Vol. 1 Chapter 19 – First Date? (4)

“Ah, Ayaka…?” (Hikaru)

“H-Hino-san…?” (Reiya)

As we both called her name in unison, her gaze, almost a glare, fixed on us, causing our bodies to stiffen.

‘Why is Hino-san here…?’

‘Didn’t Asahi-san just say she wasn’t the type to come to arcades?’

‘Is she secretly a fan of cute things, here to try for a prize plushie?’

‘No, the bag she’s holding is from the nearby bookstore…’

‘Come to think of it, I heard that place has a good selection of reference books.’

‘Going out of her way to buy them? What an honor student. Oh wait, she is an honor student.’

I felt exactly like I’d been hit by a back attack from a boss I’d skipped.

‘Wait, this means she totally caught us hanging out together…’

‘What should I do? I was determined not to cause her any trouble…’

Contrary to my frozen body, my thoughts were racing.

Amidst the echoing electronic sounds, silence fell as if only our time had stopped.

My autonomic nervous system went haywire, and unpleasant sweat trickled down my back.

Beside me, Asahi-san also wore an awkward expression, her lips pressed tightly together.

And so, after a period of silence following our confrontation—

“…What is the meaning of this?” (Ayaka)

A question laden with many meanings was thrown at us, her voice cutting clearly through the noise.

“Uhm… It’s a bit difficult to explain, but us being here now is simply a detour on the way home from shopping…” (Reiya)

“…Why are you and Hikaru together?” (Ayaka)

Though she omitted many words, I somehow understood the nuance: ‘Know your place.’

“Actually, we have a little something in common… and because of that, we’ve started hanging out just a tiny bit…” (Reiya)

‘I was supposed to avoid letting anyone find out about this interaction at all costs.’

‘I was having too much fun hanging out together, got carried away, and left my back wide open.’

“B-But…! There’s nothing going on that would damage Asahi-san’s career! That much is absolutely true! I swear!” (Reiya)

I desperately tried to explain.

Although she was directing clear hostility towards me right now, if it was Hino-san, a rational discussion should still be possible.

As a friend, she should also want to avoid anything inconvenient for Asahi-san.

If this had been another A-list girl like Sakuramiya-san, this would undoubtedly have made the headlines of the school news after the long holiday weekend.

“…is what he says, but what’s your relationship really? Why are you two alone in a place like this?” (Ayaka)

Averting her gaze from me, Hino-san now questioned Asahi-san.

“It’s… none of your business, Ayaka…” (Hikaru)

‘No, it would be better if you just said we’re ordinary friends…’

“I’m asking because it is my business. Mitsuki-san asked me to. To make sure Hikaru can focus on tennis, to keep an eye out so she doesn’t get involved with anyone strange at school.” (Ayaka)

“That’s just… something Mom said on her own, I don’t know anything about it… Besides, Kageyama-kun isn’t strange…” (Hikaru)

“Hikaru… Don’t tell me you skipped practice again today?” (Ayaka)

‘W-Wait, it feels like a completely different bomb I know nothing about is about to explode…’

“I-I didn’t skip…” (Hikaru)

“Really?” (Ayaka)

“I went to morning practice…” (Hikaru)

“Just the morning? Didn’t you used to practice until evening when a tournament was close?” (Ayaka)

Asahi-san didn’t answer that question.

‘She skipped practice? That’s the first I’m hearing of it…’

‘Th-This is bad, really bad… Because of me, the conversation is starting to roll in a very dangerous direction.’

“You’re the one who’s been saying for ages that you’d definitely get the number one ranking this year, right, Hikaru? Do you really have time to be fooling around in a place like this?” (Ayaka)

“It’s fine, taking just one day off… won’t change that much…” (Hikaru)

“If it really is just one day…” (Ayaka)

At Hino-san’s forceful tone, Asahi-san looked away awkwardly.

“What’s wrong…? Mitsuki-san told me you haven’t been putting your heart into practice at all lately, so I was worried…” (Ayaka)

“It’s not… that big of a deal…” (Hikaru)

“Anyway, I’m going to report this to Mitsuki-san.” (Ayaka)

“Wh-Why!” (Hikaru)

“Why? Isn’t it obvious? Skipping practice… and with a boy, of all things…” (Ayaka)

“I told you, what I do is none of your business, Ayaka! You don’t know anything—” (Hikaru)

“W-Wait a second!! Stop!! Both of you, calm down for a minute!!” (Reiya)

With the bomb’s fuse down to the last millimeter, I cut in between them.

I was nothing more than a Giant Slug intruding on a battle between the Hero and the Dragon, but even so, I felt I had to stop this before it got worse.

I wanted to avoid causing a rift in the relationship between these two, who were such good friends, just because of me.

“F-First off, why don’t we change locations…? There are lots of people around here…” (Reiya)

We weren’t drawing that much attention yet, but a few people were starting to stop, wondering what we were arguing about.

It would still be better if people just thought I was some scumbag caught in a dramatic love triangle between two girls.

If another classmate spotted us, things would become completely unmanageable this time.

“I-It’s getting late, so… maybe it’s better to discuss this calmly over dinner…? Actually, there’s a delicious soba restaurant nearby… H-How about it?” (Reiya)

She glared sharply at me, a look intense enough to drain my health gauge.

As always, her gaze towards me contained hostility.

However, perhaps even she realized that continuing here was unwise, as she accepted my desperate proposal.

And so, the three of us, in a slightly disjointed state, headed towards the restaurant floor upstairs.

Even during the walk, the two of them remained silent, and my heart continued to pound in a state of tension where it felt like it could stop at any moment.

“U-Uhm, one tempura soba, please…” (Reiya)

“I’ll have the same.” (Hikaru)

“…Me too.” (Ayaka)

That didn’t change even after we entered the restaurant and sat down.

An atmosphere several levels heavier than the situation I had thought I needed to avoid continued to dominate the space.

Still, I couldn’t just stay silent, so I timidly started to speak.

“Uhm… Well then, may I start by saying a few things…?” (Reiya)

“Do whatever you want.” (Ayaka)

‘Eek… Scary, scary…’

“First, the whole thing started because I invited Asahi-san…” (Reiya)

“…And?” (Ayaka)

“So, could we maybe settle this by agreeing that everything is my fault…? Specifically, about reporting today’s events to Asahi-san’s mother, I’d appreciate it if you could hold off on that for now…” (Reiya)

“Wh-Why would it be Kageyama-kun’s fault…?” (Hikaru)

“Well, it’s an undeniable fact that I invited you…” (Reiya)

“But I was the one who decided to skip afternoon practice, so it has nothing to do with Kageyama-kun.” (Hikaru)

‘Having someone take the blame is the smoothest way to resolve this.’

Perhaps because she’d never used this life skill before, Asahi-san, for some reason, resisted.

“If being invited wasn’t the reason, then why did you skip?” (Ayaka)

“That’s…” (Hikaru)

At Hino-san’s question, Asahi-san faltered again.

Apparently, being pressed on that point was the most painful for her.

If she really did skip practice, I was certainly curious about the reason too.

But if she didn’t want to be asked, then shouldn’t I, at least, the one who caused this to come to light, be on her side?

“W-Well, well, well… Doesn’t everyone have times like that…? Taking advantage of my parents not being around, I’ve even called the school myself and skipped by faking illness…” (Reiya)

Both of them gave me looks that clearly said, ‘Is that really okay?’

“I’d rather you didn’t lump Hikaru together with someone like that.” (Ayaka)

“Y-You’re absolutely right! But, speaking generally… doesn’t everyone feel like that sometimes…?” (Reiya)

“How about it? Hikaru.” (Ayaka)

“That’s…” (Hikaru)

‘You should just go along with it here.’

I tried to communicate implicitly with Asahi-san using subtle facial movements.

“Mm… Yes, just like Kageyama-kun said… I just felt like it…” (Hikaru)

“Really…?” (Ayaka)

“Yeah… I was just feeling a little worn out, so…” (Hikaru)

Asahi-san answered in a thin voice, like a mosquito’s buzzing.

‘It somehow got through… but there’s definitely another reason, isn’t there…’

Even as I thought that, having chosen to be her unconditional ally, I said nothing.

The class rep surely sensed it too, of course.

However, I also knew that the two of them were truly good friends.

“Alright, if you say it’s just for today and you’ll be fine starting tomorrow, I won’t tell anyone.” (Ayaka)

She let out a big sigh and, just as I expected, offered her friend a point of compromise.

“…Really?” (Hikaru)

“If I hear you’ve skipped again, though, I won’t be able to cover for you anymore.” (Ayaka)

“Yeah, okay… I’ll do it properly starting tomorrow… Sorry, and thanks…” (Hikaru)

‘I hope that’s true…’ Hino-san seemed to imply as she sighed again.

For now, the worst-case scenario has been avoided… I guess that’s okay?

Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, the waitress brought our orders.

“H-Hey, look! The soba’s here, let’s eat, let’s eat! This place is really delicious!” (Reiya)

Trying not to let the previous topic resurface, I acted a little overly enthusiastic.

“You’re right. It’s delicious…” (Hikaru)

Asahi-san, having immediately taken a bite, commented with a slightly softened expression.

I also picked up my chopsticks and started on my own portion, which had arrived last.

“So… while we eat is fine, there’s one more thing I want to ask.” (Ayaka)

Just as I took a slurp, Hino-san brought something up again.

I raised my gaze, answering ‘What is it?’ with my eyes.

“Are you two dating?” (Ayaka)

“Fugoh!!” (Reiya)

I almost sprayed out the soba I had in my mouth.