Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 2: The Girl Beside

Act 3

Even though it was not even July yet, when I went to the school that day, I saw a bamboo branch standing in the entrance.

Akanedai High School used to be an all-girls school until a few years ago. The students had been decreasing, so to combat that, they renewed the uniforms, remodeled the buildings and expanded the facilities.

Due to the renovations at that time, there were several neat little places on campus that are popular with girls. This place is no exception. After entering the entrance and changing shoes at the shoe closet, you will find an open space.

A tanabata bamboo branch was standing there.

It was not there when I left yesterday, so the student council must have been busy putting it up after 6:00 pm.

I had no feeling of reminiscence from seeing the bamboo. After all, last year I was a freshman and had only been in school for three months. All the school events were new to me, so they passed by in a blink of an eye. Next year feels like a long time away.

“Makabe-kun.”

As I was staring at the bamboo, a voice called out to me from behind. It was Takinami Ruika.

“Oh, Takinami-senpai. Good norming.”

“Good morning.”

We both greet each other with our masks on.

Takinami-senpai stood beside me and looked up at the bamboo in the same way.

“It’s here this year again.”

“Yes.”

Of course, I’m not as deeply moved as Takinami-senpai.

Looking around, there’s a desk by the wall with strips of paper and several pens. I guess the idea was to write your wishes on the strips of paper and tie them to the bamboo branches. The more I think about it, the more I realize that this is just a whatever event.

Turning my attention back to the bamboo branches again, I saw that several strips of paper were already hanging. They seemed to be related to grades or entrance examinations. It must be because the final exam is coming soon. How diligent. But more mischievous things are going to be on it soon.

“Are you going to write anything, Takinami-senpai?”

“Secret.”

When I asked her about it, she replied with a mischievous smile.

“At this kind of thing, it’s best if you don’t tell anyone.”

So she might not write anything, or she won’t tell the contents?

“How about you, Makabe-kun?”

“Nothing in particular.”

I’m not Hasumi-senpai, but I’m not the type to participate in this kind of event either.

“Why not? How about writing, ‘I hope I get a wonderful girlfriend’ or something?”

Takinami-senpai giggles.

“I’d like to be able to handle that on my own, without asking Orihime.”

“I guess so. It’s true that you don’t have to ask for help, but they might be nearby. Like right next door.”

Takinami-senpai stated meaningfully.

I looked to the side. Of course, it was the opposite side from where she was.

“Unfortunately, I don’t see anyone next to me.”

“Shizuru, you…”

Takinami-senpai murmurs in a voice only I can hear. She turned her face toward me. It’s not that her face only changes when we are alone, but somehow I thought it did just now.

As I looked at her face sideways, I suddenly remembered Kanata-senpai’s words.

“Be true to your own feelings, huh…?”

“Did you say something?”

Takinami-senpai tilts her head.

“Real talk―”

Deciding that a response to her question is unnecessary, so I cut her off.

“I know you’re right beside me. So I don’t need to bother asking.”

“Eh…”

When I replied in such a way that the others could not hear me, Takinami-senpai froze.

It is said that in Tanabata, it’s Orihime who makes it come true, but in actuality it’s yourself. If so, is the act of writing one’s wish on a tanzaku a pledge or a declaration of one’s determination? I don’t intend to deny the act of writing down one’s wishes, and in fact, I approve of it. However, I would like to refrain from doing so.

“The question is, am I qualified to take the first step?”

It’s certain that Makabe Shizuru likes Takinami Ruika. I’m just not sure if it’s real or not. Still, I have to face these feelings and come to a conclusion.

I left the frozen Takinami-senpai behind and turned my body toward the classroom.

“Hey, Shi… Makabe-kun, what do you mean by t―?”

She immediately came to her senses and tried to chase after me. However, her behavior was so out of character for her, which made everyone look at her, so she gave up for the time being.

§§§

Lunch break.

I had lunch with Karube Kagemitsu and Heshikiri Sakura-san―after that, I went together with Karube to the cafeteria to get coffee, and it was unexpectedly packed in front of the vending machine. Naoi Kyouhei’s group also came to the vending machine at the same time.

“It’s fine. Go ahead and buy something.”

Naoi stopped a few steps before me and let me go first.

Behind Naoi, Izumikawa clicked his tongue. For him, it’s not right that their leader let someone else go first.

Behind me, Karube snickered.

“You completely stopped eating at the school cafeteria, Makabe. Do you still buy food at the convenience store?”

Naoi talks to me as I buy a can of coffee.

Come to think of it, I had that as my setup. The first time Hasumi-senpai made me lunch, Naoi invited me to the school cafeteria, and I quickly said no.

“No, I have packed lunch now. My auntie makes it for me everyday.”

In this case, I wondered if Hasumi-senpai was the aunt. I saw the image of her mouth twitching in my mind’s eye, so I apologized to her inwardly.

“I see. I was wondering if you would call on me again when you got tired of eating lunch boxes at the convenience store. If it’s packed lunch, we won’t be eating together anymore.”

Naoi laughed, a little disappointed.

“Thanks. See ya.”

I take out a can of coffee, put it in my mouth, and give up my position to Naoi.

And that is when it happened. As Naoi was about to step forward in front of the vending machine, he noticed something.

“Hasumi-senpai!”

I was taken aback by his words.

I turned around and saw Hasumi-senpai in the doorway of the cafeteria. She’s accompanied by several friends. It’s her group.

Hasumi-senpai came this way when she heard Naoi’s voice. She probably intended on going to the vending machine from the beginning, so she didn’t have to change the direction she’s looking at.

“Aren’t you Naoi-kun? It’s been a while.”

“It’s been a while.”

The two exchange words. They seem to know each other. They’re both at the top caste on campus, so it’s not surprising that they interact with each other.

But I’m a little concerned.

Naoi Kyouhei is smart and stylish. He’s always calm and relaxed. But there’s something childish about him now. If I had to use a metaphor, I would say that he’s hiding an uncontrollable excitement at meeting a celebrity he really admires.

Hasumi-senpai glanced at me. Since it will look a bit shameless if I greet her with “Hi”, I just bowed my head. Hasumi-senpai smiled and slightly raised her hand in response, as if she felt the same way.

“We’re in the same school, but it’s surprising how often we don’t see each other.”

“I know right?”

“Naoi, are you close with Hasumi-senpai?”

It would be strange to stand idly next to them or to walk away in silence, so I tried to join in with some bland talk.

“Yeah, Senpai and I were in the same middle school. Since we’re both in a sports club, we see each other on the field.”

“Is that so?”

I heard that Hasumi-senpai was in the track and field club. I wonder where Naoi was? Now he’s in the handball club, but I don’t think there’s much of that in middle school.

“She was a high jumper, and she had such a beautiful figure. I used to look so much that the older members of the club would scold me for it”

“That was a long time ago. And I was angry too. You’re always looking at me.”

Naoi spoke enthusiastically, and Hasumi-senpai chuckled.

It seems that Naoi didn’t know that she was angry and said, “Seriously?”

One person from his group said, “Kyouhei, how lame.” Naoi replied with a laugh, “Shut up.”

Ah, I see. So that’s how it is. Thinking back, when we discussed who was cuter, Takinami-senpai or Hasumi-senpai, Naoi was in favor of Hasumi-senpai. This made it even more difficult for me to talk about my relationship with Hasumi-senpai.

“Hasumi-senpai, you live close to Makabe, right?”

Perhaps sensing that the mood was worsening, Naoi changed the subject.

Crap. I hadn’t shared that info with Hasumi-senpai yet.

“Un? Ah, so that’s how it is.”

She tilted her head for a moment, then nodded her head as if she came to a conclusion. It wasn’t that far-fetched, so she would probably go along with it.

“Me and Makabe-kun are―”

“Shion-chan, you’re curious about Librarian-kun, right?”

“Bfuh”

Hasumi-senpai couldn’t help but gush at the voice that suddenly interrupted her. Voices around were saying, “Huh?”, “What?”

The person behind that voice earlier was a petite girl―Shiiba Akane, one of Hasumi-senpai’s friends.

“N-n-no, y-you’re wrong. What are you saying?”

Hasumi-senpai blushed and stuttered.

Her splendid flurry drew stares from those around her.

“Hasumi-senpai, Hasumi-senpai, no one thinks it’s true. Please calm down.”

“Eh? Ah, I guess so.”

Hasumi-senpai takes one deep breath.

After all, we are siblings. We know better than anyone else that’s not happening. But if we got flustered, we would look even more suspicious.

Hasumi-senpai glared at Shiiba-senpai.

“So! Why! Are! You! Always! Like! This!”

Then, she grabs her head with both hands and begins to shake it with all her might. And from Shiiba-senpai’s mouth―

“Aughh…” A small scream escapes. So she was saying things like that all the time? If that’s the case, then Hasumi-senpai should just get used to it.

Naoi was laughing at Hasumi-senpai, who had begun to tighten up Shiiba-senpai. I called out to him.

“Naoi, just now―”

“I know. Shiiba-senpai is just that kind of person.”

I was relieved that he didn’t take her word seriously.