Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818622176197506541
“Hey, I’m honestly surprised to get a love call from you.”
“Chairman Sanada is the type who sends a lot of messages, isn’t she?”
In the student council room, the coffee I had just been served was still steaming.
Before the first class started, I approached Student Council President Sanada Tsubaki. Of course, I didn’t visit the third-year classroom on purpose; it was because of the LINE exchange we had earlier.
“So? Is there something you need to talk to me about, Hayami Ren?”
I still find it difficult to talk to her. When I talk to her, I feel like she can see right through my innermost thoughts.
“I have something I’d like to ask you.”
“Enough with the preamble. What do you want to know? There’s no way you’d ask me something I don’t know.”
Smiling, President Sanada added a stick of sugar to her coffee.
“However, you called me here secretly like this. And first thing in the morning. That means it’s something very urgent and information that can’t be obtained through normal means, right?”
“Yes, that’s right. What I want to know is the detailed address of Nishimiya Aira.”
There are three possible ways to find that out.
One is to simply ask the teacher. This is the easiest of the three, but it involves a lot of hassle.
If I do that, it’s likely that Nishimiya’s parents will be contacted first, and they will go there themselves.
If that happens, Nishimiya will surely put on a brave front and lie.
“So, you want me to ask her directly?”
“You’re half right. In this case, there is someone more suitable than her parents or her teacher.”
Of course, that person is not me, but Shiramine. From a social perspective, it should be safer to give a woman’s address to someone of the same s*x rather than to a man.
“Hmm. Well, I… rather, the student council has a directory of student personal information. It’s limited to students who belong to committees or clubs.”
Nishimiya is on the beautification committee. She fits the criteria.
“Nishimiya is currently unwell. Plus, she lives alone. She hasn’t responded to my messages for the past three days.”
“I see. That’s concerning. …Still, that’s difficult.”
President Sanada placed her hand on her chin. Uncharacteristically, she seemed troubled.
“Even I can’t just handle student personal information as I please. Of course, right? Even if it’s urgent, we should go through the school.”
That’s true. It’s only natural to think that way. But…
“Then it might be too late.”
I made up my mind and made a proposal.
“How about a loan, Chairman?”
“Huh? A loan?”
Chairman Sanada narrowed her eyes with interest.
As expected, she was on board. This was within my expectations.
“Yes, a loan. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll lend a hand. If you don’t trust a verbal agreement, I’ll put it in writing.”
“…Haha, ha! You’re interesting, aren’t you?”
“Are you dissatisfied?”
“Where would there be dissatisfaction? I understand.”
The chairman opened the desk drawer and took out a catalog.
“Thank you, then.”
“Oh, Hayami-kun. One last thing—this is just advice.”
“Yes?”
“—It’s fine to spread kindness, but it will eventually bind you. You should think carefully about that.”
＊＊＊
And now, in the present.
I arrive at Nishimiya’s house.
“…You could try a little harder with the dishes.”
I wash the dishes piled up in the sink and put them one by one into the dishwasher.
Nishimiya hasn’t eaten properly for the past few days. I can tell by looking at the dishes and the trash can next to them.
Cup ramen, ready-made supermarket lunch boxes, frozen foods… This must be due to her daily diet.
“Senpai. Can I help you?”
“Shiramine san… Where’s Nishimiya?”
Keeping my hands moving, I looked up at Shiramine, who had entered the living room.
“As you said, I fed her some fruit jelly and wiped her down, and then she fell asleep.”
“…I see.”
Apparently, she still had enough energy to eat. That’s good.
“You’re amazing, Senpai.”
Shiramine let out a sigh of relief and came over to stand next to me.
“I guess so, but I just did what I could.”
Honestly, I should have come sooner. If I had…
While I was thinking, Shiramine put her shoulder on mine.
“You did your best. You’re doing your best. That’s why it’s okay. There’s no need to regret anything.”
“…Thank you.”
Can Shiramine read my mind? She always says the words I want to hear at the right time.
“But there’s one deduction. It’s fine for everyone to be kind, but this time I think you went a little too far.”
“Really?”
“Yes. If Nishimiya-senpai didn’t care about you, or even hated you, it would be a reportable offense.”
“Oh, I see.”
Indeed. Now that you mention it, even if it was an emergency, it was a bit too much to just identify the address and enter the room without permission…
“…Why did you go that far, Senpai?”
Those words were surely not directed at this incident alone.
The same was true of the incident at the newspaper club the other day. Surely, in Shiramine’s eyes, my actions must have seemed strange.
“There are two types of people: those who can become the main character and those who cannot. Do you understand?”
The words that came out of my mouth surely expressed who I am right now.
“Aota, Nishimiya, and Shiramine, for example. They are definitely on that side.”
They are good-looking and athletic. It’s not about that. It’s not that simple.
“They shine. To me, they are like dazzling stars.”
That’s why I’m moved by their every action. Because I don’t have that.
“…Are you joking, senpai?”
“Eh, what?”
I’ve just been so candid with you, and that’s the best you can come up with?
“…If, as you say, I am shining, then it’s thanks to you, senpai.”
“Eh?”
A small voice. It was a voice that faintly shook my eardrums.
“Ahem. I won’t say any more. I don’t want to be rude.”
Shiramine turned away, her ears bright red. It was a little cute, and I smiled softly.
“…I see. Well, now that the dishes are done, next is cleaning… Huh? What is it?”
On the living room table, I noticed a booklet covered in sticky notes. It was colorful with character illustrations, but it didn’t look like a manga magazine.
“Is something wrong, Senpai?”
“No, just a little…”
I wiped my hands and reached for the booklet.
And there it was.
“What?! This is…”
Comic Department 90. In other words…
“It’s a catalog for a doujinshi convention… Wait, that’s the day after tomorrow…”
Ah, so that’s why Nishimiya was being so restrained. Ah, yeah. I guess you could say she’s honest.
I smiled bitterly and opened the booklet.
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