Chapter 132 - Joining In
(1)
That day was a workday.
And as usual, Nakajima-kun arrived.
"Aren't you going anywhere, even though it's a long weekend?"
"I don't have enough money to go out for all five days of the holiday. Are you going somewhere, Yoshiyuki?"
"Well, starting tomorrow, I have a gathering for something like a circle."
"A circle!? You joined a circle? Which one?"
"More of a group than a circle, I guess."
I added that it was originally a gathering of high school friends.
"I see. You're expanding your social circle, Yoshiyuki."
Saying that, Nakajima-kun sipped his coffee.
"I joined too. That group."
The one who spoke was Ichinose-san.
I had thought she had a boyfriend, but I had already investigated and found that she actually didn't.
Not that I was the one who investigated.
Sashihara-san, one of the members of the "Watanabe Squad" I talked about during the cherry blossom viewing, was the one who investigated.
Not that I remember asking her to.
Until then, I hadn't had much interest in others, but since coming into contact with Katagiri-kun, I've encountered various people.
Whether that turn of fate was good or bad, I ended up in a position where I had to confess to Ichinose-san.
According to Katagiri-kun, it's like "I'm pushing you off a cliff."
I thought that if I'm going to be pushed anyway, I might as well confess tonight.
However, it might be better to take him up on his words that he'll pass the turn for now.
It would be bad if I went rogue on my own and totally grossed her out. He probably meant he'd create the right environment for me, so I'll rely on that.
The goalkeeper guarding the goal is already gone, after all.
Ichinose-san looked at me, gave a little smile, and went over to other customers.
Sensing that atmosphere, Nakajima-kun whispered to me.
"Is Ichinose-san's boyfriend you?"
"No."
Not yet.
I was feeling elated.
The Watanabe Squad is apparently a group that excels at forcibly coupling people.
Mainly Watanabe-kun and Sashihara-san are the ones leading the charge.
They probably find toys one after another and couple them up...
I used to think having a girlfriend was a pain, but if it's Ichinose-san, it's no problem. We work at the same part-time job, so it's a great environment to balance my main objective with having a girlfriend.
Though it would be a disaster if I failed.
Also, if I blatantly align my shifts with hers, the owner will notice. What should I do?
While I was soaking in a happy mood on the premise of success, a presence appeared that blew that atmosphere away in an instant.
Clink clink.
The door opened.
"Welcome...?"
A woman wearing a pale pink dress and carrying a black bag was standing there.
"Oh!"
Nakajima-kun let out a voice of admiration.
"This is the place, right?"
The woman sat down next to Nakajima-kun.
"Shimizu-san, do you come to this shop often?"
"Today is my first time. I heard he works part-time at this shop."
It's only been a day since yesterday.
She remembers well.
It's true that we said "see you tomorrow," but for her to actually come...
"May I take your order?"
"Let's see... I'll have a lemon tea."
"Certainly."
Saying that, I relayed the order to the kitchen.
"Who is that person?"
Right, Ichinose-san is on a different campus, so she wouldn't know.
"Shimizu-san. Well, would you understand if I said she's the person who gave the oath at the entrance ceremony?"
"Ah, that Shimizu-san. I've heard of her. She's the Queen, right?"
"That's what they call her..."
"Tea's ready—"
Since Ryosuke-san said that, I placed the teacup on the tray and carried it to Shimizu-san.
"Thank you for waiting."
When I said that, Shimizu-san took the teacup, brought it to her lips, and took a sip.
"Oh, it's delicious."
Of course, of course. Our lemon tea uses flavorless tea leaves sourced from Nilgiri.
"And this person is?"
While drinking the lemon tea, Shimizu-san pointed to Nakajima-kun sitting to her left.
"Nakajima-kun, he plays soccer. He was there at the new student welcome party yesterday, right?"
Though he's a heartless person who tried to escape immediately.
"Soccer... I see. Nice to meet you, Nakajima-kun."
"Nice to meet you."
I brought up something that had been bothering me for a while.
"By the way, what brings you here today? I didn't hear that you were coming to the shop."
"Well, the university is on holiday. If I were to come see you, there's only here or your house, isn't there?"
Well, that's true. Though the question remains whether she couldn't wait until after the long weekend.
"I wanted to see you, so I came to see you. Is that not allowed?"
"The reason 'I wanted to' is incredibly thin."
"You're quite mean, aren't you? Is it not allowed to come see someone you like?"
"Huh?"
"Pardon?"
Nakajima-kun and I let out voices of surprise.
"Someone you... like?"
Ichinose-san's expression froze.
It's not like that, Ichinose-san. There are deep circumstances behind this...
"Ichinose-san, don't misunderstand. It's strictly 'someone Shimizu-san likes,' okay!? I haven't said I like her even once!"
"Oh? You say things that cut quite deep. There hasn't been a man who refused me after I said I liked him. Though I've never said it."
Then I'll firmly refuse you. I want to crumble that confidence from the roots.
But I...
"I don't remember ever saying I'd date Shimizu-san."
"That's why I came to say it. I thought I had to tell you properly."
The corners of her mouth are turned up. She's a spiteful woman.
"Unfortunately, I'm currently working, so I don't have time to listen to such a story."
"Then, I'll wait. When do you finish?"
"Once I finish, I have to prepare for tomorrow, so I don't have that kind of free time, sorry."
Rather, I should have said sorry because I have no intention of dating her.
"Tomorrow's preparations? What's happening tomorrow?"
The depressed Ichinose-san was revived.
The timing is too bad.
"Sakai-kun is going to Yufuin's villa with us!"
"A villa? Sakai-kun owns a villa?"
If I were wealthy enough to own one, I wouldn't be working part-time.
"He belongs to a group called the Watanabe Squad, and someone there owns one!"
You don't have to burn with such competitiveness, Ichinose-san. Also, Ichinose-san is confessing too much. You need to zip your lips...
"Sounds interesting. I wonder if I could be let into that group too?"
"Ah, I might want to be let in too."
Nakajima-kun, you're in the Soccer Club, right?
Ah, I guess it's okay to be in multiple circles... then again, it's more like a group made by inner circle members.
"It's impossible. There's something like a referral system. It seems it's no good unless everyone says it's okay..."
"Then, please introduce me."
There's no way I can do something like mixing oil and water.
However, a wrinkle formed between her brows.
"Even if I call it a group, it's mainly exchanging messages and occasionally gathering everyone."
"Is there a reason why it would be bad if I joined?"
If I tell her the bad reason, will she give up?
Unlike Katagiri-kun, I lack judgment, and I make mistakes.
On this day, I made a mistake. At the most important moment.
"Look, Eguchi-san is there, too."
I said it.
"Eguchi-san...?"
Shimizu-san's face became even more grim. And a sinister aura began to drift.
"You said it was Eguchi-san's villa, right? Come to think of it."
"Eguchi-san's villa... that's something I can't just overlook."
She's blatantly showing competitiveness.
There's no way I can introduce a person like that.
"I'm late~ sorry~"
The girl taking over my shift came in.
It's Oshima-san; she attends the same university and the same Faculty of Economics.
"Looks like your shift is over. Hurry up and change."
"C-can I leave first?"
Ichinose-san?
Faster than asking, Ichinose-san headed for the changing room.
"Well then, I suppose I'll wait a little longer."
I changed and left the shop.
Nakajima-kun, overwhelmed by Shimizu-san's extraordinary aura, hurried home.
"Now then, I suppose you'll introduce me?"
"I'll just ask and see."
Saying that, I took out my smartphone and sent a message to the message group.
"Shimizu-san says she wants to join the group, but that's a no, right?"
"Shimizu-san!?" said Watanabe-kun.
"That would be bad!" said Sashihara-san.
As I thought, it's a no, right? Eguchi-san is there, so it's impossible, right? Just as I was thinking that...
"Why not? I welcome her," Eguchi-san said.
"Wait, what are you saying!?" Sashihara-san was panicking.
"It's fine. She's mostly after Sakai-kun, I'm sure, but it's a perfect opportunity to make her taste humiliation."
Ah, the conversation has gone in a bad direction.
"Invite her to the group. This is an order."
To put someone in the message group, I first have to obtain their ID. Naturally, my ID will also become known to the other party. That's the act I want to avoid most, but...
"I agree. Isn't this a chance to make that woman taste humiliation to the fullest?"
Even Otonashi-san...
"Sounds interesting. Introduce her."
Tada-kun, I thought you were an ally. With Tada-kun as the trigger, a chorus of "let her join" followed.
Katagiri-kun and Tosaka-san apparently weren't looking at their phones. There was no reply from them.
"Now, I can participate."
A triumphant Shimizu-san.
I reluctantly exchanged message IDs with Shimizu-san.
And then I invited Shimizu-san to the group.
"Sorry for suddenly barging in. I heard you're doing something interesting tomorrow."
When Shimizu-san commented that.
"I'll acknowledge your courage. But I wonder if that composure will last until the day after tomorrow?" came a comment from Eguchi-san.
"It'll last forever. Because I exchanged message IDs with him."
"Be careful not to get blocked."
I don't have that kind of courage.
Shimizu-san ignored Eguchi-san's comment and said to me.
"Thank you. University life has finally started to become interesting."
What a twisted thought process.
I feel like my university life, which had finally started to turn rose-colored, has been painted over in deep blue.
"Where should we meet tomorrow?"
"Uh, at 12:00 at the Yufuin roadside station."
"Then, I should go to your house so I can make it by that time, right?"
"Ah, Katagiri-kun is giving me a ride."
"Katagiri-kun, ah, that person. I understand."
Understand what?
"What time is he coming to pick me up?"
Huh?
"I asked, what time is Katagiri-kun coming to pick me up?"
"10:30, but I think it would be faster and more comfortable if you went on your own."
"Isn't it a wonderful thing to go together with him?"
"I've been thinking this for a while, but why have I become your boyfriend?"
"Oh? Was I dumped? And it was my first love."
"You're really not in love, are you? It's just competitiveness against Eguchi-san, right? I wish you wouldn't involve people in that."
"I suppose... I understand."
She understood? She's surprisingly perceptive.
"First, I have to start by making you fall for me."
Fall for you... Before that, I'll be strangled to death by your entourage.
"I'll stalk you until you admit that I'm serious, so keep that in mind."
Ah, I shouldn't have done that.
(2)
The inside of the car was wrapped in a hostile mood.
"This is quite a narrow car," or
"Why aren't we taking the highway?" Shimizu-san said whatever she wanted.
Airi was emitting a dark aura.
The two in the back were radiating awkwardness, so I'll start by trying to put Airi in a better mood.
"Airi, pass me the candy I bought earlier."
"Eh?"
Airi took the candies out of her bag.
"Both my hands are full and there are many curves, so please."
Whether she understood the meaning or not, Airi's dark aura softened slightly.
"I guess I have no choice. Here, say ahh."
One more push.
"Airi, navigation please."
"The navi is on, isn't it?"
"I have to look ahead, right?"
"You really are hopeless... it's fine to just follow the road as it is."
"Thank you."
I patted Airi's head.
"Yay, you're somehow kinder than usual."
She became very happy.
"You two are very close, aren't you?"
Sakai-kun joined the conversation.
"Well, if you've been dating for six years."
"Because we're fiancés~"
If I were to deny it here, she'd lose her mood again, so I'll stop.
At that moment, I noticed Shimizu-san taking something out of her bag in the back.
It was a candy.
She removed the wrapper and pressed it against Sakai-kun's mouth.
"Wh-what happened all of a sudden?"
Sakai-kun panicked.
"Because that's what lovers do, right?"
She just said something outrageous with a straight face.
"Sakai-kun is going to date Ichinose-san, after all."
Airi provided support.
"I-I hope it turns out that way."
Sakai-kun answered while being mindful of Shimizu-san on his left.
"Oh? Is Ichinose-san the person from yesterday?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, I see..."
At that moment, I didn't miss the suspicious light flashing in the depths of Shimizu-san's eyes.
"I think it's not good to interfere with other people's romance."
I said to Shimizu-san.
"But the one interfering with my romance is Ichinose-san, isn't she?"
"...Shimizu-san, the reason we're gathering today is to support Sakai-kun in confessing to Ichinose-san."
"I hadn't heard that. I see, so that's where the humiliation comes in..."
Shimizu-san's mouth curled up as she listened to Airi.
"W-well, I'm satisfied just by getting her message ID. We've been exchanging messages every day since then."
"Heh, isn't that great!"
Airi praised him after hearing Sakai-kun's story.
At that moment, I noticed. Shimizu-san looking at her own smartphone with a lonely expression. It might be acting, but I couldn't help but be concerned.
"Toya-kun, we've arrived~"
"Ah, yeah."
We reached our destination.
(3)
When we arrived at the roadside station, Watanabe-kun and the others were already waiting.
"Thank you for having me. I am Shimizu."
Shimizu-san bowed to Watanabe-kun.
"Ah, I've heard. Let's have fun today."
"Yes, let's have fun..."
What is it? I feel a sense of incongruity. Is she plotting something? I had a bad feeling.
The others also gathered. Emi also arrived in a black luxury car... no, in Ishihara-kun's car.
"Well then, shall we all move? We'll eat at a nearby Kawara Soba shop and then head to Eguchi-san's villa."
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone got into the cars.
And we departed.
When we arrived at Emi's villa, first came the room assignments.
Every room had twin beds.
Shimizu-san and Ichinose-san were asked to share a room, and Sakai-kun alone was assigned a single room.
Even so, just how spacious is this villa?
Once everyone put their luggage in their rooms, they gathered in the large living room.
"Well then, since there are people here for the first time, shall we do self-introductions?"
When Watanabe-kun said that, it was time for self-introductions.
Once the introductions were over, everyone gathered in their own rooms until dinner preparations.
Sakai-kun had come to our room.
"Things have become serious, haven't they, Sakai-kun?"
"I'm really sorry. Just because I said something unnecessary."
"No one could have imagined she'd actually come, it can't be helped."
Toya-kun and Sakai-kun were talking.
"What should we do? Should we put it on hold for today and just play? With the current Sakai-kun, he can confess anytime, right?"
"I wonder~ I think if we don't do it soon, Shimizu-san's rampage won't stop."
While the two were worrying, it became noisy outside.
"Sakai~! Where is Sakai!?"
"Stop hiding and come out!!"
It was the voices of Kanna and Mika-san.
Toya-kun left the room.
"Oh, Toya. Have you seen Sakai?"
"Today is the day we train Sakai, right!?"
Train...
"Sakai-kun is in my room... whoa!"
Kanna pushed aside the obstructing Toya-kun and approached Sakai-kun.
Then she grabbed his arm and dragged him out.
"Emi!! I've brought him!"
When I also went outside, Emi and Shinjo-san were standing together.
"You haven't forgotten the first objective, right? Shinjo, please begin."
"Understood. You, change into this and come to the dojo in the separate building."
Separate building... dojo...?
What Sakai-kun received was a judo outfit.
"U-um. What does this have to do with straightening out my spirit?"
"First, you will sweat profusely and at the same time, retrain that slack spirit!"
When Shinjo-san said that, he was half-forcibly made to change, and after receiving only breakfall practice, he was thrown repeatedly.
This is cruel...
I started to feel sorry for Sakai-kun, who was being thrown.
"Is it frustrating!? Feel the frustration! That's where it starts! There's no one who wouldn't feel frustrated being thrown by a woman!"
The logic is a mess.
Is this some kind of sports-spirit story?
It was Ichinose-san who handed a towel to Sakai-kun, who had become a wreck after being thrown for nearly two hours.
"Good work, that was tough."
"I-it really was a drilling..."
"Sakai! This isn't the end! Once you've changed, come to the dining hall."
When told by Shinjo-san, Sakai-kun headed back to the main building, changed, and went to the dining hall.
"From here on, I think I'll have Ichinose-san cooperate too."
"Y-yes?"
Several maids were waiting in the dining hall.
We were standing by the wall, observing.
The real thing started after the two of them entered the dining hall.
"Wrong! There, women have priority!"
Smack!
"You unfold the napkin after ordering the food!"
Whack!
"The manner is to use the cutlery from the outside in!"
Smack!
Shinjo-san checked every single detail.
He must be covered in bruises.
"Must be nice, getting to eat the food."
Poke
"Why don't you take the lesson together, Toya-kun? Then you can eat too."
When I said that, Shinjo-san...
"Do you wish to receive the lesson as well?"
...asked.
Toya-kun hurriedly shook his head.
After that, the manner lessons continued, changing locations to the parking lot, the hall, and so on.
He was pointed out at every turn and struck with a whip.
We just watched.
Ishihara-kun was closing his eyes and covering his ears.
So this was what Ishihara-kun had been afraid of.
Shimizu-san watched it with a bitter expression.
Today is an event for Sakai-san and Ichinose-san, after all~.
In the evening, Shimizu-san was on the phone.
After about 30 minutes, a pickup limousine appeared.
"Oh? I thought you were staying over?"
When Eguchi-san said that, the limousine drove off in silence.
"Now we change the room assignments."
Watanabe-kun said.
Eh?
"That's right. Sakai-kun, move to Ichinose-san's room."
Emi instructed.
If he were to object, Shinjo-san's whip was waiting.
Sakai-kun obeyed quietly.
I-isn't that too fast when they're not even dating yet!?
"It's okay. By the time they go to sleep, that problem will be gone."
Since Ai said that, I convinced myself that's how it was.
While the men were preparing the BBQ outside, we were in the kitchen cutting vegetables and such.
A kitchen where there was still plenty of room even with six women standing.
The ones mainly moving were Kanna and Mika-san, and Emi, who was practicing.
We were supporting them.
Ah, Ichinose-san was washing the rice and setting the rice cooker.
"Honoka, how is Sakai-kun?"
Ai asked.
"Yeah, I think he became a bit more manly from today."
"I'll train him even harder tomorrow, so he'll become even more wonderful."
Emi said.
I'm really starting to feel sorry for Sakai-kun.
"He's enough as he is... ah!"
Ichinose-san hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand.
"It's fine. It would be a problem otherwise. But if he becomes more manly, that's all the better, isn't it?"
I said that to Ichinose-san.
"I'm looking forward to tonight. Tell me during the bath."
When Ai said that, she asked back, "Tell you what?"
"Tonight, he should let you hear some wonderful words."
Ai said.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"Why? Do you think I set up today for no reason?"
"Could it be..."
She finally seemed to notice.
"It might be a nuisance to Honoka. But he... seems to have feelings for Honoka."
"No way... I don't want... seriously...?"
If you start crying now, the main event will be tough, you know?
"So let me know the result."
"Let you know the result... you already know, don't you!"
That's true, but I want to confirm it properly.
"Regardless, Shimizu-san was a masterpiece."
Emi seemed very satisfied.
"Was that lesson based on reading that far ahead?"
When I asked Emi, Emi shook her head and said.
"It was planned from the start. She's the one who went out of her way to barge in."
I see~.
"I wonder if Sakai-kun is okay?"
"Airi, you're worrying too much. If he gives up at that level, it won't last long anyway."
"It's what you call a rite of passage for our group."
When I worried, Kanna and Mika-san said that.
"I almost want to make my Makoto take it too."
"I might ask them to do it for my Eita too," Ai said.
Is it just my imagination that Makoto-kun would absolutely love it?
(4)
"I feel like we did something sorry to Shimizu-san."
Sakai-kun said.
"You don't have to worry about it. Since Sakai-kun is choosing Ichinose-san, it would have happened sooner or later."
I said that while starting the fire with charcoal.
"That's right, Sakai-kun. If you have time to think about that, why don't you think about your lines for tonight?"
Watanabe-kun said while preparing the table.
"T-tonight?"
Sakai-kun was surprised.
"Sakai-kun, why do you think we called you today? I told you, I'm pushing you off a cliff."
"B-but it hasn't been that many days since we met. Moreover, it's only been three days since I got her message ID?"
"She asked for it herself, right? That's plenty of a sign," said Watanabe-kun.
"You've had more time, and you were together at work for a month, right? You're better off. I was confessed to out of the blue," said Ishihara-kun.
"This group is way more Spartan than I thought."
"If you have someone in mind, you can bring them in!"
"I do have someone I want to put through that lesson. He plays soccer."
"Well, I'm always available for consultation if you feel like it."
Saying that, Watanabe-kun grinned.
The fire started.
We're ready on this end.
I wonder how the women are doing?
"Oh, the fire's lit."
When Kanna said that, the women came over in a crowd.
Meat and vegetables. And plenty of rice balls. Then cold drinks.
Everyone took a drink, and Watanabe-kun led the toast.
"Sakai-kun, good work! A toast to celebrate Sakai-kun's future!"
It's already decided, then.
"Cheers!!"
Meat meat meat!!
Poke
"You have to take some vegetables too."
Airi put vegetables on my plate.
"Emi! What are you drinking!?"
"I drank it before, it's fine, it's fine."
"No, that's not the issue."
Ishihara-kun has changed so much that he can now warn Eguchi-san. Well, if he went through that training, that makes sense.
"Kanna, don't drink too much."
"Tonight is a celebration, so it's fine!"
"I won't know if you can't move tomorrow because of a headache."
Makoto has it rough too.
"Eita, if you put that much in your mouth at once..."
"Uguuu..."
"See, I told you so. There's plenty, so eat slowly."
Sashihara-san was taking care of Kiritani-kun. These two seem to have settled down as well.
"Mika, you don't have to grill that much meat, grill it slowly."
"Why? Everyone has to go for it! It's a BBQ!"
"Well, that's true. But there's no time limit. Let us eat slowly."
"Everyone except Makoto is too herbivorous. With this many beauties gathered, you should go for it more! Get fired up!"
"You... you're drinking again."
I understand what she wants to say, but...
I suddenly think.
A mysterious group where even if you enter solo, you'll be coupled up before you know it.
Well, it's slightly the work of two people.
But isn't it a circle of happiness?
There are pairs who entered happily from the start.
Including us.
Before I knew it, Sakai-kun and Ichinose-san were gone.
I looked around... there they were.
Sakai-kun was saying something.
Ichinose-san hugged him.
Ah, it went well.
Congratulations.
"Sakai-kun, that was good," Airi spoke to me.
"Yeah."
That makes six couples.
It's become quite a large social group...
Come to think of it, I wonder what happened to Shimizu-san?
I happened to look at the group messages.
"I'll withdraw quietly today. It won't go like this next time."
I laughed seeing that message.
"What's wrong?"
I showed the message to Airi, who asked.
Airi also chuckled.
"Watanabe-kun."
"What is it, Toya?"
"Not as an atonement for today, but why don't you find a boyfriend for Shimizu-san too?"
"...Is that necessary? That person will find one herself, right?"
I guess so.
I looked up at the night sky.
A sky full of stars was visible.