Chapter 2: 2

On that day after school, I heard somebody’s voice when I changed shoes next to the shelves.

“You.”

“…What’s wrong, Hiiragi?”

I already expected Hiiragi would look for me during the class assembly. This girl is especially sensitive whenever it involves Hoshigasaki. She’s really easy to understand.

“I need to talk to you.”

“But I don’t…”

“I said I need to talk to you. Shut up, follow me.”

“Sigh, fine.”

Hiiragi quickly changed her shoes. She doesn’t seem to think I would reject. She urged me with a big attitude. I bet this girl must be good at terrorizing others, right? …It’s hard to not associate her like that upon seeing her actions.

I’m also at fault since I just obeyed her after slight intimidation. The criminal’s request should be heard before the police barges to save the hostage, right? However, the problem is that I’m playing as both the hostage and the negotiator right now. Can someone please come to save me? But I’m just a loner. It seems that no one will answer my wish.

“Can I ask where we are going?”

“Behind the gym.”

Oh, going behind the gym with a girl? Perhaps my heart will start pounding to romantic scenes if she’s more adorable. However, I can clearly feel that I’m stepping into danger. My heart is about to jump out. I bet I’ll accept a confession easily due to the suspension bridge effect.

Should I leave my last message somewhere? <I went behind the gym with Hiiragi-san.> The police will have a hard time if I don’t leave any clues behind…

*

We’re now behind the gym. The sounds of basketballs hitting the ground, volleyballs tossed around, and weird screams from the Kendo Club tangled to my ears. The noises from the Kendo Club aren’t from the gym. It must be from the arena built close to the gym, right?

We’re just a wall apart from these people flinging their sweat of youth. Unexpectedly, no one comes around here. There are railings a few meters away from the gym. After the railings, it’s the scene of the city.

Higashidani High School is located on a hill. Therefore, since the gym is located at the edge of the campus, this place is next to a cliff.

Both of us remained silent for a while. Hiiragi approached me. Even though I slowly backed down the same distance, I had already hit the back of the gym wall within a few steps.

“You, why aren’t you in our class’s Line group? It took me another step to call you out here.”

“It’s just because no one pulled me in. It’s not my fault.”

After I answered, I heard her smack her tongue and went, “Tck, I see.” Hey, hey, you think you’re so amazing because you’re in a Line group? But, come to think of it, I think people in one are a bit better than those who didn’t.

“Anyway, I want to ask you about Ruri. You still want to be a Bunjitsu with her after doing something so disgusting?”

“I’m having a headache over this too. She’s the one who volunteered, right?”

“Did you blackmail Ruri?”

Hiiragi’s eyes squinted as she intimidated me. Stop, stop. Don’t look at me like that.

“Why do you think that’s the case?”

“It’s because you did those things to her before. The normal reaction is to avoid you at all costs, right? Yet, she volunteered to be a Bunjitsu to work with you. Something’s definitely not right.”

Hiiragi is exactly right. I think this is ridiculously unusual as well. Everyone definitely thinks someone is planning something when they are trying so hard to get close to you. Moreover, the two of us are in a victim-perpetrator relationship right now.

“This isn’t the only instance. Ruri always tries to talk to you recently.”

I nearly jumped after hearing that. Perhaps the muscles on my face twitched as well.

“No, it’s not like that. Are you sure?”

“I’m so close to her that this is clear as day. Also, that’s what everyone in the class said.”

Seriously, …the same goes for Hoshigasaki. Should I say she doesn’t know how to hide something? Or should I just say she’s dumb? Such an unnatural way of conversation will obviously raise suspicion.

“Let me ask something. What does everyone in the class think?”

“Everyone is saying Ruri is trying to reconcile with Nanamura.”

I see. The classmates must think that the innocent victim is trying to approach the isolated perpetrator.

Actually, they aren’t wrong by a lot.

“Well, why not just go with that then? Who should I ask when you ask me what is she thinking?”

“But is this reason enough for her to talk to someone she hates? There must be something deeper going on, right?”

Hiiragi won’t be so easily convinced. However, even so, I can’t expose my relationship with Hoshigasaki. I can only divert the conversation.

“Maybe she just doesn’t have any special motives?”

“Ha?”

“Perhaps that’s just what an extrovert like her wants to do. Maybe she just wants to talk to a depressed guy like me and tease my reaction.”

“Ruri isn’t that terrible of a person! Don’t flame her!”

Ugh, I feel like I’m the evil guy after she said that. I also understand Hoshigasaki isn’t like that.

Ah, damn, why do I have to deal with something like this? …I can’t leave it even if I want to. This so-called relationship thing is so difficult.

“In the end, what does Hoshigasaki think?”

I have to change the topic. These two are friends. They should be able to solve many things if they talk more. Please just stop dragging a loner like me into this.

“Ruri said there’s no special meaning. She even thinks it’s interesting…”

“Then why not just go with that? Hoshigasaki may have just forgotten about what happened.”

“That’s imposs- sigh.”

Hiiragi understood there was no point in questioning me anymore. She took a step back and pointed at me.

“Anyway, Nanamura, don’t you dare do anything bad to Ruri.”

“I won’t. You can punch me flying if something does happen.”

Even though I don’t know whether she trusted me, she didn’t say anything after that.

Hiiragi turned around. Then, when she approached the corner, she mumbled to herself. “Seriously, I don’t understand…”

I agree.

Ah, I feel the same. I don’t understand, Hoshigasaki. Why are you trying to talk to me? Why did you volunteer as Bunjitsu? What are you trying to do?

After a while, I left that place as well.

Come to think of it, it’s Monday. I have to meet with Hanamitsuji in the family restaurant. Let’s report how I’m doing and what happened to Hoshigasaki to her.

*

After that, I met up with Hanamitsuji in the family restaurant.

Both of us got some beverages at the drink bar before sitting down. Although Hanamitsuji’s plan for me to make friends seems to be abandoned, it’s really because Shiramine and Hoshigasaki kept messing with me recently. I’m kind of frustrated. It’s not like I don’t care about being a loner anymore.

I reported what happened to me recently. When I told her I was forced into being a Bunjitsu, Hanamitsuji’s eyes bulged in surprise. She mumbled to herself.

“Well, it looks like Mashiro loves you quite a lot.”

“It’s just a pain in the ass for me…”

“Nanamura-kun, you weren’t the Bunjitsu last time, right? You’re going to have a nice memory this time, right?”

“I’ve never enjoyed any Cultural Festival before.”

“What does that mean?”

“Telling a person who never enjoyed the Cultural Festival to help out is like forcing a kid who never tried chocolate to work in a cocoa farm. How can I do it?”

“You have to apologize to the whole working class with that alone.”

Even so, I can’t get myself out of this. Based on the “Cultural Festival” name, this should be an activity that manifests a culture, right? But why are there always classes preparing shops, ghost houses, and festival booths?

“Right, who’s the Bunjitsu for girls? Mashiro?”

“No, Shiramine meant to do that at first, but Hoshigasaki signed up later.”

So, Hanamitsuji’s bulged eyes are filled with confusion.

“Eh? Why Hoshigasaki-san?”

“I don’t know. She volunteered after Shiramine pushed me to be the Bunjitsu.”

“…Really?”

Hanamitsuji fell silent. She drank some iced tea and pondered for a moment.

“Hmm, Hoshigasaki-san is indeed…into…Nanamura-kun…?”

“What did you say?”

“I-It’s nothing! Ah, right! Doesn’t everyone think Hoshigasaki-san is a victim under Nanamura-kun? Won’t she raise any suspicion from doing this?”

“Ah, about that…”

Yeah, I guess I should explain this to her as well. Therefore, I told her about Hoshigasaki’s unusual actions and about me being warned by a girl named Hiiragi.

“What do you think she’s trying to do?”

“Have you asked Hoshigasaki-san herself?”

“Oh, I asked her once. She just said she’s responsible for me being isolated by the whole class.”

“Well, not that she’s wrong.”

Although I can clearly hear that Hanamitsuji’s implying something else as well, this is where she stops talking.

I won’t figure this out if Hoshigasaki isn’t here. It’s better to just ask her later when I have the chance.

“Right, who did you guys choose for Bunjitsu in Class F?”

“We chose them during the class assembly. Regrettably, our class seemed to have just forced someone to do it as well.”

“I see.”

“But, …hmm, Nanamura-kun and Hoshigasaki-san…?”

I ignored her mumbles and went to get a refill of cola.

*

I got back home after the restaurant meeting. I went straight to the living room after washing my hands. There’s still some time before dinner, and I want something sweet.

“Welcome back.”

I opened the door to the living room. Satsuki is lazing around as usual. Although I’m relieved of such a familiar sight, can she at least be a bit more elegant?

“Don’t act like how Dad is during holidays, you know?”

“Uwah, onii-chan, you’re offensive. I suffered trauma. I need compensation from you.”

“Nope, I declare bankruptcy.”

“Sheesh, then give me one of your kidneys.”

“Don’t start a business with your brother’s organs.”

“Well, in exchange for this kidney, I order you to bring me fruit cereal.”

“Isn’t my kidney too cheap?”

 

 

 

 

After a brief chat with her, I went into the kitchen next to the living room. I prepared the fruit cereal according to my little sister’s introduction. Aren’t I pathetic? However, this habit is already engraved deep into my bones. I can’t help it.

I got a deeper plate for more fruit cereal and came next to the table.

“Here.”

“Wow, onii-chan is smart.”

“This ‘smart’ is for pets, right?”

“You got me.”

I sighed and looked at the TV. It’s basically regional sports match results or scenes from tourists’ hotspots. There are some serious news reports in between. The shows at this time slot are all really similar. I literally have no idea what the differences are between them.

“Are these shows popular with middle school students?”

“That’s impossible. It’s just a coincidence. YouTube and TikTok always recommend videos that I’m not interested in. I feel like clicking them means I agree these videos are interesting, right? At that point, doesn’t it feel like you’re being controlled by those apps?”

“You know, I can really tell you’re my little sister from this part.”

“What? I’ll sue you for malicious falsehood.”

“I’m telling the truth, okay!?”

Satsuki has a lot of friends, but she always picks up my traits in weird places.

How can she make so many friends with such a personality? Perhaps it’s because she can change her attitude appropriately in front of people.

She always greets neighbors outside like a total elite student. That smile is really surprising. As for when we are going back, she’ll suddenly greet the residents with a bright voice, “Good afternoon-“ Isn’t that scary? You can greet people with a smile like this, right? Show that face to Dad sometimes, girl.

At the same time, all I can say is a gloomy greeting, “Ah, hello…” It’s far less appealing than Satsuki. If Satsuki is the sun, I’m the moon. ...I think I’m thinking of myself too highly. I’m probably just a tiny light bulb.

If I get involved in something bad, I can guarantee that someone will say, “I feel like that person is really sneaky. He always mumbles to himself whenever I say hi to him.” I should be more serious in my life.

I pushed away Satsuki’s legs to make room on the sofa for me to sit. So, Satsuki put her legs onto my kneecaps.

Do you want to put your legs onto me that much? Sigh, whatever.

“Satsuki, give me some fruit cereal too.”

“Here.”

“Thank you.”

I grabbed a bunch of fruit cereal from Satsuki’s plate. It’s crunchy. Even though this looks like bird feed, it’s delicious.

“Onii-chan, are you eating dried fruit only?”

“Nope, my love for cereal and dried fruit is equal.”

“Really?”

“Hahaha, you want me to say I love Satsuki as much too?”

“Uwah, that sounds a bit disgusting. It’s best for you to not say that to another girl.”

Satsuki suddenly withdrew her legs and distanced herself from me. From her reaction, it would be best for me not to say things like this in front of Satsuki. Onii-chan learned something.

“Right, I’m now an Executive Member for the Cultural Festival. I won’t be home sometimes during the summer holiday. You can take care of lunch on your own.”

After that, Satsuki immediately jumped and started shivering. Hey, no need to be that freaked out, right?

“Ehh!? Onii-chan is now an Executive Member for the Cultural Festival? What’s going on?”

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“I don’t want to do it either. Someone pushed it onto me.”

So, Satsuki fell silent. Her expression slowly turned sad. Bang, she patted my shoulder.

“I see. Bullying? …Onii-chan is surely having a hard time.”

“It’s not! Don’t give me such a depressed face!”

I thought saying the joke aloud could reduce the mental damage, but I really look pathetic if someone feels miserable for me! At this stage, they are just trying to avoid me consciously. It’s not bullying yet.

“Onii-chan’s trouble is my trouble. I’ll help you out too.”

“Even though I’m really happy that you’re considerate, people aren’t bullying me, alright? It’s also not that I don’t want to tell Mom and Dad because I’m in puberty, okay?”

Satsuki doesn’t seem to be listening to me. She’s on her phone. Suddenly, she spoke up.

“Oh! I think this is a hotline for listening to students’ frustrations! Should you make a call later?”

“How can I leave everything to others!?’

Ahaha. Satsuki laughed as she ate fruit cereal.

“It sounds like it’s really not bullying.”

“It’s actually someone being considerate to me. Well, even though you can say it’s unnecessary worries.”

“I see.”

Satsuki nodded chicly.

“Onii-chan seems to know more people now. Should your little sister be happy or sad?”

“Sad?”

“Onii-chan used to be a brat. …I’m kind of throbbed.”

“Who do you think you are? Weren't you even younger when I was a brat?”

Sheesh, this girl is a weird brocon too. Is it because we spend so much time together since our parents are always at work?

Well, whatever. Only cereal remained on the plate when I noticed it, even though I wasn’t eating.

Satsuki was the one who ate all the dried fruit, right?

*

The meeting of Bunjitsu takes place on that week’s Thursday. It’s after school. I think they rented the conference room next to the student council.

As for Shiramine, who appointed me as Bunjitsu, she acted like this had nothing to do with her and said, “Well, work hard with Hoshigasaki-san, alright? I’ll come to check up on you if I’m feeling it.” Tck, now I don’t owe her anything…

There’s a lot I want to complain about, but I don’t dare to not show up at the meeting. I immediately left the classroom after the class assembly was over.

I’m walking in the corridor when I hear someone’s footsteps from behind. Just as I think that person’s about to pass me, my shoulder is slapped unexpectedly. I lost my balance.

“Ouch.”

What, what, am I really getting bullied!? Are Satsuki’s worries for real!?

I hastily turned around. Hoshigasaki is standing there. She’s running out of breath.

“W-What? …Are you really here to bully me?”

“No! What makes you think that!?’

It’s not bullying. I’m glad that I don’t need to bother with the hotline Satsuki told me about.

“Nanamura, why did you leave first?”

“Aren’t I supposed to go to the Bunjitsu meeting?”

“I’m a Bunjitsu too.”

“I know.”

“If we have the same destination, we should go together in the classroom, right!?”

Hoshigasaki’s eyes are filled with anger.

Ah, come to think of it, that’s a habit of extroverts. However, I always go alone whether we’re changing classrooms or going to school. I can’t understand even if you come to teach me.

Forget about that. We’ll definitely attract attention if we just stand in the middle of the corridor. I sighed and took a step forward. Hoshigasaki followed me. We’re walking side by side.

“You’re not working today?”

From what I’ve heard, her shift seems to be on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday or Sunday. Yet, Hoshigasaki shook her head.

“I already told them about this. It’s fine for me to be a bit late. Also, I have some free time before my part-time job.”

“That’s good.”

I answered her. Our conversation stopped.

I scrambled my brain for a new topic. Then, I realized something.

With how bothered I’m by the silence, it shows how much Hoshigasaki and I don’t know each other.

Somebody once said, “Two people who get along with each other won’t be bothered even if they aren’t talking.” However, before this level is reached, not all relationships go through the “being bothered by not talking” stage.

If you want to be bothered when hanging out with someone, it’s important to realize that the person is someone who chats with you from time to time.

For example, let’s say you’re in the elevator with a stranger. It’s fine to not talk, even if you’re staying with that person. It’s because not talking is the obvious choice. However, if you’re with someone who chats with you occasionally, the awkwardness comes naturally. Isn’t it?

It’s normal for a loner like me to not talk to my classmates. Whether it’s walking on the same path with my classmates on the way to the classroom, bumping into them while taking my bicycle from the parking lot, or just seeing each other in the tutorial class. On rare occasions like this, the default option is to not talk to them. I won’t feel awkward at all.

However, the relationship between Hoshigasaki and me has already departed this stage.

The edge of my brain is thinking about these things as I struggle to find a topic. However, Hoshigasaki speaks up first.

“By the way, did Yuria say anything to you?”

“Who’s Yuria?”

“Yuria Hiiragi! At least remember her name!”

“Oh, Hiiragi?”

Right, Hoshigasaki calls this name in the classroom, but I just can’t remember an unfamiliar girl’s first name. It’s not like I have the chance to call her by her first name, anyway. Compared to that, isn’t it better to just remember a couple more English words?

“So, she did tell you something, right?”

“Ah, we talked for a bit.”

It’s actually far more than just a bit. However, there’s no use in telling everything to Hoshigasaki, right?

“I see. …Sorry about that.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“It must’ve been annoying, right? Despite her look, she actually cares about her friends a lot. She’s just worried about me.”

When even Hoshigasaki said “despite her look”, I guess it’s common knowledge that everyone is afraid of Hiiragi. In reality, she looks very, very scary to me.

“She didn’t do anything too mean to me. Don’t worry about it.”

“Glad to hear that.”

“But I did think about leaving a message before death for a moment.”

“Isn’t that super dangerous!?”

“I’m half-joking.”

“I do hope none of what you said is true.”

“But, by the way, you two are really close.”

I can also see that Hiiragi is just worried about Hoshigasaki. She wouldn’t be chasing after me and questioning everything if that’s not the case.

“Ahaha, yeah. We were in the same group during the trip, and we often hang out after school as well.”

She answered. As for me, I looked at her side profile and asked the question I had been thinking about.

“…Are you sure you want to volunteer as Bunjitsu?”

“Eh? Are you not willing to partner up with me?”

“Not really. That’s not what I meant.”

She answered. Her expression seemed like she understood something.

“Don’t tell me, Nanamura, are you into Prez…”

“I’m not! I’m saying that Hoshigasaki teaming up as Bunjitsu with me clearly raises suspicion, right? Actually, Hiiragi is already suspecting us.”

“Hiya, everyone is just overthinking.”

“Why did you volunteer as Bunjitsu?”

“Eh? I just feel like it’s nice to be Bunjitsu with Nanamura.”

Although I attempted to grasp the crux of the issue, she answered me with a stiff smile.

“Ah, here’s the conference room. Let’s go-“

With that, Hoshigasaki avoided my question and opened the door to the conference room.

*

An unexpected person showed up in the room.

“Ara, isn’t this Hoshigasaki-san and Nanamura-kun? What a coincidence.”

Hanamitsuji is sitting at the back of the classroom. She waved and smiled at us when we entered. There’s a short dude from Class F next to her.

W-Why is she here…!?

“Sora-chan!? You should tell me if you’re a Bunjitsu!”

Hoshigaskai gasped and dashed to Hanamitsuji before sitting next to her. It can’t be helped. I agree with her. “At least give me a heads up!” I mumbled inside my heart and sat down next to Hoshigasaki.

“…Hello.”

I pretend that we’re just acquaintances who had spent some time together during the trip. Initially, I wanted to complain as well. However, I decided to remain silent since other people were around. The Class F dude also glanced at me and nodded. I greeted him. “Oh, hello.”

Hanamitsuji seemed to understand what I meant. She started talking to Hoshigasaki after dropping an “Oh, what a coincidence.”

“Sorry, Hoshigasaki-san. I’ve heard that you’re a Bunjitsu on Line. That’s why I want to give you a surprise today.”

“Sheesh! That surprised me!”

I see. Hoshigasaki also told Hanamitsuji she became a Bunjitsu. After that, Hanamitsuji looked at me. Her expression seemed like we just knew each other today.

“I didn’t expect Nanamura-kun to be here.”

She said that to me. No, wait, didn’t I tell you in the family restaurant? By the way, you said another person was selected to be the Bunjitsu, right?

“A-Ahaha, …what a coincidence.”

In the end, I could only give a vague answer and show a stiff smile.

But how did this girl become a Bunjitsu…? I imagined the process. During this time, a person who looks like a student council member is standing in front of the classroom. He said, “Well, let’s start the Bunjitsu meeting.” We quickly ended our conversation.

First of all, they instructed everyone to form groups of two classes. I complained about the fuss. However, Hanamitsuji quickly moved her table here and paired it with mine.

“Hey, why are you here?”

“What’s wrong? We know each other, anyway. It’s tiring to go that far.”

“Fine.”

“Hiya, I’m glad that Sora-chan is here!”

“Yeah, I’m happy when Hoshigasaki-san’s here too.”

“Let’s work together for the Cultural Festival! Even though I don’t know what I need to do yet!”

“Yeah, I look forward to working with you.”

Perhaps I’m not wrong. Hoshigasaki’s mood is even more excited. Come to think of it, she’s actually a bit worried, right?

“Everyone knows Hanamitsuji-san. You have a lot of friends.”

After moving his table in front of Hoshigasaki’s, the Class F guy mumbled. From his appearance, he doesn’t look like an outstanding person.

“By the way, Sora-chan volunteered, right?”

“Well, I guess…”

Hanamitsuji mumbled a bit embarrassedly. The Class F dude interrupted in excitement.

“Ah, another girl is supposed to be the Bunjitsu, but I think she had some difficulties in the middle. …She said she had tutorial classes during the summer holiday. Then, Hanamitsuji-san said, ‘I’m free during the summer. Let’s exchange.’ She helped her out.”

“Ahaha.”

Oi, oi, you clearly decided that after hearing me out in the family restaurant, right? I stared at Hanamitsuji. She hastily looked away.

“Eh!? Sora-chan is amazing. You really know a lot…”

“That’s too much.”

“But Hanamitsuji-san really is amazing. Bunjitsu has a lot of work to do. No one in the class wanted to volunteer.”

That guy’s voice is full of admiration. Hanamitsuji can always take the opportunity to further increase her reputation. She even became a Bunjitsu. …I can deeply feel that she’s good at dealing with life.

Our chatters continued. A third-year guy stood before the whiteboard. I think he’s the student council president. He started explaining Bunjitsu’s responsibilities fluently.

We are mainly responsible for the whole organization of the Cultural Festival. This includes the classes and clubs’ preparations, the prep work for the grand stage show, and inviting the nearby residents.

Bunjitsu communicates via mail instead of Line. Hmm, it’s good that they are considerate to loners. But, in reality, this is just a rule for students without Line, right.

Hanamitsuji is sitting in front of me. She’s glaring at her phone while frowning.

“What’s wrong?”

“Ah, my friend texted me on Line.”

She showed a bitter smile to Hoshigasaki. It looks like she’s bothered by the Line message. I concluded that on my own.

Even though I’m worried, this is Hanamitsuji’s own friendship. I can’t intervene.

I remembered what happened at the last Cultural Festival as I listened to the student council president. It’s fine to be alone at the festival. However, the lively campus really gave me a headache. Also, the kiosk isn’t open during the event. The drinks in the vending machines are sold out pretty quickly as well.

Moreover, suppose you try to scout a location without people during the festival. In that case, there are always flirting couples blocking your path. It’s really suffocating. The worst ones are people who confess to each other.

It’s like knocking a car to scare the cats away before starting the engine. Can y’all just check to see if there’s a passing loner before confessing? A small effort like this can save me from the torture of watching the entire confession scene at the edge of the campus.

Sigh, if the confession went well, I would think, “Why do I have to witness the moment of you two holding hands!?” If it fails, it’s “Then why do I have to experience such an awkward mood!?” I have no business in both scenarios, alright?

When I’m thinking about these things, I realize Hanamitsuji is looking at me.

“Nanamura-kun, are you thinking about weird things?”

“I’m thinking about how couples keep getting more intimate during the Cultural Festival.”

“You’re saying things that nobody understands again…”

After hearing my answer, Hanamitsuji sighed dumbfoundedly.

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