E.5
We parted ways with Hashimoto and the other two Class A students before going to the bookstore after the café.
Judging from their hurried state, Sakayanagi may have called them.
On the way back from the bookstore, we exchanged various thoughts.
“It's been a really fun day.”
Hiyori, walking a little ahead of me at dusk, smiled as she remembered what had happened earlier.
“I didn't expect Kitō-kun to be so talkative.”
“So talkative?”
Looking back, I thought he only muttered something five or six times...
“I also learned a lot about Kamuro-san and Hashimoto-kun.”
“It's good that you were satisfied. After all, I couldn't do much.”
“That's not true. You went to the bookstore with me, didn't you? That alone was very enjoyable.”
“Is that so? Well, if you're happy, then I guess everything’s fine.”
I still hadn't improved much in terms of planning things out while considering my partner's feelings.
This was something that would have to be done through shared experiences, regardless of gender.
Before I knew it, our conversation had dwindled, and we had fallen into silence.
Hiyori's footsteps had grown slower than before, and I wondered if she was deep in thought.
We walked along the tree-lined street and were just about halfway to the dormitory.
“Um… Ayanokōji-kun. Can you please listen without getting angry?”
Hiyori, who had been smiling happily just moments ago, seemed to be slightly nervous.
“I don't think there's anything to be angry about, so I'll listen without getting upset.”
“The book I gave you as a present the other day... It was written by my father.”
“By your…? I see. So, the author's name might be his real name?”
“That's amazing. You figured it out?”
“It wouldn't be strange if I noticed the author's unusual name when I found out it was a relative.”
“Shiina Katsumi. My father's name.”
“So, the bookworm girl's roots are from her father.”
I might’ve caught a glimpse of the background that created the literary girl.
“Until now, I haven't told anyone that my father’s a writer. I didn't have any friends who shared the same hobby, but... it's not just that. I wanted you to know about it.”
That was what Hiyori told me.
Although it wasn't something to hide, it wasn't something she had to go out of her way to talk about either.
Why did she bring up such a topic now?
“What do you think will happen in the upcoming battles? Of course, I know it's difficult to predict, but I’d like to hear your opinion if possible.”
“Ryūen's and Sakayanagi's battle will probably have a significant impact on their future. Assuming that the class points will remain similar until the end of the school year, if Sakayanagi wins, Class A will be at a significant advantage. However, if Ryūen wins, that advantage may disappear. Their movements are more noteworthy than those of Horikita's class or Ichinose's class.”
This much speculation could be done by anyone.
In order to express an opinion beyond that, I had to think about what would happen in the future.
“Most students probably think that Sakayanagi's class has the advantage.”
“That's right. They’ve been maintaining Class A for nearly two years, and they’ve never lost a significant amount of class points. There are a few people in our class who are already frightened by the final exams.”
If they lose, Ryūen's class's chance of graduating from Class A would become extremely difficult.
“Without knowing the content of the special exam, we can only judge based on the leaders' and classmates’ strength and compatibility, but I think Ryūen has a good chance of winning.”
In fact, that was what I considered to be the most ideal.
It didn't matter which way the battle between Horikita and Ichinose goes, but if Ryūen loses, Hiyori's class would lose its chance of success and fall out of the race.
“—That's true.”
As a member of the class, Hiyori must’ve felt it as well.
Sakayanagi's class was strong. That was why the loss would be immeasurable if they were defeated.
“I'm sorry for asking something like this.”
“Don't worry. I'm glad to know that you also care about your class.”
When I told her so, she was a little embarrassed.
“Our classes may be different and we may be competing, but let's definitely graduate together, alright?”
Unlike her usual self, Hiyori ran and stood in front of me.
Then, while still looking embarrassed, she turned around and spoke those thoughts.
It was unclear which class would graduate as Class A.
However, this didn't necessarily mean that we had to always be rivals and bear resentment towards other classes.
Whether someone graduated as Class C or Class D, they’d want to face graduation with a smile together with their friends, best friends, and lovers.
“Yeah, that's right.”
When I responded with my agreement, Hiyori softly smiled with joy.
Winter break was coming to an end.
A cold wind was blowing.
From now on, it would only get colder as the end of the month approached.
…And so, the third term was about to begin.
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