SS-Shizuku’s Concerns

Shizuku’s concerns

<Author>: This is Shizuku’s story.

This one will be a bit shorter than that of the other heroines, due to me being focussing on the next term chapters.

Obon (or Bon).

It is a festival held in the summers in Japan to worship the spirits of one’s ancestors, and it is one of the seasonal events that come every year in Japanese Buddhist families.

My family is no exception. In August, I used to go home to my hometown to prepare for the event with my paternal grandparents.
However, these days, I rarely visit my parents’ house, and only visit the nearest grave from my mother’s side.

However, I feel bad for my father’s side, so I keep in touch with them every year.
Mostly, Kaede…

This year, too, mom and dad won’t be able to return from overseas, and I don’t feel comfortable going to visit their home just as their son and daughter.
I was just beginning to think about visiting the graves this year as well…

“I can’t believe I’m here…”

“Go home …I mean, your house is right across the street.”

What do you mean, “I’m here” ?

With a white one-piece dress and a straw hat.
It’s a neat childhood friend trend, but unfortunately, her house is across the street, so the trip would’ve only took three seconds.

It was an ordinary day, nothing impressive, but I realized it when I saw the bouquet of flowers in her hands.

“You’re visiting a grave?”

“Yes. Since I visited my mother’s family the other day, I thought I would go with Minato-kun to my father’s family grave since he said it would be a good idea this year.”

Since our houses are directly across the street from each other and we are taken care of by the same temple, it is not a particularly strange thing to do.
In fact, we have visited the graves of both families several times and had dinner afterwards on the same days.

Both of us have started to get busy and the number of times we frequented has decreased, but there is no reason for me to refuse.
Unfortunately, Kaede has to leave for school today, so she won’t be able to eat with us both siblings together until later.

I changed into appropriate clothes, called Shizuku who was waiting for me in the living room, and left the house.

“I’ve never been alone with Minato-kun before.”

“Most of the time Kaede comes as a set …and we’re also quite far away from your parents’ house.”

While we talked together, we tried to find a route that would keep us in the shade as much as possible.

In this heat, it’s a war of attrition.

In other words, a bean sprout boy like me can easily be dried up by the sun.
No wonder why Shizuku wears a straw hat that looks like it belongs in the countryside.

Sure, it’s a visual distraction, but it’s a great countermeasure.
Moreover, in her case, wearing a straw hat does not diminish the level of her appearance.

Rather, she stands out, creating the image of a modest girl.
In fact, all the boys who pass by her turned red in a different way, not because of the summer heat but because of her innocent appearance.

…ah, youth.
This should be called the Shizuku’s youth-destroying version.

High school boys dream during summer vacation.
That is to say, they are creatures who earnestly desire to make summer memories with her and so on.

As the content is not based on actual experience, there are no offhanded negative remarks as usual, but I suppose that is true.
It is almost torture for me to be detained in a public place all the way in summer for several hours, but I guess many people are eager nonetheless.

On the weekday afternoon, most of the people walking along the street are housewives or students on summer vacation.
There were groups of men, groups of girls…

And loners.
Occasionally, I would see pairs of men and women, or even multiple people, walking along the street, and sometimes I would see a boy nearby, staring at me.

“After all, summer vacation brings a lot of students to this town.”

“…They have rather too much time on their hands…”

We walk at a distance that is not too close, but not too far either, with our gaze directed towards an uphill road.
If we climbed up this slope, which went in the direction east of the station, we would find the grounds leading to the temple.

As I let out a light sigh and walked forward, Shizuku followed behind me.

“Our houses are across the street, our family tombs next to each other, and we’ve also known each other since childhood… Is this a coincidence?”

“It is a coincidence.”

She replied without a hitch, unusually mischievous for Shizuku.
I wonder if she wants me to call it fate.

But Shizuku, knowing that I would not give such a response, had a blooming smile on her face.

“But if Minato-kun and I become a family, we will share the same grave. …Which one would you prefer?”

“…”

A silent reply.
I don’t know what to answer, I even thought it was a distasteful way to break off the subject, but then the tiny fingers of the Shizuku grabbed my pale blue shirt.

Silently, as if we were holding hands, she continued to walk, not letting go of them.
I could have shaken her off, but before I could turn my head in the direction she was in, a phrase stuck in my brain.

[We who are extraordinary compete for the ordinary.]

These were the words that the president had uttered at the meeting.
If Shizuku’s actions were motivated by that statement, then she too has something in her mind.

It would have been easy for me to shake it off in the past, but now my arms are as heavy as lead, blurring my actions and judgment.

I know this is …guilt.
Guilt for not following what she said.

It burdens my heart more heavily than it does other people because I’ve known her since childhood.

“I wonder if tombstones are expensive…”

“Are you going to make a new one? …Well, that’s typical of Minato.”

What just came out were words that strayed us from the subject.
Fortunately, she smiled at that and I felt the silence between us go away.

Oh …I really hate my personality for being like this.

I put my hands on the grave and told my ancestors, whom I had never met, only that I was well.
They never responded, of course, and I don’t have the peculiarity of being able to see ghosts.

So, I prayed in silence only for a short time, but I think it was still meaningful.
The point is, it’s all about how you feel.

I interpreted it as if our ancestors were watching over us and that we are expected to spend our days with a positive attitude.

At the next grave, Shizuku was holding hands as well, but it was only for a short while and soon we were lined up in the aisle between the two tombs.

“Shall we go home?”

Saying this, Shizuku continued onward.
Then we passed the edge of the grounds, just before we descended the hill we had climbed, to a spot where the parking lot of this temple was located, with no houses, walls, or anything to give us a panoramic view of what was below us.

At the edge of my field of vision, I could see Sakuranaoka Academy, the school that we attended.
As I looked around the elementary school, middle school, and the girls’ high school that Kaede attended, and also saw that our house was somewhere around there, I heard a quiet murmur next to me.

“I hope the second term will be a fun one for you too, Minato-kun.”

“It’ll be bothersome.”

Kirasaka also said something similar.
I had no idea why they both made similar remarks, but I responded to her in the same way.

“Lately, Minato-kun has been interacting with people more and more, which is a positive development, in my opinion.”

“Are you my mother?”

Or my teacher?
But I unknowingly made a tsukkomi to Shizuku, who was speaking on behalf of the person who was watching over my growth.

I was told that she should refrain from cheesy comments because it would make the character misunderstood. …I forgot who it was, but…

“More people, more conversations…—.”

The last words were drowned out by the sound of the temple bells ringing.
All I knew was a fragile expression on her face and what she muttered.

“Come on, let’s go home!”

The next moment, her expression brightened as if nothing had happened, and this time, she began to walk as if she were hugging my arm, and I involuntarily started to follow her.

I couldn’t say anything about what she was trying to say, as she refused to listen back.

“More people, more conversations… and I feel like… Minato-kun’s heart is drifting further away from us.”

<Author>: I’m not sure if I’m going to publish a side-stories for the other characters…

<TL>: Nope u won’t.

ToC

Assisting Rei

<Author>: This is Kirasaka’s story.

A hundred years of your life.
In these days when the average life expectancy is increasing year by year, we sometimes wonder what we can do to make life worth living for a hundred years.

One hundred years, simply calculated, is more than four times longer than what you’ve lived till date.
Even if I had one or two hobbies, how long would they last?

I would like to complain, but there are things that are absolutely necessary.
No matter what age you are, no matter what your situation, there is one thing you can’t go wrong with.

Yep, it’s money.
Cash, pocket money, belly button savings whatever you call it.

Even for students, without exception, it is difficult to have fun without money nowadays.
Games, events, light novels and other books, etc…

Many people buy bikes and PCs as hobbies.
I mean, they say money is the best and time can’t be bought with money, but when you don’t have money to begin with, you are not even given the option to buy, so you’ll have to start by earning money.

Minato-kun’s monthly allowance given to him from his father has been decreasing year by year, so he is thinking of getting a part-time job during the short summer vacation.

Even if it is not a solution, the problem has been postponed. In the last few days, now that the current student council problem has disappeared, I have been looking at job sites on my smartphone, which I don’t use often.

No …I’m motivated.
But I don’t wanna take action.

This is a typical pattern of being aware but not taking action.

I have part-time job experience. However, when it comes to short term, I have to get interviewed, get hired, and then work for a short period during a day or two to get paid on a daily or weekly basis.

I understand how it works, but there is nothing that I am good at or intrigued by.

Just when I was wondering what to do, I received a call from the woman in question.

“You should get a part-time job.”

“It’s not an offer …right, that’s what it’s looking like.”

Kirasaka Rei, the woman who has naturally settled in the living room of the Shinra household, came to me under the pretense of paying her respects in the middle of the hot season.
It is supposed to be an invitation, but the words themselves seem determined.

As I narrowed my eyes and looked at her, she told me as if she had seen through my thoughts.

“Don’t students work part-time during summer vacation? You don’t have any experience, so you don’t know, but I can assure you that the conditions alone are unbeatable.”

“I don’t appreciate your nonchalant rich-lady behavior …so what’s the job?”

If it’s a recommendation from an acquaintance, there’s no need to go through the hassle of an interview in a strange place.

I’m glad I got one.

“It’s simple, I need you to help out at my house for a day. The pay is around this much…?”

She held up three fingers and made an offer.
I mean …three of them in one day?

That’s a lot to ask for just to help out at home.
It feels horrifying to go this far in naivete.

“Welcome aboard, business partner.”

“I feel like your voice is full of enthusiasm even though I don’t sense any motivation from your expression. …Well, okay then, I’ll have them pick you up tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m.”

She told me this as her small white hand grabbed the back of my hand that I had held out to Kirasaka.
For a moment, I thought of complaining about the fact that she was starting tomorrow, …but I decided that I couldn’t give in just yet.

My living expenses are at stake.
To be honest, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do when I’m asked to help out at someone’s house, but I think it’s better than working at a customer service or warehouse.

Now I can buy what I want.
Like books and …books.

…Surprisingly, I can live off of my earlier allowance without any hitches.
There’s nothing I really want except books.

I’m a low-interest type of guy.
No, this is the kind of guy who will be in high demand in the future.

It’s the pattern that one’s wife is completely in control of their wallet and decides their monthly allowance even though they earn their own salary.

Anyway, my first allowance during the summer vacation was decided in an unexpected way.

“Chair.”

“…”

“Chair.”

“…”

The next day, the scene was far from the part-time job I had imagined.
First of all, we came to a villa that was not the main residence of the Kirasaka household, but a villa that is a specialty reserved for rich people.

I had imagined a large mansion, so I was taken aback by the cozy, wooden building.
However, it was not cheap in any way, and while it retains the sense of luxury that permeates throughout the house, meanwhile it also has a commoner’s aura to it.

It was built at Kirasaka’s request, just as she had requested.
It is a two-story wooden house with a lawn and garden, built at the foot of a mountain, one of the most isolated places in this rural town.

There was a large river nearby, and to be honest, I felt at home in the natural surroundings.
However, once inside, I found Kirasaka’s caretaker waiting for us there outside.

I asked her the reason for this invitation.
Without even looking, she said, “Summer vacation is a natural right for the caretakers. …Come on now, you’ll be working here for today.”

And now, what she was asking me to do was not to offer her a chair, …but to be the chair itself.

“Nope …not happening.”

Minato-kun, can’t turn at such right angles.
I mean, it’s impossible with my physical specs to carry a person while being a chair.

When I refused Kirasaka’s order, she let out a small sigh.

“That won’t do, today, I’m not your classmate, but your employer, okay? Isn’t it your duty to carry out your job to the best of your ability?”

“In the future, I want to be someone who can say ‘NO’…”

“I can only worry about that future…”

As if she were my mother, she taps me next to the couch where she is sitting, as if she is worried about my future.
I knew without asking that it was a signal for me to sit down.

I sat down on that white object and was softly and gently welcomed by a fluffy sensation.
After all, the money spent is different from mine at home. …As I was thinking that, when I suddenly sat down next to her and Kirasaka’s body was lying on my side.

Her expressions showed no signs of embarrassment.

I’m a pillow, I understand.
If she had dyed her cheeks even a little, I would have felt embarrassed, too, but she has kept such a clear expression on her face that I no longer felt anything.

I just feel heavy.

How much time has passed in this position?

An hour? Maybe almost two hours.

During that time, all that permeated this room was the sound of each other’s breathing and the sound of pages being turned.

The only other sound was of nature.

Fortunately, thanks to the sofa on which I was sitting, my joints did not ache, allowing me more time to contemplate for a bit.

I recalled a lot of thoughts that I did not want to, and some errands that I did not necessarily needed to do.

But that was until Kirasaka opened her mouth.

“After the summer vacation …it’s already the second term, right?”

“It’s only the second term …if you consider that only a third of it is over, you’re in for a long haul.”

Differences in the way we think and perceive things.
But from the sound of her voice, the words sounded like they contained emotions different from mine.

It was as if she was regretting the passing of time.
I had already known from our previous interactions that she was not that kind of person, but I couldn’t believe my eyes at the momentary change.

After the reading was over, the next thing that awaited me was the cleanup of the yard.
The dead leaves on the lawn were placed in garbage bags.

Although the work was carried out in the blazing sun, fortunately it felt somewhat better, perhaps due to the fact that there was a water source nearby.
Kirasaka watched me work nonchalantly under the shady roof.

What amused me was the slight smile on her face, instead of her usual cold expression.

“Don’t you think that for the short time we’ve known each other properly, our days together have been rather intense?”

“…I wouldn’t do anything if I were aware that I was increasing that intensity.”

Her skin is as white as snow, and the word “summer” is completely inappropriate for her.

A drop of sweat spills down the end of her short hair, and she brushes it away with her hand as if it were depressing.

“I don’t feel bad about it, considering I’m giving Shinra-kun a colorful life.”

“You interpret yourself too positively…”

Picking up the last leaf in sight, I sprinkled water one last time, which was meant to bring down the heat.
The grass dripping with water reflected the sunlight as if it were happy.

Did I really want my life to become more colorful?
Did I really want to change my life, a life that repeats itself day after day, a life that is not as equal as the world often makes it out to be?

The person I was back then will never give me an answer.
The only thing that has been confronting me recently is the fact that I cannot go back to that life.

“Kirasaka …did you ever wanted to redo something in your life?”

“Redo…”

It was an unusually pure and unadulterated question.
Would she want to redo anything?

How is this world for her, who has the popularity, talent, environment, and other talents that most people would want to have?
That is what I wanted to hear.

“…”

She looked up for a moment and put her hand on her chin.
Then, after a long enough pause, she spoke the words and told me what she thought.

“There is.”

“…I see.”

—Even you have it?
When I was about to throw those words at Kirasaka, she uttered as if to continue.

“But I’ve tried not to think about it since I’ve come to believe that it simply leads to regret.”

Regret, Kirasaka’s opinion was right on the mark.
Regret is at the root of wanting to start over.

And it is because she knows the consequences that await her at that time.

The difference between people with a strong will and people with a weak will is whether they can grasp this reality or not.
They are bound by the past, unable to put past glories behind them.

But strong people are not bound by it, they can detach it as the past.
That is why Kirasaka is strong.

The reason why neither Shizuku nor Yuuto are even slightly close to her is because of the strength of their will.

“If there is one thing I will regret first in the future, it will surely be…”

Putting the book in her hand to the side, Kirasaka smiles wryly, as she usually does, as she walks to the garden, where the sun is shining.
Then, she brought his wet fingertips close to my face and murmured.

“…The day when Shinra-kun leave us?”

“…”

She turned around and returned to her original position as if to nest a giggle.
I looked at her back, and this time I muttered something to her.

“Us…”

After that, a lot of work was assigned to me.
But even as I worked, I kept thinking about the change in her.

It may be a change that she herself is not aware of.
But that is why it left a strong impression on me.

That a female student who shuns that person and hates to be in a group is seeing others and herself in the same place, even if they are not her friends.

A trivial day of summer vacation.
A day that I thought was going to be a hot and tedious day just to get a paycheck, and to know one thing, though it was really trivial.

I realized something that day for sure.
I would make do with my allowance and never ever devote my energy to a part-time job.

I’m tired of it…

<Author>: Next up is Shizuku.

ToC

SS-Hiiragi’s Peace of Mind

<TL>: It’s Kirasaka ‘Rei’, not ‘Ren’. Why do I keep forgetting that 😭.
I’ll try to fix the previous chapters later.
And as always plz point out the errors if you find any.

<Author>: This will be a discussion of a day from Akane Hiiragi’s summer vacation.

The boy was a little different from those around him since the first time I ever saw him.

Not in the sense of excelling like Rei, Kanazaki, or Ogiwara from the same grade, nor in the sense opposite to that, but he was different.

What, if asked so, it would be difficult to describe it clearly.
However, I still vividly remember that feeling that was so similar that I felt a sense of discomfort the first time I saw it.

It was as if he was looking at the world from some other point of view, like a completely different place, with no deep involvement with the others.

In my adolescent years at Sakuranaoka Academy, which was blessed with a wide variety of talent, I had never met anyone who was so uninterested or unwilling to get involved with others as he was.

It was also the first time, if I may say so myself, that I could not read any emotions in the way he looked at me.

In retrospect, perhaps that is why.

That is why I became interested in him.
I was interested in him as an object of observation, but I was interested in a student who was not in the slightest way superior to the other students around him.

And that interest continues to this very day.
I had him join the student council and observe his life at school, and he still never ceases to impress me.

It is only because of the incident the other day that I am able to talk to him openly in this way.

It’s fun.

It is the only thing that has been on my mind since then.

He doesn’t need to care about anything, and he doesn’t expect too much from me, nor does he expect me to play a role or respond to him.
No, maybe he does expect and care.

But he appreciates not having to make me realize it.
That really puts me at ease.

It’s as if he is allowing me to act as the Hiiragi Akane I was and reveal the self that I had almost forgotten.

That is probably why I gave my reply when he was proposed to me as a marriage partner.

Hopefully, the brief conversation I will have with him will be repeated many times before I leave this school.

Unlike the hot and humid air outside, cool air came through the A.C. with a quiet brr sound.

“—So you’re saying you’ve temporarily shifted Shiraishi’s attention to Koizumi?”

“Yes, …it’s not a fundamental solution, but it should still reduce the likelihood of the student council election being held relying on those guys at least.”

We were talking across the desk to each other, with coffee in our hands.

After the student council activities, the president and I were alone in the student council room after the rest of the members went home, and were exchanging information, including what had happened so far.

The President nodded deeply in satisfaction, as if to say her expectations and my actions matched.

“So, can I ask you about your future developments? Until the end if you can predict the election trends and the results…”

“…I think it’s different from what the president is thinking about.”

The development will be somewhat different depending on how you think, how you perceive it, and your relationship with the people running for election.
In my case, I have a short relationship with both Koizumi and Shiraishi, so I have little attachment to one of them.

Therefore, the result was obvious.

If Shiraishi were to run for office without the ‘ideal student council’ that she told us about, then it would be Koizumi, six to four.

“Ho …and your reason?”

“Because there are about the same number of students in each of the first three grades, and assuming that the first grade goes to Shiraishi and the second grade goes to Koizumi, the third grade has the advantage of having watched Koizumi’s activities for a whole year.”

Briefly, if I were to guess only the number, it would be Koizumi.
But if this were the only reason, president would not be convinced.

That is why I have to think beyond that and other possibilities.

“But …I don’t think Koizumi would absolutely have the advantage, though. If I had to name an element of uncertainty about Koizumi, it would be his personality. …That guy is the type of student who is most capable of supporting an organization from the behind rather than organizing it.”

What drives him is his admiration and envy for the female student in front of him.
And his current position as vice president.

He felt something akin to a sense of responsibility that he must succeed Hiiragi Akane.

But that is also his opinion based on his own way of thinking and because he has seen it happen at the student council.

From an ordinary student’s point of view, it is his bad point that he seems somewhat unreliable.
No, it is not so much a problem as it is a bad point.

But this is not the case when it comes to the student council elections.
Achievements are important, but the most important factor for students in elections is visuals.

It’s also the student custom that I detest the most.
It is the custom that if you look good, you will stand out.

It is a problem because of the optimistic mentality that students are allowed to be delinquents and not students. Well, this may be a biased way of thinking, but, well, that is the optimistic mentality of being a student.

In this regard, Shiraishi’s behavior as a member of the grade committee is flawless.

The President has already informed me that she is a student who is relied upon by both teachers and students.

Once those thoughts have been running through my mind, I pour myself a bitter drink from the cup in my hand to calm myself down.
I would have looked like a sophisticated person if I had said, “It’s not as strong as what I drink at home.” but…

It’s just bitter, that’s all.

That’s all I can think of when it comes to things and foods that I don’t like.

I let out a breath and at the same time, I looked at the president a little, but she was still smiling and listening to me.
I’m going to hear her out and make my decision from there.

“I’m sure Shiraishi won’t have a problem with that. She’s a dependable committee chairperson character, …but she’s extremely weak when it comes to anything other than her expectations. If Koizumi shows some unexpected activity, she is likely to reveal herself at once.”

So, the result will be six to four for Koizumi.

“This is just a prediction based on the current circumstances, …so please don’t take it seriously.”

If you think differently from me, that’s fine.
Predictions are just guesses.
We should not care that much about the differences.

So, this is my prediction, and I must not tell her this with any certainty.
Unwarranted expectations and anxiety are nothing but a hindrance.

Well, there is no need to have such fears about this person.
After hearing my opinion, the president nodded her head several times while thinking.

“Not bad, I have a similar development as one of my predictions.”

…How many developments does this person expect to see this as one of her predictions?

When she stated herself as neutral, she is not really able to get involved in student council matters anymore, so I guess it can’t be helped.

I said to the president with a mixture of amazement.

“By the way, how many different guesses did you make?”

“Well, …I expected there are three certain developments in which both parties will win, that is to say, including the situations in which they will be needed.”

Koizumi will win, Shiraishi will win, and one more besides.
My instinct told me not to listen to the words beyond that.

I have a feeling that things are going to be troublesome.
The fact that the president is smiling as wickedly as Kirasaka is the best proof of this.

I held out my palm to stop her from continuing.
Seeing this, the president showed a smile.

“But, well, I see how things are unfolding for Shinra. And I’m relieved to see that you don’t seem to be extremely loyal to one side or the other.”

“I can’t help but feel that I’m being called a somewhat unsympathetic person, …but in the end, it won’t end badly no matter which one of them becomes the president.”

I’ve been talking about other people, and in the end I’m just like them.
I just vaguely see the student council election as someone else’s problem.

The story of Shiraishi’s help also finished with what she would probably have expected it to do.
In other words, a bridge to the three people she asked for.

There won’t be a single thing that she needs me for other than a connection.
And the same goes for Koizumi as far as I can tell.

He won’t say it, but I’m a committee member who shouldn’t be there.
It doesn’t matter if that number is reduced.

Rather, it is an asset to be able to be allocated in the slots on the council that had been filled with useful students.
So, it would not be an exaggeration to say that my work is almost done.

I will no longer have to rely on others, think like a floater, dwell on my thoughts alone, and eventually rely on Shizuku, Kirasaka, and Yuuto.
I can focus on my true self.

“Don’t …you want a seat on the student council?”

A word of advice given was given to me at a time. It seems as if she can see right through you.

Involuntarily, I was about to turn a cold stare at the president, and I could tell that she was not pleased with me.

“Don’t be afraid …I of all know best that I’m not the right person for the Student Council in the first place, even if I want it or not.”

“…Fufu, even you can have eyes like that.”

She let out a giggle and said, teasingly.

I naturally looked away from the president, as if to distract myself from an emotion similar to irritation that I haven’t had in a long time.

“Only you and Rei can make reactions that are entertaining.”

…Please don’t use me as someone to pass the time with.

I must protect myself now so that when this person is relieved of her role as the president, the burden won’t come to me.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to compete when even Kirasaka is the target of her enjoyment.

“Shinra really does keep the …interest going.”

That one phrase fizzles out and vanishes momentarily.
A moment of summer vacation, a brief conversation before the second semester of mayhem.

The time that is not certain whether it was important or necessary to have this time was flowing in the student council.

Next up is Kirasaka Rei.

<TL>: I’m back at home, there’ll be daily updates for the next 20 days or so. 😉

ToC

#170

I proceeded down the familiar corridor to the room where the person I had seen behind the window was likely to be.
Opening the heavy metal door that seemed rather imposing, the view changed to a room surrounded by bright light.

The woman standing by the window welcomed me with a smile on her face.

“Heya, did you come here because you were curious about Koizumi too, Shinra?”

Akane Hiiragi was there, fearless and brazen, no different from when I had met her the other day.
I let out a breath that contained a variety of emotions as I no longer took her presence in this room for granted.

“…Didn’t you send that e-mail in anticipation of me bringing Shiraishi here?”

“You’re reading too much into it.”

President’s words, muttered with a bitter smile, are dissipated inside the room due to the bustle from outside.
I remember after I sat down on the chair closest to the entrance of the student council and turned my body in the direction of where the president was standing.

President’s emails of trivial daily information exchanges contained only one email with content other than her own.
It was regarding the scene we had just witnessed.

It was about the time and day of the week that Koizumi generally came to school, and how she was worried that he might get sick from the summer heat wave.
It is true that at the moment I saw it, I agreed with her and did not have any thoughts.

However, after spending time with Shiraishi during the summer vacation and experiencing the discussion of the arranged marriage with the president, I felt a really minor sense of unease.
All I received from the president was messages about something that really didn’t matter.

Things like, “There was a white cat lying in the garden,” or “The pancakes in the next town over were too sweet for me as I had imagined.”

But as for Koizumi’s story, she sent me the details.

It was as if she had foreseen that I would be there to see what was going on and had created a situation where I would surely be able to see Koizumi.

That was also the reason why I came up with the idea for this action…

It wasn’t president who didn’t understand what I was trying to say.
The next words out of president’s mouth were the ones I wanted.

“What was lacking in this student council election was mutual recognition of the other. Koizumi may have been keeping an eye on Shiraishi and planning countermeasures, but his opponent was not.”

“…I kinda understand what president is trying to say.”

Shiraishi’s eye did not recognize Koizumi.
They saw only the problem and the conditions, and neglected the essential part.

In this case, to understand the other party better.

In the case of a formal confrontation, where both sides take many votes from those around them, one should originally know of other’s actions, words, and thoughts first before presenting one’s own concept to the opposition.

Something different from the opponent, in order for the people around you to understand why you think it is better.

However, what Shiraishi was doing was laying the groundwork around her, which is far from understanding the other party.
Perhaps, no, she definitely thought that if she could put the Shizuku and others around her, she would be able to win the election without any problem.

In fact, if that had been realized, the outcome of the election would have been in sight.
But she would have ended up not recognizing her true opponent, which was the shortcoming mentioned by the president.

“I suppose this is selfish of me, but I didn’t want the two of them to play a game that depended on the power of others if at all possible. I don’t want them to be dependent on others, because that could have stagnated their thinking in the future.”

Dependence on others, succumbing to the absolute strong.
No, this is the providence of the world.

Certainly, there won’t be any growth if they rely on the major forces around them and accumulate achievements that are not of their own making.

As far as I know, I’ve often heard that people like that can’t do anything if you actually make them work alone.

If she’s going to be the head of the school and the student body, I hope she will not be like that.

I could not find the words to deny the president’s wish.

“But thanks to Shinra, this election is going to be a little bit like I wanted it to be. Thank you.”

“I …didn’t do anything.”

After all, all I did was bring the girls to this place.
The words were to Yuuto, the actions were to Kirasaka, and it was Shizuku’s last words that left open the possibility of them joining the student council.

All I have done is to speak pessimistic words, listen to someone’s complaints, and remain silent.

“But you had considered the situation when Shiraishi was not elected, and you recommended the executive committee and asked Rei and Kanazaki to join the committee. Besides, it was Shinra who triggered Shiraishi to change her mind more or less as a result.”

“I just assumed the worst-case scenario and suggested where there would be the minimum compromise for all of us. …The recommendation for committee president was also because of the president’s backing, and Shiraishi wouldn’t have changed without the words and actions of the three of them.”

So stop giving me so much credit.
I know best what I can do.

I know how small it is and how big the people around me are, which is why I feel miserable about myself.
I could almost hear what I wanted to listen to, so I got up from my seat and put my hand on the door to get out of the room.

“What do you think would happen in the future, Shinra?”

“…”

Was president’s question about the outcome of the election or about the changes in their relationship and their lives?

Two choices came to mind, but I purposely said the words about the first choice that came to mind.

“I think it’s a good match considering that Shiraishi won’t use the reasons for running for office with Shizuku and the others in front of him …the number of people in the same grade isn’t much different, so all that remains is how strong an impression she can leave.”

“…You still don’t intend to join the next student council?”

“The question is whether it is necessary or not. …me being in the current student council is due to president’s personal feelings, and as for the next student council it is due to the connections I have with Shizuku and the others. …That’s the only reason I’m needed.”

With that in my mouth, I left the student council office.
I’m sure the four of them would’ve been bored in the parking lot.

If I don’t return soon, there is even a possibility that Kirasaka would leave me behind and go home.
Once I started walking I did not look back in the direction of the student council room.

“You …don’t see yourself in their circle yet, do you?”

The sad girl’s voice drowned out the room like a ghostly spirit.
I understood that the boy who left the student council was not good at relating to others.

But if it were possible, would he be able to ignore his personal feelings, his needs, and look as innocent as a normal young boy with his friends?

I couldn’t help but hope so, even though I knew it would be difficult.

<TL> : This was the last chapter for today, I have finals next week so on update then 😛

ToC

#169

I’m not capable of interacting with people in a way that allows me to approach people’s hearts like Yuuto.
I am skeptical and always think about people’s real intentions and what lies behind their words.

Like Shizuku, I do not have the personality or appearance to be liked by everyone.
Nor does I have the overwhelming charisma to bring everyone to their knees like Kirasaka.

It is not that I have never wanted to obtain such a charisma.
But I have come to realize that it is not something I can obtain through hard work.

That does not mean that I deny people’s efforts.
If there is an answer at the end of the effort, there is no reason to stop it.

But I cannot see the slightest hope or even possibility beyond the efforts that were being made right in front of me.

As for the approach, it was not so bad.

But that’s not the case for the other party.

Shiraishi, who frowned disapprovingly at my comment, quickly looked away.

I made eye contact with Yuuto next to me, and Yuuto, perhaps sensing what was going on, called out to Shiraishi.

“Shiraishi, let’s take a break. You’ve been at it for hours today and you’re gonna lose a game even if you could’ve have won if you go on like that, okay?”

“That’s …um …understood.”

Trying to take a break in the living room, Yuuto casually escorts Shiraishi out of the room.

Alone in his room, Kirasaka looked down at the many games that were scattered.

“Did you have any near-misses?”

“A little …in the beginning, but they all tend to show her personality and weaken quickly in the second half. …She’s very competitive, and if you make a provocative move, even if she knows it’s a bait, she’ll take it head on.”

“Then she’s similar to Kirasaka in this regard.”

I said this in a teasing way, and she gave me a sharp look.
But as of right now I didn’t get a very scary impression.

There are other things to think about.

As Kirasaka said, it was Shiraishi who provoked her and brought her to the game, but she too must be a person who extremely hates to lose to others.

When it comes to a match, defeat is unacceptable to her.
That is why she wanted a rematch again.

The reason why she is challenging Kirasaka Rei again and again now is that she is making it a condition to join the student council, but before that, she is refusing to end up losing as Shiraishi Momiji.

Let me assure you, even if the current situation continued for another week, the result would be the same.
Even more so if we stick to the one-on-one matches.

No wonder she says she has memorized textbooks in the storage area of her brain, completely isolated from the surroundings.

In sports, too, she has no weakness, and in addition to that her genius brain can handle an opponent in most of sports by compensating for her talent.

This is why, by definition, she must seek other options than competition.
But she had to abandon that, and now she had been repeating the same thing everyday.

So I can assure you.
This method will not change the result.

At the moment, there is not much I can do other than watch the game.
While watching the game alone, I was thinking about other solutions than the game.

I explored several possibilities, but they were all difficult.
Psychological games were out of the question.

It was also true that I felt that a verbal solution was possible.
However, Shiraishi was too quick-witted to guess the pattern of the conversation.

As a result, she is extremely slow to adapt to situations that are contrary to her expectations.

If that happens, the outcome is obvious.
That is why there are few cards left to play.

First, it will not be resolved in the way Kirasaka wants it to be resolved.

Expecting a compromise through sympathy? Presenting the benefits of those three joining the student council?

All of these are already being attempted.
But that’s not going to happen, and that’s why we are where we are.

…Even saying it’s impossible here and calling it quits is no different from what we’ve done up until now.
At the very least, we must make an effort to change.

“Since I said I’m going to win the game, I have no intention of running away, but I hate fighting by cutting corners.”

“I know, because even Shizuku doesn’t cut any corners when it comes to a match.”

Picking up the phone placed near the letters left in a mess on the desk, I look back at the few emails I’ve received so far.
If there is any chance of changing Shiraishi’s mind, there are few choices left.

I look down at one text, a few messages back, and immediately check the time.
It was now past noon, so I might still make it if I drove there on time.

“Kirasaka …can you arrange a car for me?”

Kirasaka tilted her head to the side in surprise at these words.

We were driving to our destination in an air-conditioned car, sending silent respect to the boys who were running around outside full of energy in the disgusting heat of the summer.

There were three people in the car, me, Yuuto, and the driver.

Kirasaka, Shizuku, and Shiraishi were in the other car following right behind us.

The reason for the split up into two cars is simply because I felt uncomfortable in a car full of women and also because I wanted a place to talk with Yuuto alone.

“So, what are you doing, heading off to school in the summer holidays?”

“Well, I thought it would be most effective to have Shiraishi see it in person.”

The place of destination is Sakuranaoka Academy.
…During the summer break, Yuuto is right, I don’t stop by unless I have something to do, such as club activities, committee meetings, or student council meetings.

For those of us who don’t belong to any club activities, it is definitely a place we have no business at the moment.
Instead of answering Yuuto’s question, I show him the screen on my phone.

I feel a little bad for the person I’m talking to, but I decide that it’s easier than explaining things to him and it will be easier for Yuuto to understand.
After understanding what I was going to do, Yuuto asked a genuine question.

“I see. …Well, maybe it will help her change her mind a little. But why are you showing it to me?”

“I’m going to leave the rest to you because if I talked, it’s just going to sound flimsy.”

It’s hard for me to get the right words out of my mouth.
This is the right role for the right person, and that’s Ogiwara Yuuto-kun.

No, I’m really glad we’re friends.
I’ll send him an e-mail tonight saying, “We’re best friends!”
…He might get mad, so I’ll refrain.

The car passed through the main gate and pulled into the parking lot on campus, and we got out.

The same group of women who came out of the car next to us walked behind us, as if they don’t know why they came to the school.

We proceed through the campus, which is still bustling with the hustle and bustle of club activities, toward the school yard.
We pass a few students and who look back in surprise as they walk side by side, but we paid no attention to them now.

Without hesitation, I proceeded onward while the soccer team was just finishing up their practice and was walking up the stairs to leave the school grounds.
At the top of those stairs was Koizumi, dressed neatly in his uniform even though it was summer, sending the students off with a fresh voice.

“Good work! Please be careful of heat stroke.”

Just ask that one sentence.
I wonder if there was at the student council activity today.

“I wonder if there was any student council activity today?”

“No, there isn’t.”

This is not a student council activity.
This is genuinely something that Koizumi is doing of his own accord.

I had heard from the president via e-mail that Koizumi has been visiting the school and talking to students on all the days when club activities are being held since the summer vacation started.

When I heard about this, I thought that the election campaign had not started yet. but this seems to be the case every time since Koizumi joined the student council.

This is because Koizumi has always been thinking about the heavy responsibility of succeeding a great senior student, Akane Hiiragi, as the student council president, a responsibility that others may not understand.

He’s not as popular, well-known, or charismatic as the president.

So, in order to get his face and name known to as many people as possible, he always visits Sakuranaoka Academy, where club activities are very active, during the long vacations.

It’s diligent work, and honestly I can’t do it.
I am confident that somewhere along the way, I would fail because it would be too much trouble.

But in other words, his feelings for the student body president are that heavy.

That is why I wanted to show to Shiraishi.

I wanted to show her that there were seniors who were steadily working their way up the ladder while she was repeatedly competing against thin odds in order to realize her ideal student council.

I am not trying to say that Shiraishi’s methods are wrong.

It is just that she has more people to turn to.
There are seniors whom she is contesting for election.

Certainly Shiraishi’s motivation for applying for the student council and her message to all students would be simple and strongly supported.

But I can’t say for sure that it’s her own strength.

I will admit that Shiraishi Momiji has enough support to run for student council.

She does not know that Koizumi is a stronger opponent than Shiraishi thinks when it comes to a simple struggle as an individual.

The main reason why the president and Koizumi think Shiraishi is a threat as an opponent is because of the name recognition, popularity, and strong trust Shizuku, Kirasaka, and Yuuto have earned from the students.

I am talking like this in a big way, but I didn’t know that either.
I would never have known about them if I hadn’t moved up to the second year and didn’t have the relationships I have now.

I might not have even thought it was amazing even if I had seen it.
I might have dismissed it as a wasted effort.

It may be a crazy theory, but even I could have admired the sight of Koizumi in front of me.

I brought her here because I want to think that Shiraishi, who has joined the same student council and wants to make the school a better place, can’t possibly feel nothing towards him…

Yuuto walked up to Shiraishi, who was standing one step in front of us watching the scene in stunned amazement, and spoke to her in a gentle tone.

“I’m really glad you thought we were needed in the student body and recruited us, thank you. …but do you really need us?”

“…”

At these words, I thought I saw a slight unrest in Shiraishi, who should have responded like a model to similar words thrown at him many times before.
She clenched her fists and must have had something on her mind.

“No, if it’s necessary or not …it may be decided by the people around us, not us …But isn’t that the person Shiraishi really has to look at right now?”

Yuuto did not miss the slightest breath, the slightest reaction of her body, or the expression that clouded her face, and spoke a series of words that were convulsive, but in no way offensive.

“It’s not too late to ask us out after you beat him in the real sense of the word. Maybe that’s a choice you won’t regret later on.”

Seeing Yuuto’s smile as he said this, Shiraishi’s cheeks blushed slightly.
Then she turns around and looks at Shizuku and Kirasaka.

“If I could beat that man by my own strength alone, …would you join the student council with me?”

Shiraishi, who had been turned down many times before for similar words, asked anxiously.
But this time, Shizuku smiled and returned the words.

“Then, please tell me your story again.”

Next, Shiraishi waited quietly as if waiting for Kirasaka’s reply.

“…Next time, be prepared for a little fun and games.”

When Kirasaka stated this, she turned around and began to walk alone towards the car.
As Shizuku and Yuuto smiled at the sight of her, Shiraishi turned her body toward me for the last time.

Waiting to see what she would say, she told me nothing out of the ordinary.

“Shinra-senpai said he’ll help me, so please keep advising me tomorrow, okay?”

“…Advising? I’m not helping you, I’m just suggesting options. I don’t help directly.”

When I replied this to her, Shiraishi smiled without saying anything and looked at Koizumi again.

Perhaps she is seeing Koizumi in a different light than she did a short while ago.

I would like to think so.
As Yuuto, Shiraishi, and Shizuku started to head back to the cars, I looked up at the sky and sighed.

I wonder if this will make the situation a little better.

As I was asking myself this question, I saw a familiar figure in the school building through the glass.

<TL> : 1 more to go.

ToC

#168

The repeated victories did not change the winners and losers.
It was merely a repetition of one side proudly proclaiming its victory again and again.

Still, the girl does not give up.
What drives her so strongly?

The games continued in my room, day after day, endlessly.

“A match!”

Shiraishi declared loudly, and then told us what she was thinking.

Shiraishi, who was moving the conversation of the student’s council matters in the direction she intended with her skillful communication skills, must have had a bitter smile on her face when she heard Shizuku’s words.

But the next moment, she pointed her finger in the direction where Shizuku and Kirasaka were sitting.

If you think about it in terms of merits and demerits, there is no need to accept the match.

In fact, it would be better not to accept.

Naturally, Shizuku and the others knew that.
That is why none of them seemed distraught at Shiraishi’s comment.

In fact, there would have been no problem if the meeting had ended here.
However, the last thing that echoed in the silent room was a full-blown provocation.

“Perhaps you two are afraid of losing to me?”

“…It’s not that I’m afraid of losing or anything.”

“…”

Who would be influenced by such childish and blatant provocation?
In the first place, she didn’t even tell them what exactly she would want a match for.

The words sounded rather ill-conceived and desperate for Shiraishi, but they were useful only to a certain person.

“You said it you little girl…”

A terribly cold voice.
A low, dignified voice that sent chills through the core of her body, clouded the expression on Shiraishi’s face, who was smiling.

Kirasaka Rei stood up.
The cold gaze, as if looking down at someone, with an appearance befitting of the Ice queen.

“Fine …let’s play whatever you want, even if it’s something you’re good at, go ahead and challenge me with whatever you like.”

Shiraishi flinched at Kirasaka’s confident words.
If I were in Shiraishi’s shoes, I would probably take a few steps back if Kirasaka said that to me.

That’s how confident she was and how powerful her cold stare was.

“Eh, uh… is it okay if I play a game I’m good at?”

“Yeah… if by any chance you could beat me even once, then I promise you that I will positively consider the negotiations but only if you lose then…”

“If I lose then…?”

“Well, …for every five times, I’ll ask you to grant me one trivial wish.”

…I’ve seen that smile before.

It’s the devil’s smile.

Shiraishi didn’t notice this, and the game between the two began.
The game changed from everyday, but the winner remained the same for entirety of the week.

Everyday, they gathered at the same time and continued the game all day long.

What a waste of summer vacation.
Even though I was not directly involved in the games, I was honestly beyond stunned to see the same scene unfold in my room everyday for a week.

If asked what it was, of course, it was, Kirasaka’s strength, but also Shiraishi’s unwillingness to give up.
It could be said to be willpower, or perhaps it is a matter of her pride.

But what is certain is that her passion for the student council is much stronger than what we had imagined.

So, we have come to the present day, and although she came very close several times, Shiraishi was never able to win in the end.
When the game had been decided several dozen times in total, Kirasaka let out a sigh of frustration.

“Give up, no matter how many times you try, it won’t change the outcome.”

“No …if you can still challenge me, please! …I should have something to in which I can, something I can beat the senpais at.”

Kirasaka reluctantly agreed to Shiraishi who bowed her head and asked for a rematch, and the one-on-one serious game started again.

Shizuku had already retreated from the room to help Kaede with her chores.
At first, she was participating in some kind of game along with the two of them, but when Shiraishi’s target narrowed down to Kirasaka alone, she took the position of watching instead of participating in the game herself.

Yuuto was in my room with me, watching the two.
He was leaning against a wall a short distance away from the room, asking me a question.

“I just lost to Kirasaka-san just now, so I don’t have the right to say, but do you really think you can win, Shiraishi-san?”

“…”

Shogi, chess and Go.
Even card games and sometimes physically demanding tennis or badminton.

All of these games were proposed by Shiraishi, but no matter which one she mentioned, she never once beat Kirasaka.

The absolute wall between a genius and a prodigy.
It is really difficult to overcome it, and it is not something that I can put into words lightly.

However, Shiraishi did not casually mention that the reason for her defeat was because she was a genius.
She must have already researched the fact that Kirasaka tends to dislike that kind of language.

That is why she looked for it.
What is the one thing that can beat this senpai, the one thing she has a chance to win?

But without an answer, I was beginning to feel a sense of bitterness at the way she repeatedly challenged him.
I, Yuuto, Shizuku, and Kirasaka.

“I tried to persuade her several times after hearing what you had to say …but I guess you could say she is strong-willed, but she just laughed it off and said ‘it’s still a possibility’.”

“…I guess that possibility is this.”

Perhaps Shiraishi had assumed that Shizuku and the others would be aware of the student council rules.

Even if it would be in the form of a half-incitement, there was a possibility if she could bring it to a game.

Or the situation regarding Shizuku…
Shiraishi excels at deep reading and anticipation of conversations and situations.

She is probably better than the aforementioned Shizuku and Kirasaka.
But even Shiraishi could not predict Kirasaka’s ability.

No, she could not have grasped Shizuku’s ability either.
She had a few games with Shizuku when she was taking a break from Kirasaka, but even there, she never won.

I don’t see much difference between Kirasaka and Shizuku.
I was the only one who was not a fan of Kirasaka’s. Kirasaka was certainly better in terms of academic ability, but on the other hand, Shizuku was slightly better in terms of athletics.

The only difference is whether she is good at interacting with people or not.
In other words, Kirasaka boasts unparalleled strength in individual events.

On the other hand, Shizuku’s ability can be fully demonstrated in group events and in which she cooperates with others.

Even if one judges the current situation objectively and without any personal feelings, it is hard to imagine Shiraishi winning.

“I really wish I could have persuaded her or told her about other options before this happened…”

Yuuto told me apologetically while shaking his head silently.
This might have been impossible even for Yuuto.

“It’s difficult to persuade her even for Yuuto …That’s a kind of ability to not give up she possess.”

Normally, I would have given up.
If one has to experience defeat from geniuses in front of people with real talent this many times, that person will compromise and reason with oneself that it is impossible for him.

But Shiraishi, who did not do so, can be said to possess a certain kind of talent.

“…This means I win this match, too.”

“…”

Before my eyes, another victory was decided.
On the table there was a game of Hanafuda (Japanese playing cards), that I didn’t know the rules of.

But when Kirasaka quietly told her so and Shiraishi, whose expression turned dark, was about to say something again, I interrupted her and said.

“That’s enough…”

I’m sorry, but that’s it.
No matter how you think about it, as long as you can’t imagine any changes happening in the future, it will be a waste of time to keep this competitive chain of events going.

At the words with such meaning, Kirasaka sighed softly and Shiraishi distorted her expressions in frustration.

<TL> : 2 more to go.

ToC

#167

What kind of face should I make to the girl in front of me?

I have avoided relying on others in my life, so I have no idea what an appropriate facial expression is for this situation.

I was waiting for Kanazaki Shizuku to start talking, even though it was my room and my problem.

“For now… let’s call everyone in.”

“…Eh, now?”

In solving the problem in collaboration with Shizuku, the first thing that was proposed was to call the people who are involved in this student council issue. Namely, Kirasaka, Yuuto, and Shiraishi.

After we had worked out the specifics, we would contact Koizumi and Miura individually and explain Shiraishi’s intentions and how we would move forward.

When I asked Shizuku about the reasons for not inviting Koizumi and the others to this meeting, she said that they both said that they did not want anything other than the option of running for student body president.

Certainly, he would not be thinking about anything other than the student body president’s seat.

He was so envious of one person that it was blinding to him, who was spending his days in a depraved way so that he could become the next Hiiragi Akane, even if just a little bit.

So there was no need to call him on this occasion.
I agreed with Shizuku’s opinion, but I also felt it was too hasty to call him today.

Or rather, I really want to avoid moving so actively throughout the day.
But the position he’s asking for doesn’t allow for such a thing.

I see… By creating an environment where position and denial are not allowed from an early stage, one will say yes and do whatever those in higher positions tell to do.

Is this how the negative legacy of Japanese society called “company livestock” is created?

In conclusion, working at home from home is the best and strongest.

As if seeing through my repeated replaying of my usual sneers, I turned my gaze away from Shizuku, who was giving me a slightly cold stare, and headed for the living room to say a few words to Kaede.

“Is it okay if I call someone for a minute?”

“I don’t mind, but …aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine …and I’m sure they’ll be here in no time.”

This was the first time I called someone as soon as I got home, she gave me a worried look, as we hadn’t spent time together as siblings for quite a long.

As if to reassure her, I gave her a pat on the head and replied that I was fine, and once again returned to my room.

“I’ve already contacted everyone. I’ve called all of you, and both Ogiwara-kun and Kirasaka-san are on their way here, fortunately they had some time to spare.”

“You’re fast.”

The words were not meant as a compliment, but Shizuku, looking a little happy at the words, pulls out a small notebook from her pocket.
I remember seeing one somewhere.

I was searching through my memory to see if I had a notebook similar to this one.

“The student handbook?”

“Yes.”

The dark blue notebook with a golden cherry blossom emblem on it was the student handbook of Sakuranaoka Academy.
No wonder I remember seeing it.

As I recall, my student notebook was also in the bottom of my bag somewhere.

Well, I only look at it once a year when my photo, grade, and class information is updated, so it’s no wonder I don’t remember much about it.

Opening that notebook, Shizuku turns the pages as if looking for something.
Inside the notebook, there is a yearly calendar, school holidays, and the school rules.

Normally, almost no one would check the school rules and regulations.
It is as if it were written by a person who has a vocabulary that is so small and simple that everyone knows it as common knowledge.

I have never read it, and as far as I know, I don’t know any student who has read through the Student Handbook.

“What are you looking for in that thing?”

“It’s an entry about the student council elections. I’m sure it was around here somewhere…”

As she muttered this, the sound of paper turning over stopped at a certain page, as if Shizuku had found the text she was looking for.

Like a robot whose power is turned off, Shizuku’s movements stop as she quickly vacates the space for the people who will be coming to sit beside her.

As she does so, the intercom rang through the house.
They’re early…

Not five minutes have passed and they are already here.
Kaede rushes out of the living room, and I step out of the room to intercept her and open the front door to greet the figure.

“You’re late.”

“No, you’re early.”

Kirasaka was the first to complain, and behind him were Yuuto and Shiraishi.
I responded appropriately to the line, as if some fighting nation had caught the enemy off-guard, and welcomed the three of them.

I had an inkling as to why Yuuto and Shiraishi had arrived at the same time when I saw a car behind them.

Yuuto hums a tune, Kirasaka enters with the dignity of home, and Shiraishi enters quietly, as if alerted by the person behind me.

“What’s the matter …you met my sister earlier, didn’t you?”

“No… well, I’ve met her, but it’s exactly because I’ve met her…”

Kaede looked back at them with a smile on her face, saying that she didn’t understand what she was saying.
They are the same age, so they may have something in common. Anyway, Shizuku welcomed them as if she were the owner when she led them to my room.

“Welcome!”

“Don’t greet them as if they were in your room, will you?”

“Sit wherever you like!”

“That’s my line, right? I mean …don’t sit on my chair without my permission, okay?”

I listened to Shizuku’s words and unreservedly pointed out Shiraishi who was about to sit on my chair silently, then she sat down on a nearby cushion with her body trembling so much that I could almost hear the sound effect of ‘Bikuu’.

This girl is as …weird as ever.

When everyone was ready to listen, Shizuku, the initiator of the conversation, opened her mouth.

“I have called you here today to talk about the student council elections.”

At these words, the expressions on the faces of the three students became slightly more serious.
Shiraishi, in particular, was listening to Shizuku’s words so intently that she almost fell forward.

I have no prior information either.
I would be listening to her words and thoughts under the same circumstances as the three of them, but I wonder what she would say.

“I’m going to conclude by saying that I can’t help Shiraishi-san with the Student Council elections.”

Her words were very straightforward and easy to understand.
Shiraishi must have felt like she was being handed a verdict, but Shizuku’s words were that emotionless.

Even if no one was listening, the air in the room demanded an explanation from Shizuku.　
It was the same for me, too, and I wanted to hear the significance behind the statement.

“There are several reasons. There is the fact that we originally had no intention of joining the student council, and there are various personal feelings as well. …If I had to venture a guess as to the number one reason, it would be the school rules.”

She put the opened page on the desk so that everyone could see it.

In the student handbook, there was a section entitled “Guidelines for Student Council Elections.”

The contents of this section were generally as what the president had explained before.

The contents of the handbook were roughly the same as the president had explained before: the conditions for running for Student Council election and the rules for election activities.　

There was nothing new in it.

“The school rules …is something wrong there?”

“I’ve only read it a couple of times.”

…You’ve read it a couple of times!
I didn’t realize there was someone surprisingly nearby who had read through this kind of text.

Only me and Yuuto are wondering, while Shiraishi made a bitter face then silently shrunk her body.

It was not Shizuku who spoke up there, but Kirasaka.

“I wonder if you’re referring to the three items in Article 24 of the school rules?”

Where is that?

I immediately turned my attention to the items she mentioned.

The page that was really open was the one where Article 24 exists, and I silently read the sentences of the three items there.
I mean, did this guy even memorize the student handbook?

While twitching at the slight flex of talent, which could only be seen as a waste of memory, I proceeded to understand the contents together with Yuuto.

The resignation of a student council member is only possible with the approval of a majority of the student council members and the teacher in charge of the student council.

That is what was written in the student handbook.
Well, it is only natural that the appointment and resignation of the Student Council should be clearly stated.

If there is a problem with this which I don’t know.

“Oh, that’s what you mean!”

“…What the hell does that mean?”

The next moment, Yuuto raised his voice as if he it understood completely.

“Minato-kun, please remember, when Shiraishi-san first came to the student council room to talk to you, don’t you remember that she said she was going to renew the student council officers?”

“To sum up, even if she becomes the student council president, the student council president doesn’t have the authority to abdicate the others, so a renewal of the student council in the first place would be impossible unless we were to run for other positions.”

…………Ah.
So it was this simple.

It was my mistake, because I was so focused on the word “renewal” that I didn’t have a broader perspective on the basics in the first place.

The fact that Shiraishi, who had a bitter look on her face when he heard Shizuku’s words, was of course aware of the fact that she was speaking out of turn, let out a sigh.

I turned my gaze to Shiraishi, but it was instantly averted.
She is completely unwilling to make eye contact…

But this is not a problem if things settle down so easily …that all is well.
Shiraishi suddenly tapped the desk with great force and fearlessly declared.

“It’s a game!”

At that time, I had never imagined that this statement would lead to a troublesome summer vacation in the future.

<TL> : 3 more to go.

ToC

#166

She declared the meeting to be a strategy meeting, but after that, both of us remained silent.

It was no wonder.

We both understand what the problem is and what we need to do in order to solve it.

However, the problem is that it has already developed to a level that cannot be solved by an individual alone.

No, let me reframe that sentence …the situation has developed to a level that cannot be solved by Shinra Minato’s ability.

Hence the silence.
I know that I cannot do it by myself anymore.

Even if I solve Shiraishi’s case and the student council election problem, the next problem will be about the executive (Sakura) committee.
If I could even solve that, next I would have to turn my attention to my recent relationship issues.

But no matter how many questions I ask myself, the answer never seems to come to my mind.
A temporary way is to throw it to my future self, but that is not a fundamental solution.

I am reminded that I must broaden my perspective from the self-centered, self-focused way of thinking to a view that would consider others around me.

However, even though my brain knows this, my deep-rooted self-centered ideology …refuses to allow me to do so, and as a result, I am unable to come up with an answer.

What’s the benefit of me getting this deep into a kouhai’s issue who I don’t even know much about?

Even if I could solve the problem, there’s still this issue of relationships.
What exactly is a childhood friend, a friend, or a classmate…?

I think it would be a mistake to try to push Shizuku and the others into the framework of those categories.
Sometimes I wonder if she and them have already been established with a separate relationship in my mind.

Friends… they are all different.
I don’t even know how to describe it properly, I hate my vocabulary.

Were the choices I’ve made up until now, correct. The actions I’ve taken, the words I’ve said and done, are they really right?

…No, this is my problem now that I can think back to the past.

I continued to do the best I could under those circumstances.
I meant to do so.

But recently, I began to wonder.
What is the ‘best’?

I think that I am only justifying based on my own principles, but from the viewpoint of others, the exact same choice could be a bad one and makes me look like a ridiculous person.

I was beginning to doubt my own justification because those around me were right, superior, and close.

During the moment of silence with Shizuku, only a recurring and endless chain of thoughts circulated in my brain, as if I was stepping into a swamp that was as deep as I could think.

“Minato-kun is a very strong person…”

“What is it that so suddenly…”

What finally came out of her open mouth was that one sentence.
What makes a person strong and what is the standard for strong depends on the individual’s sense of values.

I don’t know what she meant by strong.

“The only person who hasn’t changed since the past is …you, Minato-kun …The people around you and I have changed, too. We’ve spent our lives abandoning ourselves and overwriting our new selves, building upon the excuse that ‘to change is to grow up’, and that we’re growing up.”

“…”

I suppose that is …natural.
It would’ve been abnormal if it wasn’t.

It’s not that I didn’t change, it’s that I couldn’t.

I did not want to coexist healthily with my environment if it meant that I have to change myself.

I just didn’t like the peaceful, ordinary days of how the society worked.
The superficial relationships, the daily routine of flattering those who are superior to us and seeking their favor.

If that is what real human relationships are, I don’t want them.

‘A space where I can feel at ease’, as the president said.
That is exactly what I wanted.

That is probably the reason why president chose me.

“I can imagine that Minato-kun will resolve this series of problems by following the decisions of the “Shinra Minato” as you’ve done in the past.”

“…I can only do so much.”

I know best what I can do.
All I can do is repeatedly try to choose the best solution within my limited abilities and options.

Even if I end up in a situation where people hate me in the process, it’s still not in my nature to abandon myself and worry about the way people look at me.

“That’s why Minato-kun is so strong …but I don’t want Minato-kun to be alone any longer.”

The raised gaze, combined with the light from the window, made her look radiant.

“I can’t stand the thought of Minato-kun becoming someone else’s …but I also hate to see Minato-kun alone with no one interested in him.”

Shizuku muttered with a wry smile, “It’s a contradiction, isn’t it?”
But I couldn’t affirm the word contradiction.

I never imagined that anyone would have any bad feelings about me being alone.

To me, it was a normal, unremarkable day in my life.

“To tell you the truth, I was a little glad to see Kirasaka-san talking to Minato-kun during the new term.”

“Glad?”

Shizuku nodded, with her cheeks flushed red.
Do dogs and monkeys have such feelings towards each other…? <TL>: xD

I was about to open my mouth to ask why, but Shizuku continued.

“I was happy to know that someone other than me and Yuuto had finally come to know the good qualities of Minato-kun …although at the same time I was angry at the fact that she was a woman.”

When she said the words she added to the end of the sentence, Shizuku had a completely blank expression on her face and I could imagine that she was really angry.

Shizuku, s-she’s really scary.

“That’s why I don’t want Minato-kun, who is supposed to be working the hardest for this issue, to not be given due recognition, and for others to be praised for their efforts.”

Shizuku said as if declaring.
Her serious eyes are directed toward me with a strong glint in them.

This is speculation, but she may have had that experience before.
It could have happened that she, who did nothing but worked hard behind the scenes, was the last one to be praised …without any recognition.

No, I think it did happen.

“It’s always been that way and for me …it’s normal.”

I don’t have any interest in people around me, and I don’t want to be admired.
So, again, I don’t go around telling people how hard I worked.

Even if I did, few people would believe me.

When I told Shizuku, she just smiled sadly.
It was like …she had surrendered, and as if she knew in advance what she was going to do.

“I know Minato-kun… you don’t want that, do you?”

“Ah…”

The volume of the voice of Shizuku gradually became lower and lower until it was almost inaudible at the end, and I felt a slight sense of apology as I replied in return.
Normally, this would have been the end of the story.

Shizuku’s shoulders would’ve dropped and she would’ve left the room, but that was not the case today.
Instead of dropping her shoulders, she immediately turned her gaze upward, something akin to a strong will in her eyes.

“So …I’ll be the one standing beside Minato-kun when he’s working hard! Even if no one praises Minato-kun, I will say that Minato-kun was doing his best… and that person, and Yuuto-kun will do the same.”

That person that Shizuku is referring to, I somehow know who that is without having to put it into words.

And Yuuto is the same.

“I will help Minato-kun.”

I felt as if Shizuku had reverted back to the old Shizuku a little bit as she said that without listening to my opinion.

I was back to the days when she would just smile and innocently pull my hand without listening to me.

The hand she held out to me was small and white.
But it was a very reassuring one.

As if hesitating to take my hand back, Shizuku immediately grabbed my right hand, which was moving slowly.

I smiled at her and turned towards her.

“Sorry… but please look after me.”

“Yes! Leave it to me!”

Is there any childhood friend who is so dependable?

Today’s Kanazaki Shizuku was strong and kind enough to make me feel this way.

<TL> : 5 chapters out today. Enjoy!
4 more to go

ToC

#165

<TL> : A bit late, nonetheless its here. I may not be able to do the usual number of chapters while being here, I’ll try to aim for 2 chapters a week or so.

This chapter marks the end of the chapter on student council issues.
The second term arc will follow.

Dear Father.

How are you spending this damn hot summer?

In Japan, the sun is still shining as usual, the hot asphalt in the distant horizon is flickering like that a mirage.

Why are Japanese summers so hot?

I have no answer to this question.

Thus, I am fine.

Kaede is fine too.

In this digital age, I don’t know why he ordered me to contact him using with letters.

Did he want to make it a topic of conversation at the company that he and his son are exchanging letters?

I don’t think I have anything special to write, so I hope this letter is sufficient.

Last but not least, please raise the amount of my monthly allowance not only of your daughter’s, but also of your beloved son’s.

P.S.

Recently, I could see that the defensive power of the back of your head has been declining, so I recommend an upgrade in your equipment i.e. a change of shampoo.

Shinra Minato.

“Is this how it’s supposed to be…?

I mumbled as I stopped writing.
Appropriate phrases were listed on the thinly patterned paper prepared by Kaede.

But it’s not because it’s a hassle to begin it from scratch.

Definitely not…

A week has passed since the President’s bold declaration.
In the meantime, I have finished digesting my summer vacation assignments and am finally ready to enjoy my summer vacation to the fullest, but my personal problems don’t seem to decrease.

It is becoming unclear whether I will be able to finish my summer vacation easily and enjoyably, or not.

In the end, two things have changed.
The first is that the president has started to contact me on a regular basis.

The line of communication between me and president, which until now had only served as the basis of administrative reports, has evolved a few notches.
Well, the contents are very similar to ordinary daily conversations…

It was the best way to get used to keeping in touch with someone of the opposite sex.

For the first time, there was nothing for me to talk, so I only answered “That’s right”, “Wow”, and “Understood”.

I never thought that my lack of communication skills would be exposed in a situation like this. …you failed me, Minato-kun.

And the second change is the change in Shinra family’s circumstances.
It is the same two siblings as before, and although the parents are still absent, the liveliness has increased …a little too much.

“…Checkmate.”

While I was writing a letter to my father, Kirasaka, who was the only one with a higher and colder gaze than the other visitors, declared this as she placed the piece she had picked up from the board.

On the tabletop were spread out a shogi board and a chess board, wherever she had taken them out from.

Yuuto was playing Shogi and Shizuku was playing Chess.
Against the two, Kirasaka declared her victory with ease, as if it were a matter of course.

“…One more game.”

“Damn, that’s Kirasaka-san for you.”

I will not question these three being in my house anymore.
But there’s a person who is out of the ordinary.

The first-year student from Sakuragaoka Academy, Momiji Shiraishi, was present here.
She was not playing Shogi or Chess, but was standing still with both her hands and knees on the floor, like a horse.

Her arms were shaking and her legs felt unstable.
It was no wonder.

She has Kirasaka Rei sitting on her …back.

“She’s no match for her …and the board there is all black, too.”

“…Why am I the only one being punished…?”

“We can’t allow the losers to complain …this world is a place where the weak have no say.”

Kirasaka looked down at Go (*Othello, whatever you call it), which is placed in front of Shiraishi, as if looking down at her.
There, the black colors are neatly lined up.

In this type of board game, if the ignorant people are going at each other seriously, the element of luck does not intervene.

Winning or losing depends entirely on individual skill.

Who was Kirasaka who was able to play against the top students of her grade by herself and win a crushing victory against them all?
Riding on the back of Shiraishi, she was indeed a queen.

What has happened in the week since then?

And why are we in the situation we are in now?

After returning home from the incident with the president, I was told by Kaede in a dissatisfied tone as soon as I returned home.

“Nii-san, a female kouhai came to visit you.”

“Kouhai…?”

The only person who comes to my mind, who fitted this description, is Shiraishi.

“Ah, …do what did she say?’

She pulls out a bottle of cold mineral water from the refrigerator and pours it down her throat in one gulp.
Kaede, with a frustrated expression that never seemed to clear up, just shook her head and said nothing.

Unusual…
Kaede is one to inform me of the visitor’s requirements, even if they are a little vague.

The fact that she doesn’t, means that either it was really only for a moment, or she has a reason for not talking.
Considering Shiraishi’s personality and words and deeds, the latter is more likely.

It can’t be helped that we all have good and bad chemistry.

If it had not been Shiraishi who visited me, I would have asked one or two more questions, but with her, there was no need.

In all probability, it would have been about the student council.
Just to be sure, I checked my phone to see if Yuuto had contacted me, but there was no notification.

She must have come to my house without consulting Yuuto.

I sat down on the sofa and let out a deep sigh containing various emotions.
For now, just for today, I would like to refrain from thinking further.

I am already over capacity.
I catch out of the corner of my eye Kaede sitting next to me, looking hesitant and in agony.

I’m sure my sister would like to ask me about today’s events, not about the visitors, but she seems to be hesitating whenever she sees me.

“I know you want to ask me about today’s …matters, and I’ll tell you as much as I can answer.”

“O-Oh, I see. …then—“

The other party was the student body president, Akane Hiiragi, and the president is not in love with me.

To put it simply, the word “match of conditions” is appropriate.
Kaede breathed a sigh of relief when she heard these words.

“Then, what about today’s juniors?”

“That’s the matter of the student council election …and since I left the negotiations to Yuuto, she must have come to me for a response to that.”

I’ll call Yuuto later.
After answering Kaede’s question shortly, I left the living room with a heavy heart.

In my quiet room, I lay on my bed and let my thoughts run wild.

“…I can’t concentrate on my personal problems unless I solve the ones from the Student Council first.”

I didn’t say these words to anyone.
It was just for myself.

The room was supposed to be empty and silent.

“Well, …I also think that the student council’s problem is the first problem to be solved, since the deadline is fast approaching.”

Yes, a similarly melancholy voice echoed in the corner of the room.
I turned my head, probably the fastest turn of my entire life.

I turned it so hard that my neck joints even made a cracking sound.

The force of the motion caused a dull pain on my nape, but I was so startled that I didn’t care.

“Ah, sorry for interrupting you, Minato-kun.”

“…Why are you in the room before me?”

It was Shizuku who was there.
The same outfit as before, Shizuku, who should have returned from the hotel earlier, was sitting on a chair in my room, not at her home.

I was caught completely off guard and when I asked her about the situation, she announced with her ample bosom.

“It’s a strategy meeting!”

“I hate it.”

The first strategy meeting at Shinra Minato’s house was held half-heartedly that didn’t even take the room owner’s thoughts into account.

ToC

Monthly Archives: June 2022

SS-Shizuku’s Concerns

Shizuku’s concerns

SS-Assisting Rei

Assisting Rei

SS-Hiiragi’s Peace of Mind

SS-Hiiragi’s Peace of Mind

<TL>: It’s Kirasaka ‘Rei’, not ‘Ren’. Why do I keep forgetting that 😭.
I’ll try to fix the previous chapters later.
And as always plz point out the errors if you find any.

<Author>: This will be a discussion of a day from Akane Hiiragi’s summer vacation.

CH#170

#170

CH#169

#169

CH#168

#168

CH#167

#167

CH#166

#166

CH#165

#165

Shizuku’s concerns

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Assisting Rei

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SS-Hiiragi’s Peace of Mind

<TL>: It’s Kirasaka ‘Rei’, not ‘Ren’. Why do I keep forgetting that 😭. I’ll try to fix the previous chapters later.And as always plz point out the errors if you find any.

<Author>: This will be a discussion of a day from Akane Hiiragi’s summer vacation.

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#170

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#169

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#168

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#167

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#166

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#165

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<TL>: It’s Kirasaka ‘Rei’, not ‘Ren’. Why do I keep forgetting that 😭.
I’ll try to fix the previous chapters later.
And as always plz point out the errors if you find any.