Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 2: Average Day Was Well Off The Average Value

Act 2(2)

After having lunch in the cafeteria which was more lively than usual, I was on my way to the classroom.

“What do you think, Makabe?”

As we walked down the hallway, Naoi suddenly struck up a conversation.

“Between Hasumi-senpai or Takanami-senpai?”

“Yep.”

At this school, whenever guys gather, this topic always comes up. Well, this group in particular seems to bring it up a lot though.

“For me―”

Now, which side should I take?

As I recall, this group was somewhat leaning towards Hasumi-senpai. However, one of them had just had a chance to talk with Takinami-senpai and said that he would switch to that side. Well, it doesn’t change that the majority is still on Hasumi-senpai.

“For me, it’s Takinami-senpai.”

“Look, even Makabe agrees.”

“Hey, what’s with that? Isn’t Hasumi-senpai great? She has a fine body.”

It was Naoi who voiced his protest.

Indeed. I agree with you there, as I have more opportunities to see Hasumi-senpai’s revealing everyday clothes now that I live in the Hasumi household.

“Naoi, better choose your words correctly or you’ll get shunned.

“Oops, I didn’t mean it that way though. I’ll be careful…”

When I pointed it out to him, he smiled as if he was trying to mend the situation.

“I think Hasumi-senpai is also great. Although, I just can’t go along with her vibe.”

I’m not saying this because she dislikes me, but because I have been thinking about this even before Hasumi-san showed up, when I was just watching her from afar. That being said, I can understand why many students like her outgoing attitude.

Well, in the case of Takinami Ruika, they couldn’t be more worlds apart.

My opinion was met with half agreeing with me and the other seeming doubtful. As intended, the topic became even more lively.

“Speaking of which, you and Takanami-senpai seem to know each other.”

“I guess so.”

Another classmate, who was not Naoi, asked me about it, but since I can’t really bluff my way out, I just affirmed it honestly.

“Then, do you talk to Takanami-senpai a lot?”

“Not as much as you think. We just talk a little when she’s by the counter. That’s how we know each other.”

Although, that wasn’t the full story.

However, I wish it had been so. If only she hadn’t seen through me that day, Takinami-senpai could have still been an ideal upperclassman, and I could talk with her over the counter from time to time… it could have been a small happy relationship.

While I was thinking about it, we reached the classroom. Just as we were about to run out of topics, I said my goodbye and parted ways with them.

To begin with, I don’t usually belong in this group, but only when I have to get lunch at the cafeteria. We usually part ways around here.

“Hey, Makabe.”

But, today, I was stopped by his voice.

Naoi Kyouhei.

“Come here, you.”

I think he meant to come over to the “group.”

This group, led by Naoi Kyouhei, was unquestionably at the top of the school caste. Although the main members of the group were not as up as Naoi, they all have the status to match him.

I looked behind him and it seemed like Naoi hadn’t noticed.

Some of the members were talking to a group of girls like it was natural. However, some of them were looking at us from a distance. I wonder if it was wariness or hostility that I sensed.

I return my attention to Naoi.

“Me? I appreciate the offer but I can’t.”

“Whenever you’re around, Makabe. It gets lively.”

“Isn’t that just a coincidence?”

Of course, I do it intentionally. It was easy to get the place going if you think and speak a little.

“Maybe. I was surprised when you first asked me to go to the cafeteria with you, but you, you’re pretty good. It’s not like we have any entrance exams or qualifications to begin with.”

Naoi then laughed.

Exactly. He would probably accept anyone. I can see that even in my case. He has not set up any walls to exclude non-members, and he has that much magnanimity.

“If there was, I’d be rejected immediately at the screening stage.”

I also chuckled.

“Well, I won’t force you… See ya. ”

Then Naoi Kyouhei turned his back to me. He walked over to where his group were, and the girls’ group and his group had merged to form a larger group.

“Now, then―”

And so, I deliberately let out a sound and looked around the classroom, and found it truly silent.

There was a duo of a guy and girl.

A female student with glasses was reading a book, and a male student sitting in front of her was sitting sideways. They seem to be chatting, but there’s no smile on their faces.

Karube Kagemitsu and Heshikiri Sakura.

How do I put it? They have a lot in common with their name. Like about three in common.

I approached them. Also, I’m not intruding. It seems that these two are not dating, and if I belong to any group at all, it’s here.

As I slightly leaned on the desk next to Karube’s, they both looked up and glanced at me.

Both have surprisingly well-defined profiles.

However, both were lacking in personality.

Heshikiri-san, as viewed by the fact that she always read books alone, was quite introverted. Karibe, on the other hand, doesn’t actively try to get involved with others due to his energy-saving nature.

“Lunch, done?”

“Yeah, I just got back.”

From the looks of it, both Karube and Heshikiri-san had finished eating. While our group was having fun and also the case with Takanami-senpai, it seems a lot of time had passed without us noticing. Even Heshikiri-san’s lunch, which he eats very slowly, was already gone.

“I’m surprised you can manage to eat with those people.”

Karube coldly looked at Naoi and company, who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

“They’re not bad people.”

As I mentioned earlier, they were not as exclusive or elective as people around them think they were.

“Facts should be stated accordingly…you mean, Naoi, right?”

“I guess so.”

I vaguely and bitterly smiled for a moment.

“Is the food at the cafeteria any good? I’ve never been there after all.”

And there, Heshikiri-san asked in a low volume voice.

“Please don’t ask. I can’t help but compare it to my mom’s cooking.”

“Ah… I, I’m sorry…”

She lowered her voice even more, and she lowered her head in apology.

“It’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“O-okay… But, are you okay, Makabe-kun? Aren’t you alone?”

“Well, it will work out, I guess.”

When my mom died, I was left alone as a high school student. It was understandable to be concerned. She really has a kind nature.

“I have relatives I can count on.”

It wasn’t the whole truth, but I didn’t lie.

That relative is my father and I only recently found out about it.

“Makabe, I heard you say that you and Hasumi-senpai are now siblings.”

Karube jumped into the conversation.

“It was a joke. A joke. Man, it even reached your ears? I’m not one to tell jokes that aren’t funny.”

I laughed and covered it up.

“It was the guy at Naoi’s group who said it. He went out of his way to make sure everyone could hear him.”

Karube said.

Alright. Seems like I’m really being treated as an enemy. I was reminded of their stares and Naoi’s words.

“…I bet that joke is true, right?”

Suddenly, Karube repeated his words, without changing his tone in any particular way.

“…Why do you think so?”

“You said it yourself. You said it was a joke that’s not funny. You don’t make that kind of joke. If it’s not a joke, it’s the truth.”

“D-do I…?”

Beside me, Heshikiri-san was also rolling her eyes.

I fell into silence.

Fortunately, no one was listening to us. We were not a remarkable group that deserved to be listened to after all.

“Besides, it’s a well-known story that they are a father-daughter family and that the father is a doctor.”

Is that so? I didn’t know that.

But it was a big no-no. Hasumi-senpai just told me this morning, but knowing these two, it would probably be fine.

“As you have perceived, it’s true. But, don’t tell anyone. Hasumi-senpai will get mad at me.”

“Who would have the time for that?”

You don’t seem too busy though. This energy-saving guy.

Heshikiri-san, who was nodding beside me, no offense to her but she doesn’t seem to have anyone to talk to, even if I have to remind her.

“But what’s going on?”

She tilted her head.

She was surprised by the conclusion, but could not imagine the process of how it came to be. Well, it was understandable.

“In other words, my father, who I didn’t know, was also Hasumi-senpai’s father.”

Since I used a definitive proper noun, I lowered the tone of my voice, wary of my surroundings.

“I was born out of an unusual relationship that couldn’t be made public.”

“….”

Heshikiri-san was left speechless.

“S-so that kind of thing happens…huh?”

This was what came out of her mouth. I think her glasses were also slightly off.

“Apparently.”

I can only answer that with a wry smile, since it was actually happening to me.

“I see. I suppose it could work out somehow.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying.”

I gave a nod to Karube’s ambiguous way of putting it.

Perhaps he guessed that I had been taken in by the Hasumi household. But he didn’t verbalize it. Thanks to this, Heshikiri-san also somehow understood our conversation and just let it slide.

As we talked about unimportant things like that, lunch break ended.