Slowdown on updates

As you all guys can see that I haven’t been able to pump out as many chapters as I told that’d come out from me being ‘productive’ (lol).
That’s due to my uni days being much hectic than before, my tests are just around the corner, and starting next month, projects, practicals and finals are waiting right ahead to chew me up. 😖
I dunno if I’ll be able to keep posting in the mean time, (I’ll be back for real sometime in August) when my holidays start and will update everyday till we reach the end (?), probably.

Please bear with me till then.

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CH#243

#243

The next day, the second-year students began preparing for the school trip in earnest.

Most of the time outside of classes was devoted to free time for each group to discuss their activities.

At the same time, lunch break and afternoon classes were moved up to allow for explanations of precautions and discussions of various matters.

Completely, it was just the second-year students spending their time in the school in high spirits.

In the classrooms today, the members of the confirmed groups have lined up their chairs and are beginning to decide on the schedule for the day.

In the room, there were two groups that showed no sign of proceeding with their discussions.

One of them was me and Yuuto, who were sitting together at Yuuto’s desk in the center of the classroom, plus the two female students who, unfortunately, interrupted me when I was moderating the meeting.

These two, I believe, were also behind Yuuto during the election…

“Nakajima-san? Is it okay if we proceed with the talk…?”

“It’s Nakayama! I seriously can’t believe how many times you got it wrong.”

When I approached the female student who had been particularly expressing her dislike of the pair, she replied with piercing eyes and a strong tone.

Didn’t you know that on the first day of the new school year, you also looked at me and said, ‘Who is he?’

When Yuuto calls out to the girls next to me to calm them down, they turn their bodies completely toward Yuuto and join in the discussion.

I wonder if they are blatantly expressing that we are talking with Ogiwara-kun.

“I want to go to Ryukyumura or Churaumi Aquarium.”

“You can’t miss Kokusai Street.”

The two of them, now more open to discussion, take out their phones and list up places they are familiar with.

One by one, Yuuto seems to be searching for a route that can go around as much as possible by making a note of it, and sometimes letting out a grunt.

…This doesn’t seem to leave any room for me to say anything.

But in return, I have the wonderful advantage of not having to think about anything, and it’s not like I won’t be satisfied with my visit there or anything.

Instead, though, I looked at the other group.

A group of four people, boys and girls, sitting by the window in the class.

The group was made up of Kanazaki Shizuku and Kirasaka Rei, a group that the male students would be envious of.

However, the girls’ expressions were gloomy.

Just the boys were talking in a appealing manner, while Shizuku was ministering to them with a dry smile and Kirasaka was looking completely out the window.

This situation has been going on since the day the group was confirmed.

The girls had nothing to complain about, as not everyone would get what they wanted.

However, the girls were so depressed that even bystanders could tell that their motivation for the school trip had completely vanished.

“Do you have a place you hope to go, Minato?”

Yuuto asked when my attention had turned elsewhere, instead of them.

The paper in his hand had various places and place names written on it.

Among them, I pointed to a few places that looked familiar to me.

“We’re going to Churaumi Aquarium and Ryukyumura as a class activity. …Have you even looked over the schedule?”

I asked, Nakayama and the next female student who were a little taken aback…

This time I can’t make a mistake.

Before I say a word, I look down at the list of team members to confirm.

Miyashita-san, right, I remember her.

The semi-long, brightly dyed hair color is Nakayama-san.

The dark-haired, seemingly gentle-looking, but in fact black-hearted female student is Miyashita-san.

They look so opposite that it is like Othello and easy to remember.

Nakayama and then Miyashita, when they heard my point, averted their gazes.

They didn’t pay attention, I get it.

Well, I was just looking through the materials because of the student council, so if we were in different positions, I wouldn’t have checked either.

Among them, Kokusai Street, which I wanted to stop by for souvenirs, the ones on my list were, Shuri Castle, Hagamigu Shrine, and an art museum called Omikyu, etc.

If I had to say something, I would say that I wanted to see a quiet place.

We found several places in the pamphlet where we could enjoy quiet scenery and compared them to our proposed route.

“Maybe Shikinaen…”

“…That’s plain.”

I suggested, and Nakayama said with half of her eyes closed.

…You call a World Heritage site plain, I’d like to ask you what you are going on a school trip to see.

But it is in these cases that Ogiwara-kun shines.

He called out to Nakayama, who had expressed her negative feelings about my idea.

“Well, well, I’d like to go, too, so what do you think?”

“If you want to go too, Ogiwara-kun, we don’t mind at all…”

The two of them withdrew reluctantly, with the reason that Yuuto wanted to go, it went smoothly without becoming an unnecessary argument.

No, if it’s Shizuku and Kirasaka, the conversation is established as usual, but this is what usually happens when you face someone you don’t care about.

Is it difficult to communicate, or is it a matter of preference?

It’s like people who prefer quiet and people who prefer loud can’t understand each other.

With Yuuto acting as a middleman, we were able to confirm our opinions and the route became much more coherent.

Now that we have calculated the approximate time, means of transportation, and entrance fees, the teachers should probably give their nods.

The atmosphere began to be pleasant, and as the rest of the group began to look at each other, I began to see students walking around the classroom to share information.

In the meantime, I also returned to my own seat and thought about asking the two girls how they were doing.

The girls are taking a break, or perhaps the boys are making small talk. My eyes meet Shizuku’s, who was looking in this direction.

She smiles and waves her hand in front of her chest, but her expression was still not clear.

While looking at her and thinking about it, it was impossible for a mere student to raise an objection to the formation of the group.

After school, I stopped by the student council office.

The reason for this was because a meeting was to be held to discuss and deal with the upcoming school trip, which would leave first-year students Shiraishi and Hino-kun alone for the next few days.

I opened the metal door, threw in an appropriate greeting, and sat down in my designated seat.

After placing my bag in a mess on the desk, I take a breath and see a student sitting in the seat next to me.

“Oh, are you tired?”

“I’m not very good at talking to people from different living environments… or rather, President seems to be in good spirits.”

“I’m not the president anymore, Shinra, it’s just the being free from the burdens that’s giving me the energy I need.”

President stands up as if she were jumping off a chair after nimbly spinning it around.

Hiiragi Akane, who should have practically retired from the student council, was thus showing up at the after-school student council meeting every day.

To be precise, it was to confirm the handing over of matters, but she was told by Koizumi, Miura, and others that they would be happy to see her if she had time to spare, so she was happy to put on the face of a senior and go to the meeting.

Shizuku, who had placed her bag next to President instead of standing up, looked at her with a wry smile.

After the festival, Shizuku joined the student council on a recommendation basis and became the secretary for the student council.

Now that Shizuku and I are both Student Council members in both name and reality, we share most of our day together.

This is why I saw Shizuku feeling down about her school trip grouping more than usual.

Additionally…

“Akane-san, why don’t you calm down a little and sit over here.”

At the back of the student council room, on a sofa set up by the window, Kirasaka was sitting comfortably.

She had prepared drinks in paper cups on the desk in front of her, and next to them were the books she planned to read through later in the day.

Japanese or Western, she doesn’t discriminate.

There were even books in there that looked too difficult for me to read.

The explanation is simple.

Shizuku had joined the student council as a members of the student council, President showed up at the student council every day, and Kirasaka was using the student council as a reading space.

According to Kirasaka, the reason was that it was more comfortable than the library.

What a selfish reason, I thought, but there was no problem because both Koizumi and the advisor, Sudo-sensei, allowed her to enter the room except for important discussions.

Not only her, but apparently all students are treated in the same way.

The student council is only a room where representatives of the students gather, and it remains a common space.

That is what he said.

So a situation was made where Kirasaka and President could relax and create a homey atmosphere, and no one would complain about anything.

In such a classroom, Koizumi and Miura were looking at a familiar magazine near Preisdent’s seat.

“Are you two discussing on a route too…?”

“Yes, we are in the same group.”

When I asked, Koizumi replied with a smile.

The two of them are in the same class, and for the school trip, also in the same group…

Good friends, these two.

As I opened the can of cocoa I had brought with me, I saw two students whose expressions suddenly changed, which was out of place in the bright atmosphere of the room.

They were Shizuku and Kirasaka.

Koizumi, who sensed the change in the two of them, suppressed his mouth as if he had noticed it a moment later.

Next, I noticed that he was appealing something to me with his gaze, so I signaled him not to worry by waving my palm in the air.

The members of the student council already knew that we were in different groups.

After school on the day of the group assignment, Miura was surprised to see the two of them enter the student council room with the expressions of people who were on the verge of death, and asked them.

They sat down in their chairs in silence, so I told her the cause in their stead instead.

A few days later, the topic of the group became a taboo in the student council.

Well, today, I was the one to blame because I had initiated the topic.

As I was thinking that it would be all right if I apologized, President spoke up.

“What, the three of you are in different groups? …Aren’t you allowed to merge groups this year?”

They both looked at President at once, who told them so without any delay

Merge? What’s that? I haven’t heard of it.

This is something I have never heard before, and not only me, but all of the student council members tilted their heads.

To this reaction, President continued to speak as a matter of fact.

“There were a lot of people who wanted to be in the same group with me last year, and thankfully, if all the members of the group agreed, we would be able to combine with another group.”

“Really?”

When she finishes listening to the President’s words to the end, Shizuku’s face suddenly changes to a radiant expression.

Kirasaka also made a gesture of checking the time on the watch on her wrist.

The current time is 3:10.

If it has been about 10 minutes since the students left school, there is a possibility that there are still members of the group in the classroom.

The two got up from their seats without saying a word and left the student council at a rapid pace.

I’m sure …they’ll pack up with the boys.

And the boys will probably agree to it without having to say anything back, and on the favorable terms that they can be in the same group with Yuuto as well.

…Farewell, my peaceful school trip.

Secretly, I thought that if Yuuto could handle Nakayama and Miyashita, I would be able to relax and enjoy the scenery in Okinawa, but my school trip plans fell apart at the feet of President’s words.

ToC

#242

There are few rules for group formation for the school trip.

The students are divided into girls and boys and each is paired with one of their classmates of their choice.

The numbers are then assigned to the pair, and a lottery is drawn at the end to combine the male and female pairs.

The number of participants must be at least four.

There are some other detailed rules, such as the need to assign a person in charge of each group, who must be able to contact the teachers, but this is not a problem when deciding on the groups.

This is roughly about all of the rules.

After that, each group will decide on its own destination and enjoy the school trip.

“That’s all for the explanation. …If anyone has any questions, please ask the teacher separately.”

After reading the last sentence in front of my classmates, I walked out from in front of the teacher’s table to my seat.

The classroom, which was so noisy at first has turned quieter, making it easier for me to explain it at last.

With no one standing in front of the students, the silence in the classroom gradually turns into a pleasant chatting atmosphere.

For the students, this is where the fun begins.

The school trip, the biggest event exclusive for second-year students.

It is rare to find a student who is not looking forward to it.

The students were sitting in their seats, which is back to its lively atmosphere, wondering who is going to be in the group with whom.　

“…You’re really good at making enemies, aren’t you?”

Kirasaka muttered while sitting.

She had already taken out a paperback from her desk and seemed uninterested in deciding on a group.

Just as one would expect from Kirasaka, that’s all I can say.　

I was trying to enjoy the situation in the classroom so I suppressed the feeling of wanting to retort to what she said and instead let out a sigh.

The teacher said so because of the student council, but it shouldn’t be a position where I would be handled all the troublesome work.

I was tempted to make the same kind of comment to the teacher, but since I was younger, I decided not to.

“Groups… have you decided whom you’re pairing up with?”

The pupils in the class stood up and gathered with the students they were each going to be paired with.

Regardless of gender, the scene remains the same.

However, there are a number of male students who are glancing in Kirasaka’s direction.

The rule of group formation requires that the groups be made up of both male and female students.

For those who have a liking for Kirasaka, there is no better opportunity than this.

Naturally, they must be hoping to be in the same group as Kirasaka.

As I was thinking about this while looking at my surroundings, Kirasaka snapped shut the paperback she was holding in her hand.

She then turns her eyes toward me and tilts her head as if to say, ‘What are you talking about?’

“What are you talking about? …Isn’t it decided that I will be in the same group as Shinra-kun?”　

“Did you even listen to me…?”

Isn’t it obvious? It’s a statement that completely ignores what I was explaining to my classmates.

I was impressed that she could say such a thing so confidently.

Kirasaka, who was staring at me with her mouth open, checks the handout in her hand.

The form contains a detailed description of what I had explained to everyone.

Immediately her expression turned calm and she put her fingertips to her chin and made a thoughtful face.

Honestly, when it comes to gender pairings, we have to rely on the luck of the hour.

Even with her brilliant mind, there is no way to deal with it, but still, Kirasaka stands up slowly.

As she walked toward the center of the class, where there was a lot of noise to decide who would be in the group, the students passing by were staring at her, wondering what was going on.

I was one of them too.

As I watched, wondering what she was going to do, she stopped next to Shizuku at the center of the class.

“I need to talk to you for a moment.”

Kirasaka pointed to the back of the classroom.

She wanted to talk to her at a distance where our classmates couldn’t hear them.

Shizuku, realizing the meaning, moved to the back of the classroom, though being a little surprised.

While all eyes of my classmates were on the girls, I sat in my seat and wondered what I should do about my group.

Good luck isn’t a word that means anything when it comes to group formation.

I wondered if there was anyone in the class who would be strange enough to invite me to join them, as I had been making a poor impression on my classmates lately.

As I thought about this, I looked around the classroom again and saw that Yuuto had casually slipped out of the center of the class and sat down in the seat in front of me.

“Minato, do you have any ideas about where you want to go?”

I was stunned by the way he spoke so excitedly with a travel magazine in his hand, which our homeroom teacher had brought along for reference.

Yuuto, who noticed my gaze, asked a question curiously.

“Perhaps you’re not interested in Okinawa?”

“No, before that, I would like to ask you why you’re just assuming that you’re going to be in a group with me.”

On top of the materials he brought with him, there is a sheet of paper on which the names of the group members are written.

On it, my name is written in the column of the group leader, and his name is written below it.

The classmates are looking for Yuuto, who has disappeared from his seat in an instant, acting in a sneaky and peculiar manner.

I don’t like the fact that their eyes finally landed on us, and they seemed a little unconvinced that it was me.

“What!? You don’t want to team up?”

I let out a sigh as he asked back in surprise.

Since there is no other person to pair up with, I have no choice but to prepare myself for being resented by my classmates.

Without replying back, I put my hand on the material Yuuto brought.

As we both silently searched for a place to go with each other, our homeroom teacher returned from the staff room.

In one hand he is holding a lottery box made of cardboard.

As he placed the box on the teacher’s desk, he spoke.

“The students who decided on their pairs are asked to turn in their forms, and the lottery will be held when all the forms have been collected.”

The students nodded and responded in various ways to the brief explanation.

When Yuuto finished speaking, he quickly handed the forms that he brought with him to the homeroom teacher.

This confirmed that Yuuto and I would be in the same group.

The boys may have been dissatisfied with this, but it was Yuuto’s opinion and no one interfered.

After all the classmates’ forms were submitted, the homeroom teacher first announced the boys’ group.

“Shinra and Ogiwara, group D.”

A female student, acting as the scribe, writes Yuuto’s and my name on the blackboard, and a ‘D’ under it.

The female students started to get a little noisy.

After the boys, the girls’ groups are to be announced.

The group that draws D will be in the same group as us.

After all the draws for the boys were over, the pairings for the girls were announced.

I was watching the class from my seat, but Kirasaka next to me and Shizuku a little ahead of me were waiting for the results with their hands clasped together.

…Is it okay to make such a serious face?

It is the difference in the expectations for school trips that makes me think that it is just another free day.

“For girls Kanazaki and Kirazaka’s group is…”

The homeroom teacher gets the boys in a bit of an uproar when he says it like that.

Probably he was shocked to find out that they were in the same group, even though they were not close friends.

At the same time, the possibility of being in the same group with these two students was also a sign of anticipation.

I wondered what they were talking about back there… were they talking about being in the same group?

It’s unforeseen…

With this thought in mind, I waited for the homeroom teacher’s next words.

“they will be in group B.”

The homeroom teacher drew a piece of paper with the letter ‘B’ written on it, and the boys who were in the same group cheered as soon as the homeroom teacher announced it.

But on the contrary, they both reacted in exactly the opposite manner, dropping their heads onto the desk and looking discouraged and exhausted.

Shizuku looked back at me with teary eyes and shook her head as if to say that she wanted to give up.

There was nothing I could do about it.

I wondered if I should say something to Kirasaka next to me, but when I turned my gaze to the side, she muttered quietly with emotionless eyes, as if she were at the end of the world.

“I won’t be going on the school trip…”

“Go…”

By no means is it my or Yuuto’s fault.

Not that there was anything wrong with that, but for some reason I decided to keep it close to my chest that I felt bad for both of them.

ToC

#241

Japan has four seasons, but it is difficult to distinguish between them clearly.

This is because it is more of a physical sensation than most people judging it by the calendar.

If it is cold, it is winter; if it feels a little warmer, it is still autumn.

The crosswind blowing in the residential area feels cold to me, so winter has already arrived in this town.

My criteria, my decision.

I won’t accept any objections, because I think it’s okay to judge the seasons on an individual basis.

I think to myself as I walk through the residential area on my way to school.

The school festival is over and it is the middle of November.

The school excursion was coming this weekend.

Today, too, the topic of the school trip will probably be the hottest topic of conversation in the school.

Classes were crowded with people talking about the school excursion.

As one would expect, it was a school trip.

For three days and two nights, away from parents and close friends, they can have fun around without worrying about travel expenses.

The only things they were concerned about were the opposite sex beside them and the contents of their wallets.

I wonder how many students have spent their allowance from their parents as a result of just leisurely walking around eating and wasting money.

When I go on these outings, I realize how lucky I am to have a small circle of friends.

Because there is no need to buy gifts.

In my case, I only need to buy one to send to Kaede and my parents.

The rest can be used freely.

In fact, it may even evolve into future spending money if I don’t use it too much.

I confirmed that the pedestrian light in the direction I was going had turned red, and when I stopped, I took out my phone.

Smartphone-kun, which I don’t normally use, has been active lately.

Before I could enter my destination in the search field, I was announced verbally by the person beside me.

“Is it warm in Okinawa, even in this season?”

As a matter of course, Shizuku, who I share my morning commute to school with, asked the same question that I had tried to search for on my phone.

I can’t even consider what to wear or, frankly, how far away it is.

“I hear it averages over …twenty degrees.”

Isn’t it too warm?

I was thinking of getting a regular jacket or something, but maybe I can spend the day in short sleeves.

Shizuku’s voice is more cheerful than usual, as if she also has high expectations for the school trip that is just around the corner.

Next to her, another joyful voice reaches me.

“Let’s eat all the real Okinawan food, like Okinawan soba noodles and Okinawan donuts.”

Yuuto, carrying the school bag on his shoulder, made a thoughtless proposal.

After the festival and the incident at the coffee shop, our relationship has recently been repaired to the extent that we go to school together as we used to.

However, the vague relationship between me and Shizuku still hasn’t been resolved.

The distance between Yuuto and Shizuku is more detached than the distance between me and Shizuku.

In the past, we would have walked a step further and stood side by side from this, but I assume this is what has changed.

“If you buy me a drink, I’ll go with you…”

“Seriously, …I wonder if I have enough pocket money.”

Yuuto, who took the joke seriously, makes a gesture to check his wallet, and while Shizuku smiles.

She must have realized I was joking.

When we saw the light turn green, the three of us resumed walking side by side.

Today is the day when we decide on our group and the route for our activities.

Naturally, it was easy to imagine how noisy it would be.

Time passed, the lunch break was over, and it was time for the last homeroom class.

There was no homeroom teacher at the teacher’s table.

Instead, for some reason, I was standing there.

Why…?

This kind of thing would be the job of a class committee member or something.

The classmates’ gazes were on me, and my back was sweating.

This is the downside of not being used to talking to other people on a regular basis.

The homeroom teacher, on the grounds that I was on the student council, handed me the job of facilitating group assignments and went back to the teacher’s office to get the paperwork.

The class is noisy and only three people, Shizuku, Yuuto and Kirasaka, are paying attention to me at the moment.

“Well, …we will decide on the groups…”

“I’d like to be with Ogiwara-kun.”

“Me too!”

I was just about to open my mouth when a female student said so at an inconvenient time.

The other female students also raised their hands to run for the team.

I was wondering if it would be okay if you could go to elementary school again and learn to shut up and listen to what people have to say first.

You’d better shut up before my inner personality comes out… is what I would have said like an eighth grader, but I managed to regain my composure.

“Then, for this school trip–“

“Have you decided on a group yet, Kanazaki-san?”

“I was going to ask you too.”

…No, that’s fine.

They’re wondering who the opposite sex they’re interested in is going to share the group with.

I don’t know how you feel about wanting to ask, but I do.

Even if it’s a roundabout way of saying I understand, don’t you guys have the mental capacity to listen to the end of what the person standing in front of you on behalf of you has to say?

If it were a manga, my veins would be completely ruptured and I’d be bursting with anger.

But I pride myself on being calmer than the students around me.

Calmly, yes, coolly.

I exhale and calm my raging heart.

“It’s annoying… is this a zoo?”

It was impossible.

After I calmed down, I came to the conclusion that it would be difficult for me to take the direction of containing this situation and advancing the agenda.

As a student council, I can’t deny that I’m not competent enough.

However, it is not like me to make it up with a bunch of smiles and remarks in front of others.

My voice was low and cold.

The students looked around for a moment to see who said it, but when they realized it was me standing at the teacher’s table, their eyes widened.

Taking advantage of the slightly quieter situation, I continued my statement.

“If you want to form a group with people of your choice, then you… stand up there and proceed with the talk as you please, you too… if you don’t stand up, then you’re wasting your time quietly discussing among yourself.”

I said, pointing to the male and female students who had just broken off the conversation and announced their opinions.

I had seen the female student at the election, but I forgot her name.

I don’t care because I’m sure she is the same.

The male student was also one of the groups that was always making a lot of noise near Yuuto.

“We didn’t ask you to do anything.”

A female student says back to me in a troublesome manner.

She distorted her mouth as she draws in her friends and urges them to agree with her.

“Aren’t you getting carried away just because you happened to be elected to the student council?”

As if to represent the consensus of the class, the female student crosses her legs and leans back against the backrest.

I’m very skeptical about what makes her so confident, but I’m wondering if I can properly divert the topic and proceed with the agenda.

I was worried, annoyed, and honestly thought about handing the baton over to Yuuto and going back to my seat, but then I noticed Kirasaka looking at me with a grin in the corner of my eye.

…She’s having a good time.

I wonder if she is interested in what I would say or how I would respond in this situation.

I don’t really care about impressions from the class, or from individuals, or anything else.

Rather, I would judge that it would be more mentally draining to go back to my seat poorly and be told a single cold word.

That person has a great talent for precisely gouging out people’s hearts, you know.

Unconsciously, I release a breath from my chest and switched my thoughts.

“…Then, basically, it’s the same as boldly claiming that Yuuto lost in a match that he should have won easily in front of everyone, but did you think about that, right?”

“Huh? It’s different–“

“The interpretation of words varies from person to person… if you are talking about someone you are friends with, be a little more careful.”

Then she turns her gaze to Yuuto.

The female students are caught up too and look at Yuuto, but he smiles bitterly at their suddenly collected gazes.

He waved his hand at the girls as if to say, ‘I don’t care’, and the other student, who had just been confidently flouncing around, quietly shrank back.

“I’m just the facilitator…and I’ll be leaving as soon as I’ve explained the rules of group assignment, so please bear with me until then.”

The noisy classroom turns quiet as I look around at the entire class without emotion.

It doesn’t have to be that quiet…

Well, now that the problem of not being able to talk has gone away, so I told my classmates about the rules that had been given to me in advance by my homeroom teacher.

<BbX>: Sorry for the delay, got busy with uni projects… 😕

ToC

Baton pass

After the celebration, there is usually an uneasy silence that follows.

A period of time when the heightened emotions drop all at once and the students face their schoolwork.

While this routine continued for a few days, many students gathered in the audio-visual room after the school.

In terms of numbers, there were about 40 people.

They were the members of the festival committee.

The school festival was able to end without a hitch, and today was the closing and income reporting meeting.

President and Shiraishi were sitting on the podium in the audiovisual room with their chairs in a line, and in front of them, Miura, who was the head of the accounting department, was presenting the total income and expenditure.

“–The above is the income and expenditure report for this year’s festival.”

“Thank you for your hard work, this concludes the activities of the Sakura Festival Executive Committee, and although it may be a small gathering, I hope you all enjoy yourselves.”

Miura bowed and returned to her seat from the podium, then President stood in front and announced the end of the meeting.

Drinks, snacks, and appetizers were lined up on a table set up temporarily.

The students, who had lined up by grade and class, were free to stand and pour drinks for each other.

After making sure that everyone had their refreshments, Shiraishi, on behalf of all the students, shouted loudly.

“Thank you for your hard work, Cheers!”

Shiraishi called out, and the students said ‘Cheers’, and then the party began.

“…Phew.”

Shiraishi sat at the end of the audio-visual room with a drink in her hand, looking around the room and exhaling.

Shiraishi was surrounded by students of the same grade, and President was getting words of appreciation from all sides for having completed her final role in the event, regardless of grade.

The students who take on the executive committee are, for the most part, the heart and soul of the class.

Conversation never ceases.

In fact, the conversation was so lively that it even became noisy.

Even though they are not singing a song, the audiovisual room is so noisy that the buzz leaks out the door.

Naturally, there is no way to fit in with the atmosphere in the room, and the only way to stay there without quietly leaving this place is at the edge of the classroom, isn’t it?

I know, walls are my friends.

We’re buddies, aren’t we?

Why are there countless holes in the walls of soundproof rooms, whether they are music rooms or audiovisual rooms, or how many holes are there in one wall…?

No, doubt that there isn’t anything for me to do right now.

But this festival is the last event in which we will be mainly active as a student council.

The rest will be seasonal events, Christmas and normal activities.

Hiiragi Akane’s student council has now come to an end.

Although we have known each other for a short time, it’s still very emotional to stay still the very end.

While I was thinking about this, Shizuku and Kirazaka walked up to me.

They had brought a drink and some food with them and put them on a nearby desk.

“You’ve barely eaten anything, haven’t you?”

“I got you something you might like before it runs out.”

On a paper plate, they lay out kaarage, fries, and other things of my liking.

I made sure they pulled up a chair and sat down, and then I sat down near them.

“I’m not good at eating …in places like this.”

I don’t know how much to take, if it’s just the boys, but when the girls are there too, even though I know they won’t be looking at me, I still have to be modest.

They don’t seem to be aware of the cold stares they are getting from those around them, like Hino, Hino, and Hino, who was gobbling up the food with a voracious appetite.

I feel like it fits him better character-wise, so if he is accepted here, he will probably make friends soon.

Or rather, his position in the class may change as a result of this cultural festival.

As I was making the senior move of watching over the junior with kind eyes, Kirasaka was giving me a cold stare.

“I wonder you were that honest with your own appetite instead of glaring at your junior.”

“I’ve been watching over him …you can see it in these innocent eyes.”

“They’re just cloudy and murky.”

…I’m sorry that they’re cloudy and murky.

I thought they were as clear as fresh fish, but it seems they were leftovers from the sale.

Shizuku burst out laughing at Kirasaka’s words.

What’s the matter? I think you guys have been getting along well lately.

It would be bad not to touch it after having it brought to me, so I picked up a piece of karaage and threw it in my mouth.

Yeah, it’s normal.

It tastes 24 times more delicious when Kaede cooks it at home.

The two of them picked up their chopsticks and started eating, following me.

Suddenly, I looked at the mass of students gathered in one corner of the classroom.

In the center was Yuuto.

The majority of the students were girls, but boys were also near him, engaged in conversation with the female students.

Not that I had any business with him, but our gazes met as I watched him from a distance.

Surrounding students also noticed Yuuto’s gaze on us and raised their hands as if they sensed something.

“Kanazaki-san! Come over here.”

“If you don’t mind, Kirasaka-san, why don’t you come too?”

A male student approached Shizuku and a female student approached Kirasaka.

They must have thought that Yuuto was directing his gaze at them.

The surrounding students also call out to them, as if in sync with each other.

The two looked at each other and then turned to me.

“…Why don’t you just go?”

There is no need to ask for my opinion.

You’ve been called, so there’s nothing wrong with going.

Or rather, it would be more problematic for me to go, since I was not invited.

“Why are you here?” They’ll just look at me like that.

It’s very uncomfortable and I won’t be able to stand it.

I don’t have anything to talk about, and I don’t feel the need to.

But they responded differently than I expected.

“We’re good here.”

“If you need something just go there.”

The crowded, bustling room turned quiet with their comments.

The two who are the center of the school, not just the class, are sitting near the edge of the classroom, which is bizarre to the people around them.

They probably did not imagine that they would be rejected when they invited them.

While the eyes of the students are focused on us, Yuuto smiles bitterly and President puts her hand on her forehead and lets out a sigh.

No, it’s not my fault, okay?

It’s the two girls in front of me who are completely at fault.

President also said a few words to Shiraishi and the others, then walked up to us with a drink in her hand.

“May I join you?”

“Rei, lying is just a convenience, right?”

Yuuto asked and the President told Kirasaka in a soothing manner.

The scene like an older sister scolding her younger sister while smiling, but the fearlessness of Kirasaka who can phase through President’s words with a clear face is amazing too.

Shizuku, too, made no pretense of refusing Yuto’s offer and gave me a look.

“If it’s okay with you two, I don’t mind.”

“…”

Who does the word ‘the two’ refer to?

It’s me and Yuuto.

The relationship was ambiguous, which is probably why Shizuku was so attentive.

“There’s no particular reason for me to say no…”

“I see…”

What could have been said honestly, in a childish, far-fetched way, Shizuku responded with a smile.

Yuuto sits next to me and President sits next to Kirasaka.

The five of us are sitting in a circle, not quite chatting, but talking appropriately.

The people around us were also paying attention to the scene, but they were gradually returning their attention to their conversations.

With the all-star lineup of Sakuranaoka Academy completely out of place, after a while of listening to President and Yuuto’s conversation while putting on a show of good humor, all eyes naturally turned to the student council gathered at the front of the classroom.

“It’s a sad thing when it’s over, isn’t it?”

President said with sad eyes as if she had lost something.

She had served as president for about three years since the first year.

It was unprecedented and will probably never be repeated in the future.

I wondered if someone who had accomplished so much as her, I am assured that they would also have such sad eyes.

As I caught a glimpse of this unexpected side of her, she let out a sigh and turned the conversation away from the subject.

“I’m sure you guys have a school trip coming up, so I’d love to hear about your memories of it.”

“I hope it will be memorable.”

It would be good if it is, but in a good way, not in a bad manner.

It will be a big event that would remain vivid in your memories, and you could be injured for the rest of your life.

“Of course, I want to listen to it at the cafe together.”

“No.”

She was going to continue to tease both Shizuku and Kirasaka until the very end.

President said a few extra words and then sat up.

“I think it’s time for me to give this to you.”

President said as she removed the armband marked ‘president’ from her arm.

There were no words that came to mind as to what to say.

“Thank you for your hard work…”

I don’t know about President’s hardships, and I won’t pretend to understand them, but the words just spilled out from my mouth.

That’s what are honest feelings.

However, I wonder if those words left a good impression on President, as her expression looked slightly happy and her steps seemed light.

There are those who are told they do not need to change, and those who must change.

In various situations, change is certainly occurring.

However, perhaps it is because this is the first time in my life that I have belonged to a group, but there is a part of me that wants to remain the same as a student council member, and to be in an unchanging environment.

I was thinking about this as I burnt the image of the woman who handed over the armband to the student council for the last time amidst the loud applause.

ToC

Two Friends

Light background music played in the Western-style interior of a store, which one would not expect from an old private residence looking from outside.

It is a small Western-style restaurant with only a few seats at the counter and four tables.

Inside the restaurant, ladies on their way home from shopping enjoy their tea time.

Two young men sit facing each other at a table, silently tucking into pasta placed on the table.

The boy with well-defined eyes, nose and hair dyed light brown attracts the keen eyes of the women regardless of the age difference, while the other guy who was facing him in a well-accustomed manner… aka me, is absorbed in eating his meal.

This is a Western-style restaurant in the style of an old private house, facing a street with only a few izakaya (Japanese-style pubs), in the back streets off the central road of the shopping district.

I wondered if such an elegant restaurant could exist in this countryside.

No, I mean, you would never think it was a restaurant if you only look at it from outside.

It was a hidden place with no signboard.

I would never have come here unless Yuuto, who was sitting across from me, brought me here.

I used my compensatory day off for the school festival to go out to eat with Yuuto.

The reason was simply, we ran into each other as we walked out of the convenience store from our house to have lunch.

Neighborhoods are scary.

Yuuto’s parents were working on a weekday, so he was just out to do some random shopping.

Just because of this coincidence, I asked him for his recommendation for a cozy restaurant, and was brought to this restaurant.

The cod pasta was inexpensive, but the taste was more than satisfactory.

I would certify this restaurant as one of Minato-kun’s favorite places to dine.

To cleanse my palate, I poured the water from the table down my throat.

“How was it?”

“…Delicious.”

I replied to the question asked without any extra words.

The smug look on his face when I did so was extremely unpleasant, but the food was really good so I’ll brush it off.

Despite the lighthearted atmosphere in the restaurant, things remain quiet between me and Yuuto.

I wonder how long it’s been since we’ve been alone in a situation like this with no one close by.

Our relationship, which had begun to drift apart before the summer break, showed signs of repair at the school festival.

However, we haven’t had a proper conversation for a few days since then.

This is partly due to my personality, as I am not the type of person who uses a smartphone to communicate with others.

It is troublesome to think of sentences, and the meaning of a message may differ depending on the recipient.

I was waiting for a chance to talk to him face to face, even though I knew that Yuuto would be able to handle such a situation.

But still, it is difficult to start a conversation because we are both men.

I get the sense that Yuuto as well is sensing the atmosphere since his sense of embarrassment gets him first.

“…For your help at the festival, thank you.”

“Aah, about students from other schools started flirting with you… don’t worry about it.”

Yuuto then looks down at the coffee in his hand.

Likewise, I dropped my gaze too.

It’s water, that’s funny.

I too thought I would see a serious expression on the black surface of the coffee, but it was water.

Well, I have to rule out any joking thoughts right now.

Shaking my head and bursting out unnecessary words, I tried to look for appropriate words to start the conversation.

“The sky is …crying, isn’t it?”

“It’s sunny, though.”

Yuuto, said indifferently with his eyes closed.

Somehow, I was relieved by his reaction.

Yuuto took his mouth away from the cup and let out a quiet breath.

“Suddenly, there’s a distance between us.”

“…”

The lonely sound of his voice turned my emotions into a calm one.

It is pathetic that I was so nervous to talk to someone I should have been used to.

I guess what I am looking for is the same response.

So, I respond to him in the same way that he used to respond to me.

It would be weird if men got along with each other forever…

“That’s true.”

Yuuto’s reaction is the same as ever, and he smiles a little happily.

I wondered what he was thinking now about while looking at me. I spelled out the words in a voice at such a low volume that it was almost drowned out by the conversation of the ladies around us.

“I know it’s all my fault, I know I’ve been so unmotivated, I know I’ve taken the liberty of thinking I could win the election, I know I’m creating my own reasons for being distant.”

In response to the words he spoke, the memories of the past replayed in my mind.

I don’t even think that Yuuto is the only one to blame in general, and I guess it was only a matter of time before a distance was created between me and this guy.

It was just bad timing and he has nothing to apologize for.

And I’m not going to apologize either.

Aside from the Shizuku’s matter, the election and the cultural festival were both the result of actions that I had hoped for and agreed to take part in.

I was so pessimistic about Yuuto’s attitude that I had to suppress my desire to immediately answer him that it wasn’t true.

If I don’t finish listening to what he has to say now, our relationship will not change in the future.

“I’ve been thinking lately that maybe we can go back to joking around like we used to.”

The look he said it made it look like a question.

The relationship between Yuuto and me was the same as when we were in junior high school, and the same as when we had just moved up to the first or even the second year of high school.

I can relate to that feeling in no small degree.

No one should desire to have to be uncomfortable with the first friend of the same sex they have made.

“…We can’t.”

That is why I have to deny the words Yuuto just now spoke to me.

Yuuto looks lonely for a moment after hearing my response, and then he makes a face like a boy who is about to cry.

There are no do-overs in life.

The relationship between me and Yuuto reached a turning point after the Golden Week.

We can’t go back to the old days when we exchanged words without worrying about anything.

But I must add some words so he doesn’t reach the wrong conclusion.

“Neither you nor I can go back and start over, because …there is no such thing as a save point.”

It shouldn’t be hot, but I feel a dry sensation in the back of my throat, which I cover up by involuntarily by drinking water.

In addition, I checked Yuuto’s expression one more time before I spoke.

“For better or worse, we gave our answer to her at that time. If you think it was wrong, fix it, if it was false, correct it, that’s all you can do.”

It is as if I am saying these words to myself.

Just as Yuuto feels guilty, I have others who feel the same way.

But I can only show them through my actions and attitude from now on.

It is not too late to be pessimistic after taking some action.

“If you’re mistaken, I’ll make it clear …for me, the fact remains that Ogiwara Yuuto is my friend.”

If the relationship became a little awkward and it meant I had to quit being friends, I wouldn’t have gotten involved.

There is no meaning to a relationship that is fake and only on the surface.

Why am I saying these lines on a weekday afternoon?

From my perspective, I can see the ladies behind Yuuto grinning and smiling at me.

I was so embarrassed.

I take the glass in my hand as if to fool them, but I noticed that it was empty and strongly put it back on the table.

“Minato, have you changed a little?”

“Oh? What?”

I give him a sharp glare to Yuuto, and he smiles as if to muddle it up, passing it up as ‘It’s nothing.’

However, that expression didn’t make me feel uncomfortable, unlike the smiles he usually gave to my classmates.

“I’m going to get another cup of cocoa, Minato do you want something as well?”

“Cocoa…”

“I’ll make it more sweet, with more milk.”

“…”

Somewhat happily, Yuuto stands up as he asks for what I wanted to order.

I let out a sigh as I watched from afar as he went to the owner to ask for more and exchanged a word or two with the ladies.

I still don’t these teenage drama scenes.

ToC

The yard and the Dog

The school festival was over, and it was a time before the arrival of full-blown winter.

In the yard of the Shinra household, us siblings are sitting side by side, holding our knees.

Our gazes were straight ahead in the same direction.

Something that is common in many other households, but did not exist in the Shinra family, was in front of them for a short period of time.

“Woof!”

“Gu~”

“So cute.”

A small, brown, cotton candy-like fur wrapped dog.

A toy poodle was running around the Shinra family’s yard in every direction.

The siblings were looking at it with a curious look on their faces.

No, seriously, isn’t it too cute?

It’s cute all the way round.

The dog’s name is ‘Nico’, and it looks smaller than other dogs I’ve seen in the neighborhood, perhaps because of its small skeleton.

Indeed, I was impressed by the smiling expression on its face as it sat on the floor and looked at me, which made me think that the name was appropriate.
<BbX: Nico-nico means something along the lines of smiling.>

Anyway, if you ask why there is a tiny poodle in our house, there is a long and grandiose reason for it.

A neighbor went on a trip.

Yup, that’s the whole reason.

To explain more precisely, the old couple who owned the house on the opposite side of the street from the house with a cat, having their children had all grown up and left, won a trip to a hot spring in the shopping arcade.

So we decided to take care of their pet for a day since they were going on a two-day and one-night trip.

I didn’t realize that the shopping district was also holding a lucky draw amidst the excitement of the cultural festival. I wish I had participated when I went there with Shizuku.

Kaede, of course, did not refuse, and since it was the weekend, I had no reason to say no. So I agreed.

However, when a dog is in front of you, you don’t know how to treat it.

How to treat dogs for inexperienced dog owners… While thinking of a suitably cool line, I scrolled the screen of my smartphone that I rarely used.

The amount of exercise, the appropriate time of day to eat.

There are so many things I don’t understand, and I’m looking up precautions in addition to the information I’ve heard from the owner.

“Woof! Woof”

“Gu~ gu~!”

Communication between dogs and humans.

Kaede’s face breaks into tears as she rolls the ball in her hand and Nico runs to get it, his short tail wagging wildly.

Even with just this, her face is still on the verge of crying.

…It’s not bad, is it?

It would be great to have them travel once a week and I can keep them for them, no problem at all.

It’s easier than a pet hotel and free of charge, that’s the Shinra family.

However, when the yard of our supposedly quiet home became lively, the whole house naturally seemed to have changed in a bright and cheerful way.

Because it’s just the two of us, I had long since forgotten about it.

“Haa …it’s too cute.”

Kaede muttered as she sighed entranced with both hands on her cheeks.

She’s completely melting down…

Well, it’s true that even among small dogs, it’s even smaller due to its skeletal structure, and with its lovely eyes and nose, plus the fact that it’s so friendly, anyone would fall in love with it.

Nico, who somehow dropped the ball I was supposed to have thrown at Kaede’s feet next to me, raised his gaze, wagged his tail from side to side as if to say, ‘Praise me.’

…It’s a shame, Nico-kun.

But it’s also good.

I forgive you even if you don’t bring it back to me for being too cute.

I don’t feel sorry that he didn’t bring it to back me.

If I just didn’t think so, I wouldn’t have such thoughts.

For a while, Kaede stroked it’s head and tummy, and when I was relaxed watching it walk around the garden, I heard a small murmur from next to me.

“Did something good happen to you, Nii-san?”

“…Nothing particularly.”

I think back and recall if anything good has happened recently.

Nope, end of story.

Still thinking of something that comes to mind, Kaede continues and opens her mouth.

“Up until the school festival, you could say that brother was a little overwhelmed… I felt like you were pushing yourself too hard, but now that’s not the case.”

I was convinced while looking at Nico running around happily a little ahead of me.

Certainly, there have been some changes.

But is it because we are a family that she noticed the slightest change?

Or is it that my sister has a better eye for observation?

Either way, I spoke a few words to Kaede, who was waiting for an answer.

“A burden has been lifted from my heart …well it may only be temporary.”

It’s true that what Shizuku said to me on the rooftop did lighten the burden on my heart.

It may be a postponed thing, but at that time when I was feeling impatient with myself for not changing, the affirmation of being unchanged may be a good thing like Kaede said.

“I don’t expect you to talk to me because we are siblings …as long as my brother is spending his time as usual, that’s all that matters to me.”

Kaede told me with a smile and leaned in close to my arm, filling the space that was about one person’s worth of empty space.

A breath of relief escapes me as I feel the slightest warmth on my arms through my clothes.

“If I would’ve stumbled, would you have taken care of me?”

“Yes, you can count on me for that.”

I pat my smiling sister on the head and direct my gaze forward.

It’s an ordinary day, but the fact that I was able to make time for an aimless conversation with my sister is probably thanks to the fact that Nico is staying with us.

That’s why I fed him jerky for snacks.

Definitely not because I want him to feel attached to me or something.

No, definitely not.

This day became a day when a sister and her brother spent talking about trivial things.

I thought I was a self-proclaimed cat person, but dogs are not bad either.

They are visibly sweet and responsive, which is more enjoyable than anything else.

However, I will never forget the way he ran up to my sister when we parted on the last day.

ToC

#240

<BbX> : Posted 2 chaps today, don’t forget to read the last one.

“…”

In my life as Shinra Minato-kun, I have confidence that this was the most serious I’ve been in my life, but to have a bitter smile on faces is a reaction that goes beyond anything I could have imagined.

However, the three of them spoke in denial at the same time.

“You are unsuitable for the very thing called getting used to.”

“Yeah, …isn’t that too straight?'”

“Just accept it since it’s a fact.”

I gave a half-eyed glare to the senior who told me her direct opinion just because she was one year older than me, but was told shortly from the other side that it was true.

And when even Shizuku nodded her head to that, there was no longer any element of denial.

I didn’t get the majority vote.

“Minato-kun is mistaken about one thing.”

I looked at Shizuku, who held up her index finger and spoke eloquently.

I want to reassure you that it’s not just one mistake.

I am confident that I have been wrong most of my life.

“Minato-kun, I know you are trying to change or do something for us, but it is a needless concern.”

Shizuku says with a smile on her lips.

Opening her small mouth, dumbfounded by the words she was told to me, she continued.

“We need to change for Minato-kun, not the other way around. …We are here because we were attracted to the original Minato-kun.”

“Kanazaki probably called you here to show you that she’s going to change, right?

President speaks with dismay, as if to say, ‘What’s the matter with you now?’

Putting the hand that was on the railing to near her mouth and shining her chestnut-colored hair, President asked Shizuku with a glance.

But before Shizuku’s voice could be heard, the voices of the students standing on the stage in the courtyard reverberated through the school’s loudspeakers.

[ Now then, I would like to announce this year’s winners of Mr. & Miss Sakuranaoka! ]

When the host student announced this loudly, the cheers of the students rose to a climax.

Most of the students knew who was going to be chosen, but they all waited for the name to be called.

With a deliberate gesture, the host opens the tally sheet in his hand and takes a deep breath.

“This year’s winners are …Ogiwara Yuuto-san and Kanazaki Shizuku-san, the first two-time consecutive winners for both men and women in the history of our school!”

The names of the two winners were announced in the courtyard, where cheers and applause spread throughout the school and the excitement was so great that it was sure to reach the neighboring houses.

Yuuto was surrounded by students around the center of the courtyard, making a lot of noise.

The female students were excited as if their favorite had been chosen.

The boys reacted similarly, but more calmly than the girls.

Yuuto was led up to the stage by the host, but Miss. Sakuranaoka was now on the rooftop.

What is she going to do now? What a meaningful look, but she just smiled.

“Kanazaki-san? Kanzaki Shizuku-san? Please come to the stage!”

The host said as he looked around, probably expecting Shizuku to be surrounded by students somewhere in the courtyard.

But Shizuku was not there.

She’s here on the rooftop.

“I’ve been thinking about it since I talked to Minato-kun earlier …what I need to do or change to make Minato-kun turn towards me.”

She places her hands on the railing and her words continued to quietly trudge along as she gazes at the scene below.

Her expression was natural, as if she had come up with an answer.

The voices of the students still calling out for Shizuku continued, but the rooftop seemed to be a different world altogether.

Everyone is just listening to Shizuku’s voice.

The wind on the rooftop was chilly and brushed Shizuku’s long black hair.

White breath rose out from her mouth, which combined with the setting sun made her look fragile.

Next to her, Kirasaka was also staring at Shizuku with sinking eyes, one hand holding back her hair and the other holding up the skirt of her school uniform so that it would not be disheveled.

Shizuku’s words took my breath away.

I wondered what motivated her so strongly.

What is the difference between my way of thinking and hers?

Perhaps we differ in some fundamental way.

I wanted to ask her that question because of the current situation.

“Why are you so obsessed with me?”

I asked the question in a short, straightforward manner.

I wondered if she had a big reason for it, or if it was just a simple one.

What came back was a single sentence.

“Because we are childhood friends.”

The gentle tone of her voice and the expression on her face made it impossible for me to ask her any further questions.

It was as if she was directing such pure emotion directly at me.

“Even if Minato-kun denies it, you are the one and only for me. No matter what anyone says, you are special to me.”

As she spoke this, she moved to a bench where she could not see the courtyard.

She turned away from the podium she was supposed to be on.

“The trigger was just a trivial matter, and so is the evaluation from those around me.”

She pulls out a cup of tea from her bag and boldly announces it with a Kirasaka-like downcast look.

However, the tense expression on her face only lasts for a moment and soon changes to her usual cheerful smile.

The way she changed her expression, I think I caught a glimpse of her true nature.

It is true that women are scary when they are angry …so let’s be careful.

“I’m now relieved of my duties, and if I’m going back to being a schoolgirl, I can devote more time to my colorful love life.”

The lack of Shizuku’s appearance caused a bit of confusion, but Yuuto must have thought of an appropriate excuse, and President looked at the students as the situation calmed down and said.

Persident’s words were met with a cold stare from Kirasaka, who seemed to be enjoying the reaction and smiled scornfully at President.

Normally, this would have led to a petty argument, but since on the courtyard stage, they proceeded with the next program…

[ Now then, I have a gift for Shiraishi-san, the head of the executive committee, and Hiiragi-senpai, the student council president, who have succeeded in having the largest number of visitors, total sales, and the first joint event at this year’s festival! Please both of you come to the podium! ]

When the host announced this, President turned towards the gate saying, ‘Oh! I’m being called?’ and left the rooftop quickly.

The way she left, it seems that this person is also skilled at avoiding trouble without hesitation.

Downstairs, too, Shiraishi was being pushed onto the stage by the student council members.

Looks like she wasn’t informed of this, so it must have been a surprise for her.

She, too, was flustered, bowing and shrugging as she proceeded.

After smiling at her posture, which was inappropriate for what she was being praised for, I sat down on a bench on the rooftop.

I would never see such a scene again.

I sat on the edge of the bench, with Shizuku sitting in the middle and Kirazaka on the opposite side.

I heard a second buzz from below, probably because President had appeared in the courtyard.

As I looked up at the sky, which was beginning to darken, thinking of the scene, Kirasaka muttered in a small voice.

“Did you have a good time at the festival?”

“It was normal…”

I somehow knew that those words were directed at me, not Shizuku.

So, I gave a short reply back.

Then, this time Shizuku spoke up.

“But the preparation was difficult, wasn’t it?”

“…It’s not like that, since the executive committee had a lot harder time than us.”

The white sigh that escaped from my mouth soon faded away as my words were drowned out by the cheers from the courtyard.

The conversation itself is meaningless.

It’s just that the girls and I are merely taking a break until we can get our minds settled.

At last year’s festival, Yuuto was standing next to me.

I would have been irritated by his grinning face after winning various awards, such as Mr. Sakuranagaoka and Matching Couple, but now I don’t see him.

Naturally, I thought at the time that this year would be no different, but reality is different.

After the cultural festival, the last school event of the year is finally the school trip.

After returning from the trip, the students will quickly get back into the busy routine of the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, and a short while after the new year begins, President will graduate.

The turbulent year is coming to an end.

No one knows how the story will end.

Still, we must continue making choices in our life so that when we look back on our past, we don’t have any regrets.

<BbX> : So that marks the ending of the Sakura Festival Arc!! 🥳

I’m trying to be ‘productive’ so I won’t be going anywhere this time. kek

ToC

#239

[ With this we are happy to mark the ending of the Sakura Festival– ]

The announcement signaling the end of the Sakura Festival, the culmination of the Student Council led by Hiiragi Akane and the Executive Committee under the leadership of Momiji Shiraishi, echoed throughout the school.

There were no disappointed voices, just the cheers of the students reaching the rooftop.

They, too, must have felt sad, but were overcome with joy at the fact that they had made it to the end of the festival.

I watched the end of the Sakura Festival as the sun began to set behind the mountains.

As each of the classes’ stalls dealt with their last customers one after another, the general public proceeded through the main gate to the outskirts of the city.

Those heading to the shopping district, those going to the Kikyo Jogakuin side, and others boarded buses.

For his last task, Hino-kun was guiding the students toward the buses.

Koizumi was standing alongside Miura as they thanked the visitors from the main gate.

Although not visible from the rooftop, Shiraishi must have been giving some kind of greeting or thank-you speech, as I heard loud applause from the direction of the Executive Committee’s tent.

She must have been recognized as an outstanding person among the students, both in name and in reality, after her first big performance.

Momiji Shiraishi, the road towards President …if there is such a thing, she has successfully completed her first step.

President and I were looking at such a scene in the school after we finished our last patrol.

President’s expression was calm, and she looked somewhat sad that the last cultural festival was over.

A quiet moment passed, and before we could exchange words with each other, the high-pitched sound of the rooftop door opening echoed from behind us.

“You two are early.”

“I wonder if they’ve been skipping work?”

As promised, Shizuku and Kirasaka both finished their roles and strode to the rooftop.

In their hands hung a bag, which contained several bottles of drinks.

Normally the rooftop is not open to the public, but today there are a few benches set up to accommodate the large number of students who might use the rooftop.

After putting the drinks she had brought on the bench, Shizuku walked over to where President and I were standing.

“There are so many people here, it’s hard to believe it’s the courtyard.”

“Because of the lighting, the courtyard is the only place where it’s safe after dark.”

I looked at the place and replied back to Shizuku’s mutterings.

The actual schoolyard would be more spacious, but unfortunately, the lighting is inadequate.

The courtyard is a little smaller, but it’s easier to prepare for the event there.

Next to Shizuku, Kirasaka also rests her hand on the railing and looks at the students below her.

I think I sense coldness in her eyes, but I’m sure it’s …just my imagination.

It seemed like some villain thinking ‘They are just trash’ kind of thing.

In the center of the courtyard, there were many long desks arranged in a row, and on the desks were leftover items from the festival, placed in a messy manner.

It was not something special, but the students were satisfied with the products they had made themselves.

The final performance of the festival, the evening celebration, is about to begin.

It is a festival for students to enjoy after their hard work.

There will be a raffle, a small performance, and the announcement of the Miss & Mr. Sakuranoaka.

The bouquet Koizumi had prepared for President will also be presented here.

“Sounds like fun…”

Shizuku said to the students chatting in the courtyard.

Her eyes had a gentle light in them, but she seemed to be somewhat of a stranger to them.

“Senpai!”

As the four of us stood in a row, watching the event come to an end without conversation, we heard a voice calling someone from below.

In a short time, we all naturally turned our attention to the owner of the voice, a voice we were beginning to become accustomed to.

Below us, Shiraishi, Koizumi and Miura, as well as Hino-kun, were waving their hands and looking toward us.

Behind them were the student council of Kikyo Jogakuin, as well as my sister.

Released from the pressure of management, which they should have felt until now, they were happily blending into the circle of students with overflowing smiles on their faces.

Even Hino-kun, who is a member of this group, would’ve been feeling a little uncomfortable in this cozy atmosphere, he did not look as nervous as he usually does.

“I’ve been called down, do you want to go downstairs too?”

“I’m fine here…”

I answered President’s question without shifting my gaze.

I waved at Shiraishi appropriately and she nodded her head in satisfaction. I wonder what she misunderstood.

…Are you thinking that I’ll come later?

I’m not going, though.

Getting into that circle is easy.

Just take a step forward, step into the circle, phase into the conversation and smile at them.

Many students do that.

They are many times better at human interaction than I am, and they develop the ability to cooperate, which is essential nowadays.

And as far as I know, Yuuto is the ideal image of perfection.

He is a monster in terms of relationships.

So, watch him, learn from him, and step into it yourself.

This feeling of emptiness that lingers in my chest may disappear if I get involved with them.

…It would, but my body denies the thoughts that come to my mind.

When I do that, there is a part of me that cries out that I don’t need the kinds of companionship to which I need to change my feelings falsely.

Then, I should just not think about it.

If I don’t think about it and just go about my life as I have in the past, Shinra Minato will be able to go about its daily life as usual.

It would be easy, I wouldn’t belong anywhere, and I wouldn’t be dyed by anything.

However, as I gazed at the scene below me and saw the girls standing side by side next to me, I clutched my handrail tighter.

The choice to remain the same meant that I would respond to nothing, not even to them.

I will continue to look at them as if they were ornaments from a distance, drawing the line that I am not worthy and cannot stand in the same place as them.

That’s fine.

That is how Shinra Minato has lived his life.

No, he had no other choice.

He did not want to be involved, he did not think they loved him, and even if they did, he avoided them because it was too much for him and it would be troublesome.

I am sure that the feelings that are boiling up inside me are not love or anything of the sort.

But I was developing a vague feeling that I had to change…

Why are the students so gloriously happy even in the midst of seemingly hopeless relationships?

Are they seeing a more colorful world than the monochrome one that spreads across me?

They are enjoying the present moment, and even if it is only a momentary association in a long life, they are living it to the fullest.

Something might change.

Being involved in the cultural festival, a big stage for students, may bring about a change in their state of mind.

It might even bring about feelings that they have never felt before.

I went into the festival with faint hopes.

But as you can see, the results were not what I expected.

After all, since there was no change in myself, there was no way that a change in the environment could drastically change anything.

“I wonder if it would be right for me to go downstairs and join that circle now…?”

Also, would it be better to exchange words with the students and deepen our friendship?

The three of them listened to the words I muttered.

I said this to Shizuku.

I don’t understand her best just because we have known each other since childhood.

It was because we happened to spend more time together than others, and therefore we have different amounts of personal information.

If we spent a similar number of hours together, most of them would be able to understand her to the same degree as I do.

Kirasaka said that she showed a deep interest in Shinra Minato because he did not treat her any differently.

But that’s because when we met in person, I drew a boundary because she is a person who lives in a different world than I do.

President said that the student council needed me because I am a person who can judge things from an objective point of view.

It’s because I have no unnecessary feeling of value, because I’m not in touch with the emotions that people have always had.

It’s not that I’m great in any way.

A person without individuality cannot replace a person with individuality.

On the contrary, a person with personality can replace a person without personality.

No, to be precise, a person with individuality has the charm to take the place of a person without individuality.

There is nothing to get off my chest, I am too ordinary.

And yet, I am afraid of losing something of mine.

There is plenty to lose if I stick to my existing way of doing things.

Even if it is not the right choice, I am trying to choose stagnation.

If I don’t give an answer, the relationship between Kanazaki Shizuku, my childhood friend will continue.

If I remain as I am, I will be recognized by Kirasaka Rei as a person who is different from others.

If I do not harbor unnecessary feelings, I will not lose the sense of value valued by the President.

Because I was narrow-minded, I was able to create the relationship we have today.

I was never bothered by changes.

As I was thinking these thoughts in my mind, which I would never be ashamed to express out loud, what came back to me from the girls was a surprising response.

“Fufu …that’s impossible.”

“Impossible.”

The three of them looked at each other and said, with a chuckle that was almost a wry smile, I wonder what they were talking about.

<BbX> : So, there went my 4-day streak, dw, I’m posting 2 chapters today, don’t forget to read that one too.

ToC

#238

The moments of euphoria for the students are short-lived, as much as they longed for and coveted them, they are sad to see them pass.

As I followed President’s back as we made our rounds around the school, many students called out to her.

It was either a gift, a friendly chat, or a complaint of some sort.

However, their expressions were cheerful and joyful, and the fact that the students were enjoying the festival to the fullest did not change.

If that is the case, it is probably a good thing for those of us involved in the management of the event.

I thought about the scene I had seen many times from a few steps back.

The sight of these students overlapped with the student council members who had been with me just a few minutes before.

They too were involved in the management of the event, but they had the same glowing expressions on their faces.

The same goes for the student council of Kikyo Jogakuin.

Despite the relative circumstances, they were enjoying the event as an event.

If there is one thing that is different, it is that there is someone mixed in with the organization as if they were foreign to it.

Unable to blend in with this situation, I have been watching from the sidelines as if I were somewhat of a stranger.

I understand the meaning of the cultural festival and its significance but in my own way.

A cultural festival is a good opportunity for students to experience the process of making, selling, and managing money in a simplified manner before they enter the society.

By transforming it into an event, it motivates and encourages students to get involved.

I am aware that this is a very harsh and twisted way of looking at it.

And it is no exaggeration to say that this year’s Sakura Festival was a success.

There were no obvious problems at the joint event, the shopping district was a great success, and the number of visitors to our school never stopped even at this hour.

The number of visitors was definitely the highest ever.

The names of Hiiragi Akane and Momiji Shiraishi in front of me as the key players in the success of the event will surely remain in the documents.

President, who is a person of great modesty, would probably say that the success was the result of everyone’s efforts and not her own.

And Shiraishi, being a person of great self-esteem, would be proud and boastful.

The polar opposites of the two are balanced out to that of a plus or minus zero.

Well, there is no denial or anything, since she has achieved the result there’s no problem her boasting about it.

For Shiraishi, it is certainly the best start on the road to becoming student body president.

And the same is true for Hiiragi Akane, for whom this festival will be a great addition to her life in the future.

And yet, despite the joyous occasion, no feelings of happiness or joy spread through my heart.

There is only a feeling of relief.

The festival came to an end without any problems.

At the same time, as a member of the student council, I felt bad that I had to deal with all these emotions.

“About Sera, it’s honestly nice to hear her say to my face that she wanted to beat me that badly.”

Without looking back, President muttered as she finished her colorful conversation with the female student in front of me.

I caught a glimpse of an unexpected side of her, and from President’s point of view, I guess she has found someone to engage in friendly competition with.

“When you work hard and there is someone who outperforms you, people make an escape route and quit trying again. …She’s the only person I’ve ever met who can compete that well.”

“…You could say it’s just an obsession, though.”

It was almost to the level of a horror story now.

This cultural festival may have been a turning point or a stepping stone in Sera’s mind, but President’s words must have ignited her heart.

She may have to be prepared to be challenged to compete in some way or the other while she is still a college student.

“Yes, …but it makes me happy.”

Still, president said with a happy tone in her voice.

Since it is true that there is no one in the same grade who can match up with her, she has no one with whom she can have friendly competition with shoulder to shoulder.

Even if she is not able to stand in line at the moment, she would be more than happy to have someone following behind her in pursuit of her back.

Individual values are interesting because they differ from each other.

The true meaning of human relationships is to neither deny nor affirm them.

“Did you enjoy the cultural festival?”

President asked amidst the hustle and bustle without stopping to walk, as if she was not good at having personal conversations.

Even though she knew the answer, she asked nonchalantly as if to confirm it.

She chuckles as she continues and minces her words.　

“I may not have been able to fulfill what you said at the Sports festival about showing how awesome I am, but…”

“It’s awesome enough though… the results prove it more than anything.”

I can tell by the sight outside the window, by the expressions on the students’ faces.

The fact that this festival is a success.

And how much of an influence the person in front of me who have been leading not only the executive committee but also the student council have had.

There is nothing to be modest about now.

Just after stating the facts, I took a breath in and then thought for a moment.

No unnecessary lies, no different meanings.

President also doesn’t want any extra words either.

“…The festival was more fulfilling than last year’s.”

The event in which I was given a role, whether it be a tedious job or not, was different from last year, just because I participated in them.

It’s something I’ve been able to experience because I joined the student council.

Otherwise, there is not the slightest possibility that I would have wanted to participate in the management myself.

The fact that I can say that, is proof that I am aware of my own character.

“It’s your virtue not to tell a lie, even in flattery so…”

“If I wanted to lie, I would have phrased it differently.”

Rather, if you had asked me if, “I had a good time today,” I would have replied that yes, I did.

President probably had some confidence, which is why she asked me to answer the question.

I spent the time that passed without much thoughts.

I am sure that she also hoped that spending time with friends who enjoy the company of others would change things.

It is really difficult to play the game of developing one character, a life with no right answer.

Moreover, even if the best solution is proposed, you are sure to frown in disgust ninety-nine percent of the time.

I am well aware that if I want a change in my dull life, I need a change in myself.

But the answer to this question repeatedly keeps coming in and disappearing.

As I was patrolling with these thoughts in my mind, President stopped and looked from the inside of the school to the rooftop where the setting sun was beginning to set.

“I’ll be back to being a female student after this festival, …and I’d like to spend a little while doing as I please.”

The eyes of President looked back at me gently yet frailly lit up with the color of autumn leaves.

ToC

Monthly Archives: June 2023

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<BbX> : So, there went my 4-day streak, dw, I’m posting 2 chapters today, don’t forget to read that one too.

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#238

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<BbX> : So, there went my 4-day streak, dw, I’m posting 2 chapters today, don’t forget to read that one too.

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#238

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