Niwadatsuru is a thin gal in appearance.
We were in the same class, but we never talked. I thought we were from different worlds in terms of personality, academic ability, and race.

'Oh, well, we never talked.
'Right. Nice to meet you.
''Oh.''
'So, this is kind of sudden.
''What is it?''
What kind of person is Alina-san?

There's been a lot of bushwhacking lately.

I don't know what to say. You've got a reputation for bad-mouthing people.
'I know that. I don't want to know what's on the surface, I want to know what's on the inside.'
'What's in it for him, huh? Wait a minute. Why are you asking me that?
'Cause I thought you guys were dating.

There you go again. If we don't do something about this false information soon, Alina is going to get really angry.
In the past, I've had my shin slashed with a broom and my side stabbed with a champagne pen, but this time I don't get it. Or a hammer to the skull.

'First of all, I'm not dating anyone. Let me define it this way.
'I asked a lot of people who is close to Alina and your name came up. So, what do you think?
'The information you handle is too risky. Tell me why you want to know that first.'
'Mmm, stubborn ...... I was saved by her once.'
''Oh.''
'That was the winter of my freshman year. It was so cold that I had to wear a scarf. I fell down on the sidewalk, which was so slippery that it looked like a skating ring. Very badly. I hurt my knee and couldn't stand up. It was bleeding and it hurt so bad I thought it was broken. I tried to stand up and grabbed the guardrail, but it was no use.
Then a girl in the same uniform walked past me. And she squatted down with her back to me. She said, "Get in. She said that and gave me a piggyback ride. I didn't even know her name, and I felt bad for giving her a ride, so I just shut down. In the end, I couldn't even thank her until we got to school.
'That mysterious girl, she's very powerful.
'So I looked for her at school ever since that day. I could only recognize her from the back, and it is a hard search to find someone in a school with nearly 700 students. I had half given up looking for her, but just the other day, when the rumor came out that you and Alina were dating, I knew you, but I had never seen Alina before. Then I noticed that she was always listed in the top students' list, so I got curious and looked for her. And when I found her, everything matched.
'Alina, you must be...'
'Yeah. Definitely Alina. Definitely Alina. But she was so conspicuous that I couldn't talk to her for a long time because I felt like I shouldn't approach her. It's the same now. So I was looking for a chance, when I heard a rumor that Comet Sakakiki, a famous weirdo in my class, was dating Arina Hiba. I thought it was a good chance, but I've never talked to you before, and I thought I'd get strange looks if I suddenly talked to you, so I couldn't ...... ask you again.

She looks like she's going to push you hard, but inside she's the complete opposite. It's an interesting gap.

So, now is a good time.
'...... yeah'.
Do you have time from now on?'
''Why not?''
'I'll be your bridge between Alina and you.'
What, all of a sudden?
'You'll never get another chance, so take the offer and you'll win.
Ummm...'

Tsuru in distress.

'What are you doing? Are you trying to kidnap me again?

Geez. It's him.
Alina is looking at me and the crane with a quizzical expression. We bumped into each other at the store. She just wandered in at this critical moment when the cranes were wondering what to do.
The cranes seemed to have stopped thinking, their eyes darting about. I waved my hand in front of him, but he did not respond.
I had no choice but to take him with me.

Tsuru. Let's go!
'You're really going to kidnap me. You should have your brain electrified. You'll be dead before you know it.
We don't kidnap people in public places like this. But if you do kidnap Dr. Akakusa, give me a shout. I'll cooperate.
'Huh. I wonder if someone could take it to the junkyard.

I pulled out the stopped crane's hand and headed for the rose garden. Alina followed close behind.
When we arrived at the rose garden, the first thing I did was to make Tsuru sit on a chair and bring him back to consciousness.

'Hey, Tsuru! Come back here!
'Oh, my God. Where am I?
'This is the former teacher's office. And this is Alina.

Alina turned her head slightly and kept her eyes down. It looks like she's bailing.

Oh, wow, it's nice to meet you. I'm Futatsutsuru. It's written " ,animal crane".


'Alina Hibane'.
'Hey, Alina. Keep up the Japanese. Do you die if you say more than six words?
'Shut up, cicada shell. You should be collected by school children.
So this foul-mouthed woman is Alina Hiba. Disillusioning, isn't it? I'll give her the extra status of being good-looking, but inside she's worse than a rotten apple. Wicked witches would be surprised at the neurotoxin in these apples.
I'm sorry.'

This sequence of events further confused Tsuru.

'Oh, God--. You know, they are a good couple, aren't they?

No. Let's calm the crane down.
Alina's brow is furrowing, or has already furrowed. Let's have a cool down.

After a short break, Tsuru finally understands what's going on.
She is looking intently at the preserved flowers with great interest. Alina is reading as usual.

I see. Comet is helping Alina-san, isn't that right?
'That's right. Dr. Akakusa asked me. Only a few people know about this. We are not a club and we are not volunteers, so we work in the shadows. Tsuru is the first to explain our relationship. Keep it a secret. I'm warning you... if you tell anyone, you'll die. I'll take '
'Don't worry, don't tell me--or the comet will die. ......'
'By the way, Tsuru is the first person other than me and Alina to enter this room.
'Is this a secret place or something ......?'

Crane looked around with a face that could be either stunned or impressed. Nothing in particular, though. Just some flowers that Alina brought, a desk, and a chair.

So, Tsuru. You don't say?
'...... yeah. I'll tell you.'

Tsuru slowly stood up and stood in front of Alina.
Alina placed the bookmark on her finger and dexterously rotated it as she continued reading. I opened the tomato juice as if I were watching a movie. I have a feeling that I will be able to observe an interesting chemical change.

'Excuse me, Alina-san. I've been wanting to thank you for everything.
'Why? I don't think I'm involved with anyone. Except for a few rags in the corner drinking tomato juice.

That's just awful.

But you know, you saved my life once.
'Yeah? I don't remember. I don't even know you.
'Last winter. I fell and hurt myself on the way to school and you gave me a piggyback ride, right, Alina?''

Alina's eyes widened for a moment. I, who have eyes of hell, not ears of hell, did not miss that moment.

'I doubt that. I don't think so. I'm the kind of person who doesn't want to help anyone, so it's not possible.
'But I'll always remember. Your dark hair, your height, your voice. It made me really happy. That's why I've been looking for you at school for over six months, to thank you. I thought maybe you had graduated, and I honestly almost gave up. But recently I found out it was you and I really wanted to talk to you.
'You've got the wrong guy. I don't need you to thank me. It's not good for the person who saved you.

Alina said coldly. As if to cut her off.
She reached for the paperback again.

'But thank you for .......'

Tsuru muttered in a muffled voice.

Alina did not say a word. Her eyes were dimmed and her long eyelashes were twitching, as if she was already reading.
Tsuru turned around and faced me.

Comet, I'm sorry for interrupting. I'm going back to the student council.
'Well, Tsuru is in the student council, right?'
I'm the secretary. Well then, thank you for your time. I'll see you later.

The usual silence fell over the rose garden.
I put the tomato juice on the desk with a "kan" and spoke to Alina.

Alina. You're not a good conwoman.
'I don't think so.'
'Yeah. You shouldn't even play poker.
''So.''
That's it. Are you a tsundere?
''Yes?''
'You were embarrassed. You were embarrassed. People are showing their appreciation.
'It wasn't me.'
'You tsundere. You're a terrible liar.



Alina groans and ruffles her hair.

'Yes, that's me. That's better.
'It's okay, I know.'
'......'
'What?'
'......'.
'You don't like it?
'...... just don't like to be thanked.'
'Oh, really?
'That annoying laugh of yours.
'There's something cute about you!
'Go away. I really feel sorry for your sister. ......'

I bit back a burst of laughter and stood up.

'I'm helping out with the tea ceremony club later, you wanna come?
'...... yeah.'

Things are changing. Maybe this is Alina herself.
But I can say with certainty that the real Alina is asleep. She is in front of us, and she looks somewhat fake. It is not the true meaning of her philosophical identity, but an image that seems to be hidden, as if it were wrapped around her whole body. She seems to be forcing herself to act as the stimulating Alina of today.
I may be wrong. But I sense an intention.
Even if it is true, I don't know why or why not. I don't see how her avoidance of people benefits herself.
Alina passes by.
I feel relieved to see her unchanged profile, but at the same time I realize the burden of meddling in people's lives.