Chapter 317: She's a Good Kid on the Inside
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 317: She's a Good Kid on the Inside
I heard there was one non-athletic club that enjoyed even more popularity than the Kendo Club.
It was the Clothing Design Club.
Why was this once-obscure club suddenly receiving so much attention?
It was all thanks to Hiyori.
According to the rumors, as soon as Hiyori and Miho submitted their applications to the Clothing Design Club, a significant number of boys from their class, 1-C, as well as the neighboring B and D classes, followed suit and applied too.
Of course, a few from the group of girls Hiyori had befriended on the first day also wanted to join.
It's natural for worker bees to gather around a queen bee, but... Hiyori's effect was truly something else.
Neither Miyuki, Renka, nor Chinami had ever commanded this level of popularity. It seemed Hiyori's bright personality and her tendency to be all over the place had produced this result.
In any case, while the Fashion Design Club was enjoying an unexpected boom, the majority of applicants were just guys fawning over Hiyori, hoping to get close to her somehow. It was safe to assume they were like migratory birds who would soon fly away.
There was a limit to how many members they could accept, so things would probably return to normal once the application period was over.
The president of the Fashion Design Club must have a real headache on their hands.
"Matsuda, I need you to run to the Administrative Department for a bit."
Goro approached me as I was handling my manager duties.
Having just finished oiling my shinai and putting it in its case, I asked, looking puzzled.
"What for?"
"I ordered some A4 paper, but it was delivered there."
"Oh, really? Got it. Should I grab any for the other clubs if they're there?"
At my words, Goro's lips momentarily pursed.
He'd almost burst out laughing.
It was funny seeing such a menacing-looking guy do that, but it was also a little scary.
"If you want to live to see another day, just bring ours."
"Yes, sir."
After a lighthearted joke with Goro, I grabbed my umbrella and left the club room.
Since I was in my kendo uniform, I walked carefully toward the academy building, avoiding puddles so as not to get the hem splashed by the rain. I folded my umbrella, thinking the rain was likely to get heavier.
As I walked down the first-floor hallway, where the various department offices were lined up, looking for the Administrative Department, I saw something.
"Well then... goodbye."
Miho was closing the door to one of the offices after bidding someone farewell in a gentle voice.
Was there any reason for Miho to be over here?
It's not like she got into trouble or anything... I was curious.
Miho, who had been about to turn away, noticed me, paused, and bowed her head slightly.
I walked up to her with a smile and said, "Hey, Mitsushima."
"Hello, Matsuda-senpai."
"What brings you here?"
"I was running an errand for my homeroom teacher."
"You're the same as me, then."
"Pardon?"
"I'm on an errand, too."
"Oh, are you? What kind of errand?"
"The coach asked me to get some A4 paper. You?"
"I was submitting the list of our class's temporary president and vice president."
Unlike the hyperactive Hiyori, Miho's way of speaking was very graceful.
Should I say she seemed like someone who could easily rein in the sometimes-out-of-control Hiyori?
That was the feeling Miho gave off.
"By coach, you mean the Kendo Club's coach, right?"
I nodded at Miho's follow-up question and replied, "That's right. But were you just at the Administrative Department?"
"Yes."
"You submit the class list to the Administrative Department? Don't the first-years have their own faculty office on their floor?"
"The newly appointed teachers are in a meeting with the existing ones."
"I see. Who's your class president?"
"That would be me."
"Really? That must be a lot of annoying work..."
"Honestly, it is a bit of a hassle like you said, senpai, but being the temporary president increases my chances of becoming the official one later. It helps my academic record, so I actually don't mind."
"A model student, I see. Did you join a club?"
"I've applied to the Clothing Design Club."
"With Asahina?"
"That's right. But... a ton of kids from our class applied, so I think the results will be out later."
I already knew that, I thought. It's not just your class; a lot of people from other classes applied, too.
I wondered how Miho would react if she knew.
She'd probably be unfazed, since this must have happened often in the past.
"So you decided against the Swimming Club and Archery Club in the end?"
"Yes. I thought the athletic clubs would be too physically demanding..."
Right. Hiyori and Miho loved to go out and have fun, so it made sense that they wouldn't want to exhaust themselves with club activities.
Still, the Clothing Design Club... It seemed to suit Hiyori, but at the same time, it didn't.
Could I maybe ask her to make a sexy cosplay outfit for Renka later?
It was a hopeful thought.
"True, having to go every day can be pretty tiring."
"Right? Putting everything else aside, the fact that we'd have to go every day was a bit much for both me and Hiyori."
After she finished speaking, Miho glanced at the watch on her wrist.
Was it time for her to go? She must have made plans to hang out with Hiyori and their friends.
Looking at the sign for the Administrative Department a few steps ahead, I said, "That's totally understandable. See you around. I've got to run my errand."
"Goodbye, senpai."
As I waved, Miho bowed in farewell.
The way her neatly cut brown hair cascaded down with gravity had a simple charm to it. It suited her surprisingly well.
After parting with her, I stopped by the Administrative Department and picked up the box of A4 paper.
I don't know who did it, but the box had a handle made of layered tape.
They must have taken the rainy day into account. That was pretty thoughtful.
Stepping outside the building, I stood under the entrance eaves and gazed at the empty athletic field.
The dim weather, the pouring rain, and the chilly wind cast a gloomy atmosphere over the entire academy.
This kind of atmosphere... I personally liked it a lot, but aren't romantic comedies supposed to be bright and cheerful?
Could it be that God was angry because I was having negative thoughts?
I let out a ridiculous laugh at the absurd idea and opened my umbrella.
* * *
The next day.
Unlike yesterday, the weather was bright and sunny.
A cool breeze was blowing, putting me in a good mood, so I left the classroom as soon as the break started.
I was heading to the school store, reciting the list of snacks Miyuki had asked for, when something small and hard tapped my shoulder.
Wondering what it was, I turned around to find Hiyori watching me with her eyes wide and round.
It seemed I was running into her every day, everywhere I went now.
Not that I was tired of it. Anyone who could look at that face and think such a thing would have to be either impotent or a noble soul who had renounced the world and reached nirvana, free from all worldly desires.
"What is it?"
"I saw you walking ahead, so I wanted to say hi. Heyo."
That was the greeting I often used with Renka.
It felt strange being on the receiving end.
"Are you going to the school store?"
"Yeah."
"Me too. Can I go with you?"
"Sure."
Hiyori immediately fell into step beside me and asked with a bright expression, "You saw Miho during club activities yesterday, right?"
"I did. Speaking of which, where is Mitsushima? I don't see her."
"She went to the faculty office to talk to our homeroom teacher about temporary class president stuff."
"What about your other friends?"
"They were talking too much, so I snuck away. I wanted to enjoy some peace and quiet today."
"Is that so? But aren't you the one who talks too much?"
At my words, Hiyori stopped dead in her tracks.
She wore a look of profound shock and deep hurt.
I stopped as well and continued in an indifferent tone.
"Stop acting."
Instantly, Hiyori broke into a grin as if nothing had happened.
"Not convincing?"
The acting was superb. It just didn't work on me because I knew full well that Hiyori wouldn't be hurt by such a comment.
Anyone else who saw that expression on her face would probably have been at a loss for what to do.
"Whatever. If you keep playing pranks all the time, you'll become the boy who cried wolf."
"Not the girl?"
"...Never mind. What's that in your hand?"
"Jelly. Want some?"
"Not Suichu today?"
"You get sick of eating the same thing every day."
"Gimme."
"Gimme? You're so rough with your words, you hurt my feelings."
"Is that the face of someone whose feelings are hurt? You look like you're enjoying it."
"It's just that I have a naturally smiley face..."
We'll see if you can say that on our first night together.
The karma was steadily piling up.
But what was the point of just imagining it all the time? I needed to think about advancing our relationship.
With that in mind, as I watched Hiyori place a jelly on my outstretched palm and then lift it away, I resolved to surprise her a little today.
Tap.
She placed the jelly on my palm.
Timing it perfectly, I quickly curled my fingers, closing my hand.
Hiyori's already slender and small hand was enveloped in mine.
"Oh?"
At the same time, she let out a short gasp, her eyes widening.
It was a look of immense interest.
Thrown off by her reaction, which was far from what I'd expected, I forced myself to remain calm, took the jelly from her, and popped it into my mouth.
"The jelly's warm."
"That's because I was holding it tight."
"Is that so?"
"Yep... just like you were, Senpai."
Was that suddenly shy face an act, or was it real?
Considering her gasp and expression when I grabbed her hand, there was a ninety-percent chance she was just messing with me now, but that wasn't the important part.
Didn't Hiyori see how Renka and I acted with each other at the cafe and get a rough idea of our relationship?
In that kind of situation, if she experienced skinship disguised as an accident like this, isn't it normal to be flustered or try to create some distance, unless she had other intentions?
But for her eyes to sparkle like that... Maybe my assumption was completely wrong.
Whatever the case, Hiyori had a real knack for flustering people.
"Looks like you like this kind of thing."
Unlike yesterday, I didn't back down and played along with Hiyori's prank. She smiled, revealing her pearly white teeth.
"You think so?"
"It looks that way."
"Nope."
"If not, whatever."
I shrugged as if to say I didn't care, and Hiyori took out another jelly.
"Want another one?"
Seeing her casual reaction, it seemed she planned to let the incident pass as a simple happening... but from what I'd seen so far, Hiyori was a completely unpredictable person, so I decided not to jump to conclusions.
"Let me have it."
"10 yen."
"I'd rather not eat it."
As I waved my hand as if shooing away an annoying fly, Hiyori strode toward me, looking indignant.
"We were going to the store together, how can you kick me out?"
"I wasn't kicking you out, I was expressing my refusal."
"Alright, alright. Shall we go?"
"We are going."
"Why are you so grumpy?"
"When was I..."
"No talking back."
"..."
"Just kidding. Let's hurry before the line gets too long."
Hiyori quickened her pace, swinging her arms from side to side as if she was excited.
I, who had been left breathless by Hiyori's utterly absurd remark, quickly snapped out of it and followed her.
I felt like just talking to Hiyori drained all my energy. At this rate, was I going to be the one who gets devoured on our first night?
No, I might be completely exhausted from just talking before we even got to the main event.