Episode 296: Special Connection

「Haa… it’s really no joke when Satsukawa-san and Nishikawa-san stand together.」

「Well, they’re two of the top three in this school.」

「Man, it’s a total feast for the eyes… seriously.」

「If I posted this on RAIN, some people would probably ditch their class exhibits just to come see.」

The Student Council members seemed to know Nishikawa-san through their roles, and they were chatting away while catching up with each other.

The guys, meanwhile, were just staring at them and looking completely lovestruck.

「But it’s a huge surprise that Nishikawa-san and Takanashi-kun are best friends.」

「Yeah. I mean, there are still times I can’t believe Satsukawa-san is his girl… fiancée, but to have Nishikawa-san wrapped around his finger too…」

「Um… ‘wrapped around his finger’ sounds a bit bad.」

I guess it can’t be helped since I can’t talk about the most important parts, but hearing that makes it sound like I’m some kind of lady-killer.

That doesn’t sound great at all…

「I suppose so… but I think you have a natural charmer side to you, Takanashi-san. Though it’s fine for now since you’re so head over heels for Sara that there’s no room for misunderstanding.」

A natural charmer… I definitely don’t have a memory of being that.

But if the fact that I’m devoted to Sara-san is recognized by everyone, I guess that’s not a bad thing… right?

「Kazunari has an unconscious purity and a kindness without any ulterior motives… maybe he becomes a ‘charmer’ to people who are susceptible to that?」

「True… that description clicks. As expected of Hanako-san, your analysis is sharp.」

「I’m his Big sister, so I’ve got a firm grasp on Kazunari’s good points.」

Hanako-san looking proud of herself was kind of cute… but…

「Um, I think that’s enough for now…」

The way Hanako-san was praising me with total confidence. I’m happy she’s saying things like pure and kind, but… I won’t be able to handle it if she doesn’t stop soon.

I was attracting lukewarm gazes from everyone, not to mention the mix of complicated emotions from the crowd, so it was getting a little tough.

「Fufu… I am happy as well that everyone understands your wonderful qualities, Kazunari-san.」

And Sara-san… she was delighted that I was being praised as if it were her own success. She was currently in the middle of gently stroking my head.

「Sara-san…」

「Kazunari-san is such a good boy♪」

「「「………………」」」

Those lukewarm stares from around us were gradually turning into dead-eyed looks.

But even if that was the case, I couldn’t stop Sara-san from doing this, and I didn’t want to.

Because I liked it too, so I guess it can’t be helped, yeah.

「Good work, everyone!」

「Good work.」

After we’d been chatting for a while, Natsumi-senpai and Hayato, who were running late, came jogging up to the tent.

It looked like the tennis club stuff had finally reached a stopping point.

Now everyone was finally gathered, but it had actually been a while since we were all together like this, not since we reported the engagement between me and Sara-san.

So it felt somewhat fresh.

Although we talk all the time in our Group RAIN, so it didn’t really feel like we hadn’t seen each other.

「Now everyone is here.」

「Anyway, Eririn, when did you get here?」

「If it’s Nishikawa-san, she’s been here for about an hour since the doors opened.」

「That’s too early. Well, whatever, you look pretty happy… don’t you, Daichi?」

「W-What are you talking about? I’m just my usual self…」

Natsumi-senpai’s incredibly meaningful smirk said it all. She definitely knew what was going on.

Well, they’re childhood friends, so it’s not surprising she knows about that stuff.

「He-Hey… I see everyone is here, but what kind of group is this?」

「I-I was curious too. Satsukawa-san, Natsumi-chan, and Nishikawa-san. Having all of the Three Princesses together is amazing enough… what is with this lineup?」

The Three Princesses… what is that?

I’ve never heard that before.

「Ahaha… it’s been a while since I heard that nickname.」

「No, everyone from the second year up still uses it normally. I mean, our class Group RAIN is going crazy right now about the Three Princesses being together.」

「Same here. Especially the guys. I wonder when they noticed?」

「Actually, the guys are already coming to look… look over there.」

Following the senior’s finger, everyone’s gaze turned to find a dense pack of guys staring our way… wait, how many of them are there?

That’s a little scary…

「Man, I’m getting RAIN messages too…」

「Me too… they’re asking for introductions.」

「Hey, don’t you dare, okay?」

「You know what will happen if you do that, right?」

「No… I don’t want to die yet.」

「Same here.」

The power balance in our Student Council is extremely tilted toward the women. If any of the guys did something unnecessary, they’d be branded an enemy of women and face a very uncomfortable Student Council life.

Sara-san especially hated that kind of thing, and I wouldn’t forgive it either.

「Hey, Nishikawa-san, what kind of connection does this group have?」

「What kind, you ask… well, if I had to say…」

「This group gathered with Kazunari-san at the center. Everyone here has a connection to Kazunari-san for one reason or another, and we just naturally started gathering like this.」

Sara-san took over for Nishikawa-san and gave a simple explanation. Hearing just that, it sounds like a simple relationship, but when I think about everything that’s happened and our bonds…

I felt truly happy that we could stand here and say we have a special connection with pride.

So I looked around at everyone, and found them all smiling gently at each other with happy expressions.

「Indeed. We are a connection that started with Takanashi-san, and we have the solidarity that comes from overcoming difficulties together…」

「Yeah. I find the sense of unity and solidarity in this group really comfortable. Everything we do is fun, and I feel like we can overcome anything if we’re together.」

「This is the first time I’ve found it fun to gather with a group of friends like this.」

「Yeah. I feel a very special connection in this group that’s different from regular friends. So I understand exactly what Nishikawa-san and Natsumi-senpai mean by solidarity.」

「Me too! Plus, I’m just happy, or rather blessed, to be a member of such an amazing group.」

「It’s a happy thing to have friends you can be your true self around without any hesitation. Besides, I think a group that can naturally unite against difficulties without being told is truly precious.」

「You’re right. Considering how this group started, it’s not surprising we naturally have that side to us… but that’s why I think it’s a precious bond.」

Everyone put their feelings into words. Normally, I would’ve been too embarrassed to say something like this to their faces, but right now… that’s why I…

「I definitely think meeting Sara-san was fate, but I think meeting all of you was fate too. If it weren’t, we wouldn’t have this kind of relationship where I can honestly think it’s wonderful…」

「Indeed. If meeting Kazunari-san was fate for each of us, then this group is composed of people called together by Kazunari-san’s fate. The nuance might be a bit different, but wouldn’t it be right to call us a community bound by fate?」

「A community bound by fate…」

It might be a bit of an exaggeration… but honestly, I feel that strong of a connection in this group. So hearing it put that way felt right, and I could accept it naturally.

「…Man, the solidarity is so intense I can’t even joke about it being an exaggeration…」

「Yeah. If I heard this anywhere else, I’d probably laugh and say it’s too cheesy or dramatic… but somehow… it’s nice, a relationship like this. I’m honestly a little jealous.」

「I agree. Everyone looks so happy… but it makes me curious about what happened for you to become this close.」

That incident isn’t something to brag about, and I don’t think it’s something we should just tell anyone who isn’t involved.

I’m sure everyone feels the same, which is why no one says anything, like there’s an unspoken agreement.

「So, based on what I just heard, does that mean Takanashi-kun is the leader of this group?」

「Huh? No, it’s not like I’m the leader or anything.」

Even if we’re a group, we’re just a collection of friends and best friends, so I don’t think we need a leader or anything like that.

We just bring up what we want to do and decide together.

「Indeed… to begin with, Takanashi-san is the one at our center, so in that sense, I think he could be called the leader.」

「Right! I’ve kind of felt that way for a while now too.」

When Nishikawa-san and Tachikawa-san voiced their agreement, everyone else started nodding one after another… wait, a group of friends doesn’t need a leader.

「I think it’s fine. It’s easier to decide things when the central person is in that position. I think Kazunari is the perfect fit.」

「True. Kazunari was the one at the front of everything at the start, so it doesn’t feel out of place at all.」

「Yeah! I think Takanashi-kun should be the leader too!」

「Wait, guys…」

I was already embarrassed enough from the talk earlier, so why is everyone constantly trying to talk me up!?

「Oh, look, is Takanashi-kun actually blushing?」

「U!? No, like I said, don’t say things like that…」

Tachikawa-san started peering into my face with a smirk while saying that.

I mean, pointing it out only makes me more embarrassed!?

I want to shout it out loud!!

「Kazunari is shy, so it can’t be helped. That’s why his Big sister will…」

A strangely happy-looking Hanako-san started walking slowly toward me… but before she could get there, a hand was placed on my head and I was pulled in almost forcefully.

I felt the sensation of a soft heaven with a「squish,」and I was enveloped in happy comfort…

「Fufu… if Kazunari-san is the leader, then it is my important role to support him like this. So… let’s stay like this for a while until the shy boy calms down, alright?」

「Muu… then at least, as the leader’s Big sister, I’ll do this much.」

My vision was zero because of Sara-san heaven, so I didn’t know what Hanako-san was planning. But for some reason, it felt like another hand was stroking my head… wait, a pair of clearly smaller hands had been added.

「Kazunari-san is so cute…」

「Good boy, good boy…」

The hands stroking the top of my head belonged to Sara-san, which meant the smaller hands stroking the back of my head belonged to Hanako-san.

I was happy, but I was really curious what this looked like from the outside…

「Hey… is this a daily occurrence in this group too?」

「Um…」

「I, I wonder?」

「If you call this normal operation… then I guess it is?」

「Wh-Wh-Wh-What are you all doing!?」

Nishikawa-san let out a cry of pure exasperation with a hint of her dark side.

But if someone told me this was normal, I’d probably start believing all of this was normal too… though it’s a bit late for that, yeah.

Since we’d been talking all morning, in the end, everyone stayed at the tent and welcomed the lunch break without going anywhere.

If everyone was fine with that, I didn’t have much to say about it.

Feedback whine

The specific noise of a microphone being switched on echoed from the school speakers for the umpteenth time today.

Given the timing, it was usually when the lunchtime broadcast started.

「Yahoo, is everyone having fun? …Hmm, I can’t hear you!」

This time, Minamin’s broadcast started with the vibe of a children’s show.

I’m almost impressed by how she comes up with a different pattern every single time.

「Now then, it’s the lunch break. You and the others are moving now, right, Takanashi-kun?」

「Yes. Once lunch break is over, we’re heading out on patrol.」

「…Hey, if this group moves together, isn’t that going to cause more of a stir than just Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-san alone?」

「…I think so. It might be bad for the second and third years especially.」

「Alright. Then, the next reception duty is…」

「Ah, that’s us. We’ll just stay here and eat our bentos while we keep an eye on things.」

「Uesaka-san, you should go for your lunch break too.」

I see, so Uesaka-san would be having lunch alone…

「Daichi, what are you going to do now?」

「It’s a bit much to head back to class now, so I’ll just find somewhere…」

「I see… Hey everyone, is it okay if this guy joins us for lunch?」

Based on her voice, it was her usual light tone. But looking at Natsumi-senpai’s face, I could tell she wasn’t joking.

That’s why I could also guess why she’d suddenly suggested it.

「Why not? It sounds interesting to have the former President join us… plus, I feel like we could hear ‘all sorts’ of interesting things.」

Naturally, Yuji was the first one to accept Natsumi-senpai’s suggestion.

Hayato gave a wry smile at the way he emphasized「all sorts」… and Natsumi-senpai’s twitching smile as she watched him was something else.

「Um, I don’t mind at all.」

「I’m fine with it too.」

「If Kazunari-san is fine with it, I have no intention of saying anything more.」

「Same here.」

「Which means, Takanashi-san effectively has the final say. What will you do?」

Everyone, including Nishikawa-san, seemed to be fine with it, and all eyes turned to me.

For the record, in my mind, whether Sara-san was okay with it was the biggest factor…

So in the true sense, the decision belonged to Sara-san.

And since Sara-san was fine with it too.

「What do you think, Uesaka-san? We’re fine with it, but what do you want to do?」

I deliberately used a phrasing that had a bit of「meaning」behind it.

If Uesaka-san truly sought a connection with Nishikawa-san… if he was really serious about it.

Then I thought it was okay to give him this much support.

On the other hand, if it wasn’t that serious, or if Nishikawa-san found it a nuisance…

Then I wanted him to give up cleanly.

That was an unspoken rule for us.

「You’re right…」

The smile vanished from Uesaka-san’s face as he looked into my eyes. Whether he caught the meaningful nuance or just sensed the atmosphere, I didn’t know. But…

「If it isn’t a bother… I’d appreciate it.」

Uesaka-san gave a bow that was far too formal for just「having lunch together.」But that was why I could tell he was serious.

「Alright! Then let’s go together. Is that okay with you too, Nishikawa-san?」

「Eh? Yes, I’m fine with it. Besides, I think I made a bit too much anyway.」

Nishikawa-san herself gave a reaction that was far too normal. She probably wasn’t conscious of it at all…

「Whoa… it feels like it’s been such a long time… Oh, there are so many more types of flowers!?」

As soon as we reached the flowerbed, Nishikawa-san started running around it like she was giddy.

A bit childish and different from her usual image of a refined lady or a clumsy… either way, it made me smile.

「We planted the seedlings that Sara-san and I bought together over there.」

「I see. Honestly, you two even show off how close you are in a place like this… but whatever, I’m really glad this flowerbed has stayed so beautiful.」

「We’ve been helping take care of it lately too!」

Todo-san ran up to Nishikawa-san and the two of them started talking happily.

They looked like close sisters… maybe that’s why Hayato and Uesaka-san looked strangely happy… or rather, heartwarming.

「Heh… so this is ‘that’ flowerbed.」

「’That’? What do you mean…」

「Nothing, I was just thinking that Takanashi-kun and Satsukawa-senpai’s great romance started here and grew here.」

「Indeed. I still clearly remember that day when I first spoke with Kazunari-san here.」

「Me too.」

Although for me, it’s a bit of an embarrassing past because I ended up running away due to the pathetic state I was in after that incident on the rooftop…

「Kazunari-san…」

For some reason, Sara-san wore a somewhat pained expression and suddenly reached her arms toward my head… then slowly pulled me into a hug.

What happened?

「Sara-san?」

「I am sorry for the suddenness. I just… felt like being like this for a bit…」

It was sudden, but I felt like I could understand Sara-san’s feelings. Usually, even when I’m here, I don’t think about it that deeply. But when Tachikawa-san said that, I remembered the day I first met Sara-san and that moment we first spoke… so I’m sure that was it.

「Me too.」

「I am happy… please let me stay like this for a while… Kazunari-san…」

I answered her request with action instead of words. I pressed my face against her just a little bit, and I was met with a very soft sensation. And Sara-san immediately held my head firmly with both arms, giving me a squeeze.

「…Wh-Why so sudden…」

「…Hey, did someone feed the idiot couple?」

「…Uuu, I’m so sorry~」

「…I-It’s okay, Yoko. I’ve done it before too.」

「………」

「…Former President, what’s wrong?」

「…No, I’ve seen a bit of it in the Student Council… but is it always like this?」

「…Normal operation.」

「…I, I see…」

「…I wonder how Yuji and the others are usually?」

「…There’s no way we’re like those two…」

「…For the record, my guess is that Natsumi-senpai is actually the type to be surprisingly clingy.」

「…No, well… that is…」

Sara-san stroke my head carefully as usual, letting me act spoiled for her as much as I wanted.

I used to think it was pathetic or that I should feel bad about it. But now… if this is what Sara-san wants, I can honestly think it’s okay this way.

All that matters is if Sara-san acts spoiled with me when it really counts, even if it’s just once in a while…

「Kazunari-san… lift your face toward me…」

「…Sara-san…」

Drawn by her pained, spoiled-sounding voice, I pulled my face away from Sara-san’s chest, and she gently lifted my face so we could look at each other.

Just as Sara-san’s eyes slowly closed…

「KNOCK IT OFF, YOU IDIOT COUPLE!!! Seriously, you flirt every single time something happens!!! And for crying out loud, don’t try to naturally kiss right in front of us!!!!」

「「U!?」」

Surprised by Natsumi-senpai’s roar, I instinctively looked around… and found the usual scene.

Tachikawa-san was staring at us with a bright red face… and as usual, Todo-san was hiding her equally red face with both hands while peeking through her fingers.

And Nishikawa-san was… dark, just pitch black.

「H-Hanasaki-san, Ni-Nishikawa-san’s state is…」

「It’s fine.」

「No, no matter how you look at it!?」

「Normal operation.」

「…Huh?」

「Normal operation.」

「…………」

Hanako-san, who was calming down Uesaka-san… I guess she was in normal operation mode too.

I don’t even know what I’m saying anymore.