LIGHTNOVELWORLD chapter 48
We Witnessed It
We met Iori while Shuu and I were eating ice cream, and from then on, she ended up joining us. It seemed like she had nothing particular to do and was just killing time. I tried to come up with a reason to leave subtly, thinking she’d want to be alone with Shuu, but Shuu, being his clueless self, suggested we play together… Well, that in itself would have been fine.
“It’s fine, I have some things I want to ask Yukishiro as well,” she said, and so it was decided to proceed as planned. Even with Iori joining them, they didn’t go to any special place. They thought about starting with bowling and headed there… It was refreshing to see these two in a private setting.
“Hey, Osamu. How about we make the person with the lowest score do a penalty game?”
“…What do you intend to command?”
“Well… hehehe. What should I command?”
“I absolutely won’t do it.”
“Aww~”
When it comes to Iori, her cool impression stands out prominently. However, when you talk to her, she has a mischievous side and can crack jokes to some extent. Just having Shu around made her seem so lovely, and it was a strange feeling to see expressions I don’t normally see.
“Yukishiro, you seem to be smiling at us, but remember, you have a penalty game too, okay?”
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
Although I thought I was completely off the hook… Well, maybe it’s more enjoyable this way. Even though Shu’s expression seemed like he was definitely not going to do it, he seemed to give in when he saw my determination.
And so, the three of them started bowling to avoid the penalty game. Neither I nor Shu were particularly good, with me barely having a higher score. On the other hand, Iori was so good that you might think she’s a pro.
“Kaichou, you’re really good, aren’t you?”
“hehehe, thank you. Maybe it’s because I come here often with friends.”
I don’t think just that would lead to so many strikes… But when it was all over, Iori was, of course, in first place. Shu and I followed with a big gap, meaning Shu was the one who would face the penalty game, as he slumped his shoulders in disappointment.
“Shu, are you okay? You don’t have to be so down. It’s not like we’re going to do something terrible for the penalty game…”
Shu seemed so down that the instigator of the idea started to panic. I saw Shu off as he got up to buy a drink on his way to the restroom, leaving me and Iori behind. I hadn’t been alone with her before, so I didn’t know what to talk about, but luckily, she started the conversation.
“What’s up with Nonomiya today?”
“Sen-na-san… seems to be shopping with her mother.”
“I see, they seem close.”
“…hahahaha, yes, indeed.”
I couldn’t help but think that this wasn’t something that happened a little while ago. I laughed for some reason, which made Iori tilt her head, but if she didn’t know about Ayana’s circumstances, it was understandable. It wasn’t like I could talk to anyone about it anyway.
“Hey, Yukishiro.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about next year, but I’m thinking of asking Nonomiya to be the next student council president.”
“To be the student council president… huh!?”
I exclaimed loudly at the sudden news. If Nonomiya were to be the student council president next year, that would mean she would be Iori’s successor. Certainly, I think Ayana could handle the responsibilities of the president well. Not only do the students trust her, but the teachers do as well, so no one would likely object.
…But, probably, Ayana wouldn’t do it… I had a feeling for some reason.
“From your expression, it seems like Nonomiya won’t do it.”
“Do you understand?”
Iori nodded slightly.
“That girl only has eyes for you. Being by your side is what makes her happy, and it seems like that’s all she wants. But that doesn’t mean she’s indifferent to everything else; she interacts well with others besides you… She’s an amazing girl.”
“…Yes.”
Although I hadn’t seen Ayana much lately, it seemed like Iori understood her to some extent. It didn’t seem like she could see it, but maybe it was Iori’s sharp intuition at work.
“Well, it seems like we’ll have to give up. I thought she’d be a good choice.”
“Is that what you wanted to ask about?”
“Yes. I’ll be graduating soon, so I’m thinking about the successor… Ah.”
At that moment, Iori looked at me again and raised her voice.
“Even if Yukishiro becomes the student council president—”
“I’m sorry.”
“…Aren’t you replying a bit too quickly?”
…No, I’m really sorry. I probably didn’t mean it seriously, but I don’t want to deal with troublesome things like being the student council president. It’s not just me who thinks this… at least, I want to believe that.
“I’m back… Were you having an important conversation or something?”
Shu, who came back holding three cans of juice, said so. As I drank the cola he handed me to quench my thirst, I casually mentioned that there was no need to hide anything.
“I want Ayana to be the student council president next year.”
“Ayana? She definitely won’t do it.”
“Shu, you’re saying the same thing…”
“Because then I’ll have less time with Towa. I can definitely say I won’t do it.”
…I never expected Shu to say something like that. Just a little while ago, I couldn’t have imagined it, so Shu must have really moved forward. It seems that Iori thought the same thing, as she was initially surprised but then quickly smiled and leaned towards Shu.
“hehehe, Shu, you really have changed.”
“…Kind of.”
“Kind of. We could even kiss if we got a bit closer.”
“Please move away.”
“Nope.”
“…………”
Oh boy, here they go again… While inwardly feeling a bit tired, I watched them with amusement while drinking my cola.
Iori put her hand on Shu’s shoulder to prevent him from moving away as he blushed. She pressed her body against his, making a full-on appeal. She was clearly enjoying Shu’s reactions by utilizing her own strengths, or rather, the superior parts of her body. While Shu was flustered, Iori, whose cheeks were slightly red, must have felt embarrassed… in other words, it meant that Iori really liked Shu.
“…But, I wonder if Ayana and I were seen in the same way by others.”
Thinking about it made me a little embarrassed.
After watching the two lovebirds for a while, we decided to go karaoke next. By the way, regarding the punishment game, I told Iori to make sure Shu did it while I was away. Shu had a face that said “Don’t abandon me,” but I just patted his shoulder to make him give up.
“Today is an unlucky day…”
“Oh, it’s such a terrible day to meet such a beauty.”
“A beauty… no, it’s nothing.”
“hehehe♪”
That was a face that couldn’t find a retort. And in a way, it contained an element of affirmation, so Iori happily linked her arm with Shu’s. Despite the intense jealous looks directed at Shu from those around, Shu didn’t shrink back.
“I’m used to having Iori around a lot.”
“You must be happy?”
“…Well, yeah.”
You guys should just start dating already, but I’ll keep that thought to myself. As we walked noisily, we stumbled upon a scene where something seemed to be happening. It looked like a flashy guy was hitting on two women… wait, isn’t that.
I involuntarily stopped in my tracks, followed by the others.
“…Isn’t that Ayana and Hoshina-san?”
Yes, the two women had their backs to us, but there was no mistaking it… it was Ayana and Hoshina-san. The man seemed quite persistent, gesturing and inviting them, but Hoshina-san shook her head, showing her refusal. As for Ayana… things might get a little dicey. Her shoulders were trembling.
“I’ll go check on them.”
“We’ll come too.”
“Yeah, you have to be firm in situations like that.”
Well, it’s not just about going to help… but before Ayana explodes――.
Before I could reach the scene, the moment the man tried to put his hand on Ayana’s shoulder, she swiftly slapped his hand away.
The man, about to confront Ayana in anger, stopped his movements when he saw her expression. Hoshina-san, who was next to her, also looked shocked as she stared at Ayana.
“What are you trying to touch, you creep. Could you just disappear from my sight… hey, disappear. I’m telling you to disappear!!”
I don’t know what was said, but they seem pretty upset.
“…Huh, was it a mistake?”
“He looks a lot like Otonashi-san. And wow, what an intense presence…”
Oh, I see. So that’s the kind of reaction it elicits.
The man, intimidated by Ayana’s outburst, fled before our eyes. As Hoshina-san, with a hint of tears in her eyes, placed a hand on Ayana’s shoulder, Ayana, a bit annoyed, chuckled. Then she turned towards us and her eyes widened.
“Oh.”
With that silly voice, a synchrony occurred among us.