The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black - Volume 3 SS 1

Volume 3 SS

Shimizu-san and Retry

 

One day after school, as summer vacation was gradually approaching, I found myself in front of the Astronomy Club room.

I knocked and opened the door to the clubroom.

 

“Hello.”

 

The only person inside was Shimizu-san.

 

“Hey.”

“Are the other three not coming today?”

“Ai and Yousuke are at the student council, and Seto seems to be at work.”

 

Checking my smartphone, I indeed had messages from all three saying just that.

 

“So it’s just me and you today, Shimizu-san?”

“Ai and Yousuke might come after they finish their student council activities, but Seto probably won’t.”

 

It’s true that student council activities can end early sometimes, so there’s a chance that Ai-san and Yousuke-san might drop by the clubroom.

 

“What shall we do today?”

“We can each do whatever we want.”

“In that case, I want to talk with you, if that’s okay with you?”

“Sure, but aren’t you tired of talking to me, even in class or at work?”

 

Shimizu-san stared at me intently. Maybe she was exasperated.

I pondered what Shimizu-san had said.

The answer came to me quickly.

 

“Shimizu-san, I always have fun talking with you, so I probably won’t ever get tired of it.”

“Wha…”

“You’re a good listener, so just talking is fun, and I’m happy to learn more about Shimizu-san and also…”

“Enough! Stop it!”

“O-okay.”

 

Maybe I had spoken my thoughts too directly.

 

“I get it… you find talking with me fun…”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“I don’t have much to do today either, so I guess we can chat.”

 

For some reason, Shimizu-san’s ears were bright red.

 

“Thank you, Shimizu-san.”

 

I think I’m probably wearing a smile right now.

 

“What should we talk about first?”

“Anything’s fine. You decide.”

“Alright. How about we start with the upcoming training camp?”

“Sure.”

 

And so, Shimizu-san and I began our usual conversation, just the two of us.

It must have been about ten minutes since we started talking.

There was something off about Shimizu-san today.

It felt as if her mind was elsewhere.

 

“Is something wrong, Shimizu-san?”

“What are you talking about?”

“It seems like something’s on your mind today.”

“…There’s nothing.”

 

Clearly, Shimizu-san is unsettled. Proof of that is how she’s avoiding eye contact now.

 

“If there’s something troubling you, I’m here to listen.”

“I said there’s nothing!”

 

The clubroom fell silent for a moment.

Then, the door burst open with force.

 

“Hello! Kei, give me that—mph!”

 

Suddenly, Shimizu-san dashed towards Ai-san, who had just appeared, covered her mouth, and disappeared outside the clubroom.

Outside, the two seemed to be having a conversation, but they were speaking too softly for me to hear from inside.

After about three minutes, they came back into the clubroom.

 

“Hello again, Daiki-kun.”

“Hello. What happened?”

“I can’t tell you because it would cause a big problem. Sorry.”

“Is that so?”

 

It seems Ai-san was about to say something she shouldn’t have as soon as she arrived.

 

“Why did you come alone? What about Yousuke?”

“Yousuke got called by a teacher and will come later.”

 

As the student council president, Yousuke-san always seems to be busy.

 

“So, what were you two talking about?”

“We were discussing the training camp until just before Ai-san arrived, but right before that, we were talking about Shimizu-san today.”

“Oh really! What exactly?”

 

I mentioned to Ai-san that I felt like something was bothering Shimizu-san today.

 

“Kei-san, what do you think about that?”

“Like I said before, there’s nothing bothering me.”

“That’s what she says, Daiki-kun.”

“Seems like I was mistaken.”

“There’s no need to put yourself into a conversation between Hondō and me.”

 

Shimizu-san’s sharp retort was shining as usual.

 

“So, what now? What shall we do?”

 

Ai-san seemed intent on ignoring Shimizu-san’s retort.

 

“Is there anything you want to do, Shimizu-san?”

“Nothing in particular.”

” ‘Being with Daiki-kun is enough for me’, she said.”

“I didn’t say that!”

“To me, it sounded like Kei said just that.”

 

The words Ai-san heard seemed different from the ones reaching my ears.

 

“So, what are we going to do?”

“Can I say what I want to do?”

“Go ahead.”

“I want to play Pretend Morals Committee game!”

“Morals Committee game?”

 

That’s a game I’ve never heard of.

 

“Our high school doesn’t have a Morals Committee, right? So, this is an attempt to see what it would be like if we did have one!”

“…And how is that fun?”

“It makes me feel important and happy to be in a position of authority!”

“Be satisfied with being the vice president of the student council.”

 

Indeed, as the vice president of the student council, Ai-san is already in a significant position among the students.

 

“I’m not usually the type to give orders to people. I just want to wield some power once in a while!”

“You’re exactly the kind of person who shouldn’t be given absolute power.”

“Since there are no objections, let’s get started. First up, uniform check!”

 

No one had agreed, but it seemed Ai-san had decided to start the Morals Committee game.

 

“We’re checking to see if you’re wearing your uniforms correctly! Both of you, stand up!”

 

I reflexively stood up.

Shimizu-san also stood up after a slight delay, seemingly reluctantly.

 

“First up, Daiki-kun!”

“Yes!”

“You’re wearing your uniform properly! Pass!”

“Thank you!”

 

I felt relieved.

The criteria were unclear, but it seemed I had passed.

 

“Next, Kei!”

“Hurry up.”

 

Ai-san’s gaze shifted from me to Shimizu-san.

Shimizu-san didn’t seem to be dressed too sloppily today.

 

“Kei looks good in the summer uniform too!”

“Do a proper check.”

“I am checking. You think so too, right, Daiki-kun?”

 

Ai-san’s pass is really unpredictable.

 

“I think I’ve said this before, but it looks fresh and nice.”

“You don’t need to answer! So, are you satisfied with this Pretend Morals Committee game now?”

“No-no, the real deal starts now! Next, we’ll do a surprise inspection of belongings!”

“Huh?”

 

A personal belongings inspection.

That does sound like something a Morals Committee would do.

 

“Which one should I start with~”

“Hey, I’m not doing it!”

 

Shimizu-san suddenly hugged her bag and showed a refusal stance.

 

“Oh, Kei-san, do you perhaps have something you shouldn’t be showing others?”

 

Ai-san looked at Shimizu-san with a mischievous grin.

 

“You’ll regret this later.”

 

Shimizu-san glared at Ai-san, but it seemed to have no effect on her.

 

“Ai-san, I think you should stop since she seems to be reluctant…”

“This is actually for Kei’s own good, Daiki-kun.”

 

It seemed that Ai-san thought this was for Shimizu-san’s own good.

I wonder what really is in Shimizu-san’s bag.

 

“You just want to have fun with this!”

“I’m only thinking that about 40%!”

 

That seems like a significant enough percentage.

 

“Come on, it’s okay, right? You worked hard on it, didn’t you?”

 

Ai-san asked Shimizu-san in a gentle voice, like a parent persuading a child.

Then Shimizu-san slowly placed her hugged bag on the desk and took something out.

 

“…here, take this.”

 

Shimizu-san handed me a stylish little bag filled with cookies.

 

“Thank you, Shimizu-san. What is this?”

“Didn’t I tell you before? If I make something on a whim, you’re supposed to eat it…”

 

I try to remember. Now that she mentions it, I recall something similar was said when she gave me a homemade bento before.

 

“Wasn’t that about lunch?”

“Th-This time, I felt like making cookies!”

“I thought cookies would be harder to mess up. Unfortunately, there were still many sacrifices…”

“Don’t say unnecessary things!”

 

I don’t really get it, but it seemed Shimizu-san had worked hard on making these as well.

 

“Is it okay if I eat them here?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

 

I untied the ribbon on the little bag and took out a cookie to taste.

The sweetness spread throughout my mouth.

 

“How is it?”

“…It’s delicious. It has a kind of gentle taste.”

“Woww! That’s great, Kei! He says they’re delicious!”

“Shut up. If that’s the case, then fine.”

“You’re happy about it but can’t be honest, huh?”

“Remember this when we get home.”

 

Maybe what Shimizu-san was worried about earlier was these cookies.

 

“Thank you, Shimizu-san. The cookies were delicious.”

“…I see.”

“I’ll give you something in return next time.”

“Don’t need it. Just eat them again if I make more on a whim.”

“Got it.”

“Well, now that our little Morals Committee role-play is over, shall we play Pretend Student Council next?”

“You’re already on the student council!”

 

After that, we chatted idly as we waited for Yousuke-san to arrive.