「Good work, everyone.」
「Good work!」
「There was quite a commotion in there. Did something happen?」
The moment we passed through the exit and stepped outside, Nishikawa-san and the others, who had apparently been waiting for us, immediately spoke up.
There was no way a ruckus of that magnitude hadn't reached the hallway, so it was only natural for them to be curious.
「No… well.」
「It was the usual.」
「The usual?」
「Kazunari and his wife caused another scene.」
「Ah…」
At Hanako-san’s explanation, Hayato and Todo-san looked convinced—which I found a little concerning. Meanwhile, Nishikawa-san’s eyes began to glaze over with a dark, heavy gloom.
I was certainly aware that we had overdone it, but I did wish she wouldn’t look at us with those eyes.
「But it really was quite the stir. Even the customers waiting in line at the entrance were getting spooked.」
「I thought it was strange since I only heard male voices… but that makes sense.」
Since all the ghosts were guys, it was a given. However, if there had been female ghosts in there… they might have been screaming for a different reason entirely.
I knew that much from experience.
「Anyway, there weren't any problems with the haunted house. As for this side… wait, it’s the same as always.」
Without even needing to check, I saw a crowd of boys who seemed to have come just to spectate loitering around. It seemed this side was business as usual.
「Kazunari-san, let us head to the next one.」
「Right… uh, next is…」
「According to the schedule, it should be our classroom. There’s nothing interesting about it, so let’s finish up quickly and move on.」
Even though it was her own class exhibit, Natsumi-senpai dissed it as bluntly as ever.
That said, when I wondered how many people would actually be interested in historical records of the town…
At the very least, I wasn't exactly thrilled.
……………
………
…
「Nishikawa-san, what’s it like at your other school?」
「I want to hear about that too! The school building is still new, right?!」
「But why did you transfer so suddenly?」
「E-Er, sorry, please, one at a time…」
As soon as we entered Sara-san and the others' classroom, Nishikawa-san was immediately swarmed by the female students. I had heard that Nishikawa-san’s former classmates were here, so the people gathering were likely her old friends.
By the way, Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai were not currently present. They had been called away by their classmates and eventually led off somewhere.
「…Whoa, Nishikawa-san has become super mature!」
「…Wait, isn't she on par with Satsukawa-san now?」
「…H-Hey… didn't you have a crush on Nishikawa-san?」
「…Yeah. I gave up since I thought I’d never see her again, but…」
「Well, well… Takanashi-kun! It seems you’ve been quite active in various ways, haven't you?!」
Since I was technically on duty, I was checking the state of the room while looking at the historical records when someone suddenly spoke to me. I heard the voice, but I couldn't see the person.
Well, I knew exactly who the voice belonged to, so I decided to ignore them completely.
「Hey, don't ignore me!!」
A suspicious figure popped up from behind the exhibits. This person, who had appeared uninvited, was none other than Yuri-senpai.
Since I hadn't seen her when we first entered the classroom, I had assumed she was out. This was a disappointment… a massive disappointment.
「…What’s with that disgusted look? Aren't you happy to see me?」
「Ah, yes, I’m just overjoyed. Can't you tell?」
Considering Yuri-senpai’s personality, it was a waste of time to deal with her seriously. It was obvious she would just make a mess of things anyway, so I judged that brushing her off was the best course of action.
Moreover, Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai weren't here right now, which made her even bolder.
Wait.
Come to think of it, isn't the timing a bit too perfect?
「Now then, Takanashi-kun the School Festival Terrorist.」
「…What’s that supposed to mean?」
「Fufufu, don't underestimate my information network. Your actions have been perfectly relayed via RAIN since this morning. You should assume everything you do is common knowledge.」
Yuri-senpai wore an unpleasantly smug face as she waved the smartphone in her right hand.
The fact that I wanted to smack it out of her hand right then and there… was a secret between me and you.
「Hey, Yuri. Are you really going to do this?」
「The other day, she was made to sit in seiza in the middle of the classroom…」
「Don't make me remember that!!」
At the words of the two girls standing behind her, Yuri-senpai suddenly began to tremble.
This person, who was usually so lightheaded—no, brainless—was actually this afraid of something. Just what kind of terrifying experience had she gone through?
「Takanashi-kun is seriously dangerous, I’m telling you.」
「If Satsukawa-san snaps again, we won't be able to help you, okay?」
「Ugh, shut up!! Even if it’s Satsukawa-san, no one can stop our surging pathos!! It’s fine, there’s nothing to fear if we all do it together!!」
「「「…………」」」
This was trouble. I knew it would be, but this was serious trouble.
Besides, those lines sounded familiar, so I instinctively turned my gaze toward someone.
「~♪」
Whistling a tune that wasn't quite audible, Tachikawa-san quickly averted her eyes.
Well, putting that aside, the problem for now was Yuri-senpai.
Really… I had no idea what this person wanted to do. In the first place, I couldn't even imagine what she was thinking.
Apparently, she had been properly scolded by Sara-san that day, so why was she still bothering me?
「Come on, Takanashi-kun. Please tell us all about your happy-go-lucky, embarrassing, and scandalous daily life with Satsukawa-san…」
「…Excuse me?」
「I mean, the story of the stiff and formal Satsukawa-san being all sweet and lovey-dovey with a guy—of course us girls would want to hear it!」
「…………」
I was speechless.
I suppose this is what they mean when they say your jaw drops.
To think she would persist this stubbornly just for the sake of mere curiosity…
「Ah, I don't want you to misunderstand, but I’m not the only one who wants to hear this, you know?」
I suddenly had a very bad feeling. Taking a guess at what she meant, I immediately looked around.
Before I knew it, a group of female students who looked incredibly excited had gathered around.
Oh no!!
Was this a trap worthy of a strategic mastermind?!
No, wait, was the reason Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai were called away also because of this?!
「Hey, hey, Takanashi-kun!! What kind of things do you usually do with Satsukawa-san?!」
「Tell us how you met!」
「How did you get close to her?!」
「Where do you usually go on dates?!」
「Was the confession from Takanashi-kun?! Or… was it Satsukawa-san?!」
「Hey, hey, to be blunt, how far have you gone?!」
「Kyaaaaa, I’m so curious about that!!」
「Hey, it’s still daytime!」
Seeing them like this, I realized that for girls of this age, love talk really was the ultimate bait.
Wait, this wasn't the time to be thinking so calmly!
The female students, hooked on the topic, surged forward like an avalanche while squealing. A machine-gun barrage of questions began, and I had no idea what to do.
「If you get any closer to Kazunari… I won't show any mercy.」
A small but reliable and gallant figure stepped between me and the female students.
The words, spoken calmly, dispassionately, and quietly, were so intense that even I felt the pressure.
Struck by that head-on, the seniors who had been so excited stopped dead in their tracks. The room fell silent all at once.
「W-What’s with that girl…」
「I think she’s from the Student Council…」
「N-No… more importantly, look at this intensity… I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before…」
「…Like… Satsukawa-san?」
「「「Eek!?」」」
The seniors who had gathered like a wall began to back away, overpowered by Hanako-san’s intensity. Their faces all bore the same kind of twitching, forced smiles of panic.
「E-Er… T-Takanashi-kun, just who is that cute young lady… Hieee!?」
Yuri-senpai, who seemed to have a little composure left, suddenly shrieked the moment she saw Hanako-san’s face.
I couldn't see Hanako-san’s expression from behind, but this development had happened a few times before.
Just what was happening with Hanako-san?
「…Ah, Hanako-san is serious when it comes to Takanashi-kun, too.」
「…I-Is it going to be okay? Maybe we should call Satsukawa-senpai…」
「…Let’s just watch for a bit.」
「…Yeah, if it’s Hanako-san, it’ll be fine, probably.」
「Kuh… and I finally had a chance…」
「The big sister protects her younger brother.」
「Brother? Does that mean Takanashi-kun?」
「Yes. Kazunari is my younger brother.」
「Huh? B-But, I’m pretty sure the names are different? And no matter how you look at it… Ah!!」
Suddenly realizing something, Yuri-senpai’s eyes widened. As if she had found another fun piece of gossip, she began to look back and forth between me and Hanako-san with a smirk.
…What was it now?
「Mufufu… Hey, Takanashi-kun… just what kind of relationship do you have with that girl?」
「No…」
「I smell something… the scent of a rom-com triangle is strong here. Everyone thinks so too, right? This is definitely…」
「Definitely what, exactly?」
「Oh, you know already. Everyone, Satsukawa-san and Natsumi shouldn't be back for a while, so while we can, let’s take Takanashi-kun and…」
「Take Kazunari-san and what?」
This was practically a comedy skit at this point.
Did Yuri-senpai really not realize who she was talking to?
I didn't think she needed to go to such lengths to pursue a "funny story."
「H-Hey, that way of calling him is bad. You’ll really get scolded, you know?」
「Is that so? I wonder who will be the one scolding me?」
「Huh? That’s obviously going to be Satsukawa-san—wait? …Obviously… Satsu… kawa… san?」
As if she had been struck by a binding spell, Yuri-senpai’s movements stopped completely. However, her face could still move, and her expression twitched and spasmed.
「That is correct. I will never forgive anyone who causes trouble for Kazunari-san. I thought you had learned your lesson from what happened before?」
Creak, creak… Like a robot that had run out of oil, Yuri-senpai slowly turned around, making a grinding sound.
Naturally, standing there was Sara-san.
「S-S-Satsukawa-san, welcome back so soon…」
「Yes. Things seemed strange, so I interrogated the others. They confessed everything voluntarily. That Yuri-san was so pushy they couldn't refuse… or so they said.」
「Wait!? That’s not true!! This was everyone’s consensus!! H-Hey, everyone!! …Wait, huh, everyone?!」
Yuri-senpai looked around in a panic, seeking help from anyone. But naturally, there was not a single person in her line of sight.
They had suddenly dispersed like baby spiders earlier—thinking back on it now, it was because they had noticed Sara-san’s return.
In other words, Yuri-senpai had been set up as a scapegoat from the very beginning.
「Yuri-san is the first person to intentionally repeat the same behavior after being cautioned by me. And to choose my most precious Kazunari-san of all people… you have quite the nerve, don't you?」
There was no anger visible on Sara-san’s face. Or rather, no emotion could be seen at all.
There was only one thing: her wide-open eyes.
And that expressionlessness instead made me feel the sheer magnitude of Sara-san’s anger.
In other words… it was terrifying.
「Picking on Kazunari right in front of me… are you prepared for the consequences?」
And behind the flustered Yuri-senpai, Hanako-san quietly approached.
With Sara-san in front and Hanako-san behind.
Sandwiched between two people who showed no mercy when it came to me, Yuri-senpai had nowhere to run.
「W-Wait a second!! Please wait!! This was, well, it was everyone’s idea… T-Takanashi-kun?!」
With a desperate look, Yuri-senpai sought help from me. But unfortunately, I had no reason to show her mercy.
In fact, since she had been nothing but a nuisance, I felt she needed to reflect on her actions once and for all.
Furthermore, in my field of vision, I could clearly see a third misfortune approaching Yuri-senpai.
「Kuh… I-If it’s come to this!」
Finally, her flight instinct ignited, and Yuri-senpai leaped sideways with incredible speed.
She dashed off to escape the area—only to run straight into the third misfortune.
A perfectly timed right hand caught Yuri-senpai’s face like an Iron Claw.
「Hare?!」
For a moment, as if she couldn't understand what had happened, Yuri-senpai let out a dumbfounded sound. But at the same time, she was pushed back forcefully by her own momentum, returning to her original position.
「Higyaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!」
「Yuriiiii… that was quite an elaborate little trick you pulled, wasn't it?!」
Yuri-senpai struggled desperately to remove the hand gripping her face. Unfortunately, there was no sign of Natsumi-senpai letting go.
What’s more, approaching her was…
「Yuri-san… I believe I said a lecture wouldn't be enough next time, didn't I?」
「Idadadadada, t-that’s not it, t-this wasn't my decision alone… everyone, everyone else…」
「Yes, I know. But that is that. First is you, the mastermind. Don't worry, once this is over, every single person involved is next. I remember all of your faces.」
「「「Hieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!」」」
Screams could be heard from all over the classroom. They seemed to have thought they had successfully escaped, but there was no running from Sara-san.
How naive.
And she really did remember the faces of everyone involved.
「S-Satsukawa-san, well, you see, girls wanting to hear love talk is just part of being a—hieee!?」
Sara-san’s eyes suddenly grew sharper, and Yuri-senpai fell silent with a short shriek.
Under the overwhelming pressure that didn't just silence her but forced her to accept her helplessness, Yuri-senpai and the surrounding female students trembled in fear.
And then…
「Yuri-san!! Fix your posture right there!!!」
「Yuri!! Sit!!!」
「Hurry up and get into seiza.」
「Fugyaaaaaaa!! I-I’m sorryyyyyyyyyyy!!!」
……Gassho.
「Whoa, you’ve gotta be kidding…」
「Seriously… Satsukawa-senpai and Natsumi-senpai are both here…」
「H-Hey, that person isn't from this school, right?」
「Incredible… those three are on a whole different level…」
「She’s super beautiful… on par with Satsukawa-senpai…」
「Haa… Natsumi-senpai is so cool…」
「I wonder if Hayato-kun will pick my fortune-telling booth…」
「God, please, send Hayato-kun my way!!」
「Wait, what even is this group?!」
「What an amazing lineup!」
After finishing our rounds of all the second-year classrooms, we headed to the new school building where the first-year classrooms were.
Currently, we were in Todo-san’s class—the classroom doing fortune-telling.
Since we had barged in without any warning, they were a bit bewildered. Or rather, it had turned into a massive commotion, much like everywhere else we had been.
「Hey, hey, Marina!!」
「What is this?! It’s not just the Student Council, right?!」
Naturally, once it came to this, the classmates who wanted to know the situation swarmed Todo-san.
「E-Er, well, it is the Student Council, but everyone is like a friend…」
「What?! Does that mean Satsukawa-senpai and Natsumi-senpai too?!」
「Y-Yeah. That’s right.」
「Awesome!! Todo-san, introduce me!!」
「M-Me too, to Satsukawa-senpai!!」
「Hey, me first!!」
「Marina, why didn't you tell us sooner!!」
「That’s right, we want to meet the seniors too!」
「But starting now is fine, right!」
I didn't really want to say it, but this was a predictable, if annoying, turn of events.
I didn't think the classmates were saying those things with any ill intent.
However, even considering that, it was still a bit much.
Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai also seemed to have their own thoughts and looked like they were waiting for the right moment to intervene. That went for Hanako-san, Tachikawa-san, Yuji… and me too.
Wait.
Come to think of it, where was Hayato?
「Sorry, can I have a second?」
Before I knew it, Hayato had moved and cut into the group swarming Todo-san. He wedged himself in front of her, almost forcefully hiding Todo-san behind his back.
It was an unusually forceful move for Hayato, and all of us—including Todo-san and the people around them—widened our eyes in surprise.
Go for it, Hayato!
「H-Hayato-kun?!」
「W-W-Hayato-kun is so close!!」
「Yokokawa, what’s with you all of a sudden?」
「By the way, you were rumored to be with Satsukawa-senpai, weren't you?!」
「Y-Yokokawa-kun?」
「Todo-san, sorry for the sudden intrusion. But leave this to me.」
「Eh? Y-Yeah.」
Todo-san couldn't hide her confusion at the sudden development, but she nodded obediently at Hayato’s words and stayed hidden behind his back.
Now then, let's see how this goes.
「Hayato-kun, you see!」
「Yokokawa, you should also…」
「Stop!」
Hayato raised his voice slightly and took control of the conversation. In a situation where the dialogue was becoming a chaotic mess, it was the most effective opening move.
「First, let me apologize. I’m sorry for barging in so forcefully. Now, regarding the main topic, it’s true that we’re on good terms, including the seniors. However, I won't be introducing anyone to anyone, so don't count on it.」
「…H-Hayato-kun?」
「…Er.」
「…Yokokawa?」
「…What’s that supposed to mean…?」
「Exactly what it sounds like. We hate that kind of thing. If there’s anyone who would come to me through an introduction from Todo-san… I will never speak to that person again, so keep that in mind.」
「…Eh.」
「…H-Hey, that’s…」
「…No way…」
These were words that didn't sound like the usual Hayato; they held a clear sense of rejection and even severity. Even if his phrasing sounded the same as always, the tone of his voice was clearly different.
I didn't feel his usual gentleness.
He didn't seem angry, but… this was truly rare for him.
「People who would cause such trouble for Todo-san aren't true friends. So I have no reason to deal with people like that, right?」
「「「…………」」」
「Yokokawa-kun…」
Without ever becoming emotional, but showing a slight glimpse of aversion, Hayato spoke to the girls. It had a sufficient effect, and everyone fell into an awkward silence.
Well, even if they were objects of aversion to us, for typical high school girls, it was probably a very normal interaction. I don't think there was any malice. Even in our class, people talk about those things normally.
But especially for Hayato, he was probably the most fed up with "introduce me" requests among all of us.
「Besides, Satsukawa-senpai is even stricter, you know? If I were to introduce you to her, I’d be cut off along with you. And I wouldn't be able to guarantee you’d have a fun school life from then on.」
Hearing Hayato’s warning, which sounded almost like a threat, the boys now turned their gaze toward us. However, unable to withstand Sara-san’s freezing gaze, they all immediately looked away.
「I’m telling you this for your own good. I want you to continue being normal friends with Todo-san as you have been. As long as you don't think about unnecessary things, we can keep going as we have.」
Hayato concluded by speaking to everyone with gravitas. Although his words might have seemed exaggerated to a normal listener, he spoke as if slowly reasoning with them.
Both the boys and girls seemed to have felt something from the exchange. Without any protest or excuses, they all nodded obediently.
It seemed the matter was settled.
「Thank you. Sorry for saying such harsh things.」
「No, we’re the ones who should be sorry. We’re sorry, Marina.」
「Yeah, it’s okay. But I can't do any introductions, so I’m sorry too…」
「It’s fine. It’d be bad for Marina, and it would be a problem if Yokokawa-kun ended up hating us.」
「Sorry, Marina! I won't say anything weird ever again!」
The girls bowed to each other in a parade of apologies. Since I could confirm that things had been settled peacefully, there was no problem.
「Sorry, Todo-san.」
「Well, I guess it can't be helped… but being friends with Satsukawa-senpai, I’m jealous of you, Yokokawa.」
「Ah, you don't have to be jealous of that. Even I can only talk to Satsukawa-senpai to some extent.」
「Is that so?」
「Hey, Yokokawa, what kind of person is Satsukawa-senpai really? Some people say she’s strict or cold, while others say she’s kind. Everyone says something completely different.」
「I suppose they would. That’s because people who don't know the real Satsukawa-senpai are making assumptions and spreading stories.」
Regarding Sara-san, it really came down to that. But there was no need to correct all of that now. The most important thing for me was only one thing.
Since Sara-san had a man named me, it was most important to make it known that no one should ever approach her again.
「I see… so, do you know what kind of person Satsukawa-senpai really is?」
「I do. But I don't intend to tell you. Besides…」
After saying that much, Hayato shot a meaningful look at me. He was even smirking a little.
「Besides?」
「I think the answer to that will probably be clear before long.」
「Heh?」
「W-What’s that supposed to mean?」
「Wait, Yokokawa?」
Without answering any further questions, Hayato watched Todo-san to confirm she was alright and then came back to us.
A satisfied smile was on his face.
「Y-Yokokawa-kun!」
As if chasing after Hayato, Todo-san came back toward us in a bit of a hurry.
Her face was a bit flushed.
Oh?
「Oh, Todo-san, are you done already?」
「Y-Yeah. More importantly, well…」
Todo-san hesitated, acting cutely and fidgeting as if she found it hard to speak.
If this were an anime or manga, I’d want to describe a beautiful girl blushing while poking her index fingers together.
「Yokokawa-kun, thank you… for, you know, helping me… I was happy.」
「Todo-san…」
As if struck in the heart by the cuteness of the bashful Todo-san, Hayato staggered a little.
That was so cute it should be a foul play.
「I’m the one who should be sorry for overstepping. It’s just, I can't forgive people who cause trouble for Todo-san…」
「…Eh? Just now…」
「N-No!! Anyway, it’s an implicit rule for us not to forgive such things. We have to show that clearly to everyone else.」
「Yeah. That’s true. Next time, if something similar happens, I’ll refuse clearly too. Because I don't want to cause trouble for Yokokawa-kun either…」
「You don't have to think about that! If it’s about Todo-san, I would never find anything to be a bother!」
「Eh?! Y-Yeah… I’m, well, happy you said that…」
「I-I see. Then… that’s good.」
The two of them continued their conversation, acting bashful and fidgety in a way that made even those of us listening feel embarrassed. For some reason, Hayato’s lines had a familiar ring to them.
When I reflexively turned my gaze to Sara-san beside me, she was watching them with a warm look. Suddenly, Sara-san’s hand squeezed mine tightly.
「Fufu…」
Gently looking up at my face, Sara-san let out a soft smile.
Since I had been feeling like doing the same, it made me truly happy to realize that our hearts were connected like this through a heart-to-heart.
「…H-Hey, look at that…」
「…Hah!?」
「…N-N-No way…!?」
「…Wait, seriously…」
Regardless…
Though Hayato had said pessimistic things, looking at them from the outside like this…
I thought he definitely had a chance.