Episode 22 – Senpai’s story and friend A
Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093087122434729/episodes/16818622174509112376
“Nice to meet you… I guess this is our first time meeting face to face. My name is Hirasawa Miyako. I’m two years older than Hayami’s younger brother, so I’m currently a freshman in college.”
Sitting across from me, Hirasawa elegantly sipped her tea… or rather, gulped down her cola with ice cubes.
Hirasawa Miyako. A graduate of my high school last year. As expected, she was sister’s friend.
…As expected of my outgoing older sister. She wasn’t lying when she said that she knew almost everyone from our high school last year.
“Well, I think you’ve heard from my sister, but I asked you to come here today because of Tsuzurisato.”
“I heard that Aya did something wrong. …I guess I put too much on her shoulders.”
Hirasawa, looking guilty, ran her finger along the rim of her glass melancholically.
“…Yes. That might be true.”
“Aya, despite how she appears, is the most sensitive person I know. Sge’s always worried about how others see her and whether she’s weird or not.”
I don’t have much interaction with Tsuzurisato, but I somehow understood what she meant.
“Actually, when our generation retired last year, I was wondering whether to disband the club. Aya seems friendly, but she hardly ever opens up to others, so she’s not very sociable, and she just smiles politely all the time.”
Even if new students join, it’s not certain that they will join the newspaper club. With only one member and the activities being so difficult, it’s reasonable to think that way.
“Why didn’t you do that?”
Shiramine asked. It wasn’t a questioning tone, but rather a gentle inquiry.
“…We can’t decide that. We’re the ones who are leaving. We can’t do anything for the girl who will be left behind. For better or worse.”
Sure, that makes sense.
Just as I was thinking that,
“Sorry for the wait! Here’s your extra-large katsu curry!”
Hey, waiter. This isn’t the right time for that. …Wait, is this girl really going to eat katsu curry while we’re having this conversation?
“Wow! It’s amazing! It’s just like the photo!”
“Monsanmichele…?”
Oh, Shiramine, as expected. Normally, people would compare it to Mount Fuji or Mount Everest, but you came up with something so elegant.
That said, let’s stay serious for now. I cleared my throat.
“Sorry, sorry, I’m just hungry.”
“…There are two issues at hand. Whether or not to continue the newspaper club. And where to store the articles that her seniors have created so far.”
“Yes, I understand. But for me… Hayami’s younger brother knows, right? The amount and stuff.”
“Yes, I saw it after school the day before yesterday.”
There were more than a dozen large cardboard boxes. It was not something that a single student could take home or store.
It would be cruel to ask Tsuzurisato or Hirasawa san to deal with that.
“Then what should I do? What can I do to help?”
This person must be a truly kind person. I thought that as I looked into her eyes, which were filled with concern for her junior.
“It’s simple. I called you here today to ask you to scold Tsuzurisato.”
“Scold her? Me?”
“Yes. What Tsuzurisato did this time cannot be easily forgiven.”
In the student council room, Honjo said that suspension was a possibility. Just because I sympathize with her doesn’t mean she can be forgiven.
“I understand. I’ll go see her today.”
“Please do. I’ll take care of the newspaper club and the article.”
The matter was settled. Now all that was left was to smooth things over. I felt a little relieved and picked up the cold water on the table.
“…Hey. You’re really Ajisai’s younger brother, right?”
“Huh? Yes, though…?”
Hirasawa-san finally decided to eat the extra-large katsu curry and picked up her spoon.
I didn’t quite understand the meaning of the question.
“You seem strangely calm… To be honest, I imagined you would be like a male version of Ajisai.”
Did she think I was a hyperactive, slightly crazy guy?
“I’m sorry to call you out like this, but I have to meet someone else. I’ll take my leave now. Oh, here’s the money. You can keep the change.”
That’s for Shiramine and my drinks, and the katsu curry.
…No, I don’t know how much it costs, but 3,000 yen should be enough… Right?
“Oh, okay. Thank you for helping Aya.”
“No, I just… thought it would be a waste.”
That’s how much I thought Tsuzurisato’s passion for making the newspaper was amazing.
Not only the one from the other day, but all the newspapers the newspaper club had made so far were meticulously crafted and wonderful.
It was undoubtedly the result of hard work. So I just wanted to reward that effort in some small way.
“Well, excuse me.”
Shiramine stood up after me.
“Oh, can I ask you one last question?”
“What is it?”
“Are you two dating?”
“Eh? No…”
We’re not dating, but…
“D-Did it look like that!?”
Shiramine’s eyes sparkled dazzlingly, and she banged on the table with both hands.
That’s scary. Does she hate being recognized as my girlfriend that much?
“I just think you two look good together. I’d like to take a picture of you two, you know.”
“That’s right, Senpai. That’s great.”
“Eh, ah, yeah.”
What kind of feelings does this little devil have?
***
I left the terrace and headed for the waiting room. I had received a call earlier saying that the interview was over.
“Okay, here you are. Luggage carrier.”
“Hey, nee san.”
When I entered the room half jokingly, my sister had already changed out of her dress and was wearing her usual casual clothes.
“It’s such a hassle, being popular.”
“Guh.”
It wasn’t jealousy, but the fact was that my sister was famous.
“—The young genius, the prodigy of the violin… How can they write such things without shame? Those people.”
It was unusual for her to say such a thing. I thought so purely.
I never imagined that the usually competitive and carefree Ajisai would say such a thing.
“Well, well, you two haven’t had lunch yet, have you? nee san will treat you.”
“Ah, I’m sorry, but I have somewhere to go.”
“I’m accompanying senpai today…”
“I see? I see?”
My sister smiled as if she had figured something out. It wasn’t just my imagination that she seemed a little creepy.
“Well, I can’t let you do that. Yes, Ren. Make sure you take good care of Hisui chan, okay? Fufufu.”
“Huh? Oh, okay.”
I wasn’t sure what kind of mood she was in, but I nodded anyway.
“Well, go on then.”
“What about your luggage? I’ll stop by my house, so I can bring it back for you.”
“Oh, please do.”
I took my sister’s suitcase and left the waiting room. Then, Shiramine, who came out with me, smiled cheerfully.
“So? Where are you taking me, senpair? Hehe, you’re so naughty.”
Damn. Little devil. That made me a little nervous. However, unfortunately, I was in serious mode today.
“We’re going to the university. We’re going to meet a professor who studies folklore.”
“…Folklore?”
What does that have to do with this matter? She looked like she wanted to ask that.
“It’s simple. Folklore is broadly defined as the study of culture and society, but this person’s research focuses on traditions and customs. He collects materials related to those topics.”
“…Oh, I see.”
Shiramine seemed to understand.
“Yes. That person might be interested in the articles in our newspaper, which has a history of more than 50 years.”
It would be the best source of information to learn about the famous gossip, trends, and rumors among students at that time.
“Besides, a professor would probably have his own laboratory and storage space for materials.”
He was the most suitable person for the job. That’s what I thought.
“…Senpai, you’re amazing. When did you come up with this idea?”
“Hmm, I think it was when I heard Tsuzurisato’s story the other day. Well, I looked into the details after that.”
Of course, I didn’t know which professor was doing what research.
“Still, you’re amazing. Not everyone can do that. Only you could have done it.”
“No, that’s too much praise.”
“Why don’t you accept other people’s praise more? That’s why you’re still a virgin, isn’t it?”
“…Huh?”
Virgin. …Virgin, virgin (Dotei)
The journey (Dotei)! I see! So, it’s halfway there. Yeah. That’s right, I’m sure that’s it.
“You’re usually so perceptive, but when it comes to yourself, you’re too insensitive.”
“Oh, yes. I’m sorry.”
After that, Shiramine and I went home once and then headed to the university.
Well, for now, one of the problems has been solved.
The rest depends on Tsuzurisato and the student council president, Tsubaki Sanada.
…Well, I can’t really imagine those two getting along, though.
With that in mind, I got on the bus to the university.
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