Chapter 2 – Hina’s Bento
In the three-tsubo room that was originally Shingo Nii-san’s, the sounds of typing on a keyboard resounded.
As there are always new innovations in the computer industry, the notebook computer that Nee-san gave me as a present for entering college gave off a slightly outdated sense, but its performance when handling documents is still fine.
Although I had been typing essays for six hours straight, the computer still functioned rather smoothly.
The only problem would be I, as the user, don’t even have a year’s experience of using computers.
”Ahh~…… My arm is starting to ache……”
Added with the fact that I had to look at the monitor and the keyboard in turn when I am typing, my eyes started to hurt as well. Since I still couldn’t type without looking at the keyboard, that couldn’t be helped, but after considering the future, it felt like it would be better to learn it quicker.
”Perhaps it’s harder to type on because it’s a laptop? Buying a desktop computer would solve everything.”
”We don’t have the money to waste.”
”Well, why don’t you borrow the computer of Sora-chan and the others’ dad? That seemed to be quite fine.”
”Uuu~ The computer seems to have a strong protection, so it’s impossible to use it without the password. And I won’t be able to handle it if there’s any dangerous data in it as well, so I just left it there.”
”Ahh~ That’s true, since there would probably be data about his work, after all.”
I didn’t stop the movements of my hands while chatting, but the main reason would be because my typing speed is far slower than my thinking speed.
”However, asking someone to hand in a report on paper is quite strange judging from the current standards.”
Nimura said while checking if there were any typos or mistakes in my finished reports.
”I don’t have any choice as well. And besides, the professor in charge is quite old, so I’m already thankful that he didn’t force me to write it out.”
”Writing it out would be troublesome…… Okay, these are all done.”
”Ohh, thank you!”
Thus, I finished another report. With my efforts of working hard without rest for three days, the progress rate that dropped because of the preparations for Shichi-Go-San and other trivial matters seems to be saved.
As for how many is left……. I don’t want to count them right now.
In any case, if I can’t finish the large stack of documents by my feet before the end of the winter break, I really won’t be able to face Sako-senpai and the others who specially convinced the professors for me.
”Well then, what are you going to do next, Segawa-chan? Why don’t you take a break for a moment?”
”That’s a good idea, since such a long time had passed, I’m starting to get hungry……”
Just at that moment, there were knocks on the door
”Onii-chan……?”
A small lock of hair that looked like an antenna poked in from the slit of the door. Sora-chan, who was in her school uniform, was looking inside with slight caution.
”Welcome home, Sora-chan. Did you go for club activities today as well?”
”Mnn, yeah……”
Recently, Sora-chan keeps coming home rather late, and although I, as her guardian, am quite worried for her, since it was because of her club, I wish to give Sora-chan some freedom as well.
”You came back just at the right time, since I was just done, and was planning to make dinner. It should be my turn today, right? Although I haven’t bought any ingredients……”
”Ah, you don’t need to trouble yourself then. I’ll make it myself.”
”It’s fine, fine. Aren’t you late after going for club activities? Besides, Nimura is here as well, so let’s just eat some ready-made food……”
”No! That would be a waste!”
”Err, if it’s just for today……”
No matter what I said, Sora-chan insisted on making dinner herself.
If so, the shift system that we decided on would have lost its meaning.
Before this, Sora-chan left her club just to take care of the family, and even became sick because of overexertion.
I don’t wish for things to turn out like that again, and besides, Sora-chan already returned to the Choir Club that she was in, while I secretly vowed to myself not to make the girls feel limited no matter whether it’s about their clubs or them having fun.
Speaking of which, I stayed together with them just because of worry in the first place, so if this continues, it’s totally opposite to what I have planned.
”Onii-chan, you probably didn’t sleep too much because of your reports, right? Didn’t you make breakfast this morning as well? You really don’t need to push yourself so hard.”
Just like that, I made people worry for me instead. I’m so incompetent.
If so, that rude middle schooler…… Err, is he called Maeshima or Maeda again? Wouldn’t the things that he scolded me with come true?
At these times, I, as a guardian, should show a more reliable side instead.
”I’m on duty today, so that’s quite reasonable. And considering the fact that the ingredients might be all used up, going on duty every two days should be……”
”Seriously, that’s not the main point! I’m telling you to let me make dinner since you’re busy!”
”But that won’t do!”
”Why not!”
”Just because!”
”I say……. I don’t want to interrupt when you’re so engrossed in this, but…… Why don’t you just let me make it?”
Just when we were strained to the limit, Nimura interrupted.
”B- But, you’re a guest after all, Nimura……”
”It’s fine, fine, since I like cooking as well. The kitchen here is quite large, so I’ve always wanted to try cooking here!”
So sorry, Nimura. Speaking of which, this man does indeed have professional level cooking skills. Although Sora-chan still seemed to be somewhat dissatisfied, after seeing Nimura’s eager expression, she could only yield unwillingly.
”Well then, I’ll wash the clothes!”
After Sora-chan said that while turning around, Miu-chan coincidentally passed by the door.
”Onee-chan, so you’re back.”
”Ahh……”
Miu-chan was holding the washing basket in her hands.
”T- Then…… I’ll help bathe Hina!”
”Hina is at Shiori-san’s place.”
”Uuu……”
Sora-chan seemed rather annoyed. However, she was not the only person who was surprised by Miu-chan’s statement.
”Wait a minute, why didn’t anyone mention this to me?”
”Didn’t I say that Shiori-san would fetch Hina over to play?”
”Not at all!”
”Well, apart from Hina, Katsuya-kun is over there as well……”
”What!?”
It was the first time I heard of it. I never thought that such a thing would happen.
After all Shiori-chan’s mother is a very friendly person, as she helped take care of Hina from time to time after finding out about our circumstances. Plus, she once worked as a kindergarten teacher, so she’s an expert in taking care of toddlers.
The reason that I could rest assured with Hina in her hands was because I heard that they usually help neighbors in the district take care of children as well.
However, if I knew that from the start, I might not have handed Hina to them so easily. In truth, the troublemaker, Katsuya-kun, that is in the same kindergarten as Hina was usually taken care of by the Kitahara family.
Possibly because Hina has a playmate, she got used to the Kitahara family immediately, but when I think of the kid called Katsuya, just like the fellow called Takeshi-kun who was suspected to have taken away Hina’s first kiss in the kindergarten at Hachiouji, would hug our Hina as he likes as well, it really tests my self-restraint.
Needless to say, I know that my behavior is like that of a silly father.
Even though asking other people to help take care of Hina is an unavoidable situation, as long as I exist in this family, there is no need for our Hina to stay together with Katsuya-kun. Thinking of that, I forcefully stood up from the chair.
”I shall fetch Hina back immediately!”
”Segawa-chan, what about the reports!”
”Who cares!”
Miu-chan, who saw that I was about to rush to the Kitahara residence opposite to our house, immediately clutched at me tightly.
”How can I hand Hina to other men!”
”Oji-san, it’s problematic when you phrase it like that! An extreme lacking in delicacy!”
”There is no need for more talk! Let go of me, Miu-chan! As a guardian, to allow Hina to grow up healthily, even if I have to choose a more difficult road, I will still—“
”Stop it!”
Ka-thwack! I was hit by Miu-chan with a slipper.
”…… Ah!? Just now, what did I……”
”Thank goodness Oji-san returned to normal. Okay, just continue working at your reports, Oji-san!”
”Uu, uuu…….”
As Miu-chan already said that with a smile on her face, I could only sit before the computer once again.
”Seriously, Onee-chan, you should first change out of your uniform as well. After all, there’s still some time before dinner starts.”
”Mnn…… That’s true……”
Sora-chan returned to her room in slight despair.
On the other hand, Miu-chan watched Sora-chan’s leaving silhouette with a wry smile.
Takanashi Sora is not good at waking up early.
Whenever she wakes up, her mind would be completely blank, unable to think, while her limbs would be so heavy that it was as though blocks of lead were tied to them. This season would be especially tough, as one would be exposed to extreme coldness just by leaving the blankets with one step.
Being assaulted by a coldness that makes one freeze involuntarily, Sora’s brain that was unfocused because of the bad blood circulation would clearly state its opinions instead: ’It’s dangerous over here, hurry up and return to warmer places’.
However, Sora still forced herself to walk to the sink with firm resolve. Although over thirty minutes are required for the alarm clock to ring until this stage, to Sora, the time has already been drastically shortened.
By the way, the one in charge of breakfast that day would be Yuuta. It was the second day for Yuuta to be on duty.
But judging from the situation of the day before, Yuuta should have worked hard at his reports until late night, so he probably didn’t have the time to make breakfast that morning. Which means, nobody was making breakfast that day, or cereal and milk will be served.
”Okay……!”
Sora washed her face with cold water, forcibly waking her brain, cheering her reflection in the mirror on. I’ll do my best, as I’m the eldest sister in this family!
”Ah, Sora-chan, good morning.”
However, the kitchen was occupied by an unexpected person.
”Sorry, please allow me to borrow the kitchen.”
Even though putting an apron with pictures of flowers over an attire of a plain colored shirt and jeans would seem uncoordinated, it did not look strange on him, most probably because of his excellent conditions.
Apart from that, there was a pair of glasses that he does not usually wear on his face.
Deliberately adding a foreign object on good looking features can emphasize its beauty instead—
The only friend that knows of Sora’s otaku interests once told that to her.
Disregarding the theories for the moment, in any case, Sora likes differences in one’s image and also glasses, but adding a coat and a tie would be better. The suit must not be one like that of a gigolo, but the commercial suits that salarymen would wear.
After working hard at work, taking off the blazer with perspiration on the whole body, loosening the tie with one hand—
Actions like this are what Sora likes the most.
Thus, Sora hopes very much that a certain person would graduate from college as soon as possible, entering the society to work.
If possible, jobs in the business industry would be the best. Going here and there every day to do business, and when he returns home in exhaustion, she can welcome him home at the entrance. Sora couldn’t refrain a smile from reaching her face just by imagining the instant of that scene.
…… Strayed too far from the topic.
Sora forcefully shook her head, as though she was ridding the delusions in her mind.
”Nimura-san, didn’t you go back yesterday?”
”Mnn, since I really couldn’t make it to the last train. Ah, if you’re looking for your uncle, he’s still sleeping. To be precise, he has just finished for the moment, so he’s taking a nap. Although he said that he wanted to ’Finish making breakfast before sleeping’, I think it’s better not to wake him. I already turned off his alarm clock.”
Nimura said while carefully wrapping up the omurice. After a closer look, it could be seen that cutlery reflecting the numbers of people were already neatly arranged on the dining table, and what’s left was the food.
”So that’s why I’m volunteering to prepare breakfast in his stead.”
”I’ll help!”
”No need, no need, it’s almost completely done.”
”But……”
Since I didn’t do anything yesterday, I must do better today……! Sora originally had the thought, and was full of vigor because of that, but her hopes were already dashed from the start.
”Good morning~……. Eh? It’s Nimura-san.”
Sora’s two sisters arrived at the living room while rubbing their sleepy eyes.
”Good morning, Miu-chan. Breakfast will be ready in a moment.”
”That’s great, we can eat Nimura-san’s cooking again.”
”I made toast for Miu-chan and Sora-chan, while Hina-chan can have pancakes.”
”Pancakes! Hina’s bekfast is pancake!?”
”That’s right. Hina-chan, do you like pancakes?”
”Yes!”
”That’s great. Oh yeah, do you have maple syrup over here?”
”Ah, maple syrup is kept in that cabinet……”
Seeing her sisters’ excited looks, Sora looked at them coldly.
She did not have any complaints for Nimura, and to be honest, she wanted to eat the breakfast that he made as well.
But what about the inexplicable emotions that she had? Sora did not know how to explain her sense of annoyance. Thus, she snatched the job of taking out the trash after quickly finishing breakfast, as though she wanted to escape from such a torture.
Sora walked to the garbage collection station only one minute’s walking distance away, and was about to walk back after placing the garbage bag there when she saw Shiori, who was taking out the trash as well, and energetically greeted the big sister neighbor who always took care of them.
”Good morning, Shiori-san.”
Shiori returned her greeting with an elegant smile, tossing the extra large garbage bag in her hands towards the collection station with an action that did not seem to take much effort.
At the same time, she piled up the other garbage bags that were carelessly placed here and there that were blocking the road.
”That’s fine.”
After adjusting the anti-crow net, Shiori patted away the dust on her hands and straightened her body once more.
”Sora-chan, aren’t you early today.”
”Ah, that’s right…… Err, I just woke up earlier than usual today.”
Sora lied.
The onee-san before her whose mature actions were like that of a graceful lady looked left and right for a moment, speaking by Sora’s ears after that:
”That’s right, there was an unfamiliar man at your house yesterday, right?”
Shiori asked in a low voice.
”I bumped into that person at the entrance just now, and I have this feeling that he likes to act all friendly with other people…… Is that really okay? Although it’s somewhat meddlesome for me to say this, that person seems like he’s from a nightclub.”
—She’s talking about Nimura-san. Sora immediately thought.
According to Yuuta, Nimura is the type of person who flirts with women very naturally.
He said that the habit is nearly instinctive, while he, himself, seems to be unaware about that, so it’s useless even if one reminds him about it. If so, he probably greeted Shiori in a similar way just now.
Speaking of which, they met during the Shichi-Go-San as well, so not knowing each other isn’t quite true……
”Nimura-san is Onii-cha…… Oji-san’s friend from college. He’s a very nice person, and didn’t he come during the Shichi-Go-San as well?”
”Is that so? Is there a bespectacled person like that…… But since Sora-chan said that, I’ll definitely believe it, of course.”
Although this neighbor, Kitahara Shiori, who lives opposite them, is a beautiful, friendly and capable person, her views seem to be quite traditional, and she has the tendency of disliking males.
”But nobody knows when men will have bad thoughts, so you have to be careful as well. If you encounter any problems, remember to discuss things with Onee-san immediately.”
Apart from that, she tends to think too much about things as well.
That caused Sora to respond with a vague smile. He’s actually a good person…… She protested in her heart.
I opened my eyes, and realized that the time for breakfast had long passed.
”Uwaa! Why is the alarm clock turned off!? Why didn’t I just tell Nimura to wake me up……”
The house felt exceptionally quiet. Judging from the situation, it should be the time when the morning chores were all finished.
”……. I was always lying, and I messed things up this time as well.”
Sora-chan and the others already went out before I had the chance to meet them, how regretful.
That time, the long forgotten hunger suddenly assaulted, thus I decided to go to the kitchen first.
Nobody could be seen in the house. Instead, my breakfast was placed on the dining table, and also Nimura’s note.
”’There’s salad in the fridge’, huh……”
While pondering where I saw such a note before, I opened the freezer of the fridge, finding salad for one person on a beautiful plate in it.
Just at that moment, I suddenly remembered the first salad that Sora-chan made.
Although it was just lettuce torn open, tossed into a plate, and saying that it was a salad was somewhat forced, thinking that it was breakfast that Sora-chan made for me made felt quite touched.
Speaking from this angle, though the thing that I planned to eat looked like a high class salad from a trendy hotel, I wasn’t too moved. I felt somewhat amused by my own mentalities, and at the same time, my guilt of not completing the duties that I was in charge of intensified.
”Let’s just go to school……”
I, who thought of at least prioritizing my studies, stood up after swallowing the toast and salad with milk.
As I haven’t bathed for about two days, if possible, I would be happy to bathe before I went out, but if I did so, I might not make it for my afternoon classes.
”Oh, that’s right, I’ll put yesterday's cabbage rolls in the freezer as well.”
I remembered that there were still some cabbage rolls in the wok that Nimura made the previous night.
As he asked me to put the leftover food into the freezer, I placed them in a random container, and was about to keep it in the fridge. However since the fridge was too full, I couldn’t find the space to put it in.
”That’s strange, why is this……?”
Behind the frozen food and dishes made beforehand, there seemed to be a small container as well.
Although I understood that I did not have enough time to think too much about it, the container with a note stuck onto it really made me curious.
A date was written on the note in handwriting that was familiar to me.
”Guwagh! It’s all white!”
When I opened the container for a look, I understood what it contained.
That thing was kept in the fridge for quite a long time, and its surface that had lost its moisture was spread full of frost. Defrosting it to eat might be slightly dangerous.
The date on the note was ‘8/14’, which would be one day before I came to stay at this house.
”Ahh…… Is it possible that Nee-san made this……?”
The time in the container stilled from summer until now.
After classes ended, Sora went to the music room and saw that Hanamura Youko had already arrived.
Youko, who was reading a book before her piano on the seat exclusive to her, raised her head after noticing Sora’s presence.
”Good day, Takanashi-san.”
Although saying ‘good day’ to a person who was in the same classroom as her just awhile ago might be somewhat strange, but that is how the student called Hanamura Youko acts usually. Her personality is that of a silent person that wouldn’t give people a good first impression, and even if she speaks, she usually says unnatural, roundabout words, and is always sarcastic as well.
Before this, Sora was not too familiar with her, but because of some reasons, the distance between the two had shortened. The main reason would be because they have similar interests.
”Hanamura-san, here’s your manga back.”
”Oh…… How was it?”
”Mnn, it’s great! Not only are there many beautiful characters, each character has depth as well, while the girls are all cute and good looking……. Ahh!”
After speaking her thoughts in excitement, Sora noticed in shock that because of her excitement, her side that she wouldn’t usually show at school was exposed, causing her to be somewhat harried.
“Ah, I…… Just now……”
“That’s fine, I know that Takanashi-san is a person from this world.”
After saying that, Youko gave a ‘Fufufu……’ laugh, laughter like those of anime characters.
“However, it’s great that you liked it.”
“Mnn, mnn.”
Sora was grateful for the fact that someone could recommend a great manga for her, while having a person who understands her special interests to talk to made her happy as well. But Sora kept having a feeling that her weak point was being held.
“That’s right, as I recall, I told you not to call me ‘Hanamura-san’, right?”
“Ah…… Err…… Sorry.”
“I don’t like my name very much, it feels quite stupid.”
After saying that, Youko deliberately adjusted her glasses.
“In my family, my parents and my brother have a strong sense of fervor. No matter what they do, they’d just complete things with vigor and determination, just like the name, having only a garden of flowers in their minds at any time. It’s really annoying.”
“Ahaha……”
Sora couldn’t imagine what kind of person her friend’s brother would be, and his personality seems to be completely opposite to that of Youko’s as well. A hot-blooded brother and a cold sister, that made the thought of wanting to see them together arise in Sora’s mind.
“That’s why, Takanashi-san, just call me by my name.”
“Err……”
To Sora, who is shy with unfamiliar people, calling a person apart from her family by his or her name would require a lot of courage.
However, the girl called Hanamura Youko is a person that Sora cannot go against as well.
“Well then…… Err……. Youko, chan?”
“That’s fine.”
Youko gave a rare smile.
“…… Well…… erm, you can……. Um……”
Clearly saying that she wishes for the opposing party to call her by name as well caused Sora to feel a strange sense of shyness.
Although Youko once called her ‘Sora-chan’, she reverted to Sora’s surname not long after that.
Thinking that Youko might not like to call each other by name made Sora feel somewhat lacking in confidence.
“Good afternoo~n!”
Just at that moment, the door of the music room was roughly pushed open, while the other members of the Choir Club walked inside.
The person at the very front would be Maeshima Daiki.
“Good afternoon.”
The next person to enter was Tani Shuuji. Both of them were Sora’s classmates.
The regrettable thing was that the time for conversation ended just like that. Actually, Sora joined another club when she returned to the Choir Club as well, and that would be the Literary Club where Youko acts as the club president.
In the club where only Sora and Youko were in, the time for the activities was only a mere ten minutes before the members of the Choir Club arrive at the clubroom to undergo the activities of the club.
Even so, being able to make a friend who can talk about their similar interests was still a happy thing to Sora.
“Y- Yo, Takanashi. How are you?”
Daiki greeted Sora rigidly while unnaturally raising his voice.
“F- Fine……”
Sora, who did not know how to respond, could only give a random answer.
“Daiki, seriously……”
“W- What is it! Did I say anything strange?”
Seeing Shuuji press his hand on his head in helplessness, Daiki asked, flustered.
The public had long known the fact that Daiki had a crush on Sora.
The only ones who didn’t know about that were probably just the two of them.
Furthermore, not only was Sora ignorant of the fact that Daiki had a crush on her, she would sometimes shy away when she met Daiki as well. And actually, it was all because of Daiki’s overly passionate personality……
Just thinking that the distance between the two definitely wouldn’t shorten made Shuuji sigh.
“I- I say, Takanashi, if there’s a chance next time……”
“Is there anything wrong……?”
Facing Daiki, who was being hesitant about his words, Sora was quite troubled as well.
“This guy wants to apologize to your uncle.”
“Ehh…… Why? If it’s about the matter some time before this, didn’t you already apologize?”
Sora said in puzzlement.
“I- I can’t explain about the reason, but I have something that I must apologize to him for.”
“If you say that, wouldn’t that trouble Takanashi-san even more?”
“Stop fussing! Shuuji, just shut up!”
After complaining to Shuuji, Daiki solemnly faced Sora.
“Can’t you just talk to my uncle directly?”
“Err…… I haven’t prepared myself mentally yet.”
That caused Sora to be even more confused about the situation. Actually, only Yuuta and Daiki knew about that matter— the fact that Daiki once scolded Yuuta because of a misunderstanding before his visit to Sora that caused him to embarrass himself.
However, probably because of his moral principles, Yuuta did not seem to have told Sora about that matter, and because of that, Daiki felt even more embarrassed to apologize to Yuuta himself.
“I want to ask Takanashi to help me pass this message to him: ‘I was too arrogant, sorry’.”
Even though she was not sure what occurred, judging from Daiki’s solemn look, Sora could still understand that it was a rather important matter.
“Mnn, I understa—“
“Take thaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!”
Just when Sora was about to nod in agreement, a silhouette dashed into the music room. After toppling Daiki with a grand sliding tackle, the person straddled Daiki with fluid movements, fixing him in place after that.
“You perverted kiiiiiiiid! What did you do to my Sora-chaaaaaaaaaaaan!”
“Owowowowowowowowow!? Buchou, I give, I give!”
“Uooooooooo! I’m breaking your hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“Ah— Buchou, if this continues, Daiki’s bones will really fracture.”
As the sounds of Daiki’s bones fracturing could almost be heard, Shuuji had no other choice but to stop her.
“Hmph! How’s that? Are you feeling even the slightest bit of repentance?”
“I didn’t do anything……”
After tossing Daiki, who had already lost his will to battle, the president of the Choir Club, Okae Kiyomi, wiped away the sweat on her forehead. On the other hand, the other club members entered the music room right after that as though they were expecting the time for the end of the battle.
“That’s right, what were you talking about just now? Although there’s no proper reason for this, I just decided to hand out a punishment?”
“You did that for no reason at all?! You nearly paralyzed me for life!”
“Relax, even if you die, there are still many excellent members in the Choir Club.”
“That’s not even the main point!”
Ignoring Daiki’s protests, Kiyomi turned around to say to Sora:
“Takanashi-san, if you hate the idiot over there, just say directly that you hate him. I’ll vanquish him immediately.”
“Vanquish, my foot! Urgh!”
“Look, Takanashi-san, you don’t need to hold back.”
“Buchou, your face…… Is too near……”
“Eh? What’s that? I can’t hear you properly.”
Kiyomi continually approached Sora’s side. Possibly because of her excitement, Kiyomi’s eyes were laced with strands of blood, while her breathing was rather ragged as well.
“Fufufu…… I’m the club president, and consoling the club members is my job as well. So you don’t need to be so nervous, just relax……”
“No! Buchou’s gaze is really strange!”
Smack!
“Buchou, we’re all here.”
Youko forcefully hit Kiyomi’s head using a rolled up score, and spoke as though nothing happened after that.
“Ah…… T- That’s true.”
After Kiyomi, who came to her senses, walked away, Sora finally let loose a breath in relief.
Kiyomi, who daringly declared that she ‘founded the Choir Club just for cute girls to line up before her’, as she said, is a person who likes cute girls very much, and it was so serious that she was only a step away from falling into darkness.
“Well then, let us begin the club activities. Girls, move chairs over here and gather, while the boys…… Just look for a place to sit on the floor.”
Just like that, Kiyomi, who treated the girls with extreme affection, practically treated the boys like rocks by the road.
“Okay, allow me to talk about today’s topic.”
After reaffirming that everyone was present, Kiyomi started to write on the blackboard.
Christmas Performance—
Those words appeared on the blackboard.
“Since first years might not know of this, I shall explain this first, as usual.”
According to Kiyomi, the music-oriented clubs from neighboring schools would always gather on each Christmas, holding a concert. And of course, it’s a given that the Choir Club would join, while the Woodwind Club, Light Music Club and even the folk music oriented clubs would join as well.
All gains of the concert would be donated to charity organizations, so it counts as a charity event too.
However, it would not be just any charity event. As the clubs from neighboring schools gather, competition would naturally arise, so it was said to be an unexpectedly serious concert.
“That’s how things are. Everyone, don’t just do things sloppily, as we’ll be looked down by the neighboring schools for a whole year if we perform badly.”
Kiyomi continued to speak after forcefully pounding on the blackboard:
“The clubs are having practices every day, so each and every school has a certain degree of proficiency. Apart from that, there are many types of clubs taking part as well, while the audiences are outsiders. Thus, the ones who can get the favor of the audience will be the winner.”
“Buchou, I have a question.”
“Speak, the one with the side partings.”
With the thought of ’Is it possible that Buchou doesn’t remember my name……?’, the boy who was called by Kiyomi by his hairstyle stood up while being slightly queasy about the meaning of his existence.
“Basically, what should we do? Choosing songs is a given, and there’s the problem of dividing us into groups……”
“In any case, our target is to be eye-catching enough!”
A completely unmodified answer came from Kiyomi.
“Just like that, I, Okae Kiyomi thought of an extremely great idea!”
For some reason, Kiyomi walked to Sora’s side with large steps and tapped on her shoulders.
“In this Christmas performance, we’re settling on Takanashi-san as the main character!”
“Eh…… Ehhhhhhhhh!?”
After the lag of one second, Sora gave a loud shriek.
“I’ve already prepared a song with a solo part, so do your best, Takanashi-san.”
“P- Please wait for a moment! I…… um…… That will trouble me a lot!”
Sora hurriedly shook her head when she heard Kiyomi triumphantly saying all that while winking at her.
“Relax, with Takanashi-san’s abilities, it’ll definitely be fine ?"
“But I just came back……”
“That’s why we need to do this! We have to use this opportunity to allow the other schools to know about Takanashi Sora’s existence!”
“And why do we need the other schools to know this?”
“If so, we can show off to the other school that my Choir Club has su~ch a cute girl!”
Kiyomi answered Shuuji’s question in excitement.
“No, I…… That’s too…… And I just returned……”
Sora cowered so much that she almost couldn’t be seen. The various troubles that occurred after her parents disappeared forced Sora to leave her club. She only changed her mind after her kind club president convinced her and because of Maeshima’s actions as well.
“I didn’t practice for a long time now…… Besides, it’ll be too rude to everyone.”
“…… It isn’t rude at all, Takanashi-san. Everyone in our club was waiting for your return. It’s not just me, it’s everyone, every- one~ That’s the main point.”
Kiyomi looked at the others, and all of them nodded.
“Relax, Sora-chan. You can definitely do it, and your voice is very melodious as well.”
Sora heard Youko praise her singing voice, and also…… Youko called her by name.
“Hana…… Youko-chan!”
The surprised Sora looked at Youko’s face, while Youko gazed at Sora with a smile as well.
“I think that Takanashi will be fine as well.”
“That’s right, I think that Takanashi-san is the prime candidate.”
After Youko, Daiki and Shuuji spoke to recommend Sora as well.
Not only them, the other club members gathered in the music room were fine with Sora being the main vocal too.
The one who was troubled was Sora herself instead, and it was hard to refuse with everyone’s recommendations.
However…… Everyone probably forgot. Sora thought to herself.
Sora was actually a person that easily gets nervous, and was shy with unfamiliar people as well.
“Singing in front of everyone, I’d easily make mistakes……”
“Relax, I have a great idea. Let’s invite your uncle to the performance as well! Miu-chan and the others too!”
“E- EHHHHH!”
Unusually, Sora raised her voice and shouted.
“The Christmas concert is open to public, so anyone can go. Aren’t you energetic when you speak to your uncle? So you’ll probably be more relaxed if they come as well, right?”
“T- That’s…… I’ll be even more……”
The club president, Kiyomi, did not notice Sora’s shock or Daiki’s complicated expression, and continued to speak:
“Please, Takanashi-san. For the Choir Club, and for yourself as well. Plus, part of it is for me too, so please accept the solo part of the concert!”
Kiyomi held Sora’s hands tightly while looking at her with a passionate gaze.
In older manga or animes, forgetting to do one’s homework would usually result in punishment of standing in the corridors.
However, if students are punished to stand in the corridors, the progress of the students’ studies would fall back as well, and the most important thing would be because it might be said to be a ‘corporal punishment’, causing problems because of that.
In truth, almost no one has had the experience of being punished by standing in the corridors nowadays.
In modern times when almost no one would be called out to stand in the corridors during their mandatory education, how many people in Japan would undergo such an experience after becoming a college student? I, Segawa Yuuta, really wish to loudly ask this question to the whole world.
…… The main point is, what am I trying to say right now?
Currently, how rare of a situation am I experiencing, as I am holding pails full of water in the corridor with the piercing wind?
“Segawa-kun, are you awake now?”
“Ah, yes, completely awake.”
I heard the lecturer ask in the classroom, so I poked my head into the classroom entrance as well.
I saw the lecturer wave at me, gesturing for me to return to the classroom, while I tried to maintain my smile while returning to my seat. Blast, it’s just a yawn, is there a need to punish me by calling me out to the corridors?
It made my hands numb, legs cold, and caused me to be laughed at by the students passing by.
“How is it? Judging from your expression, it doesn’t seem like you’ve repented much.”
“H- How can that be? There’s no such thing! Really! I’ve reflected on myself!”
Uh oh! This is bad, really bad. My true intents seemed to have been exposed on my face.
I hastily changed my expression, while the recess bell rang right at that moment as well.
The professor specially gave me a warning before leaving the classroom.
“Segawa-chan, what were you thinking?”
After the professor left, Nimura walked over while holding in his laughter.
“In any case, you shouldn’t sleep in Hachinohe-sensei’s class, don’t you know that?”
“I know. I know that, it’s just that I couldn’t hold in my sleepiness.”
In Hachinohe-sensei’s classes, one absolutely can’t doze off or do other matters.
This is something that is known by all students in Tama Literary College. If he catches any students dozing off or using their cellphones, they would be punished in a special way.
It is said that there was once a student who sent a message to his girlfriend in class, and he was asked to hand in a report with the topic ‘A love letter to a girlfriend’. Apart from that, someone was caught doodling on the author’s photo of a textbook, and the student had to accept the punishment of the same doodles being drawn on his own face.
Just standing in the corridors is actually quite a light punishment from Hachinohe-sensei’s standards.
“My condition of not getting enough sleep is too serious.”
I couldn’t help but complain to Nimura.
“From your recent situation, it’ll be a huge matter if you are just absent from class.”
“Yeah.”
In any case, although I had some trouble, the classes are finally over for today.
I don’t need to work today as well, so I’ll just go back home for a nap first.
Besides, there are still a lot of reports waiting for me to finish as well.
“Segawa-chan, will you come to the clubroom today?”
“Ah…… I’ll pass for today. Tell Sako-senpai that I said hello.”
“No problem.”
I bid farewell to Nimura after quickly keeping my stuff, and headed towards the bicycle parking lot.
About two hours would be required for me to reach my home at Ikebukuro from here. And the distance that I don’t usually mind feels exceptionally long to me right now.
While whistling, Nimura Kouichi walked in the corridors of the club building with a leisurely pace. After walking past a coarse cement floor, he walked past a similarly coarse steel door.
“Good afternoon~”
There were already two people inside. When they heard Nimura’s greeting, one of them raised his head in slight agitation.
“….... Huh, so it’s Nimura-kun.”
“That’s somewhat mean.”
Nimura placed his bag by a wardrobe and sat down by his senpai.
“…… Where’s Yuuta?”
“He already went home.”
Facing Raika’s question, Nimura shrugged and answered in slight helplessness. As Yuuta was busy with his reports, he did not show up at the clubroom often, so that was why the two senpais were always in that state. Although Nimura thought that they should just visit Yuuta at his house if they were really so worried of him, but they did not seem to be able to make the decision so easily.
“Sigh~ Segawa-kun isn’t here, it’s so lonely~”
“Am I not enough?”
“Nimura-kun, you’re not the type of person in charge of being made fun of.”
Sako-senpai is right. Leave something like that to Yuuta.
In any case, the two senpais seem to like Yuuta quite a lot.
Of course, it wasn’t like Nimura didn’t understand their thoughts.
After all, when they were together with Yuuta, even he would unconsciously feel relaxed.
The person called Nimura Kouichi is quite confident with his looks and intelligence, and is a person quite good at dealing with other people as well. Up till now, he hasn’t yet experienced any days that can count as harsh. Parties, clubs, working, playing along with women with a leisurely attitude, and looking for some company to work at in the end. About his four years of college life, Nimura probably had that kind of thoughts.
However, in better terms, that means that he doesn’t have any plans at all.
Even so, he did a lot to help Segawa Yuuta.
In the eyes of some people, Yuuta had experienced a startling life of trials and tribulations, and from a certain perspective, his life can be said as unfortunate as well. However, Yuuta did not complain about the situation that he was in, passing his days with a rather optimistic attitude. Seeing such a friend caused Nimura to have a wish to help him out unconditionally.
Recently, compared with the time that he spent fooling around with women, Nimura spent more time with Yuuta instead.
Even so, Nimura still believed that his days were quite fulfilling.
The two senpais probably had the same thoughts as well.
After Nimura Kouichi explained to himself in his heart, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Why did you laugh?”
“Eh…… Did I laugh just now?”
Raika stared at Nimura’s face unblinkingly and nodded. It was probably the first time that she, who differs from other people, expressed such a strong interest in Nimura.
“It’s nothing. I’m just thinking that Segawa-chan is quite popular.”
Raika still stared at Nimura’s face.
“Sigh~ When Segawa-kun isn’t here, it’s so boring so boring so boring~”
After saying that, Sako-senpai finally couldn’t stand it anymore, and started to throw a tantrum like a child.
“If so, wouldn’t it be better if I didn’t tell him about the reports in the first place?”
“Won’t he repeat the grade if so?”
After Nimura said that, Sako-senpai started to pout.
However, he continued as though he thought of something……
“Ah, but if he repeats the grade, he’ll be able to stay at Hachiouji for a longer period of time.”
“But if the matter of Sako-senpai pulling strings in the dark, causing him to repeat the grade, is exposed, even Yuuta would probably hate you. And if Miu-chan and the others know about it, it’ll definitely be……”
“T- That’s true~”
Sako-senpai laughed while having a cold sweat. From the looks, it seemed to be true.
“However……”
That moment, Raika suddenly spoke.
“I won’t be here starting from next year.”
“Ah……”
Everyone only recalled the fact at that moment. There were two campuses for Tama Literary College. From the laboratories that the students require, some of them would have to study at the campus at Shinjuku.
“However, the Shinjuku campus is actually nearer to Segawa-chan’s house.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Raika pounded her fist on her palm in realization.
“Then we can hang out together everyday.”
Raika showed a rare look of excitement.
Although she was still wearing a poker face, Nimura could already distinguish such an extent of change.
“Seriously, why is Segawa-chan away at these times……”
Thinking that Segawa Yuuta always chose the wrong time to be absent caused the good looking man who secretly cared for him to sigh.
“Sigh……”
On the way back home, Sora sighed for the umpteenth time.
In the end, concerning the Christmas performance, Sora had no other choice but to accept the proposal due to the club president and the other members’ pressure.
“Sigh……”
Sora sighed yet again.
The fact that everyone was willing to hand the solo part to her was a fact to be proud of, while Sora was grateful of the thoughts of the club president and club members as well. And of course, Sora was happy for that. It was just that she hadn’t steeled herself for it yet.
If it were to be Miu, she would probably say: “Compared with the cosplay event before this, it’s much better’, but that would be another story.
“Sigh……”
The number of sighs that Sora made already couldn’t be counted anymore.
The other pressing problem would be: Should she tell this to her family members? Especially that person.
If she spoke about it, he would definitely go.
Just imagining herself singing before that person caused Sora’s heart to almost prance out from her mouth.
Her club president’s proposal had a very strong negative effect. Just like that, Sora, who walked back home with heavy footsteps, suddenly noticed a mother with one hand holding the hand of a primary school boy while the other hand holding a shopping bag.
“Ahh…… I have to fetch Hina!”
Sora hurriedly went back on the road that she just walked on.
When she reached the kindergarten, Sora bumped into Shiori, who was just about to take Hina home.
“It’s Onee-tan!”
Hina forcefully waved at Sora with her other hand that was not holding Shiori’s hand.
“What is it, Sora-chan? Why are you so harried?”
After seeing Sora’s arrival, Shiori looked rather surprised.
“…… W- Why…… is Shiori-san……”
“Eh? Do you need to ask? Didn’t we talk about this before? You had club activities today, isn’t that right?”
From some time before, the job of taking Hina home had been handed to Shiori.
If they spoke of it in the morning, she thought that fetching Hina home by herself would be better. Sora really felt that she couldn’t be of help.
“……. Sorry! Shiori-san!”
“Eh?”
Seeing Sora suddenly apologize to her in an exaggerated manner caused Shiori to be even more surprised.
“Sorry, I kept giving Shiori-san trouble.”
“It doesn’t matter, since it’s along the way from my school as well.”
On the road where the three walked home together, Shiori’s friendly comment made Sora feel rather guilty.
“I’m really useless……”
“Seriously, you’re just thinking too much.”
“But…… Shiori-san, you probably want to hang out with your friends after school or attend club activities, right?”
“You’re so kind, Sora-chan.”
The kind one should be Shiori-san instead. Sora understood that even the statement just now was probably spoken to reduce Sora’s burden.
“What must I do…… To be the same as Shiori-san……”
With her head lowered, Sora spoke in a small voice.
“Sora-chan, you’re a very kind child, so kind that it even worries people somewhat.”
“Worry…… I’m indeed still unreliable……”
“Ah! I didn’t mean that way!”
Shiori, who hated males, still couldn’t trust Yuuta a lot, and was worried that he would one day extend his evil claws to the pure, innocent Sora……
“Sora-chan, can you tell me why you think that?”
After hearing Shiori’s friendly question, Sora nodded and spoke of the matters troubling her.
Among those, there were the matters of everyone helping her rejoin her club, and the fact that the housework still fell on the shoulders of Miu, a primary school student, and Yuuta, who was busy with his reports and his part time work, even though they’ve already agreed on a shift system.
That caused Sora to feel as though she was scolded for being useless. It turned out like this just because I didn’t put in enough effort— Sora couldn’t help but think of such thoughts.
In the end, Sora spoke of the fact that she was given a solo part in the concert of the Choir Club.
“I really wanted to do the housework, but Onii-chan told me that I don’t need to.”
“It’s your uncle’s fault.”
Shiori spoke in a determined manner.
“Actually ignoring a girl’s efforts, he’s really the worst!”
“…… T- That’s right!”
“Then, is Oi-tan a bad boy?”
Although Hina asked in puzzlement, the two who were discussing in excitement did not hear it.
“I’m really not a child anymore! Ah, well, though I’m still a middle schooler, I’m still the eldest sister!”
“That’s right! Sora-chan can definitely take care of both housework and the club activities!”
“Shiori-san!”
“Sora-chan!”
“Shiori-san, you’re right! I will do my best!”
“I support you! And I’ll help as well! Just tell me if there’s anything I can help with!”
With Shiori’s encouragement, Sora started to burn with vigor.
Looking at the two who were looking at each other while holding each other’s hands in the evening streets made Hina, who raised her head to look at them, look rather confused.
That moment, nobody knew what that would result in yet.
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