Interlude 4
It was almost time for the joint prom to start. We were mostly done with setting up the venue, so now we were just waiting for the attendees.
I was working the reception, so there wasn't much in terms of preparation. I was just sitting absentmindedly at the entrance, gazing at the place I was at earlier. Inside the lounge, the two of them were in a meeting about something. Had things been like they were before, I would've been there, too. But now, I wasn't. The thoughts filled my head as I was in a place farther away.
“Yui-senpai, what's the matter?”
I turned and noticed Iroha-chan had come over.
“Oh, um, it's nothing...”
My answer was clearly saying otherwise, and I tried to cover it up with a laugh. She just smiled without saying anything more. I had no idea what to say, so I laughed again, but badly. I fiddled with the bun of hair on my head, which had become a habit at this point.
“Yui-san!”
The familiar voice pulled my attention, and I could see Komachi-chan in our school uniform running over. There was just something about her new appearance that made me open my arms.
“Wow, Komachi-chan! Your uniform! It's so cute! I love it!”
“Oof.”
Komachi-chan let out a strange voice as she was smothered by my chest. Iroha-chan let out an apathetic “uh-huh”. When I turned around, she had a face wondering who she was. Speaking of which, I don't think these have ever met.
“Um, this is Hikki's younger sister Komachi-chan.”
After letting her go, I introduced her and Iroha-chan narrowed her eyes in response. She nodded.
“Senpai's little sister... Oh, the rice person.”
“Mmm... well, something like that.” Komachi-chan made an odd face in response to her strange choice of words.
Iroha-chan bowed. “I'm Isshiki Iroha, senpai's underclassman. Nice to meet you.”
“Oh, nice to meet you, too. Iroha-san, is it? Thank you for always taking care of my brother. I'm his sister Komachi. I'm here to clean up my brother's me—help out!” She simplified her difficult words and bowed back adorably. Afterwards, she looked around. “On that subject, where is my brother at...?”
I glanced at the area I was staring at earlier. “He's over there... You should wait a bit, though. They're in a meeting. I don't think we should get in their way.”
“I see...” Komachi-chan made a lonely smile.
Seeing her made me think she knew about our situation. It's possible he talked to her about it. I sighed, not feeling particularly good about her being so considerate. I thought I was being extremely quiet, but then I could hear a loud yawn. I looked to my side to see it had come from Iroha-chan.
“Does it really matter? I don't see the big deal.”
She was so frank and natural about it that I responded with a “Huh?” When I tilted my head, she made a cheeky smile.
“I mean, even if you didn't, there's no way those two will stay that like for a long time, don't you think?”
“You think so...?”
“I do. They're both such a huge pain, you know? Doesn't it feel like things would end right on the spot as soon as something happened?”
“Uhh, no, as his sister, I can't say I like how you put that...”
“R-Right...”
Komachi-chan and I had dubious looks, and Iroha-chan grinned. “Look, see, in three years, we'll be able to drink, right? Then, we can pretend to be drunk and go bam! Bam! Once you force something to happen, then the ball's in your court. That thing's a monster of responsibility, you know.”
“I-I don't know about that... Besides, we have no idea what will happen in three years, anyway...”
All sorts of things came to mind, and even I could feel I was getting red from them. I tried to think of a way to change the subject, and Komachi-chan had a confused look and tilted her head.
“Isn't it two years for Yui-san? Are you talking about yourself when you say three years, Irohasenpai?”
“Shut your mouth, Rice-chan.”
“Rice!? I'm Komachi! Komachi's my name!”
“Cute name, right? It's better to make your position clear when meeting other girls for the first time. Otherwise, we'll have problems later.”
“Wow, amazing personality you have there.”
“Haha, speak for yourself.”
Shoot, they don't seem very compatible. I'd feel a lot better and happier if they could get along, though...
I tried to calm them down by keeping them apart while going “now, now, you two...” with a smile. Komachi-chan put her hands on her hips and sighed. “This is the problem with younger people who don't understand the position of the little sister. Please listen. My brother's got the mentality of an ascetic monk, and he'll find a way to deal with that kind of situation. For example, he'll pretend to sleep the entire time before actually getting drunk. That's the Hachiman mentality.”
She explained while wagging her finger, and Iroha-chan and I nodded our heads. That's so true. I can totally see that. I thought, and Iroha-chan seemed to be on the same wavelength.
“Oh, the tofu mentality[48].”
“No, it's more like the Hoshino Coffee souffle mentality.”
“Oh, I like that since it's so good.”
This time, Komachi nodded back... Were they on good terms or what? Komachi nodded back to Iroha-chan this time... Are they on good terms or what? I don't get these two. I thought, and then Komachi-chan scoffed at Iroha-chan. Or maybe not...
“If that's all you're capable of, I won't be calling you onee-chan any time soon, Iroha-senpai.”
“Huh? Uh, no thanks, seriously... Jeez, what's wrong with this girl?” Iroha-chan made a loathing look with her mouth and turned to me.
“Umm, Komachi-chan's a really bad brocon.”
“Of course. Just who do you think has loved him for the past 15 years? Back then, he was just the most adorable little thing...” Komachi-chan pounded her chest and took out her smartphone. It looked like she was going to show us some photos.
“Oh, I wanna see.”
“Bleh... Can't say I'm interested, but I guess I'll take a look, too.”
I leaned in to look at her phone, and Iroha-chan did the same while complaining. Komachi-chan looked for the photos and asked, “Which ones do you want to see? I have photos of him before he got a dead look in his eyes, and after. I've also got some after his eyes became rotten.”
“Uhh, just show us the cute ones. Was he actually cute at some point?” Iroha-chan said, doubtful.
“I think he said something like that before...”
I recalled something to that effect when we went out together a while ago. But remembering it was a little painful, so my smile became a little forced.
Iroha-chan sighed. “Oh, right. You get some guys like that. They brag about being cute when they were younger or brag about being popular in Shinjuku's area 2. But in reality, they're just petty losers who try to cover up their reputation by propping themselves up instead.”
“Wow, you're not holding back at all, huh!? U-Um, that's not true... I mean, look how cute Komachi-chan is!”
I squeezed Komachi-chan's shoulder and pushed her forward. She looked up at Iroha-chan and fidgeted while poking her fingers together. Looking reluctant, she said, “Um...”
“Yes?” Iroha-chan glared.
Then, Komachi-chan made puppy eyes. “Do you mind if I call you onee-chan? At the very least, for just a short (temporary) period?”
“Why!? Heck no!”
“Ehehe, I noticed you seem to understand my brother well.”
“Huh?”
“I was always under the impression my brother needed someone who could string him along from above, or push him up from below, but... I guess there was always the option of petty scum banding together, too.”
“Huh? What in the heck are you even saying? Um, sorry, but I am nowhere that hopeless... His looks are one thing, his head's another, and his personality's just trash.”
“And to top it all off, he's a scumbag! He's the kind of loser that tramples over his own feelings, let alone others!”
“Why does that even make you happy...?”
Komachi-chan's pleasant boast made Iroha-chan have a nasty reaction. She looked at me for help, not knowing what to make of her.
“Mmm, Komachi-chan's a really bad brocon...” I said, managing only an awkward smile.
Then, she giggled with a bit of shyness and bowed. “That just goes to show how hopeless my brother is, so please stick with him until he finally straightens out as a person.”
“Well, I already had to go through a whole year with him, so whatever...” Iroha-chan didn't seem too eager and even a little unhappy. She turned to me. “What about you, Yui-senpai?”
“I'll...”
I had no idea what to say when she asked.
“I really do like that part about you, Yui-senpai.” She walked closer with a sigh and moved her mouth to my ear. “Is there a law that says you can't like someone with a girlfriend?”
“Huh? I don't think so...”
“Right?” Iroha-chan hopped back with a giggle, wearing an invincible smile like an older woman. Her smile was so adorable, and I think it looked just like the smile I used to have, like a girl who was in love.
“Iroha-chan, do you feel that way, too?”
“Huh? No way. I still think I've got a shot with Hayama-senpai. At the very least, if he gives in, then I don't mind that either, but I have no intention from withdrawing from the game with Hayama-senpai at all.” She made a very nasty face and shook her hand.
“Huh? Then what about what you said earlier...?”
“Isn't that obvious?” She sighed and brushed her hair aside. Then, she moved her hand to the side of her fair. “It's a girl's privilege not to give up!”
She made a small peace sign with a smile more bold and cuter than anyone else. She was obviously trying to look feminine, but she had the coolest smile I had ever seen.
Fascinated by her expression, a word escaped my mouth.
“Oh...”
It wasn't a sigh. And it wasn't anything meaningful, either. It was the voice from my heart. The two smiled at the same time and made me feel warmer. They were on such bad terms earlier, too. I bit my lips and nodded my head several times. The two looked at each other and laughed. Then, they huddled together and began whispering to each other.
“Are you really okay with this, Rice-chan?”
“Hm, let's just say I've got my own thoughts on the matter.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Grr, why do you sound so uninterested?”
“Because I am...”
“Now, now, trust me, there's something in it for you too, Iroha-senpai. Can you lend me your ear?”
After whispering into Iroha-chan's ear, her face looked incredibly unpleasant.
“Wha... Whose side are you on exactly?”
“My brother's, of course. Oh, that was so high in Komachi points.”
“Ugh, you're so gross.”
“Excuse me!? Rude! Don't come crying to me for help, because I'll never side with you!”
“I never asked for your help in the first place.”
The two didn't seem to get along all that well, but they seemed compatible in a way. Watching them caused me to laugh. Maybe this was their way of cheering me up. I hugged them out of happiness. While Komachi-chan hugged me back, Iroha-chan unwillingly looked away.
I had yet to sort out my feelings, and I felt that wasn't a good thing. I knew this wasn't right, either. But it might be okay for me to indulge myself a little bit more in that sunny and warm spot.
“Okay! I feel better! Let's go!”
I held their shoulders and pushed them forward with a force proportional to the support they gave me. And then, I rushed to the one place I wanted to be in.
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