The start of the week. Monday's classes are over, and only homeroom remains.
Mr. Amanatsu Konami, our 2-C homeroom teacher, looks us over and slams her fist down on the teacher's desk.
"You lot—'June brides' are nothing but a trap."
...Here we go again.
Two months into the new year, we've all grown used to Ms. Amanatsu's
tirades. When she's in full rant mode, it's best to keep quiet and think
about the weather.
"They're
all gunning for my summer bonus. You know, age twenty-eight is when
everyone around you suddenly starts getting married. To put it simply—"
She grabs a piece of chalk and starts drawing on the board.
"Graduates who go straight to work hit their first rush in two to three
years—young, cute wives, you know? And grads who go on to college reset
their social circles with moving and all, so about five or six years
after graduation, that kicks in...!"
She scrawls in big letters: "SECOND MARRIAGE RUSH!" then turns back to us.
"Listen up, kids—this is the real hell to come!"
BANG BANG BANG! She pounds the board in her excitement.
"The comrades you've been licking each other's wounds with will turn
into your rivals! 'Konami's cute, she'll find someone easy,' they say—if
it's so easy, then find one and bring them here! Isn't it easy?!"
Amanatsu Konami, age 28—her soul's cry of anguish.
Unfortunately, average age 16, and the expression in 2-C is blank.
I tune out her theater and glance at Sakurai-kun's back. It's awkward, so I haven't mentioned the election. His sudden candidacy—what mindset shift was that? I really should talk to him...
"Every weekend in June is a wedding—ridiculous, right? And lately Kobuchi-chan's been a pain to hang out with, and this year not even a single matchmaker's photo came from home. I told them I'd find someone myself, but they should at least understand a woman trying to act tough..."
Her complaints are extra long today. Before June even begins, those unseen brides are already gnawing at her heart.
"When the tide comes, you guys better go with the flow... Uh—did I have any announcements?"
She flips through her planner listlessly, then waves her hand.
"Don't get lost in love and romance, all right? That's it for today—"
With a final SMACK on the desk, she signals dismissal, and the class stands.
Now,
I've got to catch Sakurai-kun. Before I can stand, the classroom door
bursts open—Tiara-san storms in. She strides straight to me and drops a
stack of papers on my desk.
"Nukumizu-san, about Saturday—here's the rest of what we talked about."
"...Which part?" I blurt. Tiara leans forward urgently.
"About what happened in my room! Have you really forgotten? After making me look like that!"
"That was all Basori-san's doing—no, wait! This isn't the place, can we move somewhere?!"
This conversation would get us all the wrong impressions—or maybe it wouldn't even need much imagination. I peer around nervously: Anna, Komari, even Himemiya-san are all staring at me. And why is Ms. Amanatsu taking photos of me...?
Tiara glances at Sakurai-kun, clears her throat, and says:
"You're right. We should pick a different spot. Let's go somewhere we can be alone."
Yeah, that'd be good—though maybe choose your words more carefully.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the courtyard of Tsuwabuki High stands a wide stone table with matching chairs. When I sat down beside her as Tiara-san gestured, she began laying out documents across the tabletop.
"Right away to election matters: the public notice is one week before voting. Until then is the preparation period, during which it's allowed to gather student opinions—"
Tiara-san spoke rapidly. Students walking along the nearby covered walkway glanced over at us with puzzled looks.
"...Um, Tiara-san, isn't this visible to others?"
"It's far enough away that no one else can hear. And please don't call me by my given name."
She said it softly, then flipped a sheet. "I want to do as much as we can in advance, and I need you to understand how the student council works. I'm sorry, but could you make time after school for a while?"
"Um, wait—"
"Oh, sorry for talking to myself. Nukumizu-san, you first."
"Right—about the student‐council election..."
"Yes!"
Tiara-san looked at me with unexpectedly hopeful eyes. I looked away and continued.
"See, I have literature‐club activities too, so... I'm not sure I can get too deeply involved—"
"But in my room—"
Tiara-san's words trailed off. After a pause, she gathered her papers and stood.
"Y-yeah, you have the lit club. I'm sorry for taking your offer so literally. It's fine—I'll manage on my own. Starting tomorrow's uniform change, so be careful."
She hurriedly stuffed the papers back into her bag and turned to leave.
"—Wait."
Before I even realized, I stood and grabbed Tiara-san's hand.
"Nukumizu-san...?"
"I can't be your recommender, but... I'll help until you find someone to take my place."
I knew it was partly sympathy and self‐justification—no good. I realized myself reaching out halfheartedly.
"But it'd inconvenience you—"
"The council's been good to me. This is the least I can do."
Tiara-san's hand slowly relaxed in mine.
"...This time, it's just me, not the student council."
"What do you mean?"
I asked without thinking; Tiara-san shook her head slowly.
"No—I thought you were close with Sakurai-kun, so it'd be awkward if you only sided with me."
"I don't think so. He has lots of friends; he won't mind."
"I have friends too, though."
Tiara-san murmured, then smiled as if to steady herself.
"That helps. I don't know any other boys."
"I don't either."
"It's odd you know more girls than guys."
Her joke broke the tension between us—until:
"Basori‐senpai, here's some tea."
"!?!"
A cup of tea from a thermos appeared before Tiara-san. Beyond its steam, Shiratama-san smiled.
"Shiratama-san?!"
"Oh—what are you doing here?"
"I saw you from the walkway. And you were holding hands, so I thought you might be cold."
"Gah, no! He forced me—!"
That sounded awful. Tiara-san flailed my hand away. Shiratama-san sipped the tea, then nodded in understanding.
"So, President— you decided to help Basori-san huh?"
"You heard—wait, what do you mean?"
Shiratama-san cocked her head cutely and said, "Didn't you know? Yanami‐senpai became Sakurai‐senpai's recommender."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, Tuesday, first period was practice for the sports festival.
On the actual day, there'd be a class-vs-class cheer battle, but participation was voluntary.
Naturally, since I hadn't signed up, I leaned against a tree at the edge of the field and watched the practice in a daze.
Among those who'd volunteered were Yanami and Himemiya-san, and on the boys' side, Ayano and Sakurai-kun. I'd heard that for the real thing the boys wore gakuran and the girls dressed as cheerleaders, but I wondered if it was awkward for Himemiya-san to be doing all that jumping and tumbling...
Lost in thoughts about inertia, I didn't notice practice ending until the music stopped and the cheer squad drifted apart. I glanced over: Sakurai-kun was chatting happily with some girls from our class. Casual conversation during class-time practice—he's really that popular. And borrowing a towel, too.
"You really are popular, Sakurai-kun," I said.
"Yeah, I guess. But Nukumizu, you're not losing out," Ayano Mitsuki said as he joined me. He tracked my gaze and spoke with mild curiosity, "Did something happen with Sakurai? You've seemed distant since yesterday."
"It's not like that. Something's been on my mind."
"...I see," Ayano said, his glasses glinting. He definitely didn't get it.
"Nukumizu, you've finally found someone you like, haven't you?"
"No, that's not it," I said.
"Isn't it? Yesterday you were up to something with Basori-san," he pressed.
"I'm just helping Basori-san out—it's like a favor, or a trade, something like that." I thought: I still haven't gotten that Chikapyon merch. Just seeing Tiara-san in cat ears isn't nearly enough.
"If it's not Basori-san—" Ayano's glasses glinted again.
"Huh, what?"
"...Nukumizu, good luck," he said, giving a meaningful thumbs-up before walking off.
What was that about? Well, Ayano can be a bit... off.
As I mulled that over, Anna Yanami strolled up.
"You can't slack off, Nukumizu-kun," she teased, grinning and striking a cheer pose.
"So, how do I look?"
"Uh... like an anteater threatening pose?" I replied.
"No, think about my cheerleader outfit," she said, exasperated.
"But you're still in gym clothes," I pointed out, and Yanami shrugged.
"That's exactly it, Nukumizu-kun. When I said I'd join the cheer battle, you imagined me in a real cheerleader outfit, right?"
"Well, not really..."
"Would that be so bad?" she challenged.
Ugh—I'm tired and don't want to imagine extra things. Still, Anna as a cheerleader... pom-poms in hand, hair tied back... a short skirt, a tight top...
"Oh—watch out, your midriff's showing," I mumbled.
"What are you imagining?!" Yanamai snapped.
"Nothing," I backed off.
Anna waved me off and said, "Look, I've been trying to help you since morning because you've been so down—"
That was her idea of help? A bit more tact, please.
"Um... Yanami, you're going to be Sakurai-kun's recommender, right?" I asked.
"Oh, you're curious," she cut in. I felt read like a book and looked away.
"Yanami's stage-frighted—can she handle a campaign speech?" I ventured.
"I'm not the same as I was back then. Plus, if either you or I win, the lit club will have the vice president. Isn't that great?"
"You're planning to be vice president?" I blurted.
Yanami nodded naturally. "Tsukinokii-senpai was in both the council and the lit club. I can do it too."
"Maybe... but—"
Anna glanced around, then whispered, "In other words, power."
Power? I felt lost as Anna explained proudly:
"Stop asking for small things like a fridge; get the lit club a full system kitchen—facing the room."
"The council doesn't have that kind of power," I said.
So she really wanted to join. I stayed silent, and Anna bumped my shoulder conspiratorially.
"Hey—did something happen with Basori-san?"
"Nothing did," I said.
"You weren't enthusiastic before, but yesterday you two were flirting."
"We weren't," I insisted—and Anna gave me a suspicious look.
"You went to Basori-san's house, didn't you?"
"I didn't—"
Well, I did. Tiara-san was wearing cat ears. Anna raised an eyebrow at my hesitation.
"What? Seriously? Did you fall for her charms?"
"No, I was just trading for anime merch."
"Anime merch...?"
As Anna pondered, Komari approached, hauling an old CD boom box.
"Oh, Komari-chan, you got batteries?"
"I was so scared in the PE office..." Komari nodded through tears. That meant she'd brought it.
"Did you volunteer for the cheer battle too, Komari-chan?"
"N-no, I'm in charge of music and recording." She puffed up proudly.
"If you join the cheer battle, you don't have to do the other individual events."
Really? Lucky—here I am, stuck running the obstacle race I don't even want to do.
"Well, shall we get going, Komari-chan? Want to be a cheer girl?"
"N-no, I don't."
Anna and Komari hoisted the boom box together and headed onto the field.
...That was a close one. Of course, there's nothing to hide—but being honest about cat-ear play in Tiara-san's room or my sympathetic decision to help her would only invite misunderstanding.
As my excuses played in my head, Anna and Komari stopped and glared back at me over their shoulders.
"...What?" I asked nervously.
In provocative unison, they said:
"Let's do this fair and square, Nukumizu-kun."
"You, traitor."
...Seriously, they have the worst timing. I turned my gaze to the bright blue sky, hoping to escape my classmates' curious stares.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Two days later, after school. The election campaign has finally begun.
Walking side by side with Tiara-san down the hallway, I leaf through the papers in my hand.
"Okay, next we visit the art club. We've got an appointment with the
softball club in thirty minutes, so including travel time, let's wrap up
in twenty."
"Understood. I already did a preliminary briefing with the art‐club vice president, since we know each other."
I hurry after Tiara-san as she strides up the stairs.
...I completely underestimated the preparations for the
student‐council‐president election. I thought we'd only hand out flyers,
but we're actually canvassing voters like a real political campaign.
"Hey— isn't asking voters for their support an electoral violation?"
"Collecting voters' opinions is allowed. I confirmed with the teachers."
At the top of the stairs, Tiara‐san checks her watch.
"We're right on schedule."
"This corridor's surprisingly long. If we don't speed up, we won't make our appointment."
"How do you know so precisely?"
No need to say more: I've honed how best to kill time during breaks. I smile silently, pick up my pace, and pass Tiara‐san as we continue down the hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
On the way back from our meeting with the softball club, Tiara-san stopped in front of the gymnasium.
"What's up? Today's schedule is over, though."
"No—I noticed the boys' basketball team was practicing. I haven't been
able to get an appointment with the captain, so I thought I'd go ask in
person."
As we slipped off our shoes side by side, I voiced a simple question.
"You can't get an appointment? Is the boys' basketball team that busy?"
"They've got the manager blocking me, so I can't meet the captain. I guess they think I only want to talk to the boys..."
Tiara-san
sighed. Basketball and soccer are the two most popular boys' clubs
among girls—I'd overheard that from classmates before.
"Popular clubs have it rough. The literature club's great—no romance drama to worry about," I said.
...Tiara-san gave me a look that clearly said, "You've got something to say."
If you've got something on your mind, just say it.
"I have my thoughts, but first things first: we need that appointment," Tiara-san said, placing her hand on the heavy gym door.
I pressed my hand on the other side, and together we pulled it open. A
roar of sound poured out: on one side the boys' basketball team, on the
other the girls' volleyball team, both practicing.
Tiara-san headed toward the manager at the edge of my vision, so I turned my attention to the basketball team. I can't say I understand girls' hearts, but tall, athletic boys do look impressive. Number 10 just sank a shot—pretty cool...
As I watched, I realized the basketball players were sneaking glances my way. What, do they never see shy-looking guys around here? I braced myself to shut down, but they weren't only watching me. Beyond them, mixing in with the volleyball practice match, were two familiar faces: Yanami-san and Sakurai-kun. In their uniforms, they were laughing as they passed the ball in nice arching shots.
...What's with that giggly, carefree vibe? It's pitiful to see a boy surrounded by girls and goofing off.
Before
long, playtime ended. Leaving Yanami-san chatting with someone who
looked like the volleyball-captain, Sakurai-kun came running over to me.
"Nukumizu-kun, you're here too. Are you doing the greeting rounds with Basori-chan?"
"Well... something like that," I answered hesitantly.
Sakurai-kun glanced around, then bowed his head in embarrassment.
"...I'm sorry."
"Huh? There's nothing you need to apologize for—"
He gave me that troubled smile.
"I said I'd step back, but I ended up getting in Basori-chan's way. And I lied to you, too."
"I'm fine with it..."
I glanced over: Tiara-san was in a heated discussion with the boys' basketball manager. Sakurai-kun gave me an awkward laugh.
"It's kind of tense in the student-council room too."
No doubt. Tiara-san is a good person, but she's not so great at hiding her feelings.
"But aiming to be student-council president... you must've had a lot on your mind," I said.
"Who knows? They say you're the last person to understand your own feelings," he replied with a bittersweet smile.
"...I never thought I'd be so bad at giving up," he murmured.
I looked at his face, struck by that silence—when a carefree voice cut in.
"Oh, Nukumizu-kun's here too."
Yanami-san wiped her sweat with a handkerchief as she approached us.
"Yeah, I just had business with the boys' basketball team."
"You're going to hand out 'poison buns,' right?"
"Poison buns?" I blurted, taken aback by the phrase. Yanami-san folded her arms, triumphant.
"I heard in elections you distribute poison buns—so delicious they'll kill anyone who eats them!"
Was that it? If anyone would eat them without a second thought, it'd be Yanami-san.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Nukumizu-san. About tomorrow after school, before practice—"
Tiara-san looked up from her planner.
"Oh—Sakurai-kun's here too?"
"Yeah. I got the boys' basketball appointment. Amazing—you got rejected, but I didn't."
Sakurai-kun gave Yanami-san a meaningful glance.
Come to think of it, Yanami-san turned down the previous basketball captain...
Yanami-san tapped my shoulder and asked,
"Hey, Nukumizu-kun, what do you think she's doing over there?"
I followed her gaze to a girl outside the gym door wielding a DSLR.
When the stylish girl with the short skirt noticed us looking, she
slipped away quickly.
"She's a leftover from the old Bird-Watching Club. They're the Newspaper Club now," Tiara-san said, displeased. That must be the fabled Newspaper Club—she looked cute, short skirt and all, but you can't judge a book by its cover...
"Nukumizu-kun, do I have something on my face?"
"Ah—no, nothing."
Shoot—I'd been staring at Yanami-san again without realizing it.
Before Yanami-san could speak, Tiara-san slipped between us.
"Okay, Nukumizu-san, let's move on."
"Weren't we done for today already?"
"There's still plenty to do. Now, time to bother the clubs."
She
gently but firmly guided me forward. As I hesitated under the
mysterious pressure, Yanami-san tugged on Sakurai-kun's sleeve.
"Well then, Sakurai-kun—shall we have our strategy meeting?"
"That sounds good. We'll come too, both of us."
"Huh? Oh—"
Yanami-san gave me a sidelong glance, then took Sakurai-kun's arm.
"By the way, I have two walnut red-bean buns—here, you can have one."
"Aren't they both for you, Yanami-san?"
"I'm on a diet, so I'm only eating one."
I watched them go and asked Tiara-san,
"So—what job do we have after this?"
"Hmm, I wonder."
Wait—I thought we had mountains of work left. I gave Tiara-san a puzzled look, and she turned away, looking somewhat annoyed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, Friday evening.
Dragging my tired body, I finally reached the bike rack.
Yes—after days of visiting club rooms, it was finally over.
And Tiara-san had even managed to avoid any fights toward the end. Good for her.
...That said, I wonder if she's chosen her recommender yet.
If she's banking on me gradually giving in, I can't meet that expectation.
Despite how I look, I'm not the kind to be swayed by sentiment—
Just as I steeled myself, I noticed Komari standing in front of my bike.
"Komari, what are you doing here?"
"I—I was waiting for you."
...Right. I scratched my cheek, feeling awkward.
"Sorry I haven't shown up at the lit club lately. Has Yanami-san been coming?"
"She shows up now and then, and feeds me pork-cutlet sandwiches."
Yanami-san had her own odd election tactics. She's going to get fat.
"I'll drop by the lit club next week too. Basori-san will be busy with sports-festival duties."
"T-this time you mean it?"
"Yeah. All that's left is the platform statement draft and poster photo
shoot. After that, we can't move openly until the election day
speech... I'm serious, okay?"
Komari gave me a flat stare.
"I'll say it a hundred times: I'm not joining the student council."
"B-but you're helping the vice president, right?"
"Yes."
I looked away again.
"Nukumizu, you fold under pressure so easily."
"No, I'm not that soft."
Komari glared at me from beneath her bangs.
"Did you forget about the go-home club?"
"Yes."
I had no reply. Biting into discomfort, I looked down as Komari fidgeted before speaking.
"Uh, do you have plans for tomorrow?"
"I've got nothing special on Saturday."
"T-then keep it free. I—I have something to talk about."
She said it curtly, flipped her skirt, and ran off.
What was that? A date invitation?—No way. She sounded mad. That's scary...
I sighed deeply and tossed my bag into my bike's basket.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday morning. Looking up, an overwhelmingly clear sky.
I'm about 10 minutes by bus from Toyohashi Station, standing in front of a large discount store.
Staring at the penguin signboard wearing a Santa hat, I mutter to myself without thinking:
"...I'm gonna get scolded."
Komari's sudden invitation. What it means is clear—it must be "lecture time."
The fact that the meeting spot was changed last-minute from the central library to here makes it obvious.
After all, this discount store is one of the city's prime outgoing-people spots. She must be planning to corner me in my weak state... Though I suspect Komari'll be just as awkward.
Oh well, if that's the case, I should probably grab a little tribute to appease her.
If it were Yanami, a roasted sweet potato would do, but for Komari, maybe BL goods or something?
But BL tastes vary... Maybe a bookstore gift card—no, maybe just cash?
While checking my wallet, I notice Komari staring at me.
Komari's
wearing a plain cotton half-sleeve shirt, skirt, and brown vest. The
slightly dorky look is cute, but I'll keep quiet to avoid angering her.
Komari awkwardly lowers her gaze and mutters:
"Ugh, Nukumizu... s-sorry for making you wait."
"Wait, who're these kids—?"
Right—Chibisuke (her younger siblings), Susumu-kun and Hina-chan, are standing flanking Komari.
"Uh, my parents suddenly had work... so I brought Chibisuke along."
Komari fiddles with her bangs.
Noticing his sister's mood, Susumu-kun pekori bows his head.
"Big bro, thanks for today. Please take care of us."
"Yeah, same here."
Susumu-kun's
in fourth grade, right? Way more mature than me or his sister. Back
when I was his age, all I thought about was games.
And hiding behind Komari, peeking at me, is Komari Hina.
Estimated age 4—Toyohashi's pride and joy, a certified cutie.
"...Nee-chan's friend."
"Long time no see. I'm Nukumizu, the 'big bro.'"
When I smile and meet her gaze, Hina-chan soro-soro emerges from behind Komari.
"...Nukumizu."
"Y-yeah, Nukumizu."
Hina-chan kokuri nods, then hides behind Komari again. Adorbs.
Watching this exchange, Komari lets out a relieved sigh.
"S-so it's okay...?"
"Totally fine. Honestly, better this way."
With her siblings here, she probably can't scold me too harshly. No way I'm missing this chance.
I crouch down and smile at Hina-chan.
"Alright, Hina-chan. Where d'you wanna go today?"
Still clutching her sister's skirt, Hina-chan answers in a tiny voice:
"Hina... go shopping."
"Got it. Big bro'll get you anyth—"
"H-hey! Don't promise stuff!"
Immediately scolded. Big sis is strict as ever.
"Let's get going then. What're we buying?"
"H-Hina wants— H-hey, no running!"
Komari chases after her siblings, who dash into the store hand-in-hand.
Watching them with a faint sense of nostalgia, I follow through the automatic doors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bustling store is crammed with merchandise, vibrant price tags making my head spin.
Walking alongside Komari behind the roaming Chibisuke siblings, my eyes catch a detergent sale.
This is cheap. Pausing instinctively, Komari kuikui tugs my sleeve.
"Ugh, Nukumizu, you'll get lost."
"But look, this rarely goes on sale—"
"T-today, you're resisting temptation."
Yes ma'am.
Chibisuke siblings are eyeing gift snack sets in the midyear presents section.
"Hina-chan said she wanted to shop – buying midyear gifts?"
"D-don't be stupid! Her daycare's having a sleepover. We're here for new pajamas."
Right. Four-year-olds don't send midyear gifts.
Komari watches her wandering siblings, then trots over to grab their hands.
"D-don't wander off, or you'll end up lost like Nukumizu."
Komari's good at wrangling kids. When I smile at the heartwarming scene, she narrows her jito-me eyes.
"W-what's with that creepy face?"
"Thinking you'd make a great mom someday."
"Ghk?! Y-you di—"
Cutting herself off upon noticing Hina-chan's gaze, Komari gohon clears her throat.
"U-ugh, Nukumizu, this is why."
Hina-chan's eyes sparkle watching Komari.
"! Nukumizu, dis why!"
"Guess big bro's like that sometimes."
Adorable mimic. Komari shoots me a trash-tier glare.
Escalating upstairs to the toy section under Komari's urging, Chibisuke siblings dart off gleefully.
Komari sighs.
"B-brace yourself. This'll be trouble."
Seeing Komari chase Hina-chan, I approach Susumu-kun.
He's frozen, side-eyeing a transforming hero belt.
Modern ones are intricate. I pick up a demo belt.
"Huh? How's this work?"
"Slide the card instead of inserting it."
Following his instructions, the belt lights up shouting special moves.
"Combination cards trigger team attacks too."
Whoa. After Susumu-kun's tutorial, I'm awed by modern toys.
"Wanna try?"
"Nah. Outgrew this."
Ouch. Here I was getting into it.
"What's popular at school?"
"Games. Know Monster Tree?"
The co-op monster hunting series. Latest entry's supposedly great.
"Don't you get lonely playing solo?"
"Obviously play with friends."
Right. Friends. Obviously.
At the game section, Susumu-kun picks up a case.
"Only one without it. Getting it next allowance."
"Impressive saving."
"Didn't buy anything lately."
His proud smirk. Komari could learn from him.
He suddenly whispers:
"...Were you and nee-chan on a date?"
"Nope."
His puzzled look.
"What's the difference between hanging out and dating?"
Good question. My sole "date" was with Yakan...
"The difference is..."
"Is?"
I meet his earnest gaze.
"Holding hands."
"But I hold hands with Hina and nee-chan."
"Family doesn't count. A guy and girl, non-relatives, holding hands – that's a date."
Susumu-kun looks disappointed.
"Nee-chan spent hours picking clothes yesterday. Thought it was a date."
Huh. Komari's dressing up now?
Susumu-kun glances around.
"Where's Hina?"
"With your sis. Over there."
We find them at a classic toy series – mini animals in dollhouses.
Hina-chan shows me rabbit and bear dolls.
"Dis nee-chan an' niichan!"
Komari explains while petting Hina's head:
"S-she names dolls after us."
The bear and rabbit siblings imply... complicated lore.
Hina-chan grabs an otter doll.
"Dis Nukumizu!"
Me? So I'm her brother... or dad?
Not bad. As I inspect it—
"Ah!"
Hina-chan grabs a 3-tier bunkbed miniature.
"Dis! Couldn't find it anywhere!"
Komari tries snatching it.
"N-not buying it!"
Hina clings to the box.
"Wanted dis forever!"
Komari fake-leaves with Susumu but hides behind a shelf.
...Transparent. Her head's fully visible.
Approaching, Komari panics:
"N-Nukumizu, you'll blow my cover!"
"Already blown. I'll watch Hina. You go ahead."
She bosori mutters:
"D-don't buy it."
Got it.
Crouching by Hina:
"Wanted it that bad?"
Silent nod.
"Your 2-tier bed at home isn't enough?"
"Need tree!"
Ah. The sacred logic of childhood obsessions.
"But wouldn't separate beds be lonely?"
"Wonwy?"
"Susumu and Chika-nee still want to cuddle you. Keep sharing a bit longer?"
After frozen hesitation, Hina slowly returns the box.
"Good girl. Let's find nee-chan."
Holding her warm little hand, I recall my own childhood frustrations – misunderstood desires, self-confusion.
"Growing up, Hina-chan?"
Mumbling this, I nearly trip over Komari hiding by shelves.
"Gah!?"
"There you are."
Hina tackles Komari.
"Nee-chan here!"
"L-let's shop."
Hina clings to Komari, forgetting me.
Lonely, I catch up.
"Pajama shopping, right?"
"Y-yeah. Kidswear section."
Komari mutters:
"H-Hina wears hand-me-downs from me and Susumu. Wanted something new for her."
As eldest brother, my sister wanted my hand-me-downs. Can't relate.
Komari suddenly looks around.
"Where's Susumu?!"
"Thought he was with you?"
"I'll check!"
She leaves just as Susumu reappears, shoving a yellow bag at Hina.
"Hina. Here."
"Niichan, what?"
"Just this once."
Inside – the 3-tier bed.
"Hide it from nee-chan."
Susumu bought it secretly.
Komari returns panting.
"S-Susumu! No wandering!"
He looks away.
"Just shopped."
Noticing Hina's bag, Komari sighs and pats their heads.
"H-Hina say thanks?"
"Yeh— Nope! Niichan, tankoo!"
"Whatever. Let's go."
A perfect tsundere sibling moment.
"S-Susumu, no running!"
"Niichan, wait!"
Komari chases the fleeing siblings.
I follow as observer, lingering behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After finishing our shopping, we gathered around a table in the food court.
Sitting on the low chairs of the kids' area eating ankake spaghetti feels strangely surreal.
Watching Komari fuss over Hina-chan, she shoots me a suspicious look.
"Wh-what? Not eating?"
"Komari, switch. You've barely touched yours."
"I-I'm fine. Just watch Susumu."
"Nee-chan, I can eat alone!"
Susumu-kun fukure-tsura pouts, tossing a cream croquette topping into his mouth.
We're eating Chao's ankake pasta, a famous Toyohashi spot.
Grateful to have it in a food court, but their portions are massive.
Komari and Susumu share one plate, Hina-chan has a kids' meal.
Even finishing a full portion alone is rough – wish Yanami would show up...
As I robotically shovel pasta, Hina-chan suddenly tries opening her plastic bag.
"Look! Pajamas same stars as nee-chan!"
"H-hey, finish eating first. Sauce on your face."
Wiping Hina-chan's mouth, Komari doesn't notice me twirling slightly burnt pasta on my fork.
This whole thing feels like a regular family weekend outing. Why am I even part of this...?
My bewilderment lingering, I stuff the last of the pasta into my mouth.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We finished shopping and had lunch. With all our errands done, we found ourselves—at the game center next door. Watching the little rascals dart around the claw machines, I rubbed my overstuffed stomach.
"Those kids sure are energetic."
"T-today they're a bit calmer... because you're here."
Seriously? Komari, you've got it rough. Seeing them so excited, she offered me a gentle smile.
"B-but I'm glad they're having fun."
"I guess... they're enjoying themselves, huh?"
Komari nodded with a small, earnest motion.
"Y-yeah. Their dad had to work suddenly, so our outing got canceled and Hina started crying."
"I see. So today I'm their stand-in dad, huh?"
"U-nn!?"
Bracing myself for a scolding, I turned to see Komari, cheeks flushed, trembling silently.
"I-it wasn't meant weirdly, okay?"
"...I-idiot."
She turned her face abruptly. Ah—definitely stepped on a landmine...
Lost in regret, the little rascals bounded up to us.
"Hey big sis, let's do that! There are exactly four of us."
"Uhh... o-one round only, okay?"
"What's that?"
"Over here!"
"Nukumizu, this way!"
They dragged us to the air hockey table.
"Four-on-four, huh?"
"You chicken out or what?"
Komari shot me a challenging grin. So that's a declaration of war. As I stretched, Susumu lined up beside me. Then Komari paired off with Hina.
"Aren't we giving a handicap?"
"Y-yeah, give me one?"
I shot back bravely, and Komari fed the coins in.
"Watch, big sis is strong."
Susumu looked serious—right, she did say that...
Still, strong against your own little siblings is one thing.
From the side slot, the red puck slid out.
And go.
It glided slowly toward Komari's end, and the next moment—
Sukan!
With a crisp smack, it vanished into the goal right in front of her.
"!? Wait, I didn't even see it!?"
"Told you! Here it comes again!"
Hey, shouldn't it be our turn next? Bewildered, I watched countless tiny pucks flood the field.
Modern air hockey has that feature now?! Before I knew it, pucks were flying into our goal one after another.
"Nukumizu, defend properly!"
"But I can't see a thing!?"
When the final score appeared—870 to 120—it might as well have been a massacre. Komari and Hina high‑fived each other, and Susumu patted my shoulder.
"Don't mind, Nukumizu‑nii‑chan."
A fourth grader cheering me on—Susumu's so sweet. But Komari's triumphant smirk felt like salt in the wound.
"...Komari, where's the change machine?"
As I pulled out a thousand‑yen bill, Komari snorted.
"D-do you have enough?"
"Don't worry—I've still got Eiichi Shibusawa waiting in my wallet."
I'll spare you the score rundown—just know that a few of my Shibusawa bills turned into Kitasato‑sensei notes tonight.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There's a theory that a four‑year‑old's energy is limitless. Whether that's true or not, there is a switch. The moment it flips, a four‑year‑old falls into a deep sleep──.
On the route bus toward the wholesale complex, the four of us sat together on the long rear bench.
Hina‑chan, curled in my arms, slept soundly. Across from me, on the
other side of Komari, Susumu‑kun had also closed his eyes, letting the
bus's sway rock him.
"Hey, isn't she heavy?"
"Nah. I always have Kaju on my lap, so Hina‑chan feels like a feather."
"G-give Hina back."
Why would you say that? As I gently patted Hina‑chan's back, Komari murmured quietly:
"T-thanks for today."
"But I wanted to play air hockey myself."
"Y-you spent the whole day with us."
Oh—so that's it. I didn't really do anything worth thanks, but I accepted it gratefully.
The bus was strangely quiet inside, the gentle rocking lulling us toward sleep. Komari smoothed Susumu's bangs with her fingertips:
"S-Susumu spoils Hina too much—it's annoying."
Her words were teasing, but her smile was soft. Feeling Hina's slight weight in my lap, I spoke up:
"Susumu‑kun, you said you were saving up to buy a game—won't Hina‑chan's toys cost a lot?"
"E-everyone spoils Hina, so—"
Komari gave me a reassuring smile:
"I‑I have to spoil Susumu at least."
At school she's the mascot, but here she's big sister. Watching a crab sign drift past the window, I began quietly:
"...By the way, you wanted to talk to me about something today, right?"
Yesterday evening, Komari did say that—her eyes had been a little troubled. I'd been worried she'd scold me, but I couldn't ignore it. Komari glanced at Susumu's sleeping face, then spoke:
"I‑I was going to talk, but it's okay now."
"It was about the student council election, right?"
I nudged, and Komari shook her head slightly:
"I‑I don't trust you, but I'll believe it."
Her expression softened as she stroked Susumu's head:
"B-because you said you'd stay with me."
──Gatan. The bus jolted, and silence wrapped around us again. An announcement played; no one got off, so the bus didn't stop at our stop.
"Am I really that untrusted?"
I joked, and Komari gave me her usual sassy look:
"Y-you're pretty gullible."
At the next stop one person got off, leaving only the driver and us. The bus rolled on—our stop was next.
Suddenly Komari spoke:
"D-did you go to Basori's... house?"
Why bring that up—oh, right, Basori spilled that in class the other day.
"I just went to get Chikapyong goods, and... his little brother was there too."
I wasn't lying. Though I still haven't actually gotten the goods.
"D-does Basori ever come to your house?"
"Huh? He's never been to my place—"
...Well, technically he did, as Kaju's guest. Avoiding Komari's narrowed gaze, I searched for an excuse:
"B-but you were the only one who soaked in the tub. Shio only uses the shower."
"...D‑ie."
She can say anything while her siblings are asleep. Then Hina‑chan stirred and opened her eyes:
"...Nukumizu? Where's big sis?"
"I‑I'm here."
"I want big sis..."
Sleepy Hina‑chan reached out to Komari. Seizing the pause at the red light, I passed her over; Komari hefted her back into her arms:
"You okay?"
"I‑I'm fine. Susumu, we're about to get off—wake up."
Susumu rubbed his eyes sleepily:
"...You even woke up halfway through."
When the bus stopped, Susumu was first to stand. He was oddly curt, but we'd grown pretty close today—despite the age gap, guys just click that way.
We got off and started down the street, when suddenly—
Besh! Susumu slapped my hip.
"Hey, what's that for?"
"Nukumizu, you dummy!"
"?!"
He slapped me again, then bolted away.
"Hey, Susumu!"
Komari scolded him; he spun, stuck out his tongue at me:
"Nukumizu, you dummy! You big incompetent!"
Then he ran home. ...What on earth happened in his head? As I stood there dumbfounded, Komari looked at me awkwardly:
"I‑I'm sorry. I'll scold him when we get home."
"You don't have to, but... what was that about?"
I tilted my head; Komari gave me a look like she wanted to say something:
"B-but you're at fault too."
I see—so I'm to blame too... huh.
"Wait, what? Did I do something wrong?"
"Th‑ink about it yourself."
With that, Komari turned her back and walked on.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The start of the week, Monday after school.
I was having our regular meeting with Tiara-san at the stone table in the courtyard.
Our weekend family time—no, the outing with the Komari clan—should have been a peaceful time.
And yet, what was with Susumu-kun's reaction on the way back?
The word "tōhenboku" he used means someone who's dense or oblivious, but... do people in the Komari clan have a custom of saying something harsh when parting ways...?
While I was lost in thought, Tiara-san cleared her throat with a light "ahem."
"Nukumizu-san, may I continue?"
"Ah, sorry. What were we talking about again?"
"Future plans. One week from now is the policy speech and the posting of campaign posters, then the following week—"
"—is the election day."
Tiara-san nodded slightly.
"Yes. There will be a candidate speech and a speech from the supporter,
then voting happens right after. It's not hard to imagine that how well
the speeches go will directly affect the results. We'll need to align
our speech content."
"I'm just helping out, though, not an official supporter."
"Yes, I know."
Tiara-san nodded seriously.
"Shikiya-senpai told me that if we push you a little, Nukumizu-san will
agree, so I thought I'd try appealing to your emotions."
...So she's been emotionally manipulating me this whole time...?
"I don't get swayed that easily, okay? Anyway, we should start preparing for the policy speech first."
"I've come up with a draft for that."
Tiara-san handed me a few sheets of paper.
The pages were filled with student requests gathered through interviews, along with related school rules and local ordinances.
...Heavy.
"Does the student council do all this?"
"Of course, we don't have the authority or budget, but we can make requests to the teachers. Sharing the students' opinions is important."
Without asking, Tiara-san flipped through the draft in my hands.
"I've been told the way I write is too stiff and hard to understand. It
would help to have someone around who's good with words, but I can't
think of anyone."
Is that so. For the record, the person sitting next to you is in the Literature Club.
"Uh, what about your senior student council members?"
I asked, trying to change the mood, and Tiara-san's expression tightened.
"I have no intention of asking the upperclassmen for help. This is my fight."
Realizing how forceful her tone was, she cleared her throat and corrected herself.
"...Since Sakurai-kun is also running, I don't want to make things awkward for them."
To the student council president and Shikiya-san, both Tiara-san and Sakurai-kun are probably cherished juniors.
Favoring one or refusing the other would be uncomfortable either way.
"He definitely has more support than I do. That's exactly why I want to ask everyone what kind of school they want going forward—"
"Can we pause for a second?"
I interrupted, and Tiara-san straightened up sharply.
"Yes, Nukumizu-san?"
"It's just... you know, people can see us from the classrooms and staff room. Wouldn't it be better to talk indoors?"
At my suggestion, Tiara-san blinked in surprise, as if caught off guard.
"I've said this before, but this spot is far from the walkways and school buildings, so there's no risk of anyone overhearing us. I think it's actually perfect for election planning."
Come to think of it, when she gave me that scarf before, she also called me out to the middle of the pond...
I get where Tiara-san's coming from, but I can't help but feel the gazes of passing students.
"Well, let's continue. First, we gather supporters through the policy speech and post our ideas on the bulletin board—"
"Hold on, I just got a notification."
Using it as an excuse, I quickly pulled out my phone—then froze.
What was displayed on the screen was a message from Komari.
—Come to the second-year hallway. Right now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A small crowd of about a dozen people had gathered around the bulletin board in the hallway.
Normally, after school, there aren't many people hanging around the classrooms—so what's going on?
While I stood there hesitating, Tiara-san dove straight into the crowd.
"Excuse me, may we get through?"
Impressed by her boldness, I followed the path she carved open.
Uh, what's posted on the bulletin board?
"N-Nukumizu!"
"Guh!?"
Thud. Something slammed into my solar plexus from a blind spot.
Wincing through the pain, I looked down to see Komari standing there.
"W-what happened...?"
"B-before I knew it, I was surrounded, and... I-I couldn't get out..."
Komari clung to my tie, trembling all over.
While we tugged back and forth over the tie, Tiara-san suddenly grabbed my sleeve and yanked hard.
"Nukumizu-san, look at that!"
She was pointing to a sheet of newspaper-sized paper posted on the board.
"Tsuwabuki Times – Special Student Council Election Edition"...?
I mean, sure, but it's just an article about the election, right...?
As my eyes drifted to the headline, I couldn't help but widen them.
"Is the Student Council Election a Proxy War for Love?!"
...What the hell is this. No seriously, what the hell.
So
apparently, this election started over some romantic mess involving a
beautiful second-year girl, and one of the people involved is a
womanizer stringing along multiple girls...?
Aha, must be talking about Sakurai-kun. Yeah, that guy's popular.
Then, this part about a candidate using the vice president seat as bait to attract a guy's attention... don't tell me—
Plup plup plup.
Tiara-san's face was flushed red up to her neck as she shook with embarrassment.
"...T-that's not true! I didn't approach you with anything like that in mind, okay?!"
"Of course, I know that. Yeah, I get it, I get it."
"You don't
get it at all, do you?! Honestly, Nukumizu-san, this is your fault,
okay?! You're always saying vague things and leading me on, then leaving
me confused—!"
Wait, why am I suddenly the one getting blamed?
Komari, still holding my tie, nodded in agreement.
"O-okay okay, I get it! We're in public, so could you lower your voice?"
Ugh, all these stares are painful...
Trying to calm Tiara-san down, I went back to reading the school newspaper.
So apparently, the "enemy of women" male student stole the popular
beauty, second-year A-ko, from the former basketball captain, toyed with
her, and then dumped her.
On top of that, he's two-timing a student council member and going after a first-year girl too.
Sakurai-kun's really getting roasted in this article...
Reading on with a sense of pity, I realized the article ended halfway through.
And written below it in big red letters—
"Read the rest online! Purchase through the Newspaper Club's homepage!"
Staring at the bold red font, I muttered the same thing I'd said several times today already.
"...What the hell is this."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Intermission: I may look like this, but I'm popular~
Evening, in front of Toyohashi Station — café UNO-UNO.
Anna Yanami and Karen Himemiya sat side by side at the counter, gazing through the glass at the station.
"Anna, are you done with the student council election prep?"
Karen tilted her head with a strawberry milk cup in hand. Her hair
swayed softly, scattering glittering flecks of light around her.
"I've finished writing my policy speech, and all that's left is the poster shoot.
Sakurai-kun's got sports festival prep starting soon, so he won't have time for the election for a while."
Anna's eyes sparkled as the waiter brought her a soda float.
"Come to think of it, the sports festival's the last job for the current student council, right? Sounds like a lot."
"High schoolers are surprisingly busy, huh. Oh—this is delicious."
As Anna munched on her ice cream, Karen cautiously spoke up.
"Um... Anna, what's your relationship with Sakurai-kun?"
"What do you mean? We're classmates. Same as you, right?"
Anna answered like it was the most obvious thing in the world, leaving Karen looking a little let down.
"If you're just classmates, then why did you become his recommender?"
"Well, Nukumizu-kun's being scouted by Basori-san, isn't he?"
"Even so, why—"
Karen looked puzzled, then suddenly light seemed to burst around her in realization.
"Ohh, so that's what this is, Anna!"
Clink. Anna gave a small nod.
"Yup. No matter who wins, I'll have done them a favor.
And having a secret side as the vice president? That's kind of cool too.
I'll have tons of options when it comes to college recommendations."
Zuzu...
She sipped the ice cream-flecked soda straight from the glass.
"...So that's the idea, huh. But being in the student council is a lot of work."
"If it comes down to it, I'll just ask Nukumizu-kun for help. He never says no when I ask."
Will that really go so smoothly?
Karen had plenty of doubts, but with this friend of hers, worrying was basically pointless.
Relaxing her shoulders, she gave a sheepish little tehe and stuck out her tongue.
"Well, if that's the case, that's fine.
Honestly, I thought you were doing it to get back at Nukumizu-kun or something—"
She cut herself off in a hurry.
"Karen-chan, you mean that thing in the school paper?"
"Ah, um— I think it's best not to take what it says seriously, okay? Everyone knows it's full of nonsense."
Anna gave a mischievous little smile, like she was saying don't worry about it.
"It can't be helped. I mean, when I first enrolled, I was kind of a big deal, right?"
"Huh?"
Looking smug, Anna held up her phone.
On the screen was the paid edition of Tsuwabuki High's school newspaper.
"Anna, you bought that?!"
"Well, I am part of the story, so? I figured I should read it."
She looked down at the screen with a smirk.
"They really write whatever they want, huh.
Like, they said I used to date Nukumizu-kun and got dumped or something?
Totally wrong. If anything, I'm the one who dumped him, right?"
"Eh—"
Karen couldn't help but make a sound and quickly covered her mouth with both hands.
"But the phrase 'proxy love battle over the school's most popular beauty, A-ko'—
I mean, that's not bad.
And calling Nukumizu-kun a 'girl's worst enemy'—can't say they're totally wrong."
In high spirits, Anna even started humming.
Karen, watching her, slowly raised a hand.
"Um, Anna, mind if I ask something?"
"Yes, Karen-chan, go ahead."
"Right now, you and Nukumizu-kun... you're not dating, right?"
"Never dated. Not then, not now."
Karen nodded seriously.
"So, doesn't this mean there's a chance Basori-san and Nukumizu-kun might get close?"
"That uptight vice president? No way.
She's always picking fights with him.
If anything, she probably doesn't even like him."
"Then why did she ask him to be her recommender?"
"She said she doesn't really know any other guys.
She's a serious type, and she said she's bad with boys."
"Hmm.
So, you're not bothered that Nukumizu-kun went over to Basori-san's house?"
Anna's phone trembled in her hand.
"W-well, it's Nukumizu-kun, right?
Even if I went to his place, it'd be totally normal..."
Anna suddenly froze.
Karen looked at her, worried.
"Anna? What's wrong?"
......
No answer.
Anna's phone slipped from her hand and hit the floor.
Curious, Karen picked it up—and her eyes caught the article still open on the screen.
Since enrolling, A-ko has been hugely popular with the boys—but her reign lasted just one month.
With the arrival of transfer student K, she's now completely yesterday's news.
Can A-ko, who's lost her popularity and her spotlight, reclaim her glory through the student council election—?
...Karen read the article to the end, then quickly hid the phone behind her back.
"Hey, hey, Anna! You shouldn't be reading this kind of junk!"
"I'm not upset... okay?
Yeah... I'm totally not upset..."
Anna's cheerful aura rapidly drained away.
This is bad, Karen thought, and quickly opened the menu in front of her.
"Hey, how about I treat you to something to cheer you up! What do you want?"
"Huh? Really? Anything?"
Anna's face lit up with life again.
"Of course! Don't hold back.
The cakes here are really good."
"If I can pick anything, that makes it hard to decide...
The carbonara sounds good, but so does the porcini cream sauce..."
"Anna, you're going with pasta?"
"Hm? Did you say something, Karen-chan?"
Karen shook her head silently.
Yeah... when Anna's smiling like that, being the straight man is just a waste.
As she watched her friend happily browse the menu,
Karen silently, sincerely wished for her best friend's happiness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 2 Done! Make! MAKE! MAKEKEKE!
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