Chapter 97: A Dignified and Blooming Determination

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Translator: Soafp

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During the lunch break, a calmness detached from the students’ noise hung over the rooftop. The cold winter wind blew through, but the sunlight felt pleasantly warm. From the schoolyard, the faint sound of laughter could be heard, yet here, it was as if a different world—peaceful and serene.

However, I didn't have the luxury to appreciate this environment at the moment.

In front of me, I clasped my hands together and bowed deeply.

“Please, Miyabi.”

In the quiet air, only my voice echoed.

But—

Miyabi, arms crossed, turned her head away.

“…”

There was no way she didn't hear me. Yet, there was no response.

I glanced up, trying to gauge her expression. She puffed her cheeks slightly and had a look of being sulky. Behind her, Aoi was watching our exchange with an amused expression.

Yesterday, I remembered the favor Konatsu-chan asked me for, and I steeled myself again.

Yesterday afternoon, I was stopped by Konatsu-chan and Sanae Koda at a café, and it was then that I was asked—

“Senpai, please let me meet with Miyabi-senpai.”

As soon as I was asked that, I was honestly confused. Miyabi and Konatsu-chan had never been on good terms due to past events. In fact, I believed Miyabi still hadn't forgiven her.

Konatsu-chan's request was essentially a transaction. However, unlike her usual confident self, there was something desperate about her this time. It didn't feel like a mere whim; something deeper seemed to be behind it—something I could feel.

So, after thinking it over, I decided to arrange a meeting with Miyabi. But—

“M-Miyabi…?”

I called again, but Miyabi still remained aloof, refusing to look at me.

Seeing me struggle, Aoi chuckled softly and approached.

“Hey, Hajime.”

She whispered in my ear.

“Miyabi came here because she thought she'd get to hear your opinion on the chocolate from yesterday. Well, I did too.”

Aoi said, laughing quietly.

“Eh…?”

I blinked in surprise.

So that's what this was about.

Miyabi's sulking wasn't just because of Konatsu-chan… but because of the chocolate from yesterday?

Now that I thought about it, I hadn't properly commented on it yesterday due to everything else going on.

Miyabi blushed slightly but still kept her face turned away, muttering quietly.

“…Honestly, I still have grudge against Konatsu.”

For a moment, she glanced at me but quickly turned her head away again.

“There are things I can't forgive… and if possible, I'd rather not face her. But…”

Miyabi let out a small sigh.

“…More than that, I hate the idea of you getting involved in something.”

“Y-You…”

I gasped. Miyabi still didn't trust Konatsu-chan. But even so—

“So, it's fine… if I can help you, I'll meet with her.”

Miyabi said, looking away awkwardly, as if she were uncomfortable.

Aoi, seizing the opportunity, chuckled and teased.

“Not very honest, huh, Miyabi?”

“Wh-What…!”

Miyabi's shoulders twitched.

“I didn't mean it like that…!”

She flushed and hurriedly denied it.

Seeing this, I thought absentmindedly.

I did receive the chocolate yesterday, but I never commented on it. And that probably worried her.

Suddenly, Miyabi glanced at me again. In a small voice, she mumbled.

“…S-So, don't you have something to say first?”

“Eh?”

I paused for a moment before realizing.

“—Ah!”

I looked up and smiled brightly.

“The chocolate you gave me yesterday was really delicious!”

Miyabi's shoulders jerked.

“You both must've worried about me not liking sweets, so you made it a bit bitter, right? Thank you, Miyabi, Aoi!”

As I said that, Miyabi froze for a moment—then turned her face away.

“Th-That face is unfair…”

A faint voice reached my ears, carried by the wind.

“Eh?”

I was about to ask again, but Miyabi quickly raised her voice to cover it up.

“N-Never mind!”

Her forceful tone made me instinctively pull back.

“Anyways! You'll talk to Konatsu and sort things out, right?”

Miyabi said this decisively, then turned her face away again and crossed her arms.

Aoi, grinning, nudged me with her elbow.

“Good job, Hajime. Looks like Miyabi's going to help out after all.”

“Eh, ah, yeah… thank you, Miyabi.”

I said again, but Miyabi seemed about to say something, only to fall silent and turn her face away.

However, I noticed her ears were turning red, and I made sure to remember that.

As I was about to feel a sense of relief from this somewhat heartwarming scene—

“Did you finish your discussion~?”

A voice suddenly came from the door to the rooftop, and we all turned around.

There stood Konatsu-chan.

Both Miyabi and Aoi's expressions darkened slightly. Clearly, they were reminded of past events, and neither of them tried to hide their wariness. Aoi shot a sharp glance at her, while Miyabi pressed her lips together in a thin line.

Seeing this, Konatsu-chan raised both hands and shrugged her shoulders.

“Oh, come on, don't glare at me like that. I don't have time to deal with you two, so you don't need to be so cautious.”

She said, smiling mischievously. Her usual confident expression was there, but something about it felt off.

Miyabi paused for a moment but then took a deep breath, hardened her expression, and spoke.

“I heard from Hajime. You wanted to meet me, but… what's this about?”

Her voice was calm, but she fixed Konatsu-chan with a sharp, almost probing gaze.

However, Konatsu-chan smiled as though she were enjoying the scrutiny. She pretended to think for a moment before speaking provocatively.

“Miyabi-senpai, you've changed, haven't you? You used to act like the tragic heroine, the lady of the house.”

Miyabi narrowed her eyes slightly. The atmosphere tensed. It looked like this was about to turn into a stare-off—but—

“That kind of cheap provocation won't work.”

Aoi interjected.

“Both Miyabi and I have been through enough, thanks to you.”

Aoi smirked, her mouth curling into a defiant smile.

Konatsu-chan's expression wavered for a moment. She narrowed her eyes, looking as if she were about to click her tongue, but she quickly shrugged and composed herself.

“Well, whatever, that's not important. I'm actually here today with a request for Miyabi-senpai.”

She said, her eyes now serious as she looked at Miyabi.

Miyabi fixed Konatsu-chan with a steady gaze, narrowing her eyes just slightly as she seemed to ponder something.

Then—

“Fine.”

Her immediate response shocked both me, Aoi, and even Konatsu-chan herself.

“Eh? Aren't you going to ask what it's about?”

Konatsu-chan asked, surprised.

Miyabi gave a slight smile and chuckled.

“That's something that will help Hajime, right? Then I'll listen.”

Her confident words made Aoi laugh quietly beside me.

Konatsu-chan seemed slightly taken aback, muttering, “Hahaha, you've really changed…”

However—

“But, I absolutely won't allow Hajime to get involved in anything dangerous.”

Miyabi's voice echoed softly, yet there was a strong resolve behind it.

Konatsu-chan's eyes flickered for a moment. Then, as if considering something, she glanced at me.

“Haha, as expected, you're loved, Senpai.”

Konatsu-chan's gaze made me hesitate about how to respond. In the silence that followed, she exhaled softly, her eyes narrowing with some unspoken meaning.

“Well, if you say so…”

She murmured just as—

“Ah, found you, you little!”

“We got you!”

Suddenly, other voices rang out, and we all turned in surprise.

“Ah! What are you doing! Let go… Let go!”

The voices came from Kagura and Marin.

Kagura had Konatsu-chan in a headlock and was effortlessly lifting her off the ground.

“Quiet down! Who even are you? Why have you been hanging around Hajime since yesterday?!”

Kagura glared fiercely, trying to lift Konatsu-chan higher.

“That's right! Who are you? Speak up!”

Marin joined in, and without mercy, began tickling Konatsu-chan under the arms.

“Ahaha! Stop! Haha, hahaha!”

Konatsu-chan couldn't hold it in and started laughing uncontrollably.

Both Miyabi and Aoi stared in shock at the scene.

Amidst the completely out-of-place laughter, I could only stand there, dumbfounded, watching the scene unfold.

—Who could have predicted it would get this noisy?