Episode 307: Kazunari’s Natural Enemy

「Good work, everyone.」

「Good job!」

「It was quite a commotion in there, did something happen?」

Nishikawa-san and the others immediately talked to us as soon as we stepped out of the exit, almost like they’d been waiting.

I guess it was only natural to be curious since that huge uproar must’ve leaked out into the hallway.

「Well… sort of.」

「It was the usual.」

「The usual?」

「Kazunari and the Wife did it again.」

「Ah… I see.」

Hayato and Todo-san looked understanding after Hanako-san’s explanation. I had my doubts about their reaction, but then Nishikawa-san’s eyes started getting cloudy and gloomy.

I knew I’d messed up, but I really didn’t think she had to look at me like that.

「It was a really big noise, though. The guests waiting in line at the entrance were actually getting scared.」

「It was weird hearing only men’s voices, but now it makes sense.」

Since all the ghosts were guys, it made sense, but if there’d been any girls as ghosts in there, they probably would’ve been screaming for a different reason.

That’s just the rule of thumb.

「Anyway, the haunted house was fine. Everything out here is… oh, same as ever, I see…」

I didn’t even have to check. The usual pack of guys was hanging around nearby just to gape at us. Things were just as they always were on this end.

「Kazunari-san, let’s head to the next one.」

「Yeah. Let’s see… next is…」

「Ours is next in line. It’s not interesting at all, so let’s just finish up and move on.」

Natsumi-senpai was as blunt as ever about her own class exhibit.

Then again, if you start wondering how many people actually care about historical records of the town… well.

At the very least, I wasn’t that into it.

「Nishikawa-san, what’s it like at your new school?」

「I want to know too! The buildings are all new, right!?」

「But why’d you transfer so suddenly?」

「E-Eh, um, sorry, one at a time…」

As soon as we walked into Sara-san’s classroom, Nishikawa-san was swarmed by a group of girls. I’d heard her former classmates were here, so I guessed that was who they were.

By the way, Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai weren’t here right now. They’d been called by their classmates and dragged off somewhere.

「…Whoa, Nishikawa-san looks way more mature now!?」

「…Wait, she’s actually on par with Satsukawa-san, isn’t she?」

「…He-Hey… you used to have a thing for Nishikawa-san, didn’t you?」

「…Yeah. I gave up since I thought I’d never see her again, but…」

「My, my… Takanashi-kun! You sure seem to be keeping busy!?」

Since it was work, I was checking the room while looking at the history materials when someone suddenly called out to me. I heard the voice, but I couldn’t see the person.

Well, I knew exactly who it was, so I decided to ignore them completely.

「Hey! Don’t ignore me!!」

A suspicious person… or rather, a shadow, popped out from behind a display. It was Yuri-senpai, showing up uninvited as usual.

I didn’t see her when we first walked in, so I’d assumed she was out. This was a real shame… a massive shame.

「…What’s with that annoyed look? Aren’t you happy to see me?」

「Ah, sure. I guess I’m just thrilled.」

Given Yuri-senpai’s personality, taking her seriously was just a waste of time. It was obvious she’d just turn everything into a mess, so I decided it was best to just brush her off.

Plus, Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai weren’t here to keep her in check… wait.

Actually, isn’t her timing way too perfect?

「Now then, the school festival terrorist himself, Takanashi-kun.」

「…What’s that supposed to mean?」

「Fufufu, you shouldn’t underestimate my information network. I’ve been getting play-by-play updates of your actions on RAIN all morning. Consider your every move leaked.」

Yuri-senpai wore an annoying… an almost disgusting smug look while waving her smartphone in her right hand.

I thought about knocking it out of her hand right then and there. Let’s keep that a secret between us.

「Hey, Yuri. Are you really doing this?」

「You were made to sit in formal seiza right in the middle of the room the other day…」

「DON’T REMIND ME OF THAAAAAAAAT!!」

Yuri-senpai started shivering for some reason after hearing the two people behind her.

I couldn’t believe this airhe… this usually cheerful person was this scared of something. Just how terrifying was that experience?

「Takanashi-kun is seriously dangerous.」

「If Satsukawa-san snaps this time, I don’t even want to know what’ll happen.」

「Ugh, shut up!! I don’t care if it’s Satsukawa-san, nobody can stop my… our overflowing passion!! It’s fine, it’s not scary if we all cross together!!」

「「「…………」」」

This was bad. I knew it would be, but this was bad.

And since she’d just used a line I’d heard before, I instinctively looked over that way.

Whistle

Tachikawa-san quickly looked away while whistling a tune that wasn’t even making a sound.

Well, setting that aside, the real problem was Yuri-senpai.

Seriously… I had no idea what this person was trying to do. I couldn’t even imagine what was going through her head.

I heard she’d been thoroughly scolded by Sara-san that day, so why was she still trying to get close to me?

「Come on, Takanashi-kun. You’ve gotta tell us all the juicy, embarrassing, heart-pounding details of your daily life with Satsukawa-san…」

「…Pardon?」

「I mean, obviously any teenage girl would want to hear all about how that stiff Satsukawa-san acts all sweet and flirty with a guy, right!?」

「…………」

I… wow.

I guess my jaw really could drop that far.

To think she was this persistent just because she wanted to satisfy her curiosity…

「Oh, don’t get the wrong idea, I’m not the only one who wants to know!」

Gasp!?

A strong sense of dread swelled up inside me the moment she said that. I guessed what she meant and immediately looked around.

Before I knew it, a bunch of girls had gathered, and they all looked incredibly excited!?

Crap!!

Was this… a trap!?

Actually, were Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai called away specifically for this!?

「Hey, hey, Takanashi-kun!! What kind of things do you usually do with Satsukawa-san!?」

「Te-Tell us how you two started dating!!」

「How’d you get close to that Satsukawa-san!?」

「Where do you usually go for dates!?」

「Did you confess first, Takanashi-kun!? Or was it… Satsukawa-san!?」

「Hey, hey, to be blunt, h-how far have you two gone!?」

「Kyaaaa, I really want to know that!!」

「Wait, it’s still daytime, you know!!」

Seeing them like this, I guess romance really is the ultimate bait… or rather, gossip… for teenage girls.

Wait, this isn’t the time to be thinking so calmly!

The girls had bitten the bait and were surging forward like a landslide while screaming. A machine-gun-like barrage of rapid-fire questions started, and I had no idea what to do…

「If you get any closer to Kazunari… I won’t be merciful.」

Ngh!?

A small but reliable and dignified figure cut in between me and the group of girls.

Those words, spoken in a flat, calm, and quiet voice, were so powerful I felt the pressure myself.

Hit by that directly, the excited seniors stopped dead in their tracks. The room went silent in a heartbeat.

「Wh-Who is that girl…」

「I think she’s from the Student Council…」

「N-No… look at that intensity… I feel like I’ve seen this somewhere before…」

「…It’s like… Satsukawa-san?」

「「「 Hieeee!? 」」」

The seniors who had gathered like a wall started backing away, overwhelmed by Hanako-san’s intensity. Every single one of them had a panicked, strained smile on their face.

「E-Eh, um… Ta-Takanashi-kun, who exactly is that cute little lady… HIIIIIEEE!?」

Yuri-senpai, who seemed to have a little composure left, suddenly let out a scream the second she saw Hanako-san’s face.

I couldn’t see Hanako-san’s expression from behind, but this development had happened a few times already.

What was going on with Hanako-san?

「…Ah, Hanako-san gets seriously real when it comes to Takanashi-kun.」

「…Is this okay? Maybe someone should call Satsukawa-senpai…」

「…Let’s just watch for now.」

「…Yeah, Hanako-san should be fine, probably.」

「Darn it… th-this was such a good chance…」

「A Big sister protects her little brother.」

「Li-Little brother? You mean Takanashi-kun?」

「Yes. Kazunari is my little brother.」

「Huh? B-But your names are different, right? And no matter how I look at you… AHH!!」

Yuri-senpai’s eyes went wide as she suddenly realized something. She started smirking again like she’d found a new fun topic, looking back and forth between me and Hanako-san.

…What now?

「Mufufu… hey, Takanashi-kun… what exactly is your relationship with that girl?」

「Well…」

「I can smell it, the scent of a rom-com development is in the air. You all think so too, right? This is definitely…」

「Definitely what?」

「Oh, you know what I mean. Everyone, Satsukawa-san and Natsumi won’t be back for a while, so let’s use this time to… Takanashi-kun…」

「Kazunari-san?」

This was basically a gag manga or a comedy skit at this point.

Did Yuri-senpai really not realize who she was talking to?

I really didn’t think she needed to put her life on the line just for the sake of a good story.

「Wa-Wait, you shouldn’t call him that. You’re gonna get in real trouble, you know?」

「Is that so. I wonder who’s going to be angry?」

「What? Satsukawa-san, obviously… wait? …Obviously… Satsu… kawa… san?」

Yuri-senpai froze as if she’d been hit by a binding spell. Only her face could move, and it was twitching with a strained look…

「That’s right. I never forgive anyone who causes trouble for Kazunari-san. I thought that had been thoroughly engraved into you after the last time?」

Creeeeeak… Like a robot that had run out of oil being forced to move.

Yuri-senpai slowly turned around.

Standing there, of course, was…

「Sa-Sa-Satsukawa-san, you’re back early…」

「Yes. Something felt off, so I interrogated them. They confessed everything voluntarily. They said Yuri-san was so pushy they couldn’t refuse.」

「Wait!? That’s not true!! This was a group decision!! Hey, guys!! …Wait, guys!?」

Yuri-senpai looked around frantically for help. But of course, there was nobody there.

Everyone had scattered like baby spiders a moment ago… now I realized it was because they saw Sara-san coming back.

In other words, Yuri-senpai was being set up as a scapegoat from the very beginning.

「Yuri-san is the first person who has intentionally repeated the same behavior after I warned them. And of all people, to my precious Kazunari-san… you’ve got some guts, don’t you?」

There was no anger on Sara-san’s face. In fact, there was no emotion at all.

Only her eyes were wide open and clear.

And that expressionless face actually made her anger feel even bigger.

Basically, what I’m saying is… it’s terrifying…

「Are you ready for the consequences of messing with Kazunari right in front of me?」

And behind a trembling Yuri-senpai, Hanako-san was quietly approaching.

Sara-san in front, Hanako-san behind.

Sandwiched between two people who showed no mercy when it came to me… Yuri-senpai had nowhere to run.

「Wa-Wait a second!! Please wait!! You see, this was, well, a group decision… Takanashi-kun!?」

Yuri-senpai begged me for help with a look of pure desperation… but unfortunately, I had no reason to show her any mercy.

If anything, she’d been nothing but a nuisance… so I figured it was time for her to learn a lesson.

Plus, I could clearly see a third misfortune approaching Yuri-senpai from within my field of vision…

「Darn it… if that’s how it is!」

Her escape instinct finally kicked in, and Yuri-senpai lunged to the side with incredible speed.

She started to bolt to get away from the scene… right into the path of the third misfortune!

A right hand shot out at the perfect timing, looking like it was glowing red (probably just my imagination), and caught Yuri-senpai’s face in an iron claw.

「Wha-!?」

Yuri-senpai let out a dumb-sounding voice, probably unable to process what had just happened. But at the same time, she was shoved back with her whole body, forced back to her original spot…

「HIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!」

「Yuri… that was quite an elaborate little trick you played, wasn’t it!?」

Yuri-senpai struggled desperately to pull away the hand gripping her face. Unfortunately, it showed zero signs of letting go.

And the person approaching was…

「Yuri-san… I did tell you that a simple lecture wouldn’t be enough next time, didn’t I?」

「OW-OW-OW-OW-OW-OW, you’ve got it wrong, this wasn’t just my decision… everyone… everyone was in on it…」

「Yes, I know. But that is that. We’ll start with you, the mastermind. Don’t worry, once we’re done with you, everyone else involved is next. I remember all of your faces.」

「「「 HIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! 」」」

Screams erupted from all over the classroom. They thought they’d successfully escaped, but there was no running from Sara-san.

…How naive.

Actually, she remembered every single person’s face…

「Sa-Satsukawa-san, you see, it’s only natural for girls to want to hear about romance… HIEEE!?」

Sara-san’s eyes sharpened even more, and Yuri-senpai shut her mouth with a short scream.

The incredible pressure, which didn’t just demand silence but made them accept their total lack of resistance, made not only Yuri-senpai but even the surrounding girls (the ones who swarmed me earlier, I assumed) shiver in fear.

And then, Yuri-senpai was…

「Yuri-san!! Sit right there!!!」

「Yuri!! Sit!!!」

「Sit in seiza, now.」

「FWYAAAA-AAAAAAAA!! I-I’M SO SORRYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!」

…Rest in peace.

「Man, no way…」

「For real… Satsukawa-senpai and Yuzuki-senpai are here…」

「He-Hey, that person isn’t from this school, is she?」

「Whoa… those three are on another level…」

「She’s a real beauty… she’s a match for Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Haa… Yuzuki-senpai is so cool…」

「I hope Hayato-kun picks my fortune-telling…」

「God, please, send Hayato-kun to me!!」

「Wait, what even is this group!?」

「What a lineup!」

After finishing our tour of all the second-year classrooms, we headed to the new building where the first-year rooms were.

We were currently in Todo-san’s class… the room doing fortune-telling.

Since we’d barged in without any warning, it was a bit confusing… or rather, it turned into a huge scene… but that’s how it’d been all day.

「Hey, hey, Marina!!」

「What is this!? It’s not just the Student Council, right!?」

Naturally, once it came to this, Todo-san’s classmates swarmed her to find out what was going on.

「Um, well, it’s the Student Council, but we’re all friends…」

「What!? Even Satsukawa-senpai and Yuzuki-senpai!?」

「U-Um, yeah. That’s right.」

「Incredible!! Todo-san, introduce me!!」

「Me too, to Satsukawa-senpai!!」

「Hey, I’m first!!」

「Marina, why didn’t you tell us sooner!!」

「Yeah, we want to meet the seniors too!」

「But it’s okay if it’s now, right!」

I didn’t really want to say it, but this was a bad direction to go, even if it was predictable.

I’m sure her classmates didn’t mean any harm.

But even considering that, to be blunt… yeah.

Sara-san and Natsumi-senpai seemed to have their own thoughts too, and they looked like they were waiting for the right moment to cut into the conversation. Of course, Hanako-san, Tachikawa-san, Yuji… and me too.

…Wait?

Actually, where was Hayato?

「Sorry, can I have a second?」

Before I knew it, Hayato had moved into the crowd swarming Todo-san. He squeezed himself right in front of her, almost forcing his way in as he hid Todo-san behind his back.

It was a pretty uncharacteristically forceful move for Hayato. We… and Todo-san, and even the people around them, were staring with wide eyes.

But… go for it, Hayato!

「Ha-Hayato-kun!?」

「Whoa, wa-wait, Hayato-kun is so close!!」

「Yokogawa, what’s with the sudden move?」

「By the way, weren’t there rumors about you and Satsukawa-senpai!?」

「Yo-Yokogawa-kun?」

「Todo-san, sorry for the suddenness. But leave this to me.」

「Eh? U-Um, okay.」

Todo-san couldn’t hide her confusion at the sudden turn of events, but she nodded at Hayato’s words and moved behind his back.

Well now, let’s see how this goes.

「Hayato-kun, you see!」

「Yokogawa, you too…」

「Stop!」

Ngh!?

Hayato raised his voice a bit, taking control of the conversation. In this situation where men and women were all talking at once, I thought it was the most effective first move.

「I’ll apologize first. Sorry for barging in. But about the important part: yes, we are on good terms, including the seniors. But we aren’t going to be introducing anyone to anyone, not at all.」

「…Ha-Hayato-kun?」

「…Um.」

「…Yokogawa?」

「…What’s that about…?」

「Exactly what I said. We hate that kind of thing. If anyone tries to approach me through Todo-san… I’ll never speak to them again, so keep that in mind.」

「…Eh.」

「…Wait, that’s…」

「…No way…」

Those were harsh words that showed a clear rejection, unlike the usual Hayato. Even though his tone sounded normal, the pitch was clearly different.

I couldn’t feel his usual「gentleness.」

He didn’t look angry, but… this was truly rare.

「Anyone who causes that much trouble for Todo-san isn’t a real friend. So I have no reason to deal with people like that, right?」

「「「…………」」」

「Yokogawa-kun…」

He didn’t get emotional, but he showed just a hint of disgust… a bit of a sting… as he spoke to the girls. It was plenty effective, though, and everyone went quiet with awkward looks.

Well… while it was something we found disgusting, for a normal high school girl, it was probably just a normal exchange. So I was sure they didn’t mean any harm. People in my class talk like that too.

But Hayato especially must have been sick of people asking for introductions… so maybe that was why.

「Plus, Satsukawa-senpai is even stricter, you know? If I introduced you to her, she’d cut me off too. And then your fun school life wouldn’t be guaranteed anymore.」

Hearing Hayato’s warning, which sounded almost like a threat, the guys looked over at us… but they couldn’t endure Sara-san’s freezing gaze and immediately looked away.

「I’m telling you for your own good. I want you to keep being normal friends with Todo-san just like always. If you don’t think about anything extra, you can keep getting along like you used to.」

Hayato finished his piece by speaking slowly and clearly to everyone. To a normal person, it might have sounded like an exaggeration, but he spoke like he was giving them advice.

Whether it was the guys or the girls, they all seemed to feel something after that exchange… they didn’t resist or make excuses, and just nodded obediently.

It looked like the case was closed.

「Thank you. Sorry for being harsh.」

「No, same here. Sorry, Marina.」

「Yeah, it’s fine. But I can’t do introductions, so I’m sorry too…」

「Don’t worry about it. It’d be bad for Marina, and I’d hate for Hayato-kun to dislike me.」

「Sorry, Marina! I won’t ever say anything weird again!」

The girls were bowing to each other in a parade of apologies. Well, since it looked like everything was settled, I guess it was fine.

「Sorry, Todo-san.」

「I guess it can’t be helped… but being friends with Satsukawa-senpai, I’m still jealous of you, Yokogawa.」

「Ah, you don’t have to be jealous about that. I only barely get to talk to Satsukawa-senpai myself.」

「Really?」

「Hey Yokogawa, what’s Satsukawa-senpai actually like? Some say she’s harsh, some say she’s stiff, and some say she’s kind. Everyone says something different.」

「That’s only natural. That’s what happens when people who don’t know the real Satsukawa-senpai just assume things and spread rumors.」

That really was the only way to describe Sara-san. But I didn’t need to correct everything now. There was only one important thing for me.

The most important thing was for everyone to know that Sara-san had a man named me, so they should never approach her again.

「I see… so you actually know what Satsukawa-senpai is really like?」

「I do. But I don’t plan on saying anything. Besides…」

Hayato stopped there and gave me a meaningful look. He was even smirking a bit.

「Besides?」

「I think you’ll find out the answer for yourselves pretty soon.」

「Huh?」

「Wh-What’s that supposed to mean?」

「Wait, Yokogawa?」

He didn’t answer any more questions. He checked to make sure Todo-san was okay, then started walking back toward us.

He had a somewhat satisfied smile on his face…

「Wait, Yokogawa-kun!」

Todo-san followed after Hayato, looking a bit flustered as she came back over.

And her face looked a bit red… maybe?

Oh?

「Wait, Todo-san, are you done already?」

「U-Um, yeah. More importantly, well…」

Todo-san hesitated, looking a bit bashful and acting cute.

If this was an anime or manga, it’d be the perfect time to draw a beautiful girl blushing while touching her index fingers together.

「Yokogawa-kun, thank you… for, well, helping me… I was happy.」

「To-Todo-san…」

Hayato looked like he’d been shot through the heart (is that expression too old? I don’t care) by Todo-san’s shy cuteness. He actually stumbled a bit.

Well… that was so cute it was basically a foul… yeah.

「No, I’m the one who should be sorry for butting in. It’s just, I couldn’t forgive anyone causing trouble for Todo-san…」

「…Eh? Just now…」

「N-No!! Anyway, it’s an unspoken rule that we don’t allow that kind of thing. We have to show people that clearly.」

「U-Um, yeah. You’re right. I’ll make sure to refuse clearly if something like that happens again. After all, I don’t want to cause trouble for you either, Yokogawa-kun…」

「D-Don’t even think about that! I’d never find anything involving you to be a bother, Todo-san!」

「Eh!? U-Um… well, hearing you say that makes me… happy?」

「I-I see. Then… I’m glad.」

The two of them kept up a conversation that made me blush just listening to it, both acting bashful and hesitant. And for some reason, Hayato’s lines sounded familiar…

I looked over at Sara-san, who was watching the two of them with a heartwarming look… but then, suddenly, Sara-san’s hand squeezed mine.

「Fufu…」

Sara-san looked up at my face and gave a soft smile.

I’d actually been feeling like doing the same… I was really happy to feel our hearts connecting like that through intuition.

「…He-Hey, look at that…」

「…Wait!?」

「…N-N-No way…!?」

「…Wait, for real…」

Still…

Even though Hayato was being pessimistic, from where I was watching…

I thought he definitely had a chance.