Chapter 316: A Place of Memories #2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 316: A Place of Memories #2
The place I led Hiyori to was a storage room in the furthest corner of the building, once used to store old uniforms and fabrics.
A musty smell filled the air, and with the light broken, closing the door plunged the room into darkness.
The only reason I brought Hiyori here was that it was the only quiet, indoor place I could think of where someone could be alone.
There was no other reason... like, no ulterior motives whatsoever. Seriously.
“Here?”
“Yeah. It’s not bad, right?”
Standing outside the door, Hiyori peered into the storage room and wrinkled her fine brow.
“It’s a little too gloomy...”
This is supposed to be a memorable place for us, and she calls it gloomy... How disappointing.
“It’s comfortable for sleeping alone.”
“There are no windows, either...”
“Do you need windows?”
“How am I supposed to get lost in thought when it’s this dark? I need sunlight.”
Her goal is to skip class, what’s all this about a space for contemplation?
Unbelievable. Just unbelievable. Even I’m not that shameless.
Anyway, does this mean I’m helping Hiyori with her little rebellion?
It feels a bit iffy, but at the same time, maybe not.
After glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, I said, “This is the quietest place I know. The teachers rarely come by, and while there’s a lock on it, it’s just for show. You can just open it.”
“Hmm... okay. Thanks.”
“I’m heading out now. Have fun.”
“You’re just going to leave me here alone?”
Hiyori’s expression hardened in an instant.
Feeling needlessly tense, I asked, “Is there something you need to do here?”
“Nope.”
Then why did she have to make such a serious face and cause a scene?
I knew this was one of Hiyori’s quirks, but experiencing it firsthand was still bewildering.
I let out a dry laugh, closed the storage room door, and after checking that it was properly shut, I dusted off my hands.
“Let’s go.”
“Why are you dusting off your hands? Was the lock dirty?”
“Pretty much.”
“Then I should probably get some wet wipes, right?”
“Well... sure.”
“Now that I know about this place... are you going to use it, senpai?”
Unless I was planning to do that sort of thing with Miyuki, Renka, or Chinami, I probably wouldn’t. But if an event with Hiyori were to happen, I’d be more than willing to come back.
“Hmm... I’m not sure.”
“Are you always this blunt, senpai?”
“You think I’m blunt?”
“Yes. You’re completely different from how you were at the cafe. You were so kind back then...”
“That’s because I was working...?”
“So you’re saying it was just mechanical kindness? I thought you were a really bright person... but I guess not.”
“You’re also a lot more talkative than you were at the cafe, aren’t you?”
“I talked a lot with my friends... Besides, you were an employee and I was a customer. Was there anything to talk about besides my order?”
I should just go.
If I stay here any longer, Hiyori’s playful retorts are going to drain all my energy.
“You’re right about everything, so let’s just go.”
“Giving up?”
“You little...”
The back of my neck tensed up. I leaned my head back slightly and squeezed my eyes shut. Hiyori giggled and tapped my arm.
Then, with a bright smile, she said, “Just kidding. Let’s go.”
She initiates light physical contact like this so casually while teasing you. No wonder guys get all flustered around her.
Even if Hiyori were to misspeak, the person she was talking to would probably let it slide with a smile.
In fact, anyone would. When a bright, pretty girl seems to be showing interest in you, you’d be more than willing to overlook a minor slip-up.
“By the way, senpai, did the Judo club say anything to you?”
Hiyori took the lead, walking confidently ahead as she continued her questioning. I shook my head and answered.
“Not really.”
“Really? That’s great, isn’t it?”
“It just... blew over without any issues.”
“Still, a fight is a fight. The school rules must not be as strict as I thought, huh?”
“It’s not that...”
“Then what is it?”
The incident had a clear cause and effect, and my greatly changed behavior had been viewed positively, so the student council didn’t make an issue of it.
But explaining all that would feel like bragging, which is embarrassing.
“Find out for yourself.”
“I am trying to find out from you, senpai.”
“Not from me.”
“Then who should I ask?”
This wasn’t her teasing me; she was genuinely curious.
And she had a point. Among the people who knew about the incident, I was the only one she was even remotely close to...
So why did it feel like she was messing with me? This must be what they call an ‘image.’
“I’ll tell you later, so let’s just walk quietly.”
“Oh? It’s raining.”
Ignoring my words completely, Hiyori exclaimed as she looked out the grimy window.
Just as she said, rain was pattering down outside the corridor connecting the academy buildings.
It wasn’t a downpour, but looking at the sky, it didn’t seem like it would be a short shower.
It rained yesterday, and it’s raining again today.
It’s still too early for the early summer rains known as samidare, but it seems this year is just going to be a rainy one.
“Doesn’t this make you crave something with a hot broth?” Hiyori said, stopping completely and leaning her arms on the windowsill.
I came to a stop beside her and watched the teachers hastily clearing the flowerbeds on the first floor.
“You’re right. I could really go for some chashu ramen right now.”
“That sounds delicious...”
I know an amazing ramen place.
Later, if Miyuki ever opens up to Hiyori, I should take them there together.
Though that might take a very, very long time.
“By the way, did you bring an umbrella?”
“Nope.”
Why did she have to say no so cheerfully?
She made it sound like not having an umbrella was a good thing.
“...The rainy season might start in May, so you should probably keep a small one in your locker, just in case.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t go wandering around today.”
“Why? Worried I’ll get soaked?”
“Yeah.”
Seemingly remembering yesterday, Hiyori covered her mouth and giggled.
“That time, it wasn’t raining when I went out, and then it suddenly started pouring.”
“Wasn’t it less ‘not raining’ and more ‘raining lightly’?”
“Hmm... you’re right.”
“You clearly knew it was raining, and you had an umbrella, didn’t you? I’ve never seen someone just walk out into the rain like that.”
“Carrying an umbrella is a hassle. Besides, didn’t it create a nice atmosphere? Like a tragic heroine.”
Less tragic heroine, more pathetic beggar...
If I said that, would she get mad? Or would she laugh?
The latter was highly likely, and though I was tempted to test it, I held back.
I should wait until we’re a little closer before I start teasing her freely.
“Sure... let’s go with that.”
“Hey, why are you giving me such a half-hearted answer...!”
Actually, it seems like it would have been fine to say it now.
I looked down at Hiyori, who was whining for a proper response, and said, “Are you going to stand here watching the rain all day?”
“Why? Are you going to abandon me and leave?”
“That’s the plan.”
“No way... this place is gloomy and scary. I don’t think I can come here alone. I’ll have to come with Miho.”
And here I was, getting my hopes up, thinking she was going to say she’d have to come with me.
I guess my expectations were too high, considering we’ve only just gotten to know each other.
“Then either come down with me now, or go back to the classroom and hang out with your friends.”
“What’s with that tone? You sound like a teacher who’s given up on reforming a problem child.”
“Are you admitting you’re a problem child?”
“Of course not. But after being in there, my throat feels all dry. Don’t you want something to drink? That Chocochip Frappuccino you made... it was delicious.”
“Ah, that? It was an annoying menu item to make.”
“Really? So did you curse inwardly every time a customer ordered it?”
“I didn’t go that far. The way you say that makes it sound like you have.”
“Noooope.”
Why am I standing here, chattering away with Hiyori?
I was about to leave, but when she brought up the cafe, I found myself reminiscing and getting drawn into the conversation.
Maybe I felt a sense of camaraderie from the fact that we had a memory to share.
Whatever the case, having more things to talk about is a good thing.
With that in mind, I abandoned the thought of leaving and decided to talk with Hiyori a little longer.
Just then, she took her arms off the windowsill and stretched them high above her head.
“Let’s go now. I’m done looking.”
We’re just not in sync.
No, maybe Hiyori is reading my mind, playing me like a fiddle.
* * *
“Did you fold the towels properly?”
“Yes. They’re folded.”
“Did you take care of the humidity in the drying room?”
“I left the dehumidifier running on full blast.”
“The laundry...”
“Since it’s raining, I prioritized the uniforms of the members who don’t have spares. They’re in the wash right now.”
“...Is that so? Alright.”
Renka crossed her arms, displeased that she couldn’t find anything to criticize.
I closed the distance between us and gave her a bright, cheerful smile.
“Is there anything else you need me to do?”
Renka’s mouth fell slightly open, and she looked utterly bewildered.
Staring at me as if I’d eaten something strange, she stammered, “Wh-what...? What’s with you today...?”
“What is it? Is there a problem?”
“Why are you suddenly using honorifics...? And your tone is so weird...”
“Weird?”
“...What’s gotten into you?”
“Because I had a realization.”
“A realization about what...?”
“It’s just something. You’ve had a hard time until now, haven’t you?”
“What are you...”
My consistently gentle demeanor was so unfamiliar that Renka’s expression twisted into something bizarre.
She looked me up and down as if I were a lunatic and asked, “Are you sick? Did you catch a cold?”
“Are you worried about me right now?”
“No. If you’re sick, stay away from me. You’ll spread your germs.”
Ahem. I wanted to correct Renka’s way of speaking, but I held back.
If I endured it and treated her gently, she might get used to it quickly and her love for me could grow even stronger.
“If you don’t have anything to do, find something. Don’t just stand there gawking.”
At Renka’s condescending, boomer-like words, I squeezed my eyes shut and then opened them, feeling the thought I just had completely evaporate.
I try to be nice, but she’s always asking for a beating. It wouldn’t be right not to give her one, would it?
From the very beginning, I’d started off on the wrong foot with Renka. An approach like this was never going to work.
“Captain.”
“What.”
“I have a favor to ask. Will you grant it?”
She flinched at my low voice.
Her eyes darted around nervously, and her voice grew smaller.
“Wh-what kind of favor?”
“Are you going to grant it or not?”
“Of course... not. Do you think I’m crazy...”
“Then I’ll just do it by force.”
Renka looked dumbfounded at my sudden change in demeanor, all traces of politeness gone.
“I-I knew it... You trashy son of a bitch...”
She seems a little relieved. Am I imagining it?
It feels like she’s secretly happy that I’m back to my old self.
“Look forward to it later.”
“What am I supposed to be looking forward to...!? You think that’ll scare me...?”
“You should prepare yourself.”
“Screw you...!”
Right. A slave with a rebellious spirit like Renka needs to be treated badly first before you’re nice to her. Just being kind out of the blue won’t work.
I think it’s about time I find the right moment to set off Ino-chan.