Chapter 49: We saw it.

Translator: Soafp

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Iori happened to meet Shu while we were eating ice cream together, and she ended up joining us. She didn’t seem to have any specific plans and was just killing time. I thought I should give them some space, thinking that Iori would naturally want to be alone with Shu, so I tried to subtly come up with a reason to leave. However, Shu, being oblivious to the situation, suggested that we all hang out together… Well, that would have been fine if it ended there.

“Sure, why not? I also have something I want to ask Yukishiro-kun.”

With Iori saying that, I reluctantly ended up going along with them. Even though Iori joined us, we didn’t go anywhere special. We thought of starting with bowling and headed there… It was somewhat refreshing to see these two in a private setting.

“Hey, Shu-kun. How about the person with the lowest score gets punished?”

“…What kind of orders are you planning to give?”

“Well… fufu. What shall I order you to do?

“I absolutely won’t do it.”

“Eeh~”

Iori gives off a cool impression, which is quite noticeable. However, once you talk to her, you realize she has a mischievous side and can crack jokes to some extent. But just by being around Shu, she becomes so cute, or rather, it’s a strange feeling to see expressions that I don’t usually see.

“Yukishiro-kun, you seem to be looking at us with an amused smile, but remember, you also have a punishment waiting, okay?”

“…Seriously?”

“Yes.”

I thought I was completely on the sidelines… Well, it might be more enjoyable that way. Shu’s face seems to be saying that he’s really going to do it, but it seems he gave up when he saw that I was motivated.

And so, the three of us began bowling to avoid the punishment. Neither Shu nor I were particularly good, and I barely had a higher score than him. On the other hand, Iori was so skilled that I felt like asking if she was a pro.

“President, you’re really good at this, huh?”

“Fufu, thanks. Maybe it’s because I often come here with my friends.”

I don’t think just that would allow her to produce so many strikes… But when it was over, Iori was the clear winner. Shu and I followed, with a considerable gap between us. In other words, Shu ended up being the one to receive the punishment, and he slumped his shoulders in disappointment.

“Shu-kun? You don’t have to feel so down. It’s not like I’ll give you a terrible punishment…”

The one who suggested it seemed flustered by Shu’s dejected state. I saw Shu off as he stood up to go to the restroom and said he would buy some drinks, leaving only me and Iori. I had never been alone with her before, so I didn’t know what to talk about, but fortunately, she started the conversation.

“What’s up with Otonashi-san today?”

“Seina-san… she went shopping with her mother.”

“I see, you two seem close.”

“…Haha, yeah, I guess.”

I can’t help but think that things like this didn’t happen until recently. Iori tilted her head, wondering why I laughed, but if she doesn’t know Ayana’s circumstances, it’s understandable that she would react that way. It’s not like I can talk to anyone about it anyway.

“Hey, Yukishiro-kun.”

“What is it?”

“I’m thinking of asking Otonashi-san to be the next student council president next year.”

“As the student council president… eh!?”

I exclaimed loudly in response to the sudden announcement. If Ayana becomes the student council president next year, it means she would be taking over for Iori. I do think that Ayana would be capable of handling the responsibilities of the student council president. She is trusted not only by the students but also by the teachers, so no one would oppose her.

…But, probably, Ayana wouldn’t accept the position. I had a strong feeling about that.

“It seems like Otonashi-san wouldn’t take it, judging from your expression.”

“Do you understand why?”

I nodded slightly in response.

“That girl only sees you. It seems like being by your side is what makes her happy, and it’s almost as if she doesn’t ask for anything else. But that doesn’t mean she’s indifferent to everything else; she maintains solid relationships with others as well… It’s just… amazing.”

“I see.”

Recently, I didn’t have the impression that Ayana and I spent much time together, but it seems that Iori has a reasonable understanding of Ayana. Even though it doesn’t seem apparent, it might be due to Iori’s sharp intuition.

“Well, it seems like giving up is the only option. I thought she would be a good choice.”

“Is that what you wanted to ask me?”

“Yes. I’ll be graduating soon, so I’ve been thinking about my successor… Ah.”

Iori looked at me again and raised her voice.

“What if you became the student council president, Yukishiro-kun?”

“Sorry.”

“…Hey, you answered quite quickly.”

…Well, I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to say it seriously. I just don’t want to deal with the hassle of being the student council president. I’m sure I’m not the only one who thinks that… I’d like to think so, at least.

“I’m back… Did I interrupt something important?”

Returning with three cans of juice, Shu asked. I drank the cola he handed me to quench my thirst and decided to tell him since there’s no need to hide it.

“Iori wants Ayana to be the student council president next year.”

“Ayana? She definitely won’t do it.”

“Shu-kun, you’re saying the same thing as him…”

“Well, because that means she’ll have less time with Towa. I can guarantee that she won’t do it.”

…I never expected Shu to say something like that. It’s something I couldn’t have imagined until recently, so it seems like Shu has indeed moved forward. Iori seemed to have thought the same thing because she was initially surprised but then smiled and leaned against Shu.

“Fufu, Shu-kun, you’ve really changed.”

“We’re close…”

“Close, huh? We’re close enough that a little closer and we could kiss.”

“Please step away.”

“Nope.”

“…………”

Yare yare, here we go again, these two ……. I’m inwardly feeling tired, but I’m also amused, so I’ll just drink my Coke and watch.

Iori placed her hand on Shu’s shoulder and didn’t let him go, even as he blushed and tried to move away. She leaned her body against his and made a full-fledged appeal, enjoying Shu’s reaction to her attractive features. Shu was flustered, and Iori’s cheeks were also slightly blushing, so it was embarrassing for both of them… In other words, it meant that Iori really liked Shu.

“…Now I wonder if people saw me and Ayana in the same way.”

Thinking about that is a bit embarrassing.

After watching the two of them fool around for a while, we decided to go karaoke. By the way, regarding the punishment game, I told Iori to make sure Shu gets punished when I’m not around. Shu made a face asking not to be abandoned, but Iori placed her hand on his shoulder, telling him to give up.

“What an unlucky day…”

“Ara, it’s so terrible to meet such a beautiful person on an unlucky day.”

“Beautiful… No, it’s nothing.”

“Fufu♪”

His expression showed that he couldn’t find a retort. Moreover, in a way, it implied affirmation, so Iori happily held onto Shu’s arm. Although there were jealous glares from those around them, Shu didn’t shrink back.

“I’ve gotten used to Iori-san being around me a lot.”

“You’re happy about it, right?”

“…Well…. yes.”

Keep my thoughts to myself like, “Just date already.” That’s all I can do internally. Walking noisily like that, we came across a scene of commotion. It seemed like a flashy guy was trying to pick up two girls… wait, isn’t that.

I involuntarily stopped, and the others followed suit.

“…Wait, isn’t that Ayana and Seina-san?”

Yes, the two women had their backs turned to us, but there was no mistake… it was Ayana and Seina-san. The man must have been persistent because he was using gestures to try to invite them, but Seina-san was shaking her head, indicating her refusal. Ayana, on the other hand… things might get a little messy. Her shoulder was trembling.

“I’ll go there for a moment.”

“We’ll go too.”

“Yeah, we need to assertively put a stop to that kind of behavior.”

Well, going to help is one thing… but before Ayana explodes…

Just as I rushed to the scene, before I could reach there, it happened. In the blink of an eye, Ayana swiftly slapped away the man’s hand as he tried to place it on her shoulder.

The man tried to confront Ayana in anger, but he stopped his movements upon seeing Ayana’s expression. Seina-san, who was standing next to Ayana, also looked shocked and stared at Ayana.

“What the hell are you trying to touch? Disgusting. Can’t you just disappear from my sight… Hey, disappear. I’m telling you to disappear!!”

…I don’t know what he said, but Ayana is pretty furious.

“….Huh, did we make a mistake?”

“She looked a lot like Otonashi-san. But my goodness, the intensity was impressive…”

…Oh, I see. So that’s the kind of reaction it elicits.

The man, filled with fear, ran away upon hearing the voice of Ayana. Seina-san, with tears in her eyes, placed her hand on Ayana’s shoulder, and Ayana laughed, saying she felt a bit ticked off. Then she turned towards us with wide eyes.

[…Ah.]

Such a dumbfounded voice synchronized between us.