Episode 263: To Sara-san’s Classroom

「Takanashi, thanks for everything. Seriously, you really helped me out. Sorry for dragging you along today, too.」

Now that things had reached a conclusion of sorts, Yamakawa offered his thanks.

But even though he said I helped him, the truth is I didn’t actually do anything.

I suppose you could say I gave him advice, but in the end, I just told him what Hanako-san found unpleasant. To be honest, I did it more for Hanako-san’s sake than anything else.

「…No, it’s fine. So, do you have any regrets left?」

I asked for now, but truthfully, I didn’t have the mental energy to worry about Yamakawa.

Even while we were talking, my head was completely filled with thoughts of Sara-san.

「Yeah, I got rejected, but I’d steeled myself for it. Sorry, I’ll head out first. Hanasaki-san, thanks to you too.」

「…Yeah. Thank you, from me too.」

Yamakawa flashed one last smile and then hurried off at a light run, looking like he was in a bit of a rush.

The expression I saw on Yamakawa’s face as we passed each other…

Right.

No matter how much you prepare yourself, nobody gets rejected by the person they like without it stinging.

Seeing that look on his face made me realize all over again just how lucky I am to have met Sara-san.

This is bad… I’m seriously starting to miss Sara-san.

「Kazunari. Talk to Big sister?」

「Hanako-san?」

Hearing her voice, I realized Hanako-san had been watching me before I even noticed.

How long had she been looking?

「If it’s something you can’t tell me, then fine, I’ll leave it to the Wife. But if not, please consult with Big sister too?」

The way she put it made it clear she’d already noticed something was up.

It’s not like it’s the first time, so I’m not exactly shocked, but I still can’t help but think she’s incredible. That’s a Big sister for you.

「I will never laugh at you, and I won’t make fun of you. So, if it’s something you can say, I want you to talk to me.」

Being told that, I couldn’t just brush her off with a simple「it’s nothing.」

Since she’s worried about me this much, it should be okay to tell her a little bit, right?

「Well, seeing Yamakawa just now, I guess I just had some thoughts.」

「I see.」

Even though I hadn’t even finished the intro, Hanako-san nodded as if she understood everything.

Keeping her smile, she looked me straight in the eye.

「It’s frustrating, but even if I tell you it’s okay, it probably won’t help. The only one who can put the current Kazunari at ease is the Wife.」

I received some rather meaningful advice from Hanako-san.

It seems she’s grasped not just the intro, but the core of the issue as well.

Is this what they call a Big sister’s intuition?

「Why don’t you go to where the Wife is?」

「Ugh… I was planning to.」

「Yeah. I think the Wife would be happy too.」

「You think so?」

「Definitely. If it were me, I’d let you act spoiled. The Wife will pamper you even more.」

I wonder why Hanako-san’s words sound so strangely persuasive.

「But you shouldn’t act too spoiled.」

「Right, that would be pretty pathetic, after all…」

「No, it’s because the Wife will go into a frenzy.」

「………」

Um…

Being told that makes it hard to know how to respond.

Third period ended, break time.

In the end, I couldn’t suppress my urge to see Sara-san, so I’d made my way up to the floor with the second-year classrooms.

Naturally, everyone I passed was a second-year, and almost every single one of them was staring at me.

They might be wondering why a first-year is here, or since I’m the vice president, maybe they’re just looking at me for that reason.

The only thing I’m sure of is that I definitely feel out of place.

And as I approached Sara-san’s classroom, I realized something critical.

That’s right, I hadn’t thought about what to do once I got here…

Obviously, if I just barge in, it’ll just cause trouble for Sara-san.

So I was hoping to at least catch a glimpse of her, but how exactly?

Rattle rattle rattle…

Just as I was thinking that, the classroom door suddenly opened.

I instinctively looked away and checked who was coming out from the corner of my eye.

It looked like a trio of female students coming out. For now, I couldn’t see Sara-san or Natsumi-senpai.

「Ouch, ouch, ouch…」

「Yuri, you okay?」

「I’m not okay… hey, is it swollen?」

「It’s not swollen, but it’s bright red. Natsumi-chan is merciless.」

「You brought it on yourself, though.」

「No way, being paraded through the streets while having my cheek pinched, what kind of humiliation play is that?」

「It wasn’t the streets, it was the classroom.」

Judging by their conversation, I could tell immediately that they were close(?) with Natsumi-senpai.

Now, what to do? Should I just pass them by, or take the plunge and talk to them?

「Wait!? Isn’t that Takanashi-kun!?」

!?

Just as I thought one of the three had turned my way, she suddenly shouted my name upon seeing my face.

「Um… well…」

Since it was so sudden, I found myself struggling to respond.

What should I do? It seems certain she knows who I am.

「Oh, sorry, sorry! Since it’s our first time meeting, it’s fine. To me, it doesn’t feel like that at all, though.」

So it really is our first meeting.

It doesn’t seem like the punchline is that we met somewhere and I just forgot.

Well, back when I was a loner, I could count the number of upperclassmen I knew on one hand, so there’s no way I’d forget.

「So, what are you doing in a place like this?」

「Yuri, asking that when you already know is…」

「Sorry, Takanashi-kun. She’s a bit overly familiar.」

「No, just some business.」

There was no way I could tell a senior I’d never met before,「I came to see my fiancée~.」

I put my brain into full gear, desperately trying to think of a way to navigate this situation.

「Oh, I see. Hey, hey, Takanashi-kun, want to go out together sometime? I’m actually interested in you.」

「I’m sorry, I’ll have to decline.」

「Ah…」

「Oh…」

「Whoa… an instant rejection.」

What is this person even saying?

I’m sure she’s joking, but there’s no way I’d just follow a total stranger who says something like that.

In the first place, I have Sara-san.

「Pffft, he rejected her.」

「Way to go, Yuri!」

「Gugugu, not even a second of hesitation… couldn’t you at least act sorry about rejecting me, or something? This is hurting my maiden’s pride.」

The one who I assumed was Yuri-senpai(?) grumbled regretfully… or was it resentfully? The other two were patting her on the shoulder to comfort her.

I’d accidentally given her a straight answer, but maybe I should have put more thought into how I rejected her?

No, more importantly…

To be blunt, I don’t have time to deal with these people.

And unfortunately, I can’t think of a way to catch a glimpse of Sara-san.

It’s a shame, but I know I’ll get to see Sara-san if I can just endure one more period.

So I guess my only choice is to give up for now and head back to my classroom.

「Sorry, I’ll be going now.」

「Wait, wait, wait a sec!! By the way, can I ask why you rejected me?」

Even if she asks why… I’d rather ask why she thought she wouldn’t be rejected.

「Huh? What are you asking, Yuri?」

「Isn’t it because you’re just no match for her?」

「Shut up! Is it the face!? Or the chest!?」

Wait… what is with this person!?

Shouting something like that in public, what on earth is she thinking!?

「This is punishment for making me lose face. Now, answer me!!」

What should I do… I don’t have time to hesitate, and if I don’t get out of here fast, the break will be over.

「No, I have someone I like, so…」

「I already know that!!」

「Whaaa…」

Wow.

This is a pai… I mean, this person is definitely a type I’ve never had around me before.

The kind of person who just uses momentum to turn a situation into a mess, completely driven by the mood.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say I’m bad with her, but honestly, she’s a handful.

…Wait, hold on a second. Did this person just say she「knows」who I like?

「Oh, I just had a great idea. I guess you’ll just have to pay for this responsibility with your body.」

I don’t know what Yuri-senpai thought of, but she suddenly started smirking in a meaningful way.

I have a seriously bad feeling about this, so I really should just give up and get out of here quickly…

「Now then, right this way for our one guest!」

「Wait!?」

Whatever she was thinking, Yuri-senpai grabbed my arm and began forcefully dragging me along.

Moreover, I’m not sure if she’s doing this on purpose, but the position of her arm is terrible.

If I were to move my arm the wrong way right now, there’s no telling what she might say.

「Ah, if you move your arm even a little… you know what’ll happen, right?」

Whoa, so it is intentional!?

That makes it even more impossible to move my arm.

And since her course is clearly headed for Sara-san’s classroom, she’s definitely dragging me in there.

「H-Hey, Yuri, leave it at that!」

「Wait, wait, this is bad! Getting involved with Takanashi-kun is no joke!?」

The other two, unable to watch the situation any longer, tried to stop Yuri-senpai.

It looks like they’re afraid of something, and unlike a moment ago, they seem genuinely panicked.

RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE RATTLE!!

「One guest, coming throuuuugh!」

In the end, she used a tactic that left me with no choice as a man, and I was dragged into the classroom without resistance.

Once inside, naturally, the eyes of all the upperclassmen turned toward me in unison.

Ugh… I meant to be stealthy, but this is the absolute worst pattern I could have imagined.