Lunch break. Lately, eating with the other girls had become the norm. It was a thousand times better than listening to that guy lecture me on my supposed "charms" while I tried to eat. Though, thanks to him, I now knew exactly which angle made me look best in photos. N-Not that I’m grateful or anything!
As we talked, the conversation shifted back to my younger sister—Airi. When they asked to see her, I wasn’t exactly unwilling, so I opened the specific folder and handed over my phone. I was puffing out my chest with pride, but before I knew it, a huge crowd had gathered... Wait, hold on... isn't this a bit much? Why are so many people here?
They were passing my phone around in what was basically a line. Ah, the boys are looking too...! Don't touch anything weird! Stay in Airi’s folder!
As I watched everyone nervously while they gushed over how cute she was, Shirai-san approached me, looking like she’d reached her limit.
"Your sister is so cute, it's not fair... Hey, Natsukawa-san, do you think I could go meet her?"
"E-Eh?! At... my house?!"
I was so surprised that I reflexively shouted back. The only friends I’d ever had over were Kei and some of the other girls from the volleyball club. It had never even crossed my mind to invite people I’d only just started talking to.
Unsure of how to respond, I looked around for Kei. Oh, wait...? Kei wasn't where she had been just a moment ago—there she was. Where was she going with my phone...? Wait, Sajou...?
Kei and Sajou exchanged a few words and then approached me. I could tell he was genuinely wondering what was going on. This might have been the first time I’d ever seen such a normal side of him.
"Listen, listen! We were all just talking about going to Aichi's house sometime soon!"
"Are you serious? My level isn't high enough for that."
"No, Natsukawa-san's house isn't exactly a dungeon..."
Exactly, what do you think my house is? Even the usually calm Sasaki-kun was playing the straight man... This guy really isn't normal.
As I thought that while looking around, I realized something. Everyone was around me, Kei was there... and that guy was there.
"...Ah..."
I felt a deep warmth spread through my chest. I was surrounded by everyone. It felt so comfortable. I wondered if life would continue like this every day... I hoped it would. If this lasted, I was sure it would be fun forever...
Because I felt that way, I must have gotten carried away.
"Is it okay with that many people?"
"H-Hmph...! I’m not letting someone like you anywhere near her! I can’t have you being a bad influence on Airi!"
Business as usual. That was my intention when I spoke to him, and everyone around us laughed as if to say, "There they go again." W-Wait... don't look at us like we're some married comedy duo! It's not like that...!
Sajou seemed to understand as well, giving a small smile at everyone's reaction. That's right, for us, this was basically like a greeting—
"Haha, you're right."
"Eh..."
...What?
I stared at him in surprise. Why...? Why could he accept my words so naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world? It had never been like that before.
That thought only lasted a second before he, still smiling, naturally turned his back to me and returned to his seat.
Wait.
I found myself almost reaching out my hand. As I stood up, my phone was returned to me. Kei and her fellow volleyball club member Kawai-san told me, "It's okay! We were watching to make sure the boys didn't touch anything weird!" I snapped back to reality when I saw Airi's image on the screen.
While I was still dazed, the next class began before I knew it.
◆
During class, I noticed a new group had been created on my messaging app. I had been invited too.
Class C's Strongest Girls
Strongest...? I guess this is just meant to be the group for this class? Since "Girls" is in the name, it must be a girls-only group. But wait, wasn't there already a group like that? Um... let's see?
Murata-san from the basketball club and Koga-san from the tennis club aren't here... looking closely, are there no girls from sports clubs? No, Kei is here... I wonder how this membership was decided.
I haven't added any vulgar girls.
Um... that's Iiboshi-san, the Class Rep. She has some pretty harsh criteria... It's true that the girls who aren't here usually... well, they tend to talk loudly using unladylike language. I do find it unpleasant, certainly... but well, if the Class Rep says so, I suppose it's fine.
Messages kept flowing in despite it being during class. The constant vibration of my phone was so persistent that I panicked and turned off the settings. Tell me sooner, everyone... the teacher's going to find out.
Um... is Natsukawa-san okay?
I'm okay—wait, with what?
When I looked up, several girls were looking my way. I hurriedly looked back down at the group message and saw that the conversation was about Shirai-san and several other girls wanting to go meet Airi. Ah... it was a continuation of that talk from earlier.
Some girls had club activities after school. It turned out that only those who were free, including Shirai-san, would be able to come to my house. Let's see... Oh, the volleyball club is off tomorrow? So Kei can come. Will there be four people in total...? Yeah, Airi probably won't be scared with that many.
Yes, it's fine.
I'll quit my club and come, so can't I go too...?
Eh? Q-Quit? For something like this? Do you really want to meet Airi that much?
Calm down, Maichi.
.........Okay (T_T)
Saito-san from the tea ceremony club... why did she back down as if she were swallowing her tears? When I actually looked up at her, she was looking my way with very watery eyes. I wonder what would have happened if Kei hadn't calmed her down. Such beautiful tears... she really is a Japanese beauty.
Um... sorry. Sasaki-kun says he wants to go too. Apparently, the soccer club is off tomorrow...
Eh.
Sasaki-kun...? Sasaki-kun, huh... well, he seems like a proper boy even from my perspective, so I guess it’s fine. Besides, there will be four other girls there, so there won't be any danger. He's the refreshing-type, so I think he'll look like a gentle older brother to Airi.
Yes, a gentle older brother...
"..."
Out of the corner of my eye, at the very front seat by the hallway, I saw a boy who was being so quiet he almost blended into the scenery.
...Is that guy not coming?
He used to cling to me so much... I wondered if, deep down, he actually wanted to come along.
Before, he sat right next to me, so I never really looked at him. Even if I’d wanted to, I felt like something terrible would happen if I stared at him while he was approaching me so aggressively, so I could only look away.
...Why are you looking down with such a difficult expression? What on earth are you thinking? That's not like you at all. Is it because I said you were gross earlier...? Did you stop talking to me lately because you finally gave up on me...?
...What is with him? Clinging to me whenever he wants, and leaving whenever he wants. No matter how you look at it, he’s far too selfish. That man causes nothing but trouble for me. Acting in a way that plays with people's hearts... I’m certain nothing good will ever come to him.
◆
That feeling of indignation lasted until after school. I felt like I could say anything right now without hesitation.
Once the dismissal ended, I went to stop Sajou, who was already trying to leave.
"H-Hey..."
"Whoops... What's up?"
Sajou turned around. When he saw my face, his previously troubled expression vanished completely, replaced by a soft look in his eyes that seemed somehow relieved. He spoke in a bright voice—W-Wait, what's with that? Why that face?! You've never looked at me like that before!
"Um, Natsukawa? What's the matter? You seem to be in a hurry."
"I-I'm not in a hurry at all!"
"Oh..."
I almost flinched at his reaction, which felt like heat being drained away. That feeling of being able to say anything I had a moment ago suddenly tumbled away like a magnet losing its pull. G-Get it together! I just need to tell him that if he wants to meet my sister, he should just say so clearly...!
"Y-You... are you really not coming?"
Ugh... I didn't say it right at all! This makes it sound like I want him to come! What if he gets the wrong idea?!
"Hmm...? What are you talking—"
"Oh, has homeroom ended over here too?"
"Huh...?"
Just as I was about to correct myself, the classroom door swung open, and Shinomiya-senpai peeked her head in. While I was surprised by the sudden arrival of such a prominent figure, Kei, who was nearby, got all excited. But Sajou just looked at Shinomiya-senpai with a nonchalant face.
"Hello, everyone. I'm sure your long day has finally come to an end, but would it be alright if I borrowed Sajou for a bit?"
"By all means, please, go ahead!! Boil him, burn him, or even expose him on social media!"
"Hey, Ashida, you brat."
Shinomiya-senpai has business with Sajou—eh? Coming all this way after school? From the look of things, it didn't seem like the senior had come to lecture him as a Disciplinary Committee Member. C-Could they be in a special relationship...? Sajou, with that Shinomiya-senpai...?
"Ah, sorry Natsukawa. What was it again?"
"I-It's nothing! Just go!"
"Ha! Understood!"
What are you, a soldier?!
What is with that reply! Look, Shinomiya-senpai is looking at us strangely! What if she gets the wrong idea! Hey, why do you look so happy?!
Sajou ran off as if I had kicked him in the rear and settled in beside Shinomiya-senpai. Following the senior's suggestion to change locations, they disappeared somewhere.
Saito Maichi: ".........(T_T)"