead, I ended up leaving much later than everyone else, only just now stepping out of the school entrance.

But something feels… off.

Aside from the slightly overcast sky, the view in front of me looks a little different from usual.

Is something happening here today?

Not that it has anything to do with me, but for some reason, there’s a decent crowd of girls gathered near the school gate.

And from what I can tell, they’re all wearing different uniforms—meaning they’re from different schools.

Wait… is this… some kind of fan meetup?

Could it be…?

Has the rumor about Hani-sama coming to this school already spread to other schools?

If that’s the case, things are moving way too fast. But more than that…

Hani-sama’s influence is seriously insane.

Even my sister is a huge fan, but if these girls are really here because of that rumor, it proves just how ridiculously popular she is among other girls.

And, as expected from fans of a true icon, many of them seem to be the fashionable, standout types who’d usually be the center of attention in their own classes.

Well, either way, it has nothing to do with me. Still, I can’t help but be a little impressed.

Thinking that, I quietly weave my way through the group of girls near the gate.

“Ugh, why is the handsome guy taking so long to come out?”

“Are we sure this is even the right school?”

“I’m totally getting his contact info today, no matter what!”

…Huh?

What the hell? As I pass by, snippets of their conversation reach my ears.

A… handsome guy…?

No way. Is this…

A fan gathering for Sakaki?

Now that I think about it, that guy did say he got selected as the Kanto representative for some random handsome guy contest or whatever…

Seriously? Does he really have that much influence?

Well, if I said anything, it’d just come off as jealousy, so I’ll keep my mouth shut…

But if this is the case, then the world is doomed.

Yeah, this world always favors guys like him.

Meanwhile, as I weave my way through the crowd of girls, not a single one of them even spares me a glance. It’s like I’m completely invisible.

Well, I guess I’m always kind of invisible at school anyway…

Either way, whatever happens at this school has nothing to do with me.

“Hey, Mamiya.”

“Huh?”

Just as I thought I had made it past the crowd of girls, I suddenly hear someone call my name.

When I look up—

Standing there is…

Shibuya… from the class next door?

Out of nowhere, she just pops up in front of me, as if she had been waiting.

“Let’s walk home together.”

“Huh?”

Walk home… together?

“Walk home…?”

“Yeah, together.”

I mean… I don’t really have a reason to say no, but—

“Uh, sure…”

“Mm. Hehe, it’s really noisy here, huh?”

Yeah, no kidding.

“Yeah, seriously… But, Shibuya-san, do you know what’s going on here?”

She’s a girl too, so she might know something. Might as well check if my guess was right…

“Mm, I know.”

“Knew it. Then, tell me.”

It has to be what I thought—Sakaki’s fan meetup, right?

“Hehe, it’s a secret.”

A secret…? Why?

Also, is it just me, or is she in an exceptionally good mood today?

Her smile seems even brighter than usual…

“Hey!!! Shibuya!!! I heard you were late again today without permission!!! And you still haven’t written your reflection paper, have you?! Get back here!!!”

And just as I hear a familiar voice yelling from the school building, I turn to see a certain teacher sprinting in our direction…

Ah, it’s Gotouda from student discipline…

“Aaah, guess I’ve been caught. Too bad. Oh well, sorry, Mamiya, see you tomorrow.”

Shibuya-san is as carefree as ever. Seriously, she’s something else…

“Hey!!! You students!!! What’s with this massive crowd at the gate?!?! What school are you all from?!?!”

And Gotouda is Gotouda—always busy.

Where does he even get all that energy?

“Oh, right. Mamiya…”

Huh? What now, Shibuya-san?

“Hehe, from now on, just call me Arisa.”

…Huh?

“Mm. Well, see you.”

With that, she casually stuffs both hands back into her uniform pockets and strolls back toward the school building.

Uh…

From now on… I can call her Arisa?

W-Well, whatever. I should just head home…

Yeah. The train’s waiting, too.

That aside… it’s getting pretty warm outside.

Yeah… really warm…

Alright. Time to go home.