Chapter 316

I led Hiyori to a storage room tucked in the farthest corner of the building, a place once used to keep spare clothing.

It reeked of must, and with the lights broken, closing the door left it in pitch blackness.

The only reason I had brought Hiyori all the way out here was because it was the only quiet place indoors where someone could be left alone.

There was no other reason... no ulterior motive whatsoever. Really.

"In here?"

"Yeah. This okay with you?"

Standing outside the doorway, Hiyori swept her gaze over the storage room and furrowed her brow.

"It's so creepy..."

To call a place that will soon hold our shared memories creepy... how disappointing.

"It's a good place to sleep undisturbed."

"And there aren't any windows..."

"Do you really need windows?"

"How am I supposed to get lost in thought if it's this dark? I need sunlight."

Lost in thought, my foot. Your only goal is to skip class.

Unbelievable. Even I wasn't that shameless.

Regardless, didn't this mean I was aiding and abetting Hiyori's delinquency?

It left me feeling a bit uneasy, yet somehow indifferent at the same time.

I glanced around to check for anyone nearby, then spoke.

"This is the quietest place I know of. The teachers rarely come by, and while there's a padlock on the door, it's just for show. You can just pop it open."

"Mmm... Okay. Thanks."

"I'm heading out. Take it easy."

"You're just going to leave me here all alone?"

Hiyori's expression completely stiffened.

Suddenly nervous for no reason, I asked, "Did you have something else to do here?"

"Nope."

Then why the hell did she act so serious?

I already knew this was one of Hiyori's quirks, but actually being on the receiving end left me completely deflated.

Chuckling dryly, I pulled the storage room door shut. I tested it to make sure it was secure, then dusted off my hands.

"Let's go."

"Why are you dusting off your hands? Is the lock dirty?"

"Yeah."

"I guess I'll have to bring wet wipes next time, then."

"Sure... do that."

"Now that I know about this place... are you still going to use it, sunbae-nim?"

Unless I was planning to do that sort of thing with Miyuki, Renka, or Chinami, I wouldn't have any use for it. But if an event with Hiyori ever triggered, I was more than willing to pay it a visit.

"Well... I'm not sure."

"Are you always this blunt, sunbae-nim?"

"I'm blunt?"

"Yeah. You're completely different from when I saw you at the cafe. You were super friendly back then..."

"Because I was working my shift back then...?"

"So that was just your mechanical customer service voice? I thought you were a genuinely bright person... but I guess I was wrong."

"Well, you talk a whole lot more than you did at the cafe, too."

"I talked plenty with my friends... Plus, between us, it was strictly a part-timer and customer dynamic. Did we even have anything to talk about besides my order?"

I need to get out of here.

If I stayed here any longer, Hiyori's playful backtalk was going to drain all the energy out of me.

"You're completely right, so let's just go."

"Giving up?"

"Why you..."

A sudden spike of tension hit the back of my neck. I pulled my head back slightly and squeezed my eyes shut, only for Hiyori to giggle and lightly tap my arm.

Then, flashing a bright smile, she said, "I'm kidding. Let's go."

With her bantering playfully and casually initiating light physical contact like this, it's no wonder guys turn into drooling messes around her.

Even if she ever happened to make a mistake or say the wrong thing, whoever she was talking to would probably just brush it off with a smile.

Honestly, anyone would react the same way. If a bright, pretty girl seemed even remotely interested in them, they'd happily overlook any minor slip-up.

"By the way, sunbae-nim, didn't the Judo club say anything?"

Hiyori asked the question as she confidently took the lead. I shook my head in response.

"They didn't."

"Really? Well, that's good, isn't it?"

"Yeah, well... things just smoothed over on their own."

"But a fight is still a fight. I guess the school rules aren't as strict as I thought?"

"It's not that..."

"Then what is it?"

It was an incident with a clear cause and effect, and because my significantly changed attitude had received a positive evaluation, the Student Council hadn't made an issue out of it.

Explaining all that out loud felt a bit too much like bragging, so I was too embarrassed to say it.

"Look into it yourself."

"I am looking into it by asking you directly, sunbae-nim."

"Ask someone else."

"Then who else am I supposed to ask?"

She wasn't teasing me this time; she was genuinely curious.

To be fair, she was right. Out of everyone who knew about the incident, I was the only one she was somewhat close to...

So why did it still sound like she was messing with me? I guess that was just the power of her image.

"I'll tell you later. Just walk quietly for now."

"Oh? It's raining."

Completely ignoring my words, Hiyori let out an exclamation as she peered out an unwashed window.

Just as she said, rain was pattering outside the passageway connecting the Academy buildings.

The drizzle was light for now, but judging by the sky, it didn't look like it would stop anytime soon.

It had rained yesterday, and now it was raining again today.

The spring rainy season known as Samidare was still a ways off, but it seemed like this year was just destined for endless showers.

"Doesn't this make you crave something with a warm broth?"

Hiyori had stopped entirely, resting her chin on her arms as she leaned against the windowsill.

Taking a spot beside her, I watched the teachers hurriedly tidying up the first-floor flowerbeds and spoke.

"Yeah. I could go for some chashu ramen right about now."

"That sounds so good..."

I actually knew an absolutely killer ramen spot.

If Miyuki eventually opened up to Hiyori, the three of us would have to go there together.

Though it might take a very long time before that could happen.

"By the way, did you bring an umbrella?"

"Nope."

Why the hell is she so cheerful about it?

With an attitude like that, it almost sounded like she preferred being caught without one.

"...The rainy season might hit as early as May, so try to keep at least a small one in your locker just in case."

"Okay, I will."

"Don't go wandering around sightseeing today."

"Why? Afraid I'll get soaking wet again?"

"Yeah."

Remembering what had happened yesterday, Hiyori covered her mouth and giggled.

"That was just me getting caught in a sudden downpour when I went out while it wasn't raining."

"You didn't go out when it wasn't raining. You went out when it was raining less, didn't you?"

"Mmm... point taken."

"You knew full well it was raining, and didn't you even have an umbrella on you? You're the first person I've ever seen just walk out into it anyway."

"Holding an umbrella is a hassle. Besides, didn't I look like a tragic heroine? Didn't that really set the mood?"

You didn't look like a tragic heroine. You looked like a pitiful stray...

Would she get mad if I actually said that out loud? Or would she just laugh?

Knowing her, it was almost certainly the latter. It was tempting to test the waters, but I decided to hold my tongue.

I'd save the ruthless banter for when we were a little closer.

"Sure... let's just go with that."

"Ugh, why are you being so half-hearted about it!?"

On second thought, maybe I actually could have gotten away with saying it now.

I looked down at Hiyori as she whined for a proper response and spoke.

"Are you just going to stand here watching the rain all day?"

"Why? Are you going to ditch me?"

"That was the plan."

"You can't do that... It's too spooky here. I don't think I could ever come here alone. I guess I'll have to bring Miho next time."

For a second there, I felt a little flutter, thinking she was going to say she had to come here with me.

We barely even knew each other yet; I guess I had set my expectations a little too high.

"Then let's head downstairs now. Go back to your classroom and hang out with your friends."

"What's with that tone? You sound like a teacher who just gave up on reforming a troublemaker."

"So you're admitting you're a troublemaker?"

"No, I'm not. Anyway, my throat feels kind of dry after going in and out of that dusty room. Don't you want something to drink? That chocolate chip frappuccino you made... that was really good."

"Oh, that? It was always a pain to make."

"Really? Did you secretly curse at the customers every time they ordered one?"

"Not quite. Though considering how you phrased that, it sounds like you speak from experience."

"I do not."

Why was I just standing here chatting with Hiyori?

I had intended to leave, but the moment she brought up the cafe, I unconsciously got sucked into the conversation as I reminisced about those days.

Maybe I was feeling a sense of camaraderie simply because we had shared memories to fall back on.

Whatever the reason, having plenty left to talk about was a good thing.

With that in mind, I dropped my plans to leave and prepared to keep chatting with her.

But right then, she lifted her arms from the windowsill and gave a long, leisurely stretch.

"Alright, let's go. I'm done sightseeing."

We really don't match.

Or maybe she was just reading my mind and playing me like a fiddle.

*

"Did you fold the towels properly?"

"Yes. I folded them."

"What about the dehumidifier in the Drying Room?"

"I left it running on full blast."

"And the laundry..."

"Since it's raining, I hastily threw in the clothes of the club members who don't have a spare Training Uniform and started the wash."

"...Is that so? Got it."

Renka crossed her arms, looking thoroughly displeased that she couldn't find a single thing to nitpick.

Closing the distance between us, I flashed her a radiant smile.

"Is there anything else you'd like me to do?"

Renka's mouth fell slightly agape, looking visibly flustered.

Staring at me as if I had eaten something rotten, she stammered out a reply.

"Wh-what...? What's with you today...?"

"Why? Is there a problem?"

"Why are you suddenly using honorifics...? And changing your tone to sound like total f—"

"F—?"

"...freaking me out?"

"I've just had a bit of a realization, that's all."

"And what would that be...?"

"Something like that. You've had a tough time dealing with me lately, haven't you?"

"What the..."

My consistently gentle demeanor must have been intensely foreign to her, because Renka's expression warped into something truly bizarre.

Looking me up and down as if she were staring at a complete madman, she finally asked, "Are you sick or something? Did you catch a cold?"

"Are you worried about me?"

"No. I'm saying if you're sick, don't get near me. You'll spread your germs."

Ahem. I really wanted to fix that mouth of hers, but I decided to hold back.

If I just endured it and continued to treat her gently, she'd eventually adapt and might even grow to love me more, right?

"If you don't have anything to do, then find something. Don't just stand there staring blankly."

At Renka's grating, bossy remark, I squeezed my eyes shut and opened them again, feeling my previous thoughts completely evaporate.

Even when I tried to be nice, she practically begged for punishment. It would almost be rude not to oblige her.

From the very beginning, Renka and I had gotten off on the wrong foot, so this gentle approach was never going to work anyway.

"President."

"What."

"I have a favor to ask. Will you hear me out?"

She flinched at my sudden drop in tone.

Rolling her eyes anxiously, her voice grew small.

"W-what kind of favor?"

"Are you going to do it? Or not?"

"Of course I'm... not going to do it. Why the hell would I..."

"Then I'll just have to force you."

Seeing my polite facade vanish without a trace, Renka looked utterly dumbfounded.

"I-I knew you were acting suspicious... You piece of Trash..."

She almost looked relieved. Was I imagining things?

It felt like she was secretly glad I had returned to my usual self.

"Just you wait."

"Wait for what...!? Do you really think I'm scared of you...?"

"You'd better mentally prepare yourself."

"Screw you...!"

Yeah, a rebellious slave like Renka only responded well when you treated her terribly first and sprinkled in kindness later. Being nice to her right off the bat was a mistake.

Now that I thought about it, the time was finally ripe to pick my moment and drop the bomb about Ino-chan.