Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094471724561/episodes/16818792436603375950
The tests are over, and the classroom is already fully in summer vacation mode. No wonder—the remaining classes are mostly just test returns, so it’s practically like there are no classes at all.
What am I gonna do this summer? If I don’t have anything to do, I’ll probably end up a shut-in again like before my rebirth. Back then, every day felt like summer vacation—days with lots of pollen, slightly chilly days, snowy days… they all felt like summer vacation.
But this time is different. After all, this is the Tokidoki world!
First, I’ll buy binoculars, right? …Huh? Why binoculars? To watch Saotome and the heroine flirting from afar! If I don’t see that, what’s the point of being reincarnated into this world?!
There are tons of summer vacation events, but the summer festival is definitely a must. During summer break, Saotome and the three heroines go to the summer festival, but since I’m not invited, I plan to watch from afar with a smirk. …Fireworks? Are they prettier than the heroines?
“Saaasu.”
“Nooboo.”
I exchange greetings with Saotome as usual.
“It’s hot again today, isn’t it?”
“It sure is.”
My sweat is sticky, but Saotome’s skin feels smooth and probably smells nice. I guess this guy really is popular. It’s not that Mizuno Shota isn’t popular, but when he’s next to me, I don’t feel that aura of popularity.
When he’s next to me talking to girls, I’m out of their sight.
…Wait a minute. If that’s the case, wouldn’t it mean I could pull the most ridiculous face right next to him and he wouldn’t even notice? …Damn, now I’m curious. I wanna try it. Next chance I get, I’m gonna give it a shot.
“Wonder what we’ll be doing at club today. I’m so excited since it’s my first club activity.”
The more time I spend with him, the more I realize this guy is genuinely cute. At first, I thought he was just some arrogant pretty boy, but lately I’ve noticed he’s more like a little brother—kind of adorable.
In the original story, Saotome is more like the older brother, but in this world, he’s more like the younger brother.
“Sorry, I’m taking today off.”
I thought to myself, I joined the club, but I don’t have to actually go, right? Just joining won’t change the original story, will it?
So, I figured I’d just become a ghost member.
“Oh, what’s up? Feeling sick?”
Seeing Saotome’s worried face made my heart ache just a little.
“Eh, ah, I’m not feeling sick or anything… I just don’t feel like it, I guess…”
This is me, right here.
I can come up with the idea that “I joined the club, but I don’t have to go!” but I never think of a reason not to go.
“Well, I’m fine with it, but you better explain yourself to those two properly.”
The two of them… you mean Niiro and Hisada-chan, right? Why do I have to explain to them?
“Can’t I just not say anything?”
“If you don’t show up, they’ll worry, won’t they?”
Those two? …I don’t think they would.
“I’ll go with you.”
Now this guy’s acting like my big brother or something.
I didn’t really think I needed to say anything, but Saotome was being nice, so it felt wrong to brush it off.
Besides, it’s just a day off, so they’ll probably just go “Oh, okay” and leave it at that.
I trudged along behind Saotome.
“Niiro.”
“Hm?”
“…”
For some reason, it felt like I’d done something wrong and needed to apologize, but that wasn’t the case.
“Hey.”
She gently tapped my back.
“…?”
Even so, I felt like a scolded child and couldn’t speak up. Before my rebirth, my grandmother often apologized like this for me. Back then, I’d just stay silent too.
“Well then, I’ll explain.”
“…?”
I silently nod.
“Um… well…”
Saotome starts explaining to Niiro instead of me.
…Huh? Wait, is this my chance to make a funny face? Everyone’s focused on Saotome right now, so they won’t notice my face, right? Niiro is Saotome’s heroine, so she’s definitely fixated on him.
I wanna do this. No, I have to do this.
If I pull this off, it’ll add to my daily fun, so I absolutely have to make it work!
“……”
I rolled my eyes back and contorted my face with all my might.
“Hey…”
“……!”
Shit… When I rolled my eyes back, Niiro was staring at me with a smile. Even though she was smiling, I could feel her rage radiating off her.
H-hold on! That wasn’t the deal! We agreed she be obsessed with Saotome and no one would notice!
“What were you thinking?”
“No, um, it’s not like I meant anything by it… I just wanted to mess around a little…”
“Huh?”
“Um, really… I’m sorry.”
I ended up looking like a kid who’d been seriously scolded.
“If that’s how you feel, you can come to club activities, right?”
“Well, club activities might be… a bit tough?”
“Ha?”
“Actually, I never intended to join a club in the first place.”
“Ha?”
“Um… I’m sorry.”
“So… are you coming?”
“I was thinking of skipping today, just for now.”
I couldn’t go today, at least. If I go, I’ll step on the event. So just today, just today, I absolutely can’t go.
“Hmm…”
“Sorry.”
“Then let’s go tell Hisada-chan too.”
Why? Why do I have to go tell Hisada-chan? Just let me skip today normally…
“…Yes.”
I’d lost all desire to argue back, so I decided to just obey quietly.
Once again, I trudged along behind Saotome and Niiro, heading towards Hisada-chan. How did she even find out? Her gaze was definitely fixed on Saotome.
“…What’s wrong?”
“Well…”
This time, it was Niiro who explained instead of Saotome. Once again, I was left silent and looking down like a child.
…Oh, isn’t this a chance?
I might have messed up earlier, but I won’t mess up again. Plus, this time I’m in a more advantageous position.
First, this time Niiro is explaining things to Hisada-chan. Hisada-chan is the type who listens properly, so her gaze will be on Niiro.
Next, Saotome is right beside her. All the girls look at Saotome more than me, and Hisada-chan is Saotome’s heroine. So I can say for sure it’ll be absolutely fine.
Here we go.
Doing the same thing as last time would be boring, so I’ll change it up a bit and try a funny face. I stick my chin out as far as possible and roll my eyes back.
“……”
…Oh! This time might work!
“……”
“……”
“……”
Huh? It suddenly got quiet?
It’s a little scary, but I cautiously stop rolling my eyes and let them return to normal.
I might have suspected it, but all three of their gazes were fixed on me.
Saotome has a wry smile on her face, Niiro looks utterly exasperated, and Hisada-chan looks like she could kill me any second.
I know it’s late, but I slowly retract my extended jaw.
“…Hey.”
“…Yes?”
“Explain yourself.”
“…Sorry.”
“Did I tell you to apologize? Explain why you made that lame face.”
Come to think of it, that face I put so much effort into didn’t get any laughs at all. That’s actually what hurts the most.
“I didn’t think it was lame, though.”
“Ha?”
“Yes, I’m a boring person.”
“Don’t get too cocky.”
“…Yes.”
Somehow, I got scolded ten times worse than I imagined.
“So, you’re coming to club activities, right?”
“Eh, um… that’s a bit…”
Don’t lose, me! If I lose here, I’ll get involved with the original work again. I decided I wouldn’t get involved with the original work anymore!
“Okay?”
“No, wait—”
“Okay?”
“Yes. Please let me join the club.”
I lost. I was overwhelmed by Hisada-chan’s pressure.
“…You should’ve said that from the start.”
“I’m sorry.”
Haaah… Next time I’ll make a funnier funny face.
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