The first day of my duties as a Cultural Festival Executive Committee Member had ended.
Even though it was only day one, my work for the festival was essentially over. Since Sasaki-kun was taking over the patrols tomorrow, I would be free for the second day, aside from the closing ceremony. This breathing room was only possible thanks to the hard work of my seniors on the Executive Committee, as well as help from the Student Council and Wataru.
"Um, is there anything I can help with?"
"Ah, Natsukawa-san! We're almost finished, so it's fine!"
"I see..."
I took off my committee armband and became a regular student of Class 1-C again. I’d offered to help since I hadn't been able to contribute much to our class's Riddle Contest, but it looked like the first-day cleanup was already wrapping up.
Looking around, I spotted a familiar back. When I’d seen him earlier, he’d been dressed in that dog costume—though he insisted it was a mascot suit—but now he was back in his school uniform. I approached and spoke to him.
"What are you doing?"
"Whoa, Natsukawa—Whoa!"
"Ah—"
Wataru turned around and recoiled sharply when he saw me. His reaction made me realize I’d been standing far too close.
I hurriedly took a step back. My face felt hot, and I wanted to fan it with my hand, but that would be too obvious. Praying I wasn’t turning red, I lowered my gaze to avoid eye contact.
"Sorry..."
"Ah, no, it's fine..."
The atmosphere grew a bit awkward, but by now, moments like this felt like a "regular occurrence." It was a reminder of how much my relationship with Wataru had changed. For some reason, I felt a surge of resolve; I couldn't let myself be daunted by something like this.
Gathering my composure, I met his eyes to repeat my question. Wataru rubbed the back of his head, looking a bit sheepish.
"...I was kicking Sasaki."
"What are you doing!?"
Startled, I peeked behind him and saw Sasaki-kun, still in the dog outfit Wataru had been wearing at noon. He looked completely drained, slumped in a chair against the wall with his legs sprawled out. His eyes were hollow as he stared at the floor, a look that completely ruined his handsome features.
"Hey, wake up, you bastard."
"Wait! Stop that!"
Wataru rhythmically tapped the tips of Sasaki-kun's feet with his own. Even if it was more of a poke than a kick and didn't seem to hurt, it was still a terrible way to treat someone. Seeing him torment the dejected Sasaki-kun like that, I instinctively grabbed Wataru's arm to pull him back.
"Fine, I guess I'll stop for now..."
"Honestly... Sasaki-kun, why is he like this? Did you do something?"
"No, no, he was already like this. I was just showing him some appreciation."
"Stop lying."
Apparently, Sasaki-kun had enough on his plate before his younger sister dragged him through the wringer. Wataru had also been caught in her wake and was taking his frustration out on the older brother. That wasn't "appreciation" at all...
"Where's his sister?"
"Dunno. I think Sasaki sent her home, but I'm trying not to think about her too much."
"Eh...?"
Wataru's expression turned dead serious. His tone felt loaded.
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine. I felt like a sharp gaze was piercing me from somewhere far outside the window. I looked around, but no one seemed to be watching us. Was it just my imagination?
"So... what are you going to do about Sasaki-kun?"
"Call the animal shelter."
"Be serious!"
"Ow."
Wataru always started joking around whenever it involved Sasaki-kun or Yamazaki. Even if Sasaki-kun were an actual dog, calling the pound would be way too much. I nudged him with my elbow, though I knew he was probably just kidding.
"...Um, I'll take him in."
"Eh?"
Just then, a voice called out from behind us.
I turned around in surprise at the sudden appearance of a "foster" candidate. It was Saito-san, looking at us with a timid expression. She had a bag slung over her shoulder, likely containing a costume since she’d just finished her Tea Ceremony Club event. For some reason, she was gazing directly at me. Unlike the chill from before, this didn't feel threatening.
"............I see," Wataru muttered.
He seemed to have reached some conclusion, but I was lost. Why had Saito-san volunteered? Did they have a connection? Maybe Sasaki-kun had his own network, just like Wataru. Girls I’d never even spoken to would suddenly turn out to be his acquaintances before I knew it...
"Um... why are you looking at me like that?"
"No reason..."
While I’d been busy with my committee work, he’d apparently been enjoying the festival with Ichinose-san and some middle school girl. I might have glared at him a bit resentfully, but it’s not like I actually minded.
"Er..."
"Ah, sorry, Saito-san. Here's Sasaki. Don't forget to walk him twice a day and feed him every morning and night."
"Sasaki-kun isn't a dog."
"Whoa... way to kill the joke..."
"You're just being rude—Wait, hey!"
As we were talking, he suddenly placed a hand on my back. My heart skipped a beat. I froze before I could even look at him in surprise.
"Just come on..." he whispered.
He pushed me by the back, leading me right past Saito-san. He didn't let go until we reached the hallway. Finally, my body, which had felt like it was being guided by a puppet master, regained its freedom.
"H-honestly..."
It wasn't that I hated it, but my body just locked up when touched so unexpectedly. It made me nervous, so I wished he'd stop doing things like that without warning. I wanted to scold him, but the words wouldn't come.
"I was just reading the room. My bad."
"Reading the room... wait, what?"
Is that what happened?
I leaned in, my curiosity piqued. Maybe it was just my nature as a girl, but I couldn't help getting interested in other people's romance. When I looked at him for details, Wataru just rubbed the back of his head again, looking like he'd made a blunder. Apparently, he wasn't going to talk.
I peeked back into the classroom. Sasaki-kun had already snapped out of his trance and was acting all flustered in front of Saito-san.
"——Stupid handsome guy."
"Hey."
That was a terrible thing to say about such a sweet, awkward scene. I wanted to cheer them on, so I didn't understand why Wataru looked so annoyed.
Besides, what about him? He was acting jealous of Sasaki-kun, but I'd heard he spent the whole afternoon with three girls. Most boys would find that enviable. Actually, that gender ratio was a bit suspicious. The more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. How exactly did Wataru spend his afternoon surrounded by three girls? I definitely intended to get the full story.
"Hey—"
"Aichi, let's get married!"
"Wha—!?"
I was blindsided by the sudden proposal and hug. I felt something warm clinging to me—it was Kei, who had wrapped herself around my waist and was rubbing her cheek against mine. A sweet, citrus scent wafted from her hair; she must have just showered after volleyball practice.
"Mmm..."
"W-wait...!"
Ever since Kei found out I had a younger sister, she’d periodically enter Clingy Mode with me. She seemed particularly exhausted today and had no intention of letting go. Once she started making those incoherent mumbles, it was a sign she was beyond help.
"Hey, Ashida, you—"
"Shut up."
"..."
Wataru couldn't even get a word in edgewise.
Our homeroom teacher, Ms. Ohtsuki, came into the classroom and started chatting happily with a group of girls. Apparently, there was no formal homeroom, and we were free to leave.
"Kei, are we heading out?"
"Let's go home..."
Usually, Kei would be full of energy and hanging out with everyone, but today she looked ready to pass out. I tried leading her to the connecting corridor to let the chilly air wake her up, but it didn't do much.
Just as I was about to pull her along, I heard noisy voices from the corridor entrance. Someone was coming. I saw a face through the glass door.
"Sasaki-kun...?"
"Huh? Sasakichi?"
"...Wait, didn't you call him something else before?"
Before I could dwell on Kei's nickname for him, the door swung open. Sasaki-kun was dragging someone by the arm. The person being hauled along didn't seem happy about it. I wondered if it was Saito-san, but I was wrong.
"Oh, it's Sajocchi."
"Yeah..."
Wataru looked miserable as he was dragged along. What happened?
"Please, Sajou! You're the only one I have left!!"
"!?"
"!?"
Wait, what?