Chapter 59Knives in the Air
(TL Note: Just sayin', if you are a manga version reader, it is highly recommended that you start reading from this chapter, and let's just pretend you only read up to Chapter 21, what's the reason? Because starting from this chapter, the plot of the manga does skip the plot of the original work, which is the Web Novel)
"─Tabata, I heard that cram school is difficult, right? I'll take your place, then."
At the suggestion from Sasaki, Tabata replied "Y-Yes..." and looked down as if disappointed. He felt defeated by the central character in the class and unintentionally nodded his head. And, I was also annoyed that Ootsuki-sensei was looking at Sasaki as if she was in awe.
"Ah, is that okay? I'm grateful that Sasaki-kun is willing to do it for us, but... will your Soccer Club Activity be okay?"
"Yes, we don't have any regular players for the first year, so we'll be fine."
What was that Rock-paper-scissors game for...? In a short time, Sasaki was assigned to represent the boys. Now the boys were represented by Sasaki and the girls were represented by Natsukawa, a combination of a hottie and a Goddess. I couldn't hide my annoyance at Sasaki's overly bold behavior. It's too good to be true, isn't it?
I mean, it's scary. I already know how he feels about Natsukawa, so his motives are obvious, but others might label him as a 'handsome guy who cares about the busy, diligent student and overcoming his problems'. If Sasaki and Tabata were in the opposite position, they would be labeled as 'show-offs boy who suddenly get involved'. This is the difference between a "not-hottie and a hottie.
"Wow, Sasakin is handsome!"
"Hmm, ..., I'll replace Natsukawa, then."
"Shut up, you cold tsukemen*."
(TL Note: Tsukemen is a Japanese dip noodle.)
"Cold Tsukemen?"
Is that some kind of insult? I think it's an insult, an eyewitness telling the story. If that's the case, I'm a guy who's been insulted harshly. Hey, stop it, don't look at my face like I just woke up from a dream. I've always been a realist, you know.
"Tabata, at least say thank you to him."
"Huh..., T-Thank you."
"No, I don't mind it I want to do it myself, so don't worry, good luck with your cram school."
"Y-Yeah."
Whoa...
Yasuda, who was sitting nearby, blamed and ostracized him for being silent, Tabata finally thanked Sasaki with a frightened attitude. In response, Sasaki threw a cynical smile at him with a face that looked like it was killing mushrooms*. Hey, please stop...
(TL Note: Super Mario Bros. reference?)
It's hard to describe this feeling, it's so disgusting. The bad impression I had when I reluctantly lost the Rock-paper-scissors battle was easily dispelled. Before I realized it, all I felt was a miserable impression. No matter what I did, I felt like I was going to be on the wrong side. People who are cornered in this kind of atmosphere, for some reason, are more likely to be in the next study institution.
"I don't like this."
"What? You don't like Tsukemen?"
"No, I like Tsukemen, it's delicious."
"Hmm, you've already tried it."
Yes. ...What's wrong with this girl? Don't use Class B* food, which you think is delicious, as a metaphor for a three-eyed b*stard. ...Oh, Class B? Is that what you mean? Huh? That's a very good metaphor, isn't it? It's just one ordinary phrase.
(TL Note: According to the MC, what Ashida meant was Class B food, but it turned out to be related to their class, Class 1-B.)
"Please take care of me, Natsukawa!"
"Yeah, please take care of me, too, Sasaki-kun!"
Natsukawa smiled back at Sasaki. Seeing that, I felt a pain in my heart. I knew the reason. It's sad when your idol favorite member is involved in a scandal. I guess it's much worse than the feeling of betrayal and so on, that maybe the thought of "being a guy she doesn't even know" might be a bad thing. I've never been an idol fan, so I don't know. Let's just say it's like that.
I calmed myself down and shut down my slowly leaking emotions. I could stay calm more than I thought, and it seemed that I could switch easily, so I'll just pretend it never happened. If she's my idol, there's no point in wishing for happiness that money can't even buy. Besides, that doesn't mean Sasaki and Natsukawa will be like that. As long as Natsukawa is happy, I'm fine with that too.
"Yeah, the two of them look good together, don't they...?"
"Oh, that's right."
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
I thought I had given a normal response, but Ashida looked at me as if she was very surprised. What's with that reaction...? ...At the very least, I also have normal feelings, you know? Natsukawa and Sasaki do look good together, don't they?
"Sajocchi, ...how can you be that normal?"
"No... ...it's true."
"..."
Well, it's not that I don't understand why Ashida would put on such a dubious face. Ashida has seen my approach to Natsukawa up close. Isn't it strange that I'm not showing any reaction here? No, it's been a long time since I started sorting out my feelings.
Come to think of it, when I was still approaching Natsukawa, Ashida was more the type to encourage me with amazement and awe. At that time, she was so excited that I took "somewhat serious" as "serious". I was blinded by all sorts of things... although until now, my affection for Natsukawa hasn't changed.
"Since they are indeed so good together that you don't even make a sound, then I can only agree, right."
"Umm, what a loser."
"D*mn you."
This girl... she said that casually. She did feel disgusted seeing a guy who was a complete loser, with no joke... ...Shouldn't you be more sensitive? I'm a loser, I already know that, so the damage is already done. It's hard to limit my heat feelings. It's as dangerous as boiled dumplings that are still hot.
"Huh... -Ah?"
As I sighed at the misfortune of the "not-so-hottie", which is, me, I felt a strong gaze from the center of the end of my sight. I turned my head and saw Sasaki looking at me with a triumphant expression on his face... I already knew that. Don't raise your chin like you're telling me what to do, you're making a cute face.
It's so blatant that it makes me calm down. ...I'm not trying to stop you, but what's the point of competition? That hottie (ikkemen) who teased the Tsukemen..., Just approach her as you please. ...Why are you trying so hard to provoke me? Are you trying to motivate me? What kind of motivation is that? ...It's none of your business.
On the contrary, it feels like a fire that's been extinguished... I don't know, it should upset me, what's wrong...?
Oh, yeah, there's no such thing as a bad guy with a dark-skinned yandere little sister. I can't see a good future for them, so I won't take offense at that. Because it's not too late to get married.
Sasaki... ...Just live like a strong man, okay? I'm not too sure about Natsukawa, but other than that I'm rooting for you guys. Be careful not to make any mistakes. ...Ah, well, I must report regularly. If I tell Sasaki it's too late, he'll be in danger and he'll throw up sugar when he brags about his little sister. Who is it, Yuki-cha-?
♦
"I've been waiting for you, Sajou."
"Ah, I'm sorry, I have to go to the cram school today."
"Wait, wait, wait...! You don't have a cram school!"
Just as I was about to leave, Shinomiya-senpai was waiting for me at the shoe locker. She's been waiting for me to come to her. Is she that interested in me?
I had a bad feeling about this, so I tried to look like I was rushing through the crowd by imitating Tabata's way, but she was very sure and said, "You can't possibly be in the cram school", then grabbed my arm. I might have a cram school, you know... ...Don't judge a book by its cover.
"Alright, I understand your concern, but wait. I'm not here to forcibly recruit you anymore. So don't waste your time refusing me. Or I'll tie you up with a rope later."
"I got it, I got it! I won't run away anymore, so can you stop doing that?"
When the President of the Disciplinary Committee, Shinomiya-senpai, seems like she's going to try to clean up the naughty students by arresting random male students. When I was taken to the counseling room that time, I was like, "Eh, what the heck is that?". I mean, I can't even move my arms!
I tried to relax and she let go of my hand as if she understood. I looked at her with annoyance that she had done something so confusing. If this happens, I'll use my position as an attorney to be strict...
"So, what's up this time?"
"Oh, no, you see, I think I'm going to train weaklings who are prone to colds this summer."
Did the President of the Disciplinary Committee want to pick a fight with me?
Huh? Why are you making that "How about you say thank you?" face? I don't know what to say when you call me a weakling in front of me. What do you mean by training, are we going to do some kind of martial arts? Muscle training? Are you going to split my stomach? I'm scared that my stomach will gonna split.
"Ah. Is Inatomi-senpai in trouble?"
"What?"
Isn't it too funny?
I don't want any trouble. I'll quickly change my shoes here – Ouch...! It's times like this when I can't get my feet into my shoes properly. ...I guess I wear sleepers too often because this is too much trouble...
"Sajou."
"Sorry."
I had no choice but to apologize as she grabbed me like a Bulldog with a loose back. Is this going to be reported to the Student Counseling Room right away? It was just an issue diversionary to trick her by mentioning Inatomi-senpai's name. I'm just a weakling who fell unconscious due to a cold.
"Don't put on that unpleasant look. ...Although you have nothing to do with the Disciplinary Committee, I have trouble sleeping when Kaede's little brother and reluctantly to say, Yuyu's favorite kouhai is sickly."
"No, it's not that I'm physically weak..., but what do you mean by 'reluctantly'?"
Is that all? At this rate, I'm not sure if she has Inatomi-senpai's image in her mind or not. She's so cute. ...I call her a "child" even though she's my senpai. What are you going to do after your graduation? Are you going to go crazy because you can't depend on Yuyu-paisen anymore?
Defendant Shinomiya smiled as if to say that it was natural. I don't like hotties, why do they get so angry even when they're ordinary girls? ...I get stares from the girls around me.
"Alright, let's just say you've been fooled and just come with me. Think of it as my intervention, okay?"
"Huh...?"
It's strange, isn't it? Am I going to be restrained again? I mean, this feels like an arm lock, doesn't it? I already know why I don't like this girl. It's because she's in the same category as Big Sis. I feel like she's just as strong as Big Sis. Or maybe it's because of this Senpai's training that increased Big Sis' attack strength over the past few years.
What am I going to do now?
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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