Sitting across the table from me, Konuki-sensei took a sip of her coffee from a mug and smiled reassuringly.
"How has Riko-san been lately?"
"She has been lively in the clubroom. Yesterday, she was reading some old club magazines."
I sipped my roasted green tea from my thermos.
...It's been a week since then. Shiratama-san has been coming to the clubroom every day after school.
We make small talk, and she leaves precisely after an hour, but there's still a slight wall between her, Yanami, and Komari. She also helped me pick up my eraser. Twice.
"Having a place at school is good. Keep an eye on her for a while."
"But is the Literature Club the right place for her? Wouldn't it be better if she got along with her classmates?"
"Ara, weren't you and Komari-san like that until recently?"
...Yeah, well, we're still kind of like that.
Konuki-sensei's gaze drifted as if she was recalling something.
"You tend to think school is all there is when you're a kid, but that's just because other worlds feel too far away."
"Other worlds?"
Nodding gently at my parroted question, she explained.
"That's why kids either rebel or give up. I had my fair share of troubles in high school, believe it or not."
"Is that supposed to be a point for me to comment on?"
Konuki-sensei laughed joyfully instead of replying.
In her mind, the memories and emotions of her teenage years must still be vivid and colorful.
What does she see in Shiratama-san, or perhaps what doesn't she see?
In any case, her concern for Shiratama-san is genuine. Well, then, there's one more thing-
After chatting for a while, I casually broached the topic.
"By the way, I wanted to ask about Tanaka-sensei from the Japanese Literature department."
"Ara? What about him? Feel free to ask anything."
"Uh, I want to ask about his character or personality…"
"Tanaka-sensei's character...?"
Konuki-sensei's eyes narrowed slightly. Did I just ask something dangerous?
"No, well, he introduced some events related to the Literature Club the other day, and it got me curious…"
Seemingly understanding my explanation, Konuki-sensei nodded.
"Well, he used to be the advisor for the Literature Club, so he might still feel connected. As for his personality-"
Konuki-sensei looked up at the ceiling as if searching through her memory.
"He's a very sincere person. Specifically, he's so loyal to his partner that he can gracefully turn down advances from other colleagues."
"...Sorry, can we pretend I didn't hear that?"
"Of course, that's a wise decision. Here you go."
Tanaka-sensei's colleague chuckled and offered me a mint tablet from a case.
I reflexively reached out- but quickly withdrew my hand.
"No, I'm good."
Konuki-sensei stood still for a moment, then shrugged in disappointment.
"Wise indeed."
*
Walking quickly towards the clubroom, I replayed the conversation in my mind.
Was I imagining things, or did Konuki-sensei seem a bit off when I mentioned Tanaka-sensei?
At least I found out he isn't the type to have a one-night stand with a colleague, and his sincerity seems trustworthy.
Even if Shiratama-san and Tanaka-sensei were involved in something inappropriate by some wild chance, it wasn't my place to interfere…
Alright, I need to get to the club room ASAP. It's probably a bit awkward in there right now.
I hurried past the corridor connecting to the west building- and then I stopped.
Right, Konuki-sensei mentioned Tanaka-sensei has a partner…
…………
…Well, I shouldn't get involved. Yep.
I mentally shelved the matter and resumed walking.
*
Once inside, I realized the atmosphere in the club room wasn't awkward at all.
It's far worse.
Yanami's face looked as pale as a pile of ash. She was utterly burnt out and slumped in her chair.
Komari stood rigidly, facing the wall at close range, listening to music through her headphones. She's in her "words won't reach me" mode, which happens about once every two months.
"Ah, Prez!"
Shiratama-san put her hands on her chest and dashed toward me nervously.
"Uh, what happened here?"
"I'm not really sure either. We were just having a normal conversation, and then..."
I see. Then, no one really knows.
Suppressing my desire to leave, I approach Yanami.
"Uh, Yanami-san, are you okay? Want some sugar water?"
"...I'm fine. I just got a bit emotionally damaged."
Yanami brushed her hair out of her face and weakly shook her head.
To think she could cripple someone as resilient as Yanami…
What on Earth did you do, Riko Shiratama?
"...Well, how about I make some tea for now?"
Yes, when in doubt, make tea. As I started to boil water, Shiratama-san began setting out teacups beside me.
"I'm sorry for not being more considerate. As the kouhai, I should have made the tea first."
"Ahh, it's fine. We don't have strict rules like that here."
Everyone is equal in the Literature Club. But why am I always the one making the tea…?
"...Prez, you're so mature."
"Huh?"
"You're calm and easy to talk to. I thought second-years would be scarier, but I'm relieved you're so approachable."
That's the first time anyone has said that to me. I hope the other two heard that.
I kept an eye on Yanami and Komari as I poured green tea into the cups.
"You'll find people are actually surprisingly kind when you talk to them. So, maybe try chatting with your classmates more?"
"Well, the girls don't like me much, so I end up mostly talking to the boys. Perhaps I'm leaning toward the tomboy side, huh?"
Shiratama-san then stuck out her tongue playfully.
I see. It's understandable why the other girls might dislike her. She's adorably manipulative and makes you want to protect her.
"Tea's ready, everyone."
Shiratama-san announced as she started distributing the tea cups, but the burnt-out Yanami and wall-facing Komari didn't react.
I took my cup, and then Shiratama-san sat next to me.
"You were late today, Prez. Did you go somewhere?"
"Uh, yeah, I went to see Konuki-sensei. She's our club advisor."
"Sayo-san is so beautiful. I kind of look up to her."
I would advise against that. Trust me. It's for the best.
"By the way, Shiratama-san, you knew sensei before, right?"
"Yes. Sayo-san is my older sister's friend, and they've been close for a long time. She used to help me with my studies and took me out sometimes."
…Huh, so she used to hang out with Konuki-sensei. I wonder where she took her.
As I pondered whether to dig deeper, Shiratama-san smiled warmly. This girl is just so soft and fluffy. She's naturally charming…
Smiling along, I suddenly felt a prickling sensation on my cheek.
When I looked, Yanami was glaring at me with an upward gaze.
"...You seem like you're having fun, Nukumizu-kun."
Yeah. Right until you ruined it, woman.
"Uh, Yanami-san, since you seem to be back to normal, can I suggest something?"
"...Suggest?"
Yanami looked up while scratching her head obliviously.
I don't want to explain why, but the gap between her and Shiratama-san is widening for sure.
"Yeah, it's about this weekend-"
I glanced at Komari, who was still glued to the wall with her headphones on.
Talking to her is pointless right now…
I gave her a call.
"Una!?"
Komari fumbled with her phone and answered. I switched mine to speaker mode and placed it on the table. Now she should be able to hear us.
"Alright, let's try this again. How about we all go out this Sunday?"
For a moment, the clubroom fell into a stunned silence.
After a while, Yanami spoke up, looking puzzled.
"Go out? Are we going on a training camp or something?"
"Maybe not a full-blown training camp, but think of it as a relaxed field trip. We could use the experience to brainstorm ideas during a club meeting."
Last summer, the club members grew closer through a training camp- or so it felt. Despite unexpected events, one person was rejected while two found partners, making it a net positive overall.
Following that logic, going out together could strengthen our club's unity.
Shiratama-san was the first to raise her hand.
"That sounds wonderful! I would love to go!"
Glancing at the enthusiastic Shiratama-san, Yanami looked down at her phone with a sullen expression.
"That's too sudden. I have plans too, you know? Yep, I have something to do."
Komari, still facing the wall, nodded in agreement.
…My, my, these girls are so uncooperative. Well, I guess it was indeed too sudden.
"Fine, maybe we can save it for another time-"
Shiratama-san interrupted before I could finish.
"Then it will just be you and me, Prez."
…Huh? Is it just me, or are Yanami and Komari shaking a bit after hearing that?
"This is kind of embarrassing. I wonder what I should wear. Ah, we need to decide where to go first."
"Uh, just the two of us?"
Shiratama-san suddenly looked surprised and lowered her eyes in a melancholy manner.
"...It would be a bother for you, wouldn't it? I'm sorry, I got a little excited thinking I could go out with you."
"No, I don't mind at all…"
Compared to someone who would endlessly snack or someone who would make me wait for two hours because she wanted to read, you sound pretty okay as long as you don't commit any crimes.
Shiratama-san's eyes sparkled as she looked up.
"Really? Then, I have a place I would like to go-"
"...I'll go too."
Yanami muttered grumpily.
"Eh, but didn't you have plans, Yanami-san?"
"Did I? I don't remember saying that."
Huh, was I mistaken?
Lately, I've been automatically ignoring Yanami's words. It looks like I should pay more attention…
"It's the three of us on Sunday, then."
"W-Well, I'm f-free as well, so I-I'll go."
Komari came to the table out of nowhere and raised her hand timidly.
"But, Komari, I thought you had something to do?"
"I-I just got them done."
When did she manage that? I was impressed by Komari's efficiency while Yanami folded her arms, deep in thought.
"We're going somewhere, right? What should we have for lunch?"
There are other things we should decide first, like the destination.
"Right, Shiratama-san, didn't you mention a place you wanted to go earlier?"
Prompted by my question, Shiratama-san looked around at us and then spoke up.
"I want to go to the AEON Mall in Toyokawa."
"That place, huh…"
It's a large shopping mall in the neighboring city. It's relatively new, and I haven't been there yet.
It's about a 20-minute train ride from Toyohashi Station to the nearest station to the mall, making it a convenient distance.
Well, what do the two veteran members think then? Yanami nodded and gave a thumbs-up.
"Good choice, Shiratama-chan. There are plenty of lunch options there."
Yanami seems to be quite enthusiastic and dead set on having lunch.
"I-I want to check out the b-bookstore there."
Komari added, excitedly counting the money in her wallet, and then she plopped her head down in disappointment.
"Alright then, everyone. Keep your schedules clear. I'll share the details in the group LINE chat."
Wait, I have Shiratama-san's phone number, but she's not in our group chat yet.
Shiratama-san offered her phone as I wondered what to do.
"Would it be alright if we exchanged LINE contacts, Prez?"
"Eh? Ah, yeah, of course-"
-I sense hostility. For some reason, Yanami and Komari are giving me a death glare.
…This stare. It's the protective gaze of girls ready to defend a new member from a senpai who might be overstepping his bounds.
I'm probably not far off from the truth.
"Right, I still have to invite you to the Literature Club's group! Alright, I sent the invite! Please join!"
I displayed an overly enthusiastic show of innocence. Such skills are necessary for self-preservation in today's world.
Shiratama-san hugged her phone joyfully once she got in.
"This is the first time I've exchanged LINE contacts since entering school. You're my first, Prez!"
The thirst for blood from Yanami and Komari intensified. You girls know it's not my fault, right…?
I anxiously averted my eyes from the veteran members and found myself looking into Shiratama-san's round, puppy-like eyes.
"Though I am inexperienced, I look forward to our time together, Prez."
"Uh, sure. Likewise."
I forced a stiff smile, feeling a bit uneasy.
...Is this girl saying these things on purpose?
*
On a sunny Sunday, the four club members, both new and old, stood in AEON Mall Toyokawa.
I found myself in the middle of the central walkway, gazing up at the immense space.
The entire walkway is a three-story atrium, with tenants lined up along the sides. It's essentially a three-story shopping arcade.
It's my first time at a place like this, and it is…huge.
Beside me, Komari was also looking up at the atrium, her mouth slightly agape.
"...Ueh, i-it's big."
Yeah, it's big. That's all we can really say when facing something this overwhelming.
Standing there with Komari, both of us agape, Yanami puffed out her chest with a smug expression.
"Alright, let me show you how to enjoy this mall as someone who's been here before."
"You?"
I said reflexively, and Yanami stared at me sharply.
"You got a problem, the guy who tried to get on the Iida Line instead of the Meitetsu?"
They are at the same gate, girl. Just as I wanted to retort her-
"I would love to hear Yanami-senpai's tips!"
Shiratama-san, dressed in a floral two-tone dress, quickly jumped in to support Yanami.
Yanami nodded in satisfaction.
"Shiratama-chan, you have potential. To fully enjoy the mall-"
"Yes! How should we enjoy it?"
With the three of us paying close attention, Yanami spoke confidently.
"First, we should sit down and have some tea."
"Isn't that a bit soon?"
I couldn't help but interject, and Yanami shrugged with a sigh.
"Listen, just walking through this kind of mall takes a lot of time. Plus, by the time you finish one round, you'll have forgotten the beginning, so you end up starting a second round without realizing it. It's a trap."
"Uh, isn't it a good thing if you can go through it twice with a fresh perspective?"
"No, no, what if you eat something in the beginning and then find something even better in the latter half? Both your allowance and your stomach have their limits. So we need to sit down, have some tea, and plan our strategy."
While allowances might be a concern, Yanami's appetite isn't something we need to worry about. I can vouch for that.
"Okay, got it. So, are we going to find a cafe or something?"
"There's a street over there that sells drinks and sweets. Come on, let's go."
Led by Yanami, we arrived at a section with a variety of takeout sweets and cafe options.
There are stands selling lemonade, ice cream, cream puffs, and chocolates.
Yanami's eyes gleamed with excitement. Alright, general quarters-
*
After securing a table in the corner, I leaned back in my chair.
"...Why is choosing a drink so exhausting?"
To cut a long story short, being with Yanami was a mistake. The fact that even Komari and Shiratama-san faded into the background shows they've already figured out Yanami's ways…
Yanami sat across from me as I sipped my iced roasted green tea.
"Hey, you found a nice spot."
"I camped it for so long, okay?"
"Then you deserve praise. Well done."
Yanami placed a green drink on the table.
The bottom of the cup is filled with small pieces of warabi mochi, topped with a sweet matcha base, and finished with a dollop of matcha soft serve.
"...You got something pretty intense."
"Yeah, it's a matcha warabi mochi cream smoothie. I'm on a diet, so I just got a drink."
She said this while sucking up the warabi mochi with a thick straw.
"But isn't that pretty high in calories?"
"Nukumizu-kun, this uses Nishio matcha, and it's a smoothie."
"Uh-huh."
Slurp, slurp. Yanami sucked up the warabi mochi.
…………?
"Eh, hold on, that's it? That's your explanation?"
Yanami gave me a triumphant look.
"Nukumizu-kun, do you even know what the original meaning of diet is?"
"Eh? It means losing weight, right?"
"Wrong. It originally meant 'daily meals'. So I've stopped getting caught up in temporary fluctuations in numbers."
"So you just gave up?"
"I didn't give up!"
I see. Nothing wrong with being persistent.
"Doesn't 'daily meals' mean being careful of what you eat every day?"
"Well, dieting is more of a conceptual thing, you know? It's a matter of mindset."
"Okay?"
She's spouting nonsense again. I switched my brain to do not disturb mode.
"Dieting ultimately comes down to imagery. According to the latest diet theories, the will to lose weight reduces calories. Matcha smoothie- look, it's full of elements that seem healthy, right? So there's no reason drinking this shouldn't help me lose weight."
Is this what dieting has come down to these days? A superpower battle?
"Then adding a salad rice cracker would make it perfect."
"Ah, you're getting it, Nukumizu-kun!"
Yanami smirked smugly, sipping her matcha soft serve. Incidentally, the "salad" in salad rice crackers refers to the salad oil used in them.
Having learned the truth about dieting, I really hoped someone would take over dealing with Yanami soon.
I looked around, and it wasn't long before I spotted Komari and Shiratama-san.
They seemed to be caught in the growing crowd of shoppers, aimlessly wandering in circles.
It looks like Komari can't survive in Tokyo either. Noted.
"Sorry to keep you two waiting!"
Shiratama-san and Komari returned after having been rescued by Yanami.
They each held matcha soft serves. Shiratama-san's even had shiratama toppings- intentional or just coincidence? [TL: Mochi balls.]
"In the end, we chose the same shop as you two. We got caught in a line and then got lost after buying them."
With her usual cute gesture, Shiratama-san smiled and plopped down across from me.
Komari sat next to her, and I spread out the mall map on the table.
"-So, where should we start?"
Yanami peered at the map with a serious expression.
"Hey, I saw some fruit sandwiches earlier. We could also do a ramen tasting at the food court, and the teppan spaghetti at Ciao is tempting. But it's before lunch, so..." [TL: A spaghetti chain only found in Toyohashi.]
"Are you planning to eat all that separately from lunch?"
Komari switched her brain to do not disturb mode and ate her matcha serve while nodding robotically.
Shiratama-san, on the other hand, had a smile that was halfway between polite and puzzled, unsure if Yanami was joking or serious.
Sorry, but this woman is dead serious.
Realizing that I was the only one who could steer this situation, I quickly finished my iced roasted green tea.
"Uh, how about we start with some window shopping? Since we're here, we could look for inspiration for stories, walk around, and chat."
The primary goal of this outing was for the club members to bond, especially for the new and old members to get to know each other better, after all.
Yanami nodded enthusiastically at my suggestion.
"In that case, there's a meat store I recommend. The display case lined with meat is quite a sight."
I don't think that's what window shopping means.
Shiratama-san clapped her hands together in front of her chest.
"How about we look at some clothes first? Yanami-senpai, your blouse is really lovely, and I would like your help picking out some outfits."
"Eh? Really? I did splurge a bit on this. It's nice to see that some people appreciate it!"
For some reason, Yanami shot me a sidelong glare. Komari also took an indirect hit, by the way.
It looks like we have to go with it. I stood up hastily.
"Alright, let's get going!"
Komari looked up at me with a sharp gaze.
"L-Let me finish eating f-first."
"Sorry, I'm not good at walking and eating."
...Right. Of course.
I nodded quietly and sat back down.
*
Window shopping: enjoying the sight of store displays without buying anything.
Even if the term "shopping" seems a bit off when no purchases are made, the three Tsuwabuki girls are unfazed. They are buzzing with excitement as they admire the stylish clothes.
"Komari-chan, this would look great on you! Why don't you try it on?"
"It will look super cute on you, senpai!"
"Ueh!? U-Uh…"
Correction. Komari is buzzing with extreme discomfort.
She hastily broke away just before they could drag her to the fitting room.
"I-I'm already wearing c-clothes! I-I don't need to try t-them on!"
You would have to be naked to buy clothes with that logic.
...But still, it's kind of fun watching girls chatter and laugh from a safe distance.
Maybe I should consider participating in the Literature Club remotely from now on.
While I was lost in thought, Yanami detached from the others and approached me.
"Nukumizu-kun, are you having fun?"
"Yeah, surprisingly. Are those two going to be okay?"
"She's pretty friendly, so there's no need to worry. Shiratama-chan's a good girl."
Shiratama-san is busy holding up clothes against Komari, who seems to be trying to escape.
Those two might actually make a good pair. Though Komari's dead-eyed look is a bit concerning.
"Yanami-san, I thought you didn't like Shiratama-san."
"Do I look like the kind of girl who bullies kouhais?"
No comment on that one.
"...Uh, well, she complimented your clothes. Maybe you two have similar tastes?"
Yanami shrugged lightly at my attempt to change the topic.
"That's what we call social lubricant. You can give it a try, too, Nukumizu-kun."
"Eh, you want me to compliment your fashion?"
Yanami nodded and did a twirl in front of me.
She's wearing a light brown, flowy…blouse.
And some kind of white…pants? Or a skirt…? It's a pretty loose bottom, anyway.
"Your clothes look pretty colorful, but at the same time-"
"Oh, starting from color, huh?"
Yeah, I am. I continued observing Yanami.
"...Overall, I think it's stylish, but aren't the sleeves on that blouse a bit short?"
"It's three-quarter sleeves..."
…Three-quarters? What's with that odd number?
"Ah, yeah, right, those exist. But it just looks a bit chilly to me."
Yanami sighed deeply, clearly exasperated.
"Look, if you're going to complain about being hot or cold, just give up on fashion. That's what the experts say, so it has to be correct. Please remember that."
"Yeah, yeah, understood."
I nodded obediently, filing this nugget of wisdom away in my mental Yanami folder. It's helpful to keep things organized for future decluttering. Komari and Shiratama-san soon started walking again, and we followed suit.
"By the way, didn't you say we should invite Yakishio too?"
"She said she has a match coming up and needs to practice. Why? Are you worried about her?"
"Well, she's my friend, after all. Speaking of which, Yanami-san, you haven't eaten much today."
I attempted to change the subject, and Yanami gave me a somewhat melancholic look.
"Nukumizu-kun, this may come as a surprise to you, but…"
Could it be that she's on doctor's orders to cut back?
As I tensed, Yanami turned to me with a mature expression.
"I realized something from your reaction earlier. Perhaps I've been- eating a bit too much lately."
"Wait, are you expecting my reaction?"
"No, I'm not. Look, we're second-years now, right? I thought I should try to carry myself like an adult woman for the sake of the underclassmen who look up to me."
I see. That's a good mindset. All we need now is a first-year student who actually admires Yanami.
Perhaps sensing my inner thoughts, Yanami gave me a sidelong glare.
"That's why I've only had tea today. Nukumizu-kun, are you underestimating my femininity?"
That calorie-packed dessert counts as tea to her? I guess I did underestimate her in a way.
"H-Hey, what are you s-slackers doing?"
Komari, having escaped from Shiratama-san, stumbled towards us.
"We were discussing the latest fashion and girl power. Komari, are you done shopping for clothes?"
Komari shook her head vigorously, and Shiratama-san peeked out from behind.
"Komari-senpai, are you not interested in clothes? If there's something else you would like to see, please let us know."
"Ueh, uh, well…"
Komari fumbled with her phone. She's at her limit.
"Hey, Komari, didn't you say there was somewhere you wanted to go?"
Komari's eyes lit up at my hint.
"Y-Yes! I-I want books!"
Komari pulled out a card. A 5,000-yen bookstore gift card.
"Ah, so you're ready for some serious book shopping, huh?"
Komari nodded happily, holding up two fingers.
"I've broken the s-seal on my secret c-card. I'm buying t-two books."
She's not using it all at once. Very practical and thoughtful. She will make a great wife someday.
Just as she started to lead the way, a group of young people approached from the front, and she hid behind me in fear.
...Some things never change, even in our second year.
Feeling somewhat reassured, I started walking towards the escalator.
*
Welcome to Toyokawado Bookstore AEON Mall Toyokawa. The name is a mouthful, but the main store is actually in Toyohashi.
It's the largest bookstore in the area, and its cafe uses local ingredients. No wonder Yanami is acting strangely.
"Hey, Yanami-san, it's not lunchtime yet."
"I know that. A sophisticated lady doesn't drool, you know."
She said, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief. You're drooling, okay?
Well, I'm also quite excited.
Komari has already disappeared, and Shiratama-san is browsing the new releases section.
Well, I wonder where I should start-
"But seriously, why come all the way here to buy books? You can get them anywhere, right?"
I shrugged at her comment. Sigh, you're an amateur, Yanami.
"Yanami-san, bookstores aren't all the same. Each one arranges its books differently."
"...So, the cafe menu is different as well?"
Did you not hear me say the word "books" or what?
"Listen, a bookstore is a place for us to encounter books. The store's concept, the layout of the shelves, and the selection are all ways we interact with the store staff."
"I get it! It's like being pen pals with the store staff, right?"
You don't get it at all. How can I even explain this…?
"Okay, think of it this way. Even if you hear the same piece at different classical concerts, the experience varies with different conductors and orchestras. The kind of reading experience each bookstore offers is unique."
"But all you buy are manga and light novels."
...Well, that's true. But the selection varies significantly between stores.
It seems like Yanami's sponge-like brain has absorbed the information somewhat.
Seeing her pick up a gourmet magazine with interest, I decided to explore the store myself.
I initially planned to head straight to the manga and light novel section, but given what I told Yanami, I decided to check out other sections first…
In the fiction section, I found Shiratama-san alone, intently staring at the shelves of paperback books.
Approaching quietly, I saw she was focused on historical novels.
This is not my area of expertise, but it reminded me of period dramas.
Noticing my presence, she quickly retracted her hand, which had been reaching for a book.
"Prez? How long have you been there?"
"Uh, I just got here."
I stood next to her, looking at the shelves.
"I'm surprised. I didn't know you read historical novels."
"I started because of my grandfather, but I've gotten really into them recently."
She picked up a book titled <The Retired Gentleman of the Leaky Tenement> and read the synopsis on the back before putting it back on the shelf.
"...Prez, you invited me out today to be considerate, didn't you?"
"...Uh, well, I just thought it'd be nice if everyone got to know each other better."
Hesitantly, Shiratama-san continued.
"Yanami-senpai seems to dislike me. And Komari-senpai is scared of me."
"Well, I don't think that's true."
Yanami is just jealous of your youth and cuteness, and Komari is skittish around everyone.
Perhaps taking my words as consolation, Shiratama-san brightened up with a smile.
"Sorry for bringing it up. I'll do my best to get along with them today."
"Yeah, but don't push yourself too hard."
Leaving Shiratama-san, I wandered away, mentally kicking myself.
Things seemed to be going well, but relationships are complicated.
This might be tricky. I guess I can win Yanami over with food and Komari with some doujinshi…
…Eh? Isn't this surprisingly simple? The solution is right in front of me.
I'll just give Yanami some snacks.
"Nukumizu-kun! Shiratama-chan is actually really nice! I misunderstood her!"
The imaginary dialogue in my head is perfect. I didn't even need to hear it in real life.
Now, what about Komari? I found her in the practical books section.
Komari stood frozen, holding a thick hardcover book.
"What's with this book?"
Still looking at the book, Komari glanced at me with just her eyes.
"U-Uh, it's a book about old W-Western dresses and clothes. I would l-love to have it as a r-reference, but..."
She showed me the back of the book, where the price was clearly beyond what her bookstore gift card could cover.
With a sigh, she placed the book back on the shelf and looked up at me suspiciously.
"W-What do you want?"
"You've been really into <After Hours at Work> that aired this Spring, right?"
"A-Ah, yeah, that's p-peak."
A sly, evil smile spread across Komari's face.
"Then tell me your favorite pairing. I bet you ship Takaya-san as the bottom-"
"Una!?"
Thud. Komari's elbow found its mark in my solar plexus.
"D-Don't guess my s-ships!"
Why is she angry about me guessing correctly? I don't get it.
Well, at least I figured out her tastes. Time to buy some tribute from the anime shop…
*
After the bookstore, surprisingly, Yanami suggested the game arcade.
We ended up playing a VR zombie shooting game. I knew of it but never thought I would play it myself, especially with four people.
Yanami stretched and chatted with Komari after a round.
"Komari-chan, you're really good at shooting games. Any tips?"
"F-Focus on your i-intent to kill."
Komari pushed her bangs back with a smug look.
"I see. Killing intent, huh?"
"Y-Yeah, killing intent."
…Why are you two looking at me?
Feeling unnerved, I averted my gaze and met Shiratama-san's eyes.
"My legs feel wobbly. That was so intense."
She said, pressing her index fingers to her temples and smiling. So calculating, yet so cute.
"Komari-chan, I saw an air hockey table over there. Want to have a match?"
"I-I'm stronger than you think, o-okay?"
Really? I would love to see Komari excel at air hockey…
As I started to follow them, Shiratama-san gently tugged on my sleeve.
"Hey, I'm feeling a bit tired. Would you be willing to come with me to rest for a bit?"
"Sure, no problem. Let me just let Yanami-san and Komari know-"
I looked over and saw that Yanami and Komari were already disappearing into the crowd.
As I hesitated about whether to follow them, Shiratama-san pulled on my sleeve a bit more insistently.
"...I should have been clearer."
"Huh?"
Turning to face her, I found her large eyes much closer than I expected.
Her next whispered words made the noise of the arcade fade away.
"-Let's sneak away for a bit, just the two of us."
*
Before us is an array of luxurious jewelry pieces encased in glass displays.
As we looked at them together, Shiratama-san quietly exclaimed in admiration.
"Wow, these are beautiful. Is that necklace made of amethyst…?"
"Uh, yeah, that could be it."
She led me to a jewelry shop in the same mall.
Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the upscale atmosphere, I noticed Shiratama-san looking a bit apologetic.
"Sorry for bringing you here so suddenly. You're not really interested in this, are you?"
"No, it's not that. I wouldn't have come here on my own, so I'm actually enjoying it."
"Really? You're so kind, Prez."
With that, she smiled at me warmly.
-Just so you know, I didn't agree to Shiratama-san's suggestion with any ulterior motives. I just wanted to help her with the struggles she was having with Yanami and Komari. Really.
As I repeated this to myself, I stole a glance at Shiratama-san.
She smiled softly as she gazed at the jewelry through the glass.
Her petite face, with its mix of youthful innocence and mature beauty, is framed by her shoulder-length hair.
She's about the same height as Yanami, but her slender body looks delicate as if it might break at a touch.
She's slim, but unlike Komari, she has a subtle yet distinctly feminine figure, even through her clothes.
Her face and long limbs remind me of Yakishio, while her fair, finely textured skin brings Shikiya-san to mind.
...Yeah, this girl is adorable.
No shit Yanami feels jealous. Even though that girl looks attractive, there are just parts about her that prevent unreserved admiration.
"What's your birthstone, Prez?"
"Eh? I'm a December baby, so-"
I looked at the birthstone chart for like the fourth time, and then my phone buzzed in my pocket.
…I bet my ass it's Yanami.
I reached for my pocket, but Shiratama-san placed her hand over mine.
"Huh!?"
"Can I monopolize your time for a bit longer, Prez?"
"Well, if you're okay with me, anytime..."
"Then please stay with me a little while longer."
She gently nudged my shoulder with hers and led me deeper into the store.
"Your birthstone is tanzanite, representing intelligence and composure. That really suits you."
"Uh, yeah, people often say that."
I replied while gulping nervously.
Am I getting a romance event?
Could it be that my long-awaited popular phase is finally kicking in?
…No way. Get your shit together, Nukumizu.
There's no way a cute kouhai like this would approach someone as unremarkable as me.
This kind of scenario is reserved for outgoing, handsome guys.
So, this situation must be part of Shiratama-san's own story-
"Let's see. What's my birthstone then?"
"...Shiratama-san, do you have something you want to talk to me about?"
Her smile wavered slightly.
But in the next moment, that crack is covered by an even more charming and calculating smile.
"I'm okay. I've already talked about it with you earlier, Prez."
"If it's not about that, are you waiting for someone?"
This time, her smiling facade completely fell apart.
The color drained from Shiratama-san's face, leaving her looking increasingly anxious.
"Uh, well…"
"You've been glancing around a lot while looking at the jewelry, almost as if you're expecting someone. Are you waiting for someone to come here?"
"That's-"
Her lips parted as if searching for words, then closed again.
Her legs trembled slightly as if she were trying to suppress the urge to flee.
"Sorry, I'm not accusing you of anything. I just want to help. If you tell me what's going on, maybe I can assist you."
"............"
She clutched her chest with both hands and lowered her head, remaining silent.
Just as I was about to speak again to break the uneasy silence-
"-Riko, is that you?"
A clear voice rang out.
Riko Shiratama's head snapped up, as if a switch had been flipped.
Standing before us is a woman in her mid-twenties.
Despite her well-formed features, "cute" was the first word that came to mind. She's a charming lady.
The resemblance is unmistakable.
Riko Shiratama's voice came out as a faint whisper.
"Onee-chan..."
She's Riko Shiratama's older sister.
But what surprised me wasn't just the appearance of Shiratama-san's sister.
Standing beside her in a somewhat protective stance is-
"You're Nukumizu-kun from Class C, right? Why are you with Riko-chan?"
It's Tanaka-sensei, the Japanese Literature teacher from Tsuwabuki High School.
The Shiratama sisters, Tanaka-sensei, and- me, for some reason.
The awkward silence is soon broken by none other than Riko Shiratama herself.
She forcefully grabbed my arm and pulled herself close, clinging to me.
"-I'm going out with this person!"
Huh!? We're dating!? Since when?
I have absolutely no memory of this supposed relationship, but if it's true, everything will fall into place- Shiratama-san pulling me aside, the oddly relaxing time we spent together. Yeah, it's best to go with the flow here.
Shiratama's older sister, who had been frozen in shock by Shiratama-san's revelation, finally found her voice.
"Riko, you have a boyfriend? This is the first time I've heard of it..."
"I'm sorry. You and Tanaka-sensei have been so busy with the wedding preparations that I didn't get a chance to tell you."
She said this with a bright, cheerful smile.
That bright smile must have made it hard for her sister to press further. Still visibly bewildered, Shiratama's older sister turned her gaze to me.
"And you, how long have you been...dating Riko?"
"Uh, well, it's not really about how long. It's more like a Schrödinger's cat situation..."
"Onee-chan, don't ask my boyfriend weird questions."
Shiratama-san pouted and hugged my arm even tighter.
"I'm sorry, Riko. It was just a bit sudden, so I was surprised. But-"
"I'm in high school now, you know? And you liked Tanaka-sensei when you were my age."
"Riko!?"
Shiratama's sister's face turned bright red. ...Yeah, she's cute too.
Tanaka-sensei placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, smiling gently.
"Minori-san, let's go for now."
"But, Yuji-san…"
"We're sorry for interrupting. We'll be on our way."
Like calming a child, Tanaka-sensei led Shiratama's sister away from the scene.
Even after they disappeared from view, I stood there, stunned by the rapid turn of events.
Then, the sensation on my arm brought me back to reality. Soft and with a pleasant scent…
"Uh, so that was your…"
Shiratama-san nodded slowly.
"Yeah, she's my older sister."
"And the fact that Tanaka-sensei was with her means..."
"Yes, they are engaged."
..So that's how Shiratama-san knows Tanaka-sensei.
Was their argument in the parking lot at the mall just about that?
As I tried to piece together the missing parts of the puzzle, Shiratama-san tightened her grip on my arm.
She clung to me, and in a barely audible voice, she whispered.
"Can we go somewhere...where we can be alone?"
*
Step, step…
A long-haired brown cat darted past us, keeping its body low to the ground.
Shiratama-san and I are at a cat cafe inside the mall.
Sitting side by side on a wooden bench, we warmed our hands with cups of latte.
So, this is the place where we can be alone together…
"...I'm sorry for telling such a strange lie."
"Eh? No, well, cats aren't people, so us being alone together isn't exactly-"
"No, I mean the part about us dating."
Our relationship has been a lie.
How should I put it? I really wasn't expecting much, and I knew there was a reason why she said that. That's why this doesn't affect me in the slightest bit at all. But she could've kept it up a bit longer.
...Damn it. Thinking about it like this is actually making me feel worse.
I took another sip of my latte, trying to keep my thoughts in order before asking again.
"So, why did you lie like that earlier?"
"I wanted to show them I had a boyfriend and surprise them. I knew they were coming to pick up their wedding rings from that store."
She fell silent again.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because they always treat me like a child. I wanted to show off a bit."
I nodded in understanding. So, that's why she pulled me away from the game corner.
Of course, I figured it was something like that. Yep, I knew it…from the start, yep…
"I can kind of understand your older sister's feelings."
"Do I really seem that childish to you?"
She pouted explicitly. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Not in that sense. I have a younger sister, too, and even though we're only two years apart, I still see her as the little kid she used to be."
"But I'm 10 years younger than them."
Shiratama-san took a careful sip of her cafe au lait, exhaling softly.
"My older sister is kind and dotes on me a lot. I love her very much."
"She sounds like a good sister."
Shiratama-san nodded, smiling more genuinely than I had seen before.
"Yes. I even thought I had two moms when I was little. Kids think funny things sometimes."
She laughed nostalgically.
However, her laughter faded quickly. She looked down, her voice dropping to a murmur.
"That's why I have to support my older sister if she chooses Tanaka-sensei…"
It sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than anything.
"...Did something happen between you and Tanaka-sensei?"
"Yeah, there was- a lot that happened."
"Huh!?"
I might be about to hear something crazy.
I held the coffee mug tightly with trembling hands. Shiratama-san quickly shook her head.
"Not in a weird way. Tanaka-sensei has been our neighbor since I was little. He helped me with my studies and looked out for me."
...I see, that's how it is.
Thank goodness. There's no complicated relationship here.
The person in front of me is just an ordinary girl who gets along well with her sister.
"So, Tanaka-sensei's going to become your brother-in-law, huh?"
Shiratama-san's shoulders trembled slightly.
"...R-Right, since he's marrying my older sister, after all."
She spoke in a quiet tone and then fell silent.
Huh, did I say something weird?
"...Uh, Shiratama-san, you're on good terms with Tanaka-sensei, right?"
At my words, Shiratama-san slowly raised her head.
"...Care to listen to me for a bit?"
When I nodded, she began to speak with a slightly more mature expression than usual.
"Tanaka-sensei is our neighbor and has always looked after us when our parents came home late."
"So that means your sister, too, right? Are they far apart in age?"
"Sensei is five years older than my sister. He turned 30 this year, so he's an old man now."
She said this with a smile that didn't seem particularly amused.
"They have always spent time with me ever since I became aware of things. They often came to pick me up from kindergarten together."
As if recalling something, she smiled nostalgically.
"Back then, they were a university student and a middle schooler, so there were some strange rumors. But they weren't dating yet at that time."
"So, that means they have been close since then."
"I used to get jealous of how close they were and would always try to get between them. I would sulk and tell onee-chan not to get close to him, and on other days, I would tell her not to get close to my onii-chan."
With a gentle smile, she seemed to be reminiscing about those precious memories.
"...You really love them, don't you?"
"Yes. I love my sister very much."
I see. That's a relief.
Shiratama-san is just a pure-hearted girl who loves her sister, not someone with ulterior motives, like Yanami and the others suspected.
I continued speaking, trying to dispel the vague unease that lingered.
"And you're also close with Tanaka-sensei, right?"
"...I hate him. His kind is the worst."
"Eh…"
An awkward silence falls over us.
I glanced at the clock. It's just about lunchtime.
As I pictured Yanami's face at the word "lunch"-
-Plop.
A brown tabby cat jumped onto Shiratama-san's lap, curling up without a care for the heavy atmosphere.
"That man really thinks I'm his little sister."
Shiratama-san stroked the cat's fur with a stiff face.
"While I've remained the little girl from next door, my sister started calling him Yuji-san at some point."
The tabby cat twitched its ears once in approval of Shiratama-san's touch and began to purr.
"...I've always called him 'sensei' since then."
She gently continued to stroke the cat's back as she spoke.
Hmm, so that means Tanaka-sensei was already a teacher when they started going out. In other words…
"They started dating late, didn't they?"
"Yes. They officially started dating after my sister graduated from high school. I know he has been very kind to her."
Shiratama-san showed a self-deprecating smile.
"...For a while, I thought maybe he was waiting for me to grow up a little back in elementary school. It's really foolish, isn't it?"
She tried to laugh, but she couldn't. She simply looked down and squeezed out a faint voice.
"...I wonder what I would have called Tanaka-sensei if I had been born first."
I remained silent, unable to find the right words.
Whether it's love or dreams, it's normal for them to be unattainable.
By the time we obtain something precious, countless other things have slipped through our fingers-
As the cat's breathing became deep and regular, Shiratama-san spoke again.
"They are having their wedding on the Saturday after the next one. It's a lovely garden venue."
"Eh? Ahh, I see."
"And I snuck into the venue late at night sometime before."
Wait, what is she talking about?
"Sorry, I must have missed something. What happened at the venue?"
"I said I snuck into the venue at night, and the police got involved."
So I didn't miss anything.
What I thought was a story of unrequited love from my kouhai turned out to be a confession of a criminal record.
"Uh, why would you do such a thing...?"
"Because my sister always takes everything I want before I can. I wanted to leave my mark on something- I wanted to create a secret. I wanted to end it with that."
If you only hear that part, it sounds like a touching tale of a young girl's first love, but there's a lot of noise this time.
"Yeah, but why break into a place?"
"I wanted to wear my sister's wedding dress and take pictures in the chapel. Before she could."
"...Even if you wanted to create a secret, couldn't you find something less illegal? Something a bit more peaceful."
"Yes. I had about five options, and I chose the most peaceful one."
Well, if that was the most peaceful one, I guess I have to accept it. I silently sipped my latte.
Shiratama-san seemed normal at first glance, but is this what real girls are like…? Yeah, I think I'll buy a light novel on my way home.
Shiratama-san gave me a weak smile as I deepened my loyalty to the two-dimensional world.
"Sorry for the weird story. I feel a bit better after talking about it."
It was definitely a strange story.
"Uh, don't worry about it. Of course, I won't tell anyone."
"If necessary, you can share it. I caused you and the other senpais a lot of trouble."
Shiratama-san began to fiddle with the cat's neck with her fingertips.
As I watched the cat squirm with pleasure, I started to organize the story I heard.
…I'm sure Tanaka-sensei and her sister have had mutual feelings for a long time.
Shiratama-san, who's much younger, must have had mixed feelings of admiration and loneliness while being around them.
"You've liked Tanaka-sensei for a long time, haven't you?"
Shiratama-san's fingers stopped at my insensitive remark.
"I said I hated men like him, right?"
"Sorry, that was insensitive-"
"Because!"
Interrupting my apology, she took a deep breath and started sputtering,
"That man always looked at me with the same eyes as my father. But when he looked at my sister, his expression was always different, and he never showed me that face. My sister has always been wonderful and popular, and he's not good enough for her. He was my 'onii-chan', but then he became 'Tanaka-sensei' all of a sudden-"
She took another breath and, this time, whispered softly.
"...Soon, I'll have to call him my brother-in-law."
Shiratama-san's slim shoulders started trembling.
"Uh, are you okay? You don't have to keep talking if it hurts too much."
She shook her head.
Tears trickled down from her large eyes.
"You know, Yuji-onii-chan always says he's happy that Riko-chan is going to be his real little sister- because he has only ever looked at my older sister."
…The person she has always yearned for is going to become her brother-in-law.
She must never let him notice her true feelings.
All the feelings she had up until now have to be hidden, buried under the guise of sibling affection.
Tears that she couldn't hold back began to fall one after another.
"...And I, I tried so hard to become cute. I studied my sister's magazines and her makeup tools. I looked in the mirror more than my textbooks, trying to become cute so that…someday…onii-chan…would look at me…more…"
Her back shook more and more as she bowed her head, trying to hold back the tears.
"I hate him. I really hate…him. I hate him so…much…"
"Hey! Don't wipe your tears with the cat!"
"...Then, lend me your shoulder."
"Huh!?"
Without waiting for a response, Shiratama-san leaned into me, burying her face into my shoulder.
I feel the slight weight pressing against my shoulder.
Shiratama-san clung to my shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
...There's no choice but to let her cry it out like this.
I glanced around absentmindedly as I felt her warmth against my shoulder.
It was a mistake to sit here.
The wall facing the mall's corridor is a large glass window, making us visible from outside.
Not that there's anything suspicious about this, but if someone we knew sees us-
I raised my head, and I barely managed to hold my scream in.
Two girls with killer eyes are pressed up against the glass, staring at us.
-Anna Yanami and Chika Komari.
They kind of look like geckos stuck to the window…
I lowered my gaze to the girl crying into my shoulder as I thought about that.
Riko Shiratama, the absolutely doomed and unrequited heroine.
And she is also the one hope for saving the Literature Club from being disbanded-
*
The day after the shitshow at the AEON Mall Toyokawa (?).
After school, I headed straight home without stopping by the club room.
-Shiratama-san's tearful confession. Her feelings for Tanaka-sensei and her secret.
I need a bit more time to process all this.
"Welcome home, onii-sama."
The sound of slippers pattering against the floor heralded the arrival of Kaju.
"I'm home. Kaju, you got home early today."
"Yes, Momozono's student council work has settled down for now."
"I see. You've been busy."
Kaju blocked the way as I was about to enter the living room.
"Onii-sama, aren't you going to change in your room?"
"I want to watch the anime I pre-recorded- why aren't you letting me in the living room?"
"I'll make some hot tea, so why don't you change first? We also have some rice crackers."
"Wait, hold on-"
Kaju blocked my advance like a basketball defender, steering me toward the stairs.
There must be a reason why Kaju is going this far.
As I obediently approached my room, I stopped with my hand on the doorknob.
-There's something in the living room.
Given Kaju's actions, that's what I assumed, but now another possibility occurred to me.
She wants me to go to my room.
Is there something in my room? Or- did she find something in my room?
Oh no, I hope the thing under the carpet is safe.
I opened the door in a panic.
"Hey you, you're finally back, Nukumizu-kun."
"Y-You've got some n-nerves showing your f-face here."
The last people I want to see are right there.
Anna Yanami and Chika Komari. And they are both rifling through my bookshelf. Seriously, please stop.
"What are you two doing here?"
I entered the room, trying to remain calm, and they both gave me deadpan looks.
"Isn't it obvious? You ran off without explaining anything yesterday. What happened with Shiratama-chan?"
"Y-You enemy of girls."
I can't argue this time.
...But then again, thinking it over, I didn't actually do anything wrong. Yeah, nothing wrong.
"Hold on, both of you. It's true I left with Shiratama-san without saying much, but there was a good reason for it."
"Oh really? So, there's a good reason for what happened at the cat cafe too?"
I nodded emphatically at Yanami.
"Yeah, there's a reason why she was clinging to my shoulder and crying."
"-Kaju would like to know the reason for that as well."
"Eek!"
Startled by the voice behind me, I turned around to see Kaju smiling, holding a tray with tea and rice crackers.
"Kaju, how long have you been here?"
"I just arrived. I brought you some hot tea, onii-sama."
Kaju started setting the tea on the low table.
"Thanks. But we're having a grown-up conversation, so could you give us some privacy?"
"Relax. Kaju is already an adult now."
Kaju placed the fourth cup of tea and sat down with a thud.
Yanami and Komari sat around the table before I even said anything.
"Come on, Nukumizu-kun, sit down."
"G-Give up."
"Onii-sama, your tea is getting cold."
Komari and Kaju patted the cushions, and Yanami munched on a rice cracker, silently nodding her head at me.
…Honestly, I don't want to sit between them.
And even Kaju, who I thought might help me, has joined this merciless circle.
Resigned, I sat down, and Yanami swallowed the rest of her rice cracker. Chew properly, please.
"Alright, it took Nukumizu-kun one minute to sit down."
Yanami started talking like a principal.
"Eh, what do you mean…?"
"You stole three minutes of our time. Three minutes is the time it takes to make instant ramen. Why don't you think about that?"
I don't see why I need to, and I know damn well you're just going to start eating them after two minutes.
Feeling more at ease with Yanami's usual antics, I slowly sipped my hot tea.
"So, where should I start? Feel free to ask anything."
Yanami reached for her second rice cracker and began to speak.
"First off, what were you two doing when you snuck off on Sunday?"
"Well, that's a private matter. Any other questions?"
"..........."
Crunch. Yanami's rice cracker made a satisfying sound as she bit into it.
After a quick glance at the silent Yanami, Komari leaned forward.
"T-Then, why did y-you make her c-cry?"
Hmm, sharp observation, Komari.
"That's a matter between Shiratama-san and me. It's something I would like to keep in the depth of my heart. Next question, please."
As I reached for a rice cracker, Kaju moved the bowl away from me.
"...I'm so sad, onii-sama."
"Eh, what's wrong?"
Kaju handed the bowl to Yanami with a gloomy expression.
"Onii-sama, I'm saddened by your coldness. You've always said the Literature Club members are like family-"
"You've said something like that!?"
Startled, Yanami swallowed her third rice cracker without chewing it properly.
"…No way I did."
"You didn't, but your eyes speak the truth, onii-sama."
I see. My eyes are untrustworthy.
And now, three pairs of eyes that trust me even less are staring at me.
"It's not like I did anything bad with Shiratama-san..."
I began to fumble my excuses, but their expression didn't change.
Yanami sighed and pulled out a small black card from Komari's bag.
"If that's how you want to play it, Nukumizu-kun, we have no choice."
"...? What's that?"
"SD card. It was taped under the carpet of this room."
Alright, hand that shit over.
As I reached for it, I noticed Kaju's gaze and nonchalantly looked away.
"...It's just data for managing my grades. It's password-protected."
Yanami handed the SD card to Kaju without changing her expression.
"Imouto-chan, any idea about the password?"
"Onii-sama's passwords are usually his favorite voice actress's birthdays, so give me a bit of time."
"Huh!?"
Shit. It's not just because of the images I've collected, but the folder names I've organized them into are also…problematic. Come to think of it, Shiratama-san did say I could share the details if necessary at the cat cafe. So, it should be fine to tell them. Yep, no problem at all. Probably.
"...Alright, let's talk. I'll tell you everything that happened on that day."
I adopted a serious expression and looked around at the three faces.
The blackmailers swallowed nervously.
-And I'm not selling out my kouhai because I'm being blackmailed. Definitely not.
*
"...G-Go die."
That was the first word directed at me after I finished explaining.
Komari looked at me like I was a piece of garbage as she munched a rice cracker.
"Did you even listen to my story? Clearly, I'm not at fault here. I'm the nice senpai comforting a brave kouhai."
These people don't get it at all.
Sighing, I reached for a rice cracker, but Kaju quickly grabbed the last one.
"Onii-sama, that person is not right for you. It's too early for you."
"But I-"
"I said no, and I mean no."
Pouting, Kaju turned away, her cheeks puffed out in annoyance.
Why is Kaju like this as well? My my, Yanami will be upset too if this keeps up.
Preparing for the worst, I turned my gaze to Yanami, and she was dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
"...Ugh, so that's what…happened."
To my surprise, Yanami's crying really hard. Like actual tears.
"Eh, what's wrong, Yanami-san?"
Yanami leaned forward and slammed the low table with her hand.
"Don't you feel anything, Nukumizu-kun? I feel so bad for Shiratama-chan! We can't just let a homewrecker take away her childhood friend. Let's write that into law!"
"Shiratama-san's sister is also a childhood friend. If anything, Shiratama-san is the homewrecker who should be regulated by the law."
"Huh? Isn't it weird to punish a childhood friend...?"
Childhood friends aren't that OP, you know?
Yanami sniffed, looking thoughtful and tilting her head in confusion.
Alright, if I want to wrap this up, now's my only chance.
"That's all I have to say. Let's call it a day."
I tried to stand up, but Komari and Kaju grabbed my clothes from either side.
"Onii-sama, Kaju hasn't heard everything yet."
"Eh? But I told you everything that happened that day already."
"Y-You know why she's s-suspended, right?"
Komari glared at me through her bangs.
"Uh, I said I'd tell you what happened, but I didn't mean the entire conversation- fine, I'll tell you everything."
It's better to give in quickly.
I explained the whole incident of Shiratama-san sneaking into the wedding venue before drinking the now-cold tea.
"That's everything. I have no more secrets. This is all I know."
"Yes, well done, onii-sama."
Kaju patted my head. My little sister is so kind.
Yanami, who had been listening with a look of disbelief, blew her nose loudly and threw the crumpled tissue into the trash bin.
"It's amazing she only got suspended. That's a crime, you know."
Yanami said something sensible for once, surprisingly.
By the way, she missed the trash bin. Please take responsibility and clean it up.
"She just wanted to wear her sister's wedding dress and take photos in the chapel first. It's a cute wish, very girly."
"Even so, it's definitely not normal to sneak into a wedding venue."
Yeah, it's not normal. Yanami seems to be using up her quota of sensible statements for the year.
Shiratama-san is indeed cute, but she's not normal.
This is coming from a guy who's surrounded by unusual girls, by the way.
I can't deny that I overlooked Shiratama-san's peculiarities because I wanted more members for the club.
"Well, I think Yanami-san's concerns are valid."
"Right. Forcing her to join might not be good for either of us-"
"B-But!"
Yanami was interrupted by Komari's high-pitched voice.
We all turned to look at her in surprise, and she looked down, fidgeting nervously.
"H-Her suspension is a-already over, so i-it might not be good if we focus on her p-past too much…"
Her tone is firm despite her timid demeanor. I nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, that's what I wanted to say."
Yanami gave me a look that said, 'You're lying, right?'
Of course, I'm lying, but I maintained a confident demeanor as I looked at the three of them.
"We're not in a position to judge. We're all students at the same school, and Shiratama-san is a kouhai we're looking after at the request of Konuki-sensei. We should try to support her as much as we can."
The room fell silent. Was I not supposed to say that…?
Feeling uneasy, I watched as Yanami exchanged a glance with Komari before speaking.
"That being said, we've heard the situation. The wedding hasn't happened yet, right? The Literature Club might be held responsible if she does anything."
"That might be true, but still..."
As I hesitated, Yanami shrugged as if to say, "Oh well."
"Then we'll talk to her properly ourselves."
"Eh, you sure?"
"Yeah, sometimes girls understand each other better. Is that fine with you?"
I nodded vigorously, and Yanami stretched widely.
"Alright! Let's stop with the difficult talk for now. I'm getting a bit hungry!"
Kaju stood up upon hearing that.
"Kaju will get some more tea and bring some snacks."
"Sorry, Imouto-chan, I sound like I'm urging you."
Yanami waved her hand dismissively.
What do you mean you sound like? You're literally urging her…
I turned to Yanami with a serious expression after Kaju left the room.
"Also, Yanami-san, about that SD card…"
"Ah."
Yanami crawled on all fours to pick up the crumpled tissue from the floor.
"I wrapped it up with the tissue I used to blow my nose. Do you still want it?"
Yanami gave me an expression full of innocence as I suppressed my extremely intense feelings and shook my head.
Still looking innocent, Yanami tossed the tissue into the trash can.
*
Record of Interview with Riko Shiratama
Interviewer: Anna Yanami
The interviewee, Riko Shiratama (hereinafter referred to as Shiratama-chan), sat nervously across from me. Her tension made me feel a bit nervous, too.
I offered her a bag of mixed gummies, and Shiratama-chan took a square one. Her hands are petite and delicate, her skin pale and beautiful- truly matching her name.
But I was just as beautiful back in my first year. Trust me.
"Thank you, senpai. These are the ones with the edible paper coating, right? I like these."
Shiratama-chan smiled happily as she opened the gummy package.
Indeed, I've eaten a lot as well, but gummies with edible paper are better than those with just sugar.
They stick to the inside of your mouth, so you can enjoy them for a long time.
"These are popular in Toyohashi, right? I was surprised to see that other places often have the sugar-coated ones."
...Huh? The ones with sugar on the outside are high-end treats only eaten on special occasions, aren't they? Dad always gave them to me as birthday presents when I was little.
Shiratama-chan giggled when I mentioned that.
"That's the first time I've heard that. Your dad sounds fun."
Shiratama-chan smiled and popped the gummy into her mouth.
I definitely have to call a family meeting soon. Anyway, let's get back to the topic first.
"Hey, Shiratama-chan. About last Sunday..."
Shiratama-chan suddenly ceased all movement.
As I started to speak again, Shiratama-chan quickly bowed her head.
"Yes. I'm sorry for monopolizing Prez. I regret my actions."
"...No, you can do whatever you want to Nukumizu-kun, okay?"
"Is that okay? I thought I might be overstepping because Prez is such a wonderful person. I came prepared to be scolded by you today, Yanami-senpai."
…Huh? What is she talking about?
Calling Nukumizu-kun wonderful? She must have been forced to say that.
As a senpai, it's my duty to guide my kouhais. I straightened my back with a serious expression.
"Shiratama-chan, calm down and listen to me carefully. We're talking about Nukumizu-kun, you know? Are you sure you're not mistaking him for someone else? He's a socially awkward yet real mean siscon who's even heavier than me- never mind, forget that last part."
Shiratama-chan tilted her head cutely, looking puzzled.
"...Uh, I think he's okay. So, Yanami-senpai, are you going out with Prez?"
What!? What is she saying? I stood up reflexively.
"No, we're not! Why would you think that? Did I do something wrong?"
...Oops, I lost my composure for a moment. My outburst scared Shiratama-chan.
Even though that is cute, I used to be quite something myself back in the day.
I sat back down and bit into a gummy to calm down.
"Uh, you see, the Literature Club has a no-dating policy, so there's nothing like that. Besides, Nukumizu-kun is such an indecisive little... wait, what were we talking about?"
"Well, what was it again...?"
Shiratama-chan pressed her index finger to her temple, looking troubled.
She's cute, very cute- but I used to be just as adorable when I first got into high school, too. Trust me.
*
AV Room, after school.
I slowly looked away from the monitor after reading Yanami's report.
What even is this report?
"...Yanami-san, did I do something wrong?"
"Your entire existence is wrong, Nukumizu-kun."
"E-Enemy of girls."
Yanami and Komari scolded me for some reason.
Weren't they supposed to have a one-on-one talk with Shiratama-san to understand her...?
"Uh, Komari, what do you think? She said I'm wonderful, so I think she has a keen eye for the truth."
"H-Her eyes are just holes."
Komari turned away, looking displeased.
Yanami sat back down at the keyboard and resumed writing.
"No need to add your popularity stories, Yanami-san. We're trying to understand more about Shiratama-san as a person. There's more important stuff to write about first, right?"
Yanami stopped typing and glared at me.
"This is all your fault, Nukumizu-kun. Your being all smitten made her misunderstand and think you're wonderful."
Is it so bad for me to have such a wonderful misunderstanding in my entire life for once?
Komari stood up determinedly as Yanami and I bickered.
"I-I'll go talk to her then."
...Komari? She looked down at us with a smug expression, surprising us.
"G-Girls can u-understand each other better, after all."
"I feel like I heard that line somewhere yesterday."
Still, if she's motivated, we should leave it to her. Go for it, vice prez.
*
Record of Interview with Riko Shiratama
Interviewer: Chika Komari
She was doing her homework when I entered the club room.
I sat down in the chair across from her, but she didn't seem to notice me.
...There's no other choice. I started reading a book on my phone.
"Oh, Komari-senpai, you're here. You should have said something."
It must have only been a few minutes.
Noticing me, she smiled shyly and put her stationery back into her pencil case.
"What's with everyone today? Each of you coming into the club room one by one, it feels like I'm being interviewed."
A probing look is hidden behind her smile.
She's aware of something. I decide to keep looking at my smartphone with a nonchalant expression.
"Senpai, you want to talk about Sunday, right? Go ahead, ask me anything."
She brought it up herself, perhaps due to impatience.
Typically, it would be best to start the conversation here.
However, as a member of the Literature Club, I must constantly confront the infallibility of words. Just as I was about to opt for communication through my smartphone instead of verbal conversation, an unexpected situation arose.
"Uh, is your phone running out of battery? Would you like to use my cable?"
Indeed, my battery was on the verge of dying.
I have no choice but to leave the room-
*
Again, what even is this report?
After I finish reading Komari's report, I exchanged glances with Yanami, who seemed to have something to say.
"Komari, don't tell me you just sat there quietly the whole time?"
Komari flinched and muttered tearfully.
"I-I did…my best…"
"Yeah, you did your best. Nukumizu-kun, aren't you too harsh on her?"
Yanami patted Komari's head gently. Really, Yanami? I can tell you were thinking the same thing as me.
I composed myself and turned to face them.
"Well, I had you two interview Shiratama-san, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we achieved our initial goal."
"Initial goal? We weren't told about any initial goal."
Yanami crossed her legs and gave me a provoking look.
"Isn't it obvious? The goal is to get her to open up and let her know we are on her side. Maintaining her connection to society will help prevent any repeat offenses."
"Wait, our mission is that serious?"
It is. I need the two of them to take this more seriously.
"Well, that's that. Shiratama-san is waiting in the club room, so we should all-"
Noticing their stares, I stopped mid-sentence.
"What now?"
They just glared at me instead of answering.
"Hey, if you're going to say all that, how about you, Nukumizu-kun?"
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"I-It's your turn next."
...My turn? You mean I have to interview Shiratama-san? I waved my hands in front of my face.
"No way. I always say this, but I'm not good with girls. I had no choice back then because of the circumstances, but having a one-on-one conversation with her is impossible- uh, what's with you two…?"
Yanami and Komari stood up slowly, looking down at me with expressions full of menace.
"Huh? Huhhh? You two were pretty cozy for someone who's not good with girls, right!?"
"A-Apologize to the cat."
Hold up, why are they turning on me...?
"But Shiratama-san won't open up to a guy like me, right?"
"According to her, you're a wonderful club president, aren't you? Perfect fit."
"Y-You enemy of g-girls."
…These two have been getting more feisty lately.
*
Knock, knock. I rapped on the door of the club room, and Shiratama-san's voice called out from inside.
"Come in."
I opened the door slowly, and Shiratama-san greeted me with a formal smile.
"Please, have a seat over there."
"Ah, yes."
I sat down across from her as she gestured.
"Now, please state your name and your reason for applying within one minute."
Huh? As I stared in confusion, Shiratama-san covered her mouth and giggled.
"Sorry. This scene just reminds me of my entrance exam interview, and I couldn't help but joke around."
I see. Cute girls make cute jokes, too.
…My my, now's not the time to be admiring her.
"I should apologize. Sorry for making things weird."
"No, it's natural for the senpais to be worried. You told them, didn't you?"
Shiratama-san suddenly became serious. Feeling a bit pressured, I gave a noncommittal smile.
"Well, yeah, I had to let them know..."
"Don't worry about it. Even I think someone like me is scary."
She gave a self-deprecating laugh as I hesitated.
...This isn't going well. I steeled my expression and turned to face Shiratama-san more seriously.
"Don't get me wrong. We're not here to blame you, Shiratama-san. We just want to get to know each other better and make the Literature Club a place where you feel at home. Uh..."
I fumbled for the right words, but nothing convenient came to mind.
With a feeling akin to resignation, I continued speaking.
"Neither Komari nor I had a place in our class during our first year."
At my sudden self-disclosure, Shiratama-san seemed about to say something but then closed her mouth.
"I'm not saying that's a bad thing. But the Literature Club gave us a place, and through it, we made friends. Looking back now, it wasn't so bad."
I scratched my cheek in embarrassment after saying that.
After a moment of silence, Shiratama-san quietly murmured.
"...All of you are very kind."
"Well, it's not so much kindness as it is just returning the favor we received..."
Shiratama-san tried to smile but quickly gave up.
"...But I can't give up on my feelings."
"Uh, that means-"
"I'm not trying to take onii-chan away or anything. ...I know it's impossible."
Her voice had a hint of self-deprecation again.
"But I don't want to have any regrets. I want to give it my all, leave a mark, and then come to terms with my feelings."
Her low voice lacked emotion.
As her quiet soliloquy filled the clubroom, I spoke up.
"So, what exactly are you planning to do...?"
I had to ask, even if it felt tactless.
This girl has one offense already, after all. I can't just sit there if she plans to commit another.
"...Well, last time, I intended to wear my sister's dress and take pictures in the chapel. But there were two miscalculations."
"Miscalculations?"
Shiratama-san blinked her large eyes and returned to her usual inscrutable smile.
"The first was that the dress isn't brought to the venue until right before the ceremony. It was a completely wasted trip."
Oh, is that so? Good to know…
I turned off my brain and nodded.
"The second was that I thought sneaking in at night would avoid any attention, but as soon as I got inside, the security company showed up. Professionals are amazing, aren't they? Before I knew it, I was surrounded, and the police were there too-"
"Hold on! How did you even get into the building in the first place? The doors were locked, right?"
I quickly changed the topic, and Shiratama-san's eyes sparkled.
"Yes, I used a homemade tool to pick the lock-"
Holy shit. I'm standing in the middle of a minefield.
"Okay, let's change the subject! It's not good to cause trouble for others, right?"
"Yes, I learned my lesson from last time. Next time, I'll try something more peaceful."
She lightly tapped her head with a "tehe".
I have mixed feelings, thinking she's not really reflecting but also finding her cute. However, it's crucial that she doesn't break the law. Seriously, please.
"Don't worry. I won't cause any trouble for the Literature Club- I'll keep my distance."
"...Eh?"
Something slipped through my fingers. A sense of unease enveloped me.
"Wait-"
"I can't cause trouble for the Literature Club with what I plan to do. I'll handle it alone from now on."
She stood up silently, her bag in hand.
"No, wait-"
"...If everything goes well and I can stay at Tsuwabuki, can I come back here again?"
-If she can stay at Tsuwabuki.
In other words, she is prepared to do something that might get her expelled.
I stood up, my chair wobbling.
"Wait, Shiratama-san, you can't…do that alone."
"Then- will you do bad things with me, Prez?"
"Uh, that's…"
-I used to be like that too.
Keeping my distance from others. Trying to be alone.
The Literature Club members were the same.
Always deciding for themselves. Trying to bear everything alone.
But it was those troublesome people who reached out to me-
I quickly closed the few steps between us and grabbed her arm.
"No, Shiratama-san."
My words made Shiratama-san's body tense up.
"...I don't want to cause trouble for everyone."
She muttered in a faint voice, looking down.
"Cause us as much trouble as you want to."
Yanami, Yakishio, Komari, even the senpais, and, of course, me too.
We've caused trouble for each other countless times.
And despite that, we've stayed together, and I've never thought it was- maybe I've thought it was annoying five or six times, but I've never actually hated it.
"Feeling overwhelmed is exactly when you shouldn't be alone. I'll be here, and the Literature Club will be here with you. So..."
The tension drained from Shiratama-san's arm.
"With me..? Is that really okay...?"
"Yes, of course."
Shiratama-san turned around quickly.
Tears welled up in her eyes, ready to fall.
"That means you guys are going to help me, right!?"
Yeah, of cour- wait, did I really say that?
What I meant was she shouldn't be alone and that the Literature Club would be with her. Wait, did I actually promise to help her…?
"Uh, well, yes, I did say we would be together. But, uh..."
"Thank you. I've been so anxious. I never thought someone would say something like this to me. Oh, dear. Crying here will make me look like a manipulative girl, won't it?"
Shiratama-san chuckled softly as she wiped her tears away.
She's cute, but hold on. That's not what I meant-
Slam. The door to the club room burst open, and the two veteran club members barged in.
"Shiratama-chan, we're borrowing this for a bit!"
"G-Get over here, you!"
I, referred to as "this", was forcibly dragged into the hallway.
"Nukumizu-kun, are you serious!? Are you really planning to help her commit a crime!?"
"I-Is that what you're t-trying to do!?"
Yanami poked my chest with her finger while Komari's tied-up hair bounced vividly.
"Well, it wasn't my intention, but you know how things just flow sometimes? Like, there's this...m-mood."
"You never bothered to read the room usually, so why now of all times!? This is exactly why you need to read the room, Nukumizu-kun!"
"T-Think about what you did!"
Girls, please stop the criticism.
As I was pondering how to navigate this situation, the club room door slowly opened, and Shiratama-san peeked out.
"...Uh, am I causing any trouble to you guys?"
Shiratama-san's face showed her worry.
We exchanged silent glances and reluctantly shook our heads.
Intermission: Can't Stop the Nighttime Sweets
A week has passed since Shiratama-san started her probation.
In the club room after school, Yanami, Komari, and temporary member Shiratama are present.
Yanami munched on some Pockys while staring absentmindedly at the club room door.
"Hey, where did Nukumizu-kun go?"
"H-He got called to the i-infirmary."
Komari answered without looking up from her phone.
"Ah, Konuki-sensei again. Nukumizu-kun is the club president, after all~"
Crunch, crunch. Yanami pushed another Pocky into her mouth with her fingers and then offered the box to Shiratama.
"Hey, Shiratama-chan. Want some?"
"Oh, yes. Thank you."
Shiratama, who had been reading a yellowed club magazine, switched to her usual smile.
As she opened a small packet of Pocky from the box, she couldn't hold back a chuckle.
"What's so funny, Shiratama-chan?"
"I just thought that maybe Yanami-senpai and I are a bit similar."
Shiratama nibbled on the Pocky, tilting her head cutely.
"Why? Because we both like salad flavor?"
"That's part of it. But I also always carry snacks with me. Look."
Shiratama took out a bag of adorable soft candies.
Seeing this, Yanami nodded eagerly.
"You get it, Shiratama-chan. Snacks are essential for girls, but guys never understand that. They always say things like you're eating too much-"
As Yanami started to gripe, Shiratama tilted her head slightly.
"Are you talking about Prez?"
"...No, I wasn't talking about Nukumizu-kun."
Yanami denied it with a serious face. Shiratama looked puzzled for a moment but then decided to let it go. She smiled and offered the bag of soft candies.
"Would you like some?"
"Thank you!"
"Komari-senpai, would you like some too?"
"...Ueh? T-Thank you."
A gentle atmosphere settled in the club room.
Yanami munched on a soft candy, nodding repeatedly.
"Snacks are definitely comforting. I can't live without them."
"Yes. I have to eat a lot to keep myself from losing weight, so it's quite a task."
"...Eh?"
Yanami's expression froze.
Shiratama, with an innocent look, tilted her head again.
"Isn't that the same for you, Senpai? If you only eat meals, you'll lose weight, so you always have snacks."
"...Yes."
Yanami nodded in agreement, silencing Komari with a glance when she looked like she wanted to say something, and then she leaned forward with a serious expression.
"...Hey, Shiratama-chan, do you have any tips?"
"Tips? Well, finding time to eat small amounts frequently, I guess."
"And that helps you lose weight?"
"Huh? No, it's a tip for not losing weight."
Yanami fell silent.
Unaware of Yanami's reaction, Shiratama continued talking with a smile.
"Just last night, I ate cake before bed. It's bad for your skin, but I couldn't eat much dinner. Senpai, do you eat anything before bed?"
"I had cup noodles last night, too..."
Yanami's head dropped in defeat as she spoke.
Shiratama clapped her hands together with a bright smile, oblivious to the effect of her words.
"That's amazing! I can't finish cup noodles. Only the boys in the sports clubs can manage those large cup noodles, right?"
"Yeah, you're…right…"
While Yanami's energy seemed to fade like a burnt-out incense stick, Shiratama kept talking as if she were a fish that was finally put into the ocean once again.
Komari, her hands trembling, put on her headphones and started her music player on her phone.
"I've recently been able to finish convenience store bentos, so I might be growing a little too. Do you have any tips for eating a lot, Yanami-senpai?"
"Maybe...just add all the seasoning packets at the start..."
After managing to finish her sentence, Yanami remained slumped, unmoving.
Komari stood up silently, pressing her forehead against the wall.
"Uh, are you two okay…?"
No response.
Baffled by her two senpais, who looked like lifeless corpses, Shiratama opened the old club magazine again-
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