After school, as the cultural festival preparations began, Miyama, Yuria, and I headed out of the school gates to begin our cardboard collection run.
We’d checked the campus resource storage area before leaving, but as I’d feared, the place was picked clean. The other classes had already swooped in and snatched up every last scrap.
(Every class needs cardboard more than anything else for the festival... I guess great minds think alike.)
"There really isn't any left, is there? I wonder if the third-year students took it all?"
"Probably. For now, we'll just have to go negotiate at a nearby supermarket or something. Let's go, Ryouta, Airi."
"Right!"
"O-Oh... okay."
I didn't think I'd be much help when it came to the actual negotiating, so I decided I’d focus on being the muscle.
When it comes to cardboard collection, negotiating with the stores is an absolute must. You can't just walk off with stuff without permission.
Before we left, Yuria mentioned that during last year's cultural festival, one class had taken cardboard from a nearby unmanned recycling center without asking. Apparently, it turned into a massive ordeal.
As a result, the school had become quite strict about the whole thing, insisting that we handle the negotiations properly... but since Miyama and Yuria both had leagues more social grace than I did, I figured there was no need to worry.
That just meant I had to step up as the 'baggage carrier' to prove my worth as the only guy in the group.
Of course, it goes without saying that I'm physically weak.
But even so, I wanted to at least—
"Ryouta. Don't feel like you have to overexert yourself just because you're the only guy. If we get a lot, I'll help you carry it."
Yuria spoke with her usual prickly tone, but she was clearly worried.
It seemed she could see right through me.
To think it was that obvious I was trying to act tough... It was honestly a little embarrassing.
Yet, even while I felt the shame burning my cheeks, I couldn't help but admire how observant Yuria was.
"Ryouta, Ryouta! It's not just Yuria—Airi can carry a lot too, you know? After all, I'm always at my par—"
"W-Wait!"
Miyama had let her guard down and was about to blurt out something about our part-time job. I barked out a "Wait!" before I even realized I was doing it.
Miyama realized her mistake instantly and clamped both hands over her mouth.
"Huh? What's with the sudden shouting, Ryouta?"
Yuria asked, tilting her head in confusion.
"U-U-Uh...!"
Crap, crap, crap.
The one thing I was most afraid of had happened almost immediately!
I shot a look at Miyama.
She looked back at me, her eyes practically screaming "I'm sorry."
There was no helping it... I’d just have to find a way to smooth this over.
"I-I mean, Miyama! If the load gets too heavy for you, don't hesitate to say so! I'll help you carry your share!"
I rattled the words out frantically, trying to gloss over the slip-up.
I nervously checked Yuria's expression, and...
"Hey, Ryouta."
Oh no... did she realize—?!
"Aren't you being a little too nice to Airi? I'm the one who offered to help you first, you know. A simple 'thank you' wouldn't kill you."
"U-Uh, right. Yeah. Thanks, Yuri—I mean, Ichinose."
"Well, I'll let it slide this time."
It seemed Yuria was less concerned with my suspicious cover-up and more annoyed that I was focusing all my attention on Miyama.
Regardless, I was just glad she hadn't caught on...
(Phew...)
Crisis averted. But the very moment I let out a sigh of relief...
"Besides, it's not just Airi. I'm always rearranging my room, organizing my discs, and I move my oshi-shelf around all the time. I'm more than confident in my strength!"
"Discs? Oshi-shelf? What are you talking about, Yuria?"
"Ah."
Just as I thought we were safe, Yuria went and let a secret slip of her own.
(What the hell is wrong with these two?! This isn't some contest to see who can expose their secrets first!!!)
Seriously, I couldn't let my guard down for even a second around them!