Chapter 4: Let's Talk About Accountability
It's been 3 days since the end of Tsuwabuki Fest.
The afterglow of the festival has completely faded, and hints of winter are starting to peek in during the after-school hours.
I'm sitting across from Komari in the clubroom.
"Alright, Komari, from the top again."
Komari nodded and began reading from the notes on her phone.
"I-I'm! L-Literature Club p-president… Komari, speaking!"
After somehow managing to finish, Komari wiped the sweat from her forehead with a proud smile.
"I-I said it all the w-way to the end!"
Did she, though...?
I swallowed the words that almost slipped out.
For things like this, building up small successes is what matters most.
"Yeah, you're getting better bit by bit. You should be fine for the club presidents' meeting this weekend."
I said irresponsibly, then sat down and opened my book.
"B-But, I still don't have the c-confidence to s-speak in front of o-other people"
Komari mumbled restlessly, seemingly not satisfied. I slipped a bookmark into my book and closed it.
...What Komari has been practicing earlier is her self-introduction for the upcoming club presidents' meeting this weekend.
To make things worse, the Literature Club is also scheduled to give an activity report.
"If you're really not up for it, I could go in your place."
"T-That's not allowed!"
Startled by the volume of her own voice, Komari lowered her head.
"I-I have to do it m-myself…"
She corrected herself in a quiet voice and plopped down onto her chair.
Komari, to put it mildly, isn't good at talking to people she isn't familiar with.
On top of that, most of the club presidents are second-year students. Surrounded by people she's meeting for the first time, I can't imagine Komari being able to speak properly.
"Then how about at least letting me handle the activity report?"
"T-That would d-defeat the purpose."
And so we circled back to the same point again.
Since she had taken on the role, she must have some resolve to stand in front of others. But still-
"The presidents' meeting is this weekend. Just this once, isn't it fine to send a proxy?"
The moment Komari hardened her expression, about to argue back, the clubroom door burst open.
"-You two, that's enough fighting. I've heard everything."
The one who appeared is Yanami. She dropped her bag onto the desk with a thud and sat down in a chair.
"Yanami-san, you were listening?"
"Ah, sorry. I just said that to match the mood. What were you two talking about?"
Ugh, she really had to show up now of all times.
When I explained the situation to her-
"Hmm, then let's practice together."
She said it casually.
"She is practicing. We were just saying that since she has trouble with people, it might be better if someone else took her place-"
"That's why I don't like this part of you, Nukumizu-kun."
Yanami shrugged with a fed-up expression.
"She's working so hard as the new club president, so why would you say something like that? Right, Komari-chan?"
Komari nodded with all the conviction of someone who had found an ally.
"F-Forgive him. N-Nukumizu has always been t-this kind of guy."
"Yeah, well, it's Nukumizu-kun, after all."
When did these two start getting along like that?
Yanami leaned toward Komari.
"Then let's get used to it by practicing in front of people. How about in front of Toyohashi Station in the evening?"
That's a bit too Spartan.
"I-I mean, as long as it's s-somewhere without people..."
Komari isn't backing down either, throwing out something unreasonable herself. Yanami clapped her hands.
"Tomorrow's the makeup holiday for Tsuwabuki Fest, right? I have an idea, so how about we all go out?"
"A-An idea…?"
Komari curled her back like a wary little hamster.
"Yep. I haven't thought it through yet, but leave it to me."
Yanami said brightly, then began fiddling with her phone while humming.
Ugh... I really don't want to, but I guess I have to go too.
It's annoying to spend a precious day off like this, but if it's for the Literature Club, I guess it can't be helped.
"Well, if Komari's willing too, then-"
Ah, Komari's giving me a look. A really unpleasant one. She's staring hard.
So she wants me to say no. But Yanami's a pain when she gets like this…
"Ohh, looks like the weather will be nice. Alright, both of you, keep tomorrow morning free."
"Ah, okay. Got it."
I decided not to resist.
So, Komari, please stop looking at me like that.
*
Looking up at the blue sky, I saw puffy little sheep-shaped clouds lined up across it.
The three of us, Yanami, Komari, and I, have used Tsuwabuki Fest's makeup day to visit the Nonhoi Park, a zoo and botanical garden in Toyohashi.
According to what Yanami had "thought up", the idea is, if you want to get used to people, start with animals. So it's practicing talking in front of animals first.
We have made a full round of the zoo and are now in the petting and feeding area.
The free-roaming sheep are incredibly lifelike and have quite a presence.
When I offered them hay, one sheep munched it down. That's so real.
"Ohh, Nukumizu-kun. You have won the sheep over."
Keeping her distance from the sheep, Yanami snapped a photo.
"It's the power of food. See, that's what it means to be loved by animals."
Where I pointed, Komari is surrounded by several sheep.
I mean, they are really mobbing her…
"Aren't you going to help her, Nukumizu-kun?"
"Real sheep are actually kind of big and pushy, you know. And their pupils are all stretched sideways."
"Ahh, the classic zoo experience."
Yanami slowly approached the sheep and buried her hand into their wool.
"Whoa, their fleece is so warm and fluffy."
"But I wonder if this is really helping her practice. Feels more like we're just goofing around."
All we have done so far is watch elephants and their calves, and a red panda stand up. We haven't practiced a thing.
Ignoring my concerns, Yanami smiled brightly.
"Komari-chan's been really tense lately, right? I thought it would be good for her to relax a bit and breathe in some fresh air, you know?"
"She strikes me as the type who would rather stay holed up at home, though."
"When you're feeling anxious, being alone just makes you overthink things. That's a classic trait for delicate types like Komari-chan and me."
Delicate types... Was I supposed to jump in and comment on that?
While I was debating, the sheep left us and moved back toward Komari.
"You think she's okay? Isn't she getting cornered against the wall by the sheep?"
"She said she wanted to pet some cute little animals, so that's why we brought her to this area. It would be rude to interrupt."
Before we knew it, every sheep had gathered around Komari.
As if trying to escape from the sheep eager to snatch her food, Komari raised both her hands.
-Bad move. If she doesn't give them the food quickly, the sheep will only get more worked up.
"Cute little animals... Wait, the ones Komari-chan wanted to pet, was she actually talking about rabbits or guinea pigs? There's a rabbit area nearby, I think."
Really? I checked the zoo map again. Sure enough, there's a rabbit petting area right next to here.
...Ah, I see. We made a mistake.
Lifting my head from the map, I saw Komari about to be swallowed up by a fluffy sea of sheep.
Thinking idly to myself that her scream was still kind of cute, I went off to rescue her.
*
Even after I pulled her out of the sheep swarm, Komari's mood didn't recover easily.
"H-How could you? Y-You left me to die…"
"Come on, give me a break. Their pupils are stretched sideways, okay?"
Besides, I did save her in the end. She should be grateful.
That said, today is also meant to cheer Komari up. As we went around looking at cute animals and I gently coaxed her along, her mood gradually improved.
Yanami walked between Komari and me, unfolding the park map for us to see.
"Seeing the Malayan bear always gets me hyped. Alright, where to next?"
We have already visited the ostriches and the small-clawed otters. That leaves-
"How about the nocturnal animal house? African dormice are super cute."
"I-It has to be the a-aardvark. Y-You have no taste."
Yeah, we definitely don't see eye to eye on these things.
Yanami wagged her finger in front of my face.
"Nukumizu-kun, this is where you say 'ladies first'. Komari-chan, is there somewhere you want to go?"
"Ueh? W-Well, um... the b-botanical garden. I-I want to go there."
Yanami tilted her head, puzzled.
"The botanical garden, huh? Even if the fruits are ripe, you can't eat them, you know? Is that okay?"
It's okay.
Komari and I both nodded firmly in silence.
*
The northwest corner of Nonhoi Park is home to the botanical garden.
As we strolled along the outdoor path, Komari glanced around.
"C-Come to think of it, w-where did Yanami go?"
"She said she was on a diet, so she went to buy a snack."
"Ueh? W-What does that e-even mean?"
"Apparently, she thinks eating more frequently helps you lose weight. Don't question the logic."
"I-I see… s-so that's how it works."
Indeed it is. I'm glad you accepted it.
When I looked up, a varied tit flitted through the trees.
"I always stick to the greenhouse, but this part's actually really calming."
"O-Outdoor gardens are quiet, s-so I kinda like them."
For November, the sunshine is surprisingly warm and pleasant.
As she walked along the stone path, Komari subtly maintained a rhythm with her steps.
"The camellias are blooming. Weren't they supposed to be winter flowers?"
"T-That one's a sasanqua."
Huh, that's a different flower? Komari looked at me like she couldn't believe it.
"T-They are totally different. L-Look, the s-shape of the leaves and the way the p-petals are attached, and stuff."
I don't get it at all. I do feel confident in telling hamsters apart, though…
As I walked aimlessly, gazing at the autumn roses by the roadside, Komari suddenly stopped.
"U-Um… would you m-mind helping me practice?"
"Right here?"
"Y-Yeah... I-I want to make it a l-little harder than the c-clubroom."
Komari pointed to a bench by the base of a tree.
True, the weekday botanical garden doesn't have many people passing through. Perfect for practice.
I sat down without complaint, and Komari took a crumpled piece of paper from her pocket.
"O-Okay, I'll start."
Standing in front of me, she cleared her throat with a small cough.
"I-I'm the n-new p-president of the L-Literature Club. I-I'm Chika Komari. T-Thank you for y-your time!"
After finishing her line, she let out a deep breath.
"H-How was it…?"
"Huh? Oh, I think it has gotten better than before."
"R-Really?"
Looking pleased, Komari sat down on the opposite side of the bench.
"J-Just a little break."
It's better than before. Better, yes, but still…
"Komari, you can speak normally with me and Yanami-san, right? Why can't you speak well during practice?"
"B-Because, during the real thing, t-there will be a lot of s-strangers watching. J-Just imagining it makes me l-lose consciousness…"
Without realizing it, Komari had clenched the paper tightly and now hurried to smooth out the wrinkles.
"A-And I also have to do the a-activity report, s-so I need to p-practice that too..."
She began murmuring the lines softly, reading from the paper in her hand.
...Beside her, I looked up at the branches overhead.
The clouds peeking through the gaps in the leaves are so high that it feels like they might pull me in, and there's no trace of summer left.
The third-years have graduated, and the Literature Club is down to four first-years.
It still hasn't fully sunk in, but to be honest, I'm feeling a bit uneasy.
-The sound of the branches swaying in the wind.
As if in response to Komari's voice, a bird's gentle chirp echoed faintly.
Surrounded by an oddly tranquil atmosphere, I watched Komari's profile, her expression tense, as if weighed down by something.
Now that I think about it, she has had that same look for a while now.
Komari has been entrusted with the Literature Club by our seniors.
And what has been entrusted to me is supporting her. That was supposed to be my role. And yet, I couldn't do anything until Komari collapsed.
-In the twilight classroom, Komari standing on tiptoe, reaching up on her own.
For some reason, that image flashed through my mind.
The Komari in my imagination is always alone.
Even though she knows she can't reach it, she keeps stretching her hand upward, endlessly.
"...I'll do the activity report after all."
The words slipped from my mouth.
Komari flinched and looked up.
"I-I told you, I said I w-would do it..."
"The meeting's the day after tomorrow."
It's a feeling close to frustration.
But not toward Komari- no, this is surely…
"I-I know that, but…"
"This just isn't going to work at this rate. I'm not good at that kind of thing either, but can't you let me do something?"
Just as Komari parted her lips, hesitating, about to speak, my words ran over hers.
"It's just an activity report. All you have to do is read a script. Don't push yourself. Leave it to me-"
And it was only then that I realized my mistake.
Komari's eyes darkened.
"W-Why do you a-always say things like 'you can't' or 'it's impossible'...?"
She stared at the script, her voice barely above a whisper, like she was squeezing the words out.
"No, I didn't mean it like that-"
"M-Maybe it's easy for you. B-But I have been p-practicing hard, so that I could do e-even just a little bit more…"
Her small back started to tremble.
"I'm not trying to dismiss everything you have done. I get that you're doing your best as president, but just a little more-"
"I-I never even wanted to be president!"
Komari suddenly stood up with force.
"I-I kept calling Tamaki-senpai 'Prez' for so long, a-and I was finally starting to make p-peace with it, to let it become a memory... but then I s-started being called 'Prez' and my head just- it's all a mess...!"
At Komari's feet, tears began to soak into the ground.
Each drop that fell and spread felt like it made her seem even smaller, an illusion that pierced me.
"...Komari. If being president is too much for you, we can all talk about it again together."
"I-I'm the only one who can do it, right!?"
Komari shouted.
The pain in her voice robbed me of anything to say.
After standing there for a moment, her shoulders heaving, Komari suddenly turned and started walking away.
I stood up to follow her, but with her back still to me, she yelled out.
"D-Don't follow me!"
A clear rejection. The moment I heard it, my legs stopped moving.
Until Komari's figure disappeared from view, I remained frozen, unmoving, unable to even shift my weight.
"Sorry for the wait. Oh, you're here, Nukumizu-kun."
A cheerful voice, just like always, pulled me back to reality.
It felt like I had just woken from a daze as I looked up at Yanami's face.
"Yanami-san. Uh, actually..."
"Huh? Where's Komari-chan?"
Yanami, churro in hand, glanced around the area.
"...Sorry. I messed up."
I tried to bow my head, but my strength gave out and I sank down onto the bench.
Yanami, watching me with a puzzled expression, quietly sat beside me.
"You look unusually serious."
Taking a bite of her churro, Yanami looked up at the sky and squinted against the sun.
"I mean, uh... sorry, I..."
"If it's hard to talk about, that's fine. Is there anything I can do?"
I silently shook my head.
Yanami muttered "I see", and took another bite of her churro.
...How much time has passed?
Trying to escape the dark thoughts crowding my head, I closed my eyes and then slowly opened them.
The sky is still bright, and gentle sunlight filters through the trees.
Yanami has surely gone home by now.
Thinking that, I looked to my side and saw Yanami still quietly sitting there on the bench.
Noticing that I was looking at her, Yanami gave me the same cheerful smile as always.
And for some reason, that made me feel like crying.
*
The day after we visited Nonhoi Park.
Classes ended uneventfully, and it's now homeroom.
Amanatsu-sensei clapped the chalk dust off her hands and raised her voice.
"Alright, that's it for announcements! I've got to work late tonight, so you lot better savor your precious after-school freedom. Dismissed!"
The class started to break up into small groups, chatting as they got out of their seats.
I remained in mine, lost in thought.
After what happened, it's understandably awkward to go to the clubroom. But staying here with my head in my hands isn't going to solve anything either.
As I wandered through this dead-end of thoughts, a light, floral scent suddenly surrounded me.
That familiar BGM began playing in my head.
"Nukumizu-kun, you seem troubled, don't you?"
The one who spoke to me unexpectedly is Karen Himemiya.
Radiant as ever. Her brightness made me squint without thinking.
"Uh... what...?"
"No need to say a thing. Your Karen Himemiya will divine the truth with a flourish!"
She pressed a finger to her forehead as if thinking.
"Um, I'm not really-"
With her large eyes sparkling, Himemiya pointed a finger straight at me.
"You're hungry, aren't you!?"
"No, not really..."
"Really? That usually works with Anna, though."
I wish she wouldn't lump me in with Yanami.
"Um... Himemiya-san, did you need something from me?"
She crouched down and leaned her elbows on my desk.
"I'm trying to find what you and Anna have in common. I was just wondering how you two became friends."
I looked around the classroom for Yanami, but she wasn't there.
Why is Himemiya-san asking this kind of thing? Honestly, I don't have the energy to deal with it right now…
Carefully, I chose my words before answering.
"Well, um... we're both in the Literature Club."
"Ah-hah. But I already know you two had a connection before Anna joined the Literature Club."
Himemiya-san leaned over my desk, resting her body against it and looking up at me from below.
"From what I can tell, your mood and hers kinda sync up, you know?"
Himemiya-san suddenly started saying something creepy.
"It's just a coincidence. Besides, why does that even matter to you?"
"Anna's been acting a little strange today. When something's off with your best friend, you want to know why, right?"
So Yanami has been acting strangely, probably because she was worried about what happened yesterday in her own way.
So this "best friend" thing wasn't just her delusion after all…
"The story Anna wrote for the club magazine, isn't that about you, too?"
"Wait, what do you mean?"
That came out of nowhere.
What does a short story about convenience store food have to do with me?
"The classmate who showed up in her story. Anna writes those semi-autobiographical things, right?"
"That was just a first-person narrative. What she writes and reality aren't the same thing."
"Really?"
If writing in first-person meant it was all real, then I would be a ridiculously popular guy.
…At the very least, I wouldn't be doing something as cruel as hurting my clubmates and pushing them away.
I was still trying to figure out how to explain it when-
"Sorry for the wait, Karen-chan!"
Yanami appeared with her usual light tone. Himemiya-san stood up with a smile.
"I've been waiting so long I nearly became a ghost~"
"Sorry, sorry- wait, Nukumizu-kun? Aren't you going to the Literature Club today?"
"Well, that's..."
I trailed off, and Yanami looked at me with a serious expression.
"Karen-chan, I'm sorry. About today's shopping, can you go with Sosuke instead?"
Himemiya-san looked surprised, glancing back and forth between me and Yanami.
"If you have something to do with Nukumizu-kun, I can wait until you're done-"
"No, it's fine. It might take a while."
"Roger that. See you tomorrow then."
After lightly pressing her palm to Yanami's in a casual farewell, Himemiya-san gave me a quick look and left the classroom.
...Hold on, things are progressing without me here.
As I silently watched the situation unfold, Yanami placed a hand on her hip and said.
"Nukumizu-kun, can I borrow you for a sec?"
*
Literature Club Report - Autumn Edition
<I Won't Give Up Until I Can Say It> by Anna Yanami
This morning, I'm a little different from usual. Today, I came up with the perfect plan to greet him with a "good morning".
I left home earlier than usual and staked out a seat in the eat-in corner of the 7-Eleven along the school route. Up until now, I would end up adding hot snacks at the register or asking them to heat up a hot dog, and by the time I was done, he would already be gone.
So the conclusion I came to is: grilled tsukune rice ball. [TL: Japanese chicken meatball.]
Because grilled tsukune rice balls can be eaten right after checkout, as soon as I spot him, I can chase after him immediately.
The tsukune, with cartilage mixed in, has a sweet and savory sauce perfectly balanced with spicy mayo, and the best part is, it tastes just as good without reheating.
And the hot latte I ordered with it has such delicious milk foam, I have been completely hooked on it lately.
As I listened to the coffee machine grinding the beans, I noticed someone lining up behind me.
"Oh? Ako-san. I didn't know you drank anything besides sugary juice."
The voice belonged to my classmate, XX-kun.
He always says annoying things with a sharp tongue.
In his hand is a cup of iced coffee. Poor thing, he doesn't know the deliciousness of cafe au lait.
I ignored XX-kun and turned to gaze out the window.
And I was shocked. He was waiting at the crosswalk with his friends.
I had let my guard down because I left home earlier than usual.
I tried to open the cover of the coffee machine, but it wouldn't budge. For safety reasons, it locks while in use.
I shifted from foot to foot while I waited, and finally, there was a beep-beep. The cafe au lait is done.
I opened the cover, sealed the lid on my cup, and I'm ready.
The signal at the crosswalk has just turned green. If I hurried, I might catch up.
I rushed toward the automatic door to head out, then just as quickly ran back inside.
That's right. I forgot to add sugar.
XX-kun tossed something in my direction. I caught it mid-air. It's a sugar packet. He must have noticed I forgot it.
But I returned to the eat-in area without saying anything.
"Ako-san, wasn't it the sugar?"
Without a word, I opened the lid of my cafe au lait.
XX-kun wouldn't understand anyway.
I always put two sugars in my cafe au lait. That's my one, unshakable rule…
*
In front of me, freshly made yaki udon steamed on the plate.
I'm sitting at the counter of a udon shop near school, side by side with Yanami.
"Why are we eating yaki udon right now...?"
When she said "Can I borrow you for a sec?", I thought I was in for a lecture, but instead, she brought me to an udon shop.
To my perfectly reasonable question, Yanami responded with a cheery "let's eat".
"Ah, right. Let's eat."
"And before we start eating, I have a very important announcement to share with you, Nukumizu-kun."
She thrust her chopsticks into the plate and lifted the noodles with a flourish.
"I have successfully lost 2 kilos in the past 2 months."
"Wait, seriously? That can't be right."
Better to cut in early on that one.
Mouth wide open, Yanami shot me a sharp glare.
"I gained 3 kilos during summer, and now I have lost two in two months. Isn't that amazing?"
That's still a net gain, though.
"I mean, it is impressive, but how do you lose weight with your current eating habits? Shouldn't you maybe see a doctor?"
"I am being mindful about what I eat. No seconds, no extra-large portions. I'm living a disciplined life."
And with that, she slurped the noodles down with gusto.
If that diet's working, how much was she eating before...?
We ate in silence for a while. Around the halfway mark, after I cleared a good portion of the plate, Yanami set her chopsticks down.
"So, did you talk with Komari-chan?"
"...No."
Bracing myself for the lecture I expected, I tensed up, but Yanami simply replied with a nonchalant "hmm" and took a sip of water.
"You're not going to say anything?"
"Nope. Don't tell me you wanted me to scold you?"
For a moment, I was speechless. Yanami set her glass down with a soft clink.
"Trying to feel better by getting scolded, that's not how it works, Nukumizu-kun."
"…Maybe not."
That was all I could finally manage to say before stuffing a mouthful of yaki udon into my mouth.
"You're the type who always pulls the short straw on purpose. Just be yourself."
I don't pull them on purpose, okay?
"I said some awful stuff to Komari yesterday. Even I feel bad about it."
"Ahh, then that one's on you, Nukumizu-kun. You really don't get how girls think."
Yanami picked up her chopsticks again.
"It doesn't work if it's all one-sided. Did you really talk with Komari-chan properly?"
"I did talk to her-"
My hand froze, halfway to my glass.
All I did was push my own feelings on her.
How much had I actually tried to step into Komari's shoes?
"Just saying how you feel doesn't count as a conversation. You have to draw out the other person's feelings and words too."
"…The other person's feelings, huh."
That's exactly where I fall short. My half-baked people skills ended up hurting Komari.
But using regret as an excuse to run away from what I had done is too cowardly.
Just as I was about to spiral again into overthinking, Yanami's smile snapped me back to reality.
"Well, no use overthinking it. Maybe try going with your heart a bit more."
"Going with my heart is exactly what got me here."
"So you hit rock bottom once. Big deal. If you want to know how to climb out, leave it to someone like me, an expert."
Yanami…? But honestly, isn't she still at rock bottom herself…?
Still, even spiders' threads only descend when you're in the depths of hell.
"Alright, might as well take your advice."
"Even if she hates you or whatever, think about Komari-chan's feelings seriously. Talk it through with her. Then go back to being your usual, meddlesome self."
"I am me, so there's a good chance I'll screw it up again."
Yanami grinned with dried bonito flakes still clinging to her lips in front of her empty plate.
"No worries. I'll pick up your bones for you."
…Something told me she would make sure they were properly cremated next time.
Not to be outdone by Yanami, I loudly slurped up the rest of my yaki udon.
*
I stared blankly out the window of the tram.
What Yanami said earlier is probably right.
I stepped in half-heartedly, and the moment things got complicated, I tried to pull away.
Thinking I was being considerate of the other person's feelings, only to realize I was wrong after I had already hurt them.
As I watched the cityscape, already beginning to darken, a single raindrop spread into a circle on the windowpane.
The next moment, the city is suddenly enveloped by a downpour.
I didn't bring an umbrella. I could either run home from the tram stop and get soaked or walk and still get soaked.
"If I'm going to get wet either way... walking sounds less miserable."
Making up my mind, I got off the tram only for the rain to intensify, almost like it had been waiting for me.
Just as I was about to break into a run, an umbrella opened above my head.
Startled, I stopped, and there stood Kaju, smiling.
For some reason, that brightness made me avert my gaze, just slightly.
"You came to pick me up?"
"Yes, Kaju was worried."
I accepted the umbrella she offered.
"Huh? Only one umbrella?"
"Well, Kaju forgot to bring mine in a rush."
Kaju tapped herself lightly on the head. Still as scatterbrained as ever.
We huddled together under the single umbrella and started walking home.
"How did you even know I was on that tram?"
"Ehehe. Love, obviously."
I let her joke pass and turned my eyes toward the rain-blurred scenery.
A group of middle school girls without umbrellas passed us, squealing playfully as they ran.
I followed them with my eyes without thinking, only for Kaju to cup my face in both hands and gently turn it back toward her.
"Onii-sama, did something happen yesterday?"
"Eh... what's with the sudden question?"
"Ever since you got back from your outing, you have been spacing out. Even Kaju is getting worried, you know?"
I thought I was hiding it well, but it seemed I had ended up worrying Kaju, too.
"I made someone mad at me-"
...No. That's not quite right. I hurt someone. That would be more accurate.
Even now, even in a moment like this, I catch myself dressing up my words and feel that familiar guilt and shame.
Unable to say anything more, I just kept walking. Kaju trotted lightly to keep pace beside me.
Without realizing it, my stride had gotten longer. When I quickly slowed down, Kaju giggled.
"-Onii-sama, you really do love Kaju, don't you?"
Huh? Her unexpected words made me stop in my tracks.
If anything, she's the brocon…
"Even if I do, it's strictly within the bounds of sibling love, alright?"
"Really? Back when Kaju first started walking, you kept a close eye on me, worrying whether Kaju would fall with every step. For a while, Kaju honestly thought you were my dad."
Things are apparently a bit complicated inside Kaju's head.
"Wait, weren't you like one year old? You remember that?"
"Yes. When it comes to memories involving onii-sama, they are all crystal clear."
She said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Even at daycare, when Kaju cried, you would come running right away."
"Well, I am your brother. That's normal."
"Exactly. Between Onii-sama and Kaju, that's just the usual."
In high spirits, Kaju walked ahead on her own. I stretched out the arm holding the umbrella and followed after her.
"In elementary school, a lot happened. But you never went off to play with friends. You were always by Kaju's side."
That's because I didn't have any friends.
"When I started middle school, you were so worried that you taught Kaju all sorts of things. Kaju still has the hand-drawn map of all the school's water fountains you made. Kaju laminated it and everything."
Did I actually give her something like that?
As I cringed internally at what could only be described as a personal black mark, Kaju gently reached for my hand.
"Onii-sama always worries about Kaju. Sometimes you scold Kaju. But you never forced your opinions on Kaju."
"…I just wanted you to stay true to yourself, that's all."
At those words, Kaju gave me a mischievous smile.
"But you know, Kaju wouldn't have minded being dyed in onii-sama's colors."
"Please don't."
The words slipped out with a laugh.
"Onii-sama, you finally smiled."
Kaju said it brightly, with a smile that was ten times more dazzling than mine.
Now that I think about it, I probably had a gloomy look on my face the whole time since yesterday. And yet, Yanami still stuck around with me, even when I was like that.
As I gave a bitter little smile, Kaju gently spoke to me.
"Onii-sama, Kaju wants you to always be smiling. And Kaju's wish is to be beside the smiling onii-sama."
"Always smiling, huh. Sounds kinda exhausting."
"Kaju's greedy, after all. …So then, what's your wish, onii-sama?"
That question made me stop in my tracks.
Kaju looked at me seriously.
"What I wish for…?"
"You told Kaju to stay true to myself. Then what about the person onii-sama hurt, what do you wish for her?"
"Well…"
What rose in my mind was Komari's petite, retreating back in the botanical garden, and how she seemed to shut the world out around her.
I still don't think what I said back then was wrong.
But what I chose was simply the easiest way for me. The shortcut that spared only me any effort.
Maybe deep down, I was trying to change the way Komari thought. Hoping she would see things my way.
But that's just selfishness.
If it's going to be selfishness either way, then what I should do is-
Feeling awkward, I turned my face aside and scratched the tip of my nose.
"…Thanks."
"Did Kaju manage to help, onii-sama?"
"Yeah. I think I'm starting to understand what I really want to do."
"Happy to hear that. Kaju hopes things go well with her."
"I'll do what I can, in my own way."
At some point, the rain had stopped.
As I folded the umbrella, a bright moon peeked through a gap in the thinning rain clouds.
"Onii-sama, the moon looks beautiful."
Kaju murmured softly and, for some reason, started walking ahead like she was escaping.
…Wait a minute.
"Did I ever say the person I was talking about was a girl?"
Kaju froze in place. Then, she turned to glare at me with a pouty face and stuck out her tongue playfully.
"It’s a woman's intuition."
*
The next day, after school.
For the first time since the end of Tsuwabuki Fest, the newly organized club presidents' meeting is about to begin.
I stood in the hallway outside the meeting room, watching students pass by with Yanami.
Komari still hasn't shown up yet.
"…So, you still haven't talked to Komari-chan?"
Yanami gave me a tired, exasperated look. I averted my gaze.
"There's a timing for these things, right? Like when you buy a light novel but deliberately leave it in the backlog for a while."
"Then why buy it in the first place?"
Because I want it.
"Anyway, once Komari comes by, I'll talk to her properly. I even brought a gift box of sweets as an apology."
"…A gift box? What are you, a salaryman?"
Wait, really? But I read online that an apology calls for a gift box.
Yanami peeked into the paper bag I was holding.
"Oh, Otsutsumi Financiers. Well, no helping it, I'll look after them for you."
"Why? Yanami-san, stop pulling. Don't open it."
She's like a badly trained large dog.
As we tugged at the bag back and forth, a pale pair of eyes glinted darkly between us.
"Don't… make a scene… in the hallway…"
"Ahh!" (x2)
At Shikiya-san's sudden appearance, both Yanami and I instinctively jumped back.
"Senpai, what are you-"
Oh, right. She's on the student council. Of course, she would be here. Organizing the club meeting is the student council's job.
"Sorry to bother you, but have you seen Komari from our club? She's supposed to attend this meeting."
"Komari… the tiny one…?"
"Yes, she's not used to these situations, so if anything happens, I would appreciate it if you could support her a bit."
"Support…"
Shikiya-san stared at Yanami for some reason, then gave a big, slow nod.
"Affairs… entanglement… complicated… emotional…"
That's not what this is.
Shikiya-san gave me a firm pat on the shoulder, then wobbled into the meeting room.
…Did she get it? No way she got it.
Yanami, who had been silent until now, muttered under her breath.
"That person's kind of scary, huh?"
You could at least sugarcoat it a little. She is our senior, after all.
…The start time is getting close. Students attending the meeting are hurrying into the conference room.
Among them, I spotted a petite girl, Komari. As I rushed over, she stopped in surprise.
"Please wait, Komari."
"W-What…?"
She clutched a bundle of papers to her chest and looked up at me with frightened eyes.
"Uh, well… I just wanted to apologize for the other day."
"I-I have the meeting now. L-Later, okay?"
Leaving me behind, Komari went into the room.
"Oof, rejected. Komari-chan's super mad, huh."
Yanami shrugged as she munched on a snack.
"…Yanami-san, why are you eating? Did you open the gift box?"
"Relax, I only took one."
"Come on, you can't just-"
Suddenly, Komari's frightened expression flashed through my mind.
Making her look like that isn't a matter of sweets anymore.
Could it be that Yanami opened the box and helped herself just to get that message across to me…?
"What's wrong? Want to cry on my chest?"
Still chewing, crumbs at the corner of her mouth, Yanami tilted her head and reached for a second cake.
…Yeah, I'm overthinking it.
While we were going back and forth like this, the door to the meeting room closed right in front of us.
The club presidents' meeting has begun.
*
15 minutes into the meeting.
Standing by the door, I listened in carefully. I could just barely hear what was going on inside.
The student council's report has ended, and now the clubs are giving their activity updates. It would be the Literature Club's turn soon.
As I nervously strained to listen, I heard a rustling sound.
Yanami had her hand inside the paper bag with the sweets.
"Yanami-san, seriously, that's the last one. I mean it."
"I get it. Don't make me sound like some snack monster."
The Handball Club is just finishing its report.
"Next, the Literature Club. Please give your report."
The voice I heard belongs to the vice president, Tiara Basori.
I cracked the door open just a little and peeked inside.
"Hey, lower your head a bit more."
Yanami leaned over my back. She's hot and heavy.
Ignoring the weight pressing on me, I turned my attention back to the room.
Inside, Komari was awkwardly standing up, nearly knocking over her folding chair.
She glanced at the notes scribbled in her palm and began speaking in a faltering, high-pitched voice.
"I-I'm the L-Literature Club p-president, K-Koma-"
…Alright, just a little more. I found myself clenching my fist in anticipation.
Komari let out a slight cough and reached for the water bottle on the table, but dropped the cap.
It rolled across the middle of the square-shaped table arrangement in the conference room.
-Chika Komari, completely frozen. This is bad.
Then, Shikiya-senpai, who had been standing there looking spaced out, suddenly spoke.
"Literature Club… Chika Komari… we look forward… to working with you…"
A lifeline, it seemed. Komari nodded frantically, her face pale.
VP Tiara-san shot a quick glance at the clock on the wall.
"Let's proceed with the activity report, then."
"A-Ah, yes…!"
Komari hastily picked up the bundle of papers, but, overwhelmed by nerves, she dropped it.
The manuscript is scattered all across the floor. Komari froze again.
Tiara-san's composed voice rang out.
"Literature Club, are you alright?"
"U-Uh, yes, I-I mean…"
"If there's no report, please take your seat."
At her words, Komari frantically started gathering the papers.
"U-Uh, wait, I just-"
"Apologies, but we're short on time. Next, the Broadcasting Club-"
…I couldn't help but close my eyes.
Unfortunately, Komari's attempt has ended in failure.
Maybe the other attendees are left puzzled, but that's it.
Ultimately, it's the kind of thing that would fade from memory in two or three days, just one more forgettable scene-
But... for Komari, it's not something so simple.
It will probably stay with her, lingering on as a painful memory for a long time to come.
When I opened my eyes, Komari was still standing there in silence.
But I could sense it. Something inside her is on the verge of collapsing, as if it could shatter at any moment.
Of course, that could have just been my one-sided assumption.
But I hate seeing Komari like this, exposed in front of everyone.
I have pushed the role onto her just so I wouldn't have to do it.
From a safe distance, all I cared about was not messing up myself instead of thinking about her.
Sorry, Komari. If someone's going to make a mistake here, let it be me.
In the next instant, I threw the door open wide.
Every eye in the room turned toward me.
Without thinking, I strode into the room and stood beside Komari.
Komari looked up at me, stunned, like she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Naturally, I haven't thought through any of this. So what came out of my mouth was purely impulsive.
"Sorry for the delay. I'm Kazuhiko Nukumizu, president of the Literature Club."
A confused silence settled over the room.
Tiara-san frowned and glanced down at the document in her hand.
"You're not listed here. Have you filed the paperwork for the change in leadership?"
She glared at me, her expression sharp.
But then, the student council president, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
"Paperwork or not, it's a minor matter. Proceed."
"Thank you very much."
Relieved, I let out a quiet breath, only to be pierced by Komari's glare next.
"...N-Nukumizu, w-what are you d-doing here?"
"For now, just leave this to me. Hand me the report."
I held out my hand, but Komari just looked down, trembling.
"...Komari?"
"A-Are you messing w-with me!?"
Suddenly, Komari hurled the script at my face.
"W-Wait-"
"D-Do you have any idea w-what I'm feeling?!"
She followed that by throwing a water bottle at me, then bolted out of the room.
The entire room fell silent.
I picked up the fallen bottle and pushed back my soaked bangs.
If only she had tightened the cap…
"...Are you alright?"
Even Tiara-san, who had been stern before, now looked at me with a hint of sympathy.
"I'm fine. I'll now begin the Literature Club's activity report."
Putting on a sheepish smile, I picked up the soggy script.
*
The club presidents' meeting has ended.
I sat alone in the now-empty room, drained of energy.
"That was quite the mess, Nukumizu-kun."
Clank. Yanami set a folding chair down beside me and took a seat.
…So I really did mess it up, huh.
As I slumped over the desk, Yanami gave my back a couple of light pats.
"But it couldn't be helped, right? Here, you can have the last one."
"…Why is there only one piece of cake left?"
Seeing that I didn't take it, Yanami started peeling it open herself.
"If you're the bad guy, then Komari-chan's screw-up kind of gets wiped clean. Her feelings get overwritten by anger at you instead."
Yanami held the cake between her lips and snapped it in half.
"But I think it still hurts her to make you the bad guy. Here, I saved half for you."
With that, she pressed the remaining piece into my hand.
…Why did she just hand me something she had already half eaten?
Yanami looked at my frozen expression with amusement.
"Nukumizu-kun, it's not like you need to get flustered just because it's something I already took a bite of, okay?"
Ugh… no, like, I just don't want someone else's leftovers.
Augh, thinking about all this is such a pain. I tossed the candy into my mouth.
"Anyway, I'm going after Komari. Where did she go?"
"She kind of ran off. I lost sight of her."
"Got it. Then let's start by checking the places that come to-"
"Wait, Nukumizu-kun. We're not splitting up? You're planning to come with me?"
"Uh, well, I don't really know what I'd even say to Komari if it's just me. I mean…"
Yanami gave me a silent, dead-eyed stare.
"Um… I just chickened out a bit. Yeah, I'll do my best."
Dodging her gaze, I sprang to my feet with determination.
*
The sun has already set, and night is quickly blotting out the traces of dusk.
As I stepped out of the west building, I looked up at the sky where the moon hung.
The clubroom, Komari's classroom, the library, the sinks she might have gone to…
I have searched over, but there are no signs of Komari.
Her bike's still here, so she must be somewhere on campus. That leaves-
"…The girls' bathroom, huh."
Yeah, no, that's a problem. But then again, maybe this is the time to push past my limits…
As I fidgeted in indecision, a tall guy rounded the corner of the building.
Prez- I should call him Tamaki-senpai by now. He raised a hand and jogged over to me.
"Senpai. Um, actually-"
Tamaki-senpai gave a silent nod, as if to say there's no need to explain.
"I heard from Yanami-san. Koto and Yakishio-san are searching too, so you don't need to worry."
"Ah, okay…"
Unable to meet his gaze, I looked down, and he gave my chest a light tap with his fist.
"Thanks. You did well."
I… did well? That? Really?
Maybe it was just lip service, but somehow, the swirl of emotions inside me seemed to settle a bit with those words.
"…I'll keep looking for Komari a little longer."
"Yeah. I'll check some other spots I have in mind."
Parting ways with Tamaki-senpai, I walked along the outer edge of the west school building.
And beyond that, the old building loomed in the dim light.
…Why did I forget about this place?
Maybe I have been unconsciously avoiding it because I'm afraid of facing Komari.
Taking a deep breath, I started walking toward the emergency staircase of the old school building.
*
It all started when Yanami called me out here to eat one of her handmade bentos.
After that, I began coming here whenever I wanted to be alone, and before I knew it, Komari started showing up too.
Now that I think about it, why does she always come to the same floor as me, even though she keeps complaining…?
As I stepped onto the emergency staircase, the fluorescent light flickered on with a soft click.
In the shadowy corner beside the old building, only the faint light from the stairwell stood out.
I began to climb the steps, slowly, one by one.
"...There you are."
Komari stood at the second-floor landing.
Her petite figure looked lonely under the cold glow of the fluorescent light.
"W-Why did you come here…?"
"I wanted to talk to you, Komari."
I tried to walk over to her, but I stopped.
There's something like an invisible wall between us, a distance I couldn't cross.
"Komari, about earlier-"
"W-Why did you… d-do that?"
Her voice was low, almost crawling across the floor, her face still cast downward.
"Sorry. I knew it might come off as meddling, but I just…"
"You are meddling!"
Komari raised her head and closed the gap I couldn't step into.
"W-Why!? I-I can do t-things on my own! I-I have to show that I can!"
Her face went pale, and she staggered as she took a deep breath.
"W-Why is it always you-"
Her voice gave out, the words catching in her throat. Komari took out her phone.
Breathing heavily, she began tapping away at the screen with single-minded intensity.
Ping. A light, upbeat notification sound rang from my phone, entirely out of place.
When I looked at the screen, a new LINE message had arrived from Komari.
A message from Komari, standing right in front of me. I couldn't hide my confusion as I opened the app.
<Since joining the Literature Club in April, I have been the only first-year student the whole time.>
Komari clutched her phone in trembling hands, her eyes brimming with tears as her fingers slammed down on the screen.
Her words flowed into the LINE chat like a stream, swift and unrelenting.
<There were only three of us in the club, and no second-years. I never know when the club might disappear. Even if things are fun now, every day I'm scared that once the seniors graduate, I'll be all alone.>
-Komari isn't using her phone to run away.
She has chosen to express her feelings through text, facing me head-on.
<You only started coming to the club because I asked, right? There are four first-years, but the others all have somewhere else they belong, so I never know when they might leave!>
What scrolled across the screen was more honest than anything spoken aloud, pure, raw, and utterly Komari.
<I only have the Literature Club! The seniors are going to leave, so I have to protect it by myself!>
And this girl only shows her sharp tongue to me.
She always looks annoyed, but when she's feeling anxious, she tugs at the hem of my shirt.
She eats cheap bagged bread at lunch, reads my novels, and gives me feedback every time-
<I have to learn to do everything so I'll be okay even if I'm alone!>
…Sometimes she gives me the brightest, most honest smiles.
She's small, always anxious, but still trying her hardest.
<I'm bad with people, I don't have friends, I'm useless at everything, and I have always been scared. But I finally found a place where I belong.>
Komari's fingers came to a stop.
From between her dry lips, a barely audible voice slipped out.
"Y-You're going to leave, anyway… S-So, don't be any kinder than this…"
-I'm such an idiot.
I misunderstood her. I thought Komari was like me.
That she was fine being alone. That she even preferred it.
But Komari is different. Being alone makes her lonely. She wants to be with someone.
And when she can't be with others, it hurts her deeply. She's just an ordinary girl with ordinary feelings.
Clutching her phone with both hands, her small shoulders shivering as if cold, that's the kind of ordinary girl she is.
I opened my mouth, then reconsidered, and moved my fingers across my screen.
The words I should return to Komari aren't ones spoken aloud.
When my reply slid into the chat room, Komari wiped her tears with her sleeve and looked at the screen.
She stood frozen for a while, then slowly raised her face, cautiously.
"U-Um, what does this mean…?"
…Huh? That's what I want to ask. Is it that hard to understand?
Looks like I'll have to explain. I cleared my throat and turned toward Komari.
"I mean, uh… I kinda like you-"
"Fueh!?"
What kind of reaction is that? Is she a moe anime character?
"Your novel, I mean. I really like it, Komari."
"M-My novel…?"
Komari's mouth fell open slightly, like her tension had drained away.
"Yeah. I'm not that good at writing myself, and without you, the Literature Club wouldn't function. You're the one who writes. I might be unreliable, but I'll support you. That's why, Komari-"
I recalled the words she had sent me earlier.
"Don't say you will be alone anymore."
A long silence followed.
Still looking down, Komari quietly hugged her phone to her chest with both hands.
"R-Really…?"
"Huh?"
"A-About what you said earlier…"
Just then, light, quick footsteps echoed up from the stairs below.
Someone was coming up- was the only thought I had before a sun-kissed blur flickered at the edge of my vision.
"Don't bully Komari-chan!"
"Huh!?"
I had no time to react. A figure appeared out of nowhere, wrapping an arm around my neck from behind in a chokehold.
My body instantly recognized this move-
"Y-Yakishio! I-I can't-"
"I'm disappointed in you, Nukkun, for bullying Komari-chan!"
I tried to shake her off, but Yakishio's grip didn't budge an inch.
This is bad. I can't breathe. Just as I was mentally preparing for death, Komari rushed in, flustered.
"N-No! I-I'm not being bullied."
"Huh, you're not?"
Taking advantage of the moment when Yakishio loosened her grip, I managed to wriggle free.
"Y-You… I really thought I was gonna die this time."
"Well, I heard you two were fighting, and then I saw your conversation on LINE and figured you must have done something to Komari-chan."
What a complete misunderstanding.
…Wait. Hold on. What did Yakishio just say?
Then, Yanami appeared at the top of the stairs as she wheezed for air.
"Lemon-chan… at least listen to the whole story first…"
Unsteady on her feet, Yanami leaned against Yakishio for support.
"Sorry, sorry. I heard you two talking and just couldn't sit still."
"Hold up. Are you saying you knew about our text conversation?"
Yakishio tilted her head in confusion, then showed me her phone screen.
"Well, you two were talking in the Literature Club group chat the whole time."
"Fueh!?"
Komari's voice echoed through the air.
She fumbled with her phone in a panic, and Yakishio pulled her into a tight hug.
"Komari-chan, you were feeling anxious this whole time, weren't you? It's okay. You're not going to be alone. We're still friends, now and always!"
"Ueh, hey, I-I can't breathe…"
Watching Komari squirm in Yakishio's chest, I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
"…Looks like you two managed to talk it out."
Yanami came up beside me, fixing her tousled hair as she spoke.
"More or less. I don't know if Komari's fully convinced, but I think we both said what we needed to say."
Komari isn't here for the Literature Club.
The seniors wanted to preserve the club for Komari, and I was entrusted with that wish.
…And yet, just to express something that simple, we caused this huge commotion.
But in a way, maybe that's just like us.
"See? Just like I said. If you took Komari-chan seriously, your words would reach her."
…Did she ever actually say that?
"Well, details aside, thanks, Yanami-san."
When I thanked her honestly, Yanami blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly.
"You're welcome. Charismatic Consultant Yanami-chan, mission complete."
…Even though I told Komari she wasn't alone, I had completely forgotten about them until just now.
Yakishio and Yanami are also proper members of the Literature Club.
Of course, one day, we'll drift apart.
But that's true for any relationship. Even high school ends eventually.
We keep grasping and letting go of these fleeting connections, and though that's lonely, it's not all sad. I think that's how it is-
My sentimental thoughts were interrupted as Yanami shoved her phone in front of my face.
"Eh? What…?"
"I read your messages, you know. You can't leave it all to Komari-chan. Pull your weight and say something too."
"…I did reply. That should be enough."
"Ohh? So the conversation continued after that. Let's see."
Yanami casually glanced at the screen and froze.
"…Whoa. Nukumizu-kun, what did you say?"
"What? What's wrong?"
"Wait, there's no way you can talk your way out of this! Is that what you meant!?"
Yanami shoved her phone at me.
On the group chat screen is the message I sent.
<I'll always be with you.>
…Huh? I didn't say anything weird, did I?
"I mean, I plan to stay in the Literature Club. It just means I'm not quitting…"
"Ohh, so, Nukumizu-kun, you're a natural airhead, huh?"
Yanami looked up at the ceiling with an exasperated expression.
"I seriously don't get it. Did I sexually harass someone? Is this a #MeToo situation?"
"...Seriously, that's why I don't like this part of you, Nukumizu-kun."
With a shrug, Yanami stepped in between the cuddling Komari and Yakishio.
"Hey, Komari-chan, you heard what Nukumizu-kun said just now, right?"
"U-Unfortunately, the new p-president is just that kind of guy…"
"Nukkun's the president now, so he better get it together."
Ugh… a three-on-one is just unfair. I don't even think I could win one-on-one.
Wait a second… what did they just say about me? I hesitantly raised my hand.
"Um, about that whole president thing. Are you sure I'm the right person for it?"
The three girls exchanged glances and suddenly burst into laughter.
What's wrong with them? Is this the power of numbers?
Komari stepped out from the circle of girls and took a step toward me.
"N-Nukumizu. Since you said it, y-you have to take responsibility."
"Uh, so that means…"
Peeking out from behind her bangs, Komari looked up at me with a shy smile.
"You can't run away now, got it? We're counting on you- Prez."
Epilogue: At the Emergency Stairs, 4th Floor, Old Building, Tsuwabuki High School
Laughter echoed up the stairwell, lively and cheerful.
How many times now? Koto scrolled through the LINE group chat again and pressed a hand to her teary eyes.
"I'm so glad… really, so glad…"
Standing together on the stairwell landing are Koto Tsukinoki and Shintaro Tamaki.
The voices of their juniors drifting up from below are more than enough to bring tears to Koto's eyes.
Tamaki gave Koto a gentle pat on the head.
"You did well. You held out."
"Komari-chan's going to be okay now, right? You think so too, don't you, Shintaro?"
"Yeah, I do. But Koto, lower your voice a little. Everyone downstairs can probably hear you."
"But… But I'm just so happy…"
Koto gave a big sniffle.
"You know, I kept thinking about how Komari-chan needed to be okay on her own, or how she needed to be able to speak in front of others. That's all I ever thought about…"
Tamaki handed her a tissue, and Koto blew her nose loudly.
"But really, I was just deciding on the 'right' answer all by myself and forcing it onto Komari-chan."
The sweet junior she had worried so much about had found companions she could be with on her own. That made Koto happier than anything.
"She turned out stronger than I thought."
"…Komari-chan's a strong girl. And if Nukumizu's there for her, I think she will be just fine."
Koto looked a little surprised at the mention of that name.
"Oh? You've got a lot of faith in Nukumizu-kun."
"He's more dependable than he looks. Even when I went to him for advice, he stayed calm and didn't seem like a first-year at all."
"…It's true. Nukumizu-kun is kind of a mysterious boy, isn't he?"
They first met during club recruitment season in April.
Koto had talked him into putting his name on the registration form, just to have him on the books as a nominal member.
Even when she got Komari to invite him, she never really thought he would show up.
"At first, I just thought he was an unmotivated ghost member, and I was grateful just to have him around."
Koto leaned her elbow on the stair railing.
"The first-years this year all have pretty strong personalities, right? I wonder if things went smoothly because there was someone like Nukumizu-kun there, kind of colorless, scentless, and neutral."
"…Are you sure that's a compliment?"
"It's the highest praise. Basically, Nukumizu-kun is 'an interesting guy'. That type."
Jokingly, Koto leaned on Tamaki as if to snuggle up to him.
"But if he's going to look after Komari-chan, I do wish he were a little more dependable. A guy needs to step up when it counts."
"Relax. Just leave Komari-chan to Nukumizu. Those two will figure things out."
"You make it sound like they are going out."
"Well, I don't know about that. But hey, better than letting her end up with him than with some sketchy guy."
"…That's such an ex-boyfriend thing to say."
Koto pouted and turned away with mock indignation.
"Like, 'I trust that guy with my Komari' or something?"
"Well, yeah, something like that."
Tamaki said it with a teasing grin, and Koto shot him a glare.
"Hey, Shintaro! Don't tell me you actually made a move on Komari-chan."
"I didn't! Geez, if you shout like that-"
She didn't let him finish. Koto yanked on Tamaki's tie and, without warning, forcefully brought her lips to his.
"Huh!? Koto! We're in school, you know!?"
"I was just helping you shut your mouth. It got a little quieter, didn't it?"
Tamaki covered his reddening face with both hands.
"You're such an idiot… seriously…"
"And who's the idiot's boyfriend, I wonder?"
Koto laughed cheerfully.
The commotion must have drawn attention. Voices from downstairs were growing louder as they approached.
"See? We have been found…"
"So what? It's fun being with everyone."
Koto turned and looked down the stairs with a smile.
Nukumizu probably said something unnecessary again.
Yanami's loud, exasperated voice echoed up the emergency stairwell.
"That's why I don't like this part of you, Nukumizu-kun!"
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