CH 20.2

In the end, we achieved 2nd place overall for the inter-class matches that include 2nd and 3rd years.

In the girls’ basketball, we obtained 1st without having to show our navels. In the boys’ soccer too, with the Kousuke-kun and Yuusei-kun combi playing an active role, we obtained 1st.

And, as usual, with my abilities that grow the more I train, I got 1st in the girls’ relay race too.

Naturally, it was a complete victory over Kuo-sensei’s class.

The homeroom teacher was urged by Chako to treat the entire class juice and for some reason Kuo-sensei treated the entire Photography Club to ice cream.

Today, we’re having a reflection session for such fun inter-class matches.

Just like before, it became an argument about games for male phantoms and humans and I propose a phantom-only relay.

The meeting gets roused up at once and it became a discussion about a new game.

Even though it was such a fervent session, Tomotaka-senpai, as usual, doesn’t really get involved.

When time’s up, he nimbly wraps up the suggestions and breaks up the meeting.

As the sun sets, I shut the open window while looking at Tomotaka-senpai.

Perhaps he’s writing documents regarding today’s session, he filling in something while sitting at his desk.

“Senpai. A phantoms-only relay is something to look forward to, isn’t it?”

I talk to him with a chuckle.

Tomotaka-senpai gives a vague smile and looks back at me.

“A phantoms-only relay, huh… Well, I think the chances of really holding it next year is low though.”

As though to cool my head, Tomotaka-senpai issues those words.

Ah… this feeling. How nostalgic.

『Power is required if one wants to do something new.』

That’s what you mean, right, senpai?

“That’s right. There’s no guarantee that the current executives will be executives again, and I doubt the fever right will last till next year.”

“… Yeah.”

Perhaps he weren’t expecting my calm words; Tomotaka-senpai makes a slightly surprised face.

I laugh mischievously at that face.

“However, senpai. Senpai’s the Student Council president next year too. And, I’ll continue to be an executive. I’ll also try asking executives who seem motivated to be executives next year.”

After all, today. We got so fired up.

Everyone, wants to see the amazing points of phantoms.

Phantoms, too, want to show their amazing points.

That phantoms are different from humans, that phantoms are amazing.

Everyone knows that but I think it’s good to establish something that allows us to experience it.

“We have another year after this. I think we can hold it next year if we prepare.”

The inter-class match committee members barely have anything to do after this.

Naturally, I think there are many who accepted to be executives because they thought it ends today.

Even if I ask for help for the sake of next year, I don’t know how many will be willing.

However, surely, I believe there will be people who will help.

“I, want to have the phantoms-only relay, you see… No matter what.”

That’s why, senpai.

Let’s do something new, together.

Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes narrow when I stare fixedly at him.

“… Is there any benefit, for you to put so much effort in a phantoms-only relay?”

“Benefit, you say? … There is.”

Tomotaka-senpai’s deep blue eyes shine doubtfully.

Unable to avert from those eyes, I giggle.

“I, love phantoms. It’s enough for me if I can see phantoms being cheered on by everyone and coolly participating.”

Yes. I just want to see cool phantoms.

Hearing such an answer from me, a corner Tomotaka-senpai’s mouth raises.

Oh, right. The Tomotaka-senpai when talking about phantoms, feels like this.

A warped smile different from his princely one.

“You like phantoms… is it. You really are strange, aren’t you?”

With that smile on his face, Tomotaka-senpai speaks in a cold voice.

That’s probably his voice when he suppresses his emotions to the best of his abilities.

However, I had a feeling I saw a flame rising, deep within those deep blue eyes.

… I know that flame.

Having something you want, and working hard for it.

Yet not being rewarded at all…

Not wanting to discover that side of yourself.

Thinking that those feelings are unnecessary.

Enough already, even though you thought you hate it, you couldn’t let go.

“… Because I’m the same as senpai.”

“… You and I?”

“That’s right. Because senpai loves phantoms… Long, long before I did.”

Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes widen at my words.

I smile at those eyes.

Those eyes are the same as mine after all.

“I know senpai has been working hard. Tomotaka-senpai has always been working hard.”

However, the direction he worked hard in was off so he failed a number of times.

… Truely, just like me.

“I, have only been making mistakes and failing… En route, I even came to dislike working hard.”

Senpai, do you remember?

『Me too. I am still en route. Surely, even now, Tomotaka-senpai is en route.』

Although considerable amount of time has passed since then.

It seems we’re still en route.

The fruit hasn’t bore, at all.

It’s been nothing but failures for so long that I ended up chuckling.

Laughing in the middle of the conversation, he probably thinks I’m a bit of a strange girl though.

As Tomotaka-senpai has been staring at me all along, I address those eyes.

“Let’s work hard together.”

So that this will be the last.

So that we can laugh and hold a phantoms-only relay next year.

Tomotaka-senpai’s deep blue eyes widen at my words.

I stare back at those eyes.

While thinking that the colour of Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes is extremely pretty, like the colour of the night sky.

I wonder how long we stared at each other?

Around the time when the scenery visible through the window changes from orange to deep blue, senpai finally opens his mouth.

“… Naba-san is really a strange person.”

“I’m the Priestess of Ominous Clouds after all.”

The flame in Tomotaka-senpai’s eyes slowly tremble.

Watching that, I chuckle.

After Tomotaka-senpai returns a troubled smile, fuu, he sighs.

“So I like phantoms despite being an onmyouji.”

Good gracious, he mutters while pushing his brown hair upwards.

『I like phantoms』

So it appears that fact had gotten firmly into senpai’s heart with a click.

However, perhaps as an effect of turning back time, it seems there isn’t the feelings he had in the 1st round.

Perhaps senpai didn’t want to know that.

Perhaps that feeling had hurt senpai.

Even then, I…

Looking at senpai, I laugh mischievously.

“It’s fine. Yuusei-kun likes phantoms too.”

“… Him, too?”

“That’s right. The『Peerless Onmyouji』likes phantoms so there’s absolutely no problem for Tomotaka-senpai to like phantoms.”

“I see.”

Tomotaka-senpai smiles at my words.

A sparkly smile beyond his princely one.

How nostalgic.

As always, I feel my cheeks warming at his smile.

“Senpai. I think there will be a lot going on but, I, will work hard for the sake of the next year.”

“… I see. I also need to work hard, if you are.”

“Senpai may be a bit too hard working though.”

“You too.”

Tomotaka-senpai gives a sparkly smile.

A flame still flickers in those deep blue eyes.

Surely, in mine too.

Shouldering this part of ourselves, we will live.