Chapter 10: Student Council Issues and a Rainy Day with Video Games (Parts 3-5)
Chapter 10, Part 3
After deciding on the place we could go, everyone splits up to start preparing.
For some reason, I have the contact information of the eternal president of my country, Nayiks, so I give the number to Makoto.
Makoto proceeds to talk to the president through the Japanese ambassador to El Salvador.
— Oh! The president said he'll give us a discount if we speak positively about the country!
I guess the president got really excited… but it seems like everything is going well for Makoto.
While he talks on the phone, the other student council members and I start organizing the room.
— I'm coming through.
Sora said while carrying a lot of books.
I step back to let him pass, but accidentally bump into Kuroda-san, who was behind me.
He was carrying a folder with papers that fell to the floor when I bumped into him.
I help him pick up the papers, but when I look at his face, I notice something red and very shiny. However, he quickly covers it with his hair.
I really think I saw something unusual… I don't know… I don't think hair shines that much.
Unless he uses really good conditioner.
We both stand up and give a slight bow.
— Sorry. — we both say at the same time.
Just then, Makoto arrives and cheerfully throws himself at us.
— The call was a huge success! The president of your country has made our work easier by more than half—we can go home!
— Y-yes… — Kuroda-san and I respond at the same time.
I wonder why neither Kibō nor Ai showed up to the meeting, even though everyone knows them.
I guess they've become more understanding by not interrupting us at times like these.
We all leave the school together, with night beginning to fall.
We really spent a lot of time inside waiting for Makoto to finalize something with the ambassador and the president.
I watch as everyone leaves with at least one companion back to their homes, but Kuroda-san goes alone to a place that seemed to have no houses.
On the other hand, I'm with Makoto and Miru-chan.
— Is he always like that? — I ask them.
— Are you talking about Yoshihiro? Don't let him intimidate you; when he gets comfortable, he tends to be chatty, but still, I don't know much about him. — Makoto replies.
— It's true, he's a bit closed off; no one really knows where he lives.
My curiosity about Kuroda-san grows even more; maybe he's just a bit shy.
— Ah! Sorry, I have to go. — Makoto says unexpectedly. — I need to break a record at the gym.
— Eh? Ah… yeah, I think your little sister broke all the records… — says Miru-chan.
— How do you know that?! Don't spread that information!
As soon as he said that, he ran off.
Miru-chan and I are left alone.
W-wait, his little sister?
— Are you talking about Chisato-chan? — I ask with great curiosity.
— Yes, she's quite good at sports, just like her brother.
Chisato-chan? She broke the gym records?! To break the trampoline jump record, she must have shattered the ceiling!
— I see… she doesn't look like it.
— She's very athletic after all; Neko-chan and I were surprised.
I guess that happened the time they went to train at the city gym.
…
Miru-chan walks beside me, as cheerful and beautiful as always…
Thinking about it leaves me speechless; I really don't know how to continue our conversation…
And her hand is so close to mine! It's hard to control myself, I'm trembling!
Despite this, she doesn't seem uncomfortable being next to me without speaking.
But still…
Damn it, I feel like I'll stutter if I say anything! I should discreetly withdraw!
— W-well…
I look up at the sky and notice it's getting quite dark.
— Ah, look at the time! I need to get to the pupusería soon or Seji-sensei will get mad, haha!
— Ah… I see… — Miru-chan responds cheerfully.
— Yeah, well, I think we should meet up tomorrow, Miru-chan.
With that said, I turn around and continue on my way, but her sweet voice stops me again.
— Uraseku-senpai…
— Huh?
I turn to see her again, illuminated by the last rays of sunlight, and with a smile, she says:
— Good night.
Seeing her like that and wishing me good night makes me blush, but I slowly manage to keep my composure.
With a smile on my face, I respond:
— Good night, Miru-chan.
I turn around and head back to the pupusería, talking to myself about a personal and uncomfortable topic.
— If anyone had seen the other games I have, my mangas, and my posters, they'd probably think I'm weird…
Kibō finally comes out of the diamond and says:
— I've seen them, and they really do make me think you're a bit strange.
— Shut up, you finally show up just to say that.
— Is it normal for you to talk to yourself? I thought you were talking to me.
— Let's go.
It was a calm conversation I had with Kibō on the way to the pupusería.
It's quite rare that I can talk to him so calmly and about personal things.
The talk was just about my childhood, how I learned to surf, and why I speak three languages.
The answer to all that has always been because of how my father raised me.
I wish I could see him…
Chapter 10, Part 4
— Hey, why are you coming back so late?
Seji-sensei asks right as I enter the pupusería.
He's packing large suitcases, the perfect size for a long trip.
— Good evening! — Kibō responds cheerfully.
— Sorry, Seji-sensei. I had an important student council meeting at my school.
— Huh? You had a student council meeting? You've become even more responsible than I expected.
— I-I guess so…
I reply, scratching my head, and then pay more attention to his suitcases.
— By the way, Seji-sensei, what are the suitcases for?
Chie comes out of the storage room with two bottles of sake and answers for him:
— We're packing to go to the pupusa festival!
— That's right, you're leaving early.
I had forgotten that Seji-sensei was going to the festival. Fortunately, I'll be there to see it.
— And when will you be going to El Salvador? — Seji-sensei asks.
— In a week, we've already gotten the tickets, which is why I've been in this meeting.
— Oh, it seems it's true then.
When I said it, it was only half-true because it actually happened, haha.
— Obviously, it is, Seji-sensei; it's national news over there for some reason.
I respond proudly.
— Well, I guess if our paths cross, we might see each other there.
— Yes, Seji-sensei.
— Huh?
Kibō leaves the pupusería upon hearing that a taxi has parked outside.
— And this taxi?
— It's our transportation.
Seji-sensei answers.
— Chie! Let's go, did you pack the sake…? Oh, she already drank it…
— Sha eshtá… vámonosh…! *hic* — Chie says, drunk.
— Let's go, Chie, hide when we're there.
— Shi…
Seji-sensei and Chie get into the taxi that will take them to Tokyo's airport.
I guess it's going to be a long trip.
Once inside the taxi, Seji-sensei says to me:
— Rasec, while I'm away, take care of the house and the pupusería, don't stay up playing games and go to school when you should.
He tosses me the keys to the house and the pupusería, and I catch them.
— Understood, take care, Seji-sensei.
And with that, Seji-sensei and Chie left.
— Phew…
I look up at the autumn night sky; the cold weather makes me shiver.
Winter will definitely be harsh, and with all this diamond trouble, it will be even worse.
— Well, Kibō. You heard him, help me take care of the pupusería…
Kibō and I enter, but before I can get in completely, he stops me.
— Hey, Rasec! The premiere of "The Lonely Rock Girl" is about to start!
— Ah! That's right, I need to see if she was able to perform at the concert with her friends.
I turn off everything in the pupusería, lock up, and decide to head home.
Fortunately, it seemed like there wouldn't be much clientele.
With Seji-sensei not being home, it means Kibō and I will be alone for this time.
Kibō tends to sleep a lot, so I'll have plenty of time to play those games I've wanted without interruptions.
Despite having more freedom, I couldn't neglect my responsibilities.
So, the next day, I attend school.
As usual, Kenji and I meet to chat a bit, but with what recently happened with the diamonds, Kibō has joined us freely.
— Eh…? So, did you tell everyone those games were mine because you'd be embarrassed in front of Miru-chan? — Kenji questions me.
— This guy is so paranoid. — Kibō responds.
— I needed a way out of that…
It even seems surreal that everyone has normalized the topic of diamonds and teru bozu spirits so quickly…
Kibō even strolls around the school or talks to students and teachers without any problem.
It's not that there's anything wrong with it; it just seems very strange how everyone suddenly accepts it as normal…
And so the days went by.
Hiroki does his makeup work, the spirits of the diamonds help me at the pupusería, while my friends train.
I make sure to close the place early all these days to avoid working at night when the restaurant turns into a bar.
But as a teenager, I have the right to have fun from time to time.
With the house all to myself, and Kibō, I might have gone a bit overboard.
Chapter 10, Part 5
— How's the makeup work going, Hiroki? — Miru-chan asks.
Miru-chan, Hiroki, Neko-chan, the spirits of our diamonds, and I are at the pupusería today.
With some free time, they decided to help me.
I have to say it's strange to see Hiroki wanting to work for free.
— The makeup exams were tough…
Hiroki says dejectedly while washing a plate.
— But I've completed them! I hope the trip will be worth it.
He now says energetically while washing the plates faster.
So, it means he'll be able to go on the school trip.
— Well, in that case, you should know that we're going to El Salvador.
— Erusarubadoru?
It seems he doesn't know how to pronounce that…
Anyway, I guess it'll be a surprise when he finds out where we're going.
We spend the whole afternoon working.
Just that morning, I managed to convince the spirits of our diamonds to work at the pupusería instead of us.
There was some opposition from Miru-chan, but in the end, she accepted.
And that same afternoon, while helping a bit at the pupusería, I decide to do something I didn't think I'd do…
I decide to call Miru-chan!
— M-Miru-chan… I know you don't like games much…
What a terrible way to start a conversation! When talking to a girl, rule number one is never talk about video games!
No manga, no anime, no games, nothing that gives a bad impression first!
Damn it, it's so hard!
— But… while the spirits of our diamonds take care of the place, I was wondering if…
— Yes?
Damn it! I can't do it…!
I unconsciously blush and get nervous.
— If you could come over to my house and…
…
— Hang out with the others! Yes, that!
…
Kibō, who was next to me, overhears everything and says:
— Haha! You didn't even have the courage to be alone with her.
— Tch.
— It's okay, I'd love to, Uraseku-senpai! — Miru-chan says quite cheerfully.
Our one-on-one date failed, not that I expected anything else since it hadn't even started.
Quickly, after ending that call, I dial Neko-chan.
Damn… now I'll have to invite more people.
— Ah! Senpai!
— Neko-chan! Come to my house! We need to spend time together.
After that, I hang up.
— Oh… s-senpai...…
I didn't even give her time to respond.
Nekoyashiki blushes and leans back on the bed, hugging a pillow tightly.
— Could it be that…? Is what I think going to happen?!
Then she quickly gets up and exclaims:
— I'll need Chisato-chan's support for this…!
Back in my room, I needed to do what was obvious.
I'll take down the posters and hide anything that looks visually uncomfortable!
— Kibō, here!
I throw him the keys to the pupusería, and he barely manages to catch them.
— Give me things with your hands, fool! Be grateful we're helping with this…
— I'll thank you when this is over! Besides, you don't have hands!
— How inconsiderate… remember that we're helping you.
He's right; I should start treating him better.
Kibō leaves.
On the steps leading up to my house, I meet Miru-chan, Neko-chan, and Chisato-chan.
— Hello! — Miru-chan responds cheerfully.
— What are you doing here? — Neko-chan asks angrily, pouting.
— Senpai invited me; he said you'd be coming too…
— Ah!
Neko-chan is disappointed after hearing that.
— Uh… I guess you misunderstood… — Chisato-chan tells Neko-chan.
— TCH, I SWEAR I'LL KILL HIM!
Neko-chan says angrily, her face showing a cut.
Miru-chan looks scared.
— At least you'll spend time with him… — Chisato-chan tells her.
— Phew, that's true.
The cut on her face heals without leaving a mark.
As we climb the mountain, I find the three of them outside.
— Welcome! Who wants to play this train game and… what's Chisato-chan doing here…?
— Hello…
— And Hiroki? — Miru-chan asks.
— Hehe, perverted senpai, you must have wanted a harem… — Neko-chan says with a mischievous look.
— Eh! No!
I respond annoyed.
— It's just that… I don't have Hiroki's number…
— I have his number! Here, I already called him.
Miru-chan hands me the cell phone while dialing Hiroki's number.
— Gah! Better tell him yourself!
— No way, it's your house, so you should invite him!
Damn it!
I've cursed a lot today!
As dark clouds start to form in the golden sky of sunset, I talk to Hiroki to invite him over.
— I-it's Miru-chan…! — Hiroki says nervously.
He picks up the phone, lets it ring a bit, and finally answers.
— H-hello, I'm a bit busy, you know, but for you, I suppose I can make some time, Miru-chan…
Is that his way of flirting?
Well, it's better than mine…
— Cut the nonsense, Hiroki…
— Eh! Uraseku! What are you doing with Miru-chan's phone?!
With that said, I explain everything.
As expected, once he finds out Miru-chan is here, he decides to come over too.
Everyone finally arrives in my room, and Hiroki asks:
— Why didn't you tell me these girls would be here?!
— Does it bother you or something?! — Neko-chan says annoyed.
Carrying a series of games I had previously selected, I say:
— We're all friends, so stop fighting and let's play…
With that, we all start playing a few games.
Dark clouds cover the last rays of sunlight of the sunset.
We start playing a rock game.
Hiroki plays the drums, Neko-chan plays the guitar, Chisato-chan plays the bass, Miru-chan reads a book on my bed, and I sing in the game.
— I like the tone of your skin!
I pour my soul into singing in such a horrendously off-key way.
— Why did you choose him?!
If Beethoven were alive and offered to restore his hearing, he'd surely refuse the offer if he heard me sing and bury himself again.
— You smear me with honey!
Even though I'm singing badly…
— And I promised to always be faithful!
I'm having fun…
— What's Uraseku-senpai singing? — Miru-chan wonders.
— Nya… — Nyakoshi meows as if trying to answer.
No one here understands what I'm singing because I do it in Spanish, which is good, I suppose.
— Oh, yes! Super solo! — Neko-chan says excitedly.
She throws herself on the floor as she starts "playing" the solo in the game, doing it so badly that we lose the game…
But still, I'm having fun…
Time passes, it starts to rain lightly, and thunder rumbles, but due to the fun we're having, no one notices.
We switch to a game called Churro Kart.
— How dare you throw that coconut at me?! — Neko-chan asks.
— You threw it at me last time, so don't complain! — Hiroki responds angrily.
While they're playing, I observe Chisato-chan and Miru-chan reading something.
— What are you reading…? — Chisato-chan asks.
— Eh? Oh, this manga called "Onii-chan no Hentai."
Um, it's good that a girl like her likes good reading.
Wait…
— Ah!
— It's very weird… but it's interesting!
— Where did you get that from?!
— Eh? The cat pulled it out from under the bed, it's the third volume I've read…
— Gah!
I hope she doesn't think I'm a weird person after this.
After all, I'm having fun…
Time passes, and the rain intensifies while thunder rumbles across the area, yet we remain oblivious.
While Hiroki and I set up a fighting game, Miru-chan plays on the portable console while Neko-chan and Chisato-chan watch.
— Go to the other side! — Neko-chan tells Miru-chan.
— You should have eaten the cherry… — Chisato-chan adds.
— I-I'm trying, but I don't get it! — Miru-chan responds while playing awkwardly.
The game Hiroki and I would play finally loads, and we move on to character selection.
— Alright, I'll be my avatar, Rasec. — I say while selecting a character that resembles me.
— Huh? You use your real name in a game? That's weird; at least invert it or something…
— Put my name backward? That would be… César? That's a real name, I couldn't… Besides, it's Kenji's games, he gave that name!
— … Why would Kenji name a character after you…? And your name is real too!
— Shut up and let's play…
We start playing when suddenly he starts talking to me.
— Makoto told me you have a lot of Hatsune Miku posters in your room, I highly doubt they belong to anyone else…
What's that about?
— Huh? You asked him about me? Why do you want to know that…?
— Ah!
My counterattack works so well it leaves him speechless.
Our diamond spirits arrive with an umbrella and filled with pupusa dough and powdered coffee.
— That's because Hiroki likes those games. — Chikara responds.
I'm not surprised…
— Did you lock up the pupusería properly? — I ask as we continue playing.
— Yes… — Kibō replies.
— They're entitled to a bathroom in that case…
— Yes!
They head to take a bath, and time passes while the rain grows heavier until we finally notice.
Only I knew, but I didn't want to say anything because I was having fun…
However, Chisato-chan stops us.
— It's late…
— That's true, how long have we been playing? — Neko-chan says.
— Umh… Six hours! — Hiroki says, surprised.
Six hours? That feels short; it seemed like more.
We turn everything off and head to the main door of the house.
When I open the door, a strong gust of wind and rain surprises us, and a tree leaf sticks to me.
The storm is really strong.
— I don't think you can leave with just an umbrella. — I say.
— I don't care, I'm leaving. — Hiroki says.
He starts running but slips very close to the stairs.
Before falling, our diamond spirits catch him and help him back up.
— Don't be foolish, even I wouldn't dare go down those steps in these conditions…
— What do we do? — Neko-chan asks, very worried.
Umh… I guess there's no other option…
I close the door and seriously tell them:
— You have to spend the night here! If the weather doesn't improve, you're likely to catch a cold! And the school trip is tomorrow, so we can't allow that!
Everyone seems to agree, though very nervously.
Miru-chan, Neko-chan, and Hiroki inform their parents that they'll be staying at my house tonight.
— So we can't go back home… — Chisato-chan says, as serious as always.
— I'm taking Uraseku-senpai's bed! With him included! — Neko-chan says cheerfully.
— Absolutely not. — I respond. — Unless Miru-chan joins us…
I reach into my pants pocket and pull out my card for a free pass from jail.
I guess it's finally time to use this card…
— No way, the guys sleep somewhere else! — Miru-chan says, annoyed and blushing with embarrassment.
It seems the girls have taken over my room…
— You all sleep in Seji-sensei's room!
— EH?!
Hiroki blushes with embarrassment upon hearing that.
— I won't sleep in the same bed as him!
Upon hearing this, the girls and I feel uncomfortable.
Obviously, they didn't mean we'd be sleeping together…
— His room is always locked; unfortunately, we won't be able to get in. — I say.
— Then we'll have to break down the door! — Kibō and Ai say.
EH!
They rush toward the door, but before they even touch it, I manage to stop them.
— Idiots, if you do that, Seji-sensei will probably kill me!
Damn it… Instead of relaxing, the sound of the rain just stresses me out more…
— Anyway, Hiroki, sleep on the couch if you want… and you three girls and I will go to my bed!
Hiroki grabs me by the shirt before I leave and says:
— No way! Find another place!
— Ew… I'll sleep better in my hammock.
I sit in the hammock while Hiroki searches for a blanket, and the girls head to my room.
— Alright, time to sleep. Tomorrow will be a big day…
— Yes!
— Good night.
With that, the lights go out, and over time the intensity of the rain decreases.
Not even 15 minutes pass before I realize the girls are already asleep.
As expected, the three of them slept together in my bed…
— Pss… Hiroki, are you asleep yet? — I ask while staring at the ceiling…
— I'm trying, be quiet.
— Umh… got it…
I take out my cellphone, put on my headphones, and start playing the new episode of an anime.
— Is that the new episode of Star no Children? — Kibō asks as he arrives from the kitchen.
— Silence! — I respond timidly.
— Ah!
It seems I've caught Hiroki's attention…
— Well… maybe I'll join you for a while; perhaps that girls' anime will help me sleep.
— Don't pretend you don't like it! Besides, it's not a girls' anime, it's a seinen… — I tell Hiroki after that comment.
I knew he liked this kind of stuff…
Chapter 10, Final Part
The heavy storm finally subsides.
Hiroki and I stayed up a lot, watching anime and reading manga. It's one in the morning, and Kibō went to sleep hours ago, just like everyone else.
We're engrossed in reading *Onii-chan no Hentai*.
— Don't turn the page yet! — Hiroki whispers.
— Read faster! — I respond, also whispering.
— Is someone awake?
W-What?!
W-Was that Neko-chan's voice?
Hiroki and I, very worried, quickly hide everything.
Neko-chan turns on the flashlight and looks at me as she tries to return to the hammock.
— S-senpai…
— N-Neko-chan! W-What are you doing awake?!
My nervousness is palpable.
— I came down for water. Didn't I wake you up? Or did I?
— I-I was also getting some water. Let's go!
Neko-chan and I get some water. She seems still a bit groggy.
— It looks like the rain has stopped, senpai…
— You know, now that I think about it, I don't think Chisato-chan told anyone she'd be here.
— That's true.
I take out my phone and send a message to Makoto letting him know that his sister is at my place.
In the deserted city streets, Makoto, drenched from the rain, reads the message.
— So she's at his house… I don't know what to think about that, but… what a relief… *Achoo!* — says Makoto.
It seems he's caught a cold…