Translator: Lilo
Editor: Ryuubii

Chapter 5: Makabe Shizuru Is Not Cut Out For Romance

Act 3(1)

The next day.

Movie viewing day.

As we were not in elementary school, the meeting place is the movie theater in Sannomiya at 9:00 am.

The Hasumi residence is relatively close to the school, but far from Sannomiya. Even so, the meeting time was later than the start of a regular class at school, so I was able to take my time.

A little before 8:00 am, I got ready to leave and went down from my room to the living room.

And even faster than me was Hasumi-senpai. She was reading a book as usual. It might be too late to say this, but she may be an avid reader. Next time I have a chance, I will recommend a book by Soichiro to her.

“You’re quite early.”

“I didn’t need to cook lunch today after all.”

Hasumi-senpai replies as she closes the book.

“Eh? But what about Uncle…?”

He didn’t have any duty last night, so Hasumi-son went home at a normal time. This morning, we ate breakfast together again and he left a little earlier. We don’t need a lunch box, but I’m sure Uncle needs one.

“He said that he didn’t want me to cook just for his portion so he refrained. It looks like he would eat at the hospital cafeteria. It doesn’t make much difference whether I make one or three lunches though.”

Hasumi-senpai chuckles as she says this, but there’s no sound of mockery in her tone. She must have been glad as he was expressing concern for her.

Certainly one and three would not make much difference, but the difference between zero and one is huge. As the numbers indicate, it’s the difference between doing it and not doing it.

I looked at Hasumi-senpai’s attire again.

Today, she seems to be wearing a hoodie and long denim pants. I patted my chest in relief.

“What’s with that reaction?”

And Hasumi-senpai asked. How perceptive… I didn’t intend to show it on my face though.

“N-No, nothing…”

“Whenever you say that, it’s definitely not anything good… Say it.”

“Why would you ask it if you know that it’s nothing good?”

“Don’t complain.”

I chose my words carefully before opening my mouth.

“Ah, thank goodness, she’s not wearing something guys would enjoy, was what I thought.”

“What’s with that?”

The result became a strange statement, and Hasumi-senpai asks back.

“Hasumi-senpai has a good style, so if you were to wear clothes that show off your curves too much, guys would really enjoy it.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is. But saying that, aren’t you also one of those guys who would enjoy it?”

“Well, I won’t deny it.”
“I just don’t like it when the other guys are happy.”

“You’re really honest in the weirdest ways.”

Hasumi-senpai cracked a laugh.

“I’ve always believed that it’s bad to live in a society where honesty is not rewarded.”

And then, for some reason, she starts talking like a sociologist.

“I agree with that.”

It should not be the case that those who live honestly would suffer losses and those who do not would gain.

“Honest people deserve a reward. I’m wearing a rather tight tank top under here, wanna see…?”

Suddenly, Hasumi-senpai utters such a thing while fidgeting with the collar of her hoodie.

The way she said it was somewhat provocative.

“Can I?”

I respond to her provocation, looking her straight in the eye.

“……”

“……”

Hasumi-senpai and I glare at each other.

Eventually,

“Sorry. Can’t.”

“I’m sorry. I will refrain after all.”

We uttered at the same time, as if we had surrendered.

“No, I usually wear it as loungewear, so it should be fine, but showing it myself is a bit different.”

“I’m also not thick-skinned enough to look at it boldly.”

It appears that this match is a draw.

“I’m starting to become like Takinami-san, but I’m surprised she could do something like this.”

Hasumi-senpai said in dismay.

“Come on, stop fooling around and get going.”

“How could you talk about others when you’re also in?”

I was about to turn on my feet as Hasumi-senpai’s words drove me away.

“Ah, that’s right, Shizuru.”

Hasumi-senpai stops me.

“Why don’t you go on a date with Takinami-san on the way home?”

“No, I’d rather not.”

“O-Okay…?”

Hasumi-senpai blinked her eyes at my words, which came out without hesitation.

§§§

When I went to the movie theater in Sannomiya, much less the lobby, even the front of the theater was filled with students from Akanedai High School.

That’s natural. The whole student body is here after all.

There was no way that this many students could watch the film in the same place, and from here we were split up into several screens. I moved to the floor with the screen assigned to my class.

There I found Karube Kagemitsu and Heshikiri Sakura and joined them.

Of course, today’s film is not a trendy one as it’s something to watch as a part of a school class.

Dreams of Russia

Shipwrecked off the coast of Siberia, the Japanese captain sixteen sailors went on a wonderful adventure full of emotions, love, despair, and wonder for nine long years. The film seems to have been produced more than a quarter of a century ago.

“I’ve already read the novel, so I don’t think it would be interesting to see the movie. I heard that some episodes that existed in the source material were cut out.”

Heshikiri-san giggles.

“Ah, so it’s an adaptation.”

“Yeah, it’s based on a book written by Inoue Yasushi. I think there’s a book in our school library.”

“Now that’s nice. Worst case scenario, I could read the novel and write my thoughts with it.”

Naturally, it’s not going to end with just watching the film. You will be asked to write your impressions.

“I’m sure it would take longer to grasp the content of a novel than a movie, so why bother choosing the more tedious option?”

“True.”

So, worst case scenario. Unless I fall asleep so much that I lose track of the contents, I would be able to supplement it with a novel.

『Students should go to their respective homeroom teachers and say their names before going in.』

Suddenly I heard a teacher’s voice through the loudspeaker. The same announcement would probably be made outside and inside the lobby.

I look around. And there, Asaba-sensei.

“I’ll take a look.”

I spoke to Karube and Heshikiri-san, and I swam out through the sea of people toward Asaba-sensei.

“Asaba-sensei, Makabe is here. Karube and Heshikiri-san are here, too.”

“Makabe? I’m sorry, but I’ve been told that I need to see your faces to confirm your attendance. Could you tell Karube and Heshikiri to come over here as well?”

Asaba-sensei replied with an annoyed look on his face.

“I understand.”

In short, it’s probably to avoid a situation where friends are asked to declare their attendance when in fact they’re not present.

So the movie began at 10:00 ― and ended uneventfully.

The students were released shortly after noon.