Volume 16, Chapter 3: Two Teachers, The Fated Special Exam, Part 2

Because of Kei’s decisive actions, our relationship which had only been known by a few people became common knowledge within the class right away. It would probably spread to the whole school today.

Well, it’s doubtful how many students are interested in my relationship with Kei.

The pair of Shinohara and Ike who got together during summer break wasn’t being talked about as much as I thought it would be either. Rather than that, they were expected to get together.

Among some of the boys it looked like he had friends who would put up a front and friends who would be honest and act jealous, but in the end many people gave their blessings. Though it’s slow they’ve been cultivating a lover’s relationship.

Going home together, going on dates together. The 2 were seen like that far more often than before.

And before anyone realized that novel sight became common.

I think my relationship with Kei is like that too, but people might be noisy about it for longer. Because sure enough, it’s indefinite how many students were able to anticipate our relationship.

Regardless, school will end with people in the class knowing for the first time.

“Heey, Kiyopon, wanna go home together?”

That girl… her close friend who understands Airi’s goodness, Haruka approached me and asked.

I thought Kei would ask me to come home with her after school, but when I looked at her it seemed that she was still being surrounded by girls and questioned.

“Is that alright?”

It’s Haruka. She’ll definitely want to help Airi and watch over her.

But Airi was silently preparing to go home.

“I get it, but I can’t talk to that girl as she is now. Well? Though it’d be different if you feel like you can’t go home alone with me.”

Saying that, Haruka’s expression hardened for a second.

“I got it.”

When the fact that I was going out with her became open, the Ayanokouji group’s gatherings inevitably decreased.

If that’s what would happen then I should have heard them out fully.

From there we picked up our bags, headed out the back exit and proceeded towards the gate.

En route, Haruka walked detachedly without using her mouth.

I stole glances of her side from time to time. She looked as if she was angrily regretting something.

After we put on our shoes and left the school, she finally turned to me.

“It’s no use beating around the bush so I’ll ask straight… is it true that you’ve started going out with Karuizawa-san? I still can’t believe it.”

“It’s true, as you can see.”

After I said that Haruka scowled and nodded immediately.

“…Right? But like, it’s too shocking. Look, it’s your choice to go out with whoever you want, but who would’ve thought that out of everyone it’d be that Karuizawa-san.”

From outside, Karuizawa Kei is never evaluated highly. After going out with the popular Yousuke for a short time, she cut him off at her own convenience. A selfish girl, is what most people think.

“This was the thing you talked about at the pool before huh. A little shock to her spirit. You know, that wasn’t little at all was it? That girl was holding it in desperately in the classroom, but she was crying all lunch break.”

“I see.”

“Don’t I see me. …And is it really really true that you started going out at spring break?”

“Sorry I kept quiet about it. A lot of things were going on.”

“A lot of things, huh. Well there are lots of rumors about Karuizawa-san, so it’s not like I don’t understand…”

Things like how she started going out with Yousuke right after she enrolled, or that she’s probably fabricating her own past. There’s nothing to be done with those things being perceived.

“This is real isn’t it? Not a joke or anything.”

“That’s right.”

“Ha-…is that so. That’s how it is, huh. I kinda got confused too… I mean, instead of you going out with someone, I had imagined that you liked someone aside from Airi… no, I didn’t think it’d be Karuizawa-san.”

Having all her expectations surpassed, she lamented at her wit’s end.

“I spoke with Yukimu and Miyacchi too. They felt the same way. I didn’t talk to her directly, but I think Airi was even more shocked than us.”

Of course she was. Even I could imagine that easily.

“I mean, how’d that happen? I never thought you’d been meeting her often.”

It’s understandable that she wouldn’t know when I fell in love with Kei and her with me.

“I was in the same group as her last year, in the special exam aboard the ship. Her separating with Yousuke pushed our relationship.”

Some students have heard the fact that their relationship ended this year, February.

“So, you’ve been seeing her for a relatively long time now? I didn’t usually see you talking though.”

“We mostly just spoke on the phone.”

“I’m being nosy, but which of you confessed?”

Being Airi’s guardian and something of her spokesperson, it seemed that she wanted to know the details.

“I did.”

“…’Kay. I thought that at least, if Karuizawa-san had done it then there would still be a chance, but to think that you did… I’m beat.”

She slapped her forehead and raised her hands in surrender.

“Time out. I’m getting too many different feelings and I don’t know what’s what. Sorry, can we go to the convenience store?”

Right as we approached the convenience store, Haruka asked.

“Yeah, I’ll wait outside.”

She gave a light apology and disappeared into the store. It felt like she was running.

At that time I pulled out the phone that had been vibrating in my pocket.

“I’ll be waiting for you at Keyaki Mall after this. It was tough getting asked so much~!”

There was an invite like that from my lover.

“Got it. I’ll call you before I get there.”

After I replied and made sure that she read it, I returned the phone into my pocket. Haruka returned after a short minute holding a croquette.

“This afternoon, I was talking with Airi so much that I didn’t eat at all.”

“I’ve been troubling you.”

“It’s not really any trouble.”

“I think it’s a bit questionable to invite you two at a time like this, but the thing is I’d like your and Airi’s cooperation on something.”

“Cooperation?”

“This information isn’t in the open yet, but one of the programs in the culture festival has been decided.”

“Eh, really?”

“To prevent leaks, no one knows but me, Horikita and the event planners. We’re gonna have a maid cafe program at the culture festival.”

“Ma… maid cafe? Uh, hee~… I’m not astonished but it’s a little unexpected. I didn’t think Horikita-san would approve of a maid cafe.”

“That girl looks at all programs the same way after all. She’s not biased. She permitted it because she sincerely believes that we can win with it.”

“I see. So, why did you tell me that?”

“The truth is, in learning about this plan, a lot of things happened and now I’m looking for someone.”

After I said that, Haruka nodded in understanding.

“Even assuming that were the case, as expected of Horikita-san to entrust you with that.”

“So you’d be an employee, and I’ve been wondering if you could ask Airi.”

Without surprise and without saying anything Haruka listened.

Well, she can probably guess somewhat from the way I spoke.

“If that thing with Karuizawa-san hadn’t happened, then I’d have probably hesitated but I would have agreed here. I don’t want to be in a cosplay in front of many people, but I probably wouldn’t have been able to refuse a request from one of my precious group friends. But… it’s a bad time.”

Indeed. I do look self-important, asking this on the same day her close friend’s heart was broken.

“It’s just, the problem is I can’t blame you. I said something like this just now, but you’re free to go out with whoever you want. And it’s not like I don’t understand that you have circumstances you can’t talk about. It was also Airi’s choice to fall in love with you, and rejecting her was your choice too…”

Even if she understands logically, she can’t accept it emotionally huh.

“I won’t promise. But I’ll try talking with Airi after she’s calmed down a bit.”

“Is it okay with you?”

“That girl has to accept reality sooner or later after all. And I’m not sure what you think about this, but I’m not sure if she can give up if Karuizawa-san is her opponent. Because even if Kiyopon is devoted, you could get dumped right?”

“Well, yeah. I think there’s a high chance she’ll get sick of me.”

“When that time comes, Airi will get another chance. That girl is still unpolished and she doesn’t stand out… Kiyopon’s feelings might change.”

As she says, if Airi dons an outfit like that and brings out all of her power, she’d show strength that wouldn’t lose even to those 3. No, as far as physical features go she might even mow them down.”

And this doesn’t have much to do with our guests, but her form would surprise people within the school.

If that happens then rumors could spread quickly and reach the ears of the school’s guests.

“I mean, that’s true, but sure enough wouldn’t Airi’s thinking change after this?”

If the guy she was thinking of turned out to have a lover, looking for her next love would be natural.

I thought I had said something obvious, but she showed her angriest face for today.

“Look here, aren’t you underestimating Airi’s feelings too much? Though not perfectly I understand well because I’ve always been looking at that girl. She doesn’t love you so lightly that she’d start liking someone else because of something like this.”

She strongly denied it, saying it was unthinkable.

“You might get more dates with Karuizawa-san, but show your face properly at our group meetings. I don’t want us to grow apart because of something like this.”

“Yeah. I got it. The group has become a part of my school life, too.”

I think that losing them over a case like this would be a demerit.

“Wush, I feel a bit relieved. I’m going back to the school.”

After she quickly finished eating her croquette, she put the trash in her bag and said to me.

She didn’t say it specifically, but it’s obvious that she’s going to meet with Airi.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah, see you tomorrow.”

I saw her off until she was running on her way back. I myself changed my route to head not to the dorms but Keyaki Mall.