Aside from the Cultural Festival Executive Committee’s work, preparations for our class exhibit had begun in earnest. While Natsukawa and Sasaki handled their usual duties, they also had to stay ready to coordinate if any changes were made to our class plans. They were essentially the liaisons for our class. As for me... well, I intended to do what I could, but the class efforts were being spearheaded by Ms. Ohtsuki and our class rep, Iiboshi-san, so I couldn't exactly go sticking my nose in where it wasn't wanted.
"Are you... coming along?"
Perhaps because our seats were right next to each other, Natsukawa spoke up just as everyone else started moving to their tasks. It was the third day since the committee’s new system had launched. Thanks to the professional team led by Hanawa-senpai, everything was going incredibly smoothly. However, that information didn't seem to have reached the first-years like Natsukawa; she seemed uneasy enough to approach me despite the lingering awkwardness.
"Sorry, I’m only helping out over there in an unofficial capacity. Besides, if I showed up when I’m not even an official committee member, everyone would just wonder what I was doing there. I don't think there will be any problems as long as Gou-senpai—Ishiguro-senpai is there. Apparently, he’s been using various excuses to stay mobile and keep things moving."
"I see..."
"Natsukawa, you really don't need to worry. Think about it. Unlike us, the new team members aren't just helping during lunch and after school; they're working all day long. In terms of progress, it’s not even comparable to how things were before. You don't need to be so anxious."
"Eh? Oh... right..."
It was the same when I worked my part-time job, but even when you're moving as a team, information doesn't always trickle down to those at the bottom of the ladder. Sometimes I’d overhear the seniors talking and think, Wait, we’re already that far? I wasn't in a higher position than Natsukawa, but it was only natural for her to feel lost without being properly informed.
"For now, everything’s under control... but if there's anything you want to know, I'll answer whatever I can."
"Ah... well."
When I told her the Sajocchi helpdesk was always open, Natsukawa looked up as if ready to speak. I waited for her question, but the words seemed to catch in her throat, as if they were difficult to voice.
"Well, it doesn't even have to be about work—"
"Natsukawa, let's go."
"..."
Just as I was about to listen to whatever she had to say, an annoying voice cut in from the side. It was Sasaki.
"Hey, man... couldn't your timing have been a little better?"
"Ah, no, well... sorry."
"O-Oh... well, it’s fine."
I glared at him, half-expecting him to have done it on purpose, but Sasaki apologized with surprising sincerity. When he reacted like that, I had no choice but to back down. He was still a frustratingly handsome guy, but I felt like he’d become more humble lately. Damn it... if anything, that modesty and newfound understanding made him even more of a catch. What is he, some protagonist who levels up in the heat of battle? Is he a character who just unlocked a series-first 'New Mode'?
"Then... see you later...?"
"Ah, yeah."
Perhaps it hadn't been anything that important. Natsukawa didn't ask her question; she just grabbed the bare essentials and followed after Sasaki. A premature autumn wind seemed to blow through my heart, but I couldn't afford to waste time. To Sasaki, who was giving me a hesitant, lingering look, I sent back a silent "Just go already" with my eyes. Seeming to take the hint, he left the classroom with Natsukawa.
"Sajocchi! What kind of bread can you never eat, even if it's bread?"
"Raisin bread."
"That's just because you personally hate it, Sajocchi! The correct answer is Uguisu-pan!"
"How can you say that with a straight face?"
I actually like snap pea snacks and things like that. In that sense, I guess I’m just not a fan of sweet peas. The sense of betrayal you feel when you expect edamame—like in zunda-mochi—but find out it’s green peas is immense. Why do foods in that category always have tricky names like "Uguisu" or "Zunda" anyway?
Ashida, who had appeared out of nowhere, puffed out her cheeks and slumped dejectedly into the seat Natsukawa had just vacated.
"Man, when I was little, I really thought those were 'things that used to be nightingales.' I've been bad with them ever since."
"You're the same girl who thought wood ear mushrooms were actual jellyfish."
"Wait, they aren't?"
"No, they are."
"I'm not good with those either! Jellyfish washed up on the beach are so gross."
...I might have just told a terrible lie. Oh well. A misunderstanding of that level is cute enough. If anything, naming a bun after a bush warbler because of the color is a far deeper sin. I bet there are other kids besides Ashida who've made that mistake. Hokkekyo.
"It's kind of boring just doing a quiz contest for our class exhibit. The seniors always hog the popular stuff like cafes, haunted houses, or bands."
"Well, isn't that just par for the course for a first-year class? The guys next door are just doing a school introduction for middle schoolers, right? At least we've got it better than that."
"We had that kind of thing in middle school too, but I bet doing it in high school makes it feel way more professional."
"In a roundabout way, it might actually be pretty interesting."
I’d seen someone walking around with a video camera earlier. In terms of being active, maybe this preparation period was actually the most fun part—everyone just messing around together.
"Hehehe... Aichi's scent."
"Hey, you idiot, stop that. That's Natsukawa's sacred space. It's not a place for someone like Ashida to go sniffing around. If you're done, let me take over."
"No boys allowed, Sajocchi included!"
Gah... why didn't I think of that! It's the desk Natsukawa uses every day, so it's only natural her scent would linger there! Also, why am I being lumped into the "boys" category?!
"Alright, everyone, move your desks to the back! Boys, split up for shopping runs; girls, work on the decorations! Come on, let's get to work, get to work!"
Ms. Ohtsuki clapped her hands to rally the class. The athletic types, who were on friendly terms with her, stood up sluggishly with a chorus of "Got it." Iiboshi-san looked relieved. A student couldn't pull a group together with that much authority, so maybe it was a good thing our homeroom teacher was the type who wanted to experience youth alongside her students.
"Okay, going back to my seat now."
"Since you're at it, you could've carried Natsukawa's desk to the back for me."
"I'll switch with you!"
"See ya!" Ashida said as she flitted away. Honestly, why did she even come over here? With her social skills, she shouldn't be wandering off. Look, the area around her original seat had gone silent the moment she left.
If I didn't move my desk soon, the front of the room would get crowded. Time to get to it.
"Hey, so, I've realized how great 'Yuri' is."
"Could you say that with more of a 'bro' vibe? It’s creepy when you say it with such a straight face."
The moment we stepped out of the school entrance, Yamazaki started his monologue. The subject matter was a pain, but it was better than having no conversation topics at all. Well, content aside.
"Is it because of your seat? Because you're near Ichinose-san and Shirai-san?"
"Exactly! And Okamo-chan too! They're always flirting and being all close right next to me! It's like heaven."
"So you've finally realized the charm of it, Yamazaki."
I tend to view Ichinose-san with a more protective, guardian-like perspective. Personally, I find the interactions between Natsukawa and Ashida more compelling. Plus, Natsukawa always looks happy while saying "Stop it," which makes me happy too. Lately, I can't even watch them because Natsukawa's seat is too close... and because I'm there, the duo turns into a group of three. Well, that's fine too.
"And do you know? Lately, Ichinose-san's been starting to show her affectionate side."
"Seriously?"
Now that he mentioned it, I hadn't been getting many messages from her complaining about Shirai-san and the others lately. A while back, she’d message me for help saying she "couldn't focus on her books" because of the noise, but recently, she’d been telling me about things Shirai-san liked or how Okamo-chan was surprisingly a certain type. It felt like she was genuinely deepening her friendships. She even seemed to be exchanging book recommendations with Sasaki-san.
"I’m wondering what I should do now."
"If you want a serious answer, your current spot is the best position. Listen, whatever you do, don't try to get involved. Those relationships are meant to be observed from afar. The moment you interfere, that sacredness is lost... See, I worked with Ichinose-san at the bookstore, but I don't get that close to her at school, do I?"
Even though we messaged each other every night.
"Sajou...!"
"Wait, I’m actually kind of interested in Okamo-chan."
"Iwata! You bastard!"
"Okamo-chan, huh..."
Iwata, a guy from the baseball club, had joined the conversation. So his type was Okamo-chan... From what I could see, Okamo-chan seemed happy just messing around with the girls right now and didn't seem like she was looking for romance.
Someone like Shirai-san would probably tell the other girls as soon as she found someone she liked, but Okamo-chan seemed like she’d keep it to herself. There was a chance she actually wanted to fall in love, though. In fact, both Shirai-san and Okamo-chan probably liked Sasaki... Their gazes were similar to how I used to look at Natsukawa.
"By the way, Sajou, how can you talk to girls so normally even though you aren't exactly a handsome guy?"
"Well, I was open about being Natsukawa-only, so I didn't care about anyone else. The girls talk to me with that understanding, too. There's no room for me to get self-conscious. Also, you aren't exactly a handsome guy either, Iwata."
"Thinking about it, Sajou is actually kind of a Love Master... even if he did get rejected."
"And he still talks to Natsukawa-san normally after that. Seriously, what is your deal? What kind of relationship do you two even have now?"
"Who knows... Members of the same group? We've known each other for nearly two years now, so..."
"The same group... Ashida's in it too, right?! Seriously, Sajou, what are you?! Do something about Ashida’s skinship! It makes my heart race!"
"And you talk to Okamo-chan and the others so normally, too! What is wrong with you?!"
"What is wrong with you guys?"
...Comparing myself to them, Sasaki, who can naturally approach girls, really was something else. At this rate, he’ll probably end up being reincarnated into another world. I could practically see his sister, Yuki-chan, chasing after him.
───── I'm coming now.