CH#205

#205

Is there any middle-aged man who would look so would look so out of place with his body leaning against the back gate, gazing out at the field?

Both externally and internally, he does not fit the mature look of a father.

I sigh at my own father’s appearance, which makes it seem that the relationship between father and son is not that great.

I was even more cold-hearted than usual since he had returned to Japan without prior notice.

“What are you doing here…?”

“Minato… were you here?”

“This is the high school I go to…”

What’s this…?

The only reason why this person would come to a place like this is because his son goes there.

Even if he tries to look cool and narrow his eyes and let out a sorrowful voice, it’s my father who’s saying it, so I don’t think anything of it.

I just want him to tell me what he needs and send him on his way.

My father gives me a disapproving look, then quickly drops his gaze to my hand.

All I have in my hand is a bag of rice balls from the school cafeteria.

I’m too old to be so picky.

“Kaede has a gymnastics festival too… so she didn’t have time to make bento.”

Like me, Kaede, who had Sports festival in the opposite direction, went to school earlier than usual.
As a brother, I felt bad asking her to prepare lunch for two on such a day.

However, that didn’t mean that telling the person in front of me would make any difference, so I just told him the truth.

“It’s from your mother, I’ve come to deliver it.”

He took out a bento from his bag on his shoulder.

The two-tiered lunch box, wrapped in a cute Japanese wrapping cloth, was the same one I’d been using since junior high school.

“Mom, you made it? I wouldn’t have bought this if you’d have contacted me…”

With that, I held up the bag hanging in my hand.

It doesn’t matter because I’ll eat when I’m hungry after the Sports festival is over, but I could have done that without reducing the burden on my allowance.

I turned my gaze towards him with such intent.

However, I’m happy to see that I had the mindset that I would miss having onigiri from the school cafeteria at a big school event.

The reason why I don’t see my mom behind my dad is probably because she is having lunch with Kaede.

It was my sister’s first Sports event, so it would be better for her to have lunch with her parents.

“So you’re here as the courier guy, thanks.”

Turning my body to the side, I thanked him briefly and started to walk to the shade of the tree where I wanted to go.

But, it was my father’s small voice that stopped me from advancing.

“He didn’t seem to be bothering Shizuku-chan and the others.”

“…”

I turn around and started to search for the meaning of his words.

My father’s eyes were not on me, but on Shizuku and Yuuto, who were having lunch with their classmates in a corner of the field.

I wonder what he’s referring to…

If I remember correctly, I feel like I’ve done nothing but cause trouble for these girls.

The words came out of embarrassment, unlike these thoughts.

“…You’ve been watching the three-legged race?”

In terms of time, the clearest thing my father would’ve seen must have been the three-legged race.

In other words, he also saw me get emotional and thrust my fist into the air.

Shame welled up in me, and I felt a slight heat rise in my body.

It is more embarrassing to be seen by parents than by fellow students.

Dad, perhaps realizing this, lets a smile slip from his mouth.

“Even I would show up at my kid’s event.”

“…”

The words out of my father’s mouth are so parental, so proud, that I can’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

The image of the person in front of me, who had told me so parenthetically and proudly, was a far cry from the image of my father that I remembered.

I had been to elementary school, middle school, and high school, but all I could remember was my mother and sister.

I don’t see my father next to them.

I attended both the junior high graduation ceremony and the high school entrance ceremony, but never once did my father voluntarily announce his presence at any of them.

I noticed that only one person disappeared, and before I knew it, this person was at home.

I can count the number of times he was in a club and the number of times he came to watch a game.

So it was a surprise that he showed up here again today.

“That’s not something that you would say…”

I said, turning my body to face him again, having once turned my back on him.

I felt annoyed at his son’s reaction and the way he just stared at him, without any sign of anger.

However, I never put into words the irritation I feel.
…I’ve gotten used to this irritation.

My father doesn’t talk to me much, probably because he feels like he’s looking at his old self.

The old me, with no strengths, weaknesses, or hidden talents.

“Hurry up and get back to Kaede, …you should be watching your kid’s big day.”

You’re going to see your child’s big day, right?

You should leave me alone and return as soon as possible rather than miss it and regret it.

“I’m leaving Japan on the last flight today.”

After a short speech, my father turns on his heel and returns to the car parked behind him.

On the way back to the car, he looked back at me once.

He may have something left to say, but he just stood there and said just one sentence.

“The two of you will get along well…”

“I see.”

Satisfied with my comment, he gets into his car and proceeds down the narrow road.

He turned left at the intersection just after proceeding through the back gate, and an involuntary sigh escaped my lips as I looked away from him until he was out of sight.

“What did I expect…?”

I muttered to myself, but the words fizzled out, drowned out by the sounds around me.

Even though I knew in my head that it was impossible, a faint hope swirled in my mind that maybe he had come to see me.

I looked up and stood there looking up at the bright blue sky.

“You’re glad that you don’t need your father to see the rest of it, right?”

From a short distance away, a familiar voice reached my ears, followed by the sound of sand being stepped on.

I didn’t even bother to turn around to hear the words.

“I’m no longer in the events, you know.”

“That’s not why I’m here.”

President, who walked up to me with her long chestnut hair fluttering, stopped next to me and turned her eyes in pursuit of the figure that was already out of sight.

There is no meaning, no return, just an uninhabited road stretching out before us.

“There may be another Sports Festival next year, but this year may be the last one you will build with these girls.”

I don’t need to be told who the girls are that President mentioned in her words.

But that is only a trivial issue for that person.

“I’m not the kind of person who cares about such things.”

When I gave a wry smile akin to resignation, President looked a little sad.

For the President, this is her last sports festival.

It is inevitable that she would worry about the parent-child situation of the person with whom she has tentatively made an arrangement.

However, this is a matter for the Shinra family and not for President to worry about.

To reassure her, I lightly stretch my body and make my usual unmotivated expression.

President, as expected, does not interject any further and gently brushes away her long hair as if to shake off her thoughts.

“I see… so Shinra, come and have lunch with me.”

“…I don’t like hot places.”

When I reply, the president puts a smile on her mouth and walks toward the student council tent.

I walked with her behind me, and after turning around like my father for just a moment, I realized that the behavior was similar, and in my heart I could not help but feel irritated.

ToC

#204

After the scavenger hunt was over, other individual events were held.

Yuuto was the main scorer for us, and we moved on to the next group event, leaving the other classes behind, if only by a few points.

The next event was the three-legged race in which Shizuku and I competed.

Since it is an inter-class competition, the distribution of points is large, and if you are aiming for the overall championship, you will want to aim for the top ranks in this event.

The rule is that it is done in male-female pairs, so there are usually many students in every class who participate in both men’s and women’s club activities.

The track and field club has many classes that are especially packed with students who are at the top.

Among them, we, the third class, chose the pair of Shinra and Kanazaki as the first runners.

There are several reasons for this, but to put it simply, we wanted to make sure that they would not stumble at the beginning.

We accepted Yuuto’s idea to choose the pair that we could trust the most from the start to the finish line.
While each of the runners’ feet were tied with hand towels brought by their friends, we asked Kirasaka to tie mine and Shizuku’s.

“It hurts!”

“Oh, I’m sorry, it was on purpose.”

“…”

The cloth was tied tightly around Shizuku’s thin, white legs, and Kirasaka did not hide it, but instead said it out proudly.

The knot was a little tight for my legs, but I felt something akin to killing intent coming from the gaze I exchanged with her as I returned from my kneeling position.

A chill ran down my spine.

Just between you and me, when the student council elections were over and the competition was officially under consideration, the only event Kirasaka showed any interest in competing in was the tripod.

However, as a rule, it is forbidden for the same student to run twice.

Temporary substitutions are allowed when a student scheduled to compete is injured, but since Kirasaka’s request was to compete in a pair with me, which was difficult to achieve.

Kirasaka reluctantly agreed, and this time Shizuku was given priority, but even now, on the day of the event, she still seems to be holding on to her roots a little.

“Why should I be helping you?”

“The rules forbid them from tying the knot themselves.”

The spectacle of Shizuku reprimanding Kirasaka, who complained unusually, spread out, but I turned my gaze to the students in the other class next to me.

I looked at the students in the other classes lined up next to me.

If you look at my athletic ability alone, our predicted ranking would be low because of me lagging behind.

It might be better to aim for the middle of the pack and make sure to advance, rather than aiming for first place or the top of the class.

As I was looking at the situation, Kirasaka started to talk about it.

“In a three-legged race, three things are important: speed, timing, and stride. Well, as far as you guys are concerned, the only problem is speed.”

“Why…?”

The fact is, I haven’t practiced much and I don’t have any illusions that I’m going to suddenly do well in the real thing…

But, Shizuku also nodded her head in agreement with Kirasaka’s words.

“The timing goes without saying since you’ve known each other since childhood, and even your stride is always on your mind, Shinra-kun.”

“When you walk with us, you always walk with a smaller stride than usual.”

Oh …that’s what she means.
You guys are paying closer attention than I thought.

I’m not saying that I was hiding the fact that I was adjusting to the girls, or that I was paying attention to them.

I was just slowing down because I couldn’t help but go ahead of one of them.

I was a little embarrassed and turned away from her gaze when Shizuku, who was standing a fist’s distance away from me, looked up at me with an upward glance.

Kirasaka went on with her story.

“The first step is to start with the opposite leg, which is not tied, and the speed and timing of the run should be constant, at a speed that the two of you decide is right for each other.”

“I understand.”

After saying this, Kirasaka smiled and turned backwards.
She returned to the student council tent, and not the cheering area.

…I was wondering whether to tell her that she shouldn’t go back since she was the reserve, but I shouldn’t do that because it would only make the atmosphere worse.

While the teachers were checking the course and the running order, the first runners lined up at the starting line.

Me and Shizuku also stood shoulder to shoulder.

“Hmmm… I didn’t expect Minato-kun to run with me.”

“You were the one who asked me, weren’t you?”

I said with a sigh to Shizuku, who smiled happily.
I’m not sure what she was talking about when she was the one to invite me.

It might be out of place to ask this just before the start, but there was something I wanted to ask Shizuku.

“Do you want to take the first place?”

It’s natural to want to win first place in a competition.
But, when she’s paired with me, it’s almost as if she’s abandoning her goal to be number one.

I am not worried about it, but she also hates to lose.

I was honored that she chose me as a pair, but I honestly wondered if I was the right choice.

“Of course! However, it is more important for me to compete with Minato-kun. The result comes next.”

Shizuku, who told me without a pause in response to my question, smiled with satisfaction.

There was no lie in what she just said.

She was not seeking for the result because she was focused on competing in the same event at the sports festival.

When someone tells me with real intention and without hesitation, it makes me want to be a little presentable, too.

“Then, shall we do our best…?”

“Yes!”

Soon the teachers finished their verification work, and an announcement was made.

All eyes of the entire school were on the starting line, and many voices of men and women cheering for Shizuku reached our ears.

The ten students representing the five classes lined up and waited for the signal.

Our bodies were so close to each other that I could almost hear Shizuku’s heartbeat through her shoulders.

Perhaps the same was true for Shizuku.
When I glanced at her profile, I saw that her cheeks were slightly reddish.

Even though we’ve known each other since childhood, it was embarrassing to have our bodies pressed against each other at such a distance.

However, soon that expression changed to a serious one.

A faculty member raised their arm vertically.

Without anyone giving them any instructions, the bustling situation on the ground changed to a quiet one.

And on signal, I am sure they will become more rowdy than ever.

It is not that I had thought about it before.
However, just before the start of the event, a single word had slipped out of my mouth.

“Thank you for everything…”

At that moment, I felt the body of the girl standing next to me tense up.
Her strength is put into the shoulder she grips.

It didn’t change anything.

However, I have learned through this student council that the constant presence of Shizuku and Kirasaka by my side served as a great support.

I took a moment to express my gratitude for all she has done and will do for me in the future.

For the first time, I was able to express my gratitude honestly without hesitation or deception.

I may never be able to express my gratitude so honestly in the future.

So, because Shizuku knew this from our long relationship, a small teardrop escaped from her eye.

Then she looked up at me with a big smile on her face.

Our gazes meet for a moment, and then, as we look forward and take our positions, the signal for the start rings out.

With a shout, the pairs from each class were about to start running, but Shizuku and I took our first steps without exchanging a word.

We took our first steps ahead of all the other pairs, although only by a small margin.

One of the reasons was that we had discussed this with Kirasaka beforehand, but more than anything else, the first step we took without the need to synchronize our breathing made a big difference.

Although we were running shoulder to shoulder, there was no sense that we were dragging each other down.

We ran at the maximum speed we could match without speaking to each other.

We started in front of the student council tent and ran a half-lap around the track for 150 meters.

We turned around a gentle corner and entered the final stretch.

I was so focused on the race that I didn’t even bother to check how much of a lead I had built up just after the start.

I moved my legs as hard as I could, conscious only of the information in front of me and the breathing of my partner next to me.

I saw one of the boys, one of the next runners I had seen in the distance, reaching behind me.

I was holding the yellow sash which was around my neck in my left hand and thrusting it forward as far as I could.

The sash I handed over with rough breathing was certainly grasped by the male student’s hand, and the next runners started.

Shizuku and I moved our bodies down the track as if we were falling down, and it was there that I checked the situation behind us for the first time.

There were four groups behind us.

That meant we were able to hold on to our lead and pass on to the next group in first place.

Shizuku understood this at the same time and immediately clung to my arm with a look of joy on her face.

Normally, I would have refused to act so boldly in front of the students.

But now, I don’t feel the slightest cold stare from those around me.

The surroundings were filled with the enthusiasm of the race, especially the students of the same yellow class, who were throwing words of praise at me.

So… perhaps because of such a situation, I had never expressed my feelings with my body in my short life, but unconsciously I was thrusting my fist toward Kirasaka and the president in the Student Council tent, and toward Yuuto, who was standing in line in front of the tent as the anchor.

Then I quickly came to myself, and my expression, which had been elated by the embarrassment of my actions, returned to normal.

I lowered my outstretched arm and looked down at the Shizuku next to me.

“…Shall we go cheer them up?”

“Yes! …But before that.”

Shizuku pulls herself up and removes the cloth from around her feet.
Indeed, I had forgotten that there was no longer any need to move around as it was.

When the cloth that was tying us together was gone, the feeling of freedom was amazing.

It was so liberating that I felt as if I could already fly.

After lightly turning the ankles that had been restrained, I stood up.

I turned my body toward where Shizuku was to proceed in the opposite direction, which was both the starting point and the finish line.

Then I see a close-up of Shizuku from the front.

By the time I realized that she had jumped onto me, I wasn’t in a position where I could avoid it.

I caught her body with as little impact as possible and suppressed the momentum by turning my body to recoil.

I spun around and lightly smacked the head of the happy looking Shizuku when I held it back with my arms so as not to knock her off.

“It’s dangerous.”

“I’m so …happy.”

…What is this exchange of words.

I was trying to hold in Minato-kun’s brain grand rush of ‘Is this a romantic comedy or is this a youth romantic comedy?’.

The people around you must definitely think it’s a romantic comedy development.

Maybe there is even a sniper hiding in the woods nearby, sniping at me.

Just to be sure, I checked my surroundings and walked to the finish line with Shizuku, who still didn’t seem to leave my arms.

As a result, we, the third class of the second year, maintained our first-place position and carried our sash to Yuuto’s pair.

From there, there was no need to worry.

Yuuto, who had perfectly matched the movements of the girls in the sports club, cut the finishing tape, and the tripod ended with the third pair in first place.

And what awaited us was not only the praise …but also the jealous glances, mainly from the male students, for Shizuku’s daring behavior afterwards.

By now, it had passed the point of being a large portion, and was directed at the level of a special portion.

But, if I had to say that, it was within the scope of my expectations, and what I didn’t expect was Kirasaka’s unusually sharp gaze towards Shizuku.

In contrast, Shizuku was also puffing out her chest as if she was proud of that look, and needless to say, it took the sacrifice of a student named Yuuto Ogiwara to calm the situation down.

Thank you very much, Yuuto Ogiwara.

There is a lesson to be learned.
Never, ever, step into a inconsolable situation in front of others.

With the three-legged race finished, the morning competition came to an end.

Lunch break was announced, and the students moved to their lunch areas.

Some ate with their families, some with friends, and some went to the cafeteria.

As expected, Yuuto and Shizuku were caught by the students and had to eat with their classmates today.

Kirasaka also said it was too hot outside and went back inside, so I bought some onigiri and ate them in the shade of the schoolyard.

On the way there, as I passed the back gate, I saw a familiar figure and changed the direction of my steps.

“…What are you doing here?”

I called out to the person who was looking at the ground in front of the back gate because he was not supposed to be here.

The person, my father, Shinra Yuichi, was at the back gate.

ToC

#203

I was watching over Kirasaka as she headed off to the scavenger hunt, Shizuku was observing the grounds and I was counting backwards with the progress chart in my hand.

For the most part, the events are on schedule, but since there have been so many individual events so far, the upcoming group competitions will be accompanied by plenty of preparation and mistakes.

I had a lot of free time on my hands anyway, so I was thinking about getting the equipment ready first, when the president returned to the student council tent.

Since she had competed in the third-year student’s sprint, she was a bit sweaty.

The gym uniform designated by Sakuranaoka Academy is just a shirt with a simple cherry blossom school emblem painted on the chest and bright lines on the sleeves, neck, and other parts.

Over this, a pale blue jersey can be worn for individual adjustments in body temperature.

Both Shizuku and I wore shirts during the competition and jerseys during the standby period to keep our bodies cool from sweating.

“How are things going?”

“It’s going well. …If things go smoothly in the events after this, I’ll have no complaints.”

President smiles as I hand her a drink that was on the desk while she accepts it.

Wiping her sweat off with a towel and moistening her throat, her gaze turns to the ground.

“Next up is the scavenger hunt… I heard Rei and Hino say they’re going to participate.”

“I don’t know about Hino-kun, but Kirasaka went to the waiting area a while ago.”

Without moving my gaze from the document, I replied to President’s words.

Hino-kun, a scavenger …yeah, it doesn’t suit him at all.

To begin with, it is not something that suits Kirasaka either.

It doesn’t suit her on a level that makes me wonder why she was even participating in this.

At the opposite end of the waiting area, Koizumi and Miura had set up several boxes in the middle of the course.

In those boxes were the themes that were thought up by the student council and the committee members.

Naturally, there were a few ideas that I thought of as well, but I didn’t put anything unreasonable in them.
Glasses, plastic bottles, tapioca milk tea…

What a naughty and trendy selection.

I don’t think I may have included some subjects that will never be found, but oh well, it’s too late now.

I put in quite a bit, so I’m fine with the low probability.

After Koizumi and the others finished their preparations, the students formed a line near the starting line.

“How many events are left for Shinra?”

“The last one is the three-legged race with Shizuku, and the rest of them are basically substitutes or not even named in the first place.”

“I see… that’s boring.”

President’s gaze fell on me as she uttered an unusually childish line.

At first glance, it would appear as if …she is lamenting the fact that I don’t compete in events.

But if you’re like me, it’s easy enough to read what’s behind President’s words.

Yes, I always think I am reading behind the words and fail to do so, but this time, I was really scared.

That has already scared me at least as much as the morning news shows.

President must have secretly wanted to enjoy seeing my disappointment.

It must have already occurred to her to say something like, “Hang in there Shinra, lol,” while only looking at me with a motherly gaze.

I completely understood and turned my hostile gaze to President and glared at her, then the President muttered.

“If it was a joint event, there was a chance we could have competed together.”

“I’m sorry, I’m really sorry for everything.”

Profoundly, I bow my head and express my apologies to the President.
President and Shizuku looked at me curiously, wondering what I was talking about, but I was ashamed of myself for some reason.

Before they realized why I started apologizing, I changed the direction of the topic.

I forced their eyes to look in the direction of the students, just as the first group of students was about to start running.

Among them, I thought I saw a student with an unusual red hair color, but I was probably mistaken.

The red-haired boy pulls out a sheet of paper from the box, opens the four-fold and is astonished.

He is the only one standing still while the other students look around and head off to get what they are looking for.

We wondered if the topic was that difficult, and as we watched, the boy started running toward the student council tent, as if he had an idea.

“Senpai, who do you think has tapioca milk tea!”

“They sell it at the convenience store.”

There was no doubt, he was Hino-kun.

It was Hino-kun without a doubt, and it was my suggestion that he pulled out, just as I had hoped.

While I felt sorry for my junior, I was overflowing with relief that no ordinary student had pulled it off.

I point to a convenience store outside the school that is slightly visible from behind the back nets used by the baseball team.

I took out 500 yen from my pocket and handed it to Hino-kun with a flick of my finger.

“That’s my senpai! Thank you!

Saying this, Hino-kun ran as fast as he could in the direction of the back gate and disappeared.

…Well, I wrote that one, so it’s on the house this time.

Shizuku and President, who had been watching the series of events quietly, let out a laugh in the tent, which had regained its serenity.

“Shinra has become much more rounded, hasn’t he?”

“Externally?”

“Internally…”

I was worried for a moment that she might have gained weight even though I wasn’t snacking, but that worry was quickly dispelled.
But, does it look like I’m getting rounder on the inside from the outside?

If so, that means there has been some change in me.

“…Not that my way of thinking itself hasn’t changed even now.”

I sat deeper in my chair and looked forward.

Without making eye contact with either Shizuku or the chairman, I just gazed vaguely at the schoolyard.

If you ask me if the view I see now looks different than it did at the beginning of the two years, I would say no.

Nothing has changed. I do not mingle with the students smiling happily in front of me.

I am still in a place where a line has been drawn.

“The first part of the Sakura Festival, affirming the bonds between the students through the Sports Festival, and hoping to bring them together as one for the Cultural Festival… were the words the President said at the opening ceremony?”

I picked up a sheet of paper from the desk under the student council tent.
It is an information leaflet made for parents about this athletic festival.

The names of the school president, the student council, and the teacher in charge of the athletic festival are listed, and the words are pleasant to the ears.

Developing students’ independence, connecting students through sports, friendship, and uniting the school as a whole.

All of these are pretty words.

“The only thing they are doing is knocking down others to score points… and even if they value the bonds between students, it seems that it is only deepening the gap between the students in the end.”

Maybe I just think that because of my twisted and prejudiced way of thinking and perceiving things.

It is possible that everyone is having fun and is happy.

But I don’t see the ideal student unity that the school claims to have at this athletic festival.

“…Just made me aware that as a student council member, I shouldn’t put these words in my mouth.”

Yes, I’ve became aware.

I ran for the position of a student council member myself, and I was elected.

I didn’t make any promises, and I wasn’t asked to do anything.

However, it is true that I have to protect the brand image of the student council.

I was going to make negative remarks only in front of people who know me.

“Minato-kun…”

I apologetically smiled back at Shizuku, who turned sad eyes on me.
I am sure she wants them to have fun.

They may want to enjoy the event of the athletic festival together and share it as a memory.

It’s what everyone thinks of as a memory of school life.

“Is that what your position in the student council makes you do?”

I was a little bit nervous about this because my relationship with the President was short compared to Shizuku’s, but I was able to get the message across to her.
I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve known her for only a short time or because I’ve known her for a long time.

“No, it don’t. …I’ve joined the student council, so now I think it’s a better sports festival than before.”

When I said those words back to her, President’s face relaxed a little, as if she was relieved.

Then she sat down on a nearby chair and listened with her eyes on the ground only, and her attention directed towards me.

“…”

A moment of silence follows.
As I watch the students run hard in front of me, a feeling envelops my body as if the cheers are getting further and further away.

It is difficult to put into words what I am feeling.
Moreover, I am not sure if she will understand what I have to say.

Even so, I mumbled the best I could with the words I had at the moment.

“What does it feel like to really have fun…?”

I still couldn’t understand the feelings that I had forgotten because I hadn’t felt them for a long time, even though there had been some changes in my surroundings and in my way of thinking.

I was aware that just by saying a few words, the atmosphere under the tent had turned completely gloomy, so I decided to change their mindset immediately, quiet as it may be.

“There.”

Pointing ahead, Kirasaka was running down the straight line of the ground, completely relaxed.

Well, this is all about getting the task done as quickly as possible, so at first everyone around her was taking it easy to some extent, without exception.

Kirasaka puts her thin white hand inside the box and pulls out a piece of paper.

Next to her, the other students have various expressions on their faces.

Among them, she is the only one who steps toward me, as if she had an idea as soon as she saw the paper.

Without hesitation, she walked straight to the student council tent and stood in front of me.

She stood in front of me, looking down on me.

I was looking over at her, waiting to see what she would say, when she silently grabbed my arm in her white hand.

“Kirasaka-san, what does this mean?”

It was Shizuku who refused to let me be pulled away.

She grabbed me by the collar of my clothes and pulled me from the opposite side and asked Kirasaka.

“It’s the theme… Well, maybe you should be the one instead of him. …Can I ask you to come too, Kanazaki-san?”

“Yes?”

The first time I saw her, she looked at me and Shizuku and then grabbed Shizuku’s arm as well and pulled us both along with her hands.

I was annoyed that President was waving me off under the tent, but now I was concerned about the theme.

“What was the theme?”

“It would be boring if I told you, so just wait until we get to the finish line.”

Kirasaka, who shook her head and refused to accept my words, was moving toward the finish line faster than the other students.

Shizuku is also following me with an expression of what is going on, but her puzzled expression is still on her face.

The three of us together, and the two of them, Shizuku and Kirasaka, are popular with the boys, so naturally the stares from the male students were painful.

However, the other students looked at the three of us curiously.

After going around half the ground and reaching the finish line, I was freed for the first time.

Kirasaka handed the paper she had drawn to the referee.

The student acting as the referee opened the paper to check the subject, and Kirasaka pointed her hands at us with a small motion, as if to emphasize the point.

“Well, the subject is …’Disproportionate things’…?

The student looked very uncomfortable saying this.
Well, …it must be hard to say.

I would never want to say anything in this situation.

Kirasaka, however, puts her hands on her hips with her big breasts outstretched as if to say how she feels.

…I can’t deny it myself, so I’m in trouble.
When I looked fearfully next to me, I saw that Shizuku was shaking.

I couldn’t make out her expression as she was looking down, but I could tell that something was on the verge of exploding.

Immediately, I took a few steps away from the scene and watched them from a place where I could safely escape, and Shizuku and Kirasaka turned to face each other.

“Who’s out of proportion… It would have been better if you took just Minato.”

“The judge didn’t say no, so isn’t this the correct?”

“He didn’t say it was right either, which means we need to deliberate on this.”

As their expressions gradually disappear, the referee, who cannot move, looks on in horror.

…I know, it’s scary.

I silently threw words of support in my chest to the student who, due to his position, could not move from the spot.

…Good luck!

The two of them, Shizuku and Kirasaka, continued to exchange words with each other, not caring that other students were finishing one after another and there were more people around.

I quietly disappeared behind them and walked back to the student council tent.

But, before I could take my second step to the ground, someone grabbed me by the neck, probably both of them at the same time, and dragged me back to the finish line.

“I’ll have to ask Minato-kun to review this one.”

“As you wish, I will leave it to Shinra-kun this time.”

I don’t have any say in this matter, do I…?

Thus, until all the students in the scavenger hunt had finished running, the scene on the field was anything but peaceful as the girls argued with each other.

According to the president, the festive atmosphere of the gymnasium may have encouraged the students to think more flexibly, and surprisingly, their arguments were watched with great excitement by those around them.

<TL> : Sorry, forgor that this existed.*ded*
Was busy with college. Dunno what will be the upload rate, but hey… well atleast it’s started.

ToC

#202

Fall is the season of food, exercise, and Sports Festival!

These days, due to global warming and other factors, summer temperatures are not what they used to be.

Schools are taking into consideration the physical condition of students and are moving their athletic festivals to a later time of the year so that the events can be held in a cooler and more appropriate environment.

No, it really helps though.

In the blazing heat of midsummer, we are half forced to be involved in the students’ boisterous activities, and yet we also have to perform our activities as a student council.

Really, fall is better here.

Or even spring. Or rather, I’m beginning to think that a sports festival with voluntary participation would be fine.

At Sakuranaoka Academy, the first annual Sakura Festival, the Sports Festival, was underway to rave reviews.

The grounds were filled with students wearing red, blue, yellow, green, and purple bands hanging from their foreheads, necks, and other parts of their bodies.

Outside the field, it was filled with parents and visitors.

There are only two high schools in the local area, and the only one that is open to the public is Sakuranaoka Academy, so a wide variety of people visit the school, including local elderly people and old men and women from the shopping arcade.

I have been approached several times by people I know, but they always give me a teasing smile.

I know, I know.

It’s probably the first time for them to see me working so hard, and since I’m always in a slack-jawed state, the gap between me and everyone else is probably huge.

The owner of the Fish Shop was saying, “Do you have a fever or something?”

I will definitely buy some fish from the fish shop right across the street from him next time, just to get back at him.　

So now the 100-meter run, the overall event of the Sports festival, was ongoing.

The first-year boys were followed by the girls, then the second-year boys and girls, and finally the third-year students.

The first-year students had already finished running, and now it was the second-year students’ turn.

The boys waited for the starting signal with serious expressions on their faces and then ran through to the finish line.

Even the students who normally have no chance to play an active role in the event are popular today just because of their fast legs.

The situation, the atmosphere, and the cheers of the students were all over the place.

It is almost Yuuto’s turn to be the prince of the school.
The girls’ anticipation rose, and they were eagerly awaiting his turn.

“…Why are you standing in line as if nothing happened, senpai is not so quick on his feet, is he?”

“Don’t say it…”

Shiraishi, who was helping the student council by holding the flag for the line of third-ranked students, called out to me.

What happened with Minato-kun…?

He had already finished running and was in line for the third place in the standings.

You might think, “If I’m number three, isn’t that fast?”

However, I was third out of five.

Not all of them were in the sports club, and the conditions were not equal, and the opponents were decided only by the attendance number.

Well, I guess the objective evaluation from the people around me is that he is neither fast nor slow.
Shiraishi is not too flattering in this respect, so she points out exactly what she doesn’t like about me.

Without making eye contact, I watch the students following me as I catch my disordered breath.

I can say this because it’s over, but I can imagine a great deal about their state of mind by their expressions.

Some are relaxed, some are stern, some are sobbing from too much tension, and some are waving to someone.

Hey, the last one is totally a pattern of waving, y’know.

You’re getting hate-filled stares from the boys around you.

That guy totally made the other guys take him seriously…

As I watched him thinking this, the cheers echoed through the school a few more times.

“He’s here.”

“Well, it’s Ogiwara-senpai, after all.”

The next runner of our three groups is Yuuto.

The next student was a member of the track and field team, I believe, but the winner of this one was decided.

The girls approached the very edge of the ground to cheer, and Yuuto also waved to the students until the very last minute.

What, are you some idol?

When all the students were ready, the starting sound rang out.

The track and field team is a force to be reckoned with, and they should have made an outstanding dash for the start, but next to them, Yuuto, who is just as good as the track and field team, is running with a huge gap between them and the other students.

With his brown hair shining in the sunlight, his sweat, and a serious expression that is different from his usual, Yuuto runs through the field by a clear margin.

“…”

As Yuuto crosses the finish line and is praised by the students, Shiraishi and I watch the scene in silence.

Well, I can understand.

It’s great, I know because I visited during the student council election, but I think the track and field students were a short distance away.

He finished faster than those students, which is certainly impressive…

“Even if that guy does something great, it doesn’t impress me in any way.”

“You’re starting to get it, junior. …I thought it would go for another year.”

She has been enrolled in the school for about six months and has a moderately good sense of humor.

Shiraishi is already looking at Yuuto and the others with a faraway look in her eyes, but you should know by now that this is natural, so you won’t get your heart broken.

The boys’ gawking is over, and suddenly the girls are back in their seats.

It’s not my imagination that the next group of runners and beyond have complicated expressions on their faces.

The students, who were blatantly unmotivated, ran one after another, and it was the turn of the second-year girls.

I was the flag bearer this time, and I was standing by with the number one flag.

As the students ran one by one, I checked the first-place student, and the committee members behind me filled out the list for scoring, and then the girls left.

While this is being repeated, the boys are now cheering enthusiastically.

Of course, we know why.

It is probably because Shizuku and Kirasaka are just behind them, running next.

After I finished with the first-place girl, I turned my attention to the starting line and saw Shizuku waving shyly to the boys.

Then she gave a small wave at her chest toward the finish line where I stood before the start.

I respond with a hand lightly raised to it, and the smiling expression on her face changes to one of seriousness.

She doesn’t wanna skimp on the competition, and I think that’s a good thing.

Well, without any need to talk about it, Shizuku, who was in first place, stops in front of me, proudly puffing out her chest.

“What do you think!”

“Well, I knew you would win.”

It was so predictable that I felt sorry for the students who were in the competition.

Many female students consider it tacky to run seriously, but she was running as fast as the boys without any restraint.

First-year students who saw her run as fast as she could for the first time were stunned with their eyes wide open.

Well, maybe the younger students were imagining her running in a cute way while giggling.

Imagining is not a bad thing, but don’t tell it to the others.

From the outside, people would rather like someone who is taking it as seriously as she is than someone who is blatantly cutting corners.

If you don’t want people to look at you that way, though, you’d have to be a slacker like me to make it difficult.

Shizuku will notice me, but I’m confident that people around me won’t notice me.

I’m a top-notch slacker, after all.

I’m good at tug of war and ball tossing.

I give off the impression that I’m pulling with all my might, but I relax appropriately, and I even throw the ball at random without setting my sights on it.

“As long as Minato-kun is watching, I can’t show him my embarrassing behavior.”

I smile at Shizuku, who stands there as if it were natural, not out of breath.

Perhaps wanting to be praised, I turned away from Shizuku, who continued to stare at me afterwards.

I’m not sure I’m up to the challenge of giving a compliment in the presence of other people’s eyes.

Just as the next runner, Kirasaka, was getting ready, I told Shizuku for that reason.

“There’s… Kirasaka.”

“…She’ll be in first place anyway.”

Her expression changed to one of disinterest and she turned her attention to the same starting line as me.

The students competing with Kirasaka seem to have a few athletes, but Kirasaka will win nine times out of ten.

There is enthusiastic cheering, mainly from the boys, but she completely ignores it and waits for the signal without even reacting.

A teacher raises his hand and a loud burst of sound rings out, and Kirasaka starts before anyone else.

Her reflexes and inherently high athleticism made her unrivaled, and near the finish line, she lightly swept by and crossed the finish line tape.

“…”

“Say something…”

Kirasaka stood in front of me and said nothing.

It’s troubling to come across someone as confident as Shizuku, but it’s also very troubling to stand in front of me as silently as she did.

Does she want to boast or be praised?

It’s difficult to read her mind from her facial expression, and she continued to be mute.

“Yes, yes, I know you’re great… so there’s no point in getting your hopes up.”

From behind, Shizuku pushes Kirasaka’s back and moves her away from the front of the banner, and they both gave me a cold stare.

I let out an involuntary sigh as I felt the eyes pierce my back like I was in the wrong.

“…Awesome, congrats.”

I mutter, small, and return my gaze to the front, waiting for the next student to arrive.

I don’t know what kind of looks the girls behind me are giving me, but at least they aren’t giving me cold stares.

The event competitions proceeded, and the third-year students also proceeded to the next, with President taking first place by a landslide.

As we watched the centipede and obstacle race progressing under the tent for the student council, Shizuku, who had naturally prepared their seats for us this time as well, opened her mouth.

“I wish Kaede could have come too.”

I thought of my sister, who was supposed to be at the opposite high school.

Today is Saturday of the weekend, and not only Sakuranaoka High School, but also the girls’ high school that Kaede attends, was holding a sports festival as well.

That’s why Kaede is not here.

My father and mother are also back home from overseas for vacation, but they have gone to Kaede’s side.

This is their daughter’s first sports festival in high school, and their priority is my sister.

Or rather than priority, they would obviously go to Kaede’s.
For me, I would just show a aweless appearance when they come.

I am tackling it with a moderate amount of effort because I am not taking it as seriously as the people around me because I don’t have my parents’ watching me.

“I’m relieved that you don’t have to see your brother’s unworthy appearance. …Well, I’m relieved that you guys aren’t getting into trouble, though.”

As you might be able to tell from the fact that both Shizuku and Kirasaka are currently sitting behind me while the event in front of me is in progress, the girls are now in the process of limiting the events to those that they wish to do.

Although there may have been a change of heart among their classmates, the fact that Yuuto said he would take over many of the events instead was a big factor.

After all, from the students’ point of view, there is no problem as long as they win, and Yuuto must have proposed the idea with that in mind.

Ogiwara Yuuto is a kind man.

Since losing the student council officer election, Yuuto has been concerned about being considerate of those around him in some way, and it seems there has been a slight change.

However, he is still a little reserved when it comes to socializing with us, perhaps because he hasn’t quite grasped the distance between us.

While the student council is doing various chores, an announcement is made by Miura.

[Next up is the scavenger hunt, and students who plan to participate are asked to move to their designated positions.]

“Oh, is it time already?”

Behind my seat, Kirasaka, who is still obsessed with books today, silently holds out a book with a bookmark.

Then she stood up and started to move without saying a word.

“…What’s that?”

“That’s…”

Kirasaka picked up the book she was half-read and looked at the cover of the book, but her words stopped there.

The next person, Shizuku, likewise stopped talking and her eyes were glued to the cover.

“How to Dominate a Man.”

…….

I am scared, is that girl finally going to turn into a S mentally.

Together with Shizuku, I could only see her off with a look of terror.

ToC

#201

The Cherry Blossom season has arrived.

<TL: Sakura = Cherry blossom>

The cherry blossoms no longer flutter, and the leaves on the trees have begun to turn red as if to signal the end of summer season.

The heat that envelops my body is replaced by a pleasant cooler breeze.

The hottest event awaits the students at the Sakura Academy before the end of the summer.

An athletic festival, free from daily studies, and a school-wide celebration that overflows with the individuality of the students.

The students’ awareness of the Student Council elections is now in the past, and their focus has shifted to the biggest event that is just around the corner.

The student council, likewise, is about to enter its busiest time of the year.

A season that has the potential to alter the various expectations and anxieties greatly in their studies, club activities, love, youth, and future of the student is just right ahead…

The School of Cherry Blossoms has to undergo a brief change into the School of Festivals.

It is the students who will create this change.

They think independently, make suggestions, and take action.

In a school where students are left to manage their own initiative, it is more difficult than it sounds.

If we fail to prepare for this, the greatest celebration will turn into the greatest disgrace.

The question is the leadership of those who stand at the top of the organization, the trust of the students, and flexible thinking.

The challenges that will come are many.
Rise of unexpected people and the troubles that accompany them.

We will have to prepare our own ways to solve the problems as much as we can expect.

If we are juniors who only rely on others, that person will not be able to leave with peace of mind.

What I recall between my steps toward the student council office are the words that were said to me when I joined the student council.

I’m not confident that I’ve ever been able to answer that expectation so I have to judge calmly and objectively…

This is the first and last time.

I only have a short time period, this Sakura Festival, in which I can act for that very purpose at the same place.

To be recognized by that person.

I want to be recognized by someone who has no admiration, no love interest, just someone who genuinely represents the ideals of the people around her.

My feelings might be similar to when I confronted my friend and competed with him.

Perhaps I just want to satisfy myself.

Student council was not the place where I was called because of her personal feelings, but it was the place where she recognized me, Shinra Minato.

Maybe I just want to get the final word on a question that I have been asking myself.

The executive committee is supposed to be led by a junior who is seemingly dependable but is also extremely prone to unexpected developments.

Although she has not expressed it in words, she has a dependable friend who will support her.

Worrying might turn out to be a groundless fear.
She should concentrate on her own position.

As assistant to the student body president, it is my job to support her in her task.

I let out a deep breath as if to re-motivate myself in front of a room in a corner of the school, and then put my hand on the heavy iron door.

I looked at the figure of the senior who welcomed me with a smile.
I wonder what the person with that smile is thinking right now.

Is it anxiety or anticipation for the big event that is just around the corner…?

With these questions in my mind, my day as a student council member begins again today.

Before we choose the next generation of students and pass the baton to them, we will learn something.

We will learn about our predecessor, who has been called the best of her generation.

We will see the scene created by her existence, which until now we have turned our eyes away from as someone who lives in a different world from our own.

Let the Sakura Festival begin!

<TL: And yeah, I’m back in the dorms and also with the WN.>

ToC

SS-Girls’ Gossip

On a certain holiday, there were three girls sitting in the living room of the Shinra household as if their presence in this house was a matter of course.

Their names were Kanazaki Shizuku, Kirasaka Rei, and Shiraishi Momiji.

Kaede was making coffee for the three of them in the kitchen, and Minato was napping in his room.

Although they were not chatting and laughing, the atmosphere was not bleak and normal conversation was going on.

“Do the two of you usually come here on your days off?”

Shiraishi asked, and they looked at each other silently.

Well, recently, …especially since the summer vacation, the two of them have been staying in Minato’s house like this on days when they have nothing to do, but when it is pointed out to them again, they are a little embarrassed to put it into words.

As if waiting for one of them to answer, the answer flew in from the kitchen while the two were still in silence.

“Yes, they basically spend their time here.”

On the tray were four cups of coffee and a cup of cold cocoa, perhaps for her brother Minato.

As Kaede carefully placed them one by one in front of the three of them before walking out into the hallway to her brother’s room, Shiraishi was reminded once again that she is a competent younger sister.

The older brother is like that, and the younger sister is like this.
On the contrary, it seemed as if the younger sister was making up for the imbalance for her older brother.

While looking at Kaede’s back, Shiraishi turned her attention back to the two upperclassmen sitting in front of her.

“I don’t have any particular thoughts, but I’m sure it’s hard to leave Minato-kun’s care to Kaede alone.”

“A mother, huh…?”

She made a small retort to her remark that sounded like someone who looked like she was going to completely take care of him.

Moving her gaze to Kirasaka next to her this time, she opened her mouth with a dignified attitude.

“It doesn’t matter where I spend my days off, this is where I feel comfortable.”

Even Shiraishi was speechless at the sight of her elegantly enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Only Kaede’s voice calling out to her brother from the hallway echoed in the living room, and the space was silent.

They really are strange people.

Shiraishi thinks so, chugging down the coffee in front of her.

I don’t usually drink coffee, so I can’t really tell the difference, but there’s no doubt that Kaede’s brewed coffee is delicious.

The situation is such that there are only three female students at Sakuranaoka Academy here at the moment.

In terms of timing, Shiraishi asked them an in-depth question which would only be possible at that moment.

“Why do you two like Shinra-senpai?”

“….”

A pure and genuine question.

There is no doubt that both Kanazaki Shizuku and Kirasaka Rei are excellent students.

In contrast, it is difficult to honestly nod one’s head when asked if Shinra Minato is superior.

His public reputation is neither acceptable nor unacceptable.

However, Shiraishi has been involved with Shinra Minato to no small extent.

Therefore, she has no intention of giving him an evaluation just based on his appearance.

But even so, she couldn’t help but wonder about the situation where these two people liked the same person.

Kanazaki Shizuku is a childhood friend.

So it’s not hard to see why she was attracted to him because they had been close for a long time…

Kirasaka Rei has been given special treatment because of her blessed talent and environment.

The only one who treated her as a human being without any special treatment or attitude was Shinra Minato …Well, it’s not hard to see why.

All of these factors are certainly enough to attract people, but the fact that it is Shinra Minato is genuinely questionable.

There are so many negative aspects about him that could override the factors that attracted these girls to him.

His attitude, habits, relationships, and his own motivation or vitality, if I may describe it that way.

I don’t feel it.

It is true that they may have been attracted to him at one time, but Shiraishi does not know what the reason is for their persistence.

“Was there ever a man you liked, Shiraishi-san?”

Shiraishi smiled and answered after a moment’s pause.

“Well, there are some people I think are nice…”

When Shiraishi answered from her past memories, she then gave a wry smile.

She knew without listening that it wasn’t about Shiraishi, but about herself.

“I only know Minato-kun …and he was the first person of the opposite sex that I ever met.”

“We’ve known each other since childhood…”

Then of course there is no question of being the first to know each other.

Shizuku shook her head as she muttered these thoughts.

“No, that’s not what I meant; Minato was the first. The first time a man held on to my hand without rejecting it, even though he said he didn’t want to.”

The look she turned her gaze toward was a place where numerous photos of the Shinra family were on display.

Among them were those of Shizuku and Minato as children.

Shizuku, with a big smile on her face, hugged Minato, while Minato looked away from the camera and looked uncomfortable.

Shiraishi thought to himself that no matter how many years have passed, that senpai has not changed.

“If I were to make an analogy like Minato-kun, I would say that because we exchanged words or just because we played in the same place together, doesn’t mean we know each other .. So I guess it’s not because you’ve been childhood friends, but because he was the first person to recognize me and take my hand.”

When she finishes, Kirasaka next to her, sighs at the sight of Shizuku’s cheeks turning red and looking embarrassed.

“The other day, I was in the middle of a conversation with a friend of mine who was a teacher at the school.”

“You should fill in the rest… we haven’t left you know!”

At Kirasaka’s words, Shizuku frowned in frustration.

Kirasaka’s shoulders slump and her eyes narrow as she considered the situation.

While Shiraishi was envious of the beauty of even her thoughtful face, Kirasaka spun her words.

“Just as we are considered different by those around us, he is different from our perspective.”

It was an unexpected statement.
Shiraishi quietly listened to Kirasaka’s words without any concern.

“He is always on the sidelines, not dyed in any color, not fitting in, maintaining a certain distance. …Perhaps it is he who is lonely in the truest sense of the word.”

Kirasaka’s eyes conveyed some sad emotion as she said this.
Shiraishi, too, was no stranger to Kirasaka’s words.

In this day and age, that person is different from other students in a different sense.

While everyone else is looking forward, he can easily turn his back and move in the opposite direction.

This is not because he prefers solitude or is rebellious because he is an adolescent, but because it is his true nature.

If Shinra Minato wants to fit in with a group, he can.

In other words, he is a person who can adapt to any place.

He can walk the middle ground without being ostracized or despised by those around him.

However, this is not the case with Shinra Minato. His personality refuses to allow it.

“Minato-kun is really a kind person, …and he has made it so that those around him don’t notice, can’t see it.”

Shizuku was likewise smiling in her expression, but sadness was oozing from the depths of her eyes.

The truth is, she appreciates Shinra Minato more than anyone else, and she is the one who has seen him the closest and truly wants those around her to recognize that.

“I wonder if we are attracted to Shinra Minato because he understands more than anyone else that we are not the perfect people or whatever people around us think we are…?”

The last thing Kirasaka said to Shiraishi was with a question mark, and she poured the rest of the coffee in her cup.

Next to Kirasaka, Shizuku added with the same expression on her face..

“In fact, we really can’t think of any words that people would understand either, so please just take it as a …reference.”

With Shizuku’s words as the last, the girls’ talk that from Shiraishi’s question came to an end.

What came was an indescribably awkward atmosphere.

What reached their ears as if to counteract it was the sound of Kaede’s footsteps as she was running from Minato’s room back to the living room.

Kaede returned to the kitchen with a tray under her arm, looking impatiently at the cups that were already empty.

“I’m sorry, have you already finished drinking?”

“No, don’t worry about it. We just talked a little too much.”

Kaede smiles at the first smile Kirasaka has shown today and pours her another drink.

“Speaking of which, how was Minato-kun?”

Shizuku suddenly asked Kaede.

She was concerned about Minato, who was still in his room and did not seem to be coming out, so she asked him about it, but what came out of Kaede’s mouth were words that made the girls’ faces darken involuntarily.

“No… for some reason, my brother said, ‘Since Shiraishi is there, and they’re also here, I’m going to be short on words that I don’t even know, so I’m not going to leave the room.'”

As soon as they heard Minato’s behalf coming from Kaede, Shizuku and Kirasaka sat up.

Their expressions are dark and their fists clenched tightly.

The two juniors, who even feel fear at the sight of these two seniors, silently watched the scene before them.

They leave the living room at a quick pace and entered the room where Minato was without saying a word.

From beyond the closed door, at first they hear what sounds like a complaint, and then an exclamation.

Shiraishi, who was watching the scene with a rattled body, was painfully reminded that these seniors should not be offended.

<TL : So, here’s the last of the compensation chapters, …and well, I’m off. See y’all later then.>

ToC

SS-Sibling Time

<Author> : This is an extra chapter before the main story.
Chronologically, it will be around after the arranged marriage.
I hope you enjoy reading it as a short break from the main story!

If you want to observe the changes over time, you should focus on high school and college students.
This is my personal view, but I’m sure it isn’t wrong.

High school students are at the most impressionable age, having left compulsory education, while college students, who have more time and money to spare, are more sensitive to the trends of the times.

Recently, tapioca has become explosively popular.

However, Minato-kun’s favorite trend is the candy Ramune sold at convenience stores.

<TL: Dunno if it’s always been like that but since I started translating, there’s been quite a few times he referred to himself in 3rd person.>

In addition to keeping his hands clean, he has recently noticed that the fact that he can eat them in small pieces is surprisingly ideal when he is reading a book.

Let’s put all this unnecessary talk aside and return to the point.

Trends play an important role for a student, although they are more visible and varied for girls than for boys.
They can start conversations and lead to a wider circle of friendships.

To begin with, a community among students today is not viable if they cannot keep up with the trend.

I may have overstated its importance a bit, but it is still important.

It is not a problem for someone like me, who does not have an antenna outside of the city to keep up with the latest trends, but it seems that both Shizuku and Yuuto are getting a certain amount of information.

Fashion, food, TV shows and magazines…

The list goes on and on, but I hear that they too make an effort to facilitate their relationships.

Kirasaka is not interested in food, but she does check out clothes and other things she wears.

I must admit that I thought this was surprising.

In other words, if I want to spend my school life as a student and build a reasonable friendship, I have to update my information on a daily basis …I thought to myself.

While I was spending my lunch break on the roof, I turned to the girls and said to them.

“I want to go to the pancake shop.”

I didn’t mean to say anything strange.
But, Shizuku and Kirasaka stared at me with their eyes wide open.

“…”

Shizuku silently put down her lunch box and put her right hand on her forehead and her opposite left hand on my forehead to measure my body temperature.

Every time she does this, I wonder if this is even a viable method for measuring temperature.

Well, I don’t think that I have some spur-of-the-moment fever or something…

“That’s weird …you don’t seem to have a fever and you’ve don’t seem to have eaten something weird.”

“It’s not weird…”

“I’ll call the doctor at my house, don’t worry, he’s very good.”

“No, I’m not sick…”

The two of them looked calm, but their actions seemed impatient.　
What, is it so unusual for me to mention the word pancake?

Is it a pancake panic?

I, who was looking at the two of them uncomfortably alone, was muttering such a thing internally.

After the two of them had cooled down mentally and understood that it wasn’t a fever or a strange illness that I had developed, we resumed our conversation.

“I heard there’s a new pancake shop nearby, right?”

“Minato-kun, I can’t believe you know that kind of information, I knew it, you aren’t well.”

“I’m sure it’s a high fever, and we’d better take care of it as soon as possible.”

“…I at least check out my hometown, alright?”

And I know this because I was talking to Yuuto this morning when he was on his way to school with us. …You guys were together, right?

I’m starting to get worried that the girls I saw this morning might be doppelgangers, but I have no choice but to tell them how I got the information as well.

“You know, Yuuto told me this morning…”

“Huh? Is it?”

“…”

Shizuku put her hand on her chin as if going back to her memory, and for Kirasaka, she even gave up the attempt to recall.

You are thoroughly uninterested regarding Yuuto, alright.

The result was the conclusion that neither of them had heard of the story, but anyway, the main point of this story is that I became interested in the store that Yuuto was talking about.

I had seen pancakes on TV and was interested in them, albeit a little late.

But let’s be honest …what’s the difference between hotcakes and pancakes anyway?

I think the two of them would know, but I’m afraid Kirasaka would make fun of me if I mention that, so I won’t do it.

I took out the store flyer I had received from Yuuto and showed it to Shizuku, but she shook her head and muttered that she didn’t know.

The trend hasn’t completely gone away, but it opened after a certain time, so Shizuku hasn’t visited it yet either.

If this is a place that even Shizuku, who holds the number one fighting power among girls in my small circle of friends, has never been to, then the bar is too high for me.

“Would you like to go there after school today?”

“I heard that …Yuuto went there, so maybe I should invite him, too.”

“I don’t like to stand out.”

I nodded in reply to Shizuku’s invitation and suggested the idea to them, but Kirasaka immediately expressed her disapproval.

The reality is that there are many women in this kind of store.

It was easy to predict that taking him to such a place would cause a commotion.

It would be fine if he had visited the store in a certain way, but if it was his first time going there, he would not want to be bothered with anything else.

I was sorry to Yuuto, but I decided to exclude him from the list of people to accompany me this time.

“I wanted to ask for a recommendation or something.”

“Why don’t you just ask the staff?”

“In these kinds of restaurants, the recommendation of the staff and the recommendation of the person who actually ate there are different, aren’t they?”

This time, I must know the recommendation that will not fail.

The first time, I wanted to know the recommendations based on the opinions of people who actually ate there, not just the waiter’s question-and-answer format recommendations, but I had no choice but to give up.

At any rate, it was decided that we would stop by the restaurant after school, so before the bell rang at the end of lunch break, I grabbed my luggage and got up.

“Ah…”

I got up and Shizuku was fixing the wrinkles on her school uniform when a voice came to me as if something had just occurred to her.

“I think I know that person.”

I couldn’t guess who it was, but I caught Kirasaka’s slightly disgusted expression out in the corner of my eyesight.

“Oh, I’ve been there once myself.”

After school, when I spoke to the intended person at the entrance of the building where the third-year students are located, I was told that at the very beginning of the conversation.

It was our school’s student body president, Hiiragi Akane-senpai.

As expected of a person who knows everything.

Although the relationship between the two of us has been a little awkward with the president due to an arranged marriage, there seems to be no particular problem in our daily lives.

I’m not worried about Kirasaka, who I’ve known for a long time, but because we’ve known each other for so long, there’s something embarrassing about knowing a side of us that we don’t know.

“Are you free today…?”

“I have time, but …can I take this as an invitation to a date?”

I called out to her and she asked with a smile on her mouth.

The two girls interrupted the bombshell with nothing but an apology for the visit.

“We’re joining too, we’ll be there too!”

“We’re just passing the time after school, Akane-san, you’ve got it all wrong.”

“She’s joking, don’t be in such a rush, both of you.”

It’s going to be a …troublesome combination.

The two people who were completely being played with, I returned the words appropriately, while letting out a sigh.

“Anything is fine …let’s just go for now.”

Thus, the party, including the President, went to the town after school.

In places where there are many students, they attract a great number of stares, but as we moved away from them, those stares diminish and by the time we reached the front of the store, I could hardly feel the eyes of those around us.

There are people around, but they don’t seem to be paying attention to their surroundings at the moment because their objective is the sweets.

Another factor was that, as expected, the majority of the customers were women.

The line was shorter than expected, and the waiting time seemed to be short.

While waiting in line outside, I looked at the exterior of the restaurant.

At first glance, it looks like an ordinary house, white in color, with a small sign made of wood outside and in front of the door.

There is no terrace, and the building is completely indoor only.

If you pass by the store outside of business hours, you can feel as if this was a secret base because then it is completely unbelievable that it could be a store.

After waiting outside for about 15 minutes, a waitress calls out to us and our turn comes.

President and I sit next to each other in the four-seater table, and Shizuku and Kirasaka sit across from us.

While we were waiting outside, a game of rock-paper-scissors was played to decide the seating order, and President won, so we were placed in this position.

President, without seeming to care about them, opened the menu and turned her eyes to me, who was sitting beside her.

“You wanted to ask for recommendations, didn’t you?”

“Yes, it doesn’t matter as long as President knows what it is.”

When I nodded and answered, President dropped her gaze with a thoughtful look on her face.

The two people across from me are also looking at each other and selecting one. I was looking at them with a poker face.

The letters written in katakana are so many that they are giving me a headache.

Sugar, maple, honey… I know what they mean, but I can’t imagine what they’ll be like, so I leave it completely up to them this time.

“It’s hard to pick any of them, but personally, I’d have to go with this one.”

President pointed to a Japanese-style pancake next to the item listed as the waiter’s recommendation.

The first thing I thought was that there are both Western and Japanese style pancakes, but if it is the president’s choice, then there is no doubt about it.

Shizuku and Kirasaka also decided to go with the President’s recommendation, so they trusted her and called out to the waitress.

“Four Japanese-style pancakes, please.”

I, on behalf of the others, told the waitress what we ordered, and the waitress responded with her business smile in full throttle.

While waiting for my order to arrive, the conversation turned to why I was interested in pancakes.

“I have to admit, I was surprised when I first heard about it. I even thought Shinra might have hit it on the head.”

“Why do you get doubt me first…?”

Well, I wouldn’t have visited if I hadn’t heard about a certain conversation the other day and Yuuto this morning.

But, it’s a little embarrassing to tell the three of them the reason.

While their conversation on the same topic continued, our order arrived.

“It’s the Japanese-style pancake!”

The pancake quietly placed in front of me was a light green color, perhaps mixed with macha green tea, and was even served with azuki beans and ice cream.

That’s a lot of sugar, isn’t it?

The girl’s eyes were shining, but I honestly don’t know if I could eat it.

I put the pancake in my mouth for the first time in my life, wondering if it would be okay if I left some…

A few days later, on a holiday.

I visited the same restaurant.

Unlike the last time, there were more people there because it was a holiday, but I got there just in time for the store to open, so I was able to get in line where I could be guided to my table earlier than before.

“I recommend the Japanese style one…”

“I’m looking forward to it! It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a restaurant with my Nii-san.”

Next to me, my younger sister Kaede who was looking at the store as if she couldn’t wait to see what was in the store.

While waiting in line, we had a casual conversation, since it was the first time in a long time that the two siblings had some time alone together.

I quietly listen to my sister as she talks about what happened at school, what was fun, what was difficult, etc.

This is a normal conversation for the Shinra siblings.

In the midst of all this, I turned to Kaede with an air of confidence about the information I had heard from President the other day.

“Do you know …that crepe batter is also a kind of pancake?”

“Yes, I know!”

“…”

…Right?

Kaede, who should perhaps have more girl power than Shizuku, is not someone at my level in this kind of knowledge.

It was limited to me, and a little bit of awkwardness spread in the air, but even so, it soon disappeared as Kaede’s machine gun talk resumed.

That day was the first peaceful day in a long time in my hectic daily life.

ToC

#200

[There were 291 first-year and second-year students who came to school today, and 40 teachers for a total of 331 votes. As a result, Shinra-san received 167 votes, while Ogiwara-san received 163 votes and one blank invalid vote…]

As the school broadcast continued to announce the results of the election, I was filled with more relief than joy.

I was relieved that I had not disappointed the two people sitting beside me, and that I could happily present a report to the members of the student council who had cooperated with me.

All things considered, I was truly relieved.

“I’m going out for a while.”

I told them and got up.

In addition to the agreement to go to the student council office, there was someone else I needed to talk to.

The two of them nodded their heads without any signs to stop me.

I walked down the stairs from the rooftop and proceeded down the hallway, feeling twice as many stares from the students I passed than usual.

I called the president to let her know I would be late and waited for him at the spot he would surely pass by when he left the school.

I haven’t arranged a rendezvous or anything, but I’m sure he’ll pass by the entrance when he changes his shoes.

In fact, if he didn’t pass through, I might even ask him where he was returning from.
I just hope he doesn’t say something like, ‘out of the window’ or something…

The results of the election may have made the students less interested in the school, but one after another, they started to leave the school and go home.

And after about ten minutes of waiting, the person I’d been waiting for, Ogiwara Yuuto, showed up.

He had been hailed as the prince of the school, but there were no students behind him.
Whether he wanted to be alone or whether people around him had lost interest in him is a question I won’t ask this time.

My gaze meets with Yuuto’s, who has noticed that I have been waiting for him.

The student population was sparse, but he still attracts their gazes here.

Wordlessly, I proceeded down the pathway outside that led to the less populated area behind the gymnasium, and Yuuto followed silently.

I sat down on a bench originally used for resting during club activities, and after a short while, Yuuto sat there as well.

“Congratulations …on my loss.”

Before I could utter a word, Yuuto mumbles.
He looks a little disappointed, but he never breaks his smiling face.

I don’t want to boast about the result of the game or give my opinion about where the victory or defeat was decided.

I just wanted to say what I was told and what I needed to say to him.

“Kaede told me that …you don’t have any emotional support.”

“Kaede-chan?”

As an older brother, I should probably say this now because it’s the first time I’ve understood the differences between me and Yuuto through my sister’s words.

There are some things we can understand only because we are in a situation where we both accept the consequences.

“You always care too much about others, …and I don’t deny that you want to meet the expectations of those around you, but sometimes you need to loosen up those shoulders.”

“…”

“You may smile all the time and act like you don’t care, but without support, it’s easy for people to fall.”

Because they are outstanding and difficult to be understood by others, I believe that emotional support is essential for them.

Yuuto may be supportive to those around him, but does his own support exist?

Fortunately, I have some people nearby to support me.
Shizuku, Kirasaka, Kaede, President, and everyone in the student council.

But, when I looked behind Yuuto, there was no one standing there.

Even if they were supporting themselves, they would easily turn their backs and walk away.

So when I met him at the elevator entrance, there was no one behind him.

Even if he refused them, if they surely had the desire to support Yuuto, they would have followed him even so.

Well, maybe it’s just an assumption on my part…

Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say, so I quickly got up off my back and walked away from the place.

Just before I passed by Yuuto and his figure was completely hidden, Yuuto said as if muttering to himself.

“Total defeat…”

“…”

I immediately understood that the muttering did not mean the numerical result.
I think he meant to say that he had lost in terms of feelings from the beginning of the campaign.

It would be easy to be a friend here and offer words of comfort, but I’m sure that’s not what he’s looking for.

“I’m glad… I was the first to do so.”

As far as I know, this is the first time Ogiwara Yuuto took a game seriously and experienced defeat.

He had always said he was serious, but he had always shown some kind of composure, but this time he lost without showing any signs of it.

I myself may have had a feeling somewhere in my heart that I did not want to see Yuuto lose to someone else.

That is why I said those words to him without thinking about it.

The club activities had started and Yuuto was left alone at the back of the gymnasium, where it was getting noisy, when he heard footsteps approaching him.

When Yuuto looked up and when he saw the figure, his eyes widened.

“President…”

Akane Hiiragi, who should have been waiting for Minato in the student council room, was standing there.

The first thing that she did was to take out a small piece of paper from her pocket and without saying a word, offered it to Yuuto.

“This is…?”

“This time’s anonymous ballot.”

Handing the unmarked slip to Yuuto, Akane told him without sitting on the bench.

“I’ve seen a little bit of Shinra’s writing in the student council, and I can recognize his handwriting. …I looked over all the ballots myself and didn’t see anything that looked like his handwriting, so that’s probably Shinra’s ballot.”

Yuuto could not understand what that meant.
That is why he turned his eyes to Akane as if seeking the answer to that question.

Akane did not meet his gaze with her own, but simply looked straight ahead and said.

“He is really difficult to understand. Either he simply didn’t want to write his name, …or he couldn’t decide between you and himself, it’s up to you to decide.”

Akane took her steps in the direction Minato had left, and left Yuuto, who was sitting with her head down, with a slightly happy expression.

“Just because someone gets along with you and holds your hand doesn’t make them your friend. …You’ve found a good friend, Ogiwara.”

Seeing his senpai pass by as if nothing had happened after saying that, a real smile comes to his face, instead of the usual one for the sake of mending.

How much did that person know?

Such a question came to Yuuto’s mind.

And so, the heated election passed and a new daily routine began.

This was the day was certain to change the minds of the students and the day that signalled the arrival of the next stage of events.

Time passed without stopping, and the big day was drawing nearer and nearer.

But at the end of the day that brought about the change, the younger sister and the two girls surrounded one boy, not seeming to be in an argument, but just happily engaged in conversation.

Even he, who preferred quiet days, spent his time with such a thought, ‘It isn’t so bad for just a day’…

<I’ll be moving to dorms again so, with this chapter the daily updates ends (I remember the 2 chapters which are pending tho, dw I’ll do them before heading out)>

ToC

Monthly Archives: August 2022

CH#205

#205

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#201

<TL: Sakura = Cherry blossom>

<TL: And yeah, I’m back in the dorms and also with the WN.>

SS-Girls’ Gossip

SS-Girls’ Gossip

<TL : So, here’s the last of the compensation chapters, …and well, I’m off. See y’all later then.>

SS-Sibling Time

SS-Sibling Time

<Author> : This is an extra chapter before the main story.
Chronologically, it will be around after the arranged marriage.
I hope you enjoy reading it as a short break from the main story!

<TL: Dunno if it’s always been like that but since I started translating, there’s been quite a few times he referred to himself in 3rd person.>

CH#200

#200

#205

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#204

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#203

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#202

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#201

<TL: Sakura = Cherry blossom>

<TL: And yeah, I’m back in the dorms and also with the WN.>

Share this:

SS-Girls’ Gossip

<TL : So, here’s the last of the compensation chapters, …and well, I’m off. See y’all later then.>

Share this:

SS-Sibling Time

<Author> : This is an extra chapter before the main story.Chronologically, it will be around after the arranged marriage.I hope you enjoy reading it as a short break from the main story!

<TL: Dunno if it’s always been like that but since I started translating, there’s been quite a few times he referred to himself in 3rd person.>

Share this:

#200

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<Author> : This is an extra chapter before the main story.
Chronologically, it will be around after the arranged marriage.
I hope you enjoy reading it as a short break from the main story!