Chapter 10. I do Think I Deserve the Right
"Aaaalright," Sensei merrily said after accepting her tea from Yuki and sitting down across us, "be honest with me. What did you jerks do to Haruno?"
And here I was planning to enjoy a nice fuzzy September sunset in our cozy little club in peace.
Me and Yuki reflexively looked at each other. Yuigahama took turns gazing at us in silent wonder.
"Why do you immediately assume it's us?" Yuki then turned to Sensei.
"Last time we met she barely mentioned you and immediately went quiet. And her eyes were like those of the saddest puppy on earth. A very scared one to boot." She nodded to herself. "I get it that you getting an upper hand is now celebrated as a national holiday but I still need me a sane functioning drinking buddy, thank you very much."
Oh, of course. Hiratsuka-sensei did mention she and Haruno-san went out to drink regularly, all the way back at that Valentine's Day event; and it still was hard to stuff into my head they could be friendly with each other. I did mean everything I said to Haruno-san back then, every single word. How did Sensei communicate with her without fear? Did she know something I didn't?
"Hmm… Let's see," Yuki thoughtfully touched her chin. "I did tell her she was not an ideal to live up to anymore."
"And I criticized her appearance choices," I added, looking elsewhere. "Never thought she'd be that self-conscious."
"Oh, and her choice of protection brands was atrocious," Yuki in turn tilted her head. Beside her Yuigahama immediately blanched. "Not to mention who would stock up with three-item packs, it's simply unfeasible money-wise-"
"Yukinon," Yuigahama managed a stern expression despite being beet red, "Too much information!"
"Oh," Yuki raised her hands, showing she wasn't offensive. "My apologies, Yuigahama-san. I won't mention it, I promise."
"Nah, nah, it's fine, just… please." Yuki smiled and nodded.
"Ah." Sensei raised a brow. "That explains it. Sure was a tough blow for a poor big sister."
"Pardon me?" Yuki suspiciously stared back. "Would she rather control me so much that I would stay a virgin forever?"
"Yeah, well, maybe not to a such extreme," Hiratsuka-sensei laughed, "and she kinda does approve of Hikigaya anyway."
"Good to know," I grumbled. "Because the feeling sure as hell isn't mutual. How do you talk to her so easily anyway?"
"How… Well, same as usual?" Sensei propped her head and looked at me. "She's not a devil incarnate."
Seeing something on my face she decided to add:
"Nah, really. She's not. Likes to push people's buttons for fun, sure, but nothing an experienced person can't deal with."
"How?.." It was now Yuki's turn to frown.
"Hmm, how do I put it…" Sensei scratched her head, then shook her mane and drummed her fingers on the table, seemingly gathering her thoughts. "Okay, boring lecture time. Not the last one I fear. Anyway, here goes."
She raised a finger for emphasis.
"You're both scared of her, I get it. It's absolutely fine. You're in an inferior position to her, she's a more weathered adult person relative to you. No wonder you can't talk as equals. I see you've showed her you can bite, that's great. As a first step, mind you. To restore communication under new conditions, that is, minding the fact you now have leverage against her."
"Would I even want to?" Yuki's frown deepened.
"Hmm, eventually you probably would. I know you're both probably hurt-"
"I'm still having nightmares about that time, for your info," I grumbled under my breath. Feeling Sensei's and Yuigahama's stares, I warily clarified: "After her mother, you know…"
Yuki just solemnly nodded. Not that I like to mention it but she did have to soothe me once or twice when I woke up in the middle of the night, shaking after the nightmare where I heard her wail and blabber helplessly again. I don't like to even remember that. No, seriously, I don't.
"Yeah," Sensei sighed. "Yeah, I get that too. Just, maybe, hmm… how do I put it… Right. Maybe you shouldn't cut people off so easily. As I said, wait till you get more emotional intelligence, resilience, those kinda things. Or plain life experience, that works too. You'll find out there's quite a lot of stuff to talk about. As equals."
"Like what?" I interjected skeptically. "What do you even normally talk about?"
"Hey, you never know. Fun fact, Haruno's a huge Western music buff. Not to mention an avid Gunpla Builder."
That made Yuki raise her head. "Sister is?"
"Hah! So you didn't know after all! You're not the only one scared of your mother, mind you. See what I'm talking about?"
Yuki looked aside, then slowly nodded.
"Point taken. Mother I can understand."
"Like, the way she buttered me up back then…" Yuigahama muttered and shuddered. "Yikes."
"Yeah. Hindsight," I replied melancholically.
"Yeaah, I'm with you on this one." Sensei nodded. "Don't think I'd start restoring contact with her anytime soon… but if ten years may pass, maybe twenty, anything can happen."
Yuki seemingly froze for an uncomfortable moment, then turned her head to the window. Something in the way her shoulders tensed made me forget all our agreements; seconds later I found myself standing up and hastily approaching her. Hearing that Yuki looked at me with wide eyes, but then realized what I was doing, smiled apologetically and shook her head. I stopped, slowly nodded and returned to my seat, Yuigahama and Hiratsuka-sensei watching us in silence.
"I prefer to check that when I get there," Yuki finally sighed, shook her head once more for good measure, stood up and started gathering our cups for a refill; a clear signal conversation was over. Sensei saw that too, stood up and walked to the window doing some stretching, then back to her seat.
"In other news, your little sister is performing adequately," she addressed me. "Refreshingly so."
"Uhhh…" I sent her a frown. "Which word should I start getting offended after?"
"'Refreshingly' I think." Yuigahama sent me an aside look from her phone. "So it's Hikki the odd one out in his family after all."
"Very funny."
"Her first essay was actually fine too. I'm now really tempted to show her yours."
"Oi. Isn't that a tiny wee bit unethical?"
"Hey, I said 'tempted'. Though, mind you, you're getting better at the exams too. I see Yukinoshita has a good influence on you."
"I'm flattered," Yuki smiled to herself. "My efforts are finally recognized. I did tell you I'd reform you all the way back then."
"Also check out what she's reading," I retorted smugly.
"What do you mean what she's rea- wait, what? Haruhi?"
"Despite being a light novel," Yuki shook off a strand from her shoulder, "and Hikigaya-kun's insinuations, I find its postmodernist approach fascinating. By no means it makes me in any way, shape or form turn into him."
"Yeah, it totally was me who left Vita uncharged yesterday."
"I apologized for that, didn't I?"
"I know. Couldn't help myself."
"Get a room." Sensei finally interjected propping her head on an arm with a disapproving frown. "Also what's up with your sister and Isshiki by the way?"
"With Isshiki-san?" Yuki asked and expressively squinted her eyes at me. "Don't tell me she took your chuuni threats to the heart. Look what you've done."
I crafted a deeply offended expression in return.
"What threats?.." Sensei looked at us suspiciously. "Anyway, Isshiki almost immediately found her to, quote, 'find a viable student council member'. Nice to see them hit it off though, I guess."
"Ah, I remember," Yuigahama added. "During the lunch break. That was not far from where we usually gather with Yumiko and Hina. Didn't exactly hear it but they both were all smiley and cheery, but like… overdoing it? Like a staged play. Idunno, looked like Iroha-chan was probing her."
"Eh, no worries." I shrugged. "Komachi can manage. For that matter have you seen a nasty pillow bug nearby?"
"What pillow bug?.."
"I suspect he means Kawasaki-kun," Yuki explained, then teasingly smiled. "Kawasaki-san's little brother. Hikigaya-kun is concerned."
"Concerned," Sensei raised her brow.
"Concerned, huh," Yuigahama smirked smugly.
"Buzz off. Sensei, what are you doing here anyway? 'Drinking some Yukinoshita's tea' is a no-go."
"But why? Good reason as any." Sensei shrugged. "Thanks for reminding me though. It's about the school festival participation."
"Nope. Nope nope nope nope."
"That's expected. Yukinoshita, Yuigahama, any other opinions?"
"Hikigaya-kun does have a point," Yuki replied, putting her book away. "We're third years now. What's worse is, we're working third years now. All in all we can dedicate only so much time to a school or sports festival. So most definitely no active committee participation."
"Point. Some backup would be nice though."
"I probably can prepare a musical number or two in case the chairperson decides to make people's lives inconvenient again," Yukinoshita allowed. "But that is it. I can also involve Yuigahama-san unless she'll be preoccupied with her class' exhibition."
"I'll probably do though. Seems like both Yumiko and the Saitourage now both want to prepare something."
The last bit made Sensei pause.
"Sai what now?"
"Ummm, Saitourage," Yuigahama repeated, a bit unsure. "I mean, Sai-chan and his active fangirls or something like that. An… Entourage, yeah."
"My, you're learning words," Yuki prodded her, with no particular malice.
"Meanie." Yuigahama shot back, seemingly automatically. "Anyway, they're all, like, taking turns in dating him, and made it some sort of a competition. There's maybe eight of them now."
Rentarou, you've got competition.
Sensei actually massaged her temples at the provided info.
"That's definitely not what was meant by 'the gifts of the Reiwa era'. Nope, not even close." She sighed in defeat. "I wanna go home."
A knocking was heard. Yuki turned to the door.
"Come in-"
"Good afternoon. Hope your day is fine. My name is Daiki Sawatari, I'm the president of the Light Music Club."
He coughed and fixed his glasses.
"I want Yui Yuigahama-senpaiii…ummm…" Seemed like he caught on what he just blurted, "Yuigahama-senpai's vocal expertise for the upcoming festival which will happen in two weeks. I need Yui Yuigahama-senpai to talk to me in private. If possible please come to our club room, it's three doors down on this floor. Thank you."
The one who said that tirade with just a single stutter around the "vocal expertise" part was now standing ramrod-straight right at a middle point between the clubroom door and our desk. Average build, average face, square rimmed glasses, stock light novel protagonist's hair; exactly like roughly half the school's male population. And a wonderful mix of using correct keigo and still being blunt and direct. Kinda reminded me of Isshiki's slyness easily coming through all those kouhai-appropriate speech patterns.
Sometimes I wondered what the point even was anymore.
Sawatari meanwhile kept standing there like a tin soldier.
"Sawatari-san, are you perhaps waiting for something?" Yuki carefully asked. "I suggest you may as well sit. Would black tea be alright with you?"
"No need, thanks. I just need Yui Yuigahama-senpai's response."
"Need?.." I parroted, not sure what to say.
We both turned our heads to Yuigahama.
Yuigahama meanwhile was visibly taken aback, to the point of leaning back into her chair, and just kept blinking with widened eyes.
"W… Wait, who are you?"
"A Light Music club president Daiki Sawatari," he repeated his introduction.
"I-I heard that the first time! Why do you know me? How did you know I'm here? What are you, a stalker?"
"To answer your first question: I took a liking for your performance during the last school festival, so I'd like to employ- wait hire- wait use- wait ask you to perform with me. To answer the second one: I had to ask around the teaching staff and they eventually pointed me to Hiratsuka-sensei."
"W-Wait, what? Sensei, you jerk…"
"Actually that was misplaced, Yuigahama-san. This is open information."
"Huh… W-Well, anyway, it's still creepy!"
"I take that as a 'no' then?" Sawatari decided to clarify.
"What else did you want?! You seriously thought I'd- I'd…" Yuigahama suddenly fell silent mid-outburst. "…You really like my singing?"
"Yes."
"L-Like… you mean it?"
"Yes."
"Ah… Ummm…"
"That's almost like a love confession," I mused quietly.
"Shut it." Yuigahama apparently heard it though. "So, you want me to what, just sing? What do you want to play anyway?"
"A set of anime songs."
"W-Wha?!"
"It was supposed to be several original numbers but our drummer and songwriter couldn't solve their differences over our vocalist so the latter two left."
How can you spew that all out in a single sentence without flinching? That's damn tragic. All of it.
"Wait, how are you even a club now?"
"It's still roughly three months before the budget meeting where we'll be axed," Sawatari managed a snide shrug while still standing like on a parade. "Might as well play as much as we want before we have to rent karaoke parlors for rehearsals."
"Erm?.."
"It's cheaper."
"But why anisons?" I asked.
"It's what me and Tazawa- umm, the drummer- had settled on."
"O… kay. But what about music instruments? There's just two of you."
Sawatari fixed his glasses, with a gesture both dismissive and somewhat condescending.
"Nothing that modern technology can't help with." Before I could add anything, he addressed Yuigahama: "So, Yui Yuigahama-senpai, will you assist me?"
Yuigahama hung her head and timidly nodded.
"I… Okay. Alright."
Something unexpected happened then. Sawatari nodded back, hung his shoulders and loudly exhaled in relief.
"Oh. G-Good. Really good you agreed, Yuigahama-senpai. T-Thanks and sorry for rudeness earlier. Yeah. C-Come with me to the clubroom please then. T-Thanks."
It's like he visibly deflated, not to mention started shaking slightly. Don't tell me he gathered all his courage for that defiant act.
"It's fine, Yuigahama-san. I intended to close for today soon." Yuki decided to encourage Yuigahama.
"Oh… Alright." She turned to Sawatari. "So, what… we're going now?"
"Yes. And one last bit," Sawatari suddenly turned on his rebel mode again, turning back into a stoic bluntness incarnate.
"I plan to be the committee chairperson and I'd like you to make you both advisors."
…What.
"Sawatari-san… You seriously need to work on your manners and empathy." Yuki massaged her temples. "As a start."
"I mean if you wanted to. You both have experience and your help would be appreciated. You don't even need to visit all the meetings."
Me and Yuki shared concerned looks.
"If he puts it that way," I finally concluded.
"G-Good," Sawatari deflated again.
"Like an on-off switch…" Yuki mused.
"Or a limit break," I continued. Seeing Yuki tilt her head in surprise I just rolled my eyes. Another thing to educate my girlfriend on.
"It's called scrums," Yuki explained. "The original terminology comes from American football, if my memory serves me right."
"Noted," Sawatari nodded.
We were waiting by the student council room for the last remaining committee preparation. Specifically, one least important thing: an actual room for the committee members to gather.
This Sawatari fellow thought of everything. Meeting schedules, committee structure, the approval for himself being the chairperson ("Elections are nice but have you forgotten the last time?"), even stationery and laptops.
Everything except the actual meeting room.
So the first Service Club's job in a long while was to assist Sawatari to the student council so he would make a second request. The reasoning for that was he had no valid exceptions to bother the council for a second time. All said with a straight face. The general feeling, though, was that he was too embarrassed.
Yuki just shrugged and so we both had escorted our newly appointed chairman to the mighty ominous student council. I still was trying to somewhat correlate that with my own impression of them.
"Regarding the usage in organization planning, scrums usually means everyone telling just three things," She meanwhile kept lecturing. "Specifically, what they were doing, what they plan to do, any obstacles, or blockers, they have. It is then up to the team leader - in this case you, Sawatari-san - to sort out any problems or correct the workload."
"Understood," Sawatari nodded with mechanical precision, "Wait. This will take a lot of time if everyone speaks in sequence."
"This is normally what happens when someone wants to write off their working time as 'meeting participation'," Yuki noted. "I haven't encountered anything like that yet, but my apprenticeship team leader has… stories."
She actually shivered. I did know some of them: a disgruntled enough Yuki would start dropping angry remarks every other evening. Seemed like overly long meetings were not just an episodic thing. I then reminded her of Tamanawa. Yuki nodded and replied I now had a general gist of that. We spent the rest of the evening in each other's arms, talking about nothing in particular.
I didn't want to work.
"This is why you can gather everyone's replies in text, say, via instant messenger," Yuki meanwhile pointed.
"And everyone's in LINE anyways," Sawatari finished. "Will make a multi-chat there."
"That one about load distribution is important too, you know," I decided to share a bit of my wisdom. "Especially the archiving team. They end up doing everything."
"The plural for 'anecdote' isn't 'data'," Yuki raised her finger as she chided me. "On the other hand, he is right. As a chairperson you are responsible for the load of your committee."
"Will do."
"And a final organization advice: use a kanban of any sort. There are several applications for that-"
"No go. Half the members don't know how to use their phones properly and you demand them to use those apps?"
"Hmm…" Yuki tilted her head. "Maybe spend one evening for a learning session…"
"Don't complicate things," I interrupted her. "How about you do it the way Toshiba workers originally did it? On a blackboard."
That left Yuki speechless.
"What?" I looked at her suspiciously. "I'm not allowed to know a tidbit or two?"
Yuki just smiled and shook her head.
"I have become too complacent. Thank you, Hikigaya-kun."
"Sure. Count on me to get you out of the box."
The door of the student council room was right before us now. I, being the nearest, knocked several times.
"Ummm, i-it's open!" A girl's voice replied. I racked my memory on possible candidates, then remembered it most probably was that braids-and-glasses secretary girl I've seen during a "date" with Isshiki.
As we entered, we indeed found Secretary (for the life of me I couldn't remember any of their names) together with Vice President.
"Hello there," he greeted us casually. "President Isshiki is out at the moment but maybe we can help."
"Regarding two requests, actually," Yuki replied and nodded to Sawatari: "Sawatari-san?"
"Right. Of course. I need to make reservations for the committee room. I think I've forgotten it last time."
"Oh, no problem. I'll get a form for you right away," Secretary approached one of the lockers for the paper in question.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw Yuki frown and look around slowly.
"Good then," she said looking back at the Vice President. "The last one is my request for material goods relocation. Specifically, the Korg M1 workstation, with the reason being preparing for the school festival."
"Hmmm," Vice President rubbed his chin, "This might take a while. I don't remember anything like that under 'personal computers'."
"A synthesizer," Yuki corrected, looking slightly exasperated.
"You called it a workstation before?.."
"That means you can arrange a song start to finish using it alone. Shiromeguri-senpai, the previous council president, had used it during the school festival the year before. You should remember that."
"Oh? Oh, that!" Secretary chirped in. "Isn't it very old though? It's under 'musical equipment' then. Let me see, let me see…"
She shuffled through the lockers, then approached the big organizer box by the window, opened several sections and finally fetched three sheets.
"Okay, got it. Permission form, monetary value form, relocation in/out registration form." She handed those two to Yuki. "The second one should also be signed by your club advisor."
"Thank you, I will see her later today-" Yuki suddenly frowned some more and sniffed subtly, but then caught herself. "- a-and have that signed."
"Got it, thanks."
"Give me the relocation one, I'll fill it out," I offered. Yuki nodded and gave the form in question to me.
After completing the form (for which I actually had our student council pester their treasurer on the serial number for that M1 thing; where was half the council right now anyway?) I sighed and went to the Vice President's chair. As I handed the form to him I suddenly felt it: the smell. A very, very faint one, but it was enough for my untrained nose to pick it up. That and maybe its familiarity. Or was I imagining things? Frowning, I decided to let it slide.
Just as I approached Yuki I practically saw a light bulb flashing in my head.
"Yuki?" I leaned to her and whispered. "Are you smelling what I'm smelling? Y'know…"
"Silicone lubricant, a tinge of specific bodily fluids and strawberry?" Yuki whispered back in a conspiratorial tone.
"Yeah, that. For all that's holy, strawberry. Is it trending right now or what?"
"Steel your resolve." She gave me a small smirk, then addressed the student council members: "All done. I will return later with the signature from the club advisor."
With that she stood up and headed for the exit, but right at the door turned once more.
"Please ventilate the room in the meantime." She added with a small but all-knowing smile.
Their stony faces were more than enough for an answer.
I found myself heavily exhaling and scratching my head. With both hands for good measure.
"Eight."
"Yep, at the moment," Totsuka smiled somewhat guiltily.
"The hell do you mean 'at the moment'," I muttered darkly. "You're planning to add up?"
"No, no, no," Totsuka shook his head, somewhat frantically. "I meant maybe someone quits."
"Sure. I totally can see that happen," I finally shooed away my dark thoughts and asked in what I hoped was a normal tone: "How did you even… you know, this?"
We had some time before the first committee meeting started. Sawatari had this bright idea to also bring each class' organization team leads for it, "for coordination's sake", as he said. I didn't remember anything like that the first time around; on the other hand I distinctly remember how the last one turned up. Anyway, technically I wasn't even an active committee member, no not my problem. Me and Yuki planned to sit quietly in the corner and hopefully never set foot here again until maybe after the festival ended.
That meant Miura (Yuigahama convinced her to volunteer in advance), Totsuka minus his merry band of fangirls and, surprisingly, Hayama.
The latter right now was at the other end of the room and I didn't plan to pay attention to him at all. That one time when I noticed him, though, he was looking at his phone with a… a smile. Not like his usual sickeningly polite smile. An actual human smile. Wide, giddy, somewhat goofy. Like when you were presented a rare figurine of your favorite character. Or when you're glad to see your kind grandma while on vacation.
Or receiving a message from your girlfriend. I know I had something like that on my face back then.
That was intriguing, but not so much as to go pry. Besides, around that moment Totsuka noticed me, waved and came to say hi.
Which, word by word, led to our current conversation.
"Nah, seriously. I know you're popular with girls but this… uhhh…"
"Funny," Totsuka flexed his neck looking elsewhere, "because I sure didn't up until recently."
"Seriously?" I looked at him in disbelief.
"What?" Totsuka was slightly taken aback. "They never told me anything like that. And I was too busy training anyway."
'Told'? Oh Totsuka, you late bloomer you.
"And how did you find out then?"
He in turn sighed.
"The hard way." He fell silent. I wanted to nugde him but decided against it. Finally Totsuka gathered his thoughts again and continued:
"Like I told you that time I did have a girl I liked. Kagari-san, our club manager. So I sent her a letter, the… ummm… the usual way… I think."
"Uh-huh?"
"Then I came to the park across the school and waited for her. That day when I, well, blurted it out in class." He closed his eyes in visible embarrassment. "What was I thinking?.."
"Uh-h… wait… nevermind." We were literally four days apart; that made me pause and think hard on my life decisions for five whole seconds. "So, did she come?"
"She did." Toitsuka nodded. "As did seven other girls. All from our school. From different classes aside from Ondou-san though."
"Huh. Wonder how they knew."
"So did I. Then they said Kagari-san was cheating. Not like 'having someone already'… like 'unfair play'." His expression became a weird mix of wonder and disbelief. "Then life stopped making sense for some time."
"… Go on?"
"They were in some sort of a secret club of my admirers and all wanted to confess to me. Kagari-san allegedly beat them to it."
"Wait, how? You confessed."
"I told you. No sense. For half an hour straight. Because Kagari-san told it was kinda true because she apparently used her position to be nice to me or something. And the girls also wanted to try it. All eight of them."
"And you agreed?"
"Of course not!" He frowned at the insinuation. "That still made no sense! I already had a girl I liked, what was I supposed to do with other seven? Even if Kagari-san agreed to share with me. And anyway, imagine eight girls suddenly demanding you try practice-going out with them!"
"So you declined?"
"I ran away."
"…Understandable." I scratched my head. Not really sure I wouldn't in that situation.
"Then the next day they approached me one by one and apologized for scaring me. And they were fine with whoever I'd choose, and I could take my time, and… So, eventually I decided to try it out." He sheepishly bowed. "I'm sorry if you think I'm a bad person."
"Nah, not really." I shrugged. "I mean, you're all fine with it?"
"Yep," he finally smiled openly.
"And so you're staging a play now, huh."
"'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves', yes."
"You're the only guy there."
"Right."
"There's eight of them."
"Right."
"There's no additional princes there?"
"Uh-huh."
"Oh well," I shrugged once more for a good measure. "Best of luck then."
"Better than The Little Prince," Totsuka nodded, then suddenly smiled looking somewhere far beyond me: "And no one's trying to stuff me into a dress. So there's that."
That was definitely something I shouldn't pry into.
Waving him goodbye I propped into the wall and lazily scanned the room. Oh, there she is. Tim to visit her and pick a cozy corner of the room-
"Will do, Miura-san."
My ears perked up at that. (That meant I spent too much time around Yuki, not that I mind.)
Anyway, my ears perked up because it was Hayama saying that to Miura.
Not "Yumiko". I could understand that if they had a falling out of some sort.
Not even "Miura". And that part was where my understanding failed me.
It was "Miura-san".
What the hell happened to that merry bunch? Again. And we're definitely not helping this time. Figure it out on your own.
Judging by Miura's reaction, though… Which, mind you, was a complete absence of reaction… yep, seemed like Service Club's help wasn't needed.
Hayama meanwhile spotted me and started moving in my direction. Wait, what? Does he also want to say hi? Am I a celebrity or something? Make it stop.
"Hey."
"Uhhh, hi?"
Hayama slightly lowered his head, a bit defensively.
"I'm not going to grab you by the collar this time. In fact I won't do anything."
"…That's even more baffling." I stared at him in silent wonder. "I'm kinda out of ideas."
"Yeah, very funny," Hayama chuckled. "I just wanted to apologize to you. And Yukinoshita-san by extension."
No stutter. He just said "Yukinoshita-san" simply and easily. I unconsciously looked at the farthest corner of the room where Yuki was now discussing something with Yuigahama and Sawatari.
This all didn't add up. What's happened to him? Did he become happy with his life or something? Nah, the last one was a bit too much.
"Well, apology accepted then."
"You should have seen your face." He chuckled again, though without a single trace of malice. "I know, I know. Not like me. I'm not myself. Been told that by several people."
"Kinda… yeah?" I raised a brow. "Something happened?"
"A lot of things happened."
"Huh."
"Why do you sound surprised? You think I'd never get over Yukinoshita-san? Or I wouldn't be able to change something about myself?" Even if his smirk was sort of smug it still was rather cheerful.
"Uhhh, honestly, I didn't think about you at all." I shrugged. "Get off your high horse."
He only quietly guffawed in response, then took a look around the room.
"All in perspective. Like going to cram school and finding out you're actually average among peers. Took me some time to realize no one cared about who I was here before." He smiled at his thoughts. "Felt pleasant."
"Yeah, I see that." I pointed to his phone he was still holding in his hand. "Girlfriend?"
"Yep." He didn't even try to hide it. "I'm that obvious, huh."
"Sorta. She's any good?"
"Nothing like any of you, and that's all I'd want to say."
"Huh. What about Miura?"
"Miura-san… Miura-san looked at me and saw another person entirely." He lowered his head. "Took us one whole month to figure it out."
"Ummm… well… yeah." I rubbed my forehead. "You still had a whole school of fangirls though… Just curious."
"Like who?"
"I don't know… Isshiki?" I nodded at the student council president just entering the meeting room.
Hayama actually snorted.
"Hahaha. No."
"Wait, why? She even used me to test methods and stuff for a future date with you."
"Ah, that's what she told you?" He looked at me now, still stifling the chuckles. "'Aw, Senpai, Hikigaya-senpai would figure this out sooner, but okay, that'll pass'."
That left me stupefied for a moment.
"What."
"Exactly what you think."
I looked at him again, unable to find words.
Then at Isshiki.
Then at him again; feeling a vibrating wave of something new inside my chest.
Unable to contain it, I laughed.
Hayama laughed with me.
In the corner of a meeting room, under everyone's wondering stares, me and Hayama were doubling down in laughter for a whole minute straight.
As I finally straightened up again after a laughing bout, still wheezing, I saw Hayama offering his hand.
"By no means does that ever make us friends."
"Gee, I hope so," I replied firmly shaking it.
Yuki's cheek was expectedly soft and warm under my gentle poke.
"No you idiotic join," Came the sleepy reply, "I said no."
Yuki herself, now inelegantly plastered on the study desk, was also expectedly sleepy and tired. Poking was then skillfully replaced with chin scratching for additional effect.
"You are not supposed to be here. Furthermore, you are not supposed to be nested."
She stiffened a bit. Not sure who's that "join" fellow was, but if it was giving Yuki trouble I was concerned.
"Even further you're not supposed to be two levels of nested and scratching me won't do you any fa…"
At this point she finally opened her eyes. I tenderly caressed her cheek.
"You were saying about doing favors."
"So it seems," she sleepily smiled, nudged into my hand, rose up from the desk and slowly stretched.
"So am I better than that 'nested join'?"
"Most definitely." She looked at the stack of papers before her and visibly slumped.
"Tea?"
"Would never hurt. Just put the kettle- oh, you already did." Yuki coyly sent me an aside glance. "And then you went to wake me up. An incredible display of effectiveness and multitasking."
"I can brew it myself."
"No need. Let me."
With that Yuki stood up, stretched once more for good measure and tiptoed to the cupboard to fetch the teapot, cups and leaves. After setting them on the kotatsu she started her usual ritual.
First she poured some boiling water into the teapot to rinse it, walking to the sink and back with measured steps honed after half a year of us living here. After returning she tossed exactly two and a half teaspoons of the leaves into the pot, poured some more boiling water and immediately went to drain it. Only after that would Yuki settle the teapot and eyeball the needed amount of water for the two of us, raising the kettle over the teapot in one swift motion to cool the water while it was flowing down a bit. Finally she covered the teapot with a lid and let her internal timer do its job.
Black tea was, it seemed, yet another form of quiet rebellion against her mother who was hellbent on Japanese tea ceremonies. Unlike the latter, Yuki once admitted, this simpler act of brewing in a teapot was free of tension, expectations and dread; instead it was soothing and helping her fall into the groove, which was quite needed this dark evening somewhere between dusk and midnight.
"Almost eleven in the evening," Yuki meanwhile noted while glancing at her phone. Putting it back she leisurely tilted her head to me: "Do remind me what we're doing right now."
"Reviewing the last fifty or so requisition forms."
"Does ring the bells," She nodded. "Do remind me whose fault it is then."
"Yours."
"Such a fast and sure answer."
"Cause it's correct." I remarked snidely, then added in a grave tone: "Unfortunately, you succumbed to your sense of duty, unable to oppose it. I deeply regret the fact I didn't have time to intervene."
"You have not done wrong," Yuki replied in the same tone, accepting the game. "What does remain a mystery is the fact you are helping me with that."
"I remember the last time."
"That goes without saying," Yuki nodded and hugged me, then, ruffling my hair, she went on: "Yet you shared the load instead of, say, distracting me in equal intervals."
"By assuming horizontal positions?"
"Reenacting two-story cats."
"Becoming a beast with two backs."
"Dancing the passionate tango."
"Uh… I'm out of metaphors."
"You lose then," Yuki quietly giggled into my ear. "The question still stands though. Does it mean you are altruistic after all your proclamations about your loneliness and independence?"
"Huh," I scratched my head. "It kinda does."
"I did it!" Yuki mock-gasped. "You have changed! I did it! I have accomplished my goal!"
I flicked her nose for a response.
"Oh. Of course." She stood up and went to pour our tea, then returned with the mugs and handed one to me.
"Wonder who's the more diligent idiot," I idly asked no one in particular.
"I declare a tie," Yuki sipped some from her mug. "It is more productive and thus time-saving."
"Can't argue with that," I shrugged, took a gulp (nice as always) and returned to my stack.
Time started flowing by like particularly fast molasses. Quick, yet viscous. At least that was the impression at the back of my head while checking the items and their quantities in a form so-and-so. Couple times I had to contact other committee members to get the needed info on our inventory; three quarters of them were still online. Getting ready to crunch it as early as school.
We all were pathetic.
On the other hand, better than last time.
"What's Yuigahama doing?" I decided to switch gears.
"Alternatively rehearsing and fuming at Sawatari-san," Yuki stopped typing and massaged her neck. "'Hikki's, like, a perfect gentleman' is the nicest comparison she could muster as of now."
"Am I now?"
"Oh, fishing for compliments, aren't we," Yuki giggled and rewarded me with a teasing glance. "On the other hand she does praise his and the Tazawa-san's musical skill even though she struggles to understand what he's doing. Last time I had to educate her on what a MIDI controller is, right after what MIDI itself is."
"Huh. Any luck?"
"At least she now refers to his controllers as 'controllers' and not, quote, 'those hundred button thingies'."
"Heh, who needs cram school when we have you."
"We still do. And we still have to go there."
"Yeah, poke me harder." I huffed and huddled over the kotatsu.
"As you wish," Yuki hopped off the chair, made two quick steps to me and did just that.
"Ow."
"You won't acquire a good career with a motivation like that," she teased.
"Sure." I rolled my eyes. Seconds later I slowly asked: "Career, huh… Still aiming to be a politician?"
"Not at all." Yuki carefully collected my mug and went to the kitchenette for a refill.
"That was fast."
"Nothing to ponder about anymore." Yuki came back and sat beside me, taking a sip. "A politician needs charisma, an inherent understanding of people, an ability to influence them. I have none of that. Meeting you only confirmed it: I'm just a technician."
"A very good one."
"My, thanks. In fact, you could be a better one than I ever would. I could even arrange an apprenticeship under my father for you."
"No need. Not worth the hassle. I'm fine with quietly working some boring job for the rest of my life."
"And thus two good politicians died that day," Yuki summarized. After thinking for sometime she traced the rim of her mug; a sign of hesitation.
"Something on your mind?"
"Speaking of influencing people…" Yuki paused again. "I'd like to show you something. Something I came up with in my spare time, and…"
Fixing her eyes on the cup she finished:
"Promise me you won't-"
"I won't."
"You won't what?" Yuki frowned.
"Something that I promise."
The frown turned into a stern stare; Yuki then shook her head, took her laptop from the desk and returned to me.
"Can you read this?"
"Huh. Alright."
The laptop showed a text editor I've never seen before, with a dark background and a single status line in the bottom. Aside from "Q01" and a rainbow string with a Nyan Cat everything else was rather cryptic romaji. That made me pause a bit but then I shrugged it off and started reading.
"Do you know why this lake is the quietest lake in the world?" The white snake asks her in a surprisingly melodious voice, something that would more certainly belong to a young maiden than a man-eating monstrosity before her eyes.
"I do not," she slowly answers and opens her eyes. When you expect to be eaten, hearing such a question is the last thing you anticipate, yet she barely finds it in herself to feel surprise.
"For this is a place where no noise can be heard," the snake then continues, in an even tone, like a professor providing guidance. "Why do you think that is?"
She opens her mouth, but struggles for an answer. She is nervous and anxious; every time she must answer a question she is not prepared for, she feels like that.
The snake meanwhile curls into rings and looks at her, not stares, but looks, with a patience that feels centuries old, saying nothing.
She finally opens her mouth once more, just to end this anxiousness, to get some certainty, even if something dreaded comes.
"I wouldn't know," She carefully says.
"Many of you don't," The snake nods. "The noise is not a literal noise. The noise is not of a woodpecker hitting a tree, not of a cicada screeching in summer, not even of water flowing in a wide river like those far away in distant lands. You must realize what the noise is."
She lowers her eyes, unmoving.
"I do not think I can."
"Just as many didn't realize before, equally many do now." She gets the impression the snake could shrug if it had shoulders. "You can come to the answer. All you need to do is start going."
She was told to go to the quietest lake and get eaten by the snake for all they care, so she came here, feeling nothing else could be done. She is not afraid, not dreading.
What is she doing then?
She stands up and starts going along the shore. She doesn't feel like it is the right thing to do, yet she keeps going. She tries to listen and hears waves sloshing and birds chirping in a birch grove, so she goes.
She doesn't know the answer but she is confident she can find it.
That she *can*.
"Miyazawa much?" I finally asked after reading on for some time. Yuki seemed to be startled by the question.
"As much as I like the comparison," she carefully allowed, "probably not."
"This lake and questions thingie kinda feels like it, dunno why. Let me show it- uhhhh what?"
"What is it?"
"I try searching but the cursor moves instead. Is it broken?"
"Control-S," Yuki pointed.
"Wait, why?"
Instead of an answer Yuki raised her eyes heavenwards.
"Forgive me Hachi, for your girlfriend has known Emacs."
I frowned, looking alternatively at her and at the screen.
"Ee-makkusu… Should I feel worried? What is that?"
"The text editor." Yuki helpfully pointed again. In response I poked her cheek for some more.
"Why would you even… Fine," I finally concluded. "So, anyway, it's sort of a tale?"
"Correct." After all the teasing and explanation earlier Yuki reverted to shyness again. "I was typing it up in my spare time. Since around the time we got the laptops, to be precise. How… how is it?"
"Well, it's just an unfinished story," I scratched my head. "But go on, I'm interested, if that's what you mean."
Yuki visibly exhaled.
"Thank you. You know me… always worried about things I do."
"I know," I smiled despite myself. "Things you do are magic. Just like in the song."
"Hmm?" She looked at me in surprise. "You know The Police?"
"Uhhh… What? Tatsuro Yamashita."
She stared at me in surprise for some time, then suddenly laughed into my shoulder.
"What? What?!"
"Nothing." Yuki hugged me once more. "Tatsuro Yamashita is fine too- oh."
"Oh?"
"I still have one song I have yet to finish."
"You mean on the synthesizer?" I glanced at the M1 lying at the back of the desk; calling it a synthesizer just stuck with me. Well, more like overwhelming the desk. Damn thing was so heavy I was glad we had enough foresight to take a train. "And what song is that? Fourth?"
"Correct, fourth."
"Not fifth or sixth?"
"No."
"Good. Emergency backup, not a full-fledged concert."
"Yes, milord."
I just sighed.
"Gimme the paperwork, I'll do it on my own. Barely any left anyway."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. As always."
And the last one. And put it onto the stack. And neatly straighten the stack for good measure.
"Whew, done."
"Good work as always," Yuki responded, pressing some keys on the synthesizer's front panel. "Coincidentally I'm also done."
"That's awesome. Not even midnight yet. They owe us."
"Would you mind listening?"
"All of it?"
"No, just the last one."
"Alright. What did you pick anyway?"
"A secret." Yuki winked.
"Suuure."
"Come here." She plugged her earplugs into the synthesizer using a comically big adapter. I scooted by her and took the offered plug.
"Ready?"
"Ready." Yuki pressed several buttons, closed her eyes for a second, then hit the "start/stop".
As the introduction melody started playing I frowned, then immediately widened my eyes as Yuki put her slender fingers on the keys and played a familiar melody; with different instruments but recognizable nonetheless.
"Wait, what? Tomoko Soryo?"
Yuki just smiled slightly and started singing, quietly, yet surely and beautifully.
City lights by the moonlight,
When our lips meet and we get close,
City's street lamps all the way down
Seem to drown, seem to vanish
Both of us are couple shooting stars,
Lighting up a tail and shining bright,
We're traversing through the night sky.
I realized I was smiling like an idiot. She knew me. She knew me too well. I once more promised myself I'll surprise her with one of her favorites once I get a decent grasp of English. I had to now.
Hiratsuka-sensei was in a heated argument with some man over his kei car with its hood open.
At least, I remember what Sensei's car looked like, they both kept pointing at that car time to time, the gestures indicated they were angry and their facial expressions showed they were angry at each other.
The man was tall and lanky, with an unusually long ponytail, dressed in jeans and a membrane windbreaker, with those big boots used by the military and hikers. A whole half a head taller than Sensei, in fact, and hunching to properly look at her.
And they were arguing about something in that car's engine compartment, it seemed, while I was watching the scene from the first floor's window. Just as I was thinking of whether I should move along, though, Sensei threw her hands in the air and went to the passenger's door, while the man flipped the hood shut and went to the driver's. Almost immediately the car rumbled to life, backpedaled, took a swift sharp turn (is that even allowed?..) and rode to the school gate, then outside; I didn't even know kei cars could accelerate like that. Not to mention if drifting turns right outside the school gate were even legal.
As I was processing the events my phone vibrated: a message in the committee's LINE group chat. From Sensei, in fact.
[Shizuka H: have to step away for an hour or two, brb]
[Shizuka H: behave]
Look who's talking.
Oh well. Not really my problem now. My problem now was, in fact, the same problem as a year ago: walk around and take photos. Not like the archiving team had their hands full but I actually volunteered for this: I wasn't a fan of roaming around the booths and classroom performances on my own. Doing it with Yuki would have been another matter but the unspeakable had happened: yesterday the girls from her class actually did manage to recruit her for their maid cafe; no escaping this year. All Yuki managed to negotiate after this was the adjustments to their default dress (typical Akihabara flair). Specifically, lengthen the skirt and be allowed to wear a blouse to hide her shoulders and arms. The former was done with the help of Kawasaki in exchange for covering her shift. In fact, Yuki offered three but Kawasaki shrugged it off and settled on just one. Thanks, Kawasaki-san.
Actually how about I go visit her, now that I've made three laps around the school building taking photos.
Class 3-J's cafe had a line. No, that doesn't quite convey it: a line half the corridor long. Either the service was that good or the girls looked really nice in those dresses.
After quietly walking along the line (about a third of it girls; was I missing something?..) I automatically pointed to my "committee member" armband to the nearest maid standing by and almost bumped into Yuki.
To say that Yuki was gorgeous was greatly diminishing it. The black dress with white frills, normally rather banal, was now primly fitted, which, along with the normally fit school uniform blouse Yuki was wearing, her straight posture, her hair freely flowing and only constrainted by the headpiece, was mistifying. Add to that her slightly stern face and you'll get a full picture of a weary head maid having to rule a cafe.
Upon seeing me the face became way less stern.
"What… oh, archiving duty?"
"Uh-huh." I gave her a once over. "You're stunning, you know."
"My, you make my heart swell with emotions," she slightly smiled; I almost physically felt burning glares from behind my back. "Maybe later though, I have to gather all the orders."
"You're gathering them in advance?" That's usually what the most popular eateries at peak attendances do. "That much demand?"
"I personally was surprised myself," Yuki nodded. "But in the end we've got what we've got."
"You alright there?"
"Manageable." Yuki ran her hand through her hair. "Only an hour and a half till the concert starts."
"Sure. Take care. Gotta go make another round… in a different direction." The last part was added due to glares intensifying. Yuki looked back and understood immediately. She allowed herself to briefly massage her temples, then approached the line.
I could almost hear the collective 'How did he even get her?' in their minds. Before it was irritating: imagine all the stereotypical romcom manga stuff actually happening to you. Over time, the irritation slowly diminished and I finally was able to see the funny part. In the end, it all became background noise.
No way I could explain to them how exactly I've got me a nice fine Yuki. I'd have to write a book for that.
Heh, maybe even a light novel. And call it "My Teen Romantic Comedy is Wrong as Expected", to forever commemorate the conclusion to that damn essay a year ago. Gonna be rich.
"My thighs belong to another person," I suddenly heard Yuki's cold voice from behind, "and are thus outside of your concern. What would you like to order?"
Snickering to myself, I took out my phone and sent a message to her.
"Don't forget to keep the dress."
As I was heading to the second floor I got a reply.
Will do /ᐠ𝅒▿𝅒ᐟ\ﾉ
"It's… raining… right?"
Those were the first words Yuigahama told to the audience of our gym where the concert was taking place. Behind her were the light music club's Tazawa the drummer at the drum set and Sawatari manning a, how do I put it, rather complicated gear set. A musical keyboard, a square-shaped controller with at least hundred buttons, a Macbook, a set of foot switches by his feet and to top it all off an electric guitar was hanging over his neck. He was taking this one man orchestra shtick to quite the next level. I was worried a bit.
After Yuigahama turned back and nodded to the two, Sawatari skillfully tapped three buttons on the controller and laid his fingers on the keyboard. Just as the first notes of the melody started flowing I recognized it even before Yuigahama started singing.
Feelings are like rain, rain,
Never ending rain, rain,
Those words that frustrate you because you can't say them,
Of feelings that are rain, rain,
And just before the downpour stops,
Hurry and tell those words.
Omoi wa Rain Rain. That song from Nao Touyama's debut live. Wonder if Sawatari picked it specifically because of that.
The auditorium around me burst into cheers, even startling me for a second. Many took out the phones and turned on their lights to sway them to Yuigahama's singing.
Rain Rain was followed by Ima, Koko, then by Aruitekou, then several others. Yuigahama's voice was attracting even more people with each song; Sawatari and his drummer friend played flawlessly yet didn't attract as much attention. They clearly rehearsed this properly and it showed; seeing Yuigahama finding her element was especially nice.
Wait, weren't all those songs originally sung by Nao-bou? Someone's clearly a fan.
All in all, why not stay here and take photos. Nowhere else to go right now anymore.
Just as Yuigahama said her parting words to the public my phone vibrated. A message to all in the committee channel.
[Akko R:Kashiwagi-senpai and her crew are not making it!]
[Daiki S: where are they?]
[Daiki S: why no message here?]
[Akko R: She's just called me, their minivan is stuck in traffic]
[Akko R: And she sounded panicking to me]
[Daiki R: train?]
[Akko R: They're somewhere at Ichikawa]
[Akko R: Middle of Keio Road]
[Akko R: A construction accident or something like that]
[Daiki S: told them to stash their props at school]
[Daiki S: and rehearse here for that matter]
[Daiki S: more room at my mansion she said]
[Daiki S: can rehearse without distractions she said]
[Daiki S: no one ever listens to me]
[Daiki S: all all anyone ready yet?]
[Akko R: Sorry]
[Daiki S: not your fault]
[Daiki S: anyone?]
A pause followed. If I remembered the schedule correctly, there were three numbers ahead, including 3-J's which Kashiwagi was from.
[Saika S: No, I'm sorry]
[Reiji M: us neither]
[Yukino Y: I can provide backup. Should be enough for 20-30 minutes.]
[Daiki S: oh good, absolutely forgot about you]
[Daiki S: I mean]
[Daiki S: Please do, Yukinoshita-senpai. I'll be in your debt.]
[Yukino Y: Got it. hikigaya Hikigaya-kun, please come to the backstage.]
[Hachiman H: on it]
"I won't make it," I suddenly heard Yuki whisper as I was taking the grips of the M1.
"Yuki?"
"I wo- oh, no, nothing." She shook her head in response.
"Yuki."
"I keep telling you-"
"Your hands are shaking." Then it hit me. "Stage fright? Now?"
"A… Apparently." Yuki lowered her head. "I… I was perfectly fine just a year ago. Why then?.. Just because I wasn't alone then?"
Yuki covered her mouth with one hand.
"I did it at piano recitals, yet I can't do it right… right now… I-"
I didn't wait any longer. Just as she looked at me with panicking eyes I put my end of the synthesizer down, reached out and caressed her cheek.
In response Yuki habitually leaned into my palm, then caught on what she was doing, then leaned in once more, acknowledging my gesture and visibly calming down.
"I think it's cause you've changed too." I firmly said. "Suppose you were only ever reacting before, and now you're acting. You make your own decisions and follow up on them. You decided to prepare a backup and now you're doing it. Point for me by the way. I think I taught you that."
Yuki actually snorted and quietly laughed.
"I suppose you are right."
"And you're doing what's right. No point in being afraid now. If you're still scared, just play the songs like you usually would. Even if they don't believe in you… I still do."
Yuki closed her eyes, slightly blushing.
"Don't get mad, don't feel sad, be a rebel, not a devil," she finally uttered and looked at me. "Thank you, Hachi. From the bottom of my heart. I will."
"Great." I exhaled. "Now let's haul this thing before I get all shy of what I've said."
On the stage I made a mistake of looking to the right, at the audience. Forget Yuki, I myself now was feeling light-headed. It took me some considerable effort to turn away and focus on unfolding the stand, then lifting the synthesizer on it. Finally I've found the power and line out cables (good thing I remembered what went where from the last time) and stood up. Yuki finished setting up the microphone on one of the free stands nearby. I was about to say "Good luck" but Yuki pointed to the microphone, indicating it was on. Then she smiled and nodded to me; I did the same.
Your time to shine, Yuki.
Only now, as I was now standing backstage with my camera ready, I realized Yuki was still in the maid uniform. Surprised voices in the auditorium meant the audience caught up too. That in turn made Yuki look everywhere in a slight panic, then meet my eyes and finally look at herself. Her eyes widened even more for a second, but then she shook her head, inhaled, exhaled and pressed several buttons.
As the percussion started the voices fell silent: everyone almost literally had their eyes glued to the stage. And there, at the stage, head maid Yuki laid her fingers on the keyboard, inhaled and sang.
I had flown long ago to a country far away,
And I brought back countless memories.
Present day, I watch the news, and I see them once again,
Those nostalgic buildings and streets
Nineteen Eighty Four,
The world is slowly changing here
All the way to the countries far away.
Nineteen Eighty Four,
On the wings of gold, pure gold,
The world is going to carry us forward
(You better stand up now!)
Maybe Yuki lacked Yuigahama's cuteness and energy; it didn't matter. Her voice was strong, yet smooth, soothing, with an appropriate vibrato, propagating over the auditorium. No cheers, no singing along, everyone closely listening in. For a second one could even think it was Junko Yagami herself visited our school for a live gig.
in a middle of a song phone lights appeared once more, this time slowly waving back and forth to the slow tempo. What were you afraid of, Yuki? Everyone was engaged. Entranced. Entwined.
After Yuki finished the song, silence fell for a few long moments. Then the applause started, long and sustained. Yuki, while slightly taken aback, smiled and bowed, missing the microphone stand by a couple centimeters.
"Good afternoon everyone," she addressed the audience once it became quiet again. "I, for a lack of a better term, represent class 3-J. I wear a maid dress because I didn't have time to change and, it seems, no one seems to mind."
Laughters were heard here and there. No one shouted anything else though.
"And finally I'm using this old piece of machinery to more faithfully reproduce the songs twice older than myself. I hope you liked this song, albeit not many of you having actually heard it on the radio. The rest of the set list will follow suit, and while I personally would rather come up with a different selection, there is a reason for it being as it is. Those songs are…"
She glanced aside, at me, and slightly smiled.
"Those songs are dedicated to the person I cherish. But I do sincerily hope you will like them. Glad to be of service," She briefly bowed once more. Good-natured laughter once more. Good. "So, without further ado: Midnight Earring."
All my life, I realized, I was an idiot. I've listened to it literally hundreds of times and only now understood the meaning of "let's sing a love song, just the two of us".
"I. Am. Exhausted," Yuki uttered into my shoulder.
"You literally fell into my chest right now," I replied, stroking her back. "I noticed."
"So you did." She tiredly wrapped her arms around me; for some time we stood in silence.
"Congrats. You stole the show."
"Don't overexaggerate."
"Uh-huh. Did you get to keep the dress?"
That earned me a snort from her.
"I did. I felt it was a matter most important to you." Yuki tried to make herself comfortable but the camera still hanging around my neck kept getting in the way. "This reminds me. Let's take a photo together."
"A selfie? Idunno, we can take it at home."
"No," Yuki firmly shook her head. "Here because it's with the results of our work. And on the camera properly because phone selfies is what other girls do. I demand a good camera photo. I do think I deserve the right."
I guffawed at that.
"As you wish. How do you do it though?"
"Here, a desk," Yuki pointed, "we can put the camera there."
As I did just that, she fumbled with the camera's menu, then took my hand and led me to the wall.
"I've set the timer for ten seconds," She notified while tangling herself around my arm. "At least do look at the camera."
"Alright."
Click.
There we were. An exhausted boy with an armband, and an exhausted girl in a maid dress clinging to him. Somehow, both seemed happy.
"Fine by me."
"Seconded. Well, then-"
Bzz Bzz
"-What is it again?"
"No, we're not helping anymore. Oh, it's from Isshiki-san and Hiratsuka-sensei."
"Lemme see."
[Iroha I: Senpai whats with this pile of research documents you've sent to me]
[Iroha I: why's it all about romance in schools]
"Godspeed, Isshiki-san."
[Shizuka S: Will be very late today, don't wait for me]
bzz
That was another private message to my phone.
[Shizuka S: I think I've found just the guy]
"What."
A/N: 1. Never crunch to make it for Christmas while experiencing symptomps of approaching cold. You'll be horrified by the result.
2. Song snippets don't fall under ffnet's song lyrics policy since I've translated them by myself.