It was now Monday’s homeroom. Takahashi-san and I went up to the front of the class to announce the results of the survey to our classmates.
“It seems that there is a tie between quiz and desserts. We’re now going to take a majority vote to break the tie. But before we do that, I’d like to ask everyone who took the questionnaire about what they’d like to see.” (Takahashi)
The students that voted for the quiz and desserts were freaking out and looking at each other. I knew that they didn’t have any ideas, but I moved on with the plan.
“Yakota-san, what would you like to see in the quiz?” (Hiroto)
“Eh? What do I want..?” (Yakota)
“You put quizzes for your first and second choices, so it seems like you really want to do a quiz.”
“Um… I don’t know…” (Yakota)
I knew she wouldn’t have any ideas.
“Tanimaru-san, you voted for desserts. Do you have any ideas?”
“I thought that the other classes might have a coffee shop, so I feel like desserts would sell well with yakisoba and takoyaki in the festival. Since they would want something as a palate cleanser.” (Tanimaru)
“Okay, thank you. Let’s do a majority vote now. Everyone raise your hands!” (Hiroto)
As expected, it was an overwhelming victory for desserts. After all, who would be satisfied with taking quizzes during a festival?
“It seems like everyone has agreed to do desserts. We need to decide on what food to make. We shouldn’t do anything too elaborate, something simple that everyone could make would be nice. Do any of you have suggestions?”
“Yoshizumi-kun, do you have a minute?” (Tanimaru)
“Tanimaru-san, what is it?” (Hiroto)
“I was thinking of making chocolate bananas. It’s simple and even the boys can help out during the festival.”
Our class ended up deciding on chocolate bananas. It was a good choice since everyone could do it, and even the students who had studies and clubs could help out without needing much experience. Suzuki-senpai seemed satisfied with the results.
Takahashi-san and I finished making our report to the festival committee, and I proceeded to my club activities.
“Yoichiro, pass me the ball. The physiotherapist said I could throw the ball if I only used my upper body. I’m afraid that if I don’t practice, I’ll lose the feelings in my fingers.” (Hiroto)
“I don’t mind, as long as you stay within the limits of rehabilitation. Also, are you coming to the game on Saturday?” (Yoichiro)
“I’m coming to the game, but my check-up is scheduled to happen right after it.”
I went to the clubroom with Yoichiro and watched Takuma and the seniors practice pitching. Something was on my mind, so I asked them about it.
“What are you guys doing for the festival?” (Hiroto)
“We’re doing a haunted house. Everyone in the class seems to be into it and they are all helping out in the decorating.” (Yoichiro)
“We’re going to sell hot dogs! Although there is a dispute over where to put up the stand…” (Senior #1)
“I see, it’s not easy, is it?” (Hiroto)
“My group is going to make takoyaki! The old man at the park made me his apprentice!” (Takuma)
It seems that the others already knew what they were going to do… I hope Takuma has the same energy playing baseball as he does talking.
I was planning on meeting Ko-chan for the festival tickets tomorrow, so I went home to plan out the schedule.
The next day, after rehabilitation, I met Ko-chan in front of a convenience store near Toko High.
“Hiro! Sorry, did I make you wait? I’m glad to see that your cast is off!” (Saito)
“Nope, I just got here from rehab.” (Hiroto)
“Here’s your ticket. Let me know if you’re coming on Saturday or Sunday.”
“All right, thanks for the invitation.”
“I’ll meet you there! The director wants to talk to me about my career choices.” (Saito)
“Career? Are you going to college or going professional?”
“If I could go professional, I would. But the director told me that I needed to go to college to improve my skills.” (Saito)
Ko-chan ran straight back into Toko High…
I’ve never really thought about a career path. I went into high school to play baseball, and I’m doing well on my studies. I’ll have to think seriously about it this summer.
As I was deep in thought, I heard a voice calling out to me.
“Eh? Yoshizumi-kun? What are you doing in a place like this?”
A girl I was familiar with approached me from behind.
“Oh. Hello, Aizawa-san. I was just thinking about something.”
“Thinking? You’re on the wrong side of the station if you want to get to school, you know?” (Haruka)
“I was meeting Saito-san from Toko high. You know, the guy I bumped into during the game.” (Hiroto)
“I see… was it about your leg again?”
“No, he gave me some tickets to your school’s festival. Some guys from the baseball team wanted to meet me.”
“Oh, you’re coming… to the festival…” (Haruka)
“I’m also on the festival committee, so I wanted to see what the festivals were like. I was just about to head home… do you want to come with me to the station?” (Hiroto) TLN: Wait, could this be development?
I suddenly remembered something.
“Oh. I forgot that other students from Toko High might see us together.”
“I don’t care if they see us. Come on, let’s go.” (Haruka)
I was conspicuous because I didn’t belong to Toko High. Since Aizawa-san would be walking with me, we would draw even more attention. …Oh well.
“All right. Let’s go.” (Hiroto)
I had strange feelings when Aizawa-san and I walked along the school route of Toko High. The hospital and central park were close by, and it was more convenient than Saijo High School.
As we made our way to the station, we felt the stares from the Toko High students walking nearby. Suddenly, as I looked at the central park, I saw the field inside.
“Aizawa-san, I’m going to stop by the park for a bit.” (Hiroto)
“The park? What will you be doing?” (Haruka)
“You see that field over there? It’s a place I stop by on my way home from the hospital, and I wanted to see if it would be a good place to practice baseball.”
“Hm… Yes, then I’ll go with you.”
For some reason, Aizawa-san seemed to be coming too, so we decided to go to the park together…