"Takanashi, thanks for everything. You really went out of your way for me. Sorry for making you tag along today, too."
With the matter settled for the time being, Yamakawa offered me his thanks.
Even though he said I’d helped, I hadn't really done anything at all. One could argue that I’d listened to his troubles, but in the end, I had simply relayed the fact that Hanako-san was uncomfortable. If I were being honest, I did it more for Hanako-san’s sake than his.
"No, don't worry about it," I replied. "So... do you have any regrets left?"
I asked for the sake of form, but truth be told, I didn't have the emotional bandwidth to worry about Yamakawa. Even as we spoke, my mind kept drifting back to Sara-san.
"Yeah. I got rejected, but I was prepared for that. Anyway, sorry, I’m heading off. Hanasaki-san, thanks to you, too."
"Mhm. Thank you as well," Hanako-san said.
Yamakawa flashed one last smile and hurried away at a brisk pace. The expression I caught on his face as he passed by, however...
Well, that was to be expected. No matter how prepared someone claimed to be, no one walked away from a rejection by the person they loved without feeling the sting. Seeing a face like that made me realize all over again just how lucky I was to have met Sara-san.
It was no use. I really, truly wanted to see her right now.
"Kazunari. Talk to your Big Sister."
"Hanako-san?"
Prompted by her voice, I realized Hanako-san had been watching me for some time. I wondered how long she’d been reading my expression.
"If it’s something you can't tell me, I suppose it can't be helped; I'll leave it to the wife. But if that's not the case, you should consult your Big Sister, too."
The way she put it made it clear she’d already seen right through me. It wasn't surprising at this point, but it was still impressive. Spoken like a true "Big Sister."
"I would never laugh at you, and I would never make fun of you. So, if it’s something you can talk about, I want you to come to me."
When she put it like that, I couldn't just brush her off. Since she was worrying about me this much, it was probably fine to share a little.
"It’s nothing big. It’s just that watching Yamakawa made me think about a few things."
"I see."
Even though I hadn't even reached the heart of the matter, Hanako-san nodded as if she understood everything. Maintaining her gentle smile, she looked me straight in the eyes.
"It’s frustrating, but even if I tell you that you’re fine, it probably won't help. The only one who can put your mind at ease right now, Kazunari, is the wife."
I received a piece of advice from Hanako-san that felt incredibly heavy with meaning. It seemed safe to assume she’d grasped not just the surface, but the very core of my anxiety. Was this that "Big Sister intuition" of hers?
"Why don't you go to the wife's place?"
"Ugh... that was the plan."
"Mhm. I'm sure the wife will be happy, too."
"You think so?"
"No doubt about it. If it were me, I’d let you lean on me. If it’s the wife, she’ll spoil you even more."
For some reason, Hanako-san’s words carried a strange weight of persuasion.
"But don't overdo it."
"Yeah, you're right. That would be pretty pathetic of me..."
"That's not what I mean," she corrected. "I mean the wife will go out of control."
"........."
I didn't quite know how to respond to that.
The third period ended, and break time began.
Ultimately, unable to suppress the overwhelming urge to see Sara-san, I made my way to the floor with the second-years' classrooms.
Naturally, everyone I passed was a second-year, and they almost all stared at me. They might have been wondering why a first-year was wandering around their floor, or perhaps they were just noticing me because I was the Vice President. One thing was certain: I felt completely out of place.
As I approached the classroom where Sara-san should be, a crucial realization hit me. I hadn't actually thought about what to do once I got here.
I knew that just barging in would only cause trouble for her. I wanted to at least catch a glimpse of her, but how was I supposed to manage that?
Rattle!
Just as I was weighing my options, the classroom door swung open. I instinctively averted my gaze, trying to identify whoever was coming out from the corner of my eye.
It was a trio of female students. I couldn't see Sara-san or Natsumi-senpai among them.
"Ow, ow, ow..."
"Yuri, you okay?"
"I am not okay! Hey, is it swollen?"
"It’s not swollen, but it’s bright red. Natsumi-chan was merciless."
"You brought it on yourself, though."
"I know, but having my cheeks pinched while being subjected to the Punishment of Parading through the Town... what kind of humiliation play was that supposed to be?"
"It wasn't 'through the town,' it was just through the classroom."
Judging by their banter, I could tell immediately that they were on good—or at least familiar—terms with Natsumi-senpai.
Now, what to do? Should I let them pass, or take the plunge and speak to them?
"Wait! Isn't that Takanashi-kun!?"
One of the trio suddenly turned my way and shouted my name as soon as she saw my face.
"Uh... well..."
It was so sudden that I found myself at a loss for words. It seemed certain she knew who I was.
"Ah, sorry, sorry! This is our first meeting, so don't mind me! Even though it doesn't feel like a first meeting to me at all!"
So it was a first meeting. It didn't seem like a case where I’d met her before and simply forgotten. As someone who had been a loner until recently, I had so few acquaintances among the upperclassmen that I wouldn't have forgotten a face.
"So, what are you doing in a place like this?"
"Yuri, asking when you already know the answer is just mean..."
"Sorry, Takanashi-kun. This girl is a bit overfamiliar," the third girl added.
"No, I just had some business here."
There was no way I could tell a senior I’d never met before, "I came to see my fiancée." My brain was working at full throttle, desperately trying to find a way to navigate the situation.
"Oh, I see. Hey, hey, Takanashi-kun, do you want to go out somewhere, just the two of us, sometime? I'm actually really interested in you—"
"I'm sorry, but I have to decline."
"Ah..."
"Oh..."
"Wow... instant rejection."
What was this person thinking? She was probably joking, but there was no way I’d just follow a total stranger. Besides, I had Sara-san.
"Pfft, she got rejected!"
"Nice one, Yuri!"
"Gugugu... To not even hesitate for a second... You didn't even try to look apologetic or anything! My maiden's pride is..."
Yuri-senpai began grumbling—more resentfully than regretfully—while the other two patted her on the shoulder to comfort her. I’d answered so bluntly that I wondered if I should have been more tactful.
But more importantly, I didn't have time to deal with these people. Unfortunately, I still hadn't thought of a way to see Sara-san. It was disappointing, but I knew I’d be able to see her if I just endured one more period.
I decided my best bet was to give up and head back to my own classroom.
"Anyway, excuse me. I'll be going now."
"Wa—Wait a minute! By the way, can I at least ask why you rejected me?"
Even if she asked me why... I kind of wanted to ask her why she thought I wouldn't reject her.
"Huh? What are you even asking her, Yuri?"
"Isn't it because you're just not in the same league as her?"
"Shut up! Is it the face!? Or is it the chest!?"
What was with this person? Shouting things like that at the top of her lungs in the middle of the hallway—what was she thinking?
"This is your punishment for embarrassing me. Now, answer!"
I didn't have time to dither. If I didn't get out of here soon, the break would be over.
"No, it's just that I already have someone I like..."
"I already know that!"
"Eeeh..."
Wow. This girl was definitely a type I’d never dealt with before—someone who prioritized the "bit" and would completely derail a situation with their momentum. I wasn't exactly bad with people like her, but she was definitely difficult to handle.
Wait, did she just say she "already knew" who I liked?
"Oh, I just had a great idea. I guess the only way for you to take responsibility for this is with your body."
I didn't know what Yuri-senpai had cooked up, but she suddenly began to smirk meaningfully. I had a terrible feeling about this. I really should have just turned around and run.
"Now then! A guest for one, arriving!"
"Wait!?"
Before I could react, Yuri-senpai grabbed my arm and began to pull me forcefully. I didn't know if she was doing it on purpose, but the way she gripped me left my arm in a very awkward position. If I moved even slightly, I’d end up making physical contact in a way that could be horribly misinterpreted.
"Oh? If you move your arm even a little... you know what'll happen, right?"
So it was intentional. This meant I definitely couldn't pull away. What’s more, she was headed straight for Sara-san’s classroom. She was going to drag me inside.
"H-Hey, Yuri, leave it at that!"
"Wait, wait, this is getting dangerous! Messing with Takanashi-kun is no joke!"
The other two, seemingly sensing the impending disaster, tried to stop her. They appeared to be genuinely afraid of something—and unlike their teasing earlier, they were starting to look panicked.
Rattle!
"A guest for one, arriving~!"
Subjected to a tactic I had no way of countering, I was dragged into the classroom without resistance. As soon as I crossed the threshold, the gazes of every senior in the room converged on me at once.
Ugh... I’d meant to just steal a glance, but this was the worst possible scenario I could have imagined.