Chapter 3: It's Too Soon to Say Goodbye
The morning of the Tsuwabuki Festival. I hurried toward the student council room. I need to submit the post-setup venue photos before it starts.
Catching my breath, I opened the door to the student council room.
"Excuse me."
"Eek!?"
Inside the room, a girl in a maid outfit with cat ears froze in place, her face twitching.
…This is the student council room, right?
Looking closely, the cat-eared maid is the first-year vice president, Tiara Basori.
"W-What is it with you, barging in like that!?"
"Uh, I just have something I need to submit."
Then, a white arm reached out from behind her, wrapping around Tiara-san as if embracing her.
It's Shikiya-san, dressed in a miniskirt nurse outfit.
"Tiara-chan… remember the ending… meow… okay…?"
"Huh!? Even if it's a senior's order, t-that much is just-"
Shikiya-san leaned limply against Tiara-san.
"You don't like… Prez's… idea…?"
"T-That's not what I meant! But is Prez really going to wear a costume too? She never said a single-"
"You doubt… Prez?"
"Of course not! I'll do it too!"
"...Meow."
"I'll do it, meow!"
Tiara-san turned bright red and shouted, almost in desperation.
...I really wish they had sorted this kind of exchange out beforehand.
As I stood there frozen, Tiara-san awkwardly turned her face toward me with a stiff creak.
"S-So, what did you bring… meow?"
Her ears were flushed red, her gaze downcast, and she was trembling slightly.
"Um, the post-setup venue photos. Are these okay?"
"Yes, I have received them."
"Tiara-chan…?"
"I have received them, meow!"
What am I even watching?
Ah, the cat maid outfit even has a tail. I wonder how the base of that tail is attached…
Just as I was lost in thought and about to leave the room-
"Boy…"
Shikiya-san called out to me in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz.
"Uh, yes?"
Resting her chin on Tiara-san's shoulder, Shikiya-san looked at me with her pale eyes.
"I'll come by... later..."
*
The Literature Club's exhibit is in a classroom on the second floor of the west building.
When I returned from the student council room, Komari was standing alone near the wall.
"Y-You're late, Nukumizu. I-It's about to start."
Her sharp tongue is a sign that she is feeling fine. Relieved, I checked the time, 10 minutes before it starts. I stood beside Komari and looked over the exhibit.
"Komari, you came pretty early this morning, didn't you?"
"T-Tsukinoki-senpai drove me here."
"So where did the important seniors go?"
"T-The third-years have a grade-wide a-assembly this morning."
Now that she mentions it, they did say something about listening to a graduation prep lecture. Kinda rough, considering it's the school festival.
Yanami and Yakishio are busy with class duties, so for a while, it will be just Komari and me.
"Well, we have finished prepping, so the two of us should be fine."
Komari gave a small nod and fidgeted with her fingers, her expression somewhere between embarrassed and annoyed.
"N-Nukumizu."
"Hm? What is it?"
"U-Um, well, t-thank you…"
"...Huh?"
Did she just... thank me?
"F-For turning what I w-wrote into such a w-wonderful display."
A straightforward Komari like this is rare. I scratched my cheek to hide my embarrassment.
"If you're going to thank anyone, thank Asagumo-san- uh, Yakishio's friend. She came up with the layout."
"I-I see. But, for printing e-everything so nicely-"
"That was my friend and Prez. They handled all the printing. Amazing, right?"
Komari tilted her head.
"...A-And the classroom d-decorations?"
"That was Tsukinoki-senpai's idea. Yanami-san and Yakishio were the ones who got everyone to help."
"L-Let me compliment you at l-least a little."
Komari looked up at me from under her bangs, glaring.
"Eh, what? You want to compliment me? Go ahead, don't hold back. Shower me with praise."
"...G-Go die."
Weren't you just about to compliment me?
A quiet corner of the west school building. We stood there, saying nothing, gazing around the classroom.
"Yanami-san said she has some free time this afternoon, so she'll take over for a bit."
Komari gave a slight nod.
"A-And the seniors… t-they will come o-once the assembly is over."
"Yeah. That's right."
…We have already run out of things to talk about. But the silence isn't especially awkward either.
Just as I was thinking that, static crackled from the wall speaker.
"Good morning, everyone. This is the Tsuwabuki High School Student Council."
That mature-sounding voice... It's the student council president.
Maybe it's just human nature to instinctively glance at the speaker.
"Are your exhibits all ready? Today, we are expecting many visitors from outside the school. Our school's motto is "Self-reliance and Self-respect." Please remember that each of you represents Tsuwabuki High, and behave in a way that won't bring shame."
The formal greeting is oddly reassuring.
I had started thinking the student council was full of weirdos, but it seems Prez is actually sane.
At our first meeting, she was a little airheaded, but she's still the student council president-
"...Wasn't that a bit too high and mighty? Maybe I should've gone with the original version after all."
"It's fine... no one's… listening anyway…"
"Prez, your mic's still on! Please continue, meow!"
…What is this?
There's a rustling sound from the other side of the mic. Then, as if trying to recover, Prez's voice echoed again.
"Now then, we hereby declare the 98th Tsuwabuki Festival open!"
A moment later, cheers and applause echoed faintly in the distance.
Komari and I glanced at each other, then clapped our hands somewhat hesitantly.
And just like that, our Tsuwabuki Fest began.
*
15 minutes since opening.
Aside from the Tsuwabuki student who walked by with some bags, not a single person has passed.
Perhaps feeling restless, Komari hung her head and nervously picked at her nails.
An empty classroom, combined with the quiet, feels oddly vast and lonely.
Next to each of the four displays sits a basket of snacks and a stamp pad.
Near the entrance, we have stacked the club magazines, but will anyone actually take one?
And wait, when did those Dazai and Mishima posters go up...?
"The west building's all the way at the edge of the venue. I don't think anyone's gonna come right away."
"I-Is that how it is…?"
"So let's just relax and wait. We're giving cookies to kids under elementary school age, so if they have a stamp card-"
As I rummaged in my pocket, I noticed a boy, around 5 years old, peeking in from the entrance and staring straight at us.
I handed him a stamp card with the smile I had practiced last night.
"Here, if you collect all the stamps on this, you'll get some candy. Think you can stamp it nicely?"
The boy took the card and dashed into the classroom. A woman who seemed to be his mother gave us a polite nod and followed after him.
Their visit didn't even last three minutes. Our first guest clutched his cookies like treasure and ran out.
I handed Komari a stamp card as she waved to the boy.
"Komari, keep the stickers with the cards too."
"S-Stickers?"
"For the cards of kids who got snacks, we stick a sticker on them. So we don't forget who we gave them to."
Komari frowned as she took the stickers.
"W-Why Pokemon…?"
"Yakishio said they are popular with kids."
She said, "I like them too, so I know it will work." She's probably right.
So far, that made two guests. I marked it down with tally strokes in the notebook.
After that, people trickled in now and then, and soon we had two full tally marks.
"T-The kid earlier... h-he was reading the a-article on picture books."
"And he even bought one of the egg pancakes."
Excited, I flipped a 100-yen coin into the air. The silver coin sparkled under the fluorescent light-
"Y-You dropped it and l-lost it? W-What are you doing?"
"Don't rub it in. I thought it rolled off somewhere around here..."
A few minutes later, after pulling another 100-yen coin from my wallet, I asked what had been on my mind.
"Komari, you're handling visitors just fine. I thought you weren't good at that."
"I-If it's kids, I'm k-kinda okay."
Taking the coin from me, Komari placed it into the cash box.
"I have a little sister in second year of middle school, so I'm okay with kids too."
"S-Second year? T-That's barely any d-different from you."
"To me, she's the same as when she was five. She's still my little sister."
...Seems like the flow of guests has already dried up.
As I relaxed and let my guard down, a tall girl appeared at the classroom entrance.
"A collaboration between literature and food, huh. Quite the creative concept."
The student council president, Hibari Hokobaru.
Her long hair flowing, she stepped into the classroom.
"Mind if I come in? I would like to have a look."
"Ah, sure. Is this an inspection?"
"You're honest. I don't mind if you think of it that way."
Prez gave a soft chuckle.
Huh, now that I notice it, she's in her school uniform. I thought she was going to wear a costume. Did she change her mind?
"...A well-done exhibit."
Prez, arms crossed as she observed the display, murmured to herself.
"If I had time, I would like to read it all, but my schedule is quite packed. I'll take one of these."
She picked up a bag of cookies.
"Ah, yes. That will be one hundred yen."
As I took her money, I glanced up to read her expression.
"Is there something on my face?"
"No, um… I just thought the student council was kind of strict with the Literature Club, so it's a bit surprising."
"...You're not aware, are you?"
The atmosphere around Prez shifted. Even Komari, who had been keeping her presence quiet, shrank back in fear.
"The Literature Club has caused trouble multiple times in the past. If anything happens again-"
Prez fixed me with a cold gaze.
"Disbanded… is that it?"
Gulp. I swallowed hard without meaning to.
Prez, about to nod, furrowed her brows slightly.
"Disbanded, huh? That might be a bit too harsh. How about something like provisional disbandment?"
"Uh, what exactly is a provisional disbandment?"
"I'm not quite sure myself, but after about three of those, you're probably out. Probably."
…She's intense in her own way, too.
As I stood there confused, the classroom door suddenly burst open with a bang. A cat-eared maid charged in.
“Your inspection schedule is all filled up, meow! We have to get to the next- huh!?"
Looks like she finally noticed I was here. Tiara-san's face turned bright red.
"W-What are you doing here, meow!?"
"Uh, this is the Literature Club's exhibit room."
"O-Oh… is that so, meow?"
Yes. Yes, it is.
Forcing herself into a serious expression, Tiara-san quickly looked around, then grabbed Prez's hand and led her toward the exit.
"Well then, pardon the intrusion, meow. Prez, next is the Astronomy Club, meow."
"Yes, yes. Understood. Then, I'll take my leave."
Their voices echoed down the hallway as they walked away.
"By the way, Prez, when will you be wearing your costume, meow?"
"Me? No, there were no such plans."
"Meow!? But Shikiya-senpai said you would be dressing as a prince, meow!?"
...Well, I don't really get it, but it seems like Tiara-san has gotten used to her new dialect. That's good, I guess.
Now that I think about it, Shikiya-san wasn't there. Hopefully, she hasn't collapsed somewhere-
"A fine… exhibit…"
I don't know when she got there, but a nurse-outfitted Shikiya-san emerged slowly from the shadows.
Komari let out a scream and bolted.
"You were there the whole time? Prez already left, you know."
Shikiya-san quietly held out a 100-yen coin.
"Give me... the cutest one..."
Uh, I guess that means she wants a snack. And it has to be the cutest one.
When I handed her a mini pancake, Shikiya-san gave a small nod.
"Very cute... Excellent..."
"I'm glad you like it. Now then, the exit is that way."
But Shikiya-san didn't leave. She just stood there, swaying gently.
As always, her nurse outfit is low-cut, and I don't know where to look.
Well... I mean... It's not like I can not see it if it's right there…
"Come to think of it, Prez's wearing her uniform. I guess she's not doing a costume?"
Shikiya-senpai's usually expressionless lips moved ever so slightly.
"Senpai, did you, by any chance, trick the Vice Prez?"
"Tiara-chan... so easily fooled… she's adorable…"
Leaving only those words behind, Shikiya-san drifted out of the room.
…Alright, she's finally gone.
Looking around for Komari, I found her in the corner of the room, fiddling with a puzzle ring.
"I thought you were used to Shikiya-senpai by now."
"I-It's just, s-she startled me."
Tears welled in Komari's eyes as she looked up at me.
"A-Are all the s-scary people... gone?"
"Yeah. Don't worry. Everyone's gone now."
Probably. And the fact that I was a little scared too... I'll keep that to myself.
Still, Prez said something that stuck with me. The Literature Club had caused trouble in the past…
Well, it's probably something involving Tsukinoki-senpai.
I decided to go with that assumption and filed it away in the ever-growing mental shelf that probably needs an expansion soon.
*
An hour has passed since the venue opened, and slowly, more general students begin to stop by.
Once the tally marks passed five, I took the opportunity to head out and buy drinks.
"Hope Komari's fine with cold tea..."
When I returned to the venue, the pair of former classmates, Amanatsu-sensei and Konuki-sensei, were browsing the exhibit.
"Oh, Nukumizu. This cherry cake's delicious."
"Sensei, that one's a hundred yen."
"That's the first thing out of your mouth? Here, take it, you little bandit."
I don't need to be called a thief by a dine-and-dash teacher.
Komari came trotting over, reaching out silently.
But instead of grabbing the bottle I offered, her fingers pinched the edge of my blazer.
"What's wrong? Did Amanatsu-sensei bully you?"
"Y-Yeah, s-she started talking to me."
"That's rough."
Can't blame her for getting spooked. Amanatsu-sensei really needs to reflect on her behavior.
"...Konuki-chan, I think they just said something awful about me."
"Konami, a teacher's duty is to embellish the romantic lives of students. I have no regrets."
A teacher's duty is education.
Amanatsu-sensei waved me over with a finger.
After confirming Komari was sipping her tea with quiet gulps, I went to stand by her.
"Did you need something?"
"Nukumizu, this peanut thing's tasty too. Did you make it?"
"No, my little sister did. That one's also 100 yen."
"Come to think of it, yesterday's inari sushi, your sister made that too, right…?"
As she handed me some money, Amanatsu-sensei tilted her head curiously.
"Nukumizu, don't you have an older brother who looks like your sister?"
"Uh, you mean me?"
"No, not you. Preferably someone around 30, with stable employment."
I don't, and even if I did, what would you do with him?
"I don't have any other particular demands, but the cat I recently started keeping won't warm up to me-"
"Uh, I'll ask around at our next family gathering to see if anyone fits the bill."
Also, Amanatsu-sensei started keeping a cat, huh… I hope that doesn't end up delaying her marriage prospects.
Konuki-sensei clasped her hands together in front of her chest and joined the conversation with a smile.
"Ara, how lovely. If there's someone perfect for Konami, I would love to get a taste- no, I mean, I would love to meet him."
"I'm definitely not letting you meet him, Konuki-chan. You can attend the wedding remotely."
"What if it's through frosted glass?"
"That's acceptable."
What are these two even here for?
This is bad for the moral development of young children. I really wish they would just leave already…
*
As noon approached, I had gotten much more efficient.
When I spotted a kid, I would smile and hand them a stamp card, then give them a snack at the right moment.
If someone seemed interested in the club magazine, I would speak to them-
"...Turns out I'm actually fine talking to people, as long as they're not my age."
The trick is to just keep repeating the preset lines like a machine, and to avoid eye contact with any middle or high schoolers.
Right now, we have three Tsuwabuki students in the room. Personally, they're in the "ignore" category.
Komari, absentmindedly holding a stamp card, twitched and tugged on my sleeve.
"S-Someone's coming…"
The one who walked in is Yanami, dressed in a white ceremonial robe.
I have seen this costume before, but today, she has a headband on.
Two springs extended from it, with little ghost flame plates bobbing at the ends.
…That headband is the kind you use for an alien costume, right?
"How's it going? Oh hey, there are customers."
Yanami plopped down in a chair by the wall and pulled a mitarashi dango skewer from the bag she was carrying. [TL: Rice dumpling covered with a sweet soy sauce glaze.]
"Check it out, Yakumo Dango! Didn't think I would get to eat this at a school festival."
"That's great and all, but what's with the thing on your head?"
"Oh, it's the ghost flames you made for me. Makes me look more spirit-like, right?"
"That's how you used it, huh…?"
"It was the right call. I have been super popular with the kids. I haven't been pampered this much since my Shichi-Go-San ceremony!" [TL: An annual festival for girls aged 3 and 7, and boys aged 5 (sometimes 3 too).]
Since Shichi-Go-San, huh… Maybe I'll be a little nicer to Yanami starting tomorrow.
"So that's why your outfit's all dirty?"
Probably from the kids clinging to her. Her white robe is smudged with dirt-
"...Wait, that’s chocolate, isn't it?"
"The kids who come to me always have chocolate on their hands or crumbs around their mouths. They keep trying to give me half-eaten snacks."
I don't know the reason, but yeah, I get it somehow.
"But then the ones who go to Karen-chan's spot bring her flowers or four-leaf clovers and stuff. How come we get treated so differently?"
"Yeah, I wonder why…"
Kids are honest, and cruel.
"I have a bit of a break before my next shift. You should sit down too, Nukumizu-kun."
I sat next to Yanami and watched her quietly.
She munched on her dango like usual. Her appetite hasn't changed a bit.
"What's up? You want some too, Nukumizu-kun?"
"No, I was just thinking that you have a great appetite as usual, Yanami-san."
"Wait, what's that supposed to mean? You trying to diss me?"
Yanami glared at me with a deadpan look.
"No, it's not that. It's just that Himemiya-san was worried the other day. Said she thought you didn't have much of an appetite lately."
"Ah, maybe because I'm dieting right now. I have been watching what I eat."
She said that while scraping the rest of the dango off the skewer with her teeth.
"Dieting...?"
That's not a diet I know.
"Nukumizu-kun, dieting doesn't mean just starving yourself. Some say it's better to eat smaller portions more frequently, even if the daily calories are the same."
Yanami pulled out a second skewer of dango.
"Which means I am currently in the middle of a diet."
"But you're supposed to reduce how much you eat at each meal, right…? Just eating more times a day isn't gonna work."
"I'm cutting back on second helpings at dinner, and I even stopped getting extra noodles with ramen. It's already starting to show results."
With some sauce from the dango on her lips, Yanami glanced around the classroom.
"Doesn't look too crowded. I'll handle the booth. Why don't you two go take a break?"
That's a big help. I called out to Komari and was about to head out of the classroom-
"...Hey, Nukumizu-kun. Where are you going all by yourself?"
"Huh? I was thinking I would take a breather in the clubroom."
"You're just gonna leave Komari-chan here alone? That's kind of worrying, don't you think? You should show her around properly, Nukumizu-kun."
"Wait, I should show her around?"
But I mean, Komari probably doesn't want to walk around the school festival with me. Besides, she might already have plans with someone… Though she probably doesn't.
Yanami called out to Komari, who was staring at her phone.
"Komari-chan, where are you headed now?"
"Ueh? I-I was thinking of r-reading in the clubroom..."
"Ohh, you too, huh? Komari-chan…"
Glad she gets it. For us introverts, the school festival is way too flashy a stage. Just breathing in a quiet corner of the west building is already a struggle.
Then, raising her dango skewer high, Yanami stood up.
"You two are banned from entering the clubroom today! Go enjoy Tsuwabuki Fest properly!"
"But I left a half-read book in there..."
"That book is now banned literature. Forget it."
Ehh, what a tyrant…
Komari, not able to keep up with the sudden turn in the conversation, looked helplessly back and forth between me and Yanami.
"U-Um, so, what s-should I do...?"
"Komari-chan, have Nukumizu-kun show you around the festival. He might not look like much, but he is a guy."
"Ueh? I-I don't really w-want to go that b-badly..."
"A true Literature Club girl should at least have one guy in her entourage."
As she pulled out her third skewer of dango, Yanami winked at me.
"Nukumizu-kun, I'm counting on you to escort Komari-chan, okay?"
*
The tree-lined path stretching from the east gate is lined with rows of food stalls and tents.
Packed with Tsuwabuki students and outside visitors, Komari and I weaved through the crowd, sticking close to the edge until we reached the far end of the street.
"...Uh, looks like we made it to the end."
"I-I see. W-Well then, let's go b-back to the c-classroom."
Still hiding behind me, Komari didn't raise her head from the pamphlet. As expected, she's not good with crowds.
I'm not quite sure what to do either, but if we just turn back like this, Yanami would definitely make some snide remark…
"How about we grab some lunch on the way back? What do you feel like eating, Komari?"
"U-Um... I-I want udon."
That totally festival-unfriendly choice. Yep, that's Komari for you.
While waiting in line at the Karate Club's udon stand, we stared at the posted menu.
The options are White Belt, Brown Belt, and Black Belt Udon. No normal names, huh…
"There's also a limited-edition 'Cow Killer Udon'. What do you think, Komari?"
"I-If it's limited and s-still hasn't sold o-out, that's o-obviously a trap."
Sharp as ever. Komari and I both ordered the mid-priced Brown Belt Udon.
"By the way, Komari, are you good on money?"
Komari gave a confident little smile.
"I-I got an allowance just for T-Tsuwabuki Fest."
The Brown Belt Udon we received turned out to be kitsune udon. [TL: Udon with seasoned fried tofu pouches.]
With the bowls in hand, we moved off the main path and sat on a quiet bench.
As I inhaled the steam rising from the udon, the scent of bonito broth tickled my nose. The noodles are apparently handmade by club members and are surprisingly well done. [TL: Simmered, smoked, and fermented skipjack tuna.]
Now I'm curious about the other options. White Belt is probably plain udon, and I wonder what comes with Black Belt Udon. Come to think of it, I had seen someone dump an entire bottle of ichimi chili into a pot. Was that the Cow Killer Udon...?
As I was eating and letting my mind wander, Komari lowered her chopsticks.
"U-Um, Nukumizu."
"Hm? What's up?"
"B-Back in the classroom, s-someone asked if they could t-take a photo of the d-display, s-since they w-wanted to read it more c-closely."
Komari's lips curled into a shy, pleased smile.
"I see. That's great."
"Y-Yeah..."
She tried to drink the broth and let out a quiet "Hot..." as she flinched.
...I slurped some noodles while watching the crowds pass by.
It's not just Tsuwabuki students. There are also plenty of Toyohashi locals.
Seeing families and students from other schools walking around campus, where it's usually just us, feels oddly surreal.
Compared to this bustling crowd, the number of people who stopped by the Literature Club isn't much. Still, Komari is satisfied with what she has created, and someone out there has appreciated it.
Last night, Yanami had called it Komari's love letter.
Clumsy, endlessly roundabout, and yet so sincerely honest. It's Komari's feelings.
"So, where should we go next after this?"
I said that, as if cutting off my own train of thought.
I have the feeling I had just stepped too far into Komari's heart, too carelessly.
"I d-don’t really mind. D-Do whatever you w-want, Nukumizu."
Komari answered disinterestedly, cooling her noodles as she spoke.
Alright then, maybe I'll drop by Asagumo-san's Class F. I'm pretty sure they are doing some kind of festival booth.
Besides, after all the help she gave us with the Literature Club exhibit, I should at least swing by and say hello.
As I held up a thin slice of kamaboko and squinted at it through the light, a Tsuwabuki couple passed in front of us, flirting shamelessly. [TL: Cured fish cake.]
...Honestly, what a pain. I shook my head with a sigh.
Even if it's a festival, this still falls under the officially recognized subjects outlined in the national curriculum. So, using the school festival as an excuse to flirt is basically like putting a girl on your lap and attending class like that.
"W-What's wrong? Y-You have such a s-scary look on your f-face."
"I was just thinking about what high school students should be doing."
...But wait. If someone didn't know the context and saw Komari and me eating together on a bench, wouldn't that look just like a school festival date?
Even though she's a girl, she moreso fills in the little sister slot, and I would rather avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings…
"Komari, I have a proposal."
"W-What?"
"Try calling me 'onii-chan' once."
Gurk. Komari choked. She started coughing violently.
"Whoa, you okay, Komari?"
"Y-You have finally l-lost it, h-haven't you…?"
"Hold on, I don't mean it in a weird way. Just hear me out."
"F-Fine. S-Say your excuse, t-then die."
She snatched the entire tissue packet from my hand.
"Look, what I mean is, if we're sitting here eating together, people might get the wrong idea."
"W-Wrong idea...?"
"Yeah, from the perspective of someone who doesn't know the situation, this would totally look like a school festival date-"
Komari started coughing again.
"What now? If your throat's hurting that much, you should probably go to a hospital."
"...T-That's your fault."
Good grief. Blaming others for everything isn't healthy, you know.
Well, I doubt anyone would look at a girl choking on udon and think of us dating.
I downed the rest of my udon broth and immediately started coughing hard on the heap of ichimi chili that had sunk to the bottom.
*
Class F's room is on the third floor of the new building. We ducked under the curtain and stepped inside, only to be met with a packed crowd.
Ring toss, super ball scooping, and other classic festival games are lined up, manned by students in happi coats. [TL: A tube-sleeved coat worn only during festivals.]
While Komari and I stood frozen, overwhelmed by the atmosphere, a petite girl in a happi came trotting over to us.
"Nukumizu-san, you came!"
It's Asagumo-san. Before I could even greet her, she did a little spin in front of me.
"What do you think? We made the class happi coats ourselves. If you would like, I can give you one too!"
What would I even do with another class's happi coat?
"I'm good, thanks. Uh, I'm here with Komari from our club."
I turned around, but Komari was nowhere to be seen. She's crouched in front of the kiddie pool, staring intently at the floating super balls.
"Hey, Komari. This is Asagumo-san. She helped us with the exhibit."
"Ueh? U-Uh…"
As Komari stood up, visibly flustered, Asagumo-san walked over to her.
"You're Komari-san, right? Your manuscript for the exhibit is wonderful."
"Eh, u-um, n-no, I should be the one t-thanking y-you."
Komari stammered out her thanks in bits and pieces, but Asagumo-san took her hand and gave it a firm squeeze.
"No, no, I found it absolutely fascinating! I was especially moved by the way you skillfully framed male interpersonal relationships in terms of sex. So, you're a fujoshi, aren't you!?"
"Una!?"
Komari instinctively tried to flee, but Asagumo-san didn't let go.
"I don't have any fujoshi friends, so I'm really intrigued! Please teach me all about BL in the future!"
With eyes round like a squirrel's, Asagumo-san leaned in on Komari.
"W…Wha…"
Oh no, Komari looks like she's about to faint.
"Asagumo-san, maybe tone it down a bit. Komari doesn't do well with people coming on too strong."
"Ara, I'm terribly sorry. Komari-san, please come and have a seat over here."
She led us to the shooting gallery booth.
On a makeshift platform assembled from cardboard boxes sit rows of prizes, snacks, stuffed animals, and more.
After seating Komari in the chair next to the booth, Asagumo-san tied a twisted headband across her forehead.
"Step right up! Nukumizu-san, how about a round of shooting!"
Wait, I got roped in real smooth just now…
"Uh, okay then. I'll try it once. Do I pick a gun from here?"
Laid out on the counter are rubber band guns made from chopsticks.
I picked up the biggest one, and Asagumo-san gave me two enthusiastic thumbs up.
"Excellent choice, sir! That one's my custom build. It can shoot clean through an aluminum can!"
That's a weapon.
"Why would you even make something like this? If you're struggling with something, I'm here to talk."
"I just kept upgrading it without thinking, and this happened. But I should warn you: if you hit the prizes directly, they will explode. I recommend using air pressure to knock them down instead."
Yeah… I probably should have picked a different one.
I aimed at a pack of cocoa cigarettes on the shelf- wait, I'm not supposed to hit it directly, right?
I adjusted my aim just slightly and fired. The wall behind the shelf shook, and a storm of prizes went flying from the blast of air.
"That's a hit!"
Asagumo-san clapped joyfully.
...I should definitely never use this thing again. Someone's going to get hurt.
"You have two more shots, Nukumizu-san!"
She smiled brightly, offering me a mountain of prizes.
As I hesitated over how to politely back out, Komari, now recovered, tapped my shoulder.
"T-The seniors came to the L-Literature Club venue. Y-Yanami switched with them. L-Let's go back."
Saved. Looks like I got a message too.
"Asagumo-san, looks like we're being called back. I'll just take one prize, okay?"
"Ara, that's too bad. Please give my regards to everyone."
I picked out the cocoa cigarettes from the pile and followed Komari, who was already halfway out the door.
"Don't just walk off by yourself. If Prez and the others are there, I'll go too."
As I walked alongside her, I checked my phone. Surprisingly, the message isn't from Prez, but from Yakishio.
She's on duty with the Field and Track Club over at the field, inviting us to drop by.
"Looks like Yakishio messaged me. Want to stop by and see her first?"
"S-She messaged me, too... B-But, there are so m-many people outside..."
Komari let out a tired sigh.
Still, completely ignoring Yakishio's invitation would feel kind of rude…
"Alright then, I'll stop by on my own. You head back to the Literature Club venue first."
I parted ways with Komari and made my way toward the field.
The more people you get involved with, the more errands like this come up.
"...This really isn't like me."
I murmured without even thinking.
But lately, I've started to feel like maybe that's not such a bad thing.
*
In the field, various clubs, starting with the sports teams, are running booths.
After walking for a while, I spotted the Field and Track Club's booth.
The sign reads <Challenge the Track Mask and Win Fabulous Prizes!>.
Track Mask? I have a bad feeling about this…
"Nukkun, you actually came. Are you alone?"
Turning at the sound of that voice, I saw Yakishio standing there in a track team uniform. She's wearing a glittery masquerade mask straight out of a costume ball. A truly bizarre combination.
"Yakishio, what's with your getup?"
"Ah-ah! Right now, I'm Track Mask, remember? Here's the challenge menu."
She handed me a flyer. Apparently, if you run 100 meters against a track team member with a handicap, you get a prize if you win.
Let's see... for high school boys, it says: "Face off against Track Mask Lady with no handicap."
"So basically, no intention of letting us win, huh?"
"You never know till you try! You have longer legs than me- well, about the same maybe."
That was unnecessarily depressing.
"I'll pass. If I run full-out, I'll be wrecked for like three days."
"-Then, can I take the challenge?"
A voice suddenly cut in. I looked over and saw a guy in another school's uniform.
Yakishio blinked in surprise.
"Huh? Takabo? You're here, too."
She turned back to me and explained.
"See? He's Takahashi from Momozono Middle School's track team. We both ran sprints. Total slacker though."
Why she expected me to know this, I had no idea. She lightly tapped Takabo's chest.
"It's been a while! Still running track?"
"Yeah, I've been training properly lately. I'm confident I can beat your time in the 100 meters."
"Nice! Want to give it a try? We have some fancy prizes waiting!"
Takabo nodded and shrugged off his jacket.
"More than the prize, if I win, will you go watch a movie with me?"
"With you? A movie?"
Wait, isn't that basically…
The girls from the track team watching nearby let out squeals of excitement.
Yakishio blinked in surprise at the sudden turn of events, but then flashed a white-toothed grin and replied casually.
"Sure, why not!"
...Yakishio actually accepted.
Even if it's her, she's still up against a current male track athlete. And he's a sprinter, too-
Am I about to witness the birth of a new romance? My heart thudded a little as I watched her begin to stretch.
"Alright, let's race 1,500 meters."
"Huh? I thought it was 100?"
"You're faster in the 100, right? It's boring if the outcome's obvious."
"But I-"
"Are your shoelaces okay? Is your body warmed up? Alright, take your mark!"
No room for protest. Thus began a 1,500-meter race with a movie date on the line.
...Several minutes later, I witnessed the moment a budding romance died.
*
On my way back to the west building, I found myself thinking about Takabo.
"That's gonna leave a scar..."
What could he have been feeling during that final half-lap after Yakishio crossed the finish line…?
Well, I guess that's what happens when you suddenly confess in front of everyone.
Yeah, it's Takabo's fault. There's a thing called "culture festival magic," but even magic needs a trick behind it.
Just then, I heard cheers from the hallway window. Looking over, I saw a conspicuous group in the courtyard.
Yanami is in white robes, and her classmates are in costumes.
1-C's <Street Halloween> troupe has apparently started their skit.
I couldn't hear the lines from here, but it looked like a story starring Yanami playing a ghost and her classmate Nishikawa as Okita Soji.
I should probably watch a little, or else Yanami will get all noisy about it later.
Leaning my elbow on the window frame, I watch Yanami and her troupe's play.
It's probably one of those tragic love stories between a human and something not quite human.
As Yanami held back tears and tried to leave, Nishikawa grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
In the end, it seems to conclude with Nishikawa holding the now-dead Yanami in his arms.
…Why does a ghost die?
"The script's a mess."
For some reason, I muttered in irritation and hurried off toward the Literature Club's venue.
The Literature Club's exhibit room came into view. Tsukinoki-senpai spotted me and waved.
"Hey, Nukumizu-kun! We have been waiting! Come help over here!"
When I stepped into the classroom, the scene had changed entirely. There are a lot of visitors now.
Prez is handing out sweets to a swarm of kids, and Komari is wandering around with stamp cards in both hands.
When she saw me, Komari looked visibly relieved and came over.
"Y-You're late. H-Hurry up and help."
"I couldn't help it. A lot was going on. A love story ending, a ghost dying twice, that sort of thing."
"S-Stop talking and w-work. T-There are people w-waiting to buy s-snacks."
Komari pushed me forward. Lined up in front of the sweets are people holding money. This number is a bit too much for Komari, who needs to recharge every time she has to talk to someone unfamiliar.
Once I managed to handle all the customers, Prez opened the lid of the cash box.
"We have sold quite a bit. Must be around 30 now."
"That's quite the turnout. Did someone do a flyer run?"
"Ayano-kun passed out some flyers. Lots of elementary school kids came for the snacks. And families with small children stopped by to rest, too."
Following Prez's gaze, I saw a child eating sweets on their mother's lap in the tatami mat area.
Next to them, a restless toddler was trying to stamp a card with their tiny hands. Komari flusteredly helped them with it.
And, for some reason, Tsukinoki-senpai is really popular among grade schoolers.
Boys and girls alike are listening intently to her presentation.
"You must not underestimate picture books, kids. They contain everything: friendship, compassion, adventure. Even I, who have explored all realms of possibility, have deemed this genre forbidden territory-"
...Should I stop her? If push comes to shove, I won't hesitate to intervene.
As I kept an eye on senpai, Prez spoke to me.
"Nukumizu, are you done sightseeing Tsuwabuki Fest?"
"I felt like I already toured through 3 years' worth of stuff. Shouldn't you be off having fun with your girlfriend, Prez?"
"I'll just stay a little longer."
Prez dropped some coins into the cash box and tore open a packet of peanuts.
So he said, gazing gently at Tsukinoki-senpai's back.
"The Literature Club never really did anything big at Tsuwabuki Fest before. Being able to put together a proper exhibit like this at the end, I'm really grateful to you, Nukumizu. If it were just me and Koto, we wouldn't have left anything behind."
He gave my shoulder a light pat, clearly moved.
"...Komari's the one who worked the hardest."
The feelings Komari poured into those 50,000 words, and the feelings of the people who received them.
All of that is packed into this lively space, being turned into memories.
That's what today was for.
Just then, an elementary school boy holding a flyer peeked nervously into the classroom.
Alright, time for one last shift.
I flashed my biggest smile and waved the boy over.
*
After seeing off the last Tsuwabuki student couple, only four of us are left in the classroom: the senior duo, Komari, and I.
There are less than 10 minutes until closing time, and the hallway traffic in the west building has thinned out.
"With this, all 40 snack packs for sale are sold out. Do we still have enough left for giveaways?"
Tsukinoki-senpai asked while snapping the lid shut on the coin case.
"We have saved some cookies. No one else is coming now, so I think it should be enough."
The printed club magazines are down to about half. There's no guarantee everyone who got one would read it, but just knowing they are in people's hands makes me genuinely happy.
The end of the festival is near.
A strange feeling, part wistful, part relieved.
Komari and Tsukinoki-senpai are deep in a heated debate in front of the exhibit, arguing over the social dynamics between Soseki and his disciples. Why are they taking a fictional episode so seriously…
It feels just like our usual slow-paced clubroom time.
Then, soft music began to play from the speakers.
That one song you always hear in shops right before closing. The clock read five minutes until the end.
"Hearing <Hotaru no Hikari> really makes it feel like things are ending, huh."
When I muttered that without thinking, Komari gave me a suspicious look.
"I-It's <Farewell Waltz>, right?"
"Huh? But didn't we sing this at graduation? Is it a different title?"
"U-Uh…"
As I struggled to match my hazy memories, Tsukinoki-senpai joined the conversation.
"<Hotaru no Hikari> and <Farewell Waltz> are both arrangements of a Scottish folk song. It's like how in doujin circles, even with the same original, the placement changes depending on who's top and who's bottom."
That feels a bit off, but something tells me not to press further.
We all fell into a quiet silence, listening to the music from the speakers. Including setup, the long Tsuwabuki Festival is now coming to a close.
Tsukinoki-senpai gently pulled Komari's head close to her.
"...Thank you, everyone."
The one who broke the silence was Prez, his voice low.
"I'm not exactly a passionate club president. I have caused you all a lot of trouble…"
He bowed deeply to us.
"Thank you. We were able to put on the best exhibit at the end. Really… it was all thanks to everyone."
-Clap, clap, clap.
Tsukinoki-senpai started clapping.
Komari and I followed, adding our applause.
"...Shintaro, why are you turning your back on us?"
Tsukinoki-senpai asked, her smile playful, yet a little more mature than when we first met.
"It's nothing… seriously."
Tsuwabuki Festival Literature Club Exhibit, <Reading You Can Eat>.
Total visitors: 117. Baked goods sold: 40. Club magazines distributed: 14.
Compared to the popular clubs, the numbers are still small.
It's not like this would change the Literature Club's standing overnight. If someone called it self-satisfaction, they wouldn't be wrong.
I started this to support Komari, but by the end, I think I just wanted to do it for myself. That's how it feels now.
From the speakers, the calm voice of the student council president came on.
"It is now 4 PM. With this, we conclude the 98th Tsuwabuki Festival."
*
At Tsuwabuki High's south gate, Tsukinoki-senpai and I are waiting for the car.
We have to return the borrowed tatami mats, and her parents are driving the car. I was helping with the loading and unloading along with Prez.
…Wait, now that I think about it, I haven't seen Prez around.
"Senpai, do you know where Prez is?"
"I asked him to go get my bag from the classroom. I left my wallet and phone in it."
"Komari's still at the venue. You could have just asked her to bring it."
"Well, doesn't it feel a bit off to have your junior carry your bag?"
But it's fine if it's your boyfriend, huh?
I was about to complain, but then it hit me. These little exchanges would become fewer and farther between soon.
"...With this, you seniors are retiring from the Literature Club too. It feels kind of lonely."
I said it quietly while watching the cars pass by on the road.
"Ara? That's sweet of you to say. Aren't you secretly glad to be rid of us?"
"Conversation is society's lubricant, after all."
"Ohh, Nukumizu-kun, that's a good line."
Senpai and I looked at each other and laughed, then fell silent again.
This kind of polite, surface-level banter only made the shared sense of loneliness more apparent.
I forced myself to break the brief silence.
"Komari seems to be feeling pressured about becoming the president."
"...I thought she might be."
"There's that president's meeting next weekend, right? She has to introduce herself and give a report. Sure, she can just read it off a script, but-"
But for Komari, it's not that simple.
"Could you maybe keep supporting her just for a little longer?"
"...If only I could."
Senpai smiled faintly, tinged with a quiet sadness.
"But that's your job now, Nukumizu-kun. Not in a romantic sense or anything. No matter how much I worry, only you can stay by her side. That's the point she has reached."
The seniors have already started counting down the days left in their high school lives.
They are looking ahead to something different, walking forward with steps unlike ours.
"…I feel like Komari won't let me step any closer, somehow."
"Is that so? Komari-chan really relies on you, Nukumizu-kun. That's why I wanted you to be the vice-president. I was hoping you could support her in my place."
"But still... I'm just not like you, senpai."
I'm just making excuses.
Not to anyone else, just to this person, the only one I could admit my weakness to.
"Same thing happened during Tsuwabuki Fest. She tends to shoulder everything herself. At the crucial moments, she shuts others out. And the only people who can get through to her at those times are you… And one more person."
I turned to look back at the school building behind me.
Second floor of the west building. Prez had gone up there earlier to the empty classroom that had served as the Literature Club's exhibit.
To the classroom where Komari still is, all alone.
"...Prez is taking his time. Should I really be standing around here and not going back?"
At my words, Tsukinoki-senpai gave me a wry smile.
"Nukumizu-kun, are you talking about Shintaro and Komari-chan?"
"Uh, well…"
I trailed off unintentionally.
"With us out here, that means they are alone together in the classroom, right?"
Senpai fell quiet again after that.
Feeling the awkward air between us, I slipped my hand into my pocket. My fingers brushed against a small box.
It's the cocoa cigarettes I won from the shooting game earlier. I pulled one out and held the box out to senpai.
"Want one, senpai?"
"Sure, I'll take one."
Senpai chuckled softly and picked one out of the box.
"You know, I may not look it, but I'm kind of a smug little bitch."
"Huh?"
She pinched the cocoa cigarette between her fingers and held it between her lips like a cigarette.
"Even before Komari-chan confessed, I already knew she liked Shintaro. But I figured she would never act on it. I thought it would just end as a bittersweet memory."
Senpai shrugged, like she was making a joke of it.
"Don't get the wrong idea, okay? I really do love Komari-chan. But I think I underestimated her. I thought I was closer to Shintaro than she was, as a woman. I thought I wouldn't lose."
"Well… in the end, that was how it turned out."
From behind the rim of her glasses, senpai glanced sideways at me.
"That night during the training camp. If Komari-chan hadn't mustered up her courage. If Shintaro and I had stayed stuck in that misunderstanding, things might have ended differently."
"That's not really…"
I tried to say something but trailed off into vagueness.
Senpai had always seen Komari as someone fragile, someone she needed to protect.
And in a way, that wasn't wrong. But her adorable junior had been just a little stronger than she had expected.
"...In the end, it feels like I got to be happy by stepping over Komari-chan."
"Is that why you deliberately left the two of them alone?"
The guilt that lingered in Tsukinoki-senpai's heart.
I could understand where she was coming from. But like senpai said, relationships are unpredictable. Just a single misaligned button can change everything.
Even long-held feelings don't always reach the person they're meant for. I just saw something like that not long ago.
"...If you keep playing matchmaker like this, someone might steal him from you one day."
At my clumsy warning, she flashed that usual sly smile of hers.
"If that happens, I'll just seduce him all over again. I'm 18, after all."
Tsukinoki-senpai bit down on the cocoa cigarette she was holding between her fingers.
After chuckling for a while, her expression suddenly shifted to one of unease, and she looked toward the school building.
"....Still, they are taking quite a while, huh?"
"Weren't you already prepared for that?"
"Everything has its limits, you know."
Ugh… she's so selfish. Not that I didn't already know.
"Should I call Prez and see what's going on?"
"Wouldn't that make it look like we don't trust them? That would leave a bad impression. So-"
Senpai casually rested her elbow on my shoulder.
"Nukumizu-kun, go take a quick peek for me, will you?"
...This woman really is selfish. Not that it's anything new.
*
Evening in the west building.
The setting sun poured in through the windows, bathing the hallway in a warm orange glow.
It seems like all the other rooms have already finished packing up from Tsuwabuki Fest. There is no sign of anyone around.
The Literature Club's exhibit room is nearly cleared out as well, with only the wall displays left to take down.
When I arrived at the classroom and peeked inside, Komari was there alone. Prez is nowhere to be seen. Maybe we passed each other somewhere.
I was about to turn back, but Komari's expression made me stop.
She stood alone in the dusky classroom, quietly staring at the display on the wall.
She stayed like that for a while, then, as if making up her mind, Komari stepped forward and reached out.
Even standing on tiptoe, she just barely couldn't reach. Balancing on one foot, she stretched further, but her fingertips still sliced through empty air.
I entered the classroom and reached out over Komari's head.
"N-Nukumizu…!"
"Komari, I can take this down, right?"
She gave a slight nod, and I carefully peeled the paper off without tearing it, holding it up in front of me.
"Not bad, if I say so myself. Kinda feels like a waste to throw it away."
"Y-You didn't make it, though."
Komari gave me a light jab in return, then looked back at the classroom glowing with the setting sun.
Drawn by her gaze, I looked too. Desks lined up to the edge of the room, all empty.
"...I-It's over."
The words slipped out of Komari's mouth.
I tried to say something, but nothing came. So I stayed silent.
Prez probably would have had something thoughtful to say.
In moments like this, he would give a slightly troubled smile and carefully pick out words just for the other person.
"By the way, Prez never showed up? He was supposed to come and grab Tsukinoki-senpai's bag."
"H-He came by earlier a-and left."
So we really had missed each other. I stacked the removed display papers neatly on the desk, making sure not to crease them, then glanced at the clock.
"I should get going, too. Gotta help with loading the tatami."
Komari didn't answer, just kept staring silently at the stacked papers.
I found it hard to walk away, so I opened my mouth again.
"Did you get a chance to talk with Prez?"
…Why did I even ask that?
Flustered, I could feel her giving me a confused look.
The silence was awkward, so I hurried to cover it up.
"Uh, I mean, there won't be many chances to talk one-on-one with him from now on, right? So I just thought, you know..."
With a sigh, Komari gave a small nod.
"I-I managed to say t-thank you properly."
"I-I see. I have to thank him properly, too. He has done a lot for me."
"Y-You only joined the L-Literature Club recently, d-didn't you?"
Oh? Is she trying to pull the seniority card now?
I folded my arms and smirked.
"Technically, I'm your senior. I showed up on the first day of the open house and signed up without even realizing it. It's just that no one noticed I had joined."
"D-Don't forget I had to dig up that g-ghost member and drag h-him out of his g-grave."
"Wait, I was buried?"
...That strange girl who suddenly spoke to me during a July break. That was Komari.
It feels like that was just yesterday, and also like it happened ages ago.
"You have been coming to the Literature Club since April, right? Did you get many visitors during the open house?"
"M-My first time was at the v-very end of the open h-house period. S-So, just me."
Komari narrowed her eyes and gazed out the window.
The twilight sky is slowly deepening in color, growing darker.
She laced her fingers together tightly.
"...I-I really had fun being in the L-Literature Club. I'm r-really grateful to o-our seniors."
Her voice wavered somewhere between talking to herself and wanting me to hear.
"P-Prez said t-thank you to me, too. H-He said the L-Literature Club got this f-far thanks to me."
"...That's great."
"Y-Yeah."
For the three months before I got dragged out of the grave-
Those days spent between the seniors and Komari were probably peaceful, like sunlit warmth.
I wonder how Komari feels about the days that only began to change a little once we joined her.
But in the end, the two of them will inevitably leave. And if we had never joined-
The image of Komari, sitting alone in the clubroom, comes to mind.
"T-The seniors are r-retiring now."
"Yeah, they probably won't be coming to the clubroom much anymore."
At my reply, Komari slowly nodded.
"A-And once the new year starts, t-they will stop coming to school for exams, a-and by the time their future p-paths are decided… i-it will already be g-graduation."
Tomorrow is the start of November.
By the time we get our final exam results, the second semester will be over, and when we start counting what's left, it suddenly feels frighteningly short.
"A-And from now on, I-I'll start seeing l-less and less of P-Prez. I-It kind of hurts, thinking he w-will start fading f-from my memory..."
She said the last part in a voice that nearly disappeared, her downcast eyes hidden behind her bangs.
Just like the setting sun can't be stopped, her feelings for Prez would slowly turn into memories.
Komari must have felt lonely about that.
"...I think that's okay, though."
This time, I murmured it like I was trying to convince myself.
Komari furrowed her brows and glared at me.
"O-Okay? W-What is?"
"I mean, I'm not a fan of the phrase 'time heals all wounds', but maybe there are some things that can't end unless time passes."
"Y-You're one to talk, l-like you have ever been d-dumped."
Ugh... is that a thing now? Getting dumped used as a status symbol?
Well, I have technically been rejected by someone I didn't even confess to or like, so there.
"I-I sort of get what y-you're trying to say, N-Nukumizu, but-"
Komari sat herself down on the desk.
"J-Just waiting for s-something to end, w-while carrying all that weight, is painful too. S-So, I'm kind of g-glad I got to let s-some of it out today."
…? What's that supposed to mean?
If letting it out made her feel better, then-
"Don't tell me you confessed again?"
"Una!? O-Of course not!"
Good. No guy could bear rejecting the same girl twice. I let out a sigh of relief.
"I-I just asked if he e-ever might have liked me."
Komari fidgeted with her fingers, looking a little awkward.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"L-Like if T-Tsukinoki-senpai hadn't been there, w-would he have f-fallen for me instead- t-that's what I asked."
Huh!? What the hell is she suddenly throwing out there!?
I suppressed the urge to jump on her with questions and took a slow, deep breath.
"...So, what did Prez say?"
"Prez is really kind, so…"
That's all Komari said, and then she gave a small, lonely smile.
That smile was Komari's best attempt at putting on a brave face, and the soft twilight light was gently trying to cover it up.
No matter what answer she got, it's already over.
Call it comfort, call it reassurance, whatever you like.
Even Prez's kindness, in the end, only left behind soft thorns that pricked little wounds into Komari's heart-
When I quietly sat down on the desk beside her, she murmured in a whisper-like voice.
"I-I wonder, i-if I hadn't confessed, w-would there have been a-another future?"
Komari's slightly reddish hair shimmered gently in the sunset light, swaying softly.
I was momentarily captivated by it and nodded, pretending not to be.
"...Maybe."
Another future. In that world, who would be by Komari's side and who wouldn't?
Lost in thought for a while, Komari began to speak again, slowly and halting every so often.
"I-I really liked the time the t-three of us spent together, when T-Tsukinoki-senpai was still around too. B-But during the t-training camp, I-I kind of felt like I would be o-okay with d-destroying all of that. S-So, just leaving behind a p-pretty memory... it didn't feel right."
She stepped down from the desk, turned her back to me, and clasped her hands behind her.
"A-And even so, P-Prez accepted all the p-parts of me, e-even the ones that a-aren't so nice."
With the setting sun at her back, about to vanish from view, Komari turned to face me again.
"I'm glad I fell in love with Prez."
Her eyes smiled honestly, and for some reason, it made me forget to breathe for a moment.
"Right, I see."
That was all I could finally bring myself to say.
Komari nodded with a shy little smile.
Then suddenly, as if she realized something, she panicked and started fiddling with the hem of her clothes.
"W-What am I even s-saying to you, Nukumizu…?"
"Well, if anyone was going to say something, I guess I'm the right person for it. Not like I have a lot of friends anyway."
I hopped down from the desk and exaggeratedly checked my watch.
"Totally forgot about the seniors. I need to hurry."
"I-I'll go too..."
As we left the classroom, I glanced back and saw Komari doing the same. She gave a small bow toward the room, then started walking quickly down the hallway.
I bowed to the classroom as well, then jogged to catch up and walk beside her.
Komari glanced at me out of the corner of her eye.
"P-Prez and Tsukinoki-senpai t-trusted me and left the L-Literature Club in my hands. S-So, I want to l-live up to that."
"Tsuwabuki Fest went well thanks to you. I think you have already done more than enough."
Komari shook her head.
"T-This time, I had everyone's help. N-Next time, I need to be a-able to handle it on m-my own-"
She let out a big breath, then repeated herself.
"I-If I can't, then I won't be a-able to protect the L-Literature Club."
Gratitude toward her seniors. The weight of being entrusted with the club.
Having motivation isn't a bad thing, but something about it tugged at my chest-
"...Yeah. Do your best. But we're still around, too, so don't push yourself too hard."
"T-Thank you, Nukumizu. B-But…"
She said it surprisingly plainly, then gave me a soft smile as if to say, "Don't worry."
"I-I'll be fine."
Komari's smile is heartbreakingly clear.
And in the end, I still don't know how to take it.
Intermission: Older Brother and Little Sister
Early afternoon, behind the school building of Tsuwabuki High.
Asami Gondou, second-year student of Momozono Middle School Class 2-3, better known as Gon-chan, is peeking over her friend's shoulder at the LCD screen of a digital camera.
Displayed there is a snapshot, no, a candid photo of her friend's older brother, Kazuhiko Nukumizu.
Her friend, Kaju Nukumizu, wore a look of pure satisfaction as she continued reviewing the images.
Gon-chan tore off a piece of rainbow cotton candy and held it up to Kaju's mouth.
"Looks real nice, huh? But Nuku-chan, you sure you don't want to go say hi to your brother?"
Nuku-chan, that is, Kaju, popped the cotton candy into her mouth and smiled like she was melting.
"It's precisely because Kaju doesn't show myself that Kaju can capture onii-sama's natural expressions. Look, Gon-chan. In this one, he's choking while eating udon! That's SSR-tier rarity!"
"Ohh, that's great for you."
Gon-chan replied while tearing off the yellow section of the cotton candy.
…Her friend Kaju is a textbook brocon. At least, that's how it looked to Gon-chan.
Actually, it might even go beyond that, but since the world has the convenient label "brocon", it's better to keep things within that frame.
"Well then, if you have finished your main objective, let's get going already."
Kaju didn't respond. She's still intently staring at an image on her digital camera.
It's a shot of her brother being threatened by a white-robed girl holding a skewer of dango.
"...Hey, Gon-chan. From your perspective, what do you think about onii-sama and Yanami-san?"
"Yanami-san is the crazy gorgeous girl in that pic, right?"
Her ghost costume aside, she's vibrant, radiant, and absolutely looks like the popular type.
While weighing friendship and realism on an inner scale, Gon-chan tried to figure out her answer, but Kaju continued speaking.
"...Today, Kaju intended to confirm the nature of their relationship."
She flipped through the images on her camera.
The next one displayed a petite girl with her hair tied up on one side.
Her upward gaze, tilted slightly down, would surely stir any boy's protective instincts.
"But now, Komari-san has launched a fierce counterattack. Knowing how kind onii-sama is, he may not be immune to a girl who makes him want to protect her. And then, there's one more-"
Kaju, who had been trying to appear composed, now furrowed her brow.
"Student council's Basori-san was a complete blind spot. A maid outfit with cat ears is a critical hit for onii-sama. It's proven by the fact that he owns 72 images across both 2D and 3D."
She suddenly revealed her brother's fetishes.
"A slow-burning love nurtured between two people who truly care about each other... For someone like onii-sama, throwing a cat-eared maid into the mix is a complete character misinterpretation from Kaju's point of view. If it's going to come to that, then maybe it would be better for Kaju to just-"
...Better to just what, exactly?
Sensing a dangerous shift in mood, Gon-chan tore off the red part of the cotton candy and shoved it into Kaju's mouth.
Munching contentedly on the fluffy sugar, Kaju's expression softened.
Trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, Gon-chan thrust a pamphlet in front of Kaju's face.
"Nuku-chan. More importantly, let's hurry over to the Judo Club's booth. They are doing a crossdressing contest by weight class."
"...Kaju doesn't mind, but Gon-chan, you like that kind of thing? That's kind of unexpected."
"The bigger a guy's body is, the more attractive he is, right?"
"The bigger the better?"
Kaju looked puzzled, but gently nodded toward her friend.
"Gon-chan, your tastes are a little unusual. But Kaju thinks that's perfectly fine."
…Friendship and honesty.
After mentally weighing her options just a bit, Gon-chan gave a bright smile and nodded.
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