What If You Spoil a High School Girl Who Looks Like a Landmine? - Volume 1 Chapter 2.3

Making Lunch is Legal 3

“The first month was so amazing, it was a bit bewildering. By the second month, we all had completely gotten used to it, ‘The best manager in the country has come for us!’ we said, and everyone was happy. Even entering the third month, it didn’t change, we completely forgot how it was before Raihara-san came. It became strange around the time we entered summer…”

Kusakabe-san’s murmuring voice was disturbingly clear.

“The summer tournament was approaching, and practice became rigorous. We,…relied too much on Raihara-san, saying, ‘Do this, do that’ and Raihara-san accepted everything. It was very, very, very…easy. “

Even though it’s supposed to be a story about a wonderful manager, the air was getting heavier.

“Entering the summer vacation, every day was steeped in soccer, the practice was early, but Raihara-san made everything else easy for us, I’m very grateful, and it feels wonderful and comfortable, it was like the body was slowly melting… “

Kusakabe-san, who had paused there, picked up the watering can that had fallen on the ground, refilled the spilled amount, and, while watering the flowers, eventually continued speaking.

” One day, I went to the field. I pulled out the soccer ball, and while raising my voice, saying, ‘Let’s do this,’ I thought. ——‘Why am I doing something so hard?’ “

” …! “

” I love soccer. It’s true. It’s more than a hobby. But, for the first time, I thought. ‘Why,’ Why am I doing this, really? Because there’s a place where it’s comfortable and I don’t have to do anything. “

” Kusakabe-san…”

” It was scary. “

Overlaying my words, Kusakabe-san’s voice emits a frozen temperature.

“It was scary, really scary. I thought soccer would be gone from my life… Before I knew it, the most important, unalterable center of my world had become limp. Different parts of me started to warp, and I couldn’t walk straight…”

…I don’t have something I can be as passionate about as Kusakabe-san, so I think I probably don’t understand much of the fear she felt even if I tried.

“….I’m scared, but while I was still feeling scared, I thought I had to act, so I consulted with my teammates, …ahaha, everyone actually felt the same. Some were even starting to write their resignation.”

However, just the details gleaned from her story send shivers down my spine.

“…In the end, after warmly welcoming and being thankful, all of us together bowed deeply in apology and asked her to leave.”

“…Is that, for real?”

“Seems exaggerated, right? Do we look strange? Just for being taken care of. But you know, the exact same thing happened next in the basketball team.”

“What…”

“They’re saying, ‘Why would you let go of such an excellent manager? We would love to have her.’ “

“…It’s not like Raihara-san quit because she wasn’t working well or fought with the members…”

“Yes, right. There’s no way to not take a manager who was expelled for ‘supporting too much’. The basketball kids laughed, saying, ‘We are strict, so no matter how much we are supported, it’s not enough.’ “

I’m sure that’s a good decision…

“However, just like us, it didn’t last more than a season. …That school excels in both literature and sports, so there are many other clubs wanting a considerate manager.”

“Don’t tell me…”

“Six. Six clubs, including the soccer club, that was ‘in trouble’ and invited Raihara-san saying ‘please help us’, were at the brink of ‘can’t do it anymore’ and almost collapsed….ah, no, sorry, that’s not it.”

” … “

At that point, Kusakabe-san swiftly turns her face to mine and speaks apologetically.

“No, I’m not saying it’s Raihara’s fault that the clubs almost collapsed…sorry, I used the wrong words…um…”

“Well, I understand, so it’s okay.”

“To Raihara-san, even now I’m still grateful… Really, she was so good to us. For us, she did everything she could…s-so…”

Kusakabe-san mentions her gratitude, but her face is extremely stiff and unbearably strained.

Her hands have been shaking all the time.

“…Kusakabe-san, that flower, you might be giving it too much water.”

“Eh? Ah, …yes, right, sorry.”

At my words, Kusakabe-san hastily pulled back the watering can she was tilting.

“…Ahaha, …it’s not good. …right?”

——If you water them too much, they’ll rot.

Bowing her head, she lightly said so.

***

“Wow it’s bustling, so crowded.”

On Sunday, I traveled to the edge of the neighboring town.

Here and there, banners for the ‘Hydrangea Festival’ were lined up, and true to its name, colorful hydrangeas were blooming.

From the town’s walking routes to minor hiking courses, the whole area served as the venue.

The event known as the ‘Hydrangea Festival’ here seems to be about enjoying the hydrangeas blooming along the way.

“…it’s true; there are quite a few couples our age.”

I unwittingly murmured.

I had only known this event by name, and I thought it was something only older, more mature adults would attend.

In reality, there are teenagers like myself and people in their twenties, taking pictures and enjoying themselves here and there.

Indeed, as Kusakabe-san said, it’s popular because it’s photogenic.

” …… “

Speaking of Kusakabe-san, I inevitably recall our conversation from that time.

Various things related to Raihara-san during junior high school…

…I understood what Raihara-san meant by taking care of people will, in the end, cause trouble.’

If one has had such experiences, it’s indeed not surprising to think so.

It seemed to have become a trauma for Kusakabe-san, but it must be the same for Raihara-san.

…I wish I could somehow be of help to her.

“Chifuji-saaan!”

“Raihara-san, good morning.”

As I think about such things, she arrives just in time.

Raihara-san’s Jirai-kei (Landmine type) fashion is highly refined even today.

“I’m sorry I kept you waiting!”

“No, it’s just because I came early.”

It’s still fifteen minutes before our meeting time.

Since I’d never been to this place, I left home early.