I was thinking of making Kaede sit down while I buy our food, when I saw a familiar face.
The latter immediately noticed me, and waved their hand at me.
H: “Aki! Sit here!”
Hina and her other two friends were sitting at a table for four people.
There were exactly two seats available.
A: “Oh, thanks! I’ll go over once I’ve bought my food!”
K: “Tch.”
As I raised my voice and replied in a slightly confused state, Kaede clicked his tongue.
A: “What, you don’t want to?”
K: “I don’t really care.”
You seem rather sulky though.
But, I won’t forgive selfishness.
I took the ‘Little Difficult Kaede’ to order food, then went to the table where Hina sat, hungry for the savoury smell of fried food.
H: “Here, Aki.”
I was urged to sit next to her, so I did as I was told.
Kaede sat across from me, and was next to Hina’s friend.
A: “You saved me. Thanks. Sasaki-san too.”
The girl with soft-looking wisteria hair gave a gentle smile.
Although I never got to talk to Sasaki-san much, I get the impression that she’s a ‘calm and mature person’.
S: “I’m happy to be able to eat with two good looking people. I need to thank Hina. I shall boast to my other friends~”
A: “Kaede’s a prince, but I’m just something like an extra so I don’t think I’m someone you should boast about. I should be the one who’s thankful, this is more fun than two men eating alone. Right, Kaede?”
K: “……”
As I waited for Kaede’s agreement, he silently began to eat.
A: “Don’t ignore me!”
S: “Hehe……”
Even though they were willing to share the table with us, Kaede’s attitude was horrible.
I was worried if Sasaki-san was angry, but she was smiling so it didn’t seem like she was angry at all.
She’s a good person.
S: “I mean……if Amachi-kun was an extra, most boys would be inferior to you. They might even become defective products. Amachi-kun is so good looking that I can boast about you. Aren’t you too modest about yourself?”
A: “Do you……think so?”
I’m not sure, but it seems like I’m being praised.
Honestly, I don’t know what my values are.
Because I look like big brother, my facial deviation value should be high.
But, I don’t remember being popular.
Perhaps there is ‘something’ that can help to offset the positive side of my appearance.
I’ve never received such a compliment before, so even calling me good-looking to be polite makes me happy.
My face relaxed without thinking.
H: “Aki, why are you grinning like that?!”
A: “I’m not!”
”
”
K: “You definitely were.”
Hina and Kaede glared coldly at me.
Why do these two only get along so well at times like this?
“Hey, do Amachi-kun and Kaede-kun have any girlfriends? I don’t hear about that a lot.”
Sasaki-san, who stopped eating after we came over, started moving her hands to eat again.
The conversation was quite feminine so I relaxed[1].
[1] I keep forgetting that MC was a female once in her/his life
A: “Unfortunately, I don’t have one. So I’ve got nothing to contribute for that topic”
S: “Really? That’s unexpected. Is it true?”
K: “It’s none of your business.”
A: “Kaede, you really……”
Although we were having a relaxing conversation over here, Kaede had a chilly tone and threw cold water on our conversation. That kind of reminded me of the shoebox event.
I was about to apologize to Sasaki-san, but she continued talking as if she didn’t care.
S: “What a waste. If either of them wanted any,there are many who are willing.”
A: “No way, I’m not popular.”
S: “Oh, you didn’t know? For example, the twin-tailed girl with peach hair at the table on the left behind Amachi-kun. She’s been glancing at you since just now? It’s so obvious. She’s even glaring at me.”
A: “Huh?”
As I turned around to look, I saw the person in question.
Our eyes met, and she immediately looked away.
S: “Kyaa! This is bad, our eyes met! I might’ve been caught looking at him, doki!”
K: “……Don’t just make a script as you please.”
H: “Fuu-chan……”
What, just when I thought I could read people’s minds and was surprised about it, it seemed that it was only Sasaki-san talking.
The expressions on Kaede and Hina’s faces were quite cold. But I enjoyed the lively atmosphere, and had a good impression of her.
Sasaki-san is unexpectedly an interesting person.
S: “But, well, that’s what I mean.”
A: “You think so? I think you’re wrong though…..”
That twintail girl was definitely……she’s a first year too, but I don’t know which class she’s in. It feels like I’ve seen her somewhere before.
We’ve never talked before so I don’t think she likes me though.
If there was a possibility that she does, she’s most likely big brother’s fan.
S: “The reason why you don’t really get attacked is because Hina-chan, the beautiful girl who has an ikemen older brother, clings to Amachi-kun so other girls can’t get close to you. If you keep that up, people will think you’re taken.”
A: “……Eh, that means a fence(Hina) got installed without me knowing!?”
H:“Hey, Aki! What do you mean by fence?! Fuu-chan, don’t say such weird things.”
S: “But don’t you think so? Right, Kaede-kun?”
K: “Well, it may be something like that.”
This is the first agreement they ever had.
Well then, is the ‘Hina fence theory’ not enough?
What is this……Even I wanted to be popular for once!
S: “Fence? More like there are many people who think that Hina-chan and Amachi-kun are dating, you know? And both of you come to school together too. Actually, why aren’t you guys dating when you’re so close to each other? Just date already.”
A: “Heh?”
H: “Hey, Fuu-chan!”
Date? With Hina?
I unintentionally looked to the side, and our eyes met.
We immediately looked away from each other, but I could see that her ears were bright red.
Hina, huh….
Normally, I would be able to act like nothing happened. But for some reason, because Hina is shy, I’m getting self-conscious too.
So embarrassing……what’s this supposed to be?
“Hey, can you not say things that ruin my appetite?”
”
”
“Oi, don’t treat people as bizarre food[1].”
[1] Frog/snake meat
It feels like I’ve been saved by Kaede’s retort this time.
He changed the atmosphere so the weird feeling was gone.
A: “What about Sasaki-san?”
I don’t know if love talk between men just sounds really gay, but I’m quite fine with it.
Something like who likes who, or who they’re dating, I only let out a ‘He-eh’ sound without feelings in it.
Right now, love talk between women sounds more intimate. It’s interesting.
S: “Me? I don’t have anything to talk about either. But, let’s see……”
She paused, looked at Kaede, and smiled suspiciously.
It can’t be……
S: “I might be interested in Kaede-kun.”
A: “!? Oh, ohh…..”
This is……a confession!?
So Sasaki-san was the predator type!
I was excited even though it wasn’t me.
The person who was nominated had a look that said he hated it, but immediately returned to being expressionless soon after. He quietly continued to eat with chopsticks.
What’s with that reaction?
Towards a girl’s feelings, I wonder if he thinks ‘I’m used to it, I don’t really care.’
Kaede, how dare you……having an experience of being popular in front of me……You should explode.
“……It’s definitely not that kind of meaning.”
Hina muttered something next to me and hung her head down. I wonder what’s wrong.
No, there’s something more important than that.
I’m hungry.
I can’t fight on an empty stomach.
“Hm?……Wha!?”
As I returned my gaze to my plate, something big happened.
“Gone……One of my chicken’s gone!”
Something like this……There were only five pieces, and for one piece to be gone, it’s a huge damage!
Did I drop it? No, that can’t be!
I looked around, but I couldn’t find it.
It’s the case of the chicken that’s been spirited away.
?: “I had a great feast. It’s delicious. I should eat this from now on.”
A: “Huh?”
A voice came down from above.
As I turned around to look while hearing Kaede clicking his tongue, I saw Hiiragi standing there.
He’s not wearing his jumpsuit today, it’s his open ikemen style.
And he seems to be chewing on something for some reason.
A: “You, it can’t be……You ate my chicken!? You ate the chicken of a growing kid!?”
Hii: “Akira is just fine. That’s why you don’t need to eat so much.”
He patted my head while saying that.
You……for you to learn this kind of thing too, such a scary person!
No, my growth is more important right now.
A: “Return my chicken!”
K: “What are you doing here? Do your job.”
Kaede and Hiiragi ignored me and started talking, as my heart was crying over the deceased chicken.
Oi! My chicken!
Hii: “Yo, just a friend-kun. I’ll leave him with you for a bit longer, but I’ll come to retrieve him soon. Make sure not to touch him too much with your dirty hands, will ya? Bye, Akira. I still have work to do. I’ll contact you soon.”
A: “Eh, I don’t particularly have any business with you……”
I wanted to say that I didn’t want to contact him, but he left with a meaningful and carefree smile.
Chicken……Chicken……I want my chicken back!
Kaede was gazing with disgust upon Hiiragi’s back.
Both of them, they were on bad terms since the start.
Well, both of them are love rivals(for Makoto) so it can’t be helped.
But they were talking about ‘something’, ignoring me.
I guess it means that it wasn’t anything important.
A: “What did you talk to Hiiragi about? Are both of you on good terms now?”
K: “Huhh!? There’s no way! Akira should shut up!”
A: “No, what did I say to piss you off?! I just asked normally.”
K: “Shut up! Keep quiet and eat this!”
He couldn’t hide his irritation, and had a horrible expression, but why did he give me a chicken?
A: “Ohh, thanks……Wait, sharing something while being pissed off, this is new.”
K: “Eat faster! Akira prefers bigger ones! Here, open your mouth! Just eat it!”
Another one was shoved into my mouth with a little irritation.
Delicious.
It’s delicious, but he can’t say it honestly(tsundere, huh). It feels like this, Kaede-quality.
S:“……Oh, the big one!…..A bait……! N-no good……chest, my chest is in pain!”
H: “Fuu-chan!?”
Sasaki-san began to groan while holding her chest.
It looks like she’s having a hard time breathing.
A: “What happened!? Are you okay!?”
H: “Uh……Fuu-chan should be fine. Right? It’s a chronic panic attack, isn’t it?”
S: “Ehh……this sickness, I’m afraid I’ll have to deal with this disease for life. Sorry, but I was careless. It’s alright now.”
K: “Why don’t you go to the infirmary?”
S: “Thank you, Kaede-kun. But I think it would be better if Amachi-kun and Kaede-kun went to the infirmary and sleep.”
K: “Huhh?”
A:“We feel fine though?”
H: “Fuu-chan……”
I wonder if this was caused by hyperventilation.
I’m worried, but the person herself said that she was fine so I guess there’s no problem.
??: “You again……”
A voice came from the back again.
This voice that sounds like it can freeze you……
As I turned around, an ikemen was there as expected.
Natsuhi-senpai glanced briefly between Kaede and me, then let out a faint sigh.
Ah……Did he see Kaede giving me the chicken?
He’s not thinking that I’m gay again, right!?
As I thought, I should get hit on the back of my head once.
“Pfft!”
A: “!?”
As I was thinking seriously, Natsuhi-senpai suddenly raised his voice and laughed.
It’s rare for Natsuhi-senpai to laugh like this.
It was a clear smile that seemed ambiguous, or a smile that looked suffocating.
As I was uneasy to see him laughing at me for being weird, I was surprised to see Natsuhi-senpai’s unfamiliar smile.
I was attacked by a combination of two things that I could not understand.
A: “W-what’s the matter?”
N: “No……I thought it was rather swollen.”
A: “Yes?”
As I was wondering about what he was saying, Natsuhi-senpai extended his hand and touched my cheek.
I thought he was going to do something, and raised my guard without thinking.
Without caring, Natsuhi-senpai’s finger grabbed my cheek……and pinched it as hard as he could.
A: “Hurts!? It hurtssss! Let go, idiot!”
N: “Ahaha! I called you an idiot, but I think I should correct that. You didn’t wake up even when I pinched you this hard. You’re a unique person.”
A: “? Ah, ahh!? Perhaps……!”
When I reached home after fishing with the Red and Blue brothers, my cheek hurt for some reason.
I looked a little feverish, and looking closely, it was swollen.
I thought a bug bit me, but from what he said, that means that Natsuhi-senpai pinched me!?
A: “So you pinched me while I was sleeping!”
N: “It’s your fault for using me as a pillow.”
A: “I was wrong for leaning on you……but you didn’t have to pinch me! You could’ve just woken me up!”
N: “A person who doesn’t wake up from getting pinched, how am I supposed to wake him up? You were the one that slept with a face that looked like you wanted to get pinched.”
A: “What kind of face is that?!”
N: “I’m going. Don’t make your friends wait, I’m going to eat.”
A: “Hey!”
Natsuhi-senpai’s friendly-looking friends waited for him to finish talking, I could see them stalling.
On the side, Kaede was frowning while Hina and Sasaki-san were in a daze and began to talk.
S: “Amazing……So amazing……When did this place become paradise? I didn’t know……that there was one close to me! Hina-chan, I’m sorry. It’s impossible!”
H: “Eh?”
S: “As I thought, I can’t betray my own family. To lead such BL to NL……If I committed such a crime, I would not have the face to meet them!”
H: “F-Fuu-chan! Endure from saying that for now! I’ll listen to you as much as you want! Okay!?”
I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but it sounded like a very heated conversation.
Time passed, and I feel bad for the people around us, but I’d like to get justice for that incident.
……Was what I thought.
But Natsuhi-senpai disappeared in the sea of students in the blink of an eye.
A: “He’s fast at escaping.”
“While I wasn’t there, again……”
Kaede muttered with a stormy expression.
The girls were talking to each other, and I feel bad for leaving Kaede alone, but I don’t think he needs to glare that much.
K: “You’re even close with the president’s younger brother.”
A: “Hm? You know Natsuhi-senpai?”
K: “Obviously. That’s……the President’s younger brother, you know?”
Well, certainly.
”
”
He’s still the eye-catching President’s younger brother, and Natsuhi-senpai is also eye-catching on his own.
I didn’t know that I was the weirder one.
K: “You went out with that person yesterday?”
A: “Yeah. And with the President too. The three of us went fishing.”
K: “Fishing?”
S: “A sandwich[1] with those siblings……!?”
[1] A BL term: Seme→Uke←Seme = Sandwich a.k.a ‘Sando’「サンド」
H: “Fuu-chan! I don’t understand, but stop!”
As I thought, the girls are having fun.
I want to join in too……
K: “I want to go too.”
A: “Eh, you like fishing? That’s unexpected.”
K: “I don’t like it. But I want to go out with Akira, you must call me when you go out next time.”
H: “Me too!”
Oh, so you were listening.
Hina interrupted very casually.
A: “Even you?”
S: “Then, me too.”
A: “Sasaki-san too!?”
I wonder if girls enjoy fishing.
A: “Then we won’t be fishing. Isn’t it better to play somewhere else?”
S: “You’re right. I think it’s better like that. Hey, why not we go right after school ends today?”
Going out to play after school in a mixed-gender group……Truly a great high schooler life!
I didn’t go out much because of my club during middle school.