Chapter 4: Operation Riko Shiratama's Big Revenge
The long Golden Week holiday has ended, and the four of us, Yanami, Prez, Shiratama-san, and myself, gathered in the clubroom after school. Asagumo-san's forehead gleamed with determination as she addressed us.
"The plan for Operation Riko Shiratama's Big Revenge is finally complete. The operation is divided into two major phases. First-"
She wrote "Phase 1" in bold letters on the whiteboard.
"The goal of Phase 1 is to have our fake Shiratama, Yanami-san, infiltrate the venue."
Yanami gave a thumbs-up, munching on a banana.
Her diet is going well, and she seems fully motivated.
"However, the real Riko-san is already known to the staff at the wedding venue. It would be difficult for someone else, even in disguise, to impersonate her and get in unnoticed."
She scribbled "8:30" on the board.
"So, the real Riko-san will first enter the venue in her school uniform, establishing her presence with the staff. After that, she'll switch places with the disguised Yanami-san. Riko-san, you're clear on the steps, right?"
Shiratama-san nodded with a distant look in her eyes as she sucked on a tube of sweet bean paste. Is she really clear on the steps?
Her weight gain plan isn't going as smoothly- Yanami could've packed on 2 kg in a snap, but it's a different story for Shiratama-san. We can't push her too hard.
"The most important thing in this operation is to prevent anyone from realizing that Riko-san is in the wedding dress. If we establish in their minds that she's there in her uniform, even if someone sees her in the dress, they won't suspect it's her. After all, they would believe that Yanami-san, disguised as Riko-san, is still around."
After making sure everyone understood, Asagumo-san began writing on the board again.
"Once the switch is successfully made, we move on to Phase 2."
She circled "Phase 2" in red.
"Hokobaru-senpai, disguised as the photographer, and Nukumizu-san will enter the venue. Your job is to draw as much attention as possible. While you're doing that, Yanami-san, as the fake Shiratama, will help the real Riko-san, who will be in her wedding dress by then, sneak into the chapel."
Yanami nodded solemnly, still eyeing the banana peel she had just finished.
As for Shiratama-san, her face looks a bit pale…
"Once Riko-san successfully infiltrates the chapel, Yanami-san will give the signal. At that point, Hokobaru-senpai and Nukumizu-san will bring Tanaka-sensei to the chapel under the pretense of a camera test."
Asagumo-san snapped the marker cap shut and smiled brightly.
"Now, the most critical part is the photoshoot. Nukumizu-san, it's crucial that you ensure Riko-san stays out of Tanaka-sensei's line of sight. You'll be responsible for guiding them."
"Uh, how exactly am I supposed to do that?"
"Well, since we're dealing with real people, you'll need to improvise, adapt, and overcome the situation."
"Improvise and adapt-"
I was about to protest when Asagumo-san dropped a thick stack of papers onto the table.
"You'll be fine as long as you follow this manual. The flexibility part is based on this."
She flipped open the cover of the manual.
"Phase 2, in particular, needs to be executed within the tight window of 9:30 to 10:00 AM. We have one shot at this- there are no do-overs."
The detailed schedule for the day is meticulously outlined inside the manual.
Tanaka-sensei would arrive at the venue at 9:00 AM. Prez and I, posing as fake photographers, would infiltrate at 9:30 AM, and we would need to complete the photoshoot and leave by 10:00 AM before the real photographer arrived.
"If anyone has questions, now's the time to ask. Let's address any concerns here."
Asagumo-san's disciples exchanged glances. There are plenty of questions, but...okay, let's start with the basics.
"The schedule says the family gathering time is 10:30 AM. Shiratama-san is supposed to enter at 8:30 AM, but will they let her in?"
"It's common for the bride's mother or sisters to accompany her to the venue, so it won't be an issue. The bride will enter at 7:30 AM to change and do her makeup and her hair, so during that time, she'll be too preoccupied to come looking for Shiratama-san."
Asagumo-san flipped through the manual.
"The chapel decorations should be completed by 9:00 AM roughly. After that, there won't be many people entering or leaving the chapel, if any at all."
For some reason, Asagumo-san seemed highly confident. Prez, however, looked skeptical.
"A simple question, but how are you so well-informed?"
"I observed five weddings during this holiday, and Komari-san discreetly gathered lots of information, too."
...Komari? But she seems like the least suited person for a reconnaissance mission.
Yanami seemed to share my skepticism, her expression puzzled.
"How did Komari-chan manage that? Didn't the security guards approach her?"
Asagumo-san pulled out a sketchbook with a black and orange cover.
"She stayed in the parking lot near the venue, sketching landscapes while keeping track of the comings and goings."
The sketchbook is passed around, revealing beautifully detailed drawings of the venue's surroundings.
As I flipped through the pages, I noticed small, neatly written notes in the corners, documenting the times and the people entering and leaving the area.
"Yesterday, she kept watch over the chapel from the roof of Kirinoki High School. She's got a pretty good idea of the staff's comings and goings."
"That's really helpful, but why didn't you tell us? You could've mentioned it."
Prez took the sketchbook from my hands and stared at it intently.
"Probably to prepare in case things went south. It would be a disaster if the plan fails and we all end up suspended."
…Yeah, that makes sense. She must be worried watching us going forward with this batshit plan.
So she took it upon herself to gather this intel quietly-
"Komari-san asked me to keep it a secret, so please keep it under the rug, okay?"
Asagumo-san added with a playful smile, raising a finger to her lips in a shushing gesture.
Words like "confidentiality" mean nothing to this person.
Yanami, who had been silently flipping through the manual, spoke up.
"Hey, isn't Shiratama-chan going to change into the wedding dress at the venue? It would be more conspicuous for her to sneak out and go back and forth to Kirinoki High."
"Given Shiratama-san's history, carrying a large bag would definitely raise suspicion. Plus, there's a chance that a relative might show up early, so bringing the dress into the venue is too risky. Of course, the dress will be hidden under a coat during transport."
"That's why we chose a dress that's easy to move in and not too bulky."
Shiratama-san added, before taking another sip from her tube of sweet bean paste.
Once we ran out of questions, Asagumo-san placed two 10-yen coin-sized, black metal pieces on the table. One of them has a button.
"And Yanami-san, please take this clicker. It's the one with the button."
"A clicker? Can I eat that-"
"It's not edible. This other receiver will vibrate when you press this button."
Asagumo-san explained, pressing the button to demonstrate. The other piece buzzed softly.
"One click signals 'advance', two clicks mean 'retreat', and three clicks mean 'hold position'. More than that- it's 'get out of there ASAP'. Shiratama-san will carry the vibrating receiver, and she'll follow the instructions accordingly."
I see. This is much more intuitive than using a smartphone or hand signals- just a simple button press that triggers a vibration.
The slight thrill I felt was purely because my mind was wandering where it shouldn't.
"Once the photo shoot is complete, you two, as the fake photographers, must ensure Tanaka-sensei is escorted upstairs. During that time, Yanami-san will guide Shiratama-san out of the venue. Please go over the finer details in the manual."
Now that I'm taking another look, this is a thick-ass manual…
As I hesitated, I noticed the cover of the manual had a square labeled "Approval Stamp".
"Uh, what's this Approval Stamp for?"
"Well then, Project Lead, please give your official approval for this operation!"
Asagumo-san declared, staring directly at me. …I'm the project lead?
I recoiled slightly, but Asagumo-san leaned in even closer.
"Come on, just stamp the cover! Firmly and decisively!"
"Uh, well, I don't have a stamp or anything..."
Shiratama-san then handed me a stamp.
"That's why I had one made for you. I also have the ink pad ready. Please, go ahead and use it."
…She went ahead and made a stamp for me. How thoughtful, heh.
After they urged me, I pressed the stamp into the ink and firmly stamped the middle of the manual with it.
This is my first time seeing such a beautiful stamp with the name "Kazuhiko Nukumizu" on it.
*
The day before the operation.
We have all agreed to rest today in preparation for tomorrow.
I strolled leisurely through the school grounds, heading toward the bike racks.
…I've crossed so many lines in this half a month.
I would probably have a chest full of medals by now on a battlefield, but unfortunately, this is just a regular school during peacetime. Society isn't exactly kind to those who willingly dive into trouble.
As the sun began to set, the sports clubs on the field started packing up their equipment.
I was scanning the track team for a familiar face- smack! A hard slap hit my back.
"Ouch!"
I turned around, tears forming in my eyes, and saw exactly who I expected- Yakishio.
Dressed in her practice gear, she gave me another gentler slap on the back and then fell into step beside me.
"That hurt. Shouldn't you be practicing?"
"Practice just ended, and I'm cooling down. I'm on my way home."
"Yeah, well, I'm just taking a walk to the bike racks."
Without another word, we started walking together.
Yakishio glanced around, making sure no one was within earshot, before lowering her voice.
"...I heard from Yana-chan. You're up to something crazy, aren't you?"
"It's not crazy- well, maybe just a little bit crazy."
I admitted with a wry smile, and Yakishio's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"Need help? You can count on me if it's something physical."
"Don't. Things are going well in the track team, right?"
Yakishio grinned, showing off her white teeth.
"Yeah, things are good. If I win the prefectural qualifiers this month, I'll go to the Tokai regional qualifiers next month. And if I win there-"
"Nationals, huh?"
She nodded enthusiastically, clearly enjoying the prospect.
"So, how's your condition?"
"Perfectly tuned! Wanna see my abs?"
"Wait- no! And don't show it to other boys either!"
She burst out laughing at my flustered reaction.
Our conversation is light and easy, a far cry from the slightly awkward atmosphere we had had since our little race a while back.
I don't really understand why things have felt weird between us, nor did I know what had brought us back to normal.
"Hey, you and the Literature Club should come to my meet. I'll show you something awesome."
"I'll definitely come to the Tokai qualifiers. I want to see you make it to Nationals."
"What, you're not coming to the prefectural meet?"
Yakishio pouted and poked my back playfully.
I sidestepped with a wry smile.
"Because you're going to win anyway."
"Yeah, I will win."
We exchanged smiles.
Everything went back to normal- but something feels a bit different.
Maybe something has passed us by, like the changing of seasons, leaving behind a subtle shift.
Perhaps we're too young to fully grasp what that something is.
But I have a feeling that when we're older, looking back on these days might bring a smile to our faces.
*
Finally, the day of the wedding arrived.
7:00 AM. The clear morning sunlight streamed into the Drama Club room at Kirinoki High School.
Gathered here are me, Asagumo-san, Prez- and two Shiratama-san's.
Indeed, Yanami, disguised as Shiratama-san, stood side by side with the real one.
With matching wigs, makeup, uniforms, shoes, and accessories, they look remarkably similar.
…This is actually working.
Sure, there are some differences in volume, and it has a bit of a "before and after" vibe.
But we might just be able to pull it off as long as they don't show up at the same time.
Yanami's bust has always been a source of concern, yet it has been carefully adjusted to match Shiratama-san's more modest proportions. Even their leg lines manage to look quite natural despite the apparent differences in their figures.
Just as I was marveling at how convincing it all was, Asagumo-san's forehead gleamed with her usual confidence.
"Alright, everyone, as I predicted, Nukumizu-san reacted exactly as expected."
"Eh? What are you talking about?"
The girls all turned to stare at me.
"Guys usually look at the face, chest, and then legs when they see a girl in a school uniform. That's why it's difficult to notice the switch by aligning these key features."
"Asagumo-san, what are you even saying?"
Hold up, don't give me that look, girls.
Ignoring my discomfort, Asagumo-san continued her explanation.
"In contrast, girls tend to focus more on makeup, accessories, and clothing details. Since the uniform is the same, we matched the hairstyle and makeup and added blue accents to unify the overall impression."
Indeed, the pens in their chest pockets, the wristwatches, and even the nail polish are all in shades of blue.
Prez spoke up after comparing the two Shiratama-san's.
"But their voices won't be easy to disguise. Will Yanami-kun just avoid speaking?"
"That's already been taken care of. Yanami-san, if you would?"
Yanami nodded and put on a blue mask. The voice that came through was-
"I'm Riko Shiratama. I'll be in your care today!"
…It's Shiratama-san's voice.
Yanami managed to shoot me a smug look even through her mask, clearly proud of herself.
Asagumo-san pointed at the mask Yanami is wearing.
"We embedded a thin piezoelectric film speaker into the mask. During the operation, Yanami-san will use pre-recorded lines in Shiratama-san's voice. The quality is high enough that it's difficult for the human ear to tell the difference."
"It was pretty expensive, you know?"
Shiratama-san added with a serious nod.
"The wig Yanami-san is wearing is also made from the hair of an Asian woman of the same age. We had it styled at a salon to match Shiratama-san's hairstyle perfectly."
"It was pretty expensive, you know?"
Shiratama-san repeated, nodding again. Asagumo-san apparently has no qualms about spending other people's money.
Yanami then pulled an IC recorder out of her pocket and began pressing the buttons.
"Sorry, I'm changing." "I'm feeling a bit under the weather." "Can I get a large portion?" "Could you wrap the leftover rice into onigiri for me?"
Though the content clearly has Yanami's personality mixed in, the voice is unmistakably Shiratama-san's.
As I stood impressed, Asagumo-san nodded seriously, assessing the success of the disguise.
"The prep work for Phase 1 is flawless. Now, let's move on to-"
The girls all turned to look at me at once for some reason. What's going on…?
"Uh, I guess Prez and I need to disguise ourselves too, right? Asagumo-san, you mentioned you would handle the outfits..."
"Yes, considering you two will be in direct contact with Tanaka-sensei, we've arranged for particularly thorough disguises."
At Asagumo-san's signal, Yanami silently revealed what she had been hiding behind her back with a smile- a black, elegant-looking dress skirt.
"...Excuse me?"
No, wait, is this really what I think it is? Are they seriously expecting me to crossdress to infiltrate the venue?
Yanami's face split into a mischievous grin, barely holding back laughter.
"It's my best outfit. I'm lending it to you, so let's accept it, shall we?"
"Wait, wait, wait, let's think this through. It's definitely going to be obvious. This is a bad idea."
I tried to back away, but Asagumo-san swiftly blocked my path.
"Ara, Nukumizu-san, you've already demonstrated that even close family members can fall prey to the 'normalcy bias'- that belief that 'there's no way this could happen'. They won't suspect a thing."
"...But wait, that would mean Prez would have to crossdress as well, right? You wouldn't want that, right, Prez?"
I turned to Prez for support, only to be met with her bright smile as she casually ran a hand through her hair.
"I don't mind at all. In fact, I rather look forward to it."
…Prez's totally on board.
My fate is sealed. Asagumo-san gave me a reassuring smile as I despaired.
"Don't worry. We have called in an expert to handle your makeup."
"Huh? I thought you were going to do the makeup, Asagumo-san."
"Transforming a man into a convincing woman requires a high level of skill. Plus, Yanami-san and I need to focus on Phase 1 preparations-"
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine as the corridor outside the window seemed to darken.
The barely ajar door creaked open slightly, revealing a pair of white eyes staring intently at us.
"Shikiya-senpai!?"
"I heard…there's a chance to…play with Nukumizu-kun…"
Shikiya-san slipped into the room quietly and approached me-
*
...There's no way I can let Kaju see me like this.
I reluctantly pulled on the white blouse Yanami lent me over my running shirt.
My broad shoulders made me uneasy, but according to Yanami, it's "an oversized top meant to be layered", so I managed to button it up without too much trouble.
The frilly collar is uncomfortable, but I have passed the first hurdle. Now for the next one-
...I swallowed nervously.
Lying in front of me is a black, no-pleat skirt, another one of Yanami's personal items.
It has a slight flare toward the hem, resembling the shape of a tulip.
Wearing a women's blouse is one thing. Well, it's not exactly acceptable, but I could tolerate it. But putting on a skirt feels like crossing a line I'm not sure I could handle.
"Uh, maybe I should just-"
"Can't…do it alone…?"
Shikiya-san started to come in, and I quickly pushed her back.
"No, no, I can do it myself! Please don't come in!"
Ahh, damn it, no choice now. I slipped the skirt on over my pants.
…Okay, so this is the front. Hook it, zip it up. There.
I took a deep breath and checked myself in the full-length mirror.
Forget disguise. What I'm seeing is just a high school boy wearing girls' clothing.
This is way harder than I thought…
Reluctantly, I grabbed the long-haired wig that had been left out for me and put it on. It only made the cross-dressing even more pronounced.
"Nukumizu-kun, aren't you going to take off your pants?"
"I am! But stop peeking, Yanami-san!"
My my, now I have no choice but to commit.
I stripped off my pants and, without thinking too much, stepped out from behind the curtain.
"Okay, I did wear it, but…"
"Ohhh!" (x4)
The girls' voices chorused together, followed by a round of applause. Why are they clapping?
"Look, it's totally unnatural, right? I can't pull off this disguise."
Yanami, looking far too amused, pulled out a small elastic band from her pocket.
"The skirt didn't fit quite right, did it? I brought an adjustment band for you-"
"...Huh? No, it fits just fine."
I said, slipping a finger between the skirt and my waist.
"If anything, it's a little loose. Can you really adjust it with that band?"
"............"
"Eh? Hey, the band…"
Why are you looking like you're trying to kill me…?
She looked like she was about to strangle me with that band, but just as I started to worry, Asagumo-san put a calming hand on her shoulder.
"Looking good so far. We've got some stage-quality shapewear and wigs here, so let's use those to finish the look. Shikiya-senpai, I'll leave the rest to you."
Asagumo-san ushered Prez and Shiratama-san into the changing area.
Prez's going to do a male disguise? I bet it will suit her really well…
Lost in thought, I suddenly noticed Shikiya-san staring at me intently.
"Uh, so you're doing my makeup, right?"
"That alone…isn't enough…"
Shikiya-san moved closer as she wobbled.
"We need to...hide your hands and feet...and your neck..."
"My neck?"
Her slender fingers lightly touched my neck.
"Men have...an Adam's apple..."
She paused, her hand resting on my throat, and tilted her head curiously.
"Why is yours…so…small…?"
Eh, that's the first time anyone has said that. Yanami leaned in closer to examine my neck.
"Even Nukumizu- uwah, it's really small."
"Yeah, it's…tiny…"
"Indeed, yours is much smaller than Sosuke's."
Surrounded by the two girls, repeatedly hearing them call me "small" was doing a number on my self-esteem. What even is this situation?
As I instinctively stepped back, Shikiya-san started to touch me more insistently.
"Your legs...are so smooth..."
"No, well- fuah!?"
Without warning, Shikiya-san's hand slipped under my skirt.
But Yanami quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her away from me.
"Hold on, senpai! What do you think you're doing!? No touching in the Literature Club!"
Yanami dragged Shikiya-san to the corner of the room.
"But…his legs…are so…smooth…"
"Even so, he's still a guy, after all. Sometimes, he even gives me those lewd looks."
Yanami muttered, giving me a sidelong glare. Really, woman? That's how I am in your eyes?
"But…Nukumizu-kun's body is like…a girl's…"
"Eh? Really?"
No, I'm all man, body and soul.
Feeling their intense stares, I instinctively tugged at the hem of my skirt. Just then, the curtain to the changing area quietly parted, and Prez emerged, fully dressed.
She walked to the center of the room with confident strides.
Prez's wearing brown leather shoes and checked slacks held up by suspenders.
A black turtleneck is tucked under a light brown jacket, and all her hair is neatly hidden under a flat cap. Her outfit gives off the vibe of a Taisho-era newspaper reporter- distinctive, commanding, and entirely fitting for someone of her presence.
"Hmm, I don't think it looks unnatural. Though it's hard to judge for myself."
"It's very fitting. There's just…something about it that's so convincing."
I'm not even sure of my compliment. Asagumo-san nodded in agreement and stood next to her.
"The turtleneck conceals any difference in necklines between genders. Her hair is tucked under the hat, making it look natural."
Asagumo-san explained, gently tapping Prez's shoulders.
"Next, we'll focus on the body shape. We can adjust the body's volume with shapewear, layered clothing, and towels wrapped in a sarashi. Shikiya-senpai will handle the makeup."
Asagumo-san glanced at the clock on the wall.
-7:30 AM. That's when the bride, Minori Shiratama, enters the venue.
"Let's move on to Phase 1. After Shiratama-san enters the venue, we'll swap her out with Yanami-san. Now, Project Lead, give the order!"
Right, I'm the Project Lead. I had forgotten- ugh, I really don't want to do this…
But there's no turning back now. Straightening my posture, I looked around at everyone's expectant faces.
"Alright then, let's begin Operation Shiratama Riko's Big Revenge...or something like that."
My half-hearted command marked the start of our plan.
*
Yanami and the others have set off. It's time for us to prepare for Phase 2.
The soft touch of the brush on my face, the cool press of Shikiya-san's fingers against my cheek, the rustling of clothing, her shallow breaths... And the scent of her perfume, mingling with the smell of the makeup…
When you close your eyes, your other senses become heightened.
As I stood there frozen with my heart pounding-
"Open…your eyes, please…?"
I heard Shikiya-san's hoarse voice close by.
When I slowly opened my eyes, Shikiya-san was holding up a hand mirror to me.
Is this...me...? I looked completely different from just a moment ago…
The person in the mirror appears to be 20 years old. It's the image of a simple girl, not flashy but dressed up as cutely as she could, trying to look a bit more mature. She's probably someone who enjoys reading and dreams of a wonderful encounter.
It's not just the makeup. My body shape is adjusted by wrapping a towel like a sarashi, and my neck is hidden with a scarf. The jacket is chosen to make my broad shoulders less noticeable, and my legs, extending from the skirt, are covered in nude tights.
"Yeah, you look…pretty cute. I want to hug you…"
Shikiya-san muttered to herself in a heartfelt tone.
Just then, the door to the room burst open, and Asagumo-san and Shiratama-san rushed in.
"The switch with Yanami-san is a success! Phase 1 is complete! We don't have much time. Let's get you into the wedding dress!"
"Yes, understood!"
Asagumo-san hurriedly slipped behind the curtain into the changing area, with Shiratama-san following closely, untying her ribbon as she went.
"I'll...help you…change..."
Shikiya-san, looking dazed, stumbled behind the curtain.
I have a vague sense that this could be bad, but since I couldn't quite put my finger on why, I decided to ignore it.
Prez snapped her suspenders into place and threw on her jacket.
"Alright, next is Phase 2. We need to lure Shiratama-kun into the chapel with Yanami-kun's help, then get Tanaka-sensei out and take the photo- this is actually making me nervous."
In a way, this is the real test. The entire plan will fall apart if the fake cameraman's infiltration fails.
"By the way, where's the camera, Prez?"
"Ahh, I've already requested Basori-kun's assistance. It must be in the student council room-"
Prez and I froze as we looked at each other.
"Wait, you mean it's in Tsuwabuki!?"
"Maybe Hiroto packed it with the other gear. Wait here for a moment."
Prez slipped through the curtain into the changing area.
Wait, we can't be cameramen without a camera.
Just as I was grappling with this major crisis, a knock came, followed by the door opening.
"Excuse me. I'm a student from Tsuwabuki High School. My name is Basori..."
Tiara-san?! I quickly turned my back to her.
"Sorry to bother you, but has Hokobaru been here by any chance?"
"Eh!? Ah! Yes! She was here, but she just stepped out for a moment!"
Tiara-san muttered "I knew it" and began to walk briskly towards me.
"I've come to deliver something she forgot. Where can I find her?"
"S-She might not be back for a while, so you can just leave it over there!"
My voice came out higher than usual, and Tiara-san abruptly stopped in her tracks.
"I would prefer to hand it to her directly. Would it be alright if I wait?"
"Ah, yes, sure."
…She hasn't figured it out, right? I stood with my back to Tiara-san, holding my breath, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible.
Indeed, I'm a fairy of Kirinoki High School. People with brain rot can't see me-
"Uh, can I ask you something?"
She can totally see me. I nodded silently, trying to play it cool.
After a brief hesitation, Tiara-san spoke up.
"What exactly is Hokobaru doing here?"
Wait, could she have figured out our plan...?
"What? Uh, she's here…to cover the Drama Club. For an interview."
"But she came with the Literature Club, right? Why is she doing an interview with the Literature Club people for the Drama Club?"
"W-Who knows? I'm just here to help out."
Gulp. I swallowed nervously.
There was a pause. After a moment of silence, Tiara-san murmured softly.
"...Nukumizu-san's too lame."
"Eh, me?"
"Eh!?"
Oh, shit. I quickly covered my mouth with my hand, but it was too late.
"Please let me see your face!"
Tiara-san grabbed my shoulder and forcefully turned me around.
She stared at me in shock, her eyes wide.
"Nukumizu-san!? Why are you dressed like that!?"
"U-Uh, well, that's because..."
As I struggled to come up with an explanation, the curtain suddenly opened, and Prez emerged.
"...Oh, that voice? Is that you, Basori-kun? How did you know we are here?"
"It was written on the student council room's schedule! What's going on- gurk!?"
She sounded like a strangled chicken.
Prez smoothly took the camera bag from the frozen Tiara-san's hands.
"Did you come here to bring us the camera? Thanks a lot. I appreciate it."
"Pre- Nu- eh- this-"
Tiara-san's mouth opened and closed as she kept looking back and forth between Prez and me.
"Prez's now a guy, and Nukumizu-san is now a girl. Does it mean- you two are like that!?"
No.
For some reason, Prez nodded as if she had just reached an understanding.
"Hmm, I don't really get it, but I guess we are."
"Shut up, Prez!"
Tiara-san let out another strangled chicken noise.
Then, with a trickle of blood running down from her nose, she collapsed on the spot.
*
9:30 AM. The operation entered Phase 2.
I adjusted the weight of the bag slung over my shoulder and looked up at the entrance of the venue.
This is my second visit. The last time, I was a visitor, and now I'm an intruder.
"...Will Tiara-san be okay?"
Trying to mask my nerves, I muttered to myself. Prez reassured me with a pat on the shoulder.
"Shikiya's with her, so she should be fine."
That's why I'm worried. I don't think I need to explain why.
Glancing sideways, I saw two figures in the gap between the buildings.
They are Asagumo-san and Shiratama-san. The latter has a coat over her wedding dress. She will sneak into the chapel with Yanami's help once we're inside.
Prez gave my shoulder another firm pat before pushing open the large entrance doors.
The venue is just as stylish as before, with its high, elegantly muted ceilings. But unlike our last visit, the staff are bustling about, clearly busy with preparations.
Without hesitation, Prez approached the reception desk and handed over a business card.
"Pardon the intrusion. I'm Toratani from Studio Damonde. We're here for the photo shoot with Tanaka-sama and Shiratama-sama today."
The staff lady who had been filling out paperwork looked up at her with a puzzled expression.
"Thank you for your hard work. I was informed that the meeting was scheduled for 10 AM, though..."
"This is my first time at this venue, so I was hoping to do a quick walkthrough of the photo locations. If possible, could I have the pleasure of greeting the groom, Tanaka-sama?"
Prez smiled charmingly while dressed as a guy.
The staff lady seemed to catch her breath for a moment, nodding as if she were in a dream.
"...Ah, of course. I'll go check with the groom if that's the case."
"Thank you very much. We'll accompany you."
Ever the lady killer, Prez.
I followed behind them, trying to stay out of sight by keeping my head down.
...Ah, there's Yanami, the fake Shiratama, lurking near the restroom.
Yanami, who had been aimlessly wandering around, noticed us and gave a sneaky thumbs-up. Stop that.
"-I think it's a wonderful job, giving out dreams to everyone. Be proud of yourself."
"Thank you. I feel a bit more at ease now."
"If you ever want to talk, I'm always here to listen. Please feel free to visit the studio anytime."
Wait, what? Prez is now listening to the staff lady's life story? How long was I distracted by Yanami's thumbs-up…?
I continued to follow them as we headed up to the second floor.
To the left at the top of the stairs is the conference room where the briefing has been held. To the right are the dressing rooms for the bride and groom.
The groom and bride each have separate rooms, and since the venue hosts two weddings per day, there are a total of four dressing rooms lined up.
A staircase leads down to the reception hall beyond the rooms.
The staff member knocked on the door of the second-to-last room, which had a sign that read, "Tanaka Family - Groom's Room".
"Tanaka-sama, the photographers have arrived."
The door opened almost immediately. Tanaka-sensei, dressed in a tuxedo, looked at us with surprise.
"Oh, you're a bit early."
"Yes, it's our first time at this venue, so we wanted to do a camera test. I hope we're not interrupting."
As he accepted the business card handed to him, Tanaka-sensei looked pleased.
"No problem at all. We men finish getting ready quickly, so I was just waiting around."
Prez flashed a smile at the staff member who was still staring at her in a daze.
"Thank you, Natsumi-san. You can return to your duties now."
"Yes, of course. If you need anything, just let me know."
Natsumi-san gave Prez a meaningful glance before turning away. Huh, so that's her name.
...I hope Shiratama-san's infiltration of the chapel went smoothly.
I discreetly glanced at my smartwatch as Prez and Tanaka-sensei chatted.
A message popped up on the screen right on cue.
<THE RICE IS COOKED>
—That's Yanami's signal. Riko Shiratama has successfully infiltrated the chapel.
I gave Prez a light tap on the back while she continued making small talk with Tanaka-sensei.
"Toratani-san, the sun is getting higher."
Prez raised the camera beside her face, flashing a charming smile that defied gender.
"Well then, Tanaka-san, if you would kindly follow me- let's take the best photos possible."
*
The chapel is filled with shimmering light.
The morning sunlight streamed in through the three windows, brightening the room as if lifted by the ceiling fan spinning above. The atmosphere is solemn and serene.
As I stood there, taking it all in, Prez turned to look at me.
"Get everything ready, Kazuko-kun."
Kazuko- that's me, right? I quickly pulled a collapsible reflector out of the bag.
A reflector is a board that reflects light, supposedly helping to take beautiful photos. The one we are using could expand to over a meter in size.
Tanaka-sensei approached out of curiosity, and I lifted the reflector to hide my face.
"This is pretty serious gear. Will you be using this during the actual ceremony as well?"
"We're testing the lighting, simulating the natural light during the ceremony. Could you take four steps to your right?"
"Oh, excuse me. Here?"
Prez adjusted the camera.
"Yes, perfect. Now, turn 30 degrees to your right. Angle your face toward the wall- ah, that's spot on. Hold that position."
Chak, chak, chak. The shutter clicked repeatedly.
Prez stepped back from the camera's viewfinder and motioned to me with her hand.
"Kazuko-kun, could you reflect the light from a bit farther back?"
That was the signal. I nodded and carefully approached the pulpit, making sure not to make any noise.
I maneuvered around behind the pulpit, calculating my position relative to Tanaka-sensei- there, behind the pulpit, crouched Shiratama-san, dressed in her white gown. Our eyes met briefly.
Lowering the reflector to the floor, I watched as Shiratama-san slowly moved from behind the pulpit to the back of the reflector.
"I think we need a bit more light. Kazuko-kun, could you move a bit closer? Actually, come right up next to the groom."
I nodded and quietly, but not too quietly, moved forward at a slow, deliberate pace.
It's only about three meters, but right now, it feels like an eternity away.
"Your tuxedo collar is a bit off. A little higher- yes, perfect..!. Let's take another shot. Turn your body slightly towards the wall. Keep your face just like that. Hold still, please!"
Ka-chak. Ka-chak. Ka-chak.
Taking advantage of the noise, I closed the final step and moved the reflector to the side.
And in that instant, everything changed.
In the spot where I had just been standing, Shiratama-san now appeared, holding a bouquet, dressed in her wedding gown- positioned right next to the groom.
It was only a few seconds in real-time and even less than a fraction of that was captured by the camera.
Prez raised a single finger, signaling the completion of the shoot.
I quickly moved closer and set the reflector upright on the floor.
Just as Shiratama-san hid behind it, Tanaka-sensei turned around.
Our eyes met at close range.
"Uh, sorry, I got a little too close. E-Ehehehehe…"
"Was that you? I thought I felt someone else next to me just now."
Tanaka-sensei started to move closer, but Prez smoothly stepped in between us.
"Apologies, my assistant was a bit too close. The camera test is complete."
"Oh, really…? I'm glad I could help."
Tanaka-sensei looked a bit overwhelmed. Prez wrapped an arm around his shoulder and began guiding him toward the chapel exit.
"I'll make sure to capture the best moments during the actual ceremony. Have you already seen the bride in her dress?"
"Yes, during the fitting."
"That's lovely. She'll look even more stunning with makeup on the big day."
They continued chatting as they left the chapel.
As I stood there watching the closed door, I suddenly noticed Shiratama-san standing beside me.
"Are you okay? It went well."
"Ah, yes…"
Shiratama-san seemed dazed, standing still as if lost in thought.
Sensing her unease, I spoke up again.
"Go hide again until Yanami-san comes to get you. I'll go check and make sure Tanaka-sensei has returned to his room."
She nodded slightly. I folded up the reflector and exited the chapel.
We are so close to completing the mission. All that's left is to escape, and it will be over.
As I texted Yanami to inform her that the mission was complete, I followed Prez up the stairs to the second floor.
All the preparations we had made over the past week seemed to have passed in an instant.
I finally felt the weight lift off my shoulders. I'm relieved that I don't need to utilize my backup plan…
But the message I received from Yanami jolted me back to reality.
<Shiratama-chan isn't anywhere to be found.>
*
Shiratama-san has vanished.
Prez, Yanami, and I gathered in the chapel where she was last seen.
"She didn't come out after I gave the signal. I went to check, but no one was there."
Yanami said as her limbs flailed around.
Prez looked up from her phone and shook her head.
"Asagumo-kun also confirmed that she didn't see her leaving the building."
Which means…Riko Shiratama is still hiding somewhere.
She must be planning something if she disappeared without a trace.
I straightened the wig's bangs, trying to refocus.
"There's no point in just standing here. Let's split up and search for her."
"Agreed. Fortunately, the guests haven't started arriving yet."
"Hey, can I have Shiratama-chan's bouquet later? Holding it is supposed to mean you're the next to get married, right?"
The first girl who took it didn't even get a chance to be rejected, not to mention getting married. But you do you, I guess.
We left the chapel and entered the venue's main building.
If Shiratama-san is hiding somewhere, it could be in the family dressing rooms. Or maybe the restroom or a storage room…
As I walked toward the entrance, thinking about the possibilities, I noticed two men at the reception desk talking to each other.
Camera bags are hanging from their shoulders- the real photographers have arrived.
"...Kazuko-kun, let's back off."
Prez grabbed my arm and pulled me back the way we came.
Yanami followed us, looking confused.
"Wait, what do we do now? What should I do?"
"Yanami-san, it's better if you're not with us. We're splitting up here."
Prez and I left Yanami behind and exited the building, returning to the front of the chapel.
"Let's hide first, Prez."
"Is there a good spot?"
"Over here."
I led Prez into the bushes between the chapel and the wall.
While the sides and front of the chapel have large windows, there's one corner that's out of sight.
We both let out a sigh of relief once we were sure we were hidden from view.
"This isn't good. We won't have any excuses if we run into the real cameramen."
"We have no choice. We should escape while we can."
"Going through the front entrance is too risky. They might be looking for us."
Prez pinched the brim of her newsboy cap and looked up at the high wall.
"We can just climb over this wall. I'll give you a boost, so climb up first."
The objective has been achieved. It's clear that deciding to escape was the wisest choice.
But then there's the issue of Shiratama-san. She could either come to terms with her feelings and return to her usual life.
-Or resolve to make a drastic move and abandon everything.
"...I'm staying."
I continued, addressing the surprised Prez.
"I can't just leave Shiratama-san like this. I need to see if there's something more I can do."
"Then I'm staying with you. I can't leave you here alone."
I shook my head.
"There's a large black duffel bag in the Drama Club room. Could you bring it here and toss it over the wall?"
Prez, frozen for a moment, looked at me with a surprised expression.
"...Did you anticipate this? From the beginning?"
"More like I was prepared for it."
My smartwatch showed the time as precisely 10:00 AM. The wedding is set to begin at noon.
In that time, I have to find Shiratama-san, convince her, get her changed, and ensure she participates in the ceremony.
...Yeah, that's all. I gave Prez a thumbs-up.
"Leave it to me. I'm used to situations like this."
Shit like this happens all the time in the Literature Club, and despite my looks, I'm the president, you know?
*
Just after 11:00 AM, guests began arriving at the reception.
As the waiting area and garden started to fill with people, I made my move from the hiding spot.
Not as Izumi Kazuko, the camera assistant, but as a plain high school boy, Student A.
Prez brought me the black duffel bag.
It contains a boys' uniform from Kirinoki High School borrowed from the Drama Club.
Students typically attend weddings in their uniforms, making this a perfect disguise that wouldn't draw any attention.
"Yeah, pants just feel so much more comfortable..."
I'm still not used to that breezy feeling, though it might be surprisingly refreshing in the summer…
Thinking about the hot summers of Toyohashi, I entered the indoor waiting area.
Chairs and tables line the walls, with glass doors opening to the garden on one side. The doors are wide open, letting in a refreshing early summer breeze.
I scanned the chatting guests for any sign of Shiratama-san, but it was clear she wasn't there.
As I reached the bar counter, I decided to grab some oolong tea and take a moment to calm down.
It's been over an hour since Shiratama-san went missing. She's probably hiding somewhere and hasn't moved.
The first floor is too crowded, so I guess I should search the second floor next…
Two ladies walked up beside me as I sipped my oolong tea.
"Wow, Noritama-chan looks so cute. She's too good for Tanaka-sensei."
Huh!? This is- Amanatsu-sensei!?
I quickly turned my face away, and then I heard the second lady speak.
"Ara, that girl is perfect for an older gentleman. She's so responsible. She needs someone who'll let her relax and be spoiled."
Konuki-sensei too. I slowly edged away, trying to stay unnoticed.
"I want to be spoiled too, okay…? Should I have bought that apartment…?"
"Konami, have you been drinking already?"
"This would only be 1% of my power had I drank."
She's like this even in her personal life? I slipped away while the teachers were caught up in their conversation.
Shiratama-san clearly isn't in the crowd. That means she's probably hiding somewhere quieter…
Avoiding attention, I made my way down a dimly lit hallway leading to the back area.
A little further along, I found a door marked <Storage>. Glancing around to make sure no one was watching, I turned the doorknob. It's not locked. I slowly opened the door.
"Shiratama-san, are you in here…?"
The storage room is pitch black. As I fumbled for the light switch- someone suddenly grabbed my hand violently.
"Hya!?"
"Where did you go, Nukumizu-kun!?"
She's- Yanami. She pulled me into the storage room and quickly shut the door.
The light from Yanami's phone illuminated our faces in the darkness.
"Why are you here, Yanami-san?"
"All of Shiratama-chan's relatives arrived right after you left! I would've been dead if her parents found me! I've been running around like crazy to avoid them!"
Before I could respond, Yanami got right up in my face, not giving me a moment to speak.
"And get this! One of her uncles caught me right before I hid in here! He kept saying it was good to see me after so long, but I had never met him before! And he called me fat five times! Five friggin times! After I lost three whole kilos, you know!?"
"Uh, well, it's good you didn't get caught. But we need to focus on finding Shiratama-san."
I tried to calm Yanami down as I checked the time on my phone.
It's already past 11:15. The wedding is set for noon, so we're running out of time.
Once Yanami had vented her frustrations, she seemed satisfied and put on a blue mask.
"Alright, Nukumizu-kun, help me out. She wasn't in the bathroom, so the only place left to check is the second floor."
So, it really comes down to that. I nodded silently and opened the storage room door.
*
The second floor houses the bride and groom's waiting rooms. While it appears that no guests ventured up there, relatives and friends often come by to offer greetings, so there's a fair amount of foot traffic.
We started by exploring the area opposite the bridal suites, heading left after ascending the stairs.
At the far end of the hallway, we checked out a meeting room about the size of a small classroom.
This was the place where we first received our briefing during the tour, and today, it seems to be temporarily used as a storage area.
I even checked the balcony through the large window at the back, but there was no sign of Shiratama-san.
As I exited the room, Yanami, who had been checking the other rooms, shook her head.
'She's not here either."
-That leaves only the area with the bride and groom's waiting rooms.
Yanami gulped nervously.
"You don't think something drastic happened, right? I don't want to be the first one to see someone getting stabbed by a knife. You go first, Nukumizu-kun."
"There's too much foot traffic for anything like that. She's more likely hiding in the banquet hall just beyond."
"The banquet hall…?"
Yanami crossed her arms, deep in thought.
"What's wrong?"
"I've got it. It's the cake…!"
"Are you hungry?"
"I am, but that's not it. You know how at weddings there's that huge cake that's taller than you? What if Shiratama-chan ate her way into it and is hiding inside?"
Wait, is she serious? Of course, she is. This is Yanami we're talking about.
"You know, aside from the part they cut into, that cake is usually just for show."
"Eh? The cake is a lie? You've got to be kidding me."
The 16-year-old Anna Yanami stands stunned by the revelation.
I get that she's shocked, but this really isn't the time.
"Look, I'm sure you could order the whole thing to be real as an option. Come on, let's go."
"Was it all real during the real estate bubble era…? Maybe back then everything was real cake...?"
"Yeah, let's hope the bubble era comes back."
I said, urging Yanami to hurry up as we made our way back toward the stairs.
Just as we reached the staircase, a middle-aged woman who had been coming up stopped in front of us.
"Ara, could you be Riko-chan? Do you remember me? It's Aunt Mitsue from Kosai."
What?! Shiratama-san's relative, here of all places?
"I'm Riko. It's been a while."
Aunt Mitsue smiled warmly and grabbed Yanami's hand.
"It really has been ages! You were so slender back in elementary school, but now you've grown so fat- fantastically!"
"Yeah, I love eating rice."
Since Yanami responded with Shiratama-san's voice, she's now stuck continuing the conversation using the recorded audio.
Yanami, clearly flustered, shot me a pleading glance. This is…
-Leave this to me. You go on ahead.
That has to be what she's saying. It has to be. I decided that way.
I slowly backed away, giving Yanami a thumbs-up before slipping away from the scene.
All the while, I could feel Yanami's glare burning into my back.
*
There are four doors along the hallway leading to the banquet hall.
The one at the very end is the bride's waiting room, and the next one is the groom's.
After a moment's hesitation, I decided to turn the doorknob of the door just before the groom's room.
…It's not locked. I quietly pushed the door open.
Bathed in the soft light pouring in through the window stands Riko Shiratama.
Her back is straight, and she holds a bouquet in both hands, standing silently as if waiting for someone.
When she noticed me, her expression wavered slightly, like gentle ripples across a still lake.
"You've changed, Prez. That outfit suits you, too."
I stepped into the room and closed the door behind me.
"More importantly, you need to change quickly. You won't make it to the ceremony in time."
"...Yeah, I really won't make it if I stay here."
Something in her tone made me pause mid-step.
Her eyes, clear and transparent like a mirror, met mine as she began to speak softly.
"I never realized just how bad I am at giving up."
Shiratama-san lowered her gaze as if to avoid my eyes, and the hem of her dress swayed slightly.
"When I have one wish fulfilled, I start wanting another. And if that one comes true, I'll probably want something else again."
She lifted her face, revealing a smile that wasn't self-deprecating but more like a painful, dry laugh that seemed to erode her from the inside.
"Shiratama-san…"
"That's the kind of woman I am. I want to destroy everything and run away, but I'm too cowardly to do it. I'm just a coward, waiting here for time to run out. So-"
She forced the corners of her lips to curl up.
"-Please leave, Prez."
I stood there, rooted to the spot, my chest swirling with emotions.
I'm angry- not just with her, but also with myself.
I should've known this side of her.
Selfish and stubborn.
Clumsy and always making a mess of things.
But in the end- she always thinks about someone else's happiness before her own. Some girls are like that.
And empty platitudes wouldn't reach someone like that.
I locked eyes with her, glaring with resolve.
"…Are you really ready to give up on Tanaka-sensei?"
Shiratama-san seemed ready to reply, but she froze as if something suddenly clicked for her.
"…Are you telling me to take onii-chan away from her?"
"Exactly."
I didn't bother to hide my frustration as I stepped closer to her.
"You hid in the room right next to Tanaka-sensei's without locking the door. Didn't you want someone to find you? Whether by chance or not, you wanted to wreck everything with the help of someone you love, didn't you?"
"You! I just-"
I pressed on before she could say anything.
"Even if you did that, you still wouldn't be able to give up, would you? You've been hiding these feelings for so long. There's no way you're the type of person who'd give up just because he married your sister or because you destroyed everything."
Shiratama-san, who had been glaring at me defiantly, finally lowered her shoulders as if she had been defeated.
"...I don't want to destroy their happiness."
"Then what if they aren't happy anymore?"
"That's…"
Shiratama-san's eyes bulged.
She wanted to retort, but she finally gave in, shaking her head.
"...I didn't know you could be so cruel, Prez."
"Did I disappoint you?"
"No, it was just a little- thrilling."
Despite her brave words, the bouquet slipped from her hands, falling softly to the floor.
"...I'll be waiting."
She said, looking up at me with those eyes that seemed to see right through a man's heart.
"I've kept these feelings hidden for over ten years since I was old enough to understand them. I can keep hiding them for another five, ten years if I have to."
"Then the place you should be right now isn't here. You need to go and properly congratulate them and stay by their side."
"...Yes, Prez."
Returning to her usual tone, Shiratama-san gave me her usual perfect smile.
"You can still make it if you hurry and change-"
"Hngh…!"
Eh? What? Why did she just make that lewd sound?
Shiratama-san fidgeted in front of me, blushing and looking down.
"No, uh, it's not what you think. Asagumo-san gave me this vibrating button earlier, and…I didn't have anywhere else to put it, so I...taped it to my inner thigh."
So that's what it was.
"...Uh, so, why is it vibrating now?"
"Well, Yanami-san has been pressing it...for a while now…"
…For a while? If I remember correctly, one press means 'advance', two mean 'retreat'.
And four or more times means- get the hell out of there.
I immediately rushed to the door and locked it.
The doorknob rattled at the next second.
"Huh? It's locked. Do you have the key, Yamashita-san?"
"Hold on, I think it's here…"
I heard some guys' voices outside the door. The venue staff are trying to enter the room.
There's not even time to exchange glances. With only one door out of the room, the only other exit is-
Without thinking, we threw open the window leading to the balcony and leaped outside, not bothering to check what was on the other side.
Just as we made our escape, the door to the room we had just left creaked open.
...Shiratama-san and I crouched down, holding our breath in a spot where we couldn't be seen from the window.
The voices of the young employees who entered the room carried out to where we were hiding.
"Whose coat and bouquet are these?"
"Maybe the last group left them behind. Let's just hold onto them for now."
A coat? Oh, right, Shiratama-san was wearing a long coat over her wedding dress.
We stayed as quiet as possible as the employee closed the open window, locking it with a click.
Now there's no way to go back into the room.
Are we really going to have to make a run for it in a wedding dress...?
"We've come this far, Prez. Let's just make it through."
Shiratama-san whispered in my ear as if reading my thoughts.
…She's right. There's no turning back now.
The wall on the garden side of the balcony is only waist-high, with decorative gaps that leave us partially visible. Depending on the angle, anyone in the garden could easily spot us, so we couldn't stay here long.
But the biggest issue was time. I checked my smartwatch.
We have 30 minutes until the start of the ceremony.
*
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack. We crept along the balcony to the other side of the building, reaching the large meeting room where I had searched earlier. I slid the window open, and we slipped inside.
We crossed the room quietly, and I pressed my ear against the door.
...No signs of anyone outside. Slowly, I opened the door and led Shiratama-san into the hallway.
The hallway turns left at the end.
Peeking around the corner, I saw a long corridor with a staircase descending a few meters ahead.
Beyond that, further down the hallway, are the waiting rooms from which we have just escaped.
Once we get down the stairs, we will be right near the entrance. If we brace ourselves to be seen, the two of us can make a run for it.
The problem is the group of middle-aged women gathered around Yanami in front of the stairs. And there are more of them now.
"Riko-chan, you've grown so much!"
"You've become so strong, like a completely different person. Your auntie is so relieved."
…It seems like the beans haven't been spilled yet. At that moment, Yanami and I locked eyes.
Yanami's glare was full of silent complaints. Don't look at me like that.
I slowly shook my head and subtly pointed behind myself, indicating she should stay put.
Yanami, who had been about to move toward us, suddenly stopped.
She seemed to understand the situation and tilted her head.
I pointed subtly toward the staircase. Yanami froze.
Then, steeling herself and closing her eyes, Yanami took a deep breath and then opened them with resolve.
"Hey! Since we're here, why don't we go see onee-chan in her wedding dress?"
She said it in her own natural voice, loud and clear.
The women froze for a moment, surprised.
"Ara, Riko-chan, what happened? Your voice just changed all of a sudden…"
"That's right. You should sound a bit more refined now that you're in Tsuwabuki."
"But I do want to see Minori-chan in her dress!"
The group, now lively again, surrounded Yanami and began moving down the hallway, away from the staircase.
The escape route to the stairs- cleared.
I exchanged a nod with Shiratama-san, and we quickly made our way toward the staircase. Yanami, I won't forget your sacrifice.
Fortunately, the stairs are empty. We dashed down them and headed straight for the entrance- only for me to suddenly stop in my tracks. Shiratama-san bumped into my back with a soft thud.
"What's wrong? We should just rush through even if someone sees us."
"I know, but-"
I peeked around the corner cautiously, with Shiratama-san following my lead. She quickly pulled back, her face pale.
"Dad…!"
Indeed, standing near the entrance and engaged in conversation is Shiratama-san's father. We might have walked right into him had I not seen his photo beforehand.
Shiratama-san was so startled that she placed her hand on her chest, taking deep breaths to calm down.
"We definitely can't let him see you. We'll have to wait until he leaves."
"Ah, yes, I understand."
…Wait a second. The person Shiratama-san's father is talking to is the venue manager. I recognized him from the tour.
And if I remember correctly, the bride is supposed to enter the chapel with her father during the ceremony.
There are 25 minutes left until the start of the ceremony.
In other words, Shiratama-san's father's next destination is likely the bride's room on the second floor.
The voices are getting closer to the stairs.
I'm familiar with the voices of the young men. They are the venue staff.
"Prez!"
Shiratama-san, her face pale, grabbed onto my clothes.
…Shit. The only option is to go back upstairs if we want to run, but we'll be trapped with nowhere to go.
I have to find a way to get Shiratama-san out of here, even if it's just her-
A trembling yell roared through the surroundings in the next second.
"E-Excuse me! D-Did someone see a c-cat running in h-here!?"
It's Komari.
Komari's shaky voice drew everyone's attention.
Peeking out to assess the situation, I saw Komari burst into the entrance, ignoring everyone's attempts to stop her and plant herself firmly in front of Shiratama-san's father.
Shiratama-san's father looked puzzled, yet tried to reassure her with a gentle smile.
"Please calm down, lady. Did a cat run in here? I didn't see it, but what does it look like?"
"I-It's a very g-greedy cat! I-It will eat all the f-food in front of it! We need to c-catch it, quick!"
That's just Yanami.
But the Yanacat has made enough of an impact.
The venue manager began calling out to the nearby staff, gathering information about this supposed cat.
"Ah! I-It ran that way! T-To the kitchen! We have t-to catch it!"
"My my, no need to push so hard."
Komari, pushing Shiratama-san's father in the opposite direction from where we were, led him away.
The venue staff, now distracted, started heading toward the kitchen, chasing after the nonexistent cat.
-We have a window for a split second.
Footsteps are closing in from upstairs.
There was no time to hesitate. I grabbed Shiratama-san's hand and bolted for the entrance.
We dashed past guests, bursting out of the building into the open air.
People in the parking lot turned to stare, astonished.
A bride, being dragged along by a man, had just come flying out of the venue.
We are certainly drawing attention, but we can't afford to worry about that.
We headed along the wall, aiming for the gap between the buildings- and then Shiratama-san suddenly pulled my hand.
"Wait, my shoe-"
I turned back to see a lone white shoe lying in front of the venue.
Venue staff came rushing out in the split second I hesitated.
This commotion isn't going unnoticed, after all.
Without thinking, I scooped Shiratama-san up into my arms and took off running.
"Prez!?"
Still carrying her bridal style, I dashed into the narrow space between the buildings.
She's heavier than Kaju, but she feels as light as a feather compared to Yanami.
Without slowing down, I leaped through the gap in the hedge that Asagumo-san had coincidentally discovered earlier.
"Kya!"
With Shiratama-san's cute scream ringing in my ears, I kept running without stopping-
*
I looked up at the ceiling, panting heavily in the Drama Club room at Kirinoki High School.
Did we make it…?
After diving into the hedge, it was all a blur. I didn't look back, just ran as fast as I could.
We have made it here somehow, but my arms and waist are screaming in protest.
"…You can put me down now, you know?"
"Huh!?"
Snapping back to reality, I realized I was still holding Shiratama-san. I quickly set her down on the floor.
"Uh, sorry about that. Are you hurt?"
"No, not at all. You protected me, Prez."
I listened carefully, trying to sense any movement around us. There are no signs of anyone nearby.
The only sounds were the distant shouts of the sports teams and the steady notes of brass instruments-
"It doesn't seem like anyone's following us."
"Indeed. We should be safe now."
Shiratama-san reached up and plucked a leaf from my hair.
Here we are, alone in a dimly lit classroom, just the two of us, with her still in her wedding dress.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I scratched my cheek and took a step back.
"We only have 15 minutes left. You should change quickly."
"But it seems a shame to take it off after all that effort."
Looking down at her dress with a wistful expression, Shiratama-san spun around gracefully.
The sequins on her dress sparkled in the dim room.
"Does it look good on me?"
"Uh, didn't you ask me that already?"
"I want to hear it again."
She's being awfully persistent. Resigning myself, I nodded.
"Yeah, it suits you."
"And what does that mean?"
Shiratama-san leaned in, looking up at me expectantly. This is one of those situations where there's no escape until I say what she wants to hear.
I'm a refined dating sim enjoyer, after all.
"Alright, fine. You're cute. But I'm not saying it again."
I answered brusquely, trying to hide my embarrassment. To my surprise, Shiratama-san's expression turned unexpectedly serious.
Shiratama-san stood in front of me and extended her arms toward me before saying-
"Shall we kiss?"
…Ha? A kiss?
That's something that happens in the final volume of a classic rom-com. Though lately, some series push the boundaries and do it in the first chapter-
Wut!? A kiss!? Here!? And now!?
I jumped back with more force than I expected, startled.
"Shiratama-san!? That's not something you should say, even as a joke!"
"...So you're not doing it?"
She tilted her head cutely, blinking.
"Ah, yeah, I won't…"
"I see. You won't, huh?"
Shiratama-san let her arms drop, looking a bit deflated.
...Wait, hold on. Was she actually serious about this? Was this going to be my final volume moment?
As I stood there in shock, Shiratama-san turned her back to me and headed toward the changing area's curtain.
"Well then, I'll go change. I'll be a good girl and attend the ceremony."
"...Right."
No, no, why would I take her seriously? It was just a joke from a kouhai.
I might’ve gotten accused of sexual harassment and got a bad end if I took it seriously.
While I nodded to myself, trying to shake off the thoughts, Shiratama-san looked over her shoulder at me as she opened the curtain.
"You know, Prez. You're actually…"
"Eh, what!?"
My voice cracked, and Shiratama-san chuckled softly.
"Quite a wuss, aren't you?"
With that, she disappeared behind the curtain.
*
Ding…
The soft electronic chime from my phone pulled me back from the shallow waters of sleep.
Right after Shiratama-san had changed into her uniform and headed off to her sister's wedding, I collapsed onto the sofa, utterly exhausted.
The last thing I remembered was my thoughts trailing off into sleep, so I must've dozed off without realizing it.
As I rubbed my eyes and sat up, a blazer from Tsuwabuki High slipped off my shoulders and fell to the floor. It seemed someone had draped it over me while I slept. Considering I'm already wearing a blazer, I must have been double-layered in them.
Thinking that, I picked up the blazer. The familiar, comforting size makes it clear that it belongs to Yanami…
I checked my phone and saw that I hadn't been asleep for even an hour. As I skimmed through the flood of notifications, it seemed the mission had been completed despite a few accidents.
Asagumo-san and Prez are currently retrieving the equipment they have planted around the area.
I didn't fully understand the details, but apparently, getting caught could lead to some severe issues with radio laws and other legal concerns.
…So, what now?
Shiratama-san has decided to continue hiding her feelings for Tanaka-sensei and to be a good little sister-in-law. And if she ends up joining the Literature Club, our future would be secure.
As I stood up and placed Yanami's blazer back on the rack, I noticed the curtain in the changing area moving slightly.
"Nukumizu-kun, are you alone right now…?"
"Huh, you're here, Yanami-san? Thanks for putting the blazer on me."
Glad I didn't say anything weird to myself.
While I sighed in relief, Yanami quietly called out again.
"...Hey. Come over here for a second."
Huh? Into the curtain?
"No way. I'm not going in while you're changing."
"I'm fully dressed. It's fine. Just come in."
…Then why aren't you coming out?
I couldn't figure it out, but arguing seemed like a hassle. I pulled back the curtain, and the sight before me left me speechless.
There stands Yanami, wearing Shiratama-san's wedding dress.
She looked down shyly, her white dress swaying slightly.
Compared to Shiratama-san, her more prominent bust pushed the dress beyond its intended design, almost bursting at the seams.
"Eh? Why are you wearing-"
"...Take it off for me."
What?! Am I still dreaming!?
I'm scared. This is more like a nightmare. Yanami slowly raised her head.
Faint tears are welling up in her eyes.
"No, how about you ask someone-"
"I was curious and tried it on, but now I can't get it off! Do something, Nukumizu-kun!"
…Wat?
"The zipper on the back won't budge! I think the dress shrunk after I put it on! It happens all the time, so I'm sure that's what's going on!"
Is that so? Does this happen often? This nightmare still hasn't ended then.
"Alright. I'll go get Asagumo-san and the others, so just stay here, Yanami-san."
"Wait! You want me to live with this kind of embarrassment? I don't want anyone else to know!"
But it's okay if I do?
Yanami turned around, lifting her hair to expose the zipper on her back.
"Hurry up and pull it down. PULL. IT. DOWN."
Eh…? Are we really doing this?
Honestly, I don't want to do it, but I can't exactly refuse. Despite my looks, I'm pretty good at reading the mood.
I placed my left finger next to the zipper and slowly started to pull it down with my right hand-
"Uwah, it's completely stuck. It won't budge at all."
"That can't be right. Nukumizu-kun, are you just too weak?"
…I could just leave her behind and go home.
But a samurai's kindness made me give it another try, putting more effort into pulling the zipper down, slowly revealing more skin. I averted my eyes a little, feeling awkward.
Then, the zipper stopped midway, refusing to move any further.
"What's wrong? Just pull it all the way down."
"Hold up. The zipper's caught on something blue underneath..."
"...Something blue?"
Yanami paused for a moment, then let out a scream that sounded almost like a cry.
"Wait!? That's my bra-"
Huh!? This blue thing is underwear!? Now that I think about it, I do see some hooks.
"Shit. I'll go get someone-"
"No! I don't wear underwear under my clothes! It's not a bra!"
Isn't that even more embarrassing?
But if she insists it's not her underwear, then leaving now would only make me seem overly conscious of it, which would be even worse. I braced myself and continued with this nightmare scenario.
"No looking, Nukumizu-kun! And no touching either!"
"Yeah, I don't want to touch it either-"
"What? I wash my clothes, you know!? Please! I'll let you touch it. Just get it off me!"
I really don't want to. Why do I have to touch someone else's underwear?
But we're not going anywhere at this rate.
"Yanami-san, do you have any butter or margarine?"
"Huh, what? Are you going to eat me up?"
No. I'm not you.
"You smear the butter on the zipper to make it slide easier. But it's not like you would have butter on you-"
"Ah, I do have a pack in my bag."
Why? But now's not the time to question it.
With the help of Yanami's butter, the nightmare finally came to an end not long after.
*
...I'm exhausted. This was three times more tiring than dealing with Shiratama-san's situation.
As I slumped into the sofa, completely drained, Yanami, now dressed back in her uniform, plopped down beside me.
"...I've been defiled."
That's misleading. If anything, you're the one who defiled me.
Yanami fiddled with the ribbon on her chest for a while before sighing and speaking up.
"How did you convince Shiratama-chan?"
"What do you mean-"
"She was about to do something reckless, wasn't she? Something must have happened for her to back down so easily."
It's not really a big deal, but it's not exactly something I want to share, either…
I chose my words carefully.
"...Well, if I have to say, I guess she realized now isn't the right time."
"...You mean like she's postponing it?"
"Yeah, something like that."
…Postponing. Making a decision isn't always the solution.
There's a moment when the answers you don't have now might come. It could be next year, or it could be tomorrow.
When that time comes, you might not even realize it, and by then, what you're holding onto now might just be a memory.
I don't trust who I am at this moment.
That's why I don't despair about the future, and I don't get overly hopeful either.
Shiratama-san might one day steal Tanaka-sensei away, or she might find a new love.
Things will turn out as they are meant to, and they will only turn out that way.
The only responsibility we can truly hold is for ourselves in the here and now-
Yanami gave me a deadpan look as I was lost in thought.
"Eh? What?"
"...Hey, Nukumizu-kun, you didn't take advantage of the mood and try anything weird with Shiratama-chan, did you?"
"Of course not-"
I started to respond, but then Shiratama-san's deep, captivating eyes flashed through my mind.
-Shall we kiss?
It was just a whim. Take it seriously, and you'll regret it. That's who Riko Shiratama is.
"Wait, something did happen, didn't it!? Did you make a move on her? Seriously?"
"No, I didn't! I turned her down-"
"What!? What do you mean by that!?"
Shit, I let that slip. Yanami's face twisted into a furious expression as she grabbed my tie.
This is bad- at this rate, I'm going to look like a bad guy who made a move on a kouhai.
As I struggled to think of an excuse, I noticed a pair of eyes on us. I glanced over at the classroom door.
There stand Asagumo-san and Prez, both with amused, knowing grins plastered on their faces.
"Thank you for the food." (x2)
Yanami and I hurriedly shouted back in perfect sync.
"We're not like that!"
Epilogue: Riko Shiratama, Class 1-F
Five days have passed since then. Looking back, it's hard to believe how reckless we were.
I always aimed to keep a low profile to avoid causing any ripples in my school life.
And yet, here I am, already tangled up in such a mess right at the beginning of my second year-
With those thoughts in mind, I parked my bike next to the entrance of my house.
-Two weeks of temporary club suspension.
That was the punishment handed down to the Literature Club.
I thought we had managed to get through everything without getting caught, but I had forgotten entirely about Komari. Totally slipped my mind.
Komari had stormed the wedding venue to help us escape, which, unsurprisingly, caused quite a bit of a scene.
The venue staff were convinced it was a surprise orchestrated by Shiratama-san, so they let it slide. But the Tsuwabuki teachers who were present weren't as understanding.
As for what a "temporary suspension" actually entails, I have no idea. None of us do.
"I'm home~"
I sighed as I opened the front door and saw the numerous pairs of shoes lined up in the entryway.
Dragging my feet, I opened the door to the living room.
"You're late, Nukumizu-kun."
"T-Think about what you have done."
... All the members of the literature club gathered around the living room table.
We can't use the club room due to the suspension. But why did my house become the new hangout spot?
Shiratama-san quickly approached and took my bag from me.
"Welcome back, Prez. Everyone is throwing me a welcome party today."
"I see. Ah, I can take off the jacket myself."
"No need to be modest. Here, I'll hang it up for you."
Indeed, Riko Shiratama has officially joined the Literature Club.
Having joined forces and successfully executed our plan, our bonds have grown much stronger.
"Looks like the senpai breeze is blowing! Wind speeds exceeding 5 meters per second!"
"I-I'm getting blown away."
Yanami and Komari jeered at me from the side.
Just so we're clear, this teasing is a sign of our strengthened bonds.
That's why I don't mind that Komari is reading the manga I had hidden behind the bookshelf or that Yanami is eating my pudding without asking. It's all a sign of our close-knit relationships. Definitely.
"Ah, Nukkun's back! Welcome home!"
It's Yakishio walking into the living room while drying her hair with a towel. Apparently, the distance from school to my house is just right for her warm-up, so she's been dropping by more often lately.
That's fine and all, but I would appreciate it if she didn't shower at my place. It gives me weird feelings.
Shiratama-san handed her a glass of barley tea.
"Here you go, Yakishio-san."
"Thanks, Tama-chan!"
Yakishio downed the tea in one gulp and then joined Yanami and the others at the dining table.
Feeling somewhat out of place, I sat down on the sofa, and a sweet aroma wafted from behind me.
"Cheesecake's ready, everyone!"
Kaju emerged from the kitchen, holding a whole cheesecake.
As I heard Yanami's cheers, I glanced down at my phone and noticed a message from Konuki-sensei.
...Apparently, regarding the temporary suspension, Konuki-sensei did a lot of behind-the-scenes work for us.
Given the situation, it wouldn't have been surprising if we had been disbanded entirely, but it seems we were lucky that there were people at the wedding from both schools who had connections to Konuki-sensei.
I didn't ask for more details. I'm too scared to know.
"I'll have to thank her properly later…"
That aside, the message from sensei included a suggestion for a home visit.
That makes sense. As our advisor, Konuki-sensei is probably concerned about how we're handling the temporary suspension.
Alright, I'll politely decline the visit and then grab some cheesecake.
Just as I was typing up my response, a new email notification slid down from the top of my screen.
...Huh, it's from Shiratama-san.
The email has an attached file. Judging by the title, it seems to be a novel.
"Nukumizu-kun, hurry up, or the cake will be gone!"
"I'll be there in a minute. You girls go ahead and start without me."
I answered Yanami and clicked on Shiratama-san's file.
*
Literature Club Report
<The Twilight Tenement's Terminator> by Riko Shiratama
From the Sujikai Watchtower on the outskirts of Edo Castle, if you head south down Yatsukoji Street, you'll eventually find yourself at the fish market in Nihonbashi.
A man is diligently moving a brush in a small room of a tenement off the main road.
He's applying a mixture of bracken and persimmon tannin glue to the ribs of a paper umbrella.
Once the glue was evenly applied, the man held his breath and carefully pressed the oiled paper onto the frame.
He stared intently at the paper, then gave a slight nod of satisfaction and reached for the brush again.
Just then, as the sky began to darken, the sound of a bell rang out.
It's 6 PM. The time bell at Ishimachi rang.
Oil has become expensive lately, and it would be a disaster if he made a mistake in the dim light, so the man set his brush down.
"Yunosuke-san, I'm coming in."
Before the words had entirely left her mouth, the sliding door was opened by a petite girl with her hair tied up.
She looks to be around 15 or 16, her well-shaped lips slightly pouting as she steps into the earthen floor entry.
"You came at the right time, Orin-chan. I'm broke at the moment."
Orin's expression remained unchanged as she climbed up to the raised tatami area and sat down.
She began inspecting each of the umbrellas stacked against the wall, opening them one by one.
"Alright, that's three umbrellas."
She said as she wrapped the umbrellas in a cloth and placed a single isshugin coin in their place. [TL: Coin used during the Edo period.]
"Isn't that a bit stingy? I've got debts piling up all over."
"You took an advance the other day. I've deducted that amount already."
Orin's reply was cold, but seeing the look on Yunosuke's face, she seemed to soften slightly.
She pulled another coin from her silk pouch and placed it quietly on the tatami.
"This is just for this time."
"Thank you. Now I can finally buy some rice."
Yunosuke said, tucking the money into his sleeve as he glanced at Orin's face with concern.
"What's wrong, Orin-chan?"
"You promised to teach me arithmetic. Have you already forgotten?"
Orin mumbled, her tone sulky. Yunosuke scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
"…It's better if I don't step foot in Shirataya again."
"Why? If it's about onee-chan, then-"
Orin started to speak but bit her lip and looked down.
...Yunosuke was once meant to become a son-in-law at Shirataya.
Shirataya is a store in Teruteru that sells umbrellas and wooden sandals, and for Yunosuke, the fourth son of a low-ranking Sanshu samurai family with no inheritance, it was an opportunity too good to pass up. [TL: Sanshu, an old Japanese administrative region located in modern date Aichi Prefecture.]
Orin had never doubted that Yunosuke would become her brother-in-law- until her sister, Mino, lost her life.
"There's no place for someone like me in a big store like Shirataya. The previous arrangement was too good to be true."
"Big store is just a name. We're barely managing by selling umbrellas to real big stores to get by."
Orin spoke in a mature tone, clutching the wrapped bundle of umbrellas to her chest.
"…There's talk of marriage for me. The third son of the Sakakiya house."
Yunosuke involuntarily held his breath. He's fifteen years older than Orin and still thinks of her as a child.
Yet here she is, already of marriageable age-
"I see. I hope it goes well."
Sakakiya is a well-known kimono shop in Nihonbashi.
Lately, they have been doing well as purveyors to the shogunate, making them a suitable match by all accounts.
Hearing Yunosuke's indifferent response, Orin quietly stood up.
"…The next batch of materials will be sent tomorrow. Don't be late."
Without another word, she left the room, leaving Yunosuke alone, staring at the shoji door left ajar.
In his mind, Mino remains just as she had been three years ago.
And for Yunosuke, time has stopped at that point as well.
"Oh, Orin-chan's getting married, huh?"
A young man stepped through the door as he spoke.
He set down the small tobacco cabinet he had been carrying on his back and pulled a kiseru pipe from his chest pocket. [TL: Those long Japanese smoking pipes you sometimes see in paintings.]
"Nukusuke, you were listening? You've got a bad habit."
"It's hard not to overhear in this shitty tenement."
The tobacco seller, Nukusuke, lit his pipe and exhaled the smoke with satisfaction.
"That third son of Sakakiya has a bad reputation. Been known for his mischief for years."
"Is that so?"
Yunosuke replied disinterestedly as he began to tidy up his umbrella-making tools.
"The family tried to straighten him out by sending him to a swordsmanship dojo, but it backfired. He ended up falling in with an even worse crowd. Shirataya's master sure got himself a bad one."
Yunosuke's hands had stopped moving entirely. Nukusuke shrugged and extended a hand.
"As a favor to an old comrade, I'll give you a discount if you want me to dig into it."
"You're charging a poor man?"
Yunosuke muttered, but he still reached into his sleeve and handed Nukusuke a coin.
"Thanks. I'll put the rest on your tab."
Taking the coin, Nukusuke slung the tobacco cabinet over his shoulder and turned to leave, but not before glancing back at Yunosuke.
"What's wrong? Why don't you return to what you used to do? The blood on your sword won't wash away just by sitting here."
Yunosuke shook his head and pointed to the swords leaning against the wall.
"The real swords were pawned off long ago. What's left there is just bamboo."
"Is that so? Then again, your eyes still have the same look they did back then."
Nukusuke left without another word, disappearing as quietly as he had come.
…How much time has passed since then?
Once he was sure that Nukusuke was gone, Yunosuke lifted the worn tatami mat, revealing a hidden compartment beneath it.
From within, he retrieved a sword.
It's the Mikawa no Kuni Kanetsugu, a blade given to him by his father when he left their homeland.
The grip, worn from use, fit perfectly in his hand as if it were part of him.
He had vowed never to use it again. Or rather, he had convinced himself that he would never need to.
"…There are things you just can't forget."
He murmured, almost theatrically, as he felt the gears of time within him begin to turn once more.
*
A period novel, huh? It's surprisingly well-written. Well-written, yes, but the characters' names and the setting- it's better not to dig too deep into those. It's a little unnerving…
"Prez, you read my story, didn't you?"
A voice whispered in my ear, making me jump. I turned to find Shiratama-san standing beside me.
"How long have you been there?"
"Who knows? How long do you think?"
She walked around the sofa and sat down next to me, her movements light and graceful.
"It made me happy because I wanted you to be the first to read my work. My first time is yours."
-This girl definitely said it on purpose.
The way she moves, the choice of words- everything about this girl is calculated.
I know that. I know it all too well, and that's precisely why the mature response is to play along.
I'm aware of the sweet, milky scent she's wearing today and the fact that her skirt is just a little shorter than usual. I know all of it. So go ahead, spin me around as much as you like.
But contrary to my resolve, Shiratama-san suddenly adopted a more somber tone.
"...It was such a beautiful wedding that day."
Her usual smile was gone, replaced by a simple, genuinely happy expression.
"Onee-chan and my brother-in-law looked so happy. Seeing them like that made me feel delighted-"
Kaju's pouring tea for everyone at the table behind us.
Shiratama-san glanced in that direction, then leaned closer, whispering softly in my ear.
"I would've been even happier if you hadn't run away, Prez."
…She got me.
But let's not get the wrong idea here. As the president, I was just doing my duty- this isn't to say that my heart was truly stolen.
That said, it's hard not to be a little swayed when an adorable new club member acts like this.
"Oh, by the way, would you like to see a picture of onee-chan?"
Whether she was aware of her effect on me or not, Shiratama-san pulled out her phone and showed me the screen.
Displayed there is a photo of her sister in a wedding dress, standing beside Tanaka-sensei in his tuxedo.
Her sister, who bears a striking resemblance to Shiratama-san, is dressed in a long, elegant gown, standing close to Tanaka-sensei. In her hands is a white bouquet-
"Eh? This is-"
The bouquet held by Minori Tanaka in the photo was the very one Shiratama-san had been making in the clubroom.
We had left it behind at the venue when we made our escape, and yet, here it was in her sister's hands.
Eh? Does that mean her sister knew already? How much does she know…?
I looked up in surprise, only to find myself staring into Shiratama-san's eyes.
"I can't win against onee-chan. She's going to be a tough opponent."
She said this with a light laugh.
After a soft giggle, Shiratama-san's expression turned serious again.
"…I think I've started to understand a little why I feel so calm when I'm around you, Prez."
"Huh? Calm? What do you mean-"
I stammered, repeating her words like a fool, and Shiratama-san's eyes crinkled slightly in a small smile.
"There was an empty lot near our house, filled with pampas grass. When we were little, the three of us would play hide and seek there. In the fall, when the pampas grass withered, it would give off a scent that reminded me of my brother-in-law. Onee-chan and I used to laugh about it."
Shiratama-san sniffed the air lightly, almost subconsciously.
"You smell just like that withered pampas grass, Prez. It's a very calming scent."
…Wait, I smell like withered pampas grass? Am I dying or something?
"Onee-chan has moved out now, and I can't rely on my brother-in-law any more. It feels kind of lonely. So, you know-"
She placed her fingertips gently on my knee and leaned in close to my ear.
"-I would be thrilled if you became my onii-chan, Prez."
Huh, after the older sister play comes the little sister play? I mean, I'm used to being a big brother…
Just then, a chill ran down my spine, like a block of ice had been placed against my back. I sense a thirst for blood!
"...Onii-sama, would you care for some tea?"
"Huh!?'
Somehow, Kaju appeared behind me, holding a teacup and teapot, her smile both sweet and terrifying.
My body felt as cold as winter, yet a single bead of sweat trickled down my forehead.
"...U-Uh, yeah, I'll have some since you made it."
I stammered, accepting the cup with trembling hands. Kaju then began pouring the tea from an unusually high position with an unsettling calmness.
The tea made a perfect arc as steam billowed around us, and a thick fog formed in the air.
The tea filled the cup to the brim, and just when it seemed like it would spill over, Kaju stopped with precise timing.
"Alright, onii-sama. Please enjoy it while it's hot."
"Ah, yes, I'll enjoy it…"
With the tea precariously balanced on the edge of overflowing, I cautiously brought the cup to my lips.
It had been steaming just moments ago, yet somehow, the tea is now icy cold. How is that even possible…?
As I shivered and sipped the frigid tea, Shiratama-san spoke up with a bright smile.
"You care about your brother so much, Kaju-chan. I wish I had an onii-chan like that."
"That's unfortunate. Onii-sama's only little sister is Kaju. Please don't feel too disappointed."
"Well, I guess I'll have to settle for being a kouhai for now."
"Yes, please do your best to endure that. Forever."
"Hehe, you're so cute, Kaju-chan."
Smile, smile, smile. The two of them exchanged warm smiles.
It's supposed to be a heartwarming scene, but why are my hands shaking so damn much…?
Right, those three idiots- if anyone could break the tension, it would be them.
I glanced over, desperate for help, but they were already heading out the door.
"Hold up, where are you all going?"
"Nukumizu-kun, I'm starving, so I'm heading to the convenience store!"
"I've got to get back to practice!"
"N-Nukumizu, make sure you buy the n-next volume of that m-manga."
With those parting words, the three girls waved goodbye and exited the room. These girls bailed on me.
As despair set in, Kaju plopped down onto my lap with a soft thud.
Shiratama-san smiled at the sight, her expression full of cheer.
"Prez, you seem pretty close with Kaju-chan."
"Yes, we are very close. Right, onii-sama?"
"Uh, yeah, right…"
I mumbled awkwardly, my eyes fixed on the surface of the tea.
Riko Shiratama, Class 1-F.
A somewhat peculiar addition to the Literature Club as its fifth member.
And so, the new chapter of the Literature Club began, marking the start of what is sure to be an eventful year.
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