Summer Vacation (3): Ayane's Explosive Jealousy
Tae-il was genuinely surprised for once—a rare occurrence. Well, considering the string of shocking events just yesterday, it wasn't that rare. 'There was the men's bath intrusion, and before that, all those times with Arisugawa or Ayane... hmm.'
Upon second thought, he corrected himself: lately, he'd been dealing with way more surprises than usual. But in a manga world, that wasn't so strange. Think about it. A girl who's not even family barging into the men's bath? That'd never happen in reality—especially if she's a beauty. Yet here, everything felt fresh and new. Things impossible in his past life happened casually. Don't be surprised. This is a fantasy world where imaginations come true beyond your wildest dreams. That was Tae-il's succinct take on life these days.
Especially incidents like Ayane and the others crashing the men's bath—still made his heart race dangerously whenever he recalled them. Anyway.
Tae-il reviewed everyone's schedules for the day. Sakuya's Interhigh tennis finals started this afternoon. She'd sent a shockingly risky photo that morning with the message, "My tennis uniform is totally sexy o((>ω< ))o!" He'd called her immediately, lecturing her about what people might think, then secretly saved the pic. Iris and Rena had gone quiet since yesterday. Since they'd planned to crash together overnight, they were probably exhausted from chatting all night and sleeping in.
Ayane was free. No practice, so she planned to spend the day like any high school girl on break—however she pleased. Tae-il valued autonomy. Even for bandmates or childhood friends like Ayane, he had no intention of meddling in her free time. Besides, he felt a twinge of guilt toward her anyway, so he was always in the wrong no matter what.
After the Gunma incident(?), he made a habit of reporting his whereabouts to Ayane wherever he went—self-inflicted punishment, really. On his way out, he'd messaged her that he'd head to school for Animal Husbandry Club activities. She didn't restrict him either. In fact, she made a big show of appreciating his thoughtfulness, which touched him.
Plus, the Animal Husbandry Club was infamous at school. High membership and dropout rates. Its survival next year was iffy. It got the most student complaints. Independent of its achievements, it carried every dishonor imaginable. Ayane chalked it up to raising polarizing reptiles and insects. There'd even been some festival incident before she enrolled.
Ayane saw an opportunity. 'Shin-kun joining the Animal Husbandry Club... could actually be a chance for Ayane?'
Shin Tae-il, already swirling with negative rumors, diving into the club's bad rep could tank his image further. Perfect timing, with girls inexplicably flocking to him lately. Ayane's stance was unwavering: the fewer people who knew Tae-il's true charm, the better.
She worried about her timid, sensitive Tae-il in that environment but secretly welcomed his club involvement. But.
That didn't mean he could hang with some unknown girl. Forgetting this was a family restaurant, Ayane yelled without thinking.
"Shin-kun! Who's that bitch next to you!?"
* * *
"Shin-kun! Who's that bitch next to you!?"
"Ayane?"
Tae-il was truly startled by her sudden appearance—not like a cheating husband caught red-handed, but purely surprised.
"Why are you here?"
"Why? To meet my Morals Committee senior!"
"Oh, got it."
Unlike Ayane, on the verge of exploding, Tae-il marveled at the coincidence. He'd never dreamed of running into her here at the family restaurant, consulting Yuuya over a meal. He'd only just realized she didn't know Yuuya.
His index finger wipered back and forth between them. "Ah, first time meeting face-to-face?"
"Who is she!?"
As Ayane's anger didn't subside and she started pointing, Tae-il grew awkward. Unlike him, Yuuya wore a clear Yuuma High uniform. Sailor uniforms distinguished grades by ribbon color; gakuran by buttons. Yuuya's ribbon wasn't the first-year red—definitely upperclassman. Ayane's rage-blinded narrow vision had crossed the line.
"Ayane, tone it down a bit..."
"Mori Yuuya."
Yuuya stepped forward, blocking Tae-il. Her calm, clear voice pierced the noisy restaurant into Ayane's ear. Great projection. Tae-il thought so, staring blankly.
Undeterred by Ayane's intensity, Yuuya advanced a step, quietly asserting her superiority.
"Your senior."
"Eh...?"
The word "senior" short-circuited Ayane's brain. Morals Committee members checked uniforms at the gate daily. Few in school didn't recognize her face, even if not her name. Unlike Ayane, Yuuya had naturally clocked her—they passed at the gate every morning.
"Uh..."
Belatedly, Ayane eyed the woman's uniform. Shockingly, same school. And the ribbon confirmed senior status.
'C-crap... ruined.'
Regaining composure, she recalled Tae-il mentioning school for club this morning—vacation or not.
'Of course, the only person he'd meet there is that Animal Husbandry Club president he mentions.'
"S-sor... ahk!"
"Hey, you idiot!"
Ayane groaned in pain, collapsing and clutching her head. Sakurako had appeared late, smacking her nape mercilessly with a teaspoon.
Tears welling, Ayane protested. "It hurts!"
"That's why I hit you! How can a Morals Committee member disrupt morals off-campus? Are you dumb?"
A Morals Committee member disrupting morals. In Japan's hierarchy-conscious society, a junior yelling at a senior was scandalous. Ayane paled.
"I-I was about to apologize..."
"Oh?"
Sakurako glared; Ayane caved instantly, bowing to Yuuya. "Uuu... Sorry for yelling at you, Senior."
"Sorry, my junior's causing trouble? Mori."
"Yeah. Long time no see. Hiiragi."
Yuuya nodded nonchalantly, greeting Sakurako warmly. "Long time. Glad you look healthy."
"Yeah."
Yuuya knew the Morals Committee. Caught off-guard, Tae-il awkwardly hovered between Ayane and Yuuya, glancing around. His lone guy vibe drew eyes; Sakurako called him.
"Hey, Shin whatever."
"M-me?"
"Who else? Shin whatever here."
Sakurako pressed Ayane's head down as she tried lifting it, nodding at Tae-il. "Wanna join us since it's like this?"
"Join?"
Caught off-guard, Tae-il glanced at Yuuya. "I'm fine with it. Senior?"
"Yeah. No problem."
Yuuya accepted readily; Ayane groaned. "Muuu..."
"Why the long face now?"
With joining settled, Sakurako yanked Ayane up, bowing apologies around for the commotion, then scurried back. She stopped Tae-il and Yuuya mid-sit, grabbing parfaits for the corner booth.
"Moving seats. Don't sit there."
"Seats?"
"Yeah."
Already eye-catching from looks, the fuss drew too much attention. For famous girls, breaks bred rumors—distorted gossip. Girl drama was prime fodder online and off, for all ages. If filmed and posted, who'd know the rumors by term start...
'Hayate would kill me, probably?'
Sakurako shuddered at the nightmare. Regular students aside, Morals Committee exemplars avoided scandals for image and records. Committee mishaps meant chair blame. Obvious, yet terrifying.
"Ayane, consider TPO next time? Hm?"
"Sorryyy..."
"Sigh."
Ayane wilted under Sakurako's stern scolding, playfulness gone. Close this year, but lines existed. Sakurako's duty as her selector.
"Nice here."
They fled to a corner booth shielded by waist-high planters. Yuuya took innermost seat; Sakurako outside. Opposite: Tae-il and Ayane side-by-side.
Tae-il grabbed Ayane's hand under the table, comforting her gloom. Her moist eyes turned gratefully to him.
"Shin-kuuun..."
"Got chewed out bad. You okay?"
"Yeah. Much better thanks to you, Shin-kun."
"Good."
Their lover-like whispers prompted Sakurako's loud throat-clear. "Ahem!"
Attention gathered, she took charge. "Anyway, introductions since we're here?"
"Sure."
Tae-il agreed; started with Sakurako.
"You saw me barging into the committee room before? Hiiragi Sakurako, second-year Morals Committee. Your childhood friend's senior."
"Haha. Don't dig up my dark history... Shin Tae-il. Call me Taichi if hard to say."
"Yo, right away? Fine. As Ayane's friend, special permission to drop honorifics."
"H-honor."
Next, quiet Yuuya. "Mori Yuuya. Second-year. Animal Husbandry Club president."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"..."
Sakurako glared at Yuuya, then nodded at Ayane. Stiff under the sharp gaze, Ayane straightened.
"Ka-Katsuragi Ayane. Morals Committee. Sorry for earlier, Mori Senior."
"Yeah."
Ayane bowed again; Yuuya accepted slowly. Despite her fault, the bland response made Ayane frown inwardly.
'Where'd Shin-kun meet this girl...'
Unlike expressive Sakuya or Rena, Yuuya's faint reactions were hard to read.
'Something off from first sight...'
Hostility? She'd felt it... Ayane peeked at Yuuya.
"...?"
Blank eyes met; Yuuya tilted her head curiously.
'Dunno.'
No emotion now. If Sakuya was tough even knowing, Yuuya was nebulous like untouchable clouds. Her vibe evoked Izumi—Ayane's biggest roadblock—doubling unease.
Clap clap! Sensing awkwardness, Sakurako clapped.
"Good. Intros done—let's chat easy now?"
"Not total strangers anyway."
"Yeah."
Sakurako knew Tae-il tons from Ayane. Ayane heard club prez stories from Tae-il. Yuuya knew childhood friend gripes/praises from Tae-il.
'She's Taichi's...'
Yuuya felt unfamiliar from Ayane. Unknowable, she stayed mum. Ayane too.
'Didn't expect the prez so pretty...'
Hard to gauge, plus Ayane's bias: bug/reptile keepers seemed shady, like otaku stereotypes. She'd heard girls increasingly petted reptiles online, but never seen it—friends' cuties were mammals: parrots, hamsters, cats, dogs.
'No, snap out, Ayane. Don't judge by looks.'
She recalled the lesson. But max vigilance like with Izumi? Non-negotiable.
Yuuya, eyed intensely: 'Why's she glaring...?' Endured quietly amid sparks. Sakurako grilled Tae-il eagerly.
His recount: plain. Checked health/cages. Fed feed/bugs. Cleaned. Lizard mating season—Yuuya-led merges. Sakurako blanched at the dry loop.
"Alone guy-girl clubbing, no sparks? Real burning youth high schoolers?"
"What plot you want, Senior...?"
"Makjang drama?"
Sakurako spoilt her new vacation binge. "Playboy spreads tentacles, women rage at exposure, he flees dismemberment."
Tae-il doubted his ears. "That exists now?"
"Yeah?"
"Why?"
"Dunno? Silly setup, but acting's great. Fun. Wanna watch? Recommend."
"..."
Headache from description alone; hard to believe. 'Author-nim, in-story work's too wild...?' Tae-il shuddered.
"Sounds horror, not makjang."
"Blood from ep1. Gag direction. Somehow no red flag. My taste."
"..."
Tae-il, horror-weak, silenced—chills from imagery. Sakurako teased his pallor, then queried.
"Wait, aren't you Light Music Club? Why club on break?"
"Doing both."
"Really?"
Sakurako nudged menu-peering Yuuya grinningly. "Great. No disband next year."
"Yeah. Grateful."
Yuuya's rare soft smile stunned Sakurako.
'Huh...?'
Blank-face girl? Charming. Rubbed eyes. Smile gone, but trace lingered.
'Mori... smiled?'
Suspicious glance at Tae-il, comforting gloomy Ayane. He noticed, puzzled.
'Weird...'
Recalling drama wits, Sakurako upped Tae-il's eval. He flinched at her squint.
"S-something wrong...?"
"Nah."
Licked parfait-smeared spoon. "Feels different from before."
"Really...?"
Unclear if good/bad; Tae-il tilted head.
"Maybe colored glasses from room crash."
"S-sorry then..."
"Yeah."
Sakurako eyed Tae-il and Ayane. "Look perfect match."
"Really?"
Ayane beamed from death-face. "Ayane?"
Sakurako nodded. "Yeah. Soulmate trouble duo."
"Not trouble! Mean, Senior!"
"Mean's your rash self, damn junior."
"Where else such devoted junior!?"
"Doubt you care."
"Too mean! Never felt Ayane's sincerity!?"
"Your sincerity's crap anyway."
"Hand!"
"Haha..."
Tae-il awkward-laughed, eyeing menu-focused Yuuya. "Se-Senior Yuuya, picked?"
"Yeah. Clam pasta."
She closed menu. Pasta—girl fave. Tae-il nodded.
"Hiiragi Senior, Ayane?"
"Hm. Hiiragi, huh..."
Sakurako chuckled at title, shrugged. "Pass. Diet—parfait overkill."
"Diet...?"
Gaze dipped to belly, snapped up. 'Her choice, not mine.' Couldn't grasp pretty girls dieting, but respected.
"Ayane then? Lunch on me."
"N-no, Shin-kun! Ayane ate!"
Ayane waved frantically. "Really?"
Tae-il eyed parfait-only table, asked Sakurako.
"Yeah, she says."
Sakurako smirked, empathizing girl woes despite junior antics.
Ayane inwardly teared. 'Thanks, Senior. Can't tell Shin-kun I gained 3kg from sushi yesterday...' Furtively fixed slouch, sucked gut while he faced front.
Morning scale scream startled parents Yuuna and Hotaru. Baggy ok before, but new fashion? Starve for future Ayane.
"No choice. Share one then?"
Her resolve crumbled easy. "Sure!"
Share = fed by Tae-il. Magic logic.
"Tch. Play nice."
Sakurako snorted at obvious. Bragged arm-out; worse in person.
'Won't be like that dating.'
Too smitten either way looked bad. But surprise: soft voice tickled her ear.
"Taichi. Me too."
"Eh?"
Sakurako shocked. Tae-il's pizza hand paused.
"Yuuya Senior?"
"Wanna try pizza..."
Yuuya finger-on-lip, head tilt—bangs flow. Fox ploy, but biases saw natural. Led by tender green eyes, Tae-il's hand went...
"Wait."
Ayane snatched. "Shin-kun, I'll serve Senior. Ok?"
"Uh? Yeah."
Better bonds via pizza? Tae-il admired hawaiian—king pizza—yielding arm.
Ayane rose, leaned excessively, sliced slow to Yuuya's plate. Whisper-only:
"Senior?"
Dead eyes. "Don't touch."
Ghostly tone. "Mine."
Smiled sweetly. Pizza? Or Tae-il? Ambiguous, smile held returning.
Threat unfazed Yuuya. Regretfully eyed swapped pizzas, smacked lips.
Tae-il, oblivious: "Yuuya Senior hates pineapple?"
"Hehe. Maybe?"
Ayane grinned, swapped to his slice happily.
Tae-il's brow twitched. Voice shook, like witnessing myth.
"They... exist..."
Horror: pineapple hater real. Opposite Sakurako same face.
"World's more dramatic than drama..."
Yuuya poked sadly; both stunned.