Chapter 14 – Lunch Break Isn’t Restful…?

The three-legged race was entering its final stretch, and we were up next before the anchor leg.

“Looks like we can place third… you think we can do it?”

“Yes! Absolutely. With Ren-san and me together, there’s no way we can lose.”

Fortunately, the gap between us and first place wasn’t too wide.

With our coordination, I thought we could manage it.

“Huff… huff… I’m counting on you both!”

I took the relay baton and kicked off with an enormous first stride…!

—————————

“Huff… huff… we were so close…”

We ended up finishing in second place.

Our coordination was incredible—we blew past the person in third in no time—but we couldn’t overtake the person in first.

Precisely because it was so close, the regret stung.

“That was close…”

“Ugh, so frustrating…”

“It’s a shame we didn’t win… but working together with Ren-san toward a single goal was fun.”

Even though we’d lost, she said this with an oddly refreshed expression.

A single bead of sweat traced down her forehead, gleaming in the light.

“Yeah, maybe someday this will become a good memory too.”

“Yes, it will…! And besides…”

She took another step closer.

Our faces were nearly touching, the air between us charged.

“I was happy that Ren-san let me… touch you up close like that.”

“W-Wait! That’s a misunderstanding…!”

It was unavoidable contact because of the three-legged race format…! That’s what I tried to explain.

“Oh? Ren-san was so focused you didn’t even notice…? And here I was, the only one feeling embarrassed… how unfair…”

She wrapped her arms around herself, her cheeks flushed red. Wait… did I actually touch somewhere I shouldn’t have…?

That thought struck me, and my reaction was instantaneous.

I dropped to one knee, bowed my head, and—moving at the speed of sound—

“I’m sorry!!”

I performed a full dogeza apology at sonic velocity.

If the other person felt touched inappropriately, then it was inappropriate—operating under that principle, my reaction was swift.

“Tee-hee, I was only joking. Please, lift your head.”

Phew…

I’d been so focused that there really was a chance I’d touched something. I needed to stop losing awareness of my surroundings when I concentrate.

“However… if you ever want to touch me, just say so. I’m always welcome to it.”

She laughed happily, leaving that parting bomb as she walked away.

I really couldn’t beat Suzu-san at this game.

—————————

Time moved forward. Lunch break.

After competing in several events and accumulating exhaustion, I’d tried to rest my body, but…

“Long time no see.”

“…It’s been a while…”

“Seeeenpaaai!”

“Aha ha…”

“That looks delicious~!”

Chaos had erupted around me.

I’d made plans to eat lunch with both Iroha and Suzu-san. Hikari was also coming if she could make it.

“Senpaaai… I’ve been looking for you~”

Kasumi-chan had shown up too, complaining as she bounded over.

Not that I didn’t want her here, but… the atmosphere between Suzu-san and Iroha was getting a bit…

“Senpai… here, say ‘ahhh’… what do you think…?”

Nom.

And now I was being hand-fed fried chicken.

Actually, this fried chicken hit my taste preferences perfectly—it was delicious!

“Senpai, you do like this flavor~”

“My, my… Ren-san really is popular… with the ladies, at least.”

“Ren~ try mine too!”

And thus things became complicated.

“Ren, ahhhh…”

“Delicious.”

I’d been worried about Iroha’s cooking, but it turned out better than expected—genuinely tasty. The presentation was a bit rough around the edges, but that gave it its own charm.

“Here, Ren-san.”

“This is really good…”

Suzu-san’s cooking was… how do I put it… refined. The seasoning was minimal, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine through.

“Me too, me too! Ahhh~”

“You didn’t make yours, so quit your complaining and just eat.”

“Ahahaha, help! Ren’s being rough with me~!”

“Don’t say weird things!”

With Hikari going off the rails as usual, I felt the stares from around us intensifying. And we didn’t even need her antics—with four beautiful girls surrounding me, the gazes from the other male students were already unbearable.

“By the way… Hyomuro-san, was it…?”

“…Is there something wrong with me?”

Just as the conversation had settled, Kasumi-chan suddenly spoke up.

“Well, it’s just… during the three-legged race, weren’t you two a little too close? And, well, since Senpai is popular, I was wondering if you were getting the wrong idea…”

“Black-seeded-san, what an interesting thing to say. Being close or not, Ren-san is special to me.”

Uh oh… the atmosphere was turning ominous.

Their eyes were practically crackling with sparks. Both wore smiles, but pressure was leaking from them.

“Also, isn’t Iroha-san a bit too clingy as well? It’s quite hot today, so it would be better if you kept your distance, right?”

“I-I’m not hot at all, so… right, Ren…?”

“U-Uh, yeah… I’m fine…?”

Wait… was Kasumi-chan always like this…?

I’d thought she’d be considerate because she knew about my situation. But she was cutting in without hesitation.

The guilt weighed on me for being indecisive…!

“Ahahaha! Just kidding, everyone~! It was a joke!”

“A-Aha ha… right, it was…”

The tense, prickly atmosphere that had felt ready to explode seemed to dissipate in an instant with Iroha’s response.

“Oh my, Kasumi-san, your jokes really aren’t very good, are they?”

…I thought it had dissipated, but Suzu-san’s comment brought it right back.

“Huh…? Wait, are you serious…? If so, I’m sorry! I just… I want to get closer to everyone soon~”

“Why would you suddenly be serious…? Ah… could it be… you’re jealous of how well Ren-san and I get along? If that’s the case, my apologies… we’re simply too close.”

This was getting too awkward. I should stop it. But I was scared…

Just as I was thinking I really should say something, Hikari—

“Ren~ you’ve got rice on your cheek~ …nom.”

She kissed me.

“…!!!”

Among everyone here, the one person who wasn’t my girlfriend kissed me.

She probably wasn’t thinking about it at all… but the moment froze everything around us into silence.

Did… did that actually help…?

I glanced around nervously.

“…That newcomer girl…”

“Hikari-san… you’ve been getting a bit too cocky lately.”

“…?”