Episode 286: Things That Could Have Happened

Monday, on the way to school.

「Man, even for a practice match, a close game like that makes me nervous.」

Natsumi-senpai was currently talking about the girls’ tennis practice match that happened yesterday.

Since an invitational match is scheduled for the school festival, she apparently went into it viewing it as the final real-world practice.

Regarding the opponents, she said she hadn’t been so overconfident as to expect an easy victory, but she’d assumed she could win with a bit of a margin.

「But you did win, didn’t you, Natsumi-senpai?」

「Well, yeah. If it were just an individual match, that would be fine, but since it’s a school-wide competition, it doesn’t mean much if I’m the only one winning.」

「That’s true.」

For the record, Natsumi-senpai won in straight sets. It was exactly what you’d expect from the ace of the girls’ tennis club. I can already see her fan club making a huge scene at the venue.

「Even if there isn’t much time left, I guess there’s no choice but to practice as much as possible before the festival.」

「Yeah. Since we’re the ones inviting them to our school, we can’t afford to put on a pathetic showing. I’m joining in on the intensive training starting today too.」

「I see. So you can’t show a clumsy side of yourself in front of Yuji… right?」

「Y-Yuji has nothing to do with this!?」

「Hmm. Then you don’t mind? You won’t have any regrets even if you lose?」

「Uugh, well…」

「Fufu… why don’t you just be honest and say you want to look cool for your boyfriend?」

「Still as stubborn as ever.」

「Well, excuse me!! I guess I’m just not honest, then!!」

「Kuku…」

「Hmph…」

Oops, this is bad.

The exchange between the three was so funny I accidentally laughed, which earned me a sharp glare from Natsumi-senpai.

But she’s still weak when people push her, or rather, she’s surprisingly easy to rattle. Well, I think that gap between her usual self and this is also one of Natsumi-senpai’s good points (according to Yuji).

「Do you have something you want to say to Kazunari-san?」

「I’ll listen instead.」

「Guh… honestly, you two are always like this whenever Takanashi-kun is involved…」

Sara-san and Hanako-san stepped in between us, cutting off the glare Natsumi-senpai was aiming at me.

Their tones sounded pretty serious, and it made Natsumi-senpai actually back off.

「It is only natural for a wife to protect her husband, is it not?」

「A big sister protects her little brother. That is the truth.」

「Haa… fine, fine, I was the one in the wrong…」

Natsumi-senpai let out an exasperated sigh at their intense arguments and hung her head in defeat.

I knew the two of them weren’t being completely serious with Natsumi-senpai, but I didn’t really know what to say in this situation.

But well, for now… it’s a peaceful day again.

「So, fill this part in like this…」

「Aaaagh, don’t do anything unnecessary!!」

「Wait, it’s getting on my hands!?」

As the school festival drew near, I started seeing my classmates preparing like this in the classroom, not just after school but throughout the day.

Even this morning, the groups in charge of signboard production and costumes were hard at work, making me realize once again that the festival was just around the corner.

「What’s wrong, Kazunari?」

「Nothing, I just feel kind of bad just watching without helping…」

「I understand how you feel, but we have our own student council work. It’s better to just separate the two in your mind. Besides, if you jump in halfway through, you’ll just get in the way of the work.」

「Ugh…」

Hanako-san was definitely right about that.

If I, not knowing the details of the work, tried to help in a half-baked way, they’d have to explain things and it might just end up being more trouble for them.

That would be completely counterproductive.

「Hanasaki-san is right!」

「Takanashi-kun is working hard for the student council, so you can leave this to us.」

「That’s how it is.」

「…Alright.」

She’s right.

Part of me feels like it’s wrong not to help when I know they’re busy, but everyone is being so nice about it.

I’ll just treat it as our respective roles and leave it to them.

「Fufu… Kazunari is so kind. Good boy, good boy.」

Stroke, stroke…

「Um, wait, Hanako-san?」

Once I’d satisfied myself and sat down, Hanako-san started stroking my head as if she’d been waiting for the chance. Since people around us were obviously watching, part of me thought it was a bit much for right now.

But seeing Hanako-san’s happy smile, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

So well… I guess it can’t be helped.

「…Lately, I’m starting to understand what Hanasaki-san means when she says Takanashi-kun is her little brother.」

「Me too. It definitely feels like something different from a lover.」

「But if that’s the case, then she’s just a total bro-con.」

「Either way, I’m jealous…」

「And… his girlfriend is Satsukawa-senpai… gaaaah.」

「…Good boy, good boy. Kazunari is a good boy.」

「………」

Man, what should I do.

Hanako-san looked so happy that I couldn’t ask her if she was done yet.

But we were attracting more attention than I expected, and to be blunt, I was starting to feel embarrassed.

I wasn’t worried about this causing any misunderstandings at this point, though.

Still, I wondered how it looked to an outsider to see a classmate stroking my head in the middle of the classroom.

「…………」

「…Yamakawa, I know it’s hard not to notice.」

「…Shut up, I know.」

「…I guess you still have lingering feelings, I get it.」

「…Guh.」

Rattle…

「Excuse us.」

「Excuse uuuus.」

「Excuse me.」

The classroom door suddenly opened and a trio I’d never seen before strolled right in.

Well, even if I said I’d never seen them, I don’t have many acquaintances to begin with. Setting self-deprecating jokes aside, though.

What really caught my eye was how distinct each of the three was.

One was an intellectual-looking glasses-wearing guy who looked like the living embodiment of「I’m a good student.」

Another was a flashy chara-man type who immediately started staring at the group of girls near the entrance.

And the last one looked the most normal, but he had a smug air about him.

His expression was subtly unpleasant, and he seemed full of confidence in a different way from the glasses guy. I didn’t know what he was so confident about, though.

It was rare to see a trio with such different styles, but were these guys actually friends?

For people who walked in together, they seemed to be completely ignoring each other.

「Sorry for the suddenness, but is Takanashi…」

「Oh, there he is, Mr. Vice President-sama. Wait, what are you doing?」

「u!? Hmph, you’ve got some nerve, two-timing like that.」

「…Huh?」

I didn’t really understand what they were saying, but the trio’s expressions shifted the second they saw me.

It looked like they had business with me, but the fact that they’d come all this way suggested it wasn’t for a good reason.

While I was thinking that, the trio headed straight for me, only for Hanako-san to block their path just before they reached us.

This feels like a very familiar scene.

「Whoa, the student council Angel-chan!? You were in this class!! Man, you’re seriously cute up clo—」

「Do you have business with Kazunari?」

「No, just ignore he—」

「Shut up, chara-man. I’m not free enough to deal with kindergarteners.」

「Gah…」

Hanako-san’s merciless opening attack left the chara-man speechless with an initialized look.

But since that shut up the loudest one, I guess we can move on with the conversation.

「Kukuku, “kindergartener” is a fitting description. It suits an idiot.」

「What was that?」

「You guys, if you want to fight, could you take it outside? And you, you’re cute, but that harsh tone doesn’t suit you, you know? You’re talking to your seniors, so at least use polite speech…」

「Gross. Calling me “you” when we just met is way too full of yourself, it’s embarrassing to watch. You’re trying so hard to play a character, it’s painful.」

「!?」

Following the chara-man, the smug guy was also left speechless by Hanako-san’s blunt tongue.

I didn’t like his weirdly smug face either, but he probably never expected to be called out for playing a character by a girl he’d just met.

That felt a little refreshing.

Still, it really didn’t look like these guys were friends.

I checked their lapel pins just in case, and they were all second-years. Of course, I had no intention of treating them like seniors.

「How pathetic. Well, I don’t care about these guys for now. More importantly, Takanashi, I have something to talk to you about. Come with me.」

「…I don’t min—」

「There is no need to go anywhere. Talk here.」

「…I’ll listen here.」

Well… for now, it’s fine.

I can guess what the topic is nine times out of ten, and if that’s the case, it’s something all my classmates already know about.

「H-Here!?」

「Is it something you can’t talk about in front of people? If it’s that kind of talk, there’s no need to listen.」

「No… well…」

「Haa… you’re all lined up here and you don’t even have the courage to talk about the girl you’re interested in in public? A man like that is a hundred years too early to be competing with Kazunari.」

「「「What!?」」」

When the word「girl」came out of Hanako-san’s mouth, the three of them looked shocked.

My classmates, on the other hand, looked like they’d expected it. For me, it was also expected, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.

Anyway, I should probably have Hanako-san step back now.

「Thanks, Hanako-san. I’ll take it from here.」

「…Alright. I’ll be right behind you.」

Nodding at my words, Hanako-san stood quietly behind me… literally right behind me.

Wait, you’re standing there!?

Well, she stepped back quietly, so I’ll let it slide for now.

The last thing I want is for Hanako-san to be on the front lines and attract unnecessary hate. I’m fine being the only one they’re hostile toward.

So, what should I do.

I said we could talk here, but if things get messy, it’ll definitely be a nuisance to everyone in the class. I won’t back down an inch on anything concerning Sara-san, but that’s a separate issue from this.

In that case, I guess moving locations is unavoidable.

「Fine. You’re the one who’s going to be embarrassed talking here. I’ll get straight to the point. Stop pursuing Satsukawa-san.」

「Seriously. Because you keep hanging around her, weird rumors are starting about Sara-chan, right? Wait, aren’t you the one spreading the rumors?」

「Using the student council as an excuse to get close because you know Satsukawa-san can’t flat-out refuse you is cowardly. And then you spread irresponsible rumors about being her fiancé. You’re being a nuisance to Satsukawa-san. So why don’t you just back off quietly?」

「…Huh?」

What are these guys even saying?

I can’t believe there are idiots who would jump to such twisted conclusions.

Until now, there were plenty of people who just assumed the rumors were fake. But these guys actually understood the contents of the rumors and then conveniently came up with a completely nonsensical interpretation. They were a different breed of idiot.

What a pain.

「I don’t know what kind of rumors you’ve heard, but Sara-san and I are officially engaged. Saying I’m pursuing her is just wishful thinking on your part.」

「Y-You’re using her first name!?」

「Whoa, talk about overfamiliar.」

「Honestly… that level of delusion is just sad.」

I wanted to throw those words right back at them.「Overfamiliar」and「sad」described them perfectly.

「…Pfft… a massive boomerang.」

「…There’s no medicine for stupidity.」

The trio frowned unpleasantly at Yamakawa and the others’ audible sarcasm.

But it was a given that people like this would be stubborn and annoying.

It would be a waste of time to deal with them properly, so it would be fastest to just show them clear evidence and send them packing. The problem was the evidence itself.

If they just couldn’t believe the rumors, a photo of me and Sara-san together would probably be enough.

But this type of person would just deny any half-baked photo, and if it were just us standing together, they’d obviously just find something to complain about.

In other words…

「I’ve had my share of experiences, so I know it’s a waste of time to talk to types like you. You’re just going to throw a tantrum like children and refuse to admit it until you’re absolutely forced to, right?」

「Huh? What the hell are you talking about?」

「You’re the one who needs to fix your delusions…」

「Shut up, you idiots.」

「「「!?」」」

I put some spirit into it and applied pressure with a surprise attack to take the initiative.

Explaining things in detail is a waste of time anyway. It’s faster to corner them until they can’t talk back.

Besides, if I can just make it to the school festival, I’ll be able to show these ridiculous people a scene that will kill their delusions forever.

So I’m going to finish this now.

「You’ve been talking like you know everything, but are you friends with Sara-san? Are you even acquaintances? Don’t tell me you’ve never even spoken to her. I can just ask her myself, so I’ll know immediately if you’re lying.」

「…Tch.」

「…What’s with this guy all of a sudden…」

「………」

「Since you can’t answer, that means you’re strangers, right? You’ve been talking like you know her even though you have no connection at all? Then who told you Sara-san was being inconvenienced? If it’s not just your own selfish delusion, you can answer that, right?」

「Y-You, talk all you want…」

「You bastard…」

「Who do you think you’re talking to…」

「Naturally, He is speaking to fools who cannot even recognize reality. Though I suppose it is impossible for your simple heads to understand, is it not?」

!?

Wait, why!?

「Huh!? You bastard, who do you think you’re talking t… o…… I mean, are you talking to?」

「Sa, sa, sa…」

「Satsukawa… san!?」

Standing at the open classroom entrance before anyone noticed was… Sara-san.

She was standing there, glaring at the three of them with eyes full of contempt, as if she were looking at trash.

The three of them froze, unable to move at the sight of her.

Actually, why are you here!?

「…Whoa… the Wife is here.」

「…Maybe she sensed her Husband was in a pinch?」

「…Wait, isn’t this bad?」

「…More than the other day… no, this feels seriously dangerous…」

「Haa, I caught up. You really overdo it when it comes to Takanashi-kun.」

Whaaaa, even Natsumi-senpai is here!?

Why!?

What is going on!?

「Sara-san, Natsumi-senpai, why are you here!?」

「Huh? No, why…」

「I called them.」

「Eh!?」

Hanako-san, when did you!?

When I looked back at Hanako-san, she had her smartphone in her hand. She must have contacted them immediately after stepping back.

But… while I was happy Sara-san came, the truth was I didn’t want to involve her in a farce like this…

「I understand how Kazunari feels. But having the Wife come is the fastest way. Kazunari even said himself that it’s a waste of time to try to convince idiots who can’t understand with words.」

「I agree. I didn’t think she’d actually sprint through the halls, though…」

I knew Hanako-san’s point made perfect sense.

In fact, I’d thought the same thing.

But… even so.

「Actually, you got here way too fast after seeing the message.」

「What do you expect? Sara just bolted out of the classroom. And since it’s about Takanashi-kun, she’s incredibly fast… is she on the track team or something!」

「Natsumi, save those trivial stories for later.」

Sara-san scolded Natsumi-senpai with a slightly sharp tone, then moved to my side while glaring at the three of them as if to intimidate them.

When she reached my side, she placed her hand on my left arm and looked up at me with a worried expression…

「「「What!?」」」

「Kazunari-san, are you safe? Did they do anything to you?」

「…I’m fine, but.」

「I shall hear the details later. More importantly, right now…」

This was the first time I’d seen Sara-san look truly angry.

Sara-san, who always handled things calmly and bluntly, was expressing her anger straight out.

It was truly rare.

That’s how much those idiots had angered her.

「To be honest, I wish to eliminate these fools who have inconvenienced my precious Kazunari-san this very instant. However, I shall ask just in case. What business did you have? Answer me this second.」

「P-Precious!?」

「S-Satsukawa-san, is that really…」

「I believe I said… answer me?」

「Hieee!?」

Sara-san’s language was polite as always.

And yet, her voice was so freezing it sent shivers down my spine.

And her gaze was sharp and powerful, filled with an overwhelming「something.」

Faced with that intense「something」from Sara-san, the three of them turned pale and their mouths clamped shut.

「…S-So scary…」

「What is this, Satsukawa-senpai… this is bad…」

「…Just watching, even I’m…」

「U-Um, you see, Sara-cha…」

「ANSWER ME RIGHT NOW!!!!!」

「Hic!?」

As if triggered by the chara-man’s stupid tone, Sara-san let out a fierce roar.

Because she was usually so quiet, the impact was truly incredible.

It was enough that even my classmates, who were watching the scene, fell silent, their faces showing surprise and fear at her fury.

「What is all this commotion!? What happened!?」

!?

Coming through the same entrance Sara-san and the others had used, the homeroom teacher came running in, shouting.

This was completely unexpected!

The first bell hadn’t even rung yet, and he’d never come this early before!?

Why today of all days…

The teacher looked at us, then at the trio, alternating between us to confirm the situation.

I hadn’t done anything wrong, but I absolutely wanted to avoid Sara-san being scolded.

I had to force my way into the conversation and somehow protect Sara-san…

「Teacher!! This is…」

「Takanashi, stay quiet. I have a general idea of what’s happening.」

「…Huh?」

The teacher told me that and then, for some reason, glared at only the three of them with a stern expression.

「You three, come to the staff room right now.」

「Why me!?」

「I-I haven’t even done anything yet!!」

「Wait, please. I…」

「Teacher, those seniors were making false accusations against Takanashi and trying to surround him!」

「「「!?」」」

Yamakawa’s comment almost made me want to quip,「Are you in elementary school!?」but I knew he was doing it for me, so I kept quiet.

But hearing Yamakawa, the teacher’s expression grew even sterner as he glared at the three, who awkwardly looked away.

「It is not strange for Satsukawa to be here because of Takanashi, but what is the reason for you three to be here? I am not going to believe everything Yamakawa says, but since you are causing a disturbance, I need an explanation.」

「Um…」

「W-Well…」

「No… well…」

The three tried to say something, but no words came out, and they hung their heads with looks of defeat. They started heading toward the exit as prompted…

「Wait.」

But… Sara-san suddenly spoke up and stopped them.

She headed toward the three of them, and I tried to follow, only to have my hand grabbed by Hanako-san, who had reached out from behind.

…She’s telling me to leave it to Sara-san?

Since the teacher was there, I figured it would be okay, but I stayed on guard, ready to jump in at any second as I watched.

「Since you have gone this far, I assume you are prepared for the consequences? From this moment on, you are my enemies. I shall respect the teacher’s presence for now, but if I see your faces again… I shall show no mercy.」

After spitting those words out, Sara-san returned as if she had no more business with them. She stood directly in front of me and placed her hand on my chest with a worried look.

And the three…

Maybe it was because Sara-san had called them her enemies, or maybe they’d realized reality by looking at us.

They fled the classroom in a panic, their faces full of despair.

And the teacher nodded at us before chasing after the idiots.

It felt like a storm had passed. I wasn’t really sure if it was resolved or not, but…

Still, it was an event that made me realize once again that these kinds of things could definitely happen in the future.