Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792438505096973
(Aira’s perspective)
A little while later.
After Irie-san finished his shift at the shop, we decided to immediately start checking out the attractions to enjoy the rest of our first day.
“We just ate, so maybe we should stick to something safe?”
“There’s a puzzle game over there! How about that?”
“Forget it, Ku-chan… If Tsukkun plays outside the room, we could have fun too.”
“Utterly left out.”
“Hehe, I bet Irie-san would solve it in no time.”
“Ah… I forgot how high-spec Irie is.”
Before me stood my seniors, chatting happily.
Not being very good at talking to people and having few friends myself, I was incredibly happy to be allowed to tag along like this.
(And I get to be with such amazing people…)
Even I, a freshman, knew about the Three Great Beauties.
Minase-senpai, approachable, overflowing with charm and kindness, who instantly gets along with anyone.
Kirishima-senpai, an active model whose popularity is skyrocketing right now.
Karuizawa-senpai, the charismatic student council president and daughter of a major cosmetics company president.
…Normally, people like me wouldn’t even be able to talk to them.
And then—
“Sakurazaka, is there anywhere you’d like to go?”
“Huh!? W-Well, I don’t know what the other classes are doing… Could I just leave it up to you?”
“Hm? Is that so? Well, if you find somewhere you’re curious about, don’t hesitate to say something.
―――Lately, I keep thinking about something.
Probably not, I tell myself. Statistically speaking, it’s impossible, I tell myself.
[I don’t know when it’ll happen… but someday, you’ll come to like yourself. Being able to say “not yet” proves you have the will to grow and the potential to do so. Just take your time and become someone who can think “I like this” instead of “I dislike this.”]
But as I interact with him, it happens naturally.
When talking about Kirishima-senpai, their images inevitably overlap.
I know it’s impossible, but maybe…
Because when I hear the stories, Kirishima-senpai, Minase-senpai, and Karuizawa-senpai all said they were saved by Irie-senpai.
Then…
(Is he… my prince?)
I want to ask. But it doesn’t feel like now is the time.
(…Not now)
It’s the cultural festival. I have to enjoy it.
Thinking that, I shook off the question floating in my head and followed the seniors.
♦♦♦
“…So your class’s event is a haunted house, huh?”
“Yes, it is♪”
While aimlessly wandering with nowhere to go, Shiori-san invited me, “Then why don’t you come to our class?”
Even when I asked what kind of event they were doing, she just said, “It’s a surprise when you get here♪,” so I came along… but I never imagined it would be a haunted house.
“I… I’ve been tricked…!?”
Behind me, Yuzuki was adorably and obviously cowering.
For Yuzuki, who hates scary things, this was probably the only attraction at the festival she couldn’t enjoy.
“My cute junior scared out of her wits… Ahh, it gives me chills…!”
And Shiori-san, thoroughly enjoying it.
Her reaction made it clear why it was a haunted house.
“Um, there’s a girl in our group who’s terrified of ghosts…”
“Yes, I wouldn’t invite anyone who’s genuinely terrified either.”
“Then why…?”
“Because she said, ‘Come on, can you really stay scared forever?!’”
“I see.”
Trying to overcome your fears is a good thing.
Though the fact she’s teary-eyed to the point of sniffles is strangely concerning.
“A haunted house, huh… I’m a bit scared of those too.”
“I’m not that scared, personally. Honestly, the moment someone’s neck snaps is way scarier.”
Hearing something everyone’s scared of said with such a deadpan face…
“So, since I want to see my junior’s scared face, would it be okay if I went in first with Irie-san?”
“Huh? Me?”
Huh, why me? Just as I was wondering, Yuzuki raised her hand to protest.
“Yee-es! I wanna go with Tsukkun either—”
“Alright, alright, Yuzuki, be a good girl.”
“Why’s Ku-chan on that side!?”
“It’s about order. Order.”
“Ah…”
Turn? I didn’t quite get it, but Yuzuki seemed satisfied.
She backed off quietly and instead started clinging to Sakurazaka’s back.
“So then, shall we go, Irie-san?”
“Ah, yes.”
I didn’t really understand, but for now, I let Shiori-san pull my hand and stepped through the curtain hanging over the entrance into the house.
Being a haunted house, the interior was relatively dark. Only a faint light barely illuminated the ground enough to see where she stepped.
She wasn’t scared of the darkness or the ghosts.
Shiori-san, who was holding my arm, didn’t seem scared either—probably because she was one of the producers—so it looked like we just walk straight ahead.
Still—
(…Being alone with Shiori-san feels kind of fresh.)
Usually Yuzuki is with us too, so this feels strangely novel.
The hands clasped together seemed to make my heart beat faster for some reason.
“Um, Irie-san…”
Suddenly, at that moment.
Shiori-san, walking ahead, stopped.
“What is it?”
“I have one request…”
What’s suddenly gotten into her?
Hearing her speak so formally, I couldn’t help but tilt my head.
Shiori’s face was dark as she turned around, so I couldn’t tell what expression she wore.
(But if it’s a request from Shiori…)
There’s no way I could refuse. She’s done so much for me before; if I can repay her kindness, I’d gladly nod my head.
So, she didn’t need to be so formal…
“After the cultural festival ends… could you come to the student council room? I have something important to discuss.”
—Just a little.
Should I just nod right away? Hearing the words she continued with, I hesitated.
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