It’s the morning of Tsuwabuki Fest. I quickly headed toward the student council room. The photos of the final venue setup need to be submitted before the opening.
I adjusted my breathing as I opened the door to the student council room.
“Excuse me.”
“Eek!?”
A girl is standing in the room stiffly in a maid outfit with cat ears. Her face is twitching.
…This is the student council room, right?
Upon a closer look, the maid with cat ears is the first-year vice president, Teiara Basori-san.
“W-Why did you just barge in here!?”
“Uh, I want to submit something.”
During this time, two pale arms reached out from behind her. They tangled and wrapped around Teiara-san.
It’s Shikiya-san in her mini-skirt nurse costume.
“Teiara-chan, …make sure you add…’meow’...at the end of your sentence, …okay?”
“Ha!? Even though it’s senpai’s order, t-this is too-!”
Shikiya-san leaned on Teiara-san tightly.
“Do you…hate…Prez’s…suggestion?”
“T-That’s not the case! But Prez has to dress up as well, right? Prez didn’t even say-”
“Are you…suspecting Prez?”
“That’s impossible! I’ll do it properly!”
“...Meow.”
“I’ll be going- meow!”
Teiara-san’s cheeks flared up. She gave up and meowed.
I hope you girls could’ve finished this conversation before I got here…
I remained still. Teiara-san turned her head around robotically.
“W-Well, what are you submitting? …Meow.”
Even Teiara-san’s ears are red too. She lowered her head. Her entire body is trembling.
“Well, it’s the final venue setup photos. Are these alright?”
“Sure, got it.”
“Teiara-chan…?”
“Got it, meow!”
What am I looking at here?
Ah, there’s even a tail behind her cat ear maid costume. I wonder what the root of the tail looks like…
I pondered about it as I prepared to leave.
“Young man…”
Shikiya-san called me. Her voice is quieter than a mosquito’s.
“Eh, what’s wrong?”
Shikiya-san put her chin on Teiara-san’s shoulder and stared at me with her white pupils.
“I’ll…be there…”
*
The Literature Club’s exhibition venue is in the 2/F classroom of the west school building.
I returned from the student council room. Komari is standing next to the wall alone.
“T-Too late, Nukumizu. It’s a-almost time to start.”
This girl’s rudeness means that she has recovered already. I checked my watch in relief. There are 10 minutes left until the opening.
“You’re really early today, Komari.”
“T-Tsukinoki-senpai gave me a ride.”
“Well, the senpais are key. Where did they go?”
“T-Third-year students have been in the assembly since this morning.
Come to think of it, they have been listening to that graduation stuff since morning. Even though today’s the school festival. I feel bad for them.
Yanami and Yakishio have things to do in class. Only Komari and I are here right now.
“Well, we’re done with the preparation. Those two should be fine.”
Komari nodded. She’s rubbing the tip of her fingers with an awkward look. Is she embarrassed or mad?
“N-Nukumizu.”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“Well, uh, …t-thanks.”
“...Eh?”
…Did this girl just appreciate me?
“T-Thanks for showing what I’ve w-written in such a fantastic way.”
It’s rare to see Komari being this honest. I scratched my cheeks to cover my embarrassment.
“Praise Asagumo-san instead- uh, Yakishio’s friend, I mean. She helped me design the layout.”
“I-I see. Well, but I’m glad that it’s printed so beautifully.”
“That was by my friend and Prez as well. Isn’t that amazing?”
Komari tilted her head.
“...W-What about the decorations in the classroom?”
“Those are Tsukinoki-senpai’s ideas. Yanami and Yakishio gathered everyone around.”
“C-Can you at least do something p-praiseworthy?”
Komari raised her head. Her eyes glared at me between her hair.
“Eh, what’s wrong? Do you want to praise me? Sure, don’t hold back. Praise me as much as you want.”
“...G-Go die.”
She’s not praising me.
This corner of the west school building fell silent. We looked around the classroom quietly.
“Yanami-san has some time afternoon. She will replace me.”
Komari nodded slightly.
“T-The senpais will be here too after the a-assembly.”
“I see.”
…Our conversation ended quickly. However, this silence isn’t that suffocating.
I thought about that. Then, some noises can be heard from the speaker on the wall.
“Good morning, everyone. This is the student council of Tsuwabuki High School.
This mature voice…must be the council’s president.
I looked at the speaker subconsciously. This must be a human instinct.
Has everyone completed their preparations? A lot of guests will be here today. ‘Independence with rely’ is our motto. All students should be aware that they represent Tsuwabuki High School. Please don’t embarrass yourself and others.”
Honestly, I’m a bit relieved to hear such a serious speech.
I thought our student council was filled with weird people, but Prez was amazing. She’s very earnest.
Even though I felt something was wrong with her when we first met, she’s still the student council president, after all-
“Did I sound a bit arrogant? I still felt like the first option was better.”
“It’s fine. …No one’s going to listen, anyway…”
“Prez, the mic is still on! Please continue- meow!”
Noise can be heard from the other side of the mic. Then, Prez’s voice came up again as if nothing had happened.
“Well, the 98th Tsuwabuki Fest starts now!”
After a moment, cheers and claps can be heard from afar.
Komari and I exchanged looks. We started clapping as a polite gesture as well.
With that, our Tsuwabuki Fest has begun.
*
Fifteen minutes after the opening.
No one showed up aside from students carrying stuff over the corridor.
I don’t know whether she’s getting restless. Komari lowered her head and kept scratching her fingernails.
The empty classroom adds to the loneliness. It feels exceptionally spacious now.
Baskets with desserts and stamp desks are placed next to the 4 exhibits.
There are club magazines piled up near the entrance. I don’t know if anyone wants them.
Also, who put Dazai and Mishima’s posters there…?
“The west school building is at the periphery. I don’t think anyone will be coming right at the start.”
“I-I see.”
“So, please relax. Since we’re handing out cookies to preschool kids, the stamp cards need to…”
A boy around 5 years old appeared at the classroom door and stared at us while I searched my pocket.
With a smile that I had practiced yesterday, I took out a stamp card.
“Hello, free desserts after collecting all of the stamps in here. Do you want to try it out?”
The boy dashed into the classroom after getting the card. A woman who looked like his mother nodded gently before following him.
They probably spent less than 3 minutes here. Guest no.1 carefully hugged the cookies before running out again.
Komari waved at that boy. I handed her the stamp card.
“Komari, take the stickers and card together.”
“S-Stickers?”
“Stick one on the card after they have received the desserts. We won’t forget who has gotten them already this way.”
Komari frowned after getting the stickers.
“W-Why is it Pokemon?”
“Yakishio said kids like Pokemon.”
“I love it, so it must be popular.” That’s what she said. I guess it’s true.
Well, we have 2 guests already. I tallied on the notebook.
Guests showed up from time to time afterward. Two full tallies have been completed in no time.
“T-The child just then r-read the article about picture books.”
“He bought an egg cupcake too.”
I started throwing this 100-yen coin up for fun. The silver coin is shining under the LED lights-
“W-What are you doing? You couldn’t even catch it. Don’t tell me you lost it too.”
“No worries. I think it’s here somewhere.”
A few minutes later, I took a 100-yen coin out of my wallet before asking her something I had been thinking about for a while.
“Komari, you’re good at handling customers. I thought you were bad at it.”
“C-Children are fine.”
Komari got my 100-yen coin and put it into the portable coin box.
“I have a little sister in second-year middle school, so I guess I can deal with children as well.”
“I-Isn’t she just a little younger than you?”
“She still looks like 5 in my eyes. My little sister.”
…The stream of guests seems to have ended early.
I was chilling dazedly. Then, a tall girl stood before the classroom’s entrance.
“An event mixing literature and food? How interesting.”
-The student council president, Hibari Hokobaru.
She entered the classroom with her long swaying hair.
“Excuse me. Can I take a look?”
“Oh, sure. Are you here to review us?”
“You’re realistic. It’s fine for you to think so.”
Prez chuckled.
Eh, come to think of it, Prez is in her uniform. I heard that she was supposed to dress up. Did she give up?
“...Excellent exhibition.”
Prez crossed her arms as she watched. She mumbled to herself.
“I want to finish all of them if I have time. Unfortunately, my schedule is full. Well, I’ll buy one of these.”
Prez grabbed a bag of cookies.
“Ah, sure, that will be 100 yen.”
I collected the money as I started observing Prez.
“Is there something on my face?”
“Ah, no. Well, I thought the student council was very strict with the Literature Club. …It doesn’t seem to be the case now. I’m slightly surprised.”
“...Didn’t you know?”
Prez’s mood suddenly changed. Komari had been suppressing her presence. She started backing up in fear.
“There were several disputes with the Literature Club in the past. If it happens again-”
Prez stared at me with cold eyes.
“We’ll be disbanded, …right?”
Gulp. I couldn’t help but do that.
Prez frowned as she was about to nod.
“Disbandment- is a bit much, right? Temporary disbandment, how about that?”
“Eh, what’s temporary disbandment?”
“I still haven’t figured out the details. I guess you’ll be out once you are temporarily disbanded thrice. Not sure.”
…This girl feels very useless too.
I hesitated to answer her. Then, a maid with cat ears suddenly barged into the classroom.
“Prez! Your schedule is stacked, meow! Please move to the next one…!?”
Did she finally notice I’m here as well? Teiara-san quickly blushed.
“W-W-What are you doing here!? Meow!”
“Uh, this is the venue of the Literature Club.”
“Ah, …really? Meow.”
Yes, really.
Teiara-san looked around with a serious look. She then took Prez’s hand and walked outside.
“If you’ll excuse us, meow. Prez, the next one is the Astronomy Club, meow.”
“Fine, fine. Well, we’ll be leaving.”
Their conversation can be heard from the corridor as they make their departure.
“By the way, Prez, when are you planning to change into your costume? Meow.”
“Me? No, I’m not doing that.”
“Meow!? But Shikiya-senpai said Prez will be dressing up as a prince, meow!?”
…Even though I don’t know what is up with them, it looks like Teiara-san is used to saying “meow” every time. Congratulations.
Come to think of it, Shikiya-san isn’t here. I hope she didn’t run out of strength and collapse somewhere-
“Great…exhibtion…”
When did she come here? The nurse Shikiya-san slowly appeared from the shadows.
Komari moaned and ran away.
“Have you been staying there? Prez is already gone, you know?”
Shikiya-san slowly took out a 100-yen coin.
“Please give me the…best…and the cutest one.”
Uh, does she want desserts? A cute one, too.
I handed her a cupcake. Shikiya-san nodded.
“Very adorable. …Excellent…”
“Glad you like it. Well, the exit is over there.”
But she’s not leaving. Instead, she’s standing there and wobbling.
Senpai’s nurse outfit is still exposing her chest a lot. I don’t know where to look.
However, …I guess it can’t be helped if they enter my sight-
“Right, Prez is in her uniform. She’s not dressing up.”
Shikiya-san’s lips flinched. Her face remained emotionless.
“Teiara-chan…is cute and easy…”
Shikiya-san left tremblingly after saying that.
…Well, it’s time to come out.
I searched for Komari. She’s playing with a baguenaudier in the corner of the room.
“Aren’t you used to Shikiya-senpai already?”
“B-But that was t-too sudden.”
Komari looked up. There are tears in her eyes.
“A-Are the scary people gone…?”
“Yes, relax. Everyone has left already.”
I guess. I’m actually a little scared as well, but let’s keep this a secret.
By the way, Prez also said something interesting. What did the Literature Club do in the past…?
Well, whatever. It was definitely Tsukinoki-senpai’s fault, anyway.
I concluded before quickly throwing it to the corner of my mind.
*
It’s been an hour after the opening. More and more students came to visit us.
I caught a break to sneak out and buy drinks after counting 5 tallies.
“I wonder if Komari likes iced tea or not.”
After returning, I saw the same-age duo Amanatsu-sensei and Konuki-sensei browsing the exhibitions.
“Oh, Nukumizu? This cherry cake is delicious.”
“Sensei, that will be 100 yen.”
“The first thing you ask is money? Here, miser.”
Don’t say that to me when you’re trying to get free food, sensei.
“Komari, I bought drinks. Is tea okay?”
Komari dashed over. She reached her hand out silently.
Yet her fingers went past the plastic bottle I handed her. Instead, she just pinched my jacket.
“What’s wrong? Did Amanatsu-sensei bully you?”
“Y-Yes, s-she talked to me.”
“What a disaster.”
No wonder Komari is scared. Amanatsu-sensei should reflect on herself.
“...Konuki-chan, they seem to be pretty mean to me.”
“...Konami, a teacher’s responsibility is to add to students’ romance. Many things that grow in the garden were never sown there in the first place.”
A teacher’s responsibility is to educate people.
Oh, Amanatsu-sensei is waving at me. She wants me to come over.
After confirming Komari was gulping the tea, I came next to sensei.
“Can I ask what’s wrong?”
“Nukumizu, this peanut is tasty as well. Did you make it?”
“Nope, my little sister did. One hundred yen, please.”
“Right, your little sister made the inari sushi from yesterday, too, right…?”
Amanatsu-sensei handed over the money as she turned around.
“Nukumizu, do you have an older brother who’s like your little sister?”
“Eh, are you referring to me?”
“No, not you. If possible, I hope he’s a man around 30 years old with a stable job.”
I don’t. What are you going to do even if I have one?
“I’m not going to hope at this point. If even the cat I’ve just gotten doesn’t like me too…”
“Well, I’ll pay attention to any elite people during the next relatives gathering.”
Did Amanatsu-sensei get a cat…? I hope she doesn’t miss her marriage.
Konuki-sensei clapped and put her hands before her chest. She chuckled and joined the conversation.
“Glad to hear that. If there’s someone who suits Konami, I want to taste- no, meet him.”
“I’ll never let Konuki-chan meet him. The wedding, as well. You can participate online.”
“What if it’s over frosted glass?”
“Barely acceptable.”
What are these two doing here?
This is very bad for children. Can you two please head out…?
*
I’ve acquired much experience with reception near noon.
Handing kids their stamp cards with a smile and looking for an opportunity to give them desserts.
Greeting a guest if they are interested in the club magazine-
“...I guess I can talk to people who aren’t my age quite well.”
The technique is to repeat your lines robotically and avoid eye contact upon seeing a middle or high school student.
There are 3 Tsuwabuki students in the classroom right now. I’m already ignoring them.
Komari is dazing out with stamp cards in her hand. She suddenly yanked my sleeve worriedly.
“S-Something is coming…”
Yanami entered the classroom in her white kimono.
I’ve seen her costume before. However, she has an extra headband since she has to get on stage for real today.
There are two springs extended from there. Each has a soul-shaped cardboard wobbling at the front.
…This headband is used for cosplaying aliens, right?
“How are things going? Oh, we have a bunch of guests.”
Yanami sat on the chair next to the wall. She took out a mitarashi dango from the pocket hanging on her arm. [TL: It’s a type of sweet rice dumpling skewered onto bamboo sticks.]
“Look, it’s from Yakumo Dango. I didn’t expect to find this in the school festival.”
“That’s nice, but what are those things on your head?”
“These are the souls Nukumizu-kun gave me, alright? Don’t I feel more like a ghost now?”
“Is that how you use those…?”
“I made the right decision to add souls. You know, I’m the most popular among the children. This is the first time since Shichi-Go-San-” [TL: Shichi-Go-San means “Seven-Five-Three”. It’s a festival where 3 years olds (boys and girls), 5 years old (boys), and 7 years old (girls) visit the shrine and pray for health on November 15. Many photography and dress companies look for girls since they are the most important in the festival.]
Since Shichi-Go-San, …I should be nicer to Yanami starting tomorrow. [TL: In case you aren’t aware, this means Yanami hasn’t been popular ever since she passed 7 years old.]
“Is that why your clothes are so dirty?”
She must have been in close contact with the children, right? Yanami’s white kimono is stained, …I guess?
“...These are chocolate, right?”
“For some reason, kids who look for me always have their hands stained with chocolate. Either that or they have bits of snacks on their lips. I keep getting half-finished snacks from them.”
I don’t really get it, but I seem to understand.
“But children who go to Karen-chan always have flowers and clover leaves in their hands. How come we are so different?”
“Yeah, …I wonder why.”
Kids are honest and cruel, man.
“I should take a break before the next show. Sit down, too, Nukumizu-kun.”
I sat next to Yanami and observed her.
Yanami is enjoying the dango. Her appetite seems to be great, as usual.
“What’s wrong? Does Nukumizu-kun want some as well?”
“Ah, no, I just think Yanami-san’s eating tons as usual.”
“Eh, what does that mean? Are you dissing me?”
Yanami gave me a dissatisfied look.
“That’s not it. Himemiya-san was worried about you a few days ago. She said Yanami-san lacks appetite.”
“Oh, that’s probably because I’ve been trying to lose weight. I paid attention to my meals.”
She said that as she ate a dango in one bite.
“Lose weight…?”
This seems to be different than losing weight in my mind.
“Nukumizu-kun, losing weight doesn’t mean not eating anything blindly. Some say that even if you consume the same amount of calories daily, you can still lose weight by compensating with less food but more meals.”
Yanami took out a second dango.
“In other words, I’m losing weight right now.”
“Aren’t you supposed to eat less…? You can’t just have more meals.”
“I’m already trying not to add extra rice when eating. I don’t even ask for extra noodles when eating ramen, too, you know? The effect is slowly appearing.”
Yanami looked around the classroom. There is still dango sauce on her lips.
“There are not as many people now. I’ll watch for a bit. You two should go rest.”
Thank you very much. I gave a heads-up to Komari and planned to leave the classroom.
“...Wait, Nukumizu-kun, where are you going on your own?”
“Uh, I want to rest in the club room.”
“Won’t you get worried about leaving Komari-chan alone? Nukumizu-kun, you have to be with her, okay?”
“Eh, me?”
But Komari doesn’t want to hang out with me at the festival, right? Also, there’s the possibility that Komari will be hanging out with someone, …I think that’s impossible.
Yanami yelled at Komari, who was looking at her phone.
“Komari-chan, where are you going next?”
“Eh? R-Reading in the club room.”
“Ah, …Komari too?”
Now you understand? Socially awkward people like us don’t have a spot in the grandeur stage that is the school festival. We are already using all our strength to breathe in a desolate corner at the west school building.
During this time, Yanami raised her dango and stood up.
“You two are banned from entering the club room today! Please enjoy Tsuwabuki Fest!”
“But the book I haven’t finished is still in the club room.”
“I’ll burn that book later. Forget about it.”
Eh, …this is tyranny.
Komari couldn’t seem to follow our conversation. She freaked out and looked at Yanami and me repeatedly.
“W-Well, what should I do then…?”
“Komari-chan, follow Nukumizu-kun and take a look around Tsuwabuki Fest. Despite everything, he’s still a guy, after all.”
“Eh? B-But I don’t want to go that much…”
“All Literature Club girls require at least one boy to look after them.”
Yanami took out the third dango and winked at me.
“So, Nukumizu-kun, you’ll be Komari-chan’s knight today.”
*
The boulevard that extends from the east gate is filled with stalls.
Here is packed full of Tsuwabuki students and incoming guests. Komari and I avoided the crowd until we reached the end of the boulevard.
“...Uh, we are at the end.”
“R-Really? W-Well, I’ll go back to the classroom.”
Komari hid behind me. She buried her face into the brochure, unwilling to raise her head. Indeed, she’s still poorly equipped to deal with crowds.
I can barely face them, either. I don’t know what to do. However, going back like this guarantees a lecture from Yanami, right…?
“Let’s get lunch on our way back. What does Komari want?”
“W-Well, …I-I want udon.”
The choice is utterly depraved of festivity. Amazing, Komari.
I looked at the menu from afar while waiting in line before the udon shop opened by the Karate Club.
The menu has white belt, brown belt, and black belt udon. By the way, is there not a normal menu…?
“Limited. Bull-Chopping Udon. There is even something like that. What do you think, Komari?” [TL: The bull-chopping refers to the rumor about the famous karate master Masutatsu Oyama killing a bull with his bare hands.]
“It’s definitely an l-landmine i-if they can’t sell it, e-even though it’s limited.”
This girl is sharp. So, Komari and I decided on the medium-priced brown belt udon.
“Right, Komari, you have enough money, right?”
Komari smiled gently.
“I-I got pocket money because of Tsuwabuki Fest.”
Upon receiving the bowl, we realize that the so-called brown belt udon is actually oily fried tofu udon.
The scent of the bonito soup has absorbed the heat from the udon. The noodles seem to be kneaded by the club members themselves as well. This is pretty good.
If that’s the case, I wonder what the other items on the menu are. If white belt means plain udon, what does black belt udon mean? Come to think of it, I think I have seen someone pouring an entire bottle of spices into the bowl. Is that the so-called Bull-Chopping Udon…?
I slurped the udon as I thought about that. Then, Komari put down her chopsticks.
“H-Hey, Nukumizu.”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“I-In the classroom. Someone said, ‘I-I want to look at the exhibits. Can I take photos?’ to me.”
Komari’s lips curled up joyfully.
“Really? Glad to hear that.”
“Y-Yes.”
Komari tried sipping some udon soup. She quietly mumbled, “Hot.”
…I picked up some noodles as I watched the crowd.
There aren’t just Tsuwabuki students. A lot of locals from Toyohashi are here too.
They are either residents who have brought their families or students from other schools. It feels refreshing to see them mixing in with people from our school.
Compared to this bustling boulevard, only a few people have visited the Literature Club. Even so, Komari still made an exhibition that belonged to her and had acquired acknowledgment from some people.
Yesterday, Yanami said that was Komari’s love letter.
Even though it’s clumsy and indirect, those are Komari’s most sincere feelings-
“Where are we going next?”
I said that to stop myself from thinking about it.
I suddenly felt it was rude for me to get involved with Komari’s feelings like this.
“I-I don’t really mind. Whatever you like, Nukumizu.”
Komari pinched some noodles to cool them down as she answered. She doesn’t seem interested.
Let’s go check out Asagumo-san’s Class F, then. I think they have a temple fair.
Also, she has provided us with much-needed assistance during the Literature Club’s preparation. We should say hi to her.
I picked up a thin piece of fish cake. From the lights, I can see a local couple flirting as they go past us.
…They can’t be helped. I shook my head helplessly.
Even though it’s the school festival, this is supposed to be a regular class written in the schedule. In other words, going on a date and flirting in the festival is like letting a girl sit on your lap during lessons.
“W-What’s wrong? Y-You look so serious.”
“Ahh, I’m thinking about the proper image of a high school student.”
…Wait, hold on. Komari and I are eating on the same bench. Won’t people who have no idea what’s going on think we are on a school festival date?
Even though she’s indeed a girl, in a sense, she seems more like a little sister. I really want to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings…
“Komari, I have an idea.”
“W-What’s up?”
“Can you try calling me onii-chan?”
Pfft. Komari choked. She’s coughing non-stop.
“Uwah, what’s wrong, Komari? Are you okay?”
“Y-You- have you finally gone crazy…?”
“Wait, I didn’t mean anything weird with that. Listen to me.”
“A-Alright. Y-You can die after making your excuse.”
I quickly pulled out some paper tissues, yet Komari robbed the package away as well.
“What I mean is that people may misunderstand us sitting together and eating like this.
“M-Misunderstand…?”
“Yes. People who don’t know what’s happening may think we’re on a school festival date-”
Pfft. Komari choked again.
“Are you okay? Go to the hospital if you have a sore throat.”
“...I-It’s all because of you.”
My my, it’s not a good habit to blame everything on others.
Whatever, no one thinks a girl is on a date when she’s choking on udon, anyway.
I chugged the udon soup at once. The spices at the bottom made me gag and cough brutally.
*
1F’s classroom is located on 3/F of the new building. After passing through the warm curtains, I see this place is packed with people.
The classroom is filled with minigames like hoops and superballs. Students in Chinese jackets are tending the shop.
Komari and I are being swallowed by this atmosphere. Then, a short girl in a Chinese jacket dashed toward us.
“Nukumizu-san, you’re here!”
It’s Asagumo-san. She turned around in front of me before I could even greet her back.
“How is it? I made Chinese jackets for the class. Please take one too if Nukumizu-san likes it.”
What’s the point of me taking a Chinese jacket from another class?
“No, thanks. Uh, well, this is Komari. We are in the same club.
However, Komari wasn’t behind me anymore when I turned around. Instead, she’s staring at the superballs floating on the water in the inflatable pool.
“Hey, Komari, this is Asagumo-san. She helped us finish our exhibition.”
“Eh? W-Well…”
Komari freaked out and stood up. Asagumo-san quickly approached her.
“Are you Komari-san? I really like your exhibition draft.”
“Eh, w-well. The same goes for me. T-Thanks for helping me.”
Komari mumbled. Asagumo-san held her hand tightly.
“No worries. Moreover, your draft is fascinating. Associating relationships between men with sexual intercourse has left a deep impression. In other words, Komari-san is a fujoshi!”
“Wha!?”
Komari couldn’t resist the urge to run away. However, Asagumo-san isn’t planning to let go of her hand.
“I’ve never had a fujoshi friend before. That’s why I’m really interested in this! Please give me some much-needed guidance in BL from now on!”
Asagumo-san approached Komari with her sparking, squirrel-like eyes.
“W…Well…”
Shit, Komari’s about to faint.
“That’s enough, Asagumo-san. Komari isn’t good at dealing with such intense attacks.”
“Ara, I’m terribly sorry about that. Please take a seat here, Komari-san.”
Asagumo-san led us to the shooting range.
The range is built with cardboard boxes. The prizes are snacks and plush toys.
She let Komari sit on the chair nearby. After that, she put a turban on her forehead.
“Welcome! Nukumizu-san, why don’t you try a few shots?”
Eh, are we getting solicited…?
“Uh, well, I’ll try once. Is this where I pick the guns?”
There’s a bunch of rubber guns made from wooden chopsticks on the table.
I grabbed the largest gun. Asagumo-san chuckled and gave me a thumbs-up.
“You have great taste, my guest. This was designed by me specifically. You can even shoot through an aluminum can with that.”
That’s already a weapon.
“Why did you make something like this? I can listen to your trouble.”
“I was too invested with modifications. This is the result. Also, the prizes will break if you hit them directly. That’s why I recommend using wind pressure to blow over the prizes.”
Uh, …I picked something annoying.
I aimed at the pack of cigarette candy on the stand. By the way, I should avoid a direct hit, right?
I shot right next to the target. In the end, even the walls were tumbling behind. A bunch of prizes was thrown away under the intense wind pressure.
“It’s a hit!”
Asagumo-san clapped joyfully.
…I should stop using this. People might get hurt.
“Please continue, Nukumizu-san. You still have two shots left.”
Asagumo-san laughed as she handed me a mountain of prizes.
Please stop. I don’t want to open fire anymore. I was thinking about a way to reject her. Then, Komari resurrected and poked my shoulder.
“T-The senpais seem to be going to the Literature Club’s venue. They switched with Yanami. I-I should go back.”
Thank god. Also, I think I got a text on my phone as well.
“Asagumo-san, it’s time for us to leave since we got a text. I’ll take one prize.”
“Ara, that’s a shame. Please greet them for me.”
I took the cigarette candy pack from the pile of prizes and chased after Komari, who had already left the classroom.
“Don’t just leave on your own. I’ll go too if Prez is there.”
I walked next to Komari and checked my phone. However, unexpectedly, the sender of the message is Yakishio.
The Track and Field Club is now holding an event on the playground. So, she texted me an invitation.
“Yakishio just texted me. What do you think? Should we go check her out?”
“I-I got one too, b-but there are so many people outside…”
Komari sighed exhaustedly.
But I don’t think we should ignore Yakishio’s invitation…
“Well, I’ll drop by alone. Komari can go back to the Literature Club’s venue first, hmm?”
We bid farewell to each other. I went to the playground.
Trivial matters like this seem to grow as I interact with people.
“...This isn’t like me.”
I couldn’t help but mumble to myself.
However, recently, I think this isn’t so bad, after all.
*
Several clubs are putting up a show on the playground with the sports clubs as the lead.
After some walking, I saw the Track and Field Club’s reception desk.
The banner says, “Duel against the Mask of the Track and Field and win great prizes!”
Mask of the Track and Field? I have a bad feeling about this…
“You’re here, Nukkun. Are you alone?”
I turned around upon hearing that voice. Yakishio stands there in her Track and Field Club uniform. The golden foil mask on her face reminds me of masquerade parties. What a wild combination.
“What’s with your outfit, Yakishio?”
“Right, I’m the Mask of the Track and Field now. Also, here’s the challenge menu.”
Yakishio handed me a leaflet. The Track and Field Club members seem to be holding a 100-meter handicap race. You get prizes for winning.
Hmm, high school boys don’t get handicaps when challenging the Mask of the Track and Field…?
“There’s no way I can win this.”
“You won’t know if you don’t try. Nukkun has longer legs- I guess we aren’t that different.”
How should I put it? I feel a little sad after hearing that.
“I’ll sit this one out. I’ll be in bed for 3 days if I run.”
“-Well, can I challenge you then?”
A voice interrupted us suddenly. Upon a closer look, he’s a guy in another school’s uniform.
Yakishio looks shocked as well.
“Eh, Takabo, you’re here too.”
Yakishio turned around and looked at me.
“Do you remember him? He’s Takahashi from Monozono Middle School Track and Field Club’s sprint team. That lazy demon.”
Why would you think I know him?
After that, Yakishio knocked Takabo’s chest.
“It’s been a long time. Are you still doing track and field stuff?”
“Yeah, I’ve been practicing properly too. I’m confident that I won’t lose to you in a 100-meter race.”
“Nice! Well, are you challenging me then? There will be great prizes, you know?”
Takabo nodded as he took off his jacket.
“I’ll give up the prize. Can you go watch a movie with me if I win?”
“A movie? With Takabo?”
Eh, this means…
The female audience screamed and cheered.
Yakishio’s eyes bulged. She then chuckled and answered gently.
“Hmm, sure!”
…Yakishio- accepted.
As tough as Yakishio is, her opponent is a guy in a Track and Field Club. Also, short sprints are…
Am I about to witness the birth of a new love? My heart pounded as I watched. Yakishio started stretching.
“Well, let’s go for a 1,500-meter race.”
“Eh? It’s not 100 meters?”
“Takabo will definitely be faster in a 100-meter race, right? Wouldn’t it be boring if we already knew who would win?”
“But I-”
“You tied your shoelaces, right? Done stretching? Alright, get ready!”
No point in talking. The 1,500-meter race that decides the date started.
…A few minutes later, I witnessed the end of one’s love.
*
I thought about that Takabo guy on my way back to the west building.
“That’s guaranteed to leave psychological trauma, right…?”
Yakishio dashed through the finish line half a lap before he did. I wonder how he felt during that last lap…
Well, I guess that happens when you suddenly go for a public confession.
Hmm, in the end, it’s Takabo's fault. Even though we have something called “school festival magic”, magic needs time to prepare.
At this time, cheers can be heard from the corridor’s window. Upon a glance, some people are standing out in the courtyard.
It’s Yanami in her white kimono and her dressed-up classmates.
Class 1C’s Street Halloween. Their little shows seem to have started already.
While I can’t hear the lines here, the story's protagonists seem to be Yanami’s ghost and that Nishikawa guy in our class playing Okita Souji.
Yanami will nag me if I don’t watch them.
I put my elbows on the window and started watching Yanami’s drama.
-It seems to be a story about a ghost and a human loving each other, yet ultimately unable to stay together.
Yanami held her tears in as she tried to leave. Nishikawa grabbed her hand and pulled her to him.
Finally, Nishikawa hugged Yanami as she passed away.
…How can a ghost die again?
“The script is bad.”
For some reason, I mumbled frustratedly. After that, I made my way to the Literature Club’s venue.
I can see the classroom. At the same time, I saw Tsukinoki-senpai waving at me.
“Oh, Nukumizu-kun, we’re waiting for you! Come help us!”
Upon entering the room, I realized it was totally different than the start. There are many customers inside now.
Prez is distributing desserts to children who have gathered around him. As for Komari, she’s coming back and forth with stamp cards in her hands.
After seeing me, Komari sighed in relief and approached me.
“T-Too late. C-Come help.”
“It can’t be helped. A lot had happened. I just saw someone’s crush getting crushed and a ghost dying twice in a row.”
“A-Anyway, get to work. A lot of guests are still waiting for desserts.”
A line of guests with desserts in their hands was already in line before Komari even pushed me over. This amount of people takes a heavy toll on Komari since she burns a lot of energy from talking to strangers alone.
After I’m done dealing with the guests, Prez opens the lid of the portable coin box.
“We did pretty well in the end. I think we have sold around 30.”
“That’s pretty big. Did we solicit guests here?”
“Ayano-kun helped hand out leaflets. Many elementary school students ran here for the desserts. Also, some guests wanted to take a break with their preschool children.”
Prez looked forward. A child is eating desserts on his mother’s lap inside the tatami space.
Next to them, a kid who’s barely able to walk is trying to stamp with his tiny hand. His limbs are flailing around. Komari promptly appeared and helped him.
Then, it’s Tsukinoki-senpai. For some reason, she’s very popular among elementary schoolers.
The young people are immersed in senpai’s exhibition lecture.
“Don’t underestimate picture books, you guys. They are filled with friendship, care, and adventurous spirit. Even though I’ve already explored all possibilities, this isn’t a place I can intervene-”
…Are we sure we want to let her keep up with that? I have to use violence to stop her when necessary.
Prez talked to me when I was observing senpai.
“Nukumizu, are you done touring Tsuwabuki Fest?”
“I felt like I already toured through 3 years' worth of stuff. You too, Prez. Are you sure you don’t want to have fun with your girlfriend?”
After that, Prez gazed at Tsukinoki-senpai gently.
He put a coin into the box and opened a pack of peanuts.
“Until now, the Literature Club never had large-scale events at Tsuwabuki Fest. I’m thrilled we can present such a brilliant exhibition with everyone. Thank you so much, Nukumizu. We would’ve had nothing if it was just Koto and me.”
Prez patted my shoulder throbbingly.
“...The person who worked the hardest is Komari, you know?”
Komari’s ideas are poured into this 50,000-word exhibit, along with the person’s feelings when he receives such thoughts.
All of these are shoved into this lively atmosphere and turned into a memory.
Today is extraordinary.
During this time, an elementary boy sneaked around the classroom with a leaflet in his hand. He seems to be observing the situation.
Alright, let’s get to work.
I smiled sincerely and waved at the boy.
*
After seeing a Tsuwabuki student couple leaving, only the senpais, Komari, and I are left in the classroom.
It’s less than 10 minutes left from the closing time of 4 PM. The crowd in the west building slowly faded away.
“Well, that’s all of the 40 desserts for sale. How about the ones used for distribution?”
Tsukinoki-senpai turned around and closed the coin box.
“We still have some cookies left. No guests will be coming anymore. I think that’s enough.”
Around half of the club magazines were gone. Even though people who got it may not finish it, it’s delightful to hand these to them.
The end of the festival is approaching.
It feels weird. It’s a mixture of regret and comfort.
Komari and Tsukinoki-senpai are having an intense discussion about the relationship between Soseki and his disciples. Why are they so worked up about a fictional short story…?
It’s almost like we’re back to our leisure time in the club room.
The speaker plays a soothing song.
This is the song that plays in shops that are about to close. I checked the watch. We only have 5 minutes left.
“It feels everything is over whenever I hear <Hotaru no Hikari>.”
I mumbled to myself. Komari suddenly shot me suspecting gazes.
“T-This is <Parting Waltz>.” [TL: Their melodies are pretty similar. Both are used on the same occasion.]
“Eh? But we’ve sung this at graduation ceremonies, right? They have different names.”
“T-That’s…”
Tsukinoki-senpai joined our conversation when we were arguing about our fuzzy memories.
“Whether it’s <Hotaru no Hikari> or <Parting Waltz>, both of them are based on Scottish folk songs. Think about it. The setup of each doujin is different based on their audience despite all being second creations.”
I don’t think they are the same, but let’s leave it there.
We fell silent subconsciously and listened to the music from the speaker.
Including the prep work, this marks the end of the long Tsuwabuki Fest.
Tsukinoki-senpai hugged Komari’s head.
After that, Komari put her head on senpai’s shoulder.
“...Thank you, everyone.”
Prez’s mumbles broke the silence.
“I’m not a very passionate president. I’ve always been causing everyone trouble.”
Prez bowed at us deeply.
“Thank you. Thank you…for putting up the best exhibition ever.”
-Clap, clap, clap, clap.
Tsukinoki-senpai started clapping.
Komari and I followed soon.
“...What’s wrong, Shintaro? Why did you turn away from us?”
Tsukinoki-senpai loves tricking people. However, her smile today looks unprecedently mature.
“Nothing. …It’s nothing.”
Literature Club’s Tsuwabuki Fest Exhibition <Food and Reading>.
Number of Attendees: 117. Dessert Sold: 40. Club Magazines Distributed: 14.
Compared to popular clubs, this is a depressing result.
This doesn’t mean the Literature Club will change either. It’s just a sense of self-satisfaction.
I wanted to help Komari at the start. In the end, I’m already doing this for myself. That’s how it feels.
The student council president’s calming voice can be heard from the speaker.
“It’s 4 PM. I hereby announce this is the end of the 98th Tsuwabuki Fest!”
*
Tsukinoki-senpai and I are waiting for the car at the south gate of Tsuwabuki High School.
Senpai’s parents are helping to move the borrowed tatamis. Prez and I helped with the loading.
…Eh, speaking of Prez, where did he go?
“Senpai, do you know where Prez is?”
“I asked him to take my school bag from the venue. My wallet and phone are in there.”
“Komari is still there as well. You could’ve asked her.”
“It’s not good to ask your kouhai to run errands for you, right?”
But a boyfriend is okay?
I wanted to complain, but then I suddenly realized we wouldn’t have many interactions like this left.
“...The senpais are retiring from the Literature Club. It feels kind of lonely.”
I mumbled to myself as I watched the cars passing the road.
“Ara, you’ll say things like this too? I thought you would say these two troublemakers were finally gone.”
“Talking good is a lubricant in interpersonal relationships, after all.”
“Oh, Nukumizu-kun. You’re getting smart-”
Tsukinoki-senpai and I exchanged looks and smiled. We then stopped talking.
While that conversation sounded like social manners, it just conveyed our loneliness.
I broke this sudden silence forcefully.
“Komari seems to be very stressed about being the next president.”
“...I guess.”
“The president's meeting is at next weekend, right? She has to introduce herself and talk about the activity report there. Even though she just has to read from the script-”
However, it’s not so easy for Komari.
“Just for a little while. Can you continue to support her?”
“...If only I can.”
The mood feels forlorn. However, a smile appeared on Tsukinoki-senpai’s face.
“But that’s already Nukumizu-kun’s mission. I don’t mean anything love-related. No matter how worried I am, only you can continue staying with her. The time has come.”
The senpais’ high school life is coming to an end.
They are seeing different places and treading on a different path than us.
“I feel like I don’t truly know Komari.”
“Really? I think Komari-chan still relies on Nukumizu-kun a lot, right? That’s why I want you to become the vice president and support Komari-chan in my place.”
“But I’m…still different from you two.”
-I’m saying discouraging things now.
It’s not for anyone else. She’s the only person who can hear these pathetic words.
“It’s the same during Tsuwabuki Fest as well. That girl put everything on her shoulders. Only Tsukinoki-senpai and that other person can approach the place that matters to her the most and is locked off from anyone else.”
I turned around and looked at the school.
Prez is going to the empty classroom on the second floor of the west building, the venue of the Literature Club.
He’s alone with Komari in the same classroom.
“...Prez is getting late. Should I go back to the classroom too?”
Upon hearing that, Tsukinoki-senpai showed a mocking smile.
“Nukumizu-kun, you actually want to talk about Shintaro and Komari-chan, right?”
“Ah, no, but…”
I stuttered.
“If we are here, it means the two of them are in the classroom, okay?”
Tsukinoki-senpai remained silent.
Feeling awkward, I reached my hand into my pocket. I touched a small box.
It’s the cigarette candies I got from the shooting range. I took out one and put it in my mouth before handing the box to Tsukinoki-senpai.
“Senpai, do you want one?”
“Sure.”
Tsukinoki-senpai smiled and took out one from the box.
“-You know, I’m actually a bad woman who only looks calm on the surface.”
“Oh.”
Tsukinoki-senpai pinched the candy between her fingers. She put it between her lips as if she was really smoking.
“I already knew Komari-chan liked Shintaro before she even confessed. ‘But that girl wouldn’t do anything, right?’ ‘She would let it end as a sweet and sour memory, right?’ That was what I thought at the time.”
Senpai shrugged jokingly.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. I love Komari-chan the most. However, I must have underestimated that girl. As a woman, I’m closer to Shintaro. I thought that I wouldn’t lose.”
“Well, …then that happened in the end.”
Senpai gazed at my face behind her glasses.
“During the night of the trip, if Komari-chan didn’t muster her courage, if Shintaro and I continued misunderstanding each other, the result afterward would’ve probably been different.”
“That’s…”
I couldn’t finish my sentence.
-Senpai thinks she should be the one to protect Komari. She thought Komari was a sensitive girl.
In a sense, she’s right. However, this cute kouhai seems a little stronger than the senpai thought.
“...In the end, I managed to find my way toward happiness by stepping on Komari-chan.”
“So, that’s why you purposefully let those two have some time to be alone?”
Guilt is still lingering in Tsukinoki-senpai’s heart.
I more or less understand that. It’s like what senpai said. Interpersonal relationships are constantly changing. Losing a hoof nail at the start may mean giving up an entire country in the end.
Sometimes, your eternal feelings may not be rewarded, either. I’ve been witnessing scenes like that everywhere recently.
“...He’ll get taken by someone one day if you keep causing trouble.”
I reminded her. Senpai answered with her usual confident smile.
“I’ll force him to fall for me again if that happens. I’m 18 years old, after all.”
Tsukinoki-senpai chewed the cigarette candy between her fingers.
Senpai laughed for a while. Then, she suddenly looked anxious and glanced at the school building.
“...But they are indeed a bit late.”
“I thought you allowed them.”
“There’s a limit on everything, right?”
Eh, …this person is quite selfish, even though I knew that already.
“I’ll call Prez and ask him, okay?”
“Probably not. I don’t want him to feel like I’m suspecting him. So…”
Senpai promptly put her hand on my shoulder.
“Nukumizu-kun, can you secretly go check up on them?”
…This person is so selfish.
*
Evening, west building.
The slanted sunlight pierced through the window and stained the corridor yellow.
All rooms seem to have finished removing items related to Tsuwabuki Fest. There’s no one around.
We’ve almost finished cleaning the classroom the Literature Club used as the venue. The only thing left is taking off the exhibits on the wall.
I arrived and looked into the classroom. Only Komari remains. Prez seems to be gone. I don’t know whether I missed him or not.
I wanted to leave, but I stopped upon seeing Komari’s face.
Komari is gazing at the exhibits on the wall alone in the evening classroom.
After a while, Komari finally decided to walk over. She made up her mind and reached her hand out.
She still couldn’t reach it even after straightening her body. Komari stood on tiptoes, yet her fingertips only slit across thin air.
I entered the classroom and reached my hand over Komari’s head.
“N-Nukumizu…!”
“Komari, we can take this down, right?”
Komari nodded gently. I paid attention to not breaking it as I peeled off the paper and put it before us.
“Even I think it’s pretty well-made. It’s too much of a shame to throw it away.”
“D-Did you even do anything?”
Komari complained as she turned around and observed the classroom under the sunset.
Influenced by her, I also turned around. The empty tables extend to the other side of the classroom.
“...I-It’s all over.”
Komari muttered.
I wanted to say something, yet nothing came out of my lips. I could only maintain the silence.
If Prez’s here, perhaps he can say something that suits the mood.
At times like this, that person will show a slightly troubled expression and search for words that are considerate of her feelings.
“Right, did Prez not come? He should be taking Tsukinoki-senpai’s school bag here.”
“H-He did and left already.”
I still missed him, after all. I tidily put the peeled papers on the table to avoid creases before glancing at the clock.
“It’s time for me to go back. I have to help move the tatami.”
Komari didn’t answer. She just stares at the stacked papers.
I feel like I can’t excuse myself from this place.
“Did you talk to Prez?”
…Why am I asking this?
My heart grew turbulent. Komari looked at me in surprise.
The silence is awkward. I quickly pieced my words together as if I was making an excuse.
“Uh, well, it’s because you don’t have many opportunities left to talk to Prez, right? So, you…”
Komari sighed and nodded.
“I-I thanked him properly.”
“I-I see. He has looked after me a lot as well. I have to express my gratitude to the senpais again afterward properly.”
“N-Nukumizu only joined the Literature Club recently, right?”
Hey, is this girl trying to put on airs with her experience?
I crossed my arms chicly.
“Actually, I’m your senpai on paper. I showed up on the first day of the visit period. It’s just that I didn’t realize I was already in the club after signing it.”
“D-Don’t forget I was the one who dug you out of the grave, you ghost member.”
“I didn’t know I was buried…”
A suspicious girl suddenly talked to me during a lesson break in July. That girl was Komari.
I feel like that happened very recently, yet it seemed so far ago.
“Komari joined the club in April, right? Did anyone else come to visit?”
“I-It was the last day of the visit when I went for the first time. I-I was the only one there.”
Komari’s eyes squinted as she looked outside the window.
The evening sky is growing darker and darker.
Komari crossed her fingers and tightly clenched them together.
“...I-I was really happy after j-joining the Literature Club. I-I really appreciated the senpais too.”
Is she mumbling to herself, or does she want me to hear her out? She continues vaguely.
“P-Prez really appreciated me as well. H-He said the Literature Club could only go so far because of me.”
“...That’s great.”
“Y-Yeah.”
Three months before I was dug out of my grave.
The time that Komari had spent with the senpais must have been peaceful and full of sunshine.
I wonder about Komari’s view of the ripples caused by our participation afterward.
However, it’s unavoidable that those two will disappear one day. If we didn’t show up-
The image of Komari sitting alone in the club room came to my mind.
“...T-The senpais are retiring too.”
“Yeah, they probably won’t visit the club room frequently, right?”
Komari slowly nodded in agreement.
“A-After the new year, they probably won’t even come to school because of the exam. The moment they have decided their f-future…is when they graduate.”
It will be November tomorrow.
The second semester will be over after the final exam. I feel lonely whenever I think of how much time we have left.
“S-Slowly, I will be seeing Prez less and less. A-As for the Prez in my heart, his image will get blurrier and blurrier. I-I don’t like that very much…”
Her voice gradually disappeared. Komari lowered her head. Her bangs covered her eyes.
-The days full of sunshine will eventually set. Her feelings for Prez will turn into a memory bit by bit.
Komari must feel lonely, right?
“...Isn’t that nice too?”
I mumbled to myself.
Komari frowned and glared at me.
“W-What…is so nice about this?”
“How should I put it? Even though I don’t like the saying that anything can be solved with time, I feel some things can only end over time.”
“Hmph, even though you aren’t rejected at all.”
Eh, …you can brag about being rejected as well?
If that’s the case, I was denied by a girl who I haven’t fallen in with love yet. I’m not planning to confess to her, either.
“I-I do understand what Nukumizu is trying to say. It’s just that-”
Komari sat on the table.
“H-Holding onto these feelings while I wait for it to be over is agonizing. I-I’m so glad that I told him how I felt slightly today.”
…? What does that mean?
Feeling lighter after displaying something she has been holding onto means…
“Wait, did you confess again?”
“Wha!? N-No way.”
Glad to hear that. Prez didn’t reject the same girl twice. I sighed in relief.
“I-I just asked whether there was a possibility of him liking me.”
Komari fiddled with her fingers in a slightly awkward manner.
“What does that mean?”
“W-Would he fall in love with me if Tsukinoki-senpai wasn’t there? That’s what I asked.”
Ha!? Is something wrong with this girl?
However, I resisted my urge to question Komari and took a deep breath.
“Then? How did Prez answer?”
“...P-Prez is really kind, so-”
After that, Komari smiled forlornly.
This smile is Komari trying her best to act tough. The sunset during the evening overwhelmed her feelings.
Whichever answer it might be, everything is already over.
No matter how much consideration or comfort she got, no matter how this ending would be called.
Prez’s kindness has slit a minuscule wound on Komari’s heart like a soft thorn-
I sat silently on the table next to Komari. Komari whispered to herself.
“W-Would it be different i-if I had never confessed?”
Komari’s red hair is swaying under the sunset.
I was attracted. I nodded vaguely.
“...Maybe.”
A different future. In that world, I wonder who will stay with Komari day and night and who will slowly grow distant from her.
Komari pondered about it for a while. She slowly squeezed her words out.
“I-Including Tsukinoki-senpai, I love the time the three of us have spent together. H-However, I-I felt I would be okay with all of these collapsing during the night of the trip. I-It’s because just l-leaving beautiful memories…isn’t something I want.
Komari came off the table. She turned away from me with her hands behind her.
Facing the disappearing sunset, Komari turned around and faced me.
“-I’m so glad that I fell in love with Prez.”
She carried a sincere smile. For some reason, I stopped breathing for a moment.
“I see.”
I finally squeezed that sentence out.
Komari nodded embarrassedly.
Suddenly, Komari seems to have realized something. She quickly started pulling the bottom of her uniform.
“W-What am I saying to Nukumizu…?”
“Well, I’m the best person you got if you want to talk to someone. I have few friends, after all.”
I jumped down from the table and looked at my watch on purpose.
“I totally forgot about senpai. I should leave.”
“M-Me too…”
I looked back at the classroom as we were about to leave. Komari followed soon. She slightly bowed before dashing through the corridor.
I lowered my head to the classroom before walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Komari.
Komari glanced at my face.
“P-Prez and Tsukinoki-senpai left the Literature Club to me because they believed me. T-That’s why I want to answer their expectations.”
“Tsuwabuki Fest only went so well thanks to Komari’s effort. I think you’ve already worked hard enough.”
Komari shook her head.
“T-This is thanks to everyone. I-I have to do that alone next time. Otherwise-”
Komari exhaled deeply. She repeated.
“Otherwise, I-I won’t be able to defend the Literature Club.”
Her appreciation for the senpais and the responsibility for being asked to protect the club.
It’s not bad that Komari wants to move forward, yet I feel a tinge of pain in my chest…
“...Sure, do your best. But we’re with you as well. So, don’t push yourself too hard.”
“T-Thank you, Nukumizu. B-But-”
Komari said that sincerely. She smiled nonchalantly.
“I’ll be fine.”
Komari’s smile is so refreshing that it hurts.
Until the end, I still don’t know how to answer her smile.
Intermission: Older Brother and Little Sister
Afternoon, Tsuwabuki High School.
Belonging to Class 2-3 of Momozono High School, Asami Gondou, affectionately nicknamed Gon-chan, is peeking at the photos in the camera over her friend’s shoulders.
What is displayed on the screen is her friend’s brother, Kazuhiko Nukumizu’s snapshots- or sneak shots.
As for her friend, Kaju Nukumizu continued checking these photos joyfully.
Gon-chan took a piece of her rainbow cotton candy and handed it to Kaju’s mouth.
“That’s a beautiful shot. Anyway, Nuku-chan, I’m glad you can see your brother.”
Nuku-chan, which is Kaju, ate the cotton candy handed by Gon-chan. She showed a satisfied smile.
“I didn’t show my face. That’s how I got these natural shots of onii-sama. Look, Gon-chan. This is onii-sama choking over udon! This is a rare SSR shot!”
“Oh, I see. That’s great.”
Gon-chan said that as she took off the yellow part of the cotton candy.
…Her friend Kaju is a brocon. At least, that’s how Gon-chan sees it.
Of course, she has seen situations that surpass this limit. However, if “brocon” already exists in the world as such a convenient term, it’s better to classify Kaju in this category.
“Well, that’s your main goal, right? Let’s decide where we’re going next.”
Kaju didn’t answer. Instead, she kept staring at the photos on her camera.
This is a high school girl in white clothes. She’s pointing her skewered dango at onii-sama.
“...Hey, how does Gon-chan think about onii-sama and Yanami-san?”
“The Yanami-san you’re talking about is this gorgeous girl in the photo. If that’s the case…”
Ignoring her ghost costume, she seems to be a brilliant, cheerful, and popular girl.
Gon-chan attempted to balance out friendship and reality in her mind as she thought of an answer. Kaju continued.
“...Actually, Kaju is planning to confirm these two’s relationship today.”
Kaju switched between photos on her camera.
The next one is a petite girl with a small pigtail next to her head.
She lowered her head. Her pupils undoubtedly arouse a boy’s desire to protect her.
“However, after I came here, I witnessed Komari-san going on a savage attack. Onii-sama is very kind. That’s why he may be attracted by a protection-seeking girl. Also, there’s another one-”
Kaju couldn’t keep her cool anymore. She frowned.
“Basori-san from the student council was an absolute blind spot. Maid costume with cat ears. She’s hitting all of the correct places of onii-sama, including 2D and 3D. I can clearly tell from him saving 72 images of that alone.”
She suddenly exposed her brother’s fetish.
“Onii-sama will slowly cultivate their relationship after meeting someone sincerely considerate of him. …However, a maid with cat ears suddenly intrudes on the scene. This is absolutely not part of Kaju’s scenario. How about I just-”
…How about what?
Gon-chan felt something was wrong. She tore off the red part of the cotton candy and shoved it into Kaju’s mouth.
As for Kaju, she swallowed a mouthful of cotton candy with intense emotions.
Gon-chan attempted to change the topic by putting the brochure in front of Kaju.
“Nuku-chan. Forget about that. Let’s check out the Judo Club. They are doing cross-dressing competitions for all years.”
“...Even though Kaju doesn’t mind, I don’t expect Gon-chan to like this. That’s a surprise.”
“A man’s body is more attractive the bigger it is, right?”
“More attractive the bigger it is…?”
Kaju is confused, yet she nods at her friend gently.
“Gon-chan’s tastes are weird, but Kaju thinks it’s good as long as you’re happy.
…Is she being honest, or does she just don’t want to ruin their friendship?
Gon-chan judged in her heart before nodding with a smile.
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