Chapter 138Gears are Starting to Move
(TL Note: This is the first chapter of the Part Six of this Web Novel.)
The actual contact between me and the "external collaborator" would be tomorrow afternoon. After school, I went to the Student Council Office. In the midst of all this, all I could think about was the first part-time job I'd ever done in my life, back when I was still in my second-year of middle school.
'How come you think that you could do it well?'
Everyone at my part-time job told me that. At the time, I didn't tell anyone that I was in middle school, and I was so caught up in my guilt and "minor status" that I made things difficult for myself. Maybe I still do, but I just remember that it was so blatant that it annoyed me. Even so, the reason I was able to continue working until the midterm of my third-year of middle school was probably because the team at the place that picked me up was still new, and I started with very little to remember.
This is the first time I've used a computer properly. A system that is being put together. Unlike when I used it at school, everything I did had a clear purpose, and it didn't take long for me to get hooked on it, of course besides Natsukawa. I know that I probably shouldn't say this because I was paid a part-time wage, but for me, who didn't participate in any club activities due to inertia, it was something that made me grow more than anything else.
The knowledge from that time is still imprinted in my mind. How could I utilize that knowledge and get involved in this Cultural Festival project? At least, I didn't think I had enough information to make things easier.
As I quickened my pace and approached the Student Council Office, I realized that it was noisy.
'—!'
'— up!—!'
"Big Sis...?"
It's not unusual... ...but it's been a long time since I've heard Big Sis' loud voice. As I quickened my pace, I saw a blonde girl whom I sometimes met in front of the Student Council Office approaching Big Sis.
"B-But if I can do—"
"I don't have time to deal with you!!! Get out of my way before you get in my way!"
"...!"
Shinonome—Somewhat Marika. As usual, she was a young lady whose full name I still can't remember. Although she had a stand-out appearance, I felt that I had never had a meaningful conversation with her. Even so, it was a pity, because it made Big Sis show her emotions. This brings out the essence of a female figure similar to the one of a few years ago.
Shinonome, who was pressed in front of her as if she was being threatened, changed her expression in frustration, and with a graceful movement like a young lady, left the location, then headed towards the west building.
"I saw something that made me nostalgic."
"...Wataru."
"I understand that you're upset, Big Sis, but is it that bad?"
"Shut up..."
The deep pursuit was indeed dangerous. Big Sis' boiling point suddenly jumped from one moment to the next. If she has even the slightest bad feeling, then keep quiet. At times like this, it would be best to talk things out without emotion so that she can clear her head.
"...What? What do you need?"
"There's something I want to know."
"..."
Big Sis narrowed her eyes at me. I don't like it when you look at me suspiciously like that. I'm here to help you complete your work.
♦
The work of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee had been delayed, and the other Student Council officers had left the Student Council Office and were working on activities called "outside the Student Council Office". I rarely hear about "outside the Student Council Office" activities in this school, anyway... ...I feel that this school is not normal...
"...Why do you want to do this?"
"You're the one who originally tried to get me to help you, right?"
"Because it's just an unimportant work..."
"No, I feel that you sent me some important documents..."
Seriously? Is it just an unimportant work? I thought the people here, including Big Sis, would have prepared something serious that I should do. It's kind of disappointing, it's like when a minor antagonist supporting a character that you thought was very important turns out to be just a nuisance in the end.
"...Why are your eyes so motivated?"
"Because I'm looking forward to the reward."
"Hayato's lunchbox? Aren't you bored with it?"
"That's not true, you were just talking about something extravagant..."
Eh? Will I get tired of that lunchbox someday? I think this lunchbox is at least 200 times better than meat buns. It's a luxury when I think that I'll get this lunchbox more than buying Ekiben (homemade lunchboxes at the train station) every day... ...That's a lie, I take back my previous statement. That's the reward of labor. Yeah, it's a natural right for me. After all, Yuuki-senpai wasn't the one who made the lunchbox in the first place.
My purpose of coming here. This is my preparation for the Cultural Festival Executive Committee. My role and Ishiguro-senpai's is to act as a bridge. Ishiguro-senpai can provide the information we need to understand the current state of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee. When I asked him what I should do, he said in a reluctant voice, "Just do what you can do.". That's what bothered me the most.
I checked the data I received on my smartphone first. What works did the Cultural Festival Executive Committee have to complete as a whole? How many steps does it take? What was highly sensitive? Based on that information, I would answer any questions I had in the Student Council so that I could easily research at this time. I think Yuuki-senpai and Big Sis always try to do things that are quite complicated because they avoid all this.
"I'm going home now."
"Huh?"
"No, you see. I think the Student Council has stopped working because of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee, so I don't think you guys need me at all."
"...You can do whatever you want. After all, you were an outsider from the start."
"Okay. See you then."
When I felt that I had calmed down, I thought about my position again. I helped the Student Council like some kind of servant for Big Sis. But this time is different, this is the result of an agreement with Yuuki-senpai — this is a contract. Big Sis has nothing to do with this. Yuuki-senpai said that if this was discovered by Big Sis, then in the end, Big Sis would hit him, so there was no need to reveal the situation to her.
On my way home, I passed by a classroom to see how the Cultural Festival Executive Committee was doing. I stopped and peeked from a distance, but I couldn't see Natsukawa who was sitting at the edge of the corridor. Well, let's just say that she's working hard quietly, and meticulously right now.
"Oh, so tired!"
"I don't want to do anything anymore."
"─!?"
I almost cried out. I didn't expect that someone would come out from inside at times like these...?
As I was frightened, I looked at the "two girls and Sasaki" in front of the classroom, and that's right, Sasaki noticed me and looked at me with a look that said, "Why are you here...?".
"Sajou, why are you...?"
"No, I was just on my way home after running a short errand."
"What's wrong? Is he Taka's classmate?"
"Eh? How come? Didn't you come here before?"
"It was when I was made a servant by the Student Council."
You girls may not remember, but I assure you that I have seen you twice. The first time was when I helped Shinomiya-senpai during the registration for the school visit trial during the summer vacation. The next and last time was a few days ago when I came to pick up Hasegawa-senpai's assignment report. So he was called "Taka" by his senpai-s.
"Are you guys taking a break? I think that's a lot of work."
"Are we taking a break? No, we're just avoiding a tough assignment."
"That's right. I can't stand being forced to do such nonsensical works."
"Heh... ..."Is that so?""
I responded while looking at Sasaki. As if he understood what I was trying to say, Sasaki looked at me sharply with a sour face and a guilty look. Maybe it's because I'm used to seeing Yuuki-senpai and the other Student Council members, but even though I see Sasaki's "usually good-looking" side, he's still not very good-looking to me. Because of seeing Sasaki like this, if I look in the mirror later, I'm sure I'll be desperate...
"I mean, we're members of the Soccer Club, right? I don't know why I belong to this place when I have the duty as Club Manager. I can't spend much time meeting Taito either. Oh, Taito is the Captain of the Soccer Club."
"Stop bragging about your boyfriend. Huh... ...I thought this place would be a lot more fun."
"Haha."
"..."
Natsukawa said. Not that they were bad people. She said that they joined this activity in the first place. Yeah, if that's the case, I can understand the situation, and although it's not a good reason to back out, I won't try to persuade them with strong words.
But.
"—Oh, but I think things will be changed a little from the beginning of next week, so can you guys stop doing "that"?"
"Huh?"
"Eh?"
"The Student Council will start taking action. I think things will get better. If that's the case, you guys have nothing to complain about, right?"
"H-Hey, Sajou..."
In my opinion, I did try to warn them, but I don't think Sasaki thought so. I thought he was just standing behind me like a goldfish turd, but then he came forward and pushed my shoulder as if he was protecting the two of them who were staring at each other blankly.
"What do you think you're doing that for? You're not even a member of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee, and what's more, you're talking to my senpai-s..."
"What do you think you're doing that for, d*mmit?"
"What...?"
A leader who is unable to perform her duties. An endless pile of unfinished works. It's only natural that you'd be fed up with it. However, that doesn't mean it's a good reason to be lazy, but compared to Natsukawa's words, I think they fall into the "Talk to them and they'll understand" category. All I can say to them is what I just said.
But this boy, Sasaki is a bit different.
"Sasaki, you're a member of the Cultural Festival Organizing Committee, right? Is there anything you can tell me?"
"B-But! Sajou is an outsider, right? No need to do unnecessary things!"
""Unnecessary things"?"
I wonder if Sasaki would be bothered if I interfered with the way the Cultural Festival Executive Committee operates. If it went well and the Cultural Festival Executive Committee could feel at ease with it, would it be a problem for him?
"Hey, Sasaki. By "unnecessary things", you mean, for example, "following Natsukawa", right?"
"!"
"I think your works are quite a lot. I think you guys are pushing things on her too much. There is no way I didn't help her a few days ago. "When you guys weren't in this place"."
"D-D*mn you..."
I understand that it's hard for him to fight against his senpai-s. However, if Sasaki's feelings for Natsukawa were no greater than that, then it's another story. As far as that goes, I don't like the idea of how dare he try to win Natsukawa's favor with that level of support. I have no intention of supporting him at all in the future, and I think it's just a failure at the highest level.
"Sasaki... ...Why do you want to be a member of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee?"
"Ugh...!"
I still remember when this boy, who was running for the Cultural Festival Executive Committee, looked at me with a certain intention in mind. Where did his desperations back then go? If he was doing this with ulterior motives, wasn't there some sort of favoritism here? Didn't he think that he was trying to attach to Natsukawa with such determination that he wouldn't let anyone touch her? Well, it's maybe just my abnormal attitude back then...
"Okay, then, there's something I need to do."
"..."
No, hahaha. That's a bad personality. Bullying a good-looking boy is so much fun, huh? It's a great way to deal with my daily jealousy and envy — After all, I did feel jealous of him, anyway... ...I suddenly felt like a loser.
Yeah, forget it. I have something to do right now. I don't care if he's a good-looking boy or just an ordinary boy. We're both ugly when faced with Big Sis' fists. We would both say "I can't see anything in front of me!", and we would get the same face.
"—Do your best. "Soccer"."
"..."
Come on, let's hurry home.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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