For Some Reason The Girl Who's Too Popular Only Drinks with Me - Volume 1 Chapter 2.1

When Hamasaki Mai joined the drinking circle, someone caught wind of it and apparently leaked the information to a large number of students aiming for Hamasaki Mai. Consequently, our circle was flooded with applicants wanting to join—despite not having any before, they came in droves. “Apparently” because, unfortunately, I have no friends, so such information doesn’t reach me, nor do students come up to me asking to join the circle. The seniors said it was a hassle to drive away the applicants, but I had no idea.

Around May, when the situation had somewhat calmed down, Sugino-senpai suggested we head to a park located one station away from Rokuyoukan University. It was now one in the afternoon, still lunchtime, with many groups of parents with children and couples making use of the park.

Naturally, there were also college students. Some groups were engaging in some mysterious sport, while others were taking photos in equally enigmatic costumes.

“So, we’re having a drink party here today?”

While setting up a stainless steel foldable table on the grass, I turned and asked Sugino-senpai.

The instigator of this sudden gathering, Sugino Miharu-senpai, didn’t immediately answer my question and instead lay on the grass, drinking alcohol.

Probably a fairly expensive wine. Watching Sugino-senpai continue to gulp down the bottle turned upside down, I snorted through my nose in amusement.

Expecting a sensible answer from Sugino-senpai was my mistake. I randomly took alcohol from the bulky cooler box placed under the table and started lining them up without thinking.

I placed a bottle of umeshu, Mikami-senpai’s usual drink, and a tumbler-like rock glass in front of him and glanced diagonally forward.

“Ah, um, do you want something to drink? Seems like we have pretty much everything.”

“Um, maybe… Can I have a beer?”

The beauty in my line of sight, Hamasaki Mai, answered with a smile. To avoid looking directly at her smile, I promptly pulled out a long can from the cooler box, saying, “Here you go,” and placed it in front of her.

I also took a long can for myself. While doing so, Sugino-senpai had somehow risen and settled next to me.

“Alright, let’s toast.”

Despite having been lying down drinking just moments ago, Sugino-senpai suddenly took charge. Well, since she paid for most of today’s expenses, I wasn’t about to complain.

Following the lead of our senior, we clinked our drinks together. Drinking boldly in such a bright place during the day, it truly is a peaceful scene.

“Ahh~ Drinking while watching these kids skipping lectures to goof off just makes it taste better.”

Sugino-senpai sighed in bliss. While I could agree with the latter part, the former was somewhat relatable. Well, it’s just the beginning of our sophomore year. Skipping once in a while shouldn’t be a big deal.

Unlike me, who usually listens to Sugino-senpai in silence, Hamasaki Mai was laughing and agreeing with her. Having her join the circle was probably a good thing since it gave Sugino-senpai someone to talk to. Both Mikami-senpai and I had grown tired of reacting to her stories, so this truly was a relief.

Sipping my drink in a relaxed state, my beer quickly ran out, and I opened my second can.

“Kirishima-kun, are you okay with just alcohol?”

Hamasaki Mai suddenly tilted her head and asked as I quietly drank.

Looking at the table, indeed, there was nothing but alcohol here. No light snacks to nibble on, just non-stop drinking.

“I’m fine with it, but… should we have prepared something?”

“No, not really. I was just wondering if it’s okay.”

“Kirishima’s liver is trained by me. He’d be fine even drinking gasoline.”

“That’s impossible. And now that you mention it, I feel like putting something in my stomach, so please treat me to something.”

“Kirishima-kun… that’s quite direct.”

“Ah? It’s fine.”

“It’s fine.”

Sugino-senpai rummaged through her jacket pocket, taking out a wrinkled ten-thousand yen bill and some coins.

Whether crumpled or roughly handled, money is money. I said a simple “thanks” and tucked it into my wallet.

“Yeah, grab something casual. Something tasty.”

“Kirishima, I want that, the tiramisu we saw on the way here. The one that looks bitter.”

“Kirishima-kun, tiramisu! Buy the whole shop!”

“Understood. I’ll go buy some.”

Ignoring Sugino-senpai’s words, I set the long can down on the table.

There were a few stalls and food trucks in the park, so I should be able to buy something suitable there.

Tucking my wallet and phone into my hoodie pockets, I stepped away from the table.

“Kirishima-kun, are you going alone? I’ll come with you.”

Hamasaki Mai followed behind. She walked beside me, jacket slung over her shoulder.

“It’s fine, really. I can manage on my own.”

“Not at all. Plus, I just joined this circle, so let me help.”

Hamasaki Mai walked next to me, showing a friendly smile. Our circle didn’t really have a hierarchical structure, but since she wanted to help, I supposed it was okay. I decided to take her offer in good faith and walked alongside her.

“But is it okay? After being treated to drinks, now snacks too…”

As we walked through the park, Hamasaki Mai slightly pursed her lips and muttered. Without looking at her, I stuffed my hands into my hoodie pockets and responded.

“I think it’s fine. Sugino-senpai loves to spend money on others to have them under her control, and apparently, that’s the only way she can get excited now.”

“That’s… scary…”

Hamasaki Mai’s voice trailed off, probably recoiling in horror.

It can’t be helped. It’s the truth. After all, she said so herself.

As we talked about Sugino-senpai’s fearsome habits, I spotted some stalls ahead. Indeed, there were a few food trucks parked there.

“There seem to be some shops over there.”

“Let’s secure the tiramisu Mikami-senpai mentioned first.”

While saying this, I continued walking at the same pace, entering the street with the stalls. Despite being a weekday afternoon, the park’s high usage meant the stalls were quite busy.

Although not to the point of forming lines, there was enough crowd to indicate a bustling scene. I definitely wouldn’t have come here if not for Sugino-senpai’s orders.

Leaving the shopping choices to Hamasaki Mai, I simply carried the food.

“Um, Kirishima-kun? Are you okay? Should I carry some?”

Seeing me with two bags in each hand, Hamasaki Mai offered her help. However, I maintained as cool a face as possible and shook my head.

“It’s fine, really. It’s not that heavy.”

“Really? If you say so… But, you’re kind. You offered to carry them before I even asked.”

Hamasaki Mai peeked at my face and smiled as we walked side by side. A smile that could captivate anyone, male or female, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work on me. I simply let it pass like the wind.

“I don’t think it’s particularly kind. Isn’t this what everyone does?”

“Well, that’s… Maybe…”

“It’s fine. No need to force a compliment.”

Hamasaki Mai chuckled at my dry reply. But it’s the truth. Praising me won’t achieve anything, and not burdening women with carrying things has been taught and practiced since childhood by my mother and sister.

So, it’s nothing special. Certainly not an attempt to appeal to her.

“Huh? Isn’t that Mai? Mai~”

As we walked in silence, suddenly a man’s voice called out.