Volume 8 - CH 4

What was I even forced to witness just now? When the fashion show ended, this single thought filled my head, paired with a burning emotion inside of me. Even though my fair lady clearly won the fashion show, Big Sis and friends came in to swoop away all the attention. That’s how happy everyone was at this sudden event. And looking at Big Sis’s attitude, I would bet good money that the K4 set that up.

“You should’ve been able to vote for the student council, too,” Ashida commented.

“I feel like that wouldn’t have been fair at all…” Natsukawa disagreed.

“Welp, it’s another brilliant memory for everyone involved.”

The quality behind it was evident, and they even had the four hotties of the K4 participate, which completely blew the whole thing apart. So annoying, I swear. Looking at it from the perspective of a participant, it’s like the fashion show was just the introduction. An exhibition of sorts. Needless to say, everything was fine as long as the audience enjoyed it.

“Wait, isn’t the closing ceremony soon? Should we just stay here?”

“Whaaa, we still have some time left! Way too early!”

“Because we have to tidy up everything.”

“Pffft…Tidy up, huh?”

“Wh-What’s so funny, Kei?”

“You sounded like a little kid told to clean up their toys by their papa.”

“Th-This is just because I talk to Airi in this way!”

Is that so? How adorable. Natsukawa was fuming in anger as Ashida tried to avoid her. Good thing we’re all motivated to clean up everything after the closing ceremony. Unlike yesterday, today was fairly calm and nothing too exhausting. Is this what it feels like to go on a date? Though, this must be a rare case. Either way, I had fun.

“Ah, it’s Kei.”

“Oh! Kawaicchi!”

Another volleyball club member appeared at the gym hall. It seems like more and more people are gathering here. Ashida and the girl jumped up to share a high-five, which was an odd scenery to witness. Because Kawai is about the same height as me.

“…Guess we got Ashida stolen from us.”

“D-Doesn’t matter…”

“She’s weird when it comes to handsome girls, after all. Like Shinomiya-senpai.”

Seeming somewhat dejected, Natsukawa trotted over toward me. I guess she must have gotten hurt much more than she’d like to admit. She’s bewildered at this. But I get it. Somewhat. She then proceeded to sit down behind the chair I inhabited.

“Sure is different from the cultural festival we’re used to in middle school.”

“Yeah…But that means it’s more work, too.”

“What did we even do during middle school?”

“I haven’t forgotten. A certain boy was bored and dragged me to the festival.”

“Oh, I don’t quite remember…”

“I swear…”

But hearing it from Natsukawa, faint memories from deep within my psyche resurfaced. But, I don’t want to remember…and I don’t have much to remember, either. It’s all nothing but regret. Nothing that I would cherish remembering. I simply was weakened by love and acted like a madman because of the passion inside of me. That’s why I’ll just keep this locked away in my chest. But, I’m impressed with myself that I could actually sit in front of Natsukawa right now after everything that happened.

“…Did you have fun?”

I couldn’t help but ask Natsukawa. The fact I asked that blatantly showed my lack of confidence. But as a boy, it’s impossible for me not to be curious about how the girl I like feels. Though, if she were to say ‘It was boring,’ I might actually give up on 3D entirely.

“…I did.”

“!”

I completely let down my guard. This must be some punishment. Because when I looked over, I saw Natsukawa dropping her gaze, as she showed a gentle smile. I had forgotten just how much of a beauty she was. I had accepted this as a reality, so it slipped out of my mind.

“…”

“?! Wh-What? Why are you…staring at me like that?”

Even though I got busted, this charm of hers forced me to keep looking. Something forced me to keep looking, even as I wanted to avert my gaze. Is this what a shonen protagonist feels, as he desperately tries to fight against the control the villain has over him? Only after Natsukawa realized did I manage to tear my gaze away, frantically trying to change the topic.

“S-Still, was pretty good this year…Well, excluding the final part.”

“Why are you so fixated on that? I think your sister looked great in a wedding dress.”

“You just don’t get it…Seeing someone from your family appear in public, looking like that.”

“But she was beautiful.”

Ugh…I’m losing here. That final appearance from Big Sis was just too impactful. I bet I’m going to have a nightmare about that later. Don’t think I could even look Big Sis in the eyes. And this evil presence of hers that can ruin my sweet moment with Natsukawa is something else. More than anything, I hate the fact this whole event will properly overwrite my precious memories with Natsukawa today. If I don’t go through everything that’s happened today later, I will only be able to remember that hell.

“Man…if only there could have been someone else on stage.”

“Geez, stop complaining about that.”

“I guess so…”

What if it was Shinomiya-senpai? I know it may sound rude, but I think she’s past her prime by now. That being said, a wedding dress like that may very well have changed my mind entirely. Then again, if I had to pick someone…

“…I’d rather have seen you in a wedding dress.”

“…?!”

I looked up at the empty stage as my thoughts raced on ahead. All I could see was a slightly more mature Natsukawa, walking down the runway in a wedding dress, as a polite and handsome young man was holding her hand. Supposedly, marriage is the turning point of a human being’s life, as well as the final goal. So, if I were to be able to witness that kind of scenery, I might be able to finally get over my feelings for her and look for a new love. But in the end, my expectations got the better of me, and I asked the same question as Ashida did earlier.

“Not gonna participate next year?”

“N-No…Of course not!”

“You don’t have to deny it so forcefully…”

“It’s because you said something weird like that!”

“Huh?”

What did I say again? But before I could question myself, right as Ashida and her friends were hitting it off, an announcement played over the school broadcast. But of course, there was no after-festival to finish off the festivities, but instead, we went right to cleaning up everything. Well, our modern world wouldn’t allow a school to let its students work until late into the night. Plus, the majority of people would probably head off to karaoke or wherever once they’re done cleaning.

“You better join us, Sajou.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

After the special riddle tournament we held, and the success it had, it was definitely to be expected that we’d celebrate it, and I was invited, too. And the nearby karaoke boxes know that we’ll be coming. Just you wait, that microphone will be mine.

“Welp…Still, that Sasaki…”

“Hm? Ah…”

I followed Yamazaki’s gaze, spotting a girl from the tea ceremony club walking down the hallway with a straight back. That Yamato Nadeshiko—Saitou-san. I wonder how she feels on the inside. I could almost see her expression. I bet there must have been some development between her and Sasaki. I wonder what would happen if I came clean and said I gave Sasaki a push?

As for said Sasaki in question, he had to remain in the gym hall with Natsukawa because of their committee work. I bet he had no idea he’d be making so much romantic progress during this particular festival. But I swear, he had me sweating buckets when he said he was sorta interested in Natsukawa. I still don’t really know how to feel about telling him to go ahead while having these thoughts on the inside.

“Oh, well.”

“Right.”

Of course, this isn’t good at all. Surely, Shirai-san and Okamocchan must have had some level of affection for Sasaki, just like Saitou-san. Surely, there’s going to be some awkward trouble waiting ahead. But, this isn’t something I should be thinking about right after the festival ended. I should bask in the lingering excitement of a joyful event, and forget about anything that will only be relevant down the line.

“Oh? …Argh.”

I could feel my pocket vibrate. Taking out my phone, I checked my lock screen and saw that I had a message from “Yuuki-paisen.” To think the student council president himself contacted me. I’d rather not meet him, to be honest.

‘Come to the room next to the stage.’

“…”

Next…to the stage? Is he talking about the mysterious space that’s next to the upper stage? So I’m supposed to come back there? I have a really bad feeling about this…

“Sorry, I got something to do at the gym hall.”

“Gotcha.”

Right about now, the work of cleaning up had yet to begin, as the people in the hallways were still excited. While feeling regret that I couldn’t mix in there, I just pointed my regret and hostility at a certain hottie who called me over.

*

I mean…I did send him all my hostility, but this is…

“…”

“…”

The small room reminded me of an isolated storage shed that hadn’t been aired out for months. All the objects inside had been just shoved to the side of the room, as the lightbulb hung down from the ceiling, shaking left and right. Several dressers were stuffed into the open space, as lights of voice actors stood around like creating a mirror. I guess this is what the room of an unsuccessful celebrity looks like. However, what greeted me first wasn’t some voice actress or a celebrity.

“…You okay?”

“…”

The small room was only the size of about 10 square meters, harboring the four hotties. Their clothes were all scattered around the floor, and only the faint breathing of lifeforms squirming on the floor could be heard. In the center of these worms was Big Sis, sitting on a pipe chair, still wearing a wedding dress while looking like a boxer that had just gone through the fight of her life. I guess this whole thing must have inflicted some major damage on her psyche.

And as if that whole ordeal during the fashion show wasn’t shocking enough for my poor little heart, Big Sis now looked like a yankee in a single manga panel, and I am once again lost on how I should feel. This is the calm after the storm. The bodies scattered on the ground created a cruel and surreal scene. And I dare say, I think I’d make a good comedian for speaking out to the personified storm with “How are you?” I think nobody here has any common sense left.

“…Urgh…So you’re here…”

“And you’re still alive?”

“Just barely…”

Yuuki-senpai coughed once as he looked up at me from the floor. To think his message would be nothing short of an SOS. At the very least, my bad premonition was right on the money.

“Are you okay? Who messed you up like this? Just what even happened…?”

“…!”

I crouched down to ask the corpse below me this question, only for Yuuki-senpai’s face to distort in pain like he was experiencing some past trauma. He even bit his teeth to emphasize that. He supported his body with his right arm, as he stared at my feet.

“Nothing…happened…”

It seems like things aren’t as bad as I thought, eh? But of course, it wasn’t easy to imagine just what must have happened here. I can vividly see Big Sis swinging around her heels to stomp all these guys to death. And yet, the way he’s playing around with the real chaos shows how much he cares for Big Sis…Though, a bit too heavy for my taste. Not like I am one to talk.

“It’s exactly as you can see…Wataru.”

“Huh?”

“We’re…done for.”

Why the heck.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to walk for a while.”

But you asked for this, didn’t ya.

“Could I…ask something of you?”

“Oh lord…”

I couldn’t hide my disbelief at this depressing sight in front of me. And oddly enough, I felt no discontent at being treated like the delivery boy. It always annoyed me how hotties like them could afford to do whatever they pleased, but looking at them now…they’ve been through a lot. I can’t hate them even if I wanted to.

“Where is Gou-senpai…?”

“Ishiguro is out of the picture…”

“And why is that?”

“Kaede’s fist may reach him, too…”

So nothing happened yet?! Yuuki-senpai turned around to face the ceiling and crawled to the wall to lean against it while explaining what happened. According to what he said, the surprise show of today and Big Sis’s counterattack were inside his range of expectations. After the initial grief, even after they got beat up, they had no problem doing all the work that was left over. What caught them by surprise was that a certain individual who they couldn’t categorize into any group suddenly wished to have a meeting with the student council’s vice president. Their best guess was that someone who assisted with this year’s cultural festival desired documents and papers, so they came to school to pick them up.

“For this, the other party said that Kaede was fine to stop by on her own, but I had no intention of letting that slide. I at least wished to accompany her…but look at how we turned out. This isn’t on the level of just changing into our uniforms and we’re back to normal.”

“Including Big Sis, you all look like fairytale princes, after all…”

Let alone the thick scent of menthol going up my nose. Even if they changed into their uniforms, they’d just seem like hosts from a host club, cosplaying with a student uniform.

“We’re going to work hard and get ourselves fixed from here on out.”

“Just going to work hard?”

If you’re talking about working hard, I’d rather they rush to the student council office and print all the documents they need. It’s as simple as going over there and bringing it back. That’s fine and all, but maybe they could work a bit harder than that.

“Well…I understand.”

Even as I responded with that, Yuuki-senpai held his side as he gasped for air in pain, looking up at the ceiling. Just how much pain is he going through…? Weren’t you supposed to be a rich lad with too much pride in your pockets? Why are you trying to overcome this struggle and pain without complaining or giving up? Seriously, this is the kind of relationship the student council has.

“…Wataru.”

“Hm?”

“…Sorry. Counting on you.”

“Right…”

Big Sis still was in her wedding dress, mumbling devoid of any strength. Since she went through that hell as the lead, she must have suffered even bigger damage. She didn’t even have the energy to raise her head. She did not like someone who could win over four hotties like this. Even more so since it’s my own older sister. Though I at least have to show sympathy for her, because she was set up to wear this.

“The key to the student council office…is…ugh…!”

“Huh? Senpai?! Yuuki-senpai?!”

I looked at the corner of the room with the bag he pointed at, when Yuki-senpai held his side and then dropped to the ground—dead. I guess he finally ran out of strength to keep himself awake. I don’t think he’ll be back up anytime soon. Are these people really okay?

Either way, I went to grab the key and then left the room behind me. A lot of people were still present in the gym hall, busy cleaning up everything, but not a single soul paid any attention to me. I felt like a suspect running away from a murder scene they had stumbled into.

*

Although most students were still in the process of getting the school clean, the northern building’s third floor was barely used, so there was not a single soul working. In fact, I was the only person present, so the way I carefully unlocked the student council’s room made me look like a suspicious person. I may be from Kouetsu High, but I actually am more than unrelated to the student council.

“Must make me super suspicious to just sneak around here…” I grumbled. “I’ll just get this and piss off…Now, where is Big Sis’s desk…”

Her seat was diagonal to the right of Yuuki-senpai’s. To the right, she had Kai-senpai, facing Todoroki-senpai, with Hanawa-senpai by his side. But, unlike the regular table that I was expecting, it was a genuine white desk, with a few files and a closed laptop on it. I was about to sit down at the desk when I saw something on the shelf behind me.

“A…coffee maker…?”

And not just that. There was even a small fridge next to it, one you would see in a hotel. On top of that were bottles with coffee mill and beans. Next to that, packed bags of cocoa. And as if that wasn’t enough, there was even an electric kettle with plastic cups. Hey now, this makes no sense…! They must have gotten this recently because I didn’t see anything like that during my help for the cultural festival. This was not here before…So when did they set up some drink bar like this?!

“Oh hell nah, I’m taking some…Thanks for the treat though,” I mumbled.

I put some cocoa powder into a plastic cup, pouring hot water into it. As expected, the small fridge had milk in it, too. Right now, I don’t really feel like drinking coffee, but since the other student council folks are still busy with their own work, I shouldn’t have an issue taking my time here.

“Anyway…”

I opened Big Sis’s laptop and turned it on. I did borrow it before, and since this isn’t her personal phone, she shouldn’t have an issue if I went to check for it. And she’s not the type of person to leave dangerous information easily available like this.

“Where is it…”

I controlled the mouse and looked for the folder in question. I have to say, this desktop sure is messy. Almost as if her own room were to be just as messy…Not like I would know since I haven’t seen the inside for years.

“…?”

As I continued my work, I heard the door of the student council office opening. I was wondering what that was about, as I peeked my head out of the mountain of documents to check. At the same time, the door closed again. At that moment, I could see a glimpse of a girl’s skirt. Is this…Big Sis? She sure came back quickly. But that thought only remained for a moment, as a pair of legs arrived next to me.

“Oh? My lady?”

“…Wha…?”

Up close, I could easily figure out who I was looking at. The blonde hair with waves was a dead giveaway, as the distinct scent of perfume drifted to my nose. My fair lady—Shinonome Claudine Marika—had already changed back into her regular uniform, as the radiance she showed during the fashion show had lessened. That being said, her facial features were as exquisite as before. She beat her seniors for nothing, that’s for sure. And since I was genuinely impressed, I should let her know.

“You did great during the fashion show. Openly displaying your quirks, so to speak. I felt genuinely jealous of you, even though I’m not even a girl. I bet you look good in everything.”

Maybe I would have some degree of handsomeness if one of my parents came from the West…I’d probably be more confident about myself, and maybe I’d still be chasing after Natsukawa right about now. Or maybe another girl entirely…

“Oh yeah, you said you wanted to join the student council, right? Now, people know your face and name, so I bet you’ll have it pretty easy during the next election.”

“…”

“And if you wear the same outfit during the election, I’m sure people would…Hm? My lady?”

Normally, she’d be laughing like a broken car machine and bragging about her achievements. Thinking that something was off, I stopped working on the laptop and turned toward her. In doing so, I could see her staring at me in shock, her eyes wide open.

“Hm? Oh yeah, why are you even here to begin…with…?”

Something was off, so I asked her when a strong sense of discomfort crept up my back. More accurately, the silver object with a sharp tip in her left hand was what gave me an eerie feeling.

“…”

“…”

…Okay, pause. This is…not good, right? This is the bad kind of bad, isn’t it? The type where one wrong step is gonna cost me. The one where I shouldn’t act carelessly, yeah? Spotting this object in my lady’s hand, the gears in my head began turning at higher speeds. At the same time, alarm sounds rang out in my brain. I couldn’t even move properly. My body just feels as heavy as lead, not listening to my commands.

“A-Ah…Um…”

…Think. Failure is not an option. My lady might not look exceptionally strong in terms of her physical appearance, but that object in her hand—those sewing scissors can most definitely be used as a vicious weapon. There’s no guarantee I’ll get out of this unscathed even if I dare to try and steal them from her. I have to be calm and rational here.

“…Wanna drink some cocoa?”

“…!”

I let out a faint laugh to ease the tension as I stood up with my cup in hand. However, that was my first mistake. Considering the tense situation we were in, I can’t blame her for getting scared when a man taller than her suddenly gets up from his chair. And as her expression distorted in terror, it almost made me feel like I was the one who threatened her.

“Ah…Aaaaah?!”

“My lady!”

With the weapon still in hand, she staggered backward. She must have done so without any intention because she ended up bumping into Kai-senpai’s desk, taking down the pen holder that stood on the right edge, and scattering the floor with its contents. She tried to get up immediately but failed to do so. When I realized, it was already too late. She had already blocked off the door.

“Ah, hey—Ugh?!”

“…Why.”

I tried to run to her side to check if she was okay, but she pointed the sharp end of the sewing scissors directly at me. Yet, she couldn’t stop herself from shaking, even going so far as to support her quivering left hand with her right one. Unable to get any closer, we were forced to just observe the other person’s actions from a distance. The cocoa even fell to the ground during that entire ordeal, but this whole ordeal made it impossible for me to clean it up properly. Certainly, the situation had taken a dip for the worse.

“Why…are you here…?” she asked

“Because…”

My lady looked at me like she was in a trance. And judging from that tone of hers, she must have trouble grasping the reason why I was here myself. Her shocked expression didn’t disappear, but so did the light from her eyes, as she dropped her gaze together with the hand holding the sewing scissors.

“Just what is…”

I was about to ask her what was going on, but then I realized something. Big Sis was the only person who was called over, and despite the room being completely empty and devoid of people, my lady immediately headed over to Big Sis’s seat without hesitation. And then, she seemed utterly baffled to find me there—

“No way…Were you here…for Big Sis…?”

I had begun to lose my mind in this frantic chaos. I should have known right from the start who the target of her spearhead was. My lady is supposed to be the fianceé of our student council president Yuuki-senpai. And despite that, said Yuuki-senpai only had eyes for my dear older sister, not even his own fianceé. I’ve seen my lady get angry at Big Sis before, too. She surely holds no weak grudge, I bet.

“…!”

Realizing that someone close to me, not to mention a family member, might have gotten attacked in bad blood made my hair stand on edge. A type of fear I had never experienced before made the tip of my head feel frozen.

“…Sis?”

“Huh? Ah…!”

My lady’s eyes shot open once more as she stared at me. Another mistake, but I realized too late that I had committed it. Although I never actively tried to hide it, I purposefully didn’t tell her about my last name “Sajou,” and that I am related to that woman. If she had known, my lady probably wouldn’t have asked me to vote for her in the fashion show. And even if I had attempted to divert her attention, she was simply staring at the nameplate on my chest, the one I was forced to wear today.

“…I see how it is.”

“Th-This is…”

The sewing scissors that had been previously lowered now shot up again, aiming at me—Or so I thought and panicked, but they instead dropped to the ground, rolling along the floor until they ended up at my feet. I stared at them in disbelief for a moment to then raise my head. She held something else in her hands. Something that was inside Kai-senpai’s pen holder.

“Heh…hehe…Every single one of you…is making fun of me!” She screamed in pain and sadness, but I had no words to return.

I couldn’t do a single thing and just stood frozen on the spot.

“M-My lady…!”

“And you do, too…!”

“No…?!”

A clicking sound came from her new weapon—a box cutter—as the sharp blade appeared from within. It went all the way up to the limit. And while looking at this sharp silver object, my lady grabbed the handle with both hands.

“I’m…tired of it.”

With quivering hands, she pointed the blade upward, as she stared at it. Her eyes were devoid of any emotion, right in the middle between determination and terror. If she had any hostility towards me, Sajou Kaede’s younger brother, then she definitely wouldn’t direct the blade in the direction she is right now.

“My lady…!”

A few seconds later, I could fathom what was about to happen. Her hands were shaking, but she still pointed the cutter directly at her neck. The blade was slowly moving closer to her own flesh, as the fear in her eyes changed into sharpness, showing that she had lost all sanity.

“…!”

This is bad! This is really fucking bad! I can’t just keep watching in silence. Standing around like a bonsai tree won’t do a damn thing. I have to stop her. Should I jump at her to fight for the cutter?! No, that’ll only make her more desperate! But then…what? Should I try to convince her to stop? But, how?!

In my head, the various paths open to me branched off to different futures, as my consciousness focused on the sewing scissors that had dropped to the ground. In that single moment, something went through my mind as I crouched down and grabbed it.

“…!”

The branches then stopped diverging, returning to a single path. However, the destined path was unstable, not allowing me to see the final result. And only after I had made my choice did I realize I could have turned around at any time—