Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094471724561/episodes/16818792436151487671
The atmosphere is super tense.
Yeah, I guess so. Just a moment ago, it seemed like everyone was going to join the club. I even lied and said I brought them along, so they probably assumed I join. I’d be surprised if I were one of those three.
But I never actually said I was joining. If I said I was joining and then didn’t, that’d make me a liar. But I just looked like I was going to join and then didn’t.
So if I looked like I was going to join soccer but then missed the goalpost, would you complain? It’s the same thing.
It can’t be helped, right? Of course I want to join! If I did, I’d get to see Fumi-senpai more often. Maybe even get a chance to be alone with her. I’d be throwing away that chance. But still, I want to stick to the original story.
Just that one time, during the event with the little kid at the very beginning, I was barely visible, and it caused a development I didn’t know about. I learned that even the smallest thing can drastically change the original story.
Since I know that now, I can’t join the club.
Besides, from their perspective, it’s probably more convenient if I don’t join, right? If there are fewer people getting in the way, they might be able to spend more time with Saotome. So maybe they’re actually happy about it?
“I see. So you won’t be joining?”
“Sorry. I’m just not good with club activities or group stuff.”
Being able to spout such a convenient lie so smoothly might actually be a talent.
“Are you sure you won’t join?”
Saotome looks a little lonely.
“Sorry about inviting you in the first place.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll work hard for both of us.”
“That’d be great.”
I’m so glad this guy’s a good person. I was worried he’d say, “If you’re not joining, I’m not either.” But thanks to the power of the original story, he managed to stick around.
“But if these three join, the club won’t get shut down, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Good. Then I’ll leave these three to you.”
“Got it.”
Maybe it’s for the best this way. I kinda felt like things might actually follow the original story better without me.
I suddenly said all this, so Niiro and Hisada-chan might get mad again. But I’m prepared for a punch and a kick to the shin. Pain sucks, but regret sucks even more.
Alright, bring it on! I’m ready!
“Mizuno… Are you really not joining?”
Niiro stared at me with a lonely look in her eyes.
STOP IT!!! Don’t look at me like that!!! When you look at me like that, it hurts my heart!
“…I’m lonely without Mizuno.”
…! I blacked out for a second from sheer cuteness overload.
No, don’t go all sweet on me!!! Why are you doing this now??? You’re totally pulling off the tsundere act perfectly!! You’re way too cute!!! If you do stuff like this, I’ll fall for you!!! I’ll die from all the heart-fluttering!!!
You always look angry at times like this, but only this time you look lonely? That’s just unfair.
But I’ll endure it. I’ll show you I can endure it. If my mouth opens, I’ll probably blurt out “I want to go in after all,” so I desperately keep my mouth shut. If there’s someone good at sewing, I really want them to sew my mouth shut.
I won’t go in. I won’t go in. I won’t go in. I won’t go in. I won’t go in. I won’t go in.
I chant this in my mind to stop myself. Otherwise, I’ll go in.
“…”
…Huh?
Hisada-chan, who was next to me, suddenly grabbed my hem tightly.
…Huh! I must have passed out again.
Seriously! You’re way too cute! What is this unfair level of cuteness? If I were the referee, I’d send you off in one shot!
You’re always so aggressive, so why are you suddenly being a little sweet this time?! Don’t be sweet to me! Save that sweetness for Saotome!
Stop it—don’t grip my hem so tightly—don’t do things like a little kid would—.
Why do you want me to join? Saotome is enough, right? If I’m here, I’ll just end up irritating you guys again.
But, too bad for you. This time, I’m different. I’ve got my rock-solid, tough mental fortitude, so I’ll easily turn you down.
Go on, say it. “Well then, I’ll be taking my leave.”
“I’m sorry.”
Say it! Why did I reincarnate?! I have a reason for reincarnating—no temptation can make me lose!
“I…”
I catch Niiro reaching out, pleading for me not to go. But it doesn’t matter.
“I…”
I feel Hisada-chan’s grip on my hem tighten. But I have my own ambitions.
“I… I still want to join. Please let me join this club too.”
…I lost. I lost. I lost again. Why am I so weak?! Why can’t I just say “I’m not joining, so I’ll take my leave now”?!
It’s over. Everything is over. There’s no fixing this now. With Shibamura, there was still a chance only the cultural festival would change, but joining the club changes everything. There’s so much club activity coming up…
“Oh, I see. More members are always welcome, so you’re welcome to join!”
I’m glad Fumi-senpai welcomed me. If it weren’t for now, I’d be crying tears of joy. But right now, I’m so sad I could cry.
“Thank you.”
I’m the one who said I wanted to join, yet I feel so down. It makes me wonder why I even said I wanted to join in the first place.
“I believed in you all along. I knew you’d join us.”
Saotome… Did you miss me too? Even if you did, my heart never wavered.
“Wherever you are, I’ll be there. That’s how it is.”
“…Partner.”
“…Best friend.”
Saotome, your character’s changed a bit, hasn’t it? Was this guy always this passionate about friendship? Did he like me that much?
“Looking forward to working with you from now on, Sarasa-chan.”
“You decided to join~. Huh~, I didn’t really care either way.”
No way! So that whole vibe meant you didn’t want me to join!? That’s tough! Make me a problem set! Give me the answers too! I’ll make sure to check them all!
“Haruka-chan, nice to meet you too.”
“…Hmph.”
Wait, no way? Hisada-chan also didn’t really want me to join, just like Niiro? So! I don’t get it! That’s a trick question! So I was just a fool who fell for it hook, line, and sinker.
So I joined this club based on a misunderstanding? I’m a hopeless idiot. …Someone save me.
Um… Can I quit this club now? I said I wouldn’t join at first, but then I said I wanted to join just now, so I can’t back out. Do you have a withdrawal service? If you do, I’d like to request it.
“Yay! Four people joined at once! We went from one to five members! Now the club can survive!”
Fumi-senpai forgot her cliché setting and is rejoicing innocently like a child. So cute, so cute. Just seeing that smile made joining this club worth it.
I tell myself that to somehow justify joining the club. Fumi-senpai is the best! Only Fumi-senpai can win! Fumi-senpai is seriously an angel! …Maybe I can’t do this after all.
“Alright, let’s all work hard at club activities together!”
“Yes!”
“…Yes.”
“Alright!”
“…………Yes.”
Clearly, I’m the only one lacking energy. Can we really pull this off…? I don’t know, I don’t know, but it looks like things are about to get busy again.
Haaah… I guess I’ll do my best.
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