Feigning Mediocrity to Perform Quiet Deeds

A class meeting after school.

Noriko: “Inoue! Why don’t you ever help with the cleaning?”

Inoue: “Cleaning? That stuff wears me out.”

Noriko: “So only you get to rest. Despicable!”Inoue: “Ah, shut it. Who put you in charge?”

After the meeting . . .

Mari: “You’re amazing, Noriko. I could never say all that to Inoue. He’s terrifying.” Noriko: “Of course I’m going to tell him, the way he acts.”

Mari: “Meanwhile, Tanaka does nothing as usual.”Ayako: “That useless lump.”

Cleaning time that day.

Noriko: “Where is Inoue?!”

Noriko: “I’m not letting this go. Not today.”

Noriko: “Hmm, it’s Tanaka. What’s he doing here with Inoue?”

Tanaka: “Wow, the top of the window’s sparkling. That’s amazing, Inoue.” Inoue: “You can save the sweet talk.”

Tanaka: “No, it really helps doing the bits I can’t reach.”

Noriko looks on silently.

Tanaka: “Could you give me a hand moving the shelves tomorrow?” Inoue: “Ah, all right, sure. . . . Not like I have a choice, right?”

Thinking to herself: “You can do it, Noriko!”

Noriko: “Hey, can I help too?”