Chapter 3: Season of Goodbyes
On a clear Saturday afternoon, Yanami and I were at a track and field stadium near my house in Toyohashi.
A 100m race between Yakishio and me, determining our club resignation, is set for the last weekend of March. We came here for special training.
Yanami pressed the stopwatch button the moment my body crossed the finish line after sprinting 100 meters at full speed.
"...How...How many seconds was it?"
I asked Yanami while holding onto my trembling knees.
I should have managed a pretty good run this time. Maybe I could even aim for the target time in the 14-second range.
"Uh, 16.5."
What!? No way, but the LCD showed 16.5 seconds when I asked her to show me the stopwatch.
It was even slower than I thought. Yanami sighed in disbelief.
"Nukumizu-kun, are you sure this is okay? You only have three weeks, right?"
"But I'm getting a handicap. I just need to aim for the average time."
The handicap is very straightforward. The difference between the average time of Tsuwabuki's first-year male students and Yakishio's best time will be my handicap.
"So, how will the race go on the day?"
"Well, I start 2.5 seconds before Yakishio does. Whoever crosses the finish line first wins."
Yanami seemed to have understood and nodded.
“What’s your target time then?”
"Uh, since it's the average for Tsuwabuki first-years- it's 14.5 seconds."
Yanami raised an eyebrow.
"And what was your time just now?"
“...16.5 seconds.”
“............”
Ahem. I tried to cover it by clearing my throat.
"But the goal is clear. I need to shave off 2 seconds. Yakishio needs to beat her best time. Whoever gets closer to their goal wins, alright?"
Yanami shrugged and put her hands on her hips.
"You know, why did you even agree to this race? Nukumizu-kun, you're not usually the hot-blooded type. right?"
"I had no choice with the way things went. She was going to quit the Literature Club if I didn’t say anything."
"Even so, isn't your time way too slow? If Remon-chan beats her best time, a 2-second improvement won't be enough for you."
"Improving by even a hundredth of a second is hard for someone as fast as Yakishio. I, on the other hand, have nothing but room for growth, so I've got a chance."
"Oho, let's see that growth then. Go back to the start line. I'll time another run."
Can running the 100m repeatedly really make me faster? Though I have my doubts, there's no one here to answer them.
Komari arrived at the field with a large bag by the time Yanami had missed timing the third and all subsequent runs. She looked around carefully.
"Hey, Komari-chan! Over here. Hey, wave at her, Nukumizu-kun."
"I'm too tired for- ah, okay, got it."
Komari jogged over after spotting us.
"Komari-chan, did you bring what I asked for?."
“Y-Yeah, I did.”
What she had asked for?
Komari opened her bag and revealed several water bottles inside.
"U-Uh, I made some d-drinks. They have a-apple vinegar, salt, and sugar in them."
Ohh, homemade drinks.
Yanami proudly held up a bottle for some reason as I admired the beverages.
"Nukumizu-kun, you should be grateful for our thoughtful gesture."
"But you didn’t do anything, right?"
"The water bottles are from me. I bought a bunch for dieting that were just lying around at home."
I see, so Yanami is the type to start her diet with accessories. Figures.
"One of them is a different color. Is something different in that one?"
"I-It has roasted soy flour in it."
"Roasted soy flour?"
“Y-Yes, it’s rich in p-proteins. You drink it a-after training.”
Ohh, quite considerate.
Komari tilted her head curiously as I reached for the bottle.
"I-Is the training over already?"
"I'm kind of tired, and my shoelaces have come undone, so I guess it's about time to finish up."
Komari snatched the soybean flour drink from my hand.
"R-Run until you die. Better yet, just d-die."
"Eh? But I'm already pretty tired."
There are three amateurs here, after all. Improper training could end up being harmful to my body.
Yanami blocked my path as I tried to step off the track to take a break.
"You can’t run away, Nukumizu-kun. Do you understand that the Literature Club is in crisis?"
"I'm just going to rest a bit. You've heard of supercompensation, right?"
Komari grabbed the back of my shirt from behind as I attempted to dodge the situation with some vague explanations.
"I-I want you to try the 'Yakishio Method' s-she taught before."
Try it yourself, girl. The only theory that girl has is sprinting forward with total effort.
"Alright, but I’m heading home after a bit more running. I have someone to meet."
Yanami and Komari gave me a skeptical look.
“A girl?”
“A-A woman, huh?”
"...It's a secret. Even I have my secrets."
Yanami and Komari stared at me for a moment, and then they exchanged a glance and smirked.
"We get it. You're just putting on airs."
“S-Such a show-off, N-Nukumizu.”
How did they know?
In the end, I was forced to run until my legs nearly gave out, and my best time never improved from the first run.
*
After being freed from the training, I hobbled like a newborn Thomson's gazelle, taking about 15 minutes on foot from the stadium to a venerable Japanese sweet shop named Taisho.
The shop's exterior, while historic, exuded a sense of cleanliness.
Mitarashi dango is their specialty, and at the storefront, a dango grill machine is continuously turning.
This machine dips the dango in sauce twice while it completes one rotation, creating a fragrant and delicious flavor. It’s hard to describe the tastiness with words.
A tall guy came out of the shop as I watched the machine through the glass.
Tsuwabuki High School first-year student, Mitsuki Ayano. He’s my secret meeting partner.
"Right on time. What's up, suddenly wanting to talk?"
Ayano offered me a skewer of mitarashi dango.
"Ah, thanks. How much was it?"
"It's on me today. You can treat me next time."
We ate the dango while watching the grill machine. Now, how should I start…
“Did Remon do something?”
“Eh, how did you know?”
"I figured it might be about that when you said you wanted to talk without inviting Chihaya."
He hit the nail on the head. It can’t be helped if it’s out in the open. I told him everything that happened recently. Ayano listened quietly before speaking up in a calm demeanor.
"...This shop. Remon brought me here several times when we were in elementary school."
Like a substitute for a candy store, huh? Ah, but-
"You both went to Aoki, right? Isn't this area outside of your school district?"
“Yeah, we crossed the district lines.”
Ayano laughed.
In Toyohashi, the area where elementary school students are allowed to commute is called the school district, and it's forbidden for children to go outside of it without adults.
Breaking this rule is known as "crossing district lines." If you don't follow it, you get called out in the after-class meetings in front of the whole school. It’s scary.
"It probably happened when we were in third grade. She suddenly told me to follow her after school. She was a bossy leader, so I was a bit afraid of her at the time."
I can imagine. Yakishio would be like an unleashed Husky in elementary school.
"She only invited me when she had a fight with a friend or got scolded by her parents. Eating dango and staring at this machine, she would tell me all kinds of stories that I couldn’t understand."
I took a bite of the dango while listening. The fluffy texture and the sweet and savory sauce spread in my mouth.
Ayano and Yakishio. As elementary students, they too must have sat side by side, tasting the same flavor and talking like this.
"She stopped inviting me as we got older. But she brought me here again once in middle school."
"...What happened?"
Ayano seemed to be recalling that time, choosing his words carefully before slowly starting to speak.
"Remon’s speed became famous during our first year in middle school. There was a time when, on the coach's advice, she was practically in almost every event."
"Is that even possible? I mean, there are things like aptitude, right?"
"Of course, that's true, but we were in a pretty ordinary public school. The same went for the students studying there. Remon was the best in every event in the Field and Track Club. She just enjoyed running around, collecting awards and medals, and that led to a senpai who was good friends with Remon quitting the club because she couldn’t complete any events."
Ayano finished the last bite of his dango.
"Since then, Remon only ran the 100m."
...So that happened.
Of course, whether this directly relates to the current situation, I don't know.
But it's too reminiscent of what Yakishio is currently going through to say it's unrelated.
"Nukumizu, I have a question for you now. Why did you decide to compete with Remon?"
"I don't even know myself. Really, I have no clue."
Ayano seemed like he wanted to say something, but he only mumbled after a long pause.
"...Well, it's Remon, after all."
He really understands her well.
I stared at the empty dango skewer, voicing my doubts.
"Running might determine a winner between Yakishio and me, but that won't solve the problem, right? I'm wondering what kind of mindset I should have for this race."
"But it could be a starting point, couldn't it?"
Ayano spoke confidently, and then he placed his hand on my shoulder.
"I'm not sure if I'm in a position to talk about Remon, but maybe she's looking for a way to make up her mind or get a push through this competition."
"Indeed, it's a heavy responsibility. It's for life."
Ayano laughed as he said that.
"You're talking like it's someone else's problem."
"Don't be so tense. It's important for Remon that you share this burden with her."
“...Why is it me instead of you?”
Ayano grinned and nudged me with his elbow.
"Who knows? I wonder why. I’m a bit jealous."
"I'm going to snitch about that comment to Asagumo-san, you know...?"
Even he has a girlfriend already. Ayano took out his phone just as I shook my head in disbelief.
“Speaking of Chihaya, she asked you whether you want to join us for tea. She’s nearby.”
Oh, is that so? But I don’t want to be a bother, so let’s head off- wait, she’s nearby?
"Did you tell Asagumo-san that you were coming here?"
"No, I only mentioned I was meeting you."
Ayano cheerfully typed a response on his smartphone.
Then how did she know we were here…? I wonder why…?
"Do things like this happen often?"
I asked quietly.
“Things like this?”
“Like, for example, you bumped into Yakishio or other girls on your way to school or in the classroom. Would Asagumo-san just text you at the perfect time while you were chatting with the girl as if she heard it on the spot…?”
Ayano stopped typing.
"Now that you mention it, that does happen quite a bit. Wonder why."
I see. So Asagumo-san is…
"Ayano, don't take this the wrong way, but Asagumo-san probably put a wire-"
Ayano cut me off with a pat on my shoulder and smiled brightly.
“Yeah, Chihaya and I are really…”
"...destined for each other."
A voice suddenly came from behind. I turned around and saw a sparking forehead and a Nico Nico smile. It’s Chihaya Asagumo.
I returned a smile and pulled my ass out of there after a brief greeting.
*
Yanami and I are watching the Track and Field Club’s practice on Monday afternoon following the weekend.
After warming up, the team members split into their respective events to begin their individual practices.
As expected, Yakishio is nowhere to be seen.
"Hey, is the sprint training happening over there? Looks like they're doing strength training."
Yanami’s eyes squinted as she observed the group at the far end of the field.
"Yeah, it seems quite different from Yakishio's style. That must be what real training looks like."
Of course, I'm not skimping on practice. Gathering information is an integral part of competition. It's definitely not because my legs are so sore I can't stand it. Definitely not.
"Should I ask my friend in the track team for advice?"
Yanami said that as she unwrapped something long and thin in her hands.
“She does high jump. You might be able to jump 30 meters off the ground, Nukumizu-kun.”
“I’m not going…”
…I couldn’t listen to what Yanami was saying at all.
Because what she's unwrapping is a full-length yokan. [TL: A type of jelly made with agar and red bean paste.]
She’s peeling it like a banana. Don’t tell me she’s just going to eat it whole like that…?
"Nukumizu-kun, you're lightweight, so I think it might suit you."
Chomp. This girl really went for it.
“Seriously…!?”
"What? Is it that surprising to know that I have friends in the Track and Field Club?"
"No, but I’m surprised that you're eating an entire yokan."
"There's this confectionery shop in the street that sells gofuku, right? I just got this yokan from there."
Nom. She took another bite. I wasn’t asking where you got it…
"Didn’t you start a diet again recently? Is it okay to eat a whole one?"
I tried subtly to stop Yanami's peculiar behavior, but she blocked me with a triumphant smile.
"I accompanied you in your training last weekend, right? So, it's like I did the training myself, which means my diet is perfectly fine."
So it's like in a game where when someone in the party defeats an enemy, everyone gets experience points.
Then do Yanami's yokan calories count for me, too? I might have to kick her out.
We continued to observe the Field and Track Club’s practice with the sound of munching yokan as the background music.
It seems there's more to it than just blindly running 100m. They check their form, change tempos while running short distances, and have a much more varied menu of exercises than I imagined.
I closed the notes I had been taking on the training content after a while of observation.
"That was quite informative- uh, what’s wrong, Yanami-san?"
Yanami looked pale. She froze on the spot.
"Are you okay? Your face seems pretty messed up."
"...It’s not messed up. In fact, you should say my face is like rainbows."
That, in itself, might be a reason to go to the hospital.
Yanami covered her mouth and handed me the leftover yokan.
“...I’ll give this to you, Nukumizu-kun.”
Eh, I don't want it. It got bite marks. Besides, things must be pretty bad when Yanami can’t finish her food.
"Should we go to the nurse's office? Do you want me to call an ambulance?"
Yanami shook her head vigorously in response to my concern.
"I'll be fine. I just need some tea...like black oolong."
Black oolong isn't that magical.
"Got it. I'll go and buy some tea. Just wait here."
"Wait, Nukumizu-kun!"
Yanami sharply called out as I started to run.
"What's wrong? If you're going to throw up, use that pet bottle over there-"
"Actually, keep the rest of the yokan. I'll eat it later."
It seems she's feeling better than I thought. I nodded and headed towards the vending machine.
*
Yanami is feeling sick after eating an entire yokan.
This is an important “finding” for today.
I pulled out my wallet in front of the vending machine and browsed the options.
"Uhh, black oolong's expensive, green tea will do..."
Clunk. I took the green tea from the vending machine, and then-
"Hey, you're here, Nukumizu-kun."
I heard a familiar voice from behind.
When I turned around, a ponytail girl with a bright smile came into view. It was Captain Kurata from the girls' track team.
“Ah, hello.”
"Heard you're having a race with Remon? I can offer some help."
“How did you know?”
Captain Kurata grinned.
"Can't reveal my sources. It's worth two yokans, after all."
The insider is identified. The yokan Yanami ate must've been the second one. No wonder she felt sick.
"Please don't tell anyone else. Anyway, I'm in a hurry. See you."
Captain Kurata grabbed my arm when I tried to leave with the tea.
"Eh? No, hold on, didn't I say I would help you?"
...Right, she did mention that. My brain probably ignored it due to inconvenience.
"You did say that. Uh, what do you mean exactly?"
"You have to beat Remon in the 100m, right? I've got experience in sprinting, thought I could coach you."
Eh? She's offering to teach me how to run? I wanted to thank her, but then I hesitated.
"...Uh, I appreciate your concern, but please let us solve it ourselves."
"Leave it to me. I’ll definitely- eh!? You’re saying no!?"
Classic setup for a punchline. This person is somewhat exhausting…
I answered while scratching my head awkwardly.
“Won’t the Track and Field Club become Yakishio’s enemy if I get help from you, senpai? That will make her want to return even less, right?”
“I see. Remon…does care about that, yep.”
I guess she understood.
“That’s why I hope you can support her once she returns, senpai. I’ll leave it to you.”
Captain Kurata nodded. She’s still hugging my arm.
“You’re- uh, what’s the word? Yeah, that.”
“Ha? That?”
I feel like everyone has been saying that to me lately. Captain Kurata patted my shoulder.
"Understood. Our Remon is pretty much 'that' too, so take good care of her."
She walked away after leaving those words. Huh, so Yakishio is “that”, too?
"And what exactly is 'that'...?"
I opened the bottle and took a big gulp.
The cold green tea seemed to have washed away the doubts clouding my mind, refreshing my throat.
...I feel like I'm forgetting something, but what was it?
"Ah, Nukumizu-kun, you're here."
I had forgotten about her.
The forgotten girl now looks as lively as if nothing had happened before.
Yanami grabbed my green tea without asking and downed half of it in one go.
"Phew, nothing beats green tea for us Japanese."
“Huh, so you’re feeling better now?”
"Yeah, feeling much better. Really, even I was in a pinch this time."
Yanami laughed cheerfully.
"Did you make sure to clean up properly? You know, some people might feel sick just by seeing it."
“I already cleaned up the toilet- no, I didn’t vomit!”
Alright, I won’t pry any further if you say so.
Yanami took another sip of tea and looked in the direction Captain Kurata had left.
"Hey, was that girl from the girls' track team?"
“Yeah, that was Captain Kurata. She offered to coach me, but…”
Yanami tilted her head slightly when my words trailed off.
“You turned her down?”
“Eh, how did you know?”
I asked out of surprise, and Yanami gave me a contented smile.
"Because that's just like you, Nukumizu-kun. You want to do it with your strength, right?"
No, that’s not it. It's not even close, but it’s cruel to expect that much from Yanami.
"I just thought involving the track team might not be the best idea this time. That's all."
-Yakishio didn't confide in a friend from the Track and Field Club or Yanami but in me.
The reason I was chosen is probably as unclear to Yakishio as it is to anyone else.
It was merely by chance that I happened to be at the end of her groping feelings.
Yanami stared at my face intently.
"What, why are you staring at me?"
“You know.”
Yanami whispered with a mature smile.
"Do you still have any of that yokan left?"
I handed out the yokan package silently, and Yanami took it with a beaming smile.
*
The next day was rainy from morning on.
I casually listened to the sound of the rain during the modern literature class in the third period.
The gently pouring rain seemed to absorb the sounds around, creating the illusion that no one was outside the classroom.
The modern literature teacher is a calm, young male instructor.
The sound of turning pages filled the room when sensei paused from reading from the textbook.
Today’s topic is Natsume Soseki’s <Kokoro>.
The part in the textbook was a suicide note from the character called "Sensei", detailing his complicated relationship with his friend K.
I turned to the next page slightly slower than my other classmates, and then I immediately peeled off a note that read, "Pay attention, this is the hint!" in rounded, upward writing. Typical of Tsukinoki-senpai, sticking things in my book without asking.
According to her-
"BL, NTR, WSS. <Kokoro> contains all the fetishes we need."
I would prefer if she didn't lump me in with that group.
By the way, WSS stands for "I liked you first", which is mostly what Yanami's complaints are about.
As I attempted to throw away the sticky note between my fingers, I hesitated for a moment, realizing that Tsukinoki-senpai was no longer at this school.
I folded the note with a somewhat strange feeling.
“-That will be all for today.”
The bell rang as sensei quietly announced the end of the class.
I like this teacher a lot since he ends class on time.
Now, break time is precious. Rain affects the taste of tap water the next day. I have to check several spots today…
Sensei called out to me as I was about to leave the classroom.
"Nukumizu-kun, you're in the Literature Club, right?"
"Eh? Ah, yes."
Sensei gave me an apologetic look when I became startled.
"Sorry for calling out to you so suddenly. Were you in a hurry?"
"No, I was just surprised that you knew about me."
Sensei laughed as if he thought my comment was a joke.
“No teacher will ever not recognize the students that they are teaching.”
There is, and she’s very close by.
“Uhh, do you need anything?”
"I want to give you information about a literature event for students. I thought it might be helpful for your activities."
I accepted the flyer and scanned its contents. It includes a high school literature competition, a reading session, and a bibliobattle. They are all pretty serious events.
...I wonder if our club is really cut out for such public-facing events.
Especially the stuff Komari writes-
“Wait, what are you doing here, Komari?”
Komari stood before the entrance to the classroom as if summoned by my monologue.
She rushed over and grabbed the hem of my jacket.
“N-Nuku…!”
“Hey, what’s wrong, Komari?”
“...Ueh, ah, N-Nuku…!”
Drip drop. Tears started to fall from Komari's eyes, big and heavy.
“Hey!? Eh, hold on, why are you suddenly-”
Yanami rushed over and pushed me aside before hugging Komari tightly.
"Are you okay, Komari-chan!? Hey, Nukumizu-kun, what did you do?"
"I didn't do anything- uh, I didn't, right?"
I'm starting to lose confidence. Unable to withstand the atmosphere, I fled the scene and followed the two girls.
*
Komari sniffled as she sipped the cocoa I bought on the bench next to the vending machine.
"Have you calmed down a bit?"
“...Y-Yes, uh-”
Yanami shot me a sharp look as Komari started to speak.
"Nukumizu-kun, did you do something to her? Like swapping her pigtail from left to right?"
What’s that? That sounds kind of fun.
"I didn't do anything, okay? Komari, you came to our classroom to look for us, right?"
Komari nodded and took a deep breath.
"T-Tamaki-senpai...g-got into university!"
Huh? Right, today is the announcement day.
“Ah, you’re right. Tamaki-senpai just texted us, Nukumizu-kun.”
I checked my phone and saw a message in the Literature Club's LINE group about his university acceptance.
Seriously? That's great news, but-
"So, Komari, you were crying over that…? Tears of joy?"
She nodded again. So, essentially, upon hearing about Tamaki-senpai's success, she rushed to class 1-C, found me nearby, and started crying. Does she have a grudge against me?
“I-I’m so happy…”
Komari smiled while clutching the can of cocoa with both hands.
…I could only reply with the same smile upon seeing hers.
Yanami clapped her hands during this time.
"Then how about we go buy something to celebrate for the senpais after school?"
“Y-Yeah, I would love that.”
Komari's eyes sparkled as she nodded eagerly.
"It’s decided then. You okay with that, Nukumizu-kun?"
"Uh, could I leave that to you two?"
Yanami tilted her head slightly.
"You're going to practice even though it's raining?"
"Yeah, thought I would do what I could. I'll pay my share, don't worry-"
Yanami waved her hands dismissively.
"Don't worry about it. I've been getting a bit tired of tagging along to practice recently."
This woman is always so straightforward.
Well, break time is almost over. Komari looked at her phone and mumbled quietly as we returned to our respective classrooms.
"Y-Yakishio…hasn't checked her p-phone."
Yakishio? Looking at the LINE chat, four people read the congratulatory message I sent earlier.
So, the two senpais, Komari, Yanami-
"It's normal not to check your phone during break time. She could be talking with her friends."
I tried to smile but ended up with a half-hearted expression, quickening my pace.
*
Club room, after school. I changed into my gym clothes and started on the practice menu I had thought up last night.
First, I decided to do 50 high knee lifts- but let’s go with 15 since it’s the first day.
Next is squats, but I decided to skip it today to avoid straining my back.
Instead, I aimed for 50 push-ups to strengthen my upper body, but I gave up after five. Lying on my back, I gazed up at the fluorescent lights.
“...Ouch, this is more painful than I thought.”
I murmured to no one in particular.
Over the weekend, I ran as Yanami instructed but ended up with nothing but aches all over my body. Adding muscle training to the mix just made it worse.
"Maybe I should have asked Kurata-senpai for advice after all..."
As I started to regret my decision-
"Excuse me, is anyone here?"
The club room door opened. It's Teiara-san from the student council.
Our eyes met as I looked up from the floor.
"Ara, Nukumizu-san. What are you doing on the floor- ah!?"
Teiara-san hurriedly held down her skirt.
"Hey, what are you peeping at!?"
No, no, you came into the club room uninvited. That accusation is a bit too much.
It just so happened that my line of sight was under her skirt because of the angle.
"It's okay. I could only see up to your knees. Anyway, what do you need?"
"Eh? Ah, yes. I came to remind you that your plan for next fiscal year hasn't been submitted yet- you're looking again, aren't you!?"
I ain’t blind, you know?
I sighed and stood up. Teiara-san stared at me curiously.
"Why are you wearing gym clothes, Nukumizu-san?"
"Uh, that's because-"
Well, the Track and Field Club already knows. So why not give her a simple explanation at this point?
“...I’m surprised.”
Teiara-san’s eyes widened.
“I guess. You might not imagine me running.”
"No, Nukumizu-san, it's that you always seem so nervous when I talk to you, so I'm surprised you're telling me this."
Is that so? I’m sorry to surprise you. However, I hope you can stop scaring me, too.
She nodded earnestly after a brief pause.
"If that's the case, I think I can be of help."
"Eh? Do you have experience in track or something?"
“No way.”
She gestured dismissively.
"I meant you need someone other than the track team who could teach you running, right?"
"Do you have someone in mind?"
"Leave it to me. I might not look like it, but I know a lot of people."
Teiara-san showed me a gentle smile while I was still a bit frightened.
*
The next morning, I’m standing on the Tsuwabuki High School track in my tracksuit.
I checked my watch. It’s 6:30 AM. A female student approached me energetically as I tried to suppress a yawn.
"I've heard from Basori-kun. I can help you!"
Standing before me is the Tsuwabuki High School Student Council President, Hibari Hokobaru.
I had somewhat expected this.
Teiara-san and Sakurai-kun are also present as chaperones.
“Uh, I’ll be in your care.”
Prez placed a hand on my shoulder after I bowed awkwardly.
“As starters, I want to know how good you’re right now. Run a lap after warming up.”
“Yes, understood.”
After several days of training, I should be somewhat faster.
I ran with all my might after stretching.
"W-What was the time...?"
Sakurai-kun read the time apologetically while holding the stopwatch.
"16.7 seconds."
…How did I get slower? Prez tilted her head and crossed her arms.
"Hmm, wasn't it 16.5 seconds before you started training?"
"That was because of a bad coach..."
"Alright, stand straight as you are."
Prez approached me and suddenly started touching my body.
“Hey, wait!?”
"Don't tense up. Relax."
With a serious face, the president felt around my abs and back muscles.
“Uwah, hold on, it tickles- hey, don’t touch my inner thigh, hya!?”
“Endure it. You are a guy, right?”
It’s precisely because I’m a guy. I gritted my teeth and bore it while Teiara watched me with an extremely serious expression. Her seriousness is scary, and her slowly getting closer is also frightening.
Prez finished checking while I was mentally reciting the Heart Sutra.
"Hmm, I think I've got a pretty good idea of your body now."
…She got a pretty good idea of my body now.
"Your body structure is delicate, and your muscle mass is lacking."
Teiara-san gulped nervously for some reason.
"Uh, so does that mean I need to practice running in a way that suits my body?"
Prez shook her head.
"No, you don't even have the muscle strength necessary for training in the first place."
Eh? What? So I'm not even allowed to train?
"But I have to do something in preparation for the race at the end of the month."
"That's why, for the first 10 days, we'll focus on overall muscle and stamina improvement. Running training will only be held in the last week."
"Will that be enough?"
"I don't know. I can't say, but that's what I would do."
She stated decisively, looking me straight in the eye.
…Even though Teiara-san was the one who pulled her strings, this person really wouldn’t gain anything from training me, yet she still came to my aid.
I met her gaze squarely and bowed deeply.
“Yes, I’ll be in your care.”
“It’s Basori-kun’s request, after all. Leave it to me.”
Teiara-san is staring at us from nearby, making me feel uneasy.
"Also, your running pose was really weird. Did you hurt your right foot?"
"My right ankle feels a bit off. Maybe it's muscle pain?"
"It might be a mild sprain if it's the ankle. I'll let Konuki-sensei know."
Alright, I don't want to go to the nurse’s office, but I guess I have no choice. I really don't want to, though.
Prez sat down on the ground, stretching her legs out, and patted the spot next to her.
" I'll teach you some muscle training routines that won't strain your joints today. Come sit beside me."
“Ah, yes.”
As I obediently followed her instructions, Teiara-san seemed to be filming us with her smartphone, walking around us. Her constant serious expression is kind of scary…
Prez’s lesson ended by the time it was past 7:30 AM.
"By the way, how much does your foot hurt?"
"It's fine if I don't run. It just hurts a bit when I walk."
"Hmm, then let's exchange contact information."
Prez took out her phone.
"Set how painful you currently feel as 10 and update me daily."
"Should we use LINE for that?"
Teiara-san approached me and cleared her throat while Prez and I were exchanging our LINE.
“...Nukumizu-san, do you use LINE?”
“Eek!?”
It's the third time. If Teiara-san hasn't glitched out seriously, then it must be that.
"...Well then, Basori-san, shall we exchange our LINE?"
“Eh? Ah, yes!”
…I really don’t understand this girl, after all.
I presented my QR code, and Teiara-san pointed her camera toward it.
"By the way, you seem to be in good health today."
"Do I look that weak normally?"
"Eh, because you've been having nosebleeds frequently lately—"
Teiara-san puffed up her chest chicly before I could even finish.
"Please be assured. I started drinking Orengedokuto recently."
"Orengedoku...? What's that?"
"It's a type of Chinese medicine. I've completely overcome my nosebleeds with the power of Chinese medicine!"
I see. Chinese medicine is pretty amazing. I hope it can overcome the poison in your head as well.
*
[Last part starts here.]
After parting with the student council trio, I walked past the morning baseball practice toward the corner of the school grounds.
Time to change and head back to class. I thought to myself, feeling utterly drained, and then-
"You're really pushing yourself. Looked good out there."
Munching on a banana, Yanami approached from the front.
"You were watching? You could have said something."
"I thought about it, but, well..."
Yanami pointed with her half-eaten banana toward a tree on the edge of the field.
Peeking out from behind the trunk, Komari was secretly watching us.
"What's she doing?"
"Got shy around all the unfamiliar faces, I guess."
That makes sense. The student council folks are a quirky bunch overall.
I dragged my exhausted legs and approached the tree where Komari was hiding.
"What's up, Komari?"
Komari half-emerged from behind the tree, fixing me with a steady gaze.
"A-Are you going to keep getting coached by t-those people?"
"Yeah, they said they would check on me daily as coaches."
"............"
She fell silent again.
"Uh, something wrong?"
"Ah, there goes Nukumizu-kun again, bullying Komari-chan."
Yanami kept up with her BS as she swung the banana peel around.
"Yanami-san, you saw everything, right? I haven't done anything."
Komari timidly extended her hand, holding a drink bottle.
"...U-Uh, I made a drink."
"Thanks, I'm parched."
But Komari ignored me and handed the bottle to Yanami instead.
"Thanks, Komari-chan."
"Eh, wasn't that supposed to be for me?"
Komari glanced up at me nervously and muttered.
"...Y-You cheater."
She left behind cryptic words and ran off. What was that all about?
"This drink is delicious, and the apple cider vinegar works its magic. This would be great for recovery."
"So that was supposed to be for me, right? Yanami-san, why are you drinking it?"
Yanami shrugged her shoulders while still sucking on the straw.
"But Nukumizu-kun, you would give it to me if I asked, right?"
"I would, but-"
"That's what I thought."
What does that even mean, Yanami-san?
Yanami took another big gulp of the drink and then handed me the half-empty bottle.
"Here, saved you half."
It felt like a feudal lord collecting his dues. I resigned myself to the situation and picked up the straw-
…Why did I taste banana?
I meticulously wiped the straw with a wet wipe before drinking.
The drink was a refreshing mix of salty, sweet, and sour that seeped into every cell of my body.
But there was still a lingering hint of banana flavor. Ew…
*
That evening, Kaju entered my room quite naturally as I stretched, following the regimen Prez taught me.
She sat down quietly in front of me as I continued my routine without a word.
"Onii-sama, have you started doing sports recently?"
"Yeah, I've been feeling a bit out of shape lately. What's up?"
"It's almost White Day this weekend. Kaju has prepared something for you with the help of my friends."
It’s that time already? I only received an obligatory chocolate from Asagumo-san on Valentine's Day, but Yanami will nag the shit out of me if I don’t bring anything.
I accepted the paper bag Kaju handed me and peeked inside.
"Thanks. Uh, what's inside?"
"Kaju has been into traditional European confections recently. There are dragées, pignolata, and streuselkuchen. Please share them with everyone."
"...Huh? What are those?"
Kaju gave me another box, but I remained puzzled.
"And this is pitta 'nchiusa. Please give this to someone special."
…Pitta? Is that a new puzzle game or something?
But this timing is just right. I need to give something to Asagumo-san individually, so I'll give this to her.
"Then, I'll gladly accept it. Thanks for the help."
A month has already passed since Valentine's Day. A lot has happened.
The Literature Club's new member welcome, the senpais' moving out, and various other complications have been overshadowed by the competition with Yakishio, and I still find it strange that I'm getting involved in all this.
"Onii-sama, sorry to interrupt your training. Would you like me to help you?"
"Then could you hold down my feet while I do sit-ups?"
"Of course, with pleasure!"
Kaju kept talking to me cheerfully as I started doing sit-ups.
"You need to match the other girl's hobbies if you two want to keep dating, right? Kaju supports you!"
"This has nothing to do with it, okay? Also, your face is too close."
"And, onii-sama, Kaju has also started sewing recently. Kaju wants to start with something small, like baby clothes, maybe?"
"Well, save that for your own time."
It's just sit-ups, but somehow, I feel unusually tired. And her face is too close.
And I collapsed onto the floor, lying on my back after counting to 30.
*
A new day dawned. As the sunlight gradually illuminated the city, Remon Yakishio enjoyed this moment, when the last remnants of the night faded away.
The riverbank along the Toyokawa River was veiled in a thin mist, clearing as Remon ran, creating a path behind her.
Remon loves the instant when the remnants of the night vanish entirely.
Just running, breathing in, exhaling.
The morning air permeated her body, making her feel like she was transforming into a new version of herself, different from yesterday.
As she ran under the Shinkansen tracks, contemplating how far to go today, she spotted a figure on the riverbank.
A petite figure, always seemingly insecure and anxious, yet somehow a little strong.
Undoubtedly, one of Remon's dear friends.
Chika Komari.
She stood there, straight as if waiting for Remon.
The look of deep concern on Komari's face sent a pang through Remon's heart.
The guilt she had been avoiding now confronted her unavoidably, right before her eyes.
Remon slowed her pace and approached Komari gradually.
"Komari-chan, why are you here..."
Her words faded away.
"Y-Y-You've been avoiding me lately, h-haven't you?"
...Komari is angry.
Of course, for her, the Literature Club is the most important place, and she's desperately trying to protect it.
Despite knowing this, Remon herself is trying to destroy it.
Out of sheer selfishness and uncertain feelings that not even she understands.
Remon placed a hand on her chest, trying to steady her breath.
But no words came out, and Remon remained standing there.
"Y-You're going to compete against N-Nukumizu, aren't you?"
It was Komari who broke the silence. She looked down, her fingers whitening as she clenched her fists.
"...I'm sorry."
Guilt is just something for oneself.
Chastising her own tendency to seek comfort, Remon awaited Komari's words.
Komari took a deep breath, trying to appear calm, and then spoke.
"A-And you haven't been going to the track team r-recently, right?"
"...Yeah."
Komari lifted her face.
"D-Do you plan to do everything on y-your own?"
"I can't involve anyone else in this."
Komari sighed just as she was about to speak up. She exhaled slowly before continuing quietly.
"Why N-Nukumizu? Y-Y-You could have asked someone else..."
Remon shook her head.
"I...don't know why it has to be Nukkun. But I..."
Remon clenches her teeth, holding back tears.
No, this is wrong. She’s crying even though it’s her fault, and it’s absolutely unacceptable.
She must accept any words said to her. That's all she can do.
"I'm sorry, but this competition…"
"..S-Stop messing with me."
Komari, trembling, managed to squeeze out the words.
"L-Let me help."
"...Eh?"
Taken off guard by the unexpected words, Remon steps back in confusion, shaking her head.
"But, Komari-chan, I betrayed everyone in the Literature Club. Aren’t you angry?"
"I am angry! I-I'm really angry! B-But-"
Komari stepped toward Remon.
"I-If you betrayed us all for something you desire that m-much, I'll help! B-Because we're friends!"
After saying everything at once, Komari staggered slightly to maintain her balance.
Remon hesitated to reach out her hand, then pulled it back.
"But, Komari-chan. Even I-"
...No, it's no good. Even though she has decided not to cry-
But the guilt she carried, the loneliness she chose- it wasn't like she was ever okay with it.
"N-Nua!? No, Y-Yakishio, d-don't hug me!"
It's all her fault. She couldn't tell anyone.
But she had been anxious all alone. She always wanted to cry.
"O-Ouch, that h-hurts! G-G-Go easy on me!"
And then, something from a fairy tale happened.
That's why she could do nothing but hug her dear friend tightly.
Even if she cried, she hoped to be forgiven.
………………………………
……………………
How much time had passed?
Remon laughed sheepishly as her tears got wiped off by a handkerchief.
"...Hehe, you saw me at my worst."
"I-It's just us here, a-anyway."
Komari muttered brusquely, perhaps feeling embarrassed herself.
Then, with a lonely look on her face, she added quietly,
“Y-Yakishio, y-you’re too good for N-Nukumizu, b-but it can’t be h-helped if you like him.”
"...Huh?"
Remon was genuinely puzzled again, blinking in surprise.
"Wait, Komari-chan. I like Nukkun as a friend, but I don’t have romantic feelings for him."
“Ueh…?”
Komari frowned deeply for a moment, and then her eyes widened in realization.
“Y-You don’t!? U-Uh, you really d-don’t think of him t-that way?”
Remon nodded with clear eyes.
"Yeah. This kind of thing might cause misunderstandings. Nukkun doesn’t push things, so I end up feeling safe and getting a bit spoiled around him."
Remon scratched her cheek with a wry smile, then tilted her head as if she remembered something.
"But Komari-chan, you like Nukkun, don’t you?"
“Una!?”
Komari leaped back dramatically.
“N-No, I don’t!”
"Really? But you do pay a lot of attention to him."
Komari shook her head furiously.
"W-When it was Tamaki-senpai, m-my heart would race, a-and my chest would feel t-tight, but with N-N-Nukumizu, it’s d-different. H-He just irritates me, and I get a-annoyed because he seems like h-he doesn’t care about t-things at all. I-It’s just that- it bothers me j-just a tiny l-little bit, t-t-that’s all!"
Remon kept her head tilted puzzledly.
"Isn’t that what liking someone is?"
"I-It's not! It’s d-different from how it was with T-Tamaki-senpai!"
Komari asserted this with all her might.
Hearing this, Remon decided to hug her once more.
“Ah, you’re so cute, Komari-chan!”
“I-I told you to go easy on m-me!”
*
The last weekday before White Day.
I faced Yanami across the table and handed over three wrapped bags in the after-school club room.
Yanami nodded seriously and opened the first bag.
"This is- candy, right? Wow, these are so pretty! They look like they are from a store!"
The first treat made by Kaju is an oval-shaped candy with almonds wrapped in sugar.
Yanami carefully picked up one of the multicolored candies and examined it closely.
"These are too beautiful to eat. Are you sure there are no acrylic nails mixed in?"
"There are none. Kaju doesn't do makeup or any of that stuff-"
Yanami ignored my passionate explanation and popped the candy into her mouth.
"Delicious! This is definitely restaurant quality!"
“Yanami-san, you can’t eat them all, okay?”
I snatched the bag away as she continued munching.
Yanami, with a theatrical gesture, licked her fingertips and then stared intently at a slip of paper with the names of the three kinds of sweets written on it.
"Alright, got it. This candy is called- streuselkuchen, right?"
"No, this is called dragée. It's a French confection."
“I guess I made a wrong guess, huh? That’s a shame.”
Not really.
I opened another bag.
"And that streu-whatever is-"
"Wait, let me guess this time."
Yanami peered into the second bag and sniffed smugly.
"Okay, I've got it. This karaage-looking thing is the streu-whatever, right?"
"That's pignolata, an Italian dessert. And this here is streuselkuchen."
"This thing that looks like a surface of skin under an electron microscope?"
Please describe it in a way that sounds appetizing.
Yanami skeptically took a thin slice of the square cake and bit into it.
"Delicious! This also tastes like it's from a store. Looks like we've got a second store opening."
Yanami munched on the sweets happily, seemingly pleased with the White Day return gifts.
“By the way, I also brought something. A guy like you won't overwhelm The Literature Club’s girl power, after all.”
I don't care, but she must be pretty confident to mention it.
Yanami then placed a round cookie tin on the table.
"...This is just the regular kind you find in supermarkets, right?"
"In the end, I have concluded that store-bought sweets are the best."
What happened to the girl's power? Yanami opened the cookie tin and started eating.
"Can't beat Imouto-chan's, but these are also good. They are pretty sweet, you know?"
It’s sweet, right? As I gave up on thinking too much and just watched Yanami's enthusiastic eating, the clubroom door suddenly opened with force. For a moment, I thought it was Yakishio, but it was Komari standing there.
"Perfect timing, Komari-chan. There's White Day candy."
For some reason, Komari stood at the entrance and glared at me.
"N-Nukumizu. You are- an e-enemy."
What did she just say? Uh, I must have become Komari’s enemy without knowing it, right?
"Ah, got it. I’m your enemy, then. We were just playing a game guessing the names of sweets. Want to join, Komari?"
"Ueh...? Uh, well, since N-Nukumizu is the enemy, so I..."
Yanami nodded in understanding as Komari stammered.
"I get it, Komari-chan. Nukumizu-kun is like an enemy to all women, huh? Want some of my cookies?"
"Y-Yeah, I made c-cookies too..."
Komari sat down and pulled out a Tupperware from her bag.
Our after-school tea party gets even livelier with Komari's homemade cookies.
Yanami sipped her tea after feeling a bit full after emptying most of the cookie jar.
"By the way, Nukumizu-kun, how's training with Prez-san going?"
"It's only the third day, so there's not much to say yet. But she taught me a lot, and I'm grateful."
I answered with a straight face, but training under the guidance of a beautiful senpai obviously boosts motivation.
Even though Teiara-san's gaze is intimidating, I would want the training to continue even after the match.
And for some reason, Yanami is giving me a sharp look.
"Uh, what...?"
"Well, of course, you would want it to continue if you keep swooning over Prez-san during your workouts."
"G-Go die."
This is slander.
"Both of you, isn't that disrespectful to our president? Sure, there’s a lot of physical contact, but it's all part of the training."
Yanami didn’t stop glaring despite my earnest explanation.
“You’re right. My bad. But don’t tell me you didn’t feel anything, Nukumizu-kun?”
“Uh, speaking in general terms, of course, it’s stimulating if a healthy young man is in close contact with a beautiful senpai, and I am a normal guy, so it would be a lie to say I’m not conscious of it at all.”
I cleared my throat and continued.
"In other words, it fuels my motivation, I don’t deny that. But ultimately, the goal is to win the match and keep Yakishio in the club."
Yanami utterly ignored my passionate speech of almost 60 seconds with just a "That's too long!"
"Let's leave it at that then, but do you have a chance of winning?"
"Well, that depends on how things go from now."
My ankle pain has significantly subsided.
In consultation with the Prez, I've increased my training regimen and switched to cycling for my commute.
Two weeks until the match. I can't waste a single day-
"Oh, I forgot to send today's update."
Yanami looked at me curiously as I pulled out my smartphone.
"Update?"
"I need to report my ankle condition to Prez."
"Every day?"
"Yeah, every day."
Why are you focusing on that? I immediately got a reply from Prez after I texted her.
Let’s see. She’s asking if I can go to the sports club now. There’s some equipment available.
"Prez called, so I'm going to head out. Feel free to finish the sweets."
Komari nearly choked on a piece of streuselkuchen, yet she still managed to stop me as I said that.
"W-Wait, Nukumizu. A-About that enemy thing…"
…Right, she mentioned something like that when she first came into the club room.
"Are you talking about how I'm your enemy?"
Komari nodded vigorously after swallowing her pastry with tea.
“Y-Yes. I-I’m on Y-Yakishio’s side this time.”
…Huh?
Uh, if she supports Yakishio while I'm competing against her-
"Wait a second, Komari. You do realize what happens if I lose, right?"
“Y-You two will have to quit the L-Literature Club, right?”
Yeah, she knows.
“B-But I don’t want her to lose.”
What's Komari thinking? Is there some underground Literature Club I don't know about, and the surface Literature Club is now obsolete?
"Delicious."
Yanami offered Komari a bag as I stood confused.
"Komari-chan. This one has whole almonds inside."
Crunch, crunch, crunch. Yanami and Komari happily munched on the French dragées.
“...Well, Komari has become our enemy. Are you fine with this, Yanami-san?”
Yanami handed me the bag of sweets.
"We're opponents in the match, but we're not fighting each other, right? And Remon-chan is still our friend. That will not change."
As I stood pondering, Komari was busy repackaging some sweets.
"H-Here, take these sweets to Y-Yakishio. Y-You live close by, right?"
"Me, go to Yakishio's house? No, that might be..."
"Wouldn't it be better if you delivered them instead, Komari-chan?"
Yanami unusually agreed with me, but Komari shook her head.
“N-No, despite her look, Y-Yakishio is someone who feels lonely i-if we just leave her a-alone.”
Komari thrust the packet of sweets at me.
“...B-But, you’re our enemy, N-Nukumizu. D-Don’t get carried away, you k-know?”
*
And then, on White Day, Sunday.
I was in my neighborhood doing some slow jogs. Well, it’s actually just a walk, but I guess you can call it a slow jog since I’m wearing a tracksuit.
-How many times have I passed this house now?
"It's hard to take the first step..."
The name "Yakishio" is displayed on the nameplate of the house I just walked past.
I’m merely tasked with delivering sweets on behalf of the Literature Club.
That's all, but ringing the doorbell of a girl's house feels like such a high hurdle…
Once again, I found myself in front of Yakishio's house, stopped, and started walking once more.
Alright, I successfully managed to "stop in front of the house" for the first time.
Next, I'll start imagining ringing the doorbell, gradually getting my body accustomed to the idea without straining myself…
“Ara, are you Remon’s friend?”
That voice stopped me in my tracks. A beautiful woman stood before me when I raised my head.
It was hard to tell her age, but she appeared older than Amanatsu-sensei. She has shoulder-length hair and the balanced physique of a model, and her facial features are well-defined. More than anything, there is a sense of déjà vu about her aura.
"Uh, I'm from the same school, in the Literature Club. …May I ask, are you Remon-san's older sister?"
I blurted that out without thinking, but I’ve never heard from Yakishio that she has an older sister. So, she could be-
The lady’s smile immediately blossomed.
“Ara, ara! Please! Come on in!”
“No, thank you. I’m just here to deliver something.”
Oh no, I might have triggered some kind of event flag. The lady grabbed my hand and pulled me firmly. This forcefulness and power undoubtedly belonged to the Yakishio family.
Surprised and a bit off-guard, I was pulled into the house by her strong insistence. She smiled again.
"Welcome! I'm Remon's mother. Not her sister, her mother."
*
Yakishio's mother sat across from me at the living room table with a cheerful demeanor. Steam rose from the teacup in front of me, and a slice of cake was placed beside it.
"Uh, I just came to give something to Remon-san..."
"She's out running right now. Could you maybe wait here and have some cake?"
I wanted to leave, but it felt awkward to just walk out after such a warm welcome…
I sipped the tea as I observed Yakimama.
I couldn't help but notice her beauty as she held the cup with both hands. Although she must be in her forties, she could easily pass for someone in her thirties.
Come to think of it, she’s the one wearing the outfit Yakishio borrowed during our aquarium date, right…? I see…
I placed the paper bag on the table while grappling with various thoughts.
“Could you please give this to Remon-san and tell her it’s from the Literature Club?”
"Thank you for bringing it. What's Remon like in the club?"
Yakishio in the Literature Club? All that came to mind were scenes of her changing, but that was not appropriate to mention here…
"Well, she's always energetic and cheerful, uh, and very lively…"
I realized I had repeated myself.
Despite my bland comment, Yakimama nodded with a smile.
"Uh-huh, and anything else? Does Remon write novels or anything?"
"She doesn't write novels, but, uh, your daughter is very fast and...lively."
My description of Yakishio seems to be increasingly worse.
"That's good to hear. I've been a little worried about her lately."
With that, she attempted to gulp down her tea but hesitated from the heat, which was somehow endearing.
…She’s pretty charming, even though she’s someone else’s mother.
I figured I should leave before Yakishio returns. I was just about to stand up when Yakimama looked at me intently and muttered.
"...Is it because of you?"
Huh? What does she mean? As I puzzled over her words, I heard footsteps approaching from the entrance.
"Hey, Mama. Is the laundry done yet?"
Remon Yakishio opened the door to the living room just as she finished speaking.
Standing in a tank top and shorts while wiping her neck with a towel, Yakishio froze the moment she saw me in the living room.
“-Eh!? Why are you here, Nukkun!?”
I don’t even know.
“Uh, I brought some White Day sweets on behalf of the Literature Club…”
“Uh, I see. Thank you…”
Yakishio scratched her cheeks awkwardly and looked away.
The awkwardness is mutual. My job here is finished. It’s really time to leave.
Yakimama stood up just as I was about to announce my departure.
“Then, Auntie will go out for a bit of shopping! Make yourself at home, Nukumizu-kun!”
“Mama!?”
“No, I’m leaving too.”
Yakimama quickly approached and pushed me back down into my seat as I tried to stand up.
“It’s fine, it’s fine. The cake is from Matterhorn. It’s delicious. Here, sit down too, Remon.”
“Hold on, Mama!?”
Yakimama spoke up after seating her daughter in front of me.
“I’ll be off then!”
Yakimama rushed out of the room before I could even object. That energy definitely belongs to Yakishio's mother.
I still feel pretty awkward being left in such an atmosphere, but going home is just going to make things worse…
Yakishio gave a resigned smile when I hesitated.
“Have some cake, Nukkun.”
“...Alright, let’s eat.”
As I forked into the Mont Blanc, I could feel Yakishio’s gaze. Intensely.
“Uh, it’s kind of unsettling when you’re staring at me like that.”
“...You’ve been getting running lessons from the student council president, haven’t you?”
I stopped reaching for the cake.
“Yeah, but I haven’t had any weird ideas about it. It’s purely for training, after all.”
“Weird ideas? I wasn’t talking about that.”
…Right, she wasn’t. I just dug my own grave.
Yakishio clasped her hands behind her head and glared at me with a sharp gaze.
“Huh, so you see Prez that way, Nukkun. Interesting.”
I don’t see Prez that way, but I feel like I’m just going to screw up even more if I speak again.
I ate the cake silently, but then Yakishio suddenly threw her towel at me. Rude.
“Tck, I was thinking of teaching you a thing or two.”
"Teaching me? You're my opponent in the match. Is that even allowed?"
I got the towel off my face as I asked Yakishio. She just shrugged as if it was the most natural thing ever.
“It’s not even going to be a match if I don’t coach you.”
"You would have a sure win if you left things as they are."
"Sure, it would be easier for me if I did nothing. But I'll still win. I'll be in perfect form on the day of the match."
With that, Yakishio gave me a sure-win look.
...That's Remon Yakishio for you. Confident, assertive, always looking ahead.
But she has her vulnerable moments, too, being moody and sensitive-
Suddenly, Yakishio leaned over the table with a clatter.
“Yakishio?”
Her lips curled into a slight smile as she came closer.
“Eh, hey?”
"Can I have a bite?"
...Oh, the cake. I fumbled with the fork to get some cake and brought it to her lips.
Yakishio opened her mouth at a dramatically slow speed before taking a bite.
She wiped some chestnut cream from her lips as I pulled the fork away.
“You’re so clumsy, Nukkun.”
“Ah, sorry.”
Calm down, me. Though the roles are reversed, Yakishio and I have shared food like this before.
Sure, this isn't a café, but Yakishio's home, and her mom stepped out to give us privacy- what's with this situation?
I swallowed nervously, and then Yakishio chuckled.
"This is for Valentine's Day, right?"
"Huh? The White Day sweets are over there."
“...That’s why I don’t like this part of you.”
Yakishio mumbled displeasedly.
"Did I say something weird?"
“I might tell you if you give me another bite.”
Yakishio opened her mouth again, closing her eyes this time.
“Eh? Hey?”
What’s going on? This is different from her onee-chan play, right? Is she…going for a little sister play right now?
Yep, that’s something I’m definitely used to then.
I brought the fork toward Yakishio’s lips slowly as I made excuses for myself-
“Nee-san, you have guests.”
Wha!? Startled, both Remon and I jerked back.
Turning towards the voice, it seems to be a girl in her upper elementary years, wearing thick glasses and with her hair in braids, staring at us with a cold expression.
"Nagi!? And-"
"Yanami-san!?"
Indeed, standing behind the girl, who appears to be Remon's younger sister, is Yanami, arms crossed, looking right at us.
"What are you two doing?"
"Nothing!" (x2)
We both harmonized perfectly, causing Yanami to raise an eyebrow.
"So, is this what you call Pattern A?"
"Eh, what's that?"
I asked, confused by the unfamiliar term. Yanami then plopped down next to Yakishio.
“Pattern A is the situation where you two are already together before I even know it. The two of you doing all kinds of things under the blanket at night while reminiscing about the past, that’s all.”
Yakishio and I shook our heads in unison, and then Yanani wrapped her hands around her head.
"So, it's Pattern B then..."
"...What’s that supposed to mean?"
"It's when the process of you two getting together is being shown to me in real-time. Like, I'm still haunted by it, you know?"
Ah, the Hakamada and Himemiya scenario. No, that's not it, either.
"No, really, there's nothing going on between Yakishio and me."
"Yeah! Absolutely nothing!"
"Then why were you two doing that whole 'feeding each other' thing?"
Yanami glared at me. Uh, that was…
I looked at Yakishio for help. She nodded affirmatively.
"See, sharing food is normal, right? That’s all it was."
“Even though he’s a guy?”
Yakishio tilted her head curiously.
"I do it all the time with Mitsuki. Yana-chan, you’ve done it with Hakamada, right?"
"I...haven't, though."
Silence fell over the Yakishio household's dining table.
Suddenly, Yakishio’s little sister slid into the chair next to me, her chair scraping loudly.
She started sipping her milk nonchalantly.
"Hey, hey, how old is your little sister?"
Yanami attempted to change the topic. Yakishio’s little sister stared at her over her thick glasses.
"-Nagi, and I’m in the 6th grade."
"Is that so? Going to middle school this year, huh? Do you have a boy you like, Yakiimo-chan?" [TL: Imo from imouto. The whole word (焼イモ) actually means roasted sweet potatoes.]
Yakishio’s little sister slammed down the glass of milk after finishing it.
"I'm not interested in that sort of thing. Nee-san, I left the dry laundry on your bed. Make sure you fold it and put it away."
After finishing her statement, Yakishio's sister picked up her glass and left the living room, very much in her own world.
"Was that your little sister just now?"
"Yeah, she's smarter than me. She can even wait until her stop before pressing the tram stop button."
It’s more like why can’t you wait?
"...Uh, anyway, so, Yanami-san, why are you here exactly?"
"Oh, right. I had something I wanted to tell you both."
Yanami stood up and cleared her throat.
"I've decided to side with Remon-chan, too! So, from now on, it’s you and me as adversaries, Nukumizu-kun!"
What!? That’s so sudden. Yakishio looked just as surprised.
"Wait a minute. Yanami-san, do you understand what this competition means?"
"I do, but Komari-chan is also siding with Remon-chan, right? I would feel lonely by myself..."
She gave me a stern look.
"Also, Nukumizu-kun, you’ve been all dreamy about the student council president, right? I would just be in the way, anyway."
Yakishio nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, that’s right. Nukkun, you’ve been quite smitten."
"Hey, this is exactly what they call not keeping personal and work life separate."
They're already starting to gang up on me. However, I haven’t been letting my affection for Prez show, at least not on my face.
Yanami and Yakishio seemed to have finished their round of complaints about me. She tidied her hair and sat down again.
"So, that’s what's up. But back to the sharing cake thing."
...Really? We're going back to that?
“I told you. There wasn’t any other meaning-”
"Right, yeah. When you think about it, sharing with friends is pretty normal."
Glad she understands. There might have been a bit of playful vibes, but it certainly wasn’t anything odd.
Relieved, I watched Yanami tap the table with her fingertips as she looked away.
"So, maybe I could have a bite too...?"
Tap, tap, tap, her fingers drummed on the table.
Huh…? If she wants some, she just has to say so. I pushed the plate of cake towards Yanami.
"You can have the rest. I'm not that hungry anyway."
A good deed every day. Small acts of kindness like these are what lead to good luck in gacha games, I believe.
While I felt secretly pleased, Yanami and Yakishio were giving me a piercing look.
"Eh? What? Is something wrong?"
Yakishio shrugged, looking exasperated.
“Seriously. That’s why I don’t like this part of you, Nukkun.”
Eh? Which part? Yanami also added in an equally frustrated tone following Yakishio.
“That’s why I don’t like this part of you, Nukumizu-kun. But, Remon-chan, I’m not what you think, okay?”
“Are you not?”
“I’m not.”
They stared at each other emotionlessly for some reason.
...So it's that part, or it's not like that.
The world is full of complicated conversations.
I picked up my cup, realizing it was empty, and set it back down on the plate.
Intermission: Order Is Important in Relationships
Two girls are walking together in the bustling Kalmia Mall in Toyohashi Station, known for its array of clothing stores.
One of the girls is Kaju Nukumizu. Occasionally, she would stop to peer curiously into the shop windows.
Beside her, the taller girl, Asami Gondou, affectionately known as Gon-chan, playfully tapped Kaju on the head.
"Nuku-chan, why not go in and take a closer look if you're interested in something?"
"Kaju is interested, but Kaju doesn’t want it for herself. Kaju isn’t going to wear children's clothes, no matter what."
“Children’s clothes?”
Gon-chan followed Kaju's gaze to a display featuring outfits suitable for toddlers.
"Wow, they are cute, aren't they? What's wrong with them?"
Kaju approached the clothes rack and gently touched the garments.
"I was just wondering what kind of clothes would suit someone who's just started walking."
“...?”
What did she mean by that?
Gon-chan's face turned a shade paler as she puzzled over Kaju's words, her expression growing increasingly perplexed.
"Nuku-chan!? Are you saying something happened between you and your brother!?"
"Why so panicky? As usual, Kaju and onii-sama are super close, okay?"
…It seems there's no need to worry after all. Gon-chan let out a sigh of relief.
"So what happened then?"
"Well, it seems like onii-sama has finally made up his mind."
"Oh, I see. That’s good, right…?"
Has that "most wonderful" onii-sama of hers finally found a girlfriend?
While cautiously observing her reaction, Kaju placed a hand over her heart and closed her eyes.
"Yes, I respect onii-sama's decisions. And if onii-sama gets a girlfriend, then-"
“Then?”
Kaju opened her eyes with a look of resolve on her face.
"Then it's Kaju's turn to become an aunt."
"Are you sure that's the right order...?"
Kaju nodded silently.
"But since both onii-sama and his partner are still in high school, it means Kaju has to become the mother of onii-sama's child, right?"
"Do you really have to?"
“Of course.”
Kaju took a small jacket off the hanger and cradled it as if it was a baby.
"I wonder if this is what it felt like when I held our relative’s baby. Once they pass one year old, it gets harder to hold them sideways-"
Gon-chan carefully chose her words as Kaju muttered to herself.
"Even so, that's a story for the future, isn't it? Do you need to worry about it now?"
"Kaju has been training to be a bride since I could remember, right? So now, it's time to start preparing to be a mother."
"...Huh, do you really need to prepare now?"
“Of course.”
There’s no stopping her once she sets her mind to it.
There might be some misunderstanding about her onii-sama making up his mind, but that seems not to be the concern here.
Gon-chan seemed to have seen a small child in the arms of the air-hugging Kaju- before shaking her head frantically.
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