Episode 19 – journalist girl
Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818622173967181922
“Is everything okay, Hayami-kun?”
After school.
Just as Ren was wearing his costume and being harassed by Koganei and the others, two teacups were placed on the desk in the student council room.
As steam rose and the fragrant aroma of tea leaves filled the air, Honjo spoke to Sanada Tsubaki, who was sitting across from her with her eyes fixed on the documents in her hands.
“It won’t turn out badly, I’m sure.”
“I think it’s a bit irresponsible to be so indifferent.”
“You’re the one who entrusted him with it in the first place,”
“Indifference… That’s not quite right. I’m confident that there won’t be any problems with him. It’s not indifference, it’s trust.”
“Then maybe it’s better to say it’s irresponsibility rather than indifference.”
“You’re still as harsh as ever. What do you think of him?”
Asking this, Tsubaki picked up her cup and brought it to her lips.
“What do you mean? He’s just normal, isn’t he? He just feels like an ordinary high school student, for better or worse.”
“Hmm. That’s what you think, huh?”
Without denying or affirming, Tsubaki blinked once.
“Actually, I’m good at piano.”
“Oh, yeah. I know.”
“Well, I think my skill and ability are about average for a pianist.”
(That’s a lie. If you, who has no peers among your peers, are average, then professionals must have four arms.)
Sha managed to hold back the urge to interject and waited for Tsubaki to continue.
“I’ve noticed one thing.”
“You’ve noticed something?”
“Yes. It’s that ‘the human essence is reflected in the voice.’”
For a moment, she thought it was a ridiculous statement that only a con artist would make, but her eyes didn’t look like she was joking at all.
“For example? How did my voice sound?”
“Well, first of all, you’re serious and caring.”
“You wouldn’t say that’s all, would you?”
If that’s all, then she could have figured that out in the past year. That alone wouldn’t prove what she said earlier.
“Hmm. Then I’ll say something more specific. You yourself use Kansai dialect, but you feel a little inferior because you lack humor. How about that?”
“…That’s right.”
The former alone was worth believing, but when such a minor concern was accurately pointed out, there was no room for doubt.
“Don’t worry. What you lack isn’t humor, but the courage to express yourself in front of others.”
“That’s none of your business. So, what did the president feel about Hayami-kun’s voice?”
“Fufu, are you curious?”
“No, honestly, not really.”
“I see, I see. Are you that curious?”
Tsubaki seemed desperate to say something.
“Haa… Yes, yes. I’m curious.”
She asked in exasperation, and Tsubaki snorted contentedly.
“He’s a liar. And a pretty good one at that.”
The scene shifts to a family restaurant near the station, at a table for four.
It’s past five o’clock, and the place is starting to get crowded. Most of the customers are high school and college students, but there are also a few salarymen and housewives who seem to be hungry.
“First of all, I’m sorry…”
The first to speak was Tsuzurisato Aya, with a complicated expression on her face.
She had long hair tied up in a ponytail and a camera around her neck. With her wide-set eyes and lively demeanor, she gave off an energetic impression. …No wonder she ran away.
“There must be some reason for this…right, Aya chan.”
Kazekawa and Tsuzurisato must be friends. That’s why Kazekawa was so surprised when I told her what had happened on the way here.
“Kazekawa-senpai. With all due respect, there are some things that cannot be forgiven, even if there are circumstances.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Come on, let’s calm down. Shiramine-san.”
“…Yes.”
Getting angry now won’t change anything. For now, I’ll try to calm down Shiramine, who is frowning.
“First of all, I want you to delete the photos you took on the rooftop. I don’t mind being involved, but I can’t have Shiramine-san, getting involved.”
“…Don’t worry, I didn’t take them with the intention of writing an article.”
“Then why did you take them?”
“Um, well… it was like a reflex…”
Hmm, I don’t quite understand.
I tilted my head, and she gaze turned to Shiramine.
“You there. You had a really nice expression. How can I put it… like you were in love…”
“No! Stop it! Please stop!”
In the middle of her words, Shiramine stood up impatiently and stopped her.
That was not like Shiramine at all.
“S-Shiramine-san?”
“Nothing. Let’s not talk about that. Please tell me what happened.”
It seemed like she was trying to cover something up, but that was fine.
“Is that okay? Even if you hear it, it won’t change what I did, right?”
It felt a little different from just being blunt.
Even though she clearly regretted her actions, it felt like she had given up on even trying to make excuses.
So I understood. She wasn’t looking for forgiveness right now.
“I understand. What you did is never forgivable. Still, I’m saying I’ll listen to your excuses..”
I was aware of it. It was a unpleasant way of putting it. But I felt that if I didn’t do this, she wouldn’t talk.
“…..Yeah, that’s right. I get it.”
Saying that, she began to speak, and we listened intently.
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