As I Know Anything About You, I'll Be The One To Your Girlfriend, Aren't I? - Volume 1 Chapter 3.5

Leave That Culture in the Heisei Era 5

Kujo’s PoV

“Hey, Miyashiro-kun, Hatsuse-kun, can we sit next to you guys?”

“We’re in the same class, so it’s better to stick together, right?”

It was the voices of Girl β and Girl γ. Following Hatsuse Yuuji’s light response of “Okay, okay,” Miyashiro-kun also answered.

“Of course. Please, do.”

“Thanks. And is it okay if she joins us too? Sacchan. She’s from class 7, but she has bad eyesight, so it’s tough for her to sit at the back.”

“Sorry to intrude!”

A lively tone of voice. I don’t recognize it. As introduced by Girl β, she must be the girl who has feelings for Miyashiro-kun.

Miyashiro-kun responds to her greeting.

“Please, feel free. It’s not like anyone’s going to complain the seating arrangement that much, and it’s better to sit somewhere you can see easily. I mean…”

“Mi-Miyashiro-kun, long time no see! Since our first year, right?”

“Yeah, it’s been a while~. We ended up in different classes in our second year.”

So, they were in the same class in their first year.

Nice… But I only started liking Miyashiro-kun towards the end of our first year, so it’s really pointless for me to say anything about it.

“Even if you’re on the organizing committee, you can still participate in the sports, right? Are you entering anything, Miyashiro-kun?”

“I think I’ll pass this year. I plan to focus on the committee work.”

“Oh, really? …Actually, I was planning the same. Let’s work hard together!”

A clear, straightforward approach. A girl named Sacchan actively engaging Miyashiro-kun in conversation.

—Amazing.

I feel respect for her. Because talking to someone you like takes a lot of courage.

She’s doing it. I have no right to feel envious or to think she’s getting too close to Miyashiro-kun.

Not that I don’t have those feelings, but anyway, I don’t have the right.

“Amazing,” I mutter, literally from a distance, with a blank expression.

“I’ll work hard! I’m confident in physical tasks too!” Sacchan’s voice rings out cheerfully and energetically.

I just listen in a daze. Miserable. 100% my own doing.

That’s the current state of my love.

“Excuse me~! Is everyone here? …Looks like it! Then, let’s get started!”

The sound of the door opening followed by a loud voice indicated that a student in charge of organizing the event had arrived.

“Hey, Kuuya, is that…”

“Oh, I didn’t know. She’s really involved in a lot of stuff…”

Hatsuse Yuuji and Miyashiro-kun have such a conversation. Perhaps they know the person.

—Wait, do I recognize that voice…?

Could it be just my imagination? I try to dig through my memory, but ultimately, I can’t find an answer. When you’re only interested in Miyashiro-kun, situations like this become difficult.

“First, I’ll explain the overview of the sports festival committee’s work and the precautions.”

The organizing student proceeds to explain various details with a clear voice.

“—That’s about it for each event. Basically, we’ll split you into teams by grade level, with mixed-gender teams responsible for managing each event.”

Mixed-gender teams for work. The girl named Sacchan plans to close the distance with Miyashiro-kun that way. There’s nothing I can do about it—

“…Ah. Um, sorry, actually, I wanted to hear everyone’s opinion! To put it simply, what do you think about splitting the teams by gender instead of mixed this year?”

“…Eh?”

The words I heard made me let out a soft voice.

From the other room, the girl named Sacchan raised her voice.

“Wait, wait, why? Isn’t it better to have mixed-gender teams like last year?”

“Well, of course, that’s fine too. But actually, I heard from the seniors on my way here that there have been issues because teams were mixed-gender.”

“What kind of issues?”

“Well… it seems that organizing committee members get busy on the day, and a few years ago, a group of boys didn’t account for their own changing time. They thought they could just change quickly in a corner of the field, so…”

A loud gasp of disgust or disbelief echoed from the girls.

“Not limited to that incident, but well, things like that have happened… So, what do you think about trying separate teams for men and women this year? Since the events are separated by gender anyway, it might be natural.”

The suggestion from the organizing student clearly tilted the air towards “It’s better to separate by gender.”

Of course, the explanation makes sense, but the convincing strength in the voice might be a decisive factor.

It’s not pushy or intimidating, but there’s a core strength that makes you feel like following along is the right choice. A voice fit for a politician, perhaps.

Reversing this situation would be a Herculean task.

“Um… yeah, …I think it’s okay to separate by gender.”

Eventually, the girl named Sacchan conceded with those words.

“Sorry, thank you. Then, let’s go with that direction this year! Of course, there will still be issues and disputes even with separate teams. If that happens, please report to me first, Ado Suika from class 1-1!”

“Ah…”

When the organizing student introduced herself, I finally realized who she was.

That’s right, it was Ado-san…

◇◆◇

“Well, that’s it for today. Those who have club activities, do your best~ and those going home, take care~”

With those words from the homeroom teacher, LHR ended. It’s after school.

“…”

I sneak a peek at the seat next to me, where Miyashiro-kun is getting ready to leave. According to my observations, there’s a 92% chance he heads straight to the art room to paint after school.

This is the only chance left today to talk to him.

The “Sacchan” from earlier crosses my mind. …I want to as well.

“Hey Miyashiro~, that math assignment from earlier is tough, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it’s harsh. Wonder if I can finish it by tomorrow.”

“It’s tough, right~! I dread the next test…”

“The test, huh… brings me down.”

Miyashiro-kun shares a bitter smile with the boy sitting in front of him.

Math assignments and tests are easy for me. But casually starting a conversation like that feels incredibly difficult.

It’s difficult, but I have to try.

I have a topic for conversation. The summer leisure spot Miyashiro-kun was searching for Hatsuse Yuuji.

Ah, but how do I start the conversation?

“What are you doing this summer, Miyashiro-kun?” …No, that feels too abrupt. Summer vacation is still over a month away.

“Do you want to know a good place to hang out?” …This sounds like I’m a dealer inviting him to a drug party.

But then, hmm…

“Alright, I’m heading out.”

“See ya.”

Ah…

While I hesitated, Miyashiro-kun left.

“…”

“…Sigh.”

I let out a sigh and stand up, holding my bag.

Today, again, I listened to Miyashiro-kun’s voice a lot.

But none of it was directed at me.