Chapter 2.2
Literature Club Report
The sharp snap of a shogi piece striking the board echoed all the way down the hallway.
A man in a military uniform slid the shoji door open gracefully. Sitting cross-legged in front of the shogi board is another man, clad in rumpled cotton clothes with the look of a lazy vagrant. He idly scratched his unshaven stubble with a sly grin, as always.
The man in the uniform raised his voice, shouting.
"Why are you in a place like this?"
The man in the kasuri-patterned clothing looked up for a brief moment, startled by the sudden intruder. Upon seeing the man in military uniform, he lowered his gaze back to the shogi board.
"Oh, it's you, Mishima-kun."
Leisurely, yet with a faintly melancholic expression, he toyed with a shogi piece between his fingers.
"So, I've finally accomplished my great goal and ended up on this side. But I seem to have no idea what I'm doing here."
The crisp sound of a piece being struck against the board echoed. It almost seemed as though his aim was merely to make noise rather than play the game properly.
"Clothes, shogi, all sorts of things... Those elves sure do know how to create things I've never seen before."
He cast a brief glance up at Mishima.
"And on top of that, elven women are...attentive caregivers."
With a self-deprecating smile, he slammed another piece down onto the board.
Mishima sat heavily across from him with a thud.
"Dazai-san. Do you know where this is?"
"They said it's some kind of 'otherworld', but it's not all that different from Tsugaru. The lords of the forest are just as pompous as ever."
"You've met Mori-sensei?"
"Indeed, that man has a blonde girl at his beck and call. No matter where you go, people's nature doesn't seem to change."
He chuckled, jingling a piece in his hand.
"You always make light of things like this. Sitting around rotting away here won't solve anything. You need to rebuild yourself under Mori-sensei's guidance."
"All you talk about is that big boss of yours. What, didn't you come here to see me?"
Dazai leaned closer to Mishima, whose silence was palpable.
"I heard about it. You split your stomach open, didn't you? How did it feel? Did it hurt?"
Mishima didn't answer. Instead, he reached for the shogi board and moved his king one step forward.
"...I still can't bring myself to like you, Dazai-san."
"Even if you say that, the fact that you're here means you do like me after all."
Dazai brushed the shogi board aside, then grabbed Mishima's hand instead of a game piece, pulling it roughly toward him.
"Dazai-san, I-"
"Come on, admit it. You like me, don't you?"
With surprising strength for someone as frail as a consumptive, Dazai pinned Mishima's well-trained body to the tatami mat-
The following has been censored by the club president's authority.
*
Friday morning. The classroom has a vaguely restless atmosphere.
Everyone is exchanging greetings with friends, probably working out their weekend plans. Even with smartphones as ubiquitous communication tools, face-to-face interactions still formed the foundation of human relationships.
It's a healthy way of living, though it comes with its own minor inconveniences.
"...Freedom, huh."
Resting my elbows on the desk, I clasped my hands and muttered to myself.
Freedom and loneliness are two sides of the same coin, as they say. For someone like me, there's no need to bother with the hassle of coordinating weekend plans.
...At least, that's how it should have been.
Last night, thanks to the ever-unreliable Tsukinoki-senpai, I ended up having to research train and bus schedules for tomorrow's training camp.
Last night, thanks to the ever-unreliable Tsukinoki-senpai, I ended up having to research train and bus schedules for tomorrow's training camp.
The fact that I also looked into nearby sightseeing spots was purely incidental. It definitely wasn't because I was excited. Not at all.
"Morning, Nukkun!"
"Huh? Uh, good morning…"
Why is she greeting me? Confused, I glanced at the seat in front of mine, where Remon Yakishio was now sitting down.
"Yakishio-san? Uh, what's up?"
"What's up? It's morning, so, you know, I'm saying good morning."
Well, yeah, sure, but are we close enough to be exchanging morning greetings and having casual conversations?
Ignoring my bewilderment, Yakishio tilted her petite face slightly and started speaking.
"So, I was thinking about yesterday in the gym storage room. Right after school today-"
"Wha!? Y-You remembered that!?"
How can she be so calm after recalling that scene?
"I didn't see anything! I swear I didn't see anything!"
I mean, sure, I didn't see anything, but the sensation through her gym clothes was still burned into my memory. Soft...but at the same time, there was a gentle, firm elasticity. Unable to meet her gaze directly, I ended up awkwardly averting my eyes.
"Huh? What are you talking about? I'm talking about lending a book to Mitsuki."
"...Book?"
"Yeah, you said I could come borrow it, didn't you? Are you feeling okay, Nukkun? Maybe the heat's getting to you?"
"Oh, uh, right. That. Yeah, yeah, totally, that. Got it."
"Alright then, after school, okay?"
After waving her hand, Yakishio quickly headed to her seat. I let out a relieved sigh.
...Huh? What's this? I feel the eyes of the class on me, mainly from the guys.
Why on Earth are the boys staring at someone like me, the background character? And they are definitely not friendly gazes. They are full of jealousy and malice…
"-That's what happened, but why, though?"
The location has shifted to the emergency staircase during lunch break. Yanami pulled out her basket and answered my question nonchalantly.
"Well, it's because Remon-chan is pretty popular. And you were chatting with her like you're close or something."
"Wait, she's popular? Huh, I see…"
I see. Hmm, popular, huh?
"...So, who's popular again?"
"What? I said Remon-chan. Are you okay?'
No way. Her? She's popular? Sure, she's cheerful and cute, but- have you met her?
"Remon-chan is bright and adorable. Sure, she has her quirks, and the fact that she even got into Tsuwabuki High is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the school, but still."
Yanami nodded to herself as if convincing herself of the truth.
"Bright and adorable, after all."
I see. Well, if that's the case, I can't argue. She is bright and adorable.
I glanced down at today's bento. Inside the basket are two portions: rice balls, sausages, karaage, broccoli, and other straightforward ingredients, all neatly packed with toothpicks for easy sharing.
Yeah, this setup makes it easy to share. But more importantly-
"...Why didn't we just do this from the start?"
"Right? This is clearly the way to go, isn't it?"
Yanami murmured, equally puzzled.
"Yeah, this is the right answer."
I agreed, picking up a rice ball. What was all that effort before for, anyway?
Hand-folded bento boxes, rice falling apart mid-bite, omelet rice devoured in an instant... Memories of past lunchtime disasters flashed through my mind like a montage. Not all of them were the bento's fault, though.
"More importantly, Nukumizu-kun, about that training camp you mentioned earlier. It sounds like it's going to be fun."
"I don't know about that. They said we would be locked in a room to write, so I'm not sure how fun it will actually be."
As I peacefully chewed on my rice ball, the crunchy texture made me glance down. The filling is none other than the pride of the Mikawa region: pickled cucumber slices.
"An overnight trip, huh? So, the girls going are Tsukinoki-senpai and Komari-chan?"
"Yeah. And for the guys, it's just me and Tamaki-senpai."
Yanami started fiddling with her smartphone, searching for something.
"There's a beach nearby, too. My swimsuit from last year should still be fine."
"Wait, swimsuits are something you replace every year?"
Also, are you planning on coming as well?
"Well, not necessarily every year, but don't you want to see a new one?"
"Not necessarily every year, but don't you want to see a new one?"
"Want to see one? I mean... didn't you just buy a new swimsuit this year?"
"Huh? What are you talking about, Nukumizu-kun? I didn't."
Yanami stepped back slightly, her face twitching.
"Uh... that's kinda gross...or, actually, super gross, maybe?"
She just called me gross twice. Twice.
"No, I mean the one we all got. We're first-years, so we did that group order for the school-designated swimsuits, remember?"
"...Oh, that."
Yanami nodded in understanding for a moment but then shook her head with a disappointed look.
"Using a school-designated swimsuit at the beach is a bit much. Honestly, underwear would be better."
"Wait, is it really that bad?"
Does this mean they wear such embarrassing outfits during class?
"It's bad, and honestly, Nukumizu-kun, even knowing I misunderstood earlier, that comment was a one-strike-you're-out level of gross."
That's three times she has called me gross now. I need to change the subject before she makes a tally mark.
"So, the training camp is overnight, so it will take up the whole weekend. Are you okay with your schedule?"
"Well... About that... I ran into my aunt on the way home yesterday."
Yanami suddenly lowered her gaze and spoke in a somber tone.
"Your aunt?"
"Yeah. You know, Sosuke's mom. Sosuke and I are childhood friends, so our families are close."
Oh great, here comes another complicated story.
"She said, 'I haven't seen you coming to pick him up in the mornings lately. What's going on?' Heh, it's funny, right? He has a girlfriend now, so it would be weird for me to be waking him up."
"Y-Yeah, I guess."
"And then she asked me, 'Did you and Sosuke have a fight or something?' It reminded me of how we used to fight over the stupidest things when we were kids."
Yanami stared off into the distance, her gaze following the drifting clouds.
"...If it had just been a fight, at least we could've made up."
Please stop bringing up topics that are hard to respond to.
"So, because our parents misunderstood and thought Sosuke and I had a fight, they are planning a surprise BBQ this weekend. Together."
Yanami leaned in closer, her eyes pleading.
"That's why I'm begging you! Take me to the beach!"
She's saying stuff straight out of a 20th-century drama.
"No, you don't have to go that far. Why not just go hang out somewhere else?"
"You're underestimating my dad's BBQ obsession! He'll keep grilling until I come home, no matter how late it gets!"
"Uh, then maybe you could just stay over at a friend's house?"
"Staying at a friend's house means we would have to talk about romance, or the vibe would get super awkward. Unlike you, I don't want to lose friends, okay?"
How casually rude. Also, I don't even have friends to lose.
While I was struggling to come up with a way to refuse her, Yanami stared at me with a suspicious side-eye.
"Hey, are you trying to find a way to stop me from coming?"
"No, of course not. Look, you could just explain the situation to a friend and ask for their help."
Hearing this, Yanami frowned as if troubled.
"...How do I put it? I don't want to drag my friends into anything related to Sosuke."
"Ah, so you haven't mentioned any of this to them?"
"There's no need to bring it up, right? My friends probably know but are tactfully avoiding the subject. So, I just act normal."
Squinting as if the sunlight were too bright, Yanami added softly,
"You might not realize it, but I'm considerate too, you know?"
"You could stand to show me a little consideration, too."
I couldn't help but retort, to which Yanami muttered quietly,
"Well... there aren't many people I can talk about stuff like this with except you, Nukumizu-kun."
"...Uh, um. Okay."
I feel like she has said something similar before.
At this point, turning her down would feel heartless. Resigned, I pulled out my phone.
"I'll ask senpai, but...Yanami-san, you're not a club member, right?"
"I'll join! I'll join right now, so could you give me Tsukinoki-senpai's contact info? I'll ask her myself."
"I only know the group LINE for the club. Even if I wanted to share it, I don't know your LINE ID."
Yanami blinked at me, confused.
"Just add me from the class group chat."
Ah, the class group chat. The class…
"Wait, there's something like that?"
"...Hmm?"
Yanami went silent for a moment. Then, as if something had just dawned on her, she awkwardly glanced down at her phone.
"Uh... sorry about that. Um, how should I put it..."
Her eyes darted nervously.
"But, you know, this kind of thing feels...very Nukumizu-kun-like, doesn't it? Like, part of your charm or something."
What kind of consolation is that? "Charm" isn't some magical word you can just throw around to fix everything.
"It's fine. I don't mind that much. I only just started using LINE recently anyway."
"R-Right! It's just part of your individuality! So, how about we exchange IDs? Do you know how to do that?"
"Leave it to me. There's that shaky-shaky thing we do, right?"
When I joined the Literature Club group chat, I had no idea what I was doing and ended up handing my phone over to Tsukinoki-senpai to sort it out. But now, I've looked it up online. I've got this.
"What's that? There's no such thing."
"Huh?"
No such thing? What happened to shaky-shaky? Where did it go?
"Here, just pull up your QR code."
…Wait, how do I even do that? As I hesitated, Yanami grabbed my phone and started fiddling with it without asking.
"Alright, I've sent you a request. Just hit accept."
"Oh, uh, yeah. So that adds the other person to my contacts?"
"Exactly. Now, Nukumizu-kun, invite me to the Literature Club group."
As I nervously finished the process, Yanami nodded in satisfaction.
"By the way, how did you and Remon-chan get so close?"
Yanami casually asked as she counted the remaining karaage with a toothpick.
"Do we really look that close?"
"Well, she even gave you a nickname."
Nukkun, huh. Honestly, I feel like it just popped into her head while I was half unconscious in the gym storage room, and somehow, it stuck. Anyway, if I think about my connection to Remon Yakishio…
"Well, remember the guy who showed up in the nurse's office? Mitsuki Ayano from Class D."
"Oh, the guy Remon-chan was shooting her love beams at? He was pretty good-looking, wasn't he?"
"Ayano mentioned wanting to borrow a book from the Literature Club, and Yakishio was the one who acted as a go-between."
"Hmm~"
Yanami muttered as she tossed the remaining karaage and broccoli into her mouth.
"Hey, should I start calling you Nukkun too?"
Huh? Why would you do that?
"50 yen a day."
I averted my gaze from Yanami's sparkling eyes.
"I'm fine. I don't need it."
...Kaju, is this what they call an optional extra?
*
The fifth period ended. I wandered the hallway, avoiding people, trying to kill time during the break.
Once the next class is over, I'll have to head to the clubroom to discuss tomorrow's training camp. If I recall correctly, Ayano and Yakishio are supposed to join the discussion as well. Things have gotten unexpectedly busy. I kind of miss the quiet days of last week.
I stepped out of the school building. The faucet by the field is usually swarmed with students after gym class.
Today, however, I casually turned the tap without anyone around. During the pool season, this faucet became a hidden gem, wholly deserted. The distance from the classrooms, the fact it's outdoors, and the unique sense of purpose it offers sets it apart from other sinks.
The faintly earthy taste of the water is oddly refreshing. After taking a sip of the lukewarm water and wiping my mouth, I looked up-
And locked eyes with a familiar face doing the exact same thing in front of me.
"N-Nukumizu? What are y-you doing here?"
At the opposite faucet is Chika Komari, sipping the same water. She looks genuinely annoyed by my presence.
"I was thirsty, so I came to grab a drink."
"W-Wait, you came a-all the way out here just for t-that?"
Komari shot me a look of disbelief. What's with her? She's kind of irritating.
"You're one to talk. You're probably wandering around drinking water because you don't feel like staying in the classroom."
"S-Shut up. I...I'm doing this as p-part of my research. Y-You know, like studying the school's f-faucets or something!"
Research, huh? I smirked inwardly. Does she even know who she's talking to?
"Komari. Just so you know, I take my knowledge of this school's water supply very seriously. If you're going to claim that, I hope you have some well-thought-out insights to back it up."
"T-Then, tell me: which f-fountain did you drink from this m-morning?"
Komari's gaze turned sharp and serious. Thus began the grand battle of Water Fountain Chronicles.
"For the first and second periods, I mainly stick to the east side of the fourth floor, by the third-year classrooms."
"A-And why is that?"
"Here's the thing: throughout the school, the water left in the pipes during those hours is from the day before. That water has lower chlorine content, and in summer, it hasn't had time to heat up yet. In short, you can enjoy water in optimal condition from the fourth floor in the morning."
Komari let out a small gasp as if impressed.
"The closer the water source is to the tank, the better the quality. However, freshness comes at the cost of a stronger chlorine smell. This balance of freshness and faint chlorine is a rare find, only available at this time of day."
As I finished my explanation, I confidently ran a hand through my hair. Perfect.
But just as I was savoring my imminent victory, Komari flashed a mischievous grin, showing off her teeth.
"H-Heh, how s-shallow."
"What? What's that supposed to mean?"
"T-The east side of the f-fourth floor. Y-You drink it b-before or d-during lunch on p-purpose."
Lunchtime? That's absurd. Higher floors are unsuitable for drinking water at later hours.
"Why? By lunch, the chlorine smell is stronger, and the water's lukewarm."
"Amateur… w-warmer water is gentler on the stomach."
Komari's smug expression radiated confidence. Despite the sinking feeling I had, I couldn't give up yet.
"Why? But the chlorine smell is still-"
"O-On the contrary, y-you get used to the chlorine smell…"
"Get used to it?"
Why would anyone want to get used to the smell of chlorine just before lunch? Wait, don't tell me-
"T-To…make the smell of the r-restroom...less n-noticeable."
"Eek!?'
Oh no. That's something I didn't want to know.
"At least go to the club room!"
"U-Using the clubroom at lunch is p-prohibited. People were s-skipping class to h-hang out there..."
So, someone's little act of laziness caused this kind of sadness?
"Komari. Why don't you come to eat lunch where I do?"
"Ueh!?"
What's with that reaction? She's as rude as ever.
"I'm not saying we should eat together. The emergency stairs in the old building are quiet and comfortable. You could eat on a different floor than me."
"I-I'll think about it."
Komari avoided eye contact and hurried off. Well, she's still a bit prickly, but I think she's gotten a little more comfortable since we first met. After all, we just had an entire conversation without using our phones.
Shit, the next class is starting.
Following Komari, I quickly dashed back into the school building.
*
That afternoon, after school, in the club room.
Mitsuki Ayano, who had come along with Yakishio, picked up the final volume of the collected works of Kobo Abe.
"Seeing it all together like this is impressive. Which one should I borrow?"
Watching him, Tsukinoki-senpai folded her arms in satisfaction. Welcoming not only Yanami as a new member but also Ayano and Yakishio as visitors, senpai was clearly in high spirits.
"Don't hold back. Borrow as many as you like."
"Have you read all of these, senpai?"
Ayano, while flipping through the catalog, ran his finger along the spines of the books.
"I've only read
"That's...literally the opening of the whole thing, isn't it?"
Taking it as a joke, Ayano laughed and pulled a book from the shelf.
"Alright, I'll borrow volume 12 for today."
Standing behind him, Yakishio peeked curiously at the book in Ayano's hands.
"Mitsuki, if you start in the middle, won't the story not make sense? Shouldn't you borrow volume 1 first?"
She came out with this.
"Huh? Oh, nah, it's fine. This isn't the kind of series where the whole thing is one continuous story."
"Oh, really? So it's not like
"Yeah, it's a bit different. This volume has a play I've been wanting to read for a while."
This guy knows how to handle Yakishio. Though there's still the lingering question of Asagumo-san, these two unexpectedly seem like a good match.
I shifted my attention to Yanami. Wearing a paper crown labeled "New Member", she's cheerfully munching on Pocky while humming. She seems pretty pleased with how her hosting efforts have gone.
"By the way, Ayano-kun. Are you interested in joining the Literature Club?"
Tsukinoki-senpai finally made her move, inviting him in with perfect timing.
"I am curious, but...I'm busy with cram school, and I would feel bad if I couldn't contribute to club activities."
"Oh, not at all. Not at all. You could just come by to borrow books whenever you feel like it. We'll leave all the club work to Nukumizu-kun, and you can treat the bookshelf as your personal library. On top of that-"
Tsukinoki-senpai's glasses gleamed suspiciously.
"Our club has a tradition of providing the school's library committee members. We've got connections to influence new book acquisitions."
"Wait, seriously?"
"Seriously, seriously."
"Well, I'll think about it then."
I can't tell what he's honestly thinking, but he seems interested. Holding the club recruitment flyer, he began reading it with curiosity.
"Why don't you join, too, along with your cute girlfriend?"
Now, she's going after both of them as a pair. Tsukinoki-senpai shifted her attention to Yakishio.
"Eh!? M-Me? Are you calling me his girlfriend? My my, that's quite flattering~"
Yakishio cheerfully accepted the flyer, clearly in a good mood.
"But I'm already in the Track and Field Club, so it might be tough for me."
"Oh, we totally welcome dual memberships! In fact, all our members are in more than one club."
Wait, seriously? What kind of club did I even join?
"If you ever want to skip track practice, you can use us as an excuse. Like, 'Oh no, the club president made me come!' or something."
That's practically the devil's whisper. Tsukinoki-senpai os wearing an extremely mischievous grin.
"See? A fun school life is all about using what's available to you. Right, Ayano-kun? You would like it too if you got to spend more time with your girlfriend, wouldn't you?"
"Huh? Mitsuki, would you like that too?"
Yakishio leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. Hey, shouldn't you be denying the whole "girlfriend" thing right about now?
"Haha, I would feel bad for Remon. We're not dating or anything."
Ayano carefully placed the book he borrowed into his bag as if to close the topic.
"Huh, really?"
"She has been pretty popular ever since we were kids, so someone like me doesn't stand a chance."
Ayano said this with a refreshing smile as he slung his bag over his shoulder.
"Well, I'll borrow this for now. I'll come back on a day I don't have cram school-"
"I don't have a boyfriend or anything! And just because I'm popular doesn't mean I'm okay with anyone!"
Yakishio interrupted him, grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer. Ayano blinked in surprise, his eyes meeting her tanned face with a hint of confusion.
"I-I see... Sorry, did I say something weird?"
"It's not that, but... um, I... sorry."
Tsukinoki-senpai, noticing the strange tension between the two, looked back and forth at them before blurting out-
"Huh. Even if you're not dating, you still kinda give off that vibe."
She just had to say something unnecessary. Is this senpai a secret airhead?
"Huh? W-W-W-We aren't like that at all!"
"No, really, we're not. Besides, I have a girlfriend."
With those casual words from Ayano, Yakishio's flustered, bashful smile froze entirely in an instant.
"Huh? What's wrong, everyone?"
Ayano looked puzzled.
Clatter. The clubroom door opened.
"G-Good after-"
Komari peeked inside, glanced around the room-
Bam. Then, she immediately closed the door and fled.
"Remon. Did I say something weird again?"
"Uh, um, Mitsuki. You...got a girlfriend...?"
Somehow, Yakishio managed to reboot herself and force out the words.
"Oh, yeah, just recently. I guess I hadn't told you yet, Remon. I'll introduce her to you some time."
Mitsuki Ayano scratched his cheek sheepishly, giving a slight bow.
"Ayano, hold on a sec. Is your girlfriend by any chance Asagumo-san?"
I had to ask just to confirm.
"Figured it out, huh? Yeah, that's right. I'll properly introduce her to you next time, Nukumizu."
He flashed his usual refreshing smile before turning back to Yakishio.
"Well then, Remon, shall we go?"
"Huh?"
"You wanted me to go shopping with you, right? There's still some time before cram school."
Ayano's innocent eyes sparkled. Wait, is this guy the dense type?
"Uh, um, I mean...something suddenly came up. Yeah, I decided to join the Literature Club, so I thought I would stay here for a bit."
"Oh, I see. Well, then, I'll head out first."
With a polite bow, Ayano left the room. ...Now, what do I do about this awkward atmosphere?
In the eternal silence that followed, Yakishio looked ready to collapse. Panicking, I quickly pulled a chair over for her.
Just in time, she sat down, only to hold out her hand toward me.
"Uh, what?"
"The club registration form. Hand it over."
While scribbling her name on the form, Yakishio muttered to herself.
"So... Mitsuki... has a girlfriend all along, huh... haha... What have I even been doing all this time...?"
Yeah, probably just running in circles. Not that I would say that out loud.
Yanami plopped the "New Member" crown on Yakishio's head with a soft thud.
"Well, uh... for now, good job."
"...Yeah. I'm...so done."
Yakishio wrapped her arms around Yanami's waist and buried her face in her stomach.
Before the sound of her sniffles reached my ears, I grabbed Tsukinoki-senpai and pulled her out of the clubroom.
"...Um, did I do something wrong?"
It seemed she had finally caught up with the situation as she glanced nervously back at the room.
"Yes, you did. Please reflect on this deeply."
With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and opened my notes.
"Anyway, about tomorrow's training camp. I've looked up the train and bus schedules, so I'll send them to the group chat later. We're meeting at the Aidaimae Station gate, right?"
"Yeah, but, hey, Nukumizu-kun."
"I'll also send everyone a final list of what to bring. Oh, and since we haven't heard back from Prez, could you double-check with him just in case?"
"Nukumizu-kun, hold on. I mean, you know, a lot just happened in the clubroom, didn't it? Maybe we should talk about that first?"
"Didn't you just crash straight into it instead of easing the situation, senpai?"
"...Ugh, you're pretty blunt, huh?"
Well, it's just a feeling, but I think this is the kind of person who needs things spelled out plainly.
"I'll stick around here and keep an eye on things, so feel free to go wherever else-"
Huh. Komari peeked out from behind a corner in the hallway, half her face visible. Is she curious about what's happening over here?
"Senpai, could you do something about Komari, please?"
"Got it. I'm good at this. Leave it to me."
Tsukinoki-senpai wiggled her fingers as she approached Komari. Startled, Komari bolted. Senpai gave chase.
Ah, what a hassle. Being a loner isn't just about passively avoiding people, it's an active choice to keep your distance from trouble.
Leaning against the wall, I stared at my phone, and a message from Yanami popped up.
She wanted to know if I wanted to grab tea on the way home. Well, she could do whatever she wanted, but why did she invite me?
I was about to decline when her follow-up message made me do a double-take.
The place she suggested is a family restaurant a bit farther from the school, the same one where Yanami had just been rejected a few days ago.
*
"Welcome! Please sit wherever you like!"
The cheerful voice of a staff member greeted us as we stepped inside the familiar family restaurant. Nothing about the interior seems any different from usual. The three of us had walked 20 minutes from school to reach this family restaurant in the neighboring town.
Yanami plopped down on a sofa seat and patted the spot next to her.
"Remon-chan, sit here."
"Yeah, thanks."
Yakishio obediently sat down, her demeanor oddly subdued. She might have had a better chance with Ayano if she had always been this reserved.
"Yana-chan, I didn't know there was a place like this around here."
"Right? There aren't many Tsuwabuki students here, so it's a hidden gem."
I found myself staring at Yanami as she cheerfully browsed the dessert menu.
...This is the same restaurant where she got dumped by Sosuke Hakamada. What's up with her unbreakable mental fortitude? Who brings a friend they are trying to cheer up to the very place where they themselves were rejected?
"What's wrong, Nukumizu-kun? You're not even looking at the menu."
"It's just this place…"
Yanami tilted her head in confusion.
"N-No, it's nothing. By the way, we're each paying for our own food, okay?"
"Of course, Nukumizu-kun."
Well, if she's okay with it, then so be it. Yanami pressed the call button for service.
"Talking about money in front of a heartbroken girl? That's pretty tactless, don't you think? Remon-chan, today's on us."
Having Yanami lecture me about tact felt...odd. Also, she casually included me in "us" without asking.
"Fine. We'll split the cost of Yakishio-san's meal between me and Yanami-san."
"Eh, but I feel bad…"
"Think of it as a celebration for joining the Literature Club. Order whatever you like."
"Remon-chan, just lean on us today!"
After saying that, Yanami tilted her head, suddenly curious.
"...Wait a minute. I joined the club today, too."
"For you, Yanami-san, we'll celebrate another time. Oh, excuse me, we're ready to order."
There's no way spoiling her will lead to anything good. And as if to prove me right, she ordered a hamburger from the dessert menu, of all things.
"Oh, and make the rice a regular size, please."
"Yanami-san, are you sure you'll be okay eating that before dinner?"
"Don't you know? Sweets are the mortal enemy of dieting."
How exactly is eating a hamburger before dinner diet-friendly?
Yakishio pointed at the dessert menu.
"Then I'll have the Black Thunder Parfait."
"What's that? I want one too for after my meal!"
Yanami immediately added the same parfait to her order. I guess sweets aren't her enemy after all.
"Also, we'll take a large serving of fries and three drink bar passes. Oh, and Yanami-san, you're paying for your own meal."
This is important, so I'll keep repeating it.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Nukumizu-kun, this is why you don't have any friends."
I watched as the two of them walked off together toward the drink bar.
Yanami seems back to her usual self. That's reassuring, but it also feels a bit anticlimactic.
In the end, I spent the next hour listening to their grumbling while watching Yanami effortlessly devour her hamburger.
Still, by the time we left, Yakishio had started smiling again every now and then, so I guess it wasn't a complete waste of time.
"Yakishio-san, we'll take care of the bill, so could you wait outside for us?"
While waiting in line at the register, I sent Yakishio ahead. Yanami looked at me with mild surprise.
"Oh, Nukumizu-kun, that was actually pretty thoughtful of you."
"It's nothing special. Besides, you've got to be nice to the makeines-"
…Hm? Did I just say something dangerous because I let my guard down?
"Uh, you know, make…"
"Make what, exactly? Hey, tell me."
"You know, um... McCain! Like that guy, McCain!"
"Your friend?"
As if.
"I mean, that famous American politician."
"Why are you suddenly bringing that up?"
Good question.
I glanced around for something to bail me out and noticed a poster on the wall advertising an American Burger Fair. Following my gaze, Yanami clapped her hands together in understanding.
"Ah, I see! So, next time, we're eating burgers, right? Okay, I'm looking forward to it!"
In other words, she's implying I should pay next time, too. But if it can erase my slip of the tongue, I suppose I don't have much of a choice.
When my turn came at the register, I handed the receipt to the cashier.
"Hey, Nukumizu-kun, speaking of which, we never settled up for lunch today, right?"
"Oh, that's right. Uh, how about 500 yen? It was good, after all."
"Got it! 500 yen, received!"
Yanami beamed, clasping her hands together happily.
Okay, so the remaining balance was 2,367 yen, and today's lunch was 500 yen... right, that leaves 1,867 yen.
Incidentally, the total bill here at the register already far surpasses her remaining debt.
"Seriously, this isn't me treating you. Yanami-san, you still owe me money."
"Geez, you're so persistent. Like I've been saying, this is exactly why you don't have friends, Nukumizu-kun. Oh, by the way, I have a T-Point card!"
"Fine. I'll cover half of what Yakishio-san ate and my share. I've got just enough."
I laid out some coins on the tray.
"Alright. So, for the rest..."
Yanami opened her wallet- and then suddenly froze.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
Surely she's not out of money, right? Even Yanami wouldn't pull something that absurd... right? That would just make her a complete idiot.
Yanami's body began trembling slightly, almost imperceptibly.
"Don't tell me you're out of money..."
Yanami lifted her face, her eyes glistening with tears, and looked straight at me.
"Um, Nukumizu-kun…"
Is this girl…really just…an idiot?
Without a word, I handed her a 1,000-yen bill.
Intermission: Sensei Will Tell You What's Really Bugging You
"...But didn't they give off kind of a couple-y vibe earlier?"
"Ha?" (x2)
Late at night, in the nurse's office. The school nurse, Sayo Konuki, is jotting something down in her notebook while listening to voices through her earbuds.
"You know, Remon-chan, I can't help but feel like we're kindred spirits. I'm rooting for you."
"Thanks! That really cheers me up!"
After drawing a circle around Nukumizu's name in the center of the page, she connected it with lines to Yakishio's and Yanami's names.
"...A love triangle, huh?"
That day, the secret smartphone recording had been discovered, but they hadn't noticed the voice recorder.
Now then, how should this conversation be interpreted?
Despite the love triangle, the two girls seemed to get along quite well. While parts of their conversation were unclear, there was no sense of tension or rivalry between them.
Given that, the possible explanations might be as follows:
One. Nukumizu and Yakishio are sneaking around behind Yanami's back, enjoying the thrill of getting as close to being caught as possible.
Two. Yanami is fully aware and has given her approval, allowing Yakishio to join in on the fun.
Konuki twirled her pen and added another possibility to the list:
Three. Rather than being unaware, Yanami takes pleasure in silently observing their infidelity.
As soon as she finished writing, Konuki shivered.
(What even is this? That's way too advanced…!)
That Nukumizu guy- despite his unassuming appearance, he's a surprisingly skilled player.
Back when she was a student, Konuki's "wildest" moments involved juggling two or three relationships and dealing with the ensuing drama. To think that a mere first-year is already venturing into such a higher realm.
"I'm getting old..."
The air conditioner groaned loudly as Konuki leaned back against her chair, letting her thoughts drift. As she stared at the ceiling, a faint sound of sand being kicked reached her ears.
During the day, it would have been drowned out by the usual noise, but now it was unmistakable. Konuki straightened up, her teacher instincts kicking in. If there's still a student lingering on school grounds at this hour, she has to step in.
Peering out the window, she saw the darkened school grounds. A female student in a uniform was crouched in a starting position. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, she sprang forward and began running, her figure almost melting into the darkness. For a moment, Konuki found herself captivated by the graceful sight.
"You there. What are you doing at this hour?"
Having hurried out in her house slippers, Konuki found herself staring in surprise when she saw the girl up close. Is this a coincidence?
"Ara, ara, it's you from the other day."
"Oh, sensei. What are you doing here so late?"
The girl responded with an innocent expression, then continued cheerfully,
"It's Friday night, you know."
"...Teachers have their own reasons."
No way could Konuki admit she had been checking her recorded data on a Friday night.
"Besides, shouldn't I be the one asking you that? It's already past 9 PM."
"I just felt like running all of a sudden. I skipped club practice today."
The girl pulled a sports drink from her bag and took a long gulp.
"Alright, it's time for you to head home. Or should I walk you part of the way?"
"Sensei, can I run one last 100 meters?"
"You're still going to run?"
Konuki gave a wry smile, but the girl simply flashed a bright and cheerful grin in return.
"I feel like I can run even better this time."
She gazed ahead into the night toward the unseen goal. Her sweat was left unwiped.
"I feel like I'm about to grasp something."
If Konuki had something she could throw herself into with this much passion at that age, would her youth have been different?
"Fine. Go ahead, run."
Not that she regretted the choices she made, of course.
"But only if you give it your all."
It's just that the girl in front of her shone far too brightly.
The tanned girl responded with her biggest smile of the night.
"Of course!"