[Warning 15+]
Part Five
―Even If, I Can't Treat You with That Same Energy Anymore
Chapter 175
Separate After-School
―Even If, I Can't Treat You with That Same Energy Anymore
Chapter 175
Separate After-School
After school had arrived.
Along with the bell signalin' the end of classes, the entire school suddenly buzzed with noise.
In Haruki's classroom, too, everyone was different: Some headed off to club activities in high spirits, some talked about goin' out somewhere with buddies, and others hurriedly tried to go home.
Quickly packin' her school materials into her bag, Haruki glanced to the side to see Hayato letting out a huge yawn and stretchin' his arms up wide.
Glancin' over, Hayato's flank was left completely unguarded.
Suddenly, a mischievous urge welled up inside Haruki.
"—!"
Holdin' her breath.
Watchin' the situation.
Concentratin' her focus.
Haruki's chance was the brief moment until the yawn ended.
Should Haruki poke Hayato lightly with her index finger, stroke him like a feather, or maybe try givin' him a pinch?
Either way, this was payback for being teased during lunch.
That's how Haruki told herself and justified it.
"Nikaidō-san!"
"Wh—!? Y-Yeah... ...Isami-san?"
Just as Haruki was about to reach out, someone called out from the side.
Startlin' with a slight jump of her shoulders, Haruki turned around to see Isami Ema pressin' her hands together in an apologetic gesture.
"My bad, but do you think you could take my shift today!? A Club Meetin' suddenly got shoved into my schedule!"
"If it's like that, I don't mind at all."
"Wha, thanks! I'll definitely make it up to you!"
Saying that, Isami Ema waved her hand and zoomed out of the classroom.
As Haruki managed a wry smile at Ema's retreatin' back, Haruki's eyes met Hayato's.
Lately, whether it was club activities or part-time jobs, they tended to keep in step with each other.
Especially since the new semester started and Saki arrived, they'd been together constantly.
Well, what should Haruki do now?
As Haruki furrowed her brow, she heard someone callin' her name from down the corridor.
"Nikaidō-san, Shiroizumi-senpai is callin' for you~!"
"Yaho, Nikaidō-san!"
"Huh?"
When Haruki looked over, it was a second-year senpai she often ran into while helpin' out the Student Council. Haruki remembered bein' asked to help out just the other day.
Shiroizumi-senpai waved lightly as she walked over, then pressed her hands together in a quick apology.
"Sorry to spring this on you, but can you help out with that School Festival stuff we talked about the other day? I want you to go around to all the club activities and collect the documents, y'know, just like the Sports Festival back in May! Oh, and this—the parts marked with red lines have already been collected!"
"U-Um—"
"Also, about joinin' the Student Council, I'd be really happy if you'd seriously consider it! See ya!"
Sayin' that, Shiroizumi-senpai shoved a piece of printout into Haruki's hands and left like a storm without waitin' for Haruki's reply.
An accidental double bookin'.
Left behind, Haruki let out a troubled groan, "Ugh."
Just then, Haruki's shoulder was lightly tapped with the back of a hand.
Hayato let out a wry smile as if to say, "Good grief."
"Well, can't be helped, Ms. Honor Student. I'll go take your place at the part-time job."
"Hayato... ...yeah, please do."
"Oh, Nikaidō-san can't make it? That's a problem..."
"Mori-kun?" "Iori?"
Shortly after, Iori approached them with a troubled look, scratchin' his cheek with his fingertip.
"I just got word from home a moment ago, looks like all the other part-timers are off today. That's why I wanted both Hayato and Nikaidō-san to come help out, but..."
Iori let out a "Hah" sigh, soundin' somewhat resigned, as if he'd made up his mind about somethin'.
Both Haruki and Hayato exchanged glances.
Haruki remembered their first day on the job, when just the three of them—Hayato, Iori, and her—barely managed to squeak by.
Still, runnin' things with just two people would be tough.
Lowerin' her eyes to the printout in her hand, Haruki hesitated for a moment.
"I'll turn down Senpai—"
"Well then, how about I go to the shift instead? It's not like I have club activities today, though."
"Oh?" "Kazuki" "—Kaidō!"
Kazuki, who had snuck close without them noticin', raised a hand with a "Yo" and winked.
Kazuki still looked effortlessly cool, causin' Haruki to instinctively furrow her brow.
"I helped out quite a bit during the second half of Summer Break, so I think I'd be decent enough backup, right?"
"Oh, if it's Kazuki, I'm all for it. Plus, the female customers react well to him."
"Ahaha."
"So basically, Haruki, looks like things here are gonna work out."
"...I see."
The discussion was settled, and Hayato flashed a smile, tellin' Haruki to leave it to him.
Right in front of Haruki, the three others besides Haruki were talkin' about the part-time job.
For some reason, it felt like Haruki was bein' left out, and a stingin' pain hit her chest.
The printout in Haruki's hand crumpled and wrinkled.
Then Hayato, with a slightly twisted expression, spoke in a tone as if admonishin' Haruki.
"Keepin' up that disguise is handy in all sorts of ways, right?"
"Yeah, but..."
A disguise.
Bein' a good child.
The one thing Haruki's Mom always wanted from Haruki.
Somethin' Haruki'd realized long ago didn't really mean much anymore.
Even so, just as Hayato said, wearin' that mask was undeniably convenient in some ways.
Especially since favors like this requested by Shiroizumi-senpai were visualized as numbers like internal grades, makin' it all the more so.
Haruki lowered her gaze, her eyes wanderin' between the printout in her hand and Hayato's feet.
Then, as if Haruki were bein' comforted or placated, her head was given a gentle, touslin' pat.
"Don't make a face like that. I'll make whatever you want for dinner."
"―Oh."
Feelin' a lingerin' reluctance as Hayato's palm pulled away, a voice practically begging for more slipped out.
When Haruki looked up, Hayato was smilin' with a weak expression.
Hayato's eyes held a look that seemed to say this wasn't what he really wanted.
Haruki's eyes widened.
So Haruki forcefully suppressed the swirlin' emotions in her chest with pure reason and put on a smile.
"Make me some ratatouille pasta. The one we ate at your place the very first time."
"Oh, got it."
Haruki blurted it out in one breath, made that little plea, and spun around.
Then, without lookin' back, Haruki hurried out of the classroom.
Author's Notes:
Meow~.