Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/1177354054922823111/episodes/1177354054934863918
At the last HR meeting, the event and the general flow of preparations for the event were decided.
Thanks to this, the atmosphere in the classroom was much lighter, and we were busy working out the details of the event.
Of course, it was the executive committee members who were in charge of the event…….
“………, so I’m going to divide them into two groups: the customer service group and the backstage group. Let’s see, Kokonoe. How do you want to decide?”
“No, you usually have to first take the requests. Then I think we have to adjust the number of people. ……yeah, there may be people who want to do both, or people who want to make costumes but prefer to work behind the scenes, so it would be better to confirm that before making any adjustments after we get their preferences.”
“I see. …… Then, first of all, who wants to be a customer service person?!”
I was asked for my opinion by name…
“Hey, Kokonoe kun? What do you think we should do about the shifts?”
“……, maybe we should just ignore some of the unfairness and just make it up as we go along?”
“Eh? Then, won’t there be a lot of complaints? We all want to go in together, take a break, etc., don’t we?”
“There are probably too many of those requests to handle. We can have them rotate between individuals, and then we can figure out the final form later.”
“…… I see. Oh, Ah, but when I think about what you say to us every time…”
“Write it down on the whiteboard in the back, once a day, just to see if you have enough people for each time slot, and you’ll be fine. Why don’t you have them write it down at least three days before the show and then check it after it closes?”
“……Yeah, I think I can do that. Thanks!”
I was asked several times to consult with the committee members individually.
“Since when did you become a committee member?”
“I’d like to ask you.”
Despite my advice, it seemed that the committee members were having a hard time sorting out the groups, and when one of them lamented, “We don’t have the right number of people!” Kikuchi and I watched from a distance
As everyone is concentrating on that, I sigh softly from my seat away from the group.
“Thanks for your hard work ……, are you okay?”
When I was taking a breath, Sakurae, who had come through the circle, suddenly appeared in front of me.
For a moment, I was concerned about the eyes of those around me, but since it was now, I probably wouldn’t chase her away.
“This much is fine.”
Sakurae, perhaps sensing my fatigue from my complexion, makes a bitter face.
“Don’t push yourself too hard. You’re not even a member of the executive committee right now,…….”
“…. a lot of things, it’s time to decide, isn’t it? If it can be decided quickly, there is no problem to give a little opinion.”
I insist to Sakurae that I am only one classmate, but Kikuchi denies it.
“You say so, but there are places where you’re relied upon. There’s also the fact that the …… executive committee members are unreliable.”
“That’s right. Do not take on all of the hard work, okay?”
When Kikuchi agrees, Sakurae gives me an even more worried look.
“I’m not that good-natured either,…….”
Immediately after I answered that, someone said, “Kokonoe! Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I raised my hips, thinking that I should slow down a little.
“You look that good-natured to me, …….”
I looked back at what Kikuchi blurted out and saw Sakurae nodding her head.
———————-
“Kokonoe-kun, isn’t he amazing?”
A few days after the preparations began, Shota-kun’s reputation has been growing day by day.
Occasionally, I also started to see Shota-kun called up to talk with the committee members and the girls I often hang out with.
……I’m happy about that because it means we get to spend more time together.
“He’s always quietly reading books, so I thought he wouldn’t be interested in events like this.”
“Yes, yes. He really thinks about the whole class, and I feel like he’s a little different from the boys who just want to have fun and make a fuss.”
My friends praised Shota-kun with many compliments.
Some of them were concerned about Shota-kun in the album, and indescribable feelings welled up in their hearts.
“….. Sana, don’t make that face.”
Serika said with a wry smile, as if sensing the blurring in me.
“Oh, don’t worry, I won’t take Sana’s husband away. ….I mean, Sana is cute like that!”
Hearing that, one of the girls who praised Shota-kun hugged me.
I was still thinking about Shota-kun as I brushed it off as usual.
(……I hope I’m not overreacting. No, it’s at times like this that I need to support Shota-kun!)
I’m also happy that Shota-kun’s good points, which have not been known until now, are spreading.
But I can’t think of giving Shota-kun to someone else.
But …….
I remember that Tachibana Rio.
She is an enemy of Shota-kun.
I’m sure that if I let her get close to Shota-kun, she’ll definitely hurt him again.
But if it’s someone who isn’t ……?
What if Shota-kun relied on someone who wasn’t me or Tachibana Rio and fell in love with that person?
When I think of that, my heart squeezes tight.
I got through the break with an affectionate smile without finding the answer to that question.
“Sorry, I’m late.”
It was the day that after-school preparations were to be released.
I was on library duty that day, but Shota-kun came in late.
He had contacted me by message, but it was already half past lunchtime.
He had never been this late before …….
I know I’m overthinking it, but I felt as if my classmates were prioritized over me, and I was in a bit of a bad mood.
Shota-kun says, as if to make an excuse to me.
“I was asked for some advice about today’s shopping trip. I heard that the committee members and the sewing expert are going together, so I think I’ll be in charge of this one.”
I asked Shota-kun in a reproachful tone.
“…… Shota-kun is going to do it? Why?”
I asked him, “Why?” Shota-kun gave me a troubled look and answered.
“It’s only while shopping. I was going to leave the menu decisions to the people behind the scenes, but to some extent I need to hear the opinions of the whole …… team.”
“So why do you have to do that, Shota-kun!?”
Shota-kun looked surprised at me as I raised my voice.
Fortunately, perhaps because the school festival was approaching, there were hardly any users in the library, but I regained my senses when I saw their faces.
(What am I saying!?)
I don’t know why I’m so irritated with myself.
And I can’t believe I do it to Shota-kun of all people.
“Oh, um, ……, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Shota-kun. I’m …….”
I was afraid of what Shota-kun might think of me, and I was about to cry as I said my apologies.
But …….
“….. No, it’s okay. Sakurae is worried about me, right? I heard that, and it’s my fault for taking cheap shots.”
Shota-kun said this in a truly apologetic tone.
I stared at Shota-kun with a pout, not knowing whether to be surprised or relieved by his reaction.
Then Shota-kun looked a little embarrassed and continued, “But …….”
“So I thought I’d ask Sakurae to help me.”
“…. me?”
“Yeah, that’s more reassuring than me alone.”
The chest became jittery and warm.
Shota-kun……, the person I love needs me.
After chewing on that joy, I said.
“Leave it to me! I’ll do whatever it takes for Shota-kun!”
I nodded with a big smile at Shota-kun, who chuckled and said, ‘Just as much as you want.’
Yes, Shota-kun will understand.
If I have time to worry about the other girls, all I have to do is watch Shota-kun.
With this enthusiasm, I was able to blow away the blur inside me.
“Shota-kun, let’s begin.”
Sakurae, who had surprised me when she was on library duty, now stood next to me looking as enthusiastic as she did before she cooked for me.
The idea of being in charge of classmates here made me worry that it would bring back bad memories, but seeing Sakurae next to me made me feel strangely at ease.
[So why do you have to do that, Shota-kun!?]
When Sakurae got mad at me, I have to admit I was happy.
Sakurae doesn’t approve of everything I do.
She doesn’t just want to be liked by me.
It’s just Sakurae’s way of thinking, but I was happy to know that she was thinking about me.
“…… Shota-kun?”
When Sakurae peeked at me, I smiled and nodded my head.
“Well, let’s talk about the menu until the buyers come back.”
My one voice doesn’t always produce immediate opinions.
No matter how cooperative a person is, he or she is always hesitant to start a conversation.
Since that was inevitable, I tried to come up with my own ideas first, but Sakurae’s follow-up eliminated that need.
“We’ve decided on the pancakes, right? Then I want to put lots of cream on it.”
Hearing Sakurae’s words, opinions like, “Then I want to put syrup or chocolate on it,” and “We can’t leave out the strawberries, can we?”
When deciding on something like this, we need a lot of opinions, and I am very grateful for that.
The discussion, facilitated by Sakurae and myself, got off to a good start.
It seemed to be …….
Garan
“Oh, it’s already started?”
A male committee member, who should have gone to the store earlier, came back.
When I heard an astonished voice say, ‘Are you already back?’ he said, ‘No!’
“There was a person at the school gate looking for Kokonoe. I was told that going shopping wouldn’t help much anyway, so I came back to tell you that. ……I’m sorry, Kokonoe. I’ll take over. Go ahead and do it.”
looking for me?
The first thing I thought of was Tachibana and Tomoki.
………….I’d be in the mood to leave those two alone.
While thinking about this, I asked for the name just in case.
“I haven’t made any particular promises or anything, but who?”
‘Oh, yeah,’ the executive committee member said, reacting as if he had just realized he had forgotten to tell me his name.
“Yamamoto, you’ll know”
–
–
If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate, Thank you in advance !