Chapter 134What Do You Want to Do?
"Sajocchi. There must be something going on between you and Aichi, right?"
That was the third day after I found out that something was wrong with the Cultural Festival Executive Committee. Ashida found out about the awkward situation between me and Natsukawa. She dragged me to the stairs in a tone that made me think as if she was already convinced, and which inevitably confused me. It seemed strange to Ashida that I wasn't talking to Natsukawa even though we were sitting close to each other in the classroom. After all, she's been avoiding me ever since I helped her unwillingly after school a few days ago. At the very least, Natsukawa doesn't talk to me anymore. I wanted to just turn into a shellfish.
"...How did you know?"
"You guys always seem to put on an uncomfortable face."
Gosh, did I make a face like that? I shuddered at the thought of Natsukawa staring at the back of my head during class. In the morning, I spent most of my time grooming the back of my head. I ended up using two hand mirrors.
"I mean, Aichi looks very clear from her face."
"Eh?"
That's right... ...What? I don't know if it's because I was involved in that or not. I thought it would be more apparent on my face. Maybe it's because I'm sitting in the front seat, but I can only hear what's going on behind me. At least, for now, I can tell if someone is using a mechanical pencil or a ballpoint pen. I think I can also guess the name of the stationery company at this point.
"...Is it possible that she remembers the relationship between us and the whole rejecting and being rejected between us, right? Yeah, that should be obvious, but... ...maybe what happened between us until now was strange."
While I was trying to accept that fact, the atmosphere between me and Natsukawa was getting less and less awkward, but we had more opportunities to interact with each other than before. At first, I asked myself why and why not, but I guess it was because Natsukawa didn't realize that aspect. First of all, Natsukawa's interests were more focused on things like her family.
Love... ...huh? A while ago, I did think, "Is this what love is!", but... ...I feel like there's something wrong this time. Even though I will inevitably get involved again with the girl who dumped me, in the end, I still like her... ...I guess I'm still inexperienced at all in this matter. Although there was a very obvious imbalance between us, knowing that Natsukawa realized it was already worth the effort.
"—I'll probably want to become a full-time employee."
"What did you say just now?"
If it were raining right now, I would be more emotional.
Is this like a goal? Is it like society has been waiting for me after my youth ended? I feel like I've found my new self, and I should start by developing my true self, right?
...Come to think of it, I've often worked too hard. I didn't feel like I was in the middle of anything, let alone in the middle of my new self. I did want to be a full-time employee, but I didn't want to be part of the Student Council or the Disciplinary Committee. Why? Of course, it was because I wanted to be paid, I wanted to be paid.
"I guess that means... ...Sajocchi is doing well right now, right?"
No, I'm not doing well at all. Lately, my wounds have been the most severe in recent times. Does it hurt that much? Besides, I'm already prepared to dive 3 or 4 more times with wounds all over my body. Don't you dare think that I'm a full-time employee! I'm not a full-time employee.
"...That's hard, huh."
"Oh? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, it's just that it's obvious that Sajocchi's turn is over."
"Eh?"
Wait, where did my turn go? I don't even remember describing it. I also hadn't fixed anything and my words were pretty empty. Isn't it bad that I'll be attacked from everywhere?
"Let's go back."
"Oh, okay."
She tugged on my sleeve and I was led back to the classroom. I don't know what's going on, I feel like I've been taken away like this... ...Isn't there something wrong with me lately? I might have been restrained too much by the Student Council, the Disciplinary Committee, and Big Sis. Are they playing a prank on me in various places? I can walk by myself because I'm a primate.
♦
Sometimes the hardest part was getting my seat position. Natsukawa sat on the backmost seat by the window next to the courtyard, and I sat on the seat in front of her. If I attacked her from the front, we would be facing each other, and also if I attacked her from the back, then I would have to attack Natsukawa from the side. What do I mean by "attack"...? ...That's my seat position, okay?
"...Oh-... ...Classical Japanese Literature assignment today, huh?"
"...I-It is, huh?"
As I reluctantly called out to her regardless of her reaction, Natsukawa, who was somewhat surprised, warily responded to me. She seemed to be saying, "So what?". Don't be too cold to me, okay? I'm getting excited, aren't I? What did I do when I said I found a new self before?
The mistake we made was that we called each other from our seat positions. In the end, there was no way out for both of us. Haha, what should we do with this awkwardness? How about we hum again this time? The strategy is to involve not only Natsukawa but also everyone around her and make the situation awkward. Let them cut their flesh and break their bones. If I'm going to get hurt, I'll do it by being conspicuous!
"—Well..."
"!"
Natsukawa's words came indirectly when I was in a good mood. Even if it was just three syllables. The vibration in the air called her voice seeped into my brain marrow. I couldn't help but let my gaze involuntarily fall to her lips, and I was sure that I was seriously ill. Even so, if it's Natsukawa, she can do anything she wants.
"Well... ...I wonder what will happen at the Culture Festival, huh...?"
"..."
Suddenly, the feelings hovering in my gaze subsided. Was it because the words she said while looking at her desk were just because she felt awkward, or was it because she was really worried? As a first-year student, Natsukawa felt a delay in the progress of her tasks, even though she was working on them quietly. There was no way she could do anything about it no matter how enthusiastic she was, but she was in an unreasonable position where she was only being held accountable by fellow first-year student.
If I had known from the beginning that this incomprehensible situation would occur, I might have prevented Natsukawa from becoming a member of the Cultural Festival Executive Committee. How could I be happy with my idol's misfortune?
"Big Sis... ...and the people in the Student Council are working on it."
"...Is that so?"
"Because she's Big Sis, anyway." This doesn't mean she has to do everything right, and it doesn't mean she shouldn't run around like a child at this once-a-year event. I can understand that from looking at her. Because she's a well-defined demon.
But still, to this day, Natsukawa remains a Goddess to me. I think she's a very perfect person with no weaknesses, and I remember seeing her firm attitude towards everything, helping me when I first started working part-time. That's why, when my mind was only on Natsukawa, I often thought about what her flaws and weaknesses were. At that time, I couldn't find the answer, no matter how hard I looked... ...I wondered why I only caught a glimpse of her right now.
—I just want to be near her so that I can protect her.
"You can call me if you need anything, you know!"
"Eh...?"
"Although preparations for our class have already begun, it's not during the lunch break nor after school, and it's not as much work as the Cultural Festival Executive Committee, right? I might have something to do with the Student Council again here, but it's fine if I prioritize one or the other. So for now, I'm happy if you can put aside everything else and just rely on me. I'm used to it."
"You're "used to it", huh...?"
Natsukawa must have remembered the story of my and Big Sis, and probably thought it was inappropriate, so she chuckled as if trying to restrain herself. Really... ...she has pressure points in unexpected places. If I'm treated like that by her, I'd rather leave and be bullied by my big sis.
I don't care about Sasaki. I didn't need to stop myself from laughing out loud. I can't help but want to see the kind of smile that not only makes my heart melt just by looking at it but also makes me feel like my life span has been extended.
At times like this, I laugh at myself for being so naive.
♦
"Wataru, are you okay right now?"
"Hyoe."
Suddenly, I was approached by the Student Council President, Yuuki-senpai. As a result, he looked completely different from the boy I met in the Student Council Office. The deviation of the faces of the people around him was so different that it made his good looks stand out even more. Eh? Does this boy know that he's this tall? I wish he wasn't standing next to me.
When I went to buy some food during my lunch break, this is what I got. There's a theory that this boy used to be a reckless boy based on past statements from Big Sis and also from himself, but seeing this boy leaning against the classroom entrance like this makes me think that this is the remnants of that. What is it? Is that from NON-NO*? If I were a fashion stylist, I would probably choose an off-white scarf.
(TL Note: NON-NO is a fashion magazine.)
"Wh-What's wrong?"
"It's a matter of the last time. It is indeed an urgent matter, so I have invited people from my residence to investigate it."
About the time he said "Investigate it", I heard a reverberating echo from behind me. I tried to say tsukkomi to myself, "That's not what he meant!," in my mind, but I wasn't 100 percent sure. ...That's not it, is it? He didn't say "investigate it", did he?
"It's about sharing information or, you know, there are only a few people I can talk to about it without me having to choose my words. I thought I'd tell you first since you're the person closest to Kaede."
"I have a bad feeling about this..."
"Come here."
When I slowly tried to "state that I didn't want to get involved with him any further" he couldn't understand it. He said that it was a very urgent matter, so it was probably a pretty serious matter. Somehow, he managed to push the button in my head and I followed behind Yuuki-senpai.
...Wait a minute? I know it's a bit late, but why does his waist look so tight when he's wearing the same uniform as me? Are uniform pants usually so loose? Why does everything he wears look so stylish? Does he want to look stylish even when he's performing his duties?
Author's Note: What is it exactly?
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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