＜After School＞

I'm walking home with Reina-senpai as promised, but we're both silent, walking in a quiet daze.

"…………"

"…………"

We walk without saying anything to each other, and we reach the usual spot where we part ways.

"Um..."

"Kasugai-kun. There's a place I want you to come with me. Come with me."

"Y, yes."

I follow Reina-senpai as she tells me, and we arrive at a large, single-family home. The nameplate reads 'Mahima'. It's Reina-senpai's house.

"Come in."

"Eh, but..."

"Please."

Reina-senpai's face looked like she might cry if I pushed her a little more.

"Okay."

I can't refuse, so I enter her home.

"I, I'm coming in."

"...My father and mother are both on business trips right now, so you don't need to be so formal. Let's talk in my room. This way."

Reina-senpai's room is only furnished with a desk and a bed. I don't see any entertainment items like manga or games, only textbooks on the desk.

"Sorry, it's not much... it's a boring room, isn't it?"

"N, no, not at all."

As I try to sit on the floor, she gestures for me to sit on the bed. I feel a little sorry, but I sit on the bed. Reina-senpai sits down on a chair and starts talking.

"…………Remember before, when I said I was tired from all the pressure?"

"Yes, I remember."

It was the time we walked home together before she got injured.

"To be honest... when I got injured, I was... happy to be released from the pressure of the club activities."

"…………I see."

"When I told the coach I was injured, as expected, he gave me a disappointed look and sighed. The club members expressed their concerns for a while.

But it quickly changed to, 'We'll do our best for Senpai, so you should focus on your studies'. ...Jin was the same."

Reina-senpai clenches her fist.

She received disappointment from the coach, and the club members' concern quickly changed to expectations.

In the end, even after her injury, Reina-senpai couldn't escape the pressure.

"Being perfect... ...I'm so tired of it."

Reina-senpai, with a dry laugh, is completely drained. I didn't realize she was under so much pressure.

"…………"

I felt like if I left Reina-senpai like this, I wouldn't be able to see the Reina-senpai I admire anymore.

I don't think words of encouragement would reach her now. I'll just tell her what I feel.

"U, um, Reina-senpai, I think you should rely on others more!"

"Eh..."

Reina-senpai is surprised by my words.

"I haven't experienced being expected so much from others, so I can't understand how you feel, Senpai, but I think you should speak up more!

You should say things like, 'I'm tired,' or 'I don't want to try so hard', or 'I want to take a break'. You should show your true self to someone, like Miyachi-senpai, and let them see you more."

"………………………………Rely on others. Show your true self."

"I'm sure everyone around you would accept Reina-senpai even if you weren't perfect!"

I think Reina-senpai is pushing herself too hard. I think she's trying too hard to be perfect.

She should be more relaxed, she doesn't have to be perfect. It's okay to show her weaknesses to other people. I tried to express my feelings to Reina-senpai.