Once the second semester began, the school shifted into Cultural Festival mode. For the executive committee members, it probably felt like the festival had started long ago. Lately, Natsukawa and, by extension, Sasaki had both seemed incredibly busy. I hadn't been watching them closely, but they definitely had the air of people bringing their work into the classroom.
"Really putting in the work, aren't you, Sasaki!?"
"Whatcha doin' there, Sasaki!?"
"Wait—!? Hey, this is the kind of stuff other people shouldn't be looking at!"
I was Student B, the background character who tagged along with Yamazaki to pester Sasaki with stupid banter. I had just happened to be there when Yamazaki wandered over and slung an arm around my shoulder, so I simply followed his lead. This kind of pestering was actually a form of encouragement. You're welcome, Sasaki.
Sensing our approach, Sasaki hurriedly shoved his documents into his desk to keep them out of sight. During the trial enrollment, I recalled him handling budget-related paperwork. It wouldn't be surprising if he had things he didn't want others to see. Actually, it was surprising—he shouldn't be bringing that stuff into the classroom in the first place.
"So, what's got you so busy? How's it going with your little sister, huh?"
"Huh? Oh... we're getting along fine."
"Shut the hell up, you moron!"
"K-Keep it down."
Yamazaki was going full tilt. It was likely a reaction to the end of summer vacation. Some guys just seemed to shine more during the school year than during the break. How's that for a finisher? Take that, Sasaki—Yamazaki!
"Is the Cultural Festival Executive Committee really that busy this time of year?"
"Busy, or rather... well, yeah. I'm working hard every day with 'Natsukawa'."
"......"
Sasaki emphasized Natsukawa's name in a low voice. I could take that as a provocation, right? You bastard... seeing Natsukawa several times a week all by yourself during summer vacation! I bet you're already used to seeing her in her summer uniform! I still can't even look at her directly!
...Calm down, me. Focus.
"......I see."
"What do you mean, 'I see'—"
"Hey, hey, I wonder what kind of riddles they'll put in the riddle contest."
Total escapism. Even if Sasaki made a move on Natsukawa and they ended up hitting it off, if Natsukawa was happy, then I would be satisfied. Or rather, I had to be satisfied with that, otherwise there was no point in me getting rejected all those times. However, since watching it happen would be painful, I wouldn't cheer them on, nor would I interfere. So please, at least do whatever you're going to do where I can't see you. I was grateful that Yamazaki shifted the mood instantly, even if he probably wasn't thinking at all.
"A riddle contest, huh? Little kids will be visiting, so maybe simple ones are better?"
"We're going to decide that from now on."
"Let's think of some insanely difficult ones!"
"If you're even capable of coming up with any."
"What was that, Sasaki!?"
For the Kouetsu High School Cultural Festival, each class had to organize an attraction. Class C had decided on a riddle contest. Cafes and plays had been candidates, but they were ultimately rejected. According to our homeroom teacher, Ohtsuki-chan, those kinds of major attractions were usually reserved for the third-years, so ours would likely have been turned down. It would definitely be awkward to overlap with the seniors. Also, the school wanted the first-years to avoid things that were a hassle regarding hygiene. I could kind of understand that, since they were pretty strict about food when I worked part-time at the convenience store.
◆
It was a view I hadn't seen in a month and a half. Natsukawa had lamented that she didn't get to hang out with the girls in class much during summer vacation, but it seemed the girls around her had plenty of stories saved up. Every time there was a break, several of them would gather around Natsukawa's desk. It was a vortex of girls. What was that even like? I almost wanted to be sucked in.
"—A-Ah, augh..."
Looking to my side, I saw Ichinose-san looking flustered as she was confronted by a beaming Shirai-san and Okamo-chan. The "don't you dare come near me" aura she used to emit before summer vacation had vanished along with her long bangs. Now that her large, drooping eyes were visible, she radiated nothing but a "small animal" vibe. Yes...! Good, you two...! Show me more of these yuri-like scenes!
"What are you grinning at girls for?"
"Ugh, Kawai."
"What, do you think I'm cute?"
"Didn't say that."
"That's the standard routine."
Two girls from the Volleyball Club were talking in the seats behind me. They had some kind of printout spread on the desk, maybe discussing club activities. Kawai was naturally taller than me and had a tomboyish personality, so when she talked to me suddenly, I couldn't help but feel a bit intimidated. According to Ashida, there was apparently a set way to respond when she got that reaction. I had no choice but to play along.
"Look, look, Ichinose-san. I'm the one who raised that girl."
"I'll tell Aichi."
"How much hush money do you want?"
"We were just talking about how we should probably replace the balls we use for the club."
"Please stop with the verbal spikes."
Man, the Girls' Volleyball Club at Kouetsu was too strong. Even the captain had received some kind of award at the opening ceremony. Was that how it worked? Did being good at sports make you better at verbal sparring?
"—S-Sajou-kun..."
"Eh?"
"Aah!?"
Just as I felt something suddenly cling to my back, I realized it was Ichinose-san. It seemed she was overwhelmed by the Culture-type Extrovert energy of Shirai-san and Okamo-chan. She'd been hugged and doted on, after all. Was she actually attached to me? She had a desperate look on her face every time, though. It couldn't be helped, Ichinose-san—your popularity had skyrocketed. You might even be on par with Natsukawa during her Airi-chan campaign.
"What's wrong, Ichinose-san? Shirai-san and Okamo-chan are fine, right? They've got a nice vibe going."
"Isn't that a bit too vague? Hey, she's totally hugging you, Sajocchi."
"......Heh."
"Sajocchi!"
"Ah—!? Sajou-kun, that's not fair!"
"Are you flirting with Mina-chan!?"
Yes, this was the privilege of a foster parent. Ichinose-san had been reborn over the summer vacation. In other words, I, who provided the catalyst, was her foster parent. This behavior of Ichinose-san's was simply a homing instinct. Welcome back, my daughter.
"Sajocchi!!"
"Hofuh!?"
G-Guh... An unexpected headlock! Even though she was fairly tall, a squeeze from diagonally below was surprisingly effective! Wait, this sensation near my shoulder blades, could it be...!? Ooooh!! All senses concentrated...! Summer uniforms really were the best!
"Wait, Sajocchi...! Why are you flirting right where Aichi can see you!?"
"G-Gumumumu...!"
Ashida whispered in my ear. She pulled me closer, tightening the grip on my neck even more. A shiver ran down my spine. Strange—my breath was labored, but why did I mysteriously not dislike this? Wait, what did Ashida just say? What about Natsukawa...?
"—H-Hey, what do you think you're doing!?"
"Ah."
A voice rang through the classroom. Simultaneously, the pressure on my neck eased. When I looked toward the voice with just my eyes, I saw Natsukawa standing up with her hands on her desk, staring this way with an intense gaze. I was the one suffering an intense situation here. Look at this. Wait, quite a few people were looking at us.
"Hoeh, Aichi."
"Y-You're sticking too close!"
"Oh."
Natsukawa stomped over and yanked me away, releasing me from Ashida's restraint. Was it me? If anything, Ashida was the one who had grabbed me... Ha!? Natsukawa was grabbing my arm! She was actually pulling my arm! Uwaaaa, a summer uniform at close range! Crap, where do I look... nnngh, her upper arm!
"N-Natsukawa...?"
"........."
Without saying another word, Natsukawa just kept holding my arm and staring up at me. Wait, what was that look in her eyes? It was like she was pleading for something, just like this morning. Was she telling me not to mess around with other girls? Wait, was this the "five seconds before being sued for sexual harassment" look...?
"Whoa...! Natsukawa-san is being bold..."
Wait.
The seemingly innocent Shirai-san dropped a bomb with sparkling eyes. Wait, please don't say stuff like that! I mean, it was me we're talking about, right? It probably wasn't that kind of thing. It would just make things awkward, so stop!
"! N-No, it's not like that...!"
"S-See, Shirai-san? Natsukawa says she's not, right?"
"Eeeh?"
She let out a skeptical sound while her eyes remained gleaming. Could someone please stop this girl? Don't just stand there looking all fluffy! That habit of cutting through the air unconsciously was dangerous. Look, Natsukawa-san was trying really hard not to meet my eyes now! Somebody help, please!
~♪ ~♪
Saved.
"A-Ah, my phone's ringing."
[Are you free at lunch? You are, aren't you?]
Nice, Nee-chan. A goddess. A guardian deity. That was a perfectly timed chime. I had forgotten to put it on silent mode. Content aside, I was seriously grateful, Nee-chan. Next time I saw her sleeping on the sofa with her belly out, I would gently toss a towel over her.
"Uwaa... Sajocchi."
"You..."
"S-Shut up..."
The two volleyball girls were giving me looks of pure disgust. Oh? You're going to defy me when God is on my side? I'll bring down divine punishment on you. I'll make the volleyball explode the moment you spike it. Wait, that sounded incredibly cool. Forget being a regular, she'd be scouted by the pros.
Paan!!